A young translator who had been helping an elderly, respected priest with his studies of ancient religious texts dies after falling from the stairs in his house. Police superintendent Thomas Pitt—who is assigned to investigate—finds himself in a truly difficult position. It’s not enough to find the culprit—if there is one at all—he must do everything possible to avoid a scandal in society and among the highest church circles. And what’s worse: one of the suspects is the inspector’s wife’s first love, who is certain of his innocence. So the policeman will have to conduct another investigation—an unofficial one: he must understand why she stands up for this man so fiercely. Maybe she still loves him?..