The Resurrection of Father Brown

Like most other detective stories, this one could begin with the words: “nothing foretold trouble.” And indeed. One of those quiet, moonlit evenings, Father Brown went to meet his political opponent Alvarez. He walked between two walls made of large, shapeless stones. It was so silent that the missionary could hear only the crunch of gravel under his feet and the sounds of his own breathing. He passed through the gates without stopping, and then, from the top of a tree, some man jumped down at him like a monkey and stabbed him. At that very minute, another man—quickly crawling along the wall—swung a club and struck him on the head. Father Brown turned around, staggered, and fell to the ground. His round face showed mild confusion… Who could have lifted a hand against this gentle, harmless man? Maybe it was the work of mysterious robbers—or perhaps of some otherworldly forces? Ah, how useful Father Brown’s gift of deduction would be right now… but alas, he lies lifeless on the ground, and the chances of catching his killers grow more and more phantom with every minute…