Mrs. Lois Latter, who has recently moved to the Latter-End estate, out of curiosity attends a reception given by the famous magician Memnon and hears from him a grim prediction—a soon violent death. The prophecy soon comes true: the hostess is found dead on the terrace, and a lethal dose of morphine is discovered in her coffee. Miss Silver, the senior inspector Lamm, and Sergeant Abbot take on the investigation of this mysterious case.