Lamenting that "the age of great criminals has passed", Ashton-Kirk is bored and longs for something to whet his wits. It comes a few minutes after saying that in the form of Nora Cavanaugh, friend to a friend, who is in terrible trouble and danger after the murder of prominent man-about-town, Tom Burton. "Who held the old-fashioned brass candlestick that struck down "the Bounder"--and set mystery a-throbbing in the quiet suburb of Stanwick? Bat Scanlon, athletic trainer and good sport, found a clue in the dark hotel office where the little Swiss sharpened his murderous knife. But it was Ashton-Kirk who discovered the part a beautiful woman played in the drama."