An early murder mystery by the prolific American author Carolyn Wells, and the first one to feature her famous detective, Fleming Stone. A group of people, including an English earl, have been invited to a house party at Maxwell Chimneys, where spoilt society heir Philip Maxwell lives with his uncle and aunt. Everyone expects a few days of entertainment and flirtation, but on the first evening, Philip is found dead in the library, alongside an unconscious woman who has the murder weapon in her hand. A local detective is consulted to help one of the guests (the narrator) find the murderer. After prolonged efforts, and at their wits’ end, the two bring in Fleming Stone, who rapidly and easily clears up the mystery. (Summary by Winnifred Assmann)