Hercule Poirot was asked by Miss Violet Marsh to solve a unique challenge set by her late uncle. He had left a will stating that unless Violet could prove her cleverness within a year by finding a hidden will or some money, all his wealth would go to charities. Violet, determined to take on this challenge, explained to Poirot that her uncle had always disapproved of her modern education and had set this test as a final challenge.