"I'll slit his throat - without the slightest compunction or hesitation."

Martin Scudamore was in the cinema when he overheard this threat, as part of a conversation about four rings, and what would happen if "Mr Lovelace" got in their way. Determined to do the right thing, he tells Helen Repton who works at Scotland Yard. And she promptly enlists the help of one Anthony Lotherington Bathurst.

They promptly race to Lovelace's residence but are too late. Lovelace lies dying, only able to gasp two words - "innocent" and, for some reason "teaspoon". Bathurst finds himself in a treasure hunt, up against someone who is willing to kill again to get what they want.

The Ring Of Innocent was first published in 1952. This new edition features an introduction by Steve Barge.