Lewis Brading, owner of the priceless Brading collection of jewellry, is a frightened man He's beginning to see thieves around every corner, which is ironic, given that it was through members of that profession that he amassed his famous collection When he approaches Miss Silver to ask her to take on the role of private investigator, she turns him away with some free advice A fortnight later Miss Silver receives a letter from Brading, begging again for her help But by then it's too late Because in that morning's paper is the news of his murder