In this enthralling crime novel penned by Margery Allingham, a secluded gathering takes a chilling turn at Black Dudley. As the guests, a dubious group with hidden motives, partake in the eerie Black Dudley Dagger ceremony, tragedy strikes with the death of Colonel Coombe. Pathologist George Abbershaw's suspicions ignite, and when a crucial item goes missing, a gang of criminals seizes control, holding the trapped guests hostage. Amidst the gripping suspense, questions linger: Can they escape the clutches of the ominous manor? What truly transpired with the Colonel? And who is the enigmatic figure known as Mr. Campion?