The second in the 'Fleming Stone' series of mystery novels by popular author Carolyn Wells, 'The Gold Bag' centres on the mysterious murder of a wealthy businessman Joseph Crawford – killed in the comfort of his own home. Amateur young detective Herbert Burroughs is on the case, but finds himself increasingly baffled by the many clues he unearths. Matters are complicated when he realises he is growing romantically attached to one of the suspects, and so he calls on the famous investigator Fleming Stone for help.