The dogged, deductive investigation by Inspector Littlejohn of the death of the proprietor of an antique shop, whose body arrives at the home of a customer in an old, oaken chest. In his pursuit of the case Littlejohn uncovers several affairs, blackmail, stolen goods, a suicide, and an assortment of characters savory to unsavory. Nicely characterized, neatly plotted, for those in not too much of a hurry.