It takes place in northern England. Oliver Bassett, an acter and director of a theater company is missing. A young author Mr. Copplestone, who has come to meet with Bassett and the business manager start out to find him. They track him to Scarhaven, where Copplestone meets Audrey Greyle, the cousin of the Squire of Scarhaven Heep. Bassett has disappeared in Scarhaven and murder is suspected. Of course, there is more than the missing man; another criminal act is discovered as the clues come in, and typical of the 20s mysteries, there is a love interest as well.