While on a walking tour of the West Country, Harriet stumbles on the body of a bearded man with his throat cut on a rocky outcropping near the sea.

Old Pollock tells the police he sold Paul Alexis 300 gold sovereigns. Lord Peter and Harriet attempt to deal with his infatuation and her fragile state of mind. Looking for Mrs. Weldon's husband, Bunter has more questions than answers.

Peter and Harriet solve Paul Alexis coded letter and learn he was plotting to restore the monarchy to Russia. However his arranged meeting took place two hours before he died and witness Jem Pollock only saw Alexis meet with a young woman.