Ellery visits a cousin in a tiny town. His aunt, a sprightly, lovable artist at age 91, is murdered. A tramp, John Kowalsyzk, is a suspect, and a posse is organized against Ellery’s wishes and forces him to take quick action to prove his own solution to the crime.
Ellery and Inspector Queen are approached by Abel Bendigo, a member of the powerful Bendigo munitions company family, when the life of brother King is threatened. Ellery refuses the case until he learns that the government is anxious that no harm come to King. He and the Inspector then agree to go to the island where the munitions factory is located and the Bendigo family make their home.