Summary Sir Paul Berowne gives his latest anonymous letter to Adam Dalgliesh and the next day visits Father Francis Barnes at St. Matthews Church in Paddington, requesting permission to spend one night alone in a spare room at his church. The next day, Sir Paul's body is found by Mrs. Wharton, a church volunteer, his throat slit. There was also a homeless man, Harry Mack, also dead in the room with him. Dalgliesh takes charge of the case and learns from Father Francis that he had only known Berowne for less than two weeks but had noticed something very peculiar at communion. Mack was a regular often seeking shelter at the church. Inspector Miskin looks into the death of Sir Paul's servant Diana Travers and they are surprised that the post-mortem was performed by the Special Branch pathologist.

• Crime
• Drama
• Mystery