An extra body is found buried in a grave in a small village where, twenty years ago, an expensive emerald necklace was stolen. Lord Peter must find the killer - and the jewels.
Wimsey discovers that the mysterious murdered man spent time in France and travels there to speak to his wife, and with the Vicar's help later later cracks a cipher.
After a car accident in the snow, Wimsey and Bunter are put up by the local country vicar on New Year's Eve, Wimsey stands in for an ailing bell ringer.