But for the blistering June heat in Frisbie County, Shadwell Dunn's old mansion would not have known its strangest and most sinister adventure. Three men, of widely differing social stations, would have died in their beds instead of in their boots. And little old Professor Ames, with his wistful eyes and his mop of white hair, would never have mooned his way about those ancient rooms, determined to save the fourth man.

Some murder stories blow hot and then cold, but in this one the excitement never diminishes. Besides the continuous action and suspense, it has a deeper probing into...