A mystery written by acclaimed mystery author Anna Katharine Green. One of her most interesting mysteries, this explores the nature of moral weakness when confronted with violence. A young clergyman is found dead in mysterious circumstances in a disused mill. The news is fatal to his fianc e. And an imperious matron on the other side of town also has a stroke on hearing the news. Why? And why are her two sons behaving in such a sinister manner? The dying fianc e's room-mate - a level-headed orphan - decides to investigate, takes a job nursing the sick woman, and helps to uncover a shocking tale of selfishness, greed and hypocrisy.