In the 1920s, the world went Egypt-crazy, and even Philo Vance, that eminent scholar-sleuth, has some sympathy for the fad--though of course he knows lots more about the topic than anyone else. When a wealthy Egyptologist is murdered, with mysterious inscriptions and artifacts dotted round, it's only natural that John FS Markham calls Philo for help. After all, Markham is merely the New York District Attorney, whereas Philo Vance is...well, Philo Vance.