When Brewster, my bodyguard, comes to me about a murder of a pugilistâand whatâs more, says his wife has summoned meâI must hasten to St. Giles to find a killer before Brewster is arrested for the crime. This is made difficult because my wifeâs late husbandâs odious cousin has materialized to try to wrest her son into his care. After all, seven-year-old Peter is a viscount, and his cousin wants to get closer to the title.
But how close? If Peterâs life is in danger, I must remain, but Brewster risks hanging for the death of his wifeâs brother-in-law. Heâs done too much for me to turn my back on him, but the devil if Iâll let the Breckenridge cousin get his clutches on Peter.
It will take all my perseverance, and a few wiles, to plough through these difficulties. In the meantime, I meet a Runner who teaches me about crime and punishment in this enlightened age, and Brewsterâs old trainer, who made him the excellent pugilistâand thiefâhe is today.