The Lincolnshire town of Flaxborough seems respectable enough, with many professionals living there. There has been one funeral recently, of Harold Carobleat, a Councillor, and now there is another one, of Marcus Gwill, the proprietor of the local newspaper. Inspector Purbright, assisted by Chief Constable Chubb, must assess whether the locals really are respectable. Advertisements for antiques appear in the local newspaper and these become central to the investigation.