Inspector Faro could not have suspected that an evening spent at a glittering banquet to honor his famous cousin was to end in sudden and tragic death. He is shown into a dark and dusty room in the sinister Wizard's house near Edinburgh Castle. In the corner lies what appears to be a bundle of rags, but a closer inspection reveals the body of a young woman whose lustrous hair and delicate hands belie her tattered dress. her identity remains a mystery as Faro sets off for a weekend at Aberlethie, where the guest of honor is to be none other than Queen Victoria's favorite god-daughter, the Grand Duchess of Luxoria. When Faro arrives at the house there is no sign of the Duchess. Then her personal maid tells Faro a chilling tale...