The private eye Ronald Camberwell and his associate Chaney are called to investigate about the mysterious disappearance of 15th century gold chalice and paten and of two priceless books. These precious antiques have been stolen from a county church’s vestry – but this is not all. As soon as the two detectives start exploring the old building, they discover the murdered body of a man, lying within the squire’s large wooden pew. Carson Effingham, the scholarly rector of the church, his wife, his secretary and his domestics all play important parts in this mystery which only the combined efforts of Camberwell and Chaney, the local police and Scotland Yard can unravel.