Alleyn's girlfriend Agatha Troy has a commission to paint the portrait of Sir Henry Ancred, a famous actor, at his house in the country, Ancreton Manor. Troy finds Sir Henry far from well, and before long she sends for Alleyn in his own professional capacity, to investigate her subject's sudden death. Alleyn finds a mixed-up tale of anonymous letters and arguments over the dead man's will - and he decides to have Sir Henry's body exhumed.