Atticus is suspicious of technology and can’t drive a car, so he asks James to drive them to Saxby-on-Avon. Atticus and James arrive at Pye Hall after a three-hour drive from London. They are both acquainted with detective Raymond Chubb, who is investigating the murder. Chubb tells them that Magnus was beheaded with a sword taken from a suit of armor in the house, and that his wife found him dead when she returned from London that evening. On her way up to the estate, she saw a car driving off as she arrived; she is now hospitalized from the shock.

Atticus notices a handprint in the flowerbed as they enter the house. As soon as they pass the threshold, they come upon the scene of the murder, including a bloodstained rug and a sword used as the murder weapon. Atticus claims that Magnus knew the person who killed him and was showing them out of the house when they attacked. Atticus also notices that there is a painting missing in the hallway. In the living room, there is a painting slightly ajar, with a safe behind it. Chubb informs them that there was a loaded gun in the desk drawer.