A mysterious box in the old library of Barchester Cathedral reveals the strange story leading up to the death of a former archdeacon. From some old diaries, Dr Black, a scholar, pieces together a chain of events leading to a horrifying climax. As Dr Black delves deeper into the past a macabre explanation emerges. But surely such things cannot be...

A man comes to a Norfolk seaside town in winter. He is looking for an ancient crown he thinks is buried nearby. A local legend foretells disasters if anyone moves the crown. Indeed, some years before a visiting archaeologist was killed but no murderer was found. No one knows where the crown is buried, or if they do they won't say. The searcher persists and succeeds - but he finds a great deal more than the crown.