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.

Orphaned Stephen goes to live with his uncle Abney and finds himself haunted by the ghosts of two children.

A 19th-century historian and his protege find a clue to Abbot Thomas 's treasure in an old stained-glass window. But the Abbot has set a guardian over his hoard.