The last crime of the notorious thief Flambeau was a Christmas crime, a cheery, cosy, English middle-class crime.

Threatening notes are sent to a brilliant inventor, apparently from a former rival for the affections of a young lady.

Confined to a room in an exclusive club during an important dinner, Father Brown notices some unusual sounding footsteps.

Hot on the trail of master criminal Flambeau, the head of the Paris police arrives in London, where he begins to notice small things out of place.

A decapitated body is found during a dinner party at the house of the Chief of the Paris Police, in the walled garden. Father Brown is a guest ...