An extortionist s note, demanding $20,000 in cash and threatening the kidnapping of Kate Willett s two mentally unbalanced sons, sent Lieutenant Valcour rushing up to the Willetts Adirondacks camp. There, death struck with slashing suddenness while Valcour was talking to young Arthur Willett, who was sprawled on a sofa smoking a cigarette. Listening to the crackling roar of flames in the fireplace, Valcour detected the odor of burning cloth. He glanced at Arthur. The cigarette lay in Arthur s lap. His chin was slumped on his chest. Valcour rushed to his side and in stunned amazement stared at the dark mark where a bullet had entered Arthur s skull A fast-moving drama of multiple murder, featuring Lieutenant Valcour at top form "