The first chapter of the novel describes events and circumstances immediately following the discovery of the body of Mary Turner, stabbed to death on her own veranda. These events include the immediate and painless surrender of her alleged murderer, a black servant named Moses, and the mental disintegration of Mary's husband, Dick. The initial investigation is conducted by a patronizing police inspector called Denham, brought onto the Turner farm by a suspicious but strangely compassionate neighbor named Charlie Slatter. Slatter and Denham both regard the farm's assistant manager, Tony Marston, with a degree of contempt, but are nonetheless intrigued when he says he witnessed circumstances that he says might shed some light on the killing. Denham tells him that unless he has cold, hard facts, he (Denham) isn't interested in hearing anything. Marston feels snubbed, remaining silent as Mary's body and Dick Turner are both taken away.