Walter Penmark is found burnt to death in a locked room after receiving a warning, in latin, IGNIS meaning fire. Peggy Langdon is also murdered by a block of ice after receiving a warning, GRANDO meaning Hail. Mrs McCarthy receives a warning, FAMES meaning starvation. Father Brown and Sid investigate to save Mrs McCarthy's life, that Walter Penmark's wife had committed suicide and had been the subject of domestic violence, gossip, and advice from Mrs McCarthy to give up her lover, a local fireman. Her sister, Ruby Nellins, had returned from America for her funeral and stayed on in Kembleford to run a business. A business an entrepreneur was trying to buy along with Peggy Langdon's home and properties owned by Walter Penmark.