Pitt is woken by his boss, Narraway, very early in the morning. He's got to investigate the murder of a maid. 'Can't one of the more junior policemen go to the scene of the crime? ', grumbles Pitt. It's at Buckingham Palace, says Narraway.

The suspects are narrowed down to a group of house guests who are meeting with the Prince of Wales to discuss the funding of a huge project: the Cape to Cairo railway. While the Prince might overlook the unfortunate loss of a maid while they're there, the Queen is due back soon and if she finds out, she's likely to veto any Royal support in the scheme.

While Pitt gets a fascinating glimpse of Palace life, he firmly believes in the concept of justice - yet now he witnesses people who are able to make their own laws and their own justice.