While playing golf, young Jack Hartington hears a woman's voice crying ""Murder! Help! Murder!""

Racing in the direction of the voice, Jack comes upon Felise Marchaud, a young Frenchwoman living in a cottage nearby who is sceptical of his claims and who claims to have heard nothing.

Several days later under almost identical conditions Jack hears the cry again, and then starts to doubt his sanity.

Enlisting the aid of Dr. Lavington, a psychiatrist, and Felise, Jack finds that the supernatural events surrounding the cottage seem, by an odd coincidence, to have some connection with a blue jar purchased some months previously by his Uncle George.

Jack is persuaded by his new friends to fetch the blue jar, which turns out to be Ming and priceless beyond value.

A cautionary tale of youthful inexperience and naivety from the pen of Agatha Christie.