"There was a brief period during which Father Brown enjoyed, or rather did not enjoy, something like fame. He was a nine days' wonder in the newspaper; he was even a topic of controversy in the weekly reviews. His exploits were narrated eagerly and accurately in any number of clubs and drawing-rooms...his adventures as a detective were even made the subject of short stories appearing in magazines."

Strangely enough, this renown reaches him at a most unwelcome time. Sent to officiate in a dispute in South America, he lands in the middle of a revolution, recognized, attacked and left for dead.

In fact everyone thinks he is dead--until he rises from his coffin, creating no end of trouble with the natives...for they certainly know a resurrection when they see one!