Cambridge, 1353 - it is a damp, gloomy November day, and the body by the Cam is just beginning of the intrigue in store for Michaelhouse...

Physician Matthew Bartholomew recongnises the deceased as the book-bearere of the Michaelhouse Fellow John Runham. The death certanily looks like sucide - Runham's servent was well known for his black moods - but before Bartholomew can reach a definitive conclusion, a second tragic incident occurs...

Meanwhile, at Michaelhouse itself, the Master announces his retirement to everyone's surprise - everyonr, that is, except the ruthless Runham. Hastily elected, he immediately moves to make his mark upon the college: sacking the choir, building a courtyatd the college cannot afford and demanding that Bartholomew choose between his teaching and his medical work. But just as Bartholomew is agonising over such an impossable decision, the new Master is discovered dead...