The huge old house on the California coast seemed to be constantly shrouded in fog, which added to the gloom that permeated the atmosphere and affected the senses of the people who lived there. The master of the house was the famed poet, Ford Hunt - who had not been seen by anyone but his nephew and his manservant since the death of his wife, five years ago. The old man kept to his attic apartment, communicating with no one below... but did he really live there? What was he hiding from... if indeed he were still alive? Enid Blair could not help asking herself that and many other questions when she came to Cliffcrest after a whirlwind courtship and marriage. Now she was Geoffrey's bride, and should have been happy in the household of so famous a man -- but Geoffrey seemed married to the service of his mysterious uncle... and to a secret so shocking that it was to threaten Enid's sanity... and life!