Ironsides Cromwell Series / The Dead Man Laughs / Victor Gunn

Chief Inspector Bill Cromwell of Scotland Yard is in an even worse mood than usual because an urgent assignment leads him from London to the wintry, snowy county of Surrey: Maurice Hatherton has escaped from prison. The thief and murderer was only caught three years ago because of the testimony of Sir Kenneth Parsloe, lord of Higham Top, to whom Hatherton swore revenge. The police have no doubt that he intends to carry this out. Cromwell, his assistant Johnny Lister and Inspector Catchpole of the County Police are sent to warn and protect Sir Kenneth.

Due to the weather, the journey proves difficult. When the three officers finally arrive, they are just in time to find Sir Kenneth dead and frozen stiff beside his car: Apparently, the nobleman, known as a reckless speeder, has crashed on an icy road. Cromwell does not recognise any telltale traces in the snow at the scene of the accident, but he does recognise a silent observer: it is Hatherton, who apparently followed up his threat with action……