Mo-rse finds hims:`; e\lf -the subj()ect o+\f a murder]^%  i @^nve%-stigat,%ion^ ( wh#$en?? h#+`[is :$friend,  `Beryl. New%_som$@e, is murd;`ered at .%;,a rehearsal of the .Magic Flute and he fo`
olish(:ly tou,ches `)@the mur;der $;*weapon. $%*Morse: _= is susp+ende- [d $_and DCI ;;*Botto%=!mley, with D _S Lewis assisting him, i s put in
]charge of t$he ?(ca\(se. M/
orse feels that he w/=as! set/;;-up a*@#n!#d looks to his past  (!to see who_,? am ong!= the*= many [crimina
ls `#he arrested, migh`t now be setting abou-)t se=_ekin:g revenge. When som, eone scratches masonic*([ symbol.s all  over his c_=a r an.%d he is r+-!ep#orted for erratic driving, M orse wonde?rs if Ma=sons_ may- somehow be %#in@/volved.
)!When*] a la *[rge number`: of *)%his p ,`ersonal it-ems ,?*-are found in Beryl'*+*/s apartme+\nt, Morse is #%pl/ ac=ed \under arr!est.