A stiffening breeze from San Francisco bay is sweeping across the sea wall into Henry Barbour's garden. It is five o'clock now, and Clifford Barbour, carrying a tray, makes his way from the back door of the family home, through the hedge to Jack's house. Upstairs in the nursery, Nicolette is helping the six little girls with their baths, and Betty in the kitchen hears a queer, repeated sound from the back steps...