John Mannering, proprietor of Quins, Bond Street, was used to beautiful objects: they were his business. But even he was dazzled by the beauty of the nest-egg of spun gold and precious jewels offered for sale by the hideous hunchback - and even more so by the old man's niece, Miranda, a girl with cerulean blue eyes and golden hair. It was some time before Mannering realized the girl was def and dumb, the helpless pawn in a violent and deadly intrigue that threatened them all!
