Retired Captain Rider Sandman is summoned to the office of the Home Secretary, Lord Sidmouth. A portrait artist named Charles Corday has been sentenced to death for the murder of the Countess of Avebury and Corday's mother has petitioned for his pardon.
A retired military commander, Captain Rider Sandman, was summoned to meet with Lord Sidmouth, the Home Secretary. The portrait artist, Charles Corday, had been sentenced to death for murdering the Countess of Avebury and his mother had asked for his mercy.