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.
Captain Rider Sandman, a retired military officer, was summoned to the office of Lord Sidmouth, the Home Secretary. Portrait artist Charles Corday had been found guilty of killing the Countess of Avebury and was facing execution; however, his mother's plea for mercy led to an appeal for clemency.