 Rumpole travels to Naranga to defend a one-time student, David Mazenze who is charged with murdering Bishop Kareele. What Rumpole finds is a client who is in unusually good spirits, living in relative luxury at police headquarters and who is without an alibi. He is shocked however to learn that Naranga long ago abolished the jury system and that the trial is before a judge only. Rumpole soon finds himself mixed up in local and tribal politics, with the cards clearly stacked against him. Things seem to turn to his advantage when he locates a surprise witness, but finds he has just been a pawn in a much larger game.