In this tale of mystery and suspense, a stranger enters the inner sanctum of the Ashby family posing as Patrick Ashby, the heir to the familys sizable fortune. The stranger, Brat Farrar, has been carefully coached on Patricks mannerisms, appearance, and every significant detail of Patricks early life, up to his thirteenth year when he disappeared and was thought to have drowned himself. It seems as if Brat is going to pull off this most incredible deception until old secrets emerge that jeopardize the imposters plan and his life.