Ellery Queen investigates a series of bizarre murders that lead to a mysterious religious cult.

Trick I-The first thing to vanish is a worthless doorstop. Then, in the twinkling of an eye, goes its rich and elderly owner. And, for the grand finale, both reappear-each as dead as the other. Trick II-From the House of Darkness issues more bafflement. In total darkness and from a distance of twelve feet, four bullets are pumped within an inch of each other into a spectator's back-a feat utterly impossible to perform yet brazenly and undeniably done....