Philo Stern, on his deathbed, has confessed to murdering one Robert James Allen and burying the body in the cellar of the Allen family home. However, Cosgrove James knows that Stern is lying, because he, Cosgrove, is Robert James Allen, and is very much alive. So why is Stern lying? and whose bones lie in the cellar? Cosgrove assumed a new identity years earlier, after accidentally killing one Burt Jones, who had broken into his father's cabin and was taking his belongings. Now a famous mystery writer, Cosgrove faces a dilemma. If the world believes Philo Stern's confession, then Robert James Allen is dead, and he, Cosgrove can go on living a rich carefree life. But how can a successful and famous mystery writer like himself turn down the challenge of solving his own apparent murder? The chief investigator and Cosgrove' good friend, Lieutenant Frank Bollo is delighted to have an open and shut case dropped into his lap. The murderer has confessed, the body and murder weapon was exactly where the confessed murderer said they were. Things could not get any better. Little does the lieutenant know that his friend Cosgrove James was about to make his life miserable. Bill was born in Georgia. He was raised by his grandparents. He spent four years in the Navy. After being discharged from the Navy he decided to enter the world of finance. He was hired as a teller. Twenty-five years later, he retired from the bank as Bank President. He lives with his wife Janet in California.