简介：Whenadecapitatedbodyisfoundinthecanal,thepolicemustfirstidentifythevictim.TheMasterofanOxfordcollege,SirAlexanderReece,contactshisoldfriendMorsetoobtainassistanceinlocatingtheDeputyMaster,DavidKerridge,whoisnowfourdaysoverduefromhisplannedreturntocollege.KerridgeisfoundbatteredtodeathinhisLondonflatbutoddly,it'salsodeterminedthatthebodyinthecanalwaswearingoneofKerridge'ssuits.MorseandLewisconcludethattheheadlessbodyisthatofNicholasBalarat,amemberofReece'scollegeandaseniorcivilservantwhomayhavedeniedReeceanimportantappointment.However,anothermurderatthecollegesendsthedetectivesinanaltogetherdifferentdirection.…