Con artists Odwin and Niranda Fox ease the suffering of those who have lost loved ones by offering a "special gift" their blind son Matteus possesses: the ability to eat the sins of the deceased, thus ensuring unencumbered passage into the hereafter.

Odwin and Niranda are summoned by rich and reclusive H.H. HOLLAMS, who wishes to be expunged of his sins. The Foxes, blinded by what they might be able to con from Hollams readily agree. However, there is a caveat: the sin-eater must drink of his blood. Despite Niranda's initial objections, the Fox's greedily agree.

Following the “sin-eating,” Matteus falls into a coma. ELSPETH, a serving girl, looks after Matteus while the Foxes wrestle with the exultation of now being well-off versus the overwhelming guilt Niranda feels over subjecting Matteus to such an ordeal.

Secrets are exposed: Niranda gave up a theatrical career to marry Odwin when she found herself pregnant with Matteus. A "medicinal" tea she feeds Matteus may have more to do with casting her as the suffering mother of an ailing child than truly helping the child. Odwin has no desire to return to a hand-to-mouth existence as a purveyor of sideshow attractions; as well, he has long suspected Matteus is not be his child. As Odwin and Niranda engage in a genteel dance of recrimination, Matteus’ mental condition deteriorates and he alludes to visits by dark spirits.

Elspeth investigates the possible cause of Matteus’ declining health and finds all clues lead to Hollams; who he was, his sins, and the unholy bargain he had made which he sought to escape from...

Which was now coming due.