The Flying Stars: The Innocence of Father Brown

“The Flying Stars” is one of G. K. Chesterton’s mysteries featuring Father Brown.  The story takes place at an English manor home on Boxing Day. A young lady and the young man who lives next door are present, as is the girl’s father, Colonel Adams, a newly arrived uncle and a quite rich godfather. Also present, in addition to the servants, simply because the Colonel likes his company is the local priest, Father Brown. The godfather has brought a gift for the young lady, a set of three gorgeous, large diamonds, which he has tucked away in his coat pocket. The uncle comes up with a plan for the evening’s enter, a masquerade play, with costumes and hijinks and jokes.  Of course, the diamonds get stolen during the evening, and  can Father Brown discover the culprit before the curtain falls?