The Innocence of Father Brown

Father Brown and Flambeau go to the new offices where Flambeau is now working. He works there with two sisters, Pauline and Joan Stacey, the former of whom is an heiress who, with a combination of idealism and pragmatism, uses her fortune to advance progressive causes. In the same building is a man named Kalon, who is the priest of a new pagan religion worshipping the sun god Apollo. Flambeau soon learns that Pauline is part of this religion, having adopted the religion’s belief that once she achieves perfect spiritual and physical health, she will be able to stare into the sun, as it is a star like any other. The charming and seemingly intellectual Kalon gives a prayer to Apollo before a crowd outside when, in the midst of the prayer, everyone hears a crash. Father Brown and Flambeau find Pauline dead, having fallen from the building. The two then go upstairs in the building to investigate.

Kalon joins them, as does Pauline’s sister Joan. Father Brown asks Kalon what the religion says about murder. Kalon asks if he is accusing him of murder, and Father Brown says that he is not. Kalon then says that he and Father Brown represent opposing theologies.