In a story of utmost tension, Ignazio Silone briefly reveals the mystery of his own homeland, the Abruzzo. The hero of the book, Luca Sabatini, returns as an old man to his hometown after nearly a lifetime in prison: his innocence has been proven. Forty years ago, a merchant was attacked near the village of Cisterna. Luca Sabatini was suspected of the crime and arrested by the Carabinieri. Is he the murderer? Luca denies it. But where did he spend the night of the murder? The accused refuses to testify. Even after his release from prison, he keeps his secret. Andrea, a young teacher, sets out to investigate him. Andrea searches everywhere, asks questions, and tries to penetrate the wall of silence behind which the residents of the lonely mountain village retreat. With every step, he encounters excuses.