The tale begins with John Jasper leaving an opium den in London. [4] The following evening, Edwin Drood pays a visit to his uncle, Jasper, who is the choirmaster at Cloisterham Cathedral. Edwin admits to having reservations about his betrothal to Rosa Bud, which had been pre-arranged by their fathers.

Edwin pays Rosa a visit the next day at the Nuns' House, Rosa's boarding school. They quarrel in a friendly manner, as they do on a regular basis when his visits. Meanwhile, Jasper, who is fascinated by the cathedral crypt, seeks out Durdles, a man who knows everything there is to know about the crypt.