The easiest way of stopping the Honourale Constance Morrison-Burke putting a blight on the visit of a Very Important Royal Personage to Totterbridge would have been to knock her over the head. Her fellow-townswomen prefer the more subtle approach. All they did was corner the Honourable Constance's faithful companion, Miss Jones, and give her the ultimatum. Find something to distract the Honourable Constance's attention from the preparations for the Royal Visit or else . . . Miss Jones appreciated the problem and thankfully latched onto the first diversion which came to hand. Getting the Honourable Constance to investigate the mystery surrounding the sale of Totterford Manor looked like a master-stroke. But was it?