Inspector Waugh is called to the house of Cynthia Holmes to look into the disappearance of her10-year-old son Peter. Waugh quickly spots that Mrs Holmes is lying about her wealth and the boy has escaped to have fun somewhere else.
Inspector Waugh is looking for a robber from Liverpool, who he believes is in disguise and attempting to leave by boat. Arriving is Ephraim, a well. a known villain with no convictions. Waugh knows he's smuggling something, but what?