A nobleman’s attempt to recover his misplaced fortune leads to a series of elaborate deceptions within his own ancestral home. George Uffenham, the sixth viscount, finds himself in a precarious position after a car accident leaves him with amnesia regarding the location of his family diamonds. To rectify this, he orchestrates a scheme to rent out his estate, Shipley Hall, while returning to the premises disguised as a butler named Cakebread. The narrative follows his frantic efforts to search the property while navigating the eccentricities of his tenants and the social constraints of his assumed role.

Readers frequently highlight the characteristic wit and linguistic playfulness that define the author's body of work. Discussion often centers on the effectiveness of the farcical plot, which relies heavily on misunderstandings and the absurdity of the protagonist's predicament. Critics often note that the pacing remains brisk, prioritizing comedic timing over deep psychological exploration of the characters. Many fans of the genre appreciate the lighthearted atmosphere and the clever construction of the central deception, which remains a hallmark of this specific period of the author's writing.