The sudden death of an uncle in a railway accident triggers a chaotic scramble for a Tontine fortune, forcing the surviving heirs into a series of increasingly desperate and absurd maneuvers to conceal the truth. The narrative follows the Finsbury brothers, Morris and John, as they navigate the logistical nightmare of transporting a corpse while attempting to secure their inheritance. Their objective is complicated by the rigid social expectations of the Victorian era and the constant threat of discovery by rivals and authorities. The story utilizes a third-person perspective to highlight the irony of the characters' predicament, emphasizing the physical comedy inherent in their attempts to hide the body in various makeshift coffins.

Readers and critics frequently identify this work as a departure from Stevenson's more serious adventure novels, noting its sharp wit and unconventional tone. Discussion often centers on the authors' ability to maintain a high-energy, farcical pace while navigating the macabre premise of the missing corpse. Many observers highlight the book's role as a satire of the popular literature of its time, noting how it challenged the boundaries of Victorian taste. The balance between the intricate plot mechanics and the eccentric characterizations remains a primary point of interest for those examining the evolution of comedic fiction. Readers often appreciate the dry, cynical humor that permeates the narrative, making it a distinct entry in the authors' combined bibliography.