When Elfie's half-sister, Rosalind is kidnapped, a ransom of 10,000 pounds is demanded. Alfred, unable to find that knid of money, is forced to appeal to his cold father-in-law, Mr Clarendon-Smythe, a man who despises him and resents his presence in his family. Clarendon-Smythe agrees, but only on condition that when she is returned, Rosalind lives with him, without any further contact with her parents, or Elfie.