When Helen MacDermott revisits England after thirty years, she does not suppose that there will not be changes. Naturally she is thrilled to see her oldest and dearest friends, Elspeth and Gordon Hargreaves, who make her very welcome. Nevertheless, the household at "Stonyfell" begins to puzzle her. Why does the butler never seem to want to go away, not even to visit London? Florence, the housemaid, seems unnecessarily possessive where Elspeth is concerned, while Marjorie, the cook, is unduly nervous and Williams, the chauffeur and handyman, may or may not have a secret in his private life. What is the attraction of Ellesley Castle, a mediaeval ruin across the valley, and why was the new daily maid so interested in old castles, until her death put an end to her curiosity? Always fond of mysteries, Helen investigates.