Christmas 1928 is only weeks away and at Manordale, everyone is in the midst of preparations for the holiday. The Manordale masked ball is fast approaching and all the final plans are being put into place. The staff are hired for the special event and the band is booked, but is everything running too smoothly?
Jack becomes suspicious of happenings at the Old Manse, things don't seem quite as they should but what real evidence is there?
Inspector Paxton is of little use and accuses Jack of 'rambling', but Jack is convinced that he is right and decides to see if Sir Cecil Brookes might be able to offer him some advice. An entertaining Christmas mystery for fans of Jack France.