November, 1956. Lord Elsmere, an old friend of Donald Langham's literary agent, Charles Elder, is in a pickle - his favourite painting, a Gainsborough, has been stolen from under his nose. What's more, there's no evidence of a break-in. The family heirloom was recently re-insured for a hefty price, and Elsmere is struggling financially. Could he have staged the theft, or was it taken by one of the guests? Old Major Rutherford, evasive beauty Rebecca...