Arthur Wakesfield sorprende a un ladrón e intenta asustarlo para que se vaya, pero sufre un ataque al corazón del cual más tarde muere en el proceso. El ladrón, John Tinniswood, apenas se encuentra en mejor situación cuando llega a casa, ya que su esposa casi le arranca la cabeza, pero aún le da una coartada falsa cuando es arrestado por el crimen. La viuda de Wakefield está segura de que fue él y comienza a seguirlo a donde quiera que vaya. El oficial especial Hector Cowley plantea problemas de otro tipo. Es excesivamente oficial y una molestia para todos, desde el sargento Blaketon hacia abajo. Y para mucha otra gente también. Cowley cuenta con ganar un premio por sus grosellas en la feria local, pero alguien las destruye la noche anterior.

A valuable Ming vase has been stolen from Colonel Potter's mansion. The theft was discovered by his son Eric, but the colonel is little senile and sometimes does not remember even owning a Ming vase. Dr. Summerbee thinks Eric himself is behind it, because he cannot get his father into a retiring home fast enough so that he can get his hands on the family fortune, but a professional gang is operating in the area. A V.I.P. comes to Aidensfield and the police in Ashfordly are requested to guard the railway station and see to it that a motorcade can get through the area. Therefore he specifically forbids PC Bradley to question a young couple, who has moved into a holiday cottage about their relation to George East, who stays at the Aidensfield Arms in connection with the theft of the Ming vase. But he cannot stop Oscar Blaketon who has been hired by Eric Potter to find the vase.

Lots of different things have been stolen in Aidensfield over the years, but an entire train loaded with crates of wine must be a novelty. Whoever stole the wagons had access to a locomotive and enough space to hide the whole train. They must also have enough knowledge about railways to operate a train. When a wagon load of tobacco is coming through the police decide to use a similar wagon full of police officers as a decoy. Helen Trent has started the proceedings to get divorced from her husband and Gina invites her to a girl's night out to cheer her up. Phil also invites Rob out to a boy's night out to cheer him up after the break between him and Clare. They all end up at the same nightclub and decide to make it a foursome. The annual green bowling tournament is coming up. Bernie has his heart set on winning, but his main rival Bickerstaff will stop at nothing to get the trophy. Aunt Peggy takes over the catering and she needs a blackboard for the menu (yeah, right).