Treasure Hunt

Upon the death of Irish aristocrat Sir Roderick, his children Hercules, Consuelo and Anna Rose, and grandson Sir Phillip, learn that his generosity and exuberance have not been matched with a similar income and, as a consequence, they have almost nothing but their country home and its contents.

As heir to the estate and titles of Ballyroden, Phillip is forced to think the unthinkable and - much to Uncle Hercules, Aunt Consuelo and the staff's protestations - sets about opening the house as a high-end boarding house for fee-paying guests. The delightfully eccentric and imaginative Aunt Anna Rose, however, is thrilled at the idea: particularly if they can attract some Americans!

Sure enough, placing advertisements in a number of society publications across the United Kingdom and Ireland soon attracts their first guests: a wealthy American woman named Dorothy; her adult daughter, Yvonne; and English brother-in-law, Eustace. Hercules and Consuelo do their best to sabotage the endeavour, but Phillip's down-to-earth nature, friendliness and politeness convinces the trio to stay.

Meanwhile, Anna Rose is sure that she remembers secreting a not inconsiderable collection of rubies, gifted to her by her late husband, somewhere in the house. If only she could focus for long enough to recall exactly where, the family might well be able to pay their various creditors. That's if Hercules doesn't lose the house's entire contents on a horse first...!