Harry Schofield's great ambition is that his son Len becomes a professional cricket player, but when Len is not accepted at cricket training, he runs away from home. Joss Harrop has a couple of mares he wants covered, but stud fees have risen and he cannot afford it. Greengrass has a perfect solution to that. They "borrow" lord Ashfordly's race horse Ashfordly Lad for a couple of hours and return the stud before anybody notices it is missing. That is a lot easier said than done. Not getting hold of the horse that is, but returning it!

Michael Harvey is mortally ill and his son Ronnie and his girlfriend Susan is preparing a surprise party to celebrate his birthday, which he knows will be his last. During the party Michael Harvey asks Susan to be his wife. Shocked the young woman rushes out of the house and rides away on her bicycle. On her way home she has an accident and nurse Bolton is suspected of causing it, but PC Rowan thinks that something is not quite right, and Susan's bike is missing. Greengrass buys a rare samovar from a family of Russian gypsies, but discovers that there are more "rare" Russian samovars around. PC Rowan is thinking of getting a promotion and wants to take his sergeant's exams.

Billy and Timmy earn a little extra pocket money by collecting golf balls. One day Billy finds his friend assaulted in the woods by the golf course. Jimmy says he was attacked by a man sitting in a grey Jaguar with another man and a lot of papers. He even identifies the man from a photograph that PC Rowan has borrowed from the club secretary Harry Fell. Severe stomach pains prevent Greengrass from placing a bet for a "friend", and the old scoundrel wishes he could disappear. Changes are on the way within the police and Inspector Barry commandeers sergeant Blaketon's office while he makes his report. Blaketon fears for his position and starts looking for another job.