 Rumpole once again finds himself defending a member of the Timson clan, this time Percy Timson who is charged with possession of stolen gods. As Rumpole explores the facts of the case, it seems that it may be the Timson clan itself that want uncle Percy to retire. Retirement may be in the air for Rumpole when Hilda - "she who must be obeyed" - thinks the time has come for Rumpole to call it a career. The pressure mounts when son Nick comes to visit and Rumpole is offered a lectureship at Nick s university.