 Rumpole defends a juvenile delinquent for harassing and later beating and robbing an elderly woman who refuses to sell out to real estate developers. After the barrister finds that his home has been burgled and evidence from the case stolen, some highly-placed, prominent citizens seem overly curious about the case and make inquiries about it to Rumpole. When Phyllida, who is prosecuting, is angered that the priggish Ballard has sabotaged Erskine-Brown s ongoing efforts to be named a queen s counsel, she begins to work behind the scenes to change his mind. As a sidebar, Dot Clapton s nose-piercing causes a small uproar in chambers.