Since retiring from business, the chief obsessions of American millionaire J. Preston Peters are his dyspepsia and his collection of Egyptian scarabs.

So, when fluffy-minded peer Lord Emsworth - father of Freddie Threepwood, fiancé of Mr. Peters' daughter, Aline - absent-mindedly pockets the gem of Mr. Peters' collection, and puts it on display in the museum at Blandings Castle, Mr. Peters offers rich rewards to anyone who can get the precious scarab back for him...without causing a scandal.

Two impecunious young American exiles in London rise to the challenge, infiltrating Blandings in the guise of servants. But can they succeed while also navigating the pitfalls of below-stairs etiquette - and eluding the vigilance of Lord Emsworth's secretary, the efficient Baxter?

This text is the original US-published version of the first novel in Wodehouse's Blandings saga.