TheDukeofFromeJohnLangtonwithhiswife,theirbabybornaftercomplicationsduringchildbirth,adomineeringnanny,nurserymaidandvaletarriveatMontagueHallforLadyFeliciasYuletideball.Duringtheeveningthebabyistakenfromhiscot.InspectorMallorysuspectsaninsidejobbythevaletwhenhissecretwifearriveswhileBrownismoreinterestedinthebirthofthebabyatahomeforunmarriedmothers.MrsMcCarthyunderpressurefromthediocesetoprovideaChristmasservicefitforaDukereceivesunexpectedhelpfromavagrantshefindsintheconfessional.
