A parcel left on a bus causes concern when the bomb squad are called. Instead it contains a pair of trousers with braces and £370 in one pound notes. Scotland Yard decide to bring Inspector Hammond out of retirement to solve the mystery.

In a small town in occupied France in 1941, the German officer, Werner Von Ebrennac is billeted in the house of the uncle and his niece. The uncle and niece refuse to speak to him, but each evening the officer warms himself by the fire and talks of his country, his music, and his idealistic views of the relationship between France and Germany.