Freddie Threepwood is engaged to marry Aline, delightful daughter of Mr Peters, a wealthy American and passionate collector of Egyptian scarabs. In a moment of absent-mindedness, Lord Emsworth helps himself to a valuable scarab, leaving Peters offering a thousand pounds for its return. Joan Valentine, an old trusted friend of Aline, decides to try her hand at retrieving it, as does Ashe Marson, once Joan's friend, now her rival. Soon the place has people tripping over each other in an effort to reclaim the ancient relic.