Eddie Dickens is caught up in events surrounding the disappearance of a portrait of Mad Uncle Jack, due to be unveiled on the night of the first performance of Eddie's father's play. Even Madder Aunt Maud... is pursued by the besotted Dr Moot who once shot Jack (twice) in a duel. Add Gherkin the dwarf, plus all the usual suspects and you can only guess at the mayhem and madness that follows.