[1] An older couple, the Valduzzis, come to Judge Hardy for help when they are about to be evicted from their home.
Judge Hardy enlists the help of his son, Andy, to find the couple's daughter.
The Judge agrees that, if Andy helps him find his client's daughter, he will get paid.
All Andy wants to do is sit and have a cold drink after visiting fourteen houses in the heat—all on foot.
Andy finds out her name is Elvie and that she is writing an essay on Alexander Hamilton, which could net her a $50 prize.
The Judge and Andy work and return home to find Mrs. Hardy, who didn't think they could fend for themselves.
In the meantime, Andy begins an essay on Alexander Hamilton, but finds it is only for girls.
He visits several girls trying to con them into using his and giving him the $50 and they keep the glory and a 20 volume set of historical biographies.
Because of his conning, Andy gets stuck with too many girls bothering him while he is trying to solve the case.
The next day, Andy visits the girls and finds that they didn't use his essay and are wildly inappropriate.
He takes off to go home and hits a pot hole, losing his tires and bumper.
Andy tells him the story and the Judge takes off to talk to Leonora's mother.
He tells Mrs. Horton that the Valduzzis need money and he was hoping to find children—and children can be compelled to take care of parents.
Part of the problem is that she told her husband she was younger than she is, and that her parents were dead.
The Judge agrees to take care of his debts except the car until it gets fixed.