William Melbury and his younger sister Susan live with their mother (divorced – their father left and doesn't keep in contact or send any support) in grotty rented digs in post-war London.

Bill finds that Cousin Fay also owns a rowboat and they row to the island of Brant Holm in the lake.

But the owner of Bannermere Hall stops his tenant the farmer Mr Tyler leasing them the boathouse by the lake.

Sir Alfred Askew only bought the property last year when he retired from India, but is determined to play the local squire, complete with monocle.

There are also some silver dishes and flagons, probably the monastery treasure mentioned in an old chronicle of St Coloumbs Abbey in Yorkshire.

At the inquest they are deemed treasure trove, as the skeleton was Christian and buried facing east with hands crossed on the breast (as proved by Tim's photo).