When listening to the radio one day, he hears Chester Marshall, head of the Civilian Aid on the War Effort Board, pleading to the people and asking for help to come up with inventions and ideas that could be used to improve life during wartime.

They are offered lodging by an unknown man they meet in a park, but it turns out the room they are given is the bedroom displayed in a department store window.

Robert is scolded by Marshall's secretary because of his harsh articles in the paper about him, while Abner and Lum go see the sights around the city.

While resting on a park bench, Lum listens to a conversation a senator has with another man, about drought problems in his state.

Abner ultimately gets his memory back as he hits his head once again, and finally remembers the formula on the last day of the ultimatum deadline.

Both Lum and Abner are rewarded for their great service to the country, and appointed heads of a special committee on farming problems and Marshall's reputation is restored.