At the country house of Sir Percy Jobling, an amateur cabaret show is being given to raise funds for the new local Institute. During the entertainment the money collected from the sale of the tickets disappears. Ada Weeks, provisional wardrobe mistress, is suspected of the theft, but refuses to be searched. The the money turns up elsewhere and we learn the reason for
Ada's refusal. She has half a chicken and a pint bottle of champagne concealed on her.