Episode 1: "An Apartment House Case" Lord and Lady Ashleigh have decided to send their only child, Ella, to New York, for the season. The girl's one ambition in life is to study music. Mr. and Mrs. Cecil Raleigh have agreed to chaperon the girl in the American metropolis. As a final gift Lord Ashleigh presents his daughter with the famous Ashleigh diamond necklace. As Lord and Lady Ashleigh cannot leave England; they send Lenora, Ella's personal attendant, and the maid's husband, Ian MacDougal, butler at Hamblin House, to accompany the girl to New York. Next morning the hotel is aroused by Leonora's wild shrieks of alarm. The hall men, rushing in, find Ella's body upon the floor and the famous diamonds missing. Inspector French, of the police detectives, is called but can make nothing of the affair. He calls in the services of Sanford Quest. The criminologist traps the maid into an expression of terror and informs her that she must go to his office.