When Basil Merridew and his 'nephew', Nicholas Drewe, arrive in the prosperous village of Tapworth Magna their neighbours are unprepared for the upheaval that is to follow. The new arrivals' short period of residence in the village ends when Basil takes out a slander action against twenty-two of his neighbours and pockets #10,000 as a settlement. This is just the first episode in a fascinating plot which has our two heroes using the subtleties of the law to plan ever more convoluted and intricate ways to make their way in the world. In this brilliantly worked legal drama, see how they find 'ways and means' of supporting their attractive wives and comfortable standard of living without actually having to do a single day's real work.