The Pennyfoot hides many secrets, and its downstairs staff keeps a tight lip, even when the Edwardian aristocrats are spotted dallying with damsels in the boudoirs or gambling in the card rooms hidden below the floorboards. Should now and then one of the hotel guests fall prey to a dastardly murderer, however, it is up to Cecily Sinclair to restore order before Scotland Yard steps in and shuts down her infamous seaside hotel.

Excitement is rife in the English village of Badgers End. A jousting tournament is to be held at the Pennyfoot Hotel in honor of St. George's Day. The downstairs staff is busy with the preparations, while upstairs, Cecily makes sure her guests are aware of the festivities. What she has to hide, however, is the death of a footman, killed by one of the jousting lances. Someone got ahead of the competition, and Cecily must find out who that is before terror reigns at the tournament.