Sam Jones has a peculiar uncle, who bequeaths to Sam his historic mansion and all his fortune in securities and bonds. But the securities are hidden somewhere in the house. The uncle desiring to develop Sam's intelligence has thus concealed all the papers connected with his fortune. Sam calls in Batty Bill to his assistance, and Bill has been studying detective methods for some little time past; he feels fully competent to cope with the task of discovering the hidden documents. After many tragi-comical adventures, including an affray with bandits, who are also searching for the lost papers, a premature burial, etc., Batty Bill eventually discovers the papers quite by accident. He rushes to his friend's home and announces in triumphant tones, "Some detective, Sam Jones, eh? Here are your papers."