This is one of three episodes (The Nine Old Cobblers and The Case of the Coughing Parrot) that are based on the the Lord Peter Wimsey mysteries of the 1920's. Freeman uses every detective gem possible, from Sherlock Holmes mists to Agatha Christie tea parties, and it works quite well. As with the other three, Kenneth Connor and Jack Douglas get most of the laughs ("Clanger... Clanger, That rings a bell", "So I believe M'Lord"), but Joan Sims playing a nice part as the owner of the residents home, using her vocal range more than usual. David Lodge as the Inspector is a very good addition the the regular team.