After his father's death, John Oakley clashes with his cruel stepmother while searching for the missing will that grants him his inheritance. In the Luck and Pluck Series. John Oakley, 15, lives with his stepmother, who enticed his father into marriage, and her over-bearing son, Ben Brayton. The stepmother persuaded Mr. Oakley to write a will entirely in her favor. However, he had later written a less generous will, but had hidden it. Mrs. Oakley finds the second will in a secret compartment. She takes it out when Squire Selwyn, who had been Mr. Oakley's friend and lawyer, calls on her. The squire knows about the second will and Mrs. Oakley permits him to search the house. John must wait for fate to lend a hand, interceding in the unlikely form of a practical joke on his stepbrother.