First, the cleverly faked photographic evidence of Cunningham beating his own spaniel, Stardust, is brought to the attention of a local show judge. Before the matter can be investigated, Stardust herself disappears; only to be replaced by an almost identical dog. Convinced that he’s fallen victim to an ingenious frame-up, Cunningham decides to make some enquiries of his own. Beginning with a trigger-happy stranger with a spaniel in his sights.