When Miss Smith fails to return to her classroom after lunch, Toby is surprised - but not as surprised as he is a little later when he sees his recently made model labelled in a competition as belonging to a rival school. Then there are the mysterious pieces of paper found under a hedge, with strange words written on them. Why will nobody tell him where Miss Smith is? With the cooperation of his parents and the friendship of one of the teachers, Toby eventually finds out what is afoot. But how is the culprit to be brought to book? And will she get her comeuppance?