Little Alexander Field is lost on a day trip to his aunties' from his Edinburgh home or so he tells the staff of Dobson and Hawks when they find him playing bagatelle in the store's toy department. But soon they discover they have been hooked by a ten-year old confidence trickster. The task of looking after him falls to Mr Swindley, who has to keep him entertained for the day before he can be reunited with his relatives when they are due to return to the store at six o'clock. After visits to the park and the cinema Alexander reveals that in fact he only lives a few streets away but he's afraid to return home as his father is violent. Outraged by the tales he hears Swindley takes Alexander home only to find that he's been had again - Mr Field is an upright police constable and his wayward s