Local PC Ben Jones (Jason Hughes) steps into CID and DS Scott's shoes to help Barnaby investigate the garrotting of two house hunters outside a deserted - supposedly haunted - house. The owner is anxious to sell, but the estate agent, Harriet Davis (Rebecca Egan), who is representing Jack Magwood (George Baker - I Claudius), seems reluctant to let anyone see the property. This episode is the first appearance of DC Ben Jones (Jason Hughes).