A famous author and waterfinder is abducted. The daughter of a wealthy local needs his services. She wants to awaken once flourishing gardens back to life.

Land-grabbers are convincing natives to sell their houses in order to erect a tourist venue. Bailey warns them of the oncoming jeopardy, but they don't pay attention. Not far from Bailey's base is the so-called "tree-house". On the brick-built ruins of a Gothic chapel, a tree towers 40 feet or more above what were once the eaves. When a surveyor tries to map the region, Bailey investigates.