Roland Bleke, 22, employed at the beginning of A Man of Means as second clerk at the Bury St. Edwards Seed Company, wins £40,000 in the Calcutta Sweepstake and unwittingly builds a £250,000 fortune. Becomes entangled with a succession of women: Muriel Coppin, Billy Verepoint, Maraquita, Lady Eva Biyton, and Maud Chilvers.