Old Colonel Hanson left his sister the big house stuffed with valuable antiques - but half of his money went to a woman the family didn't know. Who is this mysterious outsider and why was she also bequeathed the mysterious Pandora's Box, which might contain one of the world's greatest treasures? Was it murder? Paul Gardiner, anxious to support his bereaved aunt, goes with her to the newly-inherited home in search of clues to the old man's death. Is the headless chicken evidence? Or the photo-shopped family picture? Or the newly-adopted cat that shuns contact? Why had the charming 'Spook-Lady'...

Paul and Jenn are caretaking the big old house, for his absent aunt. Among the stored Christmas decorations, they find a box of antique glass balls which react strangely to light. Despite Jenn's instant dislike of them, these unusual ornaments are used as part of their seasonal display and fascinate guests at a party. Then the balls start to disappear. Who wants to seize, study or destroy them? Why would weird societies send alien-alerts and the FBI show interest? What does the beautiful 'Mrs. Boss' know? Did the last words of Paul's long-gone mother refer to these mysterious orbs? And are...