A eccentric millionairess believes she is being followed, bugged, and generally harassed by the FBI and offers Wolfe $100,000 to get them off her back.

Archie is standing in for a friend at a party for unwed mothers when one of the guests drops dead. Through she had often talked about killing herself and was known to carry cyanide, Archie does not believe her death was suicide. A little digging uncovers the connection that proves his hunch, and Wolfe helps bring the killer to justice.

Wolfe and Archie investigate the murder of the Head of the Bureau of Price Regulations, who was about to speak before the National Industry Association.