Reissmann and his wife run a struggling musical academy in Sydney. They have too few pupils and too many financial problems. And nobody seems to have a reason for putting cyanide in Reissman's beer. But Wellington Cotter discovers that several people have secrets: Reissmann's daughter Helena, the enigmatic musician Maurice Vail, young and helpful cellist Harry Dalgliesh. Cotter than begins to unravel a strange tale of thwarted ambition and dynastic revenge.