Lucas Edgerton, arbitrary and capricious eccentric, has a fabulous art collection. He began collecting when Cézannes were a dime a dozen. To sell some paintings for tax purposes, he has imported Ellis Blaise, young New York art dealer. Thefts from the collection, the sensational forgery of a priceless Renoir, and the puzzling murder of Simon EdgertonLucas' sonforce Blaise into a perilous investigation involving:
Miriam Wayne, curator of Edgerton's collectionshrewd, handsome, with shadowy connections to the murdered man and others.
Cass Edgerton, Lucas' niecefor whose sake Blaise comes on.
Paul Weldon, young painterwith more money than he can account for. Molly Dann, lusty modelSimon Edgerton's ex-mistress.
Victor Grandimysterious technician of the collection.
Dr. Wesley Corumcritic and adviser to rich collectors.
Jonas Astorgan important art dealer.
Hugh Nordenfly-by-night peddler of inconsequential art and occasional erotica.