In this chillingly realistic story, Maigret immerses himself in the underworld of Montmarte to search out a maniacal killer. Arlette is a stripper at an after-hours cabaret. Following a night of heavy drinking, she weaves her way to the police station where she reports having overheard a plot to murder a countess. Later, sober, she retracts her statement. Nevertheless, both she and the countess are soon dead. With authentic characters who transcend time, Simenon explores the eternal problems of man's destiny.