A rising young stage comedian, who is about to receive his profession's award as 'Most Promising Newcomer', dies sensationally on stage at the start of his act; as he picks up the mike, he is electrocuted. Faulty wiring seems to be the cause; no one person is to blame; a verdict of death by misadventure is returned at the inquest. But accomplished detective Charles Paris happens to have been in the audience, and when another member of the cast reveals the comedian checked his equipment before the performance, Charles is launched on a further fascinating puzzle.