When Professor Bud Harkness is found dead near the campus of Allegheny State University, Dan Quarrier, an old friend and colleague, cannot accept suicide as the apparent cause of death.
With the help of Wally Fosse, his younger, red-bearded and quick-thinking sidekick, Dan's private investigation, which is sanctioned by local police detective and former student Art Morris, turns up some very disturbing information regarding the victim and his past relationships in the university community.
In addition to solving the crime, Dan and Wally come across some humorous absurdities regarding life in a modern institution of so-called higher learning.