The long awaited 4th Professor Dr von Igelfeld novel, following AT THE VILLA OF REDUCED CIRCUMSTANCES. Professor Dr Moritz-Maria von Igelfeld finds that life is very difficult these days. His academic rival (and owner of a one-legged dachsund) Detlev-Amadeus Unterholzer has been winning undeserved recognition. And at a dinner party, he is the only kind soul who can aid the aforementioned unfortunate dachshund, whose sticky wheels are in need of lubrication.