The priceless painting is titled "Folly Leads to Man's Ruin," and the owner, rich and careless Mr. Chauncey, wants it stolen for the insurance. He hires Dortmunder, who has a foolproof plan, and , just in case, Chauncey also recruits a hit man to make sure he gets the painting back. Too bad Dortmunder gets stuck in an elevator, and the painting vanishes.