Bernie Rhodenbarr tries to go legit by opening a second-hand bookstore, but he still can't resist that which he does best--burglary! Someone's willing to pay him handsomely for what seems to be an easy job: the theft of a rare Kipling edition. But as his contact turns up dead and the cops are out to throw the book at him, Bernie has to use all the tricks of his illicit trade to make sure this little situation has a happy ending!.