The Pennyfoot hides many secrets, and its downstairs staff keeps a tight lip, even when the Edwardian aristocrats are spotted dallying with damsels in the boudoirs or gambling in the card rooms hidden below the floorboards. Should now and then one of the hotel guests fall prey to a dastardly murderer, however, it is up to Cecily Sinclair to restore order before Scotland Yard steps in and shuts down her infamous seaside hotel.

In the midst of planning the Midsummer Ball, Cecily receives surprising news: One of the aristocrats staying at the hotel just checked out in a most bizarre way. After climbing onto his top floor balcony, he did a little dance on the railing and fell to his death.

The downstairs staff are convinced the lord was crackers, but Cecily suspects that the victim had a little help with his dive to the pavement and is determined to prove it.