After a frank confession by his wife, a doctor is called to see a dying patient. The cause of the night brings him to meet an old friend, a pianist, who tells him of a mysterious ball where he is due to perform. Based on the book "Traumnovelle" ("Rhapsody: A Dream Novel") by Arthur Schnitzler, which was the inspiration for the film Eyes Wide Shut (1999).

After the theft of a priceless Van Gogh from a Parisian museum, Maigret follows his chief suspect to Lausanne where the suspect is found murdered.