Synopsis

One day, fifth-grader Paul Fifth receives an agitated message from Hugo Bachmann, “the Shoeman” whose secret the boy tracked down a while earlier. After hurrying to meet him, Paul learns that the man’s darling girlfriend, the beautiful shoe saleswoman Katya, has started to complain of boredom and wants to go on a canoe trip. Since Hugo has little experience in that area, he wants to bring Paul along for support. The boy gladly agrees, especially when he’s allowed to invite his best friend Minna. As they paddle across beautiful Grove Lake, the children notice quite a few peculiar things. And when Hugo Bachmann is unjustly fined for illegal fishing, Paul decides to get to the bottom of the matter.