Sherlock Holmes recieves a coded message from an agent of Professor Moriarity-the scientific criminal, warning of a coming murder, but before the detective has time to act, an inspector from Scotland yard visits, and informs Sherlock and Dr. Watson, that the man in question has already been murdered... Sherlock and Dr. Watson agree to assist the inspector and they travel down to Birlstone Manor House to take stock of the situation. They find the body of the murdered man, John Douglas, killed by a shot gun blast to his face. They also discover a hidden bicycle, a stolen wedding ring, a missing dumb bell and a wife who isn\\\'t as upset as you may expect...