Retired sea captain named Peter Carey was a feared and hated man in his community. He was known for his violent temper and his criminal past. He was also a known smuggler, and it was rumored that he had buried a treasure somewhere on his property. One night, Carey is found dead in his cabin. He has been stabbed to death with a marlinspike. There are no witnesses to the murder, and no one knows who could have done it. Holmes and Watson are called in to investigate.