Prior to the story Harry Bartell introduces “Sir Arthur Conan Doyle” the creator of Sherlock Holmes to satisfy the arguments of the various merits of Sherlock Holmes and to explain the nature and personalities of the each of the characters of his creation and their relationship with Holmes.

Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson had just returned from a long anticipated holiday in Scotland to find Edith Fairmont waiting for them in great distress. Some 10 years ago at her parents’ behest age 18 she married Augustus Fairmont who was 20 years her senior. He was a very successful diamond importer and about a year ago took a business partner, Charles Rossiter age 32. During the ensuing months Edith and Charles fell in love. As there was no hope of Augustus giving her a divorce Edith and Charles decided to see each other no more and also the business had to be dissolved. On a trip to Amsterdam to finalise business Augustus is found shot dead in his ship cabin and Charles is the prime suspect. Edith believes that Charles is innocent and asks Sherlock to help him.