Sherlock Holmes is in the newspaper the news of his release from prison, after 6 years, dangerous criminals, Peter Channing, who helped capture the Metropolitan Police. In the same newspaper is also news of the shooting of a man who was a witness in the Channing. Soon, another witness testifying killed years ago in this matter. Sherlock Holmes meets Channing, invites him to tea room to talk. He learns that freed gunman also plans revenge on him. Holmes warns him that he will not wait passively for death and is ready to repay the same. It begins with a psychological duel between a detective and a criminal.