A man called Douglas has received a bullet in the head. Sherlock Holmes has deciphered a secret message warning him of Douglas's danger - too late. When he arrives at Douglas's home he finds a bizarre series of clues- the victim's branded arm, the theft of his wedding ring and a mysterious calling card. Scotland Yard is stumped, but Holmes, who has detected the evil presence of Moriarty in this crime, has some ideas of his own. Along with the novella The Valley of Fear, this volume contains ten other curious cases, including 'The Empty House', in which Holmes reappears after his deadly struggle at the Reichenback Falls, and 'His Last Bow', where the great detective is called out of retirement on a matter of national importance.