In the story, Inspector Hopkins of Scotland Yard asks the brilliant consulting detective Sherlock Holmes to aid him in investigating the murder of Sir Eustace Brackenstall. When Holmes arrives at Abbey Grange, the murdered Sir Eustace's home, Inspector Hopkins says that his help is not needed. Lady Brackenstall, the murder victim's wife, witnessed the crime and gave descriptions of the murderers. The descriptions she gave match those of three burglars who are known to have been operating in the area recently. Holmes is initially prepared to accept Lady Brackenstall's version of the events. When he inspects the crime scene, however, he realizes that Lady Brackenstall is lying.