 Murder suspect Harry Crocker, a vaudeville escape artist, comes to see Sherlock Holmes early in the morning to ask for help in clearing himself of suspicion. Dr. Watson remembers reading in the newspaper that Crocker has escaped from police custody, after being accused of strangling a chorus girl. Inspector Lestrade arrives shortly afterward and arrests Crocker, with Holmes assuring the suspect that he will help him. Holmes visits the theater where Crocker has been performing to question the others there, looks at the crime scene, and examines the victim s body at the morgue. Meanwhile, Lestrade becomes increasingly frustrated and angry with Crocker s repeated escapes from custody.