The famous Pearl of Death, a valuable gem with a history of bringing murder and misfortune to its owner since the days of the Borgias, finally reaches its proper place at a museum in London. But before long the jewel is ingeniously stolen. Shortly thereafter, a series of horrible murders begins, with the murderer leaving his victims surrounded by a mass of smashed china. Holmes must outwit two diabolical criminals in a complicated case that could lead to his own death.