January 1888 Dr. John H. Watson has returned to 221b Baker Street just weeks after a personal tragedy has left him bereaved and bereft. Feeling like a broken man his plans and dreams lying in ruin he slowly tries to make his way forward with the help of Sherlock Holmes and Mrs. Hudson. Unexpectedly he finds himself standing in the path of a madman who suddenly and irrationally blames Watson for his apparent defeat. Meanwhile Holmes has tried to distract his griefstricken friend by telling sto