A Study in Terror

London is gripped by a string of gruesome Jack the Ripper murders in the dark alleys. Holmes and Watson grow intrigued by the reports and begin to involve themselves in the case.

A parcel from Whitechapel arrives containing surgical instruments, including a scalpel that could be the murder weapon. The box bears a family crest that links the case to the Duke of Shires.

By tracing the crest, they learn that the Duke of Shires's elder son Michael Osborne dreamed of becoming a doctor. Edward, Lord Carfax, informs them that Michael has disappeared, adding urgency to the case.

Holmes deduces the instruments were pawned to a broker, Joseph Beck. Beck explains he received them from Angela Osborne, who gave her address as a soup kitchen run by Doctor Murray.

Holmes and Watson meet Murray, a police pathologist, after convincing Lestrade to let them view the body of the most recent victim, Annie Chapman. Holmes persuades Watson to go to the soup kitchen and look for Angela. A disguised Holmes then follows Murray's niece Sally when she goes to meet Carfax.

They explain Carfax was blackmailed by a man who threatened to tell his father that Michael, who was helping Murray at the soup kitchen, had married a prostitute. Carfax now works there himself and provides funds, but Michael disappeared before he and Sally arrived. The blackmailer, Max Steiner, now runs a local public house.

The Prime Minister asks Mycroft Holmes to persuade his brother to investigate the Ripper case, unaware that he is already involved. This request pulls Mycroft deeper into the matter and foreshadows Holmes's hidden involvement.

Holmes and Watson nearly catch the Ripper when he kills another prostitute who invites him into her room. The close call heightens the tension and confirms the killer's proximity to their circle.

Holmes confronts Murray and learns that Michael had discovered Angela aided Steiner with the blackmail. Angela and Steiner pressured Michael to push his brother for more money, but Michael refused and Steiner beat him. Angela's acid-throwing attempt backfired and disfigured her.

Holmes and Watson locate Angela in the upper room of Steiner's inn, which is in reality her property. She admits sending the surgical instruments to involve Holmes and Watson in the case, having removed the scalpel herself.

Holmes and Watson return Michael to his family. Edward asks his father to allow Michael to stay, but the Duke refuses until Holmes reveals Michael's condition and suffering.

The Duke softens and tells Edward to take Michael to his old room and make him comfortable, promising to come see him soon. He asks Holmes how he found Michael, and Holmes explains the information came from Dr. Murray and the owner of the Angel and Crown pub.

During the night, Holmes discovers Carfax attempting to kill Angela in her room, revealing that Carfax is the Ripper. The revelation reframes the killer as a member of the aristocracy and a personal vendetta against Angela. Holmes then chooses to handle the situation quietly rather than alerting the police.

The pub catches alight during a struggle, and Steiner, Carfax, and Angela are killed in the blaze. Holmes escapes the fire and avoids bringing the matter to the police.

With all those involved dead, Holmes elects to keep the truth from the police to avoid further scandal and to spare innocent reputations. Watson witnesses Holmes's decision and the two reflect on the unresolved mix of truth and justice.