In the autumn of 1898, the Docklands of London are stunned by the arrival of a long overdue Clipper: the 'Matilda Briggs,' which has apparently drifted into a vacant berth. The only crew member still on board is a young cabin boy and he is in the throes of death, following a mysterious attack. The great consulting detective, Sherlock Holmes, is called to investigate the matter but what will he uncover? A violent confrontation on the waterfront brings this story to a shocking conclusion.