The Adventure of the Chameleon's Vengeance

James Chivers, an old friend from Sherlock Holmes' undergraduate days, arrives from Switzerland with a fine Swiss pocket watch as a present for the famous detective.

Chivers, Watson and Holmes are about to leave for the Theatre, where violin virtuoso Alfredo Fetuchini is going to perform. It is well known that Holmes is a keen violinist, so Theatre director Sir Charles Higgenbottom has asked Holmes to play a duet finale with Fetuchini.

Whilst they are waiting for their carriage, Inspector Lestrade arrives with ominous news. The Chameleon, a master of disguise, has escaped from prison. It was Holmes who originally captured the Chameleon; and the criminal swore vengeance on this the first anniversary of his capture.

Fearing for his friend's life, Watson attempts to persuade Holmes against going to the concert, but Holmes is adamant.

At the Theatre, Mrs. Clara Leslie, a wealthy patron of the Arts, presents Holmes with a specially made floral buttonhole. Carriage driver, Alfred Parkes, is retained to take the party home after the concert.

Watson visits the toilet and returns with a sudden attack of laryngitis, blaming it on his nervousness concerning the Chameleon. Sir Charles Higgenbottom personally conducts Holmes and his party to their balcony seats; and Holmes notices that Sir Charles is extraordinarily pale.

The Chameleon has indeed formulated a plot which involves a deathly surprise for the master detective.