The Adventure of the Three Gables: Holmes has been messaged by an elderly woman who has been offered a large sum for her house on the condition that all of her belongings are also sold. Holmes deduces that the offer comes from someone who wants the woman's late son's possessions. Later, the woman grabs part of a manuscript as it is stolen from her son's trunk. Holmes deduces from the scrap that the son threatened to expose a rich woman's affair and that the woman has been behind the house purchase and the theft.

The Adventure of Shoscombe Old Place: Holmes is contacted by a trainer who is concerned about his master's strange behavior. Holmes deduces that the master, along with two servants, has been covering up his sister's death to prevent her fortune from reverting to her late husband's brother until he can win a horse race and pay off his debts.