Carl Mason

When handsome young Dorian Gray sees a painter's stunning portrait of him, he is transfixed by its reflection of his own beauty. He is also troubled by the knowledge that the image in the painting will remain forever youthful and handsome while he himself grows older and less desirable. He wishes aloud that the roles were reversed, saying that he would give his soul if only the painting would suffer the ravages of time and he were to remain forever...

The main attraction of an upcoming exhibition on ancient Egypt vanishes shortly before opening night at the British Museum. The pharaoh sarcophagus, which would normally contain an ancient mummy, is empty. At the request of the distraught museum director, Holmes and Watson take up the case.

Baron Collingwood's eldest son and heir to the title dies from a mysterious illness. Shortly thereafter, his brother, the second in line, also falls ill. His condition takes a dramatic turn for the worse, leaving doctors and police stumped. The Baron thus turns to Holmes and Watson for help.