Charles Augustus Milverton, 'the most dangerous man in London' is a loathesome blackmailer, preying on the weaknesses of his victims. Lady Eva Blackwell asks Holmes to broker a deal with Milverton to retrieve some letters which would harm her impending marriage but Milverton only ups the asking price. Masquerading as a work-man Holmes discovers where the blackmailer keeps his victims' letters and, with Watson, breaks in at night and destroys them. They are interrupted by Milverton and hide. A woman victim appears and shoots Milverton dead. Holmes makes no attempt to stop her nor will he assist Lestrade in the subsequent murder case.