Mary Morstan consults Sherlock Holmes about her missing father, mysterious pearls, and a curious invitation. They are led to Bartholomew Sholto, who has discovered a treasure in which she should share, but he has been killed and the treasure taken. Holmes, Watson, and Inspector Jones track the killers and thieves (Small and Tonga), whom Sholto's father had cheated in India. Small and Tonga are both killed.; A mysterious assailant brutally kills two women in the Rue Morgue. Dupin concludes that the killer must be an ape, and leads the hunt to track him down and kill him.; Peter shows his friends a flayed hand, which belonged to a long-dead murderer. Henry Matson had gone wild, killing with a hatchet, until a strong man wrestled it away and killed him in his turn. The friends warn Peter that the dead killer may return, but he scoffs. That night, the hand strangles Peter as Marston gloats from beyond the grave.