Out of the entire collection of Holmes stories by Doyle, this is the only story in which a police inspector (specifically, Inspector Baynes) is as competent as Holmes. Holmes has nothing but praise for Inspector Baynes, believing that he will rise high in his profession, for he has instinct and intuition. Inspector Lestrade never received this kind of appreciation from Holmes. Holmes is visited by a perturbed proper English gentleman, John Scott Eccles, who wishes to discuss something "grotesqu". No sooner has he arrived at 221B Baker Street than Inspector Gregson also shows up, along with Inspector Baynes of the Surrey Constabulary. They wish a statement from Eccles about the murder near Esher last night. A note in the dead man"s pocket indicates that Eccles said that he would be at the victim"s house that night. . . . . . .