The first story "A Scandal in Bohemia" starts with Watson remembering Irene Edler and the awe she observes in the eyes of Sherlock Holmes .

Watson, being busy in his new household, is unable to attend Sherlock for a long time so has no news of his friend except for what he reads in newspapers. He decides to pay him a visit as he is passing by his old address. Sherlock receives him and impresses him again with his observations from his attire. He informs Watson of his enigmatic client who calls them wearing a mask. However, Holmes deduces his identity as the king of Bohemia.

The King tells Holmes of an old paramour, Irene Adler , who possess a photograph of

them which she intends to use as blackmail. Holmes accepts the case. The next day,

Holmes spies on Irene in a groom’s outfit and coincidentally witnesses her marriage to her lawyer, Gordon Norton. That evening, he with the assistance of Watson is able to scare her of a fire which leads her to reveal the photograph. The next day, as the two friends and the King arrive at her house to look for the photograph, they find she has left already having discovered Holmes' identity. She mentions of intending the photograph as a political insurance and not blackmail which assures the King. Holmes asks for a photograph of Irene Adler left in the house in return for solving the case.