Plot: Holmes is hired by Roland Carstairs to prevent the theft of the Star of Rhodesia, a 423 carat diamond owned by Carstairs' mother, Lady Margaret. Suspecting the diamond will be stolen on a train trip from London to Edinburgh in Scotland, Holmes deftly switches diamonds with Lady Margaret while in her compartment admiring the jewel. Soon after, Roland is murdered and the fake diamond is stolen. Red herrings abound as Holmes, aided by Dr. Watson and Inspector Lestrade, discover the murderer's hiding place and deduce that long-time nemesis Professor Moriarty's henchman, Colonel Sebastian Moran, is somehow involved in the crime.
Alternative Plot: In London, Lady Margaret Carstairs (Mary Forbes) and her son, Roland (Geoffrey Steele), engage renowned detective Sherlock Holmes (Basil Rathbone) to accompany them back home to Scotland as protection for their priceless gem, the Star of Rhodesia. When Roland turns up murdered and the Star disappears, Holmes and his friend Dr. Watson (Nigel Bruce) investigate -- only to discover another murder, and a strange connection with Watson's acquaintance Maj. Duncan-Bleek (Alan Mowbray).
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