In "The Adventure of the Dancing Men", Sherlock Holmes is called to solve a mysterious case involving strange stick-figure drawings that resemble dancing men. Hilton Cubitt, a country gentleman, is troubled by the appearance of these symbols, which seem to be frightening his American wife, Elsie. As Holmes investigates, he deciphers the code hidden in the drawings and uncovers a dark secret from Elsie's past. The case escalates into tragedy before Holmes ultimately brings the culprit to justice using his brilliant skills of deduction and code-breaking.