Sherlock Holmes is consulted by Robert Ferguson who believes that his wife is exhibiting signs of vampirism.

From the outset of the case Holmes is determined to approach the matter on a logical rather than a supernatural basis. Fergusons first wife had died leaving him one son, Jack. Jack suffered an injury in childhood which had left him with a twisted spine. Jack is now fifteen and very devoted to his father. A few years previously Ferguson remarried and his new wife had recently given birth to a baby boy. Recently Ferguson had come to believe that both of his children were in danger. Since the birth of the new baby Mrs Ferguson had twice been found leaning over the cot and apparently biting the child. Each time there was a wound on the babys neck and blood around Mrs Fergusons mouth. Mrs Ferguson would not give any explanation and confined herself to her room where she was attended by her maid Dolores. The nurse, Mrs Mason, was looking after the baby. Mrs Ferguson had also attacked Jack on two occasions; once with a stick and once with her hands. Jack was very devoted to the memory of his deceased mother and there had never been a good relationship between him and his step-mother. Sherlock Holmes and Watson go down to Sussex and meet the members of Fergusons household including a sickly spaniel. Ferguson is surprised that Holmes seems to take a great deal of interest in the dogs condition. Holmes announces that he had reached a conclusion before leaving Baker Street and that what he has seen in the house confirms his thoughts upon every point. That a wound might be sucked to draw poison from it was a much more likely supposition in the circumstances than that Mrs Ferguson was drinking the blood of her child. The ailing spaniel had clearly been the victim of a test of the poison used on the baby. Jack Fergusons excessive devotion to his father and the memory of his dead mother had manifested into a deep hatred for his baby step-brother. Jack had tried to poison the baby and Mrs Ferguson had thwarted his attempts. From anger she attacked Jack but she did not want to be the one to break the news to her husband. Holmes suggests that Jack be sent away for a year to break his fixation with his father. With the case solved and all thoughts of vampires laid to rest Holmes and Watson depart, leaving Mr. Ferguson to make amends to his wife for his lack of trust in her.