"Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr Wilson "Never was such fellow for photography Snapping away with camera when he improving his mind, and then diving down cellar like rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures his main fault, but whole he's good worker There's no vice in him "

" still , I presume ? "

"Yes, sir He and girl of fourteen, who does bit of simple cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all house, for widower and never had any family We live very quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep roof over our heads and pay our debts, nothing more

"The first thing that put us out advertisement Spaulding, down office just this day eight weeks, very paper hand, and :

"' Lord, Mr Wilson, that red-headed man '

"'Why that ? ' I asks

"'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy League Red-headed Men It's worth quite little fortune to any man who gets it, and I understand more vacancies than men, so trustees are at their wits' end what money hair would only change color, here's nice little crib all ready to step into '

"'Why, it, then ? ' I asked Mr Holmes, very stay-at-home man, and as my business came instead having , often weeks on end without putting my foot over the door-mat way I didn't know much of going on outside, and always glad of bit of news

"' never heard League Red-headed Men ? ' he asked eyes open

"'Never '

"'Why, I wonder , are eligibile yourself for vacancies '

"'And they worth ? ' I asked

"'Oh, merely couple of hundred year, but the work is slight, and it need not interfere with one's other occupations '

"Well, easily think that that made me prick up my ears, business over-good , and an extra couple of hundred very handy

"'Tell me all ,' said I

"'Well ' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you League has vacancy, and the address where apply for particulars As far as make out, the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah Hopkins, who was very peculiar ways himself red-headed, and he had great sympathy for all red-headed men; so when he died found that he had left his enormous fortune hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the interest providing of easy berths to men whose hair is color From all I hear splendid pay and very little '

"'But,' said I, 'there millions of red-headed men apply '

"'Not think,' he answered ' really confined to Londoners, and to grown men This American had started from London when young, and old town good turn Then, again, heard no use your applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but real bright, blazing, fiery red Now, cared to apply, Mr Wilson, just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be worth your while yourself way sake of few hundred pounds '

"Now, fact, gentlemen, see for yourselves, that my hair is of very full and rich tint, so seemed that if any competition matter I stood as good chance as any man that I had ever met Vincent Spaulding seemed that he might prove useful, so I just ordered him up the shutters day and right away with me very willing holiday, so we shut the business up and started off address that was given us advertisement

"I never hope such sight again, Mr Holmes From north, south, east, and west every man who had shade of red hair had tramped city to answer the advertisement Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court looked like coster's orange barrow I have thought there were whole country as were brought together single advertisement Every shade of color they were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; but, as Spaulding said, there many who had the real vivid flame-colored tint When were waiting, given it up in despair; but Spaulding hear of it How it imagine, but he pushed and pulled and butted until he got me crowd, and right steps which led office double stream stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back dejected; but we wedged in as and soon found ourselves office "

"Your experience most entertaining one," remarked Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with huge pinch of snuff "Pray continue your very interesting statement "

" nothing office but couple of wooden chairs and deal table, behind which sat small man with head that was even redder than mine few words to each candidate as up, and then he always managed some fault which would disqualify them Getting vacancy such very easy matter, after all However, when our turn came the little man was much more favorable than to any others, and he closed the door entered, private word

"' Mr Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and willing vacancy League '

"'And admirably suited ,' the other answered 'He has every requirement recall when anything so fine ' step backward, cocked his head on one side, and gazed at my hair until quite bashful Then suddenly he plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my success

"'It injustice to hesitate,' said he ' , however, , excuse me for taking an obvious precaution ' he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I yelled pain ' water in your eyes,' said he as he released me 'I perceive that all is as it But careful, for twice been deceived by wigs and once by paint tell you tales of cobbler's wax which would disgust you with human nature ' He stepped over window and shouted through it top voice vacancy was filled groan of disappointment came up from below, folk all trooped away in different directions until not red-head seen except my own manager

"'My name,' said he, 'is Mr Duncan Ross, and myself pensioners fund left by our noble benefactor married man, Mr Wilson ? family ? '

"I answered that I

"His face fell immediately