by Arthur Conan Doyle

THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE

I had called upon my friend, Mr Sherlock Holmes, one day autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair With an apology intrusion, about to withdraw when Holmes pulled me abruptly room and closed the door behind me

" possibly have come at better time, my dear Watson," cordially

" afraid that you were engaged "

"So so "

"Then wait next room "

"Not at all This gentleman, Mr Wilson, my partner and helper in many most successful cases, and that utmost use in yours also "

The stout gentleman half rose chair and gave bob of greeting, with quick little questioning glance small fat-encircled eyes

"Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in judicial moods " , my dear Watson, that you share my love of all bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum routine of everyday life shown your relish enthusiasm prompted you to chronicle, and, excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish own little adventures "

"Your cases have indeed been greatest interest ," I observed

" remember that I remarked the other day, just before we went very simple problem presented by Miss Mary Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary combinations go to life itself, always far more daring than any effort imagination "

"A proposition which the liberty of doubting "

" , Doctor, but none the less come round to my view, for otherwise keep on piling fact upon fact on you until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me right Now, Mr Jabez Wilson here good enough upon me , and narrative which promises singular which listened to for heard me remark strangest and most unique things are very often connected not larger but smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where room for doubt whether any positive crime committed As far as heard impossible whether the present case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is certainly most singular that ever listened to Perhaps, Mr Wilson, the great kindness to recommence your narrative I not merely because my friend Dr Watson heard the opening part but also because the peculiar nature story makes me anxious every possible detail from your lips As rule, when heard some slight indication course of events, able to guide myself thousands of other similar cases which occur to my memory present instance forced to admit facts are, best belief, unique "

The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some little pride and pulled dirty and wrinkled newspaper inside pocket greatcoat As he glanced down the advertisement column, head thrust forward paper flattened out upon his knee, good look man and endeavored, fashion companion, to read the indications which presented by his dress or appearance

gain , however, by my inspection Our visitor bore every mark of being an average commonplace British tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow He wore rather baggy gray shepherd's check trousers, not over-clean black frock-coat, unbuttoned front, and drab waistcoat with heavy brassy Albert chain, and square pierced bit of metal dangling down as an ornament frayed top-hat and faded brown overcoat with wrinkled velvet collar lay upon chair beside him Altogether, look as , nothing remarkable man save his blazing red head, expression of extreme chagrin and discontent upon his features

Sherlock Holmes's quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook his head with smile as he noticed my questioning glances "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at done manual labour, that he takes snuff, that Freemason, that he in China, he considerable amount of writing lately, deduce nothing else "

Mr Jabez Wilson started up chair, forefinger paper, but his eyes upon my companion

"How, name of good-fortune, did all that, Mr Holmes ? " he asked "How did , for example, that manual labour It's as true as gospel, for I began as ship's carpenter "

"Your hands, my Your right hand is quite size larger than your left worked with it, muscles are more developed "

"Well, the snuff, then, Freemasonry ? "

"I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how that, especially as, rather against the strict rules of , you use an arc-and-compass breastpin "

"Ah, , I forgot that But the writing ? "

"What else indicated right cuff so very shiny for five inches, left one smooth patch near the elbow where you rest it desk ? "

"Well, but China ? "

"The fish that tattooed immediately above your right wrist could only done in China small study of tattoo marks even contributed literature subject That trick of staining the fishes' scales of delicate pink is quite peculiar to China When, , Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter becomes even more simple "

Mr Jabez Wilson laughed heavily "Well, I never ! " said he " at first that you had done something clever, but that nothing , after all "

"I begin , Watson," said Holmes, "that I make mistake in explaining 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' , and my poor little reputation, such , will suffer shipwreck if so candid not find the advertisement, Mr Wilson ? "

"Yes, got it now," he answered thick red finger planted halfway down the column "Here what began it all You just read it , sir "

the paper and read as follows

RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account bequest late Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U S . , now another vacancy open which entitles member League to salary of 4 pounds week for purely nominal services All red-headed men sound in body and mind and above the age of twenty-one years, are eligible Appiy in person on Monday, at eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, offices League, 7 Pope's Court, Fleet Street

"What on earth does this mean ? " I ejaculated after I had twice read over the extraordinary announcement

Holmes chuckled and wriggled chair, as was his habit when in high spirits " little off the beaten track, isn't it ? " said he "And now, Mr Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us all about yourself, your household, effect which this advertisement had upon your fortunes first make note, Doctor, paper date "

" Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890 Just "

" Now, Mr Wilson ? "

"Well, just as telling you, Mr Sherlock Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; " small pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City It's not very large affair, and of late years it done more than just living I used two assistants, but now I only keep one; and job him but that willing for half wages so learn the business "

" the name obliging youth ? " asked Sherlock Holmes

"His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such youth, either It's hard his age I wish smarter assistant, Mr Holmes; and that better himself and earn twice what able him But, after all, if satisfied, why should I put ideas head ? "

"Why, indeed ? You seem most fortunate in having an employee who comes under the full market price common experience among employers age I don't know that your assistant as remarkable advertisement "