Sherlock Holmes and the case of the Red-Headed League - Alex Rosenthal
TED-Ed
5 min, 17 sec
Sherlock Holmes solves the mystery of the Red-Headed League, which was a ruse to distract a pawnbroker while thieves tunneled into a bank vault.
Summary
- Sherlock Holmes deduces the background of Mr. Jabez Wilson, a pawnbroker involved with the peculiar Red-Headed League.
- Wilson recounts his experience of being hired by the League to perform a simple task for an unusually high wage.
- The League is suddenly disbanded, leading Wilson to seek Holmes' help in understanding the odd events.
- Holmes, after investigating, reveals the League was a cover for a bank robbery and captures the criminals.
- Despite losing his lucrative job, Holmes suggests Wilson has gained valuable knowledge, downplaying the loss of income.
Chapter 1
Sherlock Holmes meets with Mr. Jabez Wilson, a pawnbroker, who presents a strange case involving the Red-Headed League.
- Holmes infers Wilson's background as a Freemason, laborer, visitor to China, and a recent writer.
- Wilson describes joining the Red-Headed League after responding to an odd advertisement.
Chapter 2
Wilson recounts his peculiar experience with the Red-Headed League, which required him to transcribe the encyclopedia for a high wage.
- Wilson was selected for his vibrant red hair and given a well-paid job copying the encyclopedia.
- His assistant, Vincent Spaulding, encouraged him to apply and was instrumental in Wilson's involvement.
Chapter 3
The sudden disbandment of the Red-Headed League leads Wilson to seek Sherlock Holmes' assistance.
- After two months, Wilson finds the League disbanded and the mysterious interviewer, Duncan Ross, gone.
- Holmes takes on the case, intrigued by its remarkable nature.
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Holmes uncovers the true nature of the Red-Headed League and invites Watson to join him in stopping a significant crime.
- Holmes asks Watson to meet him later that night to prevent a considerable crime.
- Watson is left in suspense, wondering about the nature of the crime and the criminal.
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
The criminals are caught in the act of robbing the bank, and Sherlock Holmes explains their elaborate scheme.
- Holmes and company capture Wilson's assistant Spaulding and his accomplice, both revealed to be the thieves.
- The Red-Headed League was a front to keep Wilson busy while the thieves tunneled into the bank.
Chapter 8
Holmes concludes the case by explaining the motivations behind the Red-Headed League and the true identity of the criminals.
- Spaulding, revealed as the notorious thief John Clay, masterminded the plot for his own gain.
- Holmes ties the pieces together, revealing how he deduced the plan.
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