The Redheaded League

Name: The Redheaded League
Author: Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

The story revolves around the Red-Headed League, a mysterious organization that advertises for a man with red hair to work in an office copying the Encyclopedia Britannica. The protagonist, Jabez Wilson, is hired and works diligently for six weeks before being suddenly dismissed without explanation. Meanwhile, Sherlock Holmes is approached by Inspector Lestrade of Scotland Yard, who has been investigating a series of bank robberies. Holmes agrees to help and begins to investigate the Red-Headed League, suspecting that it may be connected to the robberies. Holmes discovers that the office where Wilson worked was actually a front for a tunnel being dug by John Clay, a notorious thief, and his accomplice, who had red hair. The tunnel was being dug from the pawnbroker's cellar to the City and Suburban Bank next door, with the intention of stealing a large sum of money. Holmes sets a trap for the thieves, using Wilson as bait. He convinces Wilson to apply for the job at the Red-Headed League again, and while he is working, Holmes and his companions wait in the cellar below, ready to catch the thieves when they emerge from their tunnel. When the thieves finally make their move, Holmes springs into action, catching John Clay and his accomplice and foiling their plan. The story ends with Holmes explaining how he solved the mystery, using his powers of observation and deduction to uncover the truth behind the Red-Headed League. The story highlights Sherlock Holmes' exceptional detective skills and his ability to solve complex mysteries through careful observation and logical reasoning. It also showcases his dry wit and sense of humor, as well as his tendency to view life as a series of intellectual challenges to be overcome.

By Sir Arthur Conan Doyle · First published 1895 · Genre: Mystery, Detective Fiction, Short Story · 10,970 words

First lines

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

"You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear Watson," he said cordially.

What this Textopian page supports

The Redheaded League is listed on Textopian as a novel by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, dated 1895 CE.

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Work type: Novel
Author: Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Date: 1895 CE
Language: English
Genres: Mystery, Detective Fiction, Short Story, Crime Fiction
Length: 10,970 words
Structure: 1 section, 220 paragraphs
Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)

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Discussion starters

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Similar titles

Genres

Mystery — The story revolves around a peculiar crime, whose unusual nature is analyzed and solved by Sherlock Holmes.
Detective Fiction — The narrative focuses on Sherlock Holmes, a detective, investigating a case and navigating clues to find a resolution.
Short Story — The Redheaded League is part of the short story collection 'The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes', which indicates its brief, concentrated nature.
Crime Fiction — While the primary focus is on the work of the detective, the premise and plot of the story involve a crime that needs resolution.