Sherlock Holmes Alone
Even the world's greatest detective has to retire at some point. Sherlock Holmes has done just that. He has decided to wind down and settle down in a cozy and somewhat lonely villa in Sussex near the village of Fulworth. He has given up entirely to that soothing life of Nature for which he had so often yearned during the long years spent amid the gloom of London. Holmes, his housekeeper and his bees have the estate all to themselves.
Yes, the super sleuth has become a bee keeper! He spends his days caring for his buzzing charges, walking along the chalk cliffs, or exploring the admirable beaches with their splendid swimming pools that are filled afresh with each tide.
It is a peaceful and calm life for a man who has lived so much adventure and danger. But sometime Holmes does long for the old days. The heady days of investigation and intrigue. At this point in his life his friend and partner John Watson has passed almost beyond his keen having married and settled down in his own right. So where does Holmes turn? With whom will he share his stories and memories? He will share them with you!
Alone in his great book filled garret Holmes will dig deep into his personal records and the notes made by Dr. Watson to share his own view on his famous cases. It may be surprising to find out just how close Holmes own recollections mirror Watson's. Holmes will recount to you his most memorable cases and his most fierce opponents. Join us as we explore one of the greatest minds of all time here on SHERLOCK HOLMES ALONE.
Sherlock Holmes Alone
Episode V - The Red-Headed League
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Step into the captivating world of Sherlock Holmes as we delve into the mysterious case of the Red-Headed League. This episode takes you on an intriguing journey, beginning with Mr. Jabez Wilson, a pawnbroker with a head of fiery red hair. After discovering a strange advertisement seeking red-headed men for an exceptionally unusual job, Wilson finds himself drawn into a web of intrigue that has far-reaching consequences, not just for him, but for all involved.
As the case unfolds, listeners will experience Holmes's trademark deductive reasoning at work. From identifying key details in Wilson's life and examining the characters around him to uncovering a criminal plot beneath the facade of a simple employment offer, the story offers endless twists and turns that keep you on the edge of your seat. The strange antics of Wilson's assistant, Vincent Spalding, become focal points in Holmes's investigation, revealing motives that lead to a surprising climax.
Join us as we unravel complex relationships, highlight themes of deception and trust, and ponder the extraordinary outcomes that emerge from seemingly mundane events. This episode is perfect for fans of mystery and those keen to explore how the master detective, Sherlock Holmes, uses logic and keen observation to navigate the challenges he faces. Don’t miss this unique tale; tune in now and immerse yourself in the iconic world of Holmes. If you enjoyed the story, don’t forget to subscribe, share with friends, and leave us a review!
Introduction to the Red
Speaker 1Sherlock Holmes Alone, episode 5, the Red-Headed League. The Red-Headed League One day in the autumn of 1890, I found myself in deep conversation with a very stout, florid-faced elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. This particular tete-a-tete appealed to my love of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum routine of everyday life. I often assert that for strange effects and extraordinary combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more daring than any effort of the imagination. It is an aphorism that many may not subscribe to, but I am always willing to keep on piling fact upon fact until reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to be right. On that morning, in the autumn of 1890, mr Jabez Wilson had been good enough to call and begin a narrative which promised to be one of the most singular which I had listened to for some time. The strangest and most unique things are very often connected not with the larger but with the smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for doubt, whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I had heard it, it was impossible for me to say whether Mr Wilson's case was an instance of crime or not, but the course of events was certainly among the most singular that I had ever listened to. As Mr Wilson sat across from me before the fire, I bade he retell the remarkable story. Perhaps, mr Wilson, you would have the great kindness to repeat your narrative. I ask because the particular nature of the story makes me anxious to have every possible detail from your lips. You see, as a rule, when I have heard some slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my memory. In the present instance, I am forced to admit that the facts are, to the best of my belief, unique.
Speaker 1The portly client puffed out his chest with the appearance of some little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down at the advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper flattened upon his knee, "'my visitor bore every mark of being an average commonplace British tradesman obese, pompous and slow. He wore rather baggy grey shepherd's-check trousers and not an overly clean black frock-coat, unbuttoned in the front with a drab whiskert and a heavy brassy Albert chain and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as an ornament. A frayed top-hat and faded brown overcoat with a wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether there was nothing remarkable about the man save his blazing red hair and the expression of extreme chagrin and discontent upon his features.
Speaker 1Besides, mr Wilson, beyond the obvious facts that you have at some time done manual labor, that you take snuff, that you are a freemason, that you have been in China and that you have done a considerable amount of writing lately, I know nothing about you. Mr Jebez Wilson started up in his chair with his forefinger upon the paper but his eyes upon me. How, in the name of good fortune, did you know all that, mr Holmes? How did you know, for example, that I did manual labour? It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's carpenter. Your hands, my dear sir, your right hand is quite a size larger than your left. You have worked with it and the muscles are more developed. Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry. I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you use an arc and compass breastpin. Of course I forgot that.
Speaker 1But the writing. What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for four or five inches and the left one with the smooth patch near the elbow where you rest it upon the desk. But China, the fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right wrist, can only have been done in China. I have made a small study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature on the subject. That trick of staining the fish's scales a delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch chain, the matter becomes even more simple. I never. I thought at first you had done something clever, but I see that there is really nothing in it after all. I begin to think that I make a mistake in explaining my observations and deductions derived therefrom. Omni ignotum pro magnifico, you know, and my poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I am so candid.
Speaker 1Can you not find the advertisement, mr wilson? Yes, I've got it now. Here it is. This is where it all began. You can just read it for yourself, sir.
Speaker 1I took the newspaper from him and read as follows to the red-Headed League, on account of the bequest of the late Ezekiel Hopkins of Lebanon, pennsylvania, usa, there is now another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a salary of £4 a week for purely nominal services. All red-headed men who are of sound body and mind and above the age of 21 years are eligible. Apply in person on Monday at 11 o'clock to Duncan Ross. At the age of twenty-one years are eligible. Apply in person on Monday at eleven o'clock to Duncan Ross at the offices of the League, seven Popes Court, fleet Street. It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?
Speaker 1Now, mr Wilson, please, off you go at scratch and tell me all about yourself, your household and the effect which this advertisement had upon your fortunes. Let me make note of the paper and the date the Morning Chronicle of April 27th 1890. Yes, just two months ago. Very good. Now, please, mr Wilson, proceed. Well, it's just as I've been telling you, mr Sherlock Holmes.
Speaker 1"'i have a small pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square near the city. "'it's not a very large affair "'and of late years it has not done more than just give me a living. "'i used to be able to keep two assistants "'but now I only keep one, and I would have a job to pay him. But he's willing to come for half wages so as to learn the business. What is the name of this obliging youth. His name is Vincent Spalding and he's not such a youth either.
Speaker 1It's hard to say his age. I should not wish for a smarter assistant, mr Holmes, and I know very well that he could better himself and earn twice what I'm able to give him. But after all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head? Why, indeed, you seem most fortunate, mr Wilson, in having an employee who comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience among employers in this age. I don't know that.
Speaker 1Your assistant is not as remarkable as your advertisement. Oh, he has his faults too. Never was such a fellow for photography, snapping away with a camera when he ought to be improving his mind and then diving down into the cellar like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his main fault. But on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice in him. He is still with you, I presume. Yes, sir.
Speaker 1He, and a girl of fourteen who does a bit of simple cooking and keeps the place clean. That's all I have in the house, for I'm a widower and never had any family. We live very quietly, sir, the three of us, and we keep a roof over our head and pay our debts if we do nothing more. The first thing that put us out was the advertisement Spalding. He came down into the office just this day, eight ago, with this very paper in his hand and he says I wish to the law, mr Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.
Speaker 1Why is that, mr Spalding? Why here's another vacancy in the league of red-headed men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end as to what to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's a nice little crib all ready for me to step into. Why? What is it then? Have you never heard of a leg of red-headed men? Have you never heard of a lake of red-headed men? Never.
Mr. Jabez Wilson's Peculiar Narrative
Speaker 1As you know, mr Spalding, I'm a very stay-at-home man and my business comes to me instead of my having to go to it. I'm often weeks on end without putting a foot over my door mat. In that way, I don't know much of what is going on outside, but I'm always glad of a bit of news. Why, in that case, mr Wilson, I have news that will be music to your ears, for it seems you are eligible yourself for one of the vacancies. And what's a vacancy worth? Oh, merely a couple of hundred pound a year. But the work is slight and it need not interfere very much with one's other occupations'. "'you have my attention, mr Spalding. "'an extra couple of hundred a year would be very, very handy. "'tell me all about it'. "'just have a look at the advertisement. "'you can see for yourself that the League has a vacancy. "'and there's the address where you should apply for the particulars.
Speaker 1As far as I can make out, the league was founded by an American millionaire, ezekiel Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself a red-headed man and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men. So when he died, it was found that he had left an enormous fortune in the hands of trustees with instructions to apply the interest to providing an easy birth to men whose hair is of that colour. From all I hear of it, it's splendid pay and very little to do. But surely, mr Spalding, there would be millions of red-headed men who would apply Not so many as you might think. You see, it is really confined to Londoners and to grown men.
Speaker 1This American is started from London, when he was young and he wanted to do the old town a good turn. Then again, I have heard it is no use applying if your hair is light red or dark red or anything but real bright, blazing, fiery red, like yours. Now, if you care to apply, mr Wilson, you would walk right in. Well, you know, but perhaps it would be hardly worth your while to put yourself out for the sake of you know, a few hundred pounds. Now it is a fact, mr Holmes, as you may see for yourself, that my hair is ofa very full and rich tint, so that it seemed to me that if there was any competition in the matter, I stood a good chance.
Speaker 1As any man that I ever met, vincent Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off with the address that was given in the advertisement. I never hope to see such a sight as that again, mr Holmes, from north, south, east and west, every man who had a shade of red in his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk and Pope's Court looked like a monger's orange burrow. I should not have thought there were so many in the whole country as were brought together by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour there were too straw, lemon, orange, brick, irish setter, liver clay, but, as Spalding said, there were not many who had the real vivid, flame-coloured tint like mine. When I saw how many were waiting I would have given up in despair, but Spalding would not hear of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd and right up to the steps which led into the office. There was a double stream up the stair, some going up in hope and some coming back dejected, but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found ourselves in the office. Well, mr Wilson, your experience has been a most entertaining one. Pray, continue your very interesting statement.
Speaker 1There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs and a deal table behind which sat a small man with a head that was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem to be such an easy matter after all. However, when our turn came, the little man was very much more favourable to me than to any of the others, and he closed the door as we entered so that he might have a private word with us. Mr Spaulding spoke first, of course, right. Well, my name is Vincent Spaulding and this is Mr Jabez Wilson, and he is willing to fill a vacancy in the league and he is admirably suited for it. He has every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so fine.
Speaker 1The man took a step backwards, cocked his head on one side and gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then, suddenly, he plunged forward, wrung my hand and congratulated me on my success. Plunged forward, wrung my hand and congratulated me on my success. It would be an injustice to hesitate. You will, however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution. With that. He seized my hair in both hands and tugged until I yelled with pain. There is water in your eyes. I perceive that all is as it should be, but we have to be careful. I perceive that all is as it should be, but we have to be careful, for we have been twice deceived by wigs and once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which would disgust you with human nature. He stepped over to the window and shouted through it, at the top of his voice, that the vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there was not a redhead to be seen except my own and that of the manager.
Speaker 1"'my name is Duncan Ross and I am myself one of the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. "'are you a married man, mr Wilson? Have you a family'? "'i haven't any family'. "'dear me, that is very serious indeed. I am sorry to hear you say that. "'the fund was, of course, for the propagation and spread of redheads, as well as for their maintenance. "'it is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a bachelor'. My face lengthened at this, mr Holmes, for I thought that I was not to have the vacancy after all. But after thinking it over for a few minutes, he said that it would be all right. "'in the case of another, the objection might be fatal. But we must stretch the point in favour of a man with such a head of hair as yours.
Speaker 1When shall you be able to enter upon your new duties? Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already. Oh, never mind about that, mr Wilson, I shall be able to look after it for you. Well, that is very kind, mr Spalding. Tell me, mr Ross, what would be the hours? Ten until two? Well, to tell the truth, a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, mr Ross, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just before payday. So it would suit me very well to earn a little in the mornings. Besides, I know my assistant here, mr Spalding, is a good man and he will see to anything that turns up. Yes, ten until two would suit me very well.
Speaker 1And the pay? The pay is four pounds per week. And the work? The work is purely nominal. What do you call purely nominal? Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You don't comply with the conditions if you budge from this office during that time. Oh, it's only four hours a day, mr Ross, and I should not think of leaving. No excuse will avail, neither sickness, nor business, nor anything else. There you must stay or you lose your billet. And what exactly is the work? It is to copy out the Encyclopedia Britannica. There is the first volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink pens and blotting paper, but we will provide this table and chair. Will you be ready tomorrow? Certainly, mr Ross. Then good-bye, mr Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you once more on the important position which you have been fortunate enough to gain.
Speaker 1He bowed me out of the room and I went home with my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do. Mr Holmes, I was so pleased at my own good fortune. Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening, well, I was in low spirits again, for I had quite persuaded myself that the whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud. Though what its object might have been, I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past belief that anyone could make such a will, mr Holmes, or that they would pay such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the Encyclopedia Britannica. Vincent Spalding did what he could to cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look at it anyhow. So I bought a penny bottle of ink and with a quill pen and seven sheets of fool's cap paper, I started off for Pope's Court.
Speaker 1Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as possible, mr Holmes. The table was set out ready for me and Mr Duncan Ross was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off upon the letter A and then he left me, and Mr Duncan Ross was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off upon the letter A and then he left me, but he would drop in from time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he bade me good day, complimented me upon the amount I had written and locked the door of the office after me. Well, tell me, mr Wilson, how did things proceed after the first day? This went on day after day, mr Holmes, and on Saturday Mr Duncan Ross came in and planked down four golden sovereigns from my week's work. It was the same next week and the same the week after. Every morning I was there at ten and every afternoon I left at two by degrees.
Speaker 1Mr Duncan Ross took to coming in only once of a morning, "'and then, after a time, he did not come in at all "'Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an instant, "'for I was not sure when he might come. "'and the billet was such a good one, "'and it suited me so well that I would not risk the loss of it. "'eight weeks passed away like this would not risk the loss of it. Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about abbots and archery and armoury and architecture and Attica, and I hoped with diligence that I might get on to letter B before very long. But it cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly filled a shelf with my writings and then suddenly the whole business came to an end'. "'to an end, to an end? You say yes, sir.
Speaker 1And no later than this morning I went to my work as usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a little square of cardboard hammered to the middle panel with a tack. Well, here it is. You can read it for yourself. Let me see that cardboard. Mr Wilson, the Red-Headed League is dissolved October 9th 1890.
Speaker 1I surveyed this curt announcement and the rueful face behind it until the comical side of the affair so completely overtopped every other consideration that I burst out into a roar of laughter. That I burst out into a roar of laughter. Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha ha. Mr Wilson, please, please, sit back in your chair. I really wouldn't miss your case for the world. It is most refreshingly unusual, but there is, if you will excuse me saying so, something just a little funny about it.
Speaker 1Pray, what steps did you take when you found the card upon the door? I was staggered, mr Holmes. I did not know what to do. Then I called at all the offices around, but none of them seemed to know anything about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant living on the ground floor, and I asked him if he could tell me what had become of the Red-Headed League. He said he'd never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr Duncan Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. Well, I said the gentleman in number four? Well, he replied, you know the one with the red hair? Yes, he told me his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor and he was using the room as a temporary convenience until his new premises was ready. He moved out yesterday.
Speaker 1I asked where I could find him and he said he'd be at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 King Edward Street, near St Paul's. I started off, mr Holmes, but when I got to that address, well, it was a manufactory of artificial kneecaps and no one in it had ever heard of either Mr William Morris or of Mr Duncan Ross. And what did you do then, mr Wilson? I went home to Saks Cobourg Square and I took the advice of my assistant, but he could not help me in any way. He could only say that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite good enough, mr Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place without a struggle. So, as I heard, you were good enough to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it. I came right away to you and you did very wisely.
Speaker 1Mr Wilson, your case is exceedingly remarkable and I should be happy to look into it. From what you have told me, I think that it is possible that graver issues hang from it than might first appear. Grave enough. Why, mr Holmes? I've lost four pounds a week. As far as you are personally concerned, mr Wilson, I do not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some thirty pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You've lost nothing by them. No, sir, mr Holmes, but I want to find out about them and who they are and what their object was in playing this prank. If it was a prank upon me, it was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it cost them two and thirty pounds. We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you, mr Wilson, and first one or two questions.
Speaker 1This assistant of yours, who first called your attention to the advertisement, how long has he been with you? Well, at that point it was about a month. And how did he come In answer to my advertisement. Was he the only applicant? No, no, I had a dozen. Why did you pick him? Because he was handy and would come cheap, at half wages. In fact, what is he like, this, vincent Spaulding, small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, though he's not short of thirty. He has a white splash of acid upon his forehead.
Speaker 1I sat up in my chair in considerable excitement. I thought as much, mr Wilson, have you ever observed that his ears are pierced for earrings? Yes, sir, he told me that a gypsy had done it for him when he was a lad. Hmm, is he still with you? Oh, yes, sir. I have only just left him, mr Holmes, and has your business been attended to in your absence? Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a morning. That will do, mr Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. Today is Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion. I bid you good day, mr Wilson. Well, thank you very much, mr Holmes. I do look forward to Monday and having some sort of answer to this very bizarre and strange business.
Speaker 1My red-headed client fussed his way out of the room and I was left to ponder. It was a most mysterious business. As a rule, the more bizarre a thing is, the less mysterious it proves to be. It is the commonplace, featureless crimes which are really puzzling, just as the commonplace face is the most difficult to identify. But I knew I must be prompt over this matter. And so what was I going to do? I was going to smoke, and smoke. I did, for it was quite a three-pie problem. "'i curled myself up in my chair with my knees drawn up to my nose, "'and there I sat, with my eyes closed, "'and my black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. "'then, fifty minutes later, I sprung out of my chair, "'for I had made up my mind on the matter, "'and I remembered that Sarasate was playing at St James Hall. Later in the afternoon. There was a good deal of German music on the programme, which is rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is introspective and I wanted to introspect.
Speaker 1I travelled by the underground as far as Aldersgate and a short walk took me to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular story which I had listened to in the morning it was a pokey little, shabby genteel place where four lines of dingy two-storey brick houses looked out into a small railed enclosure where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded laurel bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with Jabez Wilson in white letters upon the corner house announced the place where my red-headed client carried on his business. I stopped in front of it and looked it all over. Then I walked slowly up the street and then down again to the corner, "'still looking keenly at the houses. "'finally, I returned to the pawnbroker's "'and having thumped vigorously "'upon the pavement with my stick "'two or three times, "'i went up to the door and knocked. "'it was instantly opened "'by a bright-looking, "'clean-shaven young fellow who asked me to step inside. "'now don't come in, sir. We are open for business'. "'oh, thank you. I only wish to ask you how you would go from here to the Strand'. "'there right, fourth left, can't miss it.
Speaker 1The young man I had just encountered in my judgment was the fourth smartest man in London and for daring, I am not sure that he did not have a claim to be third. I had known something of him before, and although Mr Wilson's assistant Spalding counted for a good deal in the mystery of the red-headed league, I had inquired at the business, not merely in order that I might see him, but also to observe him in some detail. I noted the knees of his trousers and I saw what I expected to see. I had also beat the pavement in front of Mr Wilson's shop with my walking-stick. It was a time for observation. I was a spy in an enemy's country.
Holmes's Deductive Process Begins
Speaker 1I had gained some knowledge of Saxe-Coburg Square. It was time to explore the parts which lay behind it. The road in which I found myself as I turned round the corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the city to the north and west. The roadway was blocked, with the immense stream of commerce flowing in double tide, inward and outward, while the footpaths were black. With the hurrying swarm of pedestrians, it was difficult to realize, as I looked at the line of fine shops and stately business premises, that they really abutted. On the other side, upon the faded and stagnant square which I had just quitted Standing at the corner. I glanced along the line in order that I should remember the order of houses there.
Speaker 1It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of London. There was Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the city and suburban bank, the vegetarian restaurant and Macfarlane's carriage building depot that carried me right on to the other block. I had done my work, so it was time I had some play, a sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then I would be off to violin land, where all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there were no red-headed clients to vex me with their conundrums. I am an enthusiastic musician, being myself not only a relatively capable performer but a composer of some small merit. All afternoon I sat in the stalls, wrapped in the most perfect happiness, gently waving my fingers in time to the music. As I sat in musical bliss that afternoon, so enwrapped in the melodies of the violin at St James Hall, I was very certain that an evil time might be coming upon those whom I had set myself to hunt down. When Sarasate had finished his most glorious performance, I had some work to do, which would take some hours.
Speaker 1The business at Coburg Square was indeed very serious. A considerable crime was in contemplation. I had every reason to believe that I would be in time to stop it, but it was Saturday and that rather complicated matters. This smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant Spalding was a formidable man, a man who might play a deep game. I had puzzled it out. There would be some little danger.
Speaker 1By ten o'clock that evening I found myself back at Baker Street in an animated conversation with two men, one of whom was Peter Jones, the official police agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man with a very shiny hat and an oppressively respectable frock coat. Our party was complete. I turned up my pea-jacket and took my heavy hunting crop from the rack. While slipping a small revolver into my pocket, inspector Jones had a spark in his eye. We're hunting again, mr Holmes.
Speaker 1You see, mr Merriweather, "'holmes is a wonderful man for starting a chase. "'all he wants is an old dog to help him do the running down. "'i hope a wild goose may not prove to be at the end of our chase. "'you may place considerable confidence in Mr Holmes, sir. "'he has his own little methods which are "'if he won't mind my saying so just a little too theoretical and fantastic. But he has the makings of a detective in him. It is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly correct than the official force. He has been more nearly correct than the official force. Ah yes, inspector Jones, some day I shall rise to the standards of Scotland Yard. Indeed, you may, mr Holmes, indeed you may. Oh, if you say so, inspector Jones, it is all right. Still, I confess that I miss my rubber.
Speaker 1It is the first Saturday night for seven-and and twenty years that I have not played my bridge game. I think you will find, mr Merriweather, that you will play for a higher stake tonight than you have ever done yet, and that play will be more exciting. For you, mr Merriweather, the stake will be some thirty thousand pounds, and for you, inspector Jones, it will be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands, john Clay. John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher and forger. He's a young man, mr Merriweather, but he's at the head of his profession and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is Mr John Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. I've been on his track for years and I've never set eyes on him yet. I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night, inspector Jones'. "'i myself had one or two little turns also with Mr John Clay, and I agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is past ten, however, and quite time we started. Our cab awaits.
Speaker 1I was not very communicative during the long drive and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which I had heard in the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gaslit streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. Meriwether was a bank director and personally interested in the matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with me also. He was not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. He had one positive virtue— he was as brave as a bulldog and as tenacious as a lobster if he got his claws upon anyone.
Speaker 1We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which I had found myself in the morning. Our cab was dismissed and, following the guidance of Mr Merriweather, we passed down a narrow passage and through a side door which he opened for us. Within there was a small corridor which ended in a very massive iron gate. This also was opened and led down a flight of winding stone steps which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr Merriweather stopped to light a lantern and then conducted us down a dark, earth-smelling passage and so, after opening a third door, into a huge vault or cellar which was piled all round with crates and massive boxes.
Speaker 1"'you are not very vulnerable from above, mr Merriweather'. I held up the lantern and gazed about the space. "'nor from below, mr Holmes'. Mr Merriweather struck his stick upon the flagstones which line the floor. Why, dear me Holmes, it sounds quite hollow. I must really ask you to be a little more quiet, mr Merriweather. You have already imperiled the whole success of our expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit down upon one of those boxes and not to interfere'. The solemn Mr Merriweather perched himself upon a crate, with a very injured expression upon his face, while I fell upon my knees upon the floor and, with a lantern and a magnifying-glass, began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few seconds sufficed to satisfy me and I sprang to my feet again and put my glass in my pocket. Well, gentlemen, we have at least an hour before us, for they can hardly take steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their work, the longer time they will have for their escape.
Speaker 1We are at present Inspector, as you no doubt have divined, in the cellar of the city branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr Merriweather is chairman of directors and he will explain to you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at present. Yes, it is our French gold. We've had several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it. Your French gold, mr Merriweather? Yes, we had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources and borrowed for that purpose thirty thousand Napoleons from the Bank of France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to unpack the money and that it is still lying in our cellar. The crate upon which I sit contains some two thousand napoleons packed between layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the directors have had misgivings upon the subject. I would say, mr Merriweather, that those misgivings are very well justified.
Speaker 1"'and I too, inspector Jones "'But now, gentlemen, "'it is time that we arrange our little plans. "'i expect that within an hour, matters will come to a head. "'in the meantime, mr Meriwether, "'we must put the screen over your lantern' "'And sit in the dark'. "'i see that the enemy's preparations have gone so far "'that we cannot risk the presence of light. "'and first of all, we must choose our positions. "'these are daring men "'and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, "'they may do us some harm unless we are careful. "'i shall stand behind this crate "'and you conceal yourselves behind those "'Then, when I flash a light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, jones, I have no compunction about shooting them down. I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden crate, behind which I crouched. I shot the slide across the front of my lantern and left us in pitch darkness, an absolute darkness. The smell of hot metal from the shuttered lanterns remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready to flash out at a moment's notice. Well, jones, they have but one retreat, that is, back through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have done what I asked you to do, jones. I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door. Mr Holmes, then we have stopped all the holes, and now we must be silent and wait.
Speaker 1From my position, I could look over the case in the direction of the floor. Suddenly, my eyes caught a glint of a light. At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then it lengthened out until it became a yellow line and then, without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about the centre of a little area of light. For a minute or more, the hand with its writhing fingers protruded out of the floor. Then it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark again, save for the single lurid spark which marked the chink between the stones. Its disappearance, however, was but momentary, with a rending, tearing sound. One of the broad white stones turned over upon its side and left a square, gaping hole through which streamed a light of a lantern Over the edge. There peeped a clean-cut, boyish face, which looked keenly about it and then, with a hand on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and then waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge shoulder high and then waist high, until one knee rested upon the edge.
Speaker 1In another instant, john Clay, otherwise known as Wilson's assistant Vincent Spalding, stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face and a shock of very red hair. It's all clear. Have you got the chisel and the bags? "'great Scott. "'jump, archie, jump. "'i'll swing for it'. "'i sprung out and seized the intruder by the collar. "'the other dived down the hole, "'and I heard the sound of rending cloth, "'as Jones clutched at his skirts. "'the light flashed upon the barrel of a revolver "'but my hunting crop came down on the man's wrist and the pistol clanked to the floor. "'it's no use, john Clay, you have no chance at all.
Speaker 1So I see, I fancy that my pal is all right, though. I see you've got his coattails. There are three men waiting for him at the door. Oh, indeed, you seem to have done the thing very completely. I must compliment you. And are you, mr Clay? Your red-headed idea was very new and effective.
Speaker 1All right, clay, I'm Inspector Jones of Scotland Yard and I can tell you you'll see your friend again presently. He's quicker at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the derbies. I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands. You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have the goodness also, when you address me, to always say sir and please. All right, well, would you please, sir, march upstairs where we can get a cab to carry your highness to the police station. That is better. Clay made a sweeping bow to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the detective, while Meriwether and I quietly off in the custody of the detective, while Meriwether and I followed them from the cellar.
Speaker 1Really, mr Holmes, I do not know how the bank can thank you or repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated in a most complete manner one of the most determined attempts at bank robbery that has ever come within my experience. It was worth missing my bridge game. I have one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr John Clay. Mr Merriweather and I have been at some small expense over this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund. But beyond that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which in many ways is unique. And of course hearing the very remarkable narrative of the Red-Headed League was a reward in its own right.
Speaker 1Looking back at this remarkable and unique case, it is perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement and the red-headed league and the copying of the encyclopedia must be to get this not-so-over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but really it would be difficult to suggest better. The method was no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his accomplice's hair. The four pounds a week was a lure which must draw him. And what was it for them who were playing for thousands they had put in the advertisement? One rogue had the temporary office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for the job, and together they managed to secure his absence every morning in the week.
Speaker 1From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for half wages. It was obvious to me that he had some strong motive for securing the situation. Had there been a woman in the house, I should have suspected a mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The man's business was a small one and there was nothing in his house which could account for such elaborate preparations and such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's fondness for photography and his trick of vanishing into the cellar. The cellar, there was the end of this tangled clue.
Speaker 1Then I made inquiries as to the mysterious assistant and found that I had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in London. He was doing something in the cellar which took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be? Well, I could think of nothing, save that he was running a tunnel to some other building. So far I had got when I went to visit the scene of the action.
Speaker 1When I beat upon the pavement with my stick, I was ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. It was not in front. Then I rang the bell and, as I hoped, the assistant answered it. We had some skirmishes, clay and I, but we had never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his face. His knees were what I wished to see how worn, wrinkled and stained they were. They spoke of those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they were burrowing for.
Speaker 1I walked round the corner and saw the city and suburban bank abutted on Mr Wilson's premises and felt that I had solved my problem. I drove home after the concert and on the way I called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank directors, and on the way I called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank directors, with the result that I have conveyed. I knew they were about to make their attempt at robbing the bank when they closed their red-headed league offices. It was a sign that they cared no longer about Mr Jebez Wilson's presence, in other words that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered or the bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape.
Speaker 1For all these reasons, I expected them to come on Saturday. It was so long a chain, and yet every link rang true and it saved me from ennui. Alas, I already feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little problems help me to do so. As Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand, l'homme Nervier, l'oeuvre à tout Sherlock Holmes Alone, adapted and performed by JP Winslow, based on the original writings of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Thank you.