4.3 The Red-Headed League (Part I: Mr Wilson’s Story) – Class 7 – Balbharati

Author: Arthur Conan Doyle (adapted)

Genre: Detective Fiction / Mystery (Sherlock Holmes Story)

Textbook: English Balbharati – Class 7

Board: Maharashtra State Board

English Summary

The Red-Headed League (Part I) is the story of Mr Jabez Wilson, a pawnbroker with striking red hair, who comes to Sherlock Holmes for help. His smart assistant, Vincent Spaulding, showed him a newspaper advertisement for a job in the Red-Headed League, an organisation supposedly founded by an American millionaire to help red-headed men. Encouraged by Spaulding, Wilson applied and was immediately selected by Duncan Ross, a representative of the League. His work was simple: to sit in an office daily from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and copy the Encyclopedia Britannica. He was paid four pounds a week, which he gladly accepted. For eight weeks, Wilson worked diligently, while Spaulding managed his shop. Suddenly one morning, Wilson found the office locked and a notice declaring “The Red-Headed League is dissolved.” Confused and suspicious, he came to Holmes for advice. Holmes found the story unusual and promised to investigate, suspecting Spaulding’s role in the mystery.

Theme / Central Idea

The story shows how clever criminals create strange plots for their hidden motives. It highlights human greed, gullibility, and the brilliance of Sherlock Holmes in solving mysteries.

Character Sketches

Jabez Wilson

• Pawnbroker with bright red hair.

• Simple, hardworking, but gullible.

• Attracted by easy money and joins the League.

• Trusts his assistant too much.

Vincent Spaulding (Assistant)

• Smart, efficient, and works for half wages.

• Hobby: developing photographs in the cellar.

• Clever and suspicious character.

• Actually the mastermind behind the League trick (revealed in Part II).

Duncan Ross

• Red-haired man, representative of the League.

• Selected Wilson instantly for the job.

• Vanishes after the League dissolves.

Sherlock Holmes

• Famous detective, logical and observant.

• Finds Wilson’s case unusual.

• Immediately suspects Spaulding’s involvement.

Word Meanings

Grammar Questions (5)

1. Infinitive / Gerund

   Sentence: “Wilson liked to earn easy money.”

   Infinitive: to earn – shows purpose.

   
   

2. Passive Voice

   Active: Duncan Ross selected Wilson for the job.

   Passive: Wilson was selected for the job by Duncan Ross.

   
   

3. Modal Auxiliary

   Sentence: “We must not believe everything that looks easy.”

   Must shows necessity.

   
   

4. Tense Change

   Direct: Spaulding said, “I will look after the shop.”Indirect: Spaulding said that he would look after the shop.

   
   

5. Wh-Question Framing

   Statement: The Red-Headed League was dissolved suddenly.Question: When was the Red-Headed League dissolved?

   
   

Personal Response Questions (5)

1. Why do you think Wilson was chosen so easily for the League?

   Wilson was chosen because of his bright red hair, which suited the League’s unusual requirement. The quick selection shows it was a trick.

   
   

2. Do you think Wilson was greedy or simply gullible?

   Wilson was more gullible than greedy. He trusted Spaulding and did not question why he was paid so much for such little work.

   
   

3. What is suspicious about Spaulding’s character?

   Spaulding’s low wages, constant visits to the cellar, and eagerness to get Wilson the job all appear suspicious. They hint that he had hidden motives.

   
   

4. Would you accept such a job with little work and high pay? Why/Why not?

   I would not accept such a job without questioning because it seems unrealistic. Easy money often hides danger or dishonesty.

   
   

5. What lesson does this part of the story give us?

   It teaches that we should not trust unusual offers blindly. Careful observation and questioning are important to avoid being cheated.

   
   

True or False (5)

1. The Red-Headed League was founded by a French millionaire. → False (It was said to be an American millionaire.)

2. Spaulding encouraged Wilson to apply for the job. → True

3. Wilson’s duty was to copy the Encyclopedia Britannica. → True

4. The League lasted for many years. → False (It ended suddenly after 8 weeks.)

5. Sherlock Holmes found Wilson’s story very ordinary. → False (He found it unusual and interesting.)

   
   

Probable Board / Exam Questions (5)

1. What was the Red-Headed League and why was it created?

   It was said to be an association started by an American millionaire to help men with red hair. In reality, it was a trick created for a hidden criminal purpose.

2. Why did Wilson accept the job in the League?

   He accepted because the work was easy—copying the encyclopedia for 4 hours daily—and the pay was high at four pounds a week.

   
   

3. What strange rules were given to Wilson?

   Wilson had to sit in the office from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. without leaving. If he left, he would lose the job.

   
   

4. How did Wilson learn that the League had ended?

   One morning he found the office locked with a notice on the door stating, “The Red-Headed League is dissolved.”

   
   

5. Why did Wilson go to Sherlock Holmes?

   He went to Holmes because he was confused and wanted to know the truth about the League and why such a prank was played on him.

   
   

Appreciation / Reflection Paragraph

The Red-Headed League (Part I) is an engaging detective story by Arthur Conan Doyle. It builds suspense through the unusual League, the easy job, and the sudden disappearance. The contrast between Wilson’s simplicity and Spaulding’s cunning makes the story lively. Holmes’s sharp observation adds depth and curiosity for Part II. The story is memorable because it mixes humour, suspense, and mystery while also teaching that blind trust in strange opportunities can be dangerous.

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