4.3 The Red-Headed League (Part II: Holmes’ Investigation) – 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

In Part II of The Red-Headed League, Sherlock Holmes investigates the strange case brought by Mr Jabez Wilson. After visiting Wilson’s shop, Holmes grows suspicious of his assistant, Vincent Spaulding. He notices Spaulding’s stained trousers and frequent visits to the cellar. Holmes, Watson, Scotland Yard inspector Jones, and Mr Merryweather (a banker) secretly wait in the cellar of a nearby bank where French gold was stored. At night, the criminals arrive through a tunnel dug from Wilson’s cellar. They are Spaulding (actually the criminal John Clay) and his partner, Duncan Ross. Holmes and the police catch Clay red-handed while Ross attempts to escape but is trapped. The entire trick of the “Red-Headed League” was just a ploy to get Wilson out of his shop for hours so the tunnel could be dug. Holmes explains his reasoning: Spaulding’s half wages, the suspicious cellar visits, and the bank’s location all revealed the plot. The case ends with the criminals arrested and the bank robbery foiled.

Theme / Central Idea

The story highlights human greed and deception, but also the brilliance of Sherlock Holmes’ observation and reasoning. It shows that clever criminals may create elaborate tricks, but intelligence and vigilance can defeat them.

Character Sketches

Sherlock Holmes

• Sharp and logical detective.

• Observant (noticed Spaulding’s trousers, pavement sound).

• Brave and strategic, planned the trap in the bank cellar.

• Represents intelligence, reasoning, and justice.

  
  

Dr Watson

• Faithful companion and narrator.

• Honest, curious, and supportive of Holmes.

• Represents the reader’s perspective in the story.

  
  

Vincent Spaulding / John Clay

• Assistant to Wilson, actually a notorious criminal.

• Clever, deceitful, and skilled at disguise.

• Dug the tunnel to rob the bank.

• Caught by Holmes and the police.

  
  

Duncan Ross

• Partner in crime, disguised as League representative.

• Helped close the League and trick Wilson.

• Tried to escape during the arrest.

  
  

Mr Merryweather

• Banker and chairman of the City bank.

• Helped Holmes foil the robbery.

  
  

Mr Jones (Scotland Yard)

• Police inspector.

• Assisted Holmes in catching the criminals.

Word Meanings

Grammar Questions (5)

1. Infinitive / Gerund

   Sentence: “Holmes wanted to catch the criminals.”

   Infinitive: to catch – shows purpose.

   
   

2. Passive Voice

   Active: Holmes foiled the robbery.

   Passive: The robbery was foiled by Holmes.

   
   

3. Modal Auxiliary

   Sentence: “The police must be ready at the right time.”

   Must shows necessity.

   
   

4. Tense Change

   Direct: Holmes said, “We will wait in the cellar.”

   Indirect: Holmes said that they would wait in the cellar.

   
   

5. Wh-Question Framing

   Statement: Clay was caught by Holmes and the police.

   Question: Who was caught by Holmes and the police?

Personal Response Questions (5)

1. What quality of Holmes do you admire most?

   I admire Holmes’ power of observation the most. Small details like trousers or pavement sounds helped him solve the case brilliantly.

   
   

2. Why do you think John Clay disguised himself as Vincent Spaulding?

   He disguised himself to hide his criminal identity. As Spaulding, he could dig the tunnel unnoticed while pretending to work as an assistant.

   
   

3. Would you enjoy waiting in a dark cellar to catch criminals? Why?

   Yes, I would enjoy it because it would feel adventurous and suspenseful. It would also give satisfaction to help in catching criminals.

   
   

4. What lesson do you learn from this detective story?

   The lesson is that greed leads to crime, but clever tricks cannot succeed against truth and intelligence. Careful thinking solves even strange problems.

   
   

5. Do you think Holmes deserved the banker’s gratitude? Why?

   Holmes deserved the gratitude because he risked his safety, planned everything wisely, and saved the bank’s gold from robbery.

True or False (5)

1. Holmes suspected Wilson was the real criminal. → False

2. The criminals entered the bank through a tunnel. → True

3. John Clay was also known as Vincent Spaulding. → True

4. The Red-Headed League was a genuine helpful organisation. → False (It was only a trick.)

5. Mr Merryweather was grateful to Holmes for foiling the robbery. → True

Probable Board / Exam Questions (5)

1. How did Holmes become suspicious of Spaulding?

   Holmes noticed Spaulding’s stained trousers and his frequent visits to the cellar. He also found it odd that Spaulding worked for half wages.

   
   

2. How did the criminals plan to rob the bank?

   They created the fake Red-Headed League to keep Wilson away. Meanwhile, Spaulding dug a tunnel from Wilson’s cellar to the bank to steal gold.

   
   

3. Describe the climax of the story in the bank cellar.

   Holmes, Watson, and the police waited in the cellar. At night, Clay and Ross entered through the tunnel. Holmes caught Clay by the collar, while Ross tried to escape but was trapped.

   
   

4. What was the real purpose of the Red-Headed League?

   The League was only a trick to keep Wilson busy with useless work so that the criminals could secretly dig a tunnel to the bank.

   
   

5. What message does this story give?

   The story conveys that crime and deception are short-lived. Clever planning may cheat simple people, but justice and intelligence will always prevail.

Appreciation / Reflection Paragraph

The Red-Headed League (Part II) by Arthur Conan Doyle is a thrilling detective story. The suspense of the tunnel, the clever trick of the League, and Holmes’ brilliant reasoning keep the reader engaged. The climax in the bank cellar is exciting, with criminals caught red-handed. The story is memorable because it shows how even the smartest crimes fail before intelligence and vigilance. It also teaches the value of logic, observation, and honesty.

About BhashaLab

BhashaLab is a dynamic platform dedicated to the exploration and mastery of languages - operating both online and offline. Aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the National Credit Framework (NCrF), we offer language education that emphasizes measurable learning outcomes and recognized, transferable credits.

We offer:

1. NEP alligned offline language courses for degree colleges - English, Sanskrit, Marathi and Hindi

2. NEP alligned offline language courses for schools - English, Sanskrit, Marathi and Hindi

3. Std VIII, IX and X - English and Sanskrit Curriculum Tuitions - All boards

4. International English Olympiad Tuitions - All classes

5. Basic and Advanced English Grammar - Offline and Online - Class 3 and above

6. English Communication Skills for working professionals, adults and students - Offline and Online

Contact: +91 86577 20901, +91 97021 12044

Mail: info@bhashalab.com

Website: www.bhashalab.com