The Advertisement: The story begins with a peculiar advertisement in the newspaper, specifically targeted towards red-headed men, offering a generous salary for copying out the Encyclopaedia Britannica. This advertisement serves as the initial clue that sets the stage for the unfolding mystery.
Jabez Wilson's Testimony: Jabez Wilson, the red-headed man who responded to the advertisement, provides valuable information to Holmes. Wilson mentions that he was promptly hired and tasked with copying out the encyclopedia. However, he was mysteriously dismissed after two months without any explanation.
The Copying Task: Holmes examines the volumes of the encyclopedia that Wilson worked on and discovers a peculiar pattern. The entries that Wilson had been copying were related to specific topics, particularly military strategies and fortifications. This observation suggests that the copying task was merely a pretext for gathering sensitive information.
The Disguised Men: Wilson mentions encountering a man with a reddish beard outside the office. Holmes later discovers that the landlord, Mr. Merryweather, also possessed a reddish beard and was acting suspiciously. These observations lead Holmes to suspect that the Red-Headed League was a front for some clandestine operation, and the men involved were using disguises.
The Empty Office: Holmes, along with Wilson and the police, visits the office of the Red-Headed League and finds it completely empty. The furniture and belongings have vanished, and there are no traces of the previous occupants. This revelation confirms the deceitful nature of the organization.
The Underground Passage: Holmes notices a trap door in the floor of the empty office. Upon further investigation, he discovers a secret underground tunnel leading to a nearby bank. The tunnel serves as the means for the criminals to access and rob the bank.
Wilson's Background: Holmes learns that Jabez Wilson was once an employee at a shipping firm, which had recently fallen victim to a burglary. This piece of information connects the seemingly unrelated events and implies Wilson's potential involvement in the criminal activities.
The Ring: Holmes finds a ring belonging to Wilson's former employer, Mr. Duncan Ross, in the secret underground tunnel. This discovery establishes a vital link between Wilson and the previous burglary.
The Missing Clay Pipe: Wilson mentions that the mysterious red-bearded man he encountered at the office had a habit of smoking a clay pipe. Later, Holmes finds a broken clay pipe near the trap door. This seemingly insignificant detail reinforces the connection between the disguised men and the criminal activities.
Holmes' Deduction: Based on the accumulated clues and his keen observations, Holmes deduces that the Red-Headed League was a cleverly orchestrated scheme to distract Wilson while the criminals robbed the bank through the secret tunnel. The entire ruse was designed to exploit Wilson's financial desperation.
By piecing together these crucial clues, Sherlock Holmes unravels the mystery of the Red-Headed League, exposing the intricate plot behind the seemingly innocuous organization and bringing the perpetrators to justice.