English Quiz

-Mr. Wilson's assistant, "Vincent Spaulding" is actually a criminal named John Clay. -"Duncan Ross" hired Wilson for The Red-Headed League

Describe the two people who enter the room from the hole in the floor? Do you recognize them?

He has to copy the encyclopedia from 10am-2pm. If he leaves the office, he loses his position forever.

Describe the work Mr. Wilson must do for the League. What exactly is it? When must he do it? What is supposedly the purpose? What happens if he leaves the office during working hours?

Holmes is able to deduce things based on his appearance.

Does this appearance (Wilson's) tell anything about him as a person? Why or why not?

He worked for him for a month, worked for half wages, answered a newspaper ad for the job. He's small, stout, has no facial hair, has an acid scar, and pierced ears (like a gypsy)

Holmes begins to question Mr. Wilson about his assistant. List some of the things that he learns.

Clay wanted to keep Wilson away from the store

Holmes explains to Watson how he guessed the truth. What was the purpose of Clay's hiring Mr. Wilson to copy the Encyclopedia?

He does manual labor, takes snuff, is a Freemason, has been to China, and does a lot of writing.

Holmes lists the "obvious facts" that he deduces from Mr. Wilson's appearance. What are they?

They weren't worried about keeping Mr. Wilson away any longer, meaning the tunnel was done, they could rob the bank, and make a getaway.

How did Holmes know Clay would attempt to rob the bank that night?

Holmes knows by the size of Wilson's hand, his breastpin, his sleeves, his tattoo, and a coin he has.

How did Holmes know this about Mr. Wilson?

-Wilson questioned Holmes -Watson watches Holmes to understand his deduction

How does Mr. Wilson react to Holmes findings? Watson?

He has fiery red hair, is stout, red-faced, pompous, slow, wears baggy pants, sloppy clothes, and a heavy chain.

Watson finds Holmes with a visitor, Mr. Jabez Wilson. Give details about his appearance:

The goals are propagation and spread of red-heads, as well as providing them with income.

What are some of the goals of the league?

They are planning a bank robbery.

What do you think is the major crime being planned?

The landlord has never heard of The Red-Headed League

What does Mr. Wilson learn from the landlord?

Requirement: red-hair Benefits: $4 a week

What is the only requirement needed to apply for a vacancy in the Red-Headed League? What are the benefits? Why do you think only these particular men are asked to apply?

There is French gold.

What of special interest is hidden where they wait?

He walks up and down the street, looking at the buildings, and pounding the pavement with his cane.

What other odd thing does Holmes do in front of Mr. Wilson's place of business?

He was digging a tunnel so he could rob the bank.

What was Clay doing in the cellar?

Mr. Jones: Scotland Yard Mr. Merryweather: Bank director John Clay: murderer, thief, smasher, forger.

Who are Mr. Jones, Mr. Merryweather, and John Clay?

They are waiting for bank robbers so that they can arrest them.

Who specifically do you think they are waiting for? Why?

Supposedly, he was an American millionaire with red hair. He died and wanted to give easy, good-paying jobs to men with red hair.

Why did Ezekiah Hopkins start the league? Why do you think he "had a great sympathy for all red-headed men?"

He wanted to see if it looked like he'd been digging.

Why did Sherlock want to see the knees of the assistant's trousers? Why do you think he beat the pavement with his cane?

He wants to be in the neighborhood of the pawn shop, to see the assistant "by accident".

Why do you think Sherlock wants to go to the violin concert?

If Wilson joins, he won't be at his pawn shop with Spaulding.

Why do you think Spaulding wants Wilson to so badly join the league?

They no longer need to keep him out of his shop.

Why do you think the job came to a sudden end?

He wants to meet him and try to gather more clues.

Why does Holmes pretend to be lost and ask the way of Mr. Wilson's assistant?

It is a very unusual & comical situation.

Why does the situation make Holmes and Watson burst into laughter?

It seemed too good to be true because it's easy work and good money (just for having red hair).

Why was Mr. Wilson surprised that the job was actually real?

-He works for half the wages -He develops pictures in the cellar

Mr Wilson is a pawnbroker, one who lends money at interest to people who give him items of personal property in exchange. What is unusual about his assistant, Vincent Spaulding? Why does he spend a lot of time in the cellar?