"The Red-headed League" from 'The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes" was one of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's personal favourite Holmes stories. And why not? It's certainly a fun one, with an a "hook" which immediately catches the interest... what possible significance could Jabez Wilson's red hair have? And what is this Red-headed League which seems intent on giving away money for useless effort? It's relatively easy to pick out Spaulding as being involved in whatever shady business is being conducted... the questions are, what,why, and how? In the story, we are also given a very interesting villain: John Clay, an intelligent, unscrupulous, and eccentric individual. We learn from Holmes that he has cleverly pulled off various crimes in the past including theft and murder. Holmes, called in to consult on these crimes, had found evidence to pin them on Clay, but was unable to apprehend him. We also learn that he is the well educated grandson of a Duke who turned to a life of crime. Amusingly, when captured by Holmes, Clay accepts his fate coolly until the police start to cuff him, and he bristles at their disrespectful treatment of his person: "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and 'please.'" The police certainly derive some amusement from his lofty ways, snickering at his airs and calling him "Your Highness." Speaking of the police, neither Lestrade or Gregson make an appearance in this story- instead, we have agent Peter Jones of Scotland Yard. What isn't changed is Holmes' typically low opinion of the competence of the police. He considers them a source of muscle when he needs it, but not of brain power... as he remarks about Jones: "He is not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile at his profession." It's also clear, just as it was with the King of Bohemia in "A Scandal in Bohemia," that Holmes has no regard for the rank or importance of an individual whom he considers to be unintelligent. He doesn't hesitate to tear into the bank director, Mr. Merryweather, when he acts carelessly, risking their investigation. We also get a look at another facet of Holmes' complex character... Watson speaks of Sherlock's talent at both playing the violin and composing music for it. "The Red-headed League" also documents Holmes' love of music in general, as the action is interrupted so that he can attend a concert. After taking a look at Vincent Spaulding and scouting out the area around Wilson's shop, Holmes announces that it's time for some relaxation, and he and Watson go to St. James' Hall and spend the afternoon happily lost in melody. Dr. Watson himself notes how at odds these two sides of Holmes' personality seem: "...his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes were as unlike those of Holmes, the sleuth-hound, Holmes the relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was possible to conceive." And yet, Watson observes as well that these occasional times of mental and physical repose seem to enhance Holmes' powers of observation and investigation: "The swing in his nature took him from extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his black-letter editions." What is also reinforced is the complete trust which exists between Holmes and Watson. When Sherlock introduces Watson to Jabez Wilson, he describes him as a partner and helper who will be of great help to him. He also obviously knows he can count on Watson in dangerous situations- in this story, as in so many others, he asks Watson to bring his revolver in case of trouble. And Dr. Watson more than justifies this trust. Even though he can't keep up with Holmes' lightening fast brain work, he is completely skilled and competent to back him up on the active side of the case. In the cellar of the bank, for example, the doctor crouches with his pistol cocked for an hour and a half and doesn't move though cramped up, unwilling to risk Holmes' stakeout no matter how uncomfortable he becomes. It's also obvious that Watson loves the adventure and excitement of Holmes' career in a way he'll never care about his medical practice- evident in the way he shamelessly drops his doctoral duties whenever Holmes asks for his help. And as Holmes says at the beginning of 'The Red-headed League': "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum routine of everyday life." With massive understatement, Watson replies, "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me." So, to sum up, "The Red-headed League" is a great story with a fun, absorbing plot, an interesting villain, and some great character development for our heroes, Holmes and Watson... all earmarks of a classic Sherlock Holmes tale.
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