An unknown thief steals an important naval treaty from the office of Mr. Percy Phelps, a Foreign Office clerk. Phelps's distress gives him a brain fever that lasts for nine weeks. As he begins to recover, he writes to his old schoolmate, Dr. Watson, begging him to invite Sherlock Holmes to investigate the matter and find the treaty. Otherwise, his honor and happiness are gone forever. Holmes takes up the case with zest, but gives Phelps no false hopes. The mystery is as dark and tangled as any he has known.
Sherlock Holmes in investigates the strange case of Jabez Wilson. The man was recently offered employment by an organization known as the Red Headed League. For the grand sum of 4 pounds per week, he was to sit in an office and copy out entries fro an encyclopedia, starting with the letter A. He had responded to an advertisement and while there were many applicants, he has no idea why he was selected as the League's beneficiary. When after several weeks his employment is suddenly terminated, Mr. Wilson doesn't know what think. Holmes quickly deduces however that it was the location of his office as much as his red hair that resulted in him getting the employment in the first place. Written by garykmcd