TED-Ed: Sherlock Holmes and the case of the Red-Headed League | Alex Rosenthal

Sherlock Holmes encounters Mr. Jabez Wilson, who shares his experience with the Red Headed League, a mysterious organization that offered him a job transcribing encyclopedias. The League suddenly disbands, prompting Wilson to seek Sherlock's help. Sherlock investigates and discovers a plot to rob a bank. He thwarts the robbery, revealing Wilson's assistant, Vincent Spalding, as the notorious thief John Clay. The Red Headed League was a ruse to keep Wilson occupied while the criminals dug a tunnel to the bank vault. Sherlock reflects on the case, noting Wilson's newfound knowledge.

What was the peculiar job Mr. Jabez Wilson took with the Red-Headed League?

• Transcribing the encyclopedia

• Selling encyclopedias

• Writing newspaper articles

• Teaching at a school

Why did Sherlock Holmes visit Wilson's pawn shop?

• To meet Wilson's assistant

• To find a missing person

• To buy an item

• To investigate the Red-Headed League

What did Sherlock deduce about the Red-Headed League?

• It was a social club

• It was a charity group

• It was a cover for a criminal plot

• It was a legitimate organization

What was the ultimate goal of the criminals behind the Red-Headed League?

• To start a new business

• To sell counterfeit goods

• To kidnap Mr. Wilson

• To steal French gold from a bank

How did Sherlock Holmes identify Vincent Spalding as a notorious thief?

• By his handwriting

• By his red hair

• By his dusty knees

• By his accent