Structure

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Title

“The Red-Headed League” is a name given to a fictional league for men with natural red hair, which was supposedly initiated by a rich man named Ezekiah Hopkins:

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Beginning

The story begins with a rather long exposition in which Jabez Wilson, a pawnbroker, accounts for the circumstances in which he has responded to a newspaper ad about the Red-Headed League and was subsequently tricked after the League apparently dissolved. Note that the exposition also contains information about Wilson that Sherlock Holmes notices with his trained eye:

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Middle

In the rising action, Sherlock Holmes begins to investigate the mystery of the Red-Headed League. He displays a great deal of interest in Spaulding, whom he casually visits on the pretext of asking for directions. After analysing the buildings near the shop, Holmes feels that he is beginning to solve the case: ““A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help tonight.””

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Ending

In the falling action, the criminal named John Clay is arrested, and Holmes finds the opportunity to present the narrative of his deduction:

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