The Red-Headed League

This story takes place in the year 1890. Mr. Wilson, a red-haired moneylender, goes to Sherlock Holmes to ask for his help in an extremely strange matter. He was hired by the Red-Headed League (a supposed charity that helps redheads) to copy the Encyclopaedia Britannica, for several days, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., receiving a generous weekly payment of £ 4, and being obliged of not leaving the work site during those hours. Nonetheless, after receiving payments for eight weeks, he shows up and that office is closed, which is confirmed by an announcement. Sherlock Holmes tells the client that he has not been swindled, rather he has received money and gained relevant knowledge by copying the Encyclopaedia Britannica. Even Holmes and Watson laugh at this claim. Although Sherlock Holmes is interested in the case, he visits Mr. Wilson's assistant (who tipped him off about this job in the mysterious Red-Headed League) and walks the streets near the pawnbroker's house, noticing that there is a bank nearby, and the objective of this strange job is to keep Mr. Wilson out of his office, while excavations are done under the premises.