Last fall, I went to visit Sherlock Holmes at his residence. When I arrived, Sherlock Holmes was talking to a short, rosy-faced, red-haired, somewhat fat old man. I felt that my arrival was a bit abrupt, and just as I was about to turn around and leave

At that moment, Holmes suddenly grabbed me, dragged me into the room, and closed the door behind him.

He said happily: "Dear Watson, you have come so well!"

"I see you are busy, so I'm afraid to disturb you."

"Yeah, I'm very busy."

"Then I'll wait for you in the next room!"

"No, no, Mr. Wilson, this is my partner and assistant Watson. He has helped me handle many cases. I'm sure he can help me a lot with your case."

The short and fat gentleman stood up from his chair and nodded to me while standing, with a suspicious look in his eyes under his thick eyelids.

"You sit down in the long-backed chair!" he said to me, then returned to his armchair and sat down, clasping the fingertips of his hands together, which was his habit when thinking about problems. "Watson, I know.

You are more like me, you don’t like ordinary, mundane, and monotonous things, but like things that are more abnormal and weird. Then if you are passionate, record these things. It can be seen that you are very interested. In fact,

If you don't mind, I'd like to say that what you do adds luster to all my adventures."

"I am indeed interested in the cases you handle."

"You must remember what I said that day before we talked about the question raised by Miss Mary Sutherland: 'In order to obtain better results and extraordinary cooperation, we must go deep into life, and it is always

More adventurous than wild imaginations.'"

"I don't quite agree with your statement."

"Really? Doctor. But you have to agree with me. Otherwise, I will list some facts in front of which your reasoning will be self-defeating, and then you have to admit my opinion. This Jebel

Mr. Z. Wilson is good. He came to me early in the morning and told me one of the weirdest things I have heard in a long time. You should have heard me say it, the weirdest and most unique thing.

Things are often not connected with larger crimes, but sometimes with small crimes. Sometimes I doubt whether someone has committed a crime. From what Mr. Wilson said, I can't conclude that this case is.

No one committed a crime, but what happened is the most bizarre thing I have ever heard. Mr. Wilson, could you please tell me the story from beginning to end? The reason why I asked you to tell it from the beginning is not only because

Watson didn't hear the beginning of what happened, and that's because it's a weird thing, and I want to hear as much detail as possible from you. Usually, when I hear something that explains what happened, I can always

I think of thousands of other similar cases to guide me. But I must admit that this one is very special."

The short and fat client straightened up, looking a little proud. He took out a piece of dirty and wrinkled paper from the inside pocket of his coat and spread it on his knees. He looked down at the advertising column above.

I began to look at the person, trying to discern something about his clothes or appearance, following my friend's method.

However, despite looking at it carefully, I didn't get much information. Judging from the appearance of this customer, he is just an ordinary British businessman. He is chubby, looks a bit impetuous, and is slow to respond.

That kind of person. He was wearing a slightly untidy tuxedo with no buttons, revealing a drab vest underneath. There was also an Albert-style thick copper chain on the vest, and a dangling

A small piece of metal decoration with a square hole in the middle was dangling. He was wearing a pair of loose gray plaid trousers with saggy fabric. On the chair next to him, there was a slightly damaged top hat and a faded brown jacket.

The coat was placed there, and it was obvious that the velvet collar of the coat was a little wrinkled. In my eyes, the overall impression was that this man, except for the fiery red hair and the resentment and dissatisfaction on his face,

Except for his expression, he is no different from ordinary people.

Sherlock Holmes had already seen my thoughts with his sharp eyes. Facing my doubtful gaze, he smiled and shook his head. "He has a period of manual labor experience and likes to take snuff. He is a

I am a Freemason who has been to China and wrote a lot during that time. I can only see this obvious information, but other than that, I can't infer anything."

Mr. Jabez Wilson suddenly straightened up in his chair, and although his forefinger was still pressing the newspaper, his eyes were turned towards my companion.

He asked: "Oh my God! Mr. Holmes, you actually know so many things about me. How do you know it? For example, I have done manual labor. This is even more accurate than what the Gospels say. I did.

Worked as a carpenter on the ship."

"Dear friend, you only need to look at your hands to know that your left hand is not as big as your right hand. This means that you work with your right hand, so the muscles in your right hand are more developed than in your left hand."

"Oh, how did you figure out that I take snuff and am a Freemason?"

"I can't tell you this, because I believe you should be able to know it based on your understanding. Besides, you violated the strict rules of your society and brought a bow-shaped compass-shaped pin."

"Well, yes, I forgot about that. But how do you explain my writing?"

"Need not to say more? It's already obvious, that is: the entire five-inch length of your right sleeve is polished and shiny, while there is a neat spot on the wrist of your left sleeve where it is usually attached to the table.

patch."

"Then how can you tell if you've been to China?"

"There is a tattooed fish on your right wrist, which is a Chinese characteristic. I have done some research on tattoo patterns, and even wrote an article specifically on this subject. It can only be done in China.

You can use this delicate pink to color fish of different sizes, and the Chinese coin hanging on your watch chain makes it even more obvious!"

Jabez Wilson couldn't help laughing. He said: "Oh, I really didn't expect that! At first I thought you were very mysterious, but once you explained it clearly, there was nothing mysterious about it."

Holmes said: "Watson, it's too bad, I forgot that I shouldn't tell everything. You have to be as wise as a fool. You know, I'm not very popular with others. I'm too honest."

I'm going to get screwed. Mr. Wilson, can you help me find that ad?"

"No problem, it's right here!" When he answered, his finger was pointing to the middle of the advertisement! He said: "This is right here, the cause of everything is here. Sir, you can see for yourselves.

!”

I took the newspaper he handed me and started reading:

Redhead Club:

Due to the bequest of the late Ezekiah Hopkins, a Lebanese native of Pennsylvania, USA, there is now another vacant position. All members of the Red-haired Society are eligible to apply. The salary is 4 pounds per week, and there is no

Substantive work, nominal work only. All red-haired males, aged 21 or over, in good health and of sound mind are welcome. Applicants should come in person to the Office of the Red-haired Society, Duncan···, 7 Pope's House, Fleet Street, at 11 am on Monday.

Ross Office fills out the application and is hereby notified.

After reading this unusual advertisement twice, I couldn't help but exclaimed: "What on earth is going on?"

Holmes couldn't help giggling and squirming as he sat in his chair. This was what he did when he was particularly happy. He said: "This advertisement is extraordinary, isn't it? All right, Mr. Wilson.

, please tell us everything about yourself, the people who live with you, and the benefits this advertisement has brought to you! Doctor, please write down the name and date of the newspaper."

"Annual Chronicle, April 27, 1890, a newspaper from two months ago."

"Well, okay. Okay, Mr. Wilson, please start talking!" "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, as I just said." Jabez said while wiping his forehead with his hand, "I'm here

Not far from the city, I opened a small pawn shop on the Saxe-Koberg Square. The business of the pawn shop is very small, and it has only been enough for me to barely support my life in the past few years. I used to employ two clerks, but now I can only hire one.

In fact, if this guy hadn't volunteered to take only half the salary, I might not even be able to afford this guy. And the reason why this guy is willing to do this is to learn some tips on how to do this business from me."

Sherlock Holmes asked: "What is the name of this helpful young man?"

"His name is Vincent Spaulding. In fact, he is not too young, but I really don't know how old he is. Mr. Holmes, this guy of mine is a very smart and capable man. I also understand that he was originally

He can live a better life and earn more than I do here. But since he is willing, I don’t need to persuade him to think too much."

"Oh, is it true? You are indeed lucky to be able to hire such a good guy with such a low salary. I guess there are very few employers in your situation! But I don't know your guy

Aren’t your ads very unusual?”

Mr. Wilson said: "Oh, he must have some small problems of his own. He especially likes to take pictures. He is relatively unmotivated at work, so he likes to take random pictures with a camera. Every time he takes a picture, he gets in eagerly.

I went to the basement to develop film, and he likes to dig holes like a rabbit. Apart from this biggest problem, in general, he is a very good employee, at least he doesn't have any bad intentions."

"I guess he is still with you now!"

Yes, sir. There is another 14-year-old girl in my shop. This girl is responsible for cooking and cleaning the house. There are only a few people in my shop. Because I am single and have never been married.

Sir, the three of us have been living a very peaceful life together. We all live together. If the management is not good, we will repay the debts together.

"The first thing that interfered with our lives was this ad. Just eight weeks ago today, Spaulding came into my office with this newspaper in his hand. He said, 'Mr. Wilson, I really

I wish God would give me red hair.'"

I asked him: 'Why do you think so?'

He said: 'How come? There is another vacancy in the current position of the Red-haired Society. If anyone can get this position, it will be equivalent to making a fortune. As far as I know, there are more vacancies there than people looking for jobs.

The directors who were entrusted with the management of the funds are now at a loss as they have money and they can't spend it! If only my hair could change color, then I could go there and enjoy happiness.'

I asked him again: "What's going on with the red hair?" Mr. Holmes, you may not imagine that I usually stay at home and don't go out. Because my business is all done by others.

I don't have to run around to find business on my own. So I often don't leave the house for weeks, so I know very little about things outside, and I also like to inquire about things outside.

Spaulding's eyes widened and he asked me: 'You don't know anything about the Red-Haired Society, do you?'

'Don't know at all.'

'When you say this, it makes me feel incredible. You must know that you are now qualified to apply for that vacancy! Although the salary is only two hundred pounds a year, this job is very relaxing, even if you have other jobs at the same time.

It doesn't matter if you have another job, there won't be any conflict.'

As you can easily imagine, this is really an eye-opener for me! Because my business has been sluggish for so many years, if I can get this extra two hundred pounds, it will be really easy to make money.

So I told him: 'Tell me everything about this!'

He pointed at the advertisement and said: 'Okay, look here, it says it! There is a vacancy in the Red-haired Club now. Just follow the address on the advertisement and go there to apply for the job. For this Red-haired Club, I

I know a little bit, its founder is an American millionaire named Ezekiah Hopkins. This man has always behaved strangely. He himself also has red hair, and therefore has feelings for all red-haired people.

Very deep feelings. After his death, everyone learned that he had handed over his huge property to the estate trustee for management. In his will, he proposed to take out the interest on his estate as a way to provide benefits to those

A red-haired man is paid for doing a comfortable job. According to the information I already know, this job pays well, but does very little work.'

I said: 'But there are so many red-haired men in the world, and they will all apply for jobs.'

He replied: 'Actually, there are not as many as you think. You can do the math, because what he asked for is only for Londoners, and they must be adult men. Because this American made his fortune in London, so he
To be continued...