'I don't think this is funny!' cried Mr Wilson angrily. 'Perhaps
I should take my case somewhere else.'
'No, no,' said Holmes. 'Your case is most interesting and
unusual. What did you do when you found the card on the
door?'
'I was extremely surprised,' replied Mr Wilson. 'I didn't know
what to do. I went to all the offices in the building. I asked if
anyone knew anything about The Red-Headed League. But no
one had ever heard of Duncan Ross.
'At last, I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square. I told Vincent
Spaulding what had happened. Spaulding said that if I waited,
perhaps the League would write to me. Perhaps they would
explain everything in a letter.
'But I didn't want to wait. I've lost a good salary of four
pounds a week. I want to find out about this League and why
they did this to me.
'Mr Holmes, I've heard you help people when they are in
trouble. That's why I've come to you.'
'You've done the right thing,' said Holmes. 'I'll be happy to
help you, Mr Wilson. But first, I want to ask you some questions.
'Your assistant - Vincent Spaulding - how long had he been
with you before he saw the advertisement?'
'About a month.'
'How did he get the job as your assistant?'
'I advertised the vacancy for an assistant. He came for the job.
I chose him because he looked a good worker. Also, he said that
he would work for half-pay.'
'What does Spaulding look like?'
'He's small and he moves very quickly. He's about thirty years
old and has a white mark on his forehead.'
Holmes sat up straight in his chair. He was very excited.
'Tell me,' he said, 'is there anything unusual about Vincent
Spaulding's ears?'
'Yes,' replied Mr Wilson. 'They have holes in them for