Summary

This story starts out with the narrator, Dr. Watson, visiting his friend Sherlock Holmes at his home on Baker Street. When Watson sees that Holmes has a redheaded visitor he tries to leave but Holmes invites him in and introduces him to Mr. Wilson. Holmes tells Wilson that Watson has been his assistant on many cases.

Holmes then asks Wilson to repeat his story. He says that he wants it retold for two reasons. The first is so that Watson will get to hear it, and the second is that he himself can listen to the details again. He also notes that while he can usually compare things he hears with other events, Wilson's story is like nothing he has heard before.

Wilson looks proud of this, and immediately begins searching through a newspaper. As he does so, Watson examines him...