Jabe's Wilson is offered a job by the Red-Headed League. He has to copy out an Encyclopedia Britannica for four pounds per week. The pay is purely nominal, but he must be in the office or at least in the building all day. If he leaves his position 'he will forfeit his whole position forever' Jabe doesn't have children so can't work with them as they are too young. But if he did there would be no shortage of redheads on Fleet Street.