The Sign of the Four - Arthur Conan Doyle

Summary

"The Sign of the Four" opens with Sherlock Holmes injecting cocaine, much to Dr. Watson's disapproval, as Holmes complains of boredom due to lack of stimulating cases. Their routine is interrupted by the arrival of Miss Mary Morstan, a young governess with a perplexing problem. Her father, Captain Morstan, disappeared ten years prior after returning from India. For the past six years, she has anonymously received a large pearl on the same day each year. Now, she has received a letter inviting her to a meeting, stating she has been wronged and will receive justice.

Holmes, Watson, and Mary attend the mysterious meeting, where they are introduced to Thaddeus Sholto, one of the twin sons of Major John Sholto, an old friend of Captain Morstan. Thaddeus reveals a dark and convoluted tale involving the Agra treasure, a fortune in jewels discovered by his father and Captain Morstan in India. He explains that his father, Major Sholto, had stolen the treasure, and Captain Morstan died during a confrontation with Major Sholto upon his return to England. Major Sholto, consumed by guilt and fear of the "Sign of the Four" (a pact made by the original discoverers of the treasure), never revealed the treasure's location until his deathbed, upon which he was about to confess to his sons but was interrupted by a terrifying vision, uttering only "The Sign of the Four" before he died.

Thaddeus reveals that his brother, Bartholomew, recently found the treasure in a secret attic room within their home, Pondicherry Lodge. He also shares a portion of the treasure with Mary, believing it is her rightful inheritance. However, when the trio visits Bartholomew, they find him dead, apparently murdered, with the treasure missing. Holmes deduces that two culprits were involved: a man with a wooden leg and a small, agile accomplice. The investigation leads Holmes and Watson on a thrilling chase across London and down the Thames, involving a unique smell tracked by a dog named Toby and the assistance of the Baker Street Irregulars. They eventually corner the two murderers: Jonathan Small, the man with the wooden leg, and his companion, Tonga, a native Andaman islander armed with poisoned darts. During the pursuit, Tonga is killed, and Small is captured.

Small confesses his story, revealing his past as a soldier in India, his part in discovering the treasure with three other men (the original "Sign of the Four"), and their betrayal by Major Sholto and Captain Morstan. Small sought revenge and the treasure after escaping prison. He explains that he threw the entire Agra treasure into the Thames during the chase to prevent it from benefiting anyone else. With the treasure lost, Mary Morstan is left with no fortune, but her true treasure is found in Dr. Watson, who proposes to her, and she accepts. Holmes, once again, finds himself without a stimulating case, contemplating his drug use.

Book Sections

Section 1

The story begins in Holmes's Baker Street rooms, where Dr. Watson observes Sherlock Holmes injecting cocaine, expressing his concern over Holmes's drug habit. Holmes explains that he resorts to stimulants because his mind, "the most perfectly balanced and highly organized brain," suffers terribly from lack of intellectual stimulation, viewing crime-solving as his only remedy for boredom. Watson then recounts Holmes's astonishing deductive abilities, proving how he can discern detailed information about a person's life simply by observing their clothes, hands, or mannerisms. Holmes laments the lack of worthy cases, comparing his current state to a "stagnant pool." Just then, a client is announced: Miss Mary Morstan.

Character	Characteristics	Motivations
Sherlock Holmes	Consulting detective; brilliant, highly observant, intellectually driven; prone to boredom without cases; uses cocaine.	To solve perplexing cases for intellectual stimulation; to apply his unique deductive abilities; to combat boredom and idleness.
Dr. John H. Watson	Medical doctor, Holmes's friend and chronicler; practical, loyal, empathetic, brave; a foil to Holmes's intellectualism.	To assist Holmes in his investigations; to document Holmes's cases; to find adventure and meaning beyond his medical practice; to act as a moral compass for Holmes; to eventually pursue a relationship with Mary Morstan.
Mary Morstan	Governess; attractive, composed, well-dressed but modest; intelligent, practical, and resilient; victim of circumstance.	To discover the truth behind her father's disappearance; to understand the mystery of the annual pearls; to seek justice for the "wrong" alluded to in the anonymous letter; to resolve the unsettling uncertainty in her life.

Section 2

Mary Morstan presents her case to Holmes and Watson. She recounts that her father, Captain Arthur Morstan, a senior officer in an Indian regiment, sent her to a boarding school in England at a young age. He returned to London in December 1878, sending her a telegram upon his arrival asking her to meet him at his hotel. When she arrived, he was gone, and the hotel staff had no information. She reported his disappearance to the police, but no trace of him was ever found. His only friend in England, Major Sholto, denied having seen or heard from Captain Morstan since his return.

Four years later, in 1882, Mary began receiving a large, lustrous pearl in the post on the same date each year. She received six such pearls. Now, she has received an anonymous letter instructing her to be at the third pillar from the left at the Lyceum Theatre at 7 p.m. that evening, adding that "a wronged woman" will receive "justice," and warning her to "bring no friends." Holmes immediately deduces several facts about the sender of the letter and Mary's past based on subtle clues. Mary asks Holmes and Watson to accompany her, feeling uneasy about the meeting, and they agree.

Section 3

Holmes, Watson, and Mary Morstan arrive at the Lyceum Theatre. They are approached by a small, dark-faced servant who guides them to a waiting hansom cab. The cab takes them on a long, circuitous journey through London, eventually leading them to a large, somewhat dilapidated house in a wealthy but neglected area of Upper Norwood. Inside, they are met by Thaddeus Sholto, a frail and effeminate man with a gentle demeanor, who is the son of the late Major John Sholto. Thaddeus is initially nervous and eccentric but treats Mary with immense respect and sympathy, apologizing for the strange circumstances. He explains that he and his brother, Bartholomew, were trying to decide how to handle the situation after discovering something extraordinary that morning.

Section 4

Thaddeus Sholto begins to unravel the mystery, starting with his father, Major Sholto, and Captain Morstan's time in India. He explains that his father and Captain Morstan were stationed in the Andaman Islands when the Indian Rebellion (or Sepoy Mutiny) of 1857 broke out. During this time, they came into possession of the Agra treasure, a fabulous fortune in jewels, through highly questionable means involving a pact with two Sikhs and an Indian convict named Jonathan Small (the "Sign of the Four"). Major Sholto, driven by greed, betrayed his comrades and absconded with the treasure to England.

Years later, Captain Morstan returned to England to confront Major Sholto about the treasure. During their heated argument, Major Sholto, already suffering from a weak heart, died suddenly of a heart attack. Panicked and fearing that he would be implicated in Morstan's death and forced to reveal the stolen treasure, Major Sholto hid Captain Morstan's body in the house's attic. For years, Major Sholto lived in paranoid fear, convinced that the "Sign of the Four" would track him down for revenge. On his own deathbed, he was about to confess the entire story and the location of the treasure to his sons, but his final words were "The Sign of the Four" and "Jonathan Small," before he died, seemingly from fright upon seeing a face at the window. Thaddeus then reveals that his brother Bartholomew has finally located the Agra treasure in a secret compartment. He gives Mary a large share of magnificent pearls, asserting that she has been wronged.

Section 5

Thaddeus explains that Bartholomew had discovered the treasure just that morning in a secret attic room within Pondicherry Lodge. He also reveals that Bartholomew had locked himself in the room with the treasure. As Thaddeus, Holmes, Watson, and Mary approach Pondicherry Lodge, they notice the house is shrouded in an eerie silence. Upon entering, they find everything in disarray. Thaddeus becomes increasingly agitated, fearing something terrible has happened. They ascend to Bartholomew's room, which is locked. After forcing the door open, they find Bartholomew Sholto dead, seated rigidly in a chair, with a strange, poisoned thorn embedded in his skin. The treasure chest, which had been full of jewels, is now empty. Holmes immediately begins his meticulous examination of the scene, noting small details like a footprint, a wooden peg-leg impression, and a peculiar small dart near the body, contrasting sharply with the initial, obvious conclusions.

Section 6

Inspector Athelney Jones of Scotland Yard arrives, a pompous and self-satisfied detective who immediately jumps to the conclusion that Thaddeus is the murderer, based on the obvious facts and his own flawed reasoning. Jones arrests Thaddeus and sends for reinforcements. Holmes, however, calmly explains his own, far more astute, deductions. He points out that there were two murderers: one a man with a wooden leg, the other a small, agile native who must have climbed the wall and entered through the roof. He identifies the tiny dart as the weapon and deduces that the native used poison. He also explains the method of entry and exit, noting that the murderers escaped through a skylight and down a rope made of bedsheets. Holmes finds a trail of their unique footprints leading out of the house and towards the river, dismissing Jones's simplistic theories with a dry wit that infuriates the Inspector.

Section 7

Following the trail described by Holmes, the group, now including Athelney Jones (who reluctantly follows Holmes's lead), investigates the river bank near Pondicherry Lodge. Holmes focuses on a particular boatman named Sherman, known for his unique knowledge of London's docklands and his peculiar pets. From Sherman, Holmes acquires a "mangy, yellow, ill-conditioned mongrel" named Toby, who has an incredibly acute sense of smell. Holmes has observed a distinct scent at the crime scene and believes Toby can track it. Toby, after being given a scent sample, leads Holmes and Watson on a meandering chase through the grimy, labyrinthine streets of South London, eventually bringing them to a boatyard on the Thames.

Section 8

At the boatyard, Holmes discovers traces of a small steam launch. He sends a message to his network of young street urchins, the "Baker Street Irregulars," to search the entire length of the Thames for a particular steam launch named "Aurora," offering a reward for information. While the investigation proceeds, Watson spends more time with Mary Morstan, comforting her amidst the ordeal. During these moments, their mutual affection deepens, and Watson finds himself falling in love with her, despite her uncertain future and the lost treasure. He grapples with his feelings, aware of the class differences and her potentially newfound wealth (before the treasure is eventually lost), but ultimately realizes his feelings are genuine.

Section 9

The Baker Street Irregulars return to Holmes's rooms, having failed to locate the "Aurora." Holmes is initially disappointed but quickly deduces that the perpetrators must have disguised the launch or hidden it effectively. He makes further inquiries among the river police and other dockworkers, eventually uncovering a lead: a small, fast steam launch matching the description, possibly involved in illegal activities, that had been observed recently. He learns that the owner of this launch is a one-legged man named Jonathan Small. Armed with this crucial information, Holmes sends for a disguise and prepares to embark on a personal search of the docks, confident he is closing in on the culprits.

Section 10

Holmes, disguised as an old sailor, returns to Baker Street with vital information: the "Aurora" has been sighted and is making a dash down the Thames. He immediately enlists Watson and a reluctant Inspector Jones. They board a police launch, and a thrilling, high-speed chase begins down the dark waters of the Thames. The "Aurora" is a swift vessel, expertly navigated by Jonathan Small and his accomplice. Holmes, armed with a rifle, takes aim at the launch's rudder. The chase is tense and dangerous, with both boats exchanging gunfire.

Section 11

The chase reaches its climax. Holmes's marksmanship damages the "Aurora," forcing it to slow. Small's accomplice, the small, dark-skinned Andaman islander named Tonga, brandishes his poisoned darts. Tonga is a fierce warrior, but Watson, in a moment of quick thinking and bravery, shoots him, sending him toppling into the river. Jonathan Small, the man with the wooden leg, is captured. They retrieve the small, locked treasure chest from the "Aurora." Expecting to find the legendary Agra treasure, Holmes and Watson pry it open. To their dismay, it is empty. Small, in a final act of spite and desperation, reveals that he threw all the priceless jewels into the Thames during the chase, ensuring that neither he nor anyone else would benefit from them.

Section 12

Jonathan Small, now in custody, recounts his incredible and tragic story. He was a British soldier stationed in India, where he lost his leg in a shark attack while swimming. While recuperating, he was assigned to guard duty at a fort. There, he encountered three other men—two Sikh soldiers named Mahomet Singh and Abdullah Khan, and a Pathan guard named Dost Akbar—who were plotting to steal the fabulous Agra treasure from a wealthy Rajah during the Sepoy Mutiny of 1857. Small joined their pact, becoming part of the "Sign of the Four," agreeing to share the treasure equally. They successfully stole the jewels, but before they could divide them, they were betrayed by Major Sholto and Captain Morstan, who had discovered their plan. Sholto and Morstan absconded with the entire treasure, leaving Small and his confederates imprisoned on the Andaman Islands.

Small recounts his harsh life in the penal colony, where he befriended Tonga, an Andamanese native, teaching him English and gaining his loyalty. He eventually escaped with Tonga's help and came to England, determined to reclaim his share of the treasure and seek revenge on Major Sholto. He found Major Sholto, who died of fright during their confrontation, having just uttered "The Sign of the Four." Small then hid Captain Morstan's body to avoid suspicion. He sent Mary Morstan the pearls annually as a form of restitution for her father's complicity. When Bartholomew Sholto found the treasure, Small attempted to negotiate with him, but Bartholomew refused to share. Tonga, acting on his own initiative or misinterpreting Small's anger, murdered Bartholomew using one of his poisoned darts.

Section 13

With Small's confession, the full truth of the Agra treasure, Captain Morstan's disappearance, and Bartholomew Sholto's murder is revealed. The treasure, however, is irrecoverably lost at the bottom of the Thames. Mary Morstan, who had initially hoped to reclaim her family's inheritance, is left with nothing but the modest pearls Thaddeus Sholto had given her. Despite this, her heart finds its true treasure: Dr. Watson, who, having fallen deeply in love with her, proposes marriage. Mary, no longer constrained by the prospect of immense wealth, happily accepts. As for Sherlock Holmes, with the case solved and the intellectual stimulation gone, he expresses his usual profound ennui. He is heard contemplating a return to his cocaine habit, lamenting the lack of stimulating crimes in the world, leaving Watson to reflect on the strange mixture of intellect and vice that defines his extraordinary friend.

Literary Genre

Detective fiction, Mystery, Crime fiction.

Author Facts

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (1859–1930) was a Scottish writer and physician. He is most famously known for his creation of the detective Sherlock Holmes, who has become one of the most iconic literary characters of all time. Beyond his detective stories, Doyle was a prolific author, writing historical novels, science fiction, romances, plays, poetry, and non-fiction. A notable aspect of his later life was his strong belief in spiritualism, which he actively promoted through lectures and writings, often to the detriment of his literary reputation among some critics.

Morale

"The Sign of the Four" explores the destructive power of greed and its far-reaching consequences across generations and cultures. It highlights how the pursuit of immense wealth can corrupt individuals, lead to betrayal, murder, and ultimately, emptiness. The story also subtly contrasts the corrupting influence of material possessions with the true value of human connection and integrity, epitomized by Watson's love for Mary, which transcends the loss of the treasure. It underscores that justice, though sometimes delayed and imperfect, will eventually manifest, albeit often with tragic results for those consumed by avarice and vengeance.

Curiosities

• Second Holmes Novel: This is the second full-length novel featuring Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson, published in 1890, following "A Study in Scarlet" (1887).
• Watson's Romance: The novel is significant for detailing Dr. Watson's falling in love with and proposing to Mary Morstan, marking a major personal development for the character and providing a contrast to Holmes's detached, logical nature.
• Holmes's Drug Use: "The Sign of the Four" openly depicts Holmes's use of cocaine, a detail that reflects Victorian attitudes towards drug use but was later softened or removed in some adaptations due to changing societal views.
• The Baker Street Irregulars: The novel introduces the "Baker Street Irregulars," a street gang of young informants employed by Holmes, who become a recurring element in some of his other adventures.
• Exoticism and Empire: The story heavily features elements of the British Empire, particularly colonial India and the Andaman Islands, reflecting Victorian era fascination with exotic locales and the often-dark underbelly of imperial expansion, including themes of colonial injustice and violence.
• The Agra Treasure: The concept of a vast, cursed treasure from a distant land is a classic adventure trope, which Doyle uses effectively to drive the plot and highlight the motivations of its characters.