The Sign of the Four

The Sign of the Four begins rather controversially with Holmes engaging in the then-legal pastime of cocaine injections, much to Watson’s disapproval. Mary Morstan, a single young woman who desires Holmes’ advice, soon visits the two. Miss Morstan proceeds to explain that after her father disappeared under mysterious circumstances some ten years ago, she began receiving a large pearl in the mail at annual increments. Mary goes on to explain that she has received a letter instructing her to go, with the accompaniment of two friends, to Lyceum Theater. The letter itself hints that some injustice has been done to her. Holmes and Watson agree to accompany Miss Morstan, and it appears that Watson and Mary are attracted to one another.

When the three journey to the Lyceum Theater, Holmes, Watson, and Mary are whisked away in a darkened carriage to a strange house. Within, they find an eccentric gentleman named Thaddeus Sholto. Sholto reveals that not only has Mary’s father died, but also she is partial heir to a great hidden treasure. Thaddeus goes on to explain that his father always lived in fear of men with wooden legs, and on occasion struck out at perfect strangers who were so handicapped. On his deathbed, the elder Sholto revealed to his sons the existence of the treasure, but just before he could tell them where it was, the face of a bearded man appeared in the window, and the old man suffered a fatal heart attack.

The following morning, a note was found affixed to the body: it read “Sign of Four”. Thaddeus proceeds to explain that after searching for years for the treasure, his brother Bartholomew discovered it in a hidden attack in the family house. On his deathbed, the brothers’ father made them swear they would share the treasure with Mary Morstan, who has some unknown claim in the fortune. Thaddeus concludes by entreating the three to accompany him to the family estate where they will divide up the fortune.

 

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Upon arriving at the family estate, the three find a shaken housekeeper who claims that Bartholomew has not emerged from his locked room all day. Holmes and Watson peer through the keyhole of the room and find an unnatural grinning face leering at them. Breaking down the door, they find the body of Bartholomew, a poisoned thorn lodged in his neck. After investigating for some time, Holmes concludes that two persons, one of whom had a wooden leg, committed the crime. According to Holmes, the second personage was an especially interesting individual. It also becomes apparent that the murderers have stolen the Agra treasure.

One of Holmes’ deductions reveals that the wooden-legged man stepped in creosote during his escape. Following up on this lead, Holmes and Watson borrow a dog to follow the scent. Their search leads them to the edge of the Thames, where it is clear the two criminals hired a boat. Over the next few days, Holmes recruits his “Baker Street Irregulars," a gang of street urchins, to search the river for the boat. When these efforts fail, Holmes, in disguise, makes a search himself, and discovers that the boat–the Aurora–has been camouflaged.

That night, Holmes, Watson, and several officers pursue the Aurora in a police barge. They gradually overtake the boat, which contains a wooden-legged captain and a small pygmy native from the Andaman Islands. The native attempts to shoot Holmes with a blowpipe, and is consequently shot down by both Holmes and Watson. The Aurora runs aground and the wooden-legged man becomes entrapped in the mud; subsequently, he is captured.

The wooden-legged man, whose name is Jonathan Small, is brought back to Baker Street, along with an iron box, which was found on the boat. Captain Small proceeds to relay the story of the Agra treasure, which began when he was stationed as a fortress gatekeeper in India. Small explains that he was approached by three Arab guards and offered a share in a great fortune if he would help them murder the man who carried it. Small agreed. When the man, an emissary from a wealthy sheik, arrived, the three Arabs murdered the man as Small blocked his escape. The four conspirators hid the treasure, but soon after were arrested for the murder of the emissary.

Small was sent to a penal colony on the Andaman Islands, where he managed to befriend a native, Tonga, who became his loyal companion. Small bribed two of the guards on the island, Sholto and Morstan (Mary’s father), into helping him escape in exchange for a share in the fortune. The two agreed, and Sholto left to bring back the treasure. After some time, it became apparent to Small that Sholto had betrayed him, and he escaped from the island with Tonga. After many years, Small had tracked down Sholto, and arrived just in time to see him die. After the death, Small affixed the note that was found on the body, as a reference to himself and his three Arab companions. When he returned to the Sholto estate, Tonga murdered Bartholomew and the two stole the treasure.

Small concludes his narrative by revealing that in the course of the chase on the Thames, he threw the treasure overboard. Small is taken to prison, and Watson, who has come to love Mary Morstan, proposes to her.

Characters 

Sherlock Holmes

Sherlock Holmes is a brilliant detective, with an exceptionally keen eye for detail. He is known for his disguises, his logical deduction, and his early use of forensic science. Holmes is the one who solves the case. He is deeply concerned with his own mental stimulation, and tries to keep his mind occupied. As such, when waiting for news, he tends to perform chemical experiments. Holmes shows little emotion, and only really cares about the facts of the case. This separates him from the common man, and makes him seem different. He worked as a consulting detective for 23 years, and 17 of those were with John Watson. Holmes’s only true friend is Doctor John Watson. Holmes maintains little to no connection with any females, except for his housekeeper, Mrs. Hudson.

John Watson

Watson is Holmes' partner and roommate. He also narrates all but four of Holmes’s adventures. He was originally named 'Ormund Sacker' before Conan Doyle decided on 'John Watson'. He was a doctor in the army and has a bullet in his leg, which can occasionally impede his movement. He is also a very good shot. Watson has a strong sense of honor and discretion. On occasion, he tries to solve cases without Holmes, with a limited degree of success. He is a more empathetic and human counterpart to Holmes. He is very intelligent, but lacking in powers of observation. Watson is later married to Ms. Mary Morstan.

Mary Morstan

Mary Morstan brings the case to Holmes and Watson’s attention. She has been searching unsuccessfully for her father and has received several mysterious pearls in the mail. Mary is described as blonde, with pale skin. She was working as a governess when she contacted Holmes. Her mother died soon after Mary’s birth, and Mary was educated in England. At the end of the story, Watson proposes to Ms. Morstan and she accepts. She is 27 years old when introduced. Mary isn’t really interested in the treasure and the fortune it would bring, and she is happy when the chest is empty. Mary’s father was a senior captain within his group and disappeared in London when visiting his daughter. He was a good man, who felt guilty about his actions in the war. He died when his heart gave out and he fell, cracking his skull.

Major Sholto

Major Sholto was an officer and friend of Arthur Morstan. He was the one who was originally approached about the location of the treasure, as Jonathan Small believed that his greed would make him an easy target. Sholton is tasked with the retrieval of the treasure, but takes it all for himself, leaving Small and Morstan without anything. When Morstan later confronts him, Morstan has a heart attack and dies. Sholto hides the body and keeps the treasure. He lives the rest of his life plagued by extreme guilt and fear. He dies after seeing Jonathan Small’s face in a window.

Thaddeus Sholto

Major Sholto’s son, Thaddeus is is the one who sends the pearls to Mary Morstan. He does this to try to share his wealth after finding that his father was involved in Major Morstan’s death. He collects art, and contacts Holmes when he finds that his brother has located the treasure chest. He is heavily disappointed in his father’s actions. He is in constantly poor health, and is very twitchy and nervous. Thaddeus is originally arrested as a suspect in his brother’s murder, as it was known that they fought the night before the murder.

Bartholomew Sholto

Bartholomew is Thaddeus’s twin brother and Major Sholto’s son. He doesn’t like to share wealth or information with Holmes or Morstan. Bartholomew discovers the chest and is later killed by Tonga with a poison dart.

Jonathan Small

Small is the antagonist of the story. Small has a wooden leg, which he got following an accident involving a crocodile. He was one of “the four," a group of men who discovered a cache of jewels. After this, an uprising occurred and Small was captured. In prison, he passes on the secret to Majors Morstan and Sholto. Morstan retrieves the jewels, but betrays the others, leaving Small in prison. When Small gets out he heads to England to try to get his share. He believes that he and the rest of “the four” are the only ones entitled to the treasure. When almost captured, he dumps the jewels in the river. He enlisted Tonga to help him in his quest. Small is not afraid to resort to violence to achieve his goals, although he was displeased when Tonga killed Bartholomew. Small has a beard and is very tan. He also has a very lined face.

Tonga

Tonga is an islander who is absolutely devoted to Small. Small nursed Tonga back to health when Tonga was ill. He helps Small escape and break into Sholto’s house. Tonga is the one who killed Bartholomew. He is now considered to be a rather racist character, with Doyle describing him as “animalistic” and “savage." This reflects the Eurocentric mindset of Doyle's time.

Toby

A small mongrel dog who helps Holmes and Watson trace the origin of the creosote.

Mr. Smith

Mordecai Smith and his son Jim unwittingly help Tonga escape on their boat, the Aurora.