THE SIGN OF THE FOUR

ARTHUR CONAN DOYLE

CHAPTER 1-

The story starts at Holmes’ apartment at Baker Street where he injects himself with cocaine
while Watson watches and is disturbed by it. He then confronts Holmes and tells him that drug
use is harmful to his health, especially since Watson himself has suffered after effects of illness
and war [Link] shows how restless Holmes is when he has no challenging problems to
solve, and how he uses stimulants to keep his mind active. This also shows that Holmes is not
addicted to pleasure but rather to mental activity. Holmes’ brilliance is also his human weakness
while Watson's protective concern proves his loyalty as a friend.

CHAPTER 2-

Miss Marry Morstan knocks on Holmes’ door with a peculiar and unusual case. She tells them
about her father who's missing, Captain Morston. He suddenly vanished years ago after
returning from India. Henhad gone out one evening to meet someone at a hotel but never came
back, and his body was never found. Since then, Mary has been alone, working as a governess.
Four years after his disappearance, she began receiving a pearl every year from an anonymous
sender, no explanation whatsoever. Recently, she received a letter asking her to meet the
sender in person and she might as well bring two friends along if she was skeptical. Hence, she
came to Holmes. Both Holmes and Watson notice her sincerity and grace, and Watson, in
particular, feels an instant admiration for her.

CHAPTER 3-

After Mary Morstan arrived with her case, Holmes became cheerful and excited. Prior to that, he
was feeling bored and restless as he had nothing to do as he had no case to solve. He often
feels low when he has nothing to do and needs constant mental stimulation as he saw in the
first chapter. So the moment a mystery appears, he gets his energy back.
Holmes being Holmes connects the dots and explains to Watson that he found a key detail by
researching old newspaper files, Major Sholto, the only man Captain Morstan might have visited
in London, died in 1882, four years after Morstan’s disappearance. Holmes links this to the
strange pearls. Watson is not fully convinced by Holmes’ ideas, but Holmes says the night will
give them answers. He carries a revolver, as he feels that there may be danger. Miss Morstan
soon arrived, she looked pale but calm and showed them the paper from her father’s things with
a map and the words ‘The Sign of the Four’.
The three then take a cab through the streets of London, which add an atmosphere of
suspense. There's heavy fog, dim streetlamps, and the endless crowds of faces moving in and
out of the light. The gloomy city matches the mystery they are trying to solve. Watson and Miss
Morstan seem uneasy whereas Holmes is busy jotting down notes and observations.
Their rendezvous point is at the Lyceum Theatre, where they meet a coachman who makes
Miss Morstan promise that neither Holmes nor Watson are policemen.
The cab eventually halts at a lonely and poor neighbourhood. A single light glimmers in one of
the houses and when they knock, a Hindu servant in traditional dress opens the door. From
inside, a high-pitched voice calls for them to be brought in.

CHAPTER 4-

They followed the Hindu servant down a dark and shabby passage until he opened the door and
a warm yellow light spilled out. In the centre of the room, a strange man named Thaddeus
Sholto was standing. He had a shiny bald head surrounded by red hair. His face constantly
moved from smiles to frowns, never stayed still. He kept fidgeting and twisting his hands
nervously, and his yellowish teeth peeked through when he tried to cover his mouth. He seemed
pretty young, about thirty.
The room was full of luxuries including thick amber and black carpets, tiger skins, rich
curtains,paintings, oriental vases, a huge hookah that filled the air with a sweet gentle smoke.
Everything was elegant and out of place in the otherwise poor neighbourhood. Thaddeus spoke
nervously and explained the story of his father, Major Sholto and the treasure from India. He
told them how Captain Morstan had died suddenly over a quarrel over the treasure and how he
and his servant, Lal Chowdar went into hiding to avoid any suspicions. He was the one who had
been sending the pearls to Miss Morstan to help her while keeping the secret of the treasure.
He then talked about how he and his brother Barthmolomew finally found the hidden chest, in
the attic, above the house.
They then took a cab ride to Norwood, Sholto talked nonstop, he seemed excited, nervous and
curious in contrast with the foggy streets of London with dim lights adding to the mystery and
the tension. Finally, they reached the Pondicherry Lodge to meet Thaddeus’ brother,
Bartholomew and see the treasure for themselves.

CHAPTER 5-

They reach the last stage of the night’s journey at eleven o’clock. The night was fairly clear with
a warm wind blowing and the heavy clouds drifting slowly across the sky, letting the half moon
peek through every now and then. The Pondicherry Lodge stood within high stone walls topped
with broken glass, with a single narrow iron-clamped door as the only entrance.A short man
named McMurdo opened the door with a lantern.
Initially, he refused to let them in because he hadn't received any orders from the master but
Holmes cleverly reminded him of their past encounter and finally he allowed them to enter. The
house was quite huge, the grounds were littered. The housekeeper, Mrs. Bernstone was heard
whimpering and Thaddeus rushed to calm her down. Holmes scanned the dark surroundings
while Miss Mostron and Watson held hands for comfort. This added a sense of peace amid the
gloomy atmosphere. Thaddeus returns panicking, explaining that something wasn't right with his
brother Bartholomew. They then followed him to the housekeeper’s room where she explained
that the master had locked himself and seemed in great distress. They went upstairs while
Holmes examined the marks along the way.
At the third floor, they found Bartholomew’s room locked. When they forced his room open, they
were horrified to find him dead. He was seated in a chair with twisted limbs and a distorted face.
He was surrounded by glass stoppered bottles, bunsen burners, carboys of acid, and a long coil
of rope. On the table was a large estranged instrument and a note that said “The Sign of the
Four”, and near his ear they found a dark thorn which was poisoned. There was a large opening
in the ceiling, big enough for a man to pass through. This hints that the intruders would have
taken the treasure and moved in and out the [Link] was frozen with terror and shock
realising the treasure had been stolen and he would be suspected for the crime. Holmes
comforted him and asked him to advise the police.

CHAPTER 6-

Holmes begins his investigation, he carefully examines the window and finds muddy prints. One
was from a heavy mood and the other from a wooden stump proving that there was a wooded-
legged man present. There are clear footprints of a small bare foot, only half the size of a
normal man’s. According to Holmes, the ally is someone unusual and dangerous, likely from
abroad. He also confirms that Bartholomew was killed by the poisoned thorn because of his
distorted face and twisted limbs.
Just then, Inspector Athelney Jones arrives with the police. He's proud and overconfident and
arrests Thaddeus claiming he killed his brother. Holmes disagrees and gives a full description of
the actual criminal which was Jonathan Small. A sunburned, middle aged man with a wooden
leg, a coarse square-toed boot and a convict’s background. Jones seems impressed yet he still
clings to his own theory.
Holmes asks Watson to leave with Miss Morstan and asks him to go to fetch Toby. A mongrel
dog who had an extraordinary sense of smell who Holmes is confident will be able to hunt down
the criminal.

CHAPTER 7

As Holmes asked Watson to, he escorts Miss Morton home in a cab after a horrifying night at
the Pondicherry Lodge. She tries to stay calm whilst supporting others, but once she was alone
with Watson, she began to cry. Watson feels a deep love for her but refrains himself because he
knows she might become wealthy if the treasure is found. At Mrs. At Forrester's house, Watson
sees how kindly she is welcomed and the sight of the warm home comforts him after all the
things he had witnessed earlier. On his way back, he reflects upon the mystery realising how
dark and dangerous the truth might be. He arrives at Pinchin Lane to fetch Toby from Mr.
Sherman who was an old man with many animals. Toby is a funny looking, waddling mongrel
but has an extraordinary sense of smell. Holmes has stayed at the Pondicherry Lodge where
the inspector has arrested everyone. Watson brings Toby to Holmes. Holmes and Watson take
a closer look at the footprints again. They also find poisonous thorns dropped by the intruder’s
companion. Holmes is now convinced that the wooden-legged man is Jonathan Small, escaped
from prison and is now seeking revenge and treasure. Holmes and Watson then follow Toby
where he leads them by the smell of creosote. He rushes into a timber yard and stops on a giant
creosote barrel. Holmes and Watson realise Toby has followed the wrong trail.

CHAPTER 8-

Holmes and Watson then put him on the right track and he leads them to the riverside where the
scent stops at a wharf. Holmes quickly understands that the suspects must have escaped using
a boat. They notice a small brick house which belonged to Mordecai Smith who was a boat
owner, Smiths’ wife tells them that he had been missing since the night before and left suddenly
with a wooden-legged man. According to her, he was ugly, with a weird voice and had come at
three in the morning. He and Smith left with the steam launch, the Aurora. Holmes and Watson
go back to Baker Street and plan their next move. Holmes doesn't want to inform the police so
instead, he calls upon his secret allies, The baker street irregulars. They were a group of scruffy
street boys led by Wiggins. Holmes gives them instructions to search for the aurora and would
be provided rewards and payments in return. According to Holmes the second man is likely a
native from the Andaman Islands which is known for being a small and dangerous place. This
explains the tiny barefoot tracks and the poisoned darts.

CHAPTER 9-

The baker street irregulars have found no trace of the aurora and now Holmes feels frustrated
since every hour is crucial. Watson visits Miss Morstan and Mrs. Foresseter telling them about
the story(though he leaves the dark details out), Miss Morstan doesn't care about the wealth but
rather just wants justice and for Thaddeus Sholto’s good name. Whereas, Holmes spends his
entire night pacing and experimenting in his chemical lab. He feels restless. By morning he
looks worn out and feverish. In spite of this, he's still determined and heads out disguised as an
old sailor where he searches along the river to find some clues.
Watson reads the newspaper and sees that Thaddeus’ name has been cleared of all wrong
accusations and suspicions. Holmes arrives back claiming to know the whereabouts of the
boat, the suspects and the treasure. He then lays out the whole plan: Jones must have a fast
police steam launch ready with armed men since they'll soon be able to catch Jonathan Small
and his accomplice. He also suggests Watson deliver the treasure box to Miss Morstan
personally once it's found.

CHAPTER 10-

They all decide to leave after dinner. Watson carries his revolver showing that there is danger
ahead. They head to the Westminster Wharf where Holmes explains how he tracked the aurora
when he disguised himself as an old sailor and discovered from Mordecai Smith that the boat
would be ready that very night. Holmes’s signal comes and the aurora speeds off, chased by
the police.
On board the aurora are Jonathan Small with his wooden leg and his islander companion,
Tonga. The companion tries to attack with his poisoned darts but is shot and falls into the river.
Jonathan drives the boat ashore but is trapped in the mud and eventually gets caught. They
surrender and the treasure chest is found on board. A poisoned dart also gets stuck in the deck
showing how close Holmes and Watson were to dying.

CHAPTER 11-

Jonathan sits handcuffed in the cabin staring at the treasure box that got him in so much
trouble. He tells them that killing Bartholomew was never his intention, he blames his
companion Tonga for firing the poisonous dart. He tells Holmes he feels cursed by the Agra
treasure which only brought murder, fear, slavery and now eventually prison. The inspector
starts to take credit for capturing Jonathan. Holmes asks Watson to take the treasure to Miss
Morstan.
Watson goes to her house and finds her sitting sadly alone by the window. He tries to cheer her
up by telling her about the adventure and the treasure. They break open the box together only
to find it empty from the inside. The Agra treasure is gone forever. She accepts the loss and
Watson deep down feels relieved. He decides to confess his love for her and tells how deeply
he loves her, she admits she feels the same. Although the treasure is lost, Watson realises he
gained something far more valuable and truly treasured her (pun intended).

CHAPTER 12-

Watson returns to them with the empty treasure box, disappointing that inspector who laments
the loss of money. Jonathan laughs and says he threw the agra treasure into the Thames rather
than let the Sholtos or the Morstans inherit it. He insists only the “sign of the four” had the right
to it. He grows furious and starts raging about his years of slavery in the Andamans and how he
“earned” the treasure. Holmes asks him to tell his entire story.
He begins to recount his life: he was born in Worcestershire. He was a restless youth who
joined the army. A crocodile attack at the Ganges cost him his leg which led to an end of his
career in the military. He became an overseer for an indigo planter, Abelwhite and was happy
until the great Indian mutiny erupted. He witnessed the deaths of his colleagues, burning
houses and the massacres. He was then guarding a small gate in agra with two Sikh soldiers
when they suddenly turned against him and threatened to kill him. They revealed a secret plot of
the wealthy rajah of a northern province who had sent jewels hidden in a box with servant
Achmet to agra fort for safekeeping.
The Sikhs planned to kill him and steal the treasure. They demanded Jonathan to join the plan
and he’d get a part of the share. The Sikhs then attacked Achmet although Jonathan initially
pitied him. Achmet was killed and the jewels consisted of diamonds, pearls, and gems. The four
men- Jonathan, Abdullah, Dost Akbar and Mahomet Singh swore a solemn oath, the “Sign of
the Four” to guard the secret and share it equally. They hid the treasure behind agra fort. They
were caught, the Sikhs were given life sentences while Jonathan’s death sentence was later
reduced.
Jonathan was sent to the Andaman islands where he gained trust and dreamed of his escape.
At last he befriended the native, Tonga who had a canoe and was also loyal to him. Together
they planned their escape. On the night itself Jonathan killed a guard using his wooden leg as a
weapon and fled away with his companion. They were rescued by the ship of Malay pilgrims
after spending days at sea.
Yet at the end, the cursed treasure had already chained his fate tighter than any prison.
Although he escaped with Tango, he could never escape the shadow of the Sign of the Four.