Certainly! The Sign of the Four is a detective novel by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, featuring the famous Sherlock Holmes and Dr. John Watson.
Summary of The Sign of the Four
The novel begins with Sherlock Holmes injecting cocaine, much to Dr. Watson’s concern. Their quiet evening is interrupted when Miss Mary Morstan arrives with a mysterious case. Her father, Captain Morstan, disappeared ten years ago, and since then, she has received a valuable pearl annually from an anonymous sender. Now, she has received a letter asking her to meet an unknown person that evening, prompting her to seek Holmes’ help.
Holmes, Watson, and Miss Morstan go to the meeting, where they encounter Thaddeus Sholto, the son of Major Sholto, a former associate of Captain Morstan. Thaddeus explains that his father and Morstan had discovered a hidden treasure in India, but after a dispute, Major Sholto kept it secret. On his deathbed, the Major intended to share the treasure with Morstan’s daughter but died before doing so. Thaddeus and his brother, Bartholomew, later found the treasure and decided to send Miss Morstan pearls as compensation. However, Bartholomew now refuses to share the treasure, leading Thaddeus to seek Holmes’ intervention.
The group travels to Bartholomew’s house, only to find him murdered in a locked room, with the treasure stolen. A note reading "The Sign of the Four" is found nearby. Holmes deduces that the murderer is a one-legged man connected to the treasure’s past. With the help of the Baker Street Irregulars (street urchins) and his own deductions, Holmes traces the suspect to a boat on the Thames.
A thrilling chase ensues, during which the murderer, Jonathan Small, attempts to escape. Small’s accomplice, a native Andaman Islander, kills a pursuer before Small is captured. The stolen treasure is lost when Small dumps it into the river.
Small confesses his story: years ago, in India, he and three others (the "Four") stole the Agra treasure. After being betrayed, Small was sent to the Andaman Islands, where he swore revenge. He later convinced Major Sholto and Captain Morstan to help recover the treasure but was double-crossed. His revenge plot led to the events of the novel.
With the case solved, Watson and Miss Morstan grow closer and eventually become engaged. Holmes, indifferent to romance, returns to his intellectual pursuits, satisfied by the challenge of the mystery.
Key Themes
Justice and Greed: The treasure brings misfortune to all who seek it.
British Colonialism: The treasure’s origin in India reflects imperial exploitation.
Logic vs. Emotion: Holmes values reason, while Watson embraces human connections.
This novel is a classic example of Doyle’s detective fiction, blending mystery, adventure, and character depth.