The Sign of the Four

Published in 1890, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s The Sign of Four is the second novel featuring the iconic detective Sherlock Holmes. This thrilling adventure takes readers to Victorian London and beyond, weaving a mystery that blends colonial intrigue, hidden treasure, and a desperate search for justice.

Recommended for:

Fans of classic detective fiction and the Sherlock Holmes series.
Readers who enjoy stories with exotic settings, hidden treasure hunts, and complex puzzles.
Those interested in the social and cultural dynamics of the British Empire in the Victorian era.

You will:

Encounter the brilliant and eccentric detective, Sherlock Holmes, as he tackles a case with far-reaching colonial connections.
Partner with Dr. John Watson, Holmes’s loyal friend and chronicler, as they delve into a mystery with a personal connection to Watson.
Meet a captivating cast of characters, including a damsel in distress, a group of ex-soldiers with a troubled past, and a cunning villain seeking a hidden fortune.
Embark on a thrilling journey from the foggy streets of London to the treacherous jungles of India, following a trail of clues left behind.
Witness Holmes’s remarkable deduction skills as he unravels a web of deceit and danger to expose the truth.

The Sherlock Holmes series

Here is the list of titles available in Ebooks-net from Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes series :

A Study in Scarlet (1887)
The Sign of the Four (1890)
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes (1892)
The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes (1894)
The Hound of the Baskervilles (1902)
The Return of Sherlock Holmes (1905)
The Valley of Fear (1915)
His Last Bow (1917)
The Casebook of Sherlock Holmes (1927)

Plot Summary

The story begins with a visit to 221B Baker Street by a young woman named Mary Morstan. She seeks Holmes’s help regarding a mysterious situation. For years, she has received a single pearl each year on her birthday, accompanied by an anonymous note promising a meeting.

Now, a telegram summons her to meet a stranger who offers her a chance to secure a vast fortune in India. Intrigued by the case and touched by Mary’s plight, Holmes agrees to investigate.

The investigation leads them to uncover the story of Mary’s missing father, a British military officer who served in India.He and his regiment stumbled upon a hidden treasure during a military expedition, but greed and betrayal led to a massacre and the disappearance of the riches.

Holmes and Watson, joined by Mary and the surviving members of her father’s regiment, embark on a perilous journey to India. Following cryptic clues left behind by Mary’s father, they must navigate the treacherous jungles, contend with dangerous natives, and confront a cunning villain determined to claim the treasure for himself.

As they delve deeper into the mystery, Holmes utilizes his exceptional skills of deduction and observation to decipher hidden messages and uncover the truth behind the past events. The investigation takes a personal turn for Watson, who forms a bond with Mary Morstan.

The climax of the story is a thrilling showdown in the depths of an ancient Indian fort. Holmes’s cunning plan and Watson’s courage are put to the test as they face the villain and his associates in a desperate struggle for survival and justice.

Theme And Analysis

The Sign of Four explores several key themes that resonate throughout the Sherlock Holmes series. A central theme is the enduring impact of the past. The events that transpired years ago in India continue to shape the present, driving the characters’ actions and the unfolding mystery.

The novel also delves into the themes of colonialism and its consequences. The story exposes the greed and violence associated with British colonial endeavors, highlighting the suffering inflicted on both colonizers and colonized populations.

The importance of loyalty and trust is another prominent theme. The bond between Holmes and Watson is crucial to their success, while the betrayal within Mary’s father’s regiment serves as a cautionary tale.

The Sign of Four showcases Doyle’s masterful storytelling and his ability to create a captivating mystery with a global scope. The novel further cemented Sherlock Holmes’s status as a literary icon and established the enduring appeal of the detective fiction genre.

Licensing

Arthur Conan Doyle. The Sign of Four. Originally published in 1890. This work is in the public domain in the United States because it was published before January 1, 1929. The longest-living author of this work died in 1930, so this work is in the public domain in countries and areas where the copyright term is the author’s life plus 93 years or less. This digital edition is provided by Standard Ebooks under the CC0 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication.