Maharashtra Board Class 12 English Chapter 4.4 The Sign of Four Textbook PDF Download

4.4 The Sign Of Four

Sir Arthur Ignatius Conan Doyle (22 May 1859 – 7 July 1930) was a British writer, who created the character Sherlock Holmes. Originally a physician, in 1887, he published A Study in Scarlet, the first of four novels and more than fifty short stories about Holmes and Dr. Watson. The Sherlock Holmes stories are generally considered milestones in the field of crime fiction. Doyle was a prolific writer; other than Holmes stories, his works include fantasy and science fiction stories about Professor Challenger and humorous stories about the Napoleonic soldier Brigadier Gerard, as well as plays, romances, poetry, non-fiction and historical novels. One of Doyle's early short stories, 'J. Habakuk Jephson's Statement', helped to popularise the mystery of the Mary Celeste. The Sign of Four is the second novel of Arthur Conan Doyle in which Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson solve the mystery of the hidden treasure and murder.

Teacher's Note

The Sign of Four is a famous detective story. It teaches us that hard work and smart thinking can solve any mystery, just like a police officer solving a crime case in our city.

Exam Trick

Remember: "The Sign of Four" = four criminals made a secret promise. This is why the story has this name. Keep this simple idea in mind.

Points to Remember

Arthur Conan Doyle wrote many stories about Sherlock Holmes.
The Sign of Four is about a hidden treasure and murder.
Sherlock Holmes is a very smart detective.
Dr. Watson helps Holmes solve mysteries.
The story is set in London and India.

Major Characters

Sherlock Holmes

John Watson

Mary Morstan

Major Sholto

Thaddeus Sholto

Tonga

Toby

Outline of the Novel

The novel begins with Holmes and Dr. Watson engaged in a discussion when Mary Morstan, a young woman, who desires Holmes' advice, soon visits the two at their place. During the meeting, Mary tells that after her father disappeared under mysterious circumstances some ten years ago; she began receiving a large pearl in the mail on the same day of every year. She tells that she has received a letter instructing her to go, with the accompaniment of two friends, to Lyceum Theatre. The letter gives a hint that some injustice has been done to her. Holmes and Watson agree to accompany Mary. Soon Watson and Mary are attracted to one another.

Teacher's Note

Mary Morstan is a young lady who needs help finding her missing father. Like when a girl comes to her teacher with a problem, Holmes listens carefully and helps her.

Exam Trick

Remember: Mary gets pearls every year. This is a big clue in the story. Always note down clues like this in exams.

Points to Remember

Mary's father disappeared ten years ago.
She receives expensive pearls in the mail each year.
Holmes and Watson agree to help her.
Watson falls in love with Mary.
The letter asks her to meet at Lyceum Theatre.

When the three are heading to the Lyceum Theatre, Holmes, Watson, and Mary, they are whisked away in a darkened carriage to a strange house. Within, they find an eccentric gentleman named Thaddeus Sholto. He 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 next 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.

When they arrived 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 person was an especially interesting individual. It also becomes apparent that the murderers have stolen the Agra treasure.

Teacher's Note

Thaddeus Sholto lives in fear because of his father's strange fear of wooden legs. Sometimes our family members worry about strange things, and it affects our whole life.

Exam Trick

Remember: "Sign of Four" = the note found on the body. This is an important clue. The four criminals made this sign.

Points to Remember

Thaddeus Sholto is an eccentric man.
His father feared men with wooden legs.
There is a hidden treasure in the family house.
Bartholomew is found dead with a poisoned thorn in his neck.
Two murderers stole the treasure.

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