Chapter 4
Once inside, the servant leads the group to Thaddeus Sholto. He then, perhaps inadvertently, informs the group that Captain Morstan passed away from a heart attack. Thaddeus goes on to explain his father’s return, a return that brought him notable wealth as a family unit, enough to live extremely comfortably.
He then talks of his brother, Bartholomew, and alludes to a disagreement they had. He suggests they visit him later. Thaddeus also comments on his father’s peculiar fear: that of wooden legs.
Some time in 1882, Major Sholto received a letter from India that shocked him so significantly that he never recovered and soon died. Before his passing, however, he told his sons about his guilt regarding Mary and he wants her fair share of the Agra treasure to be distributed, thus in the form of the pearls.
It appears, according also to the Major, that Captain Morstan, upon arriving in London, went to him in order to claim his share of the treasure. However, after an argument erupted, Mr. Morstan suffered a heart attack and collapsed, slamming his head on a treasure chest. The Major hid the body in order to avoid the terrible consequences.
However, just before the Major could reveal to his children the location of the treasure, he saw a bearded apparition at the window, killing him from shock almost immediately.
Thaddeus and Bartholomew searched relentlessly for this bearded trespasser but could find only one footprint. The next day, the brothers find that their father’s room had been searched and a note left upon his chest, that of the sign of the four.
The argument between Thaddeus and Bartholomew stems from Bartholomew’s reluctance to give Mary support. Thaddeus, however, feels obligated. The reason for him summoning her pertains to the discovery of the treasure, in the Major’s old home. He informs them that they shall now go there and divide it between them.
Thaddeus, when in the cab with the group, explains that Miss Morstan’s share is roughly £500,000. Watson is thrilled for her but realises it will send her to the upper circles, unreachable to him.
They arrive at Pondicherry Lodge
The Sign of Four
The Sign of the Four is the second of Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes novels. In it the detective and his companion Dr Watson unravel a mystery of hidden treasure and murder.
Miss Mary Morstan arrives at 221B, Baker Street to request help with the mystery of her missing father, her mysterious gifts of pearls and a letter requesting her to meet an unknown person that evening. Holmes takes on the case and the story begins.
Watson narrates the tale that sees the detective tracking down hidden treasure and murderers. By the end, the criminals are either dead or arrested, and Miss Mary Morstan and Watson are engaged to be married.