{"id":291,"date":"2019-05-02T10:19:16","date_gmt":"2019-05-02T10:19:16","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/engp03.epgpbooks.inflibnet.ac.in\/?post_type=chapter&p=291"},"modified":"2019-05-03T09:43:38","modified_gmt":"2019-05-03T09:43:38","slug":"arthur-conan-doyle-the-sign-of-the-four","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/ebooks.inflibnet.ac.in\/engp03\/chapter\/arthur-conan-doyle-the-sign-of-the-four\/","title":{"rendered":"Arthur Conan Doyle :The Sign of the four"},"content":{"raw":"
\"epgp<\/a>\r\n<\/span><\/div>\r\n
\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nLearning outcomes:<\/strong>\r\n\r\n \r\n

The students will learn about the plot outline, characters, themes and other aspects of detective fiction by Conan Doyle. Conan Doyle was a physician by profession and his approach is scientific, rational and based on keen observation. He created an immortal character in Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson. Sherlock Holmes famous admonition to Dr. Watson, \u201celementary, my dear Watson\u201d applied to all living in hectic, strife-torn world and academic world as well. The students will grasp the basic essentials about Conan Doyle and his famous detective fiction \u201eThe Sign of Four\u2019<\/em>. Multiple-choice exercises will help them in assessing their knowledge and understanding of the work. Bibliography, list of websites and YouTube videos will help them in their in-depth study and further reading. Critical quotes and quotes from the book will also help them in understanding various literary aspects of the book.<\/p>\r\n \r\n

Introduction<\/strong><\/p>\r\n \r\n

\u201eThe Sign of the four\u2019<\/em> (1890) also known as \u201eThe Sign of Four\u2019<\/em> is the second novel of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle\u201fs Sherlock Holmes Series. In this interesting detective fiction, Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson solve a mystery that eluded the police department. \u201eThe Sign of Four\u201f begins with the description of Sherlock Holmes taking cocaine injections. Dr. Watson expresses his displeasure and disapproval for Holmes drug addiction. However, Holmes defends by saying that it removed his boredom and simulates his intelligence. For the first time, Holmes has been shown taking drug and defending it. The story of the novel is set in 1888 with a plot involving service in the East India Company, the 1857 Rebellion and Andaman jail. The plot moves round the stolen treasure and a secret pact among four convicts and two corrupt prison guards.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n

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There are subtle references to racism, imperialism, bigotry and criminal motives involving avarice, deception and excessive greed.<\/p>\r\n \r\n

\u201eThe Sign of Four\u201f was published two year after Sherlock Holmes debut novel \u201eA study in Scarlet\u201f. It is a convention mystery while \u201eThe Sign of Four\u201f is more like a Gothic thriller that crosses a several genres such as detective fiction, thriller, and adventure story with historical references to India. One more interesting aspects of the work is that is introduces Dr. Watson\u201fs future wife Mary Morstan. The novel was serialized in Lippincott\u201fs monthly magazine as \u201eThe Sign of the Four\u201f in 1890 and later in the same year it was published in the book form as \u201eThe Sign of the Four\u201f. The outrageous nature of the novel makes it an interacting reading. The novel had as many as 13 film, TV and theatrical adaptations.<\/p>\r\n \r\n

Conan Doyle \u2013 A Biographical Sketch<\/strong><\/p>\r\n \r\n

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle was born on May 22, 1859. He was the second child of Charles Altamont and Mary Foley Doyle\u201fs ten children. He studied in a Jesuit school in Lancashire, England. Later, he got both his bachelor\u201fs and Master\u201fs degree in medicine from Edinburg. While he was a medical student, he was profoundly impressed by the skill of observation of his professor Dr. Joseph Bell. Dr. Bell observed the most minute details regarding his patients and came to diagnostic deductions. For Conan Doyle, the minute observations and conclusions based on them became the model for his literary creation, Sherlock Holmes, the detective par excellence. Holmes first appeared in a novel \u201eA Study in Scarlet\u201f in 1888. Conan Doyle earned unparalleled reputation as a writer of detective fiction gradually, mainly on account of his creation Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson, the duo who solved many mysterious cases.<\/p>\r\n \r\n

Conan Doyle had served as a doctor on a voyage to Africa. After his return to England, he started medical practice in England without much success. During this period, he had sold his first story to supplement his income. In 1885, he married Louisa Hawkins, a wealthy woman. She provided him with the financial security that enabled him to devote more time to writing which who his first love. Doyle had two children by his first wife who died of tuberculosis in 1906. He married his longtime friend Jean Leckie the following year who gave him three more children. Doyle\u201fs fictional detective work made him so famous that he was an unofficial\u00a0consultant to the English Police. English police detectives were required to read Sherlock Holmes stories in their police training.<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n

Conan Doyle was a prolific writer who wrote many novels of various genres a number of plays, books of poetry, spiritual treatises, histories and political pamphlets. During the Boer war, he served as a surgeon near South African front. He was awarded knighthood in 1902 for his historical account the Boer war.<\/p>\r\n \r\n

In his middle age, Doyle was intensely interested in spiritualism. He wrote and spoke in defense of the belied that it is possible to communicate with the dead through a gifted medium. He believed that the spirits of the dead continue to exist and they can be contacted through a living medium. His interest in religion, spiritualism and psychic research result into the publication of several books like \u201eThe New Revelation\u201f (19180), \u201eThe Vital Message\u201f (1919), \u201eThe Wonderings of a Spiritualist\u201f (1921) etc. His two volume book \u201eThe History of Spiritualism\u201f (1926) made him a renowned proponent of spiritualism. He had to face strong criticism and opposition from the renowned magician Houdini. Even spiritualists of his time joined in criticizing his article \u201eThe Evidence for Fairies\u201f (1921). He died on July 7, 1930 at Crowborough,Sussex.<\/p>\r\n \r\n

Conan Doyle\u2019s Major Works:<\/strong><\/p>\r\n \r\n

Characters of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson were introduced in \u201eA Study in Scarlet\u201f. Conan Doyle modelled Sherlock Holmes on his favorite teacher Dr. Bell. Conan Doyle was a writer who wrote on a wide range of topics, both fictional as well as non-fictional. His total works are astoundingly voluminous which include 22 novels, 204 stories, 16 collection, 14 plays, 4 poems, 13 spiritual and paranormal books and 10 spiritual and paranormal pamphlets. He stated his career as a writer while he was a student and his first story appeared in 1879 in a magazine \u201eChamber\u201fs Journal\u201f. He continued to contribute his stories in various popular magazines of his time.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

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\u00a0Doyle\u2019s major novel are as follows :<\/strong><\/p>\r\n

A Study in Scarlet 1887<\/p>\r\n

The Sign of the Four 1890<\/p>\r\n

The Great Shadow 1892<\/p>\r\n

The Hound of Baskervilles 1902<\/p>\r\n

Sir Nigel 1906<\/p>\r\n

The Valley Of Fear 1915<\/p>\r\n

The Land of Mist 1926<\/p>\r\n \r\n

Short Story Collections by Conan Doyle :<\/strong><\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\nMysteries and Adventure 1890\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nAdventures of Sherlock Holmes 1892\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nThe Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes 1894\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nThe Return of Sherlock Holmes 1905\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nHis Last Bow 1917\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nThe Casebook of Sherlock Holmes 1927\r\n\r\n \r\n

Stage Works of Canon Doyle :<\/strong><\/p>\r\n

Foreign Policy 1893<\/p>\r\n

The Story of Waterloo 1894<\/p>\r\n

Brothers 1899<\/p>\r\n

Sherlock Holmes 1899<\/p>\r\n

The Speckled Band 1910<\/p>\r\n

Exile: A Drama of Christmas Eve 1925<\/p>\r\n \r\n

Non-Fictional Works :<\/strong><\/p>\r\n

The Great Boer war 1900<\/p>\r\n

The Crime of the Congo 1909<\/p>\r\n

The German War: Some Sidelights and Reflections 1914<\/p>\r\n

Memories and Adventures 1924<\/p>\r\n

Spiritualist and Paranormal books by Doyle :<\/strong><\/p>\r\n

Wondering of a Spiritualist 1921<\/p>\r\n

The Coming of Fairies 1922<\/p>\r\n

The Case of Spirit Photography 1922<\/p>\r\n

Our American Adventure 1923<\/p>\r\n

The Spiritualist Reader 1924<\/p>\r\n

The History of Spiritualist 1826<\/p>\r\n

Our American Winter 1929<\/p>\r\n

The Edge of the Unknown 1930<\/p>\r\n

Pamphlets<\/strong> :<\/p>\r\n

Psychic Experience\u00a0 1925<\/p>\r\n

The New Revelation\u00a0 1997<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n

\r\n\r\nSherlock Holmes Series:<\/strong>\r\n\r\n \r\n

Sherlock Holmes is a fictional character created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. He is a London based detective with minute observation, unique manner of logical reasoning and deduction. He also possessed a capability of tricky disguise and knowledge of forensic science. The character first appeared in print in 1887 which was later featured in 56 stories and four novel of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. The first novel \u201eA Study in Scarlet\u201f appeared in 1887 and the second novel \u201eThe Sign of Four\u201f featuring Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson appeared in 1890. The popularity of Sherlock Holmes grew with the first series of short stories in \u201eThe Strand Magazine\u201f beginning with \u201eA Scandal in Bohemia\u201f in 1991.<\/p>\r\n \r\n

Sherlock Holmes series includes four novels and five collections of stories that contain 56 stories. The four novels include \u201eA Study of Scarlet\u201f, \u201eThe Sign of Four\u201f, \u201eThe Hound of Baskervilles\u201f and \u201eThe Valley of Fear\u201f. The Sherlock Holmes stories are anthologized as \u201eAdventure of Sherlock Holmes\u201f, \u201eThe Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes\u201f, \u201eThe Return of Sherlock Holmes\u201f, \u201eHis last Bow\u201f and \u201eThe Casebook of Sherlock Holmes\u201f. Traditionally, the canon of\u00a0Sherlock Holmes consists of 56 stories and four novels. Here the \u201ecanon\u201f is employed to distinguish between original works of Sir Canon Doyle and other authors who used the same characters.<\/span><\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n

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Conan Doyle\u2019s Contribution to Detective Fiction<\/strong><\/p>\r\n \r\n

Detective and crime related stories have always been quite popular. The genesis of detective fiction lies in Gothic stories. The credit as the pioneer of detective fiction goes to Edgar Allan Poe who in his work \u201eThe murders in The Rue Morgue\u201f (1841) introduced C. Auguste Dupin as one who investigates the criminal case. However, the word \u201edetective\u201f did not exist then but Dupin\u201fs characteristics like cold, rational attitude and upper class background influenced later day detective fiction. If Edgar Allan Poe is called the inventor of the detective fiction, it was Conan Doyle who popularized the literary genre. Poe created only three stories featuring Dupin while Conan Doyle wrote 56 stories and four novels featuring Sherlock Holmes. Another important difference between Doyle\u201fs detective stories and Poe\u201fs stories is Doyle\u201fs introduction of Dr. Watson who faithfully followed and helped his friend and mentor in solving the mysteries cases. Dr. Watson\u201fs approach is simplistic while Holmes is quite complex and often intriguing. Dr. Watson is often unable to understand Holmes complicated method. He stands in complete contrast to Sherlock Holmes who is quite scientific and rational in his approach to problem solving. In 53 stories and four novels, it is Dr. Watson who narrates the stories giving readers their point of view. Conan Doyle introduced detective reasoning, disguises, sports like boxing and knowledge of forensic science and scientific temperament in the portrayal of Sherlock Holmes. He also left legacy of some memorable quotes like \u201cTo a great mind, nothing is little\u201d, \u201cwhen you have all which is impossible, then whatever remains, however impossible must be truth\u201d, \u201cMy mind rebels at stagnation, give me work, give me problems\u201d etc.<\/p>\r\n \r\n

\u2018The Sign of Four\u2019 \u2013 Plot Summery<\/strong><\/p>\r\n \r\n

\u201eThe Sign of Four\u201f is the second novel by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. The story is set in London, 1888. The novel starts with Sherlock Holmes taking cocaine. He injects cocaine in his body thrice a day. Dr. Watson tells Sherlock Holmes about the ill-effect of the prolonged usage of the drug. However, Holmes tells him that he finds the drug stimulating. He adds that it clarifies his mind as he often gets bored without challenging work.<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n

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Just then a young lady named Mary Morstan comes to consult Sherlock Holmes. She tells Holmes about the mystery of her missing father. She explains that her father captain Morstan had disappeared about ten years ago on his return from Andaman Island to England. Since May 1882, she received a single piece of pearl by post every year from an unknown sender. She approaches Sherlock Holmes because she has recently received a letter from the unknown friend requesting her to be outside the Lyceum Theatre that evening.<\/p>\r\n \r\n

Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson accompany Miss Morstan and they are taken to Thaddeus Sholto\u201fs house. Thaddeus tells them that Captain Morstan had died of a heart attack after a heated argument with his father Major John Sholto. He also explains how Major Sholto died of apparent shock when he saw the face of a bearded man in the window. The old man had revealed to his sons the existence of treasure before he died. The cause of the heated argument was about dividing the precious treasure. Captain Morstan who had been already weak and ailing died of heart attack. Major Sholto feared that he would be charged with the murder of captain Morstan disposed of the dead body and hid the treasure.<\/p>\r\n \r\n

Major Sholto was about to reveal the location of the treasure when he too died of a shock seeing a bearded man at the window. Major Sholto had a great aversion to men with wooden legs. He had urged to his sons on deathbed that Miss Morstan should be given the half share of the treasure. The two sons of Major Sholto, Thaddeus and Bartholomew made every effort to find the treasure after their father\u201fs death. Major Sholto had removed a chaplet to send to Miss Morstan before his death. However, after his death, Thaddeus sent pearl to her every year.<\/p>\r\n \r\n

Late that night, Miss Morstan, Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson go to Pondicherry lodge and find Bartholomew Sholto dead. It was found that he was poisoned by a deadly poisonous dart. Thaddeus tells them that Bartholomew had found the treasure chest with precious jewels in a secret room at the top of Pondicherry Lodge. When they finally reach Pondicherry Lodge, Bartholomew Sholto is dead and the treasure is gone. The door is locked from inside. Sherlock Holmes\u201f deductions reveal that the two people were involves in the murder: one, two legged man Jonathan Small and his dwarfish accomplice. He traces them to a boat landing where Jonathan Small has hired a steam launch named The Aurora. Holmes traces the steam launch with the help of the dog Toby and Baker Street Irregulars. Holmes and Dr. Watson chase the steam launch and capture it. The dwarfish accomplice of Jonathan Small named Tonga is killed\u00a0as he attempts to kill Sherlock Holmes with a poisoned dart from his blow-pipe. Small tries to escape but he is captured as his wooden leg gets stuck in the mud.<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n

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The wooden legged man whose name Jonathan Small is brought to Baker Street along with the iron chest which was found on the steam boat. Small tells Sherlock Holmes the story of Agra treasure. He says that he was a gate keeper of a fortress in India. Small explains that once three Arab guards approached him and offered a share in a precious treasure if he helped them and murder the man who carried it. Small agreed to help and once the man was murdered; they hid his dead body and the treasure. They swore an oath that they would never betray or reveal their crimes to anyone. They decided upon a sign of four- a secret code.<\/p>\r\n \r\n

The plan failed and the four men were arrested for murder. They were sentenced to penal servitude for life. Jonathan Small was sent to Andaman Island. He met Morstan and Sholto whom he offered the deal that if they could secure freedom from jail for him and his three accomplices, the officers would also be getting equal share of the wealth. An agreement was made and Sholto was assigned the task of verifying the location of the hidden treasure. Sholto cheated them getting the whole treasure for himself. He returned to England with the treasure.<\/p>\r\n \r\n

Jonathan Small saved Andaman Islander named Tonga who became totally devoted to him. Tonga helped Small escape and the duo returned to England. They tracked down Sholto who died of heart attack out of fear and shock. Small received the information that the treasure had been discovered and robbery of the treasure with Tonga. Tonga killed Bartholomew Sholto with a poisonous dart. Finally, the case is wound up and Small is taken into custody. Dr. Watson is engaged to Mary Morstan as Sherlock Holmes returns to his cocaine bottle. Jonathan Small had dumped the treasure in the river. Mary Morstan was happy to find that the chest had no treasure which was the cause of a series of crimes.<\/p>\r\n

Major Characters of the Novel<\/strong><\/p>\r\n

Sherlock Holmes<\/strong><\/p>\r\n \r\n

Sherlock Holmes is a principal character of the novel. He is a private detective with extraordinary sense of reasoning and eccentric manners. His friend Dr. Watson is a medical practitioner by profession. He helps Mr. Holmes in solving mysteries and criminal cases. It is\u00a0Dr. Watson who presents his view point of Mr. Holmes in his own style. He describes him as intelligent, restless and often enigmatic. In \u201eThe Sign of Four\u201f, Holmes has been described injecting cocaine and defending it as stimulant and remover of boredom. He says that he needs to numb his mind when there is nothing challenging to occupy his mind. Holmes has a good knowledge of chemistry and forensic science. He is a keen observer and arrives at certain conclusions based on his observation.<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n

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Holmes takes great pleasure in solving mysteries in his own unique manner. In \u201eThe Sign of Four\u201f, Miss Morstan comes to him and tells him that her father has disappeared while returning to England from India. She adds that she receives one pearl of lustrous kind every year. Holmes, Dr. Watson and Miss Morstan meet Thaddeus Sholto who tells them about the death of captain a wooden legged man called Jonathan Small. Small tells that the entire story and unfolds the mystery of the treasure. At the end, Holmes calls Mary Morstan Mrs. Watson as Dr. Watson and Mary began to love each other and decide to marry. Holmes\u201fs character has influenced detective fiction of the world immensely.<\/p>\r\n \r\n

Dr. Watson<\/strong><\/p>\r\n \r\n

The story is named in the first person by Dr. John Watson. He has shared the residence with Sherlock Holmes. He is a doctor by profession but he is drawn towards problem solving task by Mr. Holmes whom he begins to treat as his friend and mentor. He has seen Mr. Holmes solving many puzzling cases. Dr. Watson is very loyal to Mr. Holmes and he is always concerned about his well-being. He accompanies Mr. Holmes into many dangerous situations often carrying a pistol or other weapons. He also seems to take pleasure in adventures.<\/p>\r\n \r\n

When he meets Mary Morstan, he is attracted towards her. As the novel progresses, their love story too develops. It is the subplot of the novel. When Dr. Watson comes to know that Mary is entitled to the Agra treasure, he feels that he would not be able to propose to her as he would be considered a fortune seeker. At the end of the novel, the treasure is lost and even Mary is happy that the treasure which was the cases of crimes and evils was no more. Mary and Dr. Watson are finally united in love.<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n

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Dr. Watson is loyal, romantic and honourable. He is more sensitive and empathetic than Holmes. Though he is quite intelligent, his power of observation is not as keen as that of Holmes.<\/p>\r\n \r\n

Mary Morstan<\/strong><\/p>\r\n \r\n

Mary Morstan brings the case to Holmes and Dr. Watson. She has been searching for her missing father for many years. She has received several precious pearls by mail from an unknown sender. She has been described as blonde, with pale skin. She worked as a governess. Her mother had died soon after her birth. She receives a letter asking her to meet the letter writer at the Lyceum Theatre. She accompanies Holmes and Dr. Watson and meets Thaddeus Sholto who tells them about the death of Mary\u201fs father. At the end, the mystery of the Agra treasure is solved and Jonathan Small, the wooden legged man is arrested. He reveals the entire story of the treasure stolen from India by four persons (The Sign of Four). The treasure is lost at the end and Mary is relieved that the cause of all problems is no more. Dr. Watson is attracted by innocent nature, modesty and quiet temperament of Mary Morstan. Finally, Dr. Watson proposes to her and both of them are finally tied in a bond of mutual love.<\/p>\r\n \r\n

Jonathan Small<\/strong><\/p>\r\n \r\n

Jonathan Small appears in the novel at the end of the novel. Holmes identifies him as the wooden legged man Major Sholto died from the shock when he saw him at the window. Mrs. Smith, the boat keeper\u201fs wife describes him as ugly and outlandish. Holmes pursues his steam lunch and he is stuck in a mud. He is captured by Holmes and Dr. Watson. He is cunning and manipulative. He is hot-tempered and frightening. He confesses his involvement with the sign of four. He is quite ruthless and unconcerned about other people. At the end, He throws the treasure into the river and he is arrested for his crimes. It is he who finally unfolds the mystery of the treasure that matches with Holmes\u201f deduction.<\/p>\r\n \r\n

Thaddeus Sholto<\/strong><\/p>\r\n \r\n

Thaddeus Sholto is a strange looking man who sent a letter to Mary Morstan to meet him at Lyceum Theatre. Mary accompanies Mr. Holmes and Dr. Watson to the place. He tells Mary about his father Major Sholto who returned from India with a large treasure. He also tells Mary\u00a0how her father captain Morstan died of heart attack after heated argument about dividing the treasure. Major Sholto fears that he would be implicated for the death of Mr. Morstan. He regrets that he had left Miss Morstan without her share of the treasure. He therefore asks his son Thaddeus to give her the chaplet. Thaddeus sends one pearl to Miss Morstan every year. Major Sholto died of shock when he saw the wooden- legged man at the window. He died before revealing the location of the treasure. Thaddeus is more conscientious than his brother Bartholomew who was killed by a poisonous dart and he is worried that he would be accused of murder of his brother. Thaddeus Sholto is eccentric, nervous, and self-obsessed.<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n

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Major Sholto<\/strong>:<\/p>\r\n \r\n

Major Sholto was an army officer in India. He was a friend of Arthur Morstan who was also an army officer in India. He knew about the location of the treasure and therefore Jonathan Small appeared at the window. However, before he could tell his sons about the location of the treasure, he died of shock as he saw the wooden-legged man at the window. Major Sholto and Captain Morstan quarreled over the division of the treasure but Mr. Morstan died of heart attack. Major Sholto feared that he would be implicated for the killing of Mr. Morstan. Therefore he hid the dead body and kept the treasure for himself. All his life felt guilty for his avarice until he died.<\/p>\r\n \r\n

Bartholomew Sholto<\/strong>:<\/p>\r\n \r\n

Bartholomew Sholto is Thaddeus\u201fs twin brother and Major Sholto\u201fs son. He does not like to share wealth with Miss Morstan. He does not ever want to share information with Miss Morstan. He does not ever want to share information with Mr. Holmes and Dr. Watson. Bartholomew discovers the chest and is later killed by Tonga, the dwarfish islander with a poisonous dart.<\/p>\r\n \r\n

Tonga<\/strong>:<\/p>\r\n \r\n

Tonga is an islander who is completely devoted to Jonathan Small. Small nursed him back to health when Tonga was ill. This makes him loyal accomplice to Jonathan Small all his life. He helped Small escape and break into Sholto\u201fs house. It was he who killed Bartholomew with poisonous dart. He even tried to kill Holmes with a poisonous dart when they chased the steam\u00a0launch in which Small and Tonga tried to escape. Tonga is killed as Holmes and Dr. Watson fired at him. Conan Doyle describes him as \u201esavage\u201f and \u201eanimalistic\u201f character.<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\nMr. Athelney Jones:<\/strong>\r\n\r\n \r\n

Mr.Athelney Jones is a police inspector with the London police department. He is less capable than Mr. Holmes but Holmes allows the police department to take credit for solving the crime. He arrives at Pondicherry lodge and finds Bartholomew Sholto murdered. He jumps to the conclusion that Thaddeus Sholto was the murderer. He arrests Thaddeus but later releases him after Holmes proves that he was innocent Mr. Athelany Jones is pompous and comical but he is apologetic when he finds that Holmes was right in his reasoning. He begins to admire Holmes for his extraordinary capacities for problem solving.<\/p>\r\n \r\n

Minor characters<\/strong>:<\/p>\r\n\r\n