4.) The Death of Major Sholto

we followed the Indian servant into the house. he stopped in front of an open door.
"come in, come in," said the voice.
we entered -Holmes, Miss Morstan, and my self - and were astonished. the room in which we were standing was full of Indian paintings and ornaments. the carpet was soft and very thick. there were two large tiger-skins on the walls. in the centre of the room stood a strange little man with a bald head. he was smiling, but he seemed very nervous.

"my name," said the bald-headed man, "is Thaddeus Sholto. you're Miss Morstan, of course. and these two gentlemen?"

"this is Mr. Sherlock Holmes and this is Doctor Watson."

"a doctor!" cried Thaddeus Sholto exitedly. "Oh, please could you listen to my heart?i'm very worried about my heart."



i listened to his heart beating. but i could hear nothing wrong with it. "there's nothing wrong with your heart." i told him.

"i'm so glad," said Sholto. "Miss Morstan, your father had a very weak heart. if his heart had been stronger, he would have been alive today."

Miss Morstan sat down and her face turned very white. "I knew that he was dead," she said. there were tears in her eyes. i was very angry with Sholto. he didn't notice how much he had upset Miss Morstan.

"please tell us why we have been bought here," said Miss Morstan. so Sholto began his strange story and we listened.

"my father, was Major Sholto of the Indian army. he retired from the army about eleven years ago. he bought a house in North London. he called the house Pondicherry Lodge. my brother, Bartholomew, and i were his only children. we knew that Captain Morstan and our father had been very good friends in India. when he heard that Captain Morstan had disappeared, we were very upset. my brother Bartholomew, and i also knew that our father was afraid of something. he never went out alone. he often spoke about a man with a wooden leg who followed him. he seemed very afraid of this man."

"did he tell you why he was afraid?" asked Holmes.

"No, he didn't," Sholto replied. then he continued with his story.

"one day in 1882, our father received a letter from India. this letter upset him very much. he became ill. everyday he grew weaker. at least, he was dying. he asked to see me and my brothrt, Bartholonew. we went to his room. he told us to lock the door and come over to the bed. then he held our hands and spoke to us. he said that he wanted to tell us the truth about Captain Morstan's death. he was the only person who knew this terrible secret.

"when father was in India with Captain Morstan, they found a great treasure. it was called the Great Agra Treasure. the jewels in this treasure were worth more tahn a million punds. father brought the Agra Treasure back to England. Morstan followed him and came at once to the house to ask for his share. but the treasure had made father greedy. he didn't know what to do. he had not killed Morstan. but he was afraid that people would believe that he had killed Morstan. he decided to say nothing. he hid the body and he also hid the Great Agra Treasure.

"soon the news of Morstan's disappearance spread through London. only your father knew the terrible truth. he told us as he was dying that he had been a wicked and greedy man. he said that he had acted very wrongly. but that he paid for his crime. the Agra Treasure never brought him happiness - only fear and guilt - . then he told us that Captain morstan had a daughter called Mary. he asked us to listen carefully. the he began to tell us where he had hidden the treasure. at the moment a terrible change came over our father's face. he pointed at the window and cried out in a voice full of fear, "keep him out!keep him out!"

my brother and i stared at the window. we saw a horrid face looking in through the window. we saw a horrid face looking in through the window. it was wild and had a black beard and cruel eyes. we rushed to the window but the man had gone. when we went back to the bed, father was dead."

"what did you do the?" asked Holmes.

"we ran out into the garden," replied Sholto. "we looked everywhere, but we found nothing. in the morning, we went to our father's room. we found that someone had been int the room during the night. there was a piece of paper on the bed beside my father's body. and on this paper some words were written. these words were "The Sign of Four".

3.) A Strange Meeting

at half past five, Holmes returned. he was very pleased about something. "i've had great success, Watson." he said, as i gave him a cup of tea.

"what Holmes! have you solved the mystery already?" i asked in surprise.

"No, no. but i have discovered something very interesting. Miss Morstan said that her father had a very good friend in India. his name was Major Sholto."

"yes," i said. "Major Sholto has retired from the army. he was living in London when Captain Morstan disappeared. but he didn't know that Morstan was in England. well, i've just been to the offices of the times newspaper. i looked through the old copies of the newspaper and i discovered that Major Sholto died on 28th April 1882."

"perhaps i'm very stupid, Holmes, but i don't see why this discovery is interesting."

"Listen, Captain Morstan disappeared . he had one friend in London, Major Sholto. but Major Sholto said that he didn't know that Captain Mosrtan was in London. four years later, on 28th April 1882, Sholto died. a fee days later, on 4th May 1882, Captain Morstan's daughter saw the advertisement in a newspaper. then she received a valuable present. these presents came every year. why do the present arrive on that day? they must have something to do with Sholto death," Holmes said.

i was still puzzled, "but Sholto died six years ago" i said, "why did Miss Morstan receive that letter today - six years later? the letter speaks of telling her the truth. what can it mean?"

"i hope that we'll find the answer to these questions tonight, Watson," said Holmes seriously. "are you ready? its six o'clock and here is Miss Morstan".

Miss Morstan entered the room. she was wearing a dark cloak and hat. she didn't seem afraid, but her beautiful face was very pale. i picked up my hat and my heaviest stick. i noticed that Holmes took his gun from his drawer and put it into his pocket. we got into a cab and were soon on out way to the Lyceum Theatre. in the cab, Miss Morstan took a piece of paper out of her bag.

"Mr.Holmes, i forgot to show you this. this note was found in my father's luggage. it's very strange. i don't know what it means. perhaps it isn't very important, but i wanted you to see it."

Holmes unfolded the note carefully and spread it on his knee. he took a magnify glass out of his pocket and examined the paper.

"this paper was made in India, have a look at it, watson," he remarked.

i look the note and studied it carefully. the paper was thin and old. there was a drawing on the paper.

"it looks like the plan of a large building," i said, "somebody has made a mark to show a certain place i the building. but what are these names at the bottom? and what is the meaning of - The sign of Four - ?".



"i don't understand what this note means,but it might be important" said Holmes.

he sat back in the cab. Miss Morstan and i talked quietly together. but Holmes didn't say anything. i knew he was thinking hard. it was getting dark and the people it the streets were hurrying home from work. i was feeling a little afraid. i wondered what kind of person we would meet at the Lyceum Theatre. there are many people outside the theatre. everyone was meeting friends and going in to see the play. the letter had told us to stand outside on the left. we waited, suddenly a small dark man appeared.

"are you Miss Morstan and her friends?" he asked.

"yes," he said.

"you must promise me that these men are not policeman," said the stranger.

"they're not policemen," replied Miss Morstan.

"then come with me," said the man.

he led us quickly across the street to another cab and opened the door. we went inside. the man closed the door and jumped up onto the driver's seat of the cab. the horse moved off quickly. we passed through so many streets that i was soon lost. i had no idea where we going. i was feeling nervous and Miss Morstan face looked white. Sherlock Holmes was calm. our strange driver didn't turn round speak to us. the only sound was the noise of the horse's hooves.



at last we stopped. we were outside a house in a dark quiet street. it had only one small light in the kitchen window. there were no light in any of the other houses in the street. we knocked at the door. it was opened immediately by an Indian servant. the Indian was wearing a bright yellow turban on his head . he had white clothes and a yellow belt. it was very strange to see such brightly coloured clothes in this quiet street in London.

"my master is waiting for you," said the servant.

as he spoke, we heard a man's voice. it came from one of the rooms inside the house.

'bring them in to me," the voice called. "bring them straight in to me."

2.) Miss Morstan's Story

Holmes rubbed his hands together excitedly, his eyes shone and he leant forward in his cahir.

"Tell us your story," he said.

Miss Morstan began her new story and we listened.

"My father, was a captain in the army. when i was very young, he was sent to India. my mother was dead and i had no other relatives in England. so while my father was away, i was sent to school. when i was seventeen, i received a letter from my father. he said that he was leaving India and coming back to England. he gave me the address of a hotel in London. he asked me to meet him there. i was very happy and excited about seeing my dear father again. i went to London and arrived at the hotel. i asked for Captain Morstan, my father. but i was told by the hotel manager, that my father was not there. he had gone out the night before and not returned. i waited all day and all night, but my father didn't come back to the hotel. finally, i went to the police. they advertised for Captain Morstan in all the newspapers, but without success. i never saw my dear father again," Miss Morstan began to cry.

Holmes opened his notebook, "what was the date that your father disappeared?" he asked.

"it was 3rd December 1878, nearly ten years ago."

"what happened to his luggage?"

"it was still at the hotel, the cases contained some books and clothes, and some paintings and ornaments from the Andaman Islands."

"The Andaman islands. what are they?" i asked.

"a small group of islands near the coast of India, there's a prison no one of the island. my father was one of the officers in charge of the prisoners. he worked there for many years."

"did your father have any friends in London?" asked Holmes.

"only one, Major Sholto. he was also in charge of the prisoners in the Andaman Islands. the major had retired from the army some time before my father disappeared. he was living in London and of course i went to see him. but he didn't know that my father had arrived in England.

"your story is very interesting," said Holmes, rubbing his hands together once more. "please, go on."

"four years after my father disappeared, i saw an advertisement in the newspaper. the date was 4th May 1882. to my surprise, the advertisement asked for the address of Miss Mary Morstan. it said that if i advertised my address, i would receive some very good news.

"what did you do?" asked Holmes.

"i advertised my address i the same newspaper. the next day, i received a small cardboard box. inside the box was a lovely pearl. and i have received another fiver pearls since that day. they arrive every year on the same day. look." She opened a flat box and showed us six beautiful pearls.

"there was no letter with the pearls?" asked Holmes.

"nothing at all, but the strangest thing of all happened this morning. that's why i came to see you. this morning, i received a letter. please read it."

"thank you," said Holmes. he took the letter and studied it carefully. then he handed it to me.

London
17th November, 1887
Dear Miss Morstan,
Go to the Lyceum Theatre tonight at seven o'clock. stand outside the entrance, on the left. if you are afraid, bring two friends. don't bring the police you have been deceived, but you will learn the truth tonight.
your unknown friend

"what can this letter mean?" asked Miss Morstan. "I'm afraid. what should i do, Mr. Holmes? you are a clever man and can give me good advice."

Holmes jumped up excitedly, "we shall go tonight to the Lyceum Theatre. the three of us, you and me, and Dr. Watson. the letter asks you to bring two friends with you. you will come with us, won't you, Watson?"

"of course, i'll be very happy to come." i said, i was speaking the truth. i wanted to help Miss. Morstan.

"you're both very kind," said Miss Morstan. "Since my father disappeared, i've been alone in the world. i have no friends whom i can ask for help. what time shall we meet this evening?"

Holmes looked at his watch, "it's now half past three, come back at six o'clock. don't be afraid, Miss Morstan. this evening we'll come with you to the Lyceum Theatre. we'll meet yout unknown friend. and we'll try to solve the mystery.

"thank you," said Miss Morstan. she smiled at us and left the room.

"what a lovely woman," i remarked.
"i'm going out now, i'll be back in about an hour." said Holmes.

when Holmes had gone, i sat down by the window and tried to read a book. but i could stop thinking about Miss Morstan. i hoped that we be able to help her.

1.) A Visitor for Sherlock Holmes

For many years, i shared an apartment in London with my friend, Sherlock Holmes. My name is Dr. Watson. I worked as a doctor in the British Army for several years. While i was in the army, i traveled to many strange and interesting places. i had many exiting adventures.
Then one day, in Afghanistan, i was shot in the shoulder. my wound was deep and took many months to heal. i nearly died from pain and fever. at last i got better, but i couldn't work in the army any more. i retired from the army and came back to England.
That's why i was living in London with Holmes. i had known my friend for many years. i enjoyed sharing an apartment with Holmes. my friend was a very clever man. he was the most famous private detective in London. he helped to solve crimes and catch criminals. when people were in trouble or needed help, they came to Holmes. sometimes the police came to Holmes and asked for help in catching a criminal.
Sherlock Holmes didn't care if his clients were rich or poor. he enjoyed solving their interesting problems. he was very happy when he was working. it was the most important thing in his life.
one afternoon, i was reading a book and Holmes was standing by the window in our sitting-room. usually he was very busy & active. but this afternoon he didn't seem very happy. i was worried about my friend.

"what's the matter with you today, Holmes?", i asked.
"come and stand at the window, Watson. look out into the street. see how uninteresting London is today. it was winter, the street outside was almost empty. everyone was at home in front of their warm fires. i need some work, Watson. i can't live without interesting problems and mysteries. that's why i became a private detective. i love my work, it keep my brain active. but when there are no crimes and no mysteries to solve, ah, then life becomes very boring for me", Holmes said.

he turned sadly away from the window. at that moment, there was a knock at the door. our housekeeper came into the room. she was carrying a small white card on a silver tray. Holmes picked up the card.

"Miss Mary Morstan", he read aloud. "i don't know anyone of that name. please ask the lady to come in. perhaps it's a new client."

a few moments later, Miss Morstan entered the room. she was young and not very tall, with blonde hair and blue eyes. her clothes were not fashionable, but they were clean and tidy. she had a lovely face, i noticed at once that she looked worried and unhappy.

"please sit down, Miss morstan," said Holmes kindly. "I'm Sherlock Holmes and this is my good friend Dr. Watson. Dr. Watson and i have worked together many times."

"i'm very pleased to meet you both. Mr. Holmes i've heard that you give people good advice. i'm not a rich woman, but i hope you can help me too. something very strange has happened. Mr. Holmes, i need your help!" said the young lady.