The Sign of the Four
By Arthur Conan Doyle

Transcription, correction, editorial commentary, and markup by Greg Gillespie, Students and Staff of Marymount University
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Sources

Philadelphia, PA : J. B. Lippincott Company, 1889Page images are drawn from the February 1890 edition of Lippincott's, housed at The University of Virginia.Web: Project Gutenberg, March 2020Text for this digital edition drawn from https://www.gutenberg.org/files/2097/2097-h/2097-h.htm and checked against page images.

Editorial Statements

Research informing these annotations draws on publicly-accessible resources, with links provided where possible. Annotations have also included common knowledge, defined as information that can be found in multiple reliable sources. If you notice an error in these annotations, please contact lic.open.anthology@gmail.com.

Original spelling and capitalization is retained, though the long s has been silently modernized and ligatured forms are not encoded.

Hyphenation has not been retained, except where necessary for the sense of the word.

Page breaks have been retained. Catchwords, signatures, and running headers have not. Where pages break in the middle of a word, the complete word has been indicated prior to the page beginning.

Materials have been transcribed from and checked against first editions, where possible. See the Sources section.

Citation

Doyle, Arthur Conan. "The Sign of the Four". Lippincott's Monthly Magazine, J. B. Lippincott Company, 1889 , 45(?)pp 147-223 . Literature in Context: An Open Anthology. http://anthology.lib.virginia.edu/work/Doyle/doyle-sign. Accessed: 2024-04-25T08:47:00.762Z

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[Cover of Lippincott's Monthly Magazine, February 1890]
Page [Cover of Lippincott's Monthly Magazine, February 1890]Page [Cover of Lippincott's Monthly Magazine, February 1890]

Footnotes

moroccoCase_In this context, morocco is a kind of leather, imported into Europe since the 16th century, that is very soft. Holmes stores his syringes in a small case covered in morocco leather.
beaune_Beaune is a region in Burgundy, France, that is known for its wine. Yorick is drinking wine from Beaune with his lunch. To read more about the region, see Wikipedia.
drugs_In the 19th century, Britain had fought two wars with India and China over the trade of opium, which equated to large profits for the British economy. Drugs such as opium were considered an everyday commodity, like food or alcohol, and were not met with any restrictions until 1868. Someone could walk into a chemist (pharmacy) during this time and simply purchase opium, cocaine or arsenic without any sort of prescription. To learn more about drug use during the Victorian era, check outOpium in Victorian Britain at Historic UK and Victorian Drug Use on VictorianWeb.org
blackletteran example of blackletter from the 15th centurySource: An example of blackletter from the 15th century (Wikimedia Commons)Blackletter is a medieval script form characterized by heavy calligraphic letters. This image, from Wikimedia Commons, shows an example of blackletter from a 15th century bible.
afghan_The "Afghan campaign" that Watson refers to here is most likely the Second Anglo-Afghan War (1878-1880), which was waged between the British Raj and the Afghan Emirate because of historical geopolitical tensions with Russia. To read more about this important historical allusion, see Wikipedia.
Scarlet_A Study in Scarlet' was Arthur Conan Doyle's first detective novel featuring Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson, published in 1887. An online text can be read on Project Gutenberg.
Euclid_In 300 BC, the Greek mathematician Euclid, wrote five postulates (beliefs) - the fifth stating: "That, if a straight line falling on two straight lines make the interior angles on the same side less than two right angles, if produced indefinitely, meet on that side on which are the angles less than the two right angles." Learn more about Euclid's Fifth Postulatefrom the University of Pittsburgh.
jezail_A jezail or jezzail (Pashto: جزائل) is a simple, homemade gun that was used during the First and Second Anglo-Afghan wars, primarily by Pasthun tribesmen. To read more, see Wikipedia.
continent_"The Continent" refers to the mainland of Europe, separate from the British Isles. (OED)
brierpipe_A briar pipeSource: A briar pipeAccording to TobaccoPipes.com, briar wood is taken from a shrub native to the Mediterranean region. Pipes made from this wood are of high quality and are naturally fire resistant. Briar Pipe from briar-pipes.com
coupdemaitre_A "coup-de-maître" (French) is an action worthy of a master. (OED)
tourdeforce_A "tour-de-force" (French) is a feat of strength, power, or skill. Here, the word is plural ("tours"). (OED)
lunkah_A lunkah is a cigar made from tobacco grown on the Indian islands of the Godavery Delta. (OED)
trichinopoly_A Trichinopoly is a type of thin cigar made from tobacco grown near the town of Tiruchirappalli in Tamil Nadu, India. During the Victorian era, these cigars were one of India's main exports. To read more, see Wikipedia.
telegram_The English Cook and Wheatstone needle telegraph (via Wikimedia Commons, photograph by Geni)Source: The English Cook and Wheatstone needle telegraph (via Wikimedia CommonsA telegram is a typed message delivered from point to point via electrical cables. The method of communication became the most popular way to send urgent messages in the 1840s. One prototype of the telegraph machine was developed by the American Samuel Morse, using Morse Code to transmit message content, but the one likely referred to here is based on the English Cook and Wheatstone needle telegraph, pictured below (via Wikimedia Commons, photograph by Geni). Read more about text telegaphy onWikipedia. image By Geni - Photo by User:geni, CC BY-SA 4.0
yellowfog_Due to the increase in manufacturing and urbanization associated with the Industrial Revolution, air pollution in 19th century London became an everyday occurrence. The city witnessed an increase of emissions from factory fires and furnaces, resulting in thick fogs that could last a week, even leading to death. Not much was done in response to this public health emergency. These references to intense fog are depicted in the works of Arthur Conan Doyle and Charles Dickens. To read more about this historical smog, check out Great Smog of London on Britannica.
salver_Photograph of a salver made of brass, from the Metropolitan Museum of ArtSource: Brass salver (Metropolitan Museum of Art)A salver is a tray. This image, from The Met Museum, shows an example of a salver made from brass.
well-gloved_"Well-gloved" means wearing either thick, warm, or elegant gloves. (OED)
fashion_An image of Victorian women's fashion via Wikimedia CommonsSource: An image of Victorian women's fashion (Wikimedia Commons)Fashion throughout the Victorian Era evolved every decade. The Industrial Revolution offered immense changes with the manufacturing of ready-made clothing with an influx of sewing machines, leading to more choices for the consumer. To read more about Victorian fashion, check out Epochs of Fashion.Image by Bazar of Fashions, via Wikimedia Commons
costume_This tale takes place in 1888. In the late 19th century, women's day dress featured a slim, corsetted style when viewed from the front, often with a high neckline and long sleeves, and a small bustle in the back and visible from the side. Miss Morstan works for her living as a governess, so her style of dress would be plainer, as Watson describes. However, it would likely have the same sillouette. To read more about Victorian fashion, visit the Victoria and Albert Museum.
amiable_During the Victorian era, men and women were expected to live their days in ‘separate spheres’, only coming together at mealtimes. For gender expectations, women were perceived to have less physical strength than men, but they had superior morals that were anchored at home. This “sweetness" was to counteract the harshness of society with which men interacted on a daily basis, ultimately guiding the next generation. To read more about gender roles in the 19th century, check out the British Library's description of gender roles during this era.
boardingschool_In the 19th century, upper class women were expected to marry and give their husband children, thus requiring no formal education. If a young woman was unable to find a suitor, she would be expected to look after others' children or elderly parents. This shifted in 1848 when Queen's College recognized a governess as a qualification, opening up education to women in the following decades. To read more, check out Education in Victorian Britainat the British Library.
timeline1878_Given the dates noted here, the action of "The Sign of the Four" takes place 1888, possibly November, given the discussion of the yellow fog above. The fog in London was typically at its worst in November.
andaman_The Andaman Islands are made up of 300 islands stretching across the southeastern part of the Bay of Bengal. The navy of the English East India Company first arrived on the islands in 1789, ultimately becoming union territory of India in 1956. The islands are known for their indigenous communities who evade contact from outsiders (Britannica). In 1858, the British government transformed one island to become the Ross Island Penal Colony, and jailed a number of prisoners from the Indian Rebellion of 1857 (often referred here as the "Mutiny"). Conditions were brutal, and many Indian political prisoners died from torture by the British (Wikipedia). To learn more about these penal colonies, see Clare Anderson's article, "The Andaman Islands Penal Colony: Race, Class, Criminality, and the British Empire."
governess_While upper class families historically hired governesses to care for their children, wealthy families of the middle class started to do so in the 19th century. A governess typically lived with the family and received a small salary in addition to room and board. To learn more, seethe British Library's overview of the governess, an important figure in Victorian literature.
graphology_Graphology refers to the analysis of one's handwriting to determine their personality traits. No scientific evidence has been found to support graphology's claims, but it came to prominence in the 19th century from the French priest and archeologist, Jean-Hippolye Michon, who published books on the subject and founded the Société Graphologique in 1871. It is interesting to note that graphology is used in France, and has been accepted in some court cases. To read more, see Wikipedia.
winwood_The Martyrdom of Man "…is a secular, "universal" history of the Western world" published by William Winwood Reade in 1872. Source:Wikipedia A PDF of this book can be found here.
thetimes_The Times is a daily newspaper published in London, considered to be one of the best in the world. It was started by John Walter on January 1, 1785. To read more see Britannica.
bombay34_During the 1870s, the military presence in India was composed of "presidency armies" to protect the interests of the British East India Company. These included the Bengal Army, the Madras Army, and the Bombay Army. This "34th Bombay Infantry" could be a reference to a fictional regiment. Control was tightened after the Indian Rebellion of 1857, a result of the diverse population of India feeling invaded by British reforms, taxes, and rule. To learn more about the British Indian Army, see Wikipedia.
fourwheeler_A brougham carriage, typical of the 19th centurySource: A brougham carriage (Flickr)Cabs in Victorian London were typically two-wheeled carriages called hansoms, but they held only one or at most two people comfortably. The larger horse-drawn carriages could hold more. The photograph here, taken by John Lloyd, shows a brougham carriage, typical of four-wheeled 19th century carriage styles.
pocketbook_Phogotraph of a pocket book, 1803 (Jane Auten's World)Source: Pocket book, 1803 (Jane Auten's World)In the 19th century, a pocket book was a small sized book similar to an agenda or planner that we would refer to today. A pocket book was about the size of a small 3" by 5", index card, covered in leather, with a flap closure. Inside you may find a calendar, notes, short stories, poetry, among other things. To read more about pocket books during this era, check outJane Austen's World. Here is an example of a pocket book from 1803, taken from
greatcity_Being the capital of the largest empire on the planet AND the world's most populated in the 19th century meant one thing: pollution. In 1890s London, there were approximately 300,000 horses throughout the streets, leaving behind excruciating amounts of excrement which you would have to navigate around. According to Wikipedia, in 1875, London's population was 4.24 million, compared to Beijing's 1.31 million, Paris's 2.25 million, and NYC's 1.9 million. Check out this author interview Dirty Old London': A History Of The Victorians' Infamous Filth on NPR.
streetarab_Now an offensive term, a "street Arab" is a destitute and unhomed young person, and according to the OED, its usage dates to the mid-nineteenth century. It is a term of British origin. The notion of such children being Arab may refer to the presumption of a nomadic lifestyle, or perhaps to their darker skin, a product of the filth of the London streets.
surreyside_a map of London boroughs and surrounding areas, via On the World MapSource: A map of London boroughsSurrey is a county in southern England; in this context, Surrey side refers to the south side of the river Thames, which divides the city of London. This image, from On The World Map, shows London boroughs and surrounding areas.
sahib_Sahib is a title used by an Indian to address an English or European person. It may also refer to a gentleman or socially acceptable person. (OED)
khitmutgar_A khitmutgar is a male servant who serves a table. (OED)
hookah_A photograph showing a Persian woman with a hooka (1900)Source: Persian woman with a hooka, 1900 (Wikimedia Commons)A hookah is a single or multi-stemmed device used to smoke flavored tobacco, among other things, by vaporizing through a glass basin before being inhaled. To read further, check out Wikipedia. This photo, taken by Antoin Sevruguin in 1900, from Wikimedia Commons, shows a Persian woman with hookah (qalyan).
corot_Corot's Evening on the Lake (c1872), via the National Gallery, London.Source: Corot, 'Evening on the Lake,' c1872 (National Gallery, London)Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot, 1796-1875, was a French landscape painter who influenced the Impressionist movement You can learn more about Corot from the UK National Gallery. The image included here is Corot's Evening on the Lake (c1872), via the National Gallery, London.
salvator-rosa_painting by Rosa, 'Witches at Their Incantations,' c1646Source: Rosa, 'Witches at Their Incantations,' c1646 (National Gallery, London)Salvator Rosa, 1615-1673, was an Italian landscaper painter whose works also depicted scenes of witchcraft. You can learn more about Rosa from the UK National Gallery. The image included here is Rosa's Witches at their Incantations (c1646), via the National Gallery, London.
carafe_a photograph from the Victoria and Albert Museum showing a 17th/18th-century Venetian glass carafe (VAM)Source: 17th/18th-century Venetian glass carafe (VAM)Here is an example of a 17th-18th century glass carafe from Venice, via the Victoria and Albert Museum. It gives some idea of Sholto's decorative sensibility.
astrakhan_photograph of an astrakhan fur coat (Wikimedia Commons)Source: Astrakhan fur coat (Wikimedia Commons)Astrakhan is wool from very young lambs, resembling fur. It is mainly used as trimming on garments (OED). This image, from Raimon Furts Ltd on Wikimedia Commons, shows a fur coat from this type of wool.
valetudinarian_A valetudinarian is someone who is in poor health, or is always worried about their health. (OED)
quack_A "quack" is someone who pretends to medical knowledge. Here, the Watson is describing Sholto's many medical remedies--nostrums--as fake (OED).
alisons-rooms_Boxing was a popular and illegal sport throughout the 18th-19th centuries. Here is a collection of primary source accounts of boxing during the Victorian era, which often took place in tavern or pub rooms. Here, the "benefit" refers to an evening's entertainment a portion of the proceeds from which would go to benefit the boxer or performer.Victorian London: Boxing.
retort_A retort is a glass container with a bulb used to distill liquids. (OED)
carboy_A carboy is a large glass bottle with a narrow neck to hold corrosive or pharmaceutical chemicals. (OED)
lath_Lath and plaster refers to materials used to build walls or partitions, usually from thin strips of wood. (OED)
vicpolice_During the Victorian Era, at first the public did not trust police forces, because they felt that it was a way the government suppressed free speech. To read more about the police during this time, check out The Jack the Ripper Tour.
snib_A snib is a fastening on a window, door, or lock (OED). Here, the window is been locked on the inside.
footmark_Sherlock Holmes was a man of science who had worked in a chemistry laboratory. Conan Doyle described a number of forensic methods before they were adopted by the police force. See Sherlock Holmes: Pioneer in Forensic Science in the Encyclopedia Britannica.
risus_Risus sardonicus, from Latin for laugh and scorn, is a spasm of the face that results in a grin (OED).
thorn_Watson is here likely referring to the Hawthorne tree, which has a rich mythological and ideological association with Englishness. To read more about the Hawthorne tree, visit Trees for Life, a UK-based nonprofit dedicated to reforestation.
faust-quote_This is a direct quote from Goethe's Faust (part 1, scene 3, line 1200), which translates to "We're used to people scoffing at what they don't understand." Goethe was a German polymath who became representative of the Romantic period on the European continent. His most famous work, Faust, is a two part verse drama published in the early 19th century about a magician who makes a deal with the devil Mephistopholes to acquire knowledge and power. If you'd like to read Faust, you can do so on Project Gutenberg.To read more about Goethe and his play, Faust, see Encyclopedia Britannica..
vagabone_A vagabone (also spelled vagabond), is a person without a job or home who wanders from place to place. (OED)
lurcher_a photograph of a 4-year-old lurcher dogSource: A 4-year-old lurcher (Dog Breed Info)A lurcher is a type of dog breed of half greyhound and half sighthound (terrier or herding dog). Lurchers were bred in England for hunting game. To learn more about these dogs, check out Dog Breed Info. This photo from Dog Breed Info, shows a 4 year old Lurcher. Note that Toby is half-spaniel and half-lurcher.
martini-bullet_a photograph of Martini-Enfield brass bulletsSource: Martini-Enfield cartridges (Wikimedia Commons)A Martini bullet was a black powder round bullet used by the British army in the 19th century. This image, from Wikimedia Commons, shows Martini-Enfield brass bullets.
jeanpaul_Jean Paul, pen name of Johann Paul Friedrich Richter, was a 19th century German writer who popularized the shift to Romanticism in literature. Read more about Jean Paul on Britannica.
carlyle_Thomas Carlyle was a Scottish writer, well-known for Sartor Resartus, a novel that explores his concept of "Natural Supernaturalism." He was among the first to make German literature available for English readers, often through translations, which is what Watson means here when he says he came to Jean Paul by way of Carlyle. To read more about Carlyle, role in the " ,
theoval_The Oval, depicted in 1891Source: The Oval, 1891 (Wikimedia Commons)The Oval is an international cricket ground in Kensington, South London. It also hosted a number of historical sporting events. To read more, see Wikipedia. This image, from Wikimedia Commons, depicts the Oval in 1891.
wharf_A wharf is a small structure built along the water so ships can load and unload (OED).
steam-launch_A steam launch is a large boat propelled by steam to transport passengers. (OED)
wherry_a wherry built to 18th-century design specificationsSource: Wherry, Kingston upon Thames (Wikimedia Commons)A wherry is a type of boat used to carry passengers in canals in England. This image, from Wikimedia Commons , shows an example of a wherry built to 18th-century design at Kingston upon Thames.
hansom_photograph of a hansom cab with driver, 1887Source: Hansom cab with driver, 1877 (Wikimedia Commons)A hansom is a low-hanging two-wheeled horse carriage that can seat two people, with the driver elevated behind (OED). The image included here is a photograph of a hansom cab with driver from 1877, via Wikimedia Commons.
Mohammedan_A Mohammedan refers to one who follows the prophet Muhammed, or Islam. The term is now considered offensive (OED).
gazetteer_A gazetteer is an index or directory of a place that's used along a map or atlas. Ancient Greeks were the first known to use gazetteers, and they became popular in 19th century Britain to note the many places across the empire. Source: Europa Technologies.
romance_A romance is a fictitious narrative, where the events described are far removed from everyday life, offering sensation to its theme. (OED)
thestandard_The Standard, later known as the Evening Standard, is a London newspaper that was launched in 1827. To learn more about the history of the Standard and where it stands today, check outA history of the London Evening Standard: seeing off rivals for 181 years in The Guardian.
agony_An agony column is a section in the newspaper that features advertisements for missing friends and relatives, or readers' questions on personal issues, with responses from columnists. To read more, see Word Histories.
bonvivant_A bon vivant is someone who is fond of good living. (OED)
the-colonies_The colonial expansion of the British Empire in the 19th flourished, encompassing lands from New Zealand, islands in the Pacific, India, and across Africa. During this time, 1/4th of the world's population was under British rule. To learn more about the historic British Empire, check out Britannica.
nightglass_A night-glass is a short telescope design to be used at night. (OED)
ulster_An ulster is a long overcoat made from rough fabric. (OED)
unhallowed_Unhallowed means wicked or unholy (OED). The dwarf here is being described as "unhallowed."
breakwater_A breakwater is a barrier built on a beach to the force of waves, to protect a harbor. See entry on the Andaman Islands and Ross Island Penal Colony.
benares_a photograph of a 19th-century vessel made of Benares brass, housed in the British MuseumSource: Brass vessel of Benares brass, 19th century (British Museum)Benares brass comes from the city of Benares (today known as Varanasi), India, which is a region rich in copper. This image, from The British Museum, shows a 19th-century vessel made from Benares brass.
rupee_A rupee is a unit of money in India, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Mauritius, and the Seychelles. (OED)
QueensShilling_To "take the Queen's shilling"--or the King's--refers to the initial payment made to those who were recruited to serve in the army or navy. Often, those recruited were in poverty, and so this inducement was later seen as a sign of impressment. According to Wikipedia, the practice is very old, but being associated unwilling recruitment, it was stopped in 1879.
thirdbuffs_According to the UK National Army Museum, the Buffs was one of the first regiments in the British Army, originating in 1577, and serving for 17 years in India during the 19th century. The Buffs merged and now are part of The Queen's Own Buffs, The Royal Kent Regiment. To read , see The National Army Museum.
indigo_Indigo refers to a dye-like substance created from the powder of Indigofera plants (OED). In British India, indigo plantations were greatly expanded because of the demand for the dye in western Europe, leading to the exploitation of those who worked the land. To learn more about the cultivation of indigo, see this film from the National Council of Science Museums, India.
mutiny1857_The Indian Mutiny of 1857, also referred to as the Rebellion, was an unsuccessful attempt to overthrow British rulers in colonial India. It began with the uprising of Indian troops (sepoys) against the British East India Company, ultimately resulting in direct rule by the British raj for the following century. It is also referred to as the First War of Independence in India. To learn more about this historical event, see Britannica.
bungalow_A 19th century bungalow in India was typically a one-story building that sit on a large, landscaped compound. The construction of Bungalows was rooted to British military engineers who wanted to standardize permanent dwellings for the East India Company. To learn more about this imperial architecture, check out Architectural Review.
sepoy_A sepoy is a native Indian who serves as a soldier in the British army. (OED).
sikh_A Sikh is a person who follows Sikhism, a monotheistic religion which originated in the Punjab region of India in the 15h century. During the 19th century, the British Army recruited a number Sikhs, who remained loyal to them during the 1857 rebellion and decades afterwards. To read more about these people, see Wikipedia.
agrafort_The historical fort in Agra, India, was bult in 1565-1573 for Mughal Emperor Akbar, and used as the main residence for rulers until 1638, when the capital shifted to Delhi. Agra Fort was the site of the 1857 rebellion, which resulted in the end of the British East India Company's ruling of India, instead turning into direct rule. To read more about this fort, see Wikipedia.
rajahA rajah is an Indian king or prince (OED).
companyraj_Company Raj refers to the individual appointed by the East India Company to take charge in the area. To read more about this history, see Wikipedia.
moidore_A moidore is a Portuguese gold coin from the 18th century. (OED)
greatmogul_The Great Mogul Diamond is the 3rd biggest diamond from India, brought to Iran in the 18th century by the Persian shah Nadir, weighing about 787 karats. Read more on the Dictionary of Gems and Gemology.
pandies_A pandy (plural: pandies), refers to Indian soldiers who took part in the rebellion of 1857, named after Mangal Pandey, who played a significant role in it. To read more, see Wikipedia. The term is used in a derogatory way.
rumcrowd_According to a BBC News Magazine article10 slang phrases that perfectly sum up their era, "rum" could be used in the criminal beggar world to mean something good, with 120+ possible meanings.
exhibiting_As the British Empire expanded throughout the 19th century, museums were built to showcase material and cultural items, curiosities, things from nature, etc. for public consumption. This included people from various ethnicities that were unfamiliar to everyday British citizens. To read more about this practice, see "Exhibiting People in the 19th Century" by Sarah Longair .
inprospective_in the future (OED)
lavater_This quote is often incorrectly attributed to Goethe's Faust. While it is Goethe's language, it is a description of Goethe's friend, Johan Kaspar Lavater, a clergyman. The text translates to "Pity 'tis, when thou wast born, that but one man nature created! / Stuff for a gentleman is, and fro a scoundrel in thee." For the source and translation, see "Goethe and Lavater," The Hibbert Journal (200).
apropos_with regard to (French). (OED)