1 Sholto’s Treasure

The Sign Of FouR

Chapter 1 Sholto's Treasure One September morning in 1888, a visitor arrived at 221B Baker Street, the home I shared with my friend, the great detective Sherlock Holmes. Miss Mary Morstan was a young lady with dark hair and brown eyes, dressed simply yet with perfect taste. "I hope you can help me, Mr. Holmes," she said. "I can hardly imagine anything stranger than the situation I find myself in." "Please state your case," said Holmes.

"The facts," she said, "are these. My father, Arthur Morstan, was an officer in the Indian army. My mother died when I was young, and my father sent me home to England, where I attended boarding school. Ten years ago, my father was granted twelve months' leave and came home. He telegraphed me on his arrival in London, asking me to meet him at the Langham Hotel. When I got there, I was told he had gone out the night before and had not returned. After waiting all day, I called the police and the next morning we advertised in the papers with no result. From that day to this, I've heard nothing from him." "Did you search his luggage?" asked Holmes. "Yes, but we found no clues as to what might have happened to him." "Did he have any friends in London?" "Only one: John Sholto, a retired major of his own regiment, living in Upper Norwood. I spoke to him, but he didn't even know my father was in England." "A curious case," remarked Holmes.

"I've not yet told you the most curious part," said Mary. "Six years ago, on May 4th, 1882, I received by post a cardboard box containing a large and beautiful pearl. No message came with it. Every year since then, on that date, I'm sent a similar box containing a similar pearl. An expert informs me the pearls are rare and highly valuable. You can see them for yourselves." She opened a long, flat box and showed us six of the finest pearls I'd ever seen. "This is all very interesting," said Holmes, "but why come and see me about it now?" "Because this morning I received this." Mary handed a letter to Holmes, which he read out loud.

Meet me outside the Lyceum Playhouse tonight at seven o'clock. If you are distrustful, bring two friends. You are a wronged woman and shall have justice. Do not bring police. Your unknown friend. "And what do you intend to do, Miss Morstan?" asked Holmes. "What do you suggest?" "I suggest we go—the three of us—and meet your unknown friend."

After Mary had departed, Holmes went out on some errands, returning at half-past five in high spirits. "I've discovered a significant fact while searching through the newspaper archives, Watson," he declared. "Major John Sholto of Upper Norwood died on April 28th, 1882." "And why is that significant?" I asked. "Because within a week of his death, Mary Morstan received the first of her pearls. Why should that be? Maybe because Sholto's heir knows something about Captain Morstan's disappearance and wishes to make amends to his daughter. The letter did say Miss Morstan was a 'wronged woman'." Before we could discuss this further, Miss Morstan's carriage arrived and we went out to join her. On the journey, Mary showed us a curious paper found in her father's desk. "I don't suppose it's important," she said, "but I thought you might like to see it."