Spoiler warning: this post explains the full ending of The Sign of Four. If you have not finished the book, stop here and come back later.
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Quick answer: Sherlock Holmes catches Jonathan Small, the one-legged ex-convict behind the murder of Bartholomew Sholto, after a steam launch chase on the Thames. But the Agra treasure chest is empty: Small threw the jewels into the river so no one else could have them. Without the fortune, Mary Morstan is free to accept Dr. Watson's proposal, and Holmes turns to his cocaine bottle.
Quick facts
– Book: The Sign of Four by Arthur Conan Doyle
– First published: 1890
– Type: A Sherlock Holmes mystery
– Tone of the ending: Bittersweet
Table of Contents
What Leads Up to the Ending
Mary Morstan comes to Holmes because her father vanished years ago and she has received a pearl every year from an unknown sender. The trail leads to Thaddeus Sholto and his brother Bartholomew, sons of a major who shared a stolen Indian treasure. Bartholomew is found dead from a poisoned dart, and the treasure is gone.
What Happens at the End of The Sign of Four
With the help of the dog Toby and the Baker Street Irregulars, Holmes tracks Small and his companion Tonga to a launch called the Aurora. In a night chase down the Thames, Tonga is shot, and Small is captured. The iron box is empty. Small tells the story of the “sign of four,” a pact made during the 1857 rebellion in India, and how Major Sholto betrayed his partners. Watson, relieved that Mary will not be an heiress, proposes, and she accepts.
The Ending in 4 Quick Points
- Small threw the treasure into the Thames.
- The “sign of four” was a betrayed pact.
- Watson and Mary become engaged.
- Holmes is left with his drug habit.
What Happens to the Main Characters
| Character | What happens to them |
|---|---|
| Jonathan Small | Captured and imprisoned |
| Tonga | Shot during the chase |
| Mary Morstan | Engaged to Watson |
| Dr. Watson | Engaged to Mary |
| Sherlock Holmes | Returns to his cocaine |
What the Ending Means
The ending shows that greed for the treasure ruined everyone who touched it, while love proves more valuable than wealth.
Other Ways to Read the Ending
Modern readers often discuss the novel's colonial attitudes, especially the portrayal of Tonga. Others love the Thames chase and Watson's romance.
Themes the Ending Brings Together
Greed. The treasure destroys lives.
Love. Watson wins Mary.
Justice. Small's story complicates who is guilty.
Is the Ending Happy or Sad?
Most readers describe the ending of The Sign of Four as bittersweet. How you feel about it usually depends on what you hoped for the characters and what you expected Arthur Conan Doyle to do with the story, so it is worth asking friends how they felt before you compare notes.
Who Will Like This Ending
Readers who enjoy endings that are bittersweet will find a lot to talk about here. If you prefer every thread tied up neatly, it helps to know in advance how Arthur Conan Doyle closes the story, which is exactly why many readers look it up. Either way, the final chapters reward a second look once you know where everything is heading, because small details from the middle of the book start to matter. If you are reading with a group, agree beforehand whether everyone has finished, so nobody has the last chapters spoiled.
Book Versus Adaptation
The 1987 Granada series with Jeremy Brett follows the ending closely.
Discussion Questions About the Ending
If you are reading The Sign of Four with a book club or a friend, these questions work well once everyone has finished:
- Did the ending surprise you, or had you seen it coming from the first chapters?
- What does the final scene say about greed, and do you agree with Arthur Conan Doyle's view?
- Which character made the most important choice in the last part of the book, and was it the right one?
- How would the story feel if it had ended one chapter earlier or one chapter later?
- Does the ending leave you hopeful about the characters, or do you worry about what comes next?
- Would you describe the ending as bittersweet, or would you choose a different word?
How to Read the Final Chapters Again
- Compare the opening with the close. Look at how the first chapter introduces greed and how the ending answers it.
- Track each final choice. The table above shows where every main character ends up, so ask which of those outcomes was earned.
- Notice what Arthur Conan Doyle leaves unsaid. Gaps in the last pages are often deliberate, and they are where most of the debate about the ending begins.
- Listen for echoes. Images, phrases or settings from earlier in The Sign of Four often return in the final scene with a new meaning.
Questions to Ask Yourself After Finishing
- Was the ending of The Sign of Four earned by what came before it, or did it feel sudden?
- Which character's final moment affected you most, and why?
- If you could change one thing about the last chapters, what would it be?
- Did the ending change how you think about the opening pages?
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Books to Read After The Sign of Four
- The Hound of the Baskervilles by Arthur Conan Doyle
- The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens at the end of The Sign of Four?
Sherlock Holmes catches Jonathan Small, the one-legged ex-convict behind the murder of Bartholomew Sholto, after a steam launch chase on the Thames. But the Agra treasure chest is empty: Small threw the jewels into the river so no one else could have them. Without the fortune, Mary Morstan is free to accept Dr. Watson's proposal, and Holmes turns to his cocaine bottle.
Is the ending of The Sign of Four happy or sad?
Most readers call it bittersweet.
What does the ending of The Sign of Four mean?
The ending shows that greed for the treasure ruined everyone who touched it, while love proves more valuable than wealth.
Is the ending of The Sign of Four the same in the adaptation?
The 1987 Granada series with Jeremy Brett follows the ending closely.
Who wrote The Sign of Four and when was it published?
The Sign of Four was written by Arthur Conan Doyle and first published in 1890.
Is The Sign of Four worth reading if I already know the ending?
Yes, especially if you enjoy Sherlock Holmes mysterys. Knowing the ending can make a first read richer, because you notice how Arthur Conan Doyle prepares for it from the opening chapters.
Should I read The Sign of Four before reading the ending explained?
Yes, if you plan to read it, because this post gives away the whole ending.