Mutiny, Money, Mischief and Murder...
...and the wilds of British Colonial India...what more could one ask for in a story? Exotic locations, lost treasure and the master of the mystery...Holmes.
This is Conan Doyle's second Sherlock Holmes story, or novella. It was not a huge hit, and remained somewhat pallid, in league with A Study In Scarlet as to popularity. It is an important story in that it solidifies the character of Holmes and his sidekick Watson in their respective literary roles. For example...we are made aware of Holmes' addiction to cocaine in Sign of The Four...
Originally published in Lippincott's Monthly Magazine in February of 1890, it achieved book status by October...albeit with a modified title...
Sign of the Four as the story appeared in all of its first edition glory...
Sign of the Four - Lippincott's' Monthly Magazine, February 1890
The Sign of Four - First Edition book