Source: https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-sign-of-the-four/2-1-7-chapter-7 [Revision notes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes.md) › [GCSE](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse.md) › [English Lit](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature.md) › [AQA](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa.md) › [English Lit: AQA GCSE The Sign of the Four](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-sign-of-the-four.md) › Chapter 7 # Chapter 7 English Lit: AQA GCSE The Sign of the Four, topic 2.1.7 ## Chapter 7: The Episode of the Barrel Watson escorts Mary home then continues on his errand to pick up Toby the dog from Pinchin Lane. ### Jones' arrests ![Jones' arrests](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-07/398f5cdb-b71c-4e4f-807e-2b61a7bc56fa/Arrested-Capture-Handcuffs.jpg) - When Watson reaches the lodge, he learns that Inspector Jones has arrested the whole household. - This continues to add to the idea that the Victorian police force was incompetent. Jones has no idea who killed Bartholomew, so instead of trying to just solve the case, he arrests everyone. ### Holmes' reenactment ![Holmes' reenactment](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-08/97135a57-266e-41fb-93b1-628652654cd3/chimney-sweep-victorian.jpg) - Holmes decides to reenact part of the crime to add credibility to his case – he decides to climb up to the roof to determine how the accomplice got in. - Using the footprints and the scent of creosote, Holmes determines the accomplice’s route into the house. - During this examination, Holmes finds a pouch of poisoned darts/spines, just like the one used to kill Bartholomew. ### Using Toby the dog ![Using Toby the dog](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-09/f9c205fa-a827-4579-bafa-61d2c9d585f0/dog-aggressive-snarl-growl-.jpg) - Next, Holmes uses Toby the dog to follow the scent of the creosote. - The Victorian police force refused to use dogs in their own investigations (especially in the Jack the Ripper case), as they felt that it made them look amateurish. - Conan Doyle shows Sherlock Holmes using any means to find evidence and solve his case. - As they follow Toby across London, Holmes notes more evidence along the way – e.g. the one-legged man’s handprint with a blood stain. ### Barrels of creosote ![Barrels of creosote](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-10/6ad7153d-54cc-4109-88fa-fbf573d68c9c/barrel-wood-crate-trade-.jpg) - They continue to follow Toby, who gets faster as he picks up a stronger scent. - Unfortunately, Toby leads them to barrels of creosote, not to Jonathan Small. ## Sherlock's Conclusions in Chapter 7 As Sherlock and Watson are following Toby the dog across London, Sherlock Holmes offers his current conclusions on the case. His conclusions are: ### Sholto finds treasure ![Sholto finds treasure](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/courseImages/physics/3.1.2%20Internal%20reflection/map-29903_640.png) - Two English officers (Morstan and Sholto) learn about buried treasure. - Jonathan Small (a convict) draws them a map to the treasure. - Major Sholto retrieved the treasure and brought it to England. - Jonathan Small did not get the treasure because he was a convict and could not yet escape. - Major Sholto is peaceful until he gets a letter from India, which causes him a lot of anxiety – he learns that the convicts have been set free or escaped. ### Small discovers the room ![Small discovers the room](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-09/33f697e7-9316-4c97-b735-ebc1be6db81e/downstairs-down-stairs-descend-.jpg) - Jonathan Small reached the house and could not figure out where the treasure was hidden. - On that night (when Sholto died) he had been rifling through his papers to try and find a clue to the whereabouts of the treasure. - Jonathan Small, unable to find the treasure, disappears. He then discovers the hidden room in the attic but, due to his wooden leg, is unable to climb up to it. - Small finds an accomplice who can easily climb. ### The mysterious accomplice ![The mysterious accomplice](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-09/017e0f16-4adf-4d76-87b7-81a02e443667/knife-crime-murder-.jpg) - Holmes suggests that Small did not necessarily want Bartholomew dead, but that his accomplice had __‘savage instincts’__ which drove him to murder. - He starts to describe the appearance of Jonathan Small. - Watson asks him about the accomplice, but Holmes refuses to tell him, saying __‘you will know all about it soon enough’__. ## Key Quotations from Chapter 7 Here are three key quotations from Chapter 7: ### Holmes' strong case ![Holmes' strong case](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-09/f93be445-5f4d-431b-99a8-dbce03272add/facts-magnifying-glass-.jpg) - __‘Do not imagine that I depend for my success in this case upon the mere chance of one of these fellows having put his foot in the chemical’__ (Sherlock Holmes). - Holmes wants to make it clear that he has built up a strong case with solid evidence. He does and will not base his deductions on __‘chance’__. - He uses the adjective __‘mere’__ to show that he knows the limitations to this kind of evidence and will not base his whole case upon it. ### Watson's admiration for Holmes ![Watson's admiration for Holmes](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-08/7c84b266-c396-4e00-b727-e33dcc58d2a9/brain-engraving.jpg) - __‘I marvel at the means by which you obtain your results in this case’__ (Dr Watson). - Despite Holmes admitting to limitations within his methods of investigation, Watson still admires his intelligence and skill. - He never questions that Holmes’ methods are correct – he seems interested in watching Holmes use different, sometimes unconventional methods to reach his conclusions. - Watson cannot understand the way in which Holmes’ brain works, but he appreciates it. ### Savagery of foreigners ![Savagery of foreigners](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/memory-location-images/Mystery%20Island,%20Vanuatu-min.jpg) - __‘Savage instincts’__ (Sherlock Holmes). - We later learn that Holmes knows that Jonathan Small’s accomplice was a pygmy from the Andaman Islands in India. Although we cannot argue that Sherlock Holmes himself was racist, it is important to note the racial attitudes of the time – the unknown man is assumed to be a __‘savage’__ who wanted to murder someone. - Victorians often assumed that people from other cultures were dangerous and immoral. Victorian readers might approve of this character as the villain in the story. ## Test yourself on Chapter 7 - Where does Toby the dog lead Watson and Holmes to in Chapter 7? - What does Holmes use in his investigation in Chapter 7 that the Victorian police refused to use? - Events of Chapter 7 - Who do we learn Inspector Jones has arrested in Chapter 7? - What does Holmes conclude about Jonathan Small's accomplice in Chapter 7? [Practise this topic for free](https://app.senecalearning.com/classroom/course/8c61eecf-31b6-4e1a-b05b-6301a2fa6941/section/f6d0e758-80d3-4b25-a539-1ea5a2785f1b/session) - Previous topic: [2.1.6 Chapter 6](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-sign-of-the-four/2-1-6-chapter-6.md) - Next topic: [2.1.8 Chapter 8](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-sign-of-the-four/2-1-8-chapter-8.md) ## English Lit: AQA GCSE The Sign of the Four contents ### 1 Context - 1.1 Victorian England & British Empire - [1.1.1 Author Background](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-sign-of-the-four/1-1-1-author-background.md) - [1.1.2 Victorian Crime & Police](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-sign-of-the-four/1-1-2-victorian-crime-and-police.md) - [1.1.3 Historical Context](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-sign-of-the-four/1-1-3-historical-context.md) - [1.1.4 Victorian London](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-sign-of-the-four/1-1-4-victorian-london.md) - [1.1.5 Women](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-sign-of-the-four/1-1-5-women.md) - [1.1.6 The British Empire](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-sign-of-the-four/1-1-6-the-british-empire.md) - [1.1.7 End of Topic Test - Author & Victorian Police](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-sign-of-the-four/1-1-7-end-of-topic-test-author-and-victorian-police.md) - [1.1.8 End of Topic Test - Victorian London & Empire](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-sign-of-the-four/1-1-8-end-of-topic-test-victorian-london-and-empire.md) ### 2 Plot Summary - 2.1 Chapter Summaries - [2.1.1 Chapter 1](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-sign-of-the-four/2-1-1-chapter-1.md) - [2.1.2 Chapter 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-sign-of-the-four/2-1-2-chapter-2.md) - [2.1.3 Chapter 3](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-sign-of-the-four/2-1-3-chapter-3.md) - [2.1.4 Chapter 4](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-sign-of-the-four/2-1-4-chapter-4.md) - [2.1.5 Chapter 5](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-sign-of-the-four/2-1-5-chapter-5.md) - [2.1.6 Chapter 6](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-sign-of-the-four/2-1-6-chapter-6.md) - [2.1.7 Chapter 7](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-sign-of-the-four/2-1-7-chapter-7.md) - [2.1.8 Chapter 8](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-sign-of-the-four/2-1-8-chapter-8.md) - [2.1.9 Chapter 9](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-sign-of-the-four/2-1-9-chapter-9.md) - [2.1.10 Chapter 10](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-sign-of-the-four/2-1-10-chapter-10.md) - [2.1.11 Chapter 11](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-sign-of-the-four/2-1-11-chapter-11.md) - [2.1.12 Chapter 12](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-sign-of-the-four/2-1-12-chapter-12.md) - [2.1.13 Chapter 12: Jonathan Small's Stories](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-sign-of-the-four/2-1-13-chapter-12-jonathan-smalls-stories.md) - [2.1.14 End of Topic Test - Chapters 1-6](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-sign-of-the-four/2-1-14-end-of-topic-test-chapters-1-6.md) - [2.1.15 End of Topic Test - Chapters 7-12](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-sign-of-the-four/2-1-15-end-of-topic-test-chapters-7-12.md) ### 3 Characters - 3.1 Key Characters - [3.1.1 Sherlock Holmes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-sign-of-the-four/3-1-1-sherlock-holmes.md) - [3.1.2 Sherlock Holmes: Quotations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-sign-of-the-four/3-1-2-sherlock-holmes-quotations.md) - [3.1.3 Dr John Watson](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-sign-of-the-four/3-1-3-dr-john-watson.md) - [3.1.4 Mary Morstan](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-sign-of-the-four/3-1-4-mary-morstan.md) - [3.1.5 End of Topic Test - Key Characters](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-sign-of-the-four/3-1-5-end-of-topic-test-key-characters.md) - [3.1.6 Exam-Style Questions - Mary & Dr Watson](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-sign-of-the-four/3-1-6-exam-style-questions-mary-and-dr-watson.md) - 3.2 Other Characters - [3.2.1 Thaddeus Sholto](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-sign-of-the-four/3-2-1-thaddeus-sholto.md) - [3.2.2 Jonathan Small](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-sign-of-the-four/3-2-2-jonathan-small.md) - [3.2.3 End of Topic Test - Thaddeus and Jonathan Small](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-sign-of-the-four/3-2-3-end-of-topic-test-thaddeus-and-jonathan-small.md) - 3.3 Grade 9 - Key Characters - [3.3.1 Grade 9 - Key Characters](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-sign-of-the-four/3-3-1-grade-9-key-characters.md) - [3.3.2 Extract Analysis - Tonga](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-sign-of-the-four/3-3-2-extract-analysis-tonga.md) ### 4 Key Themes - 4.1 Key Themes - [4.1.1 Corruption](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-sign-of-the-four/4-1-1-corruption.md) - [4.1.2 Criminals & Victims](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-sign-of-the-four/4-1-2-criminals-and-victims.md) - [4.1.3 Victorian Fear](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-sign-of-the-four/4-1-3-victorian-fear.md) - [4.1.4 British Empire & Imperialism](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-sign-of-the-four/4-1-4-british-empire-and-imperialism.md) - [4.1.5 Duality](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-sign-of-the-four/4-1-5-duality.md) - [4.1.6 End of Topic Test - Key Themes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-sign-of-the-four/4-1-6-end-of-topic-test-key-themes.md) ### 5 Writing Techniques - 5.1 Writing Techniques - [5.1.1 Narrative Voice](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-sign-of-the-four/5-1-1-narrative-voice.md) - [5.1.2 Dialogue](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-sign-of-the-four/5-1-2-dialogue.md) - [5.1.3 Structure](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-sign-of-the-four/5-1-3-structure.md) - [5.1.4 Structure & Characters](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-sign-of-the-four/5-1-4-structure-and-characters.md) - [5.1.5 Pathetic Fallacy](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-sign-of-the-four/5-1-5-pathetic-fallacy.md) - [5.1.6 End of Topic Test - Writing Techniques](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-sign-of-the-four/5-1-6-end-of-topic-test-writing-techniques.md) ### 6 Recap: Main Quotes - 6.1 Characters Quotes - [6.1.1 Sherlock Holmes - Quotations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-sign-of-the-four/6-1-1-sherlock-holmes-quotations.md) - [6.1.2 Dr John Watson - Quotations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-sign-of-the-four/6-1-2-dr-john-watson-quotations.md) - [6.1.3 Mary Morstan - Quotations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-sign-of-the-four/6-1-3-mary-morstan-quotations.md) - [6.1.4 Thaddeus Sholto - Quotations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-sign-of-the-four/6-1-4-thaddeus-sholto-quotations.md) - [6.1.5 Jonathan Small - Quotations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-sign-of-the-four/6-1-5-jonathan-small-quotations.md) - 6.2 Text Structure - Quotes - [6.2.1 Chapter 1 - Quotations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-sign-of-the-four/6-2-1-chapter-1-quotations.md) - [6.2.2 Chapter 2 - Quotations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-sign-of-the-four/6-2-2-chapter-2-quotations.md) - [6.2.3 Chapter 3 - Quotations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-sign-of-the-four/6-2-3-chapter-3-quotations.md) - [6.2.4 Chapter 4 - Quotations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-sign-of-the-four/6-2-4-chapter-4-quotations.md) - [6.2.5 Chapter 5 - Quotations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-sign-of-the-four/6-2-5-chapter-5-quotations.md) - [6.2.6 Chapter 6 - Quotations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-sign-of-the-four/6-2-6-chapter-6-quotations.md) - [6.2.7 Chapter 7 - Quotations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-sign-of-the-four/6-2-7-chapter-7-quotations.md) - [6.2.8 Chapter 8 - Quotations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-sign-of-the-four/6-2-8-chapter-8-quotations.md) - [6.2.9 Chapter 9 - Quotations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-sign-of-the-four/6-2-9-chapter-9-quotations.md) - [6.2.10 Chapter 10 - Quotations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-sign-of-the-four/6-2-10-chapter-10-quotations.md) - [6.2.11 Chapter 11 - Quotations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-sign-of-the-four/6-2-11-chapter-11-quotations.md) - [6.2.12 Chapter 12 - Quotations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/the-sign-of-the-four/6-2-12-chapter-12-quotations.md)