# Athelney Jones — The Sign of the Four character guide

> Athelney Jones in The Sign of the Four by Arthur Conan Doyle.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Mr. Athelney Jones, Mr. Jones, the great Jones, Jones

**First appearance:** 0005-vi-sherlock-holmes-gives-a-demonstration

## Snapshot

A Scotland Yard man whose confident theory collapses, forcing him to swallow his pride and trail Holmes through the fog.

## Who they are

Jones begins the case as a brusque, masterful professor of common sense, certain that Thaddeus Sholto is his man. When the alibi holds and his net tears open, he arrives at Baker Street downcast and apologetic, his professional credit at stake. His humbled partnership with Holmes on the river chase shows how official method bends, however grudgingly, to genius.

## Relationships

### [Sherlock Holmes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sign_of_the_four_se/characters/sherlock_holmes)

_rivalry_

Inspector Jones initially competes with Holmes for credit in the case, but later respects his superior deductive abilities.

### [Jonathan Small](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sign_of_the_four_se/characters/jonathan_small)

_rivalry_

Inspector Jones arrests Jonathan Small and takes official credit for the capture at the end of the story.

### [Sherlock Holmes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sign_of_the_four_se/characters/sherlock_holmes)

_rivalry_

Inspector Jones initially competes with Holmes for credit in the case, but later respects his superior deductive abilities.

### [Sherlock Holmes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sign_of_the_four_se/characters/sherlock_holmes)

_rivalry_

Inspector Jones initially competes with Holmes for credit in the case, but later respects his superior deductive abilities.

### [Jonathan Small](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sign_of_the_four_se/characters/jonathan_small)

_rivalry_

Inspector Jones arrests Jonathan Small and takes official credit for the capture at the end of the story.

## In the story

### [VI: Sherlock Holmes Gives a Demonstration](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sign_of_the_four_se/chapters/vi-sherlock-holmes-gives-a-demonstration)

The official detective from Scotland Yard, expected to arrive and potentially interfere with Holmes's independent investigation.

### [VIII: The Baker Street Irregulars](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sign_of_the_four_se/chapters/viii-the-baker-street-irregulars)

Mentioned in the newspaper article as having arrested Thaddeus Sholto and others, praised for his detective work.

### [A Break in the Chain](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sign_of_the_four_se/chapters/ix-a-break-in-the-chain)

Jones visits Baker Street, discusses the case with Watson, and later agrees to follow Holmes's plan for capturing the criminals.

### [X: The End of the Islander](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sign_of_the_four_se/chapters/x-the-end-of-the-islander)

Jones proves sociable at dinner and eagerly participates in the chase, though he doubts they can catch the Aurora.

### [XI: The Great Agra Treasure](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sign_of_the_four_se/chapters/xi-the-great-agra-treasure)

Appears in the cabin, congratulates the party, and arranges for Watson to take the box to Miss Morstan with an inspector.

### [The Strange Story of Jonathan Small](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sign_of_the_four_se/chapters/xii-the-strange-story-of-jonathan-small)

The detective present at Baker Street, angry at Small for hiding the treasure.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sign_of_the_four_se/characters/athelney_jones
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sign_of_the_four_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sign_of_the_four_se/characters