# Bartholomew Sholto — The Sign of the Four character guide

> Bartholomew Sholto in The Sign of the Four by Arthur Conan Doyle.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Brother Bartholomew, Bartholomew, Mr. Bartholomew Sholto

**First appearance:** 0004-v-the-tragedy-of-pondicherry-lodge

## Snapshot

Thaddeus's twin brother, a reclusive chemist found dead in a locked room with a ghastly grin frozen on his face.

## Who they are

Bartholomew lives shut away with his chemical apparatus and his share of the Agra treasure, estranged in temperament from his anxious twin. His locked-room death — the grinning face at the peephole, the poisoned dart, the hidden ceiling opening — is the crime that transforms a treasure hunt into a murder investigation. His death also makes his brother Thaddeus a suspect and a wreck, deepening the Sholto family's entanglement with the cursed fortune.

## Relationships

### [Thaddeus Sholto](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sign_of_the_four_se/characters/thaddeus_sholto)

_family_

Bartholomew and Thaddeus are twin brothers, sons of Major Sholto, who quarrel over the hidden treasure and their father's legacy.

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

_professional_

Bartholomew Sholto is found murdered in his locked room, and Holmes investigates his death as part of the case.

### [Thaddeus Sholto](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sign_of_the_four_se/characters/thaddeus_sholto)

_family_

Bartholomew and Thaddeus are twin brothers, sons of Major Sholto, who quarrel over the hidden treasure and their father's legacy.

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

_professional_

Bartholomew Sholto is found murdered in his locked room, and Holmes investigates his death as part of the case.

## In the story

### [The Tragedy of Pondicherry Lodge](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sign_of_the_four_se/chapters/v-the-tragedy-of-pondicherry-lodge)

Found dead in his locked laboratory, with a poisoned thorn in his neck and a note reading 'The sign of the four.'

### [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 victim; his body is examined by Holmes and Watson, showing signs of poisoning by a vegetable alkaloid.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sign_of_the_four_se/characters/bartholomew_sholto
- 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