The Adventure of the Three Garridebs Arthur Conan Doyle

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 The Adventure of the Three Garridebs Arthur Conan Doyle

 Understanding The Text

1. What clues did Sherlock Holmes work upon to get at the fact that the story of the three Garridebs was a ruse?

Ans: Key clues Holmes used to determine the story was a ruse:

The advertisement used American spellings like "plow" instead of "plough"

It mentioned "buck-boards" and "artesian wells" which are more common in America

The overall style was typical of an American advertisement, not a British one

John Garrideb's accent and mannerisms suggested he was American pretending to be British

2. What was John Garrideb’s objective in inventing the story of Alexander Hamilton Garrideb and his legacy?

Ans: John Garrideb's objective in inventing the story was to get Nathan Garrideb out of his apartment so John could access the hidden counterfeiting equipment in the cellar underneath.

3. Why didn’t John Garrideb like the idea of including Holmes in the hunt for the third Garrideb?

Ans: John Garrideb didn't want Holmes involved because he knew Holmes would likely see through his deception and foil his plan to access the hidden cellar.

4. Who was Roger Presbury and how was John Garrideb connected with him?

Ans: Roger Presbury was a famous forger and counterfeiter from Chicago who was shot and killed by John Garrideb (alias "Killer Evans") in London in 1895. Presbury had previously lived in Nathan Garrideb's apartment and hidden his counterfeiting equipment there.

5. How did Holmes guess that John Garrideb would go to 136, Little Ryder Street? Did he expect to find what he ultimately did before he went there?

Ans: Holmes guessed John Garrideb would go to 136 Little Ryder Street because:

He realized the whole story was a ruse to get Nathan Garrideb out of the apartment. He deduced there must be something valuable hidden there that John wanted access to. Holmes suspected there was some criminal connection but did not know exactly what he would find before going there. The counterfeiting equipment was a surprise.

 

Talking About The Text

Discuss the following in pairs or in small groups

 

1. "It was worth a wound—it was worth many wounds—to know the depth of loyalty and love that lay behind that cold mask"— how does this comment throw light on the kind of relationship between Holmes and Watson?

Ans: This comment reveals the deep, emotional bond between Holmes and Watson. It shows that:

Holmes, typically portrayed as logical and unemotional, has strong feelings of care and concern for Watson.

Their relationship goes beyond a professional partnership to a close friendship.

Watson values this rare display of emotion from Holmes more than his own physical well-being.

There's mutual trust and loyalty between them.

2. The cleverest of criminals leave behind clues to their crime.

Ans: This statement suggests that:

Even the most intelligent criminals make mistakes.

No crime is perfect; there are always traces left behind.

It takes a skilled detective like Holmes to notice and interpret these subtle clues.

Overconfidence can lead criminals to overlook small details.

The complexity of a crime might itself become a clue.

3. How did Holmes' digressions sometimes prove in the end to have a bearing on the matter on hand? Discuss this with reference to all the apparently irrelevant points he was trying to gather information from.

Ans: Holmes' seemingly irrelevant questions often proved crucial:

Asking about the house-agent led to information about the previous tenant, Waldron (Presbury).

Inquiring about the age of the house allowed Holmes to visit the house-agent without suspicion.

His interest in Nathan Garrideb's collection gave him a reason to return to the apartment.

Casual conversations often revealed important details about suspects' backgrounds and motivations.

These digressions showcase Holmes' method of gathering a wide range of information, which he then pieces together to solve the case. It demonstrates his attention to detail and ability to see connections others might miss.

 

Appreciation

1. Examine the structure of the short story ‘Adventure of the Three Garridebs’ with the help of this framework:

♦ The narrator of the story

♦ Introduction of the topic of the story

♦ Introduction of the main characters in the plot

♦ Development of the plot

♦ Climax

♦ Resolution of the mystery.

Ans: Structure of the short story "Adventure of the Three Garridebs":

Narrator: Dr. Watson

Introduction of the topic: The case of finding three people named Garrideb

Introduction of main characters: Sherlock Holmes, Dr. Watson, Nathan Garrideb, John Garrideb

Development of the plot: Investigation of the Garrideb story, Holmes' suspicions, visit to Nathan Garrideb's apartment

Climax: Confrontation with John Garrideb/Killer Evans in the apartment

Resolution: Revelation of the counterfeiting operation, capture of Evans

2. Examine the subtle humour in the narration of the story that lightens the gravity of the subject matter.

Ans: Subtle humor in the narration:

Holmes' dry wit and sarcastic remarks

Watson's occasional self-deprecating comments

The absurdity of the initial Garrideb story

Nathan Garrideb's eccentric behavior and collection

The ironic contrast between Evans' criminal activities and his "soft-hearted" self-description

Language Work

1. a. Identify the words in the advertisement that gave away the fact that it was placed by John Garrideb.

Ans: Words in the advertisement revealing John Garrideb's American origin:

"Plow" (American spelling) instead of "plough" (British spelling)

"Buck-boards" (an American term)

"Artesian Wells" (more common in America)

b. Make a list of words which are spelt differently in American and British English.

Ans: Words spelled differently in American and British English:

Color/Colour

Center/Centre

Analyze/Analyse

Jewelry/Jewellery

Tire/Tyre

Aluminum/Aluminium

 

2. Look at the highlighted expressions in the following sentences from the text and explain their figurative meaning

♦ ‘I went through it, sir, with a fine-toothed comb and never a Garrideb could I catch.’

♦ ‘They are my favourite covert for putting up a bird, and I would never have overlooked a cock pheasant as that.’

♦ ‘There is no bolt-hole for you in this country.’

♦ ‘When his castle in the air fell down, it buried him beneath the ruins.’

Ans: Figurative meanings of highlighted expressions:

"I went through it, sir, with a fine-toothed comb and never a Garrideb could I catch."

Meaning: To search or examine something very thoroughly and carefully

"They are my favourite covert for putting up a bird, and I would never have overlooked a cock pheasant as that."

Meaning: A method or place for finding something important; wouldn't miss an obvious clue or lead

"There is no bolt-hole for you in this country."

Meaning: There's no escape or hiding place available

"When his castle in the air fell down, it buried him beneath the ruins."

Meaning: When his unrealistic dreams or plans failed, he was completely devastated by the disappointment

These expressions use vivid imagery to convey more complex ideas in a memorable way. 


 

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