4. The Adventure of the Three Garridebs - Class 11 - Woven Words

BhashaLab
Jun 27
5 min read

Author: Arthur Conan Doyle

Textbook: Woven Words

Genre: Fiction / Detective Story

Summary

In The Adventure of the Three Garridebs, Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson are approached with a strange case involving a supposed inheritance. John Garrideb, an American “lawyer,” claims that a millionaire left $15 million to be divided among three men named Garrideb, but only if all three are found. He seeks Holmes’s help in locating a third Garrideb to fulfill the condition. However, Holmes quickly suspects foul play. With clever observation and deductive reasoning, Holmes finds inconsistencies in John Garrideb’s story and eventually discovers that the man is actually a criminal named “Killer” Evans. His elaborate scheme was meant to remove the real Garrideb (Nathan) from his room, which was previously used by a counterfeiter named Presbury. Holmes and Watson hide and catch Evans red-handed trying to retrieve hidden counterfeit notes and a printing press from beneath the floorboards. Evans shoots Watson, but he is only slightly injured. The case concludes with Evans’s arrest, while poor Nathan Garrideb, whose dreams of fortune collapse, is left mentally shattered. The story highlights Holmes’s brilliance and the strong bond between him and Watson.

Character Sketches

Sherlock Holmes:

Holmes is intelligent, observant, and sharp-witted. He quickly detects inconsistencies in John Garrideb’s story. Calm under pressure, he plans a trap to uncover the truth and displays deep loyalty and concern for Watson.

Dr Watson:

Dr Watson is loyal, brave, and emotionally insightful. Though often less deductive than Holmes, he supports him in every adventure. His injury reveals Holmes's deep affection for him.

Killer Evans (John Garrideb):

A clever but dangerous criminal with a history of murder and counterfeiting. He constructs an elaborate lie to retrieve a hidden stash. Though intelligent, he is outmatched by Holmes.

Nathan Garrideb:

An eccentric and reclusive collector, Nathan is harmless but easily deceived. His desire for wealth blinds him to the danger around him. The end of his dream shatters his mental peace.

Themes

Theme	Description
Crime and Deception	The story revolves around a criminal's clever trick to retrieve hidden loot.
Justice and Deduction	Holmes uses sharp reasoning to expose a criminal and uphold justice.
Friendship and Loyalty	Holmes’s emotional reaction to Watson’s injury reveals deep personal loyalty.
Illusion vs Reality	Nathan is fooled by false hopes, and reality turns out to be harsh and tragic.
Greed and Obsession	Killer Evans’s greed drives him to create a complicated and dangerous lie.

✨ Literary Devices

Device	Example	Effect
Irony	“It may have been a comedy, or it may have been a tragedy.”	Sets a tone of suspense and foreshadows contrasting outcomes.
Alliteration	“Rigmarole of lies”	Creates rhythm and emphasizes the dishonesty.
Symbolism	The rocking-horse trapdoor	Symbolizes hidden secrets and layers of deception.
Imagery	Description of Nathan’s room and collection	Builds atmosphere and highlights character eccentricity.
Suspense	Holmes and Watson hiding behind the cupboard	Keeps readers engaged and creates dramatic tension.

Title Justification

The title The Adventure of the Three Garridebs refers to the unusual condition in the story—that three men with the rare surname "Garrideb" must be found to claim a large inheritance. While this premise seems innocent and whimsical, it is actually a clever trap set by a dangerous criminal. The title is both literal and ironic: only one of the Garridebs is real, and the other two are invented or manipulated. Thus, the title draws attention to the central mystery while hinting at the deception and suspense that follow.

One-Mark Questions

Who was John Garrideb in reality?
John Garrideb was actually Killer Evans, a notorious American criminal. He used a fake identity to search for hidden counterfeit money.
Why was Holmes suspicious of Garrideb’s story?
Holmes noticed inconsistencies in his clothes and speech that didn’t match his claimed background. He also recognized Garrideb’s story as a “rigmarole of lies.”
What was hidden under the floorboards in Nathan Garrideb’s room?
A secret cellar containing a printing press and counterfeit currency notes. It had belonged to a criminal named Presbury.
How did Holmes react when Watson was injured?
Holmes was deeply distressed and emotional. It showed his great loyalty and affection for Watson.
What happened to Nathan Garrideb after the case ended?
Nathan Garrideb was mentally broken by the collapse of his dreams. He was last heard of in a nursing home in Brixton.

Three-Mark Questions

Why did Killer Evans create the fake story of the three Garridebs?
Evans invented the story to remove Nathan Garrideb from his room temporarily. The room had a hidden trapdoor leading to a secret cellar with counterfeit money. Evans needed access to the stash left by his criminal associate, Presbury. He used the fake inheritance story to convince Nathan to travel to Birmingham. Holmes, however, saw through the lie and laid a trap to catch Evans.
How does the story reflect Holmes’s skills as a detective?
Holmes shows brilliant observation and deduction throughout the story. He notices details like the British cut of Garrideb’s clothes and the American spelling in the advertisement. His suspicions are confirmed through investigation at Scotland Yard. He identifies John Garrideb as Killer Evans and sets a trap. Holmes’s quick thinking and calm handling of the armed criminal show his expertise.
What role does Watson play in the story?
Watson is Holmes’s loyal companion who supports him throughout the case. He observes keenly and follows Holmes’s lead without hesitation. When he is shot, Holmes’s emotional response reveals their strong bond. Watson also helps in calling the police and securing the scene. His courage and commitment are evident in his calm handling of the situation despite being wounded.

Value-Based Question:

What can we learn from Nathan Garrideb’s experience about trusting others and the dangers of blind hope?

Nathan Garrideb’s blind hope for wealth made him vulnerable to a criminal’s lies. His desire to improve his collection clouded his judgment and made him ignore warning signs. This teaches us the importance of critical thinking and being cautious with promises that seem too good to be true. Blind hope, when unbalanced with reality, can lead to heartbreak or danger. True wisdom lies in remaining grounded and not letting greed or fantasy overpower good sense.

End

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