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‘The Adventure of the Three Garridebs’ by Arthur Conan Doyle is the fourth chapter of the NCERT Class 11 English Woven Words textbook. This short story has all the elements of comedy and tragedy that revolve around a cunning act of a criminal, with Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson. The narrative explores a fraudulent scheme involving a fabricated inheritance. In this blog, we will provide a summary, character sketches, themes, morals and literary devices of the story for quick revision. You can also download the free PDF of these notes for quick revision.
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NCERT Notes Class 11 English Woven Words Chapter 4: The Adventure of the Three Garridebs
Here we have provided the NCERT notes for Class 11 English Woven Words Chapter 4: The Adventure of the Three Garridebs, including author highlights, synopsis, character sketches, themes, and a detailed summary.
About the Author and Key Highlights
Arthur Conan Doyle, a renowned Scottish author, is celebrated for creating the iconic detective Sherlock Holmes, known for his keen observation and deductive reasoning. ‘The Adventure of the Three Garridebs’ is set in London in June 1902, shortly after the South African War. The story centres on a deceptive plot by an American criminal, “Killer” Evans, who invents a fictitious inheritance to lure Nathan Garrideb away from his home, aiming to access a hidden counterfeiting operation. Holmes and Watson unravel the scheme, leading to a confrontation that reveals loyalty, danger, and deception. The narrative balances humour with tragedy, highlighting Holmes’s brilliance and Watson’s steadfast companionship.
Synopsis of the Story
‘The Adventure of the Three Garridebs’ is a detective story that follows Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson as they uncover a criminal’s elaborate ruse. John Garrideb, an American lawyer, approaches Holmes with a peculiar tale about a will left by Alexander Hamilton Garrideb, promising five million dollars to three men sharing the rare surname Garrideb. Nathan Garrideb, an eccentric collector in London, is one of the supposed beneficiaries. Suspicious of the story, Holmes discovers that John Garrideb is actually “Killer” Evans, a notorious criminal who fabricated the inheritance to trick Nathan into leaving his room, where a counterfeiting press belonging to Evans’s former accomplice, Rodger Presbury, is hidden. Holmes and Watson catch Evans in the act, but not before he shoots Watson, revealing Holmes’s deep loyalty. The story ends with Evans’s arrest, Nathan’s mental collapse, and the recovery of the counterfeiting equipment, underscoring the cost of greed and deception.
Main Characters in the Story
Understand the key characters who drive the narrative:
- Sherlock Holmes: A brilliant detective with sharp observational skills and a methodical approach, who unravels Evans’s deception through keen analysis. His concern for Watson reveals a rare emotional depth.
- Dr. John Watson: Holmes’s loyal companion and narrator, who sustains a minor injury in the confrontation, highlighting his bravery and their deep bond.
- John Garrideb (Killer Evans): A cunning American criminal posing as a lawyer, orchestrating a fraudulent scheme to access a hidden counterfeiting press. His chubby, childlike appearance masks his dangerous nature.
- Nathan Garrideb: An eccentric, elderly collector of geological and anatomical specimens, who is deceived by Evans’s promise of wealth. His obsession with his collection makes him an easy target, and the betrayal leads to his mental breakdown.
- Rodger Presbury (mentioned): A deceased criminal and counterfeiter, whose hidden printing press in Nathan’s room drives Evans’s scheme.
- Mrs. Saunders: The caretaker of Nathan’s building, a minor character who allows Holmes and Watson entry.
- Mrs. Hudson: Holmes’s landlady, a minor character who appears briefly to deliver John Garrideb’s card.
Themes in the Story
The story explores several significant themes, explained below in simple terms:
- Deception and Greed: Evans’s elaborate ruse, driven by greed for access to the counterfeiting press, highlights how deceit exploits human desires for wealth.
- Loyalty and Friendship: The bond between Holmes and Watson is central, with Holmes’s rare emotional response to Watson’s injury underscoring their deep trust.
- Obsession: Nathan Garrideb’s fixation on his collection makes him vulnerable to manipulation, while Evans’s obsession with the counterfeiting press drives his criminal actions.
- Justice and Crime: The story showcases Holmes’s pursuit of justice, exposing Evans’s criminal intent and ensuring his arrest, reflecting the triumph of truth over deception.
- Appearance vs. Reality: Evans’s convincing persona as a lawyer contrasts with his true identity as a criminal, emphasising the theme of hidden motives.
Literary Devices in the Story
Arthur Conan Doyle employs various literary devices to enhance the narrative’s depth and suspense:
- Foreshadowing: Holmes’s early suspicion of John Garrideb and the misspelt advertisement hint at the deception, building anticipation for the reveal.
- Irony: The ironic twist lies in Nathan’s belief in a fortune that leads to his ruin, and Evans’s failure to outwit Holmes despite his cunning plan.
- Symbolism: Nathan’s cluttered room symbolises his insular, obsessive life, while the hidden trapdoor represents concealed truths and criminal secrets.
- Characterisation: Holmes’s sharp deductions and Watson’s loyal narration create a dynamic interplay, with Evans’s duplicity revealed through subtle clues like his frayed English attire.
- Suspense: The narrative builds tension through Holmes’s investigation, the confrontation in Nathan’s room, and the sudden violence of Evans’s attack.
- Dialogue: The syncopated telephone conversation and Evans’s American slang contrast with Holmes’s precise speech, highlighting cultural and moral differences.
Also Read: NCERT Notes Class 11 English Snapshots Chapter 2 The Address (Free PDF)
Chapter 4: The Adventure of the Three Garridebs Summary
‘The Adventure of the Three Garridebs’ by Arthur Conan Doyle is a detective story that blends deception, suspense, and loyalty. Below is a detailed summary of the key events in a clear and concise manner:
- Introduction to the Case: In June 1902, Sherlock Holmes, recovering from days in bed, presents Dr. Watson with a peculiar case involving a man named Garrideb. John Garrideb, claiming to be a lawyer from Kansas, visits Holmes, explaining a will by Alexander Hamilton Garrideb that promises five million dollars to three men named Garrideb, provided they are found.
- Suspicion and Investigation: Holmes, skeptical of John’s story, notes inconsistencies in his appearance and tale, such as his English attire despite claiming recent arrival from America. A telephone directory reveals Nathan Garrideb, an eccentric collector in London, whom John has already contacted. Holmes arranges to meet Nathan, learning he is unaware of John and obsessed with his museum-like room.
- Uncovering the Deception: John informs Nathan of a third Garrideb in Birmingham, urging him to travel there. Holmes, suspecting fraud, discovers John is “Killer” Evans, a criminal who shot Rodger Presbury, a counterfeiter, in 1895. Evans rented Nathan’s room years ago as Presbury’s accomplice and now seeks access to a hidden counterfeiting press.
- Confrontation and Revelation: Holmes and Watson hide in Nathan’s room, catching Evans as he uncovers a trapdoor hiding Presbury’s counterfeiting equipment. Evans shoots Watson, grazing his thigh, prompting an emotional reaction from Holmes. Holmes subdues Evans, who admits to the scheme, claiming he only wanted the press and meant no harm to Nathan.
- Resolution and Aftermath: Evans is arrested, and the counterfeiting press is seized, earning police gratitude. Nathan, shattered by the betrayal, suffers a mental breakdown and is sent to a nursing home. Holmes’s loyalty to Watson shines through, and the case concludes with justice served, though at a personal cost to Nathan.
Moral of the Story
Below are the key moral lessons from the story:
- Deception driven by greed can lead to devastating consequences for both the deceiver and the deceived.
- True loyalty and friendship, as shown by Holmes and Watson, are invaluable and withstand even dangerous trials.
- Obsession with personal interests or wealth can blind individuals to manipulation and harm.
- Justice prevails when truth is pursued diligently, but it may come at a significant emotional or personal cost.
Download more NCERT Solutions of Class 11 English ‘Woven Words’ here!
| Chapter 1: The Lament Solution |
| Chapter 2: A Pair of Mustachios Solution |
| Chapter 3: The Rocking-horse Winner Solution |
| Chapter 4: The Adventure of the Three Garridebs Solution |
Explore Notes of Other NCERT Class 11 Subjects
| Geography | History | Political Science | Psychology | Sociology |
FAQs
The Garrideb name is a fabricated element used by Evans to create a believable inheritance scheme, exploiting its rarity to deceive Nathan and gain access to the counterfeiting press.
Holmes notices inconsistencies, such as John’s English attire despite claiming to be a recent American arrival, the lack of agony column advertisements, and the misspelt Birmingham ad, indicating a fraudulent scheme.
Nathan’s obsession with his collection and naivety make him an easy target for Evans’s deception, leading to his mental collapse when the promised fortune is revealed as a lie.
The story critiques greed and deception, showing how criminals exploit trust for personal gain, and highlights the emotional toll of betrayal and the value of loyalty in relationships.
For NCERT study material, follow the NCERT Notes and Solutions Class 11 English by Leverage Edu now.
