The Adventures of three Garridebs By Arthur Conan Doyle

 

The Adventures of three Garridebs

By Arthur Conan Doyle

 

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

 

Ans. Sherlock Holmes was suspicious from the start, particularly because of the improbability of three people with such a rare surname being involved in such a convenient situation. The first clue was the unusual nature of the advertisement placed in the newspaper, which appeared too contrived. Holmes also noticed that the supposed legal documents regarding the inheritance were not authentic. His visit to Nathan Garridebb revealed more inconsistencies; Nathan’s complete lack of scepticism and blind trust in John Garrideb seemed unusual. Holme’s inquiries into John Garrideb’s background, which led to the discovery that he was actually the notorious criminal killer Evans, further confirmed that the story was a ruse.

 

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

 

Ans. John Garrideb, whose real name was killer Evans, invented the story of Alexander Hamilton Garrideb to gain access to Nathan Garrideb’s apartment. Nathan’s apartment contained a hidden compartment with counterfeit printing plates left by a previous tenant, Roger Presbury. Evans needed to retrieve these plates to continue his criminal activities, but he needed an excuse to get inside the apartment without raising suspicion. The fabricated story of a massive inheritance that required the identification of three men with the last name Garrideb served his purpose.

 

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

 

Ans. John Garrideb did not like the idea of including Holmes because he knew Holmes was a famous detective, and his involvement would make it much harder to carry out his plan undetected. Holmes’ reputation for uncovering the truth and his keen investigative skills posed a significant threat to Evan’s scheme. Evans feared that Holmes would see through the ruse and expose his real identity and criminal intentions.

 

Q: Who was Roger Presbury and how was John Garrideb connected with him?

 

Ans. Roger Presbury was a forger who had previously lived in the apartment now occupied by Nathan Garrideb. Presbury had hidden counterfeit printing plates in the apartment, which were of great value to anyone involved in criminal activities like counterfeiting money. John Garrideb, or killer Evans, was connected to Roger Presbury through their shared criminal background. Evans wanted to recover the plates that Presbury had left behind to use them for his own criminal enterprises.

 

Q: 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 that John Garrideb would go to 136, Little Ryder Street because he knew that Garrideb’s story about the inheritance was a fabrication, and the only logical reason for his intense interest in Nathan Garrideb’s apartment was that it contained something of value to him. Holmes deduced that it had to be something hidden or left behind by a previous occupant. Given Holmes’ extensive experience with criminals and his knowledge of their methods, he expected to find something connected to criminal activity, such as hidden treasure or illicit materials. What he ultimately found were the counterfeit printing plates, confirming his suspicions.

 

Q: “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 by Dr. Watson reveals the deep bond of friendship and mutual respect between Holmes and Watson. Despite Holmes’ often cold and detached exterior, he cares deeply for Watson, and this is shown when Holmes is visibly upset after Watson is wounded. Watson’s remark indicates that, to him, the knowledge of Holmes’ affection and loyalty is invaluable, even worth the physical pain he endures. Their relationship is one of deep trust and loyalty, with Watson admiring Holmes’ brilliance and Holmes valuing Watson’s steadfast companionship.

 

Q: The cleverest of criminals leave behind clues to their crime. Discuss.

 

Ans. Even the most cunning criminals often leave behind clues that can lead to their capture. In “The Adventure of Three Garridebs,” John Garrideb tried to create an elaborate ruse, but he underestimated Holmes’ ability to pick up on the smallest inconsistencies and clues. The forged documents, the improbable story, and the suspicious behaviour all served as clues that Holmes clues that Holmes used to unravel the mystery. This demonstrates that no matter how clever a criminal might be, it is almost impossible to commit a crime without leaving some trace behind.

 

Q: 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’ digressions often seem irrelevant at first, but they usually lead to crucial discoveries. In the story, Holmes asks questions and gathers information about seemingly minor details, such as John Garrideb’s background, the history of the apartment, and the nature of the supposed inheritance. These inquiries might seem like digressions, but they allow Holmes to piece together the true story. His ability to see connections between disparate pieces of information is one of the key reasons for his success as a detective.

 

Q: Examine the structure of the short story ‘Adventure of the Three Garridebs’ with the help of following framework:

 

Ø  The narrator of the story: The story is narrated by Dr. John Watson, Holmes’ close friend, and confidant. Watson’s narration provides insight into the events as well as the thoughts and emotions of both himself and Holmes.

 

Ø  Introduction of the topic of the story: The story begins with the introduction of Nathan Garrideb and the peculiar request he receives from John Garrideb to help find a third person with the same last name. This sets up the central mystery.

 

Ø  Introduction of the main characters in the plot: The main characters are introduced early on-Sherlock Holmes, Dr. Watson, Nathan Garrideb, and John Garrideb (Killer Evans). Each character’s role becomes clear as the plot unfolds.

 

Ø  Development of the plot: The plot develops as Holmes becomes involved in the search for the third Garrideb, investigates the background of John Garrideb, and begins to suspect foul play.

 

Ø  Climax: The climax occurs when Holmes and Watson confront John Garrideb at 136 Little Ryder Street, where they discover the hidden counterfeit printing plates.

 

Ø  Resolution of the mystery: The mystery is resolved when John Garrideb’s true identity as killer Evans is revealed, and he is arrested. Holmes and Watson reflect on the case, particularly on the loyalty and trust between them.

 

 

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

 

The story contains subtle humour, especially in the way Holmes handles the absurdity of the situation with the three Garridebs. For example, the idea that there could be a large fortune dependent on the coincidence of three men with the same unusual surname is inherently humorous. Holmes also uses dry wit in his interactions with Watson and Garrideb, such as when he feigns interest in the ridiculous story to draw out more information. Watson’s own observations add to the humour, especially his bemusement at the strange twists and turns of the case. This humor lightens the otherwise serious and potentially dangerous situation, making the story more engaging and enjoyable.