CBSE Class 11 English Chapter 4: The Adventure of the Three Garridebs NCERT Solutions

Reviewed by NCERT Help Editorial Team · Updated on 29 Jul 2026

NCERT Solutions PDF Class 11 PDF

CBSE Class 11 English Chapter 4, 'The Adventure of the Three Garridebs,' NCERT Solutions, offers a deep dive into Sherlock Holmes's brilliant detective work. This chapter presents a fascinating case where Holmes must unravel a clever deception. The solutions explore the subtle clues Holmes uses to expose John Garrideb's elaborate scheme and understand the motive behind the fabricated story of Alexander Hamilton Garrideb. Students will also learn about the connection between John Garrideb and Roger Presbury, and how Holmes skillfully predicted Garrideb's actions. A significant aspect highlighted is the strong bond of loyalty and affection between Holmes and Watson, particularly evident during a tense moment. These explanations aim to enhance students' understanding of the story's complexities, sharpen their analytical abilities, and provide a solid foundation for exam preparation through clear, detailed breakdowns of the narrative and its themes.

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Board	CBSE
Class	Class 11
Subject	English
Session	2026
Language	English
Type	NCERT Solutions
Chapter	4. The Adventure of the Three Garridebs

Chapter summary

This chapter's NCERT Solutions focus on 'The Adventure of the Three Garridebs,' a classic Sherlock Holmes mystery. The solutions guide students through understanding the text by analyzing the clues Sherlock Holmes used to detect the deception, the true motive behind John Garrideb's elaborate story, and the criminal's past connections. Key aspects covered include Holmes's investigative techniques, his prediction of the criminal's actions, and the deep bond between Holmes and Watson. These solutions aim to enhance reading comprehension and analytical skills related to detective fiction.

Learning outcomes

Identify the clues used by Sherlock Holmes to uncover a deception.
Analyze the motives behind John Garrideb's fabricated story.
Understand the significance of Roger Presbury in the narrative.
Explain Holmes's deductive reasoning in predicting the criminal's actions.
Appreciate the depth of the relationship between Holmes and Watson.
Recognize the theme that even clever criminals leave behind clues.

Topics covered

Paper topics

Sherlock Holmes's deductive reasoning
Identifying deception and ruses
Character analysis (John Garrideb, Holmes, Watson)
Plot analysis
Motives in crime
The role of clues in detection
Friendship and loyalty
Understanding literary texts
English literature
Short stories

Important topics

Sherlock Holmes's deductive reasoning
Identifying deception and ruses
Motives in crime
The role of clues in detection
Character analysis
Friendship and loyalty between Holmes and Watson

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Questions and Solutions

Question 1

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

Solution: Sherlock Holmes employed several key observations to deduce that the story presented by the American Garrideb was a fabrication. Initially, he became suspicious when the supposed American Garrideb reacted with anger to the involvement of a detective. Furthermore, Holmes noted the man's distinctly English appearance, which contradicted his claim of being an American lawyer. To test this suspicion, Holmes fabricated a detail about a fictional mayor, Dr. Lysander Starr, from 1830. The man's confident affirmation that Dr. Starr was still honored confirmed Holmes's belief that he was not a lawyer from Kansas and had not done his research. The final confirmation came with the discovery of an advertisement in a local Birmingham paper, written in American English, which Holmes deduced was placed by John Garrideb himself. This advertisement was a ploy to send Nathan Garrideb to Birmingham, creating a diversion and buying time for John to execute his real plan.

Question 2

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

Solution: John Garrideb's objective in inventing the elaborate story of Alexander Hamilton Garrideb and his legacy was a cunning plan to gain access to a valuable note printing machine. This machine was located in the room previously occupied by Waldron, or Rodger Presbury, who had been shot by John Garrideb. Garrideb intended to use the fabricated story as a pretext to send Nathan Garrideb away to Birmingham under the guise of meeting a third Garrideb. This diversion would leave Nathan's room unattended, allowing John Garrideb to break in and steal the note printing press without suspicion.

Question 3

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

Solution: John Garrideb was apprehensive about involving Sherlock Holmes in the search for the third Garrideb because Holmes was a renowned detective. Garrideb feared that Holmes, with his sharp intellect and investigative skills, would quickly see through the fake story and uncover his true intentions. Given Garrideb's own criminal background (as Killer Evans), involving a detective like Holmes posed a significant risk of jeopardizing his entire plan and exposing his criminal activities.

Question 4

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

Solution: Roger Presbury was the former tenant of the room where Nathan Garrideb was living. He was also the individual who owned the note printing press that John Garrideb coveted. John Garrideb had a direct and violent connection with Roger Presbury; he had shot Presbury over a card game in a nightclub on Waterloo Road in January 1895. Presbury's appearance was similar to that of Waldron, another name associated with the room and the printing press, making the connection crucial for Garrideb's scheme.

Question 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?

Solution: Holmes deduced that John Garrideb would visit 136, Little Ryder Street, because he anticipated Garrideb's reaction to the news that a detective had been involved. Garrideb was furious about Nathan involving Holmes, and Holmes correctly predicted that he would show up shortly after their meeting to express his displeasure and ascertain the situation. Holmes and Watson deliberately put Garrideb at ease by pretending to be solely interested in helping him find another Garrideb, thus winning his confidence. While they expected Garrideb to appear, they were surprised by his promptness and the elaborate advertisement he had already prepared, along with his plan to send Nathan away, which demonstrated his quick thinking and determination to proceed with his scheme without hindrance.

Question 6

'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?

Solution: This poignant comment, made by Watson after being shot in the thigh by Killer Evans (John Garrideb), reveals the profound depth of the relationship between Holmes and Watson. Watson expresses that enduring physical pain was a small price to pay for understanding the immense loyalty and love hidden beneath Holmes's typically reserved and analytical exterior. When Watson was injured, Holmes's usually stern features softened, his eyes dimmed with concern, and his lips trembled. This moment allowed Watson to glimpse not only Holmes's brilliant mind but also his great heart. It signifies that their professional association had evolved into a deep, genuine friendship, characterized by mutual care and affection that transcended their detective work.

Question 7

The cleverest of criminals leave behind clues to their crime.

Solution: This statement holds true in the context of the story, as demonstrated by John Garrideb's actions. Despite his meticulous planning and attempt to create a foolproof scheme, Garrideb inadvertently left several clues that ultimately led to his exposure. His English demeanor while claiming to be American, his uncritical acceptance of Holmes's fabricated historical figure, and the poorly disguised self-published advertisement were all critical oversights. Holmes, with his keen observational skills and logical deduction, was able to identify these inconsistencies and loopholes in Garrideb's story and plan, proving that even the most cunning criminals often betray themselves through subtle errors.

Common mistakes

Overlooking subtle clues that Holmes uses for deduction.
Misinterpreting John Garrideb's primary motive.
Failing to connect the past events (like Roger Presbury's death) to the present plot.
Underestimating the importance of the relationship dynamics between Holmes and Watson.

Revision tips

Reread the chapter, paying close attention to the details Holmes observes.
Summarize each question and answer in your own words to check comprehension.
Focus on the 'clues' and 'deduction' aspects of Holmes's methods.
Discuss the relationship between Holmes and Watson with a study partner.
Consider the theme of 'clever criminals leaving clues' in relation to the plot.

Practice MCQs

Q1. What was the initial clue that made Holmes suspicious about the Garrideb story?

Q2. What was John Garrideb's primary objective in inventing the story?

Q3. Why did John Garrideb dislike the idea of Holmes being involved?

Q4. Who was Roger Presbury and what was his significance?

Q5. How did Holmes deduce that John Garrideb would visit Little Ryder Street?

Frequently asked questions

What is the main theme of 'The Adventure of the Three Garridebs'?

The main theme revolves around Sherlock Holmes's brilliant deductive reasoning used to uncover a complex deception, highlighting how even clever criminals leave behind clues.

How did Holmes identify the Garrideb story as a ruse?

Holmes used several clues, including the man's English appearance despite claiming to be American, his reaction to a fictional historical figure, and an advertisement that appeared to be self-published.

What was John Garrideb's real motive?

John Garrideb's motive was to steal a note printing machine hidden in Nathan Garrideb's room. He fabricated the story to get Nathan out of the way.

What does the incident reveal about the relationship between Holmes and Watson?

When Watson was wounded, Holmes showed deep concern, revealing a profound loyalty and love beneath his usual cold, intellectual exterior, indicating their relationship was more than just professional.

How can these NCERT Solutions help students?

These solutions provide clear, detailed answers to comprehension questions, helping students understand the plot, characters, and Holmes's methods, which is crucial for exam preparation.

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