CBSE Class 11 English Woven Words Short Stories: 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 Woven Words Short Stories Chapter 4, "The Adventure of the Three Garridebs," NCERT Solutions offer a comprehensive analysis of Arthur Conan Doyle's classic tale. These solutions guide students through Sherlock Holmes's brilliant deductive reasoning as he unravels the elaborate deception orchestrated by John Garrideb. The explanations meticulously detail Garrideb's concealed intentions, his link to Roger Presbury, and the clever methods Holmes employed to pinpoint the true location and uncover the hidden treasure. Beyond the plot mechanics, the solutions also illuminate the enduring themes present in the story, particularly the steadfast loyalty and unique bond shared between Holmes and his companion, Dr. Watson. This resource aims to enhance students' comprehension of the narrative's complexities, character motivations, and underlying messages, thereby strengthening their analytical skills and exam readiness for this engaging short story.

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Quick info

Board	CBSE
Class	Class 11
Subject	English Woven Words Short Stories
Session	2026
Language	English
Type	NCERT Solutions
Chapter	Chapter 4

Chapter summary

This chapter's NCERT Solutions for CBSE Class 11 English (Woven Words Short Stories) focuses on "The Adventure of the Three Garridebs." It provides answers to "Understanding the Text" questions, detailing Sherlock Holmes's investigation into the fabricated story of the Garridebs, the true identity of John Garrideb (Killer Evans), and his motives involving a counterfeit press. It also covers the connection to Roger Presbury and Holmes's deductive reasoning. Additionally, it addresses "Talking About the Text" by exploring the profound relationship between Holmes and Watson, emphasizing loyalty and love.

Learning outcomes

Analyze Sherlock Holmes's deductive reasoning in "The Adventure of the Three Garridebs."
Identify the true motives behind John Garrideb's fabricated story.
Understand the significance of Roger Presbury in the narrative.
Explain how Holmes deduced the location and the final discovery.
Discuss the nature of the relationship between Holmes and Watson as depicted in the story.
Interpret the quote about loyalty and love behind Holmes's "cold mask."

Topics covered

Paper topics

Sherlock Holmes's deductive reasoning
Character analysis: John Garrideb/Killer Evans
Plot analysis: The ruse and its unraveling
The significance of clues and deception
The role of Roger Presbury
Understanding motivations in crime stories
The relationship between Holmes and Watson
Interpreting literary quotes
Short story comprehension
English literature analysis

Important topics

Sherlock Holmes's deductive reasoning
John Garrideb's true identity and motives
The unraveling of the ruse
The Holmes-Watson relationship
Analysis of literary quotes

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Questions and Solutions

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

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 observed several key details that led him to believe John Garrideb's story was a fabrication. Firstly, he noted that Garrideb's coat and trousers, despite his claim of being an American lawyer, were distinctly English in style and showed signs of wear consistent with at least a year's use in London. Secondly, although Garrideb claimed to be American, his accent was lighter than expected, suggesting a prolonged stay in England. Lastly, Holmes recognized that the 'Mayor' Garrideb mentioned was a fictional figure, a detail that the client failed to question, further solidifying Holmes's suspicion that the entire narrative was a carefully constructed deception.

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

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

Solution: John Garrideb's true objective in fabricating the story of the Garridebs was to gain access to the apartment where Nathan Garrideb resided. Unbeknownst to Nathan, his apartment housed a counterfeit press used for printing British currency, hidden there by a criminal named Roger Presbury. Garrideb, who was actually the criminal Killer Evans, devised this elaborate scheme to distract Nathan and send him away from the apartment. This would provide him with the opportunity to steal the valuable counterfeit press without Nathan's knowledge or interference.

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

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

Solution: John Garrideb, whose real identity was Killer Evans, was reluctant to involve Sherlock Holmes in his fabricated hunt for the third Garrideb primarily because his entire story was a lie. He was attempting to steal a counterfeit press hidden in Nathan Garrideb's apartment. Including Holmes, a renowned detective with exceptional deductive skills, would have significantly increased the risk of his deception being exposed. If Holmes were to investigate thoroughly, Garrideb feared his true identity and criminal intentions would be revealed, jeopardizing his plan and potentially leading to his capture.

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

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

Solution: Roger Presbury was a criminal known for forgery and coining counterfeit British currency. He had hidden a counterfeit press within the apartment where Nathan Garrideb was staying. John Garrideb, who was actually the notorious criminal Killer Evans, was connected to Presbury because Evans had previously shot and killed Presbury. Evans's motive for inventing the Garrideb story was to gain access to Nathan's apartment to steal the very counterfeit press that Presbury had hidden 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?

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: Sherlock Holmes deduced that John Garrideb (Killer Evans) would likely head to 136, Little Ryder Street based on information he gathered. After his initial meeting with Garrideb and subsequent visit to Nathan Garrideb, Holmes realized the elaborate story was a ploy to get Nathan out of his apartment. He then consulted Scotland Yard, where he learned that the apartment was previously occupied by Roger Presbury, a criminal whom Evans had shot. Knowing Presbury had hidden a counterfeit press there, Holmes correctly inferred that Evans's ultimate goal was to retrieve this press from that specific location. Therefore, yes, Holmes anticipated finding evidence related to the counterfeit operation and Evans's criminal activities when he went to the address.

Q. 1 Discuss the following in pairs or in small groups

'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, likely made by Dr. Watson himself, profoundly illuminates the deep and complex relationship between Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson. The phrase "cold mask" refers to Holmes's often detached, analytical, and seemingly unemotional demeanor, which is characteristic of his intense focus on logic and deduction. However, Watson, through his close association and unwavering loyalty, perceives the genuine warmth, deep affection, and profound love that Holmes holds for him, hidden beneath this professional exterior. Watson's willingness to endure hardship ('worth a wound—worth many wounds') underscores his devotion and understanding of Holmes. It reveals that their partnership is built not just on professional collaboration but on a foundation of mutual respect, deep personal loyalty, and a love that transcends Holmes's typically reserved nature. Watson sees beyond the brilliant detective to the man, recognizing the emotional depth that Holmes rarely displays openly.

Common mistakes

Confusing the fabricated story with the actual events.
Underestimating the importance of small clues in Holmes's deductions.
Misinterpreting John Garrideb's true identity and intentions.
Failing to grasp the depth of the Holmes-Watson relationship beyond the surface.

Revision tips

Reread the story, paying close attention to the details Holmes uses for deduction.
Summarize John Garrideb's false story and then his real plan.
Analyze the dialogue between Holmes and Watson to understand their bond.
Consider the significance of the 'cold mask' quote in relation to Watson's perspective.

Practice MCQs

Q1. What was the primary reason Sherlock Holmes suspected the story of the three Garridebs was a ruse?

Q2. What was John Garrideb's real 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 connection to the plot?

Q5. How did Holmes deduce that John Garrideb would go to 136, Little Ryder Street?

Frequently asked questions

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

The story revolves around Sherlock Holmes investigating a seemingly legitimate request from a man named John Garrideb, which turns out to be an elaborate ruse by Killer Evans to steal a hidden counterfeit currency press.

How did Sherlock Holmes figure out that John Garrideb's story was false?

Holmes noticed inconsistencies in Garrideb's appearance and accent, which suggested he was not the American lawyer he claimed to be. He also realized the 'Mayor' mentioned was fictional and that Garrideb's goal was to get Nathan Garrideb out of his apartment.

What was the real purpose behind the story of Alexander Hamilton Garridebs?

The story was a fabrication by Killer Evans (posing as John Garrideb) to lure Nathan Garrideb away from his apartment, allowing Evans to steal a counterfeit British currency press hidden there by a criminal named Roger Presbury.

What does the quote 'It was worth a wound—it was worth many wounds—to know the depth of loyalty and love that lay behind that cold mask' reveal about Holmes and Watson?

This quote, likely from Watson's perspective, highlights the deep affection and unwavering loyalty he feels for Holmes, seeing past Holmes's often detached and analytical exterior to the genuine care and partnership beneath.

How do these NCERT Solutions help Class 11 students?

These solutions provide clear, step-by-step explanations for understanding the story's plot, characters' motivations, and underlying themes, which is crucial for answering comprehension and analytical questions in exams.

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