• Identify and analyze the clues Sherlock Holmes used to determine the ruse of the three Garridebs.
• Explain John Garrideb's motives for creating the story of Alexander Hamilton Garrideb.
• Discuss John Garrideb's reluctance to involve Holmes in the search for the third Garrideb.
• Describe Roger Presbury and his connection to John Garrideb.
• Analyze how Holmes deduced John Garrideb's destination and his expectations upon arrival.

The Adventure of the Three Garridebs

Understanding the Text

• Clues Sherlock Holmes Worked Upon: What clues did Sherlock Holmes work upon to get at the fact that the story of the three Garridebs was a ruse?
• John Garrideb's Objective: What was John Garrideb's objective in inventing the story of Alexander Hamilton Garrideb and his legacy?
• Holmes' Involvement: Why didn't John Garrideb like the idea of including Holmes in the hunt for the third Garrideb?
• Roger Presbury: Who was Roger Presbury and how was John Garrideb connected with him?
• Holmes' Prediction: 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?

Talking About the Text

• Holmes and Watson's Relationship: Discuss the comment, '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?
• Clues Left by Criminals: The cleverest of criminals leave behind clues to their crime.
• Holmes' Digressions: How did Holmes' digressions sometimes prove in the end to have a bearing on the matter at hand? Discuss this with reference to all the apparently irrelevant points he was trying to gather information from.

Appreciation

• Structure of the Short Story: Examine the structure of the short story 'Adventure of the Three Garridebs' with the help of this framework:
  • The narrator of the story
  • Introduction of the topic of the story
  • Introduction of the main characters in the plot
  • Development of the plot
  • Climax
  • Resolution of the mystery.
• Subtle Humour: Examine the subtle humour in the narration of the story that lightens the gravity of the subject matter.