‘Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle’ is the seventh story compiled in ‘The Adventures of Sherloack Holmes’ written by Arthur Doyle Conan. Here you would find Glossary, a summary and Qs/Ans. to the exercises given in the book ‘Gem’s English Reader’ for class 8.
Glossary
- Commissionaire: A uniformed attendant or messenger, often in a public building or hotel.
- Rough men: In this context, it refers to aggressive or violent individuals.
- Hoodlums: Another word for thugs or criminals.
- Battered: Damaged or beaten up, in this case, referring to the hat being in a worn-out condition.
- Victim: Someone who has been harmed or attacked in some way.
- Shop window: The glass display window of a store.
- Heels: In this context, it means to run away quickly, usually in fear or haste.
- Inscribed: To write or carve words onto a surface.
- Lining: The inner layer of fabric that covers the inside of a garment or hat.
- Deduce: To reach a conclusion based on reasoning or evidence.
- Battered: As mentioned before, it means damaged or beaten up.
- Tattered: Torn or ragged, in poor condition.
- Ruefully: With regret or sorrow.
- Hard: Firm or solid in texture.
- Discoloured: Changed in color, often due to aging or damage.
- Scrawled: Written hastily or carelessly.
- Pierced: Penetrated or punctured, usually with a hole.
- Hat-securer: Likely refers to a device or mechanism used to keep a hat in place, such as an elastic band.
- Cracked: Broken or damaged with fissures or lines.
- Dusty: Covered with dust, dirt, or particles.
- Spotted: Marked with spots or stains.
- Smearing: Spreading or daubing something over a surface, often messily.
- Astounded: Amazed or greatly surprised.
- Whiff: A slight or brief smell or odor.
- Gem: A precious or valuable stone, often used in jewelry.
- Countess: A noblewoman ranking above a viscountess and below a marchioness.
- Plumber: A person who installs and repairs piping, fixtures, and other plumbing equipment.
- Accused: Charged with a crime or wrongdoing.
- Attendant: A person employed to provide a service or assistance, often in a public place.
- Rifled: To plunder or loot, often forcefully.
- Jewel-case: A container or box used for storing jewelry or precious gems.
- Crop: The stomach or craw of a bird, especially a goose.
- Hubbub: A loud and confused noise, especially caused by a crowd of people.
- Whining: Making a long, high-pitched complaining sound.
- Breeding: To produce offspring, often used in the context of animals or plants.
- Reserved: Set aside for a particular purpose or person.
- Red-handed: Caught in the act of doing something wrong or illegal.
- Waylaid: Ambushed or intercepted, usually with the intent to harm or hinder.
Summary
The story begins with Dr. John Watson visiting his friend Sherlock Holmes on the morning after Christmas. Holmes, in his signature dressing gown and smoking his pipe, is engrossed in examining a battered hat and a goose, both brought by Peterson, a commissionaire. Holmes recounts the story behind these items.
Peterson had stumbled upon a scuffle on Christmas morning where a man’s hat was knocked off during an altercation. The man fled, leaving behind his hat and the goose, which Peterson retrieved. Upon examining the hat, Holmes deduces various details about its owner, including his age, intelligence, and hair color.
As Holmes investigates further, he discovers a blue carbuncle, a precious gem, hidden in the goose’s crop. The gem is traced back to a recent theft from the Countess of Morcar. Holmes places an advertisement in the newspaper, hoping to find the rightful owner of the hat and the goose.
Mr. Henry Baker responds to the advertisement, claiming the items as his own. He explains that the goose was a gift from Mrs. Oakshott. Meanwhile, a commotion arises outside Holmes’ residence as Ryder, a hotel attendant, claims ownership of the goose. Ryder is revealed to be the true thief of the blue carbuncle, attempting to retrieve it from the goose he mistakenly sold to Mr. Baker.
In the end, Holmes solves the case, exposes Ryder’s guilt, and returns the blue carbuncle to the Countess of Morcar. The story concludes with Holmes and Watson reflecting on the peculiar yet fascinating nature of the case.
Chapter Exercise Q/Ans.
Comprehension
A. Choose the correct options and write on the blanks.
- Watson thought he was interrupting Holmes because he was
a. in his dressing gown.
b. examining something.
c. reading the papers.
d. smoking his pipe. - Peterson was left with the goose and the hat because
a. everyone had run away from the scene.
b. no one wanted the goose.
c. everyone had been scared away because Peterson was tall and strong.
d. Peterson’s uniform scared them all away.
3 . “I must be very stupid, Holmes, for I’m quite unable to follow you.” Watson
a. couldn’t understand what Holmes said.
b. couldn’t follow Holmes because he was too fast.
c. didn’t understand how Holmes came to his conclusions.
d. realized that Holmes was very clever. - Holmes realized that the hat was connected to a crime when
a. Peterson brought in the goose and hat.
b. Watson asked him what the crime was.
c. Peterson brought in the gem.
d. he read about it in the papers - Ryder had stolen the gem and
a. then got scared.
b. run to the goose seller.
c. then blamed the plumber.
d. chased Mr Baker to get the goose.
Answers:
- Watson thought he was interrupting Holmes because he was
b. examining something. - Peterson was left with the goose and the hat because
d. Peterson’s uniform scared them all away. - “I must be very stupid, Holmes, for I’m quite unable to follow you.” Watson
c. didn’t understand how Holmes came to his conclusions. - Holmes realized that the hat was connected to a crime when
a. Peterson brought in the goose and hat. - Ryder had stolen the gem and
c. then blamed the plumber.
B. Answer these questions.
- “The man is clever, middle-aged, and uses lime cream in his hair.” How did Holmes come to each of these conclusions?
- Why did Mr Baker come to see Mr Holmes?
- “Ha, this may save us a visit to Brixton Road.” Why did Holmes say this?
Answers:
- Holmes deduced that the man was clever because the hat was large, indicating a larger-than-average head, which Holmes associated with intelligence. He concluded that the man was middle-aged based on the presence of fine grey hair on the hat’s lining. Finally, Holmes inferred that the man used lime cream in his hair because there was a faint smell of lime coming from the hat.
- Mr. Baker came to see Mr. Holmes because he saw an advertisement placed by Holmes in the papers, stating that a goose and a black felt hat belonging to Mr. Henry Baker were found. Mr. Baker recognized the description and came to claim his belongings.
- Holmes said this because he observed a commotion involving Ryder, who claimed the goose was his. Holmes suspected that Ryder’s involvement might lead to valuable information related to the case, potentially eliminating the need to visit Brixton Road to speak with Mrs. Oakshott directly.
Another set of answers:
- Holmes deduced that the man was clever because the hat was very large, indicating a large head and therefore likely a large brain. He concluded the man was middle-aged based on the wear and tear of the hat, suggesting it had been used for a long time. Lastly, Holmes inferred that the man used lime cream in his hair because there was a fine whiff of lime coming from the hat and there were some fine grey hairs on the lining, indicating the man’s hair was grey and he used lime cream to color or treat it.
- Mr. Baker came to see Mr. Holmes because he saw the advertisement about the found goose and hat, and the goose turned out to be his. He wanted to claim his goose.
- Holmes said this because he realized that Ryder, the goose seller who was arguing with the rat-faced man, was actually the thief who had stolen the gem. This saved them a visit to Brixton Road to investigate further, as they now knew the thief’s identity and motive.
C. Trace the gem’s journey in the following flow diagram. (see the book for full question)
Answer:
Here is a mind map tracing the gem’s journey:
Hotel Theft
↓
Thief (Ryder) steals gem
↓
Ryder visits his sister
↓
Ryder puts gem in goose
↓
Goose sold to Mr. Baker
↓
Peterson finds goose with gem
↓
Gem returned to its rightful owner
D. Think and answer.
- How do you think Mrs Oakshott must have felt when she heard about Mr Ryder’s involvement in the theft?
- What do you think happened to Mr Ryder in the end?
- Describe these characters from the story in two or three sentences each.
a. Mr Baker
b. Mr Holmes
c. Dr Watson
d. Mr Ryder
e. Mr Peterson
Answers:
- Mrs. Oakshott must have felt betrayed and shocked when she heard about Mr. Ryder’s involvement in the theft. As her brother, she likely trusted him, and discovering that he was the one who stole the gem would have been deeply upsetting and disappointing for her.
- In the end, Mr. Ryder likely faced legal consequences for his actions. As the true thief, he would have been held accountable for stealing the gem and attempting to cover it up by placing it in the goose. Depending on the severity of his actions, he may have faced imprisonment or other penalties.
- Character descriptions:
a. Mr. Baker: A regular, middle-aged man who enjoys traditional Christmas customs, such as having a goose for dinner. He is honest and straightforward, as seen in his prompt response to Holmes’ advertisement about finding his lost belongings.
b. Mr. Holmes: A brilliant and observant detective with a keen eye for detail. Holmes is highly logical and analytical, using his deductive reasoning skills to solve mysteries. He is also unconventional in his methods and possesses a dry wit.
c. Dr. Watson: A loyal and dependable companion to Sherlock Holmes, Dr. Watson serves as both a narrator and a participant in Holmes’ investigations. He is intelligent and capable, although sometimes overshadowed by Holmes’ brilliance. Watson provides a more human and relatable perspective to the stories.
d. Mr. Ryder: Initially portrayed as a hotel attendant, Mr. Ryder is revealed to be the true thief behind the stolen gem. He is cunning and deceptive, willing to frame others for his crimes. However, his plans ultimately backfire, leading to his downfall.
e. Mr. Peterson: A reliable and courageous individual, Mr. Peterson works as a commissionaire and plays a crucial role in the resolution of the case. He is quick to act when he finds the goose with the stolen gem, demonstrating his integrity and sense of duty.
Word Study
E. Look at the following adjective and noun combinations.
- Find similar adjectives to replace the ones used here – crackling fire, sputtering fire, sparkling stone,……………. stone, tired traveller, ……………….traveller
- Find nouns that the same adjective can describe – crumpled papers, crumpled ……….., smelly shoes, smelly ………….., memorable day, memorable ………….
Answers:
1. Similar adjectives:
- Crackling fire: Roaring fire, blazing fire, snapping fire
- Sparkling stone: Gleaming stone, shimmering stone, radiant stone
- Tired traveller: Weary traveller, exhausted traveller, fatigued traveller
2. Nouns for the same adjectives:
- Crumpled papers: Crumpled napkins, crumpled receipts, crumpled tissues
- Smelly shoes: Stinky socks, foul-smelling sandals, odorous boots
- Memorable day: Unforgettable moment, cherished memory, significant occasion
Punctuation
G. Add capital letters and punctuation marks where required and rewrite the paragraph.
then he bounded up the steps pushed open the heavy wooden door and came to a sudden halt the semi-darkness of the hall blinded him temporarily a damp musty smell invaded his nostrils ever since he could remember he had disliked going through the hall and always ran past it the locked double doors on either side of the hall seemed sinister doors behind which lay all the household junk old wood and metal a perfect lair for lizards and cockroaches but today he did not run across rain had seeped through the leaking roof forming large pools near the doors gingerly wading through the water amit reached the inner courtyard
Answer:
Then he bounded up the steps, pushed open the heavy wooden door, and came to a sudden halt. The semi-darkness of the hall blinded him temporarily. A damp, musty smell invaded his nostrils. Ever since he could remember, he had disliked going through the hall and always ran past it. The locked double doors on either side of the hall seemed sinister; doors behind which lay all the household junk, old wood, and metal – a perfect lair for lizards and cockroaches. But today, he did not run across. Rain had seeped through the leaking roof, forming large pools near the doors. Gingerly wading through the water, Amit reached the inner courtyard.
H. Add the most appropriate punctuation mark at the end of each sentence. Then tick the correct box. (see the book for full question)
Answer:
Here’s the table with the sentences categorized and the punctuation added:
| Sentence | Punctuation | Type |
|---|---|---|
| It sure is cold out there | . | Declarative |
| Put your plate in the sink | . | Imperative |
| So, you think you got it, right | ? | Interrogative |
| Holmes couldn’t sleep all night | . | Declarative |
| Bring the chair here | . | Imperative |
| It’s your job to do it right | . | Declarative |
| When will lunch be served | ? | Interrogative |
| This game is going to be fun | . | Declarative |
J. Change the forms of these sentences without changing their meaning. Rewrite the sentences in your notebook.
- Sunita had a lot of trouble keeping her mind on her lessons that day.
- This association is bigger than our welfare society.
- Ramesh is faster than all his classmates.
- Hari was doubtful of his performance.
- I have never seen such a beautiful bird before.
Answers:
- Sunita had trouble focusing on her lessons that day.
- Our welfare society is smaller than this association.
- All of Ramesh’s classmates are slower than him.
- Hari lacked confidence in his performance.
- Until now, I had not seen such a beautiful bird.
Another set of answers:
- Sunita had a lot of trouble focusing on her lessons that day.
- Our welfare society is not as big as this association.
- None of Ramesh’s classmates is as fast as him.
- Hari was not confident about his performance.
- This is the most beautiful bird I have ever seen.
Writing
M. Imagine you are a reporter of The Baker Street Times. Write a report in 200 words about the incident narrated in this story. Use this format.
headline
name of the reporter
place and date
background: answering the five Ws – Who, What, Where, When and Why
references: quoting what people have said
conclusion: consequences of the events
Answer: A sample newpaper report as answer is given here
Headline:
“The Blue Carbuncle Mystery: Sherlock Holmes Investigates”
Byline:
John Watson, The Baker Street Times
Place and Date:
London, December 27th, 19XX
Background:
In the bustling streets of London, an intriguing incident unfolded on Christmas morning. Peterson, a commissionaire, stumbled upon a peculiar scene involving a stolen gem and a goose. As reported, a tussle broke out, resulting in the theft of a precious blue carbuncle from the Countess of Morcar. Mr. Baker, a bystander, found himself unwittingly entangled in the affair when he discovered the gem nestled in a goose he purchased.
References:
Speaking to Mr. Baker, he recounted the events with astonishment, expressing his bewilderment at the unexpected turn of events. “I never imagined I’d be caught up in such a mystery,” he remarked.
Conclusion:
As Sherlock Holmes delves into the case, the city awaits eagerly for answers. The consequences of this incident remain unknown, leaving the fate of the stolen blue carbuncle shrouded in mystery.
This captivating tale continues to captivate the imagination of Londoners, with hopes that Holmes will unravel the truth behind the enigmatic blue carbuncle.
Another sample answer:
The Baker Street Times
Blue Carbuncle Mystery Unfolds
By: [Your Name]
Place: London, UK
Date: [Date]
Background:
In a peculiar turn of events, a blue carbuncle has become the center of attention in London’s crime scene. The incident, known as the Peterson incident, occurred on Christmas morning on the streets of London. Peterson, a commissionaire, stumbled upon a goose and a battered hat, which led to the discovery of the stolen gem inside the bird. The victim, Mrs. Henry Baker, was identified through a card attached to the goose.
References:
Mr. Henry Baker, the owner of the goose, expressed his shock and gratitude for the recovery of his belongings. “I never expected to find my hat and goose tied to such a bizarre theft,” he said.
Sherlock Holmes, the renowned detective, is actively investigating the case. “The matter is intriguing, with many points of interest,” Holmes commented, hinting at the complexity of the situation.
Conclusion:
The consequences of this incident remain uncertain as Sherlock Holmes delves deeper into the mystery. The discovery of the blue carbuncle raises questions about its origin and its connection to other crimes in the city. London awaits eagerly for Holmes’ verdict on this curious case. Stay tuned to The Baker Street Times for further updates on the blue carbuncle mystery.
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