GSEB Class 11 Solutions Unit 6 Read 1 The Blue Cross

Comprehension

Question 1. Given below are some passages from the text. Mimic them exactly including the facial expression and manner of speaking and perform the dialogues in class. First work In pairs and then present it before the class. Decide who performed the best:
Answer:(1) Then, with a still-bent brow and absolutely no change in his demeanor or tone, Flambeau instructed, "Kindly hand over that sapphire cross now. We are quite alone here, and I could easily tear you into pieces, much like a straw doll.” ... "Yes,” he affirmed, maintaining the same low voice and motionless posture. "Yes, I am Flambeau.” Following a brief pause, he reiterated, "Come, give me that cross."
(2) "No," Father Brown responded, his reply having an unusual resonance. Hearing this, the notorious thief reclined in his seat and laughed softly but for a prolonged period. "No,” he exclaimed, "you will not give it to me, you arrogant priest. You will not surrender it; you foolish little man. Shall I disclose why you won't relinquish it? Because I already possess it in my own pocket."
(3) Flambeau shouted with glee. "My goodness! Yes, you simpleton, I am absolutely certain... Now, my friend, you have the duplicate, and I possess the genuine jewels. An age-old trick. Father Brown, a very old trick."
"Yes,” Father Brown stated plainly, “Yes, I have been aware of that before.” The master criminal leaned closer to the humble rustic priest with a surge of sudden interest. “You have heard of it?” he inquired. “Where precisely have you encountered it?”
Now, select one or two sentences from the text at home. Prepare to present them similarly in class before everyone.
In simple words: This section asks students to act out specific dialogues from the story, focusing on character expressions and tone, using the provided excerpts.

🎯 Exam Tip: Focus on clear pronunciation, appropriate facial expressions, and intonation to effectively convey the character's emotions and personality during the dialogue performance.

 

Question 2. Here are some words / phrases from the text that are used to describe people. Discuss their meaning in class. Decide which phrase suits which character the most and fill in the given table:
cunning, intelligent, little priest, famous detective, notorious thief physically weak, resourceful, logical, overconfident.
Answer:

Father Brown	Flambeau	Detective Valentine
intelligent	cunning	famous
little priest	notorious thief	detective
physically weak resourceful	overconfident	logical

In simple words: This task requires classifying descriptive adjectives and phrases to the correct characters - Father Brown, Flambeau, and Detective Valentine - based on their actions and traits in the story.

🎯 Exam Tip: Understanding character traits is crucial for literary analysis. Ensure you can justify your choices for each character with specific examples from the narrative.

 

Question 3. Number the incidents in the story ‘The Blue Cross' correctly:
Answer:
• Rilher Brown arrives In England with the blue cross. (1)
• Flambeau joins Father Brown dressed as a priest. (2)
• Valentin picks up the track of two priests. (3)
• Rather spills apples at a market stall. (4)
• Father Brown splashes soup on the wall of a restaurant. (5)
• Father Brown breaks the window of a restaurant. (6)
• Valentin spots two priests at Hampstead Heath. (7)
• Flambeau reveals himself to Father Brown. (8)
• Father Brown reveals how he saved the blue cross. (9)
• Valentin and the policemen catch Flambeau. (10)
• Flambeau and Detective bow to the master. (11)

In simple words: This exercise involves sequencing key events from "The Blue Cross" story in chronological order to understand the plot progression.

🎯 Exam Tip: Reconstructing the plot sequence helps in understanding cause-and-effect relationships and the overall narrative structure. Practice recalling major events in order.

 

Question 4. Work with a friend. Given below are three tricks that Father Brown learnt from his experience as a priest. Find the relevant passages in the text and write down what Father Brown did for that.
Example: Doing something that people would talk about all day.
Father Brown splashed water on the wall of a restaurant. He also broke a window. These tracks helped detective Valentine follow them.
Answer:
(1) Exchanging a duplicate for the original object. Father Brown had the foresight to create a copy of the actual parcel. He then told Flambeau, "Now, my friend, you possess the duplicate, and I hold the genuine jewels."
(2) Criminals frequently wear spiked bracelets. Father Brown recalled, "When I served in Hartlepool, there were three individuals with spiked bracelets. So, I began to suspect you..."
(3) Leaving the stolen goods with an unsuspecting stranger. Father Brown explained, "The stranger then dispatches it to our intended destination. I returned to that sweet-shop and left the original cross there. I instructed the lady to mail it to my friend in Westminster once she discovered it."
Which trick helped Father Brown save the blue cross?
Father Brown splashed a wall, spilled apples, broke a window, and made people talk about these incidents for the rest of the day. Simultaneously, he managed to send the actual cross to Westminster.
In simple words: This question explores Father Brown's clever strategies, like creating diversions and switching items, which he used to outsmart Flambeau and protect the blue cross.

🎯 Exam Tip: Identifying and analyzing the protagonist's methods and problem-solving skills is key to understanding their character and the plot's resolution.

 

Question 5. Father Brown is addressed using many ways in the story. For example – Flambeau addresses him as “you little foolish man”. Now, find three other phrases used to refer to Father Brown. (Individual work)
Answer:
(1) "You proud priest."
(2) "You turnip!"
(3) "My friend!”
Can you find a way Flambeau is addressed? "One's little flock."
In simple words: This task requires identifying various epithets and terms used by different characters to refer to Father Brown throughout the narrative.

🎯 Exam Tip: Paying attention to how characters address each other can reveal their perceptions, relationships, and the evolving dynamics of the story.

 

Question 6. Here are some sentences that talk about Father Brown's competence as a crime solver. Rank them from 1 to 5 in the box. Discuss your responses in class.
Answer:
(1) Father Brown was a keen observer of people. (4)
(2) Father Brown was a quick thinker. (1)
(3) Father Brown used his knowledge to find out what someone really was. (3)
(4) Father Brown had the intelligence to do his job and save himself. (5)
(5) Father Brown knew his own strengths and weaknesses. He made his plan of action accordingly. (2)
In simple words: This exercise asks students to rank Father Brown's crime-solving abilities, such as quick thinking, self-awareness, observational skills, and strategic planning, based on their importance.

🎯 Exam Tip: Ranking abilities helps in prioritizing skills and understanding the hierarchy of traits that contribute to effective problem-solving in a character.

 

Question 1. Father Brown was a quick thinker.
Answer:Upon visiting a restaurant, Father Brown swapped the salt and sugar bowls. He then splattered soup on the wall, inflated the bill amount, and shattered a window. While at a market stall, he upset the apples and altered the labels on oranges and nuts. He executed all these actions cleverly to leave behind discernible clues for anyone following his trail.
In simple words: Father Brown displayed quick thinking by creating numerous small, noticeable disturbances to leave a clear trail for the detective to follow, without directly giving himself away.

🎯 Exam Tip: A character's ability to think quickly under pressure is a critical plot device. Analyze how these actions impact the story's progression and the antagonist's strategy.

 

Question 2. Father Brown knew his own strengths and weaknesses. He made his plan of action accordingly.
Answer:Father Brown remained unfazed by Flambeau's threats. Being a small, physically weak man, he sometimes accepted Flambeau's statements because he knew he couldn't physically overpower him. He acknowledged knowing the "old trick" and boldly informed Valentin that he had left the original cross at the sweet-shop.
In simple words: Father Brown strategically used his understanding of his physical limitations and knowledge of criminal tactics to plan his moves, effectively deceiving Flambeau and securing the cross.

🎯 Exam Tip: Self-awareness is a powerful trait. Consider how Father Brown's understanding of his own limitations allowed him to employ intellectual rather than physical solutions.

 

Question 3. Father Brown used his knowledge to find out what someone really was.
Answer:Father Brown recognized Flambeau as a criminal by the tell-tale bulge of spiked bracelets under his sleeve. He had learned how to safeguard items by entrusting them to strangers, a technique gleaned from observing handbag thieves at railway stations. His past experiences among criminal classes had taught him many such insights. As a priest, by hearing countless confessions of genuine sins, he had gained a profound understanding of human wickedness.
In simple words: Father Brown's priestly experience and past interactions with criminals gave him unique insights into human nature and criminal methods, allowing him to discern Flambeau's true identity.

🎯 Exam Tip: A character's background and experiences often inform their observational skills and deductive reasoning. Analyze how Father Brown's unique priestly role contributes to his detection abilities.

 

Question 4. Father Brown was a keen observer of people.
Answer:Father Brown noticed a bulge on Flambeau's shoulder, which quickly made him suspect Flambeau was a criminal. He then meticulously observed Flambeau, noting his lack of reaction even after drinking coffee with salt. Furthermore, Flambeau showed no reaction when asked to pay an exaggerated restaurant bill.
In simple words: Father Brown's sharp observational skills enabled him to detect subtle physical cues and behavioral anomalies, leading him to correctly identify Flambeau as a criminal.

🎯 Exam Tip: Keen observation is a fundamental trait of any detective. Note the specific details Father Brown picks up on, as these are crucial to his success.

 

Question 5. Father Brown had the intelligence to do his job and save himself.
Answer:Throughout the ordeal, Father Brown deliberately presented himself as foolish and naive, ensuring Flambeau would never suspect him to be a detective. His strategy involved leaving clues by changing salt and sugar, splattering soup on the wall, breaking a window, and inflating the bill amount. All these actions clearly demonstrate his extraordinary intelligence. Even at the story's conclusion, the renowned detective Valentin admitted that Father Brown was a 'master,' and both he and Flambeau would respectfully acknowledge him.
In simple words: Father Brown's intelligence allowed him to create a misleading persona while strategically leaving clues, ultimately outwitting Flambeau and securing his safety and the cross.

🎯 Exam Tip: Disguise and misdirection are powerful tools in detective fiction. Analyze how Father Brown's feigned foolishness serves as a brilliant tactical move.

 

Question 7. Father Brown wouldn't have saved the blue cross if he had not left it at the sweet-shop and asked the lady to directly mail it to his friend in Westminster. Now, share your response with your benchmates. If you find someone's response as good as yours or better record It below: Father Brown wouldnt have saved the blue cross if he had not left the clues behind him for detective Valentin to follow them,
Answer: Father Brown's primary trick of leaving the original blue cross at the sweet-shop, anticipating its potential theft, was crucial. Since the cross was not on his person, Flambeau could not have stolen or snatched it from him, despite his attempts to harm him. Additionally, leaving a trail of clues for Detective Valentin was essential, as it ensured that Flambeau would be apprehended and the cross would be recovered.
In simple words: Father Brown saved the cross by anticipating a theft and depositing it elsewhere, while also creating a trail of clues that allowed Detective Valentin to track Flambeau and prevent the cross from being permanently stolen.

🎯 Exam Tip: Understanding the combination of proactive measures (hiding the cross) and reactive strategies (leaving clues) highlights the comprehensive nature of Father Brown's plan.

 

8. Answer the Following Questions In Three To Four Sentences Each:

Question 1. Who turned out to be the 'master' of crime in the end? Why?
Answer:Ultimately, Father Brown emerged as the 'master' of crime because his meticulously planned efforts trapped Flambeau and led to his arrest by the renowned detective Valentin. Father Brown skillfully laid clues and devised a trap that compelled Flambeau to concede defeat. Even Valentin himself had to acknowledge Father Brown as the true 'master.'
In simple words: Father Brown was the "master" because his clever planning and execution of clues led to Flambeau's capture, earning him the respect of even the top detective.

🎯 Exam Tip: The unexpected reveal of the protagonist's superior intellect often marks a turning point in detective stories, demonstrating strategic depth.

 

Question 2. How did Father Brown use the criminal tricks he knew to save the blue cross?
Answer:Father Brown had years of experience interacting with criminals, which taught him various trapping techniques. He began leaving a trail of clues, such as splashing soup in a restaurant, inflating the bill amount, and breaking a window. He also intentionally disorganized apples and swapped labels on oranges and nuts at a market stall. He fabricated a story about a duplicate parcel and feigned foolishness. Ultimately, he left the original cross at a sweet-shop, instructing the lady there to mail it to his friend in Westminster.
In simple words: Father Brown employed various criminal-like deceptions and created diversions, drawing on his knowledge of their methods, to mislead Flambeau and secretly secure the blue cross.

🎯 Exam Tip: Analyzing the specific "tricks" used by Father Brown (e.g., misdirection, feigned incompetence) helps to understand his unconventional yet effective crime-solving approach.

 

Question 3. Why do you think Flambeau failed in stealing the blue cross ?
Answer:Flambeau, a seasoned criminal, could have stolen the blue cross at any cost. However, Father Brown continuously misled him until significant assistance arrived. In reality, Father Brown had already deposited the original blue cross at a sweet-shop, anticipating its potential theft. Therefore, even with his terrible attempts to harm Father Brown, Flambeau could not have managed to steal or snatch the cross, as it was never on him.
In simple words: Flambeau failed because Father Brown, anticipating the theft, had already moved the cross, and continuously misdirected Flambeau with clever ploys until help arrived.

🎯 Exam Tip: The element of surprise and anticipation is a powerful defense. Note how Father Brown's foresight prevents Flambeau from ever acquiring the genuine item.

 

Question 4. Describe the route that detective Valentin took before he finally found Father Brown and Flambeau.
Answer:Valentin, although from Paris, meticulously followed Flambeau's trail across London. After noting salt in a sugar bowl and splashed soup on a restaurant wall, and receiving a report from a waiter, he continued the pursuit through a market stall and another restaurant with a broken window. Eventually, Valentin reached Hampstead Heath, where he discovered the unassuming priest alongside a tall man and overheard their conversation.
In simple words: Valentin tracked Flambeau through a series of unusual clues - salt in sugar, soup on a wall, a broken window - across various London locations until he overheard Father Brown and Flambeau at Hampstead Heath.

🎯 Exam Tip: Tracing the detective's journey helps understand the investigative process and the significance of each clue in unraveling the mystery.

 

Question 5. How did Father Brown figure out that the priest with him was a criminal ?
Answer:When Father Brown served in Hartlepool, he encountered various criminals who commonly wore spiked bracelets. Thus, when he first saw Flambeau, he noticed a slight bulge beneath his sleeve. This subtle observation immediately led Father Brown to suspect that the man disguised as a priest was, in fact, a criminal.
In simple words: Father Brown recognized Flambeau as a criminal by observing a bulge under his sleeve, a tell-tale sign of spiked bracelets he had previously seen on other criminals.

🎯 Exam Tip: Character recognition through subtle physical details is a hallmark of detective stories. Pay attention to how small observations lead to significant deductions.

 

Additional Questions

1. Short Notes
Write short notes focussing on the questions:

(1) Valentin - a Renowned Detective
(1) Who was Valentin?
(2) What was Valenttns speciality?
(3) Why did Valentin come to London ?
(4) What did Valentin observe / doubt about the criminal ?
Answer:Valentin was a distinguished Parisian (French) detective. His exceptional skill lay in noticing even the minutest details. He possessed an extraordinary capacity to empathize with the criminal's mindset he was pursuing. He had come to London in search of the notorious thief and con-man, Flambeau. Despite having limited knowledge of Flambeau, Valentin, a tireless investigator, managed to track his movements across London. He observed unusual actions performed by the two priests – one short and one tall – and, accompanied by two London police officers, secretly followed them. Valentin overheard the conversation between the two disguised priests, and this encounter ultimately facilitated the arrests. His remarkable intuition for identifying criminals proved invaluable in apprehending them.
In simple words: Valentin, a famous French detective, used his keen observation and ability to understand criminals to track Flambeau to London, eventually apprehending him with the help of subtle clues and overheard conversations.

🎯 Exam Tip: When writing a short note, ensure you answer all sub-questions comprehensively, weaving the information into a coherent and descriptive paragraph.

 

(2) Father Brown - A Super Detective
(1) Who is Father Brown ?
(2) What does Father Brown do being in company of Flambeau ?
(3) How does Father Brown show his courage ?
(4) How does Father Brown know about tricks of criminals?
(5) How does Father Brown get Flambeau arrested ?
Answer:Father Brown is a Roman Catholic priest who is exceptionally intelligent and shrewd, yet he deliberately appears foolish to both Valentin and the criminal Flambeau. While with Flambeau, he intentionally causes disturbances: he puts salt in the sugar bowl, splatters soup on restaurant walls, breaks a window, and triples the bill amount. He also alters price labels of oranges and nuts in a market. These actions are calculated to create a trail for the police. When Flambeau asserts possession of the original blue cross, Father Brown laughs it off, stating he knew such old tricks. He reveals his knowledge of criminals' practice of hiding spiked bracelets in their sleeves. Father Brown demonstrates courage by remaining unafraid of Flambeau's threats, having already switched the original cross with a sweet box at a candy shop and arranged for its delivery to its rightful destination. When asked how a simple priest knew so many criminal tricks, Father Brown explains he learned about human misdeeds from hearing confessions, enabling him to outwit hardened criminals intellectually.
In simple words: Father Brown, a clever priest, used his understanding of criminal psychology and tactics, gained through confessions, to outwit Flambeau by creating diversions and strategically moving the cross, ultimately leading to Flambeau's arrest and securing the artifact.

🎯 Exam Tip: For a character analysis, focus on how Father Brown's actions, motives, and intellectual prowess contribute to his role as a "super detective," despite his unassuming appearance.

 

Reading Comprehension

Read the extracts and answer the questions:

(1) Valentin, a famous Parisian detective, comes to London, on the trail of an equally notorious French thief, Flambeau. Valentin notices the smallest details very cleverly. He has the extraordinary ability to place himself in the shoes of the criminal he is searching for. Thanks to this sense, Valentin notices a series of very strange clues left behind by a couple old priests. As a result, he manages to follow Flambeau's trail around London.

Questions:
(1) Describe Valentin's qualities as an expert professional.
(2) What made Valentin follow Flambeau's trail around London ?
Answer:
(1) Valentin was a renowned Parisian detective, known for his keen observation of minute details. He possessed a unique talent for adopting the perspective of the criminal he was pursuing.
(2) Valentin was prompted to track Flambeau's movements around London by a series of peculiar clues left behind by two elderly priests.
In simple words: Valentin's expertise lay in his meticulous attention to detail and ability to think like a criminal, which allowed him to follow Flambeau's unusual trail across London.

🎯 Exam Tip: When answering questions based on an extract, ensure your answers directly reference the text and accurately reflect the information provided.

 

(2) The calm voice and attitude added a strange violence to that shocking change of speech. But the little priest only turned his head slightly. He still seemed to have a somewhat foolish face turned to the stars. Maybe he had not understood. Or, maybe, he had understood and sat frozen with fear.“Yes,” said the tall priest, in the same low voice and in the same still posture, "yes, I am Flambeau.” Then, after a pause, he said: "Come, give me that cross.” “No,” said the other, and the reply had an odd sound.

Questions:
(1) What was the reaction of the little old priest after hearing the change of speech ?
(2) What was the effect of reaction of the old priest on Flambeau ?
Answer:
(1) After hearing the shift in Flambeau's speech, the small, elderly priest merely tilted his head slightly, appearing as if he hadn't quite grasped the situation.
(2) Flambeau, a cunning criminal, quickly understood the elderly priest's apparent lack of reaction and admitted his true identity as Flambeau.
In simple words: The small priest's subtle reaction to Flambeau's changed tone, appearing either confused or frozen, was quickly interpreted by Flambeau as a sign of his success.

🎯 Exam Tip: Analyze character reactions carefully; sometimes, a seemingly subtle response can convey complex emotions or strategic intentions, as seen in the priest's reaction.

 

The Blue Cross Summary in Gujarati

વૅલેન્ટિન નામનો પૅરિસનો એક પ્રખ્યાત જાસૂસ ફ્રાન્સના કુખ્યાત ચોર લૅમ્બોનું પગેરું શોધતો લંડન આવી પહોંચે છે. ત્યાં તે એક જાણીતી રેસ્ટોરાંમાં બેસે છે અને ખાંડના બાઉલમાં મીઠું જુએ છે. વેઇટર જણાવે છે કે આ કૃત્ય આજે બે પાદરીઓ આવ્યા હતા તેમાંના એકનું છે.

એક પાદરીએ તો રેસ્ટોરાની દીવાલ પર સૂપ પણ ઢોળ્યો હતો. તેણે બજારમાં ફળની દુકાને સફરજન ઊંધાં વાળ્યાં હતાં અને નારંગી અને નટ્સ ઉપરનાં લેબલ પણ બદલી નાખ્યાં હતાં. એથીય વિશેષ રેસ્ટોરાંના બિલની રકમ લગભગ ત્રણ ગણી કરી દીધી હતી અને જાણીજોઈને એક બારી પણ તોડી નાખી હતી. છેવટે વૅલેન્ટિન હેમ્પસ્ટીડ હીથ પહોંચ્યો. જ્યાં એણે બે પાદરીઓ – એક ઊંચો અને એક ઠીંગણો – ને વાત કરતા સાંભળ્યા.

ઊંચા પાદરીએ ઠીંગણાને નીલમનો જૂસ નહિ આપે તો એ તેને મારી નાખશે એવી ધમકી આપી. ઠીંગણા પાદરીને છેતરવા લૅમ્બોએ કહ્યું કે તારી પાસે નકલી ક્રૂસ છે, અસલી તો મારા ખિસ્સામાં છે. ઠીંગણા પાદરી પર આ બાબતની કોઈ અસર થઈ નહિ. ઠીંગણા પાદરીએ કહ્યું કે તે તો અસલ ક્રૂસના પાર્સલને એક મીઠાઈની દુકાનમાં ભૂલી આવ્યો છે અને ત્યાંની સન્નારીને તેણે વેસ્ટમિન્સ્ટરમાં રહેતા તેના મિત્રને ટપાલમાં મોકલી આપવા જણાવ્યું છે. ક્લેમ્બોએ કહ્યું કે તું મને મૂર્ખ બનાવે છે.

ફરી એક વાર ફ્લેખો ઠીંગણા પાદરીને ધમકી આપે છે, 'અહીં આપણે બે જ છીએ, તું તે કંસ મને આપી દે." ત્યારે ઠીંગણો પાદરી કે જે ફાધર બ્રાઉન છે એ જણાવે છે કે ત્યાં ઝાડ પાછળ બે કદાવર પોલીસવાળા અને જાણીતા જાસૂસ છુપાયેલા છે. લૅમ્બોના આશ્ચર્યની સીમા રહેતી નથી. લૅમ્બો જાણવા માગે છે કે ફાધર બ્રાઉને આ કેવી રીતે કર્યું. ત્યારે ફાધર બ્રાઉન રહસ્ય ખોલે છે કે તેને લૅમ્બો પર પહેલાંથી જ શંકા હતી. તેણે મીઠાવાળી કૉફી પીધી તોપણ ચૂપ રહ્યો, વધારે પડતું બિલ ચૂકવવામાં પણ તેણે કોઈ વિરોધ નોંધાવ્યો નહિ.

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