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A Master Hand
A Master Hand

Chapter IV

Cover illustration for A Master Hand
Context Illustration Reading 1/15 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
THE SUSPECT On reaching the offices, I at once sought an interview with the District Attorney and found him expecting me.
He had, of course, learned of the tragedy from police headquarters, and of my presence on the scene.
There was little I could tell him that he did not already know.
The information he had received, however, was but a meagre statement of facts and supplied no clue to the criminal.
"I suppose," he said, "it will prove an ordinary case of burglary and incidental murder, and I have no doubt the police will soon run down their man."
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

A Master Hand

Chapter IV

Reading 1/15 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
THE SUSPECT On reaching the offices, I at once sought an interview with the District Attorney and found him expecting me.
Line 2
He had, of course, learned of the tragedy from police headquarters, and of my presence on the scene.
Line 3
There was little I could tell him that he did not already know.
Line 4
The information he had received, however, was but a meagre statement of facts and supplied no clue to the criminal.
Line 5
"I suppose," he said, "it will prove an ordinary case of burglary and incidental murder, and I have no doubt the police will soon run down their man."

Learner Dictionary

Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, audio, and collocations from this reading.

Already noun US /already/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “There was little I could tell him that he did not already know.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading “There was little I could tell him that he did not already know.”

Course noun US /course/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He had, of course, learned of the tragedy from police headquarters, and of my presence on the scene.”

Expecting verb US /ɪkˈspektɪŋ/

thinking that somebody or something will arrive

From this reading “THE SUSPECT On reaching the offices, I at once sought an interview with the District Attorney and found him expecting me.”

Found noun US /found/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “THE SUSPECT On reaching the offices, I at once sought an interview with the District Attorney and found him expecting me.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “"I suppose," he said, "it will prove an ordinary case of burglary and incidental murder, and I have no doubt the police will soon run down their man."”

However adverb US /ˌhaʊˈevər/

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading “The information he had received, however, was but a meagre statement of facts and supplied no clue to the criminal.”

Know noun US /know/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “There was little I could tell him that he did not already know.”

Little noun US /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “There was little I could tell him that he did not already know.”

Once noun US /once/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “THE SUSPECT On reaching the offices, I at once sought an interview with the District Attorney and found him expecting me.”

Soon noun US /soon/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “"I suppose," he said, "it will prove an ordinary case of burglary and incidental murder, and I have no doubt the police will soon run down their man."”

Suppose noun US /ˈsuppose/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading “"I suppose," he said, "it will prove an ordinary case of burglary and incidental murder, and I have no doubt the police will soon run down their man."”

Tell noun US /tell/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “There was little I could tell him that he did not already know.”

All words in this reading · 71

Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

adeterminerUS /ə/

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading The information he had received, however, was but a meagre statement of facts and supplied no clue to the criminal.

alreadynounUS /already/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading There was little I could tell him that he did not already know.

andeterminerUS /æn/

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading THE SUSPECT On reaching the offices, I at once sought an interview with the District Attorney and found him expecting me.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading THE SUSPECT On reaching the offices, I at once sought an interview with the District Attorney and found him expecting me.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading THE SUSPECT On reaching the offices, I at once sought an interview with the District Attorney and found him expecting me.

Attorney

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading THE SUSPECT On reaching the offices, I at once sought an interview with the District Attorney and found him expecting me.

burglary

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "I suppose," he said, "it will prove an ordinary case of burglary and incidental murder, and I have no doubt the police will soon run down their man."

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading The information he had received, however, was but a meagre statement of facts and supplied no clue to the criminal.

case

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "I suppose," he said, "it will prove an ordinary case of burglary and incidental murder, and I have no doubt the police will soon run down their man."

clue

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The information he had received, however, was but a meagre statement of facts and supplied no clue to the criminal.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading There was little I could tell him that he did not already know.

coursenounUS /course/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He had, of course, learned of the tragedy from police headquarters, and of my presence on the scene.

criminal

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The information he had received, however, was but a meagre statement of facts and supplied no clue to the criminal.

didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading There was little I could tell him that he did not already know.

District

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading THE SUSPECT On reaching the offices, I at once sought an interview with the District Attorney and found him expecting me.

doubt

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "I suppose," he said, "it will prove an ordinary case of burglary and incidental murder, and I have no doubt the police will soon run down their man."

down

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "I suppose," he said, "it will prove an ordinary case of burglary and incidental murder, and I have no doubt the police will soon run down their man."

expectingverbUS /ɪkˈspektɪŋ/

thinking that somebody or something will arrive

From this reading THE SUSPECT On reaching the offices, I at once sought an interview with the District Attorney and found him expecting me.

facts

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The information he had received, however, was but a meagre statement of facts and supplied no clue to the criminal.

foundnounUS /found/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading THE SUSPECT On reaching the offices, I at once sought an interview with the District Attorney and found him expecting me.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading He had, of course, learned of the tragedy from police headquarters, and of my presence on the scene.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading He had, of course, learned of the tragedy from police headquarters, and of my presence on the scene.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading "I suppose," he said, "it will prove an ordinary case of burglary and incidental murder, and I have no doubt the police will soon run down their man."

HepronounUS /hiː/

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading He had, of course, learned of the tragedy from police headquarters, and of my presence on the scene.

headquarters

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading He had, of course, learned of the tragedy from police headquarters, and of my presence on the scene.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading THE SUSPECT On reaching the offices, I at once sought an interview with the District Attorney and found him expecting me.

howeveradverbUS /ˌhaʊˈevər/

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading The information he had received, however, was but a meagre statement of facts and supplied no clue to the criminal.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading THE SUSPECT On reaching the offices, I at once sought an interview with the District Attorney and found him expecting me.

incidental

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "I suppose," he said, "it will prove an ordinary case of burglary and incidental murder, and I have no doubt the police will soon run down their man."

information

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The information he had received, however, was but a meagre statement of facts and supplied no clue to the criminal.

interview

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading THE SUSPECT On reaching the offices, I at once sought an interview with the District Attorney and found him expecting me.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading "I suppose," he said, "it will prove an ordinary case of burglary and incidental murder, and I have no doubt the police will soon run down their man."

knownounUS /know/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading There was little I could tell him that he did not already know.

learned

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading He had, of course, learned of the tragedy from police headquarters, and of my presence on the scene.

littlenounUS /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading There was little I could tell him that he did not already know.

man

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "I suppose," he said, "it will prove an ordinary case of burglary and incidental murder, and I have no doubt the police will soon run down their man."

mepronounUS /miː/

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading THE SUSPECT On reaching the offices, I at once sought an interview with the District Attorney and found him expecting me.

meagre

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The information he had received, however, was but a meagre statement of facts and supplied no clue to the criminal.

murder

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "I suppose," he said, "it will prove an ordinary case of burglary and incidental murder, and I have no doubt the police will soon run down their man."

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading He had, of course, learned of the tragedy from police headquarters, and of my presence on the scene.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading The information he had received, however, was but a meagre statement of facts and supplied no clue to the criminal.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading There was little I could tell him that he did not already know.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading He had, of course, learned of the tragedy from police headquarters, and of my presence on the scene.

offices

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading THE SUSPECT On reaching the offices, I at once sought an interview with the District Attorney and found him expecting me.

OnprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading THE SUSPECT On reaching the offices, I at once sought an interview with the District Attorney and found him expecting me.

once

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading THE SUSPECT On reaching the offices, I at once sought an interview with the District Attorney and found him expecting me.

ordinary

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "I suppose," he said, "it will prove an ordinary case of burglary and incidental murder, and I have no doubt the police will soon run down their man."

police

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading He had, of course, learned of the tragedy from police headquarters, and of my presence on the scene.

presence

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading He had, of course, learned of the tragedy from police headquarters, and of my presence on the scene.

prove

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "I suppose," he said, "it will prove an ordinary case of burglary and incidental murder, and I have no doubt the police will soon run down their man."

reaching

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading THE SUSPECT On reaching the offices, I at once sought an interview with the District Attorney and found him expecting me.

received

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The information he had received, however, was but a meagre statement of facts and supplied no clue to the criminal.

run

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "I suppose," he said, "it will prove an ordinary case of burglary and incidental murder, and I have no doubt the police will soon run down their man."

said

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "I suppose," he said, "it will prove an ordinary case of burglary and incidental murder, and I have no doubt the police will soon run down their man."

scene

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading He had, of course, learned of the tragedy from police headquarters, and of my presence on the scene.

soon

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "I suppose," he said, "it will prove an ordinary case of burglary and incidental murder, and I have no doubt the police will soon run down their man."

sought

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading THE SUSPECT On reaching the offices, I at once sought an interview with the District Attorney and found him expecting me.

statement

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The information he had received, however, was but a meagre statement of facts and supplied no clue to the criminal.

supplied

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The information he had received, however, was but a meagre statement of facts and supplied no clue to the criminal.

supposenounUS /ˈsuppose/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading "I suppose," he said, "it will prove an ordinary case of burglary and incidental murder, and I have no doubt the police will soon run down their man."

SUSPECT

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading THE SUSPECT On reaching the offices, I at once sought an interview with the District Attorney and found him expecting me.

tellnounUS /tell/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading There was little I could tell him that he did not already know.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading There was little I could tell him that he did not already know.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading THE SUSPECT On reaching the offices, I at once sought an interview with the District Attorney and found him expecting me.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading "I suppose," he said, "it will prove an ordinary case of burglary and incidental murder, and I have no doubt the police will soon run down their man."

There

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading There was little I could tell him that he did not already know.

toparticleUS /tuː/

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading The information he had received, however, was but a meagre statement of facts and supplied no clue to the criminal.

tragedy

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading He had, of course, learned of the tragedy from police headquarters, and of my presence on the scene.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading There was little I could tell him that he did not already know.

willmodal verbUS /wɪl/

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading "I suppose," he said, "it will prove an ordinary case of burglary and incidental murder, and I have no doubt the police will soon run down their man."

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading THE SUSPECT On reaching the offices, I at once sought an interview with the District Attorney and found him expecting me.