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A Master Hand
A Master Hand

Chapter VI

Cover illustration for A Master Hand
Context Illustration Reading 1/39 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
THE INQUEST CONCLUDED Whatever my inclination may have been, I had no opportunity the next day to work on the case and scarcely any for thought of it.
An important business matter took me out of town by an early train and kept me away over night so that I got back only in time to attend poor White's funeral the morning following, and then to hurry to the adjourned hearing before the Coroner.
In some respects I regretted my absence, as I might have become more familiar with the case in the interim had I been at hand, but I felt fresher for the change and diversion and ready and keen to make the most of every bit of evidence.
The crowd in the little court-room was greater and the interest seemed more intense than upon the first day.
The morning papers had hinted vaguely at newly discovered important evidence and a possible clue to the identity of the murderer and a glance at the face of Inspector Dalton confirmed them.
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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 VI

Reading 1/39 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
THE INQUEST CONCLUDED Whatever my inclination may have been, I had no opportunity the next day to work on the case and scarcely any for thought of it.
Line 2
An important business matter took me out of town by an early train and kept me away over night so that I got back only in time to attend poor White's funeral the morning following, and then to hurry to the adjourned hearing before the Coroner.
Line 3
In some respects I regretted my absence, as I might have become more familiar with the case in the interim had I been at hand, but I felt fresher for the change and diversion and ready and keen to make the most of every bit of evidence.
Line 4
The crowd in the little court-room was greater and the interest seemed more intense than upon the first day.
Line 5
The morning papers had hinted vaguely at newly discovered important evidence and a possible clue to the identity of the murderer and a glance at the face of Inspector Dalton confirmed them.

Learner Dictionary

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

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “THE INQUEST CONCLUDED Whatever my inclination may have been, I had no opportunity the next day to work on the case and scarcely any for thought of it.”

Before preposition US /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading “An important business matter took me out of town by an early train and kept me away over night so that I got back only in time to attend poor White's funeral the morning following, and then to hurry to the adjourned hearing before the Coroner.”

Every determiner US /ˈevəri/

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading “In some respects I regretted my absence, as I might have become more familiar with the case in the interim had I been at hand, but I felt fresher for the change and diversion and ready and keen to make the most of every bit of evidence.”

First noun US /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The crowd in the little court-room was greater and the interest seemed more intense than upon the first day.”

Hand noun US /hand/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “In some respects I regretted my absence, as I might have become more familiar with the case in the interim had I been at hand, but I felt fresher for the change and diversion and ready and keen to make the most of every bit of evidence.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “THE INQUEST CONCLUDED Whatever my inclination may have been, I had no opportunity the next day to work on the case and scarcely any for thought of it.”

Little noun US /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The crowd in the little court-room was greater and the interest seemed more intense than upon the first day.”

Make noun US /make/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “In some respects I regretted my absence, as I might have become more familiar with the case in the interim had I been at hand, but I felt fresher for the change and diversion and ready and keen to make the most of every bit of evidence.”

May modal verb US /meɪ/

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading “THE INQUEST CONCLUDED Whatever my inclination may have been, I had no opportunity the next day to work on the case and scarcely any for thought of it.”

Might modal verb US /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading “In some respects I regretted my absence, as I might have become more familiar with the case in the interim had I been at hand, but I felt fresher for the change and diversion and ready and keen to make the most of every bit of evidence.”

Morning noun US /morning/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “An important business matter took me out of town by an early train and kept me away over night so that I got back only in time to attend poor White's funeral the morning following, and then to hurry to the adjourned hearing before the Coroner.”

Next noun US /next/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “THE INQUEST CONCLUDED Whatever my inclination may have been, I had no opportunity the next day to work on the case and scarcely any for thought of it.”

Over preposition US /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading “An important business matter took me out of town by an early train and kept me away over night so that I got back only in time to attend poor White's funeral the morning following, and then to hurry to the adjourned hearing before the Coroner.”

Poor noun US /poor/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “An important business matter took me out of town by an early train and kept me away over night so that I got back only in time to attend poor White's funeral the morning following, and then to hurry to the adjourned hearing before the Coroner.”

Seemed noun US /seemed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The crowd in the little court-room was greater and the interest seemed more intense than upon the first day.”

Thought noun US /thought/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “THE INQUEST CONCLUDED Whatever my inclination may have been, I had no opportunity the next day to work on the case and scarcely any for thought of it.”

Time noun US /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “An important business matter took me out of town by an early train and kept me away over night so that I got back only in time to attend poor White's funeral the morning following, and then to hurry to the adjourned hearing before the Coroner.”

Took noun US /took/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “An important business matter took me out of town by an early train and kept me away over night so that I got back only in time to attend poor White's funeral the morning following, and then to hurry to the adjourned hearing before the Coroner.”

Upon preposition US /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading “The crowd in the little court-room was greater and the interest seemed more intense than upon the first day.”

Whatever determiner US /ˌwʌˈtevər/

any or all of a kind, it does not matter which

From this reading “THE INQUEST CONCLUDED Whatever my inclination may have been, I had no opportunity the next day to work on the case and scarcely any for thought of it.”

All words in this reading · 112

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 morning papers had hinted vaguely at newly discovered important evidence and a possible clue to the identity of the murderer and a glance at the face of Inspector Dalton confirmed them.

absence

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

From this reading In some respects I regretted my absence, as I might have become more familiar with the case in the interim had I been at hand, but I felt fresher for the change and diversion and ready and keen to make the most of every bit of evidence.

adjourned

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

From this reading An important business matter took me out of town by an early train and kept me away over night so that I got back only in time to attend poor White's funeral the morning following, and then to hurry to the adjourned hearing before the Coroner.

AndeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading An important business matter took me out of town by an early train and kept me away over night so that I got back only in time to attend poor White's funeral the morning following, and then to hurry to the adjourned hearing before the Coroner.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading THE INQUEST CONCLUDED Whatever my inclination may have been, I had no opportunity the next day to work on the case and scarcely any for thought of it.

any

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

From this reading THE INQUEST CONCLUDED Whatever my inclination may have been, I had no opportunity the next day to work on the case and scarcely any for thought of it.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading In some respects I regretted my absence, as I might have become more familiar with the case in the interim had I been at hand, but I felt fresher for the change and diversion and ready and keen to make the most of every bit of evidence.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading In some respects I regretted my absence, as I might have become more familiar with the case in the interim had I been at hand, but I felt fresher for the change and diversion and ready and keen to make the most of every bit of evidence.

attend

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

From this reading An important business matter took me out of town by an early train and kept me away over night so that I got back only in time to attend poor White's funeral the morning following, and then to hurry to the adjourned hearing before the Coroner.

away

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

From this reading An important business matter took me out of town by an early train and kept me away over night so that I got back only in time to attend poor White's funeral the morning following, and then to hurry to the adjourned hearing before the Coroner.

back

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

From this reading An important business matter took me out of town by an early train and kept me away over night so that I got back only in time to attend poor White's funeral the morning following, and then to hurry to the adjourned hearing before the Coroner.

become

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

From this reading In some respects I regretted my absence, as I might have become more familiar with the case in the interim had I been at hand, but I felt fresher for the change and diversion and ready and keen to make the most of every bit of evidence.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading THE INQUEST CONCLUDED Whatever my inclination may have been, I had no opportunity the next day to work on the case and scarcely any for thought of it.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading An important business matter took me out of town by an early train and kept me away over night so that I got back only in time to attend poor White's funeral the morning following, and then to hurry to the adjourned hearing before the Coroner.

bit

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

From this reading In some respects I regretted my absence, as I might have become more familiar with the case in the interim had I been at hand, but I felt fresher for the change and diversion and ready and keen to make the most of every bit of evidence.

business

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

From this reading An important business matter took me out of town by an early train and kept me away over night so that I got back only in time to attend poor White's funeral the morning following, and then to hurry to the adjourned hearing before the Coroner.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading In some respects I regretted my absence, as I might have become more familiar with the case in the interim had I been at hand, but I felt fresher for the change and diversion and ready and keen to make the most of every bit of evidence.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading An important business matter took me out of town by an early train and kept me away over night so that I got back only in time to attend poor White's funeral the morning following, and then to hurry to the adjourned hearing before the Coroner.

case

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

From this reading THE INQUEST CONCLUDED Whatever my inclination may have been, I had no opportunity the next day to work on the case and scarcely any for thought of it.

change

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

From this reading In some respects I regretted my absence, as I might have become more familiar with the case in the interim had I been at hand, but I felt fresher for the change and diversion and ready and keen to make the most of every bit of evidence.

clue

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

From this reading The morning papers had hinted vaguely at newly discovered important evidence and a possible clue to the identity of the murderer and a glance at the face of Inspector Dalton confirmed them.

CONCLUDED

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

From this reading THE INQUEST CONCLUDED Whatever my inclination may have been, I had no opportunity the next day to work on the case and scarcely any for thought of it.

confirmed

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

From this reading The morning papers had hinted vaguely at newly discovered important evidence and a possible clue to the identity of the murderer and a glance at the face of Inspector Dalton confirmed them.

Coroner

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

From this reading An important business matter took me out of town by an early train and kept me away over night so that I got back only in time to attend poor White's funeral the morning following, and then to hurry to the adjourned hearing before the Coroner.

court-room

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

From this reading The crowd in the little court-room was greater and the interest seemed more intense than upon the first day.

crowd

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

From this reading The crowd in the little court-room was greater and the interest seemed more intense than upon the first day.

Dalton

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

From this reading The morning papers had hinted vaguely at newly discovered important evidence and a possible clue to the identity of the murderer and a glance at the face of Inspector Dalton confirmed them.

day

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

From this reading THE INQUEST CONCLUDED Whatever my inclination may have been, I had no opportunity the next day to work on the case and scarcely any for thought of it.

discovered

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

From this reading The morning papers had hinted vaguely at newly discovered important evidence and a possible clue to the identity of the murderer and a glance at the face of Inspector Dalton confirmed them.

diversion

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

From this reading In some respects I regretted my absence, as I might have become more familiar with the case in the interim had I been at hand, but I felt fresher for the change and diversion and ready and keen to make the most of every bit of evidence.

early

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

From this reading An important business matter took me out of town by an early train and kept me away over night so that I got back only in time to attend poor White's funeral the morning following, and then to hurry to the adjourned hearing before the Coroner.

everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading In some respects I regretted my absence, as I might have become more familiar with the case in the interim had I been at hand, but I felt fresher for the change and diversion and ready and keen to make the most of every bit of evidence.

evidence

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

From this reading In some respects I regretted my absence, as I might have become more familiar with the case in the interim had I been at hand, but I felt fresher for the change and diversion and ready and keen to make the most of every bit of evidence.

face

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

From this reading The morning papers had hinted vaguely at newly discovered important evidence and a possible clue to the identity of the murderer and a glance at the face of Inspector Dalton confirmed them.

familiar

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

From this reading In some respects I regretted my absence, as I might have become more familiar with the case in the interim had I been at hand, but I felt fresher for the change and diversion and ready and keen to make the most of every bit of evidence.

felt

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

From this reading In some respects I regretted my absence, as I might have become more familiar with the case in the interim had I been at hand, but I felt fresher for the change and diversion and ready and keen to make the most of every bit of evidence.

firstnounUS /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The crowd in the little court-room was greater and the interest seemed more intense than upon the first day.

following

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

From this reading An important business matter took me out of town by an early train and kept me away over night so that I got back only in time to attend poor White's funeral the morning following, and then to hurry to the adjourned hearing before the Coroner.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading THE INQUEST CONCLUDED Whatever my inclination may have been, I had no opportunity the next day to work on the case and scarcely any for thought of it.

fresher

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

From this reading In some respects I regretted my absence, as I might have become more familiar with the case in the interim had I been at hand, but I felt fresher for the change and diversion and ready and keen to make the most of every bit of evidence.

funeral

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

From this reading An important business matter took me out of town by an early train and kept me away over night so that I got back only in time to attend poor White's funeral the morning following, and then to hurry to the adjourned hearing before the Coroner.

glance

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

From this reading The morning papers had hinted vaguely at newly discovered important evidence and a possible clue to the identity of the murderer and a glance at the face of Inspector Dalton confirmed them.

got

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

From this reading An important business matter took me out of town by an early train and kept me away over night so that I got back only in time to attend poor White's funeral the morning following, and then to hurry to the adjourned hearing before the Coroner.

greater

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

From this reading The crowd in the little court-room was greater and the interest seemed more intense than upon the first day.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading THE INQUEST CONCLUDED Whatever my inclination may have been, I had no opportunity the next day to work on the case and scarcely any for thought of it.

hand

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

From this reading In some respects I regretted my absence, as I might have become more familiar with the case in the interim had I been at hand, but I felt fresher for the change and diversion and ready and keen to make the most of every bit of evidence.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading THE INQUEST CONCLUDED Whatever my inclination may have been, I had no opportunity the next day to work on the case and scarcely any for thought of it.

hearing

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

From this reading An important business matter took me out of town by an early train and kept me away over night so that I got back only in time to attend poor White's funeral the morning following, and then to hurry to the adjourned hearing before the Coroner.

hinted

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

From this reading The morning papers had hinted vaguely at newly discovered important evidence and a possible clue to the identity of the murderer and a glance at the face of Inspector Dalton confirmed them.

hurry

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

From this reading An important business matter took me out of town by an early train and kept me away over night so that I got back only in time to attend poor White's funeral the morning following, and then to hurry to the adjourned hearing before the Coroner.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading THE INQUEST CONCLUDED Whatever my inclination may have been, I had no opportunity the next day to work on the case and scarcely any for thought of it.

identity

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

From this reading The morning papers had hinted vaguely at newly discovered important evidence and a possible clue to the identity of the murderer and a glance at the face of Inspector Dalton confirmed them.

important

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

From this reading An important business matter took me out of town by an early train and kept me away over night so that I got back only in time to attend poor White's funeral the morning following, and then to hurry to the adjourned hearing before the Coroner.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading An important business matter took me out of town by an early train and kept me away over night so that I got back only in time to attend poor White's funeral the morning following, and then to hurry to the adjourned hearing before the Coroner.

inclination

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

From this reading THE INQUEST CONCLUDED Whatever my inclination may have been, I had no opportunity the next day to work on the case and scarcely any for thought of it.

INQUEST

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

From this reading THE INQUEST CONCLUDED Whatever my inclination may have been, I had no opportunity the next day to work on the case and scarcely any for thought of it.

Inspector

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

From this reading The morning papers had hinted vaguely at newly discovered important evidence and a possible clue to the identity of the murderer and a glance at the face of Inspector Dalton confirmed them.

intense

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

From this reading The crowd in the little court-room was greater and the interest seemed more intense than upon the first day.

interest

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

From this reading The crowd in the little court-room was greater and the interest seemed more intense than upon the first day.

interim

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

From this reading In some respects I regretted my absence, as I might have become more familiar with the case in the interim had I been at hand, but I felt fresher for the change and diversion and ready and keen to make the most of every bit of evidence.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading THE INQUEST CONCLUDED Whatever my inclination may have been, I had no opportunity the next day to work on the case and scarcely any for thought of it.

keen

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

From this reading In some respects I regretted my absence, as I might have become more familiar with the case in the interim had I been at hand, but I felt fresher for the change and diversion and ready and keen to make the most of every bit of evidence.

kept

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

From this reading An important business matter took me out of town by an early train and kept me away over night so that I got back only in time to attend poor White's funeral the morning following, and then to hurry to the adjourned hearing before the Coroner.

littlenounUS /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The crowd in the little court-room was greater and the interest seemed more intense than upon the first day.

makenounUS /make/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading In some respects I regretted my absence, as I might have become more familiar with the case in the interim had I been at hand, but I felt fresher for the change and diversion and ready and keen to make the most of every bit of evidence.

matter

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

From this reading An important business matter took me out of town by an early train and kept me away over night so that I got back only in time to attend poor White's funeral the morning following, and then to hurry to the adjourned hearing before the Coroner.

maymodal verbUS /meɪ/

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading THE INQUEST CONCLUDED Whatever my inclination may have been, I had no opportunity the next day to work on the case and scarcely any for thought of it.

mepronounUS /miː/

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

From this reading An important business matter took me out of town by an early train and kept me away over night so that I got back only in time to attend poor White's funeral the morning following, and then to hurry to the adjourned hearing before the Coroner.

mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading In some respects I regretted my absence, as I might have become more familiar with the case in the interim had I been at hand, but I felt fresher for the change and diversion and ready and keen to make the most of every bit of evidence.

more

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

From this reading In some respects I regretted my absence, as I might have become more familiar with the case in the interim had I been at hand, but I felt fresher for the change and diversion and ready and keen to make the most of every bit of evidence.

morningnounUS /morning/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading An important business matter took me out of town by an early train and kept me away over night so that I got back only in time to attend poor White's funeral the morning following, and then to hurry to the adjourned hearing before the Coroner.

most

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

From this reading In some respects I regretted my absence, as I might have become more familiar with the case in the interim had I been at hand, but I felt fresher for the change and diversion and ready and keen to make the most of every bit of evidence.

murderer

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

From this reading The morning papers had hinted vaguely at newly discovered important evidence and a possible clue to the identity of the murderer and a glance at the face of Inspector Dalton confirmed them.

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading THE INQUEST CONCLUDED Whatever my inclination may have been, I had no opportunity the next day to work on the case and scarcely any for thought of it.

newly

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

From this reading The morning papers had hinted vaguely at newly discovered important evidence and a possible clue to the identity of the murderer and a glance at the face of Inspector Dalton confirmed them.

nextnounUS /next/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading THE INQUEST CONCLUDED Whatever my inclination may have been, I had no opportunity the next day to work on the case and scarcely any for thought of it.

night

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

From this reading An important business matter took me out of town by an early train and kept me away over night so that I got back only in time to attend poor White's funeral the morning following, and then to hurry to the adjourned hearing before the Coroner.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading THE INQUEST CONCLUDED Whatever my inclination may have been, I had no opportunity the next day to work on the case and scarcely any for thought of it.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE INQUEST CONCLUDED Whatever my inclination may have been, I had no opportunity the next day to work on the case and scarcely any for thought of it.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading THE INQUEST CONCLUDED Whatever my inclination may have been, I had no opportunity the next day to work on the case and scarcely any for thought of it.

only

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

From this reading An important business matter took me out of town by an early train and kept me away over night so that I got back only in time to attend poor White's funeral the morning following, and then to hurry to the adjourned hearing before the Coroner.

opportunity

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

From this reading THE INQUEST CONCLUDED Whatever my inclination may have been, I had no opportunity the next day to work on the case and scarcely any for thought of it.

out

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

From this reading An important business matter took me out of town by an early train and kept me away over night so that I got back only in time to attend poor White's funeral the morning following, and then to hurry to the adjourned hearing before the Coroner.

overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading An important business matter took me out of town by an early train and kept me away over night so that I got back only in time to attend poor White's funeral the morning following, and then to hurry to the adjourned hearing before the Coroner.

papers

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

From this reading The morning papers had hinted vaguely at newly discovered important evidence and a possible clue to the identity of the murderer and a glance at the face of Inspector Dalton confirmed them.

poornounUS /poor/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading An important business matter took me out of town by an early train and kept me away over night so that I got back only in time to attend poor White's funeral the morning following, and then to hurry to the adjourned hearing before the Coroner.

possible

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

From this reading The morning papers had hinted vaguely at newly discovered important evidence and a possible clue to the identity of the murderer and a glance at the face of Inspector Dalton confirmed them.

ready

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

From this reading In some respects I regretted my absence, as I might have become more familiar with the case in the interim had I been at hand, but I felt fresher for the change and diversion and ready and keen to make the most of every bit of evidence.

regretted

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

From this reading In some respects I regretted my absence, as I might have become more familiar with the case in the interim had I been at hand, but I felt fresher for the change and diversion and ready and keen to make the most of every bit of evidence.

respects

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

From this reading In some respects I regretted my absence, as I might have become more familiar with the case in the interim had I been at hand, but I felt fresher for the change and diversion and ready and keen to make the most of every bit of evidence.

scarcely

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

From this reading THE INQUEST CONCLUDED Whatever my inclination may have been, I had no opportunity the next day to work on the case and scarcely any for thought of it.

seemednounUS /seemed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The crowd in the little court-room was greater and the interest seemed more intense than upon the first day.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading An important business matter took me out of town by an early train and kept me away over night so that I got back only in time to attend poor White's funeral the morning following, and then to hurry to the adjourned hearing before the Coroner.

some

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

From this reading In some respects I regretted my absence, as I might have become more familiar with the case in the interim had I been at hand, but I felt fresher for the change and diversion and ready and keen to make the most of every bit of evidence.

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading The crowd in the little court-room was greater and the interest seemed more intense than upon the first day.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading An important business matter took me out of town by an early train and kept me away over night so that I got back only in time to attend poor White's funeral the morning following, and then to hurry to the adjourned hearing before the Coroner.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading THE INQUEST CONCLUDED Whatever my inclination may have been, I had no opportunity the next day to work on the case and scarcely any for thought of it.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading The morning papers had hinted vaguely at newly discovered important evidence and a possible clue to the identity of the murderer and a glance at the face of Inspector Dalton confirmed them.

then

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

From this reading An important business matter took me out of town by an early train and kept me away over night so that I got back only in time to attend poor White's funeral the morning following, and then to hurry to the adjourned hearing before the Coroner.

thoughtnounUS /thought/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading THE INQUEST CONCLUDED Whatever my inclination may have been, I had no opportunity the next day to work on the case and scarcely any for thought of it.

timenounUS /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading An important business matter took me out of town by an early train and kept me away over night so that I got back only in time to attend poor White's funeral the morning following, and then to hurry to the adjourned hearing before the Coroner.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading THE INQUEST CONCLUDED Whatever my inclination may have been, I had no opportunity the next day to work on the case and scarcely any for thought of it.

tooknounUS /took/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading An important business matter took me out of town by an early train and kept me away over night so that I got back only in time to attend poor White's funeral the morning following, and then to hurry to the adjourned hearing before the Coroner.

town

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

From this reading An important business matter took me out of town by an early train and kept me away over night so that I got back only in time to attend poor White's funeral the morning following, and then to hurry to the adjourned hearing before the Coroner.

train

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

From this reading An important business matter took me out of town by an early train and kept me away over night so that I got back only in time to attend poor White's funeral the morning following, and then to hurry to the adjourned hearing before the Coroner.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading The crowd in the little court-room was greater and the interest seemed more intense than upon the first day.

vaguely

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

From this reading The morning papers had hinted vaguely at newly discovered important evidence and a possible clue to the identity of the murderer and a glance at the face of Inspector Dalton confirmed them.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading The crowd in the little court-room was greater and the interest seemed more intense than upon the first day.

WhateverdeterminerUS /ˌwʌˈtevər/

any or all of a kind, it does not matter which

From this reading THE INQUEST CONCLUDED Whatever my inclination may have been, I had no opportunity the next day to work on the case and scarcely any for thought of it.

White's

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

From this reading An important business matter took me out of town by an early train and kept me away over night so that I got back only in time to attend poor White's funeral the morning following, and then to hurry to the adjourned hearing before the Coroner.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading In some respects I regretted my absence, as I might have become more familiar with the case in the interim had I been at hand, but I felt fresher for the change and diversion and ready and keen to make the most of every bit of evidence.

work

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

From this reading THE INQUEST CONCLUDED Whatever my inclination may have been, I had no opportunity the next day to work on the case and scarcely any for thought of it.