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AdeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A DOCUMENT OF IMPORTANCE It was a copy, and not the original, of this pitiful letter which I found in the cigar-case, as was evident from the fact that the document was in Green’s handwriting, and to this I attached some importance.
acquainted
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From this reading As matters stood it _looked_ as if Green had in some way contrived to intercept Mullen’s correspondence; and it also looked as if, after making himself acquainted with the contents of Mullen’s letters, Green had carefully resealed them and let them go on to the person for whom they were intended.
actual
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From this reading On the contrary, it was more than probable that he had arranged some complicated and roundabout system of reforwarding correspondence, so that even if the police should find out the address to which the letter was sent, they would still have before them the difficult task of tracing the letter to the address to which it had been reforwarded, and perhaps again reforwarded, before they could come to the actual hiding-place of the fugitive, who in the meantime would get wind of what was going on and would promptly decide that it was high time for him to change his quarters.
actually
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From this reading Although Mullen had given an address to which a letter might be sent to him by his sister, it was not likely that he himself was actually to be found at that address.
address
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From this reading Although Mullen had given an address to which a letter might be sent to him by his sister, it was not likely that he himself was actually to be found at that address.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading As matters stood it _looked_ as if Green had in some way contrived to intercept Mullen’s correspondence; and it also looked as if, after making himself acquainted with the contents of Mullen’s letters, Green had carefully resealed them and let them go on to the person for whom they were intended.
againnounUS /again/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading On the contrary, it was more than probable that he had arranged some complicated and roundabout system of reforwarding correspondence, so that even if the police should find out the address to which the letter was sent, they would still have before them the difficult task of tracing the letter to the address to which it had been reforwarded, and perhaps again reforwarded, before they could come to the actual hiding-place of the fugitive, who in the meantime would get wind of what was going on and would promptly decide that it was high time for him to change his quarters.
also
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As matters stood it _looked_ as if Green had in some way contrived to intercept Mullen’s correspondence; and it also looked as if, after making himself acquainted with the contents of Mullen’s letters, Green had carefully resealed them and let them go on to the person for whom they were intended.
AlthoughnounUS /ˈalthough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Although Mullen had given an address to which a letter might be sent to him by his sister, it was not likely that he himself was actually to be found at that address.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Although Mullen had given an address to which a letter might be sent to him by his sister, it was not likely that he himself was actually to be found at that address.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A DOCUMENT OF IMPORTANCE It was a copy, and not the original, of this pitiful letter which I found in the cigar-case, as was evident from the fact that the document was in Green’s handwriting, and to this I attached some importance.
arranged
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From this reading On the contrary, it was more than probable that he had arranged some complicated and roundabout system of reforwarding correspondence, so that even if the police should find out the address to which the letter was sent, they would still have before them the difficult task of tracing the letter to the address to which it had been reforwarded, and perhaps again reforwarded, before they could come to the actual hiding-place of the fugitive, who in the meantime would get wind of what was going on and would promptly decide that it was high time for him to change his quarters.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading A DOCUMENT OF IMPORTANCE It was a copy, and not the original, of this pitiful letter which I found in the cigar-case, as was evident from the fact that the document was in Green’s handwriting, and to this I attached some importance.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Although Mullen had given an address to which a letter might be sent to him by his sister, it was not likely that he himself was actually to be found at that address.
attached
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From this reading A DOCUMENT OF IMPORTANCE It was a copy, and not the original, of this pitiful letter which I found in the cigar-case, as was evident from the fact that the document was in Green’s handwriting, and to this I attached some importance.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Although Mullen had given an address to which a letter might be sent to him by his sister, it was not likely that he himself was actually to be found at that address.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading On the contrary, it was more than probable that he had arranged some complicated and roundabout system of reforwarding correspondence, so that even if the police should find out the address to which the letter was sent, they would still have before them the difficult task of tracing the letter to the address to which it had been reforwarded, and perhaps again reforwarded, before they could come to the actual hiding-place of the fugitive, who in the meantime would get wind of what was going on and would promptly decide that it was high time for him to change his quarters.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading On the contrary, it was more than probable that he had arranged some complicated and roundabout system of reforwarding correspondence, so that even if the police should find out the address to which the letter was sent, they would still have before them the difficult task of tracing the letter to the address to which it had been reforwarded, and perhaps again reforwarded, before they could come to the actual hiding-place of the fugitive, who in the meantime would get wind of what was going on and would promptly decide that it was high time for him to change his quarters.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Although Mullen had given an address to which a letter might be sent to him by his sister, it was not likely that he himself was actually to be found at that address.
came
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That he must have had some reason for not retaining in his possession what might prove so valuable a piece of evidence was very clear, and after thinking the matter over I came to the following conclusion.
carefully
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As matters stood it _looked_ as if Green had in some way contrived to intercept Mullen’s correspondence; and it also looked as if, after making himself acquainted with the contents of Mullen’s letters, Green had carefully resealed them and let them go on to the person for whom they were intended.
change
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the contrary, it was more than probable that he had arranged some complicated and roundabout system of reforwarding correspondence, so that even if the police should find out the address to which the letter was sent, they would still have before them the difficult task of tracing the letter to the address to which it had been reforwarded, and perhaps again reforwarded, before they could come to the actual hiding-place of the fugitive, who in the meantime would get wind of what was going on and would promptly decide that it was high time for him to change his quarters.
cigar-case
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From this reading A DOCUMENT OF IMPORTANCE It was a copy, and not the original, of this pitiful letter which I found in the cigar-case, as was evident from the fact that the document was in Green’s handwriting, and to this I attached some importance.
clear
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That he must have had some reason for not retaining in his possession what might prove so valuable a piece of evidence was very clear, and after thinking the matter over I came to the following conclusion.
comenounUS /come/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading On the contrary, it was more than probable that he had arranged some complicated and roundabout system of reforwarding correspondence, so that even if the police should find out the address to which the letter was sent, they would still have before them the difficult task of tracing the letter to the address to which it had been reforwarded, and perhaps again reforwarded, before they could come to the actual hiding-place of the fugitive, who in the meantime would get wind of what was going on and would promptly decide that it was high time for him to change his quarters.
complicated
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From this reading On the contrary, it was more than probable that he had arranged some complicated and roundabout system of reforwarding correspondence, so that even if the police should find out the address to which the letter was sent, they would still have before them the difficult task of tracing the letter to the address to which it had been reforwarded, and perhaps again reforwarded, before they could come to the actual hiding-place of the fugitive, who in the meantime would get wind of what was going on and would promptly decide that it was high time for him to change his quarters.
conclusion
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From this reading That he must have had some reason for not retaining in his possession what might prove so valuable a piece of evidence was very clear, and after thinking the matter over I came to the following conclusion.
contents
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As matters stood it _looked_ as if Green had in some way contrived to intercept Mullen’s correspondence; and it also looked as if, after making himself acquainted with the contents of Mullen’s letters, Green had carefully resealed them and let them go on to the person for whom they were intended.
contrary
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the contrary, it was more than probable that he had arranged some complicated and roundabout system of reforwarding correspondence, so that even if the police should find out the address to which the letter was sent, they would still have before them the difficult task of tracing the letter to the address to which it had been reforwarded, and perhaps again reforwarded, before they could come to the actual hiding-place of the fugitive, who in the meantime would get wind of what was going on and would promptly decide that it was high time for him to change his quarters.
contrived
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As matters stood it _looked_ as if Green had in some way contrived to intercept Mullen’s correspondence; and it also looked as if, after making himself acquainted with the contents of Mullen’s letters, Green had carefully resealed them and let them go on to the person for whom they were intended.
copy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A DOCUMENT OF IMPORTANCE It was a copy, and not the original, of this pitiful letter which I found in the cigar-case, as was evident from the fact that the document was in Green’s handwriting, and to this I attached some importance.
correspondence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As matters stood it _looked_ as if Green had in some way contrived to intercept Mullen’s correspondence; and it also looked as if, after making himself acquainted with the contents of Mullen’s letters, Green had carefully resealed them and let them go on to the person for whom they were intended.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading On the contrary, it was more than probable that he had arranged some complicated and roundabout system of reforwarding correspondence, so that even if the police should find out the address to which the letter was sent, they would still have before them the difficult task of tracing the letter to the address to which it had been reforwarded, and perhaps again reforwarded, before they could come to the actual hiding-place of the fugitive, who in the meantime would get wind of what was going on and would promptly decide that it was high time for him to change his quarters.
decide
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the contrary, it was more than probable that he had arranged some complicated and roundabout system of reforwarding correspondence, so that even if the police should find out the address to which the letter was sent, they would still have before them the difficult task of tracing the letter to the address to which it had been reforwarded, and perhaps again reforwarded, before they could come to the actual hiding-place of the fugitive, who in the meantime would get wind of what was going on and would promptly decide that it was high time for him to change his quarters.
difficult
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the contrary, it was more than probable that he had arranged some complicated and roundabout system of reforwarding correspondence, so that even if the police should find out the address to which the letter was sent, they would still have before them the difficult task of tracing the letter to the address to which it had been reforwarded, and perhaps again reforwarded, before they could come to the actual hiding-place of the fugitive, who in the meantime would get wind of what was going on and would promptly decide that it was high time for him to change his quarters.
DOCUMENT
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A DOCUMENT OF IMPORTANCE It was a copy, and not the original, of this pitiful letter which I found in the cigar-case, as was evident from the fact that the document was in Green’s handwriting, and to this I attached some importance.
evennounUS /even/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading On the contrary, it was more than probable that he had arranged some complicated and roundabout system of reforwarding correspondence, so that even if the police should find out the address to which the letter was sent, they would still have before them the difficult task of tracing the letter to the address to which it had been reforwarded, and perhaps again reforwarded, before they could come to the actual hiding-place of the fugitive, who in the meantime would get wind of what was going on and would promptly decide that it was high time for him to change his quarters.
evidence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That he must have had some reason for not retaining in his possession what might prove so valuable a piece of evidence was very clear, and after thinking the matter over I came to the following conclusion.
evident
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A DOCUMENT OF IMPORTANCE It was a copy, and not the original, of this pitiful letter which I found in the cigar-case, as was evident from the fact that the document was in Green’s handwriting, and to this I attached some importance.
fact
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A DOCUMENT OF IMPORTANCE It was a copy, and not the original, of this pitiful letter which I found in the cigar-case, as was evident from the fact that the document was in Green’s handwriting, and to this I attached some importance.
find
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the contrary, it was more than probable that he had arranged some complicated and roundabout system of reforwarding correspondence, so that even if the police should find out the address to which the letter was sent, they would still have before them the difficult task of tracing the letter to the address to which it had been reforwarded, and perhaps again reforwarded, before they could come to the actual hiding-place of the fugitive, who in the meantime would get wind of what was going on and would promptly decide that it was high time for him to change his quarters.
following
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That he must have had some reason for not retaining in his possession what might prove so valuable a piece of evidence was very clear, and after thinking the matter over I came to the following conclusion.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading As matters stood it _looked_ as if Green had in some way contrived to intercept Mullen’s correspondence; and it also looked as if, after making himself acquainted with the contents of Mullen’s letters, Green had carefully resealed them and let them go on to the person for whom they were intended.
foundnounUS /found/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A DOCUMENT OF IMPORTANCE It was a copy, and not the original, of this pitiful letter which I found in the cigar-case, as was evident from the fact that the document was in Green’s handwriting, and to this I attached some importance.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading A DOCUMENT OF IMPORTANCE It was a copy, and not the original, of this pitiful letter which I found in the cigar-case, as was evident from the fact that the document was in Green’s handwriting, and to this I attached some importance.
fugitive
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From this reading On the contrary, it was more than probable that he had arranged some complicated and roundabout system of reforwarding correspondence, so that even if the police should find out the address to which the letter was sent, they would still have before them the difficult task of tracing the letter to the address to which it had been reforwarded, and perhaps again reforwarded, before they could come to the actual hiding-place of the fugitive, who in the meantime would get wind of what was going on and would promptly decide that it was high time for him to change his quarters.
get
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the contrary, it was more than probable that he had arranged some complicated and roundabout system of reforwarding correspondence, so that even if the police should find out the address to which the letter was sent, they would still have before them the difficult task of tracing the letter to the address to which it had been reforwarded, and perhaps again reforwarded, before they could come to the actual hiding-place of the fugitive, who in the meantime would get wind of what was going on and would promptly decide that it was high time for him to change his quarters.
given
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From this reading Although Mullen had given an address to which a letter might be sent to him by his sister, it was not likely that he himself was actually to be found at that address.
go
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As matters stood it _looked_ as if Green had in some way contrived to intercept Mullen’s correspondence; and it also looked as if, after making himself acquainted with the contents of Mullen’s letters, Green had carefully resealed them and let them go on to the person for whom they were intended.
going
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the contrary, it was more than probable that he had arranged some complicated and roundabout system of reforwarding correspondence, so that even if the police should find out the address to which the letter was sent, they would still have before them the difficult task of tracing the letter to the address to which it had been reforwarded, and perhaps again reforwarded, before they could come to the actual hiding-place of the fugitive, who in the meantime would get wind of what was going on and would promptly decide that it was high time for him to change his quarters.
Green
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As matters stood it _looked_ as if Green had in some way contrived to intercept Mullen’s correspondence; and it also looked as if, after making himself acquainted with the contents of Mullen’s letters, Green had carefully resealed them and let them go on to the person for whom they were intended.
Green's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A DOCUMENT OF IMPORTANCE It was a copy, and not the original, of this pitiful letter which I found in the cigar-case, as was evident from the fact that the document was in Green’s handwriting, and to this I attached some importance.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading As matters stood it _looked_ as if Green had in some way contrived to intercept Mullen’s correspondence; and it also looked as if, after making himself acquainted with the contents of Mullen’s letters, Green had carefully resealed them and let them go on to the person for whom they were intended.
handwriting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A DOCUMENT OF IMPORTANCE It was a copy, and not the original, of this pitiful letter which I found in the cigar-case, as was evident from the fact that the document was in Green’s handwriting, and to this I attached some importance.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading That he must have had some reason for not retaining in his possession what might prove so valuable a piece of evidence was very clear, and after thinking the matter over I came to the following conclusion.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading That he must have had some reason for not retaining in his possession what might prove so valuable a piece of evidence was very clear, and after thinking the matter over I came to the following conclusion.
hiding-place
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the contrary, it was more than probable that he had arranged some complicated and roundabout system of reforwarding correspondence, so that even if the police should find out the address to which the letter was sent, they would still have before them the difficult task of tracing the letter to the address to which it had been reforwarded, and perhaps again reforwarded, before they could come to the actual hiding-place of the fugitive, who in the meantime would get wind of what was going on and would promptly decide that it was high time for him to change his quarters.
high
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the contrary, it was more than probable that he had arranged some complicated and roundabout system of reforwarding correspondence, so that even if the police should find out the address to which the letter was sent, they would still have before them the difficult task of tracing the letter to the address to which it had been reforwarded, and perhaps again reforwarded, before they could come to the actual hiding-place of the fugitive, who in the meantime would get wind of what was going on and would promptly decide that it was high time for him to change his quarters.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Although Mullen had given an address to which a letter might be sent to him by his sister, it was not likely that he himself was actually to be found at that address.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading As matters stood it _looked_ as if Green had in some way contrived to intercept Mullen’s correspondence; and it also looked as if, after making himself acquainted with the contents of Mullen’s letters, Green had carefully resealed them and let them go on to the person for whom they were intended.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading That he must have had some reason for not retaining in his possession what might prove so valuable a piece of evidence was very clear, and after thinking the matter over I came to the following conclusion.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading A DOCUMENT OF IMPORTANCE It was a copy, and not the original, of this pitiful letter which I found in the cigar-case, as was evident from the fact that the document was in Green’s handwriting, and to this I attached some importance.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading As matters stood it _looked_ as if Green had in some way contrived to intercept Mullen’s correspondence; and it also looked as if, after making himself acquainted with the contents of Mullen’s letters, Green had carefully resealed them and let them go on to the person for whom they were intended.
IMPORTANCE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A DOCUMENT OF IMPORTANCE It was a copy, and not the original, of this pitiful letter which I found in the cigar-case, as was evident from the fact that the document was in Green’s handwriting, and to this I attached some importance.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A DOCUMENT OF IMPORTANCE It was a copy, and not the original, of this pitiful letter which I found in the cigar-case, as was evident from the fact that the document was in Green’s handwriting, and to this I attached some importance.
intended
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As matters stood it _looked_ as if Green had in some way contrived to intercept Mullen’s correspondence; and it also looked as if, after making himself acquainted with the contents of Mullen’s letters, Green had carefully resealed them and let them go on to the person for whom they were intended.
intercept
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As matters stood it _looked_ as if Green had in some way contrived to intercept Mullen’s correspondence; and it also looked as if, after making himself acquainted with the contents of Mullen’s letters, Green had carefully resealed them and let them go on to the person for whom they were intended.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading A DOCUMENT OF IMPORTANCE It was a copy, and not the original, of this pitiful letter which I found in the cigar-case, as was evident from the fact that the document was in Green’s handwriting, and to this I attached some importance.
letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading As matters stood it _looked_ as if Green had in some way contrived to intercept Mullen’s correspondence; and it also looked as if, after making himself acquainted with the contents of Mullen’s letters, Green had carefully resealed them and let them go on to the person for whom they were intended.
letter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A DOCUMENT OF IMPORTANCE It was a copy, and not the original, of this pitiful letter which I found in the cigar-case, as was evident from the fact that the document was in Green’s handwriting, and to this I attached some importance.
letters
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As matters stood it _looked_ as if Green had in some way contrived to intercept Mullen’s correspondence; and it also looked as if, after making himself acquainted with the contents of Mullen’s letters, Green had carefully resealed them and let them go on to the person for whom they were intended.
likely
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From this reading Although Mullen had given an address to which a letter might be sent to him by his sister, it was not likely that he himself was actually to be found at that address.
lookednounUS /looked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading As matters stood it _looked_ as if Green had in some way contrived to intercept Mullen’s correspondence; and it also looked as if, after making himself acquainted with the contents of Mullen’s letters, Green had carefully resealed them and let them go on to the person for whom they were intended.
making
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As matters stood it _looked_ as if Green had in some way contrived to intercept Mullen’s correspondence; and it also looked as if, after making himself acquainted with the contents of Mullen’s letters, Green had carefully resealed them and let them go on to the person for whom they were intended.
matter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That he must have had some reason for not retaining in his possession what might prove so valuable a piece of evidence was very clear, and after thinking the matter over I came to the following conclusion.
matters
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As matters stood it _looked_ as if Green had in some way contrived to intercept Mullen’s correspondence; and it also looked as if, after making himself acquainted with the contents of Mullen’s letters, Green had carefully resealed them and let them go on to the person for whom they were intended.
meantimenounUS /ˈmiːntaɪm/
the period of time while something else is happening
From this reading On the contrary, it was more than probable that he had arranged some complicated and roundabout system of reforwarding correspondence, so that even if the police should find out the address to which the letter was sent, they would still have before them the difficult task of tracing the letter to the address to which it had been reforwarded, and perhaps again reforwarded, before they could come to the actual hiding-place of the fugitive, who in the meantime would get wind of what was going on and would promptly decide that it was high time for him to change his quarters.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading That he must have had some reason for not retaining in his possession what might prove so valuable a piece of evidence was very clear, and after thinking the matter over I came to the following conclusion.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the contrary, it was more than probable that he had arranged some complicated and roundabout system of reforwarding correspondence, so that even if the police should find out the address to which the letter was sent, they would still have before them the difficult task of tracing the letter to the address to which it had been reforwarded, and perhaps again reforwarded, before they could come to the actual hiding-place of the fugitive, who in the meantime would get wind of what was going on and would promptly decide that it was high time for him to change his quarters.
Mullen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Although Mullen had given an address to which a letter might be sent to him by his sister, it was not likely that he himself was actually to be found at that address.
Mullen's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As matters stood it _looked_ as if Green had in some way contrived to intercept Mullen’s correspondence; and it also looked as if, after making himself acquainted with the contents of Mullen’s letters, Green had carefully resealed them and let them go on to the person for whom they were intended.
mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading That he must have had some reason for not retaining in his possession what might prove so valuable a piece of evidence was very clear, and after thinking the matter over I came to the following conclusion.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading A DOCUMENT OF IMPORTANCE It was a copy, and not the original, of this pitiful letter which I found in the cigar-case, as was evident from the fact that the document was in Green’s handwriting, and to this I attached some importance.
OFprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A DOCUMENT OF IMPORTANCE It was a copy, and not the original, of this pitiful letter which I found in the cigar-case, as was evident from the fact that the document was in Green’s handwriting, and to this I attached some importance.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading As matters stood it _looked_ as if Green had in some way contrived to intercept Mullen’s correspondence; and it also looked as if, after making himself acquainted with the contents of Mullen’s letters, Green had carefully resealed them and let them go on to the person for whom they were intended.
original
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A DOCUMENT OF IMPORTANCE It was a copy, and not the original, of this pitiful letter which I found in the cigar-case, as was evident from the fact that the document was in Green’s handwriting, and to this I attached some importance.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the contrary, it was more than probable that he had arranged some complicated and roundabout system of reforwarding correspondence, so that even if the police should find out the address to which the letter was sent, they would still have before them the difficult task of tracing the letter to the address to which it had been reforwarded, and perhaps again reforwarded, before they could come to the actual hiding-place of the fugitive, who in the meantime would get wind of what was going on and would promptly decide that it was high time for him to change his quarters.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading That he must have had some reason for not retaining in his possession what might prove so valuable a piece of evidence was very clear, and after thinking the matter over I came to the following conclusion.
perhaps
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the contrary, it was more than probable that he had arranged some complicated and roundabout system of reforwarding correspondence, so that even if the police should find out the address to which the letter was sent, they would still have before them the difficult task of tracing the letter to the address to which it had been reforwarded, and perhaps again reforwarded, before they could come to the actual hiding-place of the fugitive, who in the meantime would get wind of what was going on and would promptly decide that it was high time for him to change his quarters.
person
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As matters stood it _looked_ as if Green had in some way contrived to intercept Mullen’s correspondence; and it also looked as if, after making himself acquainted with the contents of Mullen’s letters, Green had carefully resealed them and let them go on to the person for whom they were intended.
piece
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That he must have had some reason for not retaining in his possession what might prove so valuable a piece of evidence was very clear, and after thinking the matter over I came to the following conclusion.
pitiful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A DOCUMENT OF IMPORTANCE It was a copy, and not the original, of this pitiful letter which I found in the cigar-case, as was evident from the fact that the document was in Green’s handwriting, and to this I attached some importance.
police
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the contrary, it was more than probable that he had arranged some complicated and roundabout system of reforwarding correspondence, so that even if the police should find out the address to which the letter was sent, they would still have before them the difficult task of tracing the letter to the address to which it had been reforwarded, and perhaps again reforwarded, before they could come to the actual hiding-place of the fugitive, who in the meantime would get wind of what was going on and would promptly decide that it was high time for him to change his quarters.
possession
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That he must have had some reason for not retaining in his possession what might prove so valuable a piece of evidence was very clear, and after thinking the matter over I came to the following conclusion.
probable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the contrary, it was more than probable that he had arranged some complicated and roundabout system of reforwarding correspondence, so that even if the police should find out the address to which the letter was sent, they would still have before them the difficult task of tracing the letter to the address to which it had been reforwarded, and perhaps again reforwarded, before they could come to the actual hiding-place of the fugitive, who in the meantime would get wind of what was going on and would promptly decide that it was high time for him to change his quarters.
promptly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the contrary, it was more than probable that he had arranged some complicated and roundabout system of reforwarding correspondence, so that even if the police should find out the address to which the letter was sent, they would still have before them the difficult task of tracing the letter to the address to which it had been reforwarded, and perhaps again reforwarded, before they could come to the actual hiding-place of the fugitive, who in the meantime would get wind of what was going on and would promptly decide that it was high time for him to change his quarters.
prove
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That he must have had some reason for not retaining in his possession what might prove so valuable a piece of evidence was very clear, and after thinking the matter over I came to the following conclusion.
quarters
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the contrary, it was more than probable that he had arranged some complicated and roundabout system of reforwarding correspondence, so that even if the police should find out the address to which the letter was sent, they would still have before them the difficult task of tracing the letter to the address to which it had been reforwarded, and perhaps again reforwarded, before they could come to the actual hiding-place of the fugitive, who in the meantime would get wind of what was going on and would promptly decide that it was high time for him to change his quarters.
reason
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That he must have had some reason for not retaining in his possession what might prove so valuable a piece of evidence was very clear, and after thinking the matter over I came to the following conclusion.
reforwarded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the contrary, it was more than probable that he had arranged some complicated and roundabout system of reforwarding correspondence, so that even if the police should find out the address to which the letter was sent, they would still have before them the difficult task of tracing the letter to the address to which it had been reforwarded, and perhaps again reforwarded, before they could come to the actual hiding-place of the fugitive, who in the meantime would get wind of what was going on and would promptly decide that it was high time for him to change his quarters.
reforwarding
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the contrary, it was more than probable that he had arranged some complicated and roundabout system of reforwarding correspondence, so that even if the police should find out the address to which the letter was sent, they would still have before them the difficult task of tracing the letter to the address to which it had been reforwarded, and perhaps again reforwarded, before they could come to the actual hiding-place of the fugitive, who in the meantime would get wind of what was going on and would promptly decide that it was high time for him to change his quarters.
resealed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As matters stood it _looked_ as if Green had in some way contrived to intercept Mullen’s correspondence; and it also looked as if, after making himself acquainted with the contents of Mullen’s letters, Green had carefully resealed them and let them go on to the person for whom they were intended.
retaining
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That he must have had some reason for not retaining in his possession what might prove so valuable a piece of evidence was very clear, and after thinking the matter over I came to the following conclusion.
roundabout
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the contrary, it was more than probable that he had arranged some complicated and roundabout system of reforwarding correspondence, so that even if the police should find out the address to which the letter was sent, they would still have before them the difficult task of tracing the letter to the address to which it had been reforwarded, and perhaps again reforwarded, before they could come to the actual hiding-place of the fugitive, who in the meantime would get wind of what was going on and would promptly decide that it was high time for him to change his quarters.
sent
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From this reading Although Mullen had given an address to which a letter might be sent to him by his sister, it was not likely that he himself was actually to be found at that address.
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading On the contrary, it was more than probable that he had arranged some complicated and roundabout system of reforwarding correspondence, so that even if the police should find out the address to which the letter was sent, they would still have before them the difficult task of tracing the letter to the address to which it had been reforwarded, and perhaps again reforwarded, before they could come to the actual hiding-place of the fugitive, who in the meantime would get wind of what was going on and would promptly decide that it was high time for him to change his quarters.
sister
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Although Mullen had given an address to which a letter might be sent to him by his sister, it was not likely that he himself was actually to be found at that address.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading That he must have had some reason for not retaining in his possession what might prove so valuable a piece of evidence was very clear, and after thinking the matter over I came to the following conclusion.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A DOCUMENT OF IMPORTANCE It was a copy, and not the original, of this pitiful letter which I found in the cigar-case, as was evident from the fact that the document was in Green’s handwriting, and to this I attached some importance.
stillnounUS /still/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading On the contrary, it was more than probable that he had arranged some complicated and roundabout system of reforwarding correspondence, so that even if the police should find out the address to which the letter was sent, they would still have before them the difficult task of tracing the letter to the address to which it had been reforwarded, and perhaps again reforwarded, before they could come to the actual hiding-place of the fugitive, who in the meantime would get wind of what was going on and would promptly decide that it was high time for him to change his quarters.
stoodnounUS /stood/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading As matters stood it _looked_ as if Green had in some way contrived to intercept Mullen’s correspondence; and it also looked as if, after making himself acquainted with the contents of Mullen’s letters, Green had carefully resealed them and let them go on to the person for whom they were intended.
system
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the contrary, it was more than probable that he had arranged some complicated and roundabout system of reforwarding correspondence, so that even if the police should find out the address to which the letter was sent, they would still have before them the difficult task of tracing the letter to the address to which it had been reforwarded, and perhaps again reforwarded, before they could come to the actual hiding-place of the fugitive, who in the meantime would get wind of what was going on and would promptly decide that it was high time for him to change his quarters.
task
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the contrary, it was more than probable that he had arranged some complicated and roundabout system of reforwarding correspondence, so that even if the police should find out the address to which the letter was sent, they would still have before them the difficult task of tracing the letter to the address to which it had been reforwarded, and perhaps again reforwarded, before they could come to the actual hiding-place of the fugitive, who in the meantime would get wind of what was going on and would promptly decide that it was high time for him to change his quarters.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading On the contrary, it was more than probable that he had arranged some complicated and roundabout system of reforwarding correspondence, so that even if the police should find out the address to which the letter was sent, they would still have before them the difficult task of tracing the letter to the address to which it had been reforwarded, and perhaps again reforwarded, before they could come to the actual hiding-place of the fugitive, who in the meantime would get wind of what was going on and would promptly decide that it was high time for him to change his quarters.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading A DOCUMENT OF IMPORTANCE It was a copy, and not the original, of this pitiful letter which I found in the cigar-case, as was evident from the fact that the document was in Green’s handwriting, and to this I attached some importance.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A DOCUMENT OF IMPORTANCE It was a copy, and not the original, of this pitiful letter which I found in the cigar-case, as was evident from the fact that the document was in Green’s handwriting, and to this I attached some importance.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading As matters stood it _looked_ as if Green had in some way contrived to intercept Mullen’s correspondence; and it also looked as if, after making himself acquainted with the contents of Mullen’s letters, Green had carefully resealed them and let them go on to the person for whom they were intended.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading As matters stood it _looked_ as if Green had in some way contrived to intercept Mullen’s correspondence; and it also looked as if, after making himself acquainted with the contents of Mullen’s letters, Green had carefully resealed them and let them go on to the person for whom they were intended.
thinkingnounUS /thinking/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading That he must have had some reason for not retaining in his possession what might prove so valuable a piece of evidence was very clear, and after thinking the matter over I came to the following conclusion.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading A DOCUMENT OF IMPORTANCE It was a copy, and not the original, of this pitiful letter which I found in the cigar-case, as was evident from the fact that the document was in Green’s handwriting, and to this I attached some importance.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading On the contrary, it was more than probable that he had arranged some complicated and roundabout system of reforwarding correspondence, so that even if the police should find out the address to which the letter was sent, they would still have before them the difficult task of tracing the letter to the address to which it had been reforwarded, and perhaps again reforwarded, before they could come to the actual hiding-place of the fugitive, who in the meantime would get wind of what was going on and would promptly decide that it was high time for him to change his quarters.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A DOCUMENT OF IMPORTANCE It was a copy, and not the original, of this pitiful letter which I found in the cigar-case, as was evident from the fact that the document was in Green’s handwriting, and to this I attached some importance.
tracing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the contrary, it was more than probable that he had arranged some complicated and roundabout system of reforwarding correspondence, so that even if the police should find out the address to which the letter was sent, they would still have before them the difficult task of tracing the letter to the address to which it had been reforwarded, and perhaps again reforwarded, before they could come to the actual hiding-place of the fugitive, who in the meantime would get wind of what was going on and would promptly decide that it was high time for him to change his quarters.
valuable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That he must have had some reason for not retaining in his possession what might prove so valuable a piece of evidence was very clear, and after thinking the matter over I came to the following conclusion.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That he must have had some reason for not retaining in his possession what might prove so valuable a piece of evidence was very clear, and after thinking the matter over I came to the following conclusion.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A DOCUMENT OF IMPORTANCE It was a copy, and not the original, of this pitiful letter which I found in the cigar-case, as was evident from the fact that the document was in Green’s handwriting, and to this I attached some importance.
way
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As matters stood it _looked_ as if Green had in some way contrived to intercept Mullen’s correspondence; and it also looked as if, after making himself acquainted with the contents of Mullen’s letters, Green had carefully resealed them and let them go on to the person for whom they were intended.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading As matters stood it _looked_ as if Green had in some way contrived to intercept Mullen’s correspondence; and it also looked as if, after making himself acquainted with the contents of Mullen’s letters, Green had carefully resealed them and let them go on to the person for whom they were intended.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading That he must have had some reason for not retaining in his possession what might prove so valuable a piece of evidence was very clear, and after thinking the matter over I came to the following conclusion.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading A DOCUMENT OF IMPORTANCE It was a copy, and not the original, of this pitiful letter which I found in the cigar-case, as was evident from the fact that the document was in Green’s handwriting, and to this I attached some importance.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading On the contrary, it was more than probable that he had arranged some complicated and roundabout system of reforwarding correspondence, so that even if the police should find out the address to which the letter was sent, they would still have before them the difficult task of tracing the letter to the address to which it had been reforwarded, and perhaps again reforwarded, before they could come to the actual hiding-place of the fugitive, who in the meantime would get wind of what was going on and would promptly decide that it was high time for him to change his quarters.
whompronounUS /huːm/
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading As matters stood it _looked_ as if Green had in some way contrived to intercept Mullen’s correspondence; and it also looked as if, after making himself acquainted with the contents of Mullen’s letters, Green had carefully resealed them and let them go on to the person for whom they were intended.
windnounUS /wind/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading On the contrary, it was more than probable that he had arranged some complicated and roundabout system of reforwarding correspondence, so that even if the police should find out the address to which the letter was sent, they would still have before them the difficult task of tracing the letter to the address to which it had been reforwarded, and perhaps again reforwarded, before they could come to the actual hiding-place of the fugitive, who in the meantime would get wind of what was going on and would promptly decide that it was high time for him to change his quarters.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading As matters stood it _looked_ as if Green had in some way contrived to intercept Mullen’s correspondence; and it also looked as if, after making himself acquainted with the contents of Mullen’s letters, Green had carefully resealed them and let them go on to the person for whom they were intended.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading On the contrary, it was more than probable that he had arranged some complicated and roundabout system of reforwarding correspondence, so that even if the police should find out the address to which the letter was sent, they would still have before them the difficult task of tracing the letter to the address to which it had been reforwarded, and perhaps again reforwarded, before they could come to the actual hiding-place of the fugitive, who in the meantime would get wind of what was going on and would promptly decide that it was high time for him to change his quarters.
