Complete classic literature • Five-line readings • Clear US narration
VELMORA ACADEMY
Academy of Archival Languages & Memory Studies
Menu Close
Snarled Identities
Snarled Identities

Chapter XV

Cover illustration for Snarled Identities
Context Illustration Reading 1/22 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
GORDON TACKLES NICK’S SAFE.
Green-eye Gordon stood looking at the safe that was built into the wall of Nick’s study, and, as he stared at it, his eyes were very greedy in expression.
For one thing, he felt certain that the famous detective kept money there—very likely a large sum—for, in Nick’s profession, it is often essential to lay one’s hands on plenty of cash at very short notice.
Expensive journeys have to be undertaken on little warning, often at hours when the banks are closed, for instance, and there are many other ways in which ready money comes in handy.
It remained to be seen, of course, whether the detective’s absence had made any difference in this respect.
0:00 / 0:00
Speed 0.75x
AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Snarled Identities

Chapter XV

Reading 1/22 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
GORDON TACKLES NICK’S SAFE.
Line 2
Green-eye Gordon stood looking at the safe that was built into the wall of Nick’s study, and, as he stared at it, his eyes were very greedy in expression.
Line 3
For one thing, he felt certain that the famous detective kept money there—very likely a large sum—for, in Nick’s profession, it is often essential to lay one’s hands on plenty of cash at very short notice.
Line 4
Expensive journeys have to be undertaken on little warning, often at hours when the banks are closed, for instance, and there are many other ways in which ready money comes in handy.
Line 5
It remained to be seen, of course, whether the detective’s absence had made any difference in this respect.

Learner Dictionary

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

Course noun US /course/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It remained to be seen, of course, whether the detective’s absence had made any difference in this respect.”

Hands plural noun US /hændz/

members of a ship’s crew

From this reading “For one thing, he felt certain that the famous detective kept money there—very likely a large sum—for, in Nick’s profession, it is often essential to lay one’s hands on plenty of cash at very short notice.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “Expensive journeys have to be undertaken on little warning, often at hours when the banks are closed, for instance, and there are many other ways in which ready money comes in handy.”

Little noun US /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Expensive journeys have to be undertaken on little warning, often at hours when the banks are closed, for instance, and there are many other ways in which ready money comes in handy.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “For one thing, he felt certain that the famous detective kept money there—very likely a large sum—for, in Nick’s profession, it is often essential to lay one’s hands on plenty of cash at very short notice.”

Remained noun US /ˈremained/

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

From this reading “It remained to be seen, of course, whether the detective’s absence had made any difference in this respect.”

Short adjective US /ʃɔrt/

brief or direct in expression

From this reading “For one thing, he felt certain that the famous detective kept money there—very likely a large sum—for, in Nick’s profession, it is often essential to lay one’s hands on plenty of cash at very short notice.”

Stood noun US /stood/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Green-eye Gordon stood looking at the safe that was built into the wall of Nick’s study, and, as he stared at it, his eyes were very greedy in expression.”

Thing noun US /thing/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “For one thing, he felt certain that the famous detective kept money there—very likely a large sum—for, in Nick’s profession, it is often essential to lay one’s hands on plenty of cash at very short notice.”

Whether conjunction US /ˈweðər/

used to introduce two or more possibilities

From this reading “It remained to be seen, of course, whether the detective’s absence had made any difference in this respect.”

All words in this reading · 87

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 For one thing, he felt certain that the famous detective kept money there—very likely a large sum—for, in Nick’s profession, it is often essential to lay one’s hands on plenty of cash at very short notice.

absence

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

From this reading It remained to be seen, of course, whether the detective’s absence had made any difference in this respect.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Green-eye Gordon stood looking at the safe that was built into the wall of Nick’s study, and, as he stared at it, his eyes were very greedy in expression.

any

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

From this reading It remained to be seen, of course, whether the detective’s absence had made any difference in this respect.

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading Expensive journeys have to be undertaken on little warning, often at hours when the banks are closed, for instance, and there are many other ways in which ready money comes in handy.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading Green-eye Gordon stood looking at the safe that was built into the wall of Nick’s study, and, as he stared at it, his eyes were very greedy in expression.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Green-eye Gordon stood looking at the safe that was built into the wall of Nick’s study, and, as he stared at it, his eyes were very greedy in expression.

banks

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

From this reading Expensive journeys have to be undertaken on little warning, often at hours when the banks are closed, for instance, and there are many other ways in which ready money comes in handy.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading Expensive journeys have to be undertaken on little warning, often at hours when the banks are closed, for instance, and there are many other ways in which ready money comes in handy.

built

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

From this reading Green-eye Gordon stood looking at the safe that was built into the wall of Nick’s study, and, as he stared at it, his eyes were very greedy in expression.

cash

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

From this reading For one thing, he felt certain that the famous detective kept money there—very likely a large sum—for, in Nick’s profession, it is often essential to lay one’s hands on plenty of cash at very short notice.

certain

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

From this reading For one thing, he felt certain that the famous detective kept money there—very likely a large sum—for, in Nick’s profession, it is often essential to lay one’s hands on plenty of cash at very short notice.

closed

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

From this reading Expensive journeys have to be undertaken on little warning, often at hours when the banks are closed, for instance, and there are many other ways in which ready money comes in handy.

comes

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

From this reading Expensive journeys have to be undertaken on little warning, often at hours when the banks are closed, for instance, and there are many other ways in which ready money comes in handy.

coursenounUS /course/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It remained to be seen, of course, whether the detective’s absence had made any difference in this respect.

detective

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

From this reading For one thing, he felt certain that the famous detective kept money there—very likely a large sum—for, in Nick’s profession, it is often essential to lay one’s hands on plenty of cash at very short notice.

detective's

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

From this reading It remained to be seen, of course, whether the detective’s absence had made any difference in this respect.

difference

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

From this reading It remained to be seen, of course, whether the detective’s absence had made any difference in this respect.

essential

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

From this reading For one thing, he felt certain that the famous detective kept money there—very likely a large sum—for, in Nick’s profession, it is often essential to lay one’s hands on plenty of cash at very short notice.

Expensive

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

From this reading Expensive journeys have to be undertaken on little warning, often at hours when the banks are closed, for instance, and there are many other ways in which ready money comes in handy.

expression

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

From this reading Green-eye Gordon stood looking at the safe that was built into the wall of Nick’s study, and, as he stared at it, his eyes were very greedy in expression.

eyes

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

From this reading Green-eye Gordon stood looking at the safe that was built into the wall of Nick’s study, and, as he stared at it, his eyes were very greedy in expression.

famous

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

From this reading For one thing, he felt certain that the famous detective kept money there—very likely a large sum—for, in Nick’s profession, it is often essential to lay one’s hands on plenty of cash at very short notice.

felt

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

From this reading For one thing, he felt certain that the famous detective kept money there—very likely a large sum—for, in Nick’s profession, it is often essential to lay one’s hands on plenty of cash at very short notice.

ForprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading For one thing, he felt certain that the famous detective kept money there—very likely a large sum—for, in Nick’s profession, it is often essential to lay one’s hands on plenty of cash at very short notice.

GORDON

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

From this reading GORDON TACKLES NICK’S SAFE.

greedy

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

From this reading Green-eye Gordon stood looking at the safe that was built into the wall of Nick’s study, and, as he stared at it, his eyes were very greedy in expression.

Green-eye

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

From this reading Green-eye Gordon stood looking at the safe that was built into the wall of Nick’s study, and, as he stared at it, his eyes were very greedy in expression.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading It remained to be seen, of course, whether the detective’s absence had made any difference in this respect.

handsplural nounUS /hændz/

members of a ship’s crew

From this reading For one thing, he felt certain that the famous detective kept money there—very likely a large sum—for, in Nick’s profession, it is often essential to lay one’s hands on plenty of cash at very short notice.

handy

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

From this reading Expensive journeys have to be undertaken on little warning, often at hours when the banks are closed, for instance, and there are many other ways in which ready money comes in handy.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Expensive journeys have to be undertaken on little warning, often at hours when the banks are closed, for instance, and there are many other ways in which ready money comes in handy.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading Green-eye Gordon stood looking at the safe that was built into the wall of Nick’s study, and, as he stared at it, his eyes were very greedy in expression.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading Green-eye Gordon stood looking at the safe that was built into the wall of Nick’s study, and, as he stared at it, his eyes were very greedy in expression.

hours

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

From this reading Expensive journeys have to be undertaken on little warning, often at hours when the banks are closed, for instance, and there are many other ways in which ready money comes in handy.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Green-eye Gordon stood looking at the safe that was built into the wall of Nick’s study, and, as he stared at it, his eyes were very greedy in expression.

instance

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

From this reading Expensive journeys have to be undertaken on little warning, often at hours when the banks are closed, for instance, and there are many other ways in which ready money comes in handy.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Green-eye Gordon stood looking at the safe that was built into the wall of Nick’s study, and, as he stared at it, his eyes were very greedy in expression.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading For one thing, he felt certain that the famous detective kept money there—very likely a large sum—for, in Nick’s profession, it is often essential to lay one’s hands on plenty of cash at very short notice.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Green-eye Gordon stood looking at the safe that was built into the wall of Nick’s study, and, as he stared at it, his eyes were very greedy in expression.

journeys

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

From this reading Expensive journeys have to be undertaken on little warning, often at hours when the banks are closed, for instance, and there are many other ways in which ready money comes in handy.

kept

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

From this reading For one thing, he felt certain that the famous detective kept money there—very likely a large sum—for, in Nick’s profession, it is often essential to lay one’s hands on plenty of cash at very short notice.

large

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

From this reading For one thing, he felt certain that the famous detective kept money there—very likely a large sum—for, in Nick’s profession, it is often essential to lay one’s hands on plenty of cash at very short notice.

lay

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

From this reading For one thing, he felt certain that the famous detective kept money there—very likely a large sum—for, in Nick’s profession, it is often essential to lay one’s hands on plenty of cash at very short notice.

likely

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

From this reading For one thing, he felt certain that the famous detective kept money there—very likely a large sum—for, in Nick’s profession, it is often essential to lay one’s hands on plenty of cash at very short notice.

littlenounUS /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Expensive journeys have to be undertaken on little warning, often at hours when the banks are closed, for instance, and there are many other ways in which ready money comes in handy.

looking

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

From this reading Green-eye Gordon stood looking at the safe that was built into the wall of Nick’s study, and, as he stared at it, his eyes were very greedy in expression.

made

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

From this reading It remained to be seen, of course, whether the detective’s absence had made any difference in this respect.

many

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

From this reading Expensive journeys have to be undertaken on little warning, often at hours when the banks are closed, for instance, and there are many other ways in which ready money comes in handy.

money

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

From this reading For one thing, he felt certain that the famous detective kept money there—very likely a large sum—for, in Nick’s profession, it is often essential to lay one’s hands on plenty of cash at very short notice.

NICK'S

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

From this reading GORDON TACKLES NICK’S SAFE.

notice

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

From this reading For one thing, he felt certain that the famous detective kept money there—very likely a large sum—for, in Nick’s profession, it is often essential to lay one’s hands on plenty of cash at very short notice.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Green-eye Gordon stood looking at the safe that was built into the wall of Nick’s study, and, as he stared at it, his eyes were very greedy in expression.

often

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

From this reading For one thing, he felt certain that the famous detective kept money there—very likely a large sum—for, in Nick’s profession, it is often essential to lay one’s hands on plenty of cash at very short notice.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading For one thing, he felt certain that the famous detective kept money there—very likely a large sum—for, in Nick’s profession, it is often essential to lay one’s hands on plenty of cash at very short notice.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading For one thing, he felt certain that the famous detective kept money there—very likely a large sum—for, in Nick’s profession, it is often essential to lay one’s hands on plenty of cash at very short notice.

one's

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

From this reading For one thing, he felt certain that the famous detective kept money there—very likely a large sum—for, in Nick’s profession, it is often essential to lay one’s hands on plenty of cash at very short notice.

other

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

From this reading Expensive journeys have to be undertaken on little warning, often at hours when the banks are closed, for instance, and there are many other ways in which ready money comes in handy.

plenty

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

From this reading For one thing, he felt certain that the famous detective kept money there—very likely a large sum—for, in Nick’s profession, it is often essential to lay one’s hands on plenty of cash at very short notice.

profession

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

From this reading For one thing, he felt certain that the famous detective kept money there—very likely a large sum—for, in Nick’s profession, it is often essential to lay one’s hands on plenty of cash at very short notice.

ready

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

From this reading Expensive journeys have to be undertaken on little warning, often at hours when the banks are closed, for instance, and there are many other ways in which ready money comes in handy.

remainednounUS /ˈremained/

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

From this reading It remained to be seen, of course, whether the detective’s absence had made any difference in this respect.

respect

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

From this reading It remained to be seen, of course, whether the detective’s absence had made any difference in this respect.

SAFE

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

From this reading GORDON TACKLES NICK’S SAFE.

seen

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

From this reading It remained to be seen, of course, whether the detective’s absence had made any difference in this respect.

shortadjectiveUS /ʃɔrt/

brief or direct in expression

From this reading For one thing, he felt certain that the famous detective kept money there—very likely a large sum—for, in Nick’s profession, it is often essential to lay one’s hands on plenty of cash at very short notice.

stared

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

From this reading Green-eye Gordon stood looking at the safe that was built into the wall of Nick’s study, and, as he stared at it, his eyes were very greedy in expression.

stoodnounUS /stood/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Green-eye Gordon stood looking at the safe that was built into the wall of Nick’s study, and, as he stared at it, his eyes were very greedy in expression.

study

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

From this reading Green-eye Gordon stood looking at the safe that was built into the wall of Nick’s study, and, as he stared at it, his eyes were very greedy in expression.

sum

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

From this reading For one thing, he felt certain that the famous detective kept money there—very likely a large sum—for, in Nick’s profession, it is often essential to lay one’s hands on plenty of cash at very short notice.

TACKLES

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

From this reading GORDON TACKLES NICK’S SAFE.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Green-eye Gordon stood looking at the safe that was built into the wall of Nick’s study, and, as he stared at it, his eyes were very greedy in expression.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Green-eye Gordon stood looking at the safe that was built into the wall of Nick’s study, and, as he stared at it, his eyes were very greedy in expression.

there

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

From this reading For one thing, he felt certain that the famous detective kept money there—very likely a large sum—for, in Nick’s profession, it is often essential to lay one’s hands on plenty of cash at very short notice.

thingnounUS /thing/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading For one thing, he felt certain that the famous detective kept money there—very likely a large sum—for, in Nick’s profession, it is often essential to lay one’s hands on plenty of cash at very short notice.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading It remained to be seen, of course, whether the detective’s absence had made any difference in this respect.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading For one thing, he felt certain that the famous detective kept money there—very likely a large sum—for, in Nick’s profession, it is often essential to lay one’s hands on plenty of cash at very short notice.

undertaken

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

From this reading Expensive journeys have to be undertaken on little warning, often at hours when the banks are closed, for instance, and there are many other ways in which ready money comes in handy.

very

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

From this reading Green-eye Gordon stood looking at the safe that was built into the wall of Nick’s study, and, as he stared at it, his eyes were very greedy in expression.

wall

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

From this reading Green-eye Gordon stood looking at the safe that was built into the wall of Nick’s study, and, as he stared at it, his eyes were very greedy in expression.

warning

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

From this reading Expensive journeys have to be undertaken on little warning, often at hours when the banks are closed, for instance, and there are many other ways in which ready money comes in handy.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Green-eye Gordon stood looking at the safe that was built into the wall of Nick’s study, and, as he stared at it, his eyes were very greedy in expression.

ways

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

From this reading Expensive journeys have to be undertaken on little warning, often at hours when the banks are closed, for instance, and there are many other ways in which ready money comes in handy.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading Green-eye Gordon stood looking at the safe that was built into the wall of Nick’s study, and, as he stared at it, his eyes were very greedy in expression.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading Expensive journeys have to be undertaken on little warning, often at hours when the banks are closed, for instance, and there are many other ways in which ready money comes in handy.

whetherconjunctionUS /ˈweðər/

used to introduce two or more possibilities

From this reading It remained to be seen, of course, whether the detective’s absence had made any difference in this respect.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading Expensive journeys have to be undertaken on little warning, often at hours when the banks are closed, for instance, and there are many other ways in which ready money comes in handy.