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The Doctor of Pimlico
The Doctor of Pimlico

Chapter XXIII

Cover illustration for The Doctor of Pimlico
Context Illustration Reading 1/26 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
THE SILENCE OF THE MAN BARKER "HARRY BELLAIRS was an old friend of mine," Trendall went on, leaning back in his padded writing-chair and turning towards where the novelist was standing.
"His curious end was a problem which, of course, attracted you as a writer of fiction.
The world believed his death to be due to natural causes, in view of the failure of Professors Dale and Boyd, the Home Office analysts, to find a trace of poison or of foul play."
"You believe, then, that he was poisoned?" asked Fetherston quickly.
The other shrugged his shoulders, saying: "How can that point be cleared up?
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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.

The Doctor of Pimlico

Chapter XXIII

Reading 1/26 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
THE SILENCE OF THE MAN BARKER "HARRY BELLAIRS was an old friend of mine," Trendall went on, leaning back in his padded writing-chair and turning towards where the novelist was standing.
Line 2
"His curious end was a problem which, of course, attracted you as a writer of fiction.
Line 3
The world believed his death to be due to natural causes, in view of the failure of Professors Dale and Boyd, the Home Office analysts, to find a trace of poison or of foul play."
Line 4
"You believe, then, that he was poisoned?" asked Fetherston quickly.
Line 5
The other shrugged his shoulders, saying: "How can that point be cleared up?

Learner Dictionary

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

Asked noun US /asked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “"You believe, then, that he was poisoned?" asked Fetherston quickly.”

Believe noun US /ˈbelieve/

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

From this reading “"You believe, then, that he was poisoned?" asked Fetherston quickly.”

Course noun US /course/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “"His curious end was a problem which, of course, attracted you as a writer of fiction.”

Mine pronoun US /maɪn/

the one or ones belonging to the person speaking

From this reading “THE SILENCE OF THE MAN BARKER "HARRY BELLAIRS was an old friend of mine," Trendall went on, leaning back in his padded writing-chair and turning towards where the novelist was standing.”

Point noun US /pɔɪnt/

the main matter or purpose being discussed

From this reading “The other shrugged his shoulders, saying: "How can that point be cleared up?”

SILENCE noun US /ˈsaɪ.ləns/

Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.

From this reading “THE SILENCE OF THE MAN BARKER "HARRY BELLAIRS was an old friend of mine," Trendall went on, leaning back in his padded writing-chair and turning towards where the novelist was standing.”

Standing noun US /ˈstanding/

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

From this reading “THE SILENCE OF THE MAN BARKER "HARRY BELLAIRS was an old friend of mine," Trendall went on, leaning back in his padded writing-chair and turning towards where the novelist was standing.”

Towards preposition US /təˈwɔːrdz/

in the direction of

From this reading “THE SILENCE OF THE MAN BARKER "HARRY BELLAIRS was an old friend of mine," Trendall went on, leaning back in his padded writing-chair and turning towards where the novelist was standing.”

Went noun US /went/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “THE SILENCE OF THE MAN BARKER "HARRY BELLAIRS was an old friend of mine," Trendall went on, leaning back in his padded writing-chair and turning towards where the novelist was standing.”

All words in this reading · 77

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 "His curious end was a problem which, of course, attracted you as a writer of fiction.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading THE SILENCE OF THE MAN BARKER "HARRY BELLAIRS was an old friend of mine," Trendall went on, leaning back in his padded writing-chair and turning towards where the novelist was standing.

analysts

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

From this reading The world believed his death to be due to natural causes, in view of the failure of Professors Dale and Boyd, the Home Office analysts, to find a trace of poison or of foul play."

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading THE SILENCE OF THE MAN BARKER "HARRY BELLAIRS was an old friend of mine," Trendall went on, leaning back in his padded writing-chair and turning towards where the novelist was standing.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading "His curious end was a problem which, of course, attracted you as a writer of fiction.

askednounUS /asked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading "You believe, then, that he was poisoned?" asked Fetherston quickly.

attracted

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

From this reading "His curious end was a problem which, of course, attracted you as a writer of fiction.

back

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

From this reading THE SILENCE OF THE MAN BARKER "HARRY BELLAIRS was an old friend of mine," Trendall went on, leaning back in his padded writing-chair and turning towards where the novelist was standing.

BARKER

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

From this reading THE SILENCE OF THE MAN BARKER "HARRY BELLAIRS was an old friend of mine," Trendall went on, leaning back in his padded writing-chair and turning towards where the novelist was standing.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading The world believed his death to be due to natural causes, in view of the failure of Professors Dale and Boyd, the Home Office analysts, to find a trace of poison or of foul play."

believenounUS /ˈbelieve/

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

From this reading "You believe, then, that he was poisoned?" asked Fetherston quickly.

believed

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

From this reading The world believed his death to be due to natural causes, in view of the failure of Professors Dale and Boyd, the Home Office analysts, to find a trace of poison or of foul play."

BELLAIRS

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

From this reading THE SILENCE OF THE MAN BARKER "HARRY BELLAIRS was an old friend of mine," Trendall went on, leaning back in his padded writing-chair and turning towards where the novelist was standing.

Boyd

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

From this reading The world believed his death to be due to natural causes, in view of the failure of Professors Dale and Boyd, the Home Office analysts, to find a trace of poison or of foul play."

canmodal verbUS /kæn/

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading The other shrugged his shoulders, saying: "How can that point be cleared up?

causes

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

From this reading The world believed his death to be due to natural causes, in view of the failure of Professors Dale and Boyd, the Home Office analysts, to find a trace of poison or of foul play."

cleared

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

From this reading The other shrugged his shoulders, saying: "How can that point be cleared up?

coursenounUS /course/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading "His curious end was a problem which, of course, attracted you as a writer of fiction.

curious

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

From this reading "His curious end was a problem which, of course, attracted you as a writer of fiction.

Dale

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

From this reading The world believed his death to be due to natural causes, in view of the failure of Professors Dale and Boyd, the Home Office analysts, to find a trace of poison or of foul play."

death

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

From this reading The world believed his death to be due to natural causes, in view of the failure of Professors Dale and Boyd, the Home Office analysts, to find a trace of poison or of foul play."

due

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

From this reading The world believed his death to be due to natural causes, in view of the failure of Professors Dale and Boyd, the Home Office analysts, to find a trace of poison or of foul play."

end

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

From this reading "His curious end was a problem which, of course, attracted you as a writer of fiction.

failure

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

From this reading The world believed his death to be due to natural causes, in view of the failure of Professors Dale and Boyd, the Home Office analysts, to find a trace of poison or of foul play."

Fetherston

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

From this reading "You believe, then, that he was poisoned?" asked Fetherston quickly.

fiction

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

From this reading "His curious end was a problem which, of course, attracted you as a writer of fiction.

find

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

From this reading The world believed his death to be due to natural causes, in view of the failure of Professors Dale and Boyd, the Home Office analysts, to find a trace of poison or of foul play."

foul

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

From this reading The world believed his death to be due to natural causes, in view of the failure of Professors Dale and Boyd, the Home Office analysts, to find a trace of poison or of foul play."

friend

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

From this reading THE SILENCE OF THE MAN BARKER "HARRY BELLAIRS was an old friend of mine," Trendall went on, leaning back in his padded writing-chair and turning towards where the novelist was standing.

HARRY

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

From this reading THE SILENCE OF THE MAN BARKER "HARRY BELLAIRS was an old friend of mine," Trendall went on, leaning back in his padded writing-chair and turning towards where the novelist was standing.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading "You believe, then, that he was poisoned?" asked Fetherston quickly.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading THE SILENCE OF THE MAN BARKER "HARRY BELLAIRS was an old friend of mine," Trendall went on, leaning back in his padded writing-chair and turning towards where the novelist was standing.

Home

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

From this reading The world believed his death to be due to natural causes, in view of the failure of Professors Dale and Boyd, the Home Office analysts, to find a trace of poison or of foul play."

How

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

From this reading The other shrugged his shoulders, saying: "How can that point be cleared up?

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading THE SILENCE OF THE MAN BARKER "HARRY BELLAIRS was an old friend of mine," Trendall went on, leaning back in his padded writing-chair and turning towards where the novelist was standing.

leaning

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

From this reading THE SILENCE OF THE MAN BARKER "HARRY BELLAIRS was an old friend of mine," Trendall went on, leaning back in his padded writing-chair and turning towards where the novelist was standing.

MAN

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

From this reading THE SILENCE OF THE MAN BARKER "HARRY BELLAIRS was an old friend of mine," Trendall went on, leaning back in his padded writing-chair and turning towards where the novelist was standing.

minepronounUS /maɪn/

the one or ones belonging to the person speaking

From this reading THE SILENCE OF THE MAN BARKER "HARRY BELLAIRS was an old friend of mine," Trendall went on, leaning back in his padded writing-chair and turning towards where the novelist was standing.

natural

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

From this reading The world believed his death to be due to natural causes, in view of the failure of Professors Dale and Boyd, the Home Office analysts, to find a trace of poison or of foul play."

novelist

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

From this reading THE SILENCE OF THE MAN BARKER "HARRY BELLAIRS was an old friend of mine," Trendall went on, leaning back in his padded writing-chair and turning towards where the novelist was standing.

OFprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE SILENCE OF THE MAN BARKER "HARRY BELLAIRS was an old friend of mine," Trendall went on, leaning back in his padded writing-chair and turning towards where the novelist was standing.

Office

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

From this reading The world believed his death to be due to natural causes, in view of the failure of Professors Dale and Boyd, the Home Office analysts, to find a trace of poison or of foul play."

old

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

From this reading THE SILENCE OF THE MAN BARKER "HARRY BELLAIRS was an old friend of mine," Trendall went on, leaning back in his padded writing-chair and turning towards where the novelist was standing.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading THE SILENCE OF THE MAN BARKER "HARRY BELLAIRS was an old friend of mine," Trendall went on, leaning back in his padded writing-chair and turning towards where the novelist was standing.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading The world believed his death to be due to natural causes, in view of the failure of Professors Dale and Boyd, the Home Office analysts, to find a trace of poison or of foul play."

other

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

From this reading The other shrugged his shoulders, saying: "How can that point be cleared up?

padded

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

From this reading THE SILENCE OF THE MAN BARKER "HARRY BELLAIRS was an old friend of mine," Trendall went on, leaning back in his padded writing-chair and turning towards where the novelist was standing.

play

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

From this reading The world believed his death to be due to natural causes, in view of the failure of Professors Dale and Boyd, the Home Office analysts, to find a trace of poison or of foul play."

pointnounUS /pɔɪnt/

the main matter or purpose being discussed

From this reading The other shrugged his shoulders, saying: "How can that point be cleared up?

poison

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

From this reading The world believed his death to be due to natural causes, in view of the failure of Professors Dale and Boyd, the Home Office analysts, to find a trace of poison or of foul play."

poisoned

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

From this reading "You believe, then, that he was poisoned?" asked Fetherston quickly.

problem

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

From this reading "His curious end was a problem which, of course, attracted you as a writer of fiction.

Professors

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

From this reading The world believed his death to be due to natural causes, in view of the failure of Professors Dale and Boyd, the Home Office analysts, to find a trace of poison or of foul play."

quickly

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

From this reading "You believe, then, that he was poisoned?" asked Fetherston quickly.

saying

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

From this reading The other shrugged his shoulders, saying: "How can that point be cleared up?

shoulders

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

From this reading The other shrugged his shoulders, saying: "How can that point be cleared up?

shrugged

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

From this reading The other shrugged his shoulders, saying: "How can that point be cleared up?

SILENCEnounUS /ˈsaɪ.ləns/

Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.

From this reading THE SILENCE OF THE MAN BARKER "HARRY BELLAIRS was an old friend of mine," Trendall went on, leaning back in his padded writing-chair and turning towards where the novelist was standing.

standingnounUS /ˈstanding/

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

From this reading THE SILENCE OF THE MAN BARKER "HARRY BELLAIRS was an old friend of mine," Trendall went on, leaning back in his padded writing-chair and turning towards where the novelist was standing.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading "You believe, then, that he was poisoned?" asked Fetherston quickly.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading THE SILENCE OF THE MAN BARKER "HARRY BELLAIRS was an old friend of mine," Trendall went on, leaning back in his padded writing-chair and turning towards where the novelist was standing.

then

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

From this reading "You believe, then, that he was poisoned?" asked Fetherston quickly.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading The world believed his death to be due to natural causes, in view of the failure of Professors Dale and Boyd, the Home Office analysts, to find a trace of poison or of foul play."

towardsprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrdz/

in the direction of

From this reading THE SILENCE OF THE MAN BARKER "HARRY BELLAIRS was an old friend of mine," Trendall went on, leaning back in his padded writing-chair and turning towards where the novelist was standing.

trace

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

From this reading The world believed his death to be due to natural causes, in view of the failure of Professors Dale and Boyd, the Home Office analysts, to find a trace of poison or of foul play."

Trendall

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

From this reading THE SILENCE OF THE MAN BARKER "HARRY BELLAIRS was an old friend of mine," Trendall went on, leaning back in his padded writing-chair and turning towards where the novelist was standing.

turning

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

From this reading THE SILENCE OF THE MAN BARKER "HARRY BELLAIRS was an old friend of mine," Trendall went on, leaning back in his padded writing-chair and turning towards where the novelist was standing.

up

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

From this reading The other shrugged his shoulders, saying: "How can that point be cleared up?

view

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

From this reading The world believed his death to be due to natural causes, in view of the failure of Professors Dale and Boyd, the Home Office analysts, to find a trace of poison or of foul play."

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading THE SILENCE OF THE MAN BARKER "HARRY BELLAIRS was an old friend of mine," Trendall went on, leaning back in his padded writing-chair and turning towards where the novelist was standing.

wentnounUS /went/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading THE SILENCE OF THE MAN BARKER "HARRY BELLAIRS was an old friend of mine," Trendall went on, leaning back in his padded writing-chair and turning towards where the novelist was standing.

whereconjunctionUS /wer/

in or at the place that

From this reading THE SILENCE OF THE MAN BARKER "HARRY BELLAIRS was an old friend of mine," Trendall went on, leaning back in his padded writing-chair and turning towards where the novelist was standing.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading "His curious end was a problem which, of course, attracted you as a writer of fiction.

world

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

From this reading The world believed his death to be due to natural causes, in view of the failure of Professors Dale and Boyd, the Home Office analysts, to find a trace of poison or of foul play."

writer

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

From this reading "His curious end was a problem which, of course, attracted you as a writer of fiction.

writing-chair

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

From this reading THE SILENCE OF THE MAN BARKER "HARRY BELLAIRS was an old friend of mine," Trendall went on, leaning back in his padded writing-chair and turning towards where the novelist was standing.

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "His curious end was a problem which, of course, attracted you as a writer of fiction.