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The Double Traitor
The Double Traitor

Chapter XXVII

Cover illustration for The Double Traitor
Context Illustration Reading 1/25 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Mr. Hebblethwaite turned into Pall Mall, his hands behind his back, his expression a little less indicative of bland good humour than usual.
He had forgotten to light his customary cigarette after the exigencies of a Cabinet Council.
He had even forgotten to linger for a few minutes upon the doorstep in case any photographer should be hanging around to take a snapshot of a famous visitor leaving an historic scene, and quite unconsciously he ignored the salutation of several friends.
It was only by the merest chance that he happened to glance up at the corner of the street and recognised Norgate across the way.
He paused at once and beckoned to him.
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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 Double Traitor

Chapter XXVII

Reading 1/25 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Mr. Hebblethwaite turned into Pall Mall, his hands behind his back, his expression a little less indicative of bland good humour than usual.
Line 2
He had forgotten to light his customary cigarette after the exigencies of a Cabinet Council.
Line 3
He had even forgotten to linger for a few minutes upon the doorstep in case any photographer should be hanging around to take a snapshot of a famous visitor leaving an historic scene, and quite unconsciously he ignored the salutation of several friends.
Line 4
It was only by the merest chance that he happened to glance up at the corner of the street and recognised Norgate across the way.
Line 5
He paused at once and beckoned to him.

Learner Dictionary

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

Across preposition US /əˈkrɔːs/

from one side of something to the other

From this reading “It was only by the merest chance that he happened to glance up at the corner of the street and recognised Norgate across the way.”

After preposition US /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading “He had forgotten to light his customary cigarette after the exigencies of a Cabinet Council.”

Around preposition US /ərˈaʊnd/

surrounding, or on every side of, something

From this reading “He had even forgotten to linger for a few minutes upon the doorstep in case any photographer should be hanging around to take a snapshot of a famous visitor leaving an historic scene, and quite unconsciously he ignored the salutation of several friends.”

Behind preposition US /bɪˈhaɪnd/

at or toward the back of something

From this reading “Mr. Hebblethwaite turned into Pall Mall, his hands behind his back, his expression a little less indicative of bland good humour than usual.”

Council noun US /council/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He had forgotten to light his customary cigarette after the exigencies of a Cabinet Council.”

Even noun US /even/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He had even forgotten to linger for a few minutes upon the doorstep in case any photographer should be hanging around to take a snapshot of a famous visitor leaving an historic scene, and quite unconsciously he ignored the salutation of several friends.”

Forgotten adjective US /fərˈɡɑːt.n̩/

Not remembered; lapsed from memory.

From this reading “He had forgotten to light his customary cigarette after the exigencies of a Cabinet Council.”

Good noun US /good/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Mr. Hebblethwaite turned into Pall Mall, his hands behind his back, his expression a little less indicative of bland good humour than usual.”

Hands plural noun US /hændz/

members of a ship’s crew

From this reading “Mr. Hebblethwaite turned into Pall Mall, his hands behind his back, his expression a little less indicative of bland good humour than usual.”

Little noun US /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Mr. Hebblethwaite turned into Pall Mall, his hands behind his back, his expression a little less indicative of bland good humour than usual.”

Once noun US /once/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He paused at once and beckoned to him.”

Quite noun US /quite/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He had even forgotten to linger for a few minutes upon the doorstep in case any photographer should be hanging around to take a snapshot of a famous visitor leaving an historic scene, and quite unconsciously he ignored the salutation of several friends.”

Several noun US /ˈseveral/

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

From this reading “He had even forgotten to linger for a few minutes upon the doorstep in case any photographer should be hanging around to take a snapshot of a famous visitor leaving an historic scene, and quite unconsciously he ignored the salutation of several friends.”

Take noun US /take/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He had even forgotten to linger for a few minutes upon the doorstep in case any photographer should be hanging around to take a snapshot of a famous visitor leaving an historic scene, and quite unconsciously he ignored the salutation of several friends.”

Upon preposition US /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading “He had even forgotten to linger for a few minutes upon the doorstep in case any photographer should be hanging around to take a snapshot of a famous visitor leaving an historic scene, and quite unconsciously he ignored the salutation of several friends.”

All words in this reading · 84

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 Mr. Hebblethwaite turned into Pall Mall, his hands behind his back, his expression a little less indicative of bland good humour than usual.

acrossprepositionUS /əˈkrɔːs/

from one side of something to the other

From this reading It was only by the merest chance that he happened to glance up at the corner of the street and recognised Norgate across the way.

afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading He had forgotten to light his customary cigarette after the exigencies of a Cabinet Council.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading He had even forgotten to linger for a few minutes upon the doorstep in case any photographer should be hanging around to take a snapshot of a famous visitor leaving an historic scene, and quite unconsciously he ignored the salutation of several friends.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading He had even forgotten to linger for a few minutes upon the doorstep in case any photographer should be hanging around to take a snapshot of a famous visitor leaving an historic scene, and quite unconsciously he ignored the salutation of several friends.

any

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

From this reading He had even forgotten to linger for a few minutes upon the doorstep in case any photographer should be hanging around to take a snapshot of a famous visitor leaving an historic scene, and quite unconsciously he ignored the salutation of several friends.

aroundprepositionUS /ərˈaʊnd/

surrounding, or on every side of, something

From this reading He had even forgotten to linger for a few minutes upon the doorstep in case any photographer should be hanging around to take a snapshot of a famous visitor leaving an historic scene, and quite unconsciously he ignored the salutation of several friends.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading It was only by the merest chance that he happened to glance up at the corner of the street and recognised Norgate across the way.

back

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

From this reading Mr. Hebblethwaite turned into Pall Mall, his hands behind his back, his expression a little less indicative of bland good humour than usual.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading He had even forgotten to linger for a few minutes upon the doorstep in case any photographer should be hanging around to take a snapshot of a famous visitor leaving an historic scene, and quite unconsciously he ignored the salutation of several friends.

beckoned

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

From this reading He paused at once and beckoned to him.

behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/

at or toward the back of something

From this reading Mr. Hebblethwaite turned into Pall Mall, his hands behind his back, his expression a little less indicative of bland good humour than usual.

bland

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

From this reading Mr. Hebblethwaite turned into Pall Mall, his hands behind his back, his expression a little less indicative of bland good humour than usual.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading It was only by the merest chance that he happened to glance up at the corner of the street and recognised Norgate across the way.

Cabinet

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

From this reading He had forgotten to light his customary cigarette after the exigencies of a Cabinet Council.

case

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

From this reading He had even forgotten to linger for a few minutes upon the doorstep in case any photographer should be hanging around to take a snapshot of a famous visitor leaving an historic scene, and quite unconsciously he ignored the salutation of several friends.

chance

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

From this reading It was only by the merest chance that he happened to glance up at the corner of the street and recognised Norgate across the way.

cigarette

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

From this reading He had forgotten to light his customary cigarette after the exigencies of a Cabinet Council.

corner

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

From this reading It was only by the merest chance that he happened to glance up at the corner of the street and recognised Norgate across the way.

CouncilnounUS /council/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He had forgotten to light his customary cigarette after the exigencies of a Cabinet Council.

customary

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

From this reading He had forgotten to light his customary cigarette after the exigencies of a Cabinet Council.

doorstep

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

From this reading He had even forgotten to linger for a few minutes upon the doorstep in case any photographer should be hanging around to take a snapshot of a famous visitor leaving an historic scene, and quite unconsciously he ignored the salutation of several friends.

evennounUS /even/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He had even forgotten to linger for a few minutes upon the doorstep in case any photographer should be hanging around to take a snapshot of a famous visitor leaving an historic scene, and quite unconsciously he ignored the salutation of several friends.

exigencies

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

From this reading He had forgotten to light his customary cigarette after the exigencies of a Cabinet Council.

expression

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

From this reading Mr. Hebblethwaite turned into Pall Mall, his hands behind his back, his expression a little less indicative of bland good humour than usual.

famous

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

From this reading He had even forgotten to linger for a few minutes upon the doorstep in case any photographer should be hanging around to take a snapshot of a famous visitor leaving an historic scene, and quite unconsciously he ignored the salutation of several friends.

few

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

From this reading He had even forgotten to linger for a few minutes upon the doorstep in case any photographer should be hanging around to take a snapshot of a famous visitor leaving an historic scene, and quite unconsciously he ignored the salutation of several friends.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading He had even forgotten to linger for a few minutes upon the doorstep in case any photographer should be hanging around to take a snapshot of a famous visitor leaving an historic scene, and quite unconsciously he ignored the salutation of several friends.

forgottenadjectiveUS /fərˈɡɑːt.n̩/

Not remembered; lapsed from memory.

From this reading He had forgotten to light his customary cigarette after the exigencies of a Cabinet Council.

friends

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

From this reading He had even forgotten to linger for a few minutes upon the doorstep in case any photographer should be hanging around to take a snapshot of a famous visitor leaving an historic scene, and quite unconsciously he ignored the salutation of several friends.

glance

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

From this reading It was only by the merest chance that he happened to glance up at the corner of the street and recognised Norgate across the way.

goodnounUS /good/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Mr. Hebblethwaite turned into Pall Mall, his hands behind his back, his expression a little less indicative of bland good humour than usual.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading He had forgotten to light his customary cigarette after the exigencies of a Cabinet Council.

handsplural nounUS /hændz/

members of a ship’s crew

From this reading Mr. Hebblethwaite turned into Pall Mall, his hands behind his back, his expression a little less indicative of bland good humour than usual.

hanging

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

From this reading He had even forgotten to linger for a few minutes upon the doorstep in case any photographer should be hanging around to take a snapshot of a famous visitor leaving an historic scene, and quite unconsciously he ignored the salutation of several friends.

happened

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

From this reading It was only by the merest chance that he happened to glance up at the corner of the street and recognised Norgate across the way.

HepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading He had forgotten to light his customary cigarette after the exigencies of a Cabinet Council.

Hebblethwaite

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

From this reading Mr. Hebblethwaite turned into Pall Mall, his hands behind his back, his expression a little less indicative of bland good humour than usual.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading He paused at once and beckoned to him.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading Mr. Hebblethwaite turned into Pall Mall, his hands behind his back, his expression a little less indicative of bland good humour than usual.

historic

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

From this reading He had even forgotten to linger for a few minutes upon the doorstep in case any photographer should be hanging around to take a snapshot of a famous visitor leaving an historic scene, and quite unconsciously he ignored the salutation of several friends.

humour

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

From this reading Mr. Hebblethwaite turned into Pall Mall, his hands behind his back, his expression a little less indicative of bland good humour than usual.

ignored

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

From this reading He had even forgotten to linger for a few minutes upon the doorstep in case any photographer should be hanging around to take a snapshot of a famous visitor leaving an historic scene, and quite unconsciously he ignored the salutation of several friends.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading He had even forgotten to linger for a few minutes upon the doorstep in case any photographer should be hanging around to take a snapshot of a famous visitor leaving an historic scene, and quite unconsciously he ignored the salutation of several friends.

indicative

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

From this reading Mr. Hebblethwaite turned into Pall Mall, his hands behind his back, his expression a little less indicative of bland good humour than usual.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Mr. Hebblethwaite turned into Pall Mall, his hands behind his back, his expression a little less indicative of bland good humour than usual.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was only by the merest chance that he happened to glance up at the corner of the street and recognised Norgate across the way.

leaving

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

From this reading He had even forgotten to linger for a few minutes upon the doorstep in case any photographer should be hanging around to take a snapshot of a famous visitor leaving an historic scene, and quite unconsciously he ignored the salutation of several friends.

less

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

From this reading Mr. Hebblethwaite turned into Pall Mall, his hands behind his back, his expression a little less indicative of bland good humour than usual.

light

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

From this reading He had forgotten to light his customary cigarette after the exigencies of a Cabinet Council.

linger

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

From this reading He had even forgotten to linger for a few minutes upon the doorstep in case any photographer should be hanging around to take a snapshot of a famous visitor leaving an historic scene, and quite unconsciously he ignored the salutation of several friends.

littlenounUS /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Mr. Hebblethwaite turned into Pall Mall, his hands behind his back, his expression a little less indicative of bland good humour than usual.

Mall

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

From this reading Mr. Hebblethwaite turned into Pall Mall, his hands behind his back, his expression a little less indicative of bland good humour than usual.

merest

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

From this reading It was only by the merest chance that he happened to glance up at the corner of the street and recognised Norgate across the way.

minutes

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

From this reading He had even forgotten to linger for a few minutes upon the doorstep in case any photographer should be hanging around to take a snapshot of a famous visitor leaving an historic scene, and quite unconsciously he ignored the salutation of several friends.

Mr

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

From this reading Mr. Hebblethwaite turned into Pall Mall, his hands behind his back, his expression a little less indicative of bland good humour than usual.

Norgate

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

From this reading It was only by the merest chance that he happened to glance up at the corner of the street and recognised Norgate across the way.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Mr. Hebblethwaite turned into Pall Mall, his hands behind his back, his expression a little less indicative of bland good humour than usual.

once

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

From this reading He paused at once and beckoned to him.

only

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

From this reading It was only by the merest chance that he happened to glance up at the corner of the street and recognised Norgate across the way.

Pall

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

From this reading Mr. Hebblethwaite turned into Pall Mall, his hands behind his back, his expression a little less indicative of bland good humour than usual.

paused

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

From this reading He paused at once and beckoned to him.

photographer

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

From this reading He had even forgotten to linger for a few minutes upon the doorstep in case any photographer should be hanging around to take a snapshot of a famous visitor leaving an historic scene, and quite unconsciously he ignored the salutation of several friends.

quitenounUS /quite/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He had even forgotten to linger for a few minutes upon the doorstep in case any photographer should be hanging around to take a snapshot of a famous visitor leaving an historic scene, and quite unconsciously he ignored the salutation of several friends.

recognised

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

From this reading It was only by the merest chance that he happened to glance up at the corner of the street and recognised Norgate across the way.

salutation

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

From this reading He had even forgotten to linger for a few minutes upon the doorstep in case any photographer should be hanging around to take a snapshot of a famous visitor leaving an historic scene, and quite unconsciously he ignored the salutation of several friends.

scene

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

From this reading He had even forgotten to linger for a few minutes upon the doorstep in case any photographer should be hanging around to take a snapshot of a famous visitor leaving an historic scene, and quite unconsciously he ignored the salutation of several friends.

several

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

From this reading He had even forgotten to linger for a few minutes upon the doorstep in case any photographer should be hanging around to take a snapshot of a famous visitor leaving an historic scene, and quite unconsciously he ignored the salutation of several friends.

shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading He had even forgotten to linger for a few minutes upon the doorstep in case any photographer should be hanging around to take a snapshot of a famous visitor leaving an historic scene, and quite unconsciously he ignored the salutation of several friends.

snapshot

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

From this reading He had even forgotten to linger for a few minutes upon the doorstep in case any photographer should be hanging around to take a snapshot of a famous visitor leaving an historic scene, and quite unconsciously he ignored the salutation of several friends.

street

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

From this reading It was only by the merest chance that he happened to glance up at the corner of the street and recognised Norgate across the way.

takenounUS /take/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He had even forgotten to linger for a few minutes upon the doorstep in case any photographer should be hanging around to take a snapshot of a famous visitor leaving an historic scene, and quite unconsciously he ignored the salutation of several friends.

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading Mr. Hebblethwaite turned into Pall Mall, his hands behind his back, his expression a little less indicative of bland good humour than usual.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It was only by the merest chance that he happened to glance up at the corner of the street and recognised Norgate across the way.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading He had forgotten to light his customary cigarette after the exigencies of a Cabinet Council.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading He had forgotten to light his customary cigarette after the exigencies of a Cabinet Council.

turned

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

From this reading Mr. Hebblethwaite turned into Pall Mall, his hands behind his back, his expression a little less indicative of bland good humour than usual.

unconsciously

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

From this reading He had even forgotten to linger for a few minutes upon the doorstep in case any photographer should be hanging around to take a snapshot of a famous visitor leaving an historic scene, and quite unconsciously he ignored the salutation of several friends.

up

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

From this reading It was only by the merest chance that he happened to glance up at the corner of the street and recognised Norgate across the way.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading He had even forgotten to linger for a few minutes upon the doorstep in case any photographer should be hanging around to take a snapshot of a famous visitor leaving an historic scene, and quite unconsciously he ignored the salutation of several friends.

usual

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

From this reading Mr. Hebblethwaite turned into Pall Mall, his hands behind his back, his expression a little less indicative of bland good humour than usual.

visitor

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

From this reading He had even forgotten to linger for a few minutes upon the doorstep in case any photographer should be hanging around to take a snapshot of a famous visitor leaving an historic scene, and quite unconsciously he ignored the salutation of several friends.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading It was only by the merest chance that he happened to glance up at the corner of the street and recognised Norgate across the way.

way

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

From this reading It was only by the merest chance that he happened to glance up at the corner of the street and recognised Norgate across the way.