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The Stolen Brain
The Stolen Brain

Chapter XXVI

Cover illustration for The Stolen Brain
Context Illustration Reading 1/22 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
“MYSTERY 47.”
Nick had just concluded the preceding case, when he received a request to come down to police headquarters at his earliest convenience.
The request came from the inspector in charge of the detective bureau, and Nick hastened to comply, as Inspector Ward was an old and tried friend.
The inspector looked worried as he greeted Nick in his private room at headquarters.
“Nick,” said the inspector, getting right down to business, “this is undoubtedly the strangest case that has ever come to the attention of the department, at least while I have been connected with it.
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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 Stolen Brain

Chapter XXVI

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

Line 1
“MYSTERY 47.”
Line 2
Nick had just concluded the preceding case, when he received a request to come down to police headquarters at his earliest convenience.
Line 3
The request came from the inspector in charge of the detective bureau, and Nick hastened to comply, as Inspector Ward was an old and tried friend.
Line 4
The inspector looked worried as he greeted Nick in his private room at headquarters.
Line 5
“Nick,” said the inspector, getting right down to business, “this is undoubtedly the strangest case that has ever come to the attention of the department, at least while I have been connected with it.

Learner Dictionary

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

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading ““Nick,” said the inspector, getting right down to business, “this is undoubtedly the strangest case that has ever come to the attention of the department, at least while I have been connected with it.”

Come noun US /come/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Nick had just concluded the preceding case, when he received a request to come down to police headquarters at his earliest convenience.”

Ever noun US /ever/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading ““Nick,” said the inspector, getting right down to business, “this is undoubtedly the strangest case that has ever come to the attention of the department, at least while I have been connected with it.”

Has auxiliary verb US /hæz/

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

From this reading ““Nick,” said the inspector, getting right down to business, “this is undoubtedly the strangest case that has ever come to the attention of the department, at least while I have been connected with it.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading ““Nick,” said the inspector, getting right down to business, “this is undoubtedly the strangest case that has ever come to the attention of the department, at least while I have been connected with it.”

Least noun US /least/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading ““Nick,” said the inspector, getting right down to business, “this is undoubtedly the strangest case that has ever come to the attention of the department, at least while I have been connected with it.”

Looked noun US /looked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The inspector looked worried as he greeted Nick in his private room at headquarters.”

Right noun US /right/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading ““Nick,” said the inspector, getting right down to business, “this is undoubtedly the strangest case that has ever come to the attention of the department, at least while I have been connected with it.”

While conjunction US /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading ““Nick,” said the inspector, getting right down to business, “this is undoubtedly the strangest case that has ever come to the attention of the department, at least while I have been connected with it.”

All words in this reading · 67

Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

47

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

From this reading “MYSTERY 47.”

adeterminerUS /ə/

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading Nick had just concluded the preceding case, when he received a request to come down to police headquarters at his earliest convenience.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading The request came from the inspector in charge of the detective bureau, and Nick hastened to comply, as Inspector Ward was an old and tried friend.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading The request came from the inspector in charge of the detective bureau, and Nick hastened to comply, as Inspector Ward was an old and tried friend.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading The request came from the inspector in charge of the detective bureau, and Nick hastened to comply, as Inspector Ward was an old and tried friend.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Nick had just concluded the preceding case, when he received a request to come down to police headquarters at his earliest convenience.

attention

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

From this reading “Nick,” said the inspector, getting right down to business, “this is undoubtedly the strangest case that has ever come to the attention of the department, at least while I have been connected with it.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “Nick,” said the inspector, getting right down to business, “this is undoubtedly the strangest case that has ever come to the attention of the department, at least while I have been connected with it.

bureau

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

From this reading The request came from the inspector in charge of the detective bureau, and Nick hastened to comply, as Inspector Ward was an old and tried friend.

business

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

From this reading “Nick,” said the inspector, getting right down to business, “this is undoubtedly the strangest case that has ever come to the attention of the department, at least while I have been connected with it.

came

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

From this reading The request came from the inspector in charge of the detective bureau, and Nick hastened to comply, as Inspector Ward was an old and tried friend.

case

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

From this reading Nick had just concluded the preceding case, when he received a request to come down to police headquarters at his earliest convenience.

charge

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

From this reading The request came from the inspector in charge of the detective bureau, and Nick hastened to comply, as Inspector Ward was an old and tried friend.

comenounUS /come/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Nick had just concluded the preceding case, when he received a request to come down to police headquarters at his earliest convenience.

comply

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

From this reading The request came from the inspector in charge of the detective bureau, and Nick hastened to comply, as Inspector Ward was an old and tried friend.

concluded

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

From this reading Nick had just concluded the preceding case, when he received a request to come down to police headquarters at his earliest convenience.

connected

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

From this reading “Nick,” said the inspector, getting right down to business, “this is undoubtedly the strangest case that has ever come to the attention of the department, at least while I have been connected with it.

convenience

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

From this reading Nick had just concluded the preceding case, when he received a request to come down to police headquarters at his earliest convenience.

department

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

From this reading “Nick,” said the inspector, getting right down to business, “this is undoubtedly the strangest case that has ever come to the attention of the department, at least while I have been connected with it.

detective

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

From this reading The request came from the inspector in charge of the detective bureau, and Nick hastened to comply, as Inspector Ward was an old and tried friend.

down

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

From this reading Nick had just concluded the preceding case, when he received a request to come down to police headquarters at his earliest convenience.

earliest

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

From this reading Nick had just concluded the preceding case, when he received a request to come down to police headquarters at his earliest convenience.

evernounUS /ever/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Nick,” said the inspector, getting right down to business, “this is undoubtedly the strangest case that has ever come to the attention of the department, at least while I have been connected with it.

friend

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

From this reading The request came from the inspector in charge of the detective bureau, and Nick hastened to comply, as Inspector Ward was an old and tried friend.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading The request came from the inspector in charge of the detective bureau, and Nick hastened to comply, as Inspector Ward was an old and tried friend.

getting

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

From this reading “Nick,” said the inspector, getting right down to business, “this is undoubtedly the strangest case that has ever come to the attention of the department, at least while I have been connected with it.

greeted

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

From this reading The inspector looked worried as he greeted Nick in his private room at headquarters.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading Nick had just concluded the preceding case, when he received a request to come down to police headquarters at his earliest convenience.

hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/

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

From this reading “Nick,” said the inspector, getting right down to business, “this is undoubtedly the strangest case that has ever come to the attention of the department, at least while I have been connected with it.

hastened

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

From this reading The request came from the inspector in charge of the detective bureau, and Nick hastened to comply, as Inspector Ward was an old and tried friend.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “Nick,” said the inspector, getting right down to business, “this is undoubtedly the strangest case that has ever come to the attention of the department, at least while I have been connected with it.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading Nick had just concluded the preceding case, when he received a request to come down to police headquarters at his earliest convenience.

headquarters

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

From this reading Nick had just concluded the preceding case, when he received a request to come down to police headquarters at his earliest convenience.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading Nick had just concluded the preceding case, when he received a request to come down to police headquarters at his earliest convenience.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading “Nick,” said the inspector, getting right down to business, “this is undoubtedly the strangest case that has ever come to the attention of the department, at least while I have been connected with it.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading The request came from the inspector in charge of the detective bureau, and Nick hastened to comply, as Inspector Ward was an old and tried friend.

inspector

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

From this reading The request came from the inspector in charge of the detective bureau, and Nick hastened to comply, as Inspector Ward was an old and tried friend.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading “Nick,” said the inspector, getting right down to business, “this is undoubtedly the strangest case that has ever come to the attention of the department, at least while I have been connected with it.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading “Nick,” said the inspector, getting right down to business, “this is undoubtedly the strangest case that has ever come to the attention of the department, at least while I have been connected with it.

just

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

From this reading Nick had just concluded the preceding case, when he received a request to come down to police headquarters at his earliest convenience.

leastnounUS /least/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Nick,” said the inspector, getting right down to business, “this is undoubtedly the strangest case that has ever come to the attention of the department, at least while I have been connected with it.

lookednounUS /looked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The inspector looked worried as he greeted Nick in his private room at headquarters.

MYSTERY

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

From this reading “MYSTERY 47.”

Nick

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

From this reading Nick had just concluded the preceding case, when he received a request to come down to police headquarters at his earliest convenience.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The request came from the inspector in charge of the detective bureau, and Nick hastened to comply, as Inspector Ward was an old and tried friend.

old

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

From this reading The request came from the inspector in charge of the detective bureau, and Nick hastened to comply, as Inspector Ward was an old and tried friend.

police

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

From this reading Nick had just concluded the preceding case, when he received a request to come down to police headquarters at his earliest convenience.

preceding

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

From this reading Nick had just concluded the preceding case, when he received a request to come down to police headquarters at his earliest convenience.

private

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

From this reading The inspector looked worried as he greeted Nick in his private room at headquarters.

received

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

From this reading Nick had just concluded the preceding case, when he received a request to come down to police headquarters at his earliest convenience.

request

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

From this reading Nick had just concluded the preceding case, when he received a request to come down to police headquarters at his earliest convenience.

rightnounUS /right/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Nick,” said the inspector, getting right down to business, “this is undoubtedly the strangest case that has ever come to the attention of the department, at least while I have been connected with it.

room

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

From this reading The inspector looked worried as he greeted Nick in his private room at headquarters.

said

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

From this reading “Nick,” said the inspector, getting right down to business, “this is undoubtedly the strangest case that has ever come to the attention of the department, at least while I have been connected with it.

strangest

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

From this reading “Nick,” said the inspector, getting right down to business, “this is undoubtedly the strangest case that has ever come to the attention of the department, at least while I have been connected with it.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading “Nick,” said the inspector, getting right down to business, “this is undoubtedly the strangest case that has ever come to the attention of the department, at least while I have been connected with it.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Nick had just concluded the preceding case, when he received a request to come down to police headquarters at his earliest convenience.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading “Nick,” said the inspector, getting right down to business, “this is undoubtedly the strangest case that has ever come to the attention of the department, at least while I have been connected with it.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Nick had just concluded the preceding case, when he received a request to come down to police headquarters at his earliest convenience.

tried

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

From this reading The request came from the inspector in charge of the detective bureau, and Nick hastened to comply, as Inspector Ward was an old and tried friend.

undoubtedly

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

From this reading “Nick,” said the inspector, getting right down to business, “this is undoubtedly the strangest case that has ever come to the attention of the department, at least while I have been connected with it.

Ward

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

From this reading The request came from the inspector in charge of the detective bureau, and Nick hastened to comply, as Inspector Ward was an old and tried friend.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading The request came from the inspector in charge of the detective bureau, and Nick hastened to comply, as Inspector Ward was an old and tried friend.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading Nick had just concluded the preceding case, when he received a request to come down to police headquarters at his earliest convenience.

whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading “Nick,” said the inspector, getting right down to business, “this is undoubtedly the strangest case that has ever come to the attention of the department, at least while I have been connected with it.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading “Nick,” said the inspector, getting right down to business, “this is undoubtedly the strangest case that has ever come to the attention of the department, at least while I have been connected with it.

worried

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

From this reading The inspector looked worried as he greeted Nick in his private room at headquarters.