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Toppleton's Client
Toppleton's Client

Chapter XIII

Cover illustration for Toppleton's Client
Context Illustration Reading 1/33 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
AT BARNCASTLE HALL.
TOPPLETON'S surmises as to Barncastle's method of receiving him appeared to be correct, for upon his arrival, green umbrella and carpet bag in hand, at the Fenwick Merton station he was met by no less a person than his host himself, who recognized him at once.
"I knew it was you," said Barncastle, as he held out his hand to grasp Toppleton's.
"I knew it was you as soon as I saw you.
Your carpet bag, and the fact that you are the only person on the train who travelled first class, were the infallible signs which guided me."
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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.

Toppleton's Client

Chapter XIII

Reading 1/33 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
AT BARNCASTLE HALL.
Line 2
TOPPLETON'S surmises as to Barncastle's method of receiving him appeared to be correct, for upon his arrival, green umbrella and carpet bag in hand, at the Fenwick Merton station he was met by no less a person than his host himself, who recognized him at once.
Line 3
"I knew it was you," said Barncastle, as he held out his hand to grasp Toppleton's.
Line 4
"I knew it was you as soon as I saw you.
Line 5
Your carpet bag, and the fact that you are the only person on the train who travelled first class, were the infallible signs which guided me."

Learner Dictionary

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

First noun US /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Your carpet bag, and the fact that you are the only person on the train who travelled first class, were the infallible signs which guided me."”

Grasp noun US /ɡræsp/

a firm hold in a specific situation in this story

From this reading “"I knew it was you," said Barncastle, as he held out his hand to grasp Toppleton's.”

Hand noun US /hand/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “TOPPLETON'S surmises as to Barncastle's method of receiving him appeared to be correct, for upon his arrival, green umbrella and carpet bag in hand, at the Fenwick Merton station he was met by no less a person than his host himself, who recognized him at once.”

Himself pronoun US /hɪmˈself/

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading “TOPPLETON'S surmises as to Barncastle's method of receiving him appeared to be correct, for upon his arrival, green umbrella and carpet bag in hand, at the Fenwick Merton station he was met by no less a person than his host himself, who recognized him at once.”

Once noun US /once/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “TOPPLETON'S surmises as to Barncastle's method of receiving him appeared to be correct, for upon his arrival, green umbrella and carpet bag in hand, at the Fenwick Merton station he was met by no less a person than his host himself, who recognized him at once.”

Soon noun US /soon/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “"I knew it was you as soon as I saw you.”

Upon preposition US /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading “TOPPLETON'S surmises as to Barncastle's method of receiving him appeared to be correct, for upon his arrival, green umbrella and carpet bag in hand, at the Fenwick Merton station he was met by no less a person than his host himself, who recognized him at once.”

All words in this reading · 70

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 TOPPLETON'S surmises as to Barncastle's method of receiving him appeared to be correct, for upon his arrival, green umbrella and carpet bag in hand, at the Fenwick Merton station he was met by no less a person than his host himself, who recognized him at once.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading TOPPLETON'S surmises as to Barncastle's method of receiving him appeared to be correct, for upon his arrival, green umbrella and carpet bag in hand, at the Fenwick Merton station he was met by no less a person than his host himself, who recognized him at once.

appeared

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

From this reading TOPPLETON'S surmises as to Barncastle's method of receiving him appeared to be correct, for upon his arrival, green umbrella and carpet bag in hand, at the Fenwick Merton station he was met by no less a person than his host himself, who recognized him at once.

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

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

From this reading Your carpet bag, and the fact that you are the only person on the train who travelled first class, were the infallible signs which guided me."

arrival

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

From this reading TOPPLETON'S surmises as to Barncastle's method of receiving him appeared to be correct, for upon his arrival, green umbrella and carpet bag in hand, at the Fenwick Merton station he was met by no less a person than his host himself, who recognized him at once.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading TOPPLETON'S surmises as to Barncastle's method of receiving him appeared to be correct, for upon his arrival, green umbrella and carpet bag in hand, at the Fenwick Merton station he was met by no less a person than his host himself, who recognized him at once.

ATprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading AT BARNCASTLE HALL.

bag

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

From this reading TOPPLETON'S surmises as to Barncastle's method of receiving him appeared to be correct, for upon his arrival, green umbrella and carpet bag in hand, at the Fenwick Merton station he was met by no less a person than his host himself, who recognized him at once.

BARNCASTLE

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

From this reading AT BARNCASTLE HALL.

Barncastle's

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

From this reading TOPPLETON'S surmises as to Barncastle's method of receiving him appeared to be correct, for upon his arrival, green umbrella and carpet bag in hand, at the Fenwick Merton station he was met by no less a person than his host himself, who recognized him at once.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading TOPPLETON'S surmises as to Barncastle's method of receiving him appeared to be correct, for upon his arrival, green umbrella and carpet bag in hand, at the Fenwick Merton station he was met by no less a person than his host himself, who recognized him at once.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading TOPPLETON'S surmises as to Barncastle's method of receiving him appeared to be correct, for upon his arrival, green umbrella and carpet bag in hand, at the Fenwick Merton station he was met by no less a person than his host himself, who recognized him at once.

carpet

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

From this reading TOPPLETON'S surmises as to Barncastle's method of receiving him appeared to be correct, for upon his arrival, green umbrella and carpet bag in hand, at the Fenwick Merton station he was met by no less a person than his host himself, who recognized him at once.

class

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

From this reading Your carpet bag, and the fact that you are the only person on the train who travelled first class, were the infallible signs which guided me."

correct

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

From this reading TOPPLETON'S surmises as to Barncastle's method of receiving him appeared to be correct, for upon his arrival, green umbrella and carpet bag in hand, at the Fenwick Merton station he was met by no less a person than his host himself, who recognized him at once.

fact

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

From this reading Your carpet bag, and the fact that you are the only person on the train who travelled first class, were the infallible signs which guided me."

Fenwick

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

From this reading TOPPLETON'S surmises as to Barncastle's method of receiving him appeared to be correct, for upon his arrival, green umbrella and carpet bag in hand, at the Fenwick Merton station he was met by no less a person than his host himself, who recognized him at once.

firstnounUS /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Your carpet bag, and the fact that you are the only person on the train who travelled first class, were the infallible signs which guided me."

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading TOPPLETON'S surmises as to Barncastle's method of receiving him appeared to be correct, for upon his arrival, green umbrella and carpet bag in hand, at the Fenwick Merton station he was met by no less a person than his host himself, who recognized him at once.

graspnounUS /ɡræsp/

a firm hold in a specific situation in this story

From this reading "I knew it was you," said Barncastle, as he held out his hand to grasp Toppleton's.

green

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

From this reading TOPPLETON'S surmises as to Barncastle's method of receiving him appeared to be correct, for upon his arrival, green umbrella and carpet bag in hand, at the Fenwick Merton station he was met by no less a person than his host himself, who recognized him at once.

guided

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

From this reading Your carpet bag, and the fact that you are the only person on the train who travelled first class, were the infallible signs which guided me."

HALL

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

From this reading AT BARNCASTLE HALL.

hand

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

From this reading TOPPLETON'S surmises as to Barncastle's method of receiving him appeared to be correct, for upon his arrival, green umbrella and carpet bag in hand, at the Fenwick Merton station he was met by no less a person than his host himself, who recognized him at once.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading TOPPLETON'S surmises as to Barncastle's method of receiving him appeared to be correct, for upon his arrival, green umbrella and carpet bag in hand, at the Fenwick Merton station he was met by no less a person than his host himself, who recognized him at once.

held

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

From this reading "I knew it was you," said Barncastle, as he held out his hand to grasp Toppleton's.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading TOPPLETON'S surmises as to Barncastle's method of receiving him appeared to be correct, for upon his arrival, green umbrella and carpet bag in hand, at the Fenwick Merton station he was met by no less a person than his host himself, who recognized him at once.

himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading TOPPLETON'S surmises as to Barncastle's method of receiving him appeared to be correct, for upon his arrival, green umbrella and carpet bag in hand, at the Fenwick Merton station he was met by no less a person than his host himself, who recognized him at once.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading TOPPLETON'S surmises as to Barncastle's method of receiving him appeared to be correct, for upon his arrival, green umbrella and carpet bag in hand, at the Fenwick Merton station he was met by no less a person than his host himself, who recognized him at once.

host

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

From this reading TOPPLETON'S surmises as to Barncastle's method of receiving him appeared to be correct, for upon his arrival, green umbrella and carpet bag in hand, at the Fenwick Merton station he was met by no less a person than his host himself, who recognized him at once.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading "I knew it was you," said Barncastle, as he held out his hand to grasp Toppleton's.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading TOPPLETON'S surmises as to Barncastle's method of receiving him appeared to be correct, for upon his arrival, green umbrella and carpet bag in hand, at the Fenwick Merton station he was met by no less a person than his host himself, who recognized him at once.

infallible

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

From this reading Your carpet bag, and the fact that you are the only person on the train who travelled first class, were the infallible signs which guided me."

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading "I knew it was you," said Barncastle, as he held out his hand to grasp Toppleton's.

knew

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

From this reading "I knew it was you," said Barncastle, as he held out his hand to grasp Toppleton's.

less

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

From this reading TOPPLETON'S surmises as to Barncastle's method of receiving him appeared to be correct, for upon his arrival, green umbrella and carpet bag in hand, at the Fenwick Merton station he was met by no less a person than his host himself, who recognized him at once.

mepronounUS /miː/

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading Your carpet bag, and the fact that you are the only person on the train who travelled first class, were the infallible signs which guided me."

Merton

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

From this reading TOPPLETON'S surmises as to Barncastle's method of receiving him appeared to be correct, for upon his arrival, green umbrella and carpet bag in hand, at the Fenwick Merton station he was met by no less a person than his host himself, who recognized him at once.

met

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

From this reading TOPPLETON'S surmises as to Barncastle's method of receiving him appeared to be correct, for upon his arrival, green umbrella and carpet bag in hand, at the Fenwick Merton station he was met by no less a person than his host himself, who recognized him at once.

method

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

From this reading TOPPLETON'S surmises as to Barncastle's method of receiving him appeared to be correct, for upon his arrival, green umbrella and carpet bag in hand, at the Fenwick Merton station he was met by no less a person than his host himself, who recognized him at once.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading TOPPLETON'S surmises as to Barncastle's method of receiving him appeared to be correct, for upon his arrival, green umbrella and carpet bag in hand, at the Fenwick Merton station he was met by no less a person than his host himself, who recognized him at once.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading TOPPLETON'S surmises as to Barncastle's method of receiving him appeared to be correct, for upon his arrival, green umbrella and carpet bag in hand, at the Fenwick Merton station he was met by no less a person than his host himself, who recognized him at once.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Your carpet bag, and the fact that you are the only person on the train who travelled first class, were the infallible signs which guided me."

once

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

From this reading TOPPLETON'S surmises as to Barncastle's method of receiving him appeared to be correct, for upon his arrival, green umbrella and carpet bag in hand, at the Fenwick Merton station he was met by no less a person than his host himself, who recognized him at once.

only

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

From this reading Your carpet bag, and the fact that you are the only person on the train who travelled first class, were the infallible signs which guided me."

out

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

From this reading "I knew it was you," said Barncastle, as he held out his hand to grasp Toppleton's.

person

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

From this reading TOPPLETON'S surmises as to Barncastle's method of receiving him appeared to be correct, for upon his arrival, green umbrella and carpet bag in hand, at the Fenwick Merton station he was met by no less a person than his host himself, who recognized him at once.

receiving

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

From this reading TOPPLETON'S surmises as to Barncastle's method of receiving him appeared to be correct, for upon his arrival, green umbrella and carpet bag in hand, at the Fenwick Merton station he was met by no less a person than his host himself, who recognized him at once.

recognized

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

From this reading TOPPLETON'S surmises as to Barncastle's method of receiving him appeared to be correct, for upon his arrival, green umbrella and carpet bag in hand, at the Fenwick Merton station he was met by no less a person than his host himself, who recognized him at once.

said

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

From this reading "I knew it was you," said Barncastle, as he held out his hand to grasp Toppleton's.

saw

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

From this reading "I knew it was you as soon as I saw you.

signs

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

From this reading Your carpet bag, and the fact that you are the only person on the train who travelled first class, were the infallible signs which guided me."

soon

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

From this reading "I knew it was you as soon as I saw you.

station

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

From this reading TOPPLETON'S surmises as to Barncastle's method of receiving him appeared to be correct, for upon his arrival, green umbrella and carpet bag in hand, at the Fenwick Merton station he was met by no less a person than his host himself, who recognized him at once.

surmises

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

From this reading TOPPLETON'S surmises as to Barncastle's method of receiving him appeared to be correct, for upon his arrival, green umbrella and carpet bag in hand, at the Fenwick Merton station he was met by no less a person than his host himself, who recognized him at once.

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading TOPPLETON'S surmises as to Barncastle's method of receiving him appeared to be correct, for upon his arrival, green umbrella and carpet bag in hand, at the Fenwick Merton station he was met by no less a person than his host himself, who recognized him at once.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Your carpet bag, and the fact that you are the only person on the train who travelled first class, were the infallible signs which guided me."

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading TOPPLETON'S surmises as to Barncastle's method of receiving him appeared to be correct, for upon his arrival, green umbrella and carpet bag in hand, at the Fenwick Merton station he was met by no less a person than his host himself, who recognized him at once.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading TOPPLETON'S surmises as to Barncastle's method of receiving him appeared to be correct, for upon his arrival, green umbrella and carpet bag in hand, at the Fenwick Merton station he was met by no less a person than his host himself, who recognized him at once.

TOPPLETON'S

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

From this reading TOPPLETON'S surmises as to Barncastle's method of receiving him appeared to be correct, for upon his arrival, green umbrella and carpet bag in hand, at the Fenwick Merton station he was met by no less a person than his host himself, who recognized him at once.

train

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

From this reading Your carpet bag, and the fact that you are the only person on the train who travelled first class, were the infallible signs which guided me."

travelled

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

From this reading Your carpet bag, and the fact that you are the only person on the train who travelled first class, were the infallible signs which guided me."

umbrella

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

From this reading TOPPLETON'S surmises as to Barncastle's method of receiving him appeared to be correct, for upon his arrival, green umbrella and carpet bag in hand, at the Fenwick Merton station he was met by no less a person than his host himself, who recognized him at once.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading TOPPLETON'S surmises as to Barncastle's method of receiving him appeared to be correct, for upon his arrival, green umbrella and carpet bag in hand, at the Fenwick Merton station he was met by no less a person than his host himself, who recognized him at once.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading TOPPLETON'S surmises as to Barncastle's method of receiving him appeared to be correct, for upon his arrival, green umbrella and carpet bag in hand, at the Fenwick Merton station he was met by no less a person than his host himself, who recognized him at once.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading Your carpet bag, and the fact that you are the only person on the train who travelled first class, were the infallible signs which guided me."

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading Your carpet bag, and the fact that you are the only person on the train who travelled first class, were the infallible signs which guided me."

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading TOPPLETON'S surmises as to Barncastle's method of receiving him appeared to be correct, for upon his arrival, green umbrella and carpet bag in hand, at the Fenwick Merton station he was met by no less a person than his host himself, who recognized him at once.

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "I knew it was you," said Barncastle, as he held out his hand to grasp Toppleton's.

YourdeterminerUS /jɔːr/

belonging to the person or people being spoken to

From this reading Your carpet bag, and the fact that you are the only person on the train who travelled first class, were the infallible signs which guided me."