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A Cousin's Conspiracy
A Cousin's Conspiracy

Chapter XXXIII

Cover illustration for A Cousin's Conspiracy
Context Illustration Reading 1/27 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
ANSWERING THE ADVERTISEMENT The advertisement for Ernest in a St. Louis daily paper came about in this way.
Bolton was in the habit of inquiring from time to time of Western clients if they were acquainted with any persons bearing the name Ray.
One gentleman, who frequently visited St. Louis, answered, "Yes, I know a boy named Ray."
"Tell me all you know about him," said Bolton eagerly.
"I was staying at the Southern Hotel last winter," answered Mr. Windham, "when my attention was called to a bright-looking newsboy who sold the evening papers outside.
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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.

A Cousin's Conspiracy

Chapter XXXIII

Reading 1/27 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
ANSWERING THE ADVERTISEMENT The advertisement for Ernest in a St. Louis daily paper came about in this way.
Line 2
Bolton was in the habit of inquiring from time to time of Western clients if they were acquainted with any persons bearing the name Ray.
Line 3
One gentleman, who frequently visited St. Louis, answered, "Yes, I know a boy named Ray."
Line 4
"Tell me all you know about him," said Bolton eagerly.
Line 5
"I was staying at the Southern Hotel last winter," answered Mr. Windham, "when my attention was called to a bright-looking newsboy who sold the evening papers outside.

Learner Dictionary

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

About preposition US /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading “ANSWERING THE ADVERTISEMENT The advertisement for Ernest in a St. Louis daily paper came about in this way.”

Answered noun US /ˈanswered/

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

From this reading “One gentleman, who frequently visited St. Louis, answered, "Yes, I know a boy named Ray."”

Gentleman noun US /ˈgentleman/

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

From this reading “One gentleman, who frequently visited St. Louis, answered, "Yes, I know a boy named Ray."”

Know noun US /know/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “One gentleman, who frequently visited St. Louis, answered, "Yes, I know a boy named Ray."”

Last noun US /last/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “"I was staying at the Southern Hotel last winter," answered Mr. Windham, "when my attention was called to a bright-looking newsboy who sold the evening papers outside.”

Name noun US /name/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Bolton was in the habit of inquiring from time to time of Western clients if they were acquainted with any persons bearing the name Ray.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “One gentleman, who frequently visited St. Louis, answered, "Yes, I know a boy named Ray."”

Outside noun US /ˈoutside/

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

From this reading “"I was staying at the Southern Hotel last winter," answered Mr. Windham, "when my attention was called to a bright-looking newsboy who sold the evening papers outside.”

Tell noun US /tell/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “"Tell me all you know about him," said Bolton eagerly.”

Time noun US /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Bolton was in the habit of inquiring from time to time of Western clients if they were acquainted with any persons bearing the name Ray.”

All words in this reading · 71

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 ANSWERING THE ADVERTISEMENT The advertisement for Ernest in a St. Louis daily paper came about in this way.

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading ANSWERING THE ADVERTISEMENT The advertisement for Ernest in a St. Louis daily paper came about in this way.

acquainted

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

From this reading Bolton was in the habit of inquiring from time to time of Western clients if they were acquainted with any persons bearing the name Ray.

ADVERTISEMENT

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

From this reading ANSWERING THE ADVERTISEMENT The advertisement for Ernest in a St. Louis daily paper came about in this way.

all

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

From this reading "Tell me all you know about him," said Bolton eagerly.

answerednounUS /ˈanswered/

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

From this reading One gentleman, who frequently visited St. Louis, answered, "Yes, I know a boy named Ray."

ANSWERING

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

From this reading ANSWERING THE ADVERTISEMENT The advertisement for Ernest in a St. Louis daily paper came about in this way.

any

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

From this reading Bolton was in the habit of inquiring from time to time of Western clients if they were acquainted with any persons bearing the name Ray.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading "I was staying at the Southern Hotel last winter," answered Mr. Windham, "when my attention was called to a bright-looking newsboy who sold the evening papers outside.

attention

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

From this reading "I was staying at the Southern Hotel last winter," answered Mr. Windham, "when my attention was called to a bright-looking newsboy who sold the evening papers outside.

bearing

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

From this reading Bolton was in the habit of inquiring from time to time of Western clients if they were acquainted with any persons bearing the name Ray.

Bolton

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

From this reading Bolton was in the habit of inquiring from time to time of Western clients if they were acquainted with any persons bearing the name Ray.

boy

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

From this reading One gentleman, who frequently visited St. Louis, answered, "Yes, I know a boy named Ray."

bright-looking

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

From this reading "I was staying at the Southern Hotel last winter," answered Mr. Windham, "when my attention was called to a bright-looking newsboy who sold the evening papers outside.

called

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

From this reading "I was staying at the Southern Hotel last winter," answered Mr. Windham, "when my attention was called to a bright-looking newsboy who sold the evening papers outside.

came

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

From this reading ANSWERING THE ADVERTISEMENT The advertisement for Ernest in a St. Louis daily paper came about in this way.

clients

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

From this reading Bolton was in the habit of inquiring from time to time of Western clients if they were acquainted with any persons bearing the name Ray.

daily

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

From this reading ANSWERING THE ADVERTISEMENT The advertisement for Ernest in a St. Louis daily paper came about in this way.

eagerly

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

From this reading "Tell me all you know about him," said Bolton eagerly.

Ernest

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

From this reading ANSWERING THE ADVERTISEMENT The advertisement for Ernest in a St. Louis daily paper came about in this way.

evening

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

From this reading "I was staying at the Southern Hotel last winter," answered Mr. Windham, "when my attention was called to a bright-looking newsboy who sold the evening papers outside.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading ANSWERING THE ADVERTISEMENT The advertisement for Ernest in a St. Louis daily paper came about in this way.

frequently

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

From this reading One gentleman, who frequently visited St. Louis, answered, "Yes, I know a boy named Ray."

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Bolton was in the habit of inquiring from time to time of Western clients if they were acquainted with any persons bearing the name Ray.

gentlemannounUS /ˈgentleman/

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

From this reading One gentleman, who frequently visited St. Louis, answered, "Yes, I know a boy named Ray."

habit

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

From this reading Bolton was in the habit of inquiring from time to time of Western clients if they were acquainted with any persons bearing the name Ray.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading "Tell me all you know about him," said Bolton eagerly.

Hotel

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

From this reading "I was staying at the Southern Hotel last winter," answered Mr. Windham, "when my attention was called to a bright-looking newsboy who sold the evening papers outside.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading One gentleman, who frequently visited St. Louis, answered, "Yes, I know a boy named Ray."

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading Bolton was in the habit of inquiring from time to time of Western clients if they were acquainted with any persons bearing the name Ray.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading ANSWERING THE ADVERTISEMENT The advertisement for Ernest in a St. Louis daily paper came about in this way.

inquiring

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

From this reading Bolton was in the habit of inquiring from time to time of Western clients if they were acquainted with any persons bearing the name Ray.

knownounUS /know/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading One gentleman, who frequently visited St. Louis, answered, "Yes, I know a boy named Ray."

lastnounUS /last/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading "I was staying at the Southern Hotel last winter," answered Mr. Windham, "when my attention was called to a bright-looking newsboy who sold the evening papers outside.

Louis

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

From this reading ANSWERING THE ADVERTISEMENT The advertisement for Ernest in a St. Louis daily paper came about in this way.

mepronounUS /miː/

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

From this reading "Tell me all you know about him," said Bolton eagerly.

Mr

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

From this reading "I was staying at the Southern Hotel last winter," answered Mr. Windham, "when my attention was called to a bright-looking newsboy who sold the evening papers outside.

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading "I was staying at the Southern Hotel last winter," answered Mr. Windham, "when my attention was called to a bright-looking newsboy who sold the evening papers outside.

namenounUS /name/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Bolton was in the habit of inquiring from time to time of Western clients if they were acquainted with any persons bearing the name Ray.

named

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

From this reading One gentleman, who frequently visited St. Louis, answered, "Yes, I know a boy named Ray."

newsboy

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

From this reading "I was staying at the Southern Hotel last winter," answered Mr. Windham, "when my attention was called to a bright-looking newsboy who sold the evening papers outside.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Bolton was in the habit of inquiring from time to time of Western clients if they were acquainted with any persons bearing the name Ray.

OnepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading One gentleman, who frequently visited St. Louis, answered, "Yes, I know a boy named Ray."

outsidenounUS /ˈoutside/

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

From this reading "I was staying at the Southern Hotel last winter," answered Mr. Windham, "when my attention was called to a bright-looking newsboy who sold the evening papers outside.

paper

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

From this reading ANSWERING THE ADVERTISEMENT The advertisement for Ernest in a St. Louis daily paper came about in this way.

papers

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

From this reading "I was staying at the Southern Hotel last winter," answered Mr. Windham, "when my attention was called to a bright-looking newsboy who sold the evening papers outside.

persons

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

From this reading Bolton was in the habit of inquiring from time to time of Western clients if they were acquainted with any persons bearing the name Ray.

Ray

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

From this reading Bolton was in the habit of inquiring from time to time of Western clients if they were acquainted with any persons bearing the name Ray.

said

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

From this reading "Tell me all you know about him," said Bolton eagerly.

sold

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

From this reading "I was staying at the Southern Hotel last winter," answered Mr. Windham, "when my attention was called to a bright-looking newsboy who sold the evening papers outside.

Southern

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

From this reading "I was staying at the Southern Hotel last winter," answered Mr. Windham, "when my attention was called to a bright-looking newsboy who sold the evening papers outside.

St

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

From this reading ANSWERING THE ADVERTISEMENT The advertisement for Ernest in a St. Louis daily paper came about in this way.

staying

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

From this reading "I was staying at the Southern Hotel last winter," answered Mr. Windham, "when my attention was called to a bright-looking newsboy who sold the evening papers outside.

TellnounUS /tell/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading "Tell me all you know about him," said Bolton eagerly.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading ANSWERING THE ADVERTISEMENT The advertisement for Ernest in a St. Louis daily paper came about in this way.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Bolton was in the habit of inquiring from time to time of Western clients if they were acquainted with any persons bearing the name Ray.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading ANSWERING THE ADVERTISEMENT The advertisement for Ernest in a St. Louis daily paper came about in this way.

timenounUS /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Bolton was in the habit of inquiring from time to time of Western clients if they were acquainted with any persons bearing the name Ray.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Bolton was in the habit of inquiring from time to time of Western clients if they were acquainted with any persons bearing the name Ray.

visited

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

From this reading One gentleman, who frequently visited St. Louis, answered, "Yes, I know a boy named Ray."

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Bolton was in the habit of inquiring from time to time of Western clients if they were acquainted with any persons bearing the name Ray.

way

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

From this reading ANSWERING THE ADVERTISEMENT The advertisement for Ernest in a St. Louis daily paper came about in this way.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading Bolton was in the habit of inquiring from time to time of Western clients if they were acquainted with any persons bearing the name Ray.

Western

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

From this reading Bolton was in the habit of inquiring from time to time of Western clients if they were acquainted with any persons bearing the name Ray.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading "I was staying at the Southern Hotel last winter," answered Mr. Windham, "when my attention was called to a bright-looking newsboy who sold the evening papers outside.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading One gentleman, who frequently visited St. Louis, answered, "Yes, I know a boy named Ray."

Windham

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

From this reading "I was staying at the Southern Hotel last winter," answered Mr. Windham, "when my attention was called to a bright-looking newsboy who sold the evening papers outside.

winter

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

From this reading "I was staying at the Southern Hotel last winter," answered Mr. Windham, "when my attention was called to a bright-looking newsboy who sold the evening papers outside.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Bolton was in the habit of inquiring from time to time of Western clients if they were acquainted with any persons bearing the name Ray.

Yes

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

From this reading One gentleman, who frequently visited St. Louis, answered, "Yes, I know a boy named Ray."

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "Tell me all you know about him," said Bolton eagerly.