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A Master of Deception
A Master of Deception

Chapter XXVII

Chapter 27 of A Master of Deception is here in full — 305 sentences across 61 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

By Richard Marsh • Curated US English Learning Edition
Cover illustration for A Master of Deception
Context Illustration Reading 1/61 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
THE GENTLEMAN'S DEPARTURE AND THE LADY'S EXPLANATIONS In the morning early Mabel Joyce knocked at the door of Mr. Elmore's bedroom with a jug of shaving water in her hand; knocked softly, as if she did not wish to rouse the sleeper too abruptly from his rest.
When no answer came she clung to the handle of the door, as a tremor seemed to pass all over her; then, presently, knocked again.
Still no reply.
She bent her head towards the panel, listening intently.
Then, suddenly, decisively, rapped three times and waited.
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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 Master of Deception

Chapter XXVII

Chapter 27 of A Master of Deception is here in full — 305 sentences across 61 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/61 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
THE GENTLEMAN'S DEPARTURE AND THE LADY'S EXPLANATIONS In the morning early Mabel Joyce knocked at the door of Mr. Elmore's bedroom with a jug of shaving water in her hand; knocked softly, as if she did not wish to rouse the sleeper too abruptly from his rest.
Line 2
When no answer came she clung to the handle of the door, as a tremor seemed to pass all over her; then, presently, knocked again.
/wen noʊ ˈænsər keɪm ʃiː klʌŋ tuː ðə ˈhændəl ʌv ðə dɔːr æz ə ˈtremər siːmd tuː pæs ɔːl ˈoʊvər hɜːr ðen ˈprezəntli nɑːkt əˈɡen/
Line 3
Still no reply.
/stɪl noʊ rɪˈplaɪ/
Line 4
She bent her head towards the panel, listening intently.
/ʃiː bent hɜːr hed təˈwɔːrdz ðə ˈpænəl ˈlɪsənɪŋ ˌɪnˈtentli/
Line 5
Then, suddenly, decisively, rapped three times and waited.
/ðen ˈsʌdənli dɪˈsaɪsɪvli ræpt θriː taɪmz ənd ˈweɪtɪd/

Learner Dictionary

These definitions explain words found in the current reading and keep every example grounded in its original sentence.

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

decisively adverb US /dɪˈsaɪsɪvli/

with firmness

From this reading “Then, suddenly, decisively, rapped three times and waited.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
gentleman's noun US /ˈdʒentəlmʌnz/

possessive form of “gentleman” — a man of refinement

From this reading “THE GENTLEMAN'S DEPARTURE AND THE LADY'S EXPLANATIONS In the morning early Mabel Joyce knocked at the door of Mr. Elmore's bedroom with a jug of shaving water in her hand; knocked softly, as if she did not wish to rouse the sleeper too abruptly from his rest.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
jug noun US /dʒʌɡ/

a large bottle with a narrow mouth

From this reading “THE GENTLEMAN'S DEPARTURE AND THE LADY'S EXPLANATIONS In the morning early Mabel Joyce knocked at the door of Mr. Elmore's bedroom with a jug of shaving water in her hand; knocked softly, as if she did not wish to rouse the sleeper too abruptly from his rest.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
panel noun US /ˈpænəl/

sheet that forms a distinct (usually flat and rectangular) section or component of something

From this reading “She bent her head towards the panel, listening intently.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
rapped verb US /ræpt/

inflected form of “rap” — strike sharply

From this reading “Then, suddenly, decisively, rapped three times and waited.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
shaving noun US /ˈʃeɪvɪŋ/

the act of removing hair with a razor

From this reading “THE GENTLEMAN'S DEPARTURE AND THE LADY'S EXPLANATIONS In the morning early Mabel Joyce knocked at the door of Mr. Elmore's bedroom with a jug of shaving water in her hand; knocked softly, as if she did not wish to rouse the sleeper too abruptly from his rest.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
sleeper noun US /ˈsliːpər/

a rester who is sleeping

From this reading “THE GENTLEMAN'S DEPARTURE AND THE LADY'S EXPLANATIONS In the morning early Mabel Joyce knocked at the door of Mr. Elmore's bedroom with a jug of shaving water in her hand; knocked softly, as if she did not wish to rouse the sleeper too abruptly from his rest.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
tremor noun US /ˈtremər/

an involuntary vibration (as if from illness or fear)

From this reading “When no answer came she clung to the handle of the door, as a tremor seemed to pass all over her; then, presently, knocked again.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1

Word partnerships in these lines

English keeps certain words together, and knowing the pair is worth more than knowing each word alone. Every partnership below was counted across our whole published library, and earns its place by appearing far more often than two unrelated words of the same frequency would.

Shown as this reading writes them, with the form the library counts, what kind of pairing it is, and how often it occurs.

three times noun + noun

by a factor of three

In this reading “Then, suddenly, decisively, rapped three times and waited.”

20,420 times in 225,867 chapters
knocked softly verb + particle counted as “knock softly”

In this reading “THE GENTLEMAN'S DEPARTURE AND THE LADY'S EXPLANATIONS In the morning early Mabel Joyce knocked at the door of Mr. Elmore's bedroom with a jug of shaving water in her hand; knocked softly, as if she did not wish to rouse the sleeper too abruptly from his rest.”

255 times in 225,867 chapters
knocked at verb + particle counted as “knock at”

In this reading “THE GENTLEMAN'S DEPARTURE AND THE LADY'S EXPLANATIONS In the morning early Mabel Joyce knocked at the door of Mr. Elmore's bedroom with a jug of shaving water in her hand; knocked softly, as if she did not wish to rouse the sleeper too abruptly from his rest.”

12,461 times in 225,867 chapters
at the door preposition + article + noun counted as “at … door”

In this reading “THE GENTLEMAN'S DEPARTURE AND THE LADY'S EXPLANATIONS In the morning early Mabel Joyce knocked at the door of Mr. Elmore's bedroom with a jug of shaving water in her hand; knocked softly, as if she did not wish to rouse the sleeper too abruptly from his rest.”

53,016 times in 225,867 chapters
In the morning preposition + article + noun counted as “in … morning”

In this reading “THE GENTLEMAN'S DEPARTURE AND THE LADY'S EXPLANATIONS In the morning early Mabel Joyce knocked at the door of Mr. Elmore's bedroom with a jug of shaving water in her hand; knocked softly, as if she did not wish to rouse the sleeper too abruptly from his rest.”

71,997 times in 225,867 chapters
knocked again verb + particle counted as “knock again”

In this reading “When no answer came she clung to the handle of the door, as a tremor seemed to pass all over her; then, presently, knocked again.”

669 times in 225,867 chapters
handle of verb + particle

In this reading “When no answer came she clung to the handle of the door, as a tremor seemed to pass all over her; then, presently, knocked again.”

4,877 times in 225,867 chapters

All words in this reading · 68

Every word in these five lines is listed here, and every one of them can be played on its own.

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 THE GENTLEMAN'S DEPARTURE AND THE LADY'S EXPLANATIONS In the morning early Mabel Joyce knocked at the door of Mr. Elmore's bedroom with a jug of shaving water in her hand; knocked softly, as if she did not wish to rouse the sleeper too abruptly from his rest.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
abruptlyadverbUS /əˈbrʌptli/

quickly and without warning

From this reading THE GENTLEMAN'S DEPARTURE AND THE LADY'S EXPLANATIONS In the morning early Mabel Joyce knocked at the door of Mr. Elmore's bedroom with a jug of shaving water in her hand; knocked softly, as if she did not wish to rouse the sleeper too abruptly from his rest.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
againadverbUS /əˈɡen/

anew

From this reading When no answer came she clung to the handle of the door, as a tremor seemed to pass all over her; then, presently, knocked again.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading When no answer came she clung to the handle of the door, as a tremor seemed to pass all over her; then, presently, knocked again.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
ANDconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading THE GENTLEMAN'S DEPARTURE AND THE LADY'S EXPLANATIONS In the morning early Mabel Joyce knocked at the door of Mr. Elmore's bedroom with a jug of shaving water in her hand; knocked softly, as if she did not wish to rouse the sleeper too abruptly from his rest.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
answerverbUS /ˈænsər/

react verbally

From this reading When no answer came she clung to the handle of the door, as a tremor seemed to pass all over her; then, presently, knocked again.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading THE GENTLEMAN'S DEPARTURE AND THE LADY'S EXPLANATIONS In the morning early Mabel Joyce knocked at the door of Mr. Elmore's bedroom with a jug of shaving water in her hand; knocked softly, as if she did not wish to rouse the sleeper too abruptly from his rest.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading THE GENTLEMAN'S DEPARTURE AND THE LADY'S EXPLANATIONS In the morning early Mabel Joyce knocked at the door of Mr. Elmore's bedroom with a jug of shaving water in her hand; knocked softly, as if she did not wish to rouse the sleeper too abruptly from his rest.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
bedroomnounUS /ˈbedruːm/

a room used primarily for sleeping

From this reading THE GENTLEMAN'S DEPARTURE AND THE LADY'S EXPLANATIONS In the morning early Mabel Joyce knocked at the door of Mr. Elmore's bedroom with a jug of shaving water in her hand; knocked softly, as if she did not wish to rouse the sleeper too abruptly from his rest.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
bentnounUS /bent/

a relatively permanent inclination to react in a particular way

From this reading She bent her head towards the panel, listening intently.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
cameverbUS /keɪm/

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading When no answer came she clung to the handle of the door, as a tremor seemed to pass all over her; then, presently, knocked again.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
clungverbUS /klʌŋ/

inflected form of “cling” — come or be in close contact with; stick or hold together and resist separation

From this reading When no answer came she clung to the handle of the door, as a tremor seemed to pass all over her; then, presently, knocked again.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
decisivelyadverbUS /dɪˈsaɪsɪvli/

with firmness

From this reading Then, suddenly, decisively, rapped three times and waited.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
DEPARTUREnounUS /dɪˈpɑːrtʃər/

the act of departing

From this reading THE GENTLEMAN'S DEPARTURE AND THE LADY'S EXPLANATIONS In the morning early Mabel Joyce knocked at the door of Mr. Elmore's bedroom with a jug of shaving water in her hand; knocked softly, as if she did not wish to rouse the sleeper too abruptly from his rest.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading THE GENTLEMAN'S DEPARTURE AND THE LADY'S EXPLANATIONS In the morning early Mabel Joyce knocked at the door of Mr. Elmore's bedroom with a jug of shaving water in her hand; knocked softly, as if she did not wish to rouse the sleeper too abruptly from his rest.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
doornounUS /dɔːr/

a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle

From this reading THE GENTLEMAN'S DEPARTURE AND THE LADY'S EXPLANATIONS In the morning early Mabel Joyce knocked at the door of Mr. Elmore's bedroom with a jug of shaving water in her hand; knocked softly, as if she did not wish to rouse the sleeper too abruptly from his rest.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
earlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrli/

at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time

From this reading THE GENTLEMAN'S DEPARTURE AND THE LADY'S EXPLANATIONS In the morning early Mabel Joyce knocked at the door of Mr. Elmore's bedroom with a jug of shaving water in her hand; knocked softly, as if she did not wish to rouse the sleeper too abruptly from his rest.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
Elmore's

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

From this reading THE GENTLEMAN'S DEPARTURE AND THE LADY'S EXPLANATIONS In the morning early Mabel Joyce knocked at the door of Mr. Elmore's bedroom with a jug of shaving water in her hand; knocked softly, as if she did not wish to rouse the sleeper too abruptly from his rest.

Pending verification
EXPLANATIONSnounUS /ˌekspləˈneɪʃənz/

plural of “explanation” — a statement that makes something comprehensible by describing the relevant structure or operation or circumstances etc.

From this reading THE GENTLEMAN'S DEPARTURE AND THE LADY'S EXPLANATIONS In the morning early Mabel Joyce knocked at the door of Mr. Elmore's bedroom with a jug of shaving water in her hand; knocked softly, as if she did not wish to rouse the sleeper too abruptly from his rest.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading THE GENTLEMAN'S DEPARTURE AND THE LADY'S EXPLANATIONS In the morning early Mabel Joyce knocked at the door of Mr. Elmore's bedroom with a jug of shaving water in her hand; knocked softly, as if she did not wish to rouse the sleeper too abruptly from his rest.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
GENTLEMAN'SnounUS /ˈdʒentəlmʌnz/

possessive form of “gentleman” — a man of refinement

From this reading THE GENTLEMAN'S DEPARTURE AND THE LADY'S EXPLANATIONS In the morning early Mabel Joyce knocked at the door of Mr. Elmore's bedroom with a jug of shaving water in her hand; knocked softly, as if she did not wish to rouse the sleeper too abruptly from his rest.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
handnounUS /hænd/

the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb

From this reading THE GENTLEMAN'S DEPARTURE AND THE LADY'S EXPLANATIONS In the morning early Mabel Joyce knocked at the door of Mr. Elmore's bedroom with a jug of shaving water in her hand; knocked softly, as if she did not wish to rouse the sleeper too abruptly from his rest.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
handleverbUS /ˈhændəl/

be in charge of, act on, or dispose of

From this reading When no answer came she clung to the handle of the door, as a tremor seemed to pass all over her; then, presently, knocked again.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
headnounUS /hed/

the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains

From this reading She bent her head towards the panel, listening intently.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading THE GENTLEMAN'S DEPARTURE AND THE LADY'S EXPLANATIONS In the morning early Mabel Joyce knocked at the door of Mr. Elmore's bedroom with a jug of shaving water in her hand; knocked softly, as if she did not wish to rouse the sleeper too abruptly from his rest.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading THE GENTLEMAN'S DEPARTURE AND THE LADY'S EXPLANATIONS In the morning early Mabel Joyce knocked at the door of Mr. Elmore's bedroom with a jug of shaving water in her hand; knocked softly, as if she did not wish to rouse the sleeper too abruptly from his rest.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading THE GENTLEMAN'S DEPARTURE AND THE LADY'S EXPLANATIONS In the morning early Mabel Joyce knocked at the door of Mr. Elmore's bedroom with a jug of shaving water in her hand; knocked softly, as if she did not wish to rouse the sleeper too abruptly from his rest.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
InprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading THE GENTLEMAN'S DEPARTURE AND THE LADY'S EXPLANATIONS In the morning early Mabel Joyce knocked at the door of Mr. Elmore's bedroom with a jug of shaving water in her hand; knocked softly, as if she did not wish to rouse the sleeper too abruptly from his rest.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
intentlyadverbUS /ˌɪnˈtentli/

with strained or eager attention

From this reading She bent her head towards the panel, listening intently.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
JoycenounUS /dʒɔɪs/

influential Irish writer noted for his many innovations (such as stream of consciousness writing) (1882-1941)

From this reading THE GENTLEMAN'S DEPARTURE AND THE LADY'S EXPLANATIONS In the morning early Mabel Joyce knocked at the door of Mr. Elmore's bedroom with a jug of shaving water in her hand; knocked softly, as if she did not wish to rouse the sleeper too abruptly from his rest.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
jugnounUS /dʒʌɡ/

a large bottle with a narrow mouth

From this reading THE GENTLEMAN'S DEPARTURE AND THE LADY'S EXPLANATIONS In the morning early Mabel Joyce knocked at the door of Mr. Elmore's bedroom with a jug of shaving water in her hand; knocked softly, as if she did not wish to rouse the sleeper too abruptly from his rest.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
knockedverbUS /nɑːkt/

past form of “knock” — deliver a sharp blow or push

From this reading THE GENTLEMAN'S DEPARTURE AND THE LADY'S EXPLANATIONS In the morning early Mabel Joyce knocked at the door of Mr. Elmore's bedroom with a jug of shaving water in her hand; knocked softly, as if she did not wish to rouse the sleeper too abruptly from his rest.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
LADY'SnounUS /ˈleɪdiz/

possessive form of “lady” — a polite name for any woman

From this reading THE GENTLEMAN'S DEPARTURE AND THE LADY'S EXPLANATIONS In the morning early Mabel Joyce knocked at the door of Mr. Elmore's bedroom with a jug of shaving water in her hand; knocked softly, as if she did not wish to rouse the sleeper too abruptly from his rest.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
listeningnounUS /ˈlɪsənɪŋ/

the act of hearing attentively

From this reading She bent her head towards the panel, listening intently.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
Mabel

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

From this reading THE GENTLEMAN'S DEPARTURE AND THE LADY'S EXPLANATIONS In the morning early Mabel Joyce knocked at the door of Mr. Elmore's bedroom with a jug of shaving water in her hand; knocked softly, as if she did not wish to rouse the sleeper too abruptly from his rest.

Pending verification
morningnounUS /ˈmɔːrnɪŋ/

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading THE GENTLEMAN'S DEPARTURE AND THE LADY'S EXPLANATIONS In the morning early Mabel Joyce knocked at the door of Mr. Elmore's bedroom with a jug of shaving water in her hand; knocked softly, as if she did not wish to rouse the sleeper too abruptly from his rest.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
MrnounUS /ˈmɪstər/

a form of address for a man

From this reading THE GENTLEMAN'S DEPARTURE AND THE LADY'S EXPLANATIONS In the morning early Mabel Joyce knocked at the door of Mr. Elmore's bedroom with a jug of shaving water in her hand; knocked softly, as if she did not wish to rouse the sleeper too abruptly from his rest.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading When no answer came she clung to the handle of the door, as a tremor seemed to pass all over her; then, presently, knocked again.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading THE GENTLEMAN'S DEPARTURE AND THE LADY'S EXPLANATIONS In the morning early Mabel Joyce knocked at the door of Mr. Elmore's bedroom with a jug of shaving water in her hand; knocked softly, as if she did not wish to rouse the sleeper too abruptly from his rest.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE GENTLEMAN'S DEPARTURE AND THE LADY'S EXPLANATIONS In the morning early Mabel Joyce knocked at the door of Mr. Elmore's bedroom with a jug of shaving water in her hand; knocked softly, as if she did not wish to rouse the sleeper too abruptly from his rest.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading When no answer came she clung to the handle of the door, as a tremor seemed to pass all over her; then, presently, knocked again.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
panelnounUS /ˈpænəl/

sheet that forms a distinct (usually flat and rectangular) section or component of something

From this reading She bent her head towards the panel, listening intently.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
passverbUS /pæs/

go across or through

From this reading When no answer came she clung to the handle of the door, as a tremor seemed to pass all over her; then, presently, knocked again.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
presentlyadverbUS /ˈprezəntli/

in the near future

From this reading When no answer came she clung to the handle of the door, as a tremor seemed to pass all over her; then, presently, knocked again.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
rappedverbUS /ræpt/

inflected form of “rap” — strike sharply

From this reading Then, suddenly, decisively, rapped three times and waited.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
replynounUS /rɪˈplaɪ/

a statement (either spoken or written) that is made to reply to a question or request or criticism or accusation

From this reading Still no reply.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
restverbUS /rest/

not move; be in a resting position

From this reading THE GENTLEMAN'S DEPARTURE AND THE LADY'S EXPLANATIONS In the morning early Mabel Joyce knocked at the door of Mr. Elmore's bedroom with a jug of shaving water in her hand; knocked softly, as if she did not wish to rouse the sleeper too abruptly from his rest.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
rouseverbUS /raʊs/

become active

From this reading THE GENTLEMAN'S DEPARTURE AND THE LADY'S EXPLANATIONS In the morning early Mabel Joyce knocked at the door of Mr. Elmore's bedroom with a jug of shaving water in her hand; knocked softly, as if she did not wish to rouse the sleeper too abruptly from his rest.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
seemedverbUS /siːmd/

past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading When no answer came she clung to the handle of the door, as a tremor seemed to pass all over her; then, presently, knocked again.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
shavingnounUS /ˈʃeɪvɪŋ/

the act of removing hair with a razor

From this reading THE GENTLEMAN'S DEPARTURE AND THE LADY'S EXPLANATIONS In the morning early Mabel Joyce knocked at the door of Mr. Elmore's bedroom with a jug of shaving water in her hand; knocked softly, as if she did not wish to rouse the sleeper too abruptly from his rest.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
shepronounUS /ʃiː/

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading THE GENTLEMAN'S DEPARTURE AND THE LADY'S EXPLANATIONS In the morning early Mabel Joyce knocked at the door of Mr. Elmore's bedroom with a jug of shaving water in her hand; knocked softly, as if she did not wish to rouse the sleeper too abruptly from his rest.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
sleepernounUS /ˈsliːpər/

a rester who is sleeping

From this reading THE GENTLEMAN'S DEPARTURE AND THE LADY'S EXPLANATIONS In the morning early Mabel Joyce knocked at the door of Mr. Elmore's bedroom with a jug of shaving water in her hand; knocked softly, as if she did not wish to rouse the sleeper too abruptly from his rest.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
softlyadverbUS /ˈsɔːftli/

with low volume

From this reading THE GENTLEMAN'S DEPARTURE AND THE LADY'S EXPLANATIONS In the morning early Mabel Joyce knocked at the door of Mr. Elmore's bedroom with a jug of shaving water in her hand; knocked softly, as if she did not wish to rouse the sleeper too abruptly from his rest.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
StilladjectiveUS /stɪl/

not in physical motion

From this reading Still no reply.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
suddenlyadverbUS /ˈsʌdənli/

happening unexpectedly

From this reading Then, suddenly, decisively, rapped three times and waited.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading THE GENTLEMAN'S DEPARTURE AND THE LADY'S EXPLANATIONS In the morning early Mabel Joyce knocked at the door of Mr. Elmore's bedroom with a jug of shaving water in her hand; knocked softly, as if she did not wish to rouse the sleeper too abruptly from his rest.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
thenadverbUS /ðen/

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading When no answer came she clung to the handle of the door, as a tremor seemed to pass all over her; then, presently, knocked again.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
threenounUS /θriː/

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one

From this reading Then, suddenly, decisively, rapped three times and waited.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
timesnounUS /taɪmz/

a more or less definite period of time now or previously present

From this reading Then, suddenly, decisively, rapped three times and waited.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading THE GENTLEMAN'S DEPARTURE AND THE LADY'S EXPLANATIONS In the morning early Mabel Joyce knocked at the door of Mr. Elmore's bedroom with a jug of shaving water in her hand; knocked softly, as if she did not wish to rouse the sleeper too abruptly from his rest.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
tooadverbUS /tuː/

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading THE GENTLEMAN'S DEPARTURE AND THE LADY'S EXPLANATIONS In the morning early Mabel Joyce knocked at the door of Mr. Elmore's bedroom with a jug of shaving water in her hand; knocked softly, as if she did not wish to rouse the sleeper too abruptly from his rest.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
towardsprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrdz/

in the direction of

From this reading She bent her head towards the panel, listening intently.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
tremornounUS /ˈtremər/

an involuntary vibration (as if from illness or fear)

From this reading When no answer came she clung to the handle of the door, as a tremor seemed to pass all over her; then, presently, knocked again.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
waitedverbUS /ˈweɪtɪd/

past form of “wait” — stay in one place and anticipate or expect something

From this reading Then, suddenly, decisively, rapped three times and waited.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
waternounUS /ˈwɔːtər/

binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent

From this reading THE GENTLEMAN'S DEPARTURE AND THE LADY'S EXPLANATIONS In the morning early Mabel Joyce knocked at the door of Mr. Elmore's bedroom with a jug of shaving water in her hand; knocked softly, as if she did not wish to rouse the sleeper too abruptly from his rest.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
WhenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading When no answer came she clung to the handle of the door, as a tremor seemed to pass all over her; then, presently, knocked again.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
wishverbUS /wɪʃ/

hope for; have a wish

From this reading THE GENTLEMAN'S DEPARTURE AND THE LADY'S EXPLANATIONS In the morning early Mabel Joyce knocked at the door of Mr. Elmore's bedroom with a jug of shaving water in her hand; knocked softly, as if she did not wish to rouse the sleeper too abruptly from his rest.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading THE GENTLEMAN'S DEPARTURE AND THE LADY'S EXPLANATIONS In the morning early Mabel Joyce knocked at the door of Mr. Elmore's bedroom with a jug of shaving water in her hand; knocked softly, as if she did not wish to rouse the sleeper too abruptly from his rest.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary

Chapter 27 of A Master of Deception by Richard Marsh holds 305 sentences, grouped into 61 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the source edition, unabridged, and the chapter records which sentences cover which part of the work so that nothing is dropped. Every word can be tapped for its pronunciation and dictionary entry.

What does chapter 27 of A Master of Deception contain?

Chapter 27 holds 305 sentences of A Master of Deception, unabridged, divided into 61 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 27 of A Master of Deception by Richard Marsh exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 305 sentences, grouped into 61 sections of at most 5 sentences so that a reader can take the chapter in steady, finishable pieces. The chapter also stores a coverage record mapping every one of its sentences to a part of the work, which is how the edition demonstrates that no line was dropped.

How do I study chapter 27 of A Master of Deception?

Work through the 61 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 61 sections in this chapter is short enough to read once, hear once, and then re-read with the vocabulary in view. Tapping a word plays it alone and opens its dictionary entry with IPA, part of speech and meaning, so the reader is never forced to guess a pronunciation from spelling. Working section by section keeps a long chapter from becoming an undifferentiated wall of text, which is the usual reason a reader abandons a work of this period.

Can chapter 27 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 27 can be played aloud in United States English.

Audio covers the whole chapter: any sentence can be played, and any single word within it can be played on its own. The voice uses United States English. For a work of this period that matters, because spelling is an unreliable guide to pronunciation for vocabulary that has fallen out of daily use, and a learner who guesses wrong tends to keep the error. Hearing the word in its own sentence, and then alone, settles it.

Questions about reading A Master of Deception

Common questions about reading A Master of Deception by Richard Marsh on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of A Master of Deception?

Yes. All 5248 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #38161 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of A Master of Deception is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #38161, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does A Master of Deception take to read?

About 437 minutes of reading across 1050 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read A Master of Deception section by section

How to work through A Master of Deception section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 28 chapters of A Master of Deception to begin.

  2. Read one section

    Each section holds 5 sentences; read it once through.

  3. Listen and tap

    Play the section aloud, then tap any unfamiliar word for its entry.

Vocabulary met early in A Master of Deception

Words and structures a reader meets early in A Master of Deception, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Author
A word that appears in the opening chapter of A Master of Deception; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Sisters
A word that appears in the opening chapter of A Master of Deception; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Lovely
A word that appears in the opening chapter of A Master of Deception; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Blake
A word that appears in the opening chapter of A Master of Deception; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.