Chapter XXVI

anew

From this reading "I have to revenge his murder--for he has been drugged--poisoned--I could swear it!" she told herself, over and over again.

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading Old Doctor Thompson sat up in his study, smoking and listening to his nephew’s theories anent Victor Mercier’s death, while Vera, sleepless in her anguish, remained sifting her suspicions throughout that dismal night, limply leaning up against the sealed door which so cruelly barred her out from that silent room where her beloved lay on the sofa in the mystic sleep of death.

(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 How impotent she felt, when all Mercier’s belongings were under lock, key, and seal!

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

From this reading Old Doctor Thompson sat up in his study, smoking and listening to his nephew’s theories anent Victor Mercier’s death, while Vera, sleepless in her anguish, remained sifting her suspicions throughout that dismal night, limply leaning up against the sealed door which so cruelly barred her out from that silent room where her beloved lay on the sofa in the mystic sleep of death.

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

From this reading Old Doctor Thompson sat up in his study, smoking and listening to his nephew’s theories anent Victor Mercier’s death, while Vera, sleepless in her anguish, remained sifting her suspicions throughout that dismal night, limply leaning up against the sealed door which so cruelly barred her out from that silent room where her beloved lay on the sofa in the mystic sleep of death.

extreme mental distress

From this reading Old Doctor Thompson sat up in his study, smoking and listening to his nephew’s theories anent Victor Mercier’s death, while Vera, sleepless in her anguish, remained sifting her suspicions throughout that dismal night, limply leaning up against the sealed door which so cruelly barred her out from that silent room where her beloved lay on the sofa in the mystic sleep of death.

preventing entry or exit or a course of action

From this reading Old Doctor Thompson sat up in his study, smoking and listening to his nephew’s theories anent Victor Mercier’s death, while Vera, sleepless in her anguish, remained sifting her suspicions throughout that dismal night, limply leaning up against the sealed door which so cruelly barred her out from that silent room where her beloved lay on the sofa in the mystic sleep of death.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading "I have to revenge his murder--for he has been drugged--poisoned--I could swear it!" she told herself, over and over again.

something owned; any tangible or intangible possession that is owned by someone

From this reading How impotent she felt, when all Mercier’s belongings were under lock, key, and seal!

dearly loved

From this reading Old Doctor Thompson sat up in his study, smoking and listening to his nephew’s theories anent Victor Mercier’s death, while Vera, sleepless in her anguish, remained sifting her suspicions throughout that dismal night, limply leaning up against the sealed door which so cruelly barred her out from that silent room where her beloved lay on the sofa in the mystic sleep of death.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading "I have to revenge his murder--for he has been drugged--poisoned--I could swear it!" she told herself, over and over again.

excessively

From this reading Old Doctor Thompson sat up in his study, smoking and listening to his nephew’s theories anent Victor Mercier’s death, while Vera, sleepless in her anguish, remained sifting her suspicions throughout that dismal night, limply leaning up against the sealed door which so cruelly barred her out from that silent room where her beloved lay on the sofa in the mystic sleep of death.

the event of dying or departure from life

From this reading Old Doctor Thompson sat up in his study, smoking and listening to his nephew’s theories anent Victor Mercier’s death, while Vera, sleepless in her anguish, remained sifting her suspicions throughout that dismal night, limply leaning up against the sealed door which so cruelly barred her out from that silent room where her beloved lay on the sofa in the mystic sleep of death.

causing dejection

From this reading Old Doctor Thompson sat up in his study, smoking and listening to his nephew’s theories anent Victor Mercier’s death, while Vera, sleepless in her anguish, remained sifting her suspicions throughout that dismal night, limply leaning up against the sealed door which so cruelly barred her out from that silent room where her beloved lay on the sofa in the mystic sleep of death.

a licensed medical practitioner

From this reading Old Doctor Thompson sat up in his study, smoking and listening to his nephew’s theories anent Victor Mercier’s death, while Vera, sleepless in her anguish, remained sifting her suspicions throughout that dismal night, limply leaning up against the sealed door which so cruelly barred her out from that silent room where her beloved lay on the sofa in the mystic sleep of death.

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

From this reading Old Doctor Thompson sat up in his study, smoking and listening to his nephew’s theories anent Victor Mercier’s death, while Vera, sleepless in her anguish, remained sifting her suspicions throughout that dismal night, limply leaning up against the sealed door which so cruelly barred her out from that silent room where her beloved lay on the sofa in the mystic sleep of death.

under the influence of narcotics

From this reading "I have to revenge his murder--for he has been drugged--poisoned--I could swear it!" she told herself, over and over again.

mat together and make felt-like

From this reading How impotent she felt, when all Mercier’s belongings were under lock, key, and seal!

come upon, as if by accident; meet with

From this reading It is she I must find--God help me!"

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading "I have to revenge his murder--for he has been drugged--poisoned--I could swear it!" she told herself, over and over again.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Old Doctor Thompson sat up in his study, smoking and listening to his nephew’s theories anent Victor Mercier’s death, while Vera, sleepless in her anguish, remained sifting her suspicions throughout that dismal night, limply leaning up against the sealed door which so cruelly barred her out from that silent room where her beloved lay on the sofa in the mystic sleep of death.

the supernatural being conceived as the perfect and omnipotent and omniscient originator and ruler of the universe; the object of worship in monotheistic religions

From this reading It is she I must find--God help me!"

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

From this reading "I have to revenge his murder--for he has been drugged--poisoned--I could swear it!" she told herself, over and over again.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading "I have to revenge his murder--for he has been drugged--poisoned--I could swear it!" she told herself, over and over again.

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

From this reading "I have to revenge his murder--for he has been drugged--poisoned--I could swear it!" she told herself, over and over again.

give help or assistance; be of service

From this reading It is she I must find--God help me!"

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

From this reading Old Doctor Thompson sat up in his study, smoking and listening to his nephew’s theories anent Victor Mercier’s death, while Vera, sleepless in her anguish, remained sifting her suspicions throughout that dismal night, limply leaning up against the sealed door which so cruelly barred her out from that silent room where her beloved lay on the sofa in the mystic sleep of death.

used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object

From this reading "I have to revenge his murder--for he has been drugged--poisoned--I could swear it!" she told herself, over and over again.

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

From this reading "That woman I saw--tall, well-dressed--stalking off--and staggering--she is the one who has killed him!

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

From this reading Old Doctor Thompson sat up in his study, smoking and listening to his nephew’s theories anent Victor Mercier’s death, while Vera, sleepless in her anguish, remained sifting her suspicions throughout that dismal night, limply leaning up against the sealed door which so cruelly barred her out from that silent room where her beloved lay on the sofa in the mystic sleep of death.

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

From this reading How impotent she felt, when all Mercier’s belongings were under lock, key, and seal!

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

From this reading "I have to revenge his murder--for he has been drugged--poisoned--I could swear it!" she told herself, over and over again.

lacking power or ability

From this reading How impotent she felt, when all Mercier’s belongings were under lock, key, and seal!

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

From this reading Old Doctor Thompson sat up in his study, smoking and listening to his nephew’s theories anent Victor Mercier’s death, while Vera, sleepless in her anguish, remained sifting her suspicions throughout that dismal night, limply leaning up against the sealed door which so cruelly barred her out from that silent room where her beloved lay on the sofa in the mystic sleep of death.

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

From this reading "That woman I saw--tall, well-dressed--stalking off--and staggering--she is the one who has killed him!

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading "I have to revenge his murder--for he has been drugged--poisoned--I could swear it!" she told herself, over and over again.

metal device shaped in such a way that when it is inserted into the appropriate lock the lock's mechanism can be rotated

From this reading How impotent she felt, when all Mercier’s belongings were under lock, key, and seal!

past form of “kill” — cause to die; put to death, usually intentionally or knowingly

From this reading "That woman I saw--tall, well-dressed--stalking off--and staggering--she is the one who has killed him!

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading Old Doctor Thompson sat up in his study, smoking and listening to his nephew’s theories anent Victor Mercier’s death, while Vera, sleepless in her anguish, remained sifting her suspicions throughout that dismal night, limply leaning up against the sealed door which so cruelly barred her out from that silent room where her beloved lay on the sofa in the mystic sleep of death.

departing or being caused to depart from the true vertical or horizontal

From this reading Old Doctor Thompson sat up in his study, smoking and listening to his nephew’s theories anent Victor Mercier’s death, while Vera, sleepless in her anguish, remained sifting her suspicions throughout that dismal night, limply leaning up against the sealed door which so cruelly barred her out from that silent room where her beloved lay on the sofa in the mystic sleep of death.

without rigidity

From this reading Old Doctor Thompson sat up in his study, smoking and listening to his nephew’s theories anent Victor Mercier’s death, while Vera, sleepless in her anguish, remained sifting her suspicions throughout that dismal night, limply leaning up against the sealed door which so cruelly barred her out from that silent room where her beloved lay on the sofa in the mystic sleep of death.

the act of hearing attentively

From this reading Old Doctor Thompson sat up in his study, smoking and listening to his nephew’s theories anent Victor Mercier’s death, while Vera, sleepless in her anguish, remained sifting her suspicions throughout that dismal night, limply leaning up against the sealed door which so cruelly barred her out from that silent room where her beloved lay on the sofa in the mystic sleep of death.

fasten with a lock

From this reading How impotent she felt, when all Mercier’s belongings were under lock, key, and seal!

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

From this reading It is she I must find--God help me!"

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

From this reading Old Doctor Thompson sat up in his study, smoking and listening to his nephew’s theories anent Victor Mercier’s death, while Vera, sleepless in her anguish, remained sifting her suspicions throughout that dismal night, limply leaning up against the sealed door which so cruelly barred her out from that silent room where her beloved lay on the sofa in the mystic sleep of death.

kill intentionally and with premeditation

From this reading "I have to revenge his murder--for he has been drugged--poisoned--I could swear it!" she told herself, over and over again.

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading It is she I must find--God help me!"

having an import not apparent to the senses nor obvious to the intelligence; beyond ordinary understanding

From this reading Old Doctor Thompson sat up in his study, smoking and listening to his nephew’s theories anent Victor Mercier’s death, while Vera, sleepless in her anguish, remained sifting her suspicions throughout that dismal night, limply leaning up against the sealed door which so cruelly barred her out from that silent room where her beloved lay on the sofa in the mystic sleep of death.

possessive form of “nephew” — a son of your brother or sister

From this reading Old Doctor Thompson sat up in his study, smoking and listening to his nephew’s theories anent Victor Mercier’s death, while Vera, sleepless in her anguish, remained sifting her suspicions throughout that dismal night, limply leaning up against the sealed door which so cruelly barred her out from that silent room where her beloved lay on the sofa in the mystic sleep of death.

the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside

From this reading Old Doctor Thompson sat up in his study, smoking and listening to his nephew’s theories anent Victor Mercier’s death, while Vera, sleepless in her anguish, remained sifting her suspicions throughout that dismal night, limply leaning up against the sealed door which so cruelly barred her out from that silent room where her beloved lay on the sofa in the mystic sleep of death.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Old Doctor Thompson sat up in his study, smoking and listening to his nephew’s theories anent Victor Mercier’s death, while Vera, sleepless in her anguish, remained sifting her suspicions throughout that dismal night, limply leaning up against the sealed door which so cruelly barred her out from that silent room where her beloved lay on the sofa in the mystic sleep of death.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading "That woman I saw--tall, well-dressed--stalking off--and staggering--she is the one who has killed him!

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading Old Doctor Thompson sat up in his study, smoking and listening to his nephew’s theories anent Victor Mercier’s death, while Vera, sleepless in her anguish, remained sifting her suspicions throughout that dismal night, limply leaning up against the sealed door which so cruelly barred her out from that silent room where her beloved lay on the sofa in the mystic sleep of death.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Old Doctor Thompson sat up in his study, smoking and listening to his nephew’s theories anent Victor Mercier’s death, while Vera, sleepless in her anguish, remained sifting her suspicions throughout that dismal night, limply leaning up against the sealed door which so cruelly barred her out from that silent room where her beloved lay on the sofa in the mystic sleep of death.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading "That woman I saw--tall, well-dressed--stalking off--and staggering--she is the one who has killed him!

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading Old Doctor Thompson sat up in his study, smoking and listening to his nephew’s theories anent Victor Mercier’s death, while Vera, sleepless in her anguish, remained sifting her suspicions throughout that dismal night, limply leaning up against the sealed door which so cruelly barred her out from that silent room where her beloved lay on the sofa in the mystic sleep of death.

above and across; more than

From this reading "I have to revenge his murder--for he has been drugged--poisoned--I could swear it!" she told herself, over and over again.

past form of “poison” — spoil as if by poison

From this reading "I have to revenge his murder--for he has been drugged--poisoned--I could swear it!" she told herself, over and over again.

past form of “remain” — stay the same; remain in a certain state

From this reading Old Doctor Thompson sat up in his study, smoking and listening to his nephew’s theories anent Victor Mercier’s death, while Vera, sleepless in her anguish, remained sifting her suspicions throughout that dismal night, limply leaning up against the sealed door which so cruelly barred her out from that silent room where her beloved lay on the sofa in the mystic sleep of death.

action taken in return for an injury or offense

From this reading "I have to revenge his murder--for he has been drugged--poisoned--I could swear it!" she told herself, over and over again.

an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling

From this reading Old Doctor Thompson sat up in his study, smoking and listening to his nephew’s theories anent Victor Mercier’s death, while Vera, sleepless in her anguish, remained sifting her suspicions throughout that dismal night, limply leaning up against the sealed door which so cruelly barred her out from that silent room where her beloved lay on the sofa in the mystic sleep of death.

the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians

From this reading Old Doctor Thompson sat up in his study, smoking and listening to his nephew’s theories anent Victor Mercier’s death, while Vera, sleepless in her anguish, remained sifting her suspicions throughout that dismal night, limply leaning up against the sealed door which so cruelly barred her out from that silent room where her beloved lay on the sofa in the mystic sleep of death.

cut with a saw

From this reading "That woman I saw--tall, well-dressed--stalking off--and staggering--she is the one who has killed him!

make tight; secure against leakage

From this reading How impotent she felt, when all Mercier’s belongings were under lock, key, and seal!

established irrevocably

From this reading Old Doctor Thompson sat up in his study, smoking and listening to his nephew’s theories anent Victor Mercier’s death, while Vera, sleepless in her anguish, remained sifting her suspicions throughout that dismal night, limply leaning up against the sealed door which so cruelly barred her out from that silent room where her beloved lay on the sofa in the mystic sleep of death.

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

From this reading "I have to revenge his murder--for he has been drugged--poisoned--I could swear it!" she told herself, over and over again.

the act of separating grain from chaff

From this reading Old Doctor Thompson sat up in his study, smoking and listening to his nephew’s theories anent Victor Mercier’s death, while Vera, sleepless in her anguish, remained sifting her suspicions throughout that dismal night, limply leaning up against the sealed door which so cruelly barred her out from that silent room where her beloved lay on the sofa in the mystic sleep of death.

marked by absence of sound

From this reading Old Doctor Thompson sat up in his study, smoking and listening to his nephew’s theories anent Victor Mercier’s death, while Vera, sleepless in her anguish, remained sifting her suspicions throughout that dismal night, limply leaning up against the sealed door which so cruelly barred her out from that silent room where her beloved lay on the sofa in the mystic sleep of death.

a natural and periodic state of rest during which consciousness of the world is suspended

From this reading Old Doctor Thompson sat up in his study, smoking and listening to his nephew’s theories anent Victor Mercier’s death, while Vera, sleepless in her anguish, remained sifting her suspicions throughout that dismal night, limply leaning up against the sealed door which so cruelly barred her out from that silent room where her beloved lay on the sofa in the mystic sleep of death.

experiencing or accompanied by sleeplessness

From this reading Old Doctor Thompson sat up in his study, smoking and listening to his nephew’s theories anent Victor Mercier’s death, while Vera, sleepless in her anguish, remained sifting her suspicions throughout that dismal night, limply leaning up against the sealed door which so cruelly barred her out from that silent room where her beloved lay on the sofa in the mystic sleep of death.

the act of smoking tobacco or other substances

From this reading Old Doctor Thompson sat up in his study, smoking and listening to his nephew’s theories anent Victor Mercier’s death, while Vera, sleepless in her anguish, remained sifting her suspicions throughout that dismal night, limply leaning up against the sealed door which so cruelly barred her out from that silent room where her beloved lay on the sofa in the mystic sleep of death.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Old Doctor Thompson sat up in his study, smoking and listening to his nephew’s theories anent Victor Mercier’s death, while Vera, sleepless in her anguish, remained sifting her suspicions throughout that dismal night, limply leaning up against the sealed door which so cruelly barred her out from that silent room where her beloved lay on the sofa in the mystic sleep of death.

an upholstered seat for more than one person

From this reading Old Doctor Thompson sat up in his study, smoking and listening to his nephew’s theories anent Victor Mercier’s death, while Vera, sleepless in her anguish, remained sifting her suspicions throughout that dismal night, limply leaning up against the sealed door which so cruelly barred her out from that silent room where her beloved lay on the sofa in the mystic sleep of death.

so surprisingly impressive as to stun or overwhelm

From this reading "That woman I saw--tall, well-dressed--stalking off--and staggering--she is the one who has killed him!

a hunt for game carried on by following it stealthily or waiting in ambush

From this reading "That woman I saw--tall, well-dressed--stalking off--and staggering--she is the one who has killed him!

a detailed critical inspection

From this reading Old Doctor Thompson sat up in his study, smoking and listening to his nephew’s theories anent Victor Mercier’s death, while Vera, sleepless in her anguish, remained sifting her suspicions throughout that dismal night, limply leaning up against the sealed door which so cruelly barred her out from that silent room where her beloved lay on the sofa in the mystic sleep of death.

plural of “suspicion” — an impression that something might be the case

From this reading Old Doctor Thompson sat up in his study, smoking and listening to his nephew’s theories anent Victor Mercier’s death, while Vera, sleepless in her anguish, remained sifting her suspicions throughout that dismal night, limply leaning up against the sealed door which so cruelly barred her out from that silent room where her beloved lay on the sofa in the mystic sleep of death.

utter obscenities or profanities

From this reading "I have to revenge his murder--for he has been drugged--poisoned--I could swear it!" she told herself, over and over again.

great in vertical dimension; high in stature

From this reading "That woman I saw--tall, well-dressed--stalking off--and staggering--she is the one who has killed him!

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Old Doctor Thompson sat up in his study, smoking and listening to his nephew’s theories anent Victor Mercier’s death, while Vera, sleepless in her anguish, remained sifting her suspicions throughout that dismal night, limply leaning up against the sealed door which so cruelly barred her out from that silent room where her beloved lay on the sofa in the mystic sleep of death.

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

From this reading Old Doctor Thompson sat up in his study, smoking and listening to his nephew’s theories anent Victor Mercier’s death, while Vera, sleepless in her anguish, remained sifting her suspicions throughout that dismal night, limply leaning up against the sealed door which so cruelly barred her out from that silent room where her beloved lay on the sofa in the mystic sleep of death.

plural of “theory” — a well-substantiated explanation of some aspect of the natural world; an organized system of accepted knowledge that applies in a variety of circumstances to explain a specific set of phenomena

From this reading Old Doctor Thompson sat up in his study, smoking and listening to his nephew’s theories anent Victor Mercier’s death, while Vera, sleepless in her anguish, remained sifting her suspicions throughout that dismal night, limply leaning up against the sealed door which so cruelly barred her out from that silent room where her beloved lay on the sofa in the mystic sleep of death.

United States classical archaeologist (born in Canada) noted for leading the excavation of the Athenian agora (1906-2000)

From this reading Old Doctor Thompson sat up in his study, smoking and listening to his nephew’s theories anent Victor Mercier’s death, while Vera, sleepless in her anguish, remained sifting her suspicions throughout that dismal night, limply leaning up against the sealed door which so cruelly barred her out from that silent room where her beloved lay on the sofa in the mystic sleep of death.

in every part of a place, or for the whole of a period

From this reading Old Doctor Thompson sat up in his study, smoking and listening to his nephew’s theories anent Victor Mercier’s death, while Vera, sleepless in her anguish, remained sifting her suspicions throughout that dismal night, limply leaning up against the sealed door which so cruelly barred her out from that silent room where her beloved lay on the sofa in the mystic sleep of death.

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

From this reading Old Doctor Thompson sat up in his study, smoking and listening to his nephew’s theories anent Victor Mercier’s death, while Vera, sleepless in her anguish, remained sifting her suspicions throughout that dismal night, limply leaning up against the sealed door which so cruelly barred her out from that silent room where her beloved lay on the sofa in the mystic sleep of death.

inflected form of “tell” — express in words

From this reading "I have to revenge his murder--for he has been drugged--poisoned--I could swear it!" she told herself, over and over again.

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading How impotent she felt, when all Mercier’s belongings were under lock, key, and seal!

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading Old Doctor Thompson sat up in his study, smoking and listening to his nephew’s theories anent Victor Mercier’s death, while Vera, sleepless in her anguish, remained sifting her suspicions throughout that dismal night, limply leaning up against the sealed door which so cruelly barred her out from that silent room where her beloved lay on the sofa in the mystic sleep of death.

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

From this reading Old Doctor Thompson sat up in his study, smoking and listening to his nephew’s theories anent Victor Mercier’s death, while Vera, sleepless in her anguish, remained sifting her suspicions throughout that dismal night, limply leaning up against the sealed door which so cruelly barred her out from that silent room where her beloved lay on the sofa in the mystic sleep of death.

a combatant who is able to defeat rivals

From this reading Old Doctor Thompson sat up in his study, smoking and listening to his nephew’s theories anent Victor Mercier’s death, while Vera, sleepless in her anguish, remained sifting her suspicions throughout that dismal night, limply leaning up against the sealed door which so cruelly barred her out from that silent room where her beloved lay on the sofa in the mystic sleep of death.

having tasteful clothing and being scrupulously neat

From this reading "That woman I saw--tall, well-dressed--stalking off--and staggering--she is the one who has killed him!

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

From this reading How impotent she felt, when all Mercier’s belongings were under lock, key, and seal!

at the time that

From this reading How impotent she felt, when all Mercier’s belongings were under lock, key, and seal!

in or at the place that

From this reading Old Doctor Thompson sat up in his study, smoking and listening to his nephew’s theories anent Victor Mercier’s death, while Vera, sleepless in her anguish, remained sifting her suspicions throughout that dismal night, limply leaning up against the sealed door which so cruelly barred her out from that silent room where her beloved lay on the sofa in the mystic sleep of death.

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

From this reading Old Doctor Thompson sat up in his study, smoking and listening to his nephew’s theories anent Victor Mercier’s death, while Vera, sleepless in her anguish, remained sifting her suspicions throughout that dismal night, limply leaning up against the sealed door which so cruelly barred her out from that silent room where her beloved lay on the sofa in the mystic sleep of death.

during the time that

From this reading Old Doctor Thompson sat up in his study, smoking and listening to his nephew’s theories anent Victor Mercier’s death, while Vera, sleepless in her anguish, remained sifting her suspicions throughout that dismal night, limply leaning up against the sealed door which so cruelly barred her out from that silent room where her beloved lay on the sofa in the mystic sleep of death.

which person or people

From this reading "That woman I saw--tall, well-dressed--stalking off--and staggering--she is the one who has killed him!

an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading "That woman I saw--tall, well-dressed--stalking off--and staggering--she is the one who has killed him!