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Ashton-Kirk, Secret Agent
Ashton-Kirk, Secret Agent

Chapter XXIII

Cover illustration for Ashton-Kirk, Secret Agent
Context Illustration Reading 1/23 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
WHAT VON STUNNENBERG THOUGHT For a moment the secret agent and the two Germans stood face to face; then the former said, smilingly:
"I am sorry to be forced to go at such an early hour; but," and he lifted his brows in such a way that might mean much or little, "there are certain things which require my attention."
Von Stunnenberg twisted one point of his white moustache, and his blue eyes glinted coldly.
"It would grieve me to keep you from your affairs," said he in his rumbling voice, "but there is a trifling matter which I should like to discuss with you.
It will require, perhaps, only a few moments.
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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.

Ashton-Kirk, Secret Agent

Chapter XXIII

Reading 1/23 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
WHAT VON STUNNENBERG THOUGHT For a moment the secret agent and the two Germans stood face to face; then the former said, smilingly:
Line 2
"I am sorry to be forced to go at such an early hour; but," and he lifted his brows in such a way that might mean much or little, "there are certain things which require my attention."
Line 3
Von Stunnenberg twisted one point of his white moustache, and his blue eyes glinted coldly.
Line 4
"It would grieve me to keep you from your affairs," said he in his rumbling voice, "but there is a trifling matter which I should like to discuss with you.
Line 5
It will require, perhaps, only a few moments.

Learner Dictionary

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

Little noun US /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “"I am sorry to be forced to go at such an early hour; but," and he lifted his brows in such a way that might mean much or little, "there are certain things which require my attention."”

Might modal verb US /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading “"I am sorry to be forced to go at such an early hour; but," and he lifted his brows in such a way that might mean much or little, "there are certain things which require my attention."”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “Von Stunnenberg twisted one point of his white moustache, and his blue eyes glinted coldly.”

Perhaps noun US /perhaps/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It will require, perhaps, only a few moments.”

Point noun US /pɔɪnt/

the main matter or purpose being discussed

From this reading “Von Stunnenberg twisted one point of his white moustache, and his blue eyes glinted coldly.”

Secret noun US /ˈsiː.krət/

Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.

From this reading “WHAT VON STUNNENBERG THOUGHT For a moment the secret agent and the two Germans stood face to face; then the former said, smilingly:”

Stood noun US /stood/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “WHAT VON STUNNENBERG THOUGHT For a moment the secret agent and the two Germans stood face to face; then the former said, smilingly:”

THOUGHT noun US /thought/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “WHAT VON STUNNENBERG THOUGHT For a moment the secret agent and the two Germans stood face to face; then the former said, smilingly:”

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading “"It would grieve me to keep you from your affairs," said he in his rumbling voice, "but there is a trifling matter which I should like to discuss with you.”

All words in this reading · 85

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 WHAT VON STUNNENBERG THOUGHT For a moment the secret agent and the two Germans stood face to face; then the former said, smilingly:

affairs

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

From this reading "It would grieve me to keep you from your affairs," said he in his rumbling voice, "but there is a trifling matter which I should like to discuss with you.

agent

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

From this reading WHAT VON STUNNENBERG THOUGHT For a moment the secret agent and the two Germans stood face to face; then the former said, smilingly:

amauxiliary verbUS /æm/

the form of “be” used with “I”

From this reading "I am sorry to be forced to go at such an early hour; but," and he lifted his brows in such a way that might mean much or little, "there are certain things which require my attention."

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading "I am sorry to be forced to go at such an early hour; but," and he lifted his brows in such a way that might mean much or little, "there are certain things which require my attention."

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading WHAT VON STUNNENBERG THOUGHT For a moment the secret agent and the two Germans stood face to face; then the former said, smilingly:

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

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

From this reading "I am sorry to be forced to go at such an early hour; but," and he lifted his brows in such a way that might mean much or little, "there are certain things which require my attention."

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading "I am sorry to be forced to go at such an early hour; but," and he lifted his brows in such a way that might mean much or little, "there are certain things which require my attention."

attention

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

From this reading "I am sorry to be forced to go at such an early hour; but," and he lifted his brows in such a way that might mean much or little, "there are certain things which require my attention."

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading "I am sorry to be forced to go at such an early hour; but," and he lifted his brows in such a way that might mean much or little, "there are certain things which require my attention."

blue

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

From this reading Von Stunnenberg twisted one point of his white moustache, and his blue eyes glinted coldly.

brows

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

From this reading "I am sorry to be forced to go at such an early hour; but," and he lifted his brows in such a way that might mean much or little, "there are certain things which require my attention."

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading "I am sorry to be forced to go at such an early hour; but," and he lifted his brows in such a way that might mean much or little, "there are certain things which require my attention."

certain

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

From this reading "I am sorry to be forced to go at such an early hour; but," and he lifted his brows in such a way that might mean much or little, "there are certain things which require my attention."

coldly

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

From this reading Von Stunnenberg twisted one point of his white moustache, and his blue eyes glinted coldly.

discuss

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

From this reading "It would grieve me to keep you from your affairs," said he in his rumbling voice, "but there is a trifling matter which I should like to discuss with you.

early

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

From this reading "I am sorry to be forced to go at such an early hour; but," and he lifted his brows in such a way that might mean much or little, "there are certain things which require my attention."

eyes

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

From this reading Von Stunnenberg twisted one point of his white moustache, and his blue eyes glinted coldly.

face

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

From this reading WHAT VON STUNNENBERG THOUGHT For a moment the secret agent and the two Germans stood face to face; then the former said, smilingly:

few

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

From this reading It will require, perhaps, only a few moments.

ForprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading WHAT VON STUNNENBERG THOUGHT For a moment the secret agent and the two Germans stood face to face; then the former said, smilingly:

forced

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

From this reading "I am sorry to be forced to go at such an early hour; but," and he lifted his brows in such a way that might mean much or little, "there are certain things which require my attention."

former

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

From this reading WHAT VON STUNNENBERG THOUGHT For a moment the secret agent and the two Germans stood face to face; then the former said, smilingly:

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading "It would grieve me to keep you from your affairs," said he in his rumbling voice, "but there is a trifling matter which I should like to discuss with you.

Germans

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

From this reading WHAT VON STUNNENBERG THOUGHT For a moment the secret agent and the two Germans stood face to face; then the former said, smilingly:

glinted

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

From this reading Von Stunnenberg twisted one point of his white moustache, and his blue eyes glinted coldly.

go

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

From this reading "I am sorry to be forced to go at such an early hour; but," and he lifted his brows in such a way that might mean much or little, "there are certain things which require my attention."

grieve

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

From this reading "It would grieve me to keep you from your affairs," said he in his rumbling voice, "but there is a trifling matter which I should like to discuss with you.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading "I am sorry to be forced to go at such an early hour; but," and he lifted his brows in such a way that might mean much or little, "there are certain things which require my attention."

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading "I am sorry to be forced to go at such an early hour; but," and he lifted his brows in such a way that might mean much or little, "there are certain things which require my attention."

hour

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

From this reading "I am sorry to be forced to go at such an early hour; but," and he lifted his brows in such a way that might mean much or little, "there are certain things which require my attention."

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading "I am sorry to be forced to go at such an early hour; but," and he lifted his brows in such a way that might mean much or little, "there are certain things which require my attention."

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading "I am sorry to be forced to go at such an early hour; but," and he lifted his brows in such a way that might mean much or little, "there are certain things which require my attention."

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading "It would grieve me to keep you from your affairs," said he in his rumbling voice, "but there is a trifling matter which I should like to discuss with you.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading "It would grieve me to keep you from your affairs," said he in his rumbling voice, "but there is a trifling matter which I should like to discuss with you.

keep

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

From this reading "It would grieve me to keep you from your affairs," said he in his rumbling voice, "but there is a trifling matter which I should like to discuss with you.

lifted

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

From this reading "I am sorry to be forced to go at such an early hour; but," and he lifted his brows in such a way that might mean much or little, "there are certain things which require my attention."

like

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

From this reading "It would grieve me to keep you from your affairs," said he in his rumbling voice, "but there is a trifling matter which I should like to discuss with you.

littlenounUS /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading "I am sorry to be forced to go at such an early hour; but," and he lifted his brows in such a way that might mean much or little, "there are certain things which require my attention."

matter

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

From this reading "It would grieve me to keep you from your affairs," said he in his rumbling voice, "but there is a trifling matter which I should like to discuss with you.

mepronounUS /miː/

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

From this reading "It would grieve me to keep you from your affairs," said he in his rumbling voice, "but there is a trifling matter which I should like to discuss with you.

mean

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

From this reading "I am sorry to be forced to go at such an early hour; but," and he lifted his brows in such a way that might mean much or little, "there are certain things which require my attention."

mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading "I am sorry to be forced to go at such an early hour; but," and he lifted his brows in such a way that might mean much or little, "there are certain things which require my attention."

moment

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

From this reading WHAT VON STUNNENBERG THOUGHT For a moment the secret agent and the two Germans stood face to face; then the former said, smilingly:

moments

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

From this reading It will require, perhaps, only a few moments.

moustache

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

From this reading Von Stunnenberg twisted one point of his white moustache, and his blue eyes glinted coldly.

much

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

From this reading "I am sorry to be forced to go at such an early hour; but," and he lifted his brows in such a way that might mean much or little, "there are certain things which require my attention."

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading "I am sorry to be forced to go at such an early hour; but," and he lifted his brows in such a way that might mean much or little, "there are certain things which require my attention."

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Von Stunnenberg twisted one point of his white moustache, and his blue eyes glinted coldly.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Von Stunnenberg twisted one point of his white moustache, and his blue eyes glinted coldly.

only

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

From this reading It will require, perhaps, only a few moments.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading "I am sorry to be forced to go at such an early hour; but," and he lifted his brows in such a way that might mean much or little, "there are certain things which require my attention."

perhaps

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

From this reading It will require, perhaps, only a few moments.

pointnounUS /pɔɪnt/

the main matter or purpose being discussed

From this reading Von Stunnenberg twisted one point of his white moustache, and his blue eyes glinted coldly.

require

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

From this reading "I am sorry to be forced to go at such an early hour; but," and he lifted his brows in such a way that might mean much or little, "there are certain things which require my attention."

rumbling

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

From this reading "It would grieve me to keep you from your affairs," said he in his rumbling voice, "but there is a trifling matter which I should like to discuss with you.

said

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

From this reading WHAT VON STUNNENBERG THOUGHT For a moment the secret agent and the two Germans stood face to face; then the former said, smilingly:

secretnounUS /ˈsiː.krət/

Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.

From this reading WHAT VON STUNNENBERG THOUGHT For a moment the secret agent and the two Germans stood face to face; then the former said, smilingly:

shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading "It would grieve me to keep you from your affairs," said he in his rumbling voice, "but there is a trifling matter which I should like to discuss with you.

smilingly

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

From this reading WHAT VON STUNNENBERG THOUGHT For a moment the secret agent and the two Germans stood face to face; then the former said, smilingly:

sorry

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

From this reading "I am sorry to be forced to go at such an early hour; but," and he lifted his brows in such a way that might mean much or little, "there are certain things which require my attention."

stoodnounUS /stood/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading WHAT VON STUNNENBERG THOUGHT For a moment the secret agent and the two Germans stood face to face; then the former said, smilingly:

STUNNENBERG

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

From this reading WHAT VON STUNNENBERG THOUGHT For a moment the secret agent and the two Germans stood face to face; then the former said, smilingly:

suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading "I am sorry to be forced to go at such an early hour; but," and he lifted his brows in such a way that might mean much or little, "there are certain things which require my attention."

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading "I am sorry to be forced to go at such an early hour; but," and he lifted his brows in such a way that might mean much or little, "there are certain things which require my attention."

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading WHAT VON STUNNENBERG THOUGHT For a moment the secret agent and the two Germans stood face to face; then the former said, smilingly:

then

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

From this reading WHAT VON STUNNENBERG THOUGHT For a moment the secret agent and the two Germans stood face to face; then the former said, smilingly:

there

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

From this reading "I am sorry to be forced to go at such an early hour; but," and he lifted his brows in such a way that might mean much or little, "there are certain things which require my attention."

things

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

From this reading "I am sorry to be forced to go at such an early hour; but," and he lifted his brows in such a way that might mean much or little, "there are certain things which require my attention."

THOUGHTnounUS /thought/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading WHAT VON STUNNENBERG THOUGHT For a moment the secret agent and the two Germans stood face to face; then the former said, smilingly:

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading WHAT VON STUNNENBERG THOUGHT For a moment the secret agent and the two Germans stood face to face; then the former said, smilingly:

trifling

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

From this reading "It would grieve me to keep you from your affairs," said he in his rumbling voice, "but there is a trifling matter which I should like to discuss with you.

twisted

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

From this reading Von Stunnenberg twisted one point of his white moustache, and his blue eyes glinted coldly.

two

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

From this reading WHAT VON STUNNENBERG THOUGHT For a moment the secret agent and the two Germans stood face to face; then the former said, smilingly:

voice

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

From this reading "It would grieve me to keep you from your affairs," said he in his rumbling voice, "but there is a trifling matter which I should like to discuss with you.

VON

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

From this reading WHAT VON STUNNENBERG THOUGHT For a moment the secret agent and the two Germans stood face to face; then the former said, smilingly:

way

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

From this reading "I am sorry to be forced to go at such an early hour; but," and he lifted his brows in such a way that might mean much or little, "there are certain things which require my attention."

WHATpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading WHAT VON STUNNENBERG THOUGHT For a moment the secret agent and the two Germans stood face to face; then the former said, smilingly:

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading "I am sorry to be forced to go at such an early hour; but," and he lifted his brows in such a way that might mean much or little, "there are certain things which require my attention."

white

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

From this reading Von Stunnenberg twisted one point of his white moustache, and his blue eyes glinted coldly.

willmodal verbUS /wɪl/

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading It will require, perhaps, only a few moments.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading "It would grieve me to keep you from your affairs," said he in his rumbling voice, "but there is a trifling matter which I should like to discuss with you.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading "It would grieve me to keep you from your affairs," said he in his rumbling voice, "but there is a trifling matter which I should like to discuss with you.

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "It would grieve me to keep you from your affairs," said he in his rumbling voice, "but there is a trifling matter which I should like to discuss with you.

yourdeterminerUS /jɔːr/

belonging to the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "It would grieve me to keep you from your affairs," said he in his rumbling voice, "but there is a trifling matter which I should like to discuss with you.