Chapter I · Chapter 1

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading or, The Warning From the Sky Gates, the United States Secret Service man, closed the door gently and remained standing just inside the room, his head bent forward in a listening attitude.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading The boys knew little about Gates at that time, and so may be pardoned for the uncomplimentary thoughts with which they noted his theatrical conduct.

North American republic containing 50 states - 48 conterminous states in North America plus Alaska in northwest North America and the Hawaiian Islands in the Pacific Ocean; achieved independence in 1776

From this reading Young Nestor had been engaged by the United States government to undertake a difficult and dangerous mission to South America, and Gates had been sent on from Washington to post him as to the details of the case.

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

From this reading or, The Warning From the Sky Gates, the United States Secret Service man, closed the door gently and remained standing just inside the room, his head bent forward in a listening attitude.

outward or visible aspect of a person or thing

From this reading Ned Nestor and Jimmie McGraw, Boy Scouts of the Wolf Patrol, New York City, who had been standing by a window, looking out on a crowded San Francisco street, previous to the sudden appearance of the Secret Service man, turned toward the entrance with smiles on their faces.

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

From this reading They evidently thought that Gates was posing, as so many detectives have a silly habit of doing, and so gave little heed to the hand he lifted in warning.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The boys knew little about Gates at that time, and so may be pardoned for the uncomplimentary thoughts with which they noted his theatrical conduct.

a complex mental state involving beliefs and feelings and values and dispositions to act in certain ways

From this reading or, The Warning From the Sky Gates, the United States Secret Service man, closed the door gently and remained standing just inside the room, his head bent forward in a listening attitude.

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

From this reading The boys knew little about Gates at that time, and so may be pardoned for the uncomplimentary thoughts with which they noted his theatrical conduct.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Ned Nestor and Jimmie McGraw, Boy Scouts of the Wolf Patrol, New York City, who had been standing by a window, looking out on a crowded San Francisco street, previous to the sudden appearance of the Secret Service man, turned toward the entrance with smiles on their faces.

a relatively permanent inclination to react in a particular way

From this reading or, The Warning From the Sky Gates, the United States Secret Service man, closed the door gently and remained standing just inside the room, his head bent forward in a listening attitude.

a youthful male person

From this reading Ned Nestor and Jimmie McGraw, Boy Scouts of the Wolf Patrol, New York City, who had been standing by a window, looking out on a crowded San Francisco street, previous to the sudden appearance of the Secret Service man, turned toward the entrance with smiles on their faces.

plural of “boy” — a youthful male person

From this reading The boys knew little about Gates at that time, and so may be pardoned for the uncomplimentary thoughts with which they noted his theatrical conduct.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Ned Nestor and Jimmie McGraw, Boy Scouts of the Wolf Patrol, New York City, who had been standing by a window, looking out on a crowded San Francisco street, previous to the sudden appearance of the Secret Service man, turned toward the entrance with smiles on their faces.

an occurrence of something

From this reading Young Nestor had been engaged by the United States government to undertake a difficult and dangerous mission to South America, and Gates had been sent on from Washington to post him as to the details of the case.

a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts

From this reading Ned Nestor and Jimmie McGraw, Boy Scouts of the Wolf Patrol, New York City, who had been standing by a window, looking out on a crowded San Francisco street, previous to the sudden appearance of the Secret Service man, turned toward the entrance with smiles on their faces.

not open or affording passage or access

From this reading or, The Warning From the Sky Gates, the United States Secret Service man, closed the door gently and remained standing just inside the room, his head bent forward in a listening attitude.

direct the course of; manage or control

From this reading The boys knew little about Gates at that time, and so may be pardoned for the uncomplimentary thoughts with which they noted his theatrical conduct.

overfilled or compacted or concentrated

From this reading Ned Nestor and Jimmie McGraw, Boy Scouts of the Wolf Patrol, New York City, who had been standing by a window, looking out on a crowded San Francisco street, previous to the sudden appearance of the Secret Service man, turned toward the entrance with smiles on their faces.

involving or causing danger or risk; liable to hurt or harm

From this reading Young Nestor had been engaged by the United States government to undertake a difficult and dangerous mission to South America, and Gates had been sent on from Washington to post him as to the details of the case.

true confidential information

From this reading Young Nestor had been engaged by the United States government to undertake a difficult and dangerous mission to South America, and Gates had been sent on from Washington to post him as to the details of the case.

plural of “detective” — a police officer who investigates crimes

From this reading They evidently thought that Gates was posing, as so many detectives have a silly habit of doing, and so gave little heed to the hand he lifted in warning.

not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure

From this reading Young Nestor had been engaged by the United States government to undertake a difficult and dangerous mission to South America, and Gates had been sent on from Washington to post him as to the details of the case.

-ing form of “do” — engage in

From this reading They evidently thought that Gates was posing, as so many detectives have a silly habit of doing, and so gave little heed to the hand he lifted in warning.

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

From this reading or, The Warning From the Sky Gates, the United States Secret Service man, closed the door gently and remained standing just inside the room, his head bent forward in a listening attitude.

having ones attention or mind or energy engaged

From this reading Young Nestor had been engaged by the United States government to undertake a difficult and dangerous mission to South America, and Gates had been sent on from Washington to post him as to the details of the case.

something that provides access (to get in or get out)

From this reading Ned Nestor and Jimmie McGraw, Boy Scouts of the Wolf Patrol, New York City, who had been standing by a window, looking out on a crowded San Francisco street, previous to the sudden appearance of the Secret Service man, turned toward the entrance with smiles on their faces.

unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)

From this reading They evidently thought that Gates was posing, as so many detectives have a silly habit of doing, and so gave little heed to the hand he lifted in warning.

plural of “face” — the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear

From this reading Ned Nestor and Jimmie McGraw, Boy Scouts of the Wolf Patrol, New York City, who had been standing by a window, looking out on a crowded San Francisco street, previous to the sudden appearance of the Secret Service man, turned toward the entrance with smiles on their faces.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The boys knew little about Gates at that time, and so may be pardoned for the uncomplimentary thoughts with which they noted his theatrical conduct.

at or to or toward the front

From this reading or, The Warning From the Sky Gates, the United States Secret Service man, closed the door gently and remained standing just inside the room, his head bent forward in a listening attitude.

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

From this reading Ned Nestor and Jimmie McGraw, Boy Scouts of the Wolf Patrol, New York City, who had been standing by a window, looking out on a crowded San Francisco street, previous to the sudden appearance of the Secret Service man, turned toward the entrance with smiles on their faces.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading or, The Warning From the Sky Gates, the United States Secret Service man, closed the door gently and remained standing just inside the room, his head bent forward in a listening attitude.

United States computer entrepreneur whose software company made him the youngest multi-billionaire in the history of the United States (born in 1955)

From this reading or, The Warning From the Sky Gates, the United States Secret Service man, closed the door gently and remained standing just inside the room, his head bent forward in a listening attitude.

inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense

From this reading They evidently thought that Gates was posing, as so many detectives have a silly habit of doing, and so gave little heed to the hand he lifted in warning.

in a gradual manner

From this reading or, The Warning From the Sky Gates, the United States Secret Service man, closed the door gently and remained standing just inside the room, his head bent forward in a listening attitude.

the organization that is the governing authority of a political unit

From this reading Young Nestor had been engaged by the United States government to undertake a difficult and dangerous mission to South America, and Gates had been sent on from Washington to post him as to the details of the case.

an established custom

From this reading They evidently thought that Gates was posing, as so many detectives have a silly habit of doing, and so gave little heed to the hand he lifted in warning.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading Ned Nestor and Jimmie McGraw, Boy Scouts of the Wolf Patrol, New York City, who had been standing by a window, looking out on a crowded San Francisco street, previous to the sudden appearance of the Secret Service man, turned toward the entrance with smiles on their faces.

the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb

From this reading They evidently thought that Gates was posing, as so many detectives have a silly habit of doing, and so gave little heed to the hand he lifted in warning.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading They evidently thought that Gates was posing, as so many detectives have a silly habit of doing, and so gave little heed to the hand he lifted in warning.

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

From this reading They evidently thought that Gates was posing, as so many detectives have a silly habit of doing, and so gave little heed to the hand he lifted in warning.

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

From this reading or, The Warning From the Sky Gates, the United States Secret Service man, closed the door gently and remained standing just inside the room, his head bent forward in a listening attitude.

paying particular notice (as to children or helpless people)

From this reading They evidently thought that Gates was posing, as so many detectives have a silly habit of doing, and so gave little heed to the hand he lifted in warning.

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

From this reading Young Nestor had been engaged by the United States government to undertake a difficult and dangerous mission to South America, and Gates had been sent on from Washington to post him as to the details of the case.

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

From this reading or, The Warning From the Sky Gates, the United States Secret Service man, closed the door gently and remained standing just inside the room, his head bent forward in a listening attitude.

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

From this reading or, The Warning From the Sky Gates, the United States Secret Service man, closed the door gently and remained standing just inside the room, his head bent forward in a listening attitude.

relating to or being on the side closer to the center or within a defined space

From this reading or, The Warning From the Sky Gates, the United States Secret Service man, closed the door gently and remained standing just inside the room, his head bent forward in a listening attitude.

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

From this reading Ned Nestor and Jimmie McGraw, Boy Scouts of the Wolf Patrol, New York City, who had been standing by a window, looking out on a crowded San Francisco street, previous to the sudden appearance of the Secret Service man, turned toward the entrance with smiles on their faces.

and nothing more

From this reading or, The Warning From the Sky Gates, the United States Secret Service man, closed the door gently and remained standing just inside the room, his head bent forward in a listening attitude.

inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading The boys knew little about Gates at that time, and so may be pardoned for the uncomplimentary thoughts with which they noted his theatrical conduct.

held up in the air

From this reading They evidently thought that Gates was posing, as so many detectives have a silly habit of doing, and so gave little heed to the hand he lifted in warning.

the act of hearing attentively

From this reading or, The Warning From the Sky Gates, the United States Secret Service man, closed the door gently and remained standing just inside the room, his head bent forward in a listening attitude.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading They evidently thought that Gates was posing, as so many detectives have a silly habit of doing, and so gave little heed to the hand he lifted in warning.

the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually

From this reading Ned Nestor and Jimmie McGraw, Boy Scouts of the Wolf Patrol, New York City, who had been standing by a window, looking out on a crowded San Francisco street, previous to the sudden appearance of the Secret Service man, turned toward the entrance with smiles on their faces.

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading or, The Warning From the Sky Gates, the United States Secret Service man, closed the door gently and remained standing just inside the room, his head bent forward in a listening attitude.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number

From this reading They evidently thought that Gates was posing, as so many detectives have a silly habit of doing, and so gave little heed to the hand he lifted in warning.

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading The boys knew little about Gates at that time, and so may be pardoned for the uncomplimentary thoughts with which they noted his theatrical conduct.

United States baseball player and manager (1873-1934)

From this reading Ned Nestor and Jimmie McGraw, Boy Scouts of the Wolf Patrol, New York City, who had been standing by a window, looking out on a crowded San Francisco street, previous to the sudden appearance of the Secret Service man, turned toward the entrance with smiles on their faces.

an organization of missionaries in a foreign land sent to carry on religious work

From this reading Young Nestor had been engaged by the United States government to undertake a difficult and dangerous mission to South America, and Gates had been sent on from Washington to post him as to the details of the case.

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

From this reading Ned Nestor and Jimmie McGraw, Boy Scouts of the Wolf Patrol, New York City, who had been standing by a window, looking out on a crowded San Francisco street, previous to the sudden appearance of the Secret Service man, turned toward the entrance with smiles on their faces.

(Greek mythology) a wise old counselor to the Greeks at Troy

From this reading Ned Nestor and Jimmie McGraw, Boy Scouts of the Wolf Patrol, New York City, who had been standing by a window, looking out on a crowded San Francisco street, previous to the sudden appearance of the Secret Service man, turned toward the entrance with smiles on their faces.

not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered

From this reading Ned Nestor and Jimmie McGraw, Boy Scouts of the Wolf Patrol, New York City, who had been standing by a window, looking out on a crowded San Francisco street, previous to the sudden appearance of the Secret Service man, turned toward the entrance with smiles on their faces.

widely known and esteemed

From this reading The boys knew little about Gates at that time, and so may be pardoned for the uncomplimentary thoughts with which they noted his theatrical conduct.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Ned Nestor and Jimmie McGraw, Boy Scouts of the Wolf Patrol, New York City, who had been standing by a window, looking out on a crowded San Francisco street, previous to the sudden appearance of the Secret Service man, turned toward the entrance with smiles on their faces.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Ned Nestor and Jimmie McGraw, Boy Scouts of the Wolf Patrol, New York City, who had been standing by a window, looking out on a crowded San Francisco street, previous to the sudden appearance of the Secret Service man, turned toward the entrance with smiles on their faces.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading or, The Warning From the Sky Gates, the United States Secret Service man, closed the door gently and remained standing just inside the room, his head bent forward in a listening attitude.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading Ned Nestor and Jimmie McGraw, Boy Scouts of the Wolf Patrol, New York City, who had been standing by a window, looking out on a crowded San Francisco street, previous to the sudden appearance of the Secret Service man, turned toward the entrance with smiles on their faces.

past form of “pardon” — accept an excuse for

From this reading The boys knew little about Gates at that time, and so may be pardoned for the uncomplimentary thoughts with which they noted his theatrical conduct.

a detachment used for security or reconnaissance

From this reading Ned Nestor and Jimmie McGraw, Boy Scouts of the Wolf Patrol, New York City, who had been standing by a window, looking out on a crowded San Francisco street, previous to the sudden appearance of the Secret Service man, turned toward the entrance with smiles on their faces.

(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)

From this reading They evidently thought that Gates was posing, as so many detectives have a silly habit of doing, and so gave little heed to the hand he lifted in warning.

affix in a public place or for public notice

From this reading Young Nestor had been engaged by the United States government to undertake a difficult and dangerous mission to South America, and Gates had been sent on from Washington to post him as to the details of the case.

just preceding something else in time or order

From this reading Ned Nestor and Jimmie McGraw, Boy Scouts of the Wolf Patrol, New York City, who had been standing by a window, looking out on a crowded San Francisco street, previous to the sudden appearance of the Secret Service man, turned toward the entrance with smiles on their faces.

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

From this reading or, The Warning From the Sky Gates, the United States Secret Service man, closed the door gently and remained standing just inside the room, his head bent forward in a listening attitude.

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

From this reading or, The Warning From the Sky Gates, the United States Secret Service man, closed the door gently and remained standing just inside the room, his head bent forward in a listening attitude.

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

From this reading Ned Nestor and Jimmie McGraw, Boy Scouts of the Wolf Patrol, New York City, who had been standing by a window, looking out on a crowded San Francisco street, previous to the sudden appearance of the Secret Service man, turned toward the entrance with smiles on their faces.

plural of “scout” — a person employed to keep watch for some anticipated event

From this reading Ned Nestor and Jimmie McGraw, Boy Scouts of the Wolf Patrol, New York City, who had been standing by a window, looking out on a crowded San Francisco street, previous to the sudden appearance of the Secret Service man, turned toward the entrance with smiles on their faces.

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

From this reading or, The Warning From the Sky Gates, the United States Secret Service man, closed the door gently and remained standing just inside the room, his head bent forward in a listening attitude.

100 senti equal 1 kroon in Estonia

From this reading Young Nestor had been engaged by the United States government to undertake a difficult and dangerous mission to South America, and Gates had been sent on from Washington to post him as to the details of the case.

work done by one person or group that benefits another

From this reading or, The Warning From the Sky Gates, the United States Secret Service man, closed the door gently and remained standing just inside the room, his head bent forward in a listening attitude.

ludicrous, foolish

From this reading They evidently thought that Gates was posing, as so many detectives have a silly habit of doing, and so gave little heed to the hand he lifted in warning.

the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth

From this reading or, The Warning From the Sky Gates, the United States Secret Service man, closed the door gently and remained standing just inside the room, his head bent forward in a listening attitude.

plural of “smile” — a facial expression characterized by turning up the corners of the mouth; usually shows pleasure or amusement

From this reading Ned Nestor and Jimmie McGraw, Boy Scouts of the Wolf Patrol, New York City, who had been standing by a window, looking out on a crowded San Francisco street, previous to the sudden appearance of the Secret Service man, turned toward the entrance with smiles on their faces.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading They evidently thought that Gates was posing, as so many detectives have a silly habit of doing, and so gave little heed to the hand he lifted in warning.

the region of the United States lying to the south of the Mason-Dixon line

From this reading Young Nestor had been engaged by the United States government to undertake a difficult and dangerous mission to South America, and Gates had been sent on from Washington to post him as to the details of the case.

having a supporting base

From this reading or, The Warning From the Sky Gates, the United States Secret Service man, closed the door gently and remained standing just inside the room, his head bent forward in a listening attitude.

plural of “state” — the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation

From this reading or, The Warning From the Sky Gates, the United States Secret Service man, closed the door gently and remained standing just inside the room, his head bent forward in a listening attitude.

a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings

From this reading Ned Nestor and Jimmie McGraw, Boy Scouts of the Wolf Patrol, New York City, who had been standing by a window, looking out on a crowded San Francisco street, previous to the sudden appearance of the Secret Service man, turned toward the entrance with smiles on their faces.

happening without warning or in a short space of time

From this reading Ned Nestor and Jimmie McGraw, Boy Scouts of the Wolf Patrol, New York City, who had been standing by a window, looking out on a crowded San Francisco street, previous to the sudden appearance of the Secret Service man, turned toward the entrance with smiles on their faces.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading They evidently thought that Gates was posing, as so many detectives have a silly habit of doing, and so gave little heed to the hand he lifted in warning.

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

From this reading or, The Warning From the Sky Gates, the United States Secret Service man, closed the door gently and remained standing just inside the room, his head bent forward in a listening attitude.

of or relating to the theater

From this reading The boys knew little about Gates at that time, and so may be pardoned for the uncomplimentary thoughts with which they noted his theatrical conduct.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Ned Nestor and Jimmie McGraw, Boy Scouts of the Wolf Patrol, New York City, who had been standing by a window, looking out on a crowded San Francisco street, previous to the sudden appearance of the Secret Service man, turned toward the entrance with smiles on their faces.

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

From this reading They evidently thought that Gates was posing, as so many detectives have a silly habit of doing, and so gave little heed to the hand he lifted in warning.

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading They evidently thought that Gates was posing, as so many detectives have a silly habit of doing, and so gave little heed to the hand he lifted in warning.

plural of “thought” — the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading The boys knew little about Gates at that time, and so may be pardoned for the uncomplimentary thoughts with which they noted his theatrical conduct.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading The boys knew little about Gates at that time, and so may be pardoned for the uncomplimentary thoughts with which they noted his theatrical conduct.

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

From this reading Ned Nestor and Jimmie McGraw, Boy Scouts of the Wolf Patrol, New York City, who had been standing by a window, looking out on a crowded San Francisco street, previous to the sudden appearance of the Secret Service man, turned toward the entrance with smiles on their faces.

in the direction of

From this reading Ned Nestor and Jimmie McGraw, Boy Scouts of the Wolf Patrol, New York City, who had been standing by a window, looking out on a crowded San Francisco street, previous to the sudden appearance of the Secret Service man, turned toward the entrance with smiles on their faces.

moved around an axis or center

From this reading Ned Nestor and Jimmie McGraw, Boy Scouts of the Wolf Patrol, New York City, who had been standing by a window, looking out on a crowded San Francisco street, previous to the sudden appearance of the Secret Service man, turned toward the entrance with smiles on their faces.

showing or representing unfavorably

From this reading The boys knew little about Gates at that time, and so may be pardoned for the uncomplimentary thoughts with which they noted his theatrical conduct.

enter upon an activity or enterprise

From this reading Young Nestor had been engaged by the United States government to undertake a difficult and dangerous mission to South America, and Gates had been sent on from Washington to post him as to the details of the case.

characterized by unity; being or joined into a single entity

From this reading or, The Warning From the Sky Gates, the United States Secret Service man, closed the door gently and remained standing just inside the room, his head bent forward in a listening attitude.

a message informing of danger

From this reading or, The Warning From the Sky Gates, the United States Secret Service man, closed the door gently and remained standing just inside the room, his head bent forward in a listening attitude.

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

From this reading They evidently thought that Gates was posing, as so many detectives have a silly habit of doing, and so gave little heed to the hand he lifted in warning.

the capital of the United States in the District of Columbia and a tourist mecca; George Washington commissioned Charles L'Enfant to lay out the city in 1791

From this reading Young Nestor had been engaged by the United States government to undertake a difficult and dangerous mission to South America, and Gates had been sent on from Washington to post him as to the details of the case.

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

From this reading The boys knew little about Gates at that time, and so may be pardoned for the uncomplimentary thoughts with which they noted his theatrical conduct.

which person or people

From this reading Ned Nestor and Jimmie McGraw, Boy Scouts of the Wolf Patrol, New York City, who had been standing by a window, looking out on a crowded San Francisco street, previous to the sudden appearance of the Secret Service man, turned toward the entrance with smiles on their faces.

a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air

From this reading Ned Nestor and Jimmie McGraw, Boy Scouts of the Wolf Patrol, New York City, who had been standing by a window, looking out on a crowded San Francisco street, previous to the sudden appearance of the Secret Service man, turned toward the entrance with smiles on their faces.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Ned Nestor and Jimmie McGraw, Boy Scouts of the Wolf Patrol, New York City, who had been standing by a window, looking out on a crowded San Francisco street, previous to the sudden appearance of the Secret Service man, turned toward the entrance with smiles on their faces.

any of various predatory carnivorous canine mammals of North America and Eurasia that usually hunt in packs

From this reading Ned Nestor and Jimmie McGraw, Boy Scouts of the Wolf Patrol, New York City, who had been standing by a window, looking out on a crowded San Francisco street, previous to the sudden appearance of the Secret Service man, turned toward the entrance with smiles on their faces.

the English royal house (a branch of the Plantagenet line) that reigned from 1461 to 1485; its emblem was a white rose

From this reading Ned Nestor and Jimmie McGraw, Boy Scouts of the Wolf Patrol, New York City, who had been standing by a window, looking out on a crowded San Francisco street, previous to the sudden appearance of the Secret Service man, turned toward the entrance with smiles on their faces.

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading Young Nestor had been engaged by the United States government to undertake a difficult and dangerous mission to South America, and Gates had been sent on from Washington to post him as to the details of the case.