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Down the Slope
Down the Slope

Chapter XXI

Cover illustration for Down the Slope
Context Illustration Reading 1/25 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
AMATEUR DETECTIVES Fred was forced to attend to his duties at the store immediately after the return from Black town, and while so engaged could not fail to hear the many comments upon the case.
The news of the alleged robbery had spread with wonderful rapidity, and the majority of the miners believed Sam to be guilty.
Twice during the afternoon the cashier questioned Fred closely as to what the prisoner meant when he spoke of their desire to buy land, but despite the coaxing and even threats he refused to divulge the secret.
"If it can't be helped I'll tell Mr. Wright, but nobody else," the boy repeated, and further than this he positively refused to speak.
"Then it's time you went home," the official finally said, in an angry tone.
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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.

Down the Slope

Chapter XXI

Reading 1/25 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
AMATEUR DETECTIVES Fred was forced to attend to his duties at the store immediately after the return from Black town, and while so engaged could not fail to hear the many comments upon the case.
Line 2
The news of the alleged robbery had spread with wonderful rapidity, and the majority of the miners believed Sam to be guilty.
Line 3
Twice during the afternoon the cashier questioned Fred closely as to what the prisoner meant when he spoke of their desire to buy land, but despite the coaxing and even threats he refused to divulge the secret.
Line 4
"If it can't be helped I'll tell Mr. Wright, but nobody else," the boy repeated, and further than this he positively refused to speak.
Line 5
"Then it's time you went home," the official finally said, in an angry tone.

Learner Dictionary

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

After preposition US /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading “AMATEUR DETECTIVES Fred was forced to attend to his duties at the store immediately after the return from Black town, and while so engaged could not fail to hear the many comments upon the case.”

Afternoon noun US /ˈafternoon/

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

From this reading “Twice during the afternoon the cashier questioned Fred closely as to what the prisoner meant when he spoke of their desire to buy land, but despite the coaxing and even threats he refused to divulge the secret.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

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

From this reading “AMATEUR DETECTIVES Fred was forced to attend to his duties at the store immediately after the return from Black town, and while so engaged could not fail to hear the many comments upon the case.”

Despite preposition US /dɪˈspaɪt/

although something is true; in spite of

From this reading “Twice during the afternoon the cashier questioned Fred closely as to what the prisoner meant when he spoke of their desire to buy land, but despite the coaxing and even threats he refused to divulge the secret.”

During preposition US /ˈdʊrɪŋ/

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading “Twice during the afternoon the cashier questioned Fred closely as to what the prisoner meant when he spoke of their desire to buy land, but despite the coaxing and even threats he refused to divulge the secret.”

Even noun US /even/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Twice during the afternoon the cashier questioned Fred closely as to what the prisoner meant when he spoke of their desire to buy land, but despite the coaxing and even threats he refused to divulge the secret.”

Hear noun US /hear/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “AMATEUR DETECTIVES Fred was forced to attend to his duties at the store immediately after the return from Black town, and while so engaged could not fail to hear the many comments upon the case.”

Nobody pronoun US /ˈnoʊbɑːdiː/

no person; not anyone

From this reading “"If it can't be helped I'll tell Mr. Wright, but nobody else," the boy repeated, and further than this he positively refused to speak.”

Rapidity noun US /rəˈpɪdəti/

great speed

From this reading “The news of the alleged robbery had spread with wonderful rapidity, and the majority of the miners believed Sam to be guilty.”

Repeated noun US /repeated/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “"If it can't be helped I'll tell Mr. Wright, but nobody else," the boy repeated, and further than this he positively refused to speak.”

Secret noun US /ˈsiː.krət/

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

From this reading “Twice during the afternoon the cashier questioned Fred closely as to what the prisoner meant when he spoke of their desire to buy land, but despite the coaxing and even threats he refused to divulge the secret.”

Speak noun US /speak/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “"If it can't be helped I'll tell Mr. Wright, but nobody else," the boy repeated, and further than this he positively refused to speak.”

Tell noun US /tell/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “"If it can't be helped I'll tell Mr. Wright, but nobody else," the boy repeated, and further than this he positively refused to speak.”

Time noun US /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “"Then it's time you went home," the official finally said, in an angry tone.”

Upon preposition US /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading “AMATEUR DETECTIVES Fred was forced to attend to his duties at the store immediately after the return from Black town, and while so engaged could not fail to hear the many comments upon the case.”

Went noun US /went/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “"Then it's time you went home," the official finally said, in an angry tone.”

While conjunction US /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading “AMATEUR DETECTIVES Fred was forced to attend to his duties at the store immediately after the return from Black town, and while so engaged could not fail to hear the many comments upon the case.”

Wonderful noun US /ˈwonderful/

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

From this reading “The news of the alleged robbery had spread with wonderful rapidity, and the majority of the miners believed Sam to be guilty.”

All words in this reading · 100

Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading AMATEUR DETECTIVES Fred was forced to attend to his duties at the store immediately after the return from Black town, and while so engaged could not fail to hear the many comments upon the case.

afternoonnounUS /ˈafternoon/

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

From this reading Twice during the afternoon the cashier questioned Fred closely as to what the prisoner meant when he spoke of their desire to buy land, but despite the coaxing and even threats he refused to divulge the secret.

alleged

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

From this reading The news of the alleged robbery had spread with wonderful rapidity, and the majority of the miners believed Sam to be guilty.

AMATEUR

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

From this reading AMATEUR DETECTIVES Fred was forced to attend to his duties at the store immediately after the return from Black town, and while so engaged could not fail to hear the many comments upon the case.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading "Then it's time you went home," the official finally said, in an angry tone.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading AMATEUR DETECTIVES Fred was forced to attend to his duties at the store immediately after the return from Black town, and while so engaged could not fail to hear the many comments upon the case.

angry

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

From this reading "Then it's time you went home," the official finally said, in an angry tone.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading Twice during the afternoon the cashier questioned Fred closely as to what the prisoner meant when he spoke of their desire to buy land, but despite the coaxing and even threats he refused to divulge the secret.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading AMATEUR DETECTIVES Fred was forced to attend to his duties at the store immediately after the return from Black town, and while so engaged could not fail to hear the many comments upon the case.

attend

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

From this reading AMATEUR DETECTIVES Fred was forced to attend to his duties at the store immediately after the return from Black town, and while so engaged could not fail to hear the many comments upon the case.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading The news of the alleged robbery had spread with wonderful rapidity, and the majority of the miners believed Sam to be guilty.

believed

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

From this reading The news of the alleged robbery had spread with wonderful rapidity, and the majority of the miners believed Sam to be guilty.

Black

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

From this reading AMATEUR DETECTIVES Fred was forced to attend to his duties at the store immediately after the return from Black town, and while so engaged could not fail to hear the many comments upon the case.

boy

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

From this reading "If it can't be helped I'll tell Mr. Wright, but nobody else," the boy repeated, and further than this he positively refused to speak.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Twice during the afternoon the cashier questioned Fred closely as to what the prisoner meant when he spoke of their desire to buy land, but despite the coaxing and even threats he refused to divulge the secret.

buy

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

From this reading Twice during the afternoon the cashier questioned Fred closely as to what the prisoner meant when he spoke of their desire to buy land, but despite the coaxing and even threats he refused to divulge the secret.

can't

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

From this reading "If it can't be helped I'll tell Mr. Wright, but nobody else," the boy repeated, and further than this he positively refused to speak.

case

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

From this reading AMATEUR DETECTIVES Fred was forced to attend to his duties at the store immediately after the return from Black town, and while so engaged could not fail to hear the many comments upon the case.

cashier

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

From this reading Twice during the afternoon the cashier questioned Fred closely as to what the prisoner meant when he spoke of their desire to buy land, but despite the coaxing and even threats he refused to divulge the secret.

closely

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

From this reading Twice during the afternoon the cashier questioned Fred closely as to what the prisoner meant when he spoke of their desire to buy land, but despite the coaxing and even threats he refused to divulge the secret.

coaxing

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

From this reading Twice during the afternoon the cashier questioned Fred closely as to what the prisoner meant when he spoke of their desire to buy land, but despite the coaxing and even threats he refused to divulge the secret.

comments

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

From this reading AMATEUR DETECTIVES Fred was forced to attend to his duties at the store immediately after the return from Black town, and while so engaged could not fail to hear the many comments upon the case.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

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

From this reading AMATEUR DETECTIVES Fred was forced to attend to his duties at the store immediately after the return from Black town, and while so engaged could not fail to hear the many comments upon the case.

desire

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

From this reading Twice during the afternoon the cashier questioned Fred closely as to what the prisoner meant when he spoke of their desire to buy land, but despite the coaxing and even threats he refused to divulge the secret.

despiteprepositionUS /dɪˈspaɪt/

although something is true; in spite of

From this reading Twice during the afternoon the cashier questioned Fred closely as to what the prisoner meant when he spoke of their desire to buy land, but despite the coaxing and even threats he refused to divulge the secret.

DETECTIVES

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

From this reading AMATEUR DETECTIVES Fred was forced to attend to his duties at the store immediately after the return from Black town, and while so engaged could not fail to hear the many comments upon the case.

divulge

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

From this reading Twice during the afternoon the cashier questioned Fred closely as to what the prisoner meant when he spoke of their desire to buy land, but despite the coaxing and even threats he refused to divulge the secret.

duringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading Twice during the afternoon the cashier questioned Fred closely as to what the prisoner meant when he spoke of their desire to buy land, but despite the coaxing and even threats he refused to divulge the secret.

duties

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

From this reading AMATEUR DETECTIVES Fred was forced to attend to his duties at the store immediately after the return from Black town, and while so engaged could not fail to hear the many comments upon the case.

else

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

From this reading "If it can't be helped I'll tell Mr. Wright, but nobody else," the boy repeated, and further than this he positively refused to speak.

engaged

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

From this reading AMATEUR DETECTIVES Fred was forced to attend to his duties at the store immediately after the return from Black town, and while so engaged could not fail to hear the many comments upon the case.

evennounUS /even/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Twice during the afternoon the cashier questioned Fred closely as to what the prisoner meant when he spoke of their desire to buy land, but despite the coaxing and even threats he refused to divulge the secret.

fail

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

From this reading AMATEUR DETECTIVES Fred was forced to attend to his duties at the store immediately after the return from Black town, and while so engaged could not fail to hear the many comments upon the case.

finally

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

From this reading "Then it's time you went home," the official finally said, in an angry tone.

forced

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

From this reading AMATEUR DETECTIVES Fred was forced to attend to his duties at the store immediately after the return from Black town, and while so engaged could not fail to hear the many comments upon the case.

Fred

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

From this reading AMATEUR DETECTIVES Fred was forced to attend to his duties at the store immediately after the return from Black town, and while so engaged could not fail to hear the many comments upon the case.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading AMATEUR DETECTIVES Fred was forced to attend to his duties at the store immediately after the return from Black town, and while so engaged could not fail to hear the many comments upon the case.

further

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

From this reading "If it can't be helped I'll tell Mr. Wright, but nobody else," the boy repeated, and further than this he positively refused to speak.

guilty

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

From this reading The news of the alleged robbery had spread with wonderful rapidity, and the majority of the miners believed Sam to be guilty.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading The news of the alleged robbery had spread with wonderful rapidity, and the majority of the miners believed Sam to be guilty.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading Twice during the afternoon the cashier questioned Fred closely as to what the prisoner meant when he spoke of their desire to buy land, but despite the coaxing and even threats he refused to divulge the secret.

hearnounUS /hear/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading AMATEUR DETECTIVES Fred was forced to attend to his duties at the store immediately after the return from Black town, and while so engaged could not fail to hear the many comments upon the case.

helped

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

From this reading "If it can't be helped I'll tell Mr. Wright, but nobody else," the boy repeated, and further than this he positively refused to speak.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading AMATEUR DETECTIVES Fred was forced to attend to his duties at the store immediately after the return from Black town, and while so engaged could not fail to hear the many comments upon the case.

home

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

From this reading "Then it's time you went home," the official finally said, in an angry tone.

I'll

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

From this reading "If it can't be helped I'll tell Mr. Wright, but nobody else," the boy repeated, and further than this he positively refused to speak.

IfconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading "If it can't be helped I'll tell Mr. Wright, but nobody else," the boy repeated, and further than this he positively refused to speak.

immediately

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

From this reading AMATEUR DETECTIVES Fred was forced to attend to his duties at the store immediately after the return from Black town, and while so engaged could not fail to hear the many comments upon the case.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading "Then it's time you went home," the official finally said, in an angry tone.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading "If it can't be helped I'll tell Mr. Wright, but nobody else," the boy repeated, and further than this he positively refused to speak.

it's

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

From this reading "Then it's time you went home," the official finally said, in an angry tone.

land

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

From this reading Twice during the afternoon the cashier questioned Fred closely as to what the prisoner meant when he spoke of their desire to buy land, but despite the coaxing and even threats he refused to divulge the secret.

majority

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

From this reading The news of the alleged robbery had spread with wonderful rapidity, and the majority of the miners believed Sam to be guilty.

many

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

From this reading AMATEUR DETECTIVES Fred was forced to attend to his duties at the store immediately after the return from Black town, and while so engaged could not fail to hear the many comments upon the case.

meant

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

From this reading Twice during the afternoon the cashier questioned Fred closely as to what the prisoner meant when he spoke of their desire to buy land, but despite the coaxing and even threats he refused to divulge the secret.

miners

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

From this reading The news of the alleged robbery had spread with wonderful rapidity, and the majority of the miners believed Sam to be guilty.

Mr

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

From this reading "If it can't be helped I'll tell Mr. Wright, but nobody else," the boy repeated, and further than this he positively refused to speak.

news

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

From this reading The news of the alleged robbery had spread with wonderful rapidity, and the majority of the miners believed Sam to be guilty.

nobodypronounUS /ˈnoʊbɑːdiː/

no person; not anyone

From this reading "If it can't be helped I'll tell Mr. Wright, but nobody else," the boy repeated, and further than this he positively refused to speak.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading AMATEUR DETECTIVES Fred was forced to attend to his duties at the store immediately after the return from Black town, and while so engaged could not fail to hear the many comments upon the case.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The news of the alleged robbery had spread with wonderful rapidity, and the majority of the miners believed Sam to be guilty.

official

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

From this reading "Then it's time you went home," the official finally said, in an angry tone.

positively

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

From this reading "If it can't be helped I'll tell Mr. Wright, but nobody else," the boy repeated, and further than this he positively refused to speak.

prisoner

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

From this reading Twice during the afternoon the cashier questioned Fred closely as to what the prisoner meant when he spoke of their desire to buy land, but despite the coaxing and even threats he refused to divulge the secret.

questioned

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

From this reading Twice during the afternoon the cashier questioned Fred closely as to what the prisoner meant when he spoke of their desire to buy land, but despite the coaxing and even threats he refused to divulge the secret.

rapiditynounUS /rəˈpɪdəti/

great speed

From this reading The news of the alleged robbery had spread with wonderful rapidity, and the majority of the miners believed Sam to be guilty.

refused

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

From this reading Twice during the afternoon the cashier questioned Fred closely as to what the prisoner meant when he spoke of their desire to buy land, but despite the coaxing and even threats he refused to divulge the secret.

repeatednounUS /repeated/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading "If it can't be helped I'll tell Mr. Wright, but nobody else," the boy repeated, and further than this he positively refused to speak.

return

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

From this reading AMATEUR DETECTIVES Fred was forced to attend to his duties at the store immediately after the return from Black town, and while so engaged could not fail to hear the many comments upon the case.

robbery

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

From this reading The news of the alleged robbery had spread with wonderful rapidity, and the majority of the miners believed Sam to be guilty.

said

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

From this reading "Then it's time you went home," the official finally said, in an angry tone.

Sam

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

From this reading The news of the alleged robbery had spread with wonderful rapidity, and the majority of the miners believed Sam to be guilty.

secretnounUS /ˈsiː.krət/

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

From this reading Twice during the afternoon the cashier questioned Fred closely as to what the prisoner meant when he spoke of their desire to buy land, but despite the coaxing and even threats he refused to divulge the secret.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading AMATEUR DETECTIVES Fred was forced to attend to his duties at the store immediately after the return from Black town, and while so engaged could not fail to hear the many comments upon the case.

speak

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

From this reading "If it can't be helped I'll tell Mr. Wright, but nobody else," the boy repeated, and further than this he positively refused to speak.

spoke

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

From this reading Twice during the afternoon the cashier questioned Fred closely as to what the prisoner meant when he spoke of their desire to buy land, but despite the coaxing and even threats he refused to divulge the secret.

spread

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

From this reading The news of the alleged robbery had spread with wonderful rapidity, and the majority of the miners believed Sam to be guilty.

store

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

From this reading AMATEUR DETECTIVES Fred was forced to attend to his duties at the store immediately after the return from Black town, and while so engaged could not fail to hear the many comments upon the case.

tellnounUS /tell/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading "If it can't be helped I'll tell Mr. Wright, but nobody else," the boy repeated, and further than this he positively refused to speak.

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading "If it can't be helped I'll tell Mr. Wright, but nobody else," the boy repeated, and further than this he positively refused to speak.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading AMATEUR DETECTIVES Fred was forced to attend to his duties at the store immediately after the return from Black town, and while so engaged could not fail to hear the many comments upon the case.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Twice during the afternoon the cashier questioned Fred closely as to what the prisoner meant when he spoke of their desire to buy land, but despite the coaxing and even threats he refused to divulge the secret.

Then

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

From this reading "Then it's time you went home," the official finally said, in an angry tone.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading "If it can't be helped I'll tell Mr. Wright, but nobody else," the boy repeated, and further than this he positively refused to speak.

threats

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

From this reading Twice during the afternoon the cashier questioned Fred closely as to what the prisoner meant when he spoke of their desire to buy land, but despite the coaxing and even threats he refused to divulge the secret.

timenounUS /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading "Then it's time you went home," the official finally said, in an angry tone.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading AMATEUR DETECTIVES Fred was forced to attend to his duties at the store immediately after the return from Black town, and while so engaged could not fail to hear the many comments upon the case.

tone

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

From this reading "Then it's time you went home," the official finally said, in an angry tone.

town

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

From this reading AMATEUR DETECTIVES Fred was forced to attend to his duties at the store immediately after the return from Black town, and while so engaged could not fail to hear the many comments upon the case.

Twice

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

From this reading Twice during the afternoon the cashier questioned Fred closely as to what the prisoner meant when he spoke of their desire to buy land, but despite the coaxing and even threats he refused to divulge the secret.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading AMATEUR DETECTIVES Fred was forced to attend to his duties at the store immediately after the return from Black town, and while so engaged could not fail to hear the many comments upon the case.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading AMATEUR DETECTIVES Fred was forced to attend to his duties at the store immediately after the return from Black town, and while so engaged could not fail to hear the many comments upon the case.

wentnounUS /went/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading "Then it's time you went home," the official finally said, in an angry tone.

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading Twice during the afternoon the cashier questioned Fred closely as to what the prisoner meant when he spoke of their desire to buy land, but despite the coaxing and even threats he refused to divulge the secret.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading Twice during the afternoon the cashier questioned Fred closely as to what the prisoner meant when he spoke of their desire to buy land, but despite the coaxing and even threats he refused to divulge the secret.

whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading AMATEUR DETECTIVES Fred was forced to attend to his duties at the store immediately after the return from Black town, and while so engaged could not fail to hear the many comments upon the case.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading The news of the alleged robbery had spread with wonderful rapidity, and the majority of the miners believed Sam to be guilty.

wonderfulnounUS /ˈwonderful/

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

From this reading The news of the alleged robbery had spread with wonderful rapidity, and the majority of the miners believed Sam to be guilty.

Wright

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

From this reading "If it can't be helped I'll tell Mr. Wright, but nobody else," the boy repeated, and further than this he positively refused to speak.

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "Then it's time you went home," the official finally said, in an angry tone.