adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading But even in times of leisure, at the club or theatre, fate would sometimes cast in his path the first slender thread which was ultimately to lead him into some unsuspected labyrinth, perhaps in the underworld of London, perhaps in a city of the Far East.
accidentaladjectiveUS /ˌæksəˈdentəl/
happening by chance or unexpectedly or unintentionally
From this reading Some of Paul Harley’s most interesting cases were brought to his notice in an almost accidental way.
affordedverbUS /əˈfɔːrdəd/
past form of “afford” — be able to spare or give up
From this reading His investigation of the case of the man with the shaven skull afforded an instance of this, and even more notable was his first meeting with Major Jack Ragstaff of the Cavalry Club, a meeting which took place after the office had been closed, but which led to the unmasking of perhaps the most cunning murderer in the annals of crime.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading His investigation of the case of the man with the shaven skull afforded an instance of this, and even more notable was his first meeting with Major Jack Ragstaff of the Cavalry Club, a meeting which took place after the office had been closed, but which led to the unmasking of perhaps the most cunning murderer in the annals of crime.
almostadverbUS /ˈɔːlmoʊst/
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading Some of Paul Harley’s most interesting cases were brought to his notice in an almost accidental way.
AlthoughconjunctionUS /ˌɔːlˈðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Although he closed his office in Chancery Lane sharply at the hour of six, the hour of six by no means marked the end of his business day.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Some of Paul Harley’s most interesting cases were brought to his notice in an almost accidental way.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading His investigation of the case of the man with the shaven skull afforded an instance of this, and even more notable was his first meeting with Major Jack Ragstaff of the Cavalry Club, a meeting which took place after the office had been closed, but which led to the unmasking of perhaps the most cunning murderer in the annals of crime.
annalsnounUS /ˈænəlz/
reports of the work of a society or learned body etc
From this reading His investigation of the case of the man with the shaven skull afforded an instance of this, and even more notable was his first meeting with Major Jack Ragstaff of the Cavalry Club, a meeting which took place after the office had been closed, but which led to the unmasking of perhaps the most cunning murderer in the annals of crime.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Although he closed his office in Chancery Lane sharply at the hour of six, the hour of six by no means marked the end of his business day.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading His investigation of the case of the man with the shaven skull afforded an instance of this, and even more notable was his first meeting with Major Jack Ragstaff of the Cavalry Club, a meeting which took place after the office had been closed, but which led to the unmasking of perhaps the most cunning murderer in the annals of crime.
broughtverbUS /brɔːt/
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading Some of Paul Harley’s most interesting cases were brought to his notice in an almost accidental way.
businessnounUS /ˈbɪznəs/
a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it
From this reading Although he closed his office in Chancery Lane sharply at the hour of six, the hour of six by no means marked the end of his business day.
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But even in times of leisure, at the club or theatre, fate would sometimes cast in his path the first slender thread which was ultimately to lead him into some unsuspected labyrinth, perhaps in the underworld of London, perhaps in a city of the Far East.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Although he closed his office in Chancery Lane sharply at the hour of six, the hour of six by no means marked the end of his business day.
casenounUS /keɪs/
an occurrence of something
From this reading His investigation of the case of the man with the shaven skull afforded an instance of this, and even more notable was his first meeting with Major Jack Ragstaff of the Cavalry Club, a meeting which took place after the office had been closed, but which led to the unmasking of perhaps the most cunning murderer in the annals of crime.
casesnounUS /ˈkeɪsəz/
plural of “case” — an occurrence of something
From this reading Some of Paul Harley’s most interesting cases were brought to his notice in an almost accidental way.
castverbUS /kæst/
put or send forth
From this reading But even in times of leisure, at the club or theatre, fate would sometimes cast in his path the first slender thread which was ultimately to lead him into some unsuspected labyrinth, perhaps in the underworld of London, perhaps in a city of the Far East.
CavalrynounUS /ˈkævəlri/
troops trained to fight on horseback
From this reading His investigation of the case of the man with the shaven skull afforded an instance of this, and even more notable was his first meeting with Major Jack Ragstaff of the Cavalry Club, a meeting which took place after the office had been closed, but which led to the unmasking of perhaps the most cunning murderer in the annals of crime.
ceaselessadjectiveUS /ˈsiːslɪs/
uninterrupted in time and indefinitely long continuing
From this reading His work was practically ceaseless.
ChancerynounUS /ˈtʃænsəri/
a court with jurisdiction in equity
From this reading Although he closed his office in Chancery Lane sharply at the hour of six, the hour of six by no means marked the end of his business day.
citynounUS /ˈsɪti/
a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts
From this reading But even in times of leisure, at the club or theatre, fate would sometimes cast in his path the first slender thread which was ultimately to lead him into some unsuspected labyrinth, perhaps in the underworld of London, perhaps in a city of the Far East.
closedadjectiveUS /kloʊzd/
not open or affording passage or access
From this reading Although he closed his office in Chancery Lane sharply at the hour of six, the hour of six by no means marked the end of his business day.
clubnounUS /klʌb/
a team of professional baseball players who play and travel together
From this reading But even in times of leisure, at the club or theatre, fate would sometimes cast in his path the first slender thread which was ultimately to lead him into some unsuspected labyrinth, perhaps in the underworld of London, perhaps in a city of the Far East.
crimenounUS /kraɪm/
(criminal law) an act punishable by law; usually considered an evil act
From this reading His investigation of the case of the man with the shaven skull afforded an instance of this, and even more notable was his first meeting with Major Jack Ragstaff of the Cavalry Club, a meeting which took place after the office had been closed, but which led to the unmasking of perhaps the most cunning murderer in the annals of crime.
cunningadjectiveUS /ˈkʌnɪŋ/
attractive especially by means of smallness or prettiness or quaintness
From this reading His investigation of the case of the man with the shaven skull afforded an instance of this, and even more notable was his first meeting with Major Jack Ragstaff of the Cavalry Club, a meeting which took place after the office had been closed, but which led to the unmasking of perhaps the most cunning murderer in the annals of crime.
daynounUS /deɪ/
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading Although he closed his office in Chancery Lane sharply at the hour of six, the hour of six by no means marked the end of his business day.
EastnounUS /iːst/
the cardinal compass point that is at 90 degrees
From this reading But even in times of leisure, at the club or theatre, fate would sometimes cast in his path the first slender thread which was ultimately to lead him into some unsuspected labyrinth, perhaps in the underworld of London, perhaps in a city of the Far East.
endnounUS /end/
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading Although he closed his office in Chancery Lane sharply at the hour of six, the hour of six by no means marked the end of his business day.
evenadjectiveUS /ˈiːvɪn/
divisible by two
From this reading But even in times of leisure, at the club or theatre, fate would sometimes cast in his path the first slender thread which was ultimately to lead him into some unsuspected labyrinth, perhaps in the underworld of London, perhaps in a city of the Far East.
FaradverbUS /fɑːr/
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading But even in times of leisure, at the club or theatre, fate would sometimes cast in his path the first slender thread which was ultimately to lead him into some unsuspected labyrinth, perhaps in the underworld of London, perhaps in a city of the Far East.
fatenounUS /feɪt/
an event (or a course of events) that will inevitably happen in the future
From this reading But even in times of leisure, at the club or theatre, fate would sometimes cast in his path the first slender thread which was ultimately to lead him into some unsuspected labyrinth, perhaps in the underworld of London, perhaps in a city of the Far East.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading But even in times of leisure, at the club or theatre, fate would sometimes cast in his path the first slender thread which was ultimately to lead him into some unsuspected labyrinth, perhaps in the underworld of London, perhaps in a city of the Far East.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading His investigation of the case of the man with the shaven skull afforded an instance of this, and even more notable was his first meeting with Major Jack Ragstaff of the Cavalry Club, a meeting which took place after the office had been closed, but which led to the unmasking of perhaps the most cunning murderer in the annals of crime.
Harley's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Some of Paul Harley’s most interesting cases were brought to his notice in an almost accidental way.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Although he closed his office in Chancery Lane sharply at the hour of six, the hour of six by no means marked the end of his business day.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading But even in times of leisure, at the club or theatre, fate would sometimes cast in his path the first slender thread which was ultimately to lead him into some unsuspected labyrinth, perhaps in the underworld of London, perhaps in a city of the Far East.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Some of Paul Harley’s most interesting cases were brought to his notice in an almost accidental way.
hournounUS /ˈaʊər/
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading Although he closed his office in Chancery Lane sharply at the hour of six, the hour of six by no means marked the end of his business day.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Some of Paul Harley’s most interesting cases were brought to his notice in an almost accidental way.
instancenounUS /ˈɪnstəns/
an occurrence of something
From this reading His investigation of the case of the man with the shaven skull afforded an instance of this, and even more notable was his first meeting with Major Jack Ragstaff of the Cavalry Club, a meeting which took place after the office had been closed, but which led to the unmasking of perhaps the most cunning murderer in the annals of crime.
interestingadjectiveUS /ˈɪntrəstɪŋ/
arousing or holding the attention
From this reading Some of Paul Harley’s most interesting cases were brought to his notice in an almost accidental way.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading But even in times of leisure, at the club or theatre, fate would sometimes cast in his path the first slender thread which was ultimately to lead him into some unsuspected labyrinth, perhaps in the underworld of London, perhaps in a city of the Far East.
investigationnounUS /ˌɪnvestəˈɡeɪʃən/
an inquiry into unfamiliar or questionable activities
From this reading His investigation of the case of the man with the shaven skull afforded an instance of this, and even more notable was his first meeting with Major Jack Ragstaff of the Cavalry Club, a meeting which took place after the office had been closed, but which led to the unmasking of perhaps the most cunning murderer in the annals of crime.
JacknounUS /dʒæk/
a small worthless amount
From this reading His investigation of the case of the man with the shaven skull afforded an instance of this, and even more notable was his first meeting with Major Jack Ragstaff of the Cavalry Club, a meeting which took place after the office had been closed, but which led to the unmasking of perhaps the most cunning murderer in the annals of crime.
labyrinthnounUS /ˈlæbərɪnθ/
complex system of paths or tunnels in which it is easy to get lost
From this reading But even in times of leisure, at the club or theatre, fate would sometimes cast in his path the first slender thread which was ultimately to lead him into some unsuspected labyrinth, perhaps in the underworld of London, perhaps in a city of the Far East.
LanenounUS /leɪn/
a narrow way or road
From this reading Although he closed his office in Chancery Lane sharply at the hour of six, the hour of six by no means marked the end of his business day.
leadverbUS /led/
take somebody somewhere
From this reading But even in times of leisure, at the club or theatre, fate would sometimes cast in his path the first slender thread which was ultimately to lead him into some unsuspected labyrinth, perhaps in the underworld of London, perhaps in a city of the Far East.
lednounUS /led/
diode such that light emitted at a p-n junction is proportional to the bias current; color depends on the material used
From this reading His investigation of the case of the man with the shaven skull afforded an instance of this, and even more notable was his first meeting with Major Jack Ragstaff of the Cavalry Club, a meeting which took place after the office had been closed, but which led to the unmasking of perhaps the most cunning murderer in the annals of crime.
leisurenounUS /ˈleʒər/
time available for ease and relaxation
From this reading But even in times of leisure, at the club or theatre, fate would sometimes cast in his path the first slender thread which was ultimately to lead him into some unsuspected labyrinth, perhaps in the underworld of London, perhaps in a city of the Far East.
LondonnounUS /ˈlʌndən/
the capital and largest city of England; located on the Thames in southeastern England; financial and industrial and cultural center
From this reading But even in times of leisure, at the club or theatre, fate would sometimes cast in his path the first slender thread which was ultimately to lead him into some unsuspected labyrinth, perhaps in the underworld of London, perhaps in a city of the Far East.
MajoradjectiveUS /ˈmeɪdʒər/
of greater importance or stature or rank
From this reading His investigation of the case of the man with the shaven skull afforded an instance of this, and even more notable was his first meeting with Major Jack Ragstaff of the Cavalry Club, a meeting which took place after the office had been closed, but which led to the unmasking of perhaps the most cunning murderer in the annals of crime.
mannounUS /mæn/
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading His investigation of the case of the man with the shaven skull afforded an instance of this, and even more notable was his first meeting with Major Jack Ragstaff of the Cavalry Club, a meeting which took place after the office had been closed, but which led to the unmasking of perhaps the most cunning murderer in the annals of crime.
markedadjectiveUS /mɑːrkt/
strongly marked; easily noticeable
From this reading Although he closed his office in Chancery Lane sharply at the hour of six, the hour of six by no means marked the end of his business day.
meansnounUS /miːnz/
thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end
From this reading Although he closed his office in Chancery Lane sharply at the hour of six, the hour of six by no means marked the end of his business day.
meetingnounUS /ˈmiːtɪŋ/
a formally arranged gathering
From this reading His investigation of the case of the man with the shaven skull afforded an instance of this, and even more notable was his first meeting with Major Jack Ragstaff of the Cavalry Club, a meeting which took place after the office had been closed, but which led to the unmasking of perhaps the most cunning murderer in the annals of crime.
moreadjectiveUS /mɔːr/
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading His investigation of the case of the man with the shaven skull afforded an instance of this, and even more notable was his first meeting with Major Jack Ragstaff of the Cavalry Club, a meeting which took place after the office had been closed, but which led to the unmasking of perhaps the most cunning murderer in the annals of crime.
mostadverbUS /moʊst/
used to form the superlative
From this reading Some of Paul Harley’s most interesting cases were brought to his notice in an almost accidental way.
murderernounUS /ˈmɜːrdərər/
a criminal who commits homicide (who performs the unlawful premeditated killing of another human being)
From this reading His investigation of the case of the man with the shaven skull afforded an instance of this, and even more notable was his first meeting with Major Jack Ragstaff of the Cavalry Club, a meeting which took place after the office had been closed, but which led to the unmasking of perhaps the most cunning murderer in the annals of crime.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading Although he closed his office in Chancery Lane sharply at the hour of six, the hour of six by no means marked the end of his business day.
notableadjectiveUS /ˈnoʊtəbəl/
widely known and esteemed
From this reading His investigation of the case of the man with the shaven skull afforded an instance of this, and even more notable was his first meeting with Major Jack Ragstaff of the Cavalry Club, a meeting which took place after the office had been closed, but which led to the unmasking of perhaps the most cunning murderer in the annals of crime.
noticenounUS /ˈnoʊtəs/
an announcement containing information about an event
From this reading Some of Paul Harley’s most interesting cases were brought to his notice in an almost accidental way.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Some of Paul Harley’s most interesting cases were brought to his notice in an almost accidental way.
officenounUS /ˈɔːfɪs/
place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed
From this reading Although he closed his office in Chancery Lane sharply at the hour of six, the hour of six by no means marked the end of his business day.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading But even in times of leisure, at the club or theatre, fate would sometimes cast in his path the first slender thread which was ultimately to lead him into some unsuspected labyrinth, perhaps in the underworld of London, perhaps in a city of the Far East.
pathnounUS /pæθ/
a course of conduct
From this reading But even in times of leisure, at the club or theatre, fate would sometimes cast in his path the first slender thread which was ultimately to lead him into some unsuspected labyrinth, perhaps in the underworld of London, perhaps in a city of the Far East.
PaulnounUS /pɔːl/
United States feminist (1885-1977)
From this reading Some of Paul Harley’s most interesting cases were brought to his notice in an almost accidental way.
perhapsadverbUS /pərˈhæps/
by chance
From this reading But even in times of leisure, at the club or theatre, fate would sometimes cast in his path the first slender thread which was ultimately to lead him into some unsuspected labyrinth, perhaps in the underworld of London, perhaps in a city of the Far East.
placenounUS /pleɪs/
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading His investigation of the case of the man with the shaven skull afforded an instance of this, and even more notable was his first meeting with Major Jack Ragstaff of the Cavalry Club, a meeting which took place after the office had been closed, but which led to the unmasking of perhaps the most cunning murderer in the annals of crime.
practicallyadverbUS /ˈpræktɪkli/
almost; nearly
From this reading His work was practically ceaseless.
Ragstaff
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His investigation of the case of the man with the shaven skull afforded an instance of this, and even more notable was his first meeting with Major Jack Ragstaff of the Cavalry Club, a meeting which took place after the office had been closed, but which led to the unmasking of perhaps the most cunning murderer in the annals of crime.
sharplyadverbUS /ˈʃɑːrpli/
in an aggressive manner
From this reading Although he closed his office in Chancery Lane sharply at the hour of six, the hour of six by no means marked the end of his business day.
shavenadjectiveUS /ˈʃeɪvən/
having the beard or hair cut off close to the skin
From this reading His investigation of the case of the man with the shaven skull afforded an instance of this, and even more notable was his first meeting with Major Jack Ragstaff of the Cavalry Club, a meeting which took place after the office had been closed, but which led to the unmasking of perhaps the most cunning murderer in the annals of crime.
sixnounUS /sɪks/
the cardinal number that is the sum of five and one
From this reading Although he closed his office in Chancery Lane sharply at the hour of six, the hour of six by no means marked the end of his business day.
skullnounUS /skʌl/
the bony skeleton of the head of vertebrates
From this reading His investigation of the case of the man with the shaven skull afforded an instance of this, and even more notable was his first meeting with Major Jack Ragstaff of the Cavalry Club, a meeting which took place after the office had been closed, but which led to the unmasking of perhaps the most cunning murderer in the annals of crime.
slenderadjectiveUS /ˈslendər/
being of delicate or slender build
From this reading But even in times of leisure, at the club or theatre, fate would sometimes cast in his path the first slender thread which was ultimately to lead him into some unsuspected labyrinth, perhaps in the underworld of London, perhaps in a city of the Far East.
SomeadjectiveUS /sʌm/
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Some of Paul Harley’s most interesting cases were brought to his notice in an almost accidental way.
sometimesadverbUS /səmˈtaɪmz/
on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always
From this reading But even in times of leisure, at the club or theatre, fate would sometimes cast in his path the first slender thread which was ultimately to lead him into some unsuspected labyrinth, perhaps in the underworld of London, perhaps in a city of the Far East.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Although he closed his office in Chancery Lane sharply at the hour of six, the hour of six by no means marked the end of his business day.
theatrenounUS /ˈθiːətər/
a building where theatrical performances or motion-picture shows can be presented
From this reading But even in times of leisure, at the club or theatre, fate would sometimes cast in his path the first slender thread which was ultimately to lead him into some unsuspected labyrinth, perhaps in the underworld of London, perhaps in a city of the Far East.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading His investigation of the case of the man with the shaven skull afforded an instance of this, and even more notable was his first meeting with Major Jack Ragstaff of the Cavalry Club, a meeting which took place after the office had been closed, but which led to the unmasking of perhaps the most cunning murderer in the annals of crime.
threadverbUS /θred/
to move or cause to move in a sinuous, spiral, or circular course
From this reading But even in times of leisure, at the club or theatre, fate would sometimes cast in his path the first slender thread which was ultimately to lead him into some unsuspected labyrinth, perhaps in the underworld of London, perhaps in a city of the Far East.
timesnounUS /taɪmz/
a more or less definite period of time now or previously present
From this reading But even in times of leisure, at the club or theatre, fate would sometimes cast in his path the first slender thread which was ultimately to lead him into some unsuspected labyrinth, perhaps in the underworld of London, perhaps in a city of the Far East.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Some of Paul Harley’s most interesting cases were brought to his notice in an almost accidental way.
tookverbUS /tʊk/
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading His investigation of the case of the man with the shaven skull afforded an instance of this, and even more notable was his first meeting with Major Jack Ragstaff of the Cavalry Club, a meeting which took place after the office had been closed, but which led to the unmasking of perhaps the most cunning murderer in the annals of crime.
ultimatelyadverbUS /ˈʌltəmətli/
as the end result of a succession or process
From this reading But even in times of leisure, at the club or theatre, fate would sometimes cast in his path the first slender thread which was ultimately to lead him into some unsuspected labyrinth, perhaps in the underworld of London, perhaps in a city of the Far East.
underworldnounUS /ˈʌndərwɜːrld/
the criminal class
From this reading But even in times of leisure, at the club or theatre, fate would sometimes cast in his path the first slender thread which was ultimately to lead him into some unsuspected labyrinth, perhaps in the underworld of London, perhaps in a city of the Far East.
unmaskingnoun
the exposure of an impostor or a fraud
From this reading His investigation of the case of the man with the shaven skull afforded an instance of this, and even more notable was his first meeting with Major Jack Ragstaff of the Cavalry Club, a meeting which took place after the office had been closed, but which led to the unmasking of perhaps the most cunning murderer in the annals of crime.
unsuspectedadjectiveUS /ˌʌnsəˈspektɪd/
not suspected or believed likely
From this reading But even in times of leisure, at the club or theatre, fate would sometimes cast in his path the first slender thread which was ultimately to lead him into some unsuspected labyrinth, perhaps in the underworld of London, perhaps in a city of the Far East.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading His work was practically ceaseless.
waynounUS /weɪ/
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Some of Paul Harley’s most interesting cases were brought to his notice in an almost accidental way.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Some of Paul Harley’s most interesting cases were brought to his notice in an almost accidental way.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading But even in times of leisure, at the club or theatre, fate would sometimes cast in his path the first slender thread which was ultimately to lead him into some unsuspected labyrinth, perhaps in the underworld of London, perhaps in a city of the Far East.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading His investigation of the case of the man with the shaven skull afforded an instance of this, and even more notable was his first meeting with Major Jack Ragstaff of the Cavalry Club, a meeting which took place after the office had been closed, but which led to the unmasking of perhaps the most cunning murderer in the annals of crime.
workverbUS /wɜːrk/
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading His work was practically ceaseless.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading But even in times of leisure, at the club or theatre, fate would sometimes cast in his path the first slender thread which was ultimately to lead him into some unsuspected labyrinth, perhaps in the underworld of London, perhaps in a city of the Far East.
