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My friend the murderer, and other mysteries and adventures
My friend the murderer, and other mysteries and adventures

Chapter I

Chapter 1 of My friend the murderer, and other mysteries and adventures is here in full — 435 sentences across 87 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

By Arthur Conan Doyle • Curated US English Learning Edition
Cover illustration for My friend the murderer, and other mysteries and adventures
Context Illustration Reading 1/87 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Obvious errors and omissions in punctuation have been fixed.
The book was published in 1893.
AUTHOR OF “THE WHITE COMPANY,” “THE FIRM OF GIRDLESTONE,” ETC., ETC.
UNITED STATES BOOK COMPANY.
[_All rights reserved._] “Number 43 is no better, Doctor,” said the head-warder, in a slightly reproachful accent, looking in round the corner of my door.
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Speed 0.75x
AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

My friend the murderer, and other mysteries and adventures

Chapter I

Chapter 1 of My friend the murderer, and other mysteries and adventures is here in full — 435 sentences across 87 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/87 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Obvious errors and omissions in punctuation have been fixed.
/ˈɑːbviəs ˈerərz ənd oʊˈmɪʃənz ɪn ˌpʌŋktʃuːˈeɪʃən hæv bɪn fɪkst/
Line 2
The book was published in 1893.
Line 3
AUTHOR OF “THE WHITE COMPANY,” “THE FIRM OF GIRDLESTONE,” ETC., ETC.
Line 4
UNITED STATES BOOK COMPANY.
/juːˈnaɪtɪd steɪts bʊk ˈkʌmpəniː/
Line 5
[_All rights reserved._] “Number 43 is no better, Doctor,” said the head-warder, in a slightly reproachful accent, looking in round the corner of my door.

Learner Dictionary

These definitions explain words found in the current reading and keep every example grounded in its original sentence.

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

accent noun US /əkˈsent/

distinctive manner of oral expression

From this reading “[_All rights reserved._] “Number 43 is no better, Doctor,” said the head-warder, in a slightly reproachful accent, looking in round the corner of my door.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
errors noun US /ˈerərz/

plural of “error” — a wrong action attributable to bad judgment or ignorance or inattention

From this reading “Obvious errors and omissions in punctuation have been fixed.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
Obvious adjective US /ˈɑːbviəs/

easily perceived by the senses or grasped by the mind

From this reading “Obvious errors and omissions in punctuation have been fixed.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
omissions noun US /oʊˈmɪʃənz/

plural of “omission” — a mistake resulting from neglect

From this reading “Obvious errors and omissions in punctuation have been fixed.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
published adjective US /ˈpʌblɪʃt/

prepared and printed for distribution and sale

From this reading “The book was published in 1893.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
punctuation noun US /ˌpʌŋktʃuːˈeɪʃən/

something that makes repeated and regular interruptions or divisions

From this reading “Obvious errors and omissions in punctuation have been fixed.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
reserved adjective US /rɪˈzɜːrvd/

set aside for the use of a particular person or party

From this reading “[_All rights reserved._] “Number 43 is no better, Doctor,” said the head-warder, in a slightly reproachful accent, looking in round the corner of my door.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
rights noun US /raɪts/

plural of “right” — an abstract idea of that which is due to a person or governmental body by law or tradition or nature

From this reading “[_All rights reserved._] “Number 43 is no better, Doctor,” said the head-warder, in a slightly reproachful accent, looking in round the corner of my door.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1

All words in this reading · 43

Every word in these five lines is listed here, and every one of them can be played on its own.

Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

1893

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

From this reading The book was published in 1893.

Pending verification
43

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

From this reading [_All rights reserved._] “Number 43 is no better, Doctor,” said the head-warder, in a slightly reproachful accent, looking in round the corner of my door.

Pending verification
adeterminerUS /ə/

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

From this reading [_All rights reserved._] “Number 43 is no better, Doctor,” said the head-warder, in a slightly reproachful accent, looking in round the corner of my door.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
accentnounUS /əkˈsent/

distinctive manner of oral expression

From this reading [_All rights reserved._] “Number 43 is no better, Doctor,” said the head-warder, in a slightly reproachful accent, looking in round the corner of my door.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
AlladjectiveUS /ɔːl/

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading [_All rights reserved._] “Number 43 is no better, Doctor,” said the head-warder, in a slightly reproachful accent, looking in round the corner of my door.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Obvious errors and omissions in punctuation have been fixed.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
AUTHORnounUS /ˈɔːθər/

writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)

From this reading AUTHOR OF “THE WHITE COMPANY,” “THE FIRM OF GIRDLESTONE,” ETC., ETC.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Obvious errors and omissions in punctuation have been fixed.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
betteradjectiveUS /ˈbetər/

(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another

From this reading [_All rights reserved._] “Number 43 is no better, Doctor,” said the head-warder, in a slightly reproachful accent, looking in round the corner of my door.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
booknounUS /bʊk/

a written work or composition that has been published (printed on pages bound together)

From this reading The book was published in 1893.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
COMPANYnounUS /ˈkʌmpəniː/

an institution created to conduct business

From this reading AUTHOR OF “THE WHITE COMPANY,” “THE FIRM OF GIRDLESTONE,” ETC., ETC.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
cornernounUS /ˈkɔːrnər/

a place off to the side of an area

From this reading [_All rights reserved._] “Number 43 is no better, Doctor,” said the head-warder, in a slightly reproachful accent, looking in round the corner of my door.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
DoctornounUS /ˈdɑːktər/

a licensed medical practitioner

From this reading [_All rights reserved._] “Number 43 is no better, Doctor,” said the head-warder, in a slightly reproachful accent, looking in round the corner of my door.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
doornounUS /dɔːr/

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

From this reading [_All rights reserved._] “Number 43 is no better, Doctor,” said the head-warder, in a slightly reproachful accent, looking in round the corner of my door.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
errorsnounUS /ˈerərz/

plural of “error” — a wrong action attributable to bad judgment or ignorance or inattention

From this reading Obvious errors and omissions in punctuation have been fixed.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
ETC

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

From this reading AUTHOR OF “THE WHITE COMPANY,” “THE FIRM OF GIRDLESTONE,” ETC., ETC.

Pending verification
FIRMadjectiveUS /fɜːrm/

marked by firm determination or resolution; not shakable

From this reading AUTHOR OF “THE WHITE COMPANY,” “THE FIRM OF GIRDLESTONE,” ETC., ETC.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
fixedadjectiveUS /fɪkst/

(of a number) having a fixed and unchanging value

From this reading Obvious errors and omissions in punctuation have been fixed.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
GIRDLESTONE

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

From this reading AUTHOR OF “THE WHITE COMPANY,” “THE FIRM OF GIRDLESTONE,” ETC., ETC.

Pending verification
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Obvious errors and omissions in punctuation have been fixed.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
head-warder

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

From this reading [_All rights reserved._] “Number 43 is no better, Doctor,” said the head-warder, in a slightly reproachful accent, looking in round the corner of my door.

Pending verification
inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Obvious errors and omissions in punctuation have been fixed.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading [_All rights reserved._] “Number 43 is no better, Doctor,” said the head-warder, in a slightly reproachful accent, looking in round the corner of my door.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
lookingnounUS /ˈlʊkɪŋ/

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

From this reading [_All rights reserved._] “Number 43 is no better, Doctor,” said the head-warder, in a slightly reproachful accent, looking in round the corner of my door.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading [_All rights reserved._] “Number 43 is no better, Doctor,” said the head-warder, in a slightly reproachful accent, looking in round the corner of my door.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading [_All rights reserved._] “Number 43 is no better, Doctor,” said the head-warder, in a slightly reproachful accent, looking in round the corner of my door.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
NumbernounUS /ˈnʌmbər/

the property possessed by a sum or total or indefinite quantity of units or individuals

From this reading [_All rights reserved._] “Number 43 is no better, Doctor,” said the head-warder, in a slightly reproachful accent, looking in round the corner of my door.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
ObviousadjectiveUS /ˈɑːbviəs/

easily perceived by the senses or grasped by the mind

From this reading Obvious errors and omissions in punctuation have been fixed.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
OFprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading AUTHOR OF “THE WHITE COMPANY,” “THE FIRM OF GIRDLESTONE,” ETC., ETC.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
omissionsnounUS /oʊˈmɪʃənz/

plural of “omission” — a mistake resulting from neglect

From this reading Obvious errors and omissions in punctuation have been fixed.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
publishedadjectiveUS /ˈpʌblɪʃt/

prepared and printed for distribution and sale

From this reading The book was published in 1893.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
punctuationnounUS /ˌpʌŋktʃuːˈeɪʃən/

something that makes repeated and regular interruptions or divisions

From this reading Obvious errors and omissions in punctuation have been fixed.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
reproachfuladjective

expressing reproof or reproach especially as a corrective

From this reading [_All rights reserved._] “Number 43 is no better, Doctor,” said the head-warder, in a slightly reproachful accent, looking in round the corner of my door.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
reservedadjectiveUS /rɪˈzɜːrvd/

set aside for the use of a particular person or party

From this reading [_All rights reserved._] “Number 43 is no better, Doctor,” said the head-warder, in a slightly reproachful accent, looking in round the corner of my door.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
rightsnounUS /raɪts/

plural of “right” — an abstract idea of that which is due to a person or governmental body by law or tradition or nature

From this reading [_All rights reserved._] “Number 43 is no better, Doctor,” said the head-warder, in a slightly reproachful accent, looking in round the corner of my door.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
roundnounUS /raʊnd/

a charge of ammunition for a single shot

From this reading [_All rights reserved._] “Number 43 is no better, Doctor,” said the head-warder, in a slightly reproachful accent, looking in round the corner of my door.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
saidadjectiveUS /sed/

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading [_All rights reserved._] “Number 43 is no better, Doctor,” said the head-warder, in a slightly reproachful accent, looking in round the corner of my door.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
slightlyadverbUS /ˈslaɪtli/

to a small degree or extent

From this reading [_All rights reserved._] “Number 43 is no better, Doctor,” said the head-warder, in a slightly reproachful accent, looking in round the corner of my door.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
STATESnounUS /steɪts/

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

From this reading UNITED STATES BOOK COMPANY.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading The book was published in 1893.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
UNITEDadjectiveUS /juːˈnaɪtɪd/

characterized by unity; being or joined into a single entity

From this reading UNITED STATES BOOK COMPANY.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading The book was published in 1893.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
WHITEnounUS /waɪt/

a Caucasian

From this reading AUTHOR OF “THE WHITE COMPANY,” “THE FIRM OF GIRDLESTONE,” ETC., ETC.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1

Chapter 1 of My friend the murderer, and other mysteries and adventures by Arthur Conan Doyle holds 435 sentences, grouped into 87 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the source edition, unabridged, and the chapter records which sentences cover which part of the work so that nothing is dropped. Every word can be tapped for its pronunciation and dictionary entry.

What does chapter 1 of My friend the murderer, and other mysteries and adventures contain?

Chapter 1 holds 435 sentences of My friend the murderer, and other mysteries and adventures, unabridged, divided into 87 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 1 of My friend the murderer, and other mysteries and adventures by Arthur Conan Doyle exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 435 sentences, grouped into 87 sections of at most 5 sentences so that a reader can take the chapter in steady, finishable pieces. The chapter also stores a coverage record mapping every one of its sentences to a part of the work, which is how the edition demonstrates that no line was dropped.

How do I study chapter 1 of My friend the murderer, and other mysteries and adventures?

Work through the 87 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 87 sections in this chapter is short enough to read once, hear once, and then re-read with the vocabulary in view. Tapping a word plays it alone and opens its dictionary entry with IPA, part of speech and meaning, so the reader is never forced to guess a pronunciation from spelling. Working section by section keeps a long chapter from becoming an undifferentiated wall of text, which is the usual reason a reader abandons a work of this period.

Can chapter 1 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 1 can be played aloud in United States English.

Audio covers the whole chapter: any sentence can be played, and any single word within it can be played on its own. The voice uses United States English. For a work of this period that matters, because spelling is an unreliable guide to pronunciation for vocabulary that has fallen out of daily use, and a learner who guesses wrong tends to keep the error. Hearing the word in its own sentence, and then alone, settles it.

Questions about reading My friend the murderer, and other mysteries and adventures

Common questions about reading My friend the murderer, and other mysteries and adventures by Arthur Conan Doyle on this page, its source edition and its audio.

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Yes. All 0 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #? are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

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Project Gutenberg eBook #?, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

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About 5 minutes of reading across 0 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

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Vocabulary met early in My friend the murderer, and other mysteries and adventures

Words and structures a reader meets early in My friend the murderer, and other mysteries and adventures, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Chapter 1
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Chapter 2
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Chapter 3
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