Chapter III · Nick Carter’s Plans

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

From this reading Starting with a fine spun thread, a mere film that only one man in a million would have picked up under such circumstances, Nick Carter had gradually twisted it to the size of a cord of considerable strength, of which he now aimed to make a rope with which to twist, perhaps, the necks of the culprits deserving it.

later than; following

From this reading It was after two o’clock when Nick, still in disguise and in company with Chick, left the Shelby post office.

past form of “aim” — point or cause to go (blows, weapons, or objects such as photographic equipment) towards

From this reading Starting with a fine spun thread, a mere film that only one man in a million would have picked up under such circumstances, Nick Carter had gradually twisted it to the size of a cord of considerable strength, of which he now aimed to make a rope with which to twist, perhaps, the necks of the culprits deserving it.

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

From this reading It was after two o’clock when Nick, still in disguise and in company with Chick, left the Shelby post office.

one more of the same kind, or a different one

From this reading It was then that he picked up another strand for the rope.

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

From this reading Three o’clock found them seated with Judge Barclay and President Burdick, of the S.

the two together, not just one

From this reading & O. Railway, in the magnate’s private office, to both of whom Nick had stated his discoveries and suspicions.

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

From this reading Three o’clock found them seated with Judge Barclay and President Burdick, of the S.

Englishman and Egyptologist who in 1922 discovered and excavated the tomb of Tutankhamen (1873-1939)

From this reading Starting with a fine spun thread, a mere film that only one man in a million would have picked up under such circumstances, Nick Carter had gradually twisted it to the size of a cord of considerable strength, of which he now aimed to make a rope with which to twist, perhaps, the necks of the culprits deserving it.

young bird especially of domestic fowl

From this reading It was after two o’clock when Nick, still in disguise and in company with Chick, left the Shelby post office.

your overall circumstances or condition in life (including everything that happens to you)

From this reading Starting with a fine spun thread, a mere film that only one man in a million would have picked up under such circumstances, Nick Carter had gradually twisted it to the size of a cord of considerable strength, of which he now aimed to make a rope with which to twist, perhaps, the necks of the culprits deserving it.

an institution created to conduct business

From this reading It was after two o’clock when Nick, still in disguise and in company with Chick, left the Shelby post office.

large or relatively large in number or amount or extent or degree

From this reading Starting with a fine spun thread, a mere film that only one man in a million would have picked up under such circumstances, Nick Carter had gradually twisted it to the size of a cord of considerable strength, of which he now aimed to make a rope with which to twist, perhaps, the necks of the culprits deserving it.

a line made of twisted fibers or threads

From this reading Starting with a fine spun thread, a mere film that only one man in a million would have picked up under such circumstances, Nick Carter had gradually twisted it to the size of a cord of considerable strength, of which he now aimed to make a rope with which to twist, perhaps, the necks of the culprits deserving it.

plural of “culprit” — someone who perpetrates wrongdoing

From this reading Starting with a fine spun thread, a mere film that only one man in a million would have picked up under such circumstances, Nick Carter had gradually twisted it to the size of a cord of considerable strength, of which he now aimed to make a rope with which to twist, perhaps, the necks of the culprits deserving it.

(often used ironically) worthy of being treated in a particular way

From this reading Starting with a fine spun thread, a mere film that only one man in a million would have picked up under such circumstances, Nick Carter had gradually twisted it to the size of a cord of considerable strength, of which he now aimed to make a rope with which to twist, perhaps, the necks of the culprits deserving it.

plural of “discovery” — the act of discovering something

From this reading & O. Railway, in the magnate’s private office, to both of whom Nick had stated his discoveries and suspicions.

A means of altering one's appearance to conceal one's identity.

From this reading It was after two o’clock when Nick, still in disguise and in company with Chick, left the Shelby post office.

a form of entertainment that enacts a story by sound and a sequence of images giving the illusion of continuous movement

From this reading Starting with a fine spun thread, a mere film that only one man in a million would have picked up under such circumstances, Nick Carter had gradually twisted it to the size of a cord of considerable strength, of which he now aimed to make a rope with which to twist, perhaps, the necks of the culprits deserving it.

being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition

From this reading Starting with a fine spun thread, a mere film that only one man in a million would have picked up under such circumstances, Nick Carter had gradually twisted it to the size of a cord of considerable strength, of which he now aimed to make a rope with which to twist, perhaps, the necks of the culprits deserving it.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading It was then that he picked up another strand for the rope.

set up or found

From this reading Three o’clock found them seated with Judge Barclay and President Burdick, of the S.

in a gradual manner

From this reading Starting with a fine spun thread, a mere film that only one man in a million would have picked up under such circumstances, Nick Carter had gradually twisted it to the size of a cord of considerable strength, of which he now aimed to make a rope with which to twist, perhaps, the necks of the culprits deserving it.

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

From this reading Starting with a fine spun thread, a mere film that only one man in a million would have picked up under such circumstances, Nick Carter had gradually twisted it to the size of a cord of considerable strength, of which he now aimed to make a rope with which to twist, perhaps, the necks of the culprits deserving it.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Starting with a fine spun thread, a mere film that only one man in a million would have picked up under such circumstances, Nick Carter had gradually twisted it to the size of a cord of considerable strength, of which he now aimed to make a rope with which to twist, perhaps, the necks of the culprits deserving it.

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

From this reading Starting with a fine spun thread, a mere film that only one man in a million would have picked up under such circumstances, Nick Carter had gradually twisted it to the size of a cord of considerable strength, of which he now aimed to make a rope with which to twist, perhaps, the necks of the culprits deserving it.

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

From this reading & O. Railway, in the magnate’s private office, to both of whom Nick had stated his discoveries and suspicions.

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

From this reading Starting with a fine spun thread, a mere film that only one man in a million would have picked up under such circumstances, Nick Carter had gradually twisted it to the size of a cord of considerable strength, of which he now aimed to make a rope with which to twist, perhaps, the necks of the culprits deserving it.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Starting with a fine spun thread, a mere film that only one man in a million would have picked up under such circumstances, Nick Carter had gradually twisted it to the size of a cord of considerable strength, of which he now aimed to make a rope with which to twist, perhaps, the necks of the culprits deserving it.

determine the result of (a competition)

From this reading Three o’clock found them seated with Judge Barclay and President Burdick, of the S.

location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east

From this reading It was after two o’clock when Nick, still in disguise and in company with Chick, left the Shelby post office.

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

From this reading & O. Railway, in the magnate’s private office, to both of whom Nick had stated his discoveries and suspicions.

engage in

From this reading Starting with a fine spun thread, a mere film that only one man in a million would have picked up under such circumstances, Nick Carter had gradually twisted it to the size of a cord of considerable strength, of which he now aimed to make a rope with which to twist, perhaps, the necks of the culprits deserving it.

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

From this reading Starting with a fine spun thread, a mere film that only one man in a million would have picked up under such circumstances, Nick Carter had gradually twisted it to the size of a cord of considerable strength, of which he now aimed to make a rope with which to twist, perhaps, the necks of the culprits deserving it.

being nothing more than specified

From this reading Starting with a fine spun thread, a mere film that only one man in a million would have picked up under such circumstances, Nick Carter had gradually twisted it to the size of a cord of considerable strength, of which he now aimed to make a rope with which to twist, perhaps, the necks of the culprits deserving it.

the number that is represented as a one followed by 6 zeros

From this reading Starting with a fine spun thread, a mere film that only one man in a million would have picked up under such circumstances, Nick Carter had gradually twisted it to the size of a cord of considerable strength, of which he now aimed to make a rope with which to twist, perhaps, the necks of the culprits deserving it.

plural of “neck” — the part of an organism (human or animal) that connects the head to the rest of the body

From this reading Starting with a fine spun thread, a mere film that only one man in a million would have picked up under such circumstances, Nick Carter had gradually twisted it to the size of a cord of considerable strength, of which he now aimed to make a rope with which to twist, perhaps, the necks of the culprits deserving it.

cut slightly, with a razor

From this reading Starting with a fine spun thread, a mere film that only one man in a million would have picked up under such circumstances, Nick Carter had gradually twisted it to the size of a cord of considerable strength, of which he now aimed to make a rope with which to twist, perhaps, the necks of the culprits deserving it.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading Starting with a fine spun thread, a mere film that only one man in a million would have picked up under such circumstances, Nick Carter had gradually twisted it to the size of a cord of considerable strength, of which he now aimed to make a rope with which to twist, perhaps, the necks of the culprits deserving it.

a nonmetallic bivalent element that is normally a colorless odorless tasteless nonflammable diatomic gas; constitutes 21 percent of the atmosphere by volume; the most abundant element in the earth's crust

From this reading & O. Railway, in the magnate’s private office, to both of whom Nick had stated his discoveries and suspicions.

according to the clock

From this reading It was after two o’clock when Nick, still in disguise and in company with Chick, left the Shelby post office.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Starting with a fine spun thread, a mere film that only one man in a million would have picked up under such circumstances, Nick Carter had gradually twisted it to the size of a cord of considerable strength, of which he now aimed to make a rope with which to twist, perhaps, the necks of the culprits deserving it.

place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed

From this reading It was after two o’clock when Nick, still in disguise and in company with Chick, left the Shelby post office.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Starting with a fine spun thread, a mere film that only one man in a million would have picked up under such circumstances, Nick Carter had gradually twisted it to the size of a cord of considerable strength, of which he now aimed to make a rope with which to twist, perhaps, the necks of the culprits deserving it.

and nothing more

From this reading Starting with a fine spun thread, a mere film that only one man in a million would have picked up under such circumstances, Nick Carter had gradually twisted it to the size of a cord of considerable strength, of which he now aimed to make a rope with which to twist, perhaps, the necks of the culprits deserving it.

by chance

From this reading Starting with a fine spun thread, a mere film that only one man in a million would have picked up under such circumstances, Nick Carter had gradually twisted it to the size of a cord of considerable strength, of which he now aimed to make a rope with which to twist, perhaps, the necks of the culprits deserving it.

past form of “pick” — select carefully from a group

From this reading Starting with a fine spun thread, a mere film that only one man in a million would have picked up under such circumstances, Nick Carter had gradually twisted it to the size of a cord of considerable strength, of which he now aimed to make a rope with which to twist, perhaps, the necks of the culprits deserving it.

affix in a public place or for public notice

From this reading It was after two o’clock when Nick, still in disguise and in company with Chick, left the Shelby post office.

an executive officer of a firm or corporation

From this reading Three o’clock found them seated with Judge Barclay and President Burdick, of the S.

confined to particular persons or groups or providing privacy

From this reading & O. Railway, in the magnate’s private office, to both of whom Nick had stated his discoveries and suspicions.

line that is the commercial organization responsible for operating a system of transportation for trains that pull passengers or freight

From this reading & O. Railway, in the magnate’s private office, to both of whom Nick had stated his discoveries and suspicions.

a strong line

From this reading Starting with a fine spun thread, a mere film that only one man in a million would have picked up under such circumstances, Nick Carter had gradually twisted it to the size of a cord of considerable strength, of which he now aimed to make a rope with which to twist, perhaps, the necks of the culprits deserving it.

1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites

From this reading Three o’clock found them seated with Judge Barclay and President Burdick, of the S.

(of persons) having the torso erect and legs bent with the body supported on the buttocks

From this reading Three o’clock found them seated with Judge Barclay and President Burdick, of the S.

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

From this reading It was after two o’clock when Nick, still in disguise and in company with Chick, left the Shelby post office.

the physical magnitude of something (how big it is)

From this reading Starting with a fine spun thread, a mere film that only one man in a million would have picked up under such circumstances, Nick Carter had gradually twisted it to the size of a cord of considerable strength, of which he now aimed to make a rope with which to twist, perhaps, the necks of the culprits deserving it.

inflected form of “spin” — revolve quickly and repeatedly around one's own axis

From this reading Starting with a fine spun thread, a mere film that only one man in a million would have picked up under such circumstances, Nick Carter had gradually twisted it to the size of a cord of considerable strength, of which he now aimed to make a rope with which to twist, perhaps, the necks of the culprits deserving it.

(especially of eyes) bulging or protruding as with fear

From this reading Starting with a fine spun thread, a mere film that only one man in a million would have picked up under such circumstances, Nick Carter had gradually twisted it to the size of a cord of considerable strength, of which he now aimed to make a rope with which to twist, perhaps, the necks of the culprits deserving it.

declared as fact; explicitly stated

From this reading & O. Railway, in the magnate’s private office, to both of whom Nick had stated his discoveries and suspicions.

not in physical motion

From this reading It was after two o’clock when Nick, still in disguise and in company with Chick, left the Shelby post office.

a pattern forming a unity within a larger structural whole

From this reading It was then that he picked up another strand for the rope.

the property of being physically or mentally strong

From this reading Starting with a fine spun thread, a mere film that only one man in a million would have picked up under such circumstances, Nick Carter had gradually twisted it to the size of a cord of considerable strength, of which he now aimed to make a rope with which to twist, perhaps, the necks of the culprits deserving it.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading Starting with a fine spun thread, a mere film that only one man in a million would have picked up under such circumstances, Nick Carter had gradually twisted it to the size of a cord of considerable strength, of which he now aimed to make a rope with which to twist, perhaps, the necks of the culprits deserving it.

plural of “suspicion” — an impression that something might be the case

From this reading & O. Railway, in the magnate’s private office, to both of whom Nick had stated his discoveries and suspicions.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Starting with a fine spun thread, a mere film that only one man in a million would have picked up under such circumstances, Nick Carter had gradually twisted it to the size of a cord of considerable strength, of which he now aimed to make a rope with which to twist, perhaps, the necks of the culprits deserving it.

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

From this reading Starting with a fine spun thread, a mere film that only one man in a million would have picked up under such circumstances, Nick Carter had gradually twisted it to the size of a cord of considerable strength, of which he now aimed to make a rope with which to twist, perhaps, the necks of the culprits deserving it.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Three o’clock found them seated with Judge Barclay and President Burdick, of the S.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading It was then that he picked up another strand for the rope.

to move or cause to move in a sinuous, spiral, or circular course

From this reading Starting with a fine spun thread, a mere film that only one man in a million would have picked up under such circumstances, Nick Carter had gradually twisted it to the size of a cord of considerable strength, of which he now aimed to make a rope with which to twist, perhaps, the necks of the culprits deserving it.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one

From this reading Three o’clock found them seated with Judge Barclay and President Burdick, of the S.

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

From this reading Starting with a fine spun thread, a mere film that only one man in a million would have picked up under such circumstances, Nick Carter had gradually twisted it to the size of a cord of considerable strength, of which he now aimed to make a rope with which to twist, perhaps, the necks of the culprits deserving it.

to move in a twisting or contorted motion, (especially when struggling)

From this reading Starting with a fine spun thread, a mere film that only one man in a million would have picked up under such circumstances, Nick Carter had gradually twisted it to the size of a cord of considerable strength, of which he now aimed to make a rope with which to twist, perhaps, the necks of the culprits deserving it.

having an intended meaning altered or misrepresented

From this reading Starting with a fine spun thread, a mere film that only one man in a million would have picked up under such circumstances, Nick Carter had gradually twisted it to the size of a cord of considerable strength, of which he now aimed to make a rope with which to twist, perhaps, the necks of the culprits deserving it.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading It was after two o’clock when Nick, still in disguise and in company with Chick, left the Shelby post office.

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading Starting with a fine spun thread, a mere film that only one man in a million would have picked up under such circumstances, Nick Carter had gradually twisted it to the size of a cord of considerable strength, of which he now aimed to make a rope with which to twist, perhaps, the necks of the culprits deserving it.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading Starting with a fine spun thread, a mere film that only one man in a million would have picked up under such circumstances, Nick Carter had gradually twisted it to the size of a cord of considerable strength, of which he now aimed to make a rope with which to twist, perhaps, the necks of the culprits deserving it.

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

From this reading It was after two o’clock when Nick, still in disguise and in company with Chick, left the Shelby post office.

at the time that

From this reading It was after two o’clock when Nick, still in disguise and in company with Chick, left the Shelby post office.

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

From this reading Starting with a fine spun thread, a mere film that only one man in a million would have picked up under such circumstances, Nick Carter had gradually twisted it to the size of a cord of considerable strength, of which he now aimed to make a rope with which to twist, perhaps, the necks of the culprits deserving it.

the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading & O. Railway, in the magnate’s private office, to both of whom Nick had stated his discoveries and suspicions.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Starting with a fine spun thread, a mere film that only one man in a million would have picked up under such circumstances, Nick Carter had gradually twisted it to the size of a cord of considerable strength, of which he now aimed to make a rope with which to twist, perhaps, the necks of the culprits deserving it.

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

From this reading Starting with a fine spun thread, a mere film that only one man in a million would have picked up under such circumstances, Nick Carter had gradually twisted it to the size of a cord of considerable strength, of which he now aimed to make a rope with which to twist, perhaps, the necks of the culprits deserving it.