Chapter XIV · Chapter 14

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

From this reading THREE O'CLOCK IN THE MORNING Evans, the police captain of the 23rd Precinct, had a fairly long story to hear from McCulloch.

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

From this reading In the first instance, he would have done well had he taken the advice given by Devar during the halt at 42nd Street, and arrested the supposed "Anatole" then and there; secondly, he might have secured corroborative evidence of the cleansing of parts of the automobile--evidence now destroyed by the waters of the Hudson; and, thirdly, he should have asked Brodie to intercept the fugitive long before it became possible to plunge the car into the river.

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

From this reading THREE O'CLOCK IN THE MORNING Evans, the police captain of the 23rd Precinct, had a fairly long story to hear from McCulloch.

(sentence connectors) because of the reason given

From this reading "All I can say is, I sized up the situation and acted accordingly," he commented ruefully.

past form of “act” — perform an action, or work out or perform (an action)

From this reading "All I can say is, I sized up the situation and acted accordingly," he commented ruefully.

a proposal for an appropriate course of action

From this reading In the first instance, he would have done well had he taken the advice given by Devar during the halt at 42nd Street, and arrested the supposed "Anatole" then and there; secondly, he might have secured corroborative evidence of the cleansing of parts of the automobile--evidence now destroyed by the waters of the Hudson; and, thirdly, he should have asked Brodie to intercept the fugitive long before it became possible to plunge the car into the river.

(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 I can say is, I sized up the situation and acted accordingly," he commented ruefully.

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

From this reading In the first instance, he would have done well had he taken the advice given by Devar during the halt at 42nd Street, and arrested the supposed "Anatole" then and there; secondly, he might have secured corroborative evidence of the cleansing of parts of the automobile--evidence now destroyed by the waters of the Hudson; and, thirdly, he should have asked Brodie to intercept the fugitive long before it became possible to plunge the car into the river.

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

From this reading In the first instance, he would have done well had he taken the advice given by Devar during the halt at 42nd Street, and arrested the supposed "Anatole" then and there; secondly, he might have secured corroborative evidence of the cleansing of parts of the automobile--evidence now destroyed by the waters of the Hudson; and, thirdly, he should have asked Brodie to intercept the fugitive long before it became possible to plunge the car into the river.

past form of “arrest” — take into custody

From this reading In the first instance, he would have done well had he taken the advice given by Devar during the halt at 42nd Street, and arrested the supposed "Anatole" then and there; secondly, he might have secured corroborative evidence of the cleansing of parts of the automobile--evidence now destroyed by the waters of the Hudson; and, thirdly, he should have asked Brodie to intercept the fugitive long before it became possible to plunge the car into the river.

past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody

From this reading In the first instance, he would have done well had he taken the advice given by Devar during the halt at 42nd Street, and arrested the supposed "Anatole" then and there; secondly, he might have secured corroborative evidence of the cleansing of parts of the automobile--evidence now destroyed by the waters of the Hudson; and, thirdly, he should have asked Brodie to intercept the fugitive long before it became possible to plunge the car into the river.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading In the first instance, he would have done well had he taken the advice given by Devar during the halt at 42nd Street, and arrested the supposed "Anatole" then and there; secondly, he might have secured corroborative evidence of the cleansing of parts of the automobile--evidence now destroyed by the waters of the Hudson; and, thirdly, he should have asked Brodie to intercept the fugitive long before it became possible to plunge the car into the river.

a motor vehicle with four wheels; usually propelled by an internal combustion engine

From this reading In the first instance, he would have done well had he taken the advice given by Devar during the halt at 42nd Street, and arrested the supposed "Anatole" then and there; secondly, he might have secured corroborative evidence of the cleansing of parts of the automobile--evidence now destroyed by the waters of the Hudson; and, thirdly, he should have asked Brodie to intercept the fugitive long before it became possible to plunge the car into the river.

inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition

From this reading In the first instance, he would have done well had he taken the advice given by Devar during the halt at 42nd Street, and arrested the supposed "Anatole" then and there; secondly, he might have secured corroborative evidence of the cleansing of parts of the automobile--evidence now destroyed by the waters of the Hudson; and, thirdly, he should have asked Brodie to intercept the fugitive long before it became possible to plunge the car into the river.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading In the first instance, he would have done well had he taken the advice given by Devar during the halt at 42nd Street, and arrested the supposed "Anatole" then and there; secondly, he might have secured corroborative evidence of the cleansing of parts of the automobile--evidence now destroyed by the waters of the Hudson; and, thirdly, he should have asked Brodie to intercept the fugitive long before it became possible to plunge the car into the river.

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

From this reading In the first instance, he would have done well had he taken the advice given by Devar during the halt at 42nd Street, and arrested the supposed "Anatole" then and there; secondly, he might have secured corroborative evidence of the cleansing of parts of the automobile--evidence now destroyed by the waters of the Hudson; and, thirdly, he should have asked Brodie to intercept the fugitive long before it became possible to plunge the car into the river.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading In the first instance, he would have done well had he taken the advice given by Devar during the halt at 42nd Street, and arrested the supposed "Anatole" then and there; secondly, he might have secured corroborative evidence of the cleansing of parts of the automobile--evidence now destroyed by the waters of the Hudson; and, thirdly, he should have asked Brodie to intercept the fugitive long before it became possible to plunge the car into the river.

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading "All I can say is, I sized up the situation and acted accordingly," he commented ruefully.

an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant

From this reading THREE O'CLOCK IN THE MORNING Evans, the police captain of the 23rd Precinct, had a fairly long story to hear from McCulloch.

a motor vehicle with four wheels; usually propelled by an internal combustion engine

From this reading In the first instance, he would have done well had he taken the advice given by Devar during the halt at 42nd Street, and arrested the supposed "Anatole" then and there; secondly, he might have secured corroborative evidence of the cleansing of parts of the automobile--evidence now destroyed by the waters of the Hudson; and, thirdly, he should have asked Brodie to intercept the fugitive long before it became possible to plunge the car into the river.

cleansing the body by washing; especially ritual washing of e.g. hands

From this reading In the first instance, he would have done well had he taken the advice given by Devar during the halt at 42nd Street, and arrested the supposed "Anatole" then and there; secondly, he might have secured corroborative evidence of the cleansing of parts of the automobile--evidence now destroyed by the waters of the Hudson; and, thirdly, he should have asked Brodie to intercept the fugitive long before it became possible to plunge the car into the river.

past form of “comment” — make or write a comment on

From this reading "All I can say is, I sized up the situation and acted accordingly," he commented ruefully.

serving to support or corroborate

From this reading In the first instance, he would have done well had he taken the advice given by Devar during the halt at 42nd Street, and arrested the supposed "Anatole" then and there; secondly, he might have secured corroborative evidence of the cleansing of parts of the automobile--evidence now destroyed by the waters of the Hudson; and, thirdly, he should have asked Brodie to intercept the fugitive long before it became possible to plunge the car into the river.

spoiled or ruined or demolished

From this reading In the first instance, he would have done well had he taken the advice given by Devar during the halt at 42nd Street, and arrested the supposed "Anatole" then and there; secondly, he might have secured corroborative evidence of the cleansing of parts of the automobile--evidence now destroyed by the waters of the Hudson; and, thirdly, he should have asked Brodie to intercept the fugitive long before it became possible to plunge the car into the river.

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

From this reading In the first instance, he would have done well had he taken the advice given by Devar during the halt at 42nd Street, and arrested the supposed "Anatole" then and there; secondly, he might have secured corroborative evidence of the cleansing of parts of the automobile--evidence now destroyed by the waters of the Hudson; and, thirdly, he should have asked Brodie to intercept the fugitive long before it became possible to plunge the car into the river.

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading The roundsman did not spare himself in the recital.

having finished or arrived at completion

From this reading In the first instance, he would have done well had he taken the advice given by Devar during the halt at 42nd Street, and arrested the supposed "Anatole" then and there; secondly, he might have secured corroborative evidence of the cleansing of parts of the automobile--evidence now destroyed by the waters of the Hudson; and, thirdly, he should have asked Brodie to intercept the fugitive long before it became possible to plunge the car into the river.

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading In the first instance, he would have done well had he taken the advice given by Devar during the halt at 42nd Street, and arrested the supposed "Anatole" then and there; secondly, he might have secured corroborative evidence of the cleansing of parts of the automobile--evidence now destroyed by the waters of the Hudson; and, thirdly, he should have asked Brodie to intercept the fugitive long before it became possible to plunge the car into the river.

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

From this reading He pleaded guilty to three errors of judgment.

United States anatomist who identified four pituitary hormones and discovered vitamin E (1882-1971)

From this reading THREE O'CLOCK IN THE MORNING Evans, the police captain of the 23rd Precinct, had a fairly long story to hear from McCulloch.

your basis for belief or disbelief; knowledge on which to base belief

From this reading In the first instance, he would have done well had he taken the advice given by Devar during the halt at 42nd Street, and arrested the supposed "Anatole" then and there; secondly, he might have secured corroborative evidence of the cleansing of parts of the automobile--evidence now destroyed by the waters of the Hudson; and, thirdly, he should have asked Brodie to intercept the fugitive long before it became possible to plunge the car into the river.

to certain extent or degree

From this reading THREE O'CLOCK IN THE MORNING Evans, the police captain of the 23rd Precinct, had a fairly long story to hear from McCulloch.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading In the first instance, he would have done well had he taken the advice given by Devar during the halt at 42nd Street, and arrested the supposed "Anatole" then and there; secondly, he might have secured corroborative evidence of the cleansing of parts of the automobile--evidence now destroyed by the waters of the Hudson; and, thirdly, he should have asked Brodie to intercept the fugitive long before it became possible to plunge the car into the river.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading THREE O'CLOCK IN THE MORNING Evans, the police captain of the 23rd Precinct, had a fairly long story to hear from McCulloch.

someone who flees from an uncongenial situation

From this reading In the first instance, he would have done well had he taken the advice given by Devar during the halt at 42nd Street, and arrested the supposed "Anatole" then and there; secondly, he might have secured corroborative evidence of the cleansing of parts of the automobile--evidence now destroyed by the waters of the Hudson; and, thirdly, he should have asked Brodie to intercept the fugitive long before it became possible to plunge the car into the river.

acknowledged as a supposition

From this reading In the first instance, he would have done well had he taken the advice given by Devar during the halt at 42nd Street, and arrested the supposed "Anatole" then and there; secondly, he might have secured corroborative evidence of the cleansing of parts of the automobile--evidence now destroyed by the waters of the Hudson; and, thirdly, he should have asked Brodie to intercept the fugitive long before it became possible to plunge the car into the river.

responsible for or chargeable with a reprehensible act

From this reading He pleaded guilty to three errors of judgment.

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

From this reading THREE O'CLOCK IN THE MORNING Evans, the police captain of the 23rd Precinct, had a fairly long story to hear from McCulloch.

cause to stop

From this reading In the first instance, he would have done well had he taken the advice given by Devar during the halt at 42nd Street, and arrested the supposed "Anatole" then and there; secondly, he might have secured corroborative evidence of the cleansing of parts of the automobile--evidence now destroyed by the waters of the Hudson; and, thirdly, he should have asked Brodie to intercept the fugitive long before it became possible to plunge the car into the river.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading In the first instance, he would have done well had he taken the advice given by Devar during the halt at 42nd Street, and arrested the supposed "Anatole" then and there; secondly, he might have secured corroborative evidence of the cleansing of parts of the automobile--evidence now destroyed by the waters of the Hudson; and, thirdly, he should have asked Brodie to intercept the fugitive long before it became possible to plunge the car into the river.

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

From this reading He pleaded guilty to three errors of judgment.

perceive (sound) via the auditory sense

From this reading THREE O'CLOCK IN THE MORNING Evans, the police captain of the 23rd Precinct, had a fairly long story to hear from McCulloch.

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading The roundsman did not spare himself in the recital.

a New York river; flows southward into New York Bay; explored by Henry Hudson early in the 17th century

From this reading In the first instance, he would have done well had he taken the advice given by Devar during the halt at 42nd Street, and arrested the supposed "Anatole" then and there; secondly, he might have secured corroborative evidence of the cleansing of parts of the automobile--evidence now destroyed by the waters of the Hudson; and, thirdly, he should have asked Brodie to intercept the fugitive long before it became possible to plunge the car into the river.

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading "All I can say is, I sized up the situation and acted accordingly," he commented ruefully.

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

From this reading THREE O'CLOCK IN THE MORNING Evans, the police captain of the 23rd Precinct, had a fairly long story to hear from McCulloch.

an occurrence of something

From this reading In the first instance, he would have done well had he taken the advice given by Devar during the halt at 42nd Street, and arrested the supposed "Anatole" then and there; secondly, he might have secured corroborative evidence of the cleansing of parts of the automobile--evidence now destroyed by the waters of the Hudson; and, thirdly, he should have asked Brodie to intercept the fugitive long before it became possible to plunge the car into the river.

seize on its way

From this reading In the first instance, he would have done well had he taken the advice given by Devar during the halt at 42nd Street, and arrested the supposed "Anatole" then and there; secondly, he might have secured corroborative evidence of the cleansing of parts of the automobile--evidence now destroyed by the waters of the Hudson; and, thirdly, he should have asked Brodie to intercept the fugitive long before it became possible to plunge the car into the river.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading In the first instance, he would have done well had he taken the advice given by Devar during the halt at 42nd Street, and arrested the supposed "Anatole" then and there; secondly, he might have secured corroborative evidence of the cleansing of parts of the automobile--evidence now destroyed by the waters of the Hudson; and, thirdly, he should have asked Brodie to intercept the fugitive long before it became possible to plunge the car into the river.

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

From this reading "All I can say is, I sized up the situation and acted accordingly," he commented ruefully.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading In the first instance, he would have done well had he taken the advice given by Devar during the halt at 42nd Street, and arrested the supposed "Anatole" then and there; secondly, he might have secured corroborative evidence of the cleansing of parts of the automobile--evidence now destroyed by the waters of the Hudson; and, thirdly, he should have asked Brodie to intercept the fugitive long before it became possible to plunge the car into the river.

an opinion formed by judging something

From this reading He pleaded guilty to three errors of judgment.

primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified

From this reading THREE O'CLOCK IN THE MORNING Evans, the police captain of the 23rd Precinct, had a fairly long story to hear from McCulloch.

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

From this reading THREE O'CLOCK IN THE MORNING Evans, the police captain of the 23rd Precinct, had a fairly long story to hear from McCulloch.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading In the first instance, he would have done well had he taken the advice given by Devar during the halt at 42nd Street, and arrested the supposed "Anatole" then and there; secondly, he might have secured corroborative evidence of the cleansing of parts of the automobile--evidence now destroyed by the waters of the Hudson; and, thirdly, he should have asked Brodie to intercept the fugitive long before it became possible to plunge the car into the river.

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading THREE O'CLOCK IN THE MORNING Evans, the police captain of the 23rd Precinct, had a fairly long story to hear from McCulloch.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading The roundsman did not spare himself in the recital.

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

From this reading In the first instance, he would have done well had he taken the advice given by Devar during the halt at 42nd Street, and arrested the supposed "Anatole" then and there; secondly, he might have secured corroborative evidence of the cleansing of parts of the automobile--evidence now destroyed by the waters of the Hudson; and, thirdly, he should have asked Brodie to intercept the fugitive long before it became possible to plunge the car into the river.

according to the clock

From this reading THREE O'CLOCK IN THE MORNING Evans, the police captain of the 23rd Precinct, had a fairly long story to hear from McCulloch.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THREE O'CLOCK IN THE MORNING Evans, the police captain of the 23rd Precinct, had a fairly long story to hear from McCulloch.

the local environment

From this reading In the first instance, he would have done well had he taken the advice given by Devar during the halt at 42nd Street, and arrested the supposed "Anatole" then and there; secondly, he might have secured corroborative evidence of the cleansing of parts of the automobile--evidence now destroyed by the waters of the Hudson; and, thirdly, he should have asked Brodie to intercept the fugitive long before it became possible to plunge the car into the river.

past form of “plead” — appeal or request earnestly

From this reading He pleaded guilty to three errors of judgment.

thrust or throw into

From this reading In the first instance, he would have done well had he taken the advice given by Devar during the halt at 42nd Street, and arrested the supposed "Anatole" then and there; secondly, he might have secured corroborative evidence of the cleansing of parts of the automobile--evidence now destroyed by the waters of the Hudson; and, thirdly, he should have asked Brodie to intercept the fugitive long before it became possible to plunge the car into the river.

the force of policemen and officers

From this reading THREE O'CLOCK IN THE MORNING Evans, the police captain of the 23rd Precinct, had a fairly long story to hear from McCulloch.

capable of happening or existing

From this reading In the first instance, he would have done well had he taken the advice given by Devar during the halt at 42nd Street, and arrested the supposed "Anatole" then and there; secondly, he might have secured corroborative evidence of the cleansing of parts of the automobile--evidence now destroyed by the waters of the Hudson; and, thirdly, he should have asked Brodie to intercept the fugitive long before it became possible to plunge the car into the river.

a district of a city or town marked out for administrative purposes

From this reading THREE O'CLOCK IN THE MORNING Evans, the police captain of the 23rd Precinct, had a fairly long story to hear from McCulloch.

the act of giving an account describing incidents or a course of events

From this reading The roundsman did not spare himself in the recital.

a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)

From this reading In the first instance, he would have done well had he taken the advice given by Devar during the halt at 42nd Street, and arrested the supposed "Anatole" then and there; secondly, he might have secured corroborative evidence of the cleansing of parts of the automobile--evidence now destroyed by the waters of the Hudson; and, thirdly, he should have asked Brodie to intercept the fugitive long before it became possible to plunge the car into the river.

a workman employed to make rounds (to deliver goods or make inspections or so on)

From this reading The roundsman did not spare himself in the recital.

in a rueful manner

From this reading "All I can say is, I sized up the situation and acted accordingly," he commented ruefully.

express in words

From this reading "All I can say is, I sized up the situation and acted accordingly," he commented ruefully.

in the second place

From this reading In the first instance, he would have done well had he taken the advice given by Devar during the halt at 42nd Street, and arrested the supposed "Anatole" then and there; secondly, he might have secured corroborative evidence of the cleansing of parts of the automobile--evidence now destroyed by the waters of the Hudson; and, thirdly, he should have asked Brodie to intercept the fugitive long before it became possible to plunge the car into the river.

past form of “secure” — get by special effort

From this reading In the first instance, he would have done well had he taken the advice given by Devar during the halt at 42nd Street, and arrested the supposed "Anatole" then and there; secondly, he might have secured corroborative evidence of the cleansing of parts of the automobile--evidence now destroyed by the waters of the Hudson; and, thirdly, he should have asked Brodie to intercept the fugitive long before it became possible to plunge the car into the river.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading In the first instance, he would have done well had he taken the advice given by Devar during the halt at 42nd Street, and arrested the supposed "Anatole" then and there; secondly, he might have secured corroborative evidence of the cleansing of parts of the automobile--evidence now destroyed by the waters of the Hudson; and, thirdly, he should have asked Brodie to intercept the fugitive long before it became possible to plunge the car into the river.

the general state of things; the combination of circumstances at a given time

From this reading "All I can say is, I sized up the situation and acted accordingly," he commented ruefully.

having a specified size

From this reading "All I can say is, I sized up the situation and acted accordingly," he commented ruefully.

refrain from harming

From this reading The roundsman did not spare himself in the recital.

a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program

From this reading THREE O'CLOCK IN THE MORNING Evans, the police captain of the 23rd Precinct, had a fairly long story to hear from McCulloch.

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

From this reading In the first instance, he would have done well had he taken the advice given by Devar during the halt at 42nd Street, and arrested the supposed "Anatole" then and there; secondly, he might have secured corroborative evidence of the cleansing of parts of the automobile--evidence now destroyed by the waters of the Hudson; and, thirdly, he should have asked Brodie to intercept the fugitive long before it became possible to plunge the car into the river.

required or under orders

From this reading In the first instance, he would have done well had he taken the advice given by Devar during the halt at 42nd Street, and arrested the supposed "Anatole" then and there; secondly, he might have secured corroborative evidence of the cleansing of parts of the automobile--evidence now destroyed by the waters of the Hudson; and, thirdly, he should have asked Brodie to intercept the fugitive long before it became possible to plunge the car into the river.

understood in a certain way; made sense of

From this reading In the first instance, he would have done well had he taken the advice given by Devar during the halt at 42nd Street, and arrested the supposed "Anatole" then and there; secondly, he might have secured corroborative evidence of the cleansing of parts of the automobile--evidence now destroyed by the waters of the Hudson; and, thirdly, he should have asked Brodie to intercept the fugitive long before it became possible to plunge the car into the river.

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

From this reading THREE O'CLOCK IN THE MORNING Evans, the police captain of the 23rd Precinct, had a fairly long story to hear from McCulloch.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading In the first instance, he would have done well had he taken the advice given by Devar during the halt at 42nd Street, and arrested the supposed "Anatole" then and there; secondly, he might have secured corroborative evidence of the cleansing of parts of the automobile--evidence now destroyed by the waters of the Hudson; and, thirdly, he should have asked Brodie to intercept the fugitive long before it became possible to plunge the car into the river.

in or at that place or location

From this reading In the first instance, he would have done well had he taken the advice given by Devar during the halt at 42nd Street, and arrested the supposed "Anatole" then and there; secondly, he might have secured corroborative evidence of the cleansing of parts of the automobile--evidence now destroyed by the waters of the Hudson; and, thirdly, he should have asked Brodie to intercept the fugitive long before it became possible to plunge the car into the river.

in the third place

From this reading In the first instance, he would have done well had he taken the advice given by Devar during the halt at 42nd Street, and arrested the supposed "Anatole" then and there; secondly, he might have secured corroborative evidence of the cleansing of parts of the automobile--evidence now destroyed by the waters of the Hudson; and, thirdly, he should have asked Brodie to intercept the fugitive long before it became possible to plunge the car into the river.

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

From this reading THREE O'CLOCK IN THE MORNING Evans, the police captain of the 23rd Precinct, had a fairly long story to hear from McCulloch.

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

From this reading THREE O'CLOCK IN THE MORNING Evans, the police captain of the 23rd Precinct, had a fairly long story to hear from McCulloch.

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

From this reading "All I can say is, I sized up the situation and acted accordingly," he commented ruefully.

United States actress and singer (1896-1977)

From this reading In the first instance, he would have done well had he taken the advice given by Devar during the halt at 42nd Street, and arrested the supposed "Anatole" then and there; secondly, he might have secured corroborative evidence of the cleansing of parts of the automobile--evidence now destroyed by the waters of the Hudson; and, thirdly, he should have asked Brodie to intercept the fugitive long before it became possible to plunge the car into the river.

(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)

From this reading In the first instance, he would have done well had he taken the advice given by Devar during the halt at 42nd Street, and arrested the supposed "Anatole" then and there; secondly, he might have secured corroborative evidence of the cleansing of parts of the automobile--evidence now destroyed by the waters of the Hudson; and, thirdly, he should have asked Brodie to intercept the fugitive long before it became possible to plunge the car into the river.

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

From this reading In the first instance, he would have done well had he taken the advice given by Devar during the halt at 42nd Street, and arrested the supposed "Anatole" then and there; secondly, he might have secured corroborative evidence of the cleansing of parts of the automobile--evidence now destroyed by the waters of the Hudson; and, thirdly, he should have asked Brodie to intercept the fugitive long before it became possible to plunge the car into the river.