Chapter XVI

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

From this reading But he had heard nothing of Wing since his departure: it would scarcely be Wing's method, he said, to communicate with him by letter; when he had anything to tell, he would either return or act, of his own initiative, upon his acquired information: the way of the Chinaman, he remarked with a knowing look at Mr. Raven, was dark, subtle, and not easily understandable to Western minds.

gotten through environmental forces

From this reading But he had heard nothing of Wing since his departure: it would scarcely be Wing's method, he said, to communicate with him by letter; when he had anything to tell, he would either return or act, of his own initiative, upon his acquired information: the way of the Chinaman, he remarked with a knowing look at Mr. Raven, was dark, subtle, and not easily understandable to Western minds.

perform an action, or work out or perform (an action)

From this reading But he had heard nothing of Wing since his departure: it would scarcely be Wing's method, he said, to communicate with him by letter; when he had anything to tell, he would either return or act, of his own initiative, upon his acquired information: the way of the Chinaman, he remarked with a knowing look at Mr. Raven, was dark, subtle, and not easily understandable to Western minds.

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

From this reading THE PATHLESS WOOD Being very late in the evening when I arrived at Alnwick, I remained there for that night, and it was not until noon of the next day that I once more reached Ravensdene Court.

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

From this reading THE PATHLESS WOOD Being very late in the evening when I arrived at Alnwick, I remained there for that night, and it was not until noon of the next day that I once more reached Ravensdene Court.

any thing at all

From this reading But he had heard nothing of Wing since his departure: it would scarcely be Wing's method, he said, to communicate with him by letter; when he had anything to tell, he would either return or act, of his own initiative, upon his acquired information: the way of the Chinaman, he remarked with a knowing look at Mr. Raven, was dark, subtle, and not easily understandable to Western minds.

past form of “arrive” — reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress

From this reading THE PATHLESS WOOD Being very late in the evening when I arrived at Alnwick, I remained there for that night, and it was not until noon of the next day that I once more reached Ravensdene Court.

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

From this reading "And yourself, Middlebrook?" asked Mr. Raven.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading THE PATHLESS WOOD Being very late in the evening when I arrived at Alnwick, I remained there for that night, and it was not until noon of the next day that I once more reached Ravensdene Court.

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

From this reading But he had heard nothing of Wing since his departure: it would scarcely be Wing's method, he said, to communicate with him by letter; when he had anything to tell, he would either return or act, of his own initiative, upon his acquired information: the way of the Chinaman, he remarked with a knowing look at Mr. Raven, was dark, subtle, and not easily understandable to Western minds.

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading THE PATHLESS WOOD Being very late in the evening when I arrived at Alnwick, I remained there for that night, and it was not until noon of the next day that I once more reached Ravensdene Court.

inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere

From this reading Lorrimore was there, he had come over to lunch, and for the moment I hoped that he had brought some news from his Chinese servant.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But he had heard nothing of Wing since his departure: it would scarcely be Wing's method, he said, to communicate with him by letter; when he had anything to tell, he would either return or act, of his own initiative, upon his acquired information: the way of the Chinaman, he remarked with a knowing look at Mr. Raven, was dark, subtle, and not easily understandable to Western minds.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading But he had heard nothing of Wing since his departure: it would scarcely be Wing's method, he said, to communicate with him by letter; when he had anything to tell, he would either return or act, of his own initiative, upon his acquired information: the way of the Chinaman, he remarked with a knowing look at Mr. Raven, was dark, subtle, and not easily understandable to Western minds.

(ethnic slur) offensive term for a person of Chinese descent

From this reading But he had heard nothing of Wing since his departure: it would scarcely be Wing's method, he said, to communicate with him by letter; when he had anything to tell, he would either return or act, of his own initiative, upon his acquired information: the way of the Chinaman, he remarked with a knowing look at Mr. Raven, was dark, subtle, and not easily understandable to Western minds.

any of the Sino-Tibetan languages spoken in China; regarded as dialects of a single language (even though they are mutually unintelligible) because they share an ideographic writing system

From this reading Lorrimore was there, he had come over to lunch, and for the moment I hoped that he had brought some news from his Chinese servant.

move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading Lorrimore was there, he had come over to lunch, and for the moment I hoped that he had brought some news from his Chinese servant.

transmit information

From this reading But he had heard nothing of Wing since his departure: it would scarcely be Wing's method, he said, to communicate with him by letter; when he had anything to tell, he would either return or act, of his own initiative, upon his acquired information: the way of the Chinaman, he remarked with a knowing look at Mr. Raven, was dark, subtle, and not easily understandable to Western minds.

an assembly (including one or more judges) to conduct judicial business

From this reading THE PATHLESS WOOD Being very late in the evening when I arrived at Alnwick, I remained there for that night, and it was not until noon of the next day that I once more reached Ravensdene Court.

absence of light or illumination

From this reading But he had heard nothing of Wing since his departure: it would scarcely be Wing's method, he said, to communicate with him by letter; when he had anything to tell, he would either return or act, of his own initiative, upon his acquired information: the way of the Chinaman, he remarked with a knowing look at Mr. Raven, was dark, subtle, and not easily understandable to Western minds.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading THE PATHLESS WOOD Being very late in the evening when I arrived at Alnwick, I remained there for that night, and it was not until noon of the next day that I once more reached Ravensdene Court.

the act of departing

From this reading But he had heard nothing of Wing since his departure: it would scarcely be Wing's method, he said, to communicate with him by letter; when he had anything to tell, he would either return or act, of his own initiative, upon his acquired information: the way of the Chinaman, he remarked with a knowing look at Mr. Raven, was dark, subtle, and not easily understandable to Western minds.

a police officer who investigates crimes

From this reading "What did the detective want, and what have you found out?"

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

From this reading "What did the detective want, and what have you found out?"

with ease (“easy” is sometimes used informally for “easily”)

From this reading But he had heard nothing of Wing since his departure: it would scarcely be Wing's method, he said, to communicate with him by letter; when he had anything to tell, he would either return or act, of his own initiative, upon his acquired information: the way of the Chinaman, he remarked with a knowing look at Mr. Raven, was dark, subtle, and not easily understandable to Western minds.

one or the other of two

From this reading But he had heard nothing of Wing since his departure: it would scarcely be Wing's method, he said, to communicate with him by letter; when he had anything to tell, he would either return or act, of his own initiative, upon his acquired information: the way of the Chinaman, he remarked with a knowing look at Mr. Raven, was dark, subtle, and not easily understandable to Western minds.

the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)

From this reading THE PATHLESS WOOD Being very late in the evening when I arrived at Alnwick, I remained there for that night, and it was not until noon of the next day that I once more reached Ravensdene Court.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading THE PATHLESS WOOD Being very late in the evening when I arrived at Alnwick, I remained there for that night, and it was not until noon of the next day that I once more reached Ravensdene Court.

set up or found

From this reading "What did the detective want, and what have you found out?"

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Lorrimore was there, he had come over to lunch, and for the moment I hoped that he had brought some news from his Chinese servant.

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

From this reading Lorrimore was there, he had come over to lunch, and for the moment I hoped that he had brought some news from his Chinese servant.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading "What did the detective want, and what have you found out?"

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

From this reading Lorrimore was there, he had come over to lunch, and for the moment I hoped that he had brought some news from his Chinese servant.

detected or perceived by the sense of hearing

From this reading But he had heard nothing of Wing since his departure: it would scarcely be Wing's method, he said, to communicate with him by letter; when he had anything to tell, he would either return or act, of his own initiative, upon his acquired information: the way of the Chinaman, he remarked with a knowing look at Mr. Raven, was dark, subtle, and not easily understandable to Western minds.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading But he had heard nothing of Wing since his departure: it would scarcely be Wing's method, he said, to communicate with him by letter; when he had anything to tell, he would either return or act, of his own initiative, upon his acquired information: the way of the Chinaman, he remarked with a knowing look at Mr. Raven, was dark, subtle, and not easily understandable to Western minds.

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

From this reading Lorrimore was there, he had come over to lunch, and for the moment I hoped that he had brought some news from his Chinese servant.

past form of “hope” — expect and wish

From this reading Lorrimore was there, he had come over to lunch, and for the moment I hoped that he had brought some news from his Chinese servant.

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

From this reading THE PATHLESS WOOD Being very late in the evening when I arrived at Alnwick, I remained there for that night, and it was not until noon of the next day that I once more reached Ravensdene Court.

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

From this reading THE PATHLESS WOOD Being very late in the evening when I arrived at Alnwick, I remained there for that night, and it was not until noon of the next day that I once more reached Ravensdene Court.

a message received and understood

From this reading But he had heard nothing of Wing since his departure: it would scarcely be Wing's method, he said, to communicate with him by letter; when he had anything to tell, he would either return or act, of his own initiative, upon his acquired information: the way of the Chinaman, he remarked with a knowing look at Mr. Raven, was dark, subtle, and not easily understandable to Western minds.

readiness to embark on bold new ventures

From this reading But he had heard nothing of Wing since his departure: it would scarcely be Wing's method, he said, to communicate with him by letter; when he had anything to tell, he would either return or act, of his own initiative, upon his acquired information: the way of the Chinaman, he remarked with a knowing look at Mr. Raven, was dark, subtle, and not easily understandable to Western minds.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading THE PATHLESS WOOD Being very late in the evening when I arrived at Alnwick, I remained there for that night, and it was not until noon of the next day that I once more reached Ravensdene Court.

evidencing the possession of inside information

From this reading But he had heard nothing of Wing since his departure: it would scarcely be Wing's method, he said, to communicate with him by letter; when he had anything to tell, he would either return or act, of his own initiative, upon his acquired information: the way of the Chinaman, he remarked with a knowing look at Mr. Raven, was dark, subtle, and not easily understandable to Western minds.

being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time

From this reading THE PATHLESS WOOD Being very late in the evening when I arrived at Alnwick, I remained there for that night, and it was not until noon of the next day that I once more reached Ravensdene Court.

a written message addressed to a person or organization

From this reading But he had heard nothing of Wing since his departure: it would scarcely be Wing's method, he said, to communicate with him by letter; when he had anything to tell, he would either return or act, of his own initiative, upon his acquired information: the way of the Chinaman, he remarked with a knowing look at Mr. Raven, was dark, subtle, and not easily understandable to Western minds.

perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading But he had heard nothing of Wing since his departure: it would scarcely be Wing's method, he said, to communicate with him by letter; when he had anything to tell, he would either return or act, of his own initiative, upon his acquired information: the way of the Chinaman, he remarked with a knowing look at Mr. Raven, was dark, subtle, and not easily understandable to Western minds.

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

From this reading Lorrimore was there, he had come over to lunch, and for the moment I hoped that he had brought some news from his Chinese servant.

take the midday meal

From this reading Lorrimore was there, he had come over to lunch, and for the moment I hoped that he had brought some news from his Chinese servant.

a way of doing something, especially a systematic way; implies an orderly logical arrangement (usually in steps)

From this reading But he had heard nothing of Wing since his departure: it would scarcely be Wing's method, he said, to communicate with him by letter; when he had anything to tell, he would either return or act, of his own initiative, upon his acquired information: the way of the Chinaman, he remarked with a knowing look at Mr. Raven, was dark, subtle, and not easily understandable to Western minds.

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

From this reading "And yourself, Middlebrook?" asked Mr. Raven.

plural of “mind” — that which is responsible for one's thoughts, feelings, and conscious brain functions; the seat of the faculty of reason

From this reading But he had heard nothing of Wing since his departure: it would scarcely be Wing's method, he said, to communicate with him by letter; when he had anything to tell, he would either return or act, of his own initiative, upon his acquired information: the way of the Chinaman, he remarked with a knowing look at Mr. Raven, was dark, subtle, and not easily understandable to Western minds.

a particular point in time

From this reading Lorrimore was there, he had come over to lunch, and for the moment I hoped that he had brought some news from his Chinese servant.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading THE PATHLESS WOOD Being very late in the evening when I arrived at Alnwick, I remained there for that night, and it was not until noon of the next day that I once more reached Ravensdene Court.

a form of address for a man

From this reading But he had heard nothing of Wing since his departure: it would scarcely be Wing's method, he said, to communicate with him by letter; when he had anything to tell, he would either return or act, of his own initiative, upon his acquired information: the way of the Chinaman, he remarked with a knowing look at Mr. Raven, was dark, subtle, and not easily understandable to Western minds.

information about recent and important events

From this reading Lorrimore was there, he had come over to lunch, and for the moment I hoped that he had brought some news from his Chinese servant.

immediately following in time or order

From this reading THE PATHLESS WOOD Being very late in the evening when I arrived at Alnwick, I remained there for that night, and it was not until noon of the next day that I once more reached Ravensdene Court.

the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside

From this reading THE PATHLESS WOOD Being very late in the evening when I arrived at Alnwick, I remained there for that night, and it was not until noon of the next day that I once more reached Ravensdene Court.

the middle of the day

From this reading THE PATHLESS WOOD Being very late in the evening when I arrived at Alnwick, I remained there for that night, and it was not until noon of the next day that I once more reached Ravensdene Court.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading THE PATHLESS WOOD Being very late in the evening when I arrived at Alnwick, I remained there for that night, and it was not until noon of the next day that I once more reached Ravensdene Court.

not one thing; not anything

From this reading But he had heard nothing of Wing since his departure: it would scarcely be Wing's method, he said, to communicate with him by letter; when he had anything to tell, he would either return or act, of his own initiative, upon his acquired information: the way of the Chinaman, he remarked with a knowing look at Mr. Raven, was dark, subtle, and not easily understandable to Western minds.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE PATHLESS WOOD Being very late in the evening when I arrived at Alnwick, I remained there for that night, and it was not until noon of the next day that I once more reached Ravensdene Court.

on one occasion

From this reading THE PATHLESS WOOD Being very late in the evening when I arrived at Alnwick, I remained there for that night, and it was not until noon of the next day that I once more reached Ravensdene Court.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading But he had heard nothing of Wing since his departure: it would scarcely be Wing's method, he said, to communicate with him by letter; when he had anything to tell, he would either return or act, of his own initiative, upon his acquired information: the way of the Chinaman, he remarked with a knowing look at Mr. Raven, was dark, subtle, and not easily understandable to Western minds.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading "What did the detective want, and what have you found out?"

above and across; more than

From this reading Lorrimore was there, he had come over to lunch, and for the moment I hoped that he had brought some news from his Chinese servant.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading But he had heard nothing of Wing since his departure: it would scarcely be Wing's method, he said, to communicate with him by letter; when he had anything to tell, he would either return or act, of his own initiative, upon his acquired information: the way of the Chinaman, he remarked with a knowing look at Mr. Raven, was dark, subtle, and not easily understandable to Western minds.

lacking pathways

From this reading THE PATHLESS WOOD Being very late in the evening when I arrived at Alnwick, I remained there for that night, and it was not until noon of the next day that I once more reached Ravensdene Court.

obtain or seize by violence

From this reading But he had heard nothing of Wing since his departure: it would scarcely be Wing's method, he said, to communicate with him by letter; when he had anything to tell, he would either return or act, of his own initiative, upon his acquired information: the way of the Chinaman, he remarked with a knowing look at Mr. Raven, was dark, subtle, and not easily understandable to Western minds.

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

From this reading THE PATHLESS WOOD Being very late in the evening when I arrived at Alnwick, I remained there for that night, and it was not until noon of the next day that I once more reached Ravensdene Court.

past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract

From this reading THE PATHLESS WOOD Being very late in the evening when I arrived at Alnwick, I remained there for that night, and it was not until noon of the next day that I once more reached Ravensdene Court.

past form of “remain” — stay the same; remain in a certain state

From this reading THE PATHLESS WOOD Being very late in the evening when I arrived at Alnwick, I remained there for that night, and it was not until noon of the next day that I once more reached Ravensdene Court.

past form of “remark” — make mention of

From this reading But he had heard nothing of Wing since his departure: it would scarcely be Wing's method, he said, to communicate with him by letter; when he had anything to tell, he would either return or act, of his own initiative, upon his acquired information: the way of the Chinaman, he remarked with a knowing look at Mr. Raven, was dark, subtle, and not easily understandable to Western minds.

go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before

From this reading But he had heard nothing of Wing since his departure: it would scarcely be Wing's method, he said, to communicate with him by letter; when he had anything to tell, he would either return or act, of his own initiative, upon his acquired information: the way of the Chinaman, he remarked with a knowing look at Mr. Raven, was dark, subtle, and not easily understandable to Western minds.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading But he had heard nothing of Wing since his departure: it would scarcely be Wing's method, he said, to communicate with him by letter; when he had anything to tell, he would either return or act, of his own initiative, upon his acquired information: the way of the Chinaman, he remarked with a knowing look at Mr. Raven, was dark, subtle, and not easily understandable to Western minds.

only a very short time before

From this reading But he had heard nothing of Wing since his departure: it would scarcely be Wing's method, he said, to communicate with him by letter; when he had anything to tell, he would either return or act, of his own initiative, upon his acquired information: the way of the Chinaman, he remarked with a knowing look at Mr. Raven, was dark, subtle, and not easily understandable to Western minds.

a person working in the service of another (especially in the household)

From this reading Lorrimore was there, he had come over to lunch, and for the moment I hoped that he had brought some news from his Chinese servant.

from a time in the past until now

From this reading But he had heard nothing of Wing since his departure: it would scarcely be Wing's method, he said, to communicate with him by letter; when he had anything to tell, he would either return or act, of his own initiative, upon his acquired information: the way of the Chinaman, he remarked with a knowing look at Mr. Raven, was dark, subtle, and not easily understandable to Western minds.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading Lorrimore was there, he had come over to lunch, and for the moment I hoped that he had brought some news from his Chinese servant.

difficult to detect or grasp by the mind or analyze

From this reading But he had heard nothing of Wing since his departure: it would scarcely be Wing's method, he said, to communicate with him by letter; when he had anything to tell, he would either return or act, of his own initiative, upon his acquired information: the way of the Chinaman, he remarked with a knowing look at Mr. Raven, was dark, subtle, and not easily understandable to Western minds.

express in words

From this reading But he had heard nothing of Wing since his departure: it would scarcely be Wing's method, he said, to communicate with him by letter; when he had anything to tell, he would either return or act, of his own initiative, upon his acquired information: the way of the Chinaman, he remarked with a knowing look at Mr. Raven, was dark, subtle, and not easily understandable to Western minds.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading THE PATHLESS WOOD Being very late in the evening when I arrived at Alnwick, I remained there for that night, and it was not until noon of the next day that I once more reached Ravensdene Court.

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

From this reading THE PATHLESS WOOD Being very late in the evening when I arrived at Alnwick, I remained there for that night, and it was not until noon of the next day that I once more reached Ravensdene Court.

in or at that place or location

From this reading THE PATHLESS WOOD Being very late in the evening when I arrived at Alnwick, I remained there for that night, and it was not until noon of the next day that I once more reached Ravensdene Court.

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

From this reading Lorrimore was there, he had come over to lunch, and for the moment I hoped that he had brought some news from his Chinese servant.

capable of being apprehended or understood

From this reading But he had heard nothing of Wing since his departure: it would scarcely be Wing's method, he said, to communicate with him by letter; when he had anything to tell, he would either return or act, of his own initiative, upon his acquired information: the way of the Chinaman, he remarked with a knowing look at Mr. Raven, was dark, subtle, and not easily understandable to Western minds.

up to a particular time

From this reading THE PATHLESS WOOD Being very late in the evening when I arrived at Alnwick, I remained there for that night, and it was not until noon of the next day that I once more reached Ravensdene Court.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading But he had heard nothing of Wing since his departure: it would scarcely be Wing's method, he said, to communicate with him by letter; when he had anything to tell, he would either return or act, of his own initiative, upon his acquired information: the way of the Chinaman, he remarked with a knowing look at Mr. Raven, was dark, subtle, and not easily understandable to Western minds.

precisely as stated

From this reading THE PATHLESS WOOD Being very late in the evening when I arrived at Alnwick, I remained there for that night, and it was not until noon of the next day that I once more reached Ravensdene Court.

feel or have a desire for; want strongly

From this reading "What did the detective want, and what have you found out?"

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

From this reading THE PATHLESS WOOD Being very late in the evening when I arrived at Alnwick, I remained there for that night, and it was not until noon of the next day that I once more reached Ravensdene Court.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading But he had heard nothing of Wing since his departure: it would scarcely be Wing's method, he said, to communicate with him by letter; when he had anything to tell, he would either return or act, of his own initiative, upon his acquired information: the way of the Chinaman, he remarked with a knowing look at Mr. Raven, was dark, subtle, and not easily understandable to Western minds.

relating to or characteristic of the western parts of the world or the West as opposed to the eastern or oriental parts

From this reading But he had heard nothing of Wing since his departure: it would scarcely be Wing's method, he said, to communicate with him by letter; when he had anything to tell, he would either return or act, of his own initiative, upon his acquired information: the way of the Chinaman, he remarked with a knowing look at Mr. Raven, was dark, subtle, and not easily understandable to Western minds.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading "What did the detective want, and what have you found out?"

at the time that

From this reading THE PATHLESS WOOD Being very late in the evening when I arrived at Alnwick, I remained there for that night, and it was not until noon of the next day that I once more reached Ravensdene Court.

a movable organ for flying (one of a pair)

From this reading But he had heard nothing of Wing since his departure: it would scarcely be Wing's method, he said, to communicate with him by letter; when he had anything to tell, he would either return or act, of his own initiative, upon his acquired information: the way of the Chinaman, he remarked with a knowing look at Mr. Raven, was dark, subtle, and not easily understandable to Western minds.

possessive form of “wing” — a movable organ for flying (one of a pair)

From this reading But he had heard nothing of Wing since his departure: it would scarcely be Wing's method, he said, to communicate with him by letter; when he had anything to tell, he would either return or act, of his own initiative, upon his acquired information: the way of the Chinaman, he remarked with a knowing look at Mr. Raven, was dark, subtle, and not easily understandable to Western minds.

in the company of; together with

From this reading But he had heard nothing of Wing since his departure: it would scarcely be Wing's method, he said, to communicate with him by letter; when he had anything to tell, he would either return or act, of his own initiative, upon his acquired information: the way of the Chinaman, he remarked with a knowing look at Mr. Raven, was dark, subtle, and not easily understandable to Western minds.

the hard fibrous lignified substance under the bark of trees

From this reading THE PATHLESS WOOD Being very late in the evening when I arrived at Alnwick, I remained there for that night, and it was not until noon of the next day that I once more reached Ravensdene Court.

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

From this reading But he had heard nothing of Wing since his departure: it would scarcely be Wing's method, he said, to communicate with him by letter; when he had anything to tell, he would either return or act, of his own initiative, upon his acquired information: the way of the Chinaman, he remarked with a knowing look at Mr. Raven, was dark, subtle, and not easily understandable to Western minds.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "What did the detective want, and what have you found out?"

used when the person spoken to is also the object of the action

From this reading "And yourself, Middlebrook?" asked Mr. Raven.