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The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes

Chapter II · The Adventure of the Speckled Band

Read and study this complete chapter with synchronized narration, pronunciation, and vocabulary support.

When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth.

Cover illustration for The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes
Context Illustration Reading 1/5 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
It was in the early days of April in the year 1883 that I awoke one morning to find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my bed.
He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I blinked up at him in some surprise.
Very sorry to knock you up, Watson, said he, but it is the common lot this morning.
Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she retorted upon me, and I on you.
What is it, thena fire?
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
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A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes

Chapter II · The Adventure of the Speckled Band

Study this chapter through synchronized reading, listening, pronunciation, and contextual vocabulary.

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

Line 1
It was in the early days of April in the year 1883 that I awoke one morning to find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my bed.
Line 2
He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I blinked up at him in some surprise.
Line 3
Very sorry to knock you up, Watson, said he, but it is the common lot this morning.
Line 4
Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she retorted upon me, and I on you.
Line 5
What is it, thena fire?
All words in this reading · 69

Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

1883

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

From this reading It was in the early days of April in the year 1883 that I awoke one morning to find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my bed.

a

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From this reading He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I blinked up at him in some surprise.

and

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

From this reading He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I blinked up at him in some surprise.

April

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

From this reading It was in the early days of April in the year 1883 that I awoke one morning to find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my bed.

as

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

From this reading He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I blinked up at him in some surprise.

at

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

From this reading He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I blinked up at him in some surprise.

awoke

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

From this reading It was in the early days of April in the year 1883 that I awoke one morning to find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my bed.

bed

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

From this reading It was in the early days of April in the year 1883 that I awoke one morning to find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my bed.

been

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

From this reading Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she retorted upon me, and I on you.

blinked

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

From this reading He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I blinked up at him in some surprise.

but

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

From this reading Very sorry to knock you up, Watson, said he, but it is the common lot this morning.

by

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

From this reading It was in the early days of April in the year 1883 that I awoke one morning to find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my bed.

clock

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

From this reading He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I blinked up at him in some surprise.

common

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

From this reading Very sorry to knock you up, Watson, said he, but it is the common lot this morning.

days

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

From this reading It was in the early days of April in the year 1883 that I awoke one morning to find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my bed.

dressed

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

From this reading It was in the early days of April in the year 1883 that I awoke one morning to find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my bed.

early

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

From this reading It was in the early days of April in the year 1883 that I awoke one morning to find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my bed.

find

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

From this reading It was in the early days of April in the year 1883 that I awoke one morning to find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my bed.

fire

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

From this reading What is it, then—a fire?

fully

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

From this reading It was in the early days of April in the year 1883 that I awoke one morning to find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my bed.

has

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

From this reading Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she retorted upon me, and I on you.

He

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

From this reading He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I blinked up at him in some surprise.

him

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

From this reading He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I blinked up at him in some surprise.

Holmes

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

From this reading It was in the early days of April in the year 1883 that I awoke one morning to find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my bed.

Hudson

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

From this reading Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she retorted upon me, and I on you.

I

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

From this reading It was in the early days of April in the year 1883 that I awoke one morning to find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my bed.

in

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

From this reading It was in the early days of April in the year 1883 that I awoke one morning to find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my bed.

is

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

From this reading Very sorry to knock you up, Watson, said he, but it is the common lot this morning.

It

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

From this reading It was in the early days of April in the year 1883 that I awoke one morning to find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my bed.

knock

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

From this reading Very sorry to knock you up, Watson, said he, but it is the common lot this morning.

knocked

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

From this reading Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she retorted upon me, and I on you.

late

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

From this reading He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I blinked up at him in some surprise.

lot

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

From this reading Very sorry to knock you up, Watson, said he, but it is the common lot this morning.

mantelpiece

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

From this reading He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I blinked up at him in some surprise.

me

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

From this reading He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I blinked up at him in some surprise.

morning

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

From this reading It was in the early days of April in the year 1883 that I awoke one morning to find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my bed.

Mrs

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

From this reading Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she retorted upon me, and I on you.

my

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

From this reading It was in the early days of April in the year 1883 that I awoke one morning to find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my bed.

of

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

From this reading It was in the early days of April in the year 1883 that I awoke one morning to find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my bed.

on

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

From this reading He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I blinked up at him in some surprise.

one

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

From this reading It was in the early days of April in the year 1883 that I awoke one morning to find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my bed.

only

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

From this reading He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I blinked up at him in some surprise.

quarter-past

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

From this reading He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I blinked up at him in some surprise.

retorted

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

From this reading Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she retorted upon me, and I on you.

riser

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

From this reading He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I blinked up at him in some surprise.

rule

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

From this reading He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I blinked up at him in some surprise.

said

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

From this reading Very sorry to knock you up, Watson, said he, but it is the common lot this morning.

seven

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

From this reading He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I blinked up at him in some surprise.

she

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

From this reading Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she retorted upon me, and I on you.

Sherlock

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

From this reading It was in the early days of April in the year 1883 that I awoke one morning to find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my bed.

showed

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

From this reading He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I blinked up at him in some surprise.

side

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

From this reading It was in the early days of April in the year 1883 that I awoke one morning to find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my bed.

some

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

From this reading He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I blinked up at him in some surprise.

sorry

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

From this reading Very sorry to knock you up, Watson, said he, but it is the common lot this morning.

standing

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

From this reading It was in the early days of April in the year 1883 that I awoke one morning to find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my bed.

surprise

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

From this reading He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I blinked up at him in some surprise.

that

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

From this reading It was in the early days of April in the year 1883 that I awoke one morning to find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my bed.

the

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

From this reading It was in the early days of April in the year 1883 that I awoke one morning to find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my bed.

then

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

From this reading What is it, then—a fire?

this

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

From this reading Very sorry to knock you up, Watson, said he, but it is the common lot this morning.

to

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

From this reading It was in the early days of April in the year 1883 that I awoke one morning to find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my bed.

up

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

From this reading He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I blinked up at him in some surprise.

upon

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

From this reading Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she retorted upon me, and I on you.

Very

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

From this reading Very sorry to knock you up, Watson, said he, but it is the common lot this morning.

was

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

From this reading It was in the early days of April in the year 1883 that I awoke one morning to find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my bed.

Watson

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

From this reading Very sorry to knock you up, Watson, said he, but it is the common lot this morning.

What

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

From this reading What is it, then—a fire?

year

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

From this reading It was in the early days of April in the year 1883 that I awoke one morning to find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my bed.

you

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

From this reading Very sorry to knock you up, Watson, said he, but it is the common lot this morning.

Chapter Quiz

Use these questions to verify literal comprehension before continuing to the next chapter.

What is the central narrative or theme conveyed in this section of The Adventure of the Speckled Band?

Which core linguistic virtue or character attribute is emphasized in this passage?

According to the text: "It was in the early days of April in the year 1883 that I awoke one morning to find Sherlo...", what tone does the author establish?

Shadowing Practice

Repeat the selected source lines aloud to practice rhythm, stress, and clear US English pronunciation.

Narrator: It was in the early days of April in the year 1883 that I awoke one morning to find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my bed.
Narrator: Good-morning, madam, said Holmes cheerily.