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The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes

Chapter VIII · Chapter 8

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

VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the compliments of the season. He was lounging upon t

Cover illustration for The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes
Context Illustration Reading 1/106 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been making inquiries,” said Holmes carelessly.
If you won’t tell us the bet is off, that is all.
But I’m always ready to back my opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the bird I ate is country bred.”
Well, then, you’ve lost your fiver, for it’s town bred,” snapped the salesman.
It’s nothing of the kind.”
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes

Chapter VIII · Chapter 8

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

Reading 1/106 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been making inquiries,” said Holmes carelessly.
Line 2
If you won’t tell us the bet is off, that is all.
Line 3
But I’m always ready to back my opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the bird I ate is country bred.”
Line 4
Well, then, you’ve lost your fiver, for it’s town bred,” snapped the salesman.
Line 5
It’s nothing of the kind.”
All words in this reading · 58

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

a

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

From this reading But I’m always ready to back my opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the bird I ate is country bred.”

all

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

From this reading “If you won’t tell us the bet is off, that is all.

always

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

From this reading But I’m always ready to back my opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the bird I ate is country bred.”

and

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

From this reading But I’m always ready to back my opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the bird I ate is country bred.”

any

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

From this reading “Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been making inquiries,” said Holmes carelessly.

ate

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

From this reading But I’m always ready to back my opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the bird I ate is country bred.”

back

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

From this reading But I’m always ready to back my opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the bird I ate is country bred.”

been

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

From this reading “Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been making inquiries,” said Holmes carelessly.

bet

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

From this reading “If you won’t tell us the bet is off, that is all.

bird

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

From this reading But I’m always ready to back my opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the bird I ate is country bred.”

bred

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

From this reading But I’m always ready to back my opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the bird I ate is country bred.”

But

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

From this reading But I’m always ready to back my opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the bird I ate is country bred.”

carelessly

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

From this reading “Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been making inquiries,” said Holmes carelessly.

connection

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

From this reading “Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been making inquiries,” said Holmes carelessly.

country

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

From this reading But I’m always ready to back my opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the bird I ate is country bred.”

fiver

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

From this reading But I’m always ready to back my opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the bird I ate is country bred.”

for

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

From this reading “Well, then, you’ve lost your fiver, for it’s town bred,” snapped the salesman.

fowls

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

From this reading But I’m always ready to back my opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the bird I ate is country bred.”

have

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

From this reading “Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been making inquiries,” said Holmes carelessly.

Holmes

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

From this reading “Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been making inquiries,” said Holmes carelessly.

I

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

From this reading “Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been making inquiries,” said Holmes carelessly.

I'm

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

From this reading But I’m always ready to back my opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the bird I ate is country bred.”

If

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

From this reading “If you won’t tell us the bet is off, that is all.

inquiries

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

From this reading “Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been making inquiries,” said Holmes carelessly.

is

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

From this reading “If you won’t tell us the bet is off, that is all.

it

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

From this reading But I’m always ready to back my opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the bird I ate is country bred.”

it's

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

From this reading “Well, then, you’ve lost your fiver, for it’s town bred,” snapped the salesman.

kind

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

From this reading “It’s nothing of the kind.”

lost

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

From this reading “Well, then, you’ve lost your fiver, for it’s town bred,” snapped the salesman.

making

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

From this reading “Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been making inquiries,” said Holmes carelessly.

matter

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

From this reading But I’m always ready to back my opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the bird I ate is country bred.”

my

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

From this reading But I’m always ready to back my opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the bird I ate is country bred.”

no

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

From this reading “Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been making inquiries,” said Holmes carelessly.

nothing

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

From this reading “It’s nothing of the kind.”

of

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

From this reading But I’m always ready to back my opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the bird I ate is country bred.”

off

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

From this reading “If you won’t tell us the bet is off, that is all.

on

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

From this reading But I’m always ready to back my opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the bird I ate is country bred.”

opinion

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

From this reading But I’m always ready to back my opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the bird I ate is country bred.”

other

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

From this reading “Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been making inquiries,” said Holmes carelessly.

people

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

From this reading “Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been making inquiries,” said Holmes carelessly.

ready

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

From this reading But I’m always ready to back my opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the bird I ate is country bred.”

said

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

From this reading “Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been making inquiries,” said Holmes carelessly.

salesman

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

From this reading “Well, then, you’ve lost your fiver, for it’s town bred,” snapped the salesman.

snapped

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

From this reading “Well, then, you’ve lost your fiver, for it’s town bred,” snapped the salesman.

tell

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

From this reading “If you won’t tell us the bet is off, that is all.

that

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

From this reading “If you won’t tell us the bet is off, that is all.

the

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

From this reading “If you won’t tell us the bet is off, that is all.

then

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

From this reading “Well, then, you’ve lost your fiver, for it’s town bred,” snapped the salesman.

to

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

From this reading But I’m always ready to back my opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the bird I ate is country bred.”

town

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

From this reading “Well, then, you’ve lost your fiver, for it’s town bred,” snapped the salesman.

us

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

From this reading “If you won’t tell us the bet is off, that is all.

Well

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

From this reading “Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been making inquiries,” said Holmes carelessly.

who

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

From this reading “Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been making inquiries,” said Holmes carelessly.

with

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

From this reading “Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been making inquiries,” said Holmes carelessly.

won't

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

From this reading “If you won’t tell us the bet is off, that is all.

you

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

From this reading “If you won’t tell us the bet is off, that is all.

you've

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

From this reading “Well, then, you’ve lost your fiver, for it’s town bred,” snapped the salesman.

your

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

From this reading “Well, then, you’ve lost your fiver, for it’s town bred,” snapped the salesman.

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 Case 07: The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle?

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

According to the text: "VII....", what tone does the author establish?

Shadowing Practice

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

Narrator: VII.
Narrator: Henry Baker,” said Holmes when he had closed the door