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Tangled Trails: A Western Detective Story
Tangled Trails: A Western Detective Story

Chapter XXVII · Chapter 27

Chapter 27 of Tangled Trails: A Western Detective Story is here in full — 132 sentences across 27 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for Tangled Trails: A Western Detective Story
Context Illustration Reading 1/26 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
"COME CLEAN, JACK" Jack Cunningham, co-heir with James of his uncle's estate, was busy in the office he had inherited settling up one of the hundred details that had been left at loose ends by the promoter's sudden death.
He looked up at the entrance of Lane.
"What do you want?" he asked sharply.
"Want a talk with you."
"Well, I don't care to talk with you.
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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.

Tangled Trails: A Western Detective Story

Chapter XXVII · Chapter 27

Chapter 27 of Tangled Trails: A Western Detective Story is here in full — 132 sentences across 27 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/26 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
"COME CLEAN, JACK" Jack Cunningham, co-heir with James of his uncle's estate, was busy in the office he had inherited settling up one of the hundred details that had been left at loose ends by the promoter's sudden death.
Line 2
He looked up at the entrance of Lane.
/hiː lʊkt ʌp æt ðə ˈentrəns ʌv leɪn/
Line 3
"What do you want?" he asked sharply.
/wʌt duː juː wɑːnt hiː æskt ˈʃɑːrpli/
Line 4
"Want a talk with you."
/wɑːnt ə tɔːk wɪð juː/
Line 5
"Well, I don't care to talk with you.

Learner Dictionary

These definitions explain words found in the current reading and keep every example grounded in its original sentence.

Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, and audio.

Cunningham noun US /ˈkʌnɪŋhæm/

United States dancer and choreographer (born in 1922)

From this reading “"COME CLEAN, JACK" Jack Cunningham, co-heir with James of his uncle's estate, was busy in the office he had inherited settling up one of the hundred details that had been left at loose ends by the promoter's sudden death.”

details noun US /dɪˈteɪlz/

true confidential information

From this reading “"COME CLEAN, JACK" Jack Cunningham, co-heir with James of his uncle's estate, was busy in the office he had inherited settling up one of the hundred details that had been left at loose ends by the promoter's sudden death.”

ends noun US /endz/

plural of “end” — either extremity of something that has length

From this reading “"COME CLEAN, JACK" Jack Cunningham, co-heir with James of his uncle's estate, was busy in the office he had inherited settling up one of the hundred details that had been left at loose ends by the promoter's sudden death.”

estate noun US /ɪˈsteɪt/

everything you own; all of your assets (whether real property or personal property) and liabilities

From this reading “"COME CLEAN, JACK" Jack Cunningham, co-heir with James of his uncle's estate, was busy in the office he had inherited settling up one of the hundred details that had been left at loose ends by the promoter's sudden death.”

inherited adjective US /ˌɪnˈherətɪd/

occurring among members of a family usually by heredity

From this reading “"COME CLEAN, JACK" Jack Cunningham, co-heir with James of his uncle's estate, was busy in the office he had inherited settling up one of the hundred details that had been left at loose ends by the promoter's sudden death.”

Lane noun US /leɪn/

a narrow way or road

From this reading “He looked up at the entrance of Lane.”

settling noun US /ˈsetəlɪŋ/

a gradual sinking to a lower level

From this reading “"COME CLEAN, JACK" Jack Cunningham, co-heir with James of his uncle's estate, was busy in the office he had inherited settling up one of the hundred details that had been left at loose ends by the promoter's sudden death.”

uncle's noun US /ˈʌŋkəlz/

possessive form of “uncle” — the brother of your father or mother; the husband of your aunt

From this reading “"COME CLEAN, JACK" Jack Cunningham, co-heir with James of his uncle's estate, was busy in the office he had inherited settling up one of the hundred details that had been left at loose ends by the promoter's sudden death.”

All words in this reading · 50

Every word in these five lines is listed here, and every one of them can be played on its own.

Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

adeterminerUS /ə/

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

From this reading "Want a talk with you."

askedverbUS /æskt/

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

From this reading "What do you want?" he asked sharply.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading "COME CLEAN, JACK" Jack Cunningham, co-heir with James of his uncle's estate, was busy in the office he had inherited settling up one of the hundred details that had been left at loose ends by the promoter's sudden death.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading "COME CLEAN, JACK" Jack Cunningham, co-heir with James of his uncle's estate, was busy in the office he had inherited settling up one of the hundred details that had been left at loose ends by the promoter's sudden death.

busyadjectiveUS /ˈbɪzi/

actively or fully engaged or occupied

From this reading "COME CLEAN, JACK" Jack Cunningham, co-heir with James of his uncle's estate, was busy in the office he had inherited settling up one of the hundred details that had been left at loose ends by the promoter's sudden death.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading "COME CLEAN, JACK" Jack Cunningham, co-heir with James of his uncle's estate, was busy in the office he had inherited settling up one of the hundred details that had been left at loose ends by the promoter's sudden death.

carenounUS /ker/

the work of providing treatment for or attending to someone or something

From this reading "Well, I don't care to talk with you.

CLEANadjectiveUS /kliːn/

free from dirt or impurities; or having clean habits

From this reading "COME CLEAN, JACK" Jack Cunningham, co-heir with James of his uncle's estate, was busy in the office he had inherited settling up one of the hundred details that had been left at loose ends by the promoter's sudden death.

co-heir

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

From this reading "COME CLEAN, JACK" Jack Cunningham, co-heir with James of his uncle's estate, was busy in the office he had inherited settling up one of the hundred details that had been left at loose ends by the promoter's sudden death.

COMEverbUS /kʌm/

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

From this reading "COME CLEAN, JACK" Jack Cunningham, co-heir with James of his uncle's estate, was busy in the office he had inherited settling up one of the hundred details that had been left at loose ends by the promoter's sudden death.

CunninghamnounUS /ˈkʌnɪŋhæm/

United States dancer and choreographer (born in 1922)

From this reading "COME CLEAN, JACK" Jack Cunningham, co-heir with James of his uncle's estate, was busy in the office he had inherited settling up one of the hundred details that had been left at loose ends by the promoter's sudden death.

deathnounUS /deθ/

the event of dying or departure from life

From this reading "COME CLEAN, JACK" Jack Cunningham, co-heir with James of his uncle's estate, was busy in the office he had inherited settling up one of the hundred details that had been left at loose ends by the promoter's sudden death.

detailsnounUS /dɪˈteɪlz/

true confidential information

From this reading "COME CLEAN, JACK" Jack Cunningham, co-heir with James of his uncle's estate, was busy in the office he had inherited settling up one of the hundred details that had been left at loose ends by the promoter's sudden death.

doauxiliary verbUS /duː/

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading "What do you want?" he asked sharply.

don't

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

From this reading "Well, I don't care to talk with you.

endsnounUS /endz/

plural of “end” — either extremity of something that has length

From this reading "COME CLEAN, JACK" Jack Cunningham, co-heir with James of his uncle's estate, was busy in the office he had inherited settling up one of the hundred details that had been left at loose ends by the promoter's sudden death.

entrancenounUS /ˈentrəns/

something that provides access (to get in or get out)

From this reading He looked up at the entrance of Lane.

estatenounUS /ɪˈsteɪt/

everything you own; all of your assets (whether real property or personal property) and liabilities

From this reading "COME CLEAN, JACK" Jack Cunningham, co-heir with James of his uncle's estate, was busy in the office he had inherited settling up one of the hundred details that had been left at loose ends by the promoter's sudden death.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading "COME CLEAN, JACK" Jack Cunningham, co-heir with James of his uncle's estate, was busy in the office he had inherited settling up one of the hundred details that had been left at loose ends by the promoter's sudden death.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading "COME CLEAN, JACK" Jack Cunningham, co-heir with James of his uncle's estate, was busy in the office he had inherited settling up one of the hundred details that had been left at loose ends by the promoter's sudden death.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading "COME CLEAN, JACK" Jack Cunningham, co-heir with James of his uncle's estate, was busy in the office he had inherited settling up one of the hundred details that had been left at loose ends by the promoter's sudden death.

hundrednounUS /ˈhʌndrəd/

ten 10s

From this reading "COME CLEAN, JACK" Jack Cunningham, co-heir with James of his uncle's estate, was busy in the office he had inherited settling up one of the hundred details that had been left at loose ends by the promoter's sudden death.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading "Well, I don't care to talk with you.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading "COME CLEAN, JACK" Jack Cunningham, co-heir with James of his uncle's estate, was busy in the office he had inherited settling up one of the hundred details that had been left at loose ends by the promoter's sudden death.

inheritedadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈherətɪd/

occurring among members of a family usually by heredity

From this reading "COME CLEAN, JACK" Jack Cunningham, co-heir with James of his uncle's estate, was busy in the office he had inherited settling up one of the hundred details that had been left at loose ends by the promoter's sudden death.

JACKnounUS /dʒæk/

a small worthless amount

From this reading "COME CLEAN, JACK" Jack Cunningham, co-heir with James of his uncle's estate, was busy in the office he had inherited settling up one of the hundred details that had been left at loose ends by the promoter's sudden death.

JamesnounUS /dʒeɪmz/

a Stuart king of Scotland who married a daughter of Henry VII; when England and France went to war in 1513 he invaded England and died in defeat at Flodden (1473-1513)

From this reading "COME CLEAN, JACK" Jack Cunningham, co-heir with James of his uncle's estate, was busy in the office he had inherited settling up one of the hundred details that had been left at loose ends by the promoter's sudden death.

LanenounUS /leɪn/

a narrow way or road

From this reading He looked up at the entrance of Lane.

leftnounUS /left/

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

From this reading "COME CLEAN, JACK" Jack Cunningham, co-heir with James of his uncle's estate, was busy in the office he had inherited settling up one of the hundred details that had been left at loose ends by the promoter's sudden death.

lookedverbUS /lʊkt/

past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading He looked up at the entrance of Lane.

looseadjectiveUS /luːs/

not compact or dense in structure or arrangement

From this reading "COME CLEAN, JACK" Jack Cunningham, co-heir with James of his uncle's estate, was busy in the office he had inherited settling up one of the hundred details that had been left at loose ends by the promoter's sudden death.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading "COME CLEAN, JACK" Jack Cunningham, co-heir with James of his uncle's estate, was busy in the office he had inherited settling up one of the hundred details that had been left at loose ends by the promoter's sudden death.

officenounUS /ˈɔːfɪs/

place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed

From this reading "COME CLEAN, JACK" Jack Cunningham, co-heir with James of his uncle's estate, was busy in the office he had inherited settling up one of the hundred details that had been left at loose ends by the promoter's sudden death.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading "COME CLEAN, JACK" Jack Cunningham, co-heir with James of his uncle's estate, was busy in the office he had inherited settling up one of the hundred details that had been left at loose ends by the promoter's sudden death.

promoter's

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

From this reading "COME CLEAN, JACK" Jack Cunningham, co-heir with James of his uncle's estate, was busy in the office he had inherited settling up one of the hundred details that had been left at loose ends by the promoter's sudden death.

settlingnounUS /ˈsetəlɪŋ/

a gradual sinking to a lower level

From this reading "COME CLEAN, JACK" Jack Cunningham, co-heir with James of his uncle's estate, was busy in the office he had inherited settling up one of the hundred details that had been left at loose ends by the promoter's sudden death.

sharplyadverbUS /ˈʃɑːrpli/

in an aggressive manner

From this reading "What do you want?" he asked sharply.

suddenadjectiveUS /ˈsʌdən/

happening without warning or in a short space of time

From this reading "COME CLEAN, JACK" Jack Cunningham, co-heir with James of his uncle's estate, was busy in the office he had inherited settling up one of the hundred details that had been left at loose ends by the promoter's sudden death.

talkverbUS /tɔːk/

exchange thoughts; talk with

From this reading "Want a talk with you."

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading "COME CLEAN, JACK" Jack Cunningham, co-heir with James of his uncle's estate, was busy in the office he had inherited settling up one of the hundred details that had been left at loose ends by the promoter's sudden death.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading "COME CLEAN, JACK" Jack Cunningham, co-heir with James of his uncle's estate, was busy in the office he had inherited settling up one of the hundred details that had been left at loose ends by the promoter's sudden death.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading "Well, I don't care to talk with you.

uncle'snounUS /ˈʌŋkəlz/

possessive form of “uncle” — the brother of your father or mother; the husband of your aunt

From this reading "COME CLEAN, JACK" Jack Cunningham, co-heir with James of his uncle's estate, was busy in the office he had inherited settling up one of the hundred details that had been left at loose ends by the promoter's sudden death.

upadjectiveUS /ʌp/

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

From this reading "COME CLEAN, JACK" Jack Cunningham, co-heir with James of his uncle's estate, was busy in the office he had inherited settling up one of the hundred details that had been left at loose ends by the promoter's sudden death.

wantverbUS /wɑːnt/

feel or have a desire for; want strongly

From this reading "What do you want?" he asked sharply.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading "COME CLEAN, JACK" Jack Cunningham, co-heir with James of his uncle's estate, was busy in the office he had inherited settling up one of the hundred details that had been left at loose ends by the promoter's sudden death.

WelladverbUS /wel/

(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 "Well, I don't care to talk with you.

WhatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading "What do you want?" he asked sharply.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading "COME CLEAN, JACK" Jack Cunningham, co-heir with James of his uncle's estate, was busy in the office he had inherited settling up one of the hundred details that had been left at loose ends by the promoter's sudden death.

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "What do you want?" he asked sharply.

Chapter 27 of Tangled Trails: A Western Detective Story by William MacLeod Raine holds 132 sentences, grouped into 27 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the source edition, unabridged, and the chapter records which sentences cover which part of the work so that nothing is dropped. Every word can be tapped for its pronunciation and dictionary entry.

What does chapter 27 of Tangled Trails: A Western Detective Story contain?

Chapter 27 holds 132 sentences of Tangled Trails: A Western Detective Story, unabridged, divided into 27 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 27 of Tangled Trails: A Western Detective Story by William MacLeod Raine exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 132 sentences, grouped into 27 sections of at most 5 sentences so that a reader can take the chapter in steady, finishable pieces. The chapter also stores a coverage record mapping every one of its sentences to a part of the work, which is how the edition demonstrates that no line was dropped.

How do I study chapter 27 of Tangled Trails: A Western Detective Story?

Work through the 27 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 27 sections in this chapter is short enough to read once, hear once, and then re-read with the vocabulary in view. Tapping a word plays it alone and opens its dictionary entry with IPA, part of speech and meaning, so the reader is never forced to guess a pronunciation from spelling. Working section by section keeps a long chapter from becoming an undifferentiated wall of text, which is the usual reason a reader abandons a work of this period.

Can chapter 27 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 27 can be played aloud in United States English.

Audio covers the whole chapter: any sentence can be played, and any single word within it can be played on its own. The voice uses United States English. For a work of this period that matters, because spelling is an unreliable guide to pronunciation for vocabulary that has fallen out of daily use, and a learner who guesses wrong tends to keep the error. Hearing the word in its own sentence, and then alone, settles it.

Questions about reading Tangled Trails: A Western Detective Story

Common questions about reading Tangled Trails: A Western Detective Story by William MacLeod Raine on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Tangled Trails: A Western Detective Story?

Yes. All 6325 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #17066 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Tangled Trails: A Western Detective Story is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #17066, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Tangled Trails: A Western Detective Story take to read?

About 527 minutes of reading across 1265 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Tangled Trails: A Western Detective Story section by section

How to work through Tangled Trails: A Western Detective Story section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

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  3. Listen and tap

    Play the section aloud, then tap any unfamiliar word for its entry.

Vocabulary met early in Tangled Trails: A Western Detective Story

Words and structures a reader meets early in Tangled Trails: A Western Detective Story, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Shouted
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Tangled Trails: A Western Detective Story; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Announcer
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Tangled Trails: A Western Detective Story; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Through
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Tangled Trails: A Western Detective Story; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Megaphone
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Tangled Trails: A Western Detective Story; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.