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The Amateur Cracksman
The Amateur Cracksman

Chapter III · Chapter 3

Chapter 3 of The Amateur Cracksman is here in full — 229 sentences across 46 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

By E. W. (Ernest William) Hornung • Curated US English Learning Edition

Chapter 3 of The Amateur Cracksman by E. W. (Ernest William) Hornung holds 229 sentences, grouped into 46 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the public-domain source, 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 3 of The Amateur Cracksman contain?

Chapter 3 holds 229 sentences of The Amateur Cracksman, unabridged, divided into 46 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 3 of The Amateur Cracksman by E. W. (Ernest William) Hornung exactly as it stands in the public-domain source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 229 sentences, grouped into 46 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 3 of The Amateur Cracksman?

Work through the 46 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 46 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 3 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 3 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 The Amateur Cracksman

Common questions about reading The Amateur Cracksman by E. W. (Ernest William) Hornung on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Amateur Cracksman?

Yes. All 3812 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #706 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Amateur Cracksman is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #706, a public-domain edition. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Amateur Cracksman take to read?

About 317 minutes of reading across 763 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The Amateur Cracksman section by section

How to work through The Amateur Cracksman section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 17 chapters of The Amateur Cracksman to begin.

  2. Read one section

    Each section holds 5 sentences; read it once through.

  3. Listen and tap

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

Vocabulary met early in The Amateur Cracksman

Words and structures a reader meets early in The Amateur Cracksman, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Amateur
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Amateur Cracksman; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Cracksman
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Amateur Cracksman; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Hornung
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Amateur Cracksman; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Flattery
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Amateur Cracksman; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Cover illustration for The Amateur Cracksman
Context Illustration Reading 1/46 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
He withdrew his arm, a skeleton key was selected from the bunch, and then back went his arm to the shoulder.
It was a breathless moment.
I heard the heart throbbing in my body, the very watch ticking in my pocket, and ever and anon the tinkle-tinkle of the skeleton key.
Then--at last--there came a single unmistakable click.
In another minute the mahogany door and the iron gate yawned behind us; and Raffles was sitting on an office table, wiping his face, with the lantern throwing a steady beam by his side.
0:00 / 0:00
Speed 0.75x
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 Amateur Cracksman

Chapter III · Chapter 3

Chapter 3 of The Amateur Cracksman is here in full — 229 sentences across 46 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/46 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
He withdrew his arm, a skeleton key was selected from the bunch, and then back went his arm to the shoulder.
Line 2
It was a breathless moment.
Line 3
I heard the heart throbbing in my body, the very watch ticking in my pocket, and ever and anon the tinkle-tinkle of the skeleton key.
Line 4
Then--at last--there came a single unmistakable click.
Line 5
In another minute the mahogany door and the iron gate yawned behind us; and Raffles was sitting on an office table, wiping his face, with the lantern throwing a steady beam by his side.
All words in this reading · 67

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 He withdrew his arm, a skeleton key was selected from the bunch, and then back went his arm to the shoulder.

Pending verification
an

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

From this reading In another minute the mahogany door and the iron gate yawned behind us; and Raffles was sitting on an office table, wiping his face, with the lantern throwing a steady beam by his side.

Pending verification
and

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

From this reading He withdrew his arm, a skeleton key was selected from the bunch, and then back went his arm to the shoulder.

Pending verification
anon

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

From this reading I heard the heart throbbing in my body, the very watch ticking in my pocket, and ever and anon the tinkle-tinkle of the skeleton key.

Pending verification
another

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

From this reading In another minute the mahogany door and the iron gate yawned behind us; and Raffles was sitting on an office table, wiping his face, with the lantern throwing a steady beam by his side.

Pending verification
arm

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

From this reading He withdrew his arm, a skeleton key was selected from the bunch, and then back went his arm to the shoulder.

Pending verification
at

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

From this reading Then--at last--there came a single unmistakable click.

Pending verification
back

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

From this reading He withdrew his arm, a skeleton key was selected from the bunch, and then back went his arm to the shoulder.

Pending verification
beam

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

From this reading In another minute the mahogany door and the iron gate yawned behind us; and Raffles was sitting on an office table, wiping his face, with the lantern throwing a steady beam by his side.

Pending verification
behind

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

From this reading In another minute the mahogany door and the iron gate yawned behind us; and Raffles was sitting on an office table, wiping his face, with the lantern throwing a steady beam by his side.

Pending verification
body

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

From this reading I heard the heart throbbing in my body, the very watch ticking in my pocket, and ever and anon the tinkle-tinkle of the skeleton key.

Pending verification
breathless

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

From this reading It was a breathless moment.

Pending verification
bunch

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

From this reading He withdrew his arm, a skeleton key was selected from the bunch, and then back went his arm to the shoulder.

Pending verification
by

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

From this reading In another minute the mahogany door and the iron gate yawned behind us; and Raffles was sitting on an office table, wiping his face, with the lantern throwing a steady beam by his side.

Pending verification
came

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

From this reading Then--at last--there came a single unmistakable click.

Pending verification
click

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

From this reading Then--at last--there came a single unmistakable click.

Pending verification
door

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

From this reading In another minute the mahogany door and the iron gate yawned behind us; and Raffles was sitting on an office table, wiping his face, with the lantern throwing a steady beam by his side.

Pending verification
ever

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

From this reading I heard the heart throbbing in my body, the very watch ticking in my pocket, and ever and anon the tinkle-tinkle of the skeleton key.

Pending verification
face

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

From this reading In another minute the mahogany door and the iron gate yawned behind us; and Raffles was sitting on an office table, wiping his face, with the lantern throwing a steady beam by his side.

Pending verification
from

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

From this reading He withdrew his arm, a skeleton key was selected from the bunch, and then back went his arm to the shoulder.

Pending verification
gate

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

From this reading In another minute the mahogany door and the iron gate yawned behind us; and Raffles was sitting on an office table, wiping his face, with the lantern throwing a steady beam by his side.

Pending verification
He

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

From this reading He withdrew his arm, a skeleton key was selected from the bunch, and then back went his arm to the shoulder.

Pending verification
heard

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

From this reading I heard the heart throbbing in my body, the very watch ticking in my pocket, and ever and anon the tinkle-tinkle of the skeleton key.

Pending verification
heart

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

From this reading I heard the heart throbbing in my body, the very watch ticking in my pocket, and ever and anon the tinkle-tinkle of the skeleton key.

Pending verification
his

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

From this reading He withdrew his arm, a skeleton key was selected from the bunch, and then back went his arm to the shoulder.

Pending verification
I

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

From this reading I heard the heart throbbing in my body, the very watch ticking in my pocket, and ever and anon the tinkle-tinkle of the skeleton key.

Pending verification
in

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

From this reading I heard the heart throbbing in my body, the very watch ticking in my pocket, and ever and anon the tinkle-tinkle of the skeleton key.

Pending verification
iron

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

From this reading In another minute the mahogany door and the iron gate yawned behind us; and Raffles was sitting on an office table, wiping his face, with the lantern throwing a steady beam by his side.

Pending verification
It

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

From this reading It was a breathless moment.

Pending verification
key

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

From this reading He withdrew his arm, a skeleton key was selected from the bunch, and then back went his arm to the shoulder.

Pending verification
lantern

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

From this reading In another minute the mahogany door and the iron gate yawned behind us; and Raffles was sitting on an office table, wiping his face, with the lantern throwing a steady beam by his side.

Pending verification
last

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

From this reading Then--at last--there came a single unmistakable click.

Pending verification
mahogany

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

From this reading In another minute the mahogany door and the iron gate yawned behind us; and Raffles was sitting on an office table, wiping his face, with the lantern throwing a steady beam by his side.

Pending verification
minute

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

From this reading In another minute the mahogany door and the iron gate yawned behind us; and Raffles was sitting on an office table, wiping his face, with the lantern throwing a steady beam by his side.

Pending verification
moment

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

From this reading It was a breathless moment.

Pending verification
my

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

From this reading I heard the heart throbbing in my body, the very watch ticking in my pocket, and ever and anon the tinkle-tinkle of the skeleton key.

Pending verification
of

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

From this reading I heard the heart throbbing in my body, the very watch ticking in my pocket, and ever and anon the tinkle-tinkle of the skeleton key.

Pending verification
office

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

From this reading In another minute the mahogany door and the iron gate yawned behind us; and Raffles was sitting on an office table, wiping his face, with the lantern throwing a steady beam by his side.

Pending verification
on

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

From this reading In another minute the mahogany door and the iron gate yawned behind us; and Raffles was sitting on an office table, wiping his face, with the lantern throwing a steady beam by his side.

Pending verification
pocket

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

From this reading I heard the heart throbbing in my body, the very watch ticking in my pocket, and ever and anon the tinkle-tinkle of the skeleton key.

Pending verification
Raffles

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

From this reading In another minute the mahogany door and the iron gate yawned behind us; and Raffles was sitting on an office table, wiping his face, with the lantern throwing a steady beam by his side.

Pending verification
selected

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

From this reading He withdrew his arm, a skeleton key was selected from the bunch, and then back went his arm to the shoulder.

Pending verification
shoulder

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

From this reading He withdrew his arm, a skeleton key was selected from the bunch, and then back went his arm to the shoulder.

Pending verification
side

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

From this reading In another minute the mahogany door and the iron gate yawned behind us; and Raffles was sitting on an office table, wiping his face, with the lantern throwing a steady beam by his side.

Pending verification
single

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

From this reading Then--at last--there came a single unmistakable click.

Pending verification
sitting

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

From this reading In another minute the mahogany door and the iron gate yawned behind us; and Raffles was sitting on an office table, wiping his face, with the lantern throwing a steady beam by his side.

Pending verification
skeleton

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

From this reading He withdrew his arm, a skeleton key was selected from the bunch, and then back went his arm to the shoulder.

Pending verification
steady

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

From this reading In another minute the mahogany door and the iron gate yawned behind us; and Raffles was sitting on an office table, wiping his face, with the lantern throwing a steady beam by his side.

Pending verification
table

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

From this reading In another minute the mahogany door and the iron gate yawned behind us; and Raffles was sitting on an office table, wiping his face, with the lantern throwing a steady beam by his side.

Pending verification
the

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

From this reading He withdrew his arm, a skeleton key was selected from the bunch, and then back went his arm to the shoulder.

Pending verification
then

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

From this reading He withdrew his arm, a skeleton key was selected from the bunch, and then back went his arm to the shoulder.

Pending verification
there

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

From this reading Then--at last--there came a single unmistakable click.

Pending verification
throbbing

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

From this reading I heard the heart throbbing in my body, the very watch ticking in my pocket, and ever and anon the tinkle-tinkle of the skeleton key.

Pending verification
throwing

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

From this reading In another minute the mahogany door and the iron gate yawned behind us; and Raffles was sitting on an office table, wiping his face, with the lantern throwing a steady beam by his side.

Pending verification
ticking

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

From this reading I heard the heart throbbing in my body, the very watch ticking in my pocket, and ever and anon the tinkle-tinkle of the skeleton key.

Pending verification
tinkle-tinkle

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

From this reading I heard the heart throbbing in my body, the very watch ticking in my pocket, and ever and anon the tinkle-tinkle of the skeleton key.

Pending verification
to

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

From this reading He withdrew his arm, a skeleton key was selected from the bunch, and then back went his arm to the shoulder.

Pending verification
unmistakable

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

From this reading Then--at last--there came a single unmistakable click.

Pending verification
us

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

From this reading In another minute the mahogany door and the iron gate yawned behind us; and Raffles was sitting on an office table, wiping his face, with the lantern throwing a steady beam by his side.

Pending verification
very

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

From this reading I heard the heart throbbing in my body, the very watch ticking in my pocket, and ever and anon the tinkle-tinkle of the skeleton key.

Pending verification
was

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

From this reading He withdrew his arm, a skeleton key was selected from the bunch, and then back went his arm to the shoulder.

Pending verification
watch

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

From this reading I heard the heart throbbing in my body, the very watch ticking in my pocket, and ever and anon the tinkle-tinkle of the skeleton key.

Pending verification
went

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

From this reading He withdrew his arm, a skeleton key was selected from the bunch, and then back went his arm to the shoulder.

Pending verification
wiping

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

From this reading In another minute the mahogany door and the iron gate yawned behind us; and Raffles was sitting on an office table, wiping his face, with the lantern throwing a steady beam by his side.

Pending verification
with

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

From this reading In another minute the mahogany door and the iron gate yawned behind us; and Raffles was sitting on an office table, wiping his face, with the lantern throwing a steady beam by his side.

Pending verification
withdrew

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

From this reading He withdrew his arm, a skeleton key was selected from the bunch, and then back went his arm to the shoulder.

Pending verification
yawned

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

From this reading In another minute the mahogany door and the iron gate yawned behind us; and Raffles was sitting on an office table, wiping his face, with the lantern throwing a steady beam by his side.

Pending verification