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The Amateur Cracksman
The Amateur Cracksman

Chapter IV · Chapter 4

Chapter 4 of The Amateur Cracksman is here in full — 209 sentences across 42 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for The Amateur Cracksman
Context Illustration Reading 1/41 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
"I would rather we didn't exceed ours just yet," I answered laughing, for his spirit was irresistible, and the plan was growing upon me, despite my qualms.
"Trust me for that," was his reply; "I'll see you through.
After all I expect to find that the difficulties are nearly all on the surface.
These fellows both drink like the devil, and that should simplify matters considerably.
But we shall see, and we must take our time.
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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 Amateur Cracksman

Chapter IV · Chapter 4

Chapter 4 of The Amateur Cracksman is here in full — 209 sentences across 42 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/41 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
"I would rather we didn't exceed ours just yet," I answered laughing, for his spirit was irresistible, and the plan was growing upon me, despite my qualms.
Line 2
"Trust me for that," was his reply; "I'll see you through.
Line 3
After all I expect to find that the difficulties are nearly all on the surface.
Line 4
These fellows both drink like the devil, and that should simplify matters considerably.
Line 5
But we shall see, and we must take our time.

All words in this reading · 58

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.

After

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

From this reading After all I expect to find that the difficulties are nearly all on the surface.

all

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

From this reading After all I expect to find that the difficulties are nearly all on the surface.

and

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

From this reading "I would rather we didn't exceed ours just yet," I answered laughing, for his spirit was irresistible, and the plan was growing upon me, despite my qualms.

answered

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

From this reading "I would rather we didn't exceed ours just yet," I answered laughing, for his spirit was irresistible, and the plan was growing upon me, despite my qualms.

are

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

From this reading After all I expect to find that the difficulties are nearly all on the surface.

both

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

From this reading These fellows both drink like the devil, and that should simplify matters considerably.

But

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

From this reading But we shall see, and we must take our time.

considerably

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

From this reading These fellows both drink like the devil, and that should simplify matters considerably.

despite

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

From this reading "I would rather we didn't exceed ours just yet," I answered laughing, for his spirit was irresistible, and the plan was growing upon me, despite my qualms.

devil

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

From this reading These fellows both drink like the devil, and that should simplify matters considerably.

didn't

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

From this reading "I would rather we didn't exceed ours just yet," I answered laughing, for his spirit was irresistible, and the plan was growing upon me, despite my qualms.

difficulties

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

From this reading After all I expect to find that the difficulties are nearly all on the surface.

drink

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

From this reading These fellows both drink like the devil, and that should simplify matters considerably.

exceed

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

From this reading "I would rather we didn't exceed ours just yet," I answered laughing, for his spirit was irresistible, and the plan was growing upon me, despite my qualms.

expect

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

From this reading After all I expect to find that the difficulties are nearly all on the surface.

fellows

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

From this reading These fellows both drink like the devil, and that should simplify matters considerably.

find

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

From this reading After all I expect to find that the difficulties are nearly all on the surface.

for

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

From this reading "I would rather we didn't exceed ours just yet," I answered laughing, for his spirit was irresistible, and the plan was growing upon me, despite my qualms.

growing

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

From this reading "I would rather we didn't exceed ours just yet," I answered laughing, for his spirit was irresistible, and the plan was growing upon me, despite my qualms.

his

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

From this reading "I would rather we didn't exceed ours just yet," I answered laughing, for his spirit was irresistible, and the plan was growing upon me, despite my qualms.

I

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

From this reading "I would rather we didn't exceed ours just yet," I answered laughing, for his spirit was irresistible, and the plan was growing upon me, despite my qualms.

I'll

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

From this reading "Trust me for that," was his reply; "I'll see you through.

irresistible

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

From this reading "I would rather we didn't exceed ours just yet," I answered laughing, for his spirit was irresistible, and the plan was growing upon me, despite my qualms.

just

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

From this reading "I would rather we didn't exceed ours just yet," I answered laughing, for his spirit was irresistible, and the plan was growing upon me, despite my qualms.

laughing

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

From this reading "I would rather we didn't exceed ours just yet," I answered laughing, for his spirit was irresistible, and the plan was growing upon me, despite my qualms.

like

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

From this reading These fellows both drink like the devil, and that should simplify matters considerably.

matters

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

From this reading These fellows both drink like the devil, and that should simplify matters considerably.

me

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

From this reading "I would rather we didn't exceed ours just yet," I answered laughing, for his spirit was irresistible, and the plan was growing upon me, despite my qualms.

must

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

From this reading But we shall see, and we must take our time.

my

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

From this reading "I would rather we didn't exceed ours just yet," I answered laughing, for his spirit was irresistible, and the plan was growing upon me, despite my qualms.

nearly

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

From this reading After all I expect to find that the difficulties are nearly all on the surface.

on

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

From this reading After all I expect to find that the difficulties are nearly all on the surface.

our

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

From this reading But we shall see, and we must take our time.

ours

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

From this reading "I would rather we didn't exceed ours just yet," I answered laughing, for his spirit was irresistible, and the plan was growing upon me, despite my qualms.

plan

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

From this reading "I would rather we didn't exceed ours just yet," I answered laughing, for his spirit was irresistible, and the plan was growing upon me, despite my qualms.

qualms

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

From this reading "I would rather we didn't exceed ours just yet," I answered laughing, for his spirit was irresistible, and the plan was growing upon me, despite my qualms.

rather

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

From this reading "I would rather we didn't exceed ours just yet," I answered laughing, for his spirit was irresistible, and the plan was growing upon me, despite my qualms.

reply

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

From this reading "Trust me for that," was his reply; "I'll see you through.

see

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

From this reading "Trust me for that," was his reply; "I'll see you through.

shall

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

From this reading But we shall see, and we must take our time.

should

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

From this reading These fellows both drink like the devil, and that should simplify matters considerably.

simplify

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

From this reading These fellows both drink like the devil, and that should simplify matters considerably.

spirit

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

From this reading "I would rather we didn't exceed ours just yet," I answered laughing, for his spirit was irresistible, and the plan was growing upon me, despite my qualms.

surface

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

From this reading After all I expect to find that the difficulties are nearly all on the surface.

take

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

From this reading But we shall see, and we must take our time.

that

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

From this reading "Trust me for that," was his reply; "I'll see you through.

the

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

From this reading "I would rather we didn't exceed ours just yet," I answered laughing, for his spirit was irresistible, and the plan was growing upon me, despite my qualms.

These

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

From this reading These fellows both drink like the devil, and that should simplify matters considerably.

through

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

From this reading "Trust me for that," was his reply; "I'll see you through.

time

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

From this reading But we shall see, and we must take our time.

to

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

From this reading After all I expect to find that the difficulties are nearly all on the surface.

Trust

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

From this reading "Trust me for that," was his reply; "I'll see you through.

upon

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

From this reading "I would rather we didn't exceed ours just yet," I answered laughing, for his spirit was irresistible, and the plan was growing upon me, despite my qualms.

was

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

From this reading "I would rather we didn't exceed ours just yet," I answered laughing, for his spirit was irresistible, and the plan was growing upon me, despite my qualms.

we

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

From this reading "I would rather we didn't exceed ours just yet," I answered laughing, for his spirit was irresistible, and the plan was growing upon me, despite my qualms.

would

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

From this reading "I would rather we didn't exceed ours just yet," I answered laughing, for his spirit was irresistible, and the plan was growing upon me, despite my qualms.

yet

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

From this reading "I would rather we didn't exceed ours just yet," I answered laughing, for his spirit was irresistible, and the plan was growing upon me, despite my qualms.

you

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

From this reading "Trust me for that," was his reply; "I'll see you through.

Chapter 4 of The Amateur Cracksman by E. W. (Ernest William) Hornung holds 209 sentences, grouped into 42 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 4 of The Amateur Cracksman contain?

Chapter 4 holds 209 sentences of The Amateur Cracksman, unabridged, divided into 42 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 4 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 209 sentences, grouped into 42 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 4 of The Amateur Cracksman?

Work through the 42 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 42 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 4 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 4 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 3578 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 298 minutes of reading across 716 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.

Half-past
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.
Twelve
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.
Returned
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.
Albany
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.