Chapter XXIV

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

From this reading A SERIOUS PREDICAMENT.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading He looked about him for a means of escape from that small room--a thing that he had somehow neglected to attend to before the necessity arose for it; and he remembered, as he did so, that the unusually large Navaho blanket that hung suspended from ceiling to floor close at his right hand, next to the easel, concealed a door; and as he recalled the plan of the apartment when he had searched through it, he believed that the door must communicate with the private hallway of the apartment.

not being in a specified place

From this reading Nick Carter would have given a good deal to have been absent from that particular locality at that precise moment.

-ing form of “adjoin” — lie adjacent to another or share a boundary

From this reading But even so, would it be possible for him to open it and to pass through and close it again without attracting the attention of the occupants of the adjoining room?

anew

From this reading But even so, would it be possible for him to open it and to pass through and close it again without attracting the attention of the occupants of the adjoining room?

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading He looked about him for a means of escape from that small room--a thing that he had somehow neglected to attend to before the necessity arose for it; and he remembered, as he did so, that the unusually large Navaho blanket that hung suspended from ceiling to floor close at his right hand, next to the easel, concealed a door; and as he recalled the plan of the apartment when he had searched through it, he believed that the door must communicate with the private hallway of the apartment.

a suite of rooms usually on one floor of an apartment house

From this reading He looked about him for a means of escape from that small room--a thing that he had somehow neglected to attend to before the necessity arose for it; and he remembered, as he did so, that the unusually large Navaho blanket that hung suspended from ceiling to floor close at his right hand, next to the easel, concealed a door; and as he recalled the plan of the apartment when he had searched through it, he believed that the door must communicate with the private hallway of the apartment.

inflected form of “arise” — come into existence; take on form or shape

From this reading He looked about him for a means of escape from that small room--a thing that he had somehow neglected to attend to before the necessity arose for it; and he remembered, as he did so, that the unusually large Navaho blanket that hung suspended from ceiling to floor close at his right hand, next to the easel, concealed a door; and as he recalled the plan of the apartment when he had searched through it, he believed that the door must communicate with the private hallway of the apartment.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading He looked about him for a means of escape from that small room--a thing that he had somehow neglected to attend to before the necessity arose for it; and he remembered, as he did so, that the unusually large Navaho blanket that hung suspended from ceiling to floor close at his right hand, next to the easel, concealed a door; and as he recalled the plan of the apartment when he had searched through it, he believed that the door must communicate with the private hallway of the apartment.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Nick Carter would have given a good deal to have been absent from that particular locality at that precise moment.

be present at (meetings, church services, university), etc.

From this reading He looked about him for a means of escape from that small room--a thing that he had somehow neglected to attend to before the necessity arose for it; and he remembered, as he did so, that the unusually large Navaho blanket that hung suspended from ceiling to floor close at his right hand, next to the easel, concealed a door; and as he recalled the plan of the apartment when he had searched through it, he believed that the door must communicate with the private hallway of the apartment.

the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others

From this reading But even so, would it be possible for him to open it and to pass through and close it again without attracting the attention of the occupants of the adjoining room?

-ing form of “attract” — direct toward itself or oneself by means of some psychological power or physical attributes

From this reading But even so, would it be possible for him to open it and to pass through and close it again without attracting the attention of the occupants of the adjoining room?

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

From this reading It had been no part of his plan to remain there until the possible return of Madge Babbington, but it had not occurred to him that she would leave her friends before two o’clock.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading But even so, would it be possible for him to open it and to pass through and close it again without attracting the attention of the occupants of the adjoining room?

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Nick Carter would have given a good deal to have been absent from that particular locality at that precise moment.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading It had been no part of his plan to remain there until the possible return of Madge Babbington, but it had not occurred to him that she would leave her friends before two o’clock.

past form of “believe” — accept as true; take to be true

From this reading He looked about him for a means of escape from that small room--a thing that he had somehow neglected to attend to before the necessity arose for it; and he remembered, as he did so, that the unusually large Navaho blanket that hung suspended from ceiling to floor close at his right hand, next to the easel, concealed a door; and as he recalled the plan of the apartment when he had searched through it, he believed that the door must communicate with the private hallway of the apartment.

bedding that keeps a person warm in bed

From this reading He looked about him for a means of escape from that small room--a thing that he had somehow neglected to attend to before the necessity arose for it; and he remembered, as he did so, that the unusually large Navaho blanket that hung suspended from ceiling to floor close at his right hand, next to the easel, concealed a door; and as he recalled the plan of the apartment when he had searched through it, he believed that the door must communicate with the private hallway of the apartment.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading It had been no part of his plan to remain there until the possible return of Madge Babbington, but it had not occurred to him that she would leave her friends before two o’clock.

Englishman and Egyptologist who in 1922 discovered and excavated the tomb of Tutankhamen (1873-1939)

From this reading Nick Carter would have given a good deal to have been absent from that particular locality at that precise moment.

the overhead upper surface of a covered space

From this reading He looked about him for a means of escape from that small room--a thing that he had somehow neglected to attend to before the necessity arose for it; and he remembered, as he did so, that the unusually large Navaho blanket that hung suspended from ceiling to floor close at his right hand, next to the easel, concealed a door; and as he recalled the plan of the apartment when he had searched through it, he believed that the door must communicate with the private hallway of the apartment.

at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other

From this reading He looked about him for a means of escape from that small room--a thing that he had somehow neglected to attend to before the necessity arose for it; and he remembered, as he did so, that the unusually large Navaho blanket that hung suspended from ceiling to floor close at his right hand, next to the easel, concealed a door; and as he recalled the plan of the apartment when he had searched through it, he believed that the door must communicate with the private hallway of the apartment.

transmit information

From this reading He looked about him for a means of escape from that small room--a thing that he had somehow neglected to attend to before the necessity arose for it; and he remembered, as he did so, that the unusually large Navaho blanket that hung suspended from ceiling to floor close at his right hand, next to the easel, concealed a door; and as he recalled the plan of the apartment when he had searched through it, he believed that the door must communicate with the private hallway of the apartment.

not accessible to view

From this reading He looked about him for a means of escape from that small room--a thing that he had somehow neglected to attend to before the necessity arose for it; and he remembered, as he did so, that the unusually large Navaho blanket that hung suspended from ceiling to floor close at his right hand, next to the easel, concealed a door; and as he recalled the plan of the apartment when he had searched through it, he believed that the door must communicate with the private hallway of the apartment.

act on verbally or in some form of artistic expression

From this reading Nick Carter would have given a good deal to have been absent from that particular locality at that precise moment.

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading He looked about him for a means of escape from that small room--a thing that he had somehow neglected to attend to before the necessity arose for it; and he remembered, as he did so, that the unusually large Navaho blanket that hung suspended from ceiling to floor close at his right hand, next to the easel, concealed a door; and as he recalled the plan of the apartment when he had searched through it, he believed that the door must communicate with the private hallway of the apartment.

a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle

From this reading He looked about him for a means of escape from that small room--a thing that he had somehow neglected to attend to before the necessity arose for it; and he remembered, as he did so, that the unusually large Navaho blanket that hung suspended from ceiling to floor close at his right hand, next to the easel, concealed a door; and as he recalled the plan of the apartment when he had searched through it, he believed that the door must communicate with the private hallway of the apartment.

an upright tripod for displaying something (usually an artist's canvas)

From this reading He looked about him for a means of escape from that small room--a thing that he had somehow neglected to attend to before the necessity arose for it; and he remembered, as he did so, that the unusually large Navaho blanket that hung suspended from ceiling to floor close at his right hand, next to the easel, concealed a door; and as he recalled the plan of the apartment when he had searched through it, he believed that the door must communicate with the private hallway of the apartment.

the act of escaping physically

From this reading He looked about him for a means of escape from that small room--a thing that he had somehow neglected to attend to before the necessity arose for it; and he remembered, as he did so, that the unusually large Navaho blanket that hung suspended from ceiling to floor close at his right hand, next to the easel, concealed a door; and as he recalled the plan of the apartment when he had searched through it, he believed that the door must communicate with the private hallway of the apartment.

divisible by two

From this reading But even so, would it be possible for him to open it and to pass through and close it again without attracting the attention of the occupants of the adjoining room?

the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)

From this reading He looked about him for a means of escape from that small room--a thing that he had somehow neglected to attend to before the necessity arose for it; and he remembered, as he did so, that the unusually large Navaho blanket that hung suspended from ceiling to floor close at his right hand, next to the easel, concealed a door; and as he recalled the plan of the apartment when he had searched through it, he believed that the door must communicate with the private hallway of the apartment.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading He looked about him for a means of escape from that small room--a thing that he had somehow neglected to attend to before the necessity arose for it; and he remembered, as he did so, that the unusually large Navaho blanket that hung suspended from ceiling to floor close at his right hand, next to the easel, concealed a door; and as he recalled the plan of the apartment when he had searched through it, he believed that the door must communicate with the private hallway of the apartment.

plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust

From this reading It had been no part of his plan to remain there until the possible return of Madge Babbington, but it had not occurred to him that she would leave her friends before two o’clock.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Nick Carter would have given a good deal to have been absent from that particular locality at that precise moment.

acknowledged as a supposition

From this reading Nick Carter would have given a good deal to have been absent from that particular locality at that precise moment.

having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified

From this reading Nick Carter would have given a good deal to have been absent from that particular locality at that precise moment.

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

From this reading It had been no part of his plan to remain there until the possible return of Madge Babbington, but it had not occurred to him that she would leave her friends before two o’clock.

an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open

From this reading He looked about him for a means of escape from that small room--a thing that he had somehow neglected to attend to before the necessity arose for it; and he remembered, as he did so, that the unusually large Navaho blanket that hung suspended from ceiling to floor close at his right hand, next to the easel, concealed a door; and as he recalled the plan of the apartment when he had searched through it, he believed that the door must communicate with the private hallway of the apartment.

the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb

From this reading He looked about him for a means of escape from that small room--a thing that he had somehow neglected to attend to before the necessity arose for it; and he remembered, as he did so, that the unusually large Navaho blanket that hung suspended from ceiling to floor close at his right hand, next to the easel, concealed a door; and as he recalled the plan of the apartment when he had searched through it, he believed that the door must communicate with the private hallway of the apartment.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Nick Carter would have given a good deal to have been absent from that particular locality at that precise moment.

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

From this reading He looked about him for a means of escape from that small room--a thing that he had somehow neglected to attend to before the necessity arose for it; and he remembered, as he did so, that the unusually large Navaho blanket that hung suspended from ceiling to floor close at his right hand, next to the easel, concealed a door; and as he recalled the plan of the apartment when he had searched through it, he believed that the door must communicate with the private hallway of the apartment.

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading It had been no part of his plan to remain there until the possible return of Madge Babbington, but it had not occurred to him that she would leave her friends before two o’clock.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading It had been no part of his plan to remain there until the possible return of Madge Babbington, but it had not occurred to him that she would leave her friends before two o’clock.

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

From this reading It had been no part of his plan to remain there until the possible return of Madge Babbington, but it had not occurred to him that she would leave her friends before two o’clock.

inflected form of “hang” — be suspended or hanging

From this reading He looked about him for a means of escape from that small room--a thing that he had somehow neglected to attend to before the necessity arose for it; and he remembered, as he did so, that the unusually large Navaho blanket that hung suspended from ceiling to floor close at his right hand, next to the easel, concealed a door; and as he recalled the plan of the apartment when he had searched through it, he believed that the door must communicate with the private hallway of the apartment.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It had been no part of his plan to remain there until the possible return of Madge Babbington, but it had not occurred to him that she would leave her friends before two o’clock.

above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading He looked about him for a means of escape from that small room--a thing that he had somehow neglected to attend to before the necessity arose for it; and he remembered, as he did so, that the unusually large Navaho blanket that hung suspended from ceiling to floor close at his right hand, next to the easel, concealed a door; and as he recalled the plan of the apartment when he had searched through it, he believed that the door must communicate with the private hallway of the apartment.

go away from a place

From this reading It had been no part of his plan to remain there until the possible return of Madge Babbington, but it had not occurred to him that she would leave her friends before two o’clock.

a surrounding or nearby region

From this reading Nick Carter would have given a good deal to have been absent from that particular locality at that precise moment.

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

From this reading He looked about him for a means of escape from that small room--a thing that he had somehow neglected to attend to before the necessity arose for it; and he remembered, as he did so, that the unusually large Navaho blanket that hung suspended from ceiling to floor close at his right hand, next to the easel, concealed a door; and as he recalled the plan of the apartment when he had searched through it, he believed that the door must communicate with the private hallway of the apartment.

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

From this reading It had been no part of his plan to remain there until the possible return of Madge Babbington, but it had not occurred to him that she would leave her friends before two o’clock.

thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end

From this reading He looked about him for a means of escape from that small room--a thing that he had somehow neglected to attend to before the necessity arose for it; and he remembered, as he did so, that the unusually large Navaho blanket that hung suspended from ceiling to floor close at his right hand, next to the easel, concealed a door; and as he recalled the plan of the apartment when he had searched through it, he believed that the door must communicate with the private hallway of the apartment.

a particular point in time

From this reading Nick Carter would have given a good deal to have been absent from that particular locality at that precise moment.

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading He looked about him for a means of escape from that small room--a thing that he had somehow neglected to attend to before the necessity arose for it; and he remembered, as he did so, that the unusually large Navaho blanket that hung suspended from ceiling to floor close at his right hand, next to the easel, concealed a door; and as he recalled the plan of the apartment when he had searched through it, he believed that the door must communicate with the private hallway of the apartment.

a member of an Athapaskan people that migrated to Arizona and New Mexico and Utah

From this reading He looked about him for a means of escape from that small room--a thing that he had somehow neglected to attend to before the necessity arose for it; and he remembered, as he did so, that the unusually large Navaho blanket that hung suspended from ceiling to floor close at his right hand, next to the easel, concealed a door; and as he recalled the plan of the apartment when he had searched through it, he believed that the door must communicate with the private hallway of the apartment.

the condition of being essential or indispensable

From this reading He looked about him for a means of escape from that small room--a thing that he had somehow neglected to attend to before the necessity arose for it; and he remembered, as he did so, that the unusually large Navaho blanket that hung suspended from ceiling to floor close at his right hand, next to the easel, concealed a door; and as he recalled the plan of the apartment when he had searched through it, he believed that the door must communicate with the private hallway of the apartment.

disregarded

From this reading He looked about him for a means of escape from that small room--a thing that he had somehow neglected to attend to before the necessity arose for it; and he remembered, as he did so, that the unusually large Navaho blanket that hung suspended from ceiling to floor close at his right hand, next to the easel, concealed a door; and as he recalled the plan of the apartment when he had searched through it, he believed that the door must communicate with the private hallway of the apartment.

immediately following in time or order

From this reading He looked about him for a means of escape from that small room--a thing that he had somehow neglected to attend to before the necessity arose for it; and he remembered, as he did so, that the unusually large Navaho blanket that hung suspended from ceiling to floor close at his right hand, next to the easel, concealed a door; and as he recalled the plan of the apartment when he had searched through it, he believed that the door must communicate with the private hallway of the apartment.

cut slightly, with a razor

From this reading Nick Carter would have given a good deal to have been absent from that particular locality at that precise moment.

not any; not one

From this reading It had been no part of his plan to remain there until the possible return of Madge Babbington, but it had not occurred to him that she would leave her friends before two o’clock.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading It had been no part of his plan to remain there until the possible return of Madge Babbington, but it had not occurred to him that she would leave her friends before two o’clock.

according to the clock

From this reading It had been no part of his plan to remain there until the possible return of Madge Babbington, but it had not occurred to him that she would leave her friends before two o’clock.

plural of “occupant” — someone who lives at a particular place for a prolonged period or who was born there

From this reading But even so, would it be possible for him to open it and to pass through and close it again without attracting the attention of the occupants of the adjoining room?

inflected form of “occur” — come to pass

From this reading It had been no part of his plan to remain there until the possible return of Madge Babbington, but it had not occurred to him that she would leave her friends before two o’clock.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading It had been no part of his plan to remain there until the possible return of Madge Babbington, but it had not occurred to him that she would leave her friends before two o’clock.

To move from a closed position.

From this reading But even so, would it be possible for him to open it and to pass through and close it again without attracting the attention of the occupants of the adjoining room?

something determined in relation to something that includes it

From this reading It had been no part of his plan to remain there until the possible return of Madge Babbington, but it had not occurred to him that she would leave her friends before two o’clock.

unique or specific to a person or thing or category

From this reading Nick Carter would have given a good deal to have been absent from that particular locality at that precise moment.

go across or through

From this reading But even so, would it be possible for him to open it and to pass through and close it again without attracting the attention of the occupants of the adjoining room?

have the will and intention to carry out some action

From this reading It had been no part of his plan to remain there until the possible return of Madge Babbington, but it had not occurred to him that she would leave her friends before two o’clock.

capable of happening or existing

From this reading It had been no part of his plan to remain there until the possible return of Madge Babbington, but it had not occurred to him that she would leave her friends before two o’clock.

sharply exact or accurate or delimited

From this reading Nick Carter would have given a good deal to have been absent from that particular locality at that precise moment.

a situation from which extrication is difficult especially an unpleasant or trying one

From this reading A SERIOUS PREDICAMENT.

confined to particular persons or groups or providing privacy

From this reading He looked about him for a means of escape from that small room--a thing that he had somehow neglected to attend to before the necessity arose for it; and he remembered, as he did so, that the unusually large Navaho blanket that hung suspended from ceiling to floor close at his right hand, next to the easel, concealed a door; and as he recalled the plan of the apartment when he had searched through it, he believed that the door must communicate with the private hallway of the apartment.

past form of “recall” — recall knowledge from memory; have a recollection

From this reading He looked about him for a means of escape from that small room--a thing that he had somehow neglected to attend to before the necessity arose for it; and he remembered, as he did so, that the unusually large Navaho blanket that hung suspended from ceiling to floor close at his right hand, next to the easel, concealed a door; and as he recalled the plan of the apartment when he had searched through it, he believed that the door must communicate with the private hallway of the apartment.

stay the same; remain in a certain state

From this reading It had been no part of his plan to remain there until the possible return of Madge Babbington, but it had not occurred to him that she would leave her friends before two o’clock.

past form of “remember” — recall knowledge from memory; have a recollection

From this reading He looked about him for a means of escape from that small room--a thing that he had somehow neglected to attend to before the necessity arose for it; and he remembered, as he did so, that the unusually large Navaho blanket that hung suspended from ceiling to floor close at his right hand, next to the easel, concealed a door; and as he recalled the plan of the apartment when he had searched through it, he believed that the door must communicate with the private hallway of the apartment.

go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before

From this reading It had been no part of his plan to remain there until the possible return of Madge Babbington, but it had not occurred to him that she would leave her friends before two o’clock.

precisely, exactly

From this reading He looked about him for a means of escape from that small room--a thing that he had somehow neglected to attend to before the necessity arose for it; and he remembered, as he did so, that the unusually large Navaho blanket that hung suspended from ceiling to floor close at his right hand, next to the easel, concealed a door; and as he recalled the plan of the apartment when he had searched through it, he believed that the door must communicate with the private hallway of the apartment.

an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling

From this reading He looked about him for a means of escape from that small room--a thing that he had somehow neglected to attend to before the necessity arose for it; and he remembered, as he did so, that the unusually large Navaho blanket that hung suspended from ceiling to floor close at his right hand, next to the easel, concealed a door; and as he recalled the plan of the apartment when he had searched through it, he believed that the door must communicate with the private hallway of the apartment.

past form of “search” — try to locate or discover, or try to establish the existence of

From this reading He looked about him for a means of escape from that small room--a thing that he had somehow neglected to attend to before the necessity arose for it; and he remembered, as he did so, that the unusually large Navaho blanket that hung suspended from ceiling to floor close at his right hand, next to the easel, concealed a door; and as he recalled the plan of the apartment when he had searched through it, he believed that the door must communicate with the private hallway of the apartment.

concerned with work or important matters rather than play or trivialities

From this reading A SERIOUS PREDICAMENT.

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading It had been no part of his plan to remain there until the possible return of Madge Babbington, but it had not occurred to him that she would leave her friends before two o’clock.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading He looked about him for a means of escape from that small room--a thing that he had somehow neglected to attend to before the necessity arose for it; and he remembered, as he did so, that the unusually large Navaho blanket that hung suspended from ceiling to floor close at his right hand, next to the easel, concealed a door; and as he recalled the plan of the apartment when he had searched through it, he believed that the door must communicate with the private hallway of the apartment.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading He looked about him for a means of escape from that small room--a thing that he had somehow neglected to attend to before the necessity arose for it; and he remembered, as he did so, that the unusually large Navaho blanket that hung suspended from ceiling to floor close at his right hand, next to the easel, concealed a door; and as he recalled the plan of the apartment when he had searched through it, he believed that the door must communicate with the private hallway of the apartment.

in some unspecified way or manner; or by some unspecified means

From this reading He looked about him for a means of escape from that small room--a thing that he had somehow neglected to attend to before the necessity arose for it; and he remembered, as he did so, that the unusually large Navaho blanket that hung suspended from ceiling to floor close at his right hand, next to the easel, concealed a door; and as he recalled the plan of the apartment when he had searched through it, he believed that the door must communicate with the private hallway of the apartment.

(of undissolved particles in a fluid) supported or kept from sinking or falling by buoyancy and without apparent attachment

From this reading He looked about him for a means of escape from that small room--a thing that he had somehow neglected to attend to before the necessity arose for it; and he remembered, as he did so, that the unusually large Navaho blanket that hung suspended from ceiling to floor close at his right hand, next to the easel, concealed a door; and as he recalled the plan of the apartment when he had searched through it, he believed that the door must communicate with the private hallway of the apartment.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Nick Carter would have given a good deal to have been absent from that particular locality at that precise moment.

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

From this reading It had been no part of his plan to remain there until the possible return of Madge Babbington, but it had not occurred to him that she would leave her friends before two o’clock.

in or at that place or location

From this reading It had been no part of his plan to remain there until the possible return of Madge Babbington, but it had not occurred to him that she would leave her friends before two o’clock.

a special situation

From this reading He looked about him for a means of escape from that small room--a thing that he had somehow neglected to attend to before the necessity arose for it; and he remembered, as he did so, that the unusually large Navaho blanket that hung suspended from ceiling to floor close at his right hand, next to the easel, concealed a door; and as he recalled the plan of the apartment when he had searched through it, he believed that the door must communicate with the private hallway of the apartment.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading He looked about him for a means of escape from that small room--a thing that he had somehow neglected to attend to before the necessity arose for it; and he remembered, as he did so, that the unusually large Navaho blanket that hung suspended from ceiling to floor close at his right hand, next to the easel, concealed a door; and as he recalled the plan of the apartment when he had searched through it, he believed that the door must communicate with the private hallway of the apartment.

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

From this reading Nick Carter would have given a good deal to have been absent from that particular locality at that precise moment.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading It had been no part of his plan to remain there until the possible return of Madge Babbington, but it had not occurred to him that she would leave her friends before two o’clock.

up to a particular time

From this reading It had been no part of his plan to remain there until the possible return of Madge Babbington, but it had not occurred to him that she would leave her friends before two o’clock.

to a remarkable degree or extent

From this reading He looked about him for a means of escape from that small room--a thing that he had somehow neglected to attend to before the necessity arose for it; and he remembered, as he did so, that the unusually large Navaho blanket that hung suspended from ceiling to floor close at his right hand, next to the easel, concealed a door; and as he recalled the plan of the apartment when he had searched through it, he believed that the door must communicate with the private hallway of the apartment.

at the time that

From this reading He looked about him for a means of escape from that small room--a thing that he had somehow neglected to attend to before the necessity arose for it; and he remembered, as he did so, that the unusually large Navaho blanket that hung suspended from ceiling to floor close at his right hand, next to the easel, concealed a door; and as he recalled the plan of the apartment when he had searched through it, he believed that the door must communicate with the private hallway of the apartment.

in the company of; together with

From this reading He looked about him for a means of escape from that small room--a thing that he had somehow neglected to attend to before the necessity arose for it; and he remembered, as he did so, that the unusually large Navaho blanket that hung suspended from ceiling to floor close at his right hand, next to the easel, concealed a door; and as he recalled the plan of the apartment when he had searched through it, he believed that the door must communicate with the private hallway of the apartment.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading But even so, would it be possible for him to open it and to pass through and close it again without attracting the attention of the occupants of the adjoining room?

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading Nick Carter would have given a good deal to have been absent from that particular locality at that precise moment.