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The Bartlett Mystery
The Bartlett Mystery

Chapter XXIV

Cover illustration for The Bartlett Mystery
Context Illustration Reading 1/33 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
IN FULL CRY Polly, the maid from the inn, waiting breathlessly intent in the car outside the gate, listened for sounds which should guide her as to the progress of events within.
Steingall left her standing on the upholstered back of the car, with her hands clutching the top of the gate.
She did not descend immediately.
In that position she could best hear approaching footsteps, as she could follow the running of the detective nearly all the way to the house.
Great was her surprise, therefore, to find some one unlocking the gate without receiving any preliminary warning of his advent.
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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 Bartlett Mystery

Chapter XXIV

Reading 1/33 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
IN FULL CRY Polly, the maid from the inn, waiting breathlessly intent in the car outside the gate, listened for sounds which should guide her as to the progress of events within.
Line 2
Steingall left her standing on the upholstered back of the car, with her hands clutching the top of the gate.
Line 3
She did not descend immediately.
Line 4
In that position she could best hear approaching footsteps, as she could follow the running of the detective nearly all the way to the house.
Line 5
Great was her surprise, therefore, to find some one unlocking the gate without receiving any preliminary warning of his advent.

Learner Dictionary

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

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading “In that position she could best hear approaching footsteps, as she could follow the running of the detective nearly all the way to the house.”

Great noun US /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Great was her surprise, therefore, to find some one unlocking the gate without receiving any preliminary warning of his advent.”

Hands plural noun US /hændz/

members of a ship’s crew

From this reading “Steingall left her standing on the upholstered back of the car, with her hands clutching the top of the gate.”

Hear noun US /hear/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “In that position she could best hear approaching footsteps, as she could follow the running of the detective nearly all the way to the house.”

Left noun US /left/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Steingall left her standing on the upholstered back of the car, with her hands clutching the top of the gate.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “Great was her surprise, therefore, to find some one unlocking the gate without receiving any preliminary warning of his advent.”

Outside noun US /ˈoutside/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading “IN FULL CRY Polly, the maid from the inn, waiting breathlessly intent in the car outside the gate, listened for sounds which should guide her as to the progress of events within.”

Running noun US /ˈrunning/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading “In that position she could best hear approaching footsteps, as she could follow the running of the detective nearly all the way to the house.”

Standing noun US /ˈstanding/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading “Steingall left her standing on the upholstered back of the car, with her hands clutching the top of the gate.”

Therefore adverb US /ˈðerfɔːr/

for that reason; as a result

From this reading “Great was her surprise, therefore, to find some one unlocking the gate without receiving any preliminary warning of his advent.”

Waiting noun US /ˈwaiting/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading “IN FULL CRY Polly, the maid from the inn, waiting breathlessly intent in the car outside the gate, listened for sounds which should guide her as to the progress of events within.”

Within preposition US /wɪˈðɪn/

inside; before a period of time has passed

From this reading “IN FULL CRY Polly, the maid from the inn, waiting breathlessly intent in the car outside the gate, listened for sounds which should guide her as to the progress of events within.”

Without preposition US /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading “Great was her surprise, therefore, to find some one unlocking the gate without receiving any preliminary warning of his advent.”

All words in this reading · 71

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

advent

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

From this reading Great was her surprise, therefore, to find some one unlocking the gate without receiving any preliminary warning of his advent.

all

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

From this reading In that position she could best hear approaching footsteps, as she could follow the running of the detective nearly all the way to the house.

any

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

From this reading Great was her surprise, therefore, to find some one unlocking the gate without receiving any preliminary warning of his advent.

approaching

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

From this reading In that position she could best hear approaching footsteps, as she could follow the running of the detective nearly all the way to the house.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading IN FULL CRY Polly, the maid from the inn, waiting breathlessly intent in the car outside the gate, listened for sounds which should guide her as to the progress of events within.

back

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

From this reading Steingall left her standing on the upholstered back of the car, with her hands clutching the top of the gate.

best

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

From this reading In that position she could best hear approaching footsteps, as she could follow the running of the detective nearly all the way to the house.

breathlessly

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

From this reading IN FULL CRY Polly, the maid from the inn, waiting breathlessly intent in the car outside the gate, listened for sounds which should guide her as to the progress of events within.

car

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

From this reading IN FULL CRY Polly, the maid from the inn, waiting breathlessly intent in the car outside the gate, listened for sounds which should guide her as to the progress of events within.

clutching

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

From this reading Steingall left her standing on the upholstered back of the car, with her hands clutching the top of the gate.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading In that position she could best hear approaching footsteps, as she could follow the running of the detective nearly all the way to the house.

CRY

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

From this reading IN FULL CRY Polly, the maid from the inn, waiting breathlessly intent in the car outside the gate, listened for sounds which should guide her as to the progress of events within.

descend

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

From this reading She did not descend immediately.

detective

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

From this reading In that position she could best hear approaching footsteps, as she could follow the running of the detective nearly all the way to the house.

didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/

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

From this reading She did not descend immediately.

events

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

From this reading IN FULL CRY Polly, the maid from the inn, waiting breathlessly intent in the car outside the gate, listened for sounds which should guide her as to the progress of events within.

find

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

From this reading Great was her surprise, therefore, to find some one unlocking the gate without receiving any preliminary warning of his advent.

follow

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

From this reading In that position she could best hear approaching footsteps, as she could follow the running of the detective nearly all the way to the house.

footsteps

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

From this reading In that position she could best hear approaching footsteps, as she could follow the running of the detective nearly all the way to the house.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading IN FULL CRY Polly, the maid from the inn, waiting breathlessly intent in the car outside the gate, listened for sounds which should guide her as to the progress of events within.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading IN FULL CRY Polly, the maid from the inn, waiting breathlessly intent in the car outside the gate, listened for sounds which should guide her as to the progress of events within.

FULL

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

From this reading IN FULL CRY Polly, the maid from the inn, waiting breathlessly intent in the car outside the gate, listened for sounds which should guide her as to the progress of events within.

gate

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

From this reading IN FULL CRY Polly, the maid from the inn, waiting breathlessly intent in the car outside the gate, listened for sounds which should guide her as to the progress of events within.

GreatnounUS /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Great was her surprise, therefore, to find some one unlocking the gate without receiving any preliminary warning of his advent.

guide

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

From this reading IN FULL CRY Polly, the maid from the inn, waiting breathlessly intent in the car outside the gate, listened for sounds which should guide her as to the progress of events within.

handsplural nounUS /hændz/

members of a ship’s crew

From this reading Steingall left her standing on the upholstered back of the car, with her hands clutching the top of the gate.

hearnounUS /hear/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading In that position she could best hear approaching footsteps, as she could follow the running of the detective nearly all the way to the house.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading IN FULL CRY Polly, the maid from the inn, waiting breathlessly intent in the car outside the gate, listened for sounds which should guide her as to the progress of events within.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading Great was her surprise, therefore, to find some one unlocking the gate without receiving any preliminary warning of his advent.

house

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

From this reading In that position she could best hear approaching footsteps, as she could follow the running of the detective nearly all the way to the house.

immediately

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

From this reading She did not descend immediately.

INprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading IN FULL CRY Polly, the maid from the inn, waiting breathlessly intent in the car outside the gate, listened for sounds which should guide her as to the progress of events within.

inn

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

From this reading IN FULL CRY Polly, the maid from the inn, waiting breathlessly intent in the car outside the gate, listened for sounds which should guide her as to the progress of events within.

intent

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

From this reading IN FULL CRY Polly, the maid from the inn, waiting breathlessly intent in the car outside the gate, listened for sounds which should guide her as to the progress of events within.

leftnounUS /left/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Steingall left her standing on the upholstered back of the car, with her hands clutching the top of the gate.

listened

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

From this reading IN FULL CRY Polly, the maid from the inn, waiting breathlessly intent in the car outside the gate, listened for sounds which should guide her as to the progress of events within.

maid

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

From this reading IN FULL CRY Polly, the maid from the inn, waiting breathlessly intent in the car outside the gate, listened for sounds which should guide her as to the progress of events within.

nearly

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

From this reading In that position she could best hear approaching footsteps, as she could follow the running of the detective nearly all the way to the house.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading She did not descend immediately.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading IN FULL CRY Polly, the maid from the inn, waiting breathlessly intent in the car outside the gate, listened for sounds which should guide her as to the progress of events within.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Steingall left her standing on the upholstered back of the car, with her hands clutching the top of the gate.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Great was her surprise, therefore, to find some one unlocking the gate without receiving any preliminary warning of his advent.

outsidenounUS /ˈoutside/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading IN FULL CRY Polly, the maid from the inn, waiting breathlessly intent in the car outside the gate, listened for sounds which should guide her as to the progress of events within.

Polly

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

From this reading IN FULL CRY Polly, the maid from the inn, waiting breathlessly intent in the car outside the gate, listened for sounds which should guide her as to the progress of events within.

position

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

From this reading In that position she could best hear approaching footsteps, as she could follow the running of the detective nearly all the way to the house.

preliminary

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

From this reading Great was her surprise, therefore, to find some one unlocking the gate without receiving any preliminary warning of his advent.

progress

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

From this reading IN FULL CRY Polly, the maid from the inn, waiting breathlessly intent in the car outside the gate, listened for sounds which should guide her as to the progress of events within.

receiving

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

From this reading Great was her surprise, therefore, to find some one unlocking the gate without receiving any preliminary warning of his advent.

runningnounUS /ˈrunning/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading In that position she could best hear approaching footsteps, as she could follow the running of the detective nearly all the way to the house.

ShepronounUS /ʃiː/

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

From this reading She did not descend immediately.

shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading IN FULL CRY Polly, the maid from the inn, waiting breathlessly intent in the car outside the gate, listened for sounds which should guide her as to the progress of events within.

some

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

From this reading Great was her surprise, therefore, to find some one unlocking the gate without receiving any preliminary warning of his advent.

sounds

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

From this reading IN FULL CRY Polly, the maid from the inn, waiting breathlessly intent in the car outside the gate, listened for sounds which should guide her as to the progress of events within.

standingnounUS /ˈstanding/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading Steingall left her standing on the upholstered back of the car, with her hands clutching the top of the gate.

Steingall

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

From this reading Steingall left her standing on the upholstered back of the car, with her hands clutching the top of the gate.

surprise

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

From this reading Great was her surprise, therefore, to find some one unlocking the gate without receiving any preliminary warning of his advent.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading In that position she could best hear approaching footsteps, as she could follow the running of the detective nearly all the way to the house.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading IN FULL CRY Polly, the maid from the inn, waiting breathlessly intent in the car outside the gate, listened for sounds which should guide her as to the progress of events within.

thereforeadverbUS /ˈðerfɔːr/

for that reason; as a result

From this reading Great was her surprise, therefore, to find some one unlocking the gate without receiving any preliminary warning of his advent.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading IN FULL CRY Polly, the maid from the inn, waiting breathlessly intent in the car outside the gate, listened for sounds which should guide her as to the progress of events within.

top

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

From this reading Steingall left her standing on the upholstered back of the car, with her hands clutching the top of the gate.

unlocking

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

From this reading Great was her surprise, therefore, to find some one unlocking the gate without receiving any preliminary warning of his advent.

upholstered

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

From this reading Steingall left her standing on the upholstered back of the car, with her hands clutching the top of the gate.

waiting

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

From this reading IN FULL CRY Polly, the maid from the inn, waiting breathlessly intent in the car outside the gate, listened for sounds which should guide her as to the progress of events within.

warning

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

From this reading Great was her surprise, therefore, to find some one unlocking the gate without receiving any preliminary warning of his advent.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Great was her surprise, therefore, to find some one unlocking the gate without receiving any preliminary warning of his advent.

way

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

From this reading In that position she could best hear approaching footsteps, as she could follow the running of the detective nearly all the way to the house.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading IN FULL CRY Polly, the maid from the inn, waiting breathlessly intent in the car outside the gate, listened for sounds which should guide her as to the progress of events within.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Steingall left her standing on the upholstered back of the car, with her hands clutching the top of the gate.

withinprepositionUS /wɪˈðɪn/

inside; before a period of time has passed

From this reading IN FULL CRY Polly, the maid from the inn, waiting breathlessly intent in the car outside the gate, listened for sounds which should guide her as to the progress of events within.

withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading Great was her surprise, therefore, to find some one unlocking the gate without receiving any preliminary warning of his advent.