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The Charing Cross Mystery
The Charing Cross Mystery

Chapter XXIII

Chapter 23 of The Charing Cross Mystery is here in full — 285 sentences across 57 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

By J. S. (Joseph Smith) Fletcher • Curated US English Learning Edition
Cover illustration for The Charing Cross Mystery
Context Illustration Reading 1/57 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
THE LANDLADY OF LITTLE SMITH STREET Garrowell's office proved to be up two flights of stairs in St. Martin's Lane.
They were dark and dingy stairs, and none of the four men clambering up them noticed that an office-boy, rushing unceremoniously downward carried a small parcel with which he fled out of the door and away down the street.
They were, indeed, thinking of Garrowell--and within five minutes they were all in his private room.
For another five minutes Matherfield was explaining matters--explaining to an obviously startled and much astonished listener.
"That's how it stands," concluded Matherfield.
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 Charing Cross Mystery

Chapter XXIII

Chapter 23 of The Charing Cross Mystery is here in full — 285 sentences across 57 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/57 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
THE LANDLADY OF LITTLE SMITH STREET Garrowell's office proved to be up two flights of stairs in St. Martin's Lane.
Line 2
They were dark and dingy stairs, and none of the four men clambering up them noticed that an office-boy, rushing unceremoniously downward carried a small parcel with which he fled out of the door and away down the street.
Line 3
They were, indeed, thinking of Garrowell--and within five minutes they were all in his private room.
Line 4
For another five minutes Matherfield was explaining matters--explaining to an obviously startled and much astonished listener.
Line 5
"That's how it stands," concluded Matherfield.

Learner Dictionary

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

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

dingy adjective US /ˈdɪndʒi/

thickly covered with ingrained dirt or soot

From this reading “They were dark and dingy stairs, and none of the four men clambering up them noticed that an office-boy, rushing unceremoniously downward carried a small parcel with which he fled out of the door and away down the street.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
explaining verb US /ɪkˈspleɪnɪŋ/

-ing form of “explain” — make plain and comprehensible

From this reading “For another five minutes Matherfield was explaining matters--explaining to an obviously startled and much astonished listener.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
flights noun US /flaɪts/

plural of “flight” — a formation of aircraft in flight

From this reading “THE LANDLADY OF LITTLE SMITH STREET Garrowell's office proved to be up two flights of stairs in St. Martin's Lane.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
landlady noun US /ˈlændleɪdi/

a landlord who is a woman

From this reading “THE LANDLADY OF LITTLE SMITH STREET Garrowell's office proved to be up two flights of stairs in St. Martin's Lane.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
listener noun US /ˈlɪsənər/

someone who listens attentively

From this reading “For another five minutes Matherfield was explaining matters--explaining to an obviously startled and much astonished listener.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
Martin's noun US /ˈmɑːrtənz/

possessive form of “martin” — French bishop who is a patron saint of France (died in 397)

From this reading “THE LANDLADY OF LITTLE SMITH STREET Garrowell's office proved to be up two flights of stairs in St. Martin's Lane.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
parcel noun US /ˈpɑːrsəl/

a wrapped container

From this reading “They were dark and dingy stairs, and none of the four men clambering up them noticed that an office-boy, rushing unceremoniously downward carried a small parcel with which he fled out of the door and away down the street.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
unceremoniously adverb US /ˌʌnserəˈmoʊniəsli/

in an unceremonious manner

From this reading “They were dark and dingy stairs, and none of the four men clambering up them noticed that an office-boy, rushing unceremoniously downward carried a small parcel with which he fled out of the door and away down the street.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1

Word partnerships in these lines

English keeps certain words together, and knowing the pair is worth more than knowing each word alone. Every partnership below was counted across our whole published library, and earns its place by appearing far more often than two unrelated words of the same frequency would.

Shown as this reading writes them, with the form the library counts, what kind of pairing it is, and how often it occurs.

five minutes noun + noun

In this reading “They were, indeed, thinking of Garrowell--and within five minutes they were all in his private room.”

25,633 times in 426,211 chapters
small parcel adjective + noun

In this reading “They were dark and dingy stairs, and none of the four men clambering up them noticed that an office-boy, rushing unceremoniously downward carried a small parcel with which he fled out of the door and away down the street.”

543 times in 426,211 chapters
private room adjective + noun

In this reading “They were, indeed, thinking of Garrowell--and within five minutes they were all in his private room.”

2,467 times in 426,211 chapters
much astonished adverb + adjective

In this reading “For another five minutes Matherfield was explaining matters--explaining to an obviously startled and much astonished listener.”

1,871 times in 426,211 chapters
within five preposition + noun

In this reading “They were, indeed, thinking of Garrowell--and within five minutes they were all in his private room.”

1,835 times in 426,211 chapters
four men noun + noun

In this reading “They were dark and dingy stairs, and none of the four men clambering up them noticed that an office-boy, rushing unceremoniously downward carried a small parcel with which he fled out of the door and away down the street.”

5,569 times in 426,211 chapters

All words in this reading · 74

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

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

adeterminerUS /ə/

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

From this reading They were dark and dingy stairs, and none of the four men clambering up them noticed that an office-boy, rushing unceremoniously downward carried a small parcel with which he fled out of the door and away down the street.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading They were, indeed, thinking of Garrowell--and within five minutes they were all in his private room.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
andeterminerUS /æn/

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading They were dark and dingy stairs, and none of the four men clambering up them noticed that an office-boy, rushing unceremoniously downward carried a small parcel with which he fled out of the door and away down the street.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading They were dark and dingy stairs, and none of the four men clambering up them noticed that an office-boy, rushing unceremoniously downward carried a small parcel with which he fled out of the door and away down the street.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
anotherdeterminerUS /əˈnʌðər/

one more of the same kind, or a different one

From this reading For another five minutes Matherfield was explaining matters--explaining to an obviously startled and much astonished listener.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
astonishedadjectiveUS /əˈstɑːnɪʃt/

filled with the emotional impact of overwhelming surprise or shock

From this reading For another five minutes Matherfield was explaining matters--explaining to an obviously startled and much astonished listener.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
awayadverbUS /əˈweɪ/

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading They were dark and dingy stairs, and none of the four men clambering up them noticed that an office-boy, rushing unceremoniously downward carried a small parcel with which he fled out of the door and away down the street.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading THE LANDLADY OF LITTLE SMITH STREET Garrowell's office proved to be up two flights of stairs in St. Martin's Lane.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
carriedverbUS /ˈkærid/

inflected form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body

From this reading They were dark and dingy stairs, and none of the four men clambering up them noticed that an office-boy, rushing unceremoniously downward carried a small parcel with which he fled out of the door and away down the street.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
clambering

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

From this reading They were dark and dingy stairs, and none of the four men clambering up them noticed that an office-boy, rushing unceremoniously downward carried a small parcel with which he fled out of the door and away down the street.

Pending verification
concludedadjectiveUS /kənˈkluːdəd/

having come or been brought to a conclusion

From this reading "That's how it stands," concluded Matherfield.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
darknounUS /dɑːrk/

absence of light or illumination

From this reading They were dark and dingy stairs, and none of the four men clambering up them noticed that an office-boy, rushing unceremoniously downward carried a small parcel with which he fled out of the door and away down the street.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
dingyadjectiveUS /ˈdɪndʒi/

thickly covered with ingrained dirt or soot

From this reading They were dark and dingy stairs, and none of the four men clambering up them noticed that an office-boy, rushing unceremoniously downward carried a small parcel with which he fled out of the door and away down the street.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
doornounUS /dɔːr/

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

From this reading They were dark and dingy stairs, and none of the four men clambering up them noticed that an office-boy, rushing unceremoniously downward carried a small parcel with which he fled out of the door and away down the street.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
downadjectiveUS /daʊn/

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading They were dark and dingy stairs, and none of the four men clambering up them noticed that an office-boy, rushing unceremoniously downward carried a small parcel with which he fled out of the door and away down the street.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
downwardadjectiveUS /ˈdaʊnwərd/

extending or moving from a higher to a lower place

From this reading They were dark and dingy stairs, and none of the four men clambering up them noticed that an office-boy, rushing unceremoniously downward carried a small parcel with which he fled out of the door and away down the street.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
explainingverbUS /ɪkˈspleɪnɪŋ/

-ing form of “explain” — make plain and comprehensible

From this reading For another five minutes Matherfield was explaining matters--explaining to an obviously startled and much astonished listener.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
fivenounUS /faɪv/

the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one

From this reading They were, indeed, thinking of Garrowell--and within five minutes they were all in his private room.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
fledverbUS /fled/

inflected form of “flee” — run away quickly

From this reading They were dark and dingy stairs, and none of the four men clambering up them noticed that an office-boy, rushing unceremoniously downward carried a small parcel with which he fled out of the door and away down the street.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
flightsnounUS /flaɪts/

plural of “flight” — a formation of aircraft in flight

From this reading THE LANDLADY OF LITTLE SMITH STREET Garrowell's office proved to be up two flights of stairs in St. Martin's Lane.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
ForprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading For another five minutes Matherfield was explaining matters--explaining to an obviously startled and much astonished listener.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
fournounUS /fɔːr/

the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one

From this reading They were dark and dingy stairs, and none of the four men clambering up them noticed that an office-boy, rushing unceremoniously downward carried a small parcel with which he fled out of the door and away down the street.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
Garrowell

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

From this reading They were, indeed, thinking of Garrowell--and within five minutes they were all in his private room.

Pending verification
Garrowell's

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

From this reading THE LANDLADY OF LITTLE SMITH STREET Garrowell's office proved to be up two flights of stairs in St. Martin's Lane.

Pending verification
hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading They were dark and dingy stairs, and none of the four men clambering up them noticed that an office-boy, rushing unceremoniously downward carried a small parcel with which he fled out of the door and away down the street.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading They were, indeed, thinking of Garrowell--and within five minutes they were all in his private room.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
how

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

From this reading "That's how it stands," concluded Matherfield.

Pending verification
inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading THE LANDLADY OF LITTLE SMITH STREET Garrowell's office proved to be up two flights of stairs in St. Martin's Lane.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
indeedadverbUS /ˌɪnˈdiːd/

in truth (often tends to intensify)

From this reading They were, indeed, thinking of Garrowell--and within five minutes they were all in his private room.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading "That's how it stands," concluded Matherfield.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
LANDLADYnounUS /ˈlændleɪdi/

a landlord who is a woman

From this reading THE LANDLADY OF LITTLE SMITH STREET Garrowell's office proved to be up two flights of stairs in St. Martin's Lane.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
LanenounUS /leɪn/

a narrow way or road

From this reading THE LANDLADY OF LITTLE SMITH STREET Garrowell's office proved to be up two flights of stairs in St. Martin's Lane.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
listenernounUS /ˈlɪsənər/

someone who listens attentively

From this reading For another five minutes Matherfield was explaining matters--explaining to an obviously startled and much astonished listener.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
LITTLEadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəl/

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

From this reading THE LANDLADY OF LITTLE SMITH STREET Garrowell's office proved to be up two flights of stairs in St. Martin's Lane.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
Martin'snounUS /ˈmɑːrtənz/

possessive form of “martin” — French bishop who is a patron saint of France (died in 397)

From this reading THE LANDLADY OF LITTLE SMITH STREET Garrowell's office proved to be up two flights of stairs in St. Martin's Lane.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
Matherfield

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

From this reading For another five minutes Matherfield was explaining matters--explaining to an obviously startled and much astonished listener.

Pending verification
mattersnounUS /ˈmætərz/

plural of “matter” — a vaguely specified concern

From this reading For another five minutes Matherfield was explaining matters--explaining to an obviously startled and much astonished listener.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
mennounUS /men/

the force of workers available

From this reading They were dark and dingy stairs, and none of the four men clambering up them noticed that an office-boy, rushing unceremoniously downward carried a small parcel with which he fled out of the door and away down the street.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
minutesnounUS /ˈmɪnəts/

a written account of what transpired at a meeting

From this reading They were, indeed, thinking of Garrowell--and within five minutes they were all in his private room.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
muchadverbUS /mʌtʃ/

to a great degree or extent

From this reading For another five minutes Matherfield was explaining matters--explaining to an obviously startled and much astonished listener.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
nonepronounUS /nʌn/

not one, and not any

From this reading They were dark and dingy stairs, and none of the four men clambering up them noticed that an office-boy, rushing unceremoniously downward carried a small parcel with which he fled out of the door and away down the street.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
noticedadjectiveUS /ˈnoʊtəst/

being perceived or observed

From this reading They were dark and dingy stairs, and none of the four men clambering up them noticed that an office-boy, rushing unceremoniously downward carried a small parcel with which he fled out of the door and away down the street.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
obviouslyadverbUS /ˈɑːbviəsli/

unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)

From this reading For another five minutes Matherfield was explaining matters--explaining to an obviously startled and much astonished listener.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
OFprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE LANDLADY OF LITTLE SMITH STREET Garrowell's office proved to be up two flights of stairs in St. Martin's Lane.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
officenounUS /ˈɔːfɪs/

place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed

From this reading THE LANDLADY OF LITTLE SMITH STREET Garrowell's office proved to be up two flights of stairs in St. Martin's Lane.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
office-boy

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

From this reading They were dark and dingy stairs, and none of the four men clambering up them noticed that an office-boy, rushing unceremoniously downward carried a small parcel with which he fled out of the door and away down the street.

Pending verification
outadjectiveUS /aʊt/

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading They were dark and dingy stairs, and none of the four men clambering up them noticed that an office-boy, rushing unceremoniously downward carried a small parcel with which he fled out of the door and away down the street.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
parcelnounUS /ˈpɑːrsəl/

a wrapped container

From this reading They were dark and dingy stairs, and none of the four men clambering up them noticed that an office-boy, rushing unceremoniously downward carried a small parcel with which he fled out of the door and away down the street.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
privateadjectiveUS /ˈpraɪvət/

confined to particular persons or groups or providing privacy

From this reading They were, indeed, thinking of Garrowell--and within five minutes they were all in his private room.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
provedadjectiveUS /pruːvd/

established beyond doubt

From this reading THE LANDLADY OF LITTLE SMITH STREET Garrowell's office proved to be up two flights of stairs in St. Martin's Lane.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
roomnounUS /ruːm/

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

From this reading They were, indeed, thinking of Garrowell--and within five minutes they were all in his private room.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
rushingnounUS /ˈrʌʃɪŋ/

(American football) an attempt to advance the ball by running into the line

From this reading They were dark and dingy stairs, and none of the four men clambering up them noticed that an office-boy, rushing unceremoniously downward carried a small parcel with which he fled out of the door and away down the street.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
smalladjectiveUS /smɔːl/

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

From this reading They were dark and dingy stairs, and none of the four men clambering up them noticed that an office-boy, rushing unceremoniously downward carried a small parcel with which he fled out of the door and away down the street.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
SMITHnounUS /smɪθ/

Rhodesian statesman who declared independence of Zimbabwe from Great Britain (born in 1919)

From this reading THE LANDLADY OF LITTLE SMITH STREET Garrowell's office proved to be up two flights of stairs in St. Martin's Lane.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
St

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

From this reading THE LANDLADY OF LITTLE SMITH STREET Garrowell's office proved to be up two flights of stairs in St. Martin's Lane.

Pending verification
stairsnounUS /sterz/

a flight of stairs or a flight of steps

From this reading THE LANDLADY OF LITTLE SMITH STREET Garrowell's office proved to be up two flights of stairs in St. Martin's Lane.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
standsnounUS /stændz/

plural of “stand” — a support or foundation

From this reading "That's how it stands," concluded Matherfield.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
startledadjectiveUS /ˈstɑːrtəld/

excited by sudden surprise or alarm and making a quick involuntary movement

From this reading For another five minutes Matherfield was explaining matters--explaining to an obviously startled and much astonished listener.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
STREETnounUS /striːt/

a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings

From this reading THE LANDLADY OF LITTLE SMITH STREET Garrowell's office proved to be up two flights of stairs in St. Martin's Lane.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading They were dark and dingy stairs, and none of the four men clambering up them noticed that an office-boy, rushing unceremoniously downward carried a small parcel with which he fled out of the door and away down the street.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
That's

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

From this reading "That's how it stands," concluded Matherfield.

Pending verification
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading THE LANDLADY OF LITTLE SMITH STREET Garrowell's office proved to be up two flights of stairs in St. Martin's Lane.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading They were dark and dingy stairs, and none of the four men clambering up them noticed that an office-boy, rushing unceremoniously downward carried a small parcel with which he fled out of the door and away down the street.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
TheypronounUS /ðeɪ/

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading They were dark and dingy stairs, and none of the four men clambering up them noticed that an office-boy, rushing unceremoniously downward carried a small parcel with which he fled out of the door and away down the street.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
thinkingnounUS /ˈθɪŋkɪŋ/

the process of using your mind to consider something carefully

From this reading They were, indeed, thinking of Garrowell--and within five minutes they were all in his private room.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading THE LANDLADY OF LITTLE SMITH STREET Garrowell's office proved to be up two flights of stairs in St. Martin's Lane.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
twonounUS /tuː/

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

From this reading THE LANDLADY OF LITTLE SMITH STREET Garrowell's office proved to be up two flights of stairs in St. Martin's Lane.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
unceremoniouslyadverbUS /ˌʌnserəˈmoʊniəsli/

in an unceremonious manner

From this reading They were dark and dingy stairs, and none of the four men clambering up them noticed that an office-boy, rushing unceremoniously downward carried a small parcel with which he fled out of the door and away down the street.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
upadjectiveUS /ʌp/

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

From this reading THE LANDLADY OF LITTLE SMITH STREET Garrowell's office proved to be up two flights of stairs in St. Martin's Lane.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading For another five minutes Matherfield was explaining matters--explaining to an obviously startled and much astonished listener.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading They were dark and dingy stairs, and none of the four men clambering up them noticed that an office-boy, rushing unceremoniously downward carried a small parcel with which he fled out of the door and away down the street.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading They were dark and dingy stairs, and none of the four men clambering up them noticed that an office-boy, rushing unceremoniously downward carried a small parcel with which he fled out of the door and away down the street.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading They were dark and dingy stairs, and none of the four men clambering up them noticed that an office-boy, rushing unceremoniously downward carried a small parcel with which he fled out of the door and away down the street.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
withinprepositionUS /wɪˈðɪn/

inside; before a period of time has passed

From this reading They were, indeed, thinking of Garrowell--and within five minutes they were all in his private room.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary

Chapter 23 of The Charing Cross Mystery by J. S. (Joseph Smith) Fletcher holds 285 sentences, grouped into 57 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the source edition, unabridged, and the chapter records which sentences cover which part of the work so that nothing is dropped. Every word can be tapped for its pronunciation and dictionary entry.

What does chapter 23 of The Charing Cross Mystery contain?

Chapter 23 holds 285 sentences of The Charing Cross Mystery, unabridged, divided into 57 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 23 of The Charing Cross Mystery by J. S. (Joseph Smith) Fletcher exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 285 sentences, grouped into 57 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 23 of The Charing Cross Mystery?

Work through the 57 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 57 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 23 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 23 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 Charing Cross Mystery

Common questions about reading The Charing Cross Mystery by J. S. (Joseph Smith) Fletcher on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Charing Cross Mystery?

Yes. All 5519 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #59893 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Charing Cross Mystery is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #59893, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Charing Cross Mystery take to read?

About 459 minutes of reading across 1104 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The Charing Cross Mystery section by section

How to work through The Charing Cross Mystery section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 27 chapters of The Charing Cross Mystery 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 Charing Cross Mystery

Words and structures a reader meets early in The Charing Cross Mystery, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Hetherwick
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Charing Cross Mystery; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Dined
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Charing Cross Mystery; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Evening
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Charing Cross Mystery; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Friends
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Charing Cross Mystery; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.