Chapter II · Chapter 2

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

From this reading The master faced his prisoners, and stood musing over them like a pensive but kindly cormorant.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading There was a peculiar indecision about all his joints that made the certainty of his spring and the vigour of his grip matters of wonder to all those new boys who ventured to presume upon his seeming infirmities.

tending to become more severe or wider in scope

From this reading Mr. HAM, with wise forethought, carefully locked the door and pocketed the key after disposing of the lads; and this was well, for Dick Haddon, fully appreciating the possibilities of the situation, was already plotting--plotting with every faculty of an active and inventive mind.

later than; following

From this reading Mr. HAM, with wise forethought, carefully locked the door and pocketed the key after disposing of the lads; and this was well, for Dick Haddon, fully appreciating the possibilities of the situation, was already plotting--plotting with every faculty of an active and inventive mind.

(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 There was a peculiar indecision about all his joints that made the certainty of his spring and the vigour of his grip matters of wonder to all those new boys who ventured to presume upon his seeming infirmities.

prior to a specified or implied time

From this reading Mr. HAM, with wise forethought, carefully locked the door and pocketed the key after disposing of the lads; and this was well, for Dick Haddon, fully appreciating the possibilities of the situation, was already plotting--plotting with every faculty of an active and inventive mind.

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

From this reading Mr. HAM, with wise forethought, carefully locked the door and pocketed the key after disposing of the lads; and this was well, for Dick Haddon, fully appreciating the possibilities of the situation, was already plotting--plotting with every faculty of an active and inventive mind.

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

From this reading Mr. HAM, with wise forethought, carefully locked the door and pocketed the key after disposing of the lads; and this was well, for Dick Haddon, fully appreciating the possibilities of the situation, was already plotting--plotting with every faculty of an active and inventive mind.

outward or visible aspect of a person or thing

From this reading Mr. Joel Ham, B.A., was a small thin man with a deceitful appearance of weakness.

-ing form of “appreciate” — recognize with gratitude; be grateful for

From this reading Mr. HAM, with wise forethought, carefully locked the door and pocketed the key after disposing of the lads; and this was well, for Dick Haddon, fully appreciating the possibilities of the situation, was already plotting--plotting with every faculty of an active and inventive mind.

aerobic rod-shaped spore-producing bacterium; often occurring in chainlike formations; found primarily in soil

From this reading Mr. Joel Ham, B.A., was a small thin man with a deceitful appearance of weakness.

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

From this reading He had a scraggy red neck, a long beak-like nose, and queer slate-coloured eyes with pale lashes; his hair was thin and very fine in colour and texture, strangely like that of a yellow cat; and face, neck, and nose were mottled with patches of small purple veins.

plural of “boy” — a youthful male person

From this reading There was a peculiar indecision about all his joints that made the certainty of his spring and the vigour of his grip matters of wonder to all those new boys who ventured to presume upon his seeming infirmities.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading The master faced his prisoners, and stood musing over them like a pensive but kindly cormorant.

taking care or paying attention

From this reading Mr. HAM, with wise forethought, carefully locked the door and pocketed the key after disposing of the lads; and this was well, for Dick Haddon, fully appreciating the possibilities of the situation, was already plotting--plotting with every faculty of an active and inventive mind.

feline mammal usually having thick soft fur and no ability to roar: domestic cats; wildcats

From this reading He had a scraggy red neck, a long beak-like nose, and queer slate-coloured eyes with pale lashes; his hair was thin and very fine in colour and texture, strangely like that of a yellow cat; and face, neck, and nose were mottled with patches of small purple veins.

the state of being certain

From this reading There was a peculiar indecision about all his joints that made the certainty of his spring and the vigour of his grip matters of wonder to all those new boys who ventured to presume upon his seeming infirmities.

having or capable of producing colors

From this reading He had a scraggy red neck, a long beak-like nose, and queer slate-coloured eyes with pale lashes; his hair was thin and very fine in colour and texture, strangely like that of a yellow cat; and face, neck, and nose were mottled with patches of small purple veins.

large voracious dark-colored long-necked seabird with a distensible pouch for holding fish; used in Asia to catch fish

From this reading The master faced his prisoners, and stood musing over them like a pensive but kindly cormorant.

intended to deceive

From this reading Mr. Joel Ham, B.A., was a small thin man with a deceitful appearance of weakness.

someone who is a detective

From this reading Mr. HAM, with wise forethought, carefully locked the door and pocketed the key after disposing of the lads; and this was well, for Dick Haddon, fully appreciating the possibilities of the situation, was already plotting--plotting with every faculty of an active and inventive mind.

-ing form of “dispose” — give, sell, or transfer to another

From this reading Mr. HAM, with wise forethought, carefully locked the door and pocketed the key after disposing of the lads; and this was well, for Dick Haddon, fully appreciating the possibilities of the situation, was already plotting--plotting with every faculty of an active and inventive mind.

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

From this reading Mr. HAM, with wise forethought, carefully locked the door and pocketed the key after disposing of the lads; and this was well, for Dick Haddon, fully appreciating the possibilities of the situation, was already plotting--plotting with every faculty of an active and inventive mind.

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading Mr. HAM, with wise forethought, carefully locked the door and pocketed the key after disposing of the lads; and this was well, for Dick Haddon, fully appreciating the possibilities of the situation, was already plotting--plotting with every faculty of an active and inventive mind.

opinion or judgment

From this reading He had a scraggy red neck, a long beak-like nose, and queer slate-coloured eyes with pale lashes; his hair was thin and very fine in colour and texture, strangely like that of a yellow cat; and face, neck, and nose were mottled with patches of small purple veins.

the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear

From this reading He had a scraggy red neck, a long beak-like nose, and queer slate-coloured eyes with pale lashes; his hair was thin and very fine in colour and texture, strangely like that of a yellow cat; and face, neck, and nose were mottled with patches of small purple veins.

having a face or facing especially of a specified kind or number; often used in combination

From this reading The master faced his prisoners, and stood musing over them like a pensive but kindly cormorant.

one of the inherent cognitive or perceptual powers of the mind

From this reading Mr. HAM, with wise forethought, carefully locked the door and pocketed the key after disposing of the lads; and this was well, for Dick Haddon, fully appreciating the possibilities of the situation, was already plotting--plotting with every faculty of an active and inventive mind.

being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition

From this reading He had a scraggy red neck, a long beak-like nose, and queer slate-coloured eyes with pale lashes; his hair was thin and very fine in colour and texture, strangely like that of a yellow cat; and face, neck, and nose were mottled with patches of small purple veins.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Mr. HAM, with wise forethought, carefully locked the door and pocketed the key after disposing of the lads; and this was well, for Dick Haddon, fully appreciating the possibilities of the situation, was already plotting--plotting with every faculty of an active and inventive mind.

planning or plotting in advance of acting

From this reading Mr. HAM, with wise forethought, carefully locked the door and pocketed the key after disposing of the lads; and this was well, for Dick Haddon, fully appreciating the possibilities of the situation, was already plotting--plotting with every faculty of an active and inventive mind.

to the greatest degree or extent; completely or entirely; (“full” in this sense is used as a combining form)

From this reading Mr. HAM, with wise forethought, carefully locked the door and pocketed the key after disposing of the lads; and this was well, for Dick Haddon, fully appreciating the possibilities of the situation, was already plotting--plotting with every faculty of an active and inventive mind.

the act of grasping

From this reading There was a peculiar indecision about all his joints that made the certainty of his spring and the vigour of his grip matters of wonder to all those new boys who ventured to presume upon his seeming infirmities.

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

From this reading He had a scraggy red neck, a long beak-like nose, and queer slate-coloured eyes with pale lashes; his hair was thin and very fine in colour and texture, strangely like that of a yellow cat; and face, neck, and nose were mottled with patches of small purple veins.

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

From this reading Mr. HAM, with wise forethought, carefully locked the door and pocketed the key after disposing of the lads; and this was well, for Dick Haddon, fully appreciating the possibilities of the situation, was already plotting--plotting with every faculty of an active and inventive mind.

a covering for the body (or parts of it) consisting of a dense growth of threadlike structures (as on the human head); helps to prevent heat loss

From this reading He had a scraggy red neck, a long beak-like nose, and queer slate-coloured eyes with pale lashes; his hair was thin and very fine in colour and texture, strangely like that of a yellow cat; and face, neck, and nose were mottled with patches of small purple veins.

meat cut from the thigh of a hog (usually smoked)

From this reading Mr. HAM, with wise forethought, carefully locked the door and pocketed the key after disposing of the lads; and this was well, for Dick Haddon, fully appreciating the possibilities of the situation, was already plotting--plotting with every faculty of an active and inventive mind.

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

From this reading He had a scraggy red neck, a long beak-like nose, and queer slate-coloured eyes with pale lashes; his hair was thin and very fine in colour and texture, strangely like that of a yellow cat; and face, neck, and nose were mottled with patches of small purple veins.

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

From this reading The master faced his prisoners, and stood musing over them like a pensive but kindly cormorant.

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

From this reading He had a scraggy red neck, a long beak-like nose, and queer slate-coloured eyes with pale lashes; his hair was thin and very fine in colour and texture, strangely like that of a yellow cat; and face, neck, and nose were mottled with patches of small purple veins.

doubt concerning two or more possible alternatives or courses of action

From this reading There was a peculiar indecision about all his joints that made the certainty of his spring and the vigour of his grip matters of wonder to all those new boys who ventured to presume upon his seeming infirmities.

plural of “infirmity” — the state of being weak in health or body (especially from old age)

From this reading There was a peculiar indecision about all his joints that made the certainty of his spring and the vigour of his grip matters of wonder to all those new boys who ventured to presume upon his seeming infirmities.

(used of persons or artifacts) marked by independence and creativity in thought or action

From this reading Mr. HAM, with wise forethought, carefully locked the door and pocketed the key after disposing of the lads; and this was well, for Dick Haddon, fully appreciating the possibilities of the situation, was already plotting--plotting with every faculty of an active and inventive mind.

a Hebrew minor prophet

From this reading Mr. Joel Ham, B.A., was a small thin man with a deceitful appearance of weakness.

plural of “joint” — (anatomy) the point of connection between two bones or elements of a skeleton (especially if it allows motion)

From this reading There was a peculiar indecision about all his joints that made the certainty of his spring and the vigour of his grip matters of wonder to all those new boys who ventured to presume upon his seeming infirmities.

metal device shaped in such a way that when it is inserted into the appropriate lock the lock's mechanism can be rotated

From this reading Mr. HAM, with wise forethought, carefully locked the door and pocketed the key after disposing of the lads; and this was well, for Dick Haddon, fully appreciating the possibilities of the situation, was already plotting--plotting with every faculty of an active and inventive mind.

showing or motivated by sympathy and understanding and generosity

From this reading The master faced his prisoners, and stood musing over them like a pensive but kindly cormorant.

plural of “lad” — a boy or man

From this reading Mr. HAM, with wise forethought, carefully locked the door and pocketed the key after disposing of the lads; and this was well, for Dick Haddon, fully appreciating the possibilities of the situation, was already plotting--plotting with every faculty of an active and inventive mind.

plural of “lash” — any of the short curved hairs that grow from the edges of the eyelids

From this reading He had a scraggy red neck, a long beak-like nose, and queer slate-coloured eyes with pale lashes; his hair was thin and very fine in colour and texture, strangely like that of a yellow cat; and face, neck, and nose were mottled with patches of small purple veins.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading The master faced his prisoners, and stood musing over them like a pensive but kindly cormorant.

past form of “lock” — fasten with a lock

From this reading Mr. HAM, with wise forethought, carefully locked the door and pocketed the key after disposing of the lads; and this was well, for Dick Haddon, fully appreciating the possibilities of the situation, was already plotting--plotting with every faculty of an active and inventive mind.

primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified

From this reading He had a scraggy red neck, a long beak-like nose, and queer slate-coloured eyes with pale lashes; his hair was thin and very fine in colour and texture, strangely like that of a yellow cat; and face, neck, and nose were mottled with patches of small purple veins.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading There was a peculiar indecision about all his joints that made the certainty of his spring and the vigour of his grip matters of wonder to all those new boys who ventured to presume upon his seeming infirmities.

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading Mr. Joel Ham, B.A., was a small thin man with a deceitful appearance of weakness.

an artist of consummate skill

From this reading The master faced his prisoners, and stood musing over them like a pensive but kindly cormorant.

plural of “matter” — a vaguely specified concern

From this reading There was a peculiar indecision about all his joints that made the certainty of his spring and the vigour of his grip matters of wonder to all those new boys who ventured to presume upon his seeming infirmities.

The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.

From this reading Mr. HAM, with wise forethought, carefully locked the door and pocketed the key after disposing of the lads; and this was well, for Dick Haddon, fully appreciating the possibilities of the situation, was already plotting--plotting with every faculty of an active and inventive mind.

having spots or patches of color

From this reading He had a scraggy red neck, a long beak-like nose, and queer slate-coloured eyes with pale lashes; his hair was thin and very fine in colour and texture, strangely like that of a yellow cat; and face, neck, and nose were mottled with patches of small purple veins.

a form of address for a man

From this reading Mr. HAM, with wise forethought, carefully locked the door and pocketed the key after disposing of the lads; and this was well, for Dick Haddon, fully appreciating the possibilities of the situation, was already plotting--plotting with every faculty of an active and inventive mind.

a calm, lengthy, intent consideration

From this reading The master faced his prisoners, and stood musing over them like a pensive but kindly cormorant.

the part of an organism (human or animal) that connects the head to the rest of the body

From this reading He had a scraggy red neck, a long beak-like nose, and queer slate-coloured eyes with pale lashes; his hair was thin and very fine in colour and texture, strangely like that of a yellow cat; and face, neck, and nose were mottled with patches of small purple veins.

not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered

From this reading There was a peculiar indecision about all his joints that made the certainty of his spring and the vigour of his grip matters of wonder to all those new boys who ventured to presume upon his seeming infirmities.

the organ of smell and entrance to the respiratory tract; the prominent part of the face of man or other mammals

From this reading He had a scraggy red neck, a long beak-like nose, and queer slate-coloured eyes with pale lashes; his hair was thin and very fine in colour and texture, strangely like that of a yellow cat; and face, neck, and nose were mottled with patches of small purple veins.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Mr. HAM, with wise forethought, carefully locked the door and pocketed the key after disposing of the lads; and this was well, for Dick Haddon, fully appreciating the possibilities of the situation, was already plotting--plotting with every faculty of an active and inventive mind.

above and across; more than

From this reading The master faced his prisoners, and stood musing over them like a pensive but kindly cormorant.

very light colored; highly diluted with white

From this reading He had a scraggy red neck, a long beak-like nose, and queer slate-coloured eyes with pale lashes; his hair was thin and very fine in colour and texture, strangely like that of a yellow cat; and face, neck, and nose were mottled with patches of small purple veins.

plural of “patch” — a small contrasting part of something

From this reading He had a scraggy red neck, a long beak-like nose, and queer slate-coloured eyes with pale lashes; his hair was thin and very fine in colour and texture, strangely like that of a yellow cat; and face, neck, and nose were mottled with patches of small purple veins.

beyond or deviating from the usual or expected

From this reading There was a peculiar indecision about all his joints that made the certainty of his spring and the vigour of his grip matters of wonder to all those new boys who ventured to presume upon his seeming infirmities.

deeply or seriously thoughtful

From this reading The master faced his prisoners, and stood musing over them like a pensive but kindly cormorant.

inflected form of “plot” — plan secretly, usually something illegal

From this reading Mr. HAM, with wise forethought, carefully locked the door and pocketed the key after disposing of the lads; and this was well, for Dick Haddon, fully appreciating the possibilities of the situation, was already plotting--plotting with every faculty of an active and inventive mind.

past form of “pocket” — put in one's pocket

From this reading Mr. HAM, with wise forethought, carefully locked the door and pocketed the key after disposing of the lads; and this was well, for Dick Haddon, fully appreciating the possibilities of the situation, was already plotting--plotting with every faculty of an active and inventive mind.

plural of “possibility” — a future prospect or potential

From this reading Mr. HAM, with wise forethought, carefully locked the door and pocketed the key after disposing of the lads; and this was well, for Dick Haddon, fully appreciating the possibilities of the situation, was already plotting--plotting with every faculty of an active and inventive mind.

take to be the case or to be true; accept without verification or proof

From this reading There was a peculiar indecision about all his joints that made the certainty of his spring and the vigour of his grip matters of wonder to all those new boys who ventured to presume upon his seeming infirmities.

plural of “prisoner” — a person who is confined; especially a prisoner of war

From this reading The master faced his prisoners, and stood musing over them like a pensive but kindly cormorant.

a purple color or pigment

From this reading He had a scraggy red neck, a long beak-like nose, and queer slate-coloured eyes with pale lashes; his hair was thin and very fine in colour and texture, strangely like that of a yellow cat; and face, neck, and nose were mottled with patches of small purple veins.

beyond or deviating from the usual or expected

From this reading He had a scraggy red neck, a long beak-like nose, and queer slate-coloured eyes with pale lashes; his hair was thin and very fine in colour and texture, strangely like that of a yellow cat; and face, neck, and nose were mottled with patches of small purple veins.

red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood

From this reading He had a scraggy red neck, a long beak-like nose, and queer slate-coloured eyes with pale lashes; his hair was thin and very fine in colour and texture, strangely like that of a yellow cat; and face, neck, and nose were mottled with patches of small purple veins.

being very thin

From this reading He had a scraggy red neck, a long beak-like nose, and queer slate-coloured eyes with pale lashes; his hair was thin and very fine in colour and texture, strangely like that of a yellow cat; and face, neck, and nose were mottled with patches of small purple veins.

appearing as such but not necessarily so

From this reading There was a peculiar indecision about all his joints that made the certainty of his spring and the vigour of his grip matters of wonder to all those new boys who ventured to presume upon his seeming infirmities.

the general state of things; the combination of circumstances at a given time

From this reading Mr. HAM, with wise forethought, carefully locked the door and pocketed the key after disposing of the lads; and this was well, for Dick Haddon, fully appreciating the possibilities of the situation, was already plotting--plotting with every faculty of an active and inventive mind.

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

From this reading He had a scraggy red neck, a long beak-like nose, and queer slate-coloured eyes with pale lashes; his hair was thin and very fine in colour and texture, strangely like that of a yellow cat; and face, neck, and nose were mottled with patches of small purple veins.

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

From this reading Mr. Joel Ham, B.A., was a small thin man with a deceitful appearance of weakness.

the season of growth

From this reading There was a peculiar indecision about all his joints that made the certainty of his spring and the vigour of his grip matters of wonder to all those new boys who ventured to presume upon his seeming infirmities.

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading The master faced his prisoners, and stood musing over them like a pensive but kindly cormorant.

in a strange manner

From this reading He had a scraggy red neck, a long beak-like nose, and queer slate-coloured eyes with pale lashes; his hair was thin and very fine in colour and texture, strangely like that of a yellow cat; and face, neck, and nose were mottled with patches of small purple veins.

the feel of a surface or a fabric

From this reading He had a scraggy red neck, a long beak-like nose, and queer slate-coloured eyes with pale lashes; his hair was thin and very fine in colour and texture, strangely like that of a yellow cat; and face, neck, and nose were mottled with patches of small purple veins.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading There was a peculiar indecision about all his joints that made the certainty of his spring and the vigour of his grip matters of wonder to all those new boys who ventured to presume upon his seeming infirmities.

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

From this reading Mr. HAM, with wise forethought, carefully locked the door and pocketed the key after disposing of the lads; and this was well, for Dick Haddon, fully appreciating the possibilities of the situation, was already plotting--plotting with every faculty of an active and inventive mind.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading The master faced his prisoners, and stood musing over them like a pensive but kindly cormorant.

in or at that place or location

From this reading There was a peculiar indecision about all his joints that made the certainty of his spring and the vigour of his grip matters of wonder to all those new boys who ventured to presume upon his seeming infirmities.

Having little thickness or extent.

From this reading Mr. Joel Ham, B.A., was a small thin man with a deceitful appearance of weakness.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading Mr. HAM, with wise forethought, carefully locked the door and pocketed the key after disposing of the lads; and this was well, for Dick Haddon, fully appreciating the possibilities of the situation, was already plotting--plotting with every faculty of an active and inventive mind.

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading There was a peculiar indecision about all his joints that made the certainty of his spring and the vigour of his grip matters of wonder to all those new boys who ventured to presume upon his seeming infirmities.

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

From this reading There was a peculiar indecision about all his joints that made the certainty of his spring and the vigour of his grip matters of wonder to all those new boys who ventured to presume upon his seeming infirmities.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading There was a peculiar indecision about all his joints that made the certainty of his spring and the vigour of his grip matters of wonder to all those new boys who ventured to presume upon his seeming infirmities.

plural of “vein” — a blood vessel that carries blood from the capillaries toward the heart

From this reading He had a scraggy red neck, a long beak-like nose, and queer slate-coloured eyes with pale lashes; his hair was thin and very fine in colour and texture, strangely like that of a yellow cat; and face, neck, and nose were mottled with patches of small purple veins.

past form of “venture” — proceed somewhere despite the risk of possible dangers

From this reading There was a peculiar indecision about all his joints that made the certainty of his spring and the vigour of his grip matters of wonder to all those new boys who ventured to presume upon his seeming infirmities.

precisely as stated

From this reading He had a scraggy red neck, a long beak-like nose, and queer slate-coloured eyes with pale lashes; his hair was thin and very fine in colour and texture, strangely like that of a yellow cat; and face, neck, and nose were mottled with patches of small purple veins.

forceful exertion

From this reading There was a peculiar indecision about all his joints that made the certainty of his spring and the vigour of his grip matters of wonder to all those new boys who ventured to presume upon his seeming infirmities.

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

From this reading Mr. HAM, with wise forethought, carefully locked the door and pocketed the key after disposing of the lads; and this was well, for Dick Haddon, fully appreciating the possibilities of the situation, was already plotting--plotting with every faculty of an active and inventive mind.

a flaw or weak point

From this reading Mr. Joel Ham, B.A., was a small thin man with a deceitful appearance of weakness.

(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)

From this reading Mr. HAM, with wise forethought, carefully locked the door and pocketed the key after disposing of the lads; and this was well, for Dick Haddon, fully appreciating the possibilities of the situation, was already plotting--plotting with every faculty of an active and inventive mind.

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

From this reading He had a scraggy red neck, a long beak-like nose, and queer slate-coloured eyes with pale lashes; his hair was thin and very fine in colour and texture, strangely like that of a yellow cat; and face, neck, and nose were mottled with patches of small purple veins.

which person or people

From this reading There was a peculiar indecision about all his joints that made the certainty of his spring and the vigour of his grip matters of wonder to all those new boys who ventured to presume upon his seeming infirmities.

having or prompted by wisdom or discernment

From this reading Mr. HAM, with wise forethought, carefully locked the door and pocketed the key after disposing of the lads; and this was well, for Dick Haddon, fully appreciating the possibilities of the situation, was already plotting--plotting with every faculty of an active and inventive mind.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Mr. HAM, with wise forethought, carefully locked the door and pocketed the key after disposing of the lads; and this was well, for Dick Haddon, fully appreciating the possibilities of the situation, was already plotting--plotting with every faculty of an active and inventive mind.

the feeling aroused by something strange and surprising

From this reading There was a peculiar indecision about all his joints that made the certainty of his spring and the vigour of his grip matters of wonder to all those new boys who ventured to presume upon his seeming infirmities.

of the color intermediate between green and orange in the color spectrum; of something resembling the color of an egg yolk

From this reading He had a scraggy red neck, a long beak-like nose, and queer slate-coloured eyes with pale lashes; his hair was thin and very fine in colour and texture, strangely like that of a yellow cat; and face, neck, and nose were mottled with patches of small purple veins.