Chapter IV

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

From this reading You cannot begin to solve a puzzle till you know what the puzzle is about.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading You cannot begin to solve a puzzle till you know what the puzzle is about.

anew

From this reading THE RINGING OF THE BELL So far I have not told the story of the things of Llantrisant, but rather the story of how I stumbled upon them and among them, perplexed and wholly astray, seeking, but yet not knowing at all what I sought; bewildered now and again by circumstances which seemed to me wholly inexplicable; devoid, not so much of the key to the enigma, but of the key to the nature of the enigma.

in the past

From this reading "Yards divided by minutes," said the mathematical master to me long ago, "will give neither pigs, sheep, nor oxen."

(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 THE RINGING OF THE BELL So far I have not told the story of the things of Llantrisant, but rather the story of how I stumbled upon them and among them, perplexed and wholly astray, seeking, but yet not knowing at all what I sought; bewildered now and again by circumstances which seemed to me wholly inexplicable; devoid, not so much of the key to the enigma, but of the key to the nature of the enigma.

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading THE RINGING OF THE BELL So far I have not told the story of the things of Llantrisant, but rather the story of how I stumbled upon them and among them, perplexed and wholly astray, seeking, but yet not knowing at all what I sought; bewildered now and again by circumstances which seemed to me wholly inexplicable; devoid, not so much of the key to the enigma, but of the key to the nature of the enigma.

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

From this reading THE RINGING OF THE BELL So far I have not told the story of the things of Llantrisant, but rather the story of how I stumbled upon them and among them, perplexed and wholly astray, seeking, but yet not knowing at all what I sought; bewildered now and again by circumstances which seemed to me wholly inexplicable; devoid, not so much of the key to the enigma, but of the key to the nature of the enigma.

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

From this reading This is enough of the personal process, as I may call it; and here follows the story of what happened at Llantrisant last summer, the story as I pieced it together at last.

away from the right path or direction

From this reading THE RINGING OF THE BELL So far I have not told the story of the things of Llantrisant, but rather the story of how I stumbled upon them and among them, perplexed and wholly astray, seeking, but yet not knowing at all what I sought; bewildered now and again by circumstances which seemed to me wholly inexplicable; devoid, not so much of the key to the enigma, but of the key to the nature of the enigma.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading THE RINGING OF THE BELL So far I have not told the story of the things of Llantrisant, but rather the story of how I stumbled upon them and among them, perplexed and wholly astray, seeking, but yet not knowing at all what I sought; bewildered now and again by circumstances which seemed to me wholly inexplicable; devoid, not so much of the key to the enigma, but of the key to the nature of the enigma.

take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading You cannot begin to solve a puzzle till you know what the puzzle is about.

a hollow device made of metal that makes a ringing sound when struck

From this reading THE RINGING OF THE BELL So far I have not told the story of the things of Llantrisant, but rather the story of how I stumbled upon them and among them, perplexed and wholly astray, seeking, but yet not knowing at all what I sought; bewildered now and again by circumstances which seemed to me wholly inexplicable; devoid, not so much of the key to the enigma, but of the key to the nature of the enigma.

perplexed by many conflicting situations or statements; filled with bewilderment

From this reading THE RINGING OF THE BELL So far I have not told the story of the things of Llantrisant, but rather the story of how I stumbled upon them and among them, perplexed and wholly astray, seeking, but yet not knowing at all what I sought; bewildered now and again by circumstances which seemed to me wholly inexplicable; devoid, not so much of the key to the enigma, but of the key to the nature of the enigma.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading THE RINGING OF THE BELL So far I have not told the story of the things of Llantrisant, but rather the story of how I stumbled upon them and among them, perplexed and wholly astray, seeking, but yet not knowing at all what I sought; bewildered now and again by circumstances which seemed to me wholly inexplicable; devoid, not so much of the key to the enigma, but of the key to the nature of the enigma.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading THE RINGING OF THE BELL So far I have not told the story of the things of Llantrisant, but rather the story of how I stumbled upon them and among them, perplexed and wholly astray, seeking, but yet not knowing at all what I sought; bewildered now and again by circumstances which seemed to me wholly inexplicable; devoid, not so much of the key to the enigma, but of the key to the nature of the enigma.

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading This is enough of the personal process, as I may call it; and here follows the story of what happened at Llantrisant last summer, the story as I pieced it together at last.

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

From this reading You cannot begin to solve a puzzle till you know what the puzzle is about.

your overall circumstances or condition in life (including everything that happens to you)

From this reading THE RINGING OF THE BELL So far I have not told the story of the things of Llantrisant, but rather the story of how I stumbled upon them and among them, perplexed and wholly astray, seeking, but yet not knowing at all what I sought; bewildered now and again by circumstances which seemed to me wholly inexplicable; devoid, not so much of the key to the enigma, but of the key to the nature of the enigma.

completely wanting or lacking

From this reading THE RINGING OF THE BELL So far I have not told the story of the things of Llantrisant, but rather the story of how I stumbled upon them and among them, perplexed and wholly astray, seeking, but yet not knowing at all what I sought; bewildered now and again by circumstances which seemed to me wholly inexplicable; devoid, not so much of the key to the enigma, but of the key to the nature of the enigma.

separated into parts or pieces

From this reading "Yards divided by minutes," said the mathematical master to me long ago, "will give neither pigs, sheep, nor oxen."

something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained

From this reading THE RINGING OF THE BELL So far I have not told the story of the things of Llantrisant, but rather the story of how I stumbled upon them and among them, perplexed and wholly astray, seeking, but yet not knowing at all what I sought; bewildered now and again by circumstances which seemed to me wholly inexplicable; devoid, not so much of the key to the enigma, but of the key to the nature of the enigma.

an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose

From this reading This is enough of the personal process, as I may call it; and here follows the story of what happened at Llantrisant last summer, the story as I pieced it together at last.

to a considerable degree; very much

From this reading THE RINGING OF THE BELL So far I have not told the story of the things of Llantrisant, but rather the story of how I stumbled upon them and among them, perplexed and wholly astray, seeking, but yet not knowing at all what I sought; bewildered now and again by circumstances which seemed to me wholly inexplicable; devoid, not so much of the key to the enigma, but of the key to the nature of the enigma.

third-person singular of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after

From this reading This is enough of the personal process, as I may call it; and here follows the story of what happened at Llantrisant last summer, the story as I pieced it together at last.

cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense

From this reading "Yards divided by minutes," said the mathematical master to me long ago, "will give neither pigs, sheep, nor oxen."

past form of “happen” — come to pass

From this reading This is enough of the personal process, as I may call it; and here follows the story of what happened at Llantrisant last summer, the story as I pieced it together at last.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading THE RINGING OF THE BELL So far I have not told the story of the things of Llantrisant, but rather the story of how I stumbled upon them and among them, perplexed and wholly astray, seeking, but yet not knowing at all what I sought; bewildered now and again by circumstances which seemed to me wholly inexplicable; devoid, not so much of the key to the enigma, but of the key to the nature of the enigma.

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

From this reading He was right; though his manner on this and on all other occasions was highly offensive.

in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is

From this reading This is enough of the personal process, as I may call it; and here follows the story of what happened at Llantrisant last summer, the story as I pieced it together at last.

to a high degree or extent; favorably or with much respect

From this reading He was right; though his manner on this and on all other occasions was highly offensive.

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

From this reading He was right; though his manner on this and on all other occasions was highly offensive.

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

From this reading THE RINGING OF THE BELL So far I have not told the story of the things of Llantrisant, but rather the story of how I stumbled upon them and among them, perplexed and wholly astray, seeking, but yet not knowing at all what I sought; bewildered now and again by circumstances which seemed to me wholly inexplicable; devoid, not so much of the key to the enigma, but of the key to the nature of the enigma.

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading THE RINGING OF THE BELL So far I have not told the story of the things of Llantrisant, but rather the story of how I stumbled upon them and among them, perplexed and wholly astray, seeking, but yet not knowing at all what I sought; bewildered now and again by circumstances which seemed to me wholly inexplicable; devoid, not so much of the key to the enigma, but of the key to the nature of the enigma.

incapable of being explained or accounted for

From this reading THE RINGING OF THE BELL So far I have not told the story of the things of Llantrisant, but rather the story of how I stumbled upon them and among them, perplexed and wholly astray, seeking, but yet not knowing at all what I sought; bewildered now and again by circumstances which seemed to me wholly inexplicable; devoid, not so much of the key to the enigma, but of the key to the nature of the enigma.

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

From this reading You cannot begin to solve a puzzle till you know what the puzzle is about.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading This is enough of the personal process, as I may call it; and here follows the story of what happened at Llantrisant last summer, the story as I pieced it together at last.

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 THE RINGING OF THE BELL So far I have not told the story of the things of Llantrisant, but rather the story of how I stumbled upon them and among them, perplexed and wholly astray, seeking, but yet not knowing at all what I sought; bewildered now and again by circumstances which seemed to me wholly inexplicable; devoid, not so much of the key to the enigma, but of the key to the nature of the enigma.

be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading You cannot begin to solve a puzzle till you know what the puzzle is about.

evidencing the possession of inside information

From this reading THE RINGING OF THE BELL So far I have not told the story of the things of Llantrisant, but rather the story of how I stumbled upon them and among them, perplexed and wholly astray, seeking, but yet not knowing at all what I sought; bewildered now and again by circumstances which seemed to me wholly inexplicable; devoid, not so much of the key to the enigma, but of the key to the nature of the enigma.

immediately past

From this reading This is enough of the personal process, as I may call it; and here follows the story of what happened at Llantrisant last summer, the story as I pieced it together at last.

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

From this reading THE RINGING OF THE BELL So far I have not told the story of the things of Llantrisant, but rather the story of how I stumbled upon them and among them, perplexed and wholly astray, seeking, but yet not knowing at all what I sought; bewildered now and again by circumstances which seemed to me wholly inexplicable; devoid, not so much of the key to the enigma, but of the key to the nature of the enigma.

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 "Yards divided by minutes," said the mathematical master to me long ago, "will give neither pigs, sheep, nor oxen."

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading He was right; though his manner on this and on all other occasions was highly offensive.

an artist of consummate skill

From this reading "Yards divided by minutes," said the mathematical master to me long ago, "will give neither pigs, sheep, nor oxen."

of or pertaining to or of the nature of mathematics

From this reading "Yards divided by minutes," said the mathematical master to me long ago, "will give neither pigs, sheep, nor oxen."

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading This is enough of the personal process, as I may call it; and here follows the story of what happened at Llantrisant last summer, the story as I pieced it together at last.

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading THE RINGING OF THE BELL So far I have not told the story of the things of Llantrisant, but rather the story of how I stumbled upon them and among them, perplexed and wholly astray, seeking, but yet not knowing at all what I sought; bewildered now and again by circumstances which seemed to me wholly inexplicable; devoid, not so much of the key to the enigma, but of the key to the nature of the enigma.

a written account of what transpired at a meeting

From this reading "Yards divided by minutes," said the mathematical master to me long ago, "will give neither pigs, sheep, nor oxen."

to a great degree or extent

From this reading THE RINGING OF THE BELL So far I have not told the story of the things of Llantrisant, but rather the story of how I stumbled upon them and among them, perplexed and wholly astray, seeking, but yet not knowing at all what I sought; bewildered now and again by circumstances which seemed to me wholly inexplicable; devoid, not so much of the key to the enigma, but of the key to the nature of the enigma.

the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized

From this reading THE RINGING OF THE BELL So far I have not told the story of the things of Llantrisant, but rather the story of how I stumbled upon them and among them, perplexed and wholly astray, seeking, but yet not knowing at all what I sought; bewildered now and again by circumstances which seemed to me wholly inexplicable; devoid, not so much of the key to the enigma, but of the key to the nature of the enigma.

not one and not the other of two

From this reading "Yards divided by minutes," said the mathematical master to me long ago, "will give neither pigs, sheep, nor oxen."

and not; used after a negative to add a second negative

From this reading "Yards divided by minutes," said the mathematical master to me long ago, "will give neither pigs, sheep, nor oxen."

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading THE RINGING OF THE BELL So far I have not told the story of the things of Llantrisant, but rather the story of how I stumbled upon them and among them, perplexed and wholly astray, seeking, but yet not knowing at all what I sought; bewildered now and again by circumstances which seemed to me wholly inexplicable; devoid, not so much of the key to the enigma, but of the key to the nature of the enigma.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading THE RINGING OF THE BELL So far I have not told the story of the things of Llantrisant, but rather the story of how I stumbled upon them and among them, perplexed and wholly astray, seeking, but yet not knowing at all what I sought; bewildered now and again by circumstances which seemed to me wholly inexplicable; devoid, not so much of the key to the enigma, but of the key to the nature of the enigma.

something you have to do

From this reading He was right; though his manner on this and on all other occasions was highly offensive.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE RINGING OF THE BELL So far I have not told the story of the things of Llantrisant, but rather the story of how I stumbled upon them and among them, perplexed and wholly astray, seeking, but yet not knowing at all what I sought; bewildered now and again by circumstances which seemed to me wholly inexplicable; devoid, not so much of the key to the enigma, but of the key to the nature of the enigma.

violating or tending to violate or offend against

From this reading He was right; though his manner on this and on all other occasions was highly offensive.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading He was right; though his manner on this and on all other occasions was highly offensive.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading He was right; though his manner on this and on all other occasions was highly offensive.

domesticated bovine animals as a group regardless of sex or age

From this reading "Yards divided by minutes," said the mathematical master to me long ago, "will give neither pigs, sheep, nor oxen."

full of difficulty or confusion or bewilderment

From this reading THE RINGING OF THE BELL So far I have not told the story of the things of Llantrisant, but rather the story of how I stumbled upon them and among them, perplexed and wholly astray, seeking, but yet not knowing at all what I sought; bewildered now and again by circumstances which seemed to me wholly inexplicable; devoid, not so much of the key to the enigma, but of the key to the nature of the enigma.

concerning or affecting a particular person or his or her private life and personality

From this reading This is enough of the personal process, as I may call it; and here follows the story of what happened at Llantrisant last summer, the story as I pieced it together at last.

past form of “piece” — to join or unite the pieces of

From this reading This is enough of the personal process, as I may call it; and here follows the story of what happened at Llantrisant last summer, the story as I pieced it together at last.

plural of “pig” — domestic swine

From this reading "Yards divided by minutes," said the mathematical master to me long ago, "will give neither pigs, sheep, nor oxen."

subject to a process or treatment, with the aim of readying for some purpose, improving, or remedying a condition

From this reading This is enough of the personal process, as I may call it; and here follows the story of what happened at Llantrisant last summer, the story as I pieced it together at last.

be a mystery or bewildering to

From this reading You cannot begin to solve a puzzle till you know what the puzzle is about.

on the contrary

From this reading THE RINGING OF THE BELL So far I have not told the story of the things of Llantrisant, but rather the story of how I stumbled upon them and among them, perplexed and wholly astray, seeking, but yet not knowing at all what I sought; bewildered now and again by circumstances which seemed to me wholly inexplicable; devoid, not so much of the key to the enigma, but of the key to the nature of the enigma.

precisely, exactly

From this reading He was right; though his manner on this and on all other occasions was highly offensive.

the sound of a bell ringing

From this reading THE RINGING OF THE BELL So far I have not told the story of the things of Llantrisant, but rather the story of how I stumbled upon them and among them, perplexed and wholly astray, seeking, but yet not knowing at all what I sought; bewildered now and again by circumstances which seemed to me wholly inexplicable; devoid, not so much of the key to the enigma, but of the key to the nature of the enigma.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading "Yards divided by minutes," said the mathematical master to me long ago, "will give neither pigs, sheep, nor oxen."

the act of searching for something

From this reading THE RINGING OF THE BELL So far I have not told the story of the things of Llantrisant, but rather the story of how I stumbled upon them and among them, perplexed and wholly astray, seeking, but yet not knowing at all what I sought; bewildered now and again by circumstances which seemed to me wholly inexplicable; devoid, not so much of the key to the enigma, but of the key to the nature of the enigma.

past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading THE RINGING OF THE BELL So far I have not told the story of the things of Llantrisant, but rather the story of how I stumbled upon them and among them, perplexed and wholly astray, seeking, but yet not knowing at all what I sought; bewildered now and again by circumstances which seemed to me wholly inexplicable; devoid, not so much of the key to the enigma, but of the key to the nature of the enigma.

woolly usually horned ruminant mammal related to the goat

From this reading "Yards divided by minutes," said the mathematical master to me long ago, "will give neither pigs, sheep, nor oxen."

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading THE RINGING OF THE BELL So far I have not told the story of the things of Llantrisant, but rather the story of how I stumbled upon them and among them, perplexed and wholly astray, seeking, but yet not knowing at all what I sought; bewildered now and again by circumstances which seemed to me wholly inexplicable; devoid, not so much of the key to the enigma, but of the key to the nature of the enigma.

find the solution to (a problem or question) or understand the meaning of

From this reading You cannot begin to solve a puzzle till you know what the puzzle is about.

that is looked for

From this reading THE RINGING OF THE BELL So far I have not told the story of the things of Llantrisant, but rather the story of how I stumbled upon them and among them, perplexed and wholly astray, seeking, but yet not knowing at all what I sought; bewildered now and again by circumstances which seemed to me wholly inexplicable; devoid, not so much of the key to the enigma, but of the key to the nature of the enigma.

a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program

From this reading THE RINGING OF THE BELL So far I have not told the story of the things of Llantrisant, but rather the story of how I stumbled upon them and among them, perplexed and wholly astray, seeking, but yet not knowing at all what I sought; bewildered now and again by circumstances which seemed to me wholly inexplicable; devoid, not so much of the key to the enigma, but of the key to the nature of the enigma.

past form of “stumble” — walk unsteadily

From this reading THE RINGING OF THE BELL So far I have not told the story of the things of Llantrisant, but rather the story of how I stumbled upon them and among them, perplexed and wholly astray, seeking, but yet not knowing at all what I sought; bewildered now and again by circumstances which seemed to me wholly inexplicable; devoid, not so much of the key to the enigma, but of the key to the nature of the enigma.

the warmest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox

From this reading This is enough of the personal process, as I may call it; and here follows the story of what happened at Llantrisant last summer, the story as I pieced it together at last.

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

From this reading THE RINGING OF THE BELL So far I have not told the story of the things of Llantrisant, but rather the story of how I stumbled upon them and among them, perplexed and wholly astray, seeking, but yet not knowing at all what I sought; bewildered now and again by circumstances which seemed to me wholly inexplicable; devoid, not so much of the key to the enigma, but of the key to the nature of the enigma.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading THE RINGING OF THE BELL So far I have not told the story of the things of Llantrisant, but rather the story of how I stumbled upon them and among them, perplexed and wholly astray, seeking, but yet not knowing at all what I sought; bewildered now and again by circumstances which seemed to me wholly inexplicable; devoid, not so much of the key to the enigma, but of the key to the nature of the enigma.

any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)

From this reading THE RINGING OF THE BELL So far I have not told the story of the things of Llantrisant, but rather the story of how I stumbled upon them and among them, perplexed and wholly astray, seeking, but yet not knowing at all what I sought; bewildered now and again by circumstances which seemed to me wholly inexplicable; devoid, not so much of the key to the enigma, but of the key to the nature of the enigma.

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

From this reading He was right; though his manner on this and on all other occasions was highly offensive.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading He was right; though his manner on this and on all other occasions was highly offensive.

up to a particular time

From this reading You cannot begin to solve a puzzle till you know what the puzzle is about.

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

From this reading THE RINGING OF THE BELL So far I have not told the story of the things of Llantrisant, but rather the story of how I stumbled upon them and among them, perplexed and wholly astray, seeking, but yet not knowing at all what I sought; bewildered now and again by circumstances which seemed to me wholly inexplicable; devoid, not so much of the key to the enigma, but of the key to the nature of the enigma.

in contact with each other or in proximity

From this reading This is enough of the personal process, as I may call it; and here follows the story of what happened at Llantrisant last summer, the story as I pieced it together at last.

inflected form of “tell” — express in words

From this reading THE RINGING OF THE BELL So far I have not told the story of the things of Llantrisant, but rather the story of how I stumbled upon them and among them, perplexed and wholly astray, seeking, but yet not knowing at all what I sought; bewildered now and again by circumstances which seemed to me wholly inexplicable; devoid, not so much of the key to the enigma, but of the key to the nature of the enigma.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading THE RINGING OF THE BELL So far I have not told the story of the things of Llantrisant, but rather the story of how I stumbled upon them and among them, perplexed and wholly astray, seeking, but yet not knowing at all what I sought; bewildered now and again by circumstances which seemed to me wholly inexplicable; devoid, not so much of the key to the enigma, but of the key to the nature of the enigma.

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

From this reading He was right; though his manner on this and on all other occasions was highly offensive.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading THE RINGING OF THE BELL So far I have not told the story of the things of Llantrisant, but rather the story of how I stumbled upon them and among them, perplexed and wholly astray, seeking, but yet not knowing at all what I sought; bewildered now and again by circumstances which seemed to me wholly inexplicable; devoid, not so much of the key to the enigma, but of the key to the nature of the enigma.

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

From this reading THE RINGING OF THE BELL So far I have not told the story of the things of Llantrisant, but rather the story of how I stumbled upon them and among them, perplexed and wholly astray, seeking, but yet not knowing at all what I sought; bewildered now and again by circumstances which seemed to me wholly inexplicable; devoid, not so much of the key to the enigma, but of the key to the nature of the enigma.

to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)

From this reading THE RINGING OF THE BELL So far I have not told the story of the things of Llantrisant, but rather the story of how I stumbled upon them and among them, perplexed and wholly astray, seeking, but yet not knowing at all what I sought; bewildered now and again by circumstances which seemed to me wholly inexplicable; devoid, not so much of the key to the enigma, but of the key to the nature of the enigma.

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading "Yards divided by minutes," said the mathematical master to me long ago, "will give neither pigs, sheep, nor oxen."

plural of “yard” — a unit of length equal to 3 feet; defined as 91.44 centimeters; originally taken to be the average length of a stride

From this reading "Yards divided by minutes," said the mathematical master to me long ago, "will give neither pigs, sheep, nor oxen."

but in spite of that

From this reading THE RINGING OF THE BELL So far I have not told the story of the things of Llantrisant, but rather the story of how I stumbled upon them and among them, perplexed and wholly astray, seeking, but yet not knowing at all what I sought; bewildered now and again by circumstances which seemed to me wholly inexplicable; devoid, not so much of the key to the enigma, but of the key to the nature of the enigma.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading You cannot begin to solve a puzzle till you know what the puzzle is about.