Chapter XXXVIII · The Approaching Search

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

From this reading Reginald found Joseph Alderly's boat on the same evening, when he was out on a tour about the coast of the island on the lookout for it.

(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something

From this reading For, independently of the fact that he would have strongly wished to avoid any encounter with him on shore--and, for aught he knew, Reginald might be ashore at any period of the night--he might have brought his cutter to that neighbourhood so as to be able to get away from the island at once, after the sinking of the _Pompeia_ had been accomplished.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading Reginald found Joseph Alderly's boat on the same evening, when he was out on a tour about the coast of the island on the lookout for it.

highly skilled

From this reading For, independently of the fact that he would have strongly wished to avoid any encounter with him on shore--and, for aught he knew, Reginald might be ashore at any period of the night--he might have brought his cutter to that neighbourhood so as to be able to get away from the island at once, after the sinking of the _Pompeia_ had been accomplished.

in actual fact

From this reading For instance, had his plan succeeded he could have sailed to Anegada or Tortola within two or three hours from the time of the crime being committed, and, arriving at either place in the night, could have very easily induced the belief that he had anchored much earlier than he had actually done.

later than; following

From this reading For, independently of the fact that he would have strongly wished to avoid any encounter with him on shore--and, for aught he knew, Reginald might be ashore at any period of the night--he might have brought his cutter to that neighbourhood so as to be able to get away from the island at once, after the sinking of the _Pompeia_ had been accomplished.

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

From this reading As he suspected, Alderly had brought it round to the neighbourhood of the river's mouth, preferring to get at him that way instead of by the path down from his house.

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

From this reading Reginald found Joseph Alderly's boat on the same evening, when he was out on a tour about the coast of the island on the lookout for it.

past form of “anchor” — fix firmly and stably

From this reading For instance, had his plan succeeded he could have sailed to Anegada or Tortola within two or three hours from the time of the crime being committed, and, arriving at either place in the night, could have very easily induced the belief that he had anchored much earlier than he had actually done.

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

From this reading For, independently of the fact that he would have strongly wished to avoid any encounter with him on shore--and, for aught he knew, Reginald might be ashore at any period of the night--he might have brought his cutter to that neighbourhood so as to be able to get away from the island at once, after the sinking of the _Pompeia_ had been accomplished.

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

From this reading For instance, had his plan succeeded he could have sailed to Anegada or Tortola within two or three hours from the time of the crime being committed, and, arriving at either place in the night, could have very easily induced the belief that he had anchored much earlier than he had actually done.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading For, independently of the fact that he would have strongly wished to avoid any encounter with him on shore--and, for aught he knew, Reginald might be ashore at any period of the night--he might have brought his cutter to that neighbourhood so as to be able to get away from the island at once, after the sinking of the _Pompeia_ had been accomplished.

-ing form of “arrive” — reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress

From this reading For instance, had his plan succeeded he could have sailed to Anegada or Tortola within two or three hours from the time of the crime being committed, and, arriving at either place in the night, could have very easily induced the belief that he had anchored much earlier than he had actually done.

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

From this reading As he suspected, Alderly had brought it round to the neighbourhood of the river's mouth, preferring to get at him that way instead of by the path down from his house.

towards the shore from the water

From this reading For, independently of the fact that he would have strongly wished to avoid any encounter with him on shore--and, for aught he knew, Reginald might be ashore at any period of the night--he might have brought his cutter to that neighbourhood so as to be able to get away from the island at once, after the sinking of the _Pompeia_ had been accomplished.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading As he suspected, Alderly had brought it round to the neighbourhood of the river's mouth, preferring to get at him that way instead of by the path down from his house.

a quantity of no importance

From this reading For, independently of the fact that he would have strongly wished to avoid any encounter with him on shore--and, for aught he knew, Reginald might be ashore at any period of the night--he might have brought his cutter to that neighbourhood so as to be able to get away from the island at once, after the sinking of the _Pompeia_ had been accomplished.

stay clear from; keep away from; keep out of the way of someone or something

From this reading For, independently of the fact that he would have strongly wished to avoid any encounter with him on shore--and, for aught he knew, Reginald might be ashore at any period of the night--he might have brought his cutter to that neighbourhood so as to be able to get away from the island at once, after the sinking of the _Pompeia_ had been accomplished.

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

From this reading For, independently of the fact that he would have strongly wished to avoid any encounter with him on shore--and, for aught he knew, Reginald might be ashore at any period of the night--he might have brought his cutter to that neighbourhood so as to be able to get away from the island at once, after the sinking of the _Pompeia_ had been accomplished.

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

From this reading For, independently of the fact that he would have strongly wished to avoid any encounter with him on shore--and, for aught he knew, Reginald might be ashore at any period of the night--he might have brought his cutter to that neighbourhood so as to be able to get away from the island at once, after the sinking of the _Pompeia_ had been accomplished.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading His reasons for doing so might have been manifold, the young man knew very well--reasons that would, doubtless, at once occur to such a scheming brain as that of the dead ruffian.

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading For instance, had his plan succeeded he could have sailed to Anegada or Tortola within two or three hours from the time of the crime being committed, and, arriving at either place in the night, could have very easily induced the belief that he had anchored much earlier than he had actually done.

any cognitive content held as true

From this reading For instance, had his plan succeeded he could have sailed to Anegada or Tortola within two or three hours from the time of the crime being committed, and, arriving at either place in the night, could have very easily induced the belief that he had anchored much earlier than he had actually done.

a small vessel for travel on water

From this reading Reginald found Joseph Alderly's boat on the same evening, when he was out on a tour about the coast of the island on the lookout for it.

that part of the central nervous system that includes all the higher nervous centers; enclosed within the skull; continuous with the spinal cord

From this reading His reasons for doing so might have been manifold, the young man knew very well--reasons that would, doubtless, at once occur to such a scheming brain as that of the dead ruffian.

inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere

From this reading As he suspected, Alderly had brought it round to the neighbourhood of the river's mouth, preferring to get at him that way instead of by the path down from his house.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading As he suspected, Alderly had brought it round to the neighbourhood of the river's mouth, preferring to get at him that way instead of by the path down from his house.

the shore of a sea or ocean

From this reading Reginald found Joseph Alderly's boat on the same evening, when he was out on a tour about the coast of the island on the lookout for it.

bound or obligated, as under a pledge to a particular cause, action, or attitude

From this reading For instance, had his plan succeeded he could have sailed to Anegada or Tortola within two or three hours from the time of the crime being committed, and, arriving at either place in the night, could have very easily induced the belief that he had anchored much earlier than he had actually done.

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

From this reading For instance, had his plan succeeded he could have sailed to Anegada or Tortola within two or three hours from the time of the crime being committed, and, arriving at either place in the night, could have very easily induced the belief that he had anchored much earlier than he had actually done.

(criminal law) an act punishable by law; usually considered an evil act

From this reading For instance, had his plan succeeded he could have sailed to Anegada or Tortola within two or three hours from the time of the crime being committed, and, arriving at either place in the night, could have very easily induced the belief that he had anchored much earlier than he had actually done.

someone who cuts or carves stone

From this reading For, independently of the fact that he would have strongly wished to avoid any encounter with him on shore--and, for aught he knew, Reginald might be ashore at any period of the night--he might have brought his cutter to that neighbourhood so as to be able to get away from the island at once, after the sinking of the _Pompeia_ had been accomplished.

no longer having or seeming to have or expecting to have life

From this reading His reasons for doing so might have been manifold, the young man knew very well--reasons that would, doubtless, at once occur to such a scheming brain as that of the dead ruffian.

-ing form of “do” — engage in

From this reading His reasons for doing so might have been manifold, the young man knew very well--reasons that would, doubtless, at once occur to such a scheming brain as that of the dead ruffian.

having finished or arrived at completion

From this reading For instance, had his plan succeeded he could have sailed to Anegada or Tortola within two or three hours from the time of the crime being committed, and, arriving at either place in the night, could have very easily induced the belief that he had anchored much earlier than he had actually done.

without doubt; certainly

From this reading His reasons for doing so might have been manifold, the young man knew very well--reasons that would, doubtless, at once occur to such a scheming brain as that of the dead ruffian.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading As he suspected, Alderly had brought it round to the neighbourhood of the river's mouth, preferring to get at him that way instead of by the path down from his house.

earlier in time; previously

From this reading For instance, had his plan succeeded he could have sailed to Anegada or Tortola within two or three hours from the time of the crime being committed, and, arriving at either place in the night, could have very easily induced the belief that he had anchored much earlier than he had actually done.

with ease (“easy” is sometimes used informally for “easily”)

From this reading For instance, had his plan succeeded he could have sailed to Anegada or Tortola within two or three hours from the time of the crime being committed, and, arriving at either place in the night, could have very easily induced the belief that he had anchored much earlier than he had actually done.

one or the other of two

From this reading For instance, had his plan succeeded he could have sailed to Anegada or Tortola within two or three hours from the time of the crime being committed, and, arriving at either place in the night, could have very easily induced the belief that he had anchored much earlier than he had actually done.

come together

From this reading For, independently of the fact that he would have strongly wished to avoid any encounter with him on shore--and, for aught he knew, Reginald might be ashore at any period of the night--he might have brought his cutter to that neighbourhood so as to be able to get away from the island at once, after the sinking of the _Pompeia_ had been accomplished.

the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)

From this reading Reginald found Joseph Alderly's boat on the same evening, when he was out on a tour about the coast of the island on the lookout for it.

a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred

From this reading For, independently of the fact that he would have strongly wished to avoid any encounter with him on shore--and, for aught he knew, Reginald might be ashore at any period of the night--he might have brought his cutter to that neighbourhood so as to be able to get away from the island at once, after the sinking of the _Pompeia_ had been accomplished.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Reginald found Joseph Alderly's boat on the same evening, when he was out on a tour about the coast of the island on the lookout for it.

set up or found

From this reading Reginald found Joseph Alderly's boat on the same evening, when he was out on a tour about the coast of the island on the lookout for it.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading As he suspected, Alderly had brought it round to the neighbourhood of the river's mouth, preferring to get at him that way instead of by the path down from his house.

come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading As he suspected, Alderly had brought it round to the neighbourhood of the river's mouth, preferring to get at him that way instead of by the path down from his house.

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

From this reading As he suspected, Alderly had brought it round to the neighbourhood of the river's mouth, preferring to get at him that way instead of by the path down from his house.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading His reasons for doing so might have been manifold, the young man knew very well--reasons that would, doubtless, at once occur to such a scheming brain as that of the dead ruffian.

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

From this reading Reginald found Joseph Alderly's boat on the same evening, when he was out on a tour about the coast of the island on the lookout for it.

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

From this reading As he suspected, Alderly had brought it round to the neighbourhood of the river's mouth, preferring to get at him that way instead of by the path down from his house.

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

From this reading As he suspected, Alderly had brought it round to the neighbourhood of the river's mouth, preferring to get at him that way instead of by the path down from his house.

a period of time assigned for work

From this reading For instance, had his plan succeeded he could have sailed to Anegada or Tortola within two or three hours from the time of the crime being committed, and, arriving at either place in the night, could have very easily induced the belief that he had anchored much earlier than he had actually done.

a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading As he suspected, Alderly had brought it round to the neighbourhood of the river's mouth, preferring to get at him that way instead of by the path down from his house.

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

From this reading For instance, had his plan succeeded he could have sailed to Anegada or Tortola within two or three hours from the time of the crime being committed, and, arriving at either place in the night, could have very easily induced the belief that he had anchored much earlier than he had actually done.

on your own; without outside help

From this reading For, independently of the fact that he would have strongly wished to avoid any encounter with him on shore--and, for aught he knew, Reginald might be ashore at any period of the night--he might have brought his cutter to that neighbourhood so as to be able to get away from the island at once, after the sinking of the _Pompeia_ had been accomplished.

brought about or caused; not spontaneous

From this reading For instance, had his plan succeeded he could have sailed to Anegada or Tortola within two or three hours from the time of the crime being committed, and, arriving at either place in the night, could have very easily induced the belief that he had anchored much earlier than he had actually done.

an occurrence of something

From this reading For instance, had his plan succeeded he could have sailed to Anegada or Tortola within two or three hours from the time of the crime being committed, and, arriving at either place in the night, could have very easily induced the belief that he had anchored much earlier than he had actually done.

in place of, or as an alternative to

From this reading As he suspected, Alderly had brought it round to the neighbourhood of the river's mouth, preferring to get at him that way instead of by the path down from his house.

a land mass (smaller than a continent) that is surrounded by water

From this reading Reginald found Joseph Alderly's boat on the same evening, when he was out on a tour about the coast of the island on the lookout for it.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Reginald found Joseph Alderly's boat on the same evening, when he was out on a tour about the coast of the island on the lookout for it.

leader of the Nez Perce in their retreat from United States troops (1840-1904)

From this reading Reginald found Joseph Alderly's boat on the same evening, when he was out on a tour about the coast of the island on the lookout for it.

inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading His reasons for doing so might have been manifold, the young man knew very well--reasons that would, doubtless, at once occur to such a scheming brain as that of the dead ruffian.

a person employed to keep watch for some anticipated event

From this reading Reginald found Joseph Alderly's boat on the same evening, when he was out on a tour about the coast of the island on the lookout for it.

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

From this reading His reasons for doing so might have been manifold, the young man knew very well--reasons that would, doubtless, at once occur to such a scheming brain as that of the dead ruffian.

a pipe that has several lateral outlets to or from other pipes

From this reading His reasons for doing so might have been manifold, the young man knew very well--reasons that would, doubtless, at once occur to such a scheming brain as that of the dead ruffian.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading His reasons for doing so might have been manifold, the young man knew very well--reasons that would, doubtless, at once occur to such a scheming brain as that of the dead ruffian.

the opening through which food is taken in and vocalizations emerge

From this reading As he suspected, Alderly had brought it round to the neighbourhood of the river's mouth, preferring to get at him that way instead of by the path down from his house.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading For instance, had his plan succeeded he could have sailed to Anegada or Tortola within two or three hours from the time of the crime being committed, and, arriving at either place in the night, could have very easily induced the belief that he had anchored much earlier than he had actually done.

a surrounding or nearby region

From this reading As he suspected, Alderly had brought it round to the neighbourhood of the river's mouth, preferring to get at him that way instead of by the path down from his house.

the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside

From this reading For, independently of the fact that he would have strongly wished to avoid any encounter with him on shore--and, for aught he knew, Reginald might be ashore at any period of the night--he might have brought his cutter to that neighbourhood so as to be able to get away from the island at once, after the sinking of the _Pompeia_ had been accomplished.

come to pass

From this reading His reasons for doing so might have been manifold, the young man knew very well--reasons that would, doubtless, at once occur to such a scheming brain as that of the dead ruffian.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Reginald found Joseph Alderly's boat on the same evening, when he was out on a tour about the coast of the island on the lookout for it.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Reginald found Joseph Alderly's boat on the same evening, when he was out on a tour about the coast of the island on the lookout for it.

on one occasion

From this reading His reasons for doing so might have been manifold, the young man knew very well--reasons that would, doubtless, at once occur to such a scheming brain as that of the dead ruffian.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading For instance, had his plan succeeded he could have sailed to Anegada or Tortola within two or three hours from the time of the crime being committed, and, arriving at either place in the night, could have very easily induced the belief that he had anchored much earlier than he had actually done.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading Reginald found Joseph Alderly's boat on the same evening, when he was out on a tour about the coast of the island on the lookout for it.

a course of conduct

From this reading As he suspected, Alderly had brought it round to the neighbourhood of the river's mouth, preferring to get at him that way instead of by the path down from his house.

an amount of time

From this reading For, independently of the fact that he would have strongly wished to avoid any encounter with him on shore--and, for aught he knew, Reginald might be ashore at any period of the night--he might have brought his cutter to that neighbourhood so as to be able to get away from the island at once, after the sinking of the _Pompeia_ had been accomplished.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading For instance, had his plan succeeded he could have sailed to Anegada or Tortola within two or three hours from the time of the crime being committed, and, arriving at either place in the night, could have very easily induced the belief that he had anchored much earlier than he had actually done.

have the will and intention to carry out some action

From this reading For instance, had his plan succeeded he could have sailed to Anegada or Tortola within two or three hours from the time of the crime being committed, and, arriving at either place in the night, could have very easily induced the belief that he had anchored much earlier than he had actually done.

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

From this reading For, independently of the fact that he would have strongly wished to avoid any encounter with him on shore--and, for aught he knew, Reginald might be ashore at any period of the night--he might have brought his cutter to that neighbourhood so as to be able to get away from the island at once, after the sinking of the _Pompeia_ had been accomplished.

inflected form of “prefer” — like better; value more highly

From this reading As he suspected, Alderly had brought it round to the neighbourhood of the river's mouth, preferring to get at him that way instead of by the path down from his house.

plural of “reason” — a rational motive for a belief or action

From this reading His reasons for doing so might have been manifold, the young man knew very well--reasons that would, doubtless, at once occur to such a scheming brain as that of the dead ruffian.

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

From this reading Reginald found Joseph Alderly's boat on the same evening, when he was out on a tour about the coast of the island on the lookout for it.

possessive form of “river” — a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)

From this reading As he suspected, Alderly had brought it round to the neighbourhood of the river's mouth, preferring to get at him that way instead of by the path down from his house.

a charge of ammunition for a single shot

From this reading As he suspected, Alderly had brought it round to the neighbourhood of the river's mouth, preferring to get at him that way instead of by the path down from his house.

a cruel and brutal fellow

From this reading His reasons for doing so might have been manifold, the young man knew very well--reasons that would, doubtless, at once occur to such a scheming brain as that of the dead ruffian.

past form of “sail” — traverse or travel on (a body of water)

From this reading For instance, had his plan succeeded he could have sailed to Anegada or Tortola within two or three hours from the time of the crime being committed, and, arriving at either place in the night, could have very easily induced the belief that he had anchored much earlier than he had actually done.

Identical; not different.

From this reading Reginald found Joseph Alderly's boat on the same evening, when he was out on a tour about the coast of the island on the lookout for it.

acting with a specific goal

From this reading His reasons for doing so might have been manifold, the young man knew very well--reasons that would, doubtless, at once occur to such a scheming brain as that of the dead ruffian.

the land along the edge of a body of water

From this reading For, independently of the fact that he would have strongly wished to avoid any encounter with him on shore--and, for aught he knew, Reginald might be ashore at any period of the night--he might have brought his cutter to that neighbourhood so as to be able to get away from the island at once, after the sinking of the _Pompeia_ had been accomplished.

a descent as through liquid (especially through water)

From this reading For, independently of the fact that he would have strongly wished to avoid any encounter with him on shore--and, for aught he knew, Reginald might be ashore at any period of the night--he might have brought his cutter to that neighbourhood so as to be able to get away from the island at once, after the sinking of the _Pompeia_ had been accomplished.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading His reasons for doing so might have been manifold, the young man knew very well--reasons that would, doubtless, at once occur to such a scheming brain as that of the dead ruffian.

with strength or in a strong manner

From this reading For, independently of the fact that he would have strongly wished to avoid any encounter with him on shore--and, for aught he knew, Reginald might be ashore at any period of the night--he might have brought his cutter to that neighbourhood so as to be able to get away from the island at once, after the sinking of the _Pompeia_ had been accomplished.

past form of “succeed” — attain success or reach a desired goal

From this reading For instance, had his plan succeeded he could have sailed to Anegada or Tortola within two or three hours from the time of the crime being committed, and, arriving at either place in the night, could have very easily induced the belief that he had anchored much earlier than he had actually done.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading His reasons for doing so might have been manifold, the young man knew very well--reasons that would, doubtless, at once occur to such a scheming brain as that of the dead ruffian.

believed likely

From this reading As he suspected, Alderly had brought it round to the neighbourhood of the river's mouth, preferring to get at him that way instead of by the path down from his house.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading For instance, had his plan succeeded he could have sailed to Anegada or Tortola within two or three hours from the time of the crime being committed, and, arriving at either place in the night, could have very easily induced the belief that he had anchored much earlier than he had actually done.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading As he suspected, Alderly had brought it round to the neighbourhood of the river's mouth, preferring to get at him that way instead of by the path down from his house.

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

From this reading Reginald found Joseph Alderly's boat on the same evening, when he was out on a tour about the coast of the island on the lookout for it.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one

From this reading For instance, had his plan succeeded he could have sailed to Anegada or Tortola within two or three hours from the time of the crime being committed, and, arriving at either place in the night, could have very easily induced the belief that he had anchored much earlier than he had actually done.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading For instance, had his plan succeeded he could have sailed to Anegada or Tortola within two or three hours from the time of the crime being committed, and, arriving at either place in the night, could have very easily induced the belief that he had anchored much earlier than he had actually done.

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

From this reading As he suspected, Alderly had brought it round to the neighbourhood of the river's mouth, preferring to get at him that way instead of by the path down from his house.

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

From this reading For instance, had his plan succeeded he could have sailed to Anegada or Tortola within two or three hours from the time of the crime being committed, and, arriving at either place in the night, could have very easily induced the belief that he had anchored much earlier than he had actually done.

a journey or route all the way around a particular place or area

From this reading Reginald found Joseph Alderly's boat on the same evening, when he was out on a tour about the coast of the island on the lookout for it.

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

From this reading For instance, had his plan succeeded he could have sailed to Anegada or Tortola within two or three hours from the time of the crime being committed, and, arriving at either place in the night, could have very easily induced the belief that he had anchored much earlier than he had actually done.

precisely as stated

From this reading His reasons for doing so might have been manifold, the young man knew very well--reasons that would, doubtless, at once occur to such a scheming brain as that of the dead ruffian.

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

From this reading Reginald found Joseph Alderly's boat on the same evening, when he was out on a tour about the coast of the island on the lookout for it.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading As he suspected, Alderly had brought it round to the neighbourhood of the river's mouth, preferring to get at him that way instead of by the path down from his house.

(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 His reasons for doing so might have been manifold, the young man knew very well--reasons that would, doubtless, at once occur to such a scheming brain as that of the dead ruffian.

at the time that

From this reading Reginald found Joseph Alderly's boat on the same evening, when he was out on a tour about the coast of the island on the lookout for it.

past form of “wish” — hope for; have a wish

From this reading For, independently of the fact that he would have strongly wished to avoid any encounter with him on shore--and, for aught he knew, Reginald might be ashore at any period of the night--he might have brought his cutter to that neighbourhood so as to be able to get away from the island at once, after the sinking of the _Pompeia_ had been accomplished.

in the company of; together with

From this reading For, independently of the fact that he would have strongly wished to avoid any encounter with him on shore--and, for aught he knew, Reginald might be ashore at any period of the night--he might have brought his cutter to that neighbourhood so as to be able to get away from the island at once, after the sinking of the _Pompeia_ had been accomplished.

inside; before a period of time has passed

From this reading For instance, had his plan succeeded he could have sailed to Anegada or Tortola within two or three hours from the time of the crime being committed, and, arriving at either place in the night, could have very easily induced the belief that he had anchored much earlier than he had actually done.

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

From this reading His reasons for doing so might have been manifold, the young man knew very well--reasons that would, doubtless, at once occur to such a scheming brain as that of the dead ruffian.

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading His reasons for doing so might have been manifold, the young man knew very well--reasons that would, doubtless, at once occur to such a scheming brain as that of the dead ruffian.