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 During the year that he and I spent at Consistorial-Rat von Mayburg's house at Bonn, he rapidly outdistanced me, and though, at the end of our time, I could speak German like a German, Francis was able, in addition, to speak Bonn and Cologne _patois_ like a native of those ancient cities--ay and he could drill a squad of recruits in their own language like the smartest _Leutnant_ ever fledged from Gross-Lichterfelde.

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

From this reading During the year that he and I spent at Consistorial-Rat von Mayburg's house at Bonn, he rapidly outdistanced me, and though, at the end of our time, I could speak German like a German, Francis was able, in addition, to speak Bonn and Cologne _patois_ like a native of those ancient cities--ay and he could drill a squad of recruits in their own language like the smartest _Leutnant_ ever fledged from Gross-Lichterfelde.

come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading Francis always had an extraordinary talent for languages: he seemed to acquire them all without any mental effort, but in German he was supreme.

a component that is added to something to improve it

From this reading During the year that he and I spent at Consistorial-Rat von Mayburg's house at Bonn, he rapidly outdistanced me, and though, at the end of our time, I could speak German like a German, Francis was able, in addition, to speak Bonn and Cologne _patois_ like a native of those ancient cities--ay and he could drill a squad of recruits in their own language like the smartest _Leutnant_ ever fledged from Gross-Lichterfelde.

(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 Francis always had an extraordinary talent for languages: he seemed to acquire them all without any mental effort, but in German he was supreme.

at all times; all the time and on every occasion

From this reading Francis always had an extraordinary talent for languages: he seemed to acquire them all without any mental effort, but in German he was supreme.

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

From this reading Francis always had an extraordinary talent for languages: he seemed to acquire them all without any mental effort, but in German he was supreme.

Belonging to the very distant past and no longer in existence or deeply revered.

From this reading During the year that he and I spent at Consistorial-Rat von Mayburg's house at Bonn, he rapidly outdistanced me, and though, at the end of our time, I could speak German like a German, Francis was able, in addition, to speak Bonn and Cologne _patois_ like a native of those ancient cities--ay and he could drill a squad of recruits in their own language like the smartest _Leutnant_ ever fledged from Gross-Lichterfelde.

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

From this reading I knew at once that Francis must be on secret service in the enemy's country and that country Germany.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading My brother's extraordinary knowledge of the Germans, their customs, life and dialects, rendered him ideally suitable for any such perilous mission.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading I knew at once that Francis must be on secret service in the enemy's country and that country Germany.

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

From this reading During the year that he and I spent at Consistorial-Rat von Mayburg's house at Bonn, he rapidly outdistanced me, and though, at the end of our time, I could speak German like a German, Francis was able, in addition, to speak Bonn and Cologne _patois_ like a native of those ancient cities--ay and he could drill a squad of recruits in their own language like the smartest _Leutnant_ ever fledged from Gross-Lichterfelde.

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

From this reading I knew at once that Francis must be on secret service in the enemy's country and that country Germany.

a city in western Germany on the Rhine River; was the capital of West Germany between 1949 and 1989

From this reading During the year that he and I spent at Consistorial-Rat von Mayburg's house at Bonn, he rapidly outdistanced me, and though, at the end of our time, I could speak German like a German, Francis was able, in addition, to speak Bonn and Cologne _patois_ like a native of those ancient cities--ay and he could drill a squad of recruits in their own language like the smartest _Leutnant_ ever fledged from Gross-Lichterfelde.

possessive form of “brother” — a male with the same parents as someone else

From this reading My brother's extraordinary knowledge of the Germans, their customs, life and dialects, rendered him ideally suitable for any such perilous mission.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Francis always had an extraordinary talent for languages: he seemed to acquire them all without any mental effort, but in German he was supreme.

A secret or disguised way of writing; a code used to conceal ancient secrets.

From this reading THE CIPHER WITH THE INVOICE Red Tabs' sphinx-like declaration was no riddle to me.

plural of “city” — a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts

From this reading During the year that he and I spent at Consistorial-Rat von Mayburg's house at Bonn, he rapidly outdistanced me, and though, at the end of our time, I could speak German like a German, Francis was able, in addition, to speak Bonn and Cologne _patois_ like a native of those ancient cities--ay and he could drill a squad of recruits in their own language like the smartest _Leutnant_ ever fledged from Gross-Lichterfelde.

a commercial center and river port in western Germany on the Rhine River; flourished during the 15th century as a member of the Hanseatic League

From this reading During the year that he and I spent at Consistorial-Rat von Mayburg's house at Bonn, he rapidly outdistanced me, and though, at the end of our time, I could speak German like a German, Francis was able, in addition, to speak Bonn and Cologne _patois_ like a native of those ancient cities--ay and he could drill a squad of recruits in their own language like the smartest _Leutnant_ ever fledged from Gross-Lichterfelde.

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

From this reading During the year that he and I spent at Consistorial-Rat von Mayburg's house at Bonn, he rapidly outdistanced me, and though, at the end of our time, I could speak German like a German, Francis was able, in addition, to speak Bonn and Cologne _patois_ like a native of those ancient cities--ay and he could drill a squad of recruits in their own language like the smartest _Leutnant_ ever fledged from Gross-Lichterfelde.

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

From this reading During the year that he and I spent at Consistorial-Rat von Mayburg's house at Bonn, he rapidly outdistanced me, and though, at the end of our time, I could speak German like a German, Francis was able, in addition, to speak Bonn and Cologne _patois_ like a native of those ancient cities--ay and he could drill a squad of recruits in their own language like the smartest _Leutnant_ ever fledged from Gross-Lichterfelde.

a politically organized body of people under a single government

From this reading I knew at once that Francis must be on secret service in the enemy's country and that country Germany.

money collected under a tariff

From this reading My brother's extraordinary knowledge of the Germans, their customs, life and dialects, rendered him ideally suitable for any such perilous mission.

a statement that is emphatic and explicit (spoken or written)

From this reading THE CIPHER WITH THE INVOICE Red Tabs' sphinx-like declaration was no riddle to me.

plural of “dialect” — the usage or vocabulary that is characteristic of a specific group of people

From this reading My brother's extraordinary knowledge of the Germans, their customs, life and dialects, rendered him ideally suitable for any such perilous mission.

make a hole, especially with a pointed power or hand tool

From this reading During the year that he and I spent at Consistorial-Rat von Mayburg's house at Bonn, he rapidly outdistanced me, and though, at the end of our time, I could speak German like a German, Francis was able, in addition, to speak Bonn and Cologne _patois_ like a native of those ancient cities--ay and he could drill a squad of recruits in their own language like the smartest _Leutnant_ ever fledged from Gross-Lichterfelde.

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading During the year that he and I spent at Consistorial-Rat von Mayburg's house at Bonn, he rapidly outdistanced me, and though, at the end of our time, I could speak German like a German, Francis was able, in addition, to speak Bonn and Cologne _patois_ like a native of those ancient cities--ay and he could drill a squad of recruits in their own language like the smartest _Leutnant_ ever fledged from Gross-Lichterfelde.

earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something

From this reading Francis always had an extraordinary talent for languages: he seemed to acquire them all without any mental effort, but in German he was supreme.

either extremity of something that has length

From this reading During the year that he and I spent at Consistorial-Rat von Mayburg's house at Bonn, he rapidly outdistanced me, and though, at the end of our time, I could speak German like a German, Francis was able, in addition, to speak Bonn and Cologne _patois_ like a native of those ancient cities--ay and he could drill a squad of recruits in their own language like the smartest _Leutnant_ ever fledged from Gross-Lichterfelde.

possessive form of “enemy” — an opposing military force

From this reading I knew at once that Francis must be on secret service in the enemy's country and that country Germany.

at any time

From this reading During the year that he and I spent at Consistorial-Rat von Mayburg's house at Bonn, he rapidly outdistanced me, and though, at the end of our time, I could speak German like a German, Francis was able, in addition, to speak Bonn and Cologne _patois_ like a native of those ancient cities--ay and he could drill a squad of recruits in their own language like the smartest _Leutnant_ ever fledged from Gross-Lichterfelde.

beyond what is ordinary or usual; highly unusual or exceptional or remarkable

From this reading My brother's extraordinary knowledge of the Germans, their customs, life and dialects, rendered him ideally suitable for any such perilous mission.

(of birds) having developed feathers or plumage; often used in combination

From this reading During the year that he and I spent at Consistorial-Rat von Mayburg's house at Bonn, he rapidly outdistanced me, and though, at the end of our time, I could speak German like a German, Francis was able, in addition, to speak Bonn and Cologne _patois_ like a native of those ancient cities--ay and he could drill a squad of recruits in their own language like the smartest _Leutnant_ ever fledged from Gross-Lichterfelde.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading My brother's extraordinary knowledge of the Germans, their customs, life and dialects, rendered him ideally suitable for any such perilous mission.

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

From this reading I knew at once that Francis must be on secret service in the enemy's country and that country Germany.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading During the year that he and I spent at Consistorial-Rat von Mayburg's house at Bonn, he rapidly outdistanced me, and though, at the end of our time, I could speak German like a German, Francis was able, in addition, to speak Bonn and Cologne _patois_ like a native of those ancient cities--ay and he could drill a squad of recruits in their own language like the smartest _Leutnant_ ever fledged from Gross-Lichterfelde.

a person of German nationality

From this reading Francis always had an extraordinary talent for languages: he seemed to acquire them all without any mental effort, but in German he was supreme.

plural of “german” — a person of German nationality

From this reading My brother's extraordinary knowledge of the Germans, their customs, life and dialects, rendered him ideally suitable for any such perilous mission.

a republic in central Europe; split into East Germany and West Germany after World War II and reunited in 1990

From this reading I knew at once that Francis must be on secret service in the enemy's country and that country Germany.

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

From this reading During the year that he and I spent at Consistorial-Rat von Mayburg's house at Bonn, he rapidly outdistanced me, and though, at the end of our time, I could speak German like a German, Francis was able, in addition, to speak Bonn and Cologne _patois_ like a native of those ancient cities--ay and he could drill a squad of recruits in their own language like the smartest _Leutnant_ ever fledged from Gross-Lichterfelde.

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

From this reading Francis always had an extraordinary talent for languages: he seemed to acquire them all without any mental effort, but in German he was supreme.

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

From this reading Francis always had an extraordinary talent for languages: he seemed to acquire them all without any mental effort, but in German he was supreme.

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

From this reading My brother's extraordinary knowledge of the Germans, their customs, life and dialects, rendered him ideally suitable for any such perilous mission.

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

From this reading During the year that he and I spent at Consistorial-Rat von Mayburg's house at Bonn, he rapidly outdistanced me, and though, at the end of our time, I could speak German like a German, Francis was able, in addition, to speak Bonn and Cologne _patois_ like a native of those ancient cities--ay and he could drill a squad of recruits in their own language like the smartest _Leutnant_ ever fledged from Gross-Lichterfelde.

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

From this reading I knew at once that Francis must be on secret service in the enemy's country and that country Germany.

in an ideal manner

From this reading My brother's extraordinary knowledge of the Germans, their customs, life and dialects, rendered him ideally suitable for any such perilous mission.

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

From this reading I knew at once that Francis must be on secret service in the enemy's country and that country Germany.

an itemized statement of money owed for goods shipped or services rendered

From this reading THE CIPHER WITH THE INVOICE Red Tabs' sphinx-like declaration was no riddle to me.

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 I knew at once that Francis must be on secret service in the enemy's country and that country Germany.

the psychological result of perception and learning and reasoning

From this reading My brother's extraordinary knowledge of the Germans, their customs, life and dialects, rendered him ideally suitable for any such perilous mission.

a systematic means of communicating by the use of sounds or conventional symbols

From this reading During the year that he and I spent at Consistorial-Rat von Mayburg's house at Bonn, he rapidly outdistanced me, and though, at the end of our time, I could speak German like a German, Francis was able, in addition, to speak Bonn and Cologne _patois_ like a native of those ancient cities--ay and he could drill a squad of recruits in their own language like the smartest _Leutnant_ ever fledged from Gross-Lichterfelde.

plural of “language” — a systematic means of communicating by the use of sounds or conventional symbols

From this reading Francis always had an extraordinary talent for languages: he seemed to acquire them all without any mental effort, but in German he was supreme.

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

From this reading During the year that he and I spent at Consistorial-Rat von Mayburg's house at Bonn, he rapidly outdistanced me, and though, at the end of our time, I could speak German like a German, Francis was able, in addition, to speak Bonn and Cologne _patois_ like a native of those ancient cities--ay and he could drill a squad of recruits in their own language like the smartest _Leutnant_ ever fledged from Gross-Lichterfelde.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading My brother's extraordinary knowledge of the Germans, their customs, life and dialects, rendered him ideally suitable for any such perilous mission.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading During the year that he and I spent at Consistorial-Rat von Mayburg's house at Bonn, he rapidly outdistanced me, and though, at the end of our time, I could speak German like a German, Francis was able, in addition, to speak Bonn and Cologne _patois_ like a native of those ancient cities--ay and he could drill a squad of recruits in their own language like the smartest _Leutnant_ ever fledged from Gross-Lichterfelde.

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

From this reading During the year that he and I spent at Consistorial-Rat von Mayburg's house at Bonn, he rapidly outdistanced me, and though, at the end of our time, I could speak German like a German, Francis was able, in addition, to speak Bonn and Cologne _patois_ like a native of those ancient cities--ay and he could drill a squad of recruits in their own language like the smartest _Leutnant_ ever fledged from Gross-Lichterfelde.

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

From this reading THE CIPHER WITH THE INVOICE Red Tabs' sphinx-like declaration was no riddle to me.

involving the mind or an intellectual process

From this reading Francis always had an extraordinary talent for languages: he seemed to acquire them all without any mental effort, but in German he was supreme.

an organization of missionaries in a foreign land sent to carry on religious work

From this reading My brother's extraordinary knowledge of the Germans, their customs, life and dialects, rendered him ideally suitable for any such perilous mission.

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading I knew at once that Francis must be on secret service in the enemy's country and that country Germany.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading My brother's extraordinary knowledge of the Germans, their customs, life and dialects, rendered him ideally suitable for any such perilous mission.

characteristic of or existing by virtue of geographic origin

From this reading During the year that he and I spent at Consistorial-Rat von Mayburg's house at Bonn, he rapidly outdistanced me, and though, at the end of our time, I could speak German like a German, Francis was able, in addition, to speak Bonn and Cologne _patois_ like a native of those ancient cities--ay and he could drill a squad of recruits in their own language like the smartest _Leutnant_ ever fledged from Gross-Lichterfelde.

not any; not one

From this reading THE CIPHER WITH THE INVOICE Red Tabs' sphinx-like declaration was no riddle to me.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading My brother's extraordinary knowledge of the Germans, their customs, life and dialects, rendered him ideally suitable for any such perilous mission.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading I knew at once that Francis must be on secret service in the enemy's country and that country Germany.

on one occasion

From this reading I knew at once that Francis must be on secret service in the enemy's country and that country Germany.

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading During the year that he and I spent at Consistorial-Rat von Mayburg's house at Bonn, he rapidly outdistanced me, and though, at the end of our time, I could speak German like a German, Francis was able, in addition, to speak Bonn and Cologne _patois_ like a native of those ancient cities--ay and he could drill a squad of recruits in their own language like the smartest _Leutnant_ ever fledged from Gross-Lichterfelde.

past form of “outdistance” — go far ahead of

From this reading During the year that he and I spent at Consistorial-Rat von Mayburg's house at Bonn, he rapidly outdistanced me, and though, at the end of our time, I could speak German like a German, Francis was able, in addition, to speak Bonn and Cologne _patois_ like a native of those ancient cities--ay and he could drill a squad of recruits in their own language like the smartest _Leutnant_ ever fledged from Gross-Lichterfelde.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading During the year that he and I spent at Consistorial-Rat von Mayburg's house at Bonn, he rapidly outdistanced me, and though, at the end of our time, I could speak German like a German, Francis was able, in addition, to speak Bonn and Cologne _patois_ like a native of those ancient cities--ay and he could drill a squad of recruits in their own language like the smartest _Leutnant_ ever fledged from Gross-Lichterfelde.

a characteristic language of a particular group (as among thieves)

From this reading During the year that he and I spent at Consistorial-Rat von Mayburg's house at Bonn, he rapidly outdistanced me, and though, at the end of our time, I could speak German like a German, Francis was able, in addition, to speak Bonn and Cologne _patois_ like a native of those ancient cities--ay and he could drill a squad of recruits in their own language like the smartest _Leutnant_ ever fledged from Gross-Lichterfelde.

fraught with danger

From this reading My brother's extraordinary knowledge of the Germans, their customs, life and dialects, rendered him ideally suitable for any such perilous mission.

with speed

From this reading During the year that he and I spent at Consistorial-Rat von Mayburg's house at Bonn, he rapidly outdistanced me, and though, at the end of our time, I could speak German like a German, Francis was able, in addition, to speak Bonn and Cologne _patois_ like a native of those ancient cities--ay and he could drill a squad of recruits in their own language like the smartest _Leutnant_ ever fledged from Gross-Lichterfelde.

plural of “recruit” — a recently enlisted soldier

From this reading During the year that he and I spent at Consistorial-Rat von Mayburg's house at Bonn, he rapidly outdistanced me, and though, at the end of our time, I could speak German like a German, Francis was able, in addition, to speak Bonn and Cologne _patois_ like a native of those ancient cities--ay and he could drill a squad of recruits in their own language like the smartest _Leutnant_ ever fledged from Gross-Lichterfelde.

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

From this reading THE CIPHER WITH THE INVOICE Red Tabs' sphinx-like declaration was no riddle to me.

past form of “render” — cause to become

From this reading My brother's extraordinary knowledge of the Germans, their customs, life and dialects, rendered him ideally suitable for any such perilous mission.

pierce with many holes

From this reading THE CIPHER WITH THE INVOICE Red Tabs' sphinx-like declaration was no riddle to me.

Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.

From this reading I knew at once that Francis must be on secret service in the enemy's country and that country Germany.

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

From this reading Francis always had an extraordinary talent for languages: he seemed to acquire them all without any mental effort, but in German he was supreme.

work done by one person or group that benefits another

From this reading I knew at once that Francis must be on secret service in the enemy's country and that country Germany.

superlative of “smart” — showing mental alertness and calculation and resourcefulness

From this reading During the year that he and I spent at Consistorial-Rat von Mayburg's house at Bonn, he rapidly outdistanced me, and though, at the end of our time, I could speak German like a German, Francis was able, in addition, to speak Bonn and Cologne _patois_ like a native of those ancient cities--ay and he could drill a squad of recruits in their own language like the smartest _Leutnant_ ever fledged from Gross-Lichterfelde.

express in speech

From this reading During the year that he and I spent at Consistorial-Rat von Mayburg's house at Bonn, he rapidly outdistanced me, and though, at the end of our time, I could speak German like a German, Francis was able, in addition, to speak Bonn and Cologne _patois_ like a native of those ancient cities--ay and he could drill a squad of recruits in their own language like the smartest _Leutnant_ ever fledged from Gross-Lichterfelde.

depleted of energy, force, or strength

From this reading During the year that he and I spent at Consistorial-Rat von Mayburg's house at Bonn, he rapidly outdistanced me, and though, at the end of our time, I could speak German like a German, Francis was able, in addition, to speak Bonn and Cologne _patois_ like a native of those ancient cities--ay and he could drill a squad of recruits in their own language like the smartest _Leutnant_ ever fledged from Gross-Lichterfelde.

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

From this reading THE CIPHER WITH THE INVOICE Red Tabs' sphinx-like declaration was no riddle to me.

a smallest army unit

From this reading During the year that he and I spent at Consistorial-Rat von Mayburg's house at Bonn, he rapidly outdistanced me, and though, at the end of our time, I could speak German like a German, Francis was able, in addition, to speak Bonn and Cologne _patois_ like a native of those ancient cities--ay and he could drill a squad of recruits in their own language like the smartest _Leutnant_ ever fledged from Gross-Lichterfelde.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading My brother's extraordinary knowledge of the Germans, their customs, life and dialects, rendered him ideally suitable for any such perilous mission.

meant or adapted for an occasion or use

From this reading My brother's extraordinary knowledge of the Germans, their customs, life and dialects, rendered him ideally suitable for any such perilous mission.

final or last in your life or progress

From this reading Francis always had an extraordinary talent for languages: he seemed to acquire them all without any mental effort, but in German he was supreme.

plural of “tab” — the bill in a restaurant

From this reading THE CIPHER WITH THE INVOICE Red Tabs' sphinx-like declaration was no riddle to me.

natural abilities or qualities

From this reading Francis always had an extraordinary talent for languages: he seemed to acquire them all without any mental effort, but in German he was supreme.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading I knew at once that Francis must be on secret service in the enemy's country and that country Germany.

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

From this reading THE CIPHER WITH THE INVOICE Red Tabs' sphinx-like declaration was no riddle to me.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading My brother's extraordinary knowledge of the Germans, their customs, life and dialects, rendered him ideally suitable for any such perilous mission.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Francis always had an extraordinary talent for languages: he seemed to acquire them all without any mental effort, but in German he was supreme.

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

From this reading During the year that he and I spent at Consistorial-Rat von Mayburg's house at Bonn, he rapidly outdistanced me, and though, at the end of our time, I could speak German like a German, Francis was able, in addition, to speak Bonn and Cologne _patois_ like a native of those ancient cities--ay and he could drill a squad of recruits in their own language like the smartest _Leutnant_ ever fledged from Gross-Lichterfelde.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading During the year that he and I spent at Consistorial-Rat von Mayburg's house at Bonn, he rapidly outdistanced me, and though, at the end of our time, I could speak German like a German, Francis was able, in addition, to speak Bonn and Cologne _patois_ like a native of those ancient cities--ay and he could drill a squad of recruits in their own language like the smartest _Leutnant_ ever fledged from Gross-Lichterfelde.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading During the year that he and I spent at Consistorial-Rat von Mayburg's house at Bonn, he rapidly outdistanced me, and though, at the end of our time, I could speak German like a German, Francis was able, in addition, to speak Bonn and Cologne _patois_ like a native of those ancient cities--ay and he could drill a squad of recruits in their own language like the smartest _Leutnant_ ever fledged from Gross-Lichterfelde.

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

From this reading THE CIPHER WITH THE INVOICE Red Tabs' sphinx-like declaration was no riddle to me.

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

From this reading During the year that he and I spent at Consistorial-Rat von Mayburg's house at Bonn, he rapidly outdistanced me, and though, at the end of our time, I could speak German like a German, Francis was able, in addition, to speak Bonn and Cologne _patois_ like a native of those ancient cities--ay and he could drill a squad of recruits in their own language like the smartest _Leutnant_ ever fledged from Gross-Lichterfelde.

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

From this reading THE CIPHER WITH THE INVOICE Red Tabs' sphinx-like declaration was no riddle to me.

in the company of; together with

From this reading THE CIPHER WITH THE INVOICE Red Tabs' sphinx-like declaration was no riddle to me.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading Francis always had an extraordinary talent for languages: he seemed to acquire them all without any mental effort, but in German he was supreme.

a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days

From this reading During the year that he and I spent at Consistorial-Rat von Mayburg's house at Bonn, he rapidly outdistanced me, and though, at the end of our time, I could speak German like a German, Francis was able, in addition, to speak Bonn and Cologne _patois_ like a native of those ancient cities--ay and he could drill a squad of recruits in their own language like the smartest _Leutnant_ ever fledged from Gross-Lichterfelde.