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The Mystery of the Four Fingers
The Mystery of the Four Fingers

Chapter XXIII · Chapter 23

Chapter 23 of The Mystery of the Four Fingers is here in full — 158 sentences across 32 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

By Fred M. (Fred Merrick) White • Curated US English Learning Edition
Cover illustration for The Mystery of the Four Fingers
Context Illustration Reading 1/31 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
THE MOUTH OF THE NET "I am afraid I am very dense," Venner said, "but I quite fail to see how a man could make a fortune by selling for a sovereign an article that cost him twenty shillings, to say nothing of the trouble and cost of labor and the risk of being discovered--"
"As a matter of fact, the risk is comparatively small," Grady said.
"It was only by a pure accident that we got on the inside track of this matter.
You see, the coins are of actual face value, they are most beautifully made, and, indeed, would pass anywhere.
Let me tell you that every sovereign contains a certain amount of alloy which reduces its actual value to about eighteen and threepence.
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

The Mystery of the Four Fingers

Chapter XXIII · Chapter 23

Chapter 23 of The Mystery of the Four Fingers is here in full — 158 sentences across 32 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/31 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
THE MOUTH OF THE NET "I am afraid I am very dense," Venner said, "but I quite fail to see how a man could make a fortune by selling for a sovereign an article that cost him twenty shillings, to say nothing of the trouble and cost of labor and the risk of being discovered--"
Line 2
"As a matter of fact, the risk is comparatively small," Grady said.
Line 3
"It was only by a pure accident that we got on the inside track of this matter.
/ɪt wɑːz ˈoʊnli baɪ ə pjʊr ˈæksədənt ðæt wiː ɡɑːt ɑːn ðə ˌɪnˈsaɪd træk ʌv ðɪs ˈmætər/
Line 4
You see, the coins are of actual face value, they are most beautifully made, and, indeed, would pass anywhere.
/juː siː ðə kɔɪnz ɑːr ʌv ˈæktʃəwəl feɪs ˈvæljuː ðeɪ ɑːr moʊst ˈbjuːtəfli meɪd ənd ˌɪnˈdiːd wʊd pæs ˈeniwer/
Line 5
Let me tell you that every sovereign contains a certain amount of alloy which reduces its actual value to about eighteen and threepence.

Learner Dictionary

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

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

alloy noun US /ˈælɔɪ/

a mixture containing two or more metallic elements or metallic and nonmetallic elements usually fused together or dissolving into each other when molten

From this reading “Let me tell you that every sovereign contains a certain amount of alloy which reduces its actual value to about eighteen and threepence.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
beautifully adverb US /ˈbjuːtəfli/

in a beautiful manner

From this reading “You see, the coins are of actual face value, they are most beautifully made, and, indeed, would pass anywhere.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
coins noun US /kɔɪnz/

plural of “coin” — a flat metal piece (usually a disc) used as money

From this reading “You see, the coins are of actual face value, they are most beautifully made, and, indeed, would pass anywhere.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
comparatively adverb US /kəmˈperətɪvli/

in a relative manner; by comparison to something else

From this reading “"As a matter of fact, the risk is comparatively small," Grady said.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
contains verb US /kənˈteɪnz/

third-person singular of “contain” — include or contain; have as a component

From this reading “Let me tell you that every sovereign contains a certain amount of alloy which reduces its actual value to about eighteen and threepence.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
net noun US /net/

a computer network consisting of a worldwide network of computer networks that use the TCP/IP network protocols to facilitate data transmission and exchange

From this reading “THE MOUTH OF THE NET "I am afraid I am very dense," Venner said, "but I quite fail to see how a man could make a fortune by selling for a sovereign an article that cost him twenty shillings, to say nothing of the trouble and cost of labor and the risk of being discovered--"”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
reduces verb US /rəˈduːsəz/

third-person singular of “reduce” — cut down on; make a reduction in

From this reading “Let me tell you that every sovereign contains a certain amount of alloy which reduces its actual value to about eighteen and threepence.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
selling noun US /ˈselɪŋ/

the exchange of goods for an agreed sum of money

From this reading “THE MOUTH OF THE NET "I am afraid I am very dense," Venner said, "but I quite fail to see how a man could make a fortune by selling for a sovereign an article that cost him twenty shillings, to say nothing of the trouble and cost of labor and the risk of being discovered--"”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1

All words in this reading · 87

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

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

adeterminerUS /ə/

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

From this reading THE MOUTH OF THE NET "I am afraid I am very dense," Venner said, "but I quite fail to see how a man could make a fortune by selling for a sovereign an article that cost him twenty shillings, to say nothing of the trouble and cost of labor and the risk of being discovered--"

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading Let me tell you that every sovereign contains a certain amount of alloy which reduces its actual value to about eighteen and threepence.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
accidentnounUS /ˈæksədənt/

an unfortunate mishap; especially one causing damage or injury

From this reading "It was only by a pure accident that we got on the inside track of this matter.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
actualadjectiveUS /ˈæktʃəwəl/

presently existing in fact and not merely potential or possible

From this reading You see, the coins are of actual face value, they are most beautifully made, and, indeed, would pass anywhere.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
afraidadjectiveUS /əˈfreɪd/

filled with fear or apprehension

From this reading THE MOUTH OF THE NET "I am afraid I am very dense," Venner said, "but I quite fail to see how a man could make a fortune by selling for a sovereign an article that cost him twenty shillings, to say nothing of the trouble and cost of labor and the risk of being discovered--"

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
alloynounUS /ˈælɔɪ/

a mixture containing two or more metallic elements or metallic and nonmetallic elements usually fused together or dissolving into each other when molten

From this reading Let me tell you that every sovereign contains a certain amount of alloy which reduces its actual value to about eighteen and threepence.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
amauxiliary verbUS /æm/

the form of “be” used with “I”

From this reading THE MOUTH OF THE NET "I am afraid I am very dense," Venner said, "but I quite fail to see how a man could make a fortune by selling for a sovereign an article that cost him twenty shillings, to say nothing of the trouble and cost of labor and the risk of being discovered--"

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
amountnounUS /əˈmaʊnt/

a quantity of money

From this reading Let me tell you that every sovereign contains a certain amount of alloy which reduces its actual value to about eighteen and threepence.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading THE MOUTH OF THE NET "I am afraid I am very dense," Venner said, "but I quite fail to see how a man could make a fortune by selling for a sovereign an article that cost him twenty shillings, to say nothing of the trouble and cost of labor and the risk of being discovered--"

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading THE MOUTH OF THE NET "I am afraid I am very dense," Venner said, "but I quite fail to see how a man could make a fortune by selling for a sovereign an article that cost him twenty shillings, to say nothing of the trouble and cost of labor and the risk of being discovered--"

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
anywhereadverbUS /ˈeniwer/

at or in or to any place

From this reading You see, the coins are of actual face value, they are most beautifully made, and, indeed, would pass anywhere.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

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

From this reading You see, the coins are of actual face value, they are most beautifully made, and, indeed, would pass anywhere.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
articlenounUS /ˈɑːrtəkəl/

nonfictional prose forming an independent part of a publication

From this reading THE MOUTH OF THE NET "I am afraid I am very dense," Venner said, "but I quite fail to see how a man could make a fortune by selling for a sovereign an article that cost him twenty shillings, to say nothing of the trouble and cost of labor and the risk of being discovered--"

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
AsconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading "As a matter of fact, the risk is comparatively small," Grady said.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
beautifullyadverbUS /ˈbjuːtəfli/

in a beautiful manner

From this reading You see, the coins are of actual face value, they are most beautifully made, and, indeed, would pass anywhere.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading THE MOUTH OF THE NET "I am afraid I am very dense," Venner said, "but I quite fail to see how a man could make a fortune by selling for a sovereign an article that cost him twenty shillings, to say nothing of the trouble and cost of labor and the risk of being discovered--"

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading THE MOUTH OF THE NET "I am afraid I am very dense," Venner said, "but I quite fail to see how a man could make a fortune by selling for a sovereign an article that cost him twenty shillings, to say nothing of the trouble and cost of labor and the risk of being discovered--"

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading THE MOUTH OF THE NET "I am afraid I am very dense," Venner said, "but I quite fail to see how a man could make a fortune by selling for a sovereign an article that cost him twenty shillings, to say nothing of the trouble and cost of labor and the risk of being discovered--"

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
certainadjectiveUS /ˈsɜːrtən/

definite but not specified or identified

From this reading Let me tell you that every sovereign contains a certain amount of alloy which reduces its actual value to about eighteen and threepence.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
coinsnounUS /kɔɪnz/

plural of “coin” — a flat metal piece (usually a disc) used as money

From this reading You see, the coins are of actual face value, they are most beautifully made, and, indeed, would pass anywhere.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
comparativelyadverbUS /kəmˈperətɪvli/

in a relative manner; by comparison to something else

From this reading "As a matter of fact, the risk is comparatively small," Grady said.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
containsverbUS /kənˈteɪnz/

third-person singular of “contain” — include or contain; have as a component

From this reading Let me tell you that every sovereign contains a certain amount of alloy which reduces its actual value to about eighteen and threepence.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
costnounUS /kɑːst/

the total spent for goods or services including money and time and labor

From this reading THE MOUTH OF THE NET "I am afraid I am very dense," Venner said, "but I quite fail to see how a man could make a fortune by selling for a sovereign an article that cost him twenty shillings, to say nothing of the trouble and cost of labor and the risk of being discovered--"

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

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

From this reading THE MOUTH OF THE NET "I am afraid I am very dense," Venner said, "but I quite fail to see how a man could make a fortune by selling for a sovereign an article that cost him twenty shillings, to say nothing of the trouble and cost of labor and the risk of being discovered--"

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
denseadjectiveUS /dens/

permitting little if any light to pass through because of denseness of matter

From this reading THE MOUTH OF THE NET "I am afraid I am very dense," Venner said, "but I quite fail to see how a man could make a fortune by selling for a sovereign an article that cost him twenty shillings, to say nothing of the trouble and cost of labor and the risk of being discovered--"

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
discoveredadjectiveUS /dɪˈskʌvərd/

discovered or determined by scientific observation

From this reading THE MOUTH OF THE NET "I am afraid I am very dense," Venner said, "but I quite fail to see how a man could make a fortune by selling for a sovereign an article that cost him twenty shillings, to say nothing of the trouble and cost of labor and the risk of being discovered--"

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
eighteenadjectiveUS /eɪˈtiːn/

being one more than seventeen

From this reading Let me tell you that every sovereign contains a certain amount of alloy which reduces its actual value to about eighteen and threepence.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading Let me tell you that every sovereign contains a certain amount of alloy which reduces its actual value to about eighteen and threepence.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
facenounUS /feɪs/

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

From this reading You see, the coins are of actual face value, they are most beautifully made, and, indeed, would pass anywhere.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
factnounUS /fækt/

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

From this reading "As a matter of fact, the risk is comparatively small," Grady said.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
failverbUS /feɪl/

fail to do something; leave something undone

From this reading THE MOUTH OF THE NET "I am afraid I am very dense," Venner said, "but I quite fail to see how a man could make a fortune by selling for a sovereign an article that cost him twenty shillings, to say nothing of the trouble and cost of labor and the risk of being discovered--"

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading THE MOUTH OF THE NET "I am afraid I am very dense," Venner said, "but I quite fail to see how a man could make a fortune by selling for a sovereign an article that cost him twenty shillings, to say nothing of the trouble and cost of labor and the risk of being discovered--"

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
fortunenounUS /ˈfɔːrtʃən/

an unknown and unpredictable phenomenon that causes an event to result one way rather than another

From this reading THE MOUTH OF THE NET "I am afraid I am very dense," Venner said, "but I quite fail to see how a man could make a fortune by selling for a sovereign an article that cost him twenty shillings, to say nothing of the trouble and cost of labor and the risk of being discovered--"

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
gotverbUS /ɡɑːt/

inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading "It was only by a pure accident that we got on the inside track of this matter.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
Grady

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

From this reading "As a matter of fact, the risk is comparatively small," Grady said.

Pending verification
himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading THE MOUTH OF THE NET "I am afraid I am very dense," Venner said, "but I quite fail to see how a man could make a fortune by selling for a sovereign an article that cost him twenty shillings, to say nothing of the trouble and cost of labor and the risk of being discovered--"

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
how

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

From this reading THE MOUTH OF THE NET "I am afraid I am very dense," Venner said, "but I quite fail to see how a man could make a fortune by selling for a sovereign an article that cost him twenty shillings, to say nothing of the trouble and cost of labor and the risk of being discovered--"

Pending verification
IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading THE MOUTH OF THE NET "I am afraid I am very dense," Venner said, "but I quite fail to see how a man could make a fortune by selling for a sovereign an article that cost him twenty shillings, to say nothing of the trouble and cost of labor and the risk of being discovered--"

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
indeedadverbUS /ˌɪnˈdiːd/

in truth (often tends to intensify)

From this reading You see, the coins are of actual face value, they are most beautifully made, and, indeed, would pass anywhere.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
insideadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈsaɪd/

relating to or being on the side closer to the center or within a defined space

From this reading "It was only by a pure accident that we got on the inside track of this matter.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading "As a matter of fact, the risk is comparatively small," Grady said.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading "It was only by a pure accident that we got on the inside track of this matter.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading Let me tell you that every sovereign contains a certain amount of alloy which reduces its actual value to about eighteen and threepence.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
labornounUS /ˈleɪbər/

a social class comprising those who do manual labor or work for wages

From this reading THE MOUTH OF THE NET "I am afraid I am very dense," Venner said, "but I quite fail to see how a man could make a fortune by selling for a sovereign an article that cost him twenty shillings, to say nothing of the trouble and cost of labor and the risk of being discovered--"

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
Letauxiliary verbUS /let/

used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker

From this reading Let me tell you that every sovereign contains a certain amount of alloy which reduces its actual value to about eighteen and threepence.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
madeadjectiveUS /meɪd/

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading You see, the coins are of actual face value, they are most beautifully made, and, indeed, would pass anywhere.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
makeverbUS /meɪk/

engage in

From this reading THE MOUTH OF THE NET "I am afraid I am very dense," Venner said, "but I quite fail to see how a man could make a fortune by selling for a sovereign an article that cost him twenty shillings, to say nothing of the trouble and cost of labor and the risk of being discovered--"

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
mannounUS /mæn/

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

From this reading THE MOUTH OF THE NET "I am afraid I am very dense," Venner said, "but I quite fail to see how a man could make a fortune by selling for a sovereign an article that cost him twenty shillings, to say nothing of the trouble and cost of labor and the risk of being discovered--"

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
matternounUS /ˈmætər/

a vaguely specified concern

From this reading "As a matter of fact, the risk is comparatively small," Grady said.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
mepronounUS /miː/

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

From this reading Let me tell you that every sovereign contains a certain amount of alloy which reduces its actual value to about eighteen and threepence.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
mostadverbUS /moʊst/

used to form the superlative

From this reading You see, the coins are of actual face value, they are most beautifully made, and, indeed, would pass anywhere.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
MOUTHnounUS /maʊθ/

the opening through which food is taken in and vocalizations emerge

From this reading THE MOUTH OF THE NET "I am afraid I am very dense," Venner said, "but I quite fail to see how a man could make a fortune by selling for a sovereign an article that cost him twenty shillings, to say nothing of the trouble and cost of labor and the risk of being discovered--"

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
NETnounUS /net/

a computer network consisting of a worldwide network of computer networks that use the TCP/IP network protocols to facilitate data transmission and exchange

From this reading THE MOUTH OF THE NET "I am afraid I am very dense," Venner said, "but I quite fail to see how a man could make a fortune by selling for a sovereign an article that cost him twenty shillings, to say nothing of the trouble and cost of labor and the risk of being discovered--"

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading THE MOUTH OF THE NET "I am afraid I am very dense," Venner said, "but I quite fail to see how a man could make a fortune by selling for a sovereign an article that cost him twenty shillings, to say nothing of the trouble and cost of labor and the risk of being discovered--"

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
OFprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE MOUTH OF THE NET "I am afraid I am very dense," Venner said, "but I quite fail to see how a man could make a fortune by selling for a sovereign an article that cost him twenty shillings, to say nothing of the trouble and cost of labor and the risk of being discovered--"

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading "It was only by a pure accident that we got on the inside track of this matter.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
onlyadverbUS /ˈoʊnli/

and nothing more

From this reading "It was only by a pure accident that we got on the inside track of this matter.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
passverbUS /pæs/

go across or through

From this reading You see, the coins are of actual face value, they are most beautifully made, and, indeed, would pass anywhere.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
pureadjectiveUS /pjʊr/

free of extraneous elements of any kind

From this reading "It was only by a pure accident that we got on the inside track of this matter.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
quiteadverbUS /kwaɪt/

to a degree (not used with a negative)

From this reading THE MOUTH OF THE NET "I am afraid I am very dense," Venner said, "but I quite fail to see how a man could make a fortune by selling for a sovereign an article that cost him twenty shillings, to say nothing of the trouble and cost of labor and the risk of being discovered--"

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
reducesverbUS /rəˈduːsəz/

third-person singular of “reduce” — cut down on; make a reduction in

From this reading Let me tell you that every sovereign contains a certain amount of alloy which reduces its actual value to about eighteen and threepence.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
risknounUS /rɪsk/

a source of danger; a possibility of incurring loss or misfortune

From this reading THE MOUTH OF THE NET "I am afraid I am very dense," Venner said, "but I quite fail to see how a man could make a fortune by selling for a sovereign an article that cost him twenty shillings, to say nothing of the trouble and cost of labor and the risk of being discovered--"

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
saidadjectiveUS /sed/

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading THE MOUTH OF THE NET "I am afraid I am very dense," Venner said, "but I quite fail to see how a man could make a fortune by selling for a sovereign an article that cost him twenty shillings, to say nothing of the trouble and cost of labor and the risk of being discovered--"

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
sayverbUS /seɪ/

express in words

From this reading THE MOUTH OF THE NET "I am afraid I am very dense," Venner said, "but I quite fail to see how a man could make a fortune by selling for a sovereign an article that cost him twenty shillings, to say nothing of the trouble and cost of labor and the risk of being discovered--"

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
seeverbUS /siː/

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading THE MOUTH OF THE NET "I am afraid I am very dense," Venner said, "but I quite fail to see how a man could make a fortune by selling for a sovereign an article that cost him twenty shillings, to say nothing of the trouble and cost of labor and the risk of being discovered--"

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
sellingnounUS /ˈselɪŋ/

the exchange of goods for an agreed sum of money

From this reading THE MOUTH OF THE NET "I am afraid I am very dense," Venner said, "but I quite fail to see how a man could make a fortune by selling for a sovereign an article that cost him twenty shillings, to say nothing of the trouble and cost of labor and the risk of being discovered--"

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
shillingsnounUS /ˈʃɪlɪŋz/

plural of “shilling” — the basic unit of money in Uganda; equal to 100 cents

From this reading THE MOUTH OF THE NET "I am afraid I am very dense," Venner said, "but I quite fail to see how a man could make a fortune by selling for a sovereign an article that cost him twenty shillings, to say nothing of the trouble and cost of labor and the risk of being discovered--"

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
smalladjectiveUS /smɔːl/

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

From this reading "As a matter of fact, the risk is comparatively small," Grady said.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
sovereignadjectiveUS /ˈsɑːv.rən/

Possessing supreme or ultimate power; autonomous and commanding.

From this reading THE MOUTH OF THE NET "I am afraid I am very dense," Venner said, "but I quite fail to see how a man could make a fortune by selling for a sovereign an article that cost him twenty shillings, to say nothing of the trouble and cost of labor and the risk of being discovered--"

Velmora curated lexicon
tellverbUS /tel/

express in words

From this reading Let me tell you that every sovereign contains a certain amount of alloy which reduces its actual value to about eighteen and threepence.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading THE MOUTH OF THE NET "I am afraid I am very dense," Venner said, "but I quite fail to see how a man could make a fortune by selling for a sovereign an article that cost him twenty shillings, to say nothing of the trouble and cost of labor and the risk of being discovered--"

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading THE MOUTH OF THE NET "I am afraid I am very dense," Venner said, "but I quite fail to see how a man could make a fortune by selling for a sovereign an article that cost him twenty shillings, to say nothing of the trouble and cost of labor and the risk of being discovered--"

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

From this reading You see, the coins are of actual face value, they are most beautifully made, and, indeed, would pass anywhere.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading "It was only by a pure accident that we got on the inside track of this matter.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
threepencenoun

former cupronickel coin of the United Kingdom equal to three pennies

From this reading Let me tell you that every sovereign contains a certain amount of alloy which reduces its actual value to about eighteen and threepence.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading THE MOUTH OF THE NET "I am afraid I am very dense," Venner said, "but I quite fail to see how a man could make a fortune by selling for a sovereign an article that cost him twenty shillings, to say nothing of the trouble and cost of labor and the risk of being discovered--"

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
tracknounUS /træk/

a line or route along which something travels or moves

From this reading "It was only by a pure accident that we got on the inside track of this matter.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
troublenounUS /ˈtrʌbəl/

a source of difficulty

From this reading THE MOUTH OF THE NET "I am afraid I am very dense," Venner said, "but I quite fail to see how a man could make a fortune by selling for a sovereign an article that cost him twenty shillings, to say nothing of the trouble and cost of labor and the risk of being discovered--"

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
twentynounUS /ˈtwenti/

the cardinal number that is the sum of nineteen and one

From this reading THE MOUTH OF THE NET "I am afraid I am very dense," Venner said, "but I quite fail to see how a man could make a fortune by selling for a sovereign an article that cost him twenty shillings, to say nothing of the trouble and cost of labor and the risk of being discovered--"

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
valuenounUS /ˈvæljuː/

a numerical quantity measured or assigned or computed

From this reading You see, the coins are of actual face value, they are most beautifully made, and, indeed, would pass anywhere.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
Venner

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

From this reading THE MOUTH OF THE NET "I am afraid I am very dense," Venner said, "but I quite fail to see how a man could make a fortune by selling for a sovereign an article that cost him twenty shillings, to say nothing of the trouble and cost of labor and the risk of being discovered--"

Pending verification
veryadjectiveUS /ˈveri/

precisely as stated

From this reading THE MOUTH OF THE NET "I am afraid I am very dense," Venner said, "but I quite fail to see how a man could make a fortune by selling for a sovereign an article that cost him twenty shillings, to say nothing of the trouble and cost of labor and the risk of being discovered--"

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

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

From this reading "It was only by a pure accident that we got on the inside track of this matter.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
wepronounUS /wiː/

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading "It was only by a pure accident that we got on the inside track of this matter.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading Let me tell you that every sovereign contains a certain amount of alloy which reduces its actual value to about eighteen and threepence.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

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

From this reading You see, the coins are of actual face value, they are most beautifully made, and, indeed, would pass anywhere.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
YoupronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading You see, the coins are of actual face value, they are most beautifully made, and, indeed, would pass anywhere.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary

Chapter 23 of The Mystery of the Four Fingers by Fred M. (Fred Merrick) White holds 158 sentences, grouped into 32 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the source edition, unabridged, and the chapter records which sentences cover which part of the work so that nothing is dropped. Every word can be tapped for its pronunciation and dictionary entry.

What does chapter 23 of The Mystery of the Four Fingers contain?

Chapter 23 holds 158 sentences of The Mystery of the Four Fingers, unabridged, divided into 32 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 23 of The Mystery of the Four Fingers by Fred M. (Fred Merrick) White exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 158 sentences, grouped into 32 sections of at most 5 sentences so that a reader can take the chapter in steady, finishable pieces. The chapter also stores a coverage record mapping every one of its sentences to a part of the work, which is how the edition demonstrates that no line was dropped.

How do I study chapter 23 of The Mystery of the Four Fingers?

Work through the 32 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 32 sections in this chapter is short enough to read once, hear once, and then re-read with the vocabulary in view. Tapping a word plays it alone and opens its dictionary entry with IPA, part of speech and meaning, so the reader is never forced to guess a pronunciation from spelling. Working section by section keeps a long chapter from becoming an undifferentiated wall of text, which is the usual reason a reader abandons a work of this period.

Can chapter 23 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 23 can be played aloud in United States English.

Audio covers the whole chapter: any sentence can be played, and any single word within it can be played on its own. The voice uses United States English. For a work of this period that matters, because spelling is an unreliable guide to pronunciation for vocabulary that has fallen out of daily use, and a learner who guesses wrong tends to keep the error. Hearing the word in its own sentence, and then alone, settles it.

Questions about reading The Mystery of the Four Fingers

Common questions about reading The Mystery of the Four Fingers by Fred M. (Fred Merrick) White on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Mystery of the Four Fingers?

Yes. All 4794 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #9853 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Mystery of the Four Fingers is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #9853, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Mystery of the Four Fingers take to read?

About 399 minutes of reading across 959 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The Mystery of the Four Fingers section by section

How to work through The Mystery of the Four Fingers section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 29 chapters of The Mystery of the Four Fingers to begin.

  2. Read one section

    Each section holds 5 sentences; read it once through.

  3. Listen and tap

    Play the section aloud, then tap any unfamiliar word for its entry.

Vocabulary met early in The Mystery of the Four Fingers

Words and structures a reader meets early in The Mystery of the Four Fingers, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Gurdon
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Mystery of the Four Fingers; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Waited
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Mystery of the Four Fingers; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Companion
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Mystery of the Four Fingers; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Boast
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Mystery of the Four Fingers; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.