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The Pawns Count
The Pawns Count

Chapter X

Cover illustration for The Pawns Count
Context Illustration Reading 1/21 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Nikasti, with a low bow, watched the disappearance of the lift into which his two new masters, James Van Teyl and Oscar Fischer, had stepped.
He waited until the indicator registered its safe arrival on the ground floor.
Then he slowly retraced his steps along the corridor, entered the sitting-room, and took up the telephone receiver, which was still lying upon the table.
"Will you give me number 77," he asked--"Miss Van Teyl's suite?"
There was a moment's silence--then a voice at the other end to which he made obeisance.
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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 Pawns Count

Chapter X

Reading 1/21 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Nikasti, with a low bow, watched the disappearance of the lift into which his two new masters, James Van Teyl and Oscar Fischer, had stepped.
Line 2
He waited until the indicator registered its safe arrival on the ground floor.
Line 3
Then he slowly retraced his steps along the corridor, entered the sitting-room, and took up the telephone receiver, which was still lying upon the table.
Line 4
"Will you give me number 77," he asked--"Miss Van Teyl's suite?"
Line 5
There was a moment's silence--then a voice at the other end to which he made obeisance.

Learner Dictionary

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

Along preposition US /əˈlɔːŋ/

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading “Then he slowly retraced his steps along the corridor, entered the sitting-room, and took up the telephone receiver, which was still lying upon the table.”

Asked noun US /asked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “"Will you give me number 77," he asked--"Miss Van Teyl's suite?"”

Silence noun US /ˈsaɪ.ləns/

Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.

From this reading “There was a moment's silence--then a voice at the other end to which he made obeisance.”

Still noun US /still/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Then he slowly retraced his steps along the corridor, entered the sitting-room, and took up the telephone receiver, which was still lying upon the table.”

Took noun US /took/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Then he slowly retraced his steps along the corridor, entered the sitting-room, and took up the telephone receiver, which was still lying upon the table.”

Until preposition US /ənˈtɪl/

up to a particular time

From this reading “He waited until the indicator registered its safe arrival on the ground floor.”

Upon preposition US /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading “Then he slowly retraced his steps along the corridor, entered the sitting-room, and took up the telephone receiver, which was still lying upon the table.”

All words in this reading · 72

Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

77

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

From this reading "Will you give me number 77," he asked--"Miss Van Teyl's suite?"

adeterminerUS /ə/

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

From this reading Nikasti, with a low bow, watched the disappearance of the lift into which his two new masters, James Van Teyl and Oscar Fischer, had stepped.

alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading Then he slowly retraced his steps along the corridor, entered the sitting-room, and took up the telephone receiver, which was still lying upon the table.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Nikasti, with a low bow, watched the disappearance of the lift into which his two new masters, James Van Teyl and Oscar Fischer, had stepped.

arrival

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

From this reading He waited until the indicator registered its safe arrival on the ground floor.

askednounUS /asked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading "Will you give me number 77," he asked--"Miss Van Teyl's suite?"

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading There was a moment's silence--then a voice at the other end to which he made obeisance.

bow

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

From this reading Nikasti, with a low bow, watched the disappearance of the lift into which his two new masters, James Van Teyl and Oscar Fischer, had stepped.

corridor

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

From this reading Then he slowly retraced his steps along the corridor, entered the sitting-room, and took up the telephone receiver, which was still lying upon the table.

disappearance

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

From this reading Nikasti, with a low bow, watched the disappearance of the lift into which his two new masters, James Van Teyl and Oscar Fischer, had stepped.

end

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

From this reading There was a moment's silence--then a voice at the other end to which he made obeisance.

entered

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

From this reading Then he slowly retraced his steps along the corridor, entered the sitting-room, and took up the telephone receiver, which was still lying upon the table.

Fischer

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

From this reading Nikasti, with a low bow, watched the disappearance of the lift into which his two new masters, James Van Teyl and Oscar Fischer, had stepped.

floor

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

From this reading He waited until the indicator registered its safe arrival on the ground floor.

give

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

From this reading "Will you give me number 77," he asked--"Miss Van Teyl's suite?"

ground

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

From this reading He waited until the indicator registered its safe arrival on the ground floor.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading Nikasti, with a low bow, watched the disappearance of the lift into which his two new masters, James Van Teyl and Oscar Fischer, had stepped.

HepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading He waited until the indicator registered its safe arrival on the ground floor.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading Nikasti, with a low bow, watched the disappearance of the lift into which his two new masters, James Van Teyl and Oscar Fischer, had stepped.

indicator

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

From this reading He waited until the indicator registered its safe arrival on the ground floor.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Nikasti, with a low bow, watched the disappearance of the lift into which his two new masters, James Van Teyl and Oscar Fischer, had stepped.

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading He waited until the indicator registered its safe arrival on the ground floor.

James

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

From this reading Nikasti, with a low bow, watched the disappearance of the lift into which his two new masters, James Van Teyl and Oscar Fischer, had stepped.

lift

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

From this reading Nikasti, with a low bow, watched the disappearance of the lift into which his two new masters, James Van Teyl and Oscar Fischer, had stepped.

low

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

From this reading Nikasti, with a low bow, watched the disappearance of the lift into which his two new masters, James Van Teyl and Oscar Fischer, had stepped.

lying

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

From this reading Then he slowly retraced his steps along the corridor, entered the sitting-room, and took up the telephone receiver, which was still lying upon the table.

made

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

From this reading There was a moment's silence--then a voice at the other end to which he made obeisance.

masters

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

From this reading Nikasti, with a low bow, watched the disappearance of the lift into which his two new masters, James Van Teyl and Oscar Fischer, had stepped.

mepronounUS /miː/

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

From this reading "Will you give me number 77," he asked--"Miss Van Teyl's suite?"

Miss

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

From this reading "Will you give me number 77," he asked--"Miss Van Teyl's suite?"

moment's

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

From this reading There was a moment's silence--then a voice at the other end to which he made obeisance.

new

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

From this reading Nikasti, with a low bow, watched the disappearance of the lift into which his two new masters, James Van Teyl and Oscar Fischer, had stepped.

Nikasti

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

From this reading Nikasti, with a low bow, watched the disappearance of the lift into which his two new masters, James Van Teyl and Oscar Fischer, had stepped.

number

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

From this reading "Will you give me number 77," he asked--"Miss Van Teyl's suite?"

obeisance

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

From this reading There was a moment's silence--then a voice at the other end to which he made obeisance.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Nikasti, with a low bow, watched the disappearance of the lift into which his two new masters, James Van Teyl and Oscar Fischer, had stepped.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading He waited until the indicator registered its safe arrival on the ground floor.

Oscar

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

From this reading Nikasti, with a low bow, watched the disappearance of the lift into which his two new masters, James Van Teyl and Oscar Fischer, had stepped.

other

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

From this reading There was a moment's silence--then a voice at the other end to which he made obeisance.

receiver

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

From this reading Then he slowly retraced his steps along the corridor, entered the sitting-room, and took up the telephone receiver, which was still lying upon the table.

registered

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

From this reading He waited until the indicator registered its safe arrival on the ground floor.

retraced

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

From this reading Then he slowly retraced his steps along the corridor, entered the sitting-room, and took up the telephone receiver, which was still lying upon the table.

safe

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

From this reading He waited until the indicator registered its safe arrival on the ground floor.

silencenounUS /ˈsaɪ.ləns/

Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.

From this reading There was a moment's silence--then a voice at the other end to which he made obeisance.

sitting-room

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

From this reading Then he slowly retraced his steps along the corridor, entered the sitting-room, and took up the telephone receiver, which was still lying upon the table.

slowly

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

From this reading Then he slowly retraced his steps along the corridor, entered the sitting-room, and took up the telephone receiver, which was still lying upon the table.

stepped

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

From this reading Nikasti, with a low bow, watched the disappearance of the lift into which his two new masters, James Van Teyl and Oscar Fischer, had stepped.

steps

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

From this reading Then he slowly retraced his steps along the corridor, entered the sitting-room, and took up the telephone receiver, which was still lying upon the table.

stillnounUS /still/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Then he slowly retraced his steps along the corridor, entered the sitting-room, and took up the telephone receiver, which was still lying upon the table.

suite

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

From this reading "Will you give me number 77," he asked--"Miss Van Teyl's suite?"

table

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

From this reading Then he slowly retraced his steps along the corridor, entered the sitting-room, and took up the telephone receiver, which was still lying upon the table.

telephone

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

From this reading Then he slowly retraced his steps along the corridor, entered the sitting-room, and took up the telephone receiver, which was still lying upon the table.

Teyl

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

From this reading Nikasti, with a low bow, watched the disappearance of the lift into which his two new masters, James Van Teyl and Oscar Fischer, had stepped.

Teyl's

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

From this reading "Will you give me number 77," he asked--"Miss Van Teyl's suite?"

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Nikasti, with a low bow, watched the disappearance of the lift into which his two new masters, James Van Teyl and Oscar Fischer, had stepped.

Then

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

From this reading Then he slowly retraced his steps along the corridor, entered the sitting-room, and took up the telephone receiver, which was still lying upon the table.

There

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

From this reading There was a moment's silence--then a voice at the other end to which he made obeisance.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading There was a moment's silence--then a voice at the other end to which he made obeisance.

tooknounUS /took/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Then he slowly retraced his steps along the corridor, entered the sitting-room, and took up the telephone receiver, which was still lying upon the table.

two

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

From this reading Nikasti, with a low bow, watched the disappearance of the lift into which his two new masters, James Van Teyl and Oscar Fischer, had stepped.

untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/

up to a particular time

From this reading He waited until the indicator registered its safe arrival on the ground floor.

up

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

From this reading Then he slowly retraced his steps along the corridor, entered the sitting-room, and took up the telephone receiver, which was still lying upon the table.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading Then he slowly retraced his steps along the corridor, entered the sitting-room, and took up the telephone receiver, which was still lying upon the table.

Van

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

From this reading Nikasti, with a low bow, watched the disappearance of the lift into which his two new masters, James Van Teyl and Oscar Fischer, had stepped.

voice

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

From this reading There was a moment's silence--then a voice at the other end to which he made obeisance.

waited

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

From this reading He waited until the indicator registered its safe arrival on the ground floor.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Then he slowly retraced his steps along the corridor, entered the sitting-room, and took up the telephone receiver, which was still lying upon the table.

watched

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

From this reading Nikasti, with a low bow, watched the disappearance of the lift into which his two new masters, James Van Teyl and Oscar Fischer, had stepped.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading Nikasti, with a low bow, watched the disappearance of the lift into which his two new masters, James Van Teyl and Oscar Fischer, had stepped.

Willmodal verbUS /wɪl/

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading "Will you give me number 77," he asked--"Miss Van Teyl's suite?"

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Nikasti, with a low bow, watched the disappearance of the lift into which his two new masters, James Van Teyl and Oscar Fischer, had stepped.

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "Will you give me number 77," he asked--"Miss Van Teyl's suite?"