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The Poisoned Pen
The Poisoned Pen

Chapter I · Chapter 1

Chapter 1 of The Poisoned Pen is here in full — 171 sentences across 35 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for The Poisoned Pen
Context Illustration Reading 1/34 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
The Poisoned Pen by, Arthur B. Reeve (transcriber's note: these stories were first published in 1911-13) Kennedy's suit-case was lying open on the bed, and he was literally throwing things into it from his chiffonier, as I entered after a hurried trip up-town from the Star office in response to an urgent message from him.
"Come, Walter," he cried, hastily stuffing in a package of clean laundry without taking off the wrapping-paper, "I've got your suit-case out.
Pack up whatever you can in five minutes.
We must take the six o'clock train for Danbridge."
I did not wait to hear any more.
0:00 / 0:00
Speed 0.75x
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 Poisoned Pen

Chapter I · Chapter 1

Chapter 1 of The Poisoned Pen is here in full — 171 sentences across 35 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/34 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
The Poisoned Pen by, Arthur B. Reeve (transcriber's note: these stories were first published in 1911-13) Kennedy's suit-case was lying open on the bed, and he was literally throwing things into it from his chiffonier, as I entered after a hurried trip up-town from the Star office in response to an urgent message from him.
Line 2
"Come, Walter," he cried, hastily stuffing in a package of clean laundry without taking off the wrapping-paper, "I've got your suit-case out.
Line 3
Pack up whatever you can in five minutes.
/pæk ʌp ˌwʌˈtevər juː kæn ɪn faɪv ˈmɪnəts/
Line 4
We must take the six o'clock train for Danbridge."
Line 5
I did not wait to hear any more.
/aɪ dɪd nɑːt weɪt tuː hiːr ˈeni mɔːr/

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.

Kennedy's noun US /ˈkenədiz/

possessive form of “kennedy” — 35th President of the United States; established the Peace Corps; assassinated in Dallas (1917-1963)

From this reading “The Poisoned Pen by, Arthur B. Reeve (transcriber's note: these stories were first published in 1911-13) Kennedy's suit-case was lying open on the bed, and he was literally throwing things into it from his chiffonier, as I entered after a hurried trip up-town from the Star office in response to an urgent message from him.”

laundry noun US /ˈlɔːndri/

garments or white goods that can be cleaned by laundering

From this reading “"Come, Walter," he cried, hastily stuffing in a package of clean laundry without taking off the wrapping-paper, "I've got your suit-case out.”

literally adverb US /ˈlɪtərəli/

in a literal sense

From this reading “The Poisoned Pen by, Arthur B. Reeve (transcriber's note: these stories were first published in 1911-13) Kennedy's suit-case was lying open on the bed, and he was literally throwing things into it from his chiffonier, as I entered after a hurried trip up-town from the Star office in response to an urgent message from him.”

package noun US /ˈpækədʒ/

a collection of things wrapped or boxed together

From this reading “"Come, Walter," he cried, hastily stuffing in a package of clean laundry without taking off the wrapping-paper, "I've got your suit-case out.”

Poisoned verb US /ˈpɔɪzənd/

past form of “poison” — spoil as if by poison

From this reading “The Poisoned Pen by, Arthur B. Reeve (transcriber's note: these stories were first published in 1911-13) Kennedy's suit-case was lying open on the bed, and he was literally throwing things into it from his chiffonier, as I entered after a hurried trip up-town from the Star office in response to an urgent message from him.”

Reeve verb US /riːv/

pass a rope through

From this reading “The Poisoned Pen by, Arthur B. Reeve (transcriber's note: these stories were first published in 1911-13) Kennedy's suit-case was lying open on the bed, and he was literally throwing things into it from his chiffonier, as I entered after a hurried trip up-town from the Star office in response to an urgent message from him.”

stuffing noun US /ˈstʌfɪŋ/

a mixture of seasoned ingredients used to stuff meats and vegetables

From this reading “"Come, Walter," he cried, hastily stuffing in a package of clean laundry without taking off the wrapping-paper, "I've got your suit-case out.”

urgent adjective US /ˈɜːrdʒənt/

compelling immediate action

From this reading “The Poisoned Pen by, Arthur B. Reeve (transcriber's note: these stories were first published in 1911-13) Kennedy's suit-case was lying open on the bed, and he was literally throwing things into it from his chiffonier, as I entered after a hurried trip up-town from the Star office in response to an urgent message from him.”

All words in this reading · 88

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.

13

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

From this reading The Poisoned Pen by, Arthur B. Reeve (transcriber's note: these stories were first published in 1911-13) Kennedy's suit-case was lying open on the bed, and he was literally throwing things into it from his chiffonier, as I entered after a hurried trip up-town from the Star office in response to an urgent message from him.

1911

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

From this reading The Poisoned Pen by, Arthur B. Reeve (transcriber's note: these stories were first published in 1911-13) Kennedy's suit-case was lying open on the bed, and he was literally throwing things into it from his chiffonier, as I entered after a hurried trip up-town from the Star office in response to an urgent message from him.

adeterminerUS /ə/

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

From this reading The Poisoned Pen by, Arthur B. Reeve (transcriber's note: these stories were first published in 1911-13) Kennedy's suit-case was lying open on the bed, and he was literally throwing things into it from his chiffonier, as I entered after a hurried trip up-town from the Star office in response to an urgent message from him.

afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading The Poisoned Pen by, Arthur B. Reeve (transcriber's note: these stories were first published in 1911-13) Kennedy's suit-case was lying open on the bed, and he was literally throwing things into it from his chiffonier, as I entered after a hurried trip up-town from the Star office in response to an urgent message from him.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading The Poisoned Pen by, Arthur B. Reeve (transcriber's note: these stories were first published in 1911-13) Kennedy's suit-case was lying open on the bed, and he was literally throwing things into it from his chiffonier, as I entered after a hurried trip up-town from the Star office in response to an urgent message from him.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading The Poisoned Pen by, Arthur B. Reeve (transcriber's note: these stories were first published in 1911-13) Kennedy's suit-case was lying open on the bed, and he was literally throwing things into it from his chiffonier, as I entered after a hurried trip up-town from the Star office in response to an urgent message from him.

anyadjectiveUS /ˈeni/

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading I did not wait to hear any more.

ArthurnounUS /ˈɑːrθər/

elected vice president and became 21st President of the United States when Garfield was assassinated (1830-1886)

From this reading The Poisoned Pen by, Arthur B. Reeve (transcriber's note: these stories were first published in 1911-13) Kennedy's suit-case was lying open on the bed, and he was literally throwing things into it from his chiffonier, as I entered after a hurried trip up-town from the Star office in response to an urgent message from him.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading The Poisoned Pen by, Arthur B. Reeve (transcriber's note: these stories were first published in 1911-13) Kennedy's suit-case was lying open on the bed, and he was literally throwing things into it from his chiffonier, as I entered after a hurried trip up-town from the Star office in response to an urgent message from him.

BnounUS /biː/

aerobic rod-shaped spore-producing bacterium; often occurring in chainlike formations; found primarily in soil

From this reading The Poisoned Pen by, Arthur B. Reeve (transcriber's note: these stories were first published in 1911-13) Kennedy's suit-case was lying open on the bed, and he was literally throwing things into it from his chiffonier, as I entered after a hurried trip up-town from the Star office in response to an urgent message from him.

bednounUS /bed/

a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep

From this reading The Poisoned Pen by, Arthur B. Reeve (transcriber's note: these stories were first published in 1911-13) Kennedy's suit-case was lying open on the bed, and he was literally throwing things into it from his chiffonier, as I entered after a hurried trip up-town from the Star office in response to an urgent message from him.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading The Poisoned Pen by, Arthur B. Reeve (transcriber's note: these stories were first published in 1911-13) Kennedy's suit-case was lying open on the bed, and he was literally throwing things into it from his chiffonier, as I entered after a hurried trip up-town from the Star office in response to an urgent message from him.

canmodal verbUS /kæn/

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading Pack up whatever you can in five minutes.

chiffoniernoun

a tall elegant chest of drawers

From this reading The Poisoned Pen by, Arthur B. Reeve (transcriber's note: these stories were first published in 1911-13) Kennedy's suit-case was lying open on the bed, and he was literally throwing things into it from his chiffonier, as I entered after a hurried trip up-town from the Star office in response to an urgent message from him.

cleanadjectiveUS /kliːn/

free from dirt or impurities; or having clean habits

From this reading "Come, Walter," he cried, hastily stuffing in a package of clean laundry without taking off the wrapping-paper, "I've got your suit-case out.

ComeverbUS /kʌm/

move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading "Come, Walter," he cried, hastily stuffing in a package of clean laundry without taking off the wrapping-paper, "I've got your suit-case out.

criedverbUS /kraɪd/

inflected form of “cry” — utter a sudden loud cry

From this reading "Come, Walter," he cried, hastily stuffing in a package of clean laundry without taking off the wrapping-paper, "I've got your suit-case out.

Danbridge

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

From this reading We must take the six o'clock train for Danbridge."

didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading I did not wait to hear any more.

enteredverbUS /ˈentərd/

past form of “enter” — to come or go into

From this reading The Poisoned Pen by, Arthur B. Reeve (transcriber's note: these stories were first published in 1911-13) Kennedy's suit-case was lying open on the bed, and he was literally throwing things into it from his chiffonier, as I entered after a hurried trip up-town from the Star office in response to an urgent message from him.

firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading The Poisoned Pen by, Arthur B. Reeve (transcriber's note: these stories were first published in 1911-13) Kennedy's suit-case was lying open on the bed, and he was literally throwing things into it from his chiffonier, as I entered after a hurried trip up-town from the Star office in response to an urgent message from him.

fivenounUS /faɪv/

the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one

From this reading Pack up whatever you can in five minutes.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading We must take the six o'clock train for Danbridge."

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading The Poisoned Pen by, Arthur B. Reeve (transcriber's note: these stories were first published in 1911-13) Kennedy's suit-case was lying open on the bed, and he was literally throwing things into it from his chiffonier, as I entered after a hurried trip up-town from the Star office in response to an urgent message from him.

gotverbUS /ɡɑːt/

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

From this reading "Come, Walter," he cried, hastily stuffing in a package of clean laundry without taking off the wrapping-paper, "I've got your suit-case out.

hastilyadverbUS /ˈheɪstəli/

in a hurried or hasty manner

From this reading "Come, Walter," he cried, hastily stuffing in a package of clean laundry without taking off the wrapping-paper, "I've got your suit-case out.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading The Poisoned Pen by, Arthur B. Reeve (transcriber's note: these stories were first published in 1911-13) Kennedy's suit-case was lying open on the bed, and he was literally throwing things into it from his chiffonier, as I entered after a hurried trip up-town from the Star office in response to an urgent message from him.

hearverbUS /hiːr/

perceive (sound) via the auditory sense

From this reading I did not wait to hear any more.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading The Poisoned Pen by, Arthur B. Reeve (transcriber's note: these stories were first published in 1911-13) Kennedy's suit-case was lying open on the bed, and he was literally throwing things into it from his chiffonier, as I entered after a hurried trip up-town from the Star office in response to an urgent message from him.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading The Poisoned Pen by, Arthur B. Reeve (transcriber's note: these stories were first published in 1911-13) Kennedy's suit-case was lying open on the bed, and he was literally throwing things into it from his chiffonier, as I entered after a hurried trip up-town from the Star office in response to an urgent message from him.

hurriedadjectiveUS /ˈhɜːrid/

moving rapidly or performed quickly or in great haste

From this reading The Poisoned Pen by, Arthur B. Reeve (transcriber's note: these stories were first published in 1911-13) Kennedy's suit-case was lying open on the bed, and he was literally throwing things into it from his chiffonier, as I entered after a hurried trip up-town from the Star office in response to an urgent message from him.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading The Poisoned Pen by, Arthur B. Reeve (transcriber's note: these stories were first published in 1911-13) Kennedy's suit-case was lying open on the bed, and he was literally throwing things into it from his chiffonier, as I entered after a hurried trip up-town from the Star office in response to an urgent message from him.

I've

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

From this reading "Come, Walter," he cried, hastily stuffing in a package of clean laundry without taking off the wrapping-paper, "I've got your suit-case out.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading The Poisoned Pen by, Arthur B. Reeve (transcriber's note: these stories were first published in 1911-13) Kennedy's suit-case was lying open on the bed, and he was literally throwing things into it from his chiffonier, as I entered after a hurried trip up-town from the Star office in response to an urgent message from him.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading The Poisoned Pen by, Arthur B. Reeve (transcriber's note: these stories were first published in 1911-13) Kennedy's suit-case was lying open on the bed, and he was literally throwing things into it from his chiffonier, as I entered after a hurried trip up-town from the Star office in response to an urgent message from him.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading The Poisoned Pen by, Arthur B. Reeve (transcriber's note: these stories were first published in 1911-13) Kennedy's suit-case was lying open on the bed, and he was literally throwing things into it from his chiffonier, as I entered after a hurried trip up-town from the Star office in response to an urgent message from him.

Kennedy'snounUS /ˈkenədiz/

possessive form of “kennedy” — 35th President of the United States; established the Peace Corps; assassinated in Dallas (1917-1963)

From this reading The Poisoned Pen by, Arthur B. Reeve (transcriber's note: these stories were first published in 1911-13) Kennedy's suit-case was lying open on the bed, and he was literally throwing things into it from his chiffonier, as I entered after a hurried trip up-town from the Star office in response to an urgent message from him.

laundrynounUS /ˈlɔːndri/

garments or white goods that can be cleaned by laundering

From this reading "Come, Walter," he cried, hastily stuffing in a package of clean laundry without taking off the wrapping-paper, "I've got your suit-case out.

literallyadverbUS /ˈlɪtərəli/

in a literal sense

From this reading The Poisoned Pen by, Arthur B. Reeve (transcriber's note: these stories were first published in 1911-13) Kennedy's suit-case was lying open on the bed, and he was literally throwing things into it from his chiffonier, as I entered after a hurried trip up-town from the Star office in response to an urgent message from him.

lyingnounUS /ˈlaɪɪŋ/

the deliberate act of deviating from the truth

From this reading The Poisoned Pen by, Arthur B. Reeve (transcriber's note: these stories were first published in 1911-13) Kennedy's suit-case was lying open on the bed, and he was literally throwing things into it from his chiffonier, as I entered after a hurried trip up-town from the Star office in response to an urgent message from him.

messagenounUS /ˈmesədʒ/

a communication (usually brief) that is written or spoken or signaled

From this reading The Poisoned Pen by, Arthur B. Reeve (transcriber's note: these stories were first published in 1911-13) Kennedy's suit-case was lying open on the bed, and he was literally throwing things into it from his chiffonier, as I entered after a hurried trip up-town from the Star office in response to an urgent message from him.

minutesnounUS /ˈmɪnəts/

a written account of what transpired at a meeting

From this reading Pack up whatever you can in five minutes.

moreadjectiveUS /mɔːr/

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading I did not wait to hear any more.

mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading We must take the six o'clock train for Danbridge."

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading I did not wait to hear any more.

notenounUS /noʊt/

a brief written record

From this reading The Poisoned Pen by, Arthur B. Reeve (transcriber's note: these stories were first published in 1911-13) Kennedy's suit-case was lying open on the bed, and he was literally throwing things into it from his chiffonier, as I entered after a hurried trip up-town from the Star office in response to an urgent message from him.

o'clockadverbUS /əˈklɑːk/

according to the clock

From this reading We must take the six o'clock train for Danbridge."

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading "Come, Walter," he cried, hastily stuffing in a package of clean laundry without taking off the wrapping-paper, "I've got your suit-case out.

offadverbUS /ɔːf/

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

From this reading "Come, Walter," he cried, hastily stuffing in a package of clean laundry without taking off the wrapping-paper, "I've got your suit-case out.

officenounUS /ˈɔːfɪs/

place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed

From this reading The Poisoned Pen by, Arthur B. Reeve (transcriber's note: these stories were first published in 1911-13) Kennedy's suit-case was lying open on the bed, and he was literally throwing things into it from his chiffonier, as I entered after a hurried trip up-town from the Star office in response to an urgent message from him.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The Poisoned Pen by, Arthur B. Reeve (transcriber's note: these stories were first published in 1911-13) Kennedy's suit-case was lying open on the bed, and he was literally throwing things into it from his chiffonier, as I entered after a hurried trip up-town from the Star office in response to an urgent message from him.

openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/

To move from a closed position.

From this reading The Poisoned Pen by, Arthur B. Reeve (transcriber's note: these stories were first published in 1911-13) Kennedy's suit-case was lying open on the bed, and he was literally throwing things into it from his chiffonier, as I entered after a hurried trip up-town from the Star office in response to an urgent message from him.

outadjectiveUS /aʊt/

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading "Come, Walter," he cried, hastily stuffing in a package of clean laundry without taking off the wrapping-paper, "I've got your suit-case out.

PackverbUS /pæk/

arrange in a container

From this reading Pack up whatever you can in five minutes.

packagenounUS /ˈpækədʒ/

a collection of things wrapped or boxed together

From this reading "Come, Walter," he cried, hastily stuffing in a package of clean laundry without taking off the wrapping-paper, "I've got your suit-case out.

PennounUS /pen/

a writing implement with a point from which ink flows

From this reading The Poisoned Pen by, Arthur B. Reeve (transcriber's note: these stories were first published in 1911-13) Kennedy's suit-case was lying open on the bed, and he was literally throwing things into it from his chiffonier, as I entered after a hurried trip up-town from the Star office in response to an urgent message from him.

PoisonedverbUS /ˈpɔɪzənd/

past form of “poison” — spoil as if by poison

From this reading The Poisoned Pen by, Arthur B. Reeve (transcriber's note: these stories were first published in 1911-13) Kennedy's suit-case was lying open on the bed, and he was literally throwing things into it from his chiffonier, as I entered after a hurried trip up-town from the Star office in response to an urgent message from him.

publishedadjectiveUS /ˈpʌblɪʃt/

prepared and printed for distribution and sale

From this reading The Poisoned Pen by, Arthur B. Reeve (transcriber's note: these stories were first published in 1911-13) Kennedy's suit-case was lying open on the bed, and he was literally throwing things into it from his chiffonier, as I entered after a hurried trip up-town from the Star office in response to an urgent message from him.

ReeveverbUS /riːv/

pass a rope through

From this reading The Poisoned Pen by, Arthur B. Reeve (transcriber's note: these stories were first published in 1911-13) Kennedy's suit-case was lying open on the bed, and he was literally throwing things into it from his chiffonier, as I entered after a hurried trip up-town from the Star office in response to an urgent message from him.

responsenounUS /rɪˈspɑːns/

a result

From this reading The Poisoned Pen by, Arthur B. Reeve (transcriber's note: these stories were first published in 1911-13) Kennedy's suit-case was lying open on the bed, and he was literally throwing things into it from his chiffonier, as I entered after a hurried trip up-town from the Star office in response to an urgent message from him.

sixnounUS /sɪks/

the cardinal number that is the sum of five and one

From this reading We must take the six o'clock train for Danbridge."

StarnounUS /stɑːr/

(astronomy) a celestial body of hot gases that radiates energy derived from thermonuclear reactions in the interior

From this reading The Poisoned Pen by, Arthur B. Reeve (transcriber's note: these stories were first published in 1911-13) Kennedy's suit-case was lying open on the bed, and he was literally throwing things into it from his chiffonier, as I entered after a hurried trip up-town from the Star office in response to an urgent message from him.

storiesnounUS /ˈstɔːriz/

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

From this reading The Poisoned Pen by, Arthur B. Reeve (transcriber's note: these stories were first published in 1911-13) Kennedy's suit-case was lying open on the bed, and he was literally throwing things into it from his chiffonier, as I entered after a hurried trip up-town from the Star office in response to an urgent message from him.

stuffingnounUS /ˈstʌfɪŋ/

a mixture of seasoned ingredients used to stuff meats and vegetables

From this reading "Come, Walter," he cried, hastily stuffing in a package of clean laundry without taking off the wrapping-paper, "I've got your suit-case out.

suit-case

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

From this reading The Poisoned Pen by, Arthur B. Reeve (transcriber's note: these stories were first published in 1911-13) Kennedy's suit-case was lying open on the bed, and he was literally throwing things into it from his chiffonier, as I entered after a hurried trip up-town from the Star office in response to an urgent message from him.

takeverbUS /teɪk/

carry out

From this reading We must take the six o'clock train for Danbridge."

takingnounUS /ˈteɪkɪŋ/

the act of someone who picks up or takes something

From this reading "Come, Walter," he cried, hastily stuffing in a package of clean laundry without taking off the wrapping-paper, "I've got your suit-case out.

ThedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading The Poisoned Pen by, Arthur B. Reeve (transcriber's note: these stories were first published in 1911-13) Kennedy's suit-case was lying open on the bed, and he was literally throwing things into it from his chiffonier, as I entered after a hurried trip up-town from the Star office in response to an urgent message from him.

thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading The Poisoned Pen by, Arthur B. Reeve (transcriber's note: these stories were first published in 1911-13) Kennedy's suit-case was lying open on the bed, and he was literally throwing things into it from his chiffonier, as I entered after a hurried trip up-town from the Star office in response to an urgent message from him.

thingsnounUS /θɪŋz/

any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)

From this reading The Poisoned Pen by, Arthur B. Reeve (transcriber's note: these stories were first published in 1911-13) Kennedy's suit-case was lying open on the bed, and he was literally throwing things into it from his chiffonier, as I entered after a hurried trip up-town from the Star office in response to an urgent message from him.

throwingverbUS /ˈθroʊɪŋ/

-ing form of “throw” — propel through the air

From this reading The Poisoned Pen by, Arthur B. Reeve (transcriber's note: these stories were first published in 1911-13) Kennedy's suit-case was lying open on the bed, and he was literally throwing things into it from his chiffonier, as I entered after a hurried trip up-town from the Star office in response to an urgent message from him.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading The Poisoned Pen by, Arthur B. Reeve (transcriber's note: these stories were first published in 1911-13) Kennedy's suit-case was lying open on the bed, and he was literally throwing things into it from his chiffonier, as I entered after a hurried trip up-town from the Star office in response to an urgent message from him.

trainverbUS /treɪn/

create by training and teaching

From this reading We must take the six o'clock train for Danbridge."

transcriber's

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

From this reading The Poisoned Pen by, Arthur B. Reeve (transcriber's note: these stories were first published in 1911-13) Kennedy's suit-case was lying open on the bed, and he was literally throwing things into it from his chiffonier, as I entered after a hurried trip up-town from the Star office in response to an urgent message from him.

tripnounUS /trɪp/

a journey for some purpose (usually including the return)

From this reading The Poisoned Pen by, Arthur B. Reeve (transcriber's note: these stories were first published in 1911-13) Kennedy's suit-case was lying open on the bed, and he was literally throwing things into it from his chiffonier, as I entered after a hurried trip up-town from the Star office in response to an urgent message from him.

upadjectiveUS /ʌp/

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading Pack up whatever you can in five minutes.

up-town

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

From this reading The Poisoned Pen by, Arthur B. Reeve (transcriber's note: these stories were first published in 1911-13) Kennedy's suit-case was lying open on the bed, and he was literally throwing things into it from his chiffonier, as I entered after a hurried trip up-town from the Star office in response to an urgent message from him.

urgentadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrdʒənt/

compelling immediate action

From this reading The Poisoned Pen by, Arthur B. Reeve (transcriber's note: these stories were first published in 1911-13) Kennedy's suit-case was lying open on the bed, and he was literally throwing things into it from his chiffonier, as I entered after a hurried trip up-town from the Star office in response to an urgent message from him.

waitverbUS /weɪt/

stay in one place and anticipate or expect something

From this reading I did not wait to hear any more.

WalternounUS /ˈwɔːltər/

German conductor (1876-1962)

From this reading "Come, Walter," he cried, hastily stuffing in a package of clean laundry without taking off the wrapping-paper, "I've got your suit-case out.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading The Poisoned Pen by, Arthur B. Reeve (transcriber's note: these stories were first published in 1911-13) Kennedy's suit-case was lying open on the bed, and he was literally throwing things into it from his chiffonier, as I entered after a hurried trip up-town from the Star office in response to an urgent message from him.

WepronounUS /wiː/

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading We must take the six o'clock train for Danbridge."

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading The Poisoned Pen by, Arthur B. Reeve (transcriber's note: these stories were first published in 1911-13) Kennedy's suit-case was lying open on the bed, and he was literally throwing things into it from his chiffonier, as I entered after a hurried trip up-town from the Star office in response to an urgent message from him.

whateverdeterminerUS /ˌwʌˈtevər/

any or all of a kind, it does not matter which

From this reading Pack up whatever you can in five minutes.

withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading "Come, Walter," he cried, hastily stuffing in a package of clean laundry without taking off the wrapping-paper, "I've got your suit-case out.

wrapping-paper

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

From this reading "Come, Walter," he cried, hastily stuffing in a package of clean laundry without taking off the wrapping-paper, "I've got your suit-case out.

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading Pack up whatever you can in five minutes.

yourdeterminerUS /jɔːr/

belonging to the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "Come, Walter," he cried, hastily stuffing in a package of clean laundry without taking off the wrapping-paper, "I've got your suit-case out.

Chapter 1 of The Poisoned Pen by Arthur B. (Arthur Benjamin) Reeve holds 171 sentences, grouped into 35 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the public-domain source, 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 1 of The Poisoned Pen contain?

Chapter 1 holds 171 sentences of The Poisoned Pen, unabridged, divided into 35 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 1 of The Poisoned Pen by Arthur B. (Arthur Benjamin) Reeve exactly as it stands in the public-domain source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 171 sentences, grouped into 35 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 1 of The Poisoned Pen?

Work through the 35 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 35 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 1 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 1 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 Poisoned Pen

Common questions about reading The Poisoned Pen by Arthur B. (Arthur Benjamin) Reeve on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Poisoned Pen?

Yes. All 6378 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #1923 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Poisoned Pen is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #1923, a public-domain edition. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Poisoned Pen take to read?

About 531 minutes of reading across 1276 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The Poisoned Pen section by section

How to work through The Poisoned Pen section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 34 chapters of The Poisoned Pen 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 Poisoned Pen

Words and structures a reader meets early in The Poisoned Pen, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Poisoned
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Poisoned Pen; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Arthur
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Poisoned Pen; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Reeve
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Poisoned Pen; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Transcriber's
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Poisoned Pen; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.