Chapter III

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

From this reading However, both Tom and Frank were more puzzled than ever, for now that their minds were concentrated on the messages they suddenly realized that a true conversation, an interchange of messages, was going on, but, for some inexplicable reason, they could hear but one of the speakers.

united by being of the same opinion

From this reading THE RADIO DETECTIVES The instant the boys recognized the long-awaited signals, Frank called Henry and notified him as agreed and, to their delight and satisfaction, the mysterious stranger continued to talk, evidently paying no heed to the seemingly innocent words of the boys, if indeed he had heard them.

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading “Yes, it’s all right,” came the words on the easily recognized short waves, “thirty-eight fifty seventy-seven; yes, that’s it.

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

From this reading However, both Tom and Frank were more puzzled than ever, for now that their minds were concentrated on the messages they suddenly realized that a true conversation, an interchange of messages, was going on, but, for some inexplicable reason, they could hear but one of the speakers.

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

From this reading THE RADIO DETECTIVES The instant the boys recognized the long-awaited signals, Frank called Henry and notified him as agreed and, to their delight and satisfaction, the mysterious stranger continued to talk, evidently paying no heed to the seemingly innocent words of the boys, if indeed he had heard them.

one more of the same kind, or a different one

From this reading It was like listening to one individual talking to another over an ordinary telephone and the boys could merely guess at the words of the inaudible speaker.

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

From this reading THE RADIO DETECTIVES The instant the boys recognized the long-awaited signals, Frank called Henry and notified him as agreed and, to their delight and satisfaction, the mysterious stranger continued to talk, evidently paying no heed to the seemingly innocent words of the boys, if indeed he had heard them.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading It was like listening to one individual talking to another over an ordinary telephone and the boys could merely guess at the words of the inaudible speaker.

the two together, not just one

From this reading However, both Tom and Frank were more puzzled than ever, for now that their minds were concentrated on the messages they suddenly realized that a true conversation, an interchange of messages, was going on, but, for some inexplicable reason, they could hear but one of the speakers.

plural of “boy” — a youthful male person

From this reading THE RADIO DETECTIVES The instant the boys recognized the long-awaited signals, Frank called Henry and notified him as agreed and, to their delight and satisfaction, the mysterious stranger continued to talk, evidently paying no heed to the seemingly innocent words of the boys, if indeed he had heard them.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading As heretofore, much that was said meant nothing to the boys, but wisely they jotted every thing down nevertheless.

past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading THE RADIO DETECTIVES The instant the boys recognized the long-awaited signals, Frank called Henry and notified him as agreed and, to their delight and satisfaction, the mysterious stranger continued to talk, evidently paying no heed to the seemingly innocent words of the boys, if indeed he had heard them.

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading “Yes, it’s all right,” came the words on the easily recognized short waves, “thirty-eight fifty seventy-seven; yes, that’s it.

gathered together or made less diffuse

From this reading However, both Tom and Frank were more puzzled than ever, for now that their minds were concentrated on the messages they suddenly realized that a true conversation, an interchange of messages, was going on, but, for some inexplicable reason, they could hear but one of the speakers.

without stop or interruption

From this reading THE RADIO DETECTIVES The instant the boys recognized the long-awaited signals, Frank called Henry and notified him as agreed and, to their delight and satisfaction, the mysterious stranger continued to talk, evidently paying no heed to the seemingly innocent words of the boys, if indeed he had heard them.

the use of speech for informal exchange of views or ideas or information etc.

From this reading However, both Tom and Frank were more puzzled than ever, for now that their minds were concentrated on the messages they suddenly realized that a true conversation, an interchange of messages, was going on, but, for some inexplicable reason, they could hear but one of the speakers.

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

From this reading However, both Tom and Frank were more puzzled than ever, for now that their minds were concentrated on the messages they suddenly realized that a true conversation, an interchange of messages, was going on, but, for some inexplicable reason, they could hear but one of the speakers.

give pleasure to or be pleasing to

From this reading THE RADIO DETECTIVES The instant the boys recognized the long-awaited signals, Frank called Henry and notified him as agreed and, to their delight and satisfaction, the mysterious stranger continued to talk, evidently paying no heed to the seemingly innocent words of the boys, if indeed he had heard them.

plural of “detective” — a police officer who investigates crimes

From this reading THE RADIO DETECTIVES The instant the boys recognized the long-awaited signals, Frank called Henry and notified him as agreed and, to their delight and satisfaction, the mysterious stranger continued to talk, evidently paying no heed to the seemingly innocent words of the boys, if indeed he had heard them.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading As heretofore, much that was said meant nothing to the boys, but wisely they jotted every thing down nevertheless.

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

From this reading “Yes, it’s all right,” came the words on the easily recognized short waves, “thirty-eight fifty seventy-seven; yes, that’s it.

at any time

From this reading However, both Tom and Frank were more puzzled than ever, for now that their minds were concentrated on the messages they suddenly realized that a true conversation, an interchange of messages, was going on, but, for some inexplicable reason, they could hear but one of the speakers.

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading As heretofore, much that was said meant nothing to the boys, but wisely they jotted every thing down nevertheless.

unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)

From this reading THE RADIO DETECTIVES The instant the boys recognized the long-awaited signals, Frank called Henry and notified him as agreed and, to their delight and satisfaction, the mysterious stranger continued to talk, evidently paying no heed to the seemingly innocent words of the boys, if indeed he had heard them.

the cardinal number that is the product of ten and five

From this reading “Yes, it’s all right,” came the words on the easily recognized short waves, “thirty-eight fifty seventy-seven; yes, that’s it.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading However, both Tom and Frank were more puzzled than ever, for now that their minds were concentrated on the messages they suddenly realized that a true conversation, an interchange of messages, was going on, but, for some inexplicable reason, they could hear but one of the speakers.

characterized by directness in manner or speech; without subtlety or evasion

From this reading THE RADIO DETECTIVES The instant the boys recognized the long-awaited signals, Frank called Henry and notified him as agreed and, to their delight and satisfaction, the mysterious stranger continued to talk, evidently paying no heed to the seemingly innocent words of the boys, if indeed he had heard them.

the act of departing

From this reading However, both Tom and Frank were more puzzled than ever, for now that their minds were concentrated on the messages they suddenly realized that a true conversation, an interchange of messages, was going on, but, for some inexplicable reason, they could hear but one of the speakers.

expect, believe, or suppose

From this reading It was like listening to one individual talking to another over an ordinary telephone and the boys could merely guess at the words of the inaudible speaker.

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

From this reading THE RADIO DETECTIVES The instant the boys recognized the long-awaited signals, Frank called Henry and notified him as agreed and, to their delight and satisfaction, the mysterious stranger continued to talk, evidently paying no heed to the seemingly innocent words of the boys, if indeed he had heard them.

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

From this reading THE RADIO DETECTIVES The instant the boys recognized the long-awaited signals, Frank called Henry and notified him as agreed and, to their delight and satisfaction, the mysterious stranger continued to talk, evidently paying no heed to the seemingly innocent words of the boys, if indeed he had heard them.

perceive (sound) via the auditory sense

From this reading However, both Tom and Frank were more puzzled than ever, for now that their minds were concentrated on the messages they suddenly realized that a true conversation, an interchange of messages, was going on, but, for some inexplicable reason, they could hear but one of the speakers.

detected or perceived by the sense of hearing

From this reading THE RADIO DETECTIVES The instant the boys recognized the long-awaited signals, Frank called Henry and notified him as agreed and, to their delight and satisfaction, the mysterious stranger continued to talk, evidently paying no heed to the seemingly innocent words of the boys, if indeed he had heard them.

paying particular notice (as to children or helpless people)

From this reading THE RADIO DETECTIVES The instant the boys recognized the long-awaited signals, Frank called Henry and notified him as agreed and, to their delight and satisfaction, the mysterious stranger continued to talk, evidently paying no heed to the seemingly innocent words of the boys, if indeed he had heard them.

a unit of inductance in which an induced electromotive force of one volt is produced when the current is varied at the rate of one ampere per second

From this reading THE RADIO DETECTIVES The instant the boys recognized the long-awaited signals, Frank called Henry and notified him as agreed and, to their delight and satisfaction, the mysterious stranger continued to talk, evidently paying no heed to the seemingly innocent words of the boys, if indeed he had heard them.

used in negative statement to describe a situation that has existed up to this point or up to the present time

From this reading As heretofore, much that was said meant nothing to the boys, but wisely they jotted every thing down nevertheless.

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

From this reading THE RADIO DETECTIVES The instant the boys recognized the long-awaited signals, Frank called Henry and notified him as agreed and, to their delight and satisfaction, the mysterious stranger continued to talk, evidently paying no heed to the seemingly innocent words of the boys, if indeed he had heard them.

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading However, both Tom and Frank were more puzzled than ever, for now that their minds were concentrated on the messages they suddenly realized that a true conversation, an interchange of messages, was going on, but, for some inexplicable reason, they could hear but one of the speakers.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading THE RADIO DETECTIVES The instant the boys recognized the long-awaited signals, Frank called Henry and notified him as agreed and, to their delight and satisfaction, the mysterious stranger continued to talk, evidently paying no heed to the seemingly innocent words of the boys, if indeed he had heard them.

impossible to hear; imperceptible by the ear

From this reading It was like listening to one individual talking to another over an ordinary telephone and the boys could merely guess at the words of the inaudible speaker.

in truth (often tends to intensify)

From this reading THE RADIO DETECTIVES The instant the boys recognized the long-awaited signals, Frank called Henry and notified him as agreed and, to their delight and satisfaction, the mysterious stranger continued to talk, evidently paying no heed to the seemingly innocent words of the boys, if indeed he had heard them.

being or characteristic of a single thing or person

From this reading It was like listening to one individual talking to another over an ordinary telephone and the boys could merely guess at the words of the inaudible speaker.

incapable of being explained or accounted for

From this reading However, both Tom and Frank were more puzzled than ever, for now that their minds were concentrated on the messages they suddenly realized that a true conversation, an interchange of messages, was going on, but, for some inexplicable reason, they could hear but one of the speakers.

free from evil or guilt

From this reading THE RADIO DETECTIVES The instant the boys recognized the long-awaited signals, Frank called Henry and notified him as agreed and, to their delight and satisfaction, the mysterious stranger continued to talk, evidently paying no heed to the seemingly innocent words of the boys, if indeed he had heard them.

a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)

From this reading THE RADIO DETECTIVES The instant the boys recognized the long-awaited signals, Frank called Henry and notified him as agreed and, to their delight and satisfaction, the mysterious stranger continued to talk, evidently paying no heed to the seemingly innocent words of the boys, if indeed he had heard them.

a junction of highways on different levels that permits traffic to move from one to another without crossing traffic streams

From this reading However, both Tom and Frank were more puzzled than ever, for now that their minds were concentrated on the messages they suddenly realized that a true conversation, an interchange of messages, was going on, but, for some inexplicable reason, they could hear but one of the speakers.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was like listening to one individual talking to another over an ordinary telephone and the boys could merely guess at the words of the inaudible speaker.

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

From this reading “Yes, it’s all right,” came the words on the easily recognized short waves, “thirty-eight fifty seventy-seven; yes, that’s it.

inflected form of “jot” — write briefly or hurriedly; write a short note of

From this reading As heretofore, much that was said meant nothing to the boys, but wisely they jotted every thing down nevertheless.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading It was like listening to one individual talking to another over an ordinary telephone and the boys could merely guess at the words of the inaudible speaker.

the act of hearing attentively

From this reading It was like listening to one individual talking to another over an ordinary telephone and the boys could merely guess at the words of the inaudible speaker.

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

From this reading THE RADIO DETECTIVES The instant the boys recognized the long-awaited signals, Frank called Henry and notified him as agreed and, to their delight and satisfaction, the mysterious stranger continued to talk, evidently paying no heed to the seemingly innocent words of the boys, if indeed he had heard them.

inflected form of “mean” — mean or intend to express or convey

From this reading As heretofore, much that was said meant nothing to the boys, but wisely they jotted every thing down nevertheless.

and nothing more

From this reading It was like listening to one individual talking to another over an ordinary telephone and the boys could merely guess at the words of the inaudible speaker.

plural of “message” — a communication (usually brief) that is written or spoken or signaled

From this reading However, both Tom and Frank were more puzzled than ever, for now that their minds were concentrated on the messages they suddenly realized that a true conversation, an interchange of messages, was going on, but, for some inexplicable reason, they could hear but one of the speakers.

plural of “mind” — that which is responsible for one's thoughts, feelings, and conscious brain functions; the seat of the faculty of reason

From this reading However, both Tom and Frank were more puzzled than ever, for now that their minds were concentrated on the messages they suddenly realized that a true conversation, an interchange of messages, was going on, but, for some inexplicable reason, they could hear but one of the speakers.

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

From this reading However, both Tom and Frank were more puzzled than ever, for now that their minds were concentrated on the messages they suddenly realized that a true conversation, an interchange of messages, was going on, but, for some inexplicable reason, they could hear but one of the speakers.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading As heretofore, much that was said meant nothing to the boys, but wisely they jotted every thing down nevertheless.

of an obscure nature

From this reading THE RADIO DETECTIVES The instant the boys recognized the long-awaited signals, Frank called Henry and notified him as agreed and, to their delight and satisfaction, the mysterious stranger continued to talk, evidently paying no heed to the seemingly innocent words of the boys, if indeed he had heard them.

in spite of what has just been said

From this reading As heretofore, much that was said meant nothing to the boys, but wisely they jotted every thing down nevertheless.

not any; not one

From this reading THE RADIO DETECTIVES The instant the boys recognized the long-awaited signals, Frank called Henry and notified him as agreed and, to their delight and satisfaction, the mysterious stranger continued to talk, evidently paying no heed to the seemingly innocent words of the boys, if indeed he had heard them.

not one thing; not anything

From this reading As heretofore, much that was said meant nothing to the boys, but wisely they jotted every thing down nevertheless.

inflected form of “notify” — inform (somebody) of something

From this reading THE RADIO DETECTIVES The instant the boys recognized the long-awaited signals, Frank called Henry and notified him as agreed and, to their delight and satisfaction, the mysterious stranger continued to talk, evidently paying no heed to the seemingly innocent words of the boys, if indeed he had heard them.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading However, both Tom and Frank were more puzzled than ever, for now that their minds were concentrated on the messages they suddenly realized that a true conversation, an interchange of messages, was going on, but, for some inexplicable reason, they could hear but one of the speakers.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE RADIO DETECTIVES The instant the boys recognized the long-awaited signals, Frank called Henry and notified him as agreed and, to their delight and satisfaction, the mysterious stranger continued to talk, evidently paying no heed to the seemingly innocent words of the boys, if indeed he had heard them.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading However, both Tom and Frank were more puzzled than ever, for now that their minds were concentrated on the messages they suddenly realized that a true conversation, an interchange of messages, was going on, but, for some inexplicable reason, they could hear but one of the speakers.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading However, both Tom and Frank were more puzzled than ever, for now that their minds were concentrated on the messages they suddenly realized that a true conversation, an interchange of messages, was going on, but, for some inexplicable reason, they could hear but one of the speakers.

a judge of a probate court

From this reading It was like listening to one individual talking to another over an ordinary telephone and the boys could merely guess at the words of the inaudible speaker.

above and across; more than

From this reading It was like listening to one individual talking to another over an ordinary telephone and the boys could merely guess at the words of the inaudible speaker.

yielding a fair profit

From this reading THE RADIO DETECTIVES The instant the boys recognized the long-awaited signals, Frank called Henry and notified him as agreed and, to their delight and satisfaction, the mysterious stranger continued to talk, evidently paying no heed to the seemingly innocent words of the boys, if indeed he had heard them.

filled with bewilderment

From this reading However, both Tom and Frank were more puzzled than ever, for now that their minds were concentrated on the messages they suddenly realized that a true conversation, an interchange of messages, was going on, but, for some inexplicable reason, they could hear but one of the speakers.

medium for communication

From this reading THE RADIO DETECTIVES The instant the boys recognized the long-awaited signals, Frank called Henry and notified him as agreed and, to their delight and satisfaction, the mysterious stranger continued to talk, evidently paying no heed to the seemingly innocent words of the boys, if indeed he had heard them.

successfully completed or brought to an end

From this reading However, both Tom and Frank were more puzzled than ever, for now that their minds were concentrated on the messages they suddenly realized that a true conversation, an interchange of messages, was going on, but, for some inexplicable reason, they could hear but one of the speakers.

a rational motive for a belief or action

From this reading However, both Tom and Frank were more puzzled than ever, for now that their minds were concentrated on the messages they suddenly realized that a true conversation, an interchange of messages, was going on, but, for some inexplicable reason, they could hear but one of the speakers.

generally approved or compelling recognition

From this reading THE RADIO DETECTIVES The instant the boys recognized the long-awaited signals, Frank called Henry and notified him as agreed and, to their delight and satisfaction, the mysterious stranger continued to talk, evidently paying no heed to the seemingly innocent words of the boys, if indeed he had heard them.

precisely, exactly

From this reading “Yes, it’s all right,” came the words on the easily recognized short waves, “thirty-eight fifty seventy-seven; yes, that’s it.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading As heretofore, much that was said meant nothing to the boys, but wisely they jotted every thing down nevertheless.

the contentment one feels when one has fulfilled a desire, need, or expectation

From this reading THE RADIO DETECTIVES The instant the boys recognized the long-awaited signals, Frank called Henry and notified him as agreed and, to their delight and satisfaction, the mysterious stranger continued to talk, evidently paying no heed to the seemingly innocent words of the boys, if indeed he had heard them.

from appearances alone

From this reading THE RADIO DETECTIVES The instant the boys recognized the long-awaited signals, Frank called Henry and notified him as agreed and, to their delight and satisfaction, the mysterious stranger continued to talk, evidently paying no heed to the seemingly innocent words of the boys, if indeed he had heard them.

being seven more than seventy

From this reading “Yes, it’s all right,” came the words on the easily recognized short waves, “thirty-eight fifty seventy-seven; yes, that’s it.

primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration

From this reading “Yes, it’s all right,” came the words on the easily recognized short waves, “thirty-eight fifty seventy-seven; yes, that’s it.

plural of “signal” — any nonverbal action or gesture that encodes a message

From this reading THE RADIO DETECTIVES The instant the boys recognized the long-awaited signals, Frank called Henry and notified him as agreed and, to their delight and satisfaction, the mysterious stranger continued to talk, evidently paying no heed to the seemingly innocent words of the boys, if indeed he had heard them.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading However, both Tom and Frank were more puzzled than ever, for now that their minds were concentrated on the messages they suddenly realized that a true conversation, an interchange of messages, was going on, but, for some inexplicable reason, they could hear but one of the speakers.

someone who expresses in language; someone who talks (especially someone who delivers a public speech or someone especially garrulous)

From this reading It was like listening to one individual talking to another over an ordinary telephone and the boys could merely guess at the words of the inaudible speaker.

plural of “speaker” — someone who expresses in language; someone who talks (especially someone who delivers a public speech or someone especially garrulous)

From this reading However, both Tom and Frank were more puzzled than ever, for now that their minds were concentrated on the messages they suddenly realized that a true conversation, an interchange of messages, was going on, but, for some inexplicable reason, they could hear but one of the speakers.

anyone who does not belong in the environment in which they are found

From this reading THE RADIO DETECTIVES The instant the boys recognized the long-awaited signals, Frank called Henry and notified him as agreed and, to their delight and satisfaction, the mysterious stranger continued to talk, evidently paying no heed to the seemingly innocent words of the boys, if indeed he had heard them.

happening unexpectedly

From this reading However, both Tom and Frank were more puzzled than ever, for now that their minds were concentrated on the messages they suddenly realized that a true conversation, an interchange of messages, was going on, but, for some inexplicable reason, they could hear but one of the speakers.

exchange thoughts; talk with

From this reading THE RADIO DETECTIVES The instant the boys recognized the long-awaited signals, Frank called Henry and notified him as agreed and, to their delight and satisfaction, the mysterious stranger continued to talk, evidently paying no heed to the seemingly innocent words of the boys, if indeed he had heard them.

an exchange of ideas via conversation

From this reading It was like listening to one individual talking to another over an ordinary telephone and the boys could merely guess at the words of the inaudible speaker.

electronic equipment that converts sound into electrical signals that can be transmitted over distances and then converts received signals back into sounds

From this reading It was like listening to one individual talking to another over an ordinary telephone and the boys could merely guess at the words of the inaudible speaker.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading However, both Tom and Frank were more puzzled than ever, for now that their minds were concentrated on the messages they suddenly realized that a true conversation, an interchange of messages, was going on, but, for some inexplicable reason, they could hear but one of the speakers.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading As heretofore, much that was said meant nothing to the boys, but wisely they jotted every thing down nevertheless.

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

From this reading “Yes, it’s all right,” came the words on the easily recognized short waves, “thirty-eight fifty seventy-seven; yes, that’s it.

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

From this reading THE RADIO DETECTIVES The instant the boys recognized the long-awaited signals, Frank called Henry and notified him as agreed and, to their delight and satisfaction, the mysterious stranger continued to talk, evidently paying no heed to the seemingly innocent words of the boys, if indeed he had heard them.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading THE RADIO DETECTIVES The instant the boys recognized the long-awaited signals, Frank called Henry and notified him as agreed and, to their delight and satisfaction, the mysterious stranger continued to talk, evidently paying no heed to the seemingly innocent words of the boys, if indeed he had heard them.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading THE RADIO DETECTIVES The instant the boys recognized the long-awaited signals, Frank called Henry and notified him as agreed and, to their delight and satisfaction, the mysterious stranger continued to talk, evidently paying no heed to the seemingly innocent words of the boys, if indeed he had heard them.

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

From this reading As heretofore, much that was said meant nothing to the boys, but wisely they jotted every thing down nevertheless.

a special situation

From this reading As heretofore, much that was said meant nothing to the boys, but wisely they jotted every thing down nevertheless.

being eight more than thirty

From this reading “Yes, it’s all right,” came the words on the easily recognized short waves, “thirty-eight fifty seventy-seven; yes, that’s it.

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

From this reading THE RADIO DETECTIVES The instant the boys recognized the long-awaited signals, Frank called Henry and notified him as agreed and, to their delight and satisfaction, the mysterious stranger continued to talk, evidently paying no heed to the seemingly innocent words of the boys, if indeed he had heard them.

male cat

From this reading However, both Tom and Frank were more puzzled than ever, for now that their minds were concentrated on the messages they suddenly realized that a true conversation, an interchange of messages, was going on, but, for some inexplicable reason, they could hear but one of the speakers.

consistent with fact or reality; not false

From this reading However, both Tom and Frank were more puzzled than ever, for now that their minds were concentrated on the messages they suddenly realized that a true conversation, an interchange of messages, was going on, but, for some inexplicable reason, they could hear but one of the speakers.

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

From this reading As heretofore, much that was said meant nothing to the boys, but wisely they jotted every thing down nevertheless.

plural of “wave” — one of a series of ridges that moves across the surface of a liquid (especially across a large body of water)

From this reading “Yes, it’s all right,” came the words on the easily recognized short waves, “thirty-eight fifty seventy-seven; yes, that’s it.

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

From this reading However, both Tom and Frank were more puzzled than ever, for now that their minds were concentrated on the messages they suddenly realized that a true conversation, an interchange of messages, was going on, but, for some inexplicable reason, they could hear but one of the speakers.

in a wise manner

From this reading As heretofore, much that was said meant nothing to the boys, but wisely they jotted every thing down nevertheless.

the words that are spoken

From this reading THE RADIO DETECTIVES The instant the boys recognized the long-awaited signals, Frank called Henry and notified him as agreed and, to their delight and satisfaction, the mysterious stranger continued to talk, evidently paying no heed to the seemingly innocent words of the boys, if indeed he had heard them.

an affirmative

From this reading “Yes, it’s all right,” came the words on the easily recognized short waves, “thirty-eight fifty seventy-seven; yes, that’s it.