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The Secret Passage
The Secret Passage

Chapter VIII · Chapter 8

Chapter 8 of The Secret Passage is here in full — 274 sentences across 55 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for The Secret Passage
Context Illustration Reading 1/54 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
ANOTHER MYSTERY When Jennings arrived that evening according to appointment, he found Mallow in a state of desperation.
Juliet's conduct perplexed the young man to such an extent that he felt as though on the point of losing his reason.
He was quite delighted when he saw Jennings and thus had someone with a clear head in whom to confide.
"What's the matter?" asked Jennings, who at once saw that something was wrong from Cuthbert's anxious face.
"Nothing, save that I am being driven out of my senses.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

The Secret Passage

Chapter VIII · Chapter 8

Chapter 8 of The Secret Passage is here in full — 274 sentences across 55 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/54 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
ANOTHER MYSTERY When Jennings arrived that evening according to appointment, he found Mallow in a state of desperation.
Line 2
Juliet's conduct perplexed the young man to such an extent that he felt as though on the point of losing his reason.
Line 3
He was quite delighted when he saw Jennings and thus had someone with a clear head in whom to confide.
Line 4
"What's the matter?" asked Jennings, who at once saw that something was wrong from Cuthbert's anxious face.
Line 5
"Nothing, save that I am being driven out of my senses.
/ˈnʌθɪŋ seɪv ðæt aɪ æm ˈbiːɪŋ ˈdrɪvən aʊt ʌv maɪ ˈsensɪz/

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.

appointment noun US /əˈpɔɪntmənt/

the act of putting a person into a non-elective position

From this reading “ANOTHER MYSTERY When Jennings arrived that evening according to appointment, he found Mallow in a state of desperation.”

confide verb US /kənˈfaɪd/

reveal in private; tell confidentially

From this reading “He was quite delighted when he saw Jennings and thus had someone with a clear head in whom to confide.”

desperation noun US /ˌdespərˈeɪʃən/

a state in which all hope is lost or absent

From this reading “ANOTHER MYSTERY When Jennings arrived that evening according to appointment, he found Mallow in a state of desperation.”

extent noun US /ɪkˈstent/

the point or degree to which something extends

From this reading “Juliet's conduct perplexed the young man to such an extent that he felt as though on the point of losing his reason.”

losing verb US /ˈluːzɪŋ/

-ing form of “lose” — fail to keep or to maintain; cease to have, either physically or in an abstract sense

From this reading “Juliet's conduct perplexed the young man to such an extent that he felt as though on the point of losing his reason.”

Mallow noun US /ˈmæloʊ/

any of various plants of the family Malvaceae

From this reading “ANOTHER MYSTERY When Jennings arrived that evening according to appointment, he found Mallow in a state of desperation.”

perplexed adjective US /pərˈplekst/

full of difficulty or confusion or bewilderment

From this reading “Juliet's conduct perplexed the young man to such an extent that he felt as though on the point of losing his reason.”

someone pronoun US /ˈsʌmwʌn/

a person, without saying who

From this reading “He was quite delighted when he saw Jennings and thus had someone with a clear head in whom to confide.”

All words in this reading · 69

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 ANOTHER MYSTERY When Jennings arrived that evening according to appointment, he found Mallow in a state of desperation.

accordingadjectiveUS /əˈkɔːrdɪŋ/

(followed by “to”) in agreement with or accordant with

From this reading ANOTHER MYSTERY When Jennings arrived that evening according to appointment, he found Mallow in a state of desperation.

amauxiliary verbUS /æm/

the form of “be” used with “I”

From this reading "Nothing, save that I am being driven out of my senses.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading Juliet's conduct perplexed the young man to such an extent that he felt as though on the point of losing his reason.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading He was quite delighted when he saw Jennings and thus had someone with a clear head in whom to confide.

ANOTHERdeterminerUS /əˈnʌðər/

one more of the same kind, or a different one

From this reading ANOTHER MYSTERY When Jennings arrived that evening according to appointment, he found Mallow in a state of desperation.

anxiousadjectiveUS /ˈæŋkʃəs/

eagerly desirous

From this reading "What's the matter?" asked Jennings, who at once saw that something was wrong from Cuthbert's anxious face.

appointmentnounUS /əˈpɔɪntmənt/

the act of putting a person into a non-elective position

From this reading ANOTHER MYSTERY When Jennings arrived that evening according to appointment, he found Mallow in a state of desperation.

arrivedverbUS /ərˈaɪvd/

past form of “arrive” — reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress

From this reading ANOTHER MYSTERY When Jennings arrived that evening according to appointment, he found Mallow in a state of desperation.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading Juliet's conduct perplexed the young man to such an extent that he felt as though on the point of losing his reason.

askedverbUS /æskt/

past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody

From this reading "What's the matter?" asked Jennings, who at once saw that something was wrong from Cuthbert's anxious face.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading "What's the matter?" asked Jennings, who at once saw that something was wrong from Cuthbert's anxious face.

beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading "Nothing, save that I am being driven out of my senses.

clearverbUS /klɪr/

rid of obstructions

From this reading He was quite delighted when he saw Jennings and thus had someone with a clear head in whom to confide.

conductverbUS /ˈkɑːndəkt/

direct the course of; manage or control

From this reading Juliet's conduct perplexed the young man to such an extent that he felt as though on the point of losing his reason.

confideverbUS /kənˈfaɪd/

reveal in private; tell confidentially

From this reading He was quite delighted when he saw Jennings and thus had someone with a clear head in whom to confide.

Cuthbert's

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

From this reading "What's the matter?" asked Jennings, who at once saw that something was wrong from Cuthbert's anxious face.

delightedadjectiveUS /dɪˈlaɪtəd/

greatly pleased

From this reading He was quite delighted when he saw Jennings and thus had someone with a clear head in whom to confide.

desperationnounUS /ˌdespərˈeɪʃən/

a state in which all hope is lost or absent

From this reading ANOTHER MYSTERY When Jennings arrived that evening according to appointment, he found Mallow in a state of desperation.

drivenadjectiveUS /ˈdrɪvən/

compelled forcibly by an outside agency

From this reading "Nothing, save that I am being driven out of my senses.

eveningnounUS /ˈiːvnɪŋ/

the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)

From this reading ANOTHER MYSTERY When Jennings arrived that evening according to appointment, he found Mallow in a state of desperation.

extentnounUS /ɪkˈstent/

the point or degree to which something extends

From this reading Juliet's conduct perplexed the young man to such an extent that he felt as though on the point of losing his reason.

facenounUS /feɪs/

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

From this reading "What's the matter?" asked Jennings, who at once saw that something was wrong from Cuthbert's anxious face.

feltverbUS /felt/

mat together and make felt-like

From this reading Juliet's conduct perplexed the young man to such an extent that he felt as though on the point of losing his reason.

foundverbUS /faʊnd/

set up or found

From this reading ANOTHER MYSTERY When Jennings arrived that evening according to appointment, he found Mallow in a state of desperation.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading "What's the matter?" asked Jennings, who at once saw that something was wrong from Cuthbert's anxious face.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading He was quite delighted when he saw Jennings and thus had someone with a clear head in whom to confide.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading ANOTHER MYSTERY When Jennings arrived that evening according to appointment, he found Mallow in a state of desperation.

headnounUS /hed/

the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains

From this reading He was quite delighted when he saw Jennings and thus had someone with a clear head in whom to confide.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading Juliet's conduct perplexed the young man to such an extent that he felt as though on the point of losing his reason.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading "Nothing, save that I am being driven out of my senses.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading ANOTHER MYSTERY When Jennings arrived that evening according to appointment, he found Mallow in a state of desperation.

Jennings

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

From this reading ANOTHER MYSTERY When Jennings arrived that evening according to appointment, he found Mallow in a state of desperation.

Juliet's

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

From this reading Juliet's conduct perplexed the young man to such an extent that he felt as though on the point of losing his reason.

losingverbUS /ˈluːzɪŋ/

-ing form of “lose” — fail to keep or to maintain; cease to have, either physically or in an abstract sense

From this reading Juliet's conduct perplexed the young man to such an extent that he felt as though on the point of losing his reason.

MallownounUS /ˈmæloʊ/

any of various plants of the family Malvaceae

From this reading ANOTHER MYSTERY When Jennings arrived that evening according to appointment, he found Mallow in a state of desperation.

mannounUS /mæn/

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

From this reading Juliet's conduct perplexed the young man to such an extent that he felt as though on the point of losing his reason.

matternounUS /ˈmætər/

a vaguely specified concern

From this reading "What's the matter?" asked Jennings, who at once saw that something was wrong from Cuthbert's anxious face.

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading "Nothing, save that I am being driven out of my senses.

MYSTERYnounUS /ˈmɪstəri/

something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained

From this reading ANOTHER MYSTERY When Jennings arrived that evening according to appointment, he found Mallow in a state of desperation.

NothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading "Nothing, save that I am being driven out of my senses.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading ANOTHER MYSTERY When Jennings arrived that evening according to appointment, he found Mallow in a state of desperation.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Juliet's conduct perplexed the young man to such an extent that he felt as though on the point of losing his reason.

onceadverbUS /wʌns/

on one occasion

From this reading "What's the matter?" asked Jennings, who at once saw that something was wrong from Cuthbert's anxious face.

outadjectiveUS /aʊt/

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading "Nothing, save that I am being driven out of my senses.

perplexedadjectiveUS /pərˈplekst/

full of difficulty or confusion or bewilderment

From this reading Juliet's conduct perplexed the young man to such an extent that he felt as though on the point of losing his reason.

pointnounUS /pɔɪnt/

a geometric element that has position but no extension

From this reading Juliet's conduct perplexed the young man to such an extent that he felt as though on the point of losing his reason.

quiteadverbUS /kwaɪt/

to a degree (not used with a negative)

From this reading He was quite delighted when he saw Jennings and thus had someone with a clear head in whom to confide.

reasonnounUS /ˈriːzən/

a rational motive for a belief or action

From this reading Juliet's conduct perplexed the young man to such an extent that he felt as though on the point of losing his reason.

saveprepositionUS /seɪv/

except for; apart from

From this reading "Nothing, save that I am being driven out of my senses.

sawverbUS /sɔː/

cut with a saw

From this reading He was quite delighted when he saw Jennings and thus had someone with a clear head in whom to confide.

sensesnounUS /ˈsensɪz/

plural of “sens” — street names for marijuana

From this reading "Nothing, save that I am being driven out of my senses.

someonepronounUS /ˈsʌmwʌn/

a person, without saying who

From this reading He was quite delighted when he saw Jennings and thus had someone with a clear head in whom to confide.

somethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/

a thing, without saying which

From this reading "What's the matter?" asked Jennings, who at once saw that something was wrong from Cuthbert's anxious face.

statenounUS /steɪt/

the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation

From this reading ANOTHER MYSTERY When Jennings arrived that evening according to appointment, he found Mallow in a state of desperation.

suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading Juliet's conduct perplexed the young man to such an extent that he felt as though on the point of losing his reason.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading ANOTHER MYSTERY When Jennings arrived that evening according to appointment, he found Mallow in a state of desperation.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Juliet's conduct perplexed the young man to such an extent that he felt as though on the point of losing his reason.

thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading Juliet's conduct perplexed the young man to such an extent that he felt as though on the point of losing his reason.

thusadverbUS /ðʌs/

(used to introduce a logical conclusion) from that fact or reason or as a result

From this reading He was quite delighted when he saw Jennings and thus had someone with a clear head in whom to confide.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading ANOTHER MYSTERY When Jennings arrived that evening according to appointment, he found Mallow in a state of desperation.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading He was quite delighted when he saw Jennings and thus had someone with a clear head in whom to confide.

What's

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

From this reading "What's the matter?" asked Jennings, who at once saw that something was wrong from Cuthbert's anxious face.

WhenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading ANOTHER MYSTERY When Jennings arrived that evening according to appointment, he found Mallow in a state of desperation.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading "What's the matter?" asked Jennings, who at once saw that something was wrong from Cuthbert's anxious face.

whompronounUS /huːm/

the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading He was quite delighted when he saw Jennings and thus had someone with a clear head in whom to confide.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading He was quite delighted when he saw Jennings and thus had someone with a clear head in whom to confide.

wrongadjectiveUS /rɔːŋ/

not correct; not in conformity with fact or truth

From this reading "What's the matter?" asked Jennings, who at once saw that something was wrong from Cuthbert's anxious face.

youngadjectiveUS /jʌŋ/

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading Juliet's conduct perplexed the young man to such an extent that he felt as though on the point of losing his reason.

Chapter 8 of The Secret Passage by Fergus Hume holds 274 sentences, grouped into 55 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 8 of The Secret Passage contain?

Chapter 8 holds 274 sentences of The Secret Passage, unabridged, divided into 55 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 8 of The Secret Passage by Fergus Hume exactly as it stands in the public-domain source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 274 sentences, grouped into 55 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 8 of The Secret Passage?

Work through the 55 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 55 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 8 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 8 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 Secret Passage

Common questions about reading The Secret Passage by Fergus Hume on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Secret Passage?

Yes. All 6904 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #4531 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Secret Passage is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #4531, a public-domain edition. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Secret Passage take to read?

About 575 minutes of reading across 1381 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The Secret Passage section by section

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

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 25 chapters of The Secret Passage 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 Secret Passage

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

Kitchen
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Secret Passage; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Rather
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Secret Passage; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Spacious
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Secret Passage; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Clean
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Secret Passage; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.