The Weird Adventures of Professor Delapine of the Sorbonne

Chapter XVI

Chapter 16 of The Weird Adventures of Professor Delapine of the Sorbonne is here in full — 286 sentences across 58 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

By G. Lindsay (George Lindsay) Johnson • Curated US English Learning Edition

Cover illustration for The Weird Adventures of Professor Delapine of the Sorbonne

English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5

Dr. Roux was a man who had risen to his present position by strict attention to his profession.

He was an able man, and thoroughly versed in all the mysteries of his art.

His reports to the Juge d'Instruction were always models of accuracy and precision, and were accepted without question by the Parquet.

But now he confessed he was in a dilemma.

Narrator

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.

Chapter XVI Reading 1/57

The Weird Adventures of Professor Delapine of the Sorbonne G. Lindsay (George Lindsay) Johnson

Chapter XVI

Chapter 16 of The Weird Adventures of Professor Delapine of the Sorbonne is here in full — 286 sentences across 58 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

THE SHADOW OF DEATH Que l'oumbro, e toujour l'oumbro, es pire que la mort![14] Mistal (_Mireille Chant xii._) 'Fleet footed is the approach of woe But with a lingering step and slow Its form departs.'--Longfellow, _Coplas de Manrique_. Dr. Roux was a man who had risen to his present position by strict attention to his profession. He was an able man, and thoroughly versed in all the mysteries of his art. His reports to the Juge d'Instruction were always models of accuracy and precision, and were accepted without question by the Parquet. But now he confessed he was in a dilemma.

The Weird Adventures of Professor Delapine of the Sorbonne

Chapter XVI

Chapter 16 of The Weird Adventures of Professor Delapine of the Sorbonne is here in full — 286 sentences across 58 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/57 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1

Line 2

Dr. Roux was a man who had risen to his present position by strict attention to his profession.

Line 3

He was an able man, and thoroughly versed in all the mysteries of his art.

/hiː wɑːz æn ˈeɪbəl mæn ənd ˈθɜːroʊli vɜːrst ɪn ɔːl ðə ˈmɪstəriz ʌv hɪz ɑːrt/

Line 4

His reports to the Juge d'Instruction were always models of accuracy and precision, and were accepted without question by the Parquet.

Line 5

But now he confessed he was in a dilemma.

/bʌt naʊ hiː kənˈfest hiː wɑːz ɪn ə dɪˈlemə/

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.

departs verb US /dɪˈpɑːrts/

third-person singular of “depart” — move away from a place into another direction

From this reading “THE SHADOW OF DEATH Que l'oumbro, e toujour l'oumbro, es pire que la mort![14] Mistal (_Mireille Chant xii._) 'Fleet footed is the approach of woe But with a lingering step and slow Its form departs.'--Longfellow, _Coplas de Manrique_.”

dilemma noun US /dɪˈlemə/

state of uncertainty or perplexity especially as requiring a choice between equally unfavorable options

From this reading “But now he confessed he was in a dilemma.”

footed adjective US /ˈfʊtɪd/

having feet

Longfellow noun US /ˈlɔːŋfeloʊ/

United States poet remembered for his long narrative poems (1807-1882)

models noun US /ˈmɑːdəlz/

plural of “model” — a hypothetical description of a complex entity or process

From this reading “His reports to the Juge d'Instruction were always models of accuracy and precision, and were accepted without question by the Parquet.”

Parquet noun US /pɑːrˈkeɪ/

a floor made of parquetry

From this reading “His reports to the Juge d'Instruction were always models of accuracy and precision, and were accepted without question by the Parquet.”

Roux noun US /ruː/

a mixture of fat and flour heated and used as a basis for sauces

From this reading “Dr. Roux was a man who had risen to his present position by strict attention to his profession.”

versed noun US /vɜːrst/

an injectable form of benzodiazepine (trade name Versed) useful for sedation and for reducing pain during uncomfortable medical procedures

From this reading “He was an able man, and thoroughly versed in all the mysteries of his art.”

Word partnerships in these lines

English keeps certain words together, and knowing the pair is worth more than knowing each word alone. Every partnership below was counted across our whole published library, and earns its place by appearing far more often than two unrelated words of the same frequency would.

Shown as this reading writes them, with the form the library counts, what kind of pairing it is, and how often it occurs.

strict attention adjective + noun

In this reading “Dr. Roux was a man who had risen to his present position by strict attention to his profession.”

present position verb + noun

In this reading “Dr. Roux was a man who had risen to his present position by strict attention to his profession.”

All words in this reading · 75

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.

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

From this reading THE SHADOW OF DEATH Que l'oumbro, e toujour l'oumbro, es pire que la mort![14] Mistal (_Mireille Chant xii._) 'Fleet footed is the approach of woe But with a lingering step and slow Its form departs.'--Longfellow, _Coplas de Manrique_.

adeterminerUS /ə/

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

ableadjectiveUS /ˈeɪbəl/

(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something

From this reading He was an able man, and thoroughly versed in all the mysteries of his art.

acceptedadjectiveUS /ækˈseptɪd/

generally approved or compelling recognition

From this reading His reports to the Juge d'Instruction were always models of accuracy and precision, and were accepted without question by the Parquet.

accuracynounUS /ˈækjərəsi/

the quality of being near to the true value

From this reading His reports to the Juge d'Instruction were always models of accuracy and precision, and were accepted without question by the Parquet.

alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/

(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 He was an able man, and thoroughly versed in all the mysteries of his art.

alwaysadverbUS /ˈɔːlweɪz/

at all times; all the time and on every occasion

From this reading His reports to the Juge d'Instruction were always models of accuracy and precision, and were accepted without question by the Parquet.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading He was an able man, and thoroughly versed in all the mysteries of his art.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

approachverbUS /əˈproʊtʃ/

move towards

artauxiliary verbUS /ɑːrt/

an old form of “are”, used with “thou”

From this reading He was an able man, and thoroughly versed in all the mysteries of his art.

attentionnounUS /əˈtenʃən/

the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others

From this reading Dr. Roux was a man who had risen to his present position by strict attention to his profession.

ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Dr. Roux was a man who had risen to his present position by strict attention to his profession.

ChantverbUS /tʃænt/

recite with musical intonation; recite as a chant or a psalm

confessedverbUS /kənˈfest/

past form of “confess” — confess to a punishable or reprehensible deed, usually under pressure

From this reading But now he confessed he was in a dilemma.

Coplas

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

d'Instruction

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

From this reading His reports to the Juge d'Instruction were always models of accuracy and precision, and were accepted without question by the Parquet.

denounUS /diː/

a Mid-Atlantic state; one of the original 13 colonies

DEATHnounUS /deθ/

the event of dying or departure from life

departsverbUS /dɪˈpɑːrts/

third-person singular of “depart” — move away from a place into another direction

dilemmanounUS /dɪˈlemə/

state of uncertainty or perplexity especially as requiring a choice between equally unfavorable options

From this reading But now he confessed he was in a dilemma.

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

From this reading Dr. Roux was a man who had risen to his present position by strict attention to his profession.

enounUS /iː/

a fat-soluble vitamin that is essential for normal reproduction; an important antioxidant that neutralizes free radicals in the body

esnounUS /es/

a radioactive transuranic element produced by bombarding plutonium with neutrons

FleetnounUS /fliːt/

group of aircraft operating together under the same ownership

footedadjectiveUS /ˈfʊtɪd/

having feet

formnounUS /fɔːrm/

the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading Dr. Roux was a man who had risen to his present position by strict attention to his profession.

HepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading He was an able man, and thoroughly versed in all the mysteries of his art.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading Dr. Roux was a man who had risen to his present position by strict attention to his profession.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading He was an able man, and thoroughly versed in all the mysteries of his art.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

ItsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

Juge

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

From this reading His reports to the Juge d'Instruction were always models of accuracy and precision, and were accepted without question by the Parquet.

l'oumbro

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

lanounUS /lɑː/

a white soft metallic element that tarnishes readily; occurs in rare earth minerals and is usually classified as a rare earth

lingeringnounUS /ˈlɪŋɡərɪŋ/

the act of tarrying

LongfellownounUS /ˈlɔːŋfeloʊ/

United States poet remembered for his long narrative poems (1807-1882)

mannounUS /mæn/

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

From this reading Dr. Roux was a man who had risen to his present position by strict attention to his profession.

Manrique

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

Mireille

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

Mistal

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

modelsnounUS /ˈmɑːdəlz/

plural of “model” — a hypothetical description of a complex entity or process

From this reading His reports to the Juge d'Instruction were always models of accuracy and precision, and were accepted without question by the Parquet.

mort

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

mysteriesnounUS /ˈmɪstəriz/

plural of “mystery” — something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained

From this reading He was an able man, and thoroughly versed in all the mysteries of his art.

nowadverbUS /naʊ/

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

From this reading But now he confessed he was in a dilemma.

OFprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

ParquetnounUS /pɑːrˈkeɪ/

a floor made of parquetry

From this reading His reports to the Juge d'Instruction were always models of accuracy and precision, and were accepted without question by the Parquet.

pire

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

positionnounUS /pəˈzɪʃən/

the particular portion of space occupied by something

From this reading Dr. Roux was a man who had risen to his present position by strict attention to his profession.

precisionnounUS /priˈsɪʒən/

the quality of being reproducible in amount or performance

From this reading His reports to the Juge d'Instruction were always models of accuracy and precision, and were accepted without question by the Parquet.

presentverbUS /ˈprezənt/

give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading Dr. Roux was a man who had risen to his present position by strict attention to his profession.

professionnounUS /prəˈfeʃən/

the body of people in a learned occupation

From this reading Dr. Roux was a man who had risen to his present position by strict attention to his profession.

Que

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

questionverbUS /ˈkwestʃən/

challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of

From this reading His reports to the Juge d'Instruction were always models of accuracy and precision, and were accepted without question by the Parquet.

reportsnounUS /rɪˈpɔːrts/

plural of “report” — a written document describing the findings of some individual or group

From this reading His reports to the Juge d'Instruction were always models of accuracy and precision, and were accepted without question by the Parquet.

risenadjectiveUS /ˈrɪzən/

(of e.g. celestial bodies) above the horizon

From this reading Dr. Roux was a man who had risen to his present position by strict attention to his profession.

RouxnounUS /ruː/

a mixture of fat and flour heated and used as a basis for sauces

From this reading Dr. Roux was a man who had risen to his present position by strict attention to his profession.

SHADOWnounUS /ˈʃæd.oʊ/

A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.

slowadjectiveUS /sloʊ/

not moving quickly; taking a comparatively long time

stepnounUS /step/

any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal

strictadjectiveUS /strɪkt/

rigidly accurate; allowing no deviation from a standard

From this reading Dr. Roux was a man who had risen to his present position by strict attention to his profession.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

thoroughlyadverbUS /ˈθɜːroʊli/

in an exhaustive manner

From this reading He was an able man, and thoroughly versed in all the mysteries of his art.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Dr. Roux was a man who had risen to his present position by strict attention to his profession.

toujour

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

versednounUS /vɜːrst/

an injectable form of benzodiazepine (trade name Versed) useful for sedation and for reducing pain during uncomfortable medical procedures

From this reading He was an able man, and thoroughly versed in all the mysteries of his art.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Dr. Roux was a man who had risen to his present position by strict attention to his profession.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading His reports to the Juge d'Instruction were always models of accuracy and precision, and were accepted without question by the Parquet.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading Dr. Roux was a man who had risen to his present position by strict attention to his profession.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading His reports to the Juge d'Instruction were always models of accuracy and precision, and were accepted without question by the Parquet.

woenounUS /woʊ/

misery resulting from affliction

xiinoun

the cardinal number that is the sum of eleven and one

Chapter 16 of The Weird Adventures of Professor Delapine of the Sorbonne by G. Lindsay (George Lindsay) Johnson holds 286 sentences, grouped into 58 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the source edition, unabridged, and the chapter records which sentences cover which part of the work so that nothing is dropped. Every word can be tapped for its pronunciation and dictionary entry.

What does chapter 16 of The Weird Adventures of Professor Delapine of the Sorbonne contain?

Chapter 16 holds 286 sentences of The Weird Adventures of Professor Delapine of the Sorbonne, unabridged, divided into 58 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 16 of The Weird Adventures of Professor Delapine of the Sorbonne by G. Lindsay (George Lindsay) Johnson exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 286 sentences, grouped into 58 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 16 of The Weird Adventures of Professor Delapine of the Sorbonne?

Work through the 58 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 58 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 16 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 16 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 Weird Adventures of Professor Delapine of the Sorbonne

Common questions about reading The Weird Adventures of Professor Delapine of the Sorbonne by G. Lindsay (George Lindsay) Johnson on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Weird Adventures of Professor Delapine of the Sorbonne?

Yes. All 6504 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #56713 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Weird Adventures of Professor Delapine of the Sorbonne is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #56713, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Weird Adventures of Professor Delapine of the Sorbonne take to read?

About 542 minutes of reading across 1301 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The Weird Adventures of Professor Delapine of the Sorbonne section by section

How to work through The Weird Adventures of Professor Delapine of the Sorbonne section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

Open a chapter

Choose one of the 27 chapters of The Weird Adventures of Professor Delapine of the Sorbonne to begin.
Read one section

Each section holds 5 sentences; read it once through.
Listen and tap

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

Vocabulary met early in The Weird Adventures of Professor Delapine of the Sorbonne

Words and structures a reader meets early in The Weird Adventures of Professor Delapine of the Sorbonne, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Weird: A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Weird Adventures of Professor Delapine of the Sorbonne; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Adventures: A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Weird Adventures of Professor Delapine of the Sorbonne; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Professor: A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Weird Adventures of Professor Delapine of the Sorbonne; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Delapine: A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Weird Adventures of Professor Delapine of the Sorbonne; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.

Chapter XVI

What does chapter 16 of The Weird Adventures of Professor Delapine of the Sorbonne contain?

How do I study chapter 16 of The Weird Adventures of Professor Delapine of the Sorbonne?

Can chapter 16 be read aloud to me?

Questions about reading The Weird Adventures of Professor Delapine of the Sorbonne

How to read The Weird Adventures of Professor Delapine of the Sorbonne section by section

Open a chapter

Read one section

Listen and tap

Vocabulary met early in The Weird Adventures of Professor Delapine of the Sorbonne