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The wisdom of Father Brown
The wisdom of Father Brown

Chapter IX · Chapter 9

Chapter 9 of The wisdom of Father Brown is here in full — 168 sentences across 34 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for The wisdom of Father Brown
Context Illustration Reading 1/33 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
A brilliant piece of rapid deduction,” said Father Brown; but had he got a gun?”
As Usher stopped abruptly in his walk the priest added apologetically: I’ve been told a bullet is not half so useful without it.”
He had no gun,” said the other gravely; but that was doubtless due to some very natural mischance or change of plans.
Probably the same policy that made him change the clothes made him drop the gun; he began to repent the coat he had left behind him in the blood of his victim.”
Well, that is possible enough,” answered the priest.
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

The wisdom of Father Brown

Chapter IX · Chapter 9

Chapter 9 of The wisdom of Father Brown is here in full — 168 sentences across 34 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/33 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
A brilliant piece of rapid deduction,” said Father Brown; “but had he got a gun?”
Line 2
As Usher stopped abruptly in his walk the priest added apologetically: “I’ve been told a bullet is not half so useful without it.”
Line 3
He had no gun,” said the other gravely; “but that was doubtless due to some very natural mischance or change of plans.
Line 4
Probably the same policy that made him change the clothes made him drop the gun; he began to repent the coat he had left behind him in the blood of his victim.”
Line 5
Well, that is possible enough,” answered the priest.

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.

Blood noun US /blʌd/

The red fluid that circulates in the heart and blood vessels.

From this reading “Probably the same policy that made him change the clothes made him drop the gun; he began to repent the coat he had left behind him in the blood of his victim.””

Same adjective US /seɪm/

Identical; not different.

From this reading “Probably the same policy that made him change the clothes made him drop the gun; he began to repent the coat he had left behind him in the blood of his victim.””

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.

A

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

From this reading “A brilliant piece of rapid deduction,” said Father Brown; “but had he got a gun?”

abruptly

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

From this reading As Usher stopped abruptly in his walk the priest added apologetically: “I’ve been told a bullet is not half so useful without it.”

added

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

From this reading As Usher stopped abruptly in his walk the priest added apologetically: “I’ve been told a bullet is not half so useful without it.”

answered

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

From this reading “Well, that is possible enough,” answered the priest.

apologetically

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

From this reading As Usher stopped abruptly in his walk the priest added apologetically: “I’ve been told a bullet is not half so useful without it.”

As

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

From this reading As Usher stopped abruptly in his walk the priest added apologetically: “I’ve been told a bullet is not half so useful without it.”

been

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

From this reading As Usher stopped abruptly in his walk the priest added apologetically: “I’ve been told a bullet is not half so useful without it.”

began

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

From this reading Probably the same policy that made him change the clothes made him drop the gun; he began to repent the coat he had left behind him in the blood of his victim.”

behind

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

From this reading Probably the same policy that made him change the clothes made him drop the gun; he began to repent the coat he had left behind him in the blood of his victim.”

bloodnounUS /blʌd/

The red fluid that circulates in the heart and blood vessels.

From this reading Probably the same policy that made him change the clothes made him drop the gun; he began to repent the coat he had left behind him in the blood of his victim.”

brilliant

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

From this reading “A brilliant piece of rapid deduction,” said Father Brown; “but had he got a gun?”

Brown

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

From this reading “A brilliant piece of rapid deduction,” said Father Brown; “but had he got a gun?”

bullet

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

From this reading As Usher stopped abruptly in his walk the priest added apologetically: “I’ve been told a bullet is not half so useful without it.”

but

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

From this reading “A brilliant piece of rapid deduction,” said Father Brown; “but had he got a gun?”

change

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

From this reading “He had no gun,” said the other gravely; “but that was doubtless due to some very natural mischance or change of plans.

clothes

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

From this reading Probably the same policy that made him change the clothes made him drop the gun; he began to repent the coat he had left behind him in the blood of his victim.”

coat

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

From this reading Probably the same policy that made him change the clothes made him drop the gun; he began to repent the coat he had left behind him in the blood of his victim.”

deduction

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

From this reading “A brilliant piece of rapid deduction,” said Father Brown; “but had he got a gun?”

doubtless

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

From this reading “He had no gun,” said the other gravely; “but that was doubtless due to some very natural mischance or change of plans.

drop

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

From this reading Probably the same policy that made him change the clothes made him drop the gun; he began to repent the coat he had left behind him in the blood of his victim.”

due

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

From this reading “He had no gun,” said the other gravely; “but that was doubtless due to some very natural mischance or change of plans.

enough

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

From this reading “Well, that is possible enough,” answered the priest.

Father

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

From this reading “A brilliant piece of rapid deduction,” said Father Brown; “but had he got a gun?”

got

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

From this reading “A brilliant piece of rapid deduction,” said Father Brown; “but had he got a gun?”

gravely

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

From this reading “He had no gun,” said the other gravely; “but that was doubtless due to some very natural mischance or change of plans.

gun

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

From this reading “A brilliant piece of rapid deduction,” said Father Brown; “but had he got a gun?”

had

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

From this reading “A brilliant piece of rapid deduction,” said Father Brown; “but had he got a gun?”

half

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

From this reading As Usher stopped abruptly in his walk the priest added apologetically: “I’ve been told a bullet is not half so useful without it.”

he

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

From this reading “A brilliant piece of rapid deduction,” said Father Brown; “but had he got a gun?”

him

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

From this reading Probably the same policy that made him change the clothes made him drop the gun; he began to repent the coat he had left behind him in the blood of his victim.”

his

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

From this reading As Usher stopped abruptly in his walk the priest added apologetically: “I’ve been told a bullet is not half so useful without it.”

I've

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

From this reading As Usher stopped abruptly in his walk the priest added apologetically: “I’ve been told a bullet is not half so useful without it.”

in

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

From this reading As Usher stopped abruptly in his walk the priest added apologetically: “I’ve been told a bullet is not half so useful without it.”

is

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

From this reading As Usher stopped abruptly in his walk the priest added apologetically: “I’ve been told a bullet is not half so useful without it.”

it

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

From this reading As Usher stopped abruptly in his walk the priest added apologetically: “I’ve been told a bullet is not half so useful without it.”

left

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

From this reading Probably the same policy that made him change the clothes made him drop the gun; he began to repent the coat he had left behind him in the blood of his victim.”

made

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

From this reading Probably the same policy that made him change the clothes made him drop the gun; he began to repent the coat he had left behind him in the blood of his victim.”

mischance

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

From this reading “He had no gun,” said the other gravely; “but that was doubtless due to some very natural mischance or change of plans.

natural

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

From this reading “He had no gun,” said the other gravely; “but that was doubtless due to some very natural mischance or change of plans.

no

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

From this reading “He had no gun,” said the other gravely; “but that was doubtless due to some very natural mischance or change of plans.

not

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

From this reading As Usher stopped abruptly in his walk the priest added apologetically: “I’ve been told a bullet is not half so useful without it.”

of

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

From this reading “A brilliant piece of rapid deduction,” said Father Brown; “but had he got a gun?”

or

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

From this reading “He had no gun,” said the other gravely; “but that was doubtless due to some very natural mischance or change of plans.

other

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

From this reading “He had no gun,” said the other gravely; “but that was doubtless due to some very natural mischance or change of plans.

piece

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

From this reading “A brilliant piece of rapid deduction,” said Father Brown; “but had he got a gun?”

plans

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

From this reading “He had no gun,” said the other gravely; “but that was doubtless due to some very natural mischance or change of plans.

policy

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

From this reading Probably the same policy that made him change the clothes made him drop the gun; he began to repent the coat he had left behind him in the blood of his victim.”

possible

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

From this reading “Well, that is possible enough,” answered the priest.

priest

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

From this reading As Usher stopped abruptly in his walk the priest added apologetically: “I’ve been told a bullet is not half so useful without it.”

Probably

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

From this reading Probably the same policy that made him change the clothes made him drop the gun; he began to repent the coat he had left behind him in the blood of his victim.”

rapid

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

From this reading “A brilliant piece of rapid deduction,” said Father Brown; “but had he got a gun?”

repent

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

From this reading Probably the same policy that made him change the clothes made him drop the gun; he began to repent the coat he had left behind him in the blood of his victim.”

said

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

From this reading “A brilliant piece of rapid deduction,” said Father Brown; “but had he got a gun?”

sameadjectiveUS /seɪm/

Identical; not different.

From this reading Probably the same policy that made him change the clothes made him drop the gun; he began to repent the coat he had left behind him in the blood of his victim.”

so

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

From this reading As Usher stopped abruptly in his walk the priest added apologetically: “I’ve been told a bullet is not half so useful without it.”

some

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

From this reading “He had no gun,” said the other gravely; “but that was doubtless due to some very natural mischance or change of plans.

stopped

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

From this reading As Usher stopped abruptly in his walk the priest added apologetically: “I’ve been told a bullet is not half so useful without it.”

that

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

From this reading “He had no gun,” said the other gravely; “but that was doubtless due to some very natural mischance or change of plans.

the

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

From this reading As Usher stopped abruptly in his walk the priest added apologetically: “I’ve been told a bullet is not half so useful without it.”

to

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

From this reading “He had no gun,” said the other gravely; “but that was doubtless due to some very natural mischance or change of plans.

told

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

From this reading As Usher stopped abruptly in his walk the priest added apologetically: “I’ve been told a bullet is not half so useful without it.”

useful

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

From this reading As Usher stopped abruptly in his walk the priest added apologetically: “I’ve been told a bullet is not half so useful without it.”

Usher

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

From this reading As Usher stopped abruptly in his walk the priest added apologetically: “I’ve been told a bullet is not half so useful without it.”

very

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

From this reading “He had no gun,” said the other gravely; “but that was doubtless due to some very natural mischance or change of plans.

victim

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

From this reading Probably the same policy that made him change the clothes made him drop the gun; he began to repent the coat he had left behind him in the blood of his victim.”

walk

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

From this reading As Usher stopped abruptly in his walk the priest added apologetically: “I’ve been told a bullet is not half so useful without it.”

was

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

From this reading “He had no gun,” said the other gravely; “but that was doubtless due to some very natural mischance or change of plans.

Well

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

From this reading “Well, that is possible enough,” answered the priest.

without

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

From this reading As Usher stopped abruptly in his walk the priest added apologetically: “I’ve been told a bullet is not half so useful without it.”

Chapter 9 of The wisdom of Father Brown by G. K. (Gilbert Keith) Chesterton holds 168 sentences, grouped into 34 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 9 of The wisdom of Father Brown contain?

Chapter 9 holds 168 sentences of The wisdom of Father Brown, unabridged, divided into 34 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 9 of The wisdom of Father Brown by G. K. (Gilbert Keith) Chesterton exactly as it stands in the public-domain source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 168 sentences, grouped into 34 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 9 of The wisdom of Father Brown?

Work through the 34 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 34 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 9 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 9 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 wisdom of Father Brown

Common questions about reading The wisdom of Father Brown by G. K. (Gilbert Keith) Chesterton on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The wisdom of Father Brown?

Yes. All 3580 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #223 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The wisdom of Father Brown is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #223, a public-domain edition. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The wisdom of Father Brown take to read?

About 298 minutes of reading across 716 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The wisdom of Father Brown section by section

How to work through The wisdom of Father Brown section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 21 chapters of The wisdom of Father Brown 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 wisdom of Father Brown

Words and structures a reader meets early in The wisdom of Father Brown, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Absence
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The wisdom of Father Brown; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Glass
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The wisdom of Father Brown; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Paradise
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The wisdom of Father Brown; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Thieves
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The wisdom of Father Brown; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.