Chapter XXVII · Chapter 27

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

From this reading Mr. Jacobs, the detective from Scotland Yard, arrived at the Hall a little after four.

a sensitivity that is keen and highly developed

From this reading If the truth must be told, the worthy Inspector was rather disappointed; he had expected the great man to display a hawk-like acuteness and to ask a number of incisive questions; but Mr. Jacobs asked none; he said merely, when the recital was finished, "You have done everything you could, Mr. Smith.

later than; following

From this reading Mr. Jacobs, the detective from Scotland Yard, arrived at the Hall a little after four.

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading He was a short, comfortable-looking person, with a round, almost boyish face, a pleasant smile and a pair of blue eyes, with a frank and innocent expression; in fact, anything more unlike the conventional detective beloved by the fictionist it would be difficult to imagine.

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

From this reading He was a short, comfortable-looking person, with a round, almost boyish face, a pleasant smile and a pair of blue eyes, with a frank and innocent expression; in fact, anything more unlike the conventional detective beloved by the fictionist it would be difficult to imagine.

any thing at all

From this reading He was a short, comfortable-looking person, with a round, almost boyish face, a pleasant smile and a pair of blue eyes, with a frank and innocent expression; in fact, anything more unlike the conventional detective beloved by the fictionist it would be difficult to imagine.

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

From this reading Mr. Jacobs, the detective from Scotland Yard, arrived at the Hall a little after four.

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

From this reading The Inspector had met him at the station, and had gone over the case with meticulous care; and Mr. Jacobs, smoking placidly, had listened--well, as you and I, dear reader, would listen to a tale which had no very great interest for us.

make a request or demand for something to somebody

From this reading If the truth must be told, the worthy Inspector was rather disappointed; he had expected the great man to display a hawk-like acuteness and to ask a number of incisive questions; but Mr. Jacobs asked none; he said merely, when the recital was finished, "You have done everything you could, Mr. Smith.

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

From this reading If the truth must be told, the worthy Inspector was rather disappointed; he had expected the great man to display a hawk-like acuteness and to ask a number of incisive questions; but Mr. Jacobs asked none; he said merely, when the recital was finished, "You have done everything you could, Mr. Smith.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Mr. Jacobs, the detective from Scotland Yard, arrived at the Hall a little after four.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading He was a short, comfortable-looking person, with a round, almost boyish face, a pleasant smile and a pair of blue eyes, with a frank and innocent expression; in fact, anything more unlike the conventional detective beloved by the fictionist it would be difficult to imagine.

dearly loved

From this reading He was a short, comfortable-looking person, with a round, almost boyish face, a pleasant smile and a pair of blue eyes, with a frank and innocent expression; in fact, anything more unlike the conventional detective beloved by the fictionist it would be difficult to imagine.

of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky

From this reading He was a short, comfortable-looking person, with a round, almost boyish face, a pleasant smile and a pair of blue eyes, with a frank and innocent expression; in fact, anything more unlike the conventional detective beloved by the fictionist it would be difficult to imagine.

befitting or characteristic of a young boy

From this reading He was a short, comfortable-looking person, with a round, almost boyish face, a pleasant smile and a pair of blue eyes, with a frank and innocent expression; in fact, anything more unlike the conventional detective beloved by the fictionist it would be difficult to imagine.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading If the truth must be told, the worthy Inspector was rather disappointed; he had expected the great man to display a hawk-like acuteness and to ask a number of incisive questions; but Mr. Jacobs asked none; he said merely, when the recital was finished, "You have done everything you could, Mr. Smith.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading He was a short, comfortable-looking person, with a round, almost boyish face, a pleasant smile and a pair of blue eyes, with a frank and innocent expression; in fact, anything more unlike the conventional detective beloved by the fictionist it would be difficult to imagine.

the work of providing treatment for or attending to someone or something

From this reading The Inspector had met him at the station, and had gone over the case with meticulous care; and Mr. Jacobs, smoking placidly, had listened--well, as you and I, dear reader, would listen to a tale which had no very great interest for us.

an occurrence of something

From this reading The Inspector had met him at the station, and had gone over the case with meticulous care; and Mr. Jacobs, smoking placidly, had listened--well, as you and I, dear reader, would listen to a tale which had no very great interest for us.

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

From this reading He was a short, comfortable-looking person, with a round, almost boyish face, a pleasant smile and a pair of blue eyes, with a frank and innocent expression; in fact, anything more unlike the conventional detective beloved by the fictionist it would be difficult to imagine.

following accepted customs and proprieties

From this reading He was a short, comfortable-looking person, with a round, almost boyish face, a pleasant smile and a pair of blue eyes, with a frank and innocent expression; in fact, anything more unlike the conventional detective beloved by the fictionist it would be difficult to imagine.

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

From this reading If the truth must be told, the worthy Inspector was rather disappointed; he had expected the great man to display a hawk-like acuteness and to ask a number of incisive questions; but Mr. Jacobs asked none; he said merely, when the recital was finished, "You have done everything you could, Mr. Smith.

dearly loved

From this reading The Inspector had met him at the station, and had gone over the case with meticulous care; and Mr. Jacobs, smoking placidly, had listened--well, as you and I, dear reader, would listen to a tale which had no very great interest for us.

a police officer who investigates crimes

From this reading Mr. Jacobs, the detective from Scotland Yard, arrived at the Hall a little after four.

not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure

From this reading He was a short, comfortable-looking person, with a round, almost boyish face, a pleasant smile and a pair of blue eyes, with a frank and innocent expression; in fact, anything more unlike the conventional detective beloved by the fictionist it would be difficult to imagine.

disappointingly unsuccessful

From this reading If the truth must be told, the worthy Inspector was rather disappointed; he had expected the great man to display a hawk-like acuteness and to ask a number of incisive questions; but Mr. Jacobs asked none; he said merely, when the recital was finished, "You have done everything you could, Mr. Smith.

something intended to communicate a particular impression

From this reading If the truth must be told, the worthy Inspector was rather disappointed; he had expected the great man to display a hawk-like acuteness and to ask a number of incisive questions; but Mr. Jacobs asked none; he said merely, when the recital was finished, "You have done everything you could, Mr. Smith.

having finished or arrived at completion

From this reading If the truth must be told, the worthy Inspector was rather disappointed; he had expected the great man to display a hawk-like acuteness and to ask a number of incisive questions; but Mr. Jacobs asked none; he said merely, when the recital was finished, "You have done everything you could, Mr. Smith.

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

From this reading Not a very difficult case, eh?"

all things; all of a situation

From this reading If the truth must be told, the worthy Inspector was rather disappointed; he had expected the great man to display a hawk-like acuteness and to ask a number of incisive questions; but Mr. Jacobs asked none; he said merely, when the recital was finished, "You have done everything you could, Mr. Smith.

considered likely or probable to happen or arrive

From this reading If the truth must be told, the worthy Inspector was rather disappointed; he had expected the great man to display a hawk-like acuteness and to ask a number of incisive questions; but Mr. Jacobs asked none; he said merely, when the recital was finished, "You have done everything you could, Mr. Smith.

the feelings expressed on a person's face

From this reading He was a short, comfortable-looking person, with a round, almost boyish face, a pleasant smile and a pair of blue eyes, with a frank and innocent expression; in fact, anything more unlike the conventional detective beloved by the fictionist it would be difficult to imagine.

opinion or judgment

From this reading He was a short, comfortable-looking person, with a round, almost boyish face, a pleasant smile and a pair of blue eyes, with a frank and innocent expression; in fact, anything more unlike the conventional detective beloved by the fictionist it would be difficult to imagine.

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

From this reading He was a short, comfortable-looking person, with a round, almost boyish face, a pleasant smile and a pair of blue eyes, with a frank and innocent expression; in fact, anything more unlike the conventional detective beloved by the fictionist it would be difficult to imagine.

a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred

From this reading He was a short, comfortable-looking person, with a round, almost boyish face, a pleasant smile and a pair of blue eyes, with a frank and innocent expression; in fact, anything more unlike the conventional detective beloved by the fictionist it would be difficult to imagine.

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

From this reading He was a short, comfortable-looking person, with a round, almost boyish face, a pleasant smile and a pair of blue eyes, with a frank and innocent expression; in fact, anything more unlike the conventional detective beloved by the fictionist it would be difficult to imagine.

(of materials or goods) brought to the desired final state

From this reading If the truth must be told, the worthy Inspector was rather disappointed; he had expected the great man to display a hawk-like acuteness and to ask a number of incisive questions; but Mr. Jacobs asked none; he said merely, when the recital was finished, "You have done everything you could, Mr. Smith.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The Inspector had met him at the station, and had gone over the case with meticulous care; and Mr. Jacobs, smoking placidly, had listened--well, as you and I, dear reader, would listen to a tale which had no very great interest for us.

the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one

From this reading Mr. Jacobs, the detective from Scotland Yard, arrived at the Hall a little after four.

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

From this reading He was a short, comfortable-looking person, with a round, almost boyish face, a pleasant smile and a pair of blue eyes, with a frank and innocent expression; in fact, anything more unlike the conventional detective beloved by the fictionist it would be difficult to imagine.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Mr. Jacobs, the detective from Scotland Yard, arrived at the Hall a little after four.

destroyed or killed

From this reading The Inspector had met him at the station, and had gone over the case with meticulous care; and Mr. Jacobs, smoking placidly, had listened--well, as you and I, dear reader, would listen to a tale which had no very great interest for us.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading The Inspector had met him at the station, and had gone over the case with meticulous care; and Mr. Jacobs, smoking placidly, had listened--well, as you and I, dear reader, would listen to a tale which had no very great interest for us.

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

From this reading The Inspector had met him at the station, and had gone over the case with meticulous care; and Mr. Jacobs, smoking placidly, had listened--well, as you and I, dear reader, would listen to a tale which had no very great interest for us.

an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open

From this reading Mr. Jacobs, the detective from Scotland Yard, arrived at the Hall a little after four.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading If the truth must be told, the worthy Inspector was rather disappointed; he had expected the great man to display a hawk-like acuteness and to ask a number of incisive questions; but Mr. Jacobs asked none; he said merely, when the recital was finished, "You have done everything you could, Mr. Smith.

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

From this reading If the truth must be told, the worthy Inspector was rather disappointed; he had expected the great man to display a hawk-like acuteness and to ask a number of incisive questions; but Mr. Jacobs asked none; he said merely, when the recital was finished, "You have done everything you could, Mr. Smith.

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

From this reading He was a short, comfortable-looking person, with a round, almost boyish face, a pleasant smile and a pair of blue eyes, with a frank and innocent expression; in fact, anything more unlike the conventional detective beloved by the fictionist it would be difficult to imagine.

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

From this reading The Inspector had met him at the station, and had gone over the case with meticulous care; and Mr. Jacobs, smoking placidly, had listened--well, as you and I, dear reader, would listen to a tale which had no very great interest for us.

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

From this reading The Inspector had met him at the station, and had gone over the case with meticulous care; and Mr. Jacobs, smoking placidly, had listened--well, as you and I, dear reader, would listen to a tale which had no very great interest for us.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading If the truth must be told, the worthy Inspector was rather disappointed; he had expected the great man to display a hawk-like acuteness and to ask a number of incisive questions; but Mr. Jacobs asked none; he said merely, when the recital was finished, "You have done everything you could, Mr. Smith.

form a mental image of something that is not present or that is not the case

From this reading He was a short, comfortable-looking person, with a round, almost boyish face, a pleasant smile and a pair of blue eyes, with a frank and innocent expression; in fact, anything more unlike the conventional detective beloved by the fictionist it would be difficult to imagine.

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

From this reading He was a short, comfortable-looking person, with a round, almost boyish face, a pleasant smile and a pair of blue eyes, with a frank and innocent expression; in fact, anything more unlike the conventional detective beloved by the fictionist it would be difficult to imagine.

having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions

From this reading If the truth must be told, the worthy Inspector was rather disappointed; he had expected the great man to display a hawk-like acuteness and to ask a number of incisive questions; but Mr. Jacobs asked none; he said merely, when the recital was finished, "You have done everything you could, Mr. Smith.

free from evil or guilt

From this reading He was a short, comfortable-looking person, with a round, almost boyish face, a pleasant smile and a pair of blue eyes, with a frank and innocent expression; in fact, anything more unlike the conventional detective beloved by the fictionist it would be difficult to imagine.

a high ranking police officer

From this reading The Inspector had met him at the station, and had gone over the case with meticulous care; and Mr. Jacobs, smoking placidly, had listened--well, as you and I, dear reader, would listen to a tale which had no very great interest for us.

a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something

From this reading The Inspector had met him at the station, and had gone over the case with meticulous care; and Mr. Jacobs, smoking placidly, had listened--well, as you and I, dear reader, would listen to a tale which had no very great interest for us.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading He was a short, comfortable-looking person, with a round, almost boyish face, a pleasant smile and a pair of blue eyes, with a frank and innocent expression; in fact, anything more unlike the conventional detective beloved by the fictionist it would be difficult to imagine.

English writer of macabre short stories (1863-1943)

From this reading Mr. Jacobs, the detective from Scotland Yard, arrived at the Hall a little after four.

hear with intention

From this reading The Inspector had met him at the station, and had gone over the case with meticulous care; and Mr. Jacobs, smoking placidly, had listened--well, as you and I, dear reader, would listen to a tale which had no very great interest for us.

past form of “listen” — hear with intention

From this reading The Inspector had met him at the station, and had gone over the case with meticulous care; and Mr. Jacobs, smoking placidly, had listened--well, as you and I, dear reader, would listen to a tale which had no very great interest for us.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading Mr. Jacobs, the detective from Scotland Yard, arrived at the Hall a little after four.

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

From this reading If the truth must be told, the worthy Inspector was rather disappointed; he had expected the great man to display a hawk-like acuteness and to ask a number of incisive questions; but Mr. Jacobs asked none; he said merely, when the recital was finished, "You have done everything you could, Mr. Smith.

and nothing more

From this reading If the truth must be told, the worthy Inspector was rather disappointed; he had expected the great man to display a hawk-like acuteness and to ask a number of incisive questions; but Mr. Jacobs asked none; he said merely, when the recital was finished, "You have done everything you could, Mr. Smith.

inflected form of “meet” — come together

From this reading The Inspector had met him at the station, and had gone over the case with meticulous care; and Mr. Jacobs, smoking placidly, had listened--well, as you and I, dear reader, would listen to a tale which had no very great interest for us.

marked by precise accordance with details

From this reading The Inspector had met him at the station, and had gone over the case with meticulous care; and Mr. Jacobs, smoking placidly, had listened--well, as you and I, dear reader, would listen to a tale which had no very great interest for us.

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

From this reading He was a short, comfortable-looking person, with a round, almost boyish face, a pleasant smile and a pair of blue eyes, with a frank and innocent expression; in fact, anything more unlike the conventional detective beloved by the fictionist it would be difficult to imagine.

a form of address for a man

From this reading Mr. Jacobs, the detective from Scotland Yard, arrived at the Hall a little after four.

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading If the truth must be told, the worthy Inspector was rather disappointed; he had expected the great man to display a hawk-like acuteness and to ask a number of incisive questions; but Mr. Jacobs asked none; he said merely, when the recital was finished, "You have done everything you could, Mr. Smith.

not any; not one

From this reading The Inspector had met him at the station, and had gone over the case with meticulous care; and Mr. Jacobs, smoking placidly, had listened--well, as you and I, dear reader, would listen to a tale which had no very great interest for us.

not one, and not any

From this reading If the truth must be told, the worthy Inspector was rather disappointed; he had expected the great man to display a hawk-like acuteness and to ask a number of incisive questions; but Mr. Jacobs asked none; he said merely, when the recital was finished, "You have done everything you could, Mr. Smith.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Not a very difficult case, eh?"

the property possessed by a sum or total or indefinite quantity of units or individuals

From this reading If the truth must be told, the worthy Inspector was rather disappointed; he had expected the great man to display a hawk-like acuteness and to ask a number of incisive questions; but Mr. Jacobs asked none; he said merely, when the recital was finished, "You have done everything you could, Mr. Smith.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading He was a short, comfortable-looking person, with a round, almost boyish face, a pleasant smile and a pair of blue eyes, with a frank and innocent expression; in fact, anything more unlike the conventional detective beloved by the fictionist it would be difficult to imagine.

above and across; more than

From this reading The Inspector had met him at the station, and had gone over the case with meticulous care; and Mr. Jacobs, smoking placidly, had listened--well, as you and I, dear reader, would listen to a tale which had no very great interest for us.

a set of two similar things considered as a unit

From this reading He was a short, comfortable-looking person, with a round, almost boyish face, a pleasant smile and a pair of blue eyes, with a frank and innocent expression; in fact, anything more unlike the conventional detective beloved by the fictionist it would be difficult to imagine.

a human being

From this reading He was a short, comfortable-looking person, with a round, almost boyish face, a pleasant smile and a pair of blue eyes, with a frank and innocent expression; in fact, anything more unlike the conventional detective beloved by the fictionist it would be difficult to imagine.

in a quiet and tranquil manner

From this reading The Inspector had met him at the station, and had gone over the case with meticulous care; and Mr. Jacobs, smoking placidly, had listened--well, as you and I, dear reader, would listen to a tale which had no very great interest for us.

affording pleasure; being in harmony with your taste or likings

From this reading He was a short, comfortable-looking person, with a round, almost boyish face, a pleasant smile and a pair of blue eyes, with a frank and innocent expression; in fact, anything more unlike the conventional detective beloved by the fictionist it would be difficult to imagine.

plural of “question” — an instance of questioning

From this reading If the truth must be told, the worthy Inspector was rather disappointed; he had expected the great man to display a hawk-like acuteness and to ask a number of incisive questions; but Mr. Jacobs asked none; he said merely, when the recital was finished, "You have done everything you could, Mr. Smith.

on the contrary

From this reading If the truth must be told, the worthy Inspector was rather disappointed; he had expected the great man to display a hawk-like acuteness and to ask a number of incisive questions; but Mr. Jacobs asked none; he said merely, when the recital was finished, "You have done everything you could, Mr. Smith.

a person who enjoys reading

From this reading The Inspector had met him at the station, and had gone over the case with meticulous care; and Mr. Jacobs, smoking placidly, had listened--well, as you and I, dear reader, would listen to a tale which had no very great interest for us.

the act of giving an account describing incidents or a course of events

From this reading If the truth must be told, the worthy Inspector was rather disappointed; he had expected the great man to display a hawk-like acuteness and to ask a number of incisive questions; but Mr. Jacobs asked none; he said merely, when the recital was finished, "You have done everything you could, Mr. Smith.

a charge of ammunition for a single shot

From this reading He was a short, comfortable-looking person, with a round, almost boyish face, a pleasant smile and a pair of blue eyes, with a frank and innocent expression; in fact, anything more unlike the conventional detective beloved by the fictionist it would be difficult to imagine.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading If the truth must be told, the worthy Inspector was rather disappointed; he had expected the great man to display a hawk-like acuteness and to ask a number of incisive questions; but Mr. Jacobs asked none; he said merely, when the recital was finished, "You have done everything you could, Mr. Smith.

one of the four countries that make up the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland; located on the northern part of the island of Great Britain; famous for bagpipes and plaids and kilts

From this reading Mr. Jacobs, the detective from Scotland Yard, arrived at the Hall a little after four.

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

From this reading He was a short, comfortable-looking person, with a round, almost boyish face, a pleasant smile and a pair of blue eyes, with a frank and innocent expression; in fact, anything more unlike the conventional detective beloved by the fictionist it would be difficult to imagine.

change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure

From this reading He was a short, comfortable-looking person, with a round, almost boyish face, a pleasant smile and a pair of blue eyes, with a frank and innocent expression; in fact, anything more unlike the conventional detective beloved by the fictionist it would be difficult to imagine.

Rhodesian statesman who declared independence of Zimbabwe from Great Britain (born in 1919)

From this reading If the truth must be told, the worthy Inspector was rather disappointed; he had expected the great man to display a hawk-like acuteness and to ask a number of incisive questions; but Mr. Jacobs asked none; he said merely, when the recital was finished, "You have done everything you could, Mr. Smith.

the act of smoking tobacco or other substances

From this reading The Inspector had met him at the station, and had gone over the case with meticulous care; and Mr. Jacobs, smoking placidly, had listened--well, as you and I, dear reader, would listen to a tale which had no very great interest for us.

a facility equipped with special equipment and personnel for a particular purpose

From this reading The Inspector had met him at the station, and had gone over the case with meticulous care; and Mr. Jacobs, smoking placidly, had listened--well, as you and I, dear reader, would listen to a tale which had no very great interest for us.

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

From this reading The Inspector had met him at the station, and had gone over the case with meticulous care; and Mr. Jacobs, smoking placidly, had listened--well, as you and I, dear reader, would listen to a tale which had no very great interest for us.

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

From this reading Mr. Jacobs, the detective from Scotland Yard, arrived at the Hall a little after four.

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

From this reading He was a short, comfortable-looking person, with a round, almost boyish face, a pleasant smile and a pair of blue eyes, with a frank and innocent expression; in fact, anything more unlike the conventional detective beloved by the fictionist it would be difficult to imagine.

inflected form of “tell” — express in words

From this reading If the truth must be told, the worthy Inspector was rather disappointed; he had expected the great man to display a hawk-like acuteness and to ask a number of incisive questions; but Mr. Jacobs asked none; he said merely, when the recital was finished, "You have done everything you could, Mr. Smith.

a fact that has been verified

From this reading If the truth must be told, the worthy Inspector was rather disappointed; he had expected the great man to display a hawk-like acuteness and to ask a number of incisive questions; but Mr. Jacobs asked none; he said merely, when the recital was finished, "You have done everything you could, Mr. Smith.

marked by dissimilarity

From this reading He was a short, comfortable-looking person, with a round, almost boyish face, a pleasant smile and a pair of blue eyes, with a frank and innocent expression; in fact, anything more unlike the conventional detective beloved by the fictionist it would be difficult to imagine.

the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading The Inspector had met him at the station, and had gone over the case with meticulous care; and Mr. Jacobs, smoking placidly, had listened--well, as you and I, dear reader, would listen to a tale which had no very great interest for us.

precisely as stated

From this reading The Inspector had met him at the station, and had gone over the case with meticulous care; and Mr. Jacobs, smoking placidly, had listened--well, as you and I, dear reader, would listen to a tale which had no very great interest for us.

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

From this reading He was a short, comfortable-looking person, with a round, almost boyish face, a pleasant smile and a pair of blue eyes, with a frank and innocent expression; in fact, anything more unlike the conventional detective beloved by the fictionist it would be difficult to imagine.

(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)

From this reading The Inspector had met him at the station, and had gone over the case with meticulous care; and Mr. Jacobs, smoking placidly, had listened--well, as you and I, dear reader, would listen to a tale which had no very great interest for us.

at the time that

From this reading If the truth must be told, the worthy Inspector was rather disappointed; he had expected the great man to display a hawk-like acuteness and to ask a number of incisive questions; but Mr. Jacobs asked none; he said merely, when the recital was finished, "You have done everything you could, Mr. Smith.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading The Inspector had met him at the station, and had gone over the case with meticulous care; and Mr. Jacobs, smoking placidly, had listened--well, as you and I, dear reader, would listen to a tale which had no very great interest for us.

in the company of; together with

From this reading He was a short, comfortable-looking person, with a round, almost boyish face, a pleasant smile and a pair of blue eyes, with a frank and innocent expression; in fact, anything more unlike the conventional detective beloved by the fictionist it would be difficult to imagine.

Having or showing the qualities or abilities that merit recognition in character or magic.

From this reading If the truth must be told, the worthy Inspector was rather disappointed; he had expected the great man to display a hawk-like acuteness and to ask a number of incisive questions; but Mr. Jacobs asked none; he said merely, when the recital was finished, "You have done everything you could, Mr. Smith.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading He was a short, comfortable-looking person, with a round, almost boyish face, a pleasant smile and a pair of blue eyes, with a frank and innocent expression; in fact, anything more unlike the conventional detective beloved by the fictionist it would be difficult to imagine.

a unit of length equal to 3 feet; defined as 91.44 centimeters; originally taken to be the average length of a stride

From this reading Mr. Jacobs, the detective from Scotland Yard, arrived at the Hall a little after four.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading The Inspector had met him at the station, and had gone over the case with meticulous care; and Mr. Jacobs, smoking placidly, had listened--well, as you and I, dear reader, would listen to a tale which had no very great interest for us.