used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Upon one point, the most vital to me, let me not give the reader a moment’s suspense.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading My story draws towards its close, and of mystery or of sudden peril it has little more to tell.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading It had revealed to him the password which my wife used to me; and in its place there had gone over the wires a message which would indeed have called me back at any stage of the pursuit, but which was fated to arrive neither sooner nor later than the moment when it must destroy Vane-Cartwright’s last hope of escape.
reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress
From this reading It had revealed to him the password which my wife used to me; and in its place there had gone over the wires a message which would indeed have called me back at any stage of the pursuit, but which was fated to arrive neither sooner nor later than the moment when it must destroy Vane-Cartwright’s last hope of escape.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading It had revealed to him the password which my wife used to me; and in its place there had gone over the wires a message which would indeed have called me back at any stage of the pursuit, but which was fated to arrive neither sooner nor later than the moment when it must destroy Vane-Cartwright’s last hope of escape.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading It had revealed to him the password which my wife used to me; and in its place there had gone over the wires a message which would indeed have called me back at any stage of the pursuit, but which was fated to arrive neither sooner nor later than the moment when it must destroy Vane-Cartwright’s last hope of escape.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading My wife did not die of poison, had not been poisoned, had not been ill, had not sent that telegram.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It had revealed to him the password which my wife used to me; and in its place there had gone over the wires a message which would indeed have called me back at any stage of the pursuit, but which was fated to arrive neither sooner nor later than the moment when it must destroy Vane-Cartwright’s last hope of escape.
butlernounUS /ˈbʌtlər/
a manservant (usually the head servant of a household) who has charge of wines and the table
From this reading What had happened was this: on one single occasion she had not despatched her own message herself; through the misunderstanding or too prompt courtesy of her host’s butler, the telegram which she had written had been taken by a messenger, and it had fallen into the hands of the enemy’s watchful emissary.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading What had happened was this: on one single occasion she had not despatched her own message herself; through the misunderstanding or too prompt courtesy of her host’s butler, the telegram which she had written had been taken by a messenger, and it had fallen into the hands of the enemy’s watchful emissary.
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading It had revealed to him the password which my wife used to me; and in its place there had gone over the wires a message which would indeed have called me back at any stage of the pursuit, but which was fated to arrive neither sooner nor later than the moment when it must destroy Vane-Cartwright’s last hope of escape.
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading My story draws towards its close, and of mystery or of sudden peril it has little more to tell.
courtesynounUS /ˈkɜːrtəsi/
a courteous or respectful or considerate act
From this reading What had happened was this: on one single occasion she had not despatched her own message herself; through the misunderstanding or too prompt courtesy of her host’s butler, the telegram which she had written had been taken by a messenger, and it had fallen into the hands of the enemy’s watchful emissary.
despatched
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading What had happened was this: on one single occasion she had not despatched her own message herself; through the misunderstanding or too prompt courtesy of her host’s butler, the telegram which she had written had been taken by a messenger, and it had fallen into the hands of the enemy’s watchful emissary.
do away with, cause the destruction or undoing of
From this reading It had revealed to him the password which my wife used to me; and in its place there had gone over the wires a message which would indeed have called me back at any stage of the pursuit, but which was fated to arrive neither sooner nor later than the moment when it must destroy Vane-Cartwright’s last hope of escape.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading My wife did not die of poison, had not been poisoned, had not been ill, had not sent that telegram.
pass from physical life and lose all bodily attributes and functions necessary to sustain life
From this reading My wife did not die of poison, had not been poisoned, had not been ill, had not sent that telegram.
drawsnounUS /drɔːz/
plural of “draw” — a gully that is shallower than a ravine
From this reading My story draws towards its close, and of mystery or of sudden peril it has little more to tell.
emissarynounUS /ˈeməseri/
someone sent on a mission to represent the interests of someone else
From this reading What had happened was this: on one single occasion she had not despatched her own message herself; through the misunderstanding or too prompt courtesy of her host’s butler, the telegram which she had written had been taken by a messenger, and it had fallen into the hands of the enemy’s watchful emissary.
enemy'snounUS /ˈenəmiz/
possessive form of “enemy” — an opposing military force
From this reading What had happened was this: on one single occasion she had not despatched her own message herself; through the misunderstanding or too prompt courtesy of her host’s butler, the telegram which she had written had been taken by a messenger, and it had fallen into the hands of the enemy’s watchful emissary.
the act of escaping physically
From this reading It had revealed to him the password which my wife used to me; and in its place there had gone over the wires a message which would indeed have called me back at any stage of the pursuit, but which was fated to arrive neither sooner nor later than the moment when it must destroy Vane-Cartwright’s last hope of escape.
having dropped by the force of gravity
From this reading What had happened was this: on one single occasion she had not despatched her own message herself; through the misunderstanding or too prompt courtesy of her host’s butler, the telegram which she had written had been taken by a messenger, and it had fallen into the hands of the enemy’s watchful emissary.
fatedadjectiveUS /ˈfeɪtɪd/
(usually followed by “to”) determined by tragic fate
From this reading It had revealed to him the password which my wife used to me; and in its place there had gone over the wires a message which would indeed have called me back at any stage of the pursuit, but which was fated to arrive neither sooner nor later than the moment when it must destroy Vane-Cartwright’s last hope of escape.
cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading Upon one point, the most vital to me, let me not give the reader a moment’s suspense.
destroyed or killed
From this reading It had revealed to him the password which my wife used to me; and in its place there had gone over the wires a message which would indeed have called me back at any stage of the pursuit, but which was fated to arrive neither sooner nor later than the moment when it must destroy Vane-Cartwright’s last hope of escape.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading My wife did not die of poison, had not been poisoned, had not been ill, had not sent that telegram.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading What had happened was this: on one single occasion she had not despatched her own message herself; through the misunderstanding or too prompt courtesy of her host’s butler, the telegram which she had written had been taken by a messenger, and it had fallen into the hands of the enemy’s watchful emissary.
past form of “happen” — come to pass
From this reading What had happened was this: on one single occasion she had not despatched her own message herself; through the misunderstanding or too prompt courtesy of her host’s butler, the telegram which she had written had been taken by a messenger, and it had fallen into the hands of the enemy’s watchful emissary.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading My story draws towards its close, and of mystery or of sudden peril it has little more to tell.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading It had revealed to him the password which my wife used to me; and in its place there had gone over the wires a message which would indeed have called me back at any stage of the pursuit, but which was fated to arrive neither sooner nor later than the moment when it must destroy Vane-Cartwright’s last hope of escape.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading What had happened was this: on one single occasion she had not despatched her own message herself; through the misunderstanding or too prompt courtesy of her host’s butler, the telegram which she had written had been taken by a messenger, and it had fallen into the hands of the enemy’s watchful emissary.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading What had happened was this: on one single occasion she had not despatched her own message herself; through the misunderstanding or too prompt courtesy of her host’s butler, the telegram which she had written had been taken by a messenger, and it had fallen into the hands of the enemy’s watchful emissary.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading It had revealed to him the password which my wife used to me; and in its place there had gone over the wires a message which would indeed have called me back at any stage of the pursuit, but which was fated to arrive neither sooner nor later than the moment when it must destroy Vane-Cartwright’s last hope of escape.
a specific instance of feeling hopeful
From this reading It had revealed to him the password which my wife used to me; and in its place there had gone over the wires a message which would indeed have called me back at any stage of the pursuit, but which was fated to arrive neither sooner nor later than the moment when it must destroy Vane-Cartwright’s last hope of escape.
host'snounUS /hoʊsts/
possessive form of “host” — a person who invites guests to a social event (such as a party in his or her own home) and who is responsible for them while they are there
From this reading What had happened was this: on one single occasion she had not despatched her own message herself; through the misunderstanding or too prompt courtesy of her host’s butler, the telegram which she had written had been taken by a messenger, and it had fallen into the hands of the enemy’s watchful emissary.
affected by an impairment of normal physical or mental function
From this reading My wife did not die of poison, had not been poisoned, had not been ill, had not sent that telegram.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It had revealed to him the password which my wife used to me; and in its place there had gone over the wires a message which would indeed have called me back at any stage of the pursuit, but which was fated to arrive neither sooner nor later than the moment when it must destroy Vane-Cartwright’s last hope of escape.
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading It had revealed to him the password which my wife used to me; and in its place there had gone over the wires a message which would indeed have called me back at any stage of the pursuit, but which was fated to arrive neither sooner nor later than the moment when it must destroy Vane-Cartwright’s last hope of escape.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading What had happened was this: on one single occasion she had not despatched her own message herself; through the misunderstanding or too prompt courtesy of her host’s butler, the telegram which she had written had been taken by a messenger, and it had fallen into the hands of the enemy’s watchful emissary.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading My story draws towards its close, and of mystery or of sudden peril it has little more to tell.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading My story draws towards its close, and of mystery or of sudden peril it has little more to tell.
immediately past
From this reading It had revealed to him the password which my wife used to me; and in its place there had gone over the wires a message which would indeed have called me back at any stage of the pursuit, but which was fated to arrive neither sooner nor later than the moment when it must destroy Vane-Cartwright’s last hope of escape.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading It had revealed to him the password which my wife used to me; and in its place there had gone over the wires a message which would indeed have called me back at any stage of the pursuit, but which was fated to arrive neither sooner nor later than the moment when it must destroy Vane-Cartwright’s last hope of escape.
letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading Upon one point, the most vital to me, let me not give the reader a moment’s suspense.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading My story draws towards its close, and of mystery or of sudden peril it has little more to tell.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Upon one point, the most vital to me, let me not give the reader a moment’s suspense.
a communication (usually brief) that is written or spoken or signaled
From this reading What had happened was this: on one single occasion she had not despatched her own message herself; through the misunderstanding or too prompt courtesy of her host’s butler, the telegram which she had written had been taken by a messenger, and it had fallen into the hands of the enemy’s watchful emissary.
a person who carries a message
From this reading What had happened was this: on one single occasion she had not despatched her own message herself; through the misunderstanding or too prompt courtesy of her host’s butler, the telegram which she had written had been taken by a messenger, and it had fallen into the hands of the enemy’s watchful emissary.
misunderstandingnounUS /ˌmɪsəndərˈstændɪŋ/
putting the wrong interpretation on
From this reading What had happened was this: on one single occasion she had not despatched her own message herself; through the misunderstanding or too prompt courtesy of her host’s butler, the telegram which she had written had been taken by a messenger, and it had fallen into the hands of the enemy’s watchful emissary.
a particular point in time
From this reading It had revealed to him the password which my wife used to me; and in its place there had gone over the wires a message which would indeed have called me back at any stage of the pursuit, but which was fated to arrive neither sooner nor later than the moment when it must destroy Vane-Cartwright’s last hope of escape.
moment'snounUS /ˈmoʊmənts/
possessive form of “moment” — a particular point in time
From this reading Upon one point, the most vital to me, let me not give the reader a moment’s suspense.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading My story draws towards its close, and of mystery or of sudden peril it has little more to tell.
used to form the superlative
From this reading Upon one point, the most vital to me, let me not give the reader a moment’s suspense.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading It had revealed to him the password which my wife used to me; and in its place there had gone over the wires a message which would indeed have called me back at any stage of the pursuit, but which was fated to arrive neither sooner nor later than the moment when it must destroy Vane-Cartwright’s last hope of escape.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading My story draws towards its close, and of mystery or of sudden peril it has little more to tell.
something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained
From this reading My story draws towards its close, and of mystery or of sudden peril it has little more to tell.
not one and not the other of two
From this reading It had revealed to him the password which my wife used to me; and in its place there had gone over the wires a message which would indeed have called me back at any stage of the pursuit, but which was fated to arrive neither sooner nor later than the moment when it must destroy Vane-Cartwright’s last hope of escape.
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading It had revealed to him the password which my wife used to me; and in its place there had gone over the wires a message which would indeed have called me back at any stage of the pursuit, but which was fated to arrive neither sooner nor later than the moment when it must destroy Vane-Cartwright’s last hope of escape.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Upon one point, the most vital to me, let me not give the reader a moment’s suspense.
an event that occurs at a critical time
From this reading What had happened was this: on one single occasion she had not despatched her own message herself; through the misunderstanding or too prompt courtesy of her host’s butler, the telegram which she had written had been taken by a messenger, and it had fallen into the hands of the enemy’s watchful emissary.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading My story draws towards its close, and of mystery or of sudden peril it has little more to tell.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading What had happened was this: on one single occasion she had not despatched her own message herself; through the misunderstanding or too prompt courtesy of her host’s butler, the telegram which she had written had been taken by a messenger, and it had fallen into the hands of the enemy’s watchful emissary.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Upon one point, the most vital to me, let me not give the reader a moment’s suspense.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading My story draws towards its close, and of mystery or of sudden peril it has little more to tell.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading It had revealed to him the password which my wife used to me; and in its place there had gone over the wires a message which would indeed have called me back at any stage of the pursuit, but which was fated to arrive neither sooner nor later than the moment when it must destroy Vane-Cartwright’s last hope of escape.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading What had happened was this: on one single occasion she had not despatched her own message herself; through the misunderstanding or too prompt courtesy of her host’s butler, the telegram which she had written had been taken by a messenger, and it had fallen into the hands of the enemy’s watchful emissary.
passwordnounUS /ˈpæswɜːrd/
a secret word or phrase known only to a restricted group
From this reading It had revealed to him the password which my wife used to me; and in its place there had gone over the wires a message which would indeed have called me back at any stage of the pursuit, but which was fated to arrive neither sooner nor later than the moment when it must destroy Vane-Cartwright’s last hope of escape.
perilnounUS /ˈperəl/
a source of danger; a possibility of incurring loss or misfortune
From this reading My story draws towards its close, and of mystery or of sudden peril it has little more to tell.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading It had revealed to him the password which my wife used to me; and in its place there had gone over the wires a message which would indeed have called me back at any stage of the pursuit, but which was fated to arrive neither sooner nor later than the moment when it must destroy Vane-Cartwright’s last hope of escape.
a geometric element that has position but no extension
From this reading Upon one point, the most vital to me, let me not give the reader a moment’s suspense.
poisonverbUS /ˈpɔɪzən/
spoil as if by poison
From this reading My wife did not die of poison, had not been poisoned, had not been ill, had not sent that telegram.
poisonedverbUS /ˈpɔɪzənd/
past form of “poison” — spoil as if by poison
From this reading My wife did not die of poison, had not been poisoned, had not been ill, had not sent that telegram.
promptverbUS /prɑːmpt/
give an incentive for action
From this reading What had happened was this: on one single occasion she had not despatched her own message herself; through the misunderstanding or too prompt courtesy of her host’s butler, the telegram which she had written had been taken by a messenger, and it had fallen into the hands of the enemy’s watchful emissary.
the act of pursuing in an effort to overtake or capture
From this reading It had revealed to him the password which my wife used to me; and in its place there had gone over the wires a message which would indeed have called me back at any stage of the pursuit, but which was fated to arrive neither sooner nor later than the moment when it must destroy Vane-Cartwright’s last hope of escape.
a person who enjoys reading
From this reading Upon one point, the most vital to me, let me not give the reader a moment’s suspense.
past form of “reveal” — make visible
From this reading It had revealed to him the password which my wife used to me; and in its place there had gone over the wires a message which would indeed have called me back at any stage of the pursuit, but which was fated to arrive neither sooner nor later than the moment when it must destroy Vane-Cartwright’s last hope of escape.
100 senti equal 1 kroon in Estonia
From this reading My wife did not die of poison, had not been poisoned, had not been ill, had not sent that telegram.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading What had happened was this: on one single occasion she had not despatched her own message herself; through the misunderstanding or too prompt courtesy of her host’s butler, the telegram which she had written had been taken by a messenger, and it had fallen into the hands of the enemy’s watchful emissary.
being or characteristic of a single thing or person
From this reading What had happened was this: on one single occasion she had not despatched her own message herself; through the misunderstanding or too prompt courtesy of her host’s butler, the telegram which she had written had been taken by a messenger, and it had fallen into the hands of the enemy’s watchful emissary.
comparatives of “soon” or “early”
From this reading It had revealed to him the password which my wife used to me; and in its place there had gone over the wires a message which would indeed have called me back at any stage of the pursuit, but which was fated to arrive neither sooner nor later than the moment when it must destroy Vane-Cartwright’s last hope of escape.
any distinct time period in a sequence of events
From this reading It had revealed to him the password which my wife used to me; and in its place there had gone over the wires a message which would indeed have called me back at any stage of the pursuit, but which was fated to arrive neither sooner nor later than the moment when it must destroy Vane-Cartwright’s last hope of escape.
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 My story draws towards its close, and of mystery or of sudden peril it has little more to tell.
happening without warning or in a short space of time
From this reading My story draws towards its close, and of mystery or of sudden peril it has little more to tell.
suspensenounUS /səˈspens/
apprehension about what is going to happen
From this reading Upon one point, the most vital to me, let me not give the reader a moment’s suspense.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading What had happened was this: on one single occasion she had not despatched her own message herself; through the misunderstanding or too prompt courtesy of her host’s butler, the telegram which she had written had been taken by a messenger, and it had fallen into the hands of the enemy’s watchful emissary.
telegramnounUS /ˈteləɡræm/
a message transmitted by telegraph
From this reading My wife did not die of poison, had not been poisoned, had not been ill, had not sent that telegram.
express in words
From this reading My story draws towards its close, and of mystery or of sudden peril it has little more to tell.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading It had revealed to him the password which my wife used to me; and in its place there had gone over the wires a message which would indeed have called me back at any stage of the pursuit, but which was fated to arrive neither sooner nor later than the moment when it must destroy Vane-Cartwright’s last hope of escape.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading My wife did not die of poison, had not been poisoned, had not been ill, had not sent that telegram.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Upon one point, the most vital to me, let me not give the reader a moment’s suspense.
in or at that place or location
From this reading It had revealed to him the password which my wife used to me; and in its place there had gone over the wires a message which would indeed have called me back at any stage of the pursuit, but which was fated to arrive neither sooner nor later than the moment when it must destroy Vane-Cartwright’s last hope of escape.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading What had happened was this: on one single occasion she had not despatched her own message herself; through the misunderstanding or too prompt courtesy of her host’s butler, the telegram which she had written had been taken by a messenger, and it had fallen into the hands of the enemy’s watchful emissary.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading What had happened was this: on one single occasion she had not despatched her own message herself; through the misunderstanding or too prompt courtesy of her host’s butler, the telegram which she had written had been taken by a messenger, and it had fallen into the hands of the enemy’s watchful emissary.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading My story draws towards its close, and of mystery or of sudden peril it has little more to tell.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading What had happened was this: on one single occasion she had not despatched her own message herself; through the misunderstanding or too prompt courtesy of her host’s butler, the telegram which she had written had been taken by a messenger, and it had fallen into the hands of the enemy’s watchful emissary.
in the direction of
From this reading My story draws towards its close, and of mystery or of sudden peril it has little more to tell.
UponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Upon one point, the most vital to me, let me not give the reader a moment’s suspense.
employed in accomplishing something
From this reading It had revealed to him the password which my wife used to me; and in its place there had gone over the wires a message which would indeed have called me back at any stage of the pursuit, but which was fated to arrive neither sooner nor later than the moment when it must destroy Vane-Cartwright’s last hope of escape.
Vane-Cartwright's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It had revealed to him the password which my wife used to me; and in its place there had gone over the wires a message which would indeed have called me back at any stage of the pursuit, but which was fated to arrive neither sooner nor later than the moment when it must destroy Vane-Cartwright’s last hope of escape.
vitaladjectiveUS /ˈvaɪtəl/
urgently needed; absolutely necessary
From this reading Upon one point, the most vital to me, let me not give the reader a moment’s suspense.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading What had happened was this: on one single occasion she had not despatched her own message herself; through the misunderstanding or too prompt courtesy of her host’s butler, the telegram which she had written had been taken by a messenger, and it had fallen into the hands of the enemy’s watchful emissary.
watchfuladjectiveUS /ˈwɑːtʃfəl/
engaged in or accustomed to close observation
From this reading What had happened was this: on one single occasion she had not despatched her own message herself; through the misunderstanding or too prompt courtesy of her host’s butler, the telegram which she had written had been taken by a messenger, and it had fallen into the hands of the enemy’s watchful emissary.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading What had happened was this: on one single occasion she had not despatched her own message herself; through the misunderstanding or too prompt courtesy of her host’s butler, the telegram which she had written had been taken by a messenger, and it had fallen into the hands of the enemy’s watchful emissary.
at the time that
From this reading It had revealed to him the password which my wife used to me; and in its place there had gone over the wires a message which would indeed have called me back at any stage of the pursuit, but which was fated to arrive neither sooner nor later than the moment when it must destroy Vane-Cartwright’s last hope of escape.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading What had happened was this: on one single occasion she had not despatched her own message herself; through the misunderstanding or too prompt courtesy of her host’s butler, the telegram which she had written had been taken by a messenger, and it had fallen into the hands of the enemy’s watchful emissary.
a married woman; a man's partner in marriage
From this reading My wife did not die of poison, had not been poisoned, had not been ill, had not sent that telegram.
wiresnounUS /ˈwaɪərz/
plural of “wire” — ligament made of metal and used to fasten things or make cages or fences etc
From this reading It had revealed to him the password which my wife used to me; and in its place there had gone over the wires a message which would indeed have called me back at any stage of the pursuit, but which was fated to arrive neither sooner nor later than the moment when it must destroy Vane-Cartwright’s last hope of escape.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading It had revealed to him the password which my wife used to me; and in its place there had gone over the wires a message which would indeed have called me back at any stage of the pursuit, but which was fated to arrive neither sooner nor later than the moment when it must destroy Vane-Cartwright’s last hope of escape.
set down in writing in any of various ways
From this reading What had happened was this: on one single occasion she had not despatched her own message herself; through the misunderstanding or too prompt courtesy of her host’s butler, the telegram which she had written had been taken by a messenger, and it had fallen into the hands of the enemy’s watchful emissary.
