Vocabulary

CHAPTER ONE

UTMOST.  Adjective, most extreme; greatest. 

ü  … Even with the utmost discretion and reticence…

EJACULATION. Verb exclamation

ü  …with an ejaculation of disgust...

PICKED verb take hold of and lift or move

ü  …I picked it up and read…

WORST:  adjective, of the poorest quality or the lowest standard.

ü  … "The worst man in London”…

STRETCHED: verb,  (of something soft or elastic) be made or be able to be made longer or wider without tearing or breaking

ü  … as he sat down and stretched his legs before the fire…

SLITHERY: verb,   slide or slip unsteadily on a loose or slippery surface.

ü  …and see the slithery, gliding, venomous creatures, with their deadly eyes and wicked, flattened faces?...

FLATTENED: adjective,  make or become flat or flatter.

ü  … gliding, venomous creatures, with their deadly eyes and wicked, flattened faces?...

FELLOW:  subject, a man or boy.

ü  …I've had to do with fifty murderers in my career, but the worst of them never gave me the repulsion which I have for this fellow… 

chapter two

Blackmailers: noun, The criminal offence of demanding money from someone in return for not revealing discreditable information.

ü  …"I'll tell you, Watson. He is the king of all the blackmailers…

Squeeze: verb, squeeze someone/thing in) manage to find time for someone or something.

ü  … Heaven help the man, and still more the woman, whose secret and reputation come into the power of Milverton! With a smiling face and a heart of marble, he will squeeze and squeeze until he has drained them dry…

Allows: verb, (often allow for) take into consideration when making plans or calculations.

ü  … He allows it to be known that he is prepared to pay very high sums for letters which compromise people of wealth and position…

niggard: noun, a mean person; a miser.

ü  . He deals with no niggard hand.

cunning:  adjective, Clever; ingenious.

ü  … No one knows where his grip may fall, for he is far too rich and far too cunning to work from hand to mouth…

bludgeons: verb, Beat with a bludgeon. bully into doing something.

ü  ...I have said that he is the worst man in London, and I would ask you how could one compare the ruffian, who in hot blood bludgeons his mate, with this man...

Wrings: verb,  past and past part. wrung  break an neck twisting forcibly.

ü  ...with this man, who methodically and at his leisure tortures the soul and wrings...

nerves:  noun, a fiber or fiber bundle in the body that transmits pulses of feeling between the brain or spinal cord and other nerve producing body parts.

ü  …the nerves in order to add to his already swollen money-bags?...

within:  preposition, inside the bounds set by.

ü  … "But surely," said I, "the fellow must be within the grasp of the law?"…

grasp: noun, a firm grip.

ü  …"the fellow must be within the grasp of the law?"…

profit: verb, (profits, profiting, profited) benefit, especially financially.

ü  … What would it profit a woman, for example…

chapter three

Piteous: adjective, Deserving or arousing pity.

ü  …."Because an illustrious client has placed her piteous case in my hands…

Impecunious: adjective, Having little or no money.

ü  …This fiend has several imprudent letters -- imprudent, Watson, nothing worse -- which were written to an impecunious young squire in the country…

Unless: conjunction, Except when; if not.

ü  ... Milverton will send the letters to the Earl unless a large sum of money is paid him…

Clatter: verb, Make or cause to make a clatter.

ü   … At that instant there was a clatter and a rattle in the street below…

Rattle: noun,   A rattling sound.

ü  … At that instant there was a clatter and a rattle in the street below…

gleaming: verb,   Shine brightly, especially with reflected light.

ü  …the brilliant lamps gleaming on the glossy haunches of the noble chestnuts. A footman opened the door…

Outstretched: verb,   (usu. as adj. outstretched) extend or stretch out.

ü  …Holmes disregarded the outstretched hand and looked at him with a face of granite…

Shrugged: verb, (shrugs, shrugging, shrugged) raise (one's shoulders) slightly and momentarily to express doubt, ignorance, or indifference.

ü  … Milverton's smile broadened, he shrugged his shoulders removed his overcoat…

chapter four

Empowered: verb,   Give authority or power to; authorize.

ü  …"Then we can proceed to business. You say that you are acting for Lady Eva. Has she empowered you to accept my terms?"..

Matters: noun, An affair or situation under consideration; a topic.

ü  …You appear to me," he said, at last, "to be taking matters too much for granted…

Shall: modal verb (3rd sing. present shall), (in the first person) expressing the future tense.

ü  …I shall counsel her to tell her future husband the whole story and to trust to his generosity…

counsel: noun, Advice, especially that given formally.        

ü  ...I shall counsel her to tell her future husband the whole story and to trust to his generosity…

sprightly: adjective,   (sprightlier, sprightliest) (especially of an old person) lively; energetic.

ü    …They are sprightly -- very sprightly," Milverton answered…

otherwise: adverb, in different circumstances; or else.

ü  …However, since you think otherwise, we will let it rest at that…

foolish: adjective, Lacking good sense or judgement; silly or unwise.

   ü  … then you would indeed be foolish to pay so large a sum of money to regain them….

 chapter Five

Effort: noun, a vigorous or determined attempt.

ü    … Wait a little," he said. "You go too fast. We should certainly make every effort to avoid scandal in so delicate a matter…

Relapsed: verb,  (relapse into) return to (a worse or less active state).

ü  … Milverton relapsed into his chair…

Purred: verb,  make a low continuous vibratory sound expressing contentment.

   ü   … "I was sure that you would see it in that light," he purred…

Bulky: adjective, (bulkier, bulkiest) large and unwieldy.

   ü  … "Dear me, dear me, how unfortunate!" cried Milverton, taking out a bulky pocketbook "…

Pocketbook: noun, a wallet, purse, or handbag.

   ü   … "Dear me, dear me, how unfortunate!" cried Milverton, taking out a bulky pocketbook"…

Beggarly: adjective, meagre and ungenerous.

   ü  …And all because she will not find a beggarly sum which she could get by turning her diamonds into paste…

Engagement: noun, a formal agreement

   ü  … It IS such a pity! Now, you remember the sudden end of the engagement between the Honourable Miss Miles and Colonel Dorking...

Stake: noun, a share or interest in a business or situation.

   ü  …And here I find you, a man of sense, boggling about terms, when your client's future and honour are at stake…

chapter six

Profit: verb, (profits, profiting, profited) benefit, especially financially.

   ü  … which can profit you in no way…

Sprang: noun,  a sudden jump upwards or forwards.

   ü  …Holmes sprang from his chair…

Glided: verb,  move with a smooth, quiet continuous motion.

ü   …Milverton had glided as quick as a rat to the side of the room and stood with his back against the wall…

Weapons: noun. a means of gaining an advantage or defending oneself.

   ü  …I assure you that I am armed to the teeth, and I am perfectly prepared to use my weapons, knowing that the law will support me…

Foolish: adjective, lacking good sense or judgement; silly or unwise.

   ü  …I would do nothing so foolish…

Stepped: noun,  an act or movement of putting one leg in front of the other in walking or running.

   ü  …He stepped forward, took up his coat, laid his hand on his revolver, and turned to the door…

Twinkle: noun, a twinkling sparkle or gleam.

   ü  …With bow, a smile, and a twinkle, Milverton was out of the room…

Slam: noun, a loud bang caused by the forceful shutting of something.

ü  …and a few moments after we heard the slam of the carriage door and the rattle of the wheels as he drove away…

chapter seven

Sprang: verb,  move suddenly or rapidly upwards or forwards.

   ü  …Then, with the gesture of a man who has taken his decision, he sprang to his feet and passed into his bedroom…

Rakish: adjective, having a dashing, jaunty, or slightly disreputable quality or appearance.

   ü  ... A little later a rakish young workman…

Goatee: noun, small pointed beard like that of a goat.

   ü  …with a goatee beard and a swagger, lit his clay pipe at the lamp before descending into the street…

Swagger: verb, walk or behave arrogantly or self-importantly.

   ü  …with a goatee beard and a swagger, lit his clay pipe at the lamp before descending into the street…

Clay: noun, a stiff, sticky fine-grained impermeable earth that can be moulded when wet and baked to make bricks and pottery.

   ü  … with a goatee beard and a swagger, lit his clay pipe at the lamp before descending into the street…

Disguise: verb, alter in appearance or nature so as to conceal the identity of.

ü  …he returned from his last expedition, and having removed his disguise he sat before the fire and laughed heartily in his silent inward fashion…

Inward: adjective, directed or proceeding towards the inside.  mental or spiritual

ü   …he returned from his last expedition, and having removed his disguise he sat before the fire and laughed heartily in his silent inward fashion…

  

chapter Eight

Shrugged: verb, shrug something off) dismiss something as unimportant.

ü   … He shrugged his shoulders…

Rejoice: verb, feel or show great joy.

ü  … I rejoice to say that I have a hated rival, who will certainly cut me out the instant that my back is turned…

Burgle: verb, commit burglary in (a house).

ü  …"It suits my purpose. Watson, I mean to burgle Milverton's house to-night"…

Uttered: adjective, complete; absolute: utter amazement.

ü  …which were slowly uttered in a tone of concentrated resolution…

Landscape: noun, all the visible features of an area of land.

ü  … As a flash of lightning in the night shows up in an instant every detail of a wild landscape, so at one glance I seemed to see every possible result of such an action -- the detection…

Forcibly: adjective, done by force.

ü  …To burgle his house is no more than to forcibly take his pocketbook -- an action in which you were prepared to aid me…

Aid: verb, help in the achievement of something.

ü  …To burgle his house is no more than to forcibly take his pocketbook -- an action in which you were prepared to aid me…                                                                           Risk: noun, the possibility that something unpleasant will happen.

   ü  … Since it is morally justifiable, I have only to consider the question of personal risk…

 CHAPTER NINE

REGAINING: verb,  obtain possession or use of (something) again after losing it.

   ü  …There is no other possible way of regaining these letters…

UNLESS: conjunction, except when; if not.

   ü  …To-morrow is the last day of grace, and unless we can get the letters to-night…

DUEL: verb, fight a duel.

   ü  …Between ourselves, Watson, it's a sporting duel between this fellow Milverton and me…

STRAIGHT: adverb, in a straight line; directly.

   ü  … that I will take a cab straight to the police-station and give you away…

ANNOYED: verb, make slightly angry.

   ü  … Holmes had looked annoyed, but his brow cleared, and he clapped me on the shoulder…

HIGHLY: adverb, to a high degree or level.

   ü  …You know, Watson, I don't mind confessing to you that I have always had an idea that I would have made a highly efficient criminal…

LEATHER: noun, a material made from the skin of an animal by tanning or a similar process.

   ü  …He took a neat little leather case out of a drawer, and opening it he exhibited a number of shining instruments…

CHAPTER TEN

RUBBER: noun, a tough elastic polymeric substance made from the latex of a tropical tree or synthetically.

   ü  …"I have rubber-soled tennis shoes"…

SORT: noun, a category of people or things with a common feature

   ü  …I can see that you have a strong, natural turn for this sort of thing…

ROW:  noun, a number of people or things in a more or less straight line.

   ü  … At eleven we shall drive as far as Church Row…

GOERS: noun, a person who attends a specified place or event: a theatregoer.

   ü   … Holmes and I put on our dress-clothes, so that we might appear to be two theatre-goers homeward bound…

JOKE: verb, make jokes.

   ü  …Agatha -- that's my fiancee -- says it is a joke in the servants' hall that it's impossible to wake the master…

BEAST: noun, an animal, especially a large or dangerous mammal.

   ü  …Then he has a beast of a dog which roams the garden…

ROAMS: verb, wander over, through, or about (a place).

   ü  …Then he has a beast of a dog which roams the garden…

GLIMMER: verb, shine faintly with a wavering light.

ü  …You see, there is not a glimmer of light in any of the windows, and everything is working splendidly…

CHAPTER ELEVEN

TRUCULENT: adjective eager or quick to argue or fight; aggressively defiant.

… which turned us into two of the most truculent figures in London…

WHISPERED: verb speak very softly using one's breath rather than one's throat.

…     "That's his bedroom," Holmes whispered. "This door opens straight into the study…

SHRUBS: noun a woody plant which is smaller than a tree and has several main stems arising at or near the ground.

… He seized my hand in the darkness and led me swiftly past banks of shrubs which brushed against our faces…

VAGUELY:  adverb vaguely

… and I was vaguely conscious that we had entered a large room in which a cigar had been smoked not long before…

FURNITURE: nou  the movable articles that are used to make a room or building suitable for living or working in, such as tables, chairs, or desks.

… He felt his way among the furniture, opened another door, and closed it behind us…

SPRANG: verb move suddenly or rapidly upwards or forwards.

… Something rushed out at us and my heart sprang into my mouth, but I could have laughed when I realized that it was the cat…

TIPTOE: verb (tiptoes, tiptoeing, tiptoed) walk quietly and carefully with one's heels raised and one's weight on the balls of the feet.

…. Holmes entered on tiptoe, waited for me to follow, and then very gently closed the door…

CHAPTER TWELVE

ZEST: noun great enthusiasm and energy.

... and I thrilled now with a keener zest than I had ever enjoyed when we were the defenders…

INSTEAD: adverb as an alternative or substitute. (instead of) in place of.

… of the law instead of its defiers. The high object of our mission…

CHIVALROUS: adjective (of a man) courteous and gallant, especially towards women.

…, the consciousness that it was unselfish and chivalrous, the villainous character of our opponent…

GUILTY: adjective  (often guilty of) culpable of a specified wrongdoing.

…. Far from feeling guilty, I rejoiced and exulted in our dangers...

SWUNG: verb (swings, swinging; past and past part. swung) move or cause to move back and forth or from side to side while or as if suspended.

… Finally I heard a click, the broad green door swung open, and inside I had a glimpse of a number of paper packets, each tied…

GLIMPSE: noun a momentary or partial view.

… and inside I had a glimpse of a number of paper packets, each tied, sealed, and inscribed…

SWUNG: verb move or cause to move back and forth or from side to side while or as if suspended.

… and then in an instant he had swung the door of the safe to, picked up his coat, stuffed his tools into the pockets…

 CHAPTER THIRTEEN

SNICK: noun a sharp click.

… There was a sharp snick as the electric light was turned on…

CREAK: verb  make a harsh sound when being moved or when pressure is applied.

… Finally there was a creak from a chair, and the footsteps ceased…

RUSTLE: noun a rustling sound.

… Then a key clicked in a lock, and I heard the rustle of papers…

FOREGROUND: verb place in the foreground.

… with its shining patch of baldness, was in the immediate foreground of our vision…

DEPARTURE: noun  the action of departing.

… There was no promise of a speedy departure in his composed bearing and his comfortable attitude…

REASSURING: adjective reassuring

… I felt Holmes's hand steal into mine and give me a reassuring shake, as if to say that the situation was within his powers…

GAZE: verb look steadily and intently.

…from the rigidity of his gaze, that it had caught his eye, I would at once spring out, throw my great coat over his head, pinion him, and leave the rest to Holmes…

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

RISEN: verb get up from lying, sitting, or kneeling.

… Several times I had observed that Milverton looked at his watch, and once he had risen and sat down again, with a gesture of impatience…

GLARE: noun strong and dazzling light.

… In front of him, in the full glare of the electric light, there stood a tall, slim, dark woman…

VEIL: noun a piece of fine material worn to protect or conceal the face.

… a veil over her face, a mantle drawn round her chin. Her breath came quick and fast…

QUIVERING: verb shake or tremble with a slight rapid motion.

… and every inch of the lithe figure was quivering with strong emotion…

COUNTESS: noun the wife or widow of a count or earl.

…"Well, if you couldn't you couldn't. If the Countess is a hard mistress, you have your chance to get level with her now…

MISTRESS: noun a woman in a position of authority or control.

…"Well, if you couldn't you couldn't. If the Countess is a hard mistress, you have your chance to get level with her now…

BLESS: verb (bless someone with) endow someone with (a cherished thing or attribute).

… Bless the girl, what are you shivering about? That's right. Pull yourself together…

 CHAPTER FIFTEEN

MANTLE: noun a woman's loose sleeveless cloak or shawl.

… The woman, without a word, had raised her veil and dropped the mantle from her chin…

GLITTERING:  noun an attractive and exciting but superficial quality.

… strong, dark eyebrows shading hard, glittering eyes, and a straight, thin-lipped mouth set in a dangerous smile…

WITHIN: preposition inside the bounds set by.

… and what was I to do? I put the price well within your means. You would not pay…

LACE: noun   a cord or leather strip passed through eyelets or hooks to fasten a shoe or garment.

… a man whose boots I was never worthy to lace -- he broke his gallant heart and died…

BEGGED: verb (begs, begging, begged) ask (someone) earnestly or humbly for something.

… I begged and prayed you for mercy, and you laughed in my face as you are trying to laugh now…

COWARD: noun a person contemptibly lacking in courage.

… only your coward heart cannot keep your lips from twitching. Yes, you never thought to see me here again…

BULLY: noun  a person who deliberately intimidates or persecutes those who are weaker.

…"Don't imagine that you can bully me," said he, rising to his feet…

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

SHRANK: verb  (past shrank; past part. shrunk or (especially as adj.) shrunken)

become or make smaller in size or amount; contract.

… He shrank away and then fell forward upon the table…

COUGHING: verb  expel air from the lungs with a sudden sharp sound.

… coughing furiously and clawing among the papers…

BLEW: verb (past blew; past part. blown) (of wind) move creating an air current.

… the night air blew into the heated room, and the avenger was gone…

BULLET: noun a metal projectile fired from a small firearm, typically cylindrical and pointed.

…, but, as the woman poured bullet after bullet into Milverton's shrinking body I was about to spring out…

GRASP: noun a person's capacity to attain something: success was within his grasp.

…strong grasp upon my wrist. I understood the whole argument of that firm…

SIGHT: noun the action or fact of seeing someone or something.

…, which were not to be lost sight of. But hardly had the woman rushed from the room when Holmes…

SHOTS: noun the firing of a gun or cannon.

… The revolver shots had roused the household…

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

HUGE: adjective  extremely large.

... Looking back, the huge house was one blaze of light…

GRAB: verb (grabs, grabbing, grabbed) seize suddenly and roughly.

… As I did the same I felt the hand of the man behind me grab at my ankle…

SHAKEN: verb (past shook; past part. shaken) tremble or vibrate or cause to do so.

… We had shaken off our pursuers and were safe…

BUSY: adjective (busier, busiest) having a great deal to do.

… "Not too busy to listen to you."…

MURDER: noun the unlawful premeditated killing of one person by another.

…A murder -- a most dramatic and remarkable murder…

KEEN: adjective (keen on) interested in or attracted by. (of the edge or point of a blade) sharp.

…. I know how keen you are upon these things…

BLACKMAILING: noun the use of threats or unfair manipulation in an attempt to influence someone: emotional blackmail.

… He is known to have held papers which he used for blackmailing purposes…

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

CAUGHT: verb surprise (someone) in an awkward or incriminating situation.

… but the second was caught by the under-gardener…

HANDLE: verb manage or cope with (a situation, person, or problem).

… and I will not handle this case."…

WITNESS: noun  a person who sees an event take place.

… Holmes had not said one word to me about the tragedy which we had witnessed, but I observed all the morning that he was in his most thoughtful mood…

MANNER: noun a way in which something is done or happens.

… and he gave me the impression, from his vacant eyes and his abstracted manner…

SUDDENLY: adjective occurring or done quickly and unexpectedly.

… when he suddenly sprang to his feet. "By Jove, Watson…

STRAIGHT: adjective extending uniformly in one direction only; without a curve or bend.

… at the straight mouth, and the strong little chin beneath it…

BREATH: noun an inhalation or exhalation of air from the lungs.

… Then I caught my breath as I read the time-honoured title of the great nobleman and statesman whose wife she had been…