“The paper was made in Bohemia(Direct quote indicating the paper's origin is Bohemia, a historical region in the Czech Republic [ðə ˈpeɪpər wɑz meɪd ɪn boʊˈhimiə]),” I said(Attribution of the statement to the speaker [aɪ sɛd]).
“Precisely(Exactly; used to express agreement or confirmation [prɪˈsaɪsli]). And(Connective word used to introduce an additional piece of information [ənd]) the man who wrote the note is a German(Identifying the writer of the note as a person of German nationality [ðə mæn hu roʊt ðə noʊt ɪz ə ˈʤərmən]). Do you note(Are you aware of; do you observe [du ju noʊt]) the peculiar construction of the sentence(The unusual or strange way the sentence is formed [ðə pɪˈkjuljər kənˈstrəkʃən əv ðə ˈsɛntəns])—‘This account of you we have from all quarters received(The specific wording of the sentence being analyzed, indicating information about the person has been received from multiple sources [‘‘this əˈkaʊnt əv ju wi hæv frəm ɔl kˈwɔrtərz rɪˈsivd]).’ A Frenchman or Russian could not have written that(Asserting that someone of French or Russian nationality would not have phrased the sentence in that way [ə ˈfrɛnʧmæn ər ˈrəʃən kʊd nɑt hæv ˈrɪtən ðət]). It is the German(Emphasizing that the German language or German speakers are characterized by the following trait [ɪt ɪz ðə ˈʤərmən]) who is so uncourteous to his verbs(A humorous way of saying that German sentence structure often places verbs in unusual or unexpected positions [hu ɪz soʊ uncourteous tɪ hɪz vərbz]). It only remains, therefore(Consequently, the only thing left to do is [ɪt ˈoʊnli rɪˈmeɪnz ˈðɛrˌfɔr]), to discover what is wanted by this German(To find out the desires or intentions of the German person [tɪ dɪˈskəvər wət ɪz ˈwɔntɪd baɪ ðɪs ˈʤərmən]) who writes upon Bohemian paper(Referring back to the German person who uses paper made in Bohemia [hu raɪts əˈpɑn boʊˈhimiən ˈpeɪpər]) and prefers wearing a mask to showing his face(And chooses to hide his identity rather than reveal it [ənd prɪˈfərz ˈwɛrɪŋ ə mæsk tɪ ʃoʊɪŋ hɪz feɪs]). And here he comes(Indicating the arrival of the person being discussed [ənd hir hi kəmz]), if I am not mistaken(Expressing uncertainty but suggesting a strong likelihood [ɪf aɪ æm nɑt mɪˈsteɪkən]), to resolve all our doubts(To clarify and answer all the questions and uncertainties we have [tɪ riˈzɑlv ɔl ɑr daʊts]).”
As(conjunction meaning 'while' or 'during the time that' [ɛz]) he(referring to a male person previously mentioned or known [hi]) spoke(past tense of 'speak', meaning to say something [spoʊk]) there(used to indicate the existence or presence of something [ðɛr]) was(past tense of 'be', indicating existence or occurrence [wɑz]) the(definite article, referring to a specific sound [ðə]) sharp(sudden and distinct [ʃɑrp]) sound(something that can be heard [saʊnd]) of(preposition indicating origin or association [əv]) horses(possessive form of 'horse', indicating belonging to horses [ˈhɔrsɪz])’ hoofs(plural of 'hoof', the horny part of the foot of an ungulate animal [hʊfs]) and(conjunction connecting two similar elements [ənd]) grating(harsh, scraping sound [ˈgreɪtɪŋ]) wheels(circular objects that rotate to enable movement [wilz]) against(in opposition to or in contact with [əˈgɛnst]) the(definite article, referring to a specific curb [ðə]) curb(the edge of a pavement or sidewalk [kərb]), followed(came after [ˈfɑloʊd]) by(preposition indicating the agent or means [baɪ]) a(indefinite article, referring to one instance [ə]) sharp(sudden and distinct [ʃɑrp]) pull(a tug or yank [pʊl]) at(preposition indicating location or direction [æt]) the(definite article, referring to a specific bell [ðə]) bell(a device that makes a ringing sound [bɛl]). Holmes(Referring to the character Sherlock Holmes [hoʊmz]) whistled(Made a high-pitched sound by forcing air through the lips [ˈwɪsəld]).
“A(Indefinite article, meaning 'one' [ə]) pair(Two horses harnessed together [pɛr]), by(Judging from [baɪ]) the(Definite article [ðə]) sound(What is heard [saʊnd]),” said(Past tense of 'say', meaning to utter words [sɛd]) he(Referring to Holmes [hi]). “Yes(Affirmative response [jɛs]),” he(Referring to Holmes [hi]) continued(Kept talking [kənˈtɪnjud]), glancing(Looking briefly [ˈglænsɪŋ]) out(Outside [aʊt]) of(From [əv]) the(Definite article [ðə]) window(Opening in the wall to see outside [ˈwɪndoʊ]). “A(Indefinite article [ə]) nice(Pleasant [nis]) little(Small [ˈlɪtəl]) brougham(A type of horse-drawn carriage [ˈbrugəm]) and(Conjunction [ənd]) a(Indefinite article [ə]) pair(Two [pɛr]) of(Of [əv]) beauties(Beautiful horses [ˈbjutiz]). A(Indefinite article [ə]) hundred(100 [ˈhənərd]) and(Plus [ənd]) fifty(50 [ˈfɪfti]) guineas(Old unit of currency [ˈgɪniz]) apiece(Each [əˈpis]). There’s(There is [ðɛrz]) money(Wealth [ˈməni]) in(In [ɪn]) this(This [ðɪs]) case(Investigation [keɪs]), Watson(Referring to Dr. Watson [ˈwɑtsən]), if(Conditional [ɪf]) there(There [ðɛr]) is(Is [ɪz]) nothing(Nothing [ˈnəθɪŋ]) else(More [ɛls]).”
“I(first-person singular pronoun [aɪ]) think(to have an opinion or belief [θɪŋk]) that(introduces a subordinate clause [ðət]) I(first-person singular pronoun [aɪ]) had(auxiliary verb, past perfect tense [hæd]) better(more advisable [ˈbɛtər]) go(to leave [goʊ]), Holmes(name, referring to Sherlock Holmes [hoʊmz]).”
“Not(negation [nɑt]) a(indefinite article [ə]) bit(small amount [bɪt]), Doctor(addressing Dr. Watson [ˈdɔktər]). Stay(remain [steɪ]) where(in the place that [wɛr]) you(second-person singular pronoun [ju]) are(present tense of 'be' [ər]). I(first-person singular pronoun [aɪ]) am(present tense of 'be' [æm]) lost(confused or disoriented [lɔst]) without(in the absence of [wɪˈθaʊt]) my(first-person possessive pronoun [maɪ]) Boswell(reference to James Boswell, Samuel Johnson's biographer, implying Watson's role as Holmes's biographer [ˈbɑzwɛl]). And(conjunction [ənd]) this(referring to the current situation [ðɪs]) promises(indicates a likely outcome [ˈprɑməsəz]) to(infinitive marker [tɪ]) be(to exist or occur [bi]) interesting(arousing curiosity or attention [ˈɪntəˌrɛstɪŋ]). It(referring to the situation [ɪt]) would(conditional auxiliary verb [wʊd]) be(to exist or occur [bi]) a(indefinite article [ə]) pity(a cause for regret [ˈpɪti]) to(infinitive marker [tɪ]) miss(to fail to experience [mɪs]) it(referring to the interesting situation [ɪt]).”
“But(Indicates a contrast or objection to what was previously said. [bət]) your client(Refers to the person whom the speaker is representing or assisting professionally. The sentence is incomplete, suggesting an interruption. [jʊr klaɪənt-])—”
“Never mind him(Pay no attention to him; disregard him. [ˈnɛvər maɪnd ɪm]). I may want your help, and so may he(The speaker anticipates needing assistance from the listener, and suggests that the client may also need help. [aɪ meɪ wɔnt jʊr hɛlp ənd soʊ meɪ hi]). Here he comes(Indicates the arrival of the person being discussed. [hir hi kəmz]). Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best attention(An instruction to the doctor to be seated and to focus intently on what is about to be said or happen. [sɪt daʊn ɪn ðət ˈɑrmˌʧɛr ˈdɔktər ənd gɪv ˈjuˈɛs jʊr bɛst əˈtɛnʃən]).”
A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and in the passage(Describes the sound of someone walking with a deliberate and weighty gait, heard both on the staircase and in the hallway. [ə sloʊ ənd ˈhɛvi stɛp wɪʧ hæd bɪn hərd əˈpɑn ðə stɛrz ənd ɪn ðə ˈpæsɪʤ]), paused immediately outside the door(The sound of the footsteps stopped abruptly just before the entrance. [pɔzd ˌɪˈmiˌdiətli ˈaʊtˈsaɪd ðə dɔr]). Then there was a loud and authoritative tap(Following the pause, a forceful and commanding knock was heard. [ðɛn ðɛr wɑz ə laʊd ənd əˈθɔrəˌteɪtɪv tæp]).
“Come in(A verbal invitation to enter the room. [kəm ɪn])!” said Holmes(Indicates that Holmes is the one who spoke the invitation. [sɛd hoʊmz]).
A man entered(A male person came into the room. [ə mæn ˈɛnərd]) who could hardly have been less than six feet six inches in height(The man's height was at least six feet six inches, emphasizing his imposing stature. [hu kʊd ˈhɑrdli hæv bɪn lɛs ðən sɪks fit sɪks ˈɪnʧɪz ɪn haɪt]), with the chest and limbs of a Hercules(His physique resembled that of Hercules, known for his great strength and muscular build. [wɪθ ðə ʧɛst ənd lɪmz əv ə ˈhərkjəˌliz]). His dress was rich(His clothing was expensive and elaborate. [hɪz drɛs wɑz rɪʧ]) with a richness which would, in England, be looked upon as akin to bad taste(The opulence of his attire was so excessive that it might be considered vulgar or ostentatious in England. [wɪθ ə ˈrɪʧnəs wɪʧ wʊd ɪn ˈɪŋglənd bi lʊkt əˈpɑn ɛz ˈeɪkɪn tɪ bæd teɪst]). Heavy bands of astrakhan(Thick strips of astrakhan fur, a type of curly wool from lambs. [ˈhɛvi bændz əv ˈæstrəkɑn]) were slashed across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat(The astrakhan fur was prominently displayed on his coat, adding to its luxurious appearance. [wər slæʃt əˈkrɔs ðə slivz ənd frənts əv hɪz double-breasted koʊt]), while the deep blue cloak(A dark blue outer garment. [waɪl ðə dip blu kloʊk]) which was thrown over his shoulders(The cloak was casually draped over his shoulders. [wɪʧ wɑz θroʊn ˈoʊvər hɪz ˈʃoʊldərz]) was lined with flame-coloured silk(The inside of the cloak was made of bright red-orange silk. [wɑz laɪnd wɪθ flame-coloured sɪlk]) and secured at the neck with a brooch(The cloak was fastened at the throat with a decorative pin. [ənd sɪˈkjʊrd æt ðə nɛk wɪθ ə bruʧ]) which consisted of a single flaming beryl(The brooch featured a bright, fiery-colored beryl gemstone. [wɪʧ kənˈsɪstɪd əv ə ˈsɪŋgəl ˈfleɪmɪŋ ˈbɛrəl]). Boots which extended halfway up his calves(The boots reached to the middle of his lower legs. [buts wɪʧ ɪkˈstɛndɪd ˈhæfˈweɪ əp hɪz kævz]), and which were trimmed at the tops with rich brown fur(The upper edges of the boots were decorated with expensive brown fur. [ənd wɪʧ wər trɪmd æt ðə tɑps wɪθ rɪʧ braʊn fər]), completed the impression of barbaric opulence(The boots added to the overall sense of extravagant and somewhat uncivilized wealth. [kəmˈplitɪd ðə ˌɪmˈprɛʃən əv bɑrˈbɛrɪk ˈɑpjələns]) which was suggested by his whole appearance(His entire look conveyed an image of lavish and perhaps crude affluence. [wɪʧ wɑz səˈʤɛstɪd baɪ hɪz hoʊl əˈpɪrəns]). He carried a broad-brimmed hat in his hand(He was holding a hat with a wide brim. [hi ˈkɛrid ə broad-brimmed hæt ɪn hɪz hænd]), while he wore across the upper part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black vizard mask(He had a black mask covering the upper portion of his face, going down beyond his cheekbones. [waɪl hi wɔr əˈkrɔs ðə ˈəpər pɑrt əv hɪz feɪs ɪkˈstɛndɪŋ daʊn pæst ðə ˈʧikˌboʊnz ə blæk vizard mæsk]), which he had apparently adjusted that very moment(It seemed he had just put the mask on. [wɪʧ hi hæd əˈpɛrəntli əˈʤəstɪd ðət ˈvɛri ˈmoʊmənt]), for his hand was still raised to it as he entered(His hand was still touching the mask as he came into the room. [fər hɪz hænd wɑz stɪl reɪzd tɪ ɪt ɛz hi ˈɛnərd]). From the lower part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character(His visible facial features suggested a resolute personality. [frəm ðə loʊər pɑrt əv ðə feɪs hi əˈpɪrd tɪ bi ə mæn əv strɔŋ ˈkɛrɪktər]), with a thick, hanging lip(He had a full, drooping lower lip. [wɪθ ə θɪk ˈhæŋɪŋ lɪp]), and a long, straight chin suggestive of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy(His long, firm chin implied a determination that bordered on stubbornness. [ənd ə lɔŋ streɪt ʧɪn səˈʤɛstɪv əv ˌrɛzəˈluʃən pʊʃt tɪ ðə lɛŋθ əv ˈɑbstənəsi]).