“If(used to introduce a conditional clause [ɪf]) your(belonging to you [jʊr]) Majesty(used as a form of address for a king, queen, or emperor [ˈmæʤəsti]) would(used to make a polite request [wʊd]) condescend(do something in a way that shows you consider yourself better than other people [ˌkɑndɪˈsɛnd]) to(expressing direction or purpose [tɪ]) state(express something definitely or clearly [steɪt]) your(belonging to you [jʊr]) case(a set of facts or arguments supporting one side in a dispute or trial [keɪs]),” (end of the quote)he(third-person singular pronoun, referring to Holmes [hi]) remarked(said something as a comment [rɪˈmɑrkt]), (punctuation mark used to separate parts of a sentence)“I(first-person singular pronoun, referring to the speaker [aɪ]) should(used to indicate a conditional or expected outcome [ʃʊd]) be(to exist or occur [bi]) better(of a higher standard, or more suitable, pleasing, or effective than other things or people [ˈbɛtər]) able(having the power, skill, means, or opportunity to do something [ˈeɪbəl]) to(expressing direction or purpose [tɪ]) advise(offer suggestions about the best course of action to someone [ədˈvaɪz]) you(second-person singular pronoun, referring to the person being addressed [ju]).”
The(definite article, referring to a specific person or thing [ðə]) man(an adult male human being [mæn]) sprang(moved suddenly upward or forward [spræŋ]) from(indicating a starting point or origin [frəm]) his(possessive pronoun, referring to the man [hɪz]) chair(a seat for one person, typically with a back and four legs [ʧɛr]) and(conjunction used to connect words or phrases [ənd]) paced(walked at a steady speed, especially without a particular destination and as an expression of anxiety or annoyance [peɪst]) up(toward a higher place or position [əp]) and(conjunction used to connect words or phrases [ənd]) down(toward a lower place or position [daʊn]) the(definite article, referring to a specific person or thing [ðə]) room(a space within a building that is enclosed by walls or partitions [rum]) in(expressing location or position within something [ɪn]) uncontrollable(not able to be controlled [ˌənkənˈtroʊləbəl]) agitation(a state of anxiety or nervous excitement [ˌæʤəˈteɪʃən]). Then(at that time; after that [ðɛn]), (punctuation mark used to separate parts of a sentence)with(accompanied by [wɪθ]) a(indefinite article, referring to one of a general type [ə]) gesture(a movement of part of the body, especially a hand or the head, to express an idea or meaning [ˈʤɛsʧər]) of(expressing the relationship between two things [əv]) desperation(a state of hopelessness leading to rashness [ˌdɛspərˈeɪʃɪn]), (punctuation mark used to separate parts of a sentence)he(third-person singular pronoun, referring to the man [hi]) tore(past tense of 'tear', meaning to pull or rip apart [tɔr]) the(definite article, referring to a specific person or thing [ðə]) mask(a covering worn on the face, typically for disguise or protection [mæsk]) from(indicating a starting point or origin [frəm]) his(possessive pronoun, referring to the man [hɪz]) face(the front part of the head, from the forehead to the chin [feɪs]) and(conjunction used to connect words or phrases [ənd]) hurled(threw forcefully [hərld]) it(pronoun, referring to the mask [ɪt]) upon(on top of [əˈpɑn]) the(definite article, referring to a specific person or thing [ðə]) ground(the solid surface of the earth [graʊnd]). “You(second-person singular pronoun, referring to the person being addressed [ju]) are(present tense of the verb 'to be' [ər]) right(correct; true [raɪt]),” (end of the quote)he(third-person singular pronoun, referring to the man [hi]) cried(shouted or exclaimed loudly [kraɪd]); (punctuation mark used to separate two independent clauses)“I(first-person singular pronoun, referring to the speaker [aɪ]) am(present tense of the verb 'to be' [æm]) the(definite article, referring to a specific person or thing [ðə]) King(a male ruler of an independent state, especially one who inherits the position by right of birth [kɪŋ]). Why(for what reason or purpose [waɪ]) should(used to indicate a conditional or expected outcome [ʃʊd]) I(first-person singular pronoun, referring to the speaker [aɪ]) attempt(try to do something [əˈtɛmpt]) to(expressing direction or purpose [tɪ]) conceal(keep something secret; hide [kənˈsil]) it(pronoun, referring to the fact that he is the King [ɪt])?”
“Why, indeed(An expression of surprise or agreement, suggesting the speaker finds the situation noteworthy or confirming something already suspected. [waɪ ˌɪnˈdid])?” murmured(Spoke in a low, soft, or indistinct voice. [ˈmərmərd]) Holmes(Referring to Sherlock Holmes, the famous detective. [hoʊmz]). “Your Majesty(A formal address to a king or queen. [jʊr ˈmæʤəsti]) had not spoken(Indicates that the person being addressed had remained silent until this point. [hæd nɑt ˈspoʊkən]) before(Prior to the time when. [ˌbiˈfɔr]) I was aware(Before I realized or knew. [aɪ wɑz əˈwɛr]) that(Used to introduce a clause stating the content of what was realized. [ðət]) I was addressing(That I was speaking to. [aɪ wɑz æˈdrɛsɪŋ]) Wilhelm Gottsreich Sigismond von Ormstein(A long, formal name indicating nobility. [ˈwɪˌlhɛlm gottsreich sigismond vɔn ormstein]), Grand Duke(A noble rank, below a king but above other dukes. [grænd duk]) of Cassel-Felstein(Specifies the territory ruled by the Grand Duke. [əv cassel-felstein]), and hereditary King(King by right of inheritance. [ənd hərˈɛdəˌtɛri kɪŋ]) of Bohemia.”
“But you can understand(Expressing the speaker's hope that the listener can comprehend the situation. [bət ju kən ˌəndərˈstænd]),” said(The speaker uttered. [sɛd]) our strange visitor(Referring to someone who has come to see them and is perceived as unusual. [ɑr streɪnʤ ˈvɪzɪtər]), sitting down(Taking a seat. [ˈsɪtɪŋ daʊn]) once more(Again; one more time. [wəns mɔr]) and passing his hand(Moving his hand. [ənd ˈpæsɪŋ hɪz hænd]) over(Across the surface of. [ˈoʊvər]) his high white forehead(Describing the visitor's forehead as prominent and pale. [hɪz haɪ waɪt ˈfɔrhɛd]), “you can understand(Repeating the initial plea for comprehension. [ju kən ˌəndərˈstænd]) that(Introducing a clause explaining what the speaker hopes the listener will understand. [ðət]) I am not accustomed(I am not used to. [aɪ æm nɑt əˈkəstəmd]) to doing such business(To handling matters of this kind. [tɪ duɪŋ səʧ ˈbɪznɪs]) in my own person(Personally; without using a representative. [ɪn maɪ oʊn ˈpərsən]). Yet(However; nevertheless. [jɛt]) the matter(The issue or situation. [ðə ˈmætər]) was so delicate(Was so sensitive or requiring careful handling. [wɑz soʊ ˈdɛləkət]) that(Introducing the consequence of the matter being delicate. [ðət]) I could not confide it(I could not entrust it. [aɪ kʊd nɑt kənˈfaɪd ɪt]) to an agent(To a representative or intermediary. [tɪ ən ˈeɪʤənt]) without putting myself(Without placing myself. [wɪˈθaʊt ˈpʊtɪŋ ˌmaɪˈsɛlf]) in his power(Under his control or influence. [ɪn hɪz paʊər]). I have come(I have traveled. [aɪ hæv kəm]) incognito(In disguise or with a concealed identity. [ˌɪnkɔgˈnitoʊ]) from Prague(Specifies the city of origin. [frəm prɑg]) for the purpose(With the intention. [fər ðə ˈpərpəs]) of consulting you.”
“Then(Indicates a sequence in the narrative or conversation. [ðɛn]), pray(An archaic way of saying 'please'; used to make a polite request. [preɪ]) consult(Seek information or advice from someone. [kənˈsəlt]),” said(The verb indicating who is speaking. [sɛd]) Holmes(The name of the speaker. [hoʊmz]), shutting(Closing. [ˈʃətɪŋ]) his(Belonging to Holmes. [hɪz]) eyes(Organs of sight. [aɪz]) once more.
“The(Used to refer to specific facts. [ðə]) facts(Pieces of information used as evidence. [fækts]) are(Linking verb. [ər]) briefly(In a concise or short manner. [ˈbrifli]) these(Introducing the facts that will be stated. [ðiz]): Some(Approximately. [səm]) five(The number 5. [faɪv]) years(Units of time, each consisting of 365 days. [jɪrz]) ago(In the past. [əˈgoʊ]), during(Throughout the course of. [ˈdʊrɪŋ]) a lengthy(Long; extended. [ə ˈlɛŋθi]) visit(A stay at a place. [ˈvɪzɪt]) to(Indicating direction or location. [tɪ]) Warsaw(The capital of Poland. [ˈwɔrˌsɔ]), I(The speaker. [aɪ]) made(Past tense of 'make'; to perform an action. [meɪd]) the acquaintance(The process of getting to know someone. [ðə əkˈweɪntəns]) of(Indicating possession or association. [əv]) the well-known(Famous; widely recognized. [ðə ˈwɛlˈnoʊn]) adventuress(A woman who seeks adventures, often in a daring or unscrupulous way. [adventuress]), Irene Adler. The name(A word or words by which someone or something is known. [neɪm]) is(Linking verb. [ɪz]) no doubt(Without question; certainly. [noʊ daʊt]) familiar(Well-known; easily recognized. [fəˈmɪljər]) to(Indicating the recipient. [tɪ]) you(The person being addressed. [ju]).”
“Kindly(Please; in a kind manner. [ˈkaɪndli]) look(To direct one's gaze. [lʊk]) her(Referring to Irene Adler. [hər]) up(To search for information. [əp]) in(Within. [ɪn]) my(Belonging to the speaker, Holmes. [maɪ]) index(An organized list providing detailed information. [ˈɪndɛks]), Doctor(Addressing Dr. Watson. [ˈdɔktər]),” murmured(Spoke in a low, soft voice. [ˈmərmərd]) Holmes(The speaker. [hoʊmz]) without(Not doing something. [wɪˈθaʊt]) opening(The act of opening. [ˈoʊpənɪŋ]) his(Belonging to Holmes. [hɪz]) eyes. For many(A large number of. [ˈmɛni]) years(Units of time. [jɪrz]) he(Referring to Holmes. [hi]) had adopted(Had started using. [hæd əˈdɑptəd]) a system(An organized method. [ə ˈsɪstəm]) of(Indicating association. [əv]) docketing(Summarizing and arranging documents. [docketing]) all(Every one of. [ɔl]) paragraphs(Sections of text. [ˈpɛrəˌgræfs]) concerning(About; regarding. [kənˈsərnɪŋ]) men(People. [mɛn]) and(Connecting words. [ənd]) things(Objects or matters. [θɪŋz]), so that(With the result that. [soʊ ðət]) it(Referring to the situation. [ɪt]) was(Linking verb. [wɑz]) difficult(Not easy. [ˈdɪfəkəlt]) to(In order to. [tɪ]) name(To specify. [neɪm]) a subject(A topic. [ə ˈsəbʤɪkt]) or(Connecting alternative options. [ər]) a person(An individual. [ə ˈpərsən]) on(About. [ɔn]) which(Referring to the subject or person. [wɪʧ]) he(Referring to Holmes. [hi]) could(Was able to. [kʊd]) not(Negative particle. [nɑt]) at once(Immediately. [æt wəns]) furnish(Provide. [ˈfərnɪʃ]) information. In this(Referring to the current situation. [ðɪs]) case(Instance. [keɪs]) I(Referring to the narrator. [aɪ]) found(Discovered. [faʊnd]) her(Referring to Irene Adler. [hər]) biography(An account of someone's life. [baɪˈɑgrəfi]) sandwiched(Squeezed in between. [ˈsænˌwɪʧt]) in between(Between two things. [ɪn bɪtˈwin]) that(Referring to the biography. [ðət]) of(Indicating association. [əv]) a Hebrew(Relating to the Hebrews. [ə ˈhibru]) rabbi(A Jewish religious leader. [ˈræˌbaɪ]) and(Connecting words. [ənd]) that(Referring to the biography. [ðət]) of(Indicating association. [əv]) a staff-commander(A military officer. [ə staff-commander]) who(Referring to the staff-commander. [hu]) had written(Had authored. [hæd ˈrɪtən]) a monograph(A detailed written study. [ə ˈmɑnəˌgræf]) upon(About. [əˈpɑn]) the deep-sea(Relating to the deep ocean. [ðə deep-sea]) fishes.
“Let me see(An expression indicating a desire to examine or understand something)!” said(past tense of 'say', indicating who spoke the words [sɛd]) Holmes(referring to Sherlock Holmes, the detective [hoʊmz]). “Hum(An exclamation expressing thought, hesitation, or mild surprise)! Born(having come into existence through birth) in(indicating location or place [ɪn]) New Jersey(a state in the United States) in(indicating a point in time [ɪn]) the year(a specific year) 1858(the year in question). Contralto(a type of classical female singing voice whose vocal range is the lowest female voice type)—hum(another exclamation expressing thought or hesitation)! La Scala(a famous opera house in Milan, Italy), hum(another exclamation expressing thought or hesitation)! Prima donna(the principal female singer in an opera company) Imperial Opera(an opera company associated with an empire or royalty) of(indicating association or belonging [əv]) Warsaw(the capital city of Poland)—yes(an affirmation or agreement)! Retired(having ceased working, typically due to age) from(indicating separation or removal [frəm]) operatic stage(the professional world of opera performance)—ha(an exclamation expressing surprise, realization, or triumph)! Living(currently residing or dwelling) in(indicating location [ɪn]) London(the capital city of England [ˈləndən])—quite so(an expression of agreement or confirmation)! Your Majesty(a formal address to a king, queen, or emperor [jʊr ˈmæʤəsti]), as(in the way or manner that) I(the speaker [aɪ]) understand(perceive or interpret), became(past tense of 'become', meaning to come to be) entangled(involved in a complicated or difficult situation) with(indicating involvement or association [wɪθ]) this young person(referring to the individual in question, likely the opera singer), wrote(past tense of 'write', meaning to create text) her(belonging to the young person [hər]) some(an unspecified amount or number of [səm]) compromising letters(letters that could damage someone's reputation if revealed), and(connecting two related statements [ ənd]) is now(currently is) desirous(having or expressing desire) of(indicating desire for [əv]) getting(obtaining or retrieving) those letters(referring to the compromising letters) back(to their original owner [bæk]).”