“Oh(An exclamation, often expressing surprise, understanding, or acknowledgment [oʊ]), then(at that time; after that [ðɛn]) we(refers to the speaker and one or more other people considered together [wi]) have(possess; experience [hæv]) three days(a period of three 24-hour units [θri deɪz]) yet(still; up to the present time [jɛt]),” (Quotation mark indicating the beginning of a direct quote)said(past tense of 'say', meaning to utter words [sɛd]) Holmes(referring to the character Sherlock Holmes [hoʊmz]) with(accompanied by [wɪθ]) a yawn(an involuntary act of opening the mouth wide and inhaling deeply due to tiredness or boredom [ə jɔn]). (Quotation mark indicating the end of a direct quote)“That(referring to the previously mentioned situation [ðət]) is(linking verb, indicating a state of being [ɪz]) very(to a high degree; extremely [ˈvɛri]) fortunate(lucky; having good fortune [ˈfɔrʧənət]), as(because; since [ɛz]) I(the speaker or writer referring to themselves [aɪ]) have(possess; experience [hæv]) one or two(a small number, either one or two [wən ər tu]) matters(issues; topics of concern [ˈmætərz]) of importance(significant; of great value or consequence [əv ˌɪmˈpɔrtəns]) to look into(to investigate; to examine [tɪ lʊk ˈɪntu]) just(exactly; precisely [ʤɪst]) at present(at the current time; now [æt ˈprɛzənt]). Your Majesty(a formal title used when addressing a king, queen, emperor, or empress [jʊr ˈmæʤəsti]) will(expressing a request or instruction [wɪl]), of course(as expected; naturally [əv kɔrs]), stay(remain in a place [steɪ]) in London(located in the city of London [ɪn ˈləndən]) for the present(for the time being; temporarily [fər ðə ˈprɛzənt])?”
(Quotation mark indicating the beginning of a direct quote)“Certainly(definitely; without a doubt [ˈsərtənli]). You(the person being addressed [ju]) will(future tense auxiliary verb [wɪl]) find(discover; locate [faɪnd]) me(the speaker, used as an object [mi]) at(indicating a location [æt]) the Langham(referring to The Langham hotel [ðə ˈlæŋəm]) under(using; with [ˈəndər]) the name(the designation used to identify someone [ðə neɪm]) of(indicating possession or association [əv]) the Count Von Kramm(an assumed name, likely a title and surname [ðə kaʊnt vɔn kræm]).”
(Quotation mark indicating the beginning of a direct quote)“Then(in that case; therefore [ðɛn]) I(the speaker [aɪ]) shall(will; expressing future intention [ʃæl]) drop you a line(write a short note to you [drɔp ju ə laɪn]) to let you know(to inform you [tɪ lɛt ju noʊ]) how(in what way; to what extent [haʊ]) we(the speaker and others [wi]) progress(make progress; advance [ˈprɑˌgrɛs]).”
(Quotation mark indicating the beginning of a direct quote)“Pray do so(please do that [preɪ du soʊ]). I(the speaker [aɪ]) shall(will; expressing future intention [ʃæl]) be(to exist; to be in a particular state [bi]) all anxiety(very anxious; extremely worried [ɔl æŋˈzaɪəti]).”
(Quotation mark indicating the beginning of a direct quote)“Then(in that case; therefore [ðɛn]), as to(regarding; concerning [ɛz tɪ]) money(currency; funds [ˈməni])?”
(Quotation mark indicating the beginning of a direct quote)“You(the person being addressed [ju]) have(possess; are given [hæv]) carte blanche(complete freedom to act as one wishes [kɑrt blænʧ]).”
(Quotation mark indicating the beginning of a direct quote)“Absolutely(completely; without any doubt [ˌæbsəˈlutli])?”
(Quotation mark indicating the beginning of a direct quote)“I(the speaker [aɪ]) tell(inform; say [tɛl]) you(the person being addressed [ju]) that(introducing a clause [ðət]) I(the speaker [aɪ]) would give(would be willing to give [wʊd gɪv]) one of(a single item from a group [wən əv]) the provinces(administrative divisions of a country [ðə ˈprɑvənsəz]) of my kingdom(belonging to my realm or territory ruled by a king or queen [əv maɪ ˈkɪŋdəm]) to have(in order to possess [tɪ hæv]) that photograph(the specific photograph being discussed [ðət ˈfoʊtəˌgræf]).”
“And(Conjunction used to introduce an additional point or question [ənd]) for(Preposition indicating purpose or reason [fər]) present(Adjective meaning current or existing now [ˈprɛzənt]) expenses(Noun referring to the money spent or cost incurred; the question seeks to know about funds for immediate costs [ɪkˈspɛnsɪz])?”
The King(Refers to the monarch, the male ruler of the kingdom [ðə kɪŋ]) took(Verb, past tense of 'take', meaning to grasp or seize [tʊk]) a heavy(Adjective describing the weight of the bag [ə ˈhɛvi]) chamois leather bag(A bag made of soft, pliable leather [chamois ˈlɛðər bæg]) from(Preposition indicating the origin or source [frəm]) under(Preposition indicating a position below something [ˈəndər]) his cloak(A type of loose outer garment [hɪz kloʊk]) and(Conjunction connecting two parts of the sentence [ənd]) laid(Verb, past tense of 'lay', meaning to put or place something down [leɪd]) it(Pronoun referring to the bag [ɪt]) on(Preposition indicating position on a surface [ɔn]) the table(A piece of furniture with a flat top and one or more legs [ðə ˈteɪbəl]).
“There(Used to indicate the existence or presence of something [ðɛr]) are(Form of the verb 'to be', indicating existence or state [ər]) three hundred pounds(A sum of money, specifically three hundred British pounds [θri ˈhənərd paʊnz]) in gold(Indicates that the money is in the form of gold coins [ɪn goʊld]) and(Conjunction connecting two parts of the sentence [ənd]) seven hundred(A sum of money, specifically seven hundred [ˈsɛvən ˈhənərd]) in notes(Indicates that the money is in the form of banknotes [ɪn noʊts]),” he(Pronoun referring to the King [hi]) said(Verb, past tense of 'say', meaning to utter words [sɛd]).
Holmes(Referring to Sherlock Holmes, the detective [hoʊmz]) scribbled(Verb, meaning to write or draw carelessly and quickly [ˈskrɪbəld]) a receipt(A written acknowledgment of having received something [ə rɪˈsit]) upon(Preposition meaning on [əˈpɑn]) a sheet(A single piece of paper [ə ʃit]) of(Preposition indicating belonging or association [əv]) his note-book(A book for writing notes [hɪz note-book]) and(Conjunction connecting two parts of the sentence [ənd]) handed(Verb, meaning to give something to someone [ˈhændɪd]) it(Pronoun referring to the receipt [ɪt]) to(Preposition indicating direction [tɪ]) him(Pronoun referring to the King [ɪm]).
“And(Conjunction used to introduce an additional point or question [ənd]) Mademoiselle’s(French title for an unmarried woman; possessive form [mademoiselles]) address(The location where someone lives or can be found; the question seeks to know the location [ˈæˌdrɛs])?” he(Pronoun referring to Holmes [hi]) asked(Verb, past tense of 'ask', meaning to put a question to someone [æst]).
“Is(Form of the verb 'to be', indicating existence or state [ɪz]) Briony Lodge(The name of a house or building [ˈbraɪəˌni lɑʤ]), Serpentine Avenue(The name of a street [ˈsərpənˌtaɪn ˈævəˌnu]), St(Abbreviation for Saint [st]). John’s Wood(A district in London [ʤɑnz wʊd]).”
Holmes(Referring to Sherlock Holmes, the detective [hoʊmz]) took(Verb, past tense of 'take', meaning to record or write down [tʊk]) a note(A brief record of something [ə noʊt]) of(Preposition indicating association [əv]) it(Pronoun referring to the address [ɪt]). “One(Adjective indicating a single item [wən]) other(Adjective indicating an additional item [ˈəðər]) question(An inquiry or point to be clarified [kˈwɛʃən]),” said(Verb, past tense of 'say', meaning to utter words [sɛd]) he(Pronoun referring to Holmes [hi]). “Was(Form of the verb 'to be', used to ask a question about a past state [wɑz]) the photograph(A picture taken with a camera [ðə ˈfoʊtəˌgræf]) a cabinet(Refers to a specific size of photograph, popular in the late 19th century [ə ˈkæbənət])?”
“It(Pronoun referring to the photograph [ɪt]) was(Verb, past tense of 'to be', confirming the photograph size [wɑz]).”
“Then(Adverb indicating a consequence or conclusion [ðɛn]), good-night(A farewell greeting said in the evening or before going to bed [good-night]), your Majesty(A form of address used for a king or queen [jʊr ˈmæʤəsti]), and(Conjunction connecting two parts of the sentence [ənd]) I(Pronoun referring to Holmes [aɪ]) trust(Verb, meaning to believe or hope [trəst]) that(Conjunction introducing a subordinate clause [ðət]) we(Pronoun referring to Holmes and Watson [wi]) shall(Auxiliary verb used to express future tense [ʃæl]) soon(Adverb meaning in a short time [sun]) have(Verb, meaning to possess or experience [hæv]) some(Adjective indicating an unspecified amount or quantity [səm]) good news(Information that is positive or favorable [gʊd nuz]) for(Preposition indicating benefit or recipient [fər]) you(Pronoun referring to the King [ju]). And(Conjunction connecting two parts of the sentence [ənd]) good-night(A farewell greeting said in the evening or before going to bed [good-night]), Watson(Referring to Dr. Watson, Holmes's companion [ˈwɑtsən]),” he(Pronoun referring to Holmes [hi]) added(Verb, past tense of 'add', meaning to say something more [ˈædɪd]), as(Conjunction indicating time or manner [ɛz]) the wheels(Circular objects that allow a vehicle to move [ðə wilz]) of(Preposition indicating belonging or association [əv]) the royal brougham(A type of horse-drawn carriage [ðə rɔɪəl ˈbrugəm]) rolled(Verb, meaning to move along a surface by turning over and over [roʊld]) down(Preposition indicating direction [daʊn]) the street(A public road in a city or town [ðə strit]). “If(Conjunction introducing a conditional clause [ɪf]) you(Pronoun referring to Watson [ju]) will(Auxiliary verb used to express future tense or willingness [wɪl]) be(Form of the verb 'to be', indicating a state or condition [bi]) good(Adjective meaning kind or obliging [gʊd]) enough(Adverb meaning sufficiently [ɪˈnəf]) to call(Verb, meaning to visit someone [tɪ kɔl]) to-morrow(Refers to the day after the current day [to-morrow]) afternoon(The part of the day between noon and evening [ˌæftərˈnun]) at(Preposition indicating a specific time [æt]) three o’clock(A specific time of day [θri əˈklɑk]) I(Pronoun referring to Holmes [aɪ]) should(Auxiliary verb used to express a conditional or polite statement [ʃʊd]) like(Verb, meaning to enjoy or prefer [laɪk]) to chat(Verb, meaning to talk in a friendly and informal way [tɪ ʧæt]) this little matter(Referring to the case or issue they are discussing [ðɪs ˈlɪtəl ˈmætər]) over(Preposition indicating discussion or consideration [ˈoʊvər]) with(Preposition indicating accompaniment [wɪθ]) you(Pronoun referring to Watson [ju]).”
II.
At three o’clock precisely(Exactly at 3:00 PM [æt θri əˈklɑk prɪˈsaɪsli]) I was at Baker Street(The speaker was at Baker Street, a specific location (likely an address [aɪ wɑz æt ˈbeɪkər strit]), but Holmes had not yet returned(However, Holmes had not come back yet [bət hoʊmz hæd nɑt jɛt rɪˈtərnd]). The landlady informed me(The owner/manager of the house told the speaker [ðə ˈlænˌdleɪdi ˌɪnˈfɔrmd mi]) that he had left the house shortly after eight o’clock in the morning(Holmes had departed from the residence a little after 8:00 AM [ðət hi hæd lɛft ðə haʊs ˈʃɔrtli ˈæftər eɪt əˈklɑk ɪn ðə ˈmɔrnɪŋ]). I sat down beside the fire(The speaker took a seat near the fireplace [aɪ sæt daʊn ˌbiˈsaɪd ðə faɪər]), however, with the intention of awaiting him(nevertheless, with the purpose of waiting for Holmes [ˌhaʊˈɛvər wɪθ ðə ˌɪnˈtɛnʧən əv əˈweɪtɪŋ ɪm]), however long he might be(no matter how much time it would take for Holmes to return [ˌhaʊˈɛvər lɔŋ hi maɪt bi]). I was already deeply interested in his inquiry(The speaker was very intrigued by Holmes' investigation [aɪ wɑz ɔˈrɛdi ˈdipli ˈɪntəˌrɛstɪd ɪn hɪz ˌɪnkˈwaɪˌri]), for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and strange features which were associated with the two crimes which I have already recorded(because, even though this case lacked the dark and unusual aspects connected to the two previous crimes the speaker had documented [fər ðoʊ ɪt wɑz sərˈaʊndɪd baɪ nən əv ðə grɪm ənd streɪnʤ ˈfiʧərz wɪʧ wər əˈsoʊʃiˌeɪtəd wɪθ ðə tu kraɪmz wɪʧ aɪ hæv ɔˈrɛdi rɪˈkɔrdɪd]), still, the nature of the case and the exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own(yet, the specifics of the situation and the high social status of Holmes' client made this case unique [stɪl ðə ˈneɪʧər əv ðə keɪs ənd ðə ɪgˈzɔltɪd ˈsteɪʃən əv hɪz klaɪənt geɪv ɪt ə ˈkɛrɪktər əv ɪts oʊn]). Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my friend had on hand(In fact, besides the type of investigation Holmes was currently working on [ˌɪnˈdid əˈpɑrt frəm ðə ˈneɪʧər əv ðə ˌɪnˌvɛstəˈgeɪʃən wɪʧ maɪ frɛnd hæd ɔn hænd]), there was something in his masterly grasp of a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning(there was something about Holmes' skillful understanding of a situation and his sharp, penetrating logic [ðɛr wɑz ˈsəmθɪŋ ɪn hɪz ˈmæstərli græsp əv ə ˌsɪʧuˈeɪʃən ənd hɪz kin ˌɪnˈsaɪsɪv ˈrizənɪŋ]), which made it a pleasure to me to study his system of work(that made it enjoyable for the speaker to observe Holmes' methods of working [wɪʧ meɪd ɪt ə ˈplɛʒər tɪ mi tɪ ˈstədi hɪz ˈsɪstəm əv wərk]), and to follow the quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most inextricable mysteries(and to understand the fast, delicate techniques Holmes used to solve the most complicated mysteries [ənd tɪ ˈfɑloʊ ðə kwɪk ˈsətəl ˈmɛθədz baɪ wɪʧ hi disentangled ðə moʊst ˌɪˈnɛkstrɪˌkəbəl ˈmɪstəriz]). So accustomed was I to his invariable success(The speaker was so used to Holmes' consistent success [soʊ əˈkəstəmd wɑz aɪ tɪ hɪz ˌɪnˈvɛriəbəl səkˈsɛs]) that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to enter into my head(that the idea of Holmes failing had stopped occurring to the speaker [ðət ðə ˈvɛri ˌpɑsəˈbɪləˌti əv hɪz ˈfeɪlɪŋ hæd sist tɪ ˈɛnər ˈɪntu maɪ hɛd]).