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Read "And That's How It Was, Officer" in English, with German beside it
by Ralph Sholto
"And That's How It Was, Officer" by Ralph Sholto is a comedic crime fiction novel set in the mid-20th century. The story unfolds through a letter from Homer Nicholas, who is addressing the perplexed Chief of Police, David Nixon, about a series of bizarre events involving gangsters disappearing in Morton City after his wedding reception. The narrative delves into themes of family relations, social status, and unique scientific experiments, with humor intertwined throughout the plot. The plot centers around Homer and his bride, Joy, who unwittingly find themselves embroiled in a dangerous situation involving Homer's eccentric Uncle Peter, a scientist with a penchant for unorthodox experiments. After the wedding, gangsters crash the reception, leading to a chaotic series of events fueled by Uncle Peter's mysterious serum that disintegrates people in a dramatic fashion. As Homer and Joy chase down various leads to understand what is happening, they navigate a world of colorful characters, from Bag Ears Mulligan, Homer's loyal but slightly confused friend, to criminal masterminds like Hands McCaffery. The narrative culminates in a hilarious yet suspenseful revelation about Uncle Peter's true intentions and the bizarre scientific method behind the chaos, ultimately blending elements of humor, crime, and familial loyalty.
Summary generated automatically by Project Gutenberg.
- Read time
- 51 min
- Words
- 11,274
- Chapters
- 1
- Paragraphs
- 435
- Price
- Free
- Epistolary fiction
- Gangsters -- Fiction
- Inventors -- Fiction
- Science fiction
- Scientists -- Fiction
He now turned his remarks to me and evinced even more intense admiration for my bride.
Er wandte sich nun mit seinen Bemerkungen an mich und zeigte noch intensivere Bewunderung für meine Braut.
"She reminds me of a fast lightweight--the most beautiful sight in the world."
„Sie erinnert mich an einen schnellen Leichtgewichtler--die schönste Erscheinung der Welt.“
"Let us repair to the conservatory," I said, "where we can have a quiet chat."
„Lassen Sie uns ins Gewächshaus gehen“, sagte ich, „dort können wir in Ruhe plaudern.“
I said this because I felt that some of the other guests might not be as tactful as Joy and might make Bag Ears feel uncomfortable.
Das sagte ich, weil ich das Gefühl hatte, dass einige der anderen Gäste nicht so taktvoll wie Joy sein könnten und Bag Ears unwohl fühlen ließen.
Aunt Gretchen had rudely vanished without waiting for an introduction and the actions of the hostess often set the pattern for those of the guests.
Tante Gretchen war unhöflicherweise verschwunden, ohne auf eine Vorstellung zu warten, und das Verhalten der Gastgeberin setzte oft den Ton für das der Gäste.
As we moved toward the rear of the house, Joy took my arm and said, "Speaking of being stripped down for action--what do you suppose happened to Uncle Peter?
Als wir auf die Rückseite des Hauses zuliefen, nahm Joy meinen Arm und sagte: „Wenn wir gerade davon sprechen, abgezockt zu sein – was glaubst du, ist mit Onkel Peter passiert?
I haven't seen him around anywhere."
Ich habe ihn nirgendwo gesehen.“
About the author
Ralph Sholto
Ralph Sholto is a writer whose work is preserved in the Paralelo catalogue.
The Ralph Sholto page, and where to start →Read it in another language
Questions about "And That's How It Was, Officer"
Can I read "And That's How It Was, Officer" in English with German side by side online?
Yes, free. Paralelo shows the English original with a German machine translation beside it, aligned phrase by phrase: hover or tap a phrase and its counterpart lights up in the other column. Anyone can read a passage; a free account opens the whole book.
What level do I need to read "And That's How It Was, Officer" here?
There is no set level. "And That's How It Was, Officer" runs to 11,274 words, and the translation sits beside it, aligned phrase by phrase, so you can start below the level the original would need on its own and lean on the translation only where you stumble.
Is "And That's How It Was, Officer" really free to read?
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Can I read "And That's How It Was, Officer" in another language?
Yes. It is also published in Spanish, French, Italian, and switching keeps your place, because both columns share one paragraph numbering.
How long does "And That's How It Was, Officer" take to read?
About 51 min at a normal pace, longer if you stop to look at the alignment, which is rather the point.
Book details
- Original language
- English
- Translation
- German, machine translation
- Source text
- Project Gutenberg #32562
- Licence
- Public domain in the United States
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