before one knows; before one becomes aware of; unnoticed; unawares
feeling refreshed; feeling relieved; neat; tidy; frank; open-hearted; completely
chattering; talk; idle talk; chatty; talkative; chatterbox
serving customers; looking after visitors; reception
large part; greater part; people in general; general public; mostly; for the most part
back; rear; background; behind the scenes
to make a sound; to give off a sound; to hear a sound
to turn one's face; to turn around; to look over one's shoulder
after a while; a little while later; shortly afterward
amount sold; sales; proceeds; takings; turnover
to disappear; to vanish; to go out (of a fire, light, etc.); to die; to fade (of a feeling, impression, etc.); to vanish (e.g. of hope); to go away (e.g. of a smell, itchiness, sleepiness)
as a matter of fact; really; truly; entirely; completely; wholly
crime; criminal act; offence; offense
stakeout; ambush; lookout; watch; paste-up; collage
another (person); the other person; one more (person)
to put out one's hand; to extend one's arm; to reach (for); to try one's hand at (something new)
to leak out (a secret); to be exposed (a lie, improper behaviour, etc.); to be found out; to get away (of fish)
to run away; to flee; to escape; to make a getaway; to skedaddle
being argued into silence; being left speechless
dead end; cul-de-sac; blind alley; end; end of the road; end point
scene of the crime (offense, offence)
understanding (of people's circumstances and feelings); perceptiveness; sympathy; wisdom
in some way or other; one way or another; somehow; only just; barely
inside; interior; inner part
to look up (at); to look up to; to respect; to ask for (e.g. guidance); to seek; to depend on
total darkness; pitch dark; bleak future; poor prospects
dark; gloomy; depressed; dispirited; dark (in colour); dull; ill-boding
to tell; to inform; to announce; to indicate; to signal; to mark
card (information, filing, etc.); card (greetings, congratulations, etc.); (Western) playing cards; credit card; debit card; match; game
warm; mild; warm (of a colour); mellow; having enough money
smallness; small item; short month (i.e. having fewer than 31 days); elementary school; smaller (of two things, places, etc. with the same name); inferior; younger (of two people with the same name)
mysterious thief; phantom thief
not straightforward; not dealt with by ordinary means
as (much) as possible; as (much) as one can; wherever practicable; if possible