The two men "could" see him leave the hotel, or they "could" follow him upstairs, ...

[sitifan]

The two men could see him leave the hotel, or they could follow him upstairs, break into his room and steal his case. (my bold, quoted from A Dictionary of Answers to Common Questions in English, by Zhao Zhencai)

In the above sentence, does the modal verb "could" refer to possibility or ability?

 

[5jj]

The two men could see him leave the hotel, or they could follow him upstairs, break into his room and steal his case. (my bold, quoted from A Dictionary of Answers to Common Questions in English, by Zhao Zhencai)

In the above sentence, does the modal verb "could" refer to possibility or ability?

The sentence appears very strange to me. I don't understand the use of the 'or'.

 

[sitifan]

The sentence appears very strange to me. I don't understand the use of the 'or'.

On his arrival, he went straight to the counter and spoke to the clerk in uniform behind it. He appeared calm. But inside his heart was beating wildly with fear. I'd like a room for one night. He said and showed the clerk a little drawing that he had done in the taxi. The clerk was very helpful and was able to give Bill exactly the room he required. Bill did not go up to his bedroom immediately. The two men had followed him to the hotel in another text. And well now watching him through the glass doors of the hotel entrance. Bill had a look around. There was only one entrance to the hotel. The two men could see him leave the hotel, or they could follow him upstairs, break into his room and steal his case. Bill felt a little safer downstairs. Outside the entrance is due to police officers with guns. In the long passages of this hotel, it might be dangerous to walk alone. He might be attacked and have his case stolen from him.
http://www.360doc.com/content/19/0811/09/22131034_854185873.shtml

 

[5jj]

Bill is thinking about the two possibilities open to the men.

 

[Rover_KE]

The two men could see him leave the hotel, or they could follow him upstairs, break into his room and steal his case. (my bold, quoted from A Dictionary of Answers to Common Questions in English, by Zhao Zhencai)

What was the common question that this is the answer to?

 

[Tarheel]

I suppose they could watch him leave the hotel.

"Outside the entrance is due to police officers with guns" makes no sense to me. Perhaps: "Police officers with guns were standing outside the entrance to the hotel."

 

[emsr2d2]

http://www.360doc.com/content/19/0811/09/22131034_854185873.shtml

That site is absolutely riddled with errors. I suggest you stop using it immediately.