Short Fiction · Chapter
The Opal of Dr. Black explained
Dyson, intrigued by the cryptic inscription Salisbury brought him, deciphers its clues and traces them to a shop in Handel Street run by a man named Travers.
What happens
Dyson, intrigued by the cryptic inscription Salisbury brought him, deciphers its clues and traces them to a shop in Handel Street run by a man named Travers. Using the phrase 'Once around the grass, and twice around the lass, and thrice around the maple-tree,' he terrifies Travers into handing over a small package. At home, Dyson opens the package to find a magnificent, gigantic opal and a worn pocketbook belonging to Dr. Steven Black of Harlesden, a name that shocks him.
Themes in this chapter
The Urban Mystery
Dyson navigates the labyrinthine streets of Soho to uncover the hidden meaning behind the cryptic inscription, revealing a secret network of agents and a mysterious jewel.
Occult and Forbidden Knowledge
The opal and the pocketbook of Dr. Black hint at hidden, possibly dangerous knowledge, and Dyson's use of a coded phrase suggests dealings with a secret society.
Characters to notice
- Mr. Dyson
Deciphers the clue and retrieves the opal and Dr. Black's pocketbook.
- Mr. Salisbury
Mentioned as having returned to his green rep chairs; his story set Dyson on the trail.
- Dr. Black
Identified as the owner of the pocketbook found beneath the opal.
- Travers
The terrified shopkeeper who hands over the package under threat.
Key passages
“Once around the grass, and twice around the lass, and thrice around the maple-tree.”
A coded phrase that Dyson uses to intimidate Travers into surrendering the package.
This phrase is the key that unlocks the mystery, linking the inscription to the shop in Handel Street.
“The vendor of miscellanies gasped, open-mouthed like a fish, and steadied himself against the counter.”
Travers is shocked and terrified by Dyson's words, indicating he recognizes their significance.
Shows the power of the secret phrase and Travers's fear of the mysterious 'Q' or 'Mr. Davies.'
“The lamp seemed to glimmer feebly like a single candle, but the whole room blazed with light—and not with light alone, but with a thousand colours...”
The opal emits an intense, multicolored radiance that fills the room.
Highlights the supernatural or extraordinary nature of the jewel, far beyond any ordinary gem.