# The Opal of Dr. Black explained — Short Fiction

> Chapter companion for Short Fiction by Arthur Machen.

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> 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._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_6_se/chapters/iv
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_6_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_6_se/chapters