Surely it was an ugly trifle to make so much trouble.
"Do you see those fine lines on the surface of the stone ?" he asked.
They were faintly visible to the naked eye.
"There is something peculiar about those lines," he said.

"This stone is so hard that nothing seems to scratch it, and I am sure those lines were not made by the ring accidentally striking against hard objects.
They were there when it came into my possession.

I do not think another line or mark has been made upon it since I have owned it." "That is odd." "Odd! It is remarkable.

It makes it appear that these lines were traced there with some instrument that could mark the stone, and that they have a secret meaning." "Who knows?
Possibly that is true." "And it may be that the man in black can read their meaning." The red light was dying out of the western sky, and the dusky shadows of advancing night were gathering in the village street, which was overhung by large dark elm trees.

Standing by the gate, the boy and girl minded not the approach of darkness as they talked on.
Suddenly Inza uttered a cry and caught Frank's arm, pointing to the opposite side of the street, and excitedly whispering: "Look--look there! Who is that man skulking along the walk over there ?" "By Jove! it is the man in black!" declared Frank..