III.  Tells an old story in A traditional manner.

IV.  Tells how I saw the shadow of the rock; and how I told and
         heard news.

V. Tells how the curtain rose upon “Francesca:  A tragedy”

VI.  Tells how the black and yellow fan sent A message; and how I
         saw A face in the fog.

VII.  Tells how Claire went to the play; and how she saw the
         golden clasp.

VIII.  Tells how the curtain fell upon “Francesca:  A tragedy”

IX.  Tells how two voices led me to board A schooner; and what
         befell there.

X. Tells in what manner I learnt the secret of the great key.

XI.  Tells how at last I found my revenge and the great ruby.

DEAD MAN’S ROCK.

BOOK I.

THE QUEST OF THE GREAT RUBY.

CHAPTER I.

TELLS OF THE STRANGE WILL OF MY GRANDFATHER, AMOS TRENOWETH.

Whatever claims this story may have upon the notice of the world, they will rest on no niceties of style or aptness of illustration.  It is a plain tale, plainly told:  nor, as I conceive, does its native horror need any ingenious embellishment.  There are many books that I, though a man of no great erudition, can remember, which gain much of interest from the pertinent and appropriate comments with which the writer has seen fit to illustrate any striking situation.  From such books an observing man may often draw the exactest rules for the regulation of life and conduct, and their authors may therefore be esteemed public benefactors.  Among these I, Jasper Trenoweth, can claim no place; yet I venture to think my history will not altogether lack interest—­and this for two reasons.  It deals with the last chapter (I pray Heaven it be the last) in the adventures of a very remarkable gem—­none other, in fact, than the Great Ruby of Ceylon; and it lifts, at least in part, the veil which for some years has hidden a certain mystery of the sea.  For the moral, it must be sought by the reader himself in the following pages.