“How did Watson come to link it up with the Blind Spot?”
“That, I think, was an accident. He was in college, you know, at the time of father's disappearance. In fact, he was in the Ethics class. He came here often, and during one of his visits I showed him the ring. That was several years ago.”
“I see.”
“Well, about a year ago he was here again, and asked to see the jewel. We were to be married, you understand; but I had always put it off because of father. Somehow I felt that he would return. It was in late summer, about September; it was in the evening; it was getting dark. I gave Chick the ring, and stepped into the garden to cut some flowers. I remember that Chick struck a match in the parlour. When I came back he seemed to be excited.”
“Did he ask you for the ring?”
“Yes. He wanted to wear it. And he suddenly began to talk of father. It was that night that he took it upon himself to find him.”
“I see. Not before that night? Did he take the ring then?”
“Yes. We went to the opera. I remember it well, because that night was the first time I ever knew Chick to be gloomy.”
“Ah!”
“Yes. You know how jolly he always was. When we returned that night he would scarcely say a word. I thought he was sick; but he said he was not; said he just felt that way.”