The colonel’s eyes nearly bulged out of his head.

 

“Upon my soul,” he said. “What an extraordinary thing. I never saw that happen

before!”

 

It was then that I went on, goaded by Caroline’s gibes, and rendered reckless by

my triumph.

 

“And as to anything interesting,” I said. “What about a gold wedding ring with a

date and ‘From R.’ inside.”

 

I pass over the scene that followed. I was made to say exactly where this

treasure was found. I was made to reveal the date.

 

“March 13th,” said Caroline. “Just six months ago. Ah!”

 

Out of the babel of excited suggestions and suppositions three theories were

evolved:—

 

1. That of Colonel Carter: that Ralph was secretly married to Flora.

 

The first or most simple solution.

 

2. That of Miss Ganett: that Roger Ackroyd had been secretly married to Mrs.