The Moonstone

  I

  Dorking, Surrey, July 30th, 1849. To Franklin Blake, Esq. Sir,--I begto apologise for the delay that has occurred in the production of theReport, with which I engaged to furnish you. I have waited to make it acomplete Report; and I have been met, here and there, by obstacles whichit was only possible to remove by some little expenditure of patienceand time.

  The object which I proposed to myself has now, I hope, been attained.You will find, in these pages, answers to the greater part--if notall--of the questions, concerning the late Mr. Godfrey Ablewhite, whichoccurred to your mind when I last had the honour of seeing you.

  I propose to tell you--in the first place--what is known of the mannerin which your cousin met his death; appending to the statement suchinferences and conclusions as we are justified (according to my opinion)in drawing from the facts.

  I shall then endeavour--in the second place--to put you in possessionof such discoveries as I have made, respecting the proceedings of Mr.Godfrey Ablewhite, before, during and after the time, when you and hemet as guests at the late Lady Verinder's country-house.