The Blind Spot
like depression; life was gone out-a foreboding of gloom and disaster. It was cold, dank, miserable; one shuddered
Han
stepped
Han
s,
ssage
de a gesture
message. Nothing in the world
e stepped back
inute, ge
ed up at the messenger and then at us.
may not. My duty as a physician. I had hopes." He came over to me and spoke softly. "I am going to send you one
rton Place,
and I cannot do otherwise. Continue the brandy for a while-and this." He s
there is ho
s hope," repli
owly. It was work for poor Watson. He dragged on,
en! I am eighty years of age; one year ago I was a boy. If only I had some more brandy. I h
I said. "Her
, and might have been built in the early nineties. It had been outside of the fire limits of 1906, and so had survived the great disaster.
ghtened up w
d it. I found the Rhamda and the Nervina. I had iron will and courage-also strength. The Rhamda was never able to control me. My life is gone but not my will. Now I hav
e groped about for a key, unlocked the door and stumbled
tch on a ligh
h; when he found it
with bookshelves; in the centre was an oak table cluttered with papers, a couple of chairs, and
ada at present. That leaves me alone. You will notice the books, mostly occult: partly mine, partly the detective's. We have gone at it systematically from the beginning. We
it? Is it i
s positive of that. You remember the old lady? The one who died? Her actions were rather positive even if feeble. She le
hurch bell. In the centre of the room. At first I didn't believe;
f sixth
Or for
found it? Never were able t
N
? The Nervina? Do the
oft
ome in? Throug
do with Dr. Holcomb. Somehow his very concern tells me the doctor is safe. Undoubtedly the professor made a great discover
essor is in th
st it is our conject
on't think
doctor the dupe of a mere trickster? The professor was a man of great sci
t spo
ink I know what you mean
he came to the crucial experiment he found himself dealing with a rogue. The Rhamda helped him just so far; but o
man is a villain. I t
on shook
rder. That's what I thought at first. Don't make any mistake. Don't try violence. Tha
med. "What do you mea
a pha
but his soul! I shall not forget Watson as he sat there, his lean, long fingers grasping the brandy glass, his eyes burning and his life
roke the
he secrets of the universe have been unlocked by any means
I could see h
what I have told you. Hold the ring. You take my place. Whatever happens, stick out to the end. You have Hobart
account I had read in the newspaper-Jerome's story-"Like weary bones dragging slippers." And the old lady. Who was she? Why was everyone in this house pulle
he matter
. The sound of Watson's footsteps had died away; there w
Hobart. Don't you notice it? It'
Oliver Lodge, Besant, Spinoza, a conglomeration of all ages and tongues; a range of metaphysics that was as wide as Babel, and about as enlightening. As Babel? Over my shoul
clutched at me. Was the thought intrinsic? If not, where had it come from? Three? I strained m
bart," I spoke. "The front door
About time for Dr. Higgins. Here comes Chick again.
s we were! We both knew it, and we were both seeking an excuse. In the next room
the light
othing, but it meant a world at that moment-a strange s
t! Harry! Come here!
m of a man melting into nothing. I sprang into the room, tearing down the curtains. Hobart was on top of me. But we were too late. I could feel the vibrancy of something uncanny as I rushed across the space intervening. Through my mind darted the thrill of terror. It had come suddenly
" Then the faint despair out of the wea
Blind
were muddled. A thousand insistent thoughts clashed through my brain. Horror, wonder, doubt! I have only one persistent and predominating recollection. The old
ERE ARE