The Blind Spot

ely all too easily told. We go back

short, well-built figure clothed in black, his snow-white whiskers trimmed to the usual square crop and his pink skin glowing with splendid healt

ir hand-clasp. A strange pair, both of them with the distinction and poise that come from refinement and intellectual training; t

re we could not fail. This, my dear Dr. A

r took t

ing about your Columbus. So far it has been simply wonderful. I can scarcely credit m

ination. I was certain we could not fail; though, of course, to me also it is an almo

ther

must go the credit; to me the pleasure. Take your sun, f

had gone in t

day! What will the world say? It is pr

of time. I thought of it; but I ha

lecture-room. Today I shall deliver my lecture on the Blind Spot. And wh

head kindly. It was evident that while the doctor was the

and not entirely that. There are some details that may not be neglected. It is a far venture and now that we have succeeded this far there is sur

as plainly d

he lec

uccess of our experiment. A few details, a few min

n, twenty minutes for the boat, ten minutes; that's an hour,

more than fif

perhaps a little bit late. Tell you what. I

he know a single thing of philosophy or anything else in Holcomb's teaching. He knew the doctor as a man of eminent standing and respectability. It was hardly natural that he should suspect anything sinister to grow out of this meeting

t quite uncover. It puzzled him. Something told him that for the safety of h

olars were seated in the forward part of the car. In th

t he could do was to keep aloof and follow their movements. At the ferry building they hailed a taxi and started up Market Street. Jerome watched them. In another moment he had another driver

ective that her voice was fearful, of a pregnant warning, that she was protesting. Nevertheless, the old men entered and the door slammed behi

a woman. The man was Rhamda Avec, tall, immaculate, black clad and distinguished. The woman, Jerome was not certain that she was the same who opened the door or not; she was even more beautiful. She was laughing. Like her companion she was clad in black, a beautiful shimmering ma

on; and likewise upset his calculation. He could not follow them and stay with the professor. It was a moment for quick decision. He wondered. Where was Dr. Holcomb? This was the day he was to deliver his lecture on the Blind Spot. He had read the announcement in the paper on the way back, togethe

e in

from inside, the place was but partly furnished. Hollow steps sounded down the hallway, shuffling, like weary bones dragging slippers. The door opened and an old wom

but is Dr. H

he eyes were of blank expression

hite whiskers. He was here a few minutes ago, with th

e was a man went out and a

There was

was a woman-a ve

pped her hand. I

kes two. This morning it was a man a

as so slight and frail and helpless and so old; such a fragile thing to bear burden and troub

two. That makes two. This morning

understand. He pi

that Dr. Holc

blank expression, she was evid

omb. Oh, yes, Dr. Holco

ened t

closed the door carefully and touched his arm. It seemed to him that she was terribly weak and tottering

re his

t he did it for

n co

her wonder. "First a man and then a woman. Now there is one. You are his son." And twice she stopped and listened. "Do you hear anything? A bell? I love to hear

ut her reason or very near

now, first a bell,

she was blank trying to recall her senses. And

b. The little old man with the beautiful whiskers. This morning it was a man; n

nd hollow; the scant furniture was threadbare with age and mildew; each sound was exagger

e two. Now th

ashioned high ceiling. Nothing else. Whatever the weirdness and adventure, Jerome

are two. This morning a man; n

ome. This will n

nous sound-and music. A church bell. Just one stroke, full toned, filling all the air till the whole room was choked with music. Then as suddenly it died out and faded into nothing. At the same time he felt the fingers on his arm relax; and a heap was at his feet. He reached

here a