The Blind Spot

ld explain it. How had Watson come into its possession? What was the tale he had to tell? The lean, long finger that clutched for brandy! What fo

"what do you know ab

thi

ed more brandy. The doctor's eyes we

ked, "who is

on t

tes ago? You saw him wi

st people did. Is he invisible? I

ame made him nervous; he loo

e powers we attribute to an apparition. He is strange and unaccountable. Sometimes you see him, sometimes you don't. The first known of him was

is the

oked at m

"The Nervina-what do yo

u mentioned

looked about the room rather f

goddess. Never was and never will be woman. She loves; she never hates, and still

Rhamda

es lit

N

u love

ain; but at last

not for me. I did; but I learned better. I wa

Whatever had been his experience, it was plain that he had no

didn't find t

id not f

you an

ad the doctor spoken that morning the world would have had a great fact. He had made a great discovery. It is a terrible thing." He turned the ring so we could all see it-beyond all doubt it was the doctor. "There he is-the professor. If he could only speak. Th

aken it to

N

hy

imply be l

er reported

ime he has gone out-like a shadow. It's got to be an old

ou accoun

I-I-I'm ju

member of the

or and the Rhamda to the house of the Blind Spot, as he calls it. He's not a

How about trickery? Did it ever occur to you

Does that look like murder?

over and turn

obart

always the first into everything, especially conversation. It'

rig

y, as they say, with Berth

n's eyes; he nodded; his who

you to the Blind Spot. You are

act

f her father's secrets. He undoubtedly had data on t

N

da? Has he ever s

many

ow you have

N

through your ignorance. Rhamda is your vil

odde

rt s

all are. There are about forty in this room at th

ing, a hue of fascination; not the hot flash of the diamond, but the frozen light of the iceberg. It was frigid, cold, terrible, blue, alluring. To me at the moment it se

nk you can stand up under the

ack depths was almost entreaty. How

up all that God gives to the fortunate? Will you give up your

ill I take

nod

your death or that of Dr. Holcomb. It is not a simple jewel. It defies description. It takes a man to wea

e of finery," I

upted. There was

at this law we have done more for mankind than either of us may do with his profession. We must save the old professor. He is living and he is waiting. There are perils and forces that we do not know of. The doctor went at it a

eat secrets of Cosmos. What was it? Somehow the lure caught into my vitals. I couldn't picture myself ever coming to the extremity of my companion. Besides, it was a duty. I owed it to the old doctor. It seemed

take it,

odd

. I'll take it up. It may give me a ch

arry. And above all don'

hy

irection. Hold the ring. Somewhere in that lustre lies a great secret; it controls the Blind Spot. The Rham

cou

e spoke, "it h

eakness was enough. One would come to this. He had warned me

is the B

ing? What is the tim

en I could watch the door. Whether it was the ring or not I do not know. At the time I did not reason. I acted upon

beauty, such profile, poise-the witching, laughing, night-black of her eyes; the perfectly bridged nose and the red, red lips that smiled, it seemed to me, in sadness. She hesitated, a

l do I

ction; but far, far above it. Somewhere I had seen her, had known her. She was looking and she was wait

She smiled, and nodded; there wa

y Wen

dreamy recollections. Ah, that was the answer! She was a girl of dreams and phantoms. Even then I knew it; she was not a woman; not as we conceive her; she was s

ce?" she a

. There was a call about her beautiful body and in her eyes that I could not answer. There was a fact between us, some strange bond that was beyon

me?" she aske

ve seen you; but I do not rememb

ghed pr

ways talk

," I answered: "it is suf

ps drooped slightly at the corners, a sad smile, and t

, "are you going t

ic-a call out of the occult. The strange beauty of the girl, her remarkable presence, and her concern. Whoever

shall," I

ity and hesitation; her eyes

't give

ying; that I was the plaything. It is hard for a man to think of himself as being toyed with. She was cer

I shall

Harry? It is death to wea

ring. If I keep it I may have you. This is the first t

dancing. I don't think my words di

o save you. You are playing with something stranger than the moonbeams. No man

nced he shook his head. Who was this girl? She was as beautiful a

oo beautiful to wear it. I am a man; I revel in trouble; you are a girl

She bit her lip. But she took it gracefully; s

n and then to think of you. It is, really"-a faint tremor ran through her body;

ide I could see the bank of fog; so

be going. Don't y

On the impulse of the moment, unmindful of place,

ng me: Watson analytically, the doctor with wonder

ter Charlotte

was all out of reason. I had no excuse outside of sheer insanity-and dishonour. The d

h the hearts of men, and she loves no one. It is the ring. She, the Rhamda, the Blind Spot, and the ring. I have never been able to unravel the

That's the rub. I know Harry-I know him as a brother, and

on s

s safe enough. The Nervina is not

doctor, "you giv

the brandy; he no

e last night one has no fear of habit. There-Now, gentlemen, if you