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