51 chapters
15 hour read
Selected Chapters
51 chapters
THE LURE AND LORE OF “THE BLIND SPOT” BY FORREST J ACKERMAN
THE LURE AND LORE OF “THE BLIND SPOT” BY FORREST J ACKERMAN
The Blind Spot opens with the words: “Perhaps it were just as well to start at the beginning. A mere matter of news.” Suppose I use them in the same sense: A mere matter of news: The first instalment of this fabulous novel was featured in Argosy-All-Story-Weekly for May 14, 1921. Described as a “different” serial, it was introduced by a cover by Modest Stein. In the foreground was the profile of a girl of another dimension—ethereal, sensuous, the eternal feminine—the Nervina of the story. Filmy
7 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
N-O A-C-C-I-D-E-N-T—R-O-B-B-E-R-Y
N-O A-C-C-I-D-E-N-T—R-O-B-B-E-R-Y
There followed something about being held up by a hitch-hiker. Then Hall (or at least some energy-source other than my own conscious mind) came through too, and when I asked if he had left any work behind he replied:...
21 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
Y-E-S—T-H-E L-A-S-T G-O-D-L-I-N-G
Y-E-S—T-H-E L-A-S-T G-O-D-L-I-N-G
Later I asked his son about this (without revealing the title) and Javen Hall told me of the story his father had been plotting when he died: THE HIDDEN EMPIRE, or THE CHILD OF THE SOUTHWIND. Whatever was pushing the planchette failed to inform me that when I found Austin Hall's son and widow, they would put into my hands an unknown, unpublished fantasy novel by Hall: THE HOUSE OF DAWN! Some day it may appear in print. Meanwhile you are getting understandably impatient to explore that unknown re
56 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
PROLOGUE
PROLOGUE
Perhaps it were just as well to start at the beginning. A mere matter of news. All the world at the time knew the story; but for the benefit of those who have forgotten I shall repeat it. I am merely giving it as I have taken it from the papers with no elaboration and no opinion—a mere statement of facts. It was a celebrated case at the time and stirred the world to wonder. Indeed, it still is celebrated, though to the layman it is forgotten. It has been labelled and indexed and filed away in th
2 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
I. — RHAMDA AVEC
I. — RHAMDA AVEC
On a certain foggy morning in September, 1905, a tall man wearing a black overcoat and bearing in one hand a small satchel of dark-reddish leather descended from a Geary Street tram at the foot of Market Street, San Francisco. It was a damp morning; a mist was brooding over the city blurring all distinctness. The man glanced about him; a tall man of trim lines and distinctness and a quick, decided step and bearing. In the shuffle of descending passengers he was outstanding, with a certain inborn
20 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
II. — THE PROFESSOR OF PHILOSOPHY
II. — THE PROFESSOR OF PHILOSOPHY
And now to start in on another angle. There is hardly any necessity for introducing Dr. Holcomb. All of us, at least, those who read, and, most of all, those of us who are interested in any manner of speculation, knew him quite well. He was the professor of philosophy at the University of California: a great man and a good one, one of those fine academic souls who, not only by their wisdom, but by their character, have a way of stamping themselves upon generations; a speaker of the upstanding cl
11 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
III. — “NOW THERE ARE TWO”
III. — “NOW THERE ARE TWO”
The rest of the story is unfortunately all too easily told. We go back to Jerome and his strange companion. At Centre Street station they alighted and walked up to the university. Under the Le Conte oaks they met the professor. He was trim and happy, his short, well-built figure clothed in black, his snow-white whiskers trimmed to the usual square crop and his pink skin glowing with splendid health. The fog had by this time lifted and the sun was just beginning to overcome the chilliness of the
17 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
IV. — GONE
IV. — GONE
Jerome was a strong man, of iron nerve, and well set against emotion; in the run of his experience he had been plumped into many startling situations; but none like this. The croon of the old lady thrummed in his ears with endless repetition. He picked her up tenderly and bore her to another room and placed her on a ragged sofa. There were still marks on her face of former beauty. He wondered who she was and what had been her life to come to such an ending. “Now there are two,” the words were wi
11 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
V. — FRIENDS
V. — FRIENDS
My name is Harry Wendel. I am an attorney and until recently boasted of a splendid practice and an excellent prospect for the future. I am still a young man; I have had a good education and still have friends and admirers. Such being the case, you no doubt wonder why I give a past reference to my practice and what the future might have held for me. Listen: I might as well start 'way back. I shall do it completely and go back to the fast-receding time of childhood. There is a recollection of chil
22 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
VI. — CHICK WATSON
VI. — CHICK WATSON
Now to go back. In due time we were both of us graduated from college. I went into the law and Hobart into engineering. We were both successful. There was not a thing to foreshadow that either of us was to be jerked from his profession. There was no adventure, but lots of work and reward in proportion. Perhaps I was a bit more fortunate. I was in love and Hobart was still a confirmed bachelor. It was a subject over which he was never done joking. It was not my fault. I was innocent. If the blame
25 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
“I—”
“I—”
Chick smiled wanly. “May I ask you: what it is that has just flared up within me? I am weak, anaemic, fallen to pieces; my muscles have lost the power to function, my blood runs cold, I have been more than two feet over the border. And yet—a few drinks of brandy, of stimulants, and you have drawn me back, my heart beats strongly, for an hour. By means of drugs you have infused a new life—which of course is the old—and driven the material components of my body into correlation. You are successful
6 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
VIII. — THE NERVINA
VIII. — THE NERVINA
For a moment we were silent. The jewel reposed upon the table. What was the secret of its phenomena? I could think of nothing in science that would 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 force was this that had driven him to such a verge? He was resigned; though he was defiant he had already conceded his surrender. Dr. Hansen spoke. “Watson,” he asked, “what do you know about the Blind Spot?” “No
42 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
X. — MAN OR PHANTOM
X. — MAN OR PHANTOM
It was Hobart who came to first. His voice was good to hear. It was natural; it was sweet and human, but it was pregnant with disappointment: “We are fools, Harry; we are fools!” But I could only stare. I remember saying: “The Blind Spot?” “Yes,” returned Hobart, “the Blind Spot. But what is it? We saw him go. Did you see it?” “It gets me,” I answered. “He just vanished into space. It—” Frankly I was afraid. “It tallies well with the reports. The old lady and Jerome. Remember?” “And the bell?” I
16 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
XI. — BAFFLED
XI. — BAFFLED
Was it a dream? The next I knew somebody was dousing water down my neck. It was Hobart Fenton. “Lord,” he was saying, “I thought you were never coming to. What hit us? You are pretty well cut up. That was some fight. This Rhamda, who is he? Can you figure him out? Did you hear that bell? What was it?” I sat up. “Where is the Nervina?” I asked. “The who?” He was bewildered. “Oh, down at the cafe, I suppose. Thought you had forgotten her. Wasn't her mate enough? It might be healthy to forget his N
17 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
XII. — A DEAL IN PROPERTY
XII. — A DEAL IN PROPERTY
But to return. There was work that I should do—much work if I was going after the solution. In the first place, there was the house. I turned my back to the waterfront and entered the city. The streets were packed, the commerce of man jostled and threaded along the highways; there was life and action, hope, ambition. It was what I had loved so well. Yet now it was different. I realised it vaguely, and wondered. This feeling of aloofness? It was intrinsic, coming from within, like the withering o
10 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
XIII. — ALBERT JEROME
XIII. — ALBERT JEROME
Just as soon as possible I hurried over to Berkeley. I went straight to the bungalow on Dwight Way; I inquired for Miss Holcomb. She was a woman now in her late twenties, decidedly pretty, a blonde, and of intelligent bearing. Coming on such an errand, I was at a loss just how to approach her. I noted the little lines about the corners of her eyes, the sad droop of her pretty mouth. Plainly she was worried. As I was removing my hat she caught sight of the ring upon my finger. “Oh,” she said; “th
21 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
XIV. — A NEW ELEMENT
XIV. — A NEW ELEMENT
Budge Kennedy was not so easily found. There were many Kennedys. About two-thirds of Ireland had apparently migrated to San Francisco under that name and had lodged in the directory. We went through the lists on both sides of the bay, but found nothing; the old directories had mostly been destroyed by fire or had been thrown away as worthless; but at last we unearthed one. In it we found the name of Budge Kennedy. He had two sons—Patrick and Henry. One of these, Henry, we ran down in the Mission
25 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
XV. — AGAIN THE NERVINA
XV. — AGAIN THE NERVINA
It was at this point that I began taking notes. There is something psychological to the Blind Spot, weird and touching on the spirit. I know not what it is; but I can feel it. It impinges on to life. I can sense the ecstasy of horror. I am not afraid. Whatever it is that is dragging me down, it is not evil. My sensations are not normal. For the benefit of my successor, if there is to be one, I have made an elaborate detail of notes and comments. After all, the whole thing, when brought down to t
14 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
XVI. — CHARLOTTE
XVI. — CHARLOTTE
Left alone, I began thinking of Charlotte. I loved her; of that I was certain. I could not compare her with the Nervina. She was like myself, human. I had known her since boyhood. The other was out of the ether; my love for her was something different; she was of dreams and moonbeams; there was a film about her beauty, illusion; she was of spirit. I wrote a note to the detective and left it upon my desk. After that I packed a suitcase and hurried to the station. If I was going I would do it at o
26 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CANNOT HOLD OUT MUCH LONGER. COME AT ONCE.—HARRY.
CANNOT HOLD OUT MUCH LONGER. COME AT ONCE.—HARRY.
I was a bit ashamed. I had hoped. I had counted upon myself. I had trusted in the full strength of my individuality. I had been healthy—strong—full blooded. On the fullness of vitality one would live forever. There is no tomorrow. It was not a year ago. I was eighty. It had been so with Watson. What was this subtle thing that ate into one's marrow? I had read of banshees, lemures and leprechauns; they were the ghosts and the fairies of ignorance but they were not like this. It was impersonal, hi
1 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
XVIII. — CHARLOTTE'S STORY
XVIII. — CHARLOTTE'S STORY
I do not know. It is hard to write after what has happened. Hobart says that it is why I am to write it. It is to be a plain narrative. Besides, he is very busy and cannot do it himself. There must be some record. I shall do my best and hold out of my writing as much as I can of my emotion. I shall start with the Nervina. It was the first I knew; the first warning. Looking back I cannot but wonder. No person I think who has ever seen the Nervina can do much else; she is so beautiful! Beautiful?
18 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
XIX. — HOBART FENTON TAKES UP THE TALE
XIX. — HOBART FENTON TAKES UP THE TALE
Right here at the outset, I had better make a clean breast of something which the reader will very soon suspect, anyhow: I am a plain, unpoetic, blunt-speaking man, trained as a civil engineer, and in most respects totally dissimilar from the man who wrote the first account of the Blind Spot. Harry had already touched upon this. He came of an artistic family. I think he must have taken up law in the hope that the old saying would prove true: “The only certain thing about law is its uncertainty.”
12 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
XX. — THE HOUSE OF MIRACLES
XX. — THE HOUSE OF MIRACLES
Looking back over what has just been written, I am sensible of a profound gratitude. I am grateful, both because I have been given the privilege of relating these events, and because I shall not have to leave this wilderness of facts for someone else to explain. Really, if I did not know that I shall have the pleasure of piecing together these phenomena and of setting my finger upon the comparatively simple explanation; if I had to go away and leave this account unfinished, a mere collection of
18 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
XXI. — OUT OF THIN AIR
XXI. — OUT OF THIN AIR
Except for the incident just related, when several pints of very real fluids were somehow “materialised” at a spot ten feet below where they had vanished, nothing worth recording occurred during the first seven days of our stay at Chatterton Place. Seemingly nothing was to come of the Rhamda's warning. On the other hand we succeeded, during that week, in working a complete transformation of the old house. It became one of the brightest spots in San Francisco. It cost a good deal of money, all to
12 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
XXII. — THE ROUSING OF A MIND
XXII. — THE ROUSING OF A MIND
It was a girl. Not the Nervina. No; this girl was quite another person. Even now I find it curiously hard to describe her. For me to say that she was the picture of innocence, of purity, and of youth, is still to leave unsaid the secret of her loveliness. For this stranger, coming out of the thin air into our midst, held me with a glorious fascination. From the first I felt no misgivings, such as Harry confesses he experienced when he fell under the Nervina's charm. I knew as I watched the stran
21 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
XXIII. — THE RHAMDA AGAIN
XXIII. — THE RHAMDA AGAIN
I could have yelled for joy. We were about to learn something of the Blind Spot—something that might help us to save Harry, and Chick, and the professor! Ariadne seemed to know that a great deal depended upon what she was about to tell us. She deliberately sat down, and rested her chin upon her hand, as though determining upon the best way of telling something very difficult to express. As for Charlotte, Jerry, and myself, we managed somehow to restrain our curiosity enough to keep silence. But
17 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
XXIV. — THE LIVING DEATH
XXIV. — THE LIVING DEATH
As soon as the fresh air had revived us somewhat, we first of all examined Ariadne. She still lay unconscious, very pale, and alarmingly limp. I picked her up and carried her into the next room, where there was a sofa, while Jerome went for water and Charlotte brought smelling-salts. Neither of these had any effect. Ariadne seemed to be scarcely breathing; her heart beat only faintly, and there was no response to such other methods as friction, slapping, or pinching of fingernails. “We had bette
17 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
SIR HENRY HODGES
SIR HENRY HODGES
I nearly upset the table in my excitement. I ran into the hall. Who wouldn't? Sir Henry Hodges! The English scientist about whom the whole world was talking! The most gifted investigator of the day; the most widely informed; of all men on the face of the globe, the best equipped, mentally, to explore the unknown! Without the slightest formality I grabbed his hand and shook it until he smiled at my enthusiasm. “My dear Sir Henry,” I told him, “I'm immensely glad to see you! The truth is, I've bee
10 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
XXVI. — DIRECT FROM PARADISE
XXVI. — DIRECT FROM PARADISE
The sound was not like that of the walking of the human. Nor was it such as an animal would make. It was neither a thud nor a pattering, but more like a scratching shuffle, such as reminded me of nothing that I had ever heard before. Next moment, however, there came another sort of sound, plainly audible above the footsteps. This was a thin, musical chuckle which ended in a deep, but faint, organ-like throb. It happened only once. Immediately it was followed by a steady clicking, such as might b
13 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
XXVII. — SOLVED
XXVII. — SOLVED
It was a tiny thing, and most amazingly beautiful. It could not have stood as high as a canary; and had its feathers been made of gleaming silver they could not have been lovelier. And its black-plumed head, and long, blossom-like tail, were such as no man on earth ever set eyes on. Like a flash it was gone. Not more than a half a second was this enchanting apparition visible to us. Before we could discern any more than I have mentioned, it not only vanished but it ceased to make any sounds what
10 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
XXVIII. — THE MAN FROM SPACE
XXVIII. — THE MAN FROM SPACE
Before starting the conclusion of the Blind Spot mystery it may be just as well for the two publicists who are bringing it to the press to follow Hobart Fenton's example and go into a bit of explanation. The two men who wrote the first two parts were participants, and necessarily writing almost in the present tense. While they could give an accurate and vivid account of their feelings and experiences, they could only guess at what lay in the future, at the events that would unravel it all. But t
29 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
XXIX. — THE OCCULT WORLD
XXIX. — THE OCCULT WORLD
“In telling what I know,” began Watson, “I shall use a bit of a preface. It's necessary, in a way, if you are to understand me; besides, it will give you the advantage of looking into the Blind Spot with the clear eyes of reason. I intend to tell all, to omit nothing. My purpose in doing this is that, in case we should fail tonight, you will be able to give my account to the world.” It was a strange introduction. His listeners exchanged thoughtful glances. But they all affirmed, and Sir Henry hi
20 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
XXX. — THE PLUNGE
XXX. — THE PLUNGE
The woman left him. For a while Chick reflected upon what she had said. In full rush of returning vigour his mind was working clearly and with analytical exactness. For the first time he noticed a heaviness in the air, overladen, pregnant. He became aware of a strange, undercurrent of life; of an exceedingly faint, insistent sound, pulse-like and rhythmical, like the breathing undertones of multitudes. He was a city man, and accustomed to the murmuring throbs of a metropolitan heart. But this wa
16 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
XXXI. — UP FOR BREATH
XXXI. — UP FOR BREATH
Rhamda Geos, instead of showing the concern and uneasiness that most men would show in the presence of an avowed ghost, evinced nothing but a deep and reverent happiness. He took Watson's hand almost shyly. And while his manner was not effusive, it had the warmth that comes from the heart of a scholar. “As a Rhamda,” he declared, “I must commend myself for being the first to speak to you. And I must congratulate you, my dear sir, on having fallen, not into the hands of Bar Senestro, but into tho
16 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
XXXII. — THROUGH UNKNOWN WATERS
XXXII. — THROUGH UNKNOWN WATERS
The SPOT of Life! And the subject of Dr. Holcomb's lecture, promised but never delivered, had been announced as—The Blind SPOT! To Watson it was fairly astounding to discover that the two—Holcomb and Avec—had reached simultaneously for the curtain of the shadow. The professor had said that it would be “the greatest day since Columbus.” And so it had proven, did the world but know it. “And—the Rhamda Avec never returned?” asked Chick. “No.” “But he sent back something within three days?” Watson w
23 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
XXXIII. — A LONG WAY FROM SHORE
XXXIII. — A LONG WAY FROM SHORE
Once more Watson had taken the kind of chance he preferred—a slender one. He took the chance that these people, however occult and advanced they might be, were still human enough to build their prophecy out of an old foundation. If he were right, then the person of the Jarados would be inviolable. If the professor were prisoner, held somewhere in secret, and it got noised about that he was the true prophet returned—it would not only give Holcomb immense prestige, but at the same time render the
18 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
XXXIV. — THE BAR SENESTRO
XXXIV. — THE BAR SENESTRO
It was a critical moment for Chick. Out of the impulse of his inner nature he had chosen the odds that he must now uphold against the combined wisdom of these intellectuals. He was alone, with no one to guide him save Geos, who undoubtedly was his friend, but who as undoubtedly would desert him upon the slightest inkling of imposture. He found himself in a great, round room, or rather an oval one, domed at the top but tinted in a far more beautiful colouring—lazuli blue. The walls were cut by lo
26 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
XXXV. — THE PERFECT IMPOSTOR
XXXV. — THE PERFECT IMPOSTOR
Chick gasped. Of all that assemblage—Rhamdas, guards, the occupants of the two thrones—he himself was the most astounded. Was the great professor in actual fact the true Jarados? If not, how explain this miracle? But if he were, how to explain the duality, the identity? Surely, it could not be sheer chance! Fortunately for Chick, it was dark. All eyes were fixed on the trim figure which occupied the space of the clover-leaf on the rear wall. Except for Chick's strangled gasp, there was only the
19 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
XXXVI. — AN ALLY, AND SOLID GROUND
XXXVI. — AN ALLY, AND SOLID GROUND
The soldier replied unhesitatingly: “It is the Day of Life, my lord. Others call it the 'first of the Sixteen Days.' Still others, simply the Day of the Prophet, or Jarados.” “When will it be?” “Soon. It is but two days hence. And with the going down of the sun on that day the Fulfilment is to begin, and the Life is to come. Hence the crowd below, my lord; yet they are nothing compared with the crowds that today are pressing their way from all D'Hartia and Kospia towards the Mahovisal.” “All bec
8 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
XXXVII. — LOOKING DOWN
XXXVII. — LOOKING DOWN
Presently the three men were standing at the door of a vast room, one entire side of which was wide open to the outer air. It was filled by a number of queer, shining objects. At first glance Chick took them to be immense beetles. The Jan Lucar spoke to the Geos: “We had best take the June Bug of the Rhamda Avec.” Watson thought it best to say nothing, show nothing. The Jan ran up to one of the glistening affairs, and without the slightest noise he spun it gracefully around, running it out into
18 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
XXXVIII. — THE VOICE FROM THE VOID
XXXVIII. — THE VOICE FROM THE VOID
Even while that inexplicable heavenly pageant still burned against the heavens, something else took place, a thing of much greater importance to Chick. And, it happened right before his eyes. In the front of the car was a dial, slightly raised above the level of the various controlling instruments. And all of a sudden this dial, a small affair about six inches across, broke into light and life. First, there was a white blaze that covered the whole disc; then the whiteness abruptly gave way to a
14 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
XXXIX. — WHO IS THE JARADOS?
XXXIX. — WHO IS THE JARADOS?
It was all over. Chick opened his eyes to see the Jan throwing open the plate on the side of the compartment. Neither the soldier nor the Rhamda seemed to have noted Chick's daze. As for the Jan, his blue eyes were dancing with dare-devilry. “That's what I call living!” he grinned. “They can keep on looking for the June Bug all night!” Chick looked out. They were inside the great room from which they had started; the trip was over; the plunge had been made in safety. Chick took a long breath, an
22 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
“PAT MACPHERSON”
“PAT MACPHERSON”
Said Watson: “Who gave you this? Did you see the man?” “It was sent up my lord. The man was a high Bar in the Senestro's guard.” Watson could not understand this. Was it possible that there were others in this mysterious region besides himself? At any rate, he wasn't wholly alone. He felt that he could count upon the Irishman—or was this fellow Scotch? Anyhow, such a man would find the quick means of wit at a crucial moment. Suddenly Watson noted a queer feeling of emptiness. He looked out of th
22 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
THE PROPHECY OF THE JARADOS
THE PROPHECY OF THE JARADOS
Behold! When the day is at hand, prepare ye! For, when that day cometh, ye shall have signs and portents from the world beyond. Wisdom cometh out of life, and life walketh out of wisdom. Yea, in the manner of life and of spirit ye shall have them, and of substance even like unto you yourselves. And it shall come to pass in the last days, that we shall be on guard. By these signs ye shall know them; even by the truths I have taught thee. The way of life is an open door; wisdom and virtue are its
13 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
XLII. — PAT MACPHERSON'S STORY
XLII. — PAT MACPHERSON'S STORY
To Watson it was all a blur. He was too weak and too broken to remember distinctly. He was conscious only of an uproar, of a torrent of multitudinous sound. And then—the deep, enveloping tone of a bell. Some time, somewhere, Chick had heard that bell before. In his present condition his memory refused to serve him. He was covered with blood; he tried to rise, to crawl to this snarling animal that was throttling the Senestro. But something seemed to snap within him, and all went black. When he op
21 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
XLIII. — THE HOME OF THE JARADOS
XLIII. — THE HOME OF THE JARADOS
Chick had been grievously hurt in the contest with the Senestro, but thanks to the Rhamdas he came round rapidly. It was a matter of less than a week. Things were coming to a climax; Chick needed no lynx's eye to see that the die had been cast between the Bars and the Rhamdas. Soon the Senestro must make a bold move, or else release the professor. Chick had not long to wait. It came one evening. Once again he found himself in the June Bug, accompanied by the Geos, the Jan Lucar, and—the little A
19 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
XLIV. — DR. HOLCOMB'S STORY
XLIV. — DR. HOLCOMB'S STORY
If there was the least doubt in Chick's mind that this was really Harry, it was dispelled by the sight of the person who the next moment stepped up to his side. It was none other than the Nervina. “Harry Wendel!” gasped Watson. It was too good to be true! “Surest thing you know, Chick. It's me, alive and kicking!” as they grabbed one another. “How did you get here?” “Search me! Ask the lady; I'm just a creature of circumstance. I merely act; she does all the thinking.” The Nervina smiled and nod
20 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
XLV. — THE ARADNA
XLV. — THE ARADNA
Thus had the professor got into actual touch with the occult—by sheer accident. Up to that time it had been only a hypothesis; now it was a fact. Next step was to open up direct communication. “That was difficult. To begin with, I worked to repeat the phenomena I had seen, getting some haphazard results from the start. My purpose throughout was to exchange intelligent comment with the individual I had beheld on that snow-stone within the Spot; and in the end I succeeded. “He gave me fairly expli
30 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
“HOW DID IT HAPPEN?”
“HOW DID IT HAPPEN?”
“I scarcely know. We went up to play with the dog. It was unwilling to leave the place, and Aradna teasingly tried to push her off on to the steps. She succeeded, but—well, it was all over that quick. The Aradna was gone!” But the Spot had by this time lost a good deal of its terror. Knowing what was on the other side, and who, made a great difference. As the doctor said later in a private consultation with Chick and Harry: “It's not so bad. That is, if Hobart Fenton is at work there. I think he
14 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
XLVII. — THE LAST LEAF
XLVII. — THE LAST LEAF
Watson's story was now completed. During the entire recital his auditors had spoken scarcely a word. It had been marvellous—almost a revelation. With the possible exception of Sir Henry Hodges, not one had expected that it would measure up to this. For the whole thing backed up Holcomb's original proposition: “The Occult is concrete.” Certainly, if what Watson had told them was true, then Infinity had been squared by itself. Not only was there an infinity that we might look up to through the sta
13 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
XLVIII. — THE UNACCOUNTABLE
XLVIII. — THE UNACCOUNTABLE
Were this account merely a work of fiction, it would harmonise things so as to have no unaccountables in it. As it is, the present writers will have to make this quite clear: It is not known why the Rhamda Avec failed to show himself at the crucial moment. Perhaps he could have changed everything. We can only surmise; he has not been seen or heard from since. Which also is true of Mr. Chick Watson. He disappeared immediately after the closing of the Spot, saying that he was going to Bertha Holco
9 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter