But we must remember,
above all things, that black case of Professor Holcomb's! It holds
the secrets.
"Now I must ask you all to step out of this room. This library,
you know, is the Blind Spot."
He directed them to take positions along the balustrade of the
stairway, out in the hall--through the wide archway, where they
could have a clear view, yet be safe.
It was a curious test. With nothing but his mathematics and his
drawing to go by, Watson was about to set the three stones in
their invisible sockets. He spread the map out carefully, likewise
his calculations; they gave him, on this floor, the precise
positions that he charted on the earth of the cellar. A glance
toward the front of the house--north--then a little measuring,
three chalk-marks on the carpet, and he was ready for the final
move.
He took the fateful ring and with a penknife pried up the prongs
that held the stone. As it popped out he caught it with one hand.
Then he looked at the row of wondering faces along the stair.
"I think it will work," he said. "But, remember--don't come near!
I shall get out as best I can myself; don't try to save me."
With that he held the jewel on the first of the three chalk-marks
on the circumference of the great circle. He held it tight against
the carpet and then let go. Up it flashed about one foot--and
disappeared.
There was no sound. Next Watson took the red stone.
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