He wheeled to the detective. “Jerome, this is a sketch of the compartments of Dr. Holcomb's safe. Not the large one in his house, but the small one in his laboratory. Go straight to Dwight Way. Give this note,” indicating another paper, “to Bertha Holcomb. Tell her that her father is safe, and that I am out of the Blind Spot. Tell her you have come to open the laboratory safe. I've written down the combination. If it doesn't work use explosives; there's nothing inside which force can harm. In the compartment marked 'X' you will find a small particle about the size of a pea, wrapped in tin-foil, and locked in a small metal box. You will have to break the box. As for the contents, once you see the stone you can't mistake it; it will weigh about six pounds. Get it, and guard it with your life!”
“All right.”
Jerome put Watson's instructions in his wallet, at the same time glancing about the room.
“Where is Fenton?” he asked.
It was Watson who answered. He gave us the first news that had ever come from the Blind Spot. He spoke with firm deliberation, as though in full realisation of the sensation:
“Hobart Fenton has gone through the Blind Spot. Just now he is right here in this room.”
Sir Henry jumped.
“In this room! Is that what you said, Watson?”
The other ignored him.
“Jerome, you haven't a minute to lose! You and the general; bring that stone back to this house at ANY cost! Hurry!”