"Harry," he went on, "I am asking. Somebody has got to wear this
ring. He must be a man. He must be fearless; he must taunt the
devil. It is hard work, I assure you. I cannot last much longer.
You loved the old doctor. If we get 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
alone and fearless; he succumbed to his own wisdom. I have
followed after, and I have been crushed down--perhaps by my
ignorance. I am not afraid. But I don't want my work to die.
Somebody has got to take it on and you are the man."

They were all of them looking at me. I studied the wonderful blue
and its light. The image of the great professor had dimmed almost
completely. It was a sudden task and a great one. Here was a law;
one of the great 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 somehow that he was speaking. Though
Watson did the talking I could feel him calling. Would I be
afraid? Besides, there was the jewel. It was calling; already I
could feel it burning into my spirit. I looked up.

"Do you take it, Harry?"

I nodded.

"I do. God knows I am worthless enough. I'll take it up. It may
give me a chance to engage with this famous Rhamda."