Peter puts a drop of his blood on a slide to see if he is losing his powers but his vision is so blurred he can’t see through the microscope. He shakily web-swings to Curt Connors lab but fi nds it deserted. His mental state worsening by the minute, he unthinkingly steals a necklace from Ace Jewelers for Gwen’s birthday party that evening, before coming to his senses and returning it. His powers deteriorating, Spider-Man resolves to retire. Arriving at Gwen’s party, after most of the guests have departed, Peter, mask in hand, confesses to being Spider- Man, but fl ees from Gwen’s hysterical reaction. Back in costume, Spider-Man seeks treatment at a hospital, where Dr. Phillips diagnoses his condition as severe fl u. Relieved his ailment is not more serious, Spider-Man undergoes a rapid recovery, both physically and mentally. Recalling his delirious behavior, Peter covers his face in webbing, locates Hobie Brown, gives him Spider-Man’s costume and asks him to impersonate the web-slinger. Hobie, grateful that Spider-Man let him go when he was the Prowler, agrees without question. Returning to the Stacy home, Peter claims he invented the confession in his fever, only carrying Spidey’s costume as a favor. Hobie, impersonating Spider-Man, arrives to “confirm” Peter’s story. Hobie departs, wondering what it was all about. Gwen and the others are relieved by Peter’s recovery.