Chapter1—TheStrangeMan’sArrivalThestrangercameearlyinFebruaryonewintryday，throughabitingwindandadrivingsnow，thelastsnowfalloftheyear，overthedown，walkingasitseemedfromBramblehurstrailwaystationandcarryingalittleblackportmanteauinhisthicklyglovedhand。Hewaswrappedupfromheadtofoot，andthebrimofhissoftfelthathideveryinchofhisfacebuttheshinytipofhisnose;thesnowhadpileditselfagainsthisshouldersandchest，andaddedawhitecresttotheburdenhecarried。HestaggeredintotheCoachandHorses，moredeadthanaliveasitseemed，andflunghisportmanteaudown。\"Afire，\"hecried，\"inthenameofhumancharity！
Aroomandafire！\"Hestampedandshookthesnowfromoffhimselfinthebar，andfollowedMrs。Hallintoherguestparlourtostrikehisbargain。
Andwiththatmuchintroduction，thatandareadyacquiescencetotermsandacoupleofsovereignsflunguponthetable，hetookuphisquartersintheinn。
Mrs。Halllitthefireandlefthimtherewhileshewenttopreparehimamealwithherownhands。AguesttostopatIpinginthewinter—timewasanunheard—ofpieceofluck，letaloneaguestwhowasno\"haggler，\"
andshewasresolvedtoshowherselfworthyofhergoodfortune。Assoonasthebaconwaswellunderway，andMillie，herlymphaticaid，hadbeenbriskedupabitbyafewdeftlychosenexpressionsofcontempt，shecarriedthecloth，plates，andglassesintotheparlourandbegantolaythemwiththeutmostclat。Althoughthefirewasburningupbriskly，shewassurprisedtoseethathervisitorstillworehishatandcoat，standingwithhisbacktoherandstaringoutofthewindowatthefallingsnowintheyard。
Hisglovedhandswereclaspedbehindhim，andheseemedtobelostinthought。
Shenoticedthatthemeltedsnowthatstillsprinkledhisshouldersdrippeduponhercarpet。\"CanItakeyourhatandcoat，sir，\"shesaid，\"andgivethemagooddryinthekitchen？\"
\"No，\"hesaidwithoutturning。
Shewasnotsureshehadheardhim，andwasabouttorepeatherquestion。
Heturnedhisheadandlookedatheroverhisshoulder。\"Iprefertokeepthemon，\"hesaidwithemphasis，andshenoticedthatheworebigbluespectacleswithside—lightsandhadabushyside—whiskeroverhiscoat—collarthatcompletelyhidhisface。
\"Verywell，sir，\"shesaid。\"Asyoulike。Inabittheroomwillbewarmer。\"
Hemadenoanswerandhadturnedhisfaceawayfromheragain;andMrs。
Hall，feelingthatherconversationaladvanceswereill—timed，laidtherestofthetablethingsinaquickstaccatoandwhiskedoutoftheroom。
Whenshereturnedhewasstillstandingtherelikeamanofstone，hisbackhunched，hiscollarturnedup，hisdrippinghat—brimturneddown，hidinghisfaceandearscompletely。Sheputdowntheeggsandbaconwithconsiderableemphasis，andcalledratherthansaidtohim，\"Yourlunchisserved，sir。\"
\"Thankyou，\"hesaidatthesametime，anddidnotstiruntilshewasclosingthedoor。Thenheswungroundandapproachedthetable。
Asshewentbehindthebartothekitchensheheardasoundrepeatedatregularintervals。Chirk，chirk，chirk，itwent，thesoundofaspoonbeingrapidlywhiskedroundabasin。\"Thatgirl！\"shesaid。\"There！Icleanforgotit。It’sherbeingsolong！\"Andwhilesheherselffinishedmixingthemustard，shegaveMillieafewverbalstabsforherexcessiveslowness。
Shehadcookedthehamandeggs，laidthetable，anddoneeverything，whileMillie（helpindeed！）hadonlysucceededindelayingthemustard。Andhimanewguestandwantingtostay！Thenshefilledthemustardpot，and，puttingitwithacertainstatelinessuponagoldandblacktea—tray，carrieditintotheparlour。
Sherappedandenteredpromptly。Asshedidsohervisitormovedquickly，sothatshegotbutaglimpseofawhiteobjectdisappearingbehindthetable。Itwouldseemhewaspickingsomethingfromthefloor。Sherappeddownthemustardpotonthetable，andthenshenoticedtheovercoatandhathadbeentakenoffandputoverachairinfrontofthefire。Apairofwetbootsthreatenedrusttohersteelfender。Shewenttothesethingsresolutely。\"IsupposeImayhavethemtodrynow，\"shesaidinavoicethatbrookednodenial。
\"Leavethehat，\"saidhervisitorinamuffledvoice，andturningshesawhehadraisedhisheadandwassittinglookingather。
Foramomentshestoodgapingathim，toosurprisedtospeak。
Heheldawhitecloth——itwasaserviettehehadbroughtwithhim——overthelowerpartofhisface，sothathismouthandjawswerecompletelyhidden，andthatwasthereasonofhismuffledvoice。ButitwasnotthatwhichstartledMrs。Hall。Itwasthefactthatallhisforeheadabovehisblueglasseswascoveredbyawhitebandage，andthatanothercoveredhisears，leavingnotascrapofhisfaceexposedexceptingonlyhispink，peakednose。Itwasbrightpink，andshinyjustasithadbeenatfirst。
Heworeadark—brownvelvetjacketwithahighblacklinenlinedcollarturnedupabouthisneck。Thethickblackhair，escapingasitcouldbelowandbetweenthecrossbandages，projectedincurioustailsandhorns，givinghimthestrangestappearanceconceivable。Thismuffledandbandagedheadwassounlikewhatshehadanticipated，thatforamomentshewasrigid。
Hedidnotremovetheserviette，butremainedholdingit，asshesawnow，withabrownglovedhand，andregardingherwithhisinscrutableblueglasses。\"Leavethehat，\"hesaid，speakingverydistinctlythroughthewhitecloth。
Hernervesbegantorecoverfromtheshocktheyhadreceived。Sheplacedthehatonthechairagainbythefire。\"Ididn’tknow，sir，\"shebegan，\"that——\"andshestoppedembarrassed。
\"Thankyou，\"hesaiddrily，glancingfromhertothedoorandthenatheragain。
\"I’llhavethemnicelydried，sir，atonce，\"shesaid，andcarriedhisclothesoutoftheroom。Sheglancedathiswhite—swathedheadandbluegogglesagainasshewasgoingoutofthedoor;buthisnapkinwasstillinfrontofhisface。Sheshiveredalittleassheclosedthedoorbehindher，andherfacewaseloquentofhersurpriseandperplexity。\"Inever，\"
shewhispered。\"There！\"Shewentquitesoftlytothekitchen，andwastoopreoccupiedtoaskMilliewhatshewasmessingaboutwithnow，whenshegotthere。
Thevisitorsatandlistenedtoherretreatingfeet。Heglancedinquiringlyatthewindowbeforeheremovedhisservietteandresumedhismeal。Hetookamouthful，glancedsuspiciouslyatthewindow，tookanothermouthful，thenroseand，takingtheservietteinhishand，walkedacrosstheroomandpulledtheblinddowntothetopofthewhitemuslinthatobscuredthelowerpanes。Thislefttheroomintwilight。Thisdone，hereturnedwithaneasierairtothetableandhismeal。
\"Thepoorsoul’shadanaccidentoranop’rationorsomething，\"saidMrs。Hall。\"Whataturnthembandagesdidgiveme，tobesure！\"
Sheputonsomemorecoal，unfoldedtheclothes—horse，andextendedthetraveller’scoatuponthis。\"Andtheygoggles！Why，helookedmorelikeadivin’helmetthanahumanman！\"Shehunghismuffleronacornerofthehorse。\"Andholdingthathandkerchiefoverhismouthallthetime。
Talkin’throughit！……Perhapshismouthwashurttoo——maybe。\"
Sheturnedround，asonewhosuddenlyremembers。\"Blessmysoulalive！\"
shesaid，goingoffatatangent;\"ain’tyoudonethemtatersyet，Millie？\"
WhenMrs。Hallwenttoclearawaythestranger’slunch，herideathathismouthmustalsohavebeencutordisfiguredintheaccidentshesupposedhimtohavesuffered，wasconfirmed，forhewassmokingapipe，andallthetimethatshewasintheroomheneverloosenedthesilkmufflerhehadwrappedroundthelowerpartofhisfacetoputthemouthpiecetohislips。Yetitwasnotforgetfulness，forshesawheglancedatitasitsmoulderedout。Hesatinthecornerwithhisbacktothewindow—blindandspokenow，havingeatenanddrunkandbeingcomfortablywarmedthrough，withlessaggressivebrevitythanbefore。Thereflectionofthefirelentakindofredanimationtohisbigspectaclestheyhadlackedhitherto。
\"Ihavesomeluggage，\"hesaid，\"atBramblehurststation，\"andheaskedherhowhecouldhaveitsent。Hebowedhisbandagedheadquitepolitelyinacknowledgmentofherexplanation。\"To—morrow！\"hesaid。\"Thereisnospeedierdelivery？\"andseemedquitedisappointedwhensheanswered\"No。\"
Wasshequitesure？Nomanwithatrapwhowouldgoover？
Mrs。Hall，nothingloath，answeredhisquestionsanddevelopedaconversation。
\"It’sasteeproadbythedown，sir，\"shesaidinanswertothequestionaboutatrap;andthen，snatchingatanopeningsaid，\"Itwasthereacarriagewasupsettled，ayearagoandmore。Agentlemankilled，besideshiscoachman。
Accidents，sir，happeninamoment，don’tthey？\"
Butthevisitorwasnottobedrawnsoeasily。\"Theydo，\"hesaidthroughhismuffler，eyeingherquietlythroughhisimpenetrableglasses。
\"Buttheytakelongenoughtogetwell，sir，don’tthey？……Therewasmysister’sson，Tom，jestcuthisarmwithascythe，tumbledonitinthe’ayfield，and，blessme！hewasthreemonthstiedup，sir。You’dhardlybelieveit。It’sregulargivenmeadreadofascythe，sir。\"
\"Icanquiteunderstandthat，\"saidthevisitor。
\"Hewasafraid，onetime，thathe’dhavetohaveanop’ration——hewasthatbad，sir。\"
Thevisitorlaughedabruptly，abarkofalaughthatheseemedtobiteandkillinhismouth。\"Washe？\"hesaid。
\"Hewas，sir。Andnolaughingmattertothemashadthedoingforhim，asIhad——mysisterbeingtookupwithherlittleonessomuch。Therewasbandagestodo，sir，andbandagestoundo。SothatifImaymakesoboldastosayit，sir——\"
\"Willyougetmesomematches？\"saidthevisitor，quiteabruptly。\"Mypipeisout。\"
Mrs。Hallwaspulledupsuddenly。Itwascertainlyrudeofhim，aftertellinghimallshehaddone。Shegaspedathimforamoment，andrememberedthetwosovereigns。Shewentforthematches。
\"Thanks，\"hesaidconcisely，assheputthemdown，andturnedhisshoulderuponherandstaredoutofthewindowagain。Itwasaltogethertoodiscouraging。
Evidentlyhewassensitiveonthetopicofoperationsandbandages。Shedidnot\"makesoboldastosay，\"however，afterall。Buthissnubbingwayhadirritatedher，andMilliehadahottimeofitthatafternoon。
Thevisitorremainedintheparlouruntilfouro’clock，withoutgivingtheghostofanexcuseforanintrusion。Forthemostparthewasquitestillduringthattime;itwouldseemhesatinthegrowingdarknesssmokinginthefirelight，perhapsdozing。
Onceortwiceacuriouslistenermighthaveheardhimatthecoals，andforthespaceoffiveminuteshewasaudiblepacingtheroom。Heseemedtobetalkingtohimself。Thenthearmchaircreakedashesatdownagain。
TheInvisibleMan—Chapter2Chapter2—Mr。TeddyHenfrey’sFirstImpressionsAtfouro’clock，whenitwasfairlydarkandMrs。Hallwasscrewinguphercouragetogoinandaskhervisitorifhewouldtakesometea，TeddyHenfrey，theclock—jobber，cameintothebar。\"Mysakes！Mrs。Hall，\"saidhe，\"butthisisterribleweatherforthinboots！\"Thesnowoutsidewasfallingfaster。
Mrs。Hallagreedwithhim，andthennoticedhehadhisbagandhituponabrilliantidea。\"Nowyou’rehere，Mr。Teddy，\"saidshe，\"I’dbegladifyou’dgiveth’oldclockintheparlourabitofalook。’Tisgoing，anditstrikeswellandhearty;butthehour—handwon’tdonuthin’butpointatsix。\"
Andleadingtheway，shewentacrosstotheparlourdoorandrappedandentered。
Hervisitor，shesawassheopenedthedoor，wasseatedinthearmchairbeforethefire，dozingitwouldseem，withhisbandagedheaddroopingononeside。Theonlylightintheroomwastheredglowfromthefire——whichlithiseyeslikeadverserailwaysignals，butlefthisdowncastfaceindarkness——andthescantyvestigesofthedaythatcameinthroughtheopendoor。Everythingwasruddy，shadowy，andindistincttoher，themoresosinceshehadjustbeenlightingthebarlamp，andhereyesweredazzled。
Butforaseconditseemedtoherthatthemanshelookedathadanenormousmouthwideopen，——avastandincrediblemouththatswallowedthewholeofthelowerportionofhisface。Itwasthesensationofamoment：thewhite—boundhead，themonstrousgoggleeyes，andthishugeyawnbelowit。Thenhestirred，startedupinhischair，putuphishand。Sheopenedthedoorwide，sothattheroomwaslighter，andshesawhimmoreclearly，withthemufflerheldtohisfacejustasshehadseenhimholdtheserviettebefore。Theshadows，shefancied，hadtrickedher。
\"Wouldyoumind，sir，thismana—comingtolookattheclock，sir？\"
shesaid，recoveringfromhermomentaryshock。
\"Lookattheclock？\"hesaid，staringroundinadrowsymannerandspeakingoverhishand，andthengettingmorefullyawake，\"certainly。\"
Mrs。Hallwentawaytogetalamp，andheroseandstretchedhimself。
Thencamethelight，andMr。TeddyHenfrey，entering，wasconfrontedbythisbandagedperson。Hewas，hesays，\"takenaback。\"
\"Good—afternoon，\"saidthestranger，regardinghim，asMr。Henfreysayswithavividsenseofthedarkspectacles，\"likealobster。\"
\"Ihope，\"saidMr。Henfrey，\"thatit’snointrusion。\"
\"Nonewhatever，\"saidthestranger。\"ThoughIunderstand，\"hesaid，turningtoMrs。Hall，\"thatthisroomisreallytobemineformyownprivateuse。\"
\"Ithought，sir，\"saidMrs。Hall，\"you’dprefertheclock——\"Shewasgoingtosay\"mended。\"
\"Certainly，\"saidthestranger，\"certainly——but，asarule，Iliketobealoneandundisturbed。
\"ButI’mreallygladtohavetheclockseento，\"hesaid，seeingacertainhesitationinMr。Henfrey’smanner。\"Veryglad。\"Mr。Henfreyhadintendedtoapologiseandwithdraw，butthisanticipationreassuredhim。Thestrangerstoodroundwithhisbacktothefireplaceandputhishandsbehindhisback。\"Andpresently，\"hesaid，\"whentheclock—mendingisover，IthinkIshouldliketohavesometea。Butnotuntiltheclock—mendingisover。\"
Mrs。Hallwasabouttoleavetheroom，——shemadenoconversationaladvancesthistime，becauseshedidnotwanttobesnubbedinfrontofMr。Henfrey，——whenhervisitoraskedherifshehadmadeanyarrangementsabouthisboxesatBramblehurst。Shetoldhimshehadmentionedthemattertothepostman，andthatthecarriercouldbringthemoveronthemorrow。\"Youarecertainthatistheearliest？\"hesaid。
Shewascertain，withamarkedcoldness。
\"Ishouldexplain，\"headded，\"whatIwasreallytoocoldandfatiguedtodobefore，thatIamanexperimentalinvestigator。\"
\"Indeed，sir，\"saidMrs。Hall，muchimpressed。
\"Andmybaggagecontainsapparatusandappliances。\"
\"Veryusefulthingsindeedtheyare，sir，\"saidMrs。Hall。
\"AndI’mnaturallyanxioustogetonwithmyinquiries。\"
\"Ofcourse，sir。\"
\"MyreasonforcomingtoIping，\"heproceeded，withacertaindeliberationofmanner，\"was——adesireforsolitude。Idonotwishtobedisturbedinmywork。Inadditiontomywork，anaccident——\"
\"Ithoughtasmuch，\"saidMrs。Halltoherself。
\"——necessitatesacertainretirement。Myeyes——aresometimessoweakandpainfulthatIhavetoshutmyselfupinthedarkforhourstogether。
Lockmyselfup。Sometimes——nowandthen。Notatpresent，certainly。Atsuchtimestheslightestdisturbance，theentryofastrangerintotheroom，isasourceofexcruciatingannoyancetome——itiswellthesethingsshouldbeunderstood。\"
\"Certainly，sir，\"saidMrs。Hall。\"AndifImightmakesoboldastoask——\"
\"That，Ithink，isall，\"saidthestranger，withthatquietlyirresistibleairoffinalityhecouldassumeatwill。Mrs。Hallreservedherquestionandsympathyforabetteroccasion。
AfterMrs。Hallhadlefttheroom，heremainedstandinginfrontofthefire，glaring，soMr。Henfreyputsit，attheclock—mending。Mr。Henfreynotonlytookoffthehandsoftheclock，andtheface，butextractedtheworks;andhetriedtoworkinasslowandquietandunassumingamanneraspossible。Heworkedwiththelampclosetohim，andthegreenshadethrewabrilliantlightuponhishands，andupontheframeandwheels，andlefttherestoftheroomshadowy。Whenhelookedup，colouredpatchesswaminhiseyes。Beingconstitutionallyofacuriousnature，hehadremovedtheworks——aquiteunnecessaryproceeding——withtheideaofdelayinghisdepartureandperhapsfallingintoconversationwiththestranger。Butthestrangerstoodthere，perfectlysilentandstill。Sostill，itgotonHenfrey’snerves。Hefeltaloneintheroomandlookedup，andthere，greyanddim，wasthebandagedheadandhugebluelensesstaringfixedly，withamistofgreenspotsdriftinginfrontofthem。Itwassouncanny—lookingtoHenfreythatforaminutetheyremainedstaringblanklyatoneanother。
ThenHenfreylookeddownagain。Veryuncomfortableposition！Onewouldliketosaysomething。Shouldheremarkthattheweatherwasverycoldforthetimeofyear？
Helookedupasiftotakeaimwiththatintroductoryshot。\"Theweather——\"
hebegan。
\"Whydon’tyoufinishandgo？\"saidtherigidfigure，evidentlyinastateofpainfullysuppressedrage。\"Allyou’vegottodoistofixthehour—handonitsaxle。You’resimplyhumbugging——\"
\"Certainly，sir——oneminutemore，sir。Ioverlooked——\"AndMr。Henfreyfinishedandwent。
Buthewentofffeelingexcessivelyannoyed。\"Damnit！\"saidMr。Henfreytohimself，trudgingdownthevillagethroughthethawingsnow;\"amanmustdoaclockattimes，sure—lie。\"
Andagain：\"Can’tamanlookatyou？——Ugly！\"
Andyetagain：\"Seeminglynot。Ifthepolicewaswantingyouyoucouldn’tbemorewroppedandbandaged。\"
AtGleeson’scornerhesawHall，whohadrecentlymarriedthestranger’shostessattheCoachandHorses，andwhonowdrovetheIpingconveyance，whenoccasionalpeoplerequiredit，toSidderbridgeJunction，comingtowardshimonhisreturnfromthatplace。Hallhadevidentlybeen\"stoppingabit\"atSidderbridge，tojudgebyhisdriving。\"’Owdo，Teddy？\"hesaid，passing。
\"Yougotarumunuphome！\"saidTeddy。
Hallverysociablypulledup。\"What’sthat？\"heasked。
\"Rum—lookingcustomerstoppingattheCoachandHorses，\"saidTeddy。
\"Mysakes！\"
AndheproceededtogiveHallavividdescriptionofhisgrotesqueguest。
\"Looksabitlikeadisguise，don’tit？I’dliketoseeaman’sfaceifIhadhimstoppinginmyplace，\"saidHenfrey。\"Butwomenarethattrustful，——wherestrangersareconcerned。He’stookyourroomsandheain’tevengivenaname，Hall。\"
\"Youdon’tsayso！\"saidHall，whowasamanofsluggishapprehension。
\"Yes，\"saidTeddy。\"Bytheweek。Whateverheis，youcan’tgetridofhimundertheweek。Andhe’sgotalotofluggagecomingto—morrow，sohesays。Let’shopeitwon’tbestonesinboxes，Hall。\"
HetoldHallhowhisauntatHastingshadbeenswindledbyastrangerwithemptyportmanteaux。AltogetherheleftHallvaguelysuspicious。\"Getup，oldgirl，\"saidHall。\"Is’poseImustsee’boutthis。\"
Teddytrudgedonhiswaywithhismindconsiderablyrelieved。
Insteadof\"seeing’boutit，\"however，HallonhisreturnwasseverelyratedbyhiswifeonthelengthoftimehehadspentinSidderbridge，andhismildinquirieswereansweredsnappishlyandinamannernottothepoint。ButtheseedofsuspicionTeddyhadsowngerminatedinthemindofMr。Hallinspiteofthesediscouragements。\"Youwim’don’tknoweverything，\"
saidMr。Hall，resolvedtoascertainmoreaboutthepersonalityofhisguestattheearliestpossibleopportunity。Andafterthestrangerhadgonetobed，whichhedidabouthalf—pastnine，Mr。Hallwentaggressivelyintotheparlourandlookedveryhardathiswife’sfurniture，justtoshowthatthestrangerwasn’tmasterthere，andscrutinisedcloselyandalittlecontemptuouslyasheetofmathematicalcomputationthestrangerhadleft。WhenretiringforthenightheinstructedMrs。Halltolookverycloselyatthestranger’sluggagewhenitcamenextday。
\"Youmindyourownbusiness，Hall，\"saidMrs。Hall，\"andI’llmindmine。\"
ShewasallthemoreinclinedtosnapatHallbecausethestrangerwasundoubtedlyanunusuallystrangesortofstranger，andshewasbynomeansassuredabouthiminherownmind。Inthemiddleofthenightshewokeupdreamingofhugewhiteheadsliketurnips，thatcametrailingafterherattheendofinterminablenecks，andwithvastblackeyes。Butbeingasensiblewoman，shesubduedherterrorsandturnedoverandwenttosleepagain。
TheInvisibleMan—Chapter3Chapter3—TheThousandandOneBottlesThusitwasthatontheninthdayofFebruary，atthebeginningofthethaw，thissingularpersonfelloutofinfinityintoIpingVillage。Nextdayhisluggagearrivedthroughtheslush。Andveryremarkableluggageitwas。Therewasacoupleoftrunksindeed，suchasarationalmanmightneed，butinadditiontherewereaboxofbooks，——big，fatbooks，ofwhichsomewerejustinanincomprehensiblehandwriting，——andadozenormorecrates，boxes，andcases，containingobjectspackedinstraw，asitseemedtoHall，tuggingwithacasualcuriosityatthestraw——glassbottles。Thestranger，muffledinhat，coat，gloves，andwrapper，cameoutimpatientlytomeetFearenside’scart，whileHallwashavingawordorsoofgossippreparatorytohelpingbringthemin。Outhecame，notnoticingFearenside’sdog，whowassniffinginadilettantespiritatHall’slegs。\"Comealongwiththoseboxes，\"hesaid。\"I’vebeenwaitinglongenough。\"
Andhecamedownthestepstowardsthetailofthecartasiftolayhandsonthesmallercrate。
NosoonerhadFearenside’sdogcaughtsightofhim，however，thanitbegantobristleandgrowlsavagely，andwhenherusheddownthestepsitgaveanundecidedhop，andthensprangstraightathishand。\"Whup！\"
criedHall，jumpingback，forhewasnoherowithdogs，andFearensidehowled，\"Liedown！\"andsnatchedhiswhip。
Theysawthedog’steethhadslippedthehand，heardakick，sawthedogexecuteaflankingjumpandgethomeonthestranger’sleg，andheardtheripofhistrousering。ThenthefinerendofFearenside’swhipreachedhisproperty，andthedog，yelpingwithdismay，retreatedunderthewheelsofthewaggon。Itwasallthebusinessofahalf—minute。Noonespoke，everyoneshouted。Thestrangerglancedswiftlyathistorngloveandathisleg，madeasifhewouldstooptothelatter，thenturnedandrushedupthestepsintotheinn。Theyheardhimgoheadlongacrossthepassageanduptheuncarpetedstairstohisbedroom。
\"Youbrute，you！\"saidFearenside，climbingoffthewaggonwithhiswhipinhishand，whilethedogwatchedhimthroughthewheel。\"Comehere！\"
saidFearenside——\"You’dbetter。\"
Hallhadstoodgaping。\"Hewuzbit，\"saidHall。\"I’dbettergoandseetoen，\"andhetrottedafterthestranger。HemetMrs。Hallinthepassage。
\"Carrier’sdarg，\"hesaid，\"biten。\"
Hewentstraightupstairs，andthestranger’sdoorbeingajar，hepusheditopenandwasenteringwithoutanyceremony，beingofanaturallysympatheticturnofmind。
Theblindwasdownandtheroomdim。Hecaughtaglimpseofamostsingularthing，whatseemedahandlessarmwavingtowardshim，andafaceofthreehugeindeterminatespotsonwhite，verylikethefaceofapalepansy。
Thenhewasstruckviolentlyinthechest，hurledback，andthedoorslammedinhisfaceandlocked，allsorapidlythathehadnotimetoobserve。
Awavingofindecipherableshapes，ablow，andaconcussion。Therehestoodonthedarklittlelanding，wonderingwhatitmightbethathehadseen。
AfteracoupleofminutesherejoinedthelittlegroupthathadformedoutsidetheCoachandHorses。TherewasFearensidetellingaboutitalloveragainforthesecondtime;therewasMrs。Hallsayinghisdogdidn’thavenobusinesstobiteherguests;therewasHuxter，thegeneraldealerfromovertheroad，interrogative;andSandyWadgersfromtheforge，judicial;
besideswomenandchildren，——allofthemsayingfatuities：\"Wouldn’tletenbiteme，Iknows\";\"’Tasn’trighthavesuchdargs\";\"Whad’ebite’nforthen？\"andsoforth。
Mr。Hall，staringatthemfromthestepsandlistening，founditincrediblethathehadseenanythingveryremarkablehappenupstairs。Besides，hisvocabularywasaltogethertoolimitedtoexpresshisimpressions。
\"Hedon’twantnohelp，hesays，\"hesaidinanswertohiswife’senquiry。
\"We’dbetterbea—takin’ofhisluggagein。\"
\"Heoughttohaveitcauterisedatonce，\"saidMr。Huxter;\"especiallyifit’satallinflamed。\"
\"I’dshooten，that’swhatI’ddo，\"saidaladyinthegroup。
Suddenlythedogbegangrowlingagain。
\"Comealong，\"criedanangryvoiceinthedoorway，andtherestoodthemuffledstrangerwithhiscollarturnedup，andhishat—brimbentdown。
\"ThesooneryougetthosethingsinthebetterI’llbepleased。\"Itisstatedbyananonymousbystanderthathistrousersandgloveshadbeenchanged。
\"Wasyouhurt，sir？\"saidFearenside。\"I’mraresorrythedarg——\"
\"Notabit，\"saidthestranger。\"Neverbroketheskin。Hurryupwiththosethings。\"
Hethensworetohimself，soMr。Hallasserts。
Directlythefirstcratewascarriedintotheparlour，inaccordancewithhisdirections，thestrangerflunghimselfuponitwithextraordinaryeagerness，andbegantounpackit，scatteringthestrawwithanutterdisregardofMrs。Hall’scarpet。Andfromithebegantoproducebottles——littlefatbottlescontainingpowders，smallandslenderbottlescontainingcolouredandwhitefluids，flutedbluebottleslabelledPoison，bottleswithroundbodiesandslendernecks，largegreen—glassbottles，largewhite—glassbottles，bottleswithglassstoppersandfrostedlabels，bottleswithfinecorks，bottleswithbungs，bottleswithwoodencaps，winebottles，salad—oilbottles——puttingtheminrowsonthechiffonier，onthemantel，onthetableunderthewindow，roundthefloor，onthebook—shelf——everywhere。
Thechemist’sshopinBramblehurstcouldnotboasthalfsomany。Quiteasightitwas。Crateaftercrateyieldedbottles，untilallsixwereemptyandthetablehighwithstraw;theonlythingsthatcameoutofthesecratesbesidesthebottleswereanumberoftest—tubesandacarefullypackedbalance。
Anddirectlythecrateswereunpacked，thestrangerwenttothewindowandsettowork，nottroublingintheleastaboutthelitterofstraw，thefirewhichhadgoneout，theboxofbooksoutside，norforthetrunksandotherluggagethathadgoneupstairs。
WhenMrs。Halltookhisdinnerintohim，hewasalreadysoabsorbedinhiswork，pouringlittledropsoutofthebottlesintotest—tubes，thathedidnothearheruntilshehadsweptawaythebulkofthestrawandputthetrayonthetable，withsomelittleemphasisperhaps，seeingthestatethatthefloorwasin。Thenhehalfturnedhisheadandimmediatelyturneditawayagain。Butshesawhehadremovedhisglasses;theywerebesidehimonthetable，anditseemedtoherthathiseyesocketswereextraordinarilyhollow。Heputonhisspectaclesagain，andthenturnedandfacedher。Shewasabouttocomplainofthestrawonthefloorwhenheanticipatedher。
\"Iwishyouwouldn’tcomeinwithoutknocking，\"hesaidinthetoneofabnormalexasperationthatseemedsocharacteristicofhim。
\"Iknocked，butseemingly——\"
\"Perhapsyoudid。Butinmyinvestigations——myreallyveryurgentandnecessaryinvestigations——theslightestdisturbance，thejarofadoor——I
mustaskyou——\"
\"Certainly，sir。Youcanturnthelockifyou’relikethat，youknow——anytime。\"
\"Averygoodidea，\"saidthestranger。
\"Thisstror，sir，ifImightmakesoboldastoremark——\"
\"Don’t。Ifthestrawmakestroubleputitdowninthebill。\"Andhemumbledather——wordssuspiciouslylikecurses。
Hewassoodd，standingthere，soaggressiveandexplosive，bottleinonehandandtest—tubeintheother，thatMrs。Hallwasquitealarmed。
Butshewasaresolutewoman。\"Inwhichcase，Ishouldliketoknow，sir，whatyouconsider——\"
\"Ashilling。Putdownashilling。Surelyashilling’senough？\"
\"Sobeit，\"saidMrs。Hall，takingupthetableclothandbeginningtospreaditoverthetable。\"Ifyou’resatisfied，ofcourse——\"
Heturnedandsatdown，withhiscoat—collartowardsher。
Alltheafternoonheworkedwiththedoorlockedand，asMrs。Halltestifies，forthemostpartinsilence。Butoncetherewasaconcussionandasoundofbottlesringingtogetherasthoughthetablehadbeenhit，andthesmashofabottleflungviolentlydown，andthenarapidpacingathwarttheroom。
Fearing\"somethingwasthematter，\"shewenttothedoorandlistened，notcaringtoknock。
\"Ican’tgoon，\"hewasraving。\"Ican’tgoon。Threehundredthousand，fourhundredthousand！Thehugemultitude！Cheated！Allmylifeitmaytakeme！Patience！Patienceindeed！Foolandliar！\"
Therewasanoiseofhobnailsonthebricksinthebar，andMrs。Hallveryreluctantlyhadtoleavetherestofhissoliloquy。Whenshereturnedtheroomwassilentagain，saveforthefaintcrepitationofhischairandtheoccasionalclinkofabottle。Itwasallover。Thestrangerhadresumedwork。
Whenshetookinhisteashesawbrokenglassinthecorneroftheroomundertheconcavemirror，andagoldenstainthathadbeencarelesslywiped。
Shecalledattentiontoit。
\"Putitdowninthebill，\"snappedhervisitor。\"ForGod’ssakedon’tworryme。Ifthere’sdamagedone，putitdowninthebill\";andhewentontickingalistintheexercisebookbeforehim。
\"I’lltellyousomething，\"saidFearensidemysteriously。Itwaslateintheafternoon，andtheywereinthelittlebeer—shopofIpingHanger。
\"Well？\"saidTeddyHenfrey。
\"Thischapyou’respeakingof，whatmydogbit。Well——he’sblack。Leastways，hislegsare。Iseedthroughthetearofhisglove。You’dhaveexpectedasortofpinkytoshow，wouldn’tyou？Well——therewasn’tnone。Justblackness。
Itellyou，he’sasblackasmyhat。\"
\"Mysakes！\"saidHenfrey。\"It’sarummycasealtogether。Why，hisnoseisaspinkaspaint！\"
\"That’strue，\"saidFearenside。\"Iknowsthat。AndItell’eewhatI’mthinking。Thatmarn’sapiebald，Teddy。Blackhereandwhitethere——inpatches。Andhe’sashamedofit。He’sakindofhalf—breed，andthecolour’scomeoffpatchyinsteadofmixing。I’veheardofsuchthingsbefore。Andit’sthecommonwaywithhorses，asanyonecansee。\"
TheInvisibleMan—Chapter4Chapter4—Mr。CussInterviewstheStrangerIhavetoldthecircumstancesofthestranger’sarrivalinIpingwithacertainfulnessofdetail，inorderthatthecuriousimpressionhecreatedmaybeunderstoodbythereader。Butexceptingtwooddincidents，thecircumstancesofhisstayuntiltheextraordinarydayoftheClubFestivalmaybepassedoververycursorily。TherewereanumberofskirmisheswithMrs。Hallonmattersofdomesticdiscipline，butineverycaseuntillateinApril，whenthefirstsignsofpenurybegan，heover—rodeherbytheeasyexpedientofanextrapayment。Halldidnotlikehim，andwheneverhedaredhetalkedoftheadvisabilityofgettingridofhim;butheshowedhisdislikechieflybyconcealingitostentatiously，andavoidinghisvisitorasmuchaspossible。
\"Waittillthesummer，\"saidMrs。Hall，sagely，\"whentheartisksarebeginningtocome。Thenwe’llsee。Hemaybeabitoverbearing，butbillssettledpunctualisbillssettledpunctual，whateveryouliketosay。\"
Thestrangerdidnotgotochurch，andindeedmadenodifferencebetweenSundayandtheirreligiousdays，evenincostume。Heworked，asMrs。Hallthought，veryfitfully。Somedayshewouldcomedownearlyandbecontinuouslybusy。Onothershewouldriselate，pacehisroom，frettingaudiblyforhourstogether，smoke，sleepinthearmchairbythefire。Communicationwiththeworldbeyondthevillagehehadnone。Histempercontinuedveryuncertain;forthemostparthismannerwasthatofamansufferingunderalmostunendurableprovocation，andonceortwicethingsweresnapped，torn，crushed，orbrokeninspasmodicgustsofviolence。Heseemedunderachronicirritationofthegreatestintensity。Hishabitoftalkingtohimselfinalowvoicegrewsteadilyuponhim，butthoughMrs。Halllistenedconscientiouslyshecouldmakeneitherheadnortailofwhatsheheard。
Herarelywentabroadbydaylight，butattwilighthewouldgooutmuffledupenormously，whethertheweatherwerecoldornot，andhechosetheloneliestpathsandthosemostovershadowedbytreesandbanks。Hisgogglingspectaclesandghastlybandagedfaceunderthepenthouseofhishat，camewithadisagreeablesuddennessoutofthedarknessupononeortwohome—goinglabourers;andTeddyHenfrey，tumblingoutoftheScarletCoatonenightathalf—pastnine，wasscaredshamefullybythestranger’sskull—likehead（hewaswalkinghatinhand）litbythesuddenlightoftheopeneddoor。Suchchildrenassawhimatnightfalldreamtofbogies，anditseemeddoubtfulwhetherhedislikedboysmorethantheydislikedhim，orthereverse——buttherewascertainlyavividenoughdislikeoneitherside。
ItwasinevitablethatapersonofsoremarkableanappearanceandbearingshouldformafrequenttopicinsuchavillageasIping。Opinionwasgreatlydividedabouthisoccupation。Mrs。Hallwassensitiveonthepoint。Whenquestioned，sheexplainedverycarefullythathewasan\"experimentalinvestigator，\"
goinggingerlyoverthesyllablesasonewhodreadspitfalls。Whenaskedwhatanexperimentalinvestigatorwas，shewouldsaywithatouchofsuperioritythatmosteducatedpeopleknewthat，andwouldthenexplainthathe\"discoveredthings。\"Hervisitorhadhadanaccident，shesaid，whichtemporarilydiscolouredhisfaceandhands;andbeingofasensitivedisposition，hewasaversetoanypublicnoticeofthefact。
Outofherhearingtherewasaviewlargelyentertainedthathewasacriminaltryingtoescapefromjusticebywrappinghimselfupsoastoconcealhimselfaltogetherfromtheeyeofthepolice。ThisideasprangfromthebrainofMr。TeddyHenfrey。NocrimeofanymagnitudedatingfromthemiddleorendofFebruarywasknowntohaveoccurred。ElaboratedintheimaginationofMr。Gould，theprobationaryassistantintheNationalSchool，thistheorytooktheformthatthestrangerwasanAnarchistindisguise，preparingexplosives，andheresolvedtoundertakesuchdetectiveoperationsashistimepermitted。Theseconsistedforthemostpartinlookingveryhardatthestrangerwhenevertheymet，orinaskingpeoplewhohadneverseenthestrangerleadingquestionsabouthim。Buthedetectednothing。
AnotherschoolofopinionfollowedMr。Fearenside，andeitheracceptedthepiebaldvieworsomemodificationofit;as，forinstance，SilasDurgan，whowasheardtoassertthat\"ifhechosestoshowenselfatfairshe’dmakehisfortuneinnotime，\"andbeingabitofatheologian，comparedthestrangertothemanwiththeonetalent。Yetanotherviewexplainedtheentirematterbyregardingthestrangerasaharmlesslunatic。Thathadtheadvantageofaccountingforeverythingstraightaway。
Betweenthesemaingroupstherewerewaverersandcompromisers。Sussexfolkhavefewsuperstitions，anditwasonlyaftertheeventsofearlyAprilthatthethoughtofthesupernaturalwasfirstwhisperedinthevillage。
Eventhenitwasonlycreditedamongthewomenfolks。
Butwhatevertheythoughtofhim，peopleinIpingonthewholeagreedindislikinghim。Hisirritability，thoughitmighthavebeencomprehensibletoanurbanbrain—worker，wasanamazingthingtothesequietSussexvillagers。
Thefranticgesticulationstheysurprisednowandthen，theheadlongpaceafternightfallthatswepthimuponthemroundquietcorners，theinhumanbludgeoningofallthetentativeadvancesofcuriosity，thetastefortwilightthatledtotheclosingofdoors，thepullingdownofblinds，theextinctionofcandlesandlamps——whocouldagreewithsuchgoingson？Theydrewasideashepasseddownthevillage，andwhenhehadgoneby，younghumoristswouldupwithcoat—collarsanddownwithhat—brims，andgopacingnervouslyafterhiminimitationofhisoccultbearing。Therewasasongpopularatthattimecalledthe\"BogeyMan\";MissStatchellsangitattheschoolroomconcert（inaidofthechurchlamps），andthereafterwheneveroneortwoofthevillagersweregatheredtogetherandthestrangerappeared，abarorsoofthistune，moreorlesssharporflat，waswhistledinthemidstofthem。Alsobelatedlittlechildrenwouldcall\"BogeyMan！\"afterhim，andmakeofftremulouslyelated。
Cuss，thegeneralpractitioner，wasdevouredbycuriosity。Thebandagesexcitedhisprofessionalinterest，thereportofthethousandandonebottlesarousedhisjealousregard。AllthroughAprilandMayhecovetedanopportunityoftalkingtothestranger;andatlast，towardsWhitsuntide，hecouldstanditnolonger，andhituponthesubscription—listforavillagenurseasanexcuse。HewassurprisedtofindthatMr。Halldidnotknowhisguest’sname。\"Hegiveaname，\"saidMrs。Hall——anassertionwhichwasquiteunfounded——
\"butIdidn’trightlyhearit。\"Shethoughtitseemedsosillynottoknowtheman’sname。
Cussrappedattheparlourdoorandentered。Therewasafairlyaudibleimprecationfromwithin。\"Pardonmyintrusion，\"saidCuss，andthenthedoorclosedandcutMrs。Hallofffromtherestoftheconversation。
Shecouldhearthemurmurofvoicesforthenexttenminutes，thenacryofsurprise，astirringoffeet，achairflungaside，abarkoflaughter，quickstepstothedoor，andCussappeared，hisfacewhite，hiseyesstaringoverhisshoulder。Heleftthedooropenbehindhim，andwithoutlookingatherstrodeacrossthehallandwentdownthesteps，andsheheardhisfeethurryingalongtheroad。Hecarriedhishatinhishand。Shestoodbehindthedoor，lookingattheopendooroftheparlour。Thensheheardthestrangerlaughingquietly，andthenhisfootstepscameacrosstheroom。
Shecouldnotseehisfacewhereshestood。Theparlourdoorslammed，andtheplacewassilentagain。
CusswentstraightupthevillagetoBuntingthevicar。\"AmImad？\"
Cussbeganabruptly，asheenteredtheshabbylittlestudy。\"DoIlooklikeaninsaneperson？\"
\"What’shappened？\"saidthevicar，puttingtheammoniteontheloosesheetsofhisforthcomingsermon。
\"Thatchapattheinn——\"
\"Well？\"
\"Givemesomethingtodrink，\"saidCuss，andhesatdown。
Whenhisnerveshadbeensteadiedbyaglassofcheapsherry——theonlydrinkthegoodvicarhadavailable——hetoldhimoftheinterviewhehadjusthad。\"Wentin，\"hegasped，\"andbegantodemandasubscriptionforthatNurseFund。He’dstuckhishandsinhispocketsasIcamein，andhesatdownlumpilyinhischair。Sniffed。ItoldhimI’dheardhetookaninterestinscientificthings。Hesaidyes。Sniffedagain。Keptonsniffingallthetime;evidentlyrecentlycaughtaninfernalcold。Nowonder，wrappeduplikethat！Idevelopedthenurseidea，andallthewhilekeptmyeyesopen。Bottles——chemicals——everywhere。Balance，test—tubesinstands，andasmellof——eveningprimrose。Wouldhesubscribe？Saidhe’dconsiderit。
Askedhim，point—blank，washeresearching。Saidhewas。Alongresearch？
Gotquitecross。’Adamnablelongresearch，’saidhe，blowingthecorkout，sotospeak。’Oh，’saidI。Andoutcamethegrievance。Themanwasjustontheboil，andmyquestionboiledhimover。Hehadbeengivenaprescription，mostvaluableprescription——whatforhewouldn’tsay。Wasitmedical？’Damnyou！Whatareyoufishingafter？’Iapologised。Dignifiedsniffandcough。Heresumed。He’dreadit。Fiveingredients。Putitdown;
turnedhishead。Draughtofairfromwindowliftedthepaper。Swish，rustle。
Hewasworkinginaroomwithanopenfireplace，hesaid。Sawaflicker，andtherewastheprescriptionburningandliftingchimneyward。Rushedtowardsitjustasitwhiskedupchimney。So！Justatthatpoint，toillustratehisstory，outcamehisarm。\"
\"Well？\"
\"Nohand——justanemptysleeve。Lord！Ithought，that’sadeformity！
Gotacorkarm，Isuppose，andhastakenitoff。Then，Ithought，there’ssomethingoddinthat。Whatthedevilkeepsthatsleeveupandopen，ifthere’snothinginit？Therewasnothinginit，Itellyou。Nothingdownit，rightdowntothejoint。Icouldseerightdownittotheelbow，andtherewasaglimmeroflightshiningthroughatearofthecloth。’GoodGod！’Isaid。Thenhestopped。Staredatmewiththoseblackgogglesofhis，andthenathissleeve。\"
\"Well？\"
\"That’sall。Heneversaidaword;justglared，andputhissleevebackinhispocketquickly。’Iwassaying，’saidhe，’thattherewastheprescriptionburning，wasn’tI？’Interrogativecough。’Howthedevil，’saidI，’canyoumoveanemptysleevelikethat？’’Emptysleeve？’’Yes，’saidI，’anemptysleeve。’
\"’It’sanemptysleeve，isit？Yousawitwasanemptysleeve？’Hestooduprightaway。Istooduptoo。Hecametowardsmeinthreeveryslowsteps，andstoodquiteclose。Sniffedvenomously。Ididn’tflinch，thoughI’mhangedifthatbandagedknobofhis，andthoseblinkers，aren’tenoughtounnerveanyone，comingquietlyuptoyou。
\"’Yousaiditwasanemptysleeve？’hesaid。’Certainly，’Isaid。Atstaringandsayingnothingabarefacedman，unspectacled，startsscratch。
Thenveryquietlyhepulledhissleeveoutofhispocketagain，andraisedhisarmtowardsmeasthoughhewouldshowittomeagain。Hediditvery，veryslowly。Ilookedatit。Seemedanage。’Well？’saidI，clearingmythroat，’there’snothinginit。’Hadtosaysomething。Iwasbeginningtofeelfrightened。Icouldseerightdownit。Heextendeditstraighttowardsme，slowly，slowly——justlikethat——untilthecuffwassixinchesfrommyface。Queerthingtoseeanemptysleevecomeatyoulikethat！
Andthen——\"
\"Well？\"
\"Something——exactlylikeafingerandthumbitfelt——nippedmynose。\"
Buntingbegantolaugh。
\"Therewasn’tanythingthere！\"saidCuss，hisvoicerunningupintoashriekatthe\"there。\"\"It’sallverywellforyoutolaugh，butItellyouIwassostartled，Ihithiscuffhard，andturnedround，andcutoutoftheroom——Ilefthim——\"
Cussstopped。Therewasnomistakingthesincerityofhispanic。Heturnedroundinahelplesswayandtookasecondglassoftheexcellentvicar’sveryinferiorsherry。\"WhenIhithiscuff，\"saidCuss，\"Itellyou，itfeltexactlylikehittinganarm。Andtherewasn’tanarm！Therewasn’ttheghostofanarm！\"
Mr。Buntingthoughtitover。HelookedsuspiciouslyatCuss。\"It’samostremarkablestory，\"hesaid。Helookedverywiseandgraveindeed。
\"It’sreally，\"saidMr。Buntingwithjudicialemphasis，\"amostremarkablestory。\"
TheInvisibleMan—Chapter5Chapter5—TheBurglaryattheVicarageThefactsoftheburlgaryatthevicaragecametouschieflythroughthemediumofthevicarandhiswife。ItoccurredinthesmallhoursofWhit—Monday——thedaydevotedinIpingtotheClubfestivities。Mrs。Bunting，itseems，wokeupsuddenlyinthestillnessthatcomesbeforethedawn，withthestrongimpressionthatthedooroftheirbedroomhadopenedandclosed。Shedidnotarouseherhusbandatfirst，butsatupinbedlistening。Shethendistinctlyheardthepad，pad，padofbarefeetcomingoutoftheadjoiningdressing—roomandwalkingalongthepassagetowardsthestaircase。Assoonasshefeltassuredofthis，shearousedtheRev。Mr。Buntingasquietlyaspossible。Hedidnotstrikealight，butputtingonhisspectacles，herdressing—gown，andhisbathslippers，hewentoutonthelandingtolisten。Heheardquitedistinctlyafumblinggoingonathisstudydeskdownstairs，andthenaviolentsneeze。
Atthathereturnedtohisbedroom，armedhimselfwiththemostobviousweapon，thepoker，anddescendedthestaircaseasnoiselesslyaspossible。
Mrs。Buntingcameoutonthelanding。
Thehourwasaboutfour，andtheultimatedarknessofthenightwaspast。Therewasafaintshimmeroflightinthehall，butthestudydoorwayyawnedimpenetrablyblack。EverythingwasstillexceptthefaintcreakingofthestairsunderMr。Bunting’stread，andtheslightmovementsinthestudy。Thensomethingsnapped，thedrawerwasopened，andtherewasarustleofpapers。Thencameanimprecation，andamatchwasstruckandthestudywasfloodedwithyellowlight。Mr。Buntingwasnowinthehall，andthroughthecrackofthedoorhecouldseethedeskandtheopendrawerandacandleburningonthedesk。Buttherobberhecouldnotsee。Hestoodthereinthehallundecidedwhattodo，andMrs。Bunting，herfacewhiteandintent，creptslowlydownstairsafterhim。OnethingkeptupMr。Bunting’scourage：
thepersuasionthatthisburglarwasaresidentinthevillage。
Theyheardthechinkofmoney，andrealisedthattherobberhadfoundthehousekeepingreserveofgold——twopoundsteninhalf—sovereignsaltogether。
AtthatsoundMr。Buntingwasnervedtoabruptaction。Grippingthepokerfirmly，herushedintotheroom，closelyfollowedbyMrs。Bunting。\"Surrender！\"
criedMr。Bunting，fiercely，andthenstoppedamazed。Apparentlytheroomwasperfectlyempty。
Yettheirconvictionthattheyhad，thatverymoment，heardsomebodymovingintheroomhadamountedtoacertainty。Forhalfaminute，perhaps，theystoodgaping，thenMrs。Buntingwentacrosstheroomandlookedbehindthescreen，whileMr。Bunting，byakindredimpulse，peeredunderthedesk。
ThenMrs。Buntingturnedbackthewindow—curtains，andMr。Buntinglookedupthechimneyandprobeditwiththepoker。ThenMrs。Buntingscrutinisedthewaste—paperbasketandMr。Buntingopenedthelidofthecoal—scuttle。
Thentheycametoastopandstoodwitheyesinterrogatingeachother。
\"Icouldhavesworn——\"saidMr。Bunting。
\"Thecandle！\"saidMr。Bunting。\"Wholitthecandle？\"
\"Thedrawer！\"saidMrs。Bunting。\"Andthemoney’sgone！\"
Shewenthastilytothedoorway。
\"Ofalltheextraordinaryoccurrences——\"
Therewasaviolentsneezeinthepassage。Theyrushedout，andastheydidsothekitchendoorslammed。\"Bringthecandle，\"saidMr。Bunting，andledtheway。Theybothheardasoundofboltsbeinghastilyshotback。
Asheopenedthekitchendoorhesawthroughthescullerythatthebackdoorwasjustopening，andthefaintlightofearlydawndisplayedthedarkmassesofthegardenbeyond。Heiscertainthatnothingwentoutofthedoor。Itopened，stoodopenforamoment，andthenclosedwithaslam。
Asitdidso，thecandleMrs。Buntingwascarryingfromthestudyflickeredandflared。Itwasaminuteormorebeforetheyenteredthekitchen。
Theplacewasempty。Theyrefastenedthebackdoor，examinedthekitchen，pantry，andscullerythoroughly，andatlastwentdownintothecellar。
Therewasnotasoultobefoundinthehouse，searchastheywould。
Daylightfoundthevicarandhiswife，aquaintly—costumedlittlecouple，stillmarvellingaboutontheirowngroundfloorbytheunnecessarylightofagutteringcandle。
TheInvisibleMan—Chapter6Chapter6—TheFurnitureThatWentMadNowithappenedthatintheearlyhoursofWhit—Monday，beforeMilliewashuntedoutfortheday，Mr。HallandMrs。Hallbothroseandwentnoiselesslydownintothecellar。Theirbusinesstherewasofaprivatenature，andhadsomethingtodowiththespecificgravityoftheirbeer。TheyhadhardlyenteredthecellarwhenMrs。Hallfoundshehadforgottentobringdownabottleofsarsaparillafromtheirjoint—room。Asshewastheexpertandprincipaloperatorinthisaffair，Hallveryproperlywentupstairsforit。
Onthelandinghewassurprisedtoseethatthestranger’sdoorwasajar。Hewentonintohisownroomandfoundthebottleashehadbeendirected。
Butreturningwiththebottle，henoticedthattheboltsofthefrontdoorhadbeenshotback，thatthedoorwasinfactsimplyonthelatch。
Andwithaflashofinspirationheconnectedthiswiththestranger’sroomupstairsandthesuggestionsofMr。TeddyHenfrey。HedistinctlyrememberedholdingthecandlewhileMrs。Hallshotthoseboltsovernight。Atthesighthestopped，gaping，thenwiththebottlestillinhishandwentupstairsagain。Herappedatthestranger’sdoor。Therewasnoanswer。Herappedagain;thenpushedthedoorwideopenandentered。
Itwasasheexpected。Thebed，theroomalso，wasempty。Andwhatwasstranger，eventohisheavyintelligence，onthebedroomchairandalongtherailofthebedwerescatteredthegarments，theonlygarmentssofarasheknew，andthebandagesoftheirguest。Hisbigslouchhatevenwascockedjauntilyoverthebed—post。
AsHallstoodthereheheardhiswife’svoicecomingoutofthedepthofthecellar，withthatrapidtelescopingofthesyllablesandinterrogativecockingupofthefinalwordstoahighnote，bywhichtheWestSussexvillageriswonttoindicateabriskimpatience。\"Gearge！Yougartwhatawand？\"
Atthatheturnedandhurrieddowntoher。\"Janny，\"hesaid，overtherailofthecellarsteps，\"’tasthetruthwhatHenfreysez。’E’snotinuzroom，’eent。Andthefrontdoor’sunbolted。\"
AtfirstMrs。Halldidnotunderstand，andassoonasshedidsheresolvedtoseetheemptyroomforherself。Hall，stillholdingthebottle，wentfirst。\"If’eentthere，\"hesaid，\"hiscloseare。Andwhat’s’edoin’
withouthisclose，then？’Tasamostcuriousbasness。\"
Astheycameupthecellarsteps，theyboth，itwasafterwardsascertained，fanciedtheyheardthefrontdooropenandshut，butseeingitclosedandnothingthere，neithersaidawordtotheotheraboutitatthetime。Mrs。
Hallpassedherhusbandinthepassageandranonfirstupstairs。Someonesneezedonthestaircase。Hall，followingsixstepsbehind，thoughtthatheheardhersneeze。She，goingonfirst，wasundertheimpressionthatHallwassneezing。Sheflungopenthedoorandstoodregardingtheroom。\"Ofallthecurious！\"shesaid。
Sheheardasniffclosebehindherheadasitseemed，and，turning，wassurprisedtoseeHalladozenfeetoffonthetop—moststair。Butinanothermomenthewasbesideher。Shebentforwardandputherhandonthepillowandthenundertheclothes。
\"Cold，\"shesaid。\"He’sbeenupthishourormore。\"
Asshedidso，amostextraordinarythinghappened——thebed—clothesgatheredthemselvestogether，leaptupsuddenlyintoasortofpeak，andthenjumpedheadlongoverthebottomrail。Itwasexactlyasifahandhadclutchedtheminthecentreandflungthemaside。Immediatelyafter，thestranger’shathoppedoffthebed—post，describingawhirlingflightintheairthroughthebetterpartofacircle，andthendashedstraightatMrs。Hall’sface。Thenasswiftlycamethespongefromthewashstand;
andthenthechair，flingingthestranger’scoatandtrouserscarelesslyaside，andlaughingdrylyinavoicesingularlylikethestranger’s，turneditselfupwithitsfourlegsatMrs。Hall，seemedtotakeaimatherforamoment，andchargedather。Shescreamedandturned，andthenthechairlegscamegentlybutfirmlyagainstherbackandimpelledherandHalloutoftheroom。Thedoorslammedviolentlyandwaslocked。Thechairandbedseemedtobeexecutingadanceoftriumphforamoment，andthenabruptlyeverythingwasstill。
Mrs。HallwasleftalmostinafaintingconditioninMr。Hall’sarmsonthelanding。ItwaswiththegreatestdifficultythatMr。HallandMillie，whohadbeenrousedbyherscreamofalarm，succeededingettingherdownstairs，andapplyingtherestorativescustomaryinthesecases。
\"’Tassperrits，\"saidMrs。Hall。\"Iknow’tassperrits。I’vereadinpapersofen。Tablesandchairsleapinganddancing——！\"
\"Takeadropmore，Janny，\"saidHall。\"’Twillsteadyye。\"
\"Lockhimout，\"saidMrs。Hall。\"Don’tlethimcomeinagain。Ihalfguessed——Imightha’known。Withthemgogglingeyesandbandagedhead，andnevergoingtochurchofaSunday。Andalltheybottles——more’nit’srightforanyonetohave。He’sputthesperritsintothefurniture。Mygoodoldfurniture！’TwasinthatverychairmypoordearmotherusedtositwhenIwasalittlegirl。Tothinkitshouldriseupagainstmenow！\"
\"Justadropmore，Janny，\"saidHall。\"Yournervesisallupset。\"
TheysentMillieacrossthestreetthroughthegoldenfiveo’clocksunshinetorouseupMr。SandyWadgers，theblacksmith。Mr。Hall’scomplimentsandthefurnitureupstairswasbehavingmostextraordinary。WouldMr。Wadgerscomeround？Hewasaknowingman，wasMr。Wadgers，andveryresourceful。
Hetookquiteagraveviewofthecase。\"Armdarmedefthetentwitchcraft，\"
wastheviewofMr。SandyWadgers。\"Youwarnthorseshoesforsuchgentryashe。\"
Hecameroundgreatlyconcerned。Theywantedhimtoleadthewayupstairstotheroom，buthedidn’tseemtobeinanyhurry。Hepreferredtotalkinthepassage。OverthewayHuxter’sapprenticecameoutandbegantakingdowntheshuttersofthetobaccowindow。Hewascalledovertojointhediscussion。Mr。Huxternaturallyfollowedinthecourseofafewminutes。
TheAnglo—Saxongeniusforparliamentarygovernmentasserteditself;therewasagreatdealoftalkandnodecisiveaction。\"Let’shavethefactsfirst，\"insistedMr。SandyWadgers。\"Let’sbesurewe’dbeactingperfectlyrightinbustin’thattheredooropen。Adooronbustisalwaysopentobustin’，butyecan’tonbustadooronceyou’vebusteden。\"
Andsuddenlyandmostwonderfullythedooroftheroomupstairsopenedofitsownaccord，andastheylookedupinamazement，theysawdescendingthestairsthemuffledfigureofthestrangerstaringmoreblacklyandblanklythaneverwiththoseunreasonablylargeblueglasseyesofhis。
Hecamedownstifflyandslowly，staringallthetime;hewalkedacrossthepassagestaring，thenstopped。
\"Lookthere！\"hesaid，andtheireyesfollowedthedirectionofhisglovedfingerandsawabottleofsarsaparillahardbythecellardoor。
Thenheenteredtheparlour，andsuddenly，swiftly，viciouslyslammedthedoorintheirfaces。
Notawordwasspokenuntilthelastechoesoftheslamhaddiedaway。
Theystaredatoneanother。\"Well，ifthatdon’tlickeverything！\"saidMr。Wadgers，andleftthealternativeunsaid。
\"I’dgoinandask’n’boutit，\"saidWadgers，toMr。Hall。\"I’dd’mandanexplanation。\"
Ittooksometimetobringthelandlady’shusbanduptothatpitch。
Atlastherapped，openedthedoor，andgotasfaras，\"Excuseme——\"
\"Gotothedevil！\"saidthestrangerinatremendousvoice，and\"Shutthatdoorafteryou。\"Sothatbriefinterviewterminated。
TheInvisibleMan—Chapter7Chapter7—TheUnveilingoftheStrangerThestrangerwentintothelittleparlouroftheCoachandHorsesabouthalf—pastfiveinthemorning，andthereheremaineduntilnearmidday，theblindsdown，thedoorshut，andnone，afterHall’srepulse，venturingnearhim。
Allthattimehemusthavefasted。Thriceheranghisbell，thethirdtimefuriouslyandcontinuously，butnooneansweredhim。\"Himandhis’gotothedevil’indeed！\"saidMrs。Hall。Presentlycameanimperfectrumouroftheburglaryatthevicarage，andtwoandtwowereputtogether。
Hall，assistedbyWadgers，wentofftofindMr。Shuckleforth，themagistrate，andtakehisadvice。Nooneventuredupstairs。Howthestrangeroccupiedhimselfisunknown。Nowandthenhewouldstrideviolentlyupanddown，andtwicecameanoutburstofcurses，atearingofpaper，andaviolentsmashingofbottles。
Thelittlegroupofscaredbutcuriouspeopleincreased。Mrs。Huxtercameover;somegayyoungfellowsresplendentinblackready—madejacketsandpiqupaperties，foritwasWhit—Monday，joinedthegroupwithconfusedinterrogations。YoungArchieHarkerdistinguishedhimselfbygoinguptheyardandtryingtopeepunderthewindow—blinds。Hecouldseenothing，butgavereasonforsupposingthathedid，andothersoftheIpingyouthpresentlyjoinedhim。