Behindhimashewashalfwayuptheinnstepsheheardasuddenyellofrage，risingsharplyoutoftheconfusionofcries，andasoundingsmackinsomeone’sface。HerecognisedthevoiceasthatoftheInvisibleMan，andthenotewasthatofamansuddenlyinfuriatedbyapainfulblow。
InanothermomentMr。Cusswasbackintheparlour。\"He’scomingback，Bunting！\"hesaid，rushingin。\"Saveyourself！He’sgonemad！\"
Mr。Buntingwasstandinginthewindowengagedinanattempttoclothehimselfinthehearth—rugandaWestSurreyGazette。\"Who’scoming？\"hesaid，sostartledthathiscostumenarrowlyescapeddisintegration。
\"InvisibleMan，\"saidCuss，andrushedtothewindow。\"We’dbetterclearoutfromhere！He’sfightingmad！Mad！\"
Inanothermomenthewasoutintheyard。
\"Goodheavens！\"saidMr。Bunting，hesitatingbetweentwohorriblealternatives。
Heheardafrightfulstruggleinthepassageoftheinn，andhisdecisionwasmade。Heclamberedoutofthewindow，adjustedhiscostumehastily，andfledupthevillageasfastashisfatlittlelegswouldcarryhim。
FromthemomentwhentheInvisibleManscreamedwithrageandMr。Buntingmadehismemorableflightupthevillage，itbecameimpossibletogiveaconsecutiveaccountofaffairsinIping。PossiblytheInvisibleMan’soriginalintentionwassimplytocoverMarvel’sretreatwiththeclothesandbooks。Buthistemper，atnotimeverygood，seemstohavegonecompletelyatsomechanceblow，andforthwithhesettosmitingandoverthrowing，forthemeresatisfactionofhurting。
Youmustfigurethestreetfullofrunningfigures，ofdoorsslammingandfightsforhiding—places。YoumustfigurethetumultsuddenlystrikingontheunstableequilibriumofoldFletcher’splanksandtwochairs，——withcataclysmalresults。Youmustfigureanappalledcouplecaughtdismallyinaswing。AndthenthewholetumultuousrushhaspassedandtheIpingstreetswithitsgaudsandflagsisdesertedsaveforthestillragingUnseen，andlitteredwithcocoanuts，overthrowncanvasscreens，andthescatteredstockintradeofasweetstuffstall。Everywherethereisasoundofclosingshuttersandshovingbolts，andtheonlyvisiblehumanityisanoccasionalflittingeyeunderaraisedeyebrowinthecornerofawindowpane。
TheInvisibleManamusedhimselfforalittlewhilebybreakingallthewindowsintheCoachandHorses，andthenhethrustastreetlampthroughtheparlourwindowofMrs。Gribble。HeitmusthavebeenwhocutthetelegraphwiretoAdderdeanjustbeyondHiggins’cottageontheAdderdeanroad。Andafterthat，ashispeculiarqualitiesallowed，hepassedoutofhumanperceptionsaltogether，andhewasneitherheard，seen，norfeltinIpinganymore。
Hevanishedabsolutely。
ButitwasthebestpartoftwohoursbeforeanyhumanbeingventuredoutagainintothedesolationofIpingStreet。
TheInvisibleMan—Chapter13Chapter13—Mr。MarvelDiscussesHisResignationWhentheduskwasgatheringandIpingwasjustbeginningtopeeptimorouslyforthagainupontheshatteredwreckageofitsBankHoliday，ashort，thick—setmaninashabbysilkhatwasmarchingpainfullythroughthetwilightbehindthebeechwoodsontheroadtoBramblehurst。Hecarriedthreebooksboundtogetherbysomesortofornamentalelasticligature，andabundlewrappedinabluetablecloth。Hisrubicundfaceexpressedconsternationandfatigue;
heappearedtobeinaspasmodicsortofhurry。HewasaccompaniedbyaVoiceotherthanhisown，andeverandagainhewincedunderthetouchofunseenhands。
\"Ifyougivemetheslipagain，\"saidtheVoice;\"ifyouattempttogivemetheslipagain——\"
\"Lord！\"saidMr。Marvel。\"Thatshoulder’samassofbruisesasitis。\"
\"——onmyhonour，\"saidtheVoice，\"Iwillkillyou。\"
\"Ididn’ttrytogiveyoutheslip，\"saidMarvel，inavoicethatwasnotfarremotefromtears。\"IswearIdidn’t。Ididn’tknowtheblessedturning，thatwasall！HowthedevilwasItoknowtheblessedturning？
Asitis，I’vebeenknockedabout——\"
\"You’llgetknockedaboutagreatdealmoreifyoudon’tmind，\"saidtheVoice，andMr。Marvelabruptlybecamesilent。Heblewouthischeeks，andhiseyeswereeloquentofdespair。
\"It’sbadenoughtolettheseflounderingyokelsexplodemylittlesecret，withoutyourcuttingoffwithmybooks。It’sluckyforsomeofthemtheycutandranwhentheydid！HereamI——NooneknewIwasinvisible！AndnowwhatamItodo？\"
\"WhatamItodo？\"askedMarvel，sottovoce。
\"It’sallabout。Itwillbeinthepapers！Everybodywillbelookingforme;everyoneontheirguard——\"TheVoicebrokeoffintovividcursesandceased。
ThedespairofMr。Marvel’sfacedeepened，andhispaceslacked。
\"Goon！\"saidtheVoice。
Mr。Marvel’sfaceassumedagreyishtintbetweentheruddierpatches。
\"Don’tdropthosebooks，stupid，\"saidtheVoice，sharply——overtakinghim。
\"Thefactis，\"saidtheVoice，\"Ishallhavetomakeuseofyou。You’reapoortool，butImust。\"
\"I’mamiserabletool，\"saidMarvel。
\"Youare，\"saidtheVoice。
\"I’mtheworstpossibletoolyoucouldhave，\"saidMarvel。
\"I’mnotstrong，\"hesaidafteradiscouragingsilence。
\"I’mnotoverstrong，\"herepeated。
\"No？\"
\"Andmyheart’sweak。Thatlittlebusiness——Ipulleditthrough，ofcourse——butblessyou！Icouldhavedropped。\"
\"Well？\"
\"Ihaven’tthenerveandstrengthforthesortofthingyouwant。\"
\"I’llstimulateyou。\"
\"Iwishyouwouldn’t。Iwouldn’tliketomessupyourplans，youknow。
ButImight，——outofsheerfunkandmisery。\"
\"You’dbetternot，\"saidtheVoice，withquietemphasis。
\"IwishIwasdead，\"saidMarvel。
\"Itain’tjustice，\"hesaid;\"youmustadmit——ItseemstomeI’veaperfectright——\"
\"Geton！\"saidtheVoice。
Mr。Marvelmendedhispace，andforatimetheywentinsilenceagain。
\"It’sdevilishhard，\"saidMr。Marvel。
Thiswasquiteineffectual。Hetriedanothertack。
\"WhatdoImakebyit？\"hebeganagaininatoneofunendurablewrong。
\"Oh！shutup！\"saidtheVoice，withsuddenamazingvigour。\"I’llseetoyouallright。Youdowhatyou’retold。You’lldoitallright。You’reafoolandallthat，butyou’lldo——\"
\"Itellyou，sir，I’mnotthemanforit。Respectfully——butitisso——\"
\"Ifyoudon’tshutupIshalltwistyourwristagain，\"saidtheInvisibleMan。\"Iwanttothink。\"
Presentlytwooblongsofyellowlightappearedthroughthetrees，andthesquaretowerofachurchloomedthroughthegloaming。\"Ishallkeepmyhandonyourshoulder，\"saidtheVoice，\"allthroughthevillage。Gostraightthroughandtrynofoolery。Itwillbetheworseforyouifyoudo。\"
\"Iknowthat，\"sighedMr。Marvel，\"Iknowallthat。\"
Theunhappy—lookingfigureintheobsoletesilkhatpassedupthestreetofthelittlevillagewithhisburdens，andvanishedintothegatheringdarknessbeyondthelightsofthewindows。
TheInvisibleMan—Chapter14Chapter14—AtPortStoweTeno’clockthenextmorningfoundMr。Marvel，unshaven，dirty，andtravel—stained，sittingwiththebooksbesidehimandhishandsdeepinhispockets，lookingveryweary，nervous，anduncomfortable，andinflatinghischeeksatfrequentintervals，onthebenchoutsidealittleinnontheoutskirtsofPortStowe。
Besidehimwerethebooks，butnowtheyweretiedwithstring。ThebundlehadbeenabandonedinthepinewoodsbeyondBramblehurst，inaccordancewithachangeintheplansoftheInvisibleMan。Mr。Marvelsatonthebench，andalthoughnoonetooktheslightestnoticeofhim，hisagitationremainedatfeverheat。Hishandswouldgoeverandagaintohisvariouspocketswithacuriousnervousfumbling。
Whenhehadbeensittingforthebestpartofanhour，however，anelderlymariner，carryinganewspaper，cameoutoftheinnandsatdownbesidehim。\"Pleasantday，\"saidthemariner。
Mr。Marvelglancedabouthimwithsomethingveryliketerror。\"Very，\"
hesaid。
\"Justseasonableweatherforthetimeofyear，\"saidthemariner，takingnodenial。
\"Quite，\"saidMr。Marvel。
Themarinerproducedatoothpick，and（savinghisregard）wasengrossedtherebyforsomeminutes。HiseyesmeanwhilewereatlibertytoexamineMr。Marvel’sdustyfigureandthebooksbesidehim。AshehadapproachedMr。Marvelhehadheardasoundlikethedroppingofcoinsintoapocket。
HewasstruckbythecontrastofMr。Marvel’sappearancewiththissuggestionofopulence。Thencehismindwanderedbackagaintoatopicthathadtakenacuriouslyfirmholdofhisimagination。
\"Books？\"hesaidsuddenly，noisilyfinishingwiththetoothpick。
Mr。Marvelstartedandlookedatthem。\"Oh，yes，\"hesaid。\"Yes，they’rebooks。\"
\"There’ssomeextra—ordinarythingsinbooks，\"saidthemariner。
\"Ibelieveyou，\"saidMr。Marvel。
\"Andsomeextra—ordinarythingsoutof’em，\"saidthemariner。
\"Truelikewise，\"saidMr。Marvel。Heeyedhisinterlocutor，andthenglancedabouthim。
\"There’ssomeextra—ordinarythingsinnewspapers，forexample，\"saidthemariner。
\"Thereare。\"
\"Inthisnewspaper，\"saidthemariner。
\"Ah！\"saidMr。Marvel。
\"There’sastory，\"saidthemariner，fixingMr。Marvelwithaneyethatwasfirmanddeliberate;\"there’sastoryaboutanInvisibleMan，forinstance。\"
Mr。Marvelpulledhismouthaskewandscratchedhischeekandfelthisearsglowing。\"Whatwilltheybewritingnext？\"heaskedfaintly。\"Ostria，orAmerica？\"
\"Neither，\"saidthemariner。\"Here！\"
\"Lord！\"saidMr。Marvel，starting。
\"WhenIsayhere，\"saidthemariner，toMr。Marvel’sintenserelief，\"Idon’tofcoursemeanhereinthisplace，Imeanhereabouts。\"
\"AnInvisibleMan！\"saidMr。Marvel。\"Andwhat’shebeenupto？\"
\"Everything，\"saidthemariner，controllingMarvelwithhiseye，andthenamplifying：\"EveryBlessedThing。\"
\"Iain’tseenapaperthesefourdays，\"saidMarvel。
\"Iping’stheplacehestartedat，\"saidthemariner。
\"In—deed！\"saidMr。Marvel。
\"Hestartedthere。Andwherehecamefrom，nobodydon’tseemtoknow。
Hereitis：PeCuliarStoryfromIping。Anditsaysinthispaperthattheevidenceisextra—ordinarystrong——extra—ordinary。\"
\"Lord！\"saidMr。Marvel。
\"Butthen，it’saextra—ordinarystory。Thereisaclergymanandamedicalgentwitnesses，——saw’imallrightandproper——orleastways，didn’tsee’im。Hewasstaying，itsays，attheCoachan’Horses，andnoonedon’tseemtohavebeenawareofhismisfortune，itsays，awareofhismisfortune，untilinanAlterationintheinn，itsays，hisbandagesonhisheadwastornoff。Itwasthenob—servedthathisheadwasinvisible。AttemptswereAtOncemadetosecurehim，butcastingoffhisgarments，itsays，hesucceededinescaping，butnotuntilafteradesperatestruggle，InWhichhehadinflictedseriousinjuries，itsays，onourworthyandableconstable，Mr。J。A。Jaffers。Prettystraightstory，eigh？Namesandeverything。\"
\"Lord！\"saidMr。Marvel，lookingnervouslyabouthim，tryingtocountthemoneyinhispocketsbyhisunaidedsenseoftouch，andfullofastrangeandnovelidea。\"Itsoundsmostastonishing。\"
\"Don’tit？Extra—ordinary，Icallit。NeverheardtellofInvisibleMenbefore，Ihaven’t，butnowadaysonehearssuchalotofextra—ordinarythings——that——\"
\"Thatallhedid？\"askedMarvel，tryingtoseemathisease。
\"It’senough，ain’tit？\"saidthemariner。
\"Didn’tgoBackbyanychance？\"askedMarvel。\"Justescapedandthat’sall，eh？\"
\"All！\"saidthemariner。\"Why！——ain’titenough？\"
\"Quiteenough，\"saidMarvel。
\"Ishouldthinkitwasenough，\"saidthemariner。\"Ishouldthinkitwasenough。\"
\"Hedidn’thaveanypals——itdon’tsayhehadanypals，doesit？\"askedMr。Marvel，anxious。
\"Ain’toneofasortenoughforyou？\"askedthemariner。\"No，thankHeaven，asonemightsay，hedidn’t。\"
Henoddedhisheadslowly。\"Itmakesmeregularuncomfortable，thebarethoughtofthatchaprunningaboutthecountry！HeisatpresentAtLarge，andfromcertainevidenceitissupposedthathehas——taken——took，Isupposetheymean——theroadtoPortStowe。Youseewe’rerightinit！NoneofyourAmericanwonders，thistime。Andjustthinkofthethingshemightdo！
Where’dyoube，ifhetookadropoverandabove，andhadafancytogoforyou？Supposehewantstorob——whocanpreventhim？Hecantrespass，hecanburgle，hecouldwalkthroughacordonofpolicemenaseasyasmeoryoucouldgivethesliptoablindman！Easier！Forthesehereblindchapshearuncommonsharp，I’mtold。Andwherevertherewasliquorhefancied——\"
\"He’sgotatremenjousadvantage，certainly，\"saidMarvel。\"And——well。\"
\"You’reright，\"saidthemariner。\"Hehas。\"
AllthistimeMr。Marvelhadbeenglancingabouthimintently，listeningforfaintfootfalls，tryingtodetectimperceptiblemovements。Heseemedonthepointofsomegreatresolution。Hecoughedbehindhishand。
Helookedabouthimagain，listened，benttowardstothemariner，andloweredhisvoice：\"Thefactofitis——Ihappen——toknowjustathingortwoaboutthisInvisibleMan。Fromprivatesources。\"
\"Oh！\"saidthemariner，interested。\"You？\"
\"Yes，\"saidMr。Marvel。\"Me。\"
\"Indeed！\"saidthemariner。\"AndmayIask——\"
\"You’llbeastonished，\"saidMr。Marvelbehindhishand。\"It’stremenjous。\"
\"Indeed！\"saidthemariner。
\"Thefactis，\"beganMr。Marveleagerlyinaconfidentialundertone。
Suddenlyhisexpressionchangedmarvellously。\"Ow！\"hesaid。Herosestifflyinhisseat。Hisfacewaseloquentofphysicalsuffering。\"Wow！\"hesaid。
\"What’sup？\"saidthemariner，concerned。
\"Toothache，\"saidMr。Marvel，andputhishandtohisear。Hecaughtholdofhisbooks。\"Imustbegettingon，Ithink，\"hesaid。Heedgedinacuriouswayalongtheseatawayfromhisinterlocutor。\"ButyouwasjustagoingtotellmeaboutthishereInvisibleMan！\"protestedthemariner。
Mr。Marvelseemedtoconsultwithhimself。\"Hoax，\"saidavoice。\"It’sahoax，\"saidMr。Marvel。
\"Butit’sinthepaper，\"saidthemariner。
\"Hoaxallthesame，\"saidMarvel。\"Iknowthechapthatstartedthelie。Thereain’tnoInvisibleManwhatsoever——Blimey。\"
\"Buthow’boutthispaper？D’youmeantosay——？\"
\"Notawordofit，\"saidMarvel，stoutly。
Themarinerstared，paperinhand。Mr。Marveljerkilyfacedabout。\"Waitabit，\"saidthemariner，risingandspeakingslowly。\"D’youmeantosay——？\"
\"Ido，\"saidMr。Marvel。
\"Thenwhydidyouletmegoonandtellyouallthisblarstedstuff，then？Whatd’yermeanbylettingamanmakeafoolofhimselflikethatfor？Eigh？\"
Mr。Marvelblewouthischeeks。Themarinerwassuddenlyveryredindeed;
heclenchedhishands。\"Ibeentalkingherethistenminutes，\"hesaid;
\"andyou，youlittlepot—bellied，leathery—facedsonofanoldboot，couldn’thavetheelementarymanners——\"
\"Don’tyoucomebandyingwordswithme，\"saidMr。Marvel。
\"Bandyingwords！I’majollygoodmind——\"
\"Comeup，\"saidavoice，andMr。Marvelwassuddenlywhirledaboutandstartedmarchingoffinacuriousspasmodicmanner。\"You’dbettermoveon，\"saidthemariner。\"Who’smovingon？\"saidMr。Marvel。Hewasrecedingobliquelywithacurioushurryinggait，withoccasionalviolentjerksforward。
Somewayalongtheroadhebeganamutteredmonologue，protestsandrecriminations。
\"Sillydevil！\"saidthemariner，legswideapart，elbowsakimbo，watchingtherecedingfigure。\"I’llshowyou，yousillyass，——hoaxingme！It’shere——onthepaper！\"
Mr。Marvelretortedincoherentlyand，receding，washiddenbyabendintheroad，butthemarinerstillstoodmagnificentinthemidstoftheway，untiltheapproachofabutcher’scartdislodgedhim。ThenheturnedhimselftowardsPortStowe。\"Fullofextra—ordinaryasses，\"hesaidsoftlytohimself。\"Justtotakemedownabit——thatwashissillygame——It’sonthepaper！\"
Andtherewasanotherextraordinarythinghewaspresentlytohear，thathadhappenedquiteclosetohim。Andthatwasavisionofa\"fistfullofmoney\"（noless）travellingwithoutvisibleagency，alongbythewallatthecornerofSt。Michael’sLane。Abrothermarinerhadseenthiswonderfulsightthatverymorning。Hehadsnatchedatthemoneyforthwithandhadbeenknockedheadlong，andwhenhehadgottohisfeetthebutterflymoneyhadvanished。Ourmarinerwasinthemoodtobelieveanything，hedeclared，butthatwasabittoostiff。Afterwards，however，hebegantothinkthingsover。
Thestoryoftheflyingmoneywastrue。Andallaboutthatneighbourhood，evenfromtheaugustLondonandCountryBankingCompany，fromthetillsofshopsandinns——doorsstandingthatsunnyweatherentirelyopen——moneyhadbeenquietlyanddexterouslymakingoffthatdayinhandfulsandrouleaux，floatingquietlyalongbywallsandshadyplaces，dodgingquicklyfromtheapproachingeyesofmen。Andithad，thoughnomanhadtracedit，invariablyendeditsmysteriousflightinthepocketofthatagitatedgentlemanintheobsoletesilkhat，sittingoutsidethelittleinnontheoutskirtsofPortStowe。
TheInvisibleMan—Chapter15Chapter15—TheManWhoWasRunningIntheearlyeveningtimeDoctorKempwassittinginhisstudyinthebelvedereonthehilloverlookingBurdock。Itwasapleasantlittleroom，withthreewindows，north，west，andsouth，andbookshelvescrowdedwithbooksandscientificpublications，andabroadwriting—table，and，underthenorthwindow，amicroscope，glassslips，minuteinstruments，somecultures，andscatteredbottlesofreagents。DoctorKemp’ssolarlampwaslit，albeittheskywasstillbrightwiththesunsetlight，andhisblindswereupbecausetherewasnooffenceofpeeringoutsiderstorequirethempulleddown。DoctorKempwasatallandslenderyoungman，withflaxenhairandamoustachealmostwhite，andtheworkhewasuponwouldearnhim，hehoped，thefellowshipoftheRoyalSociety，sohighlydidhethinkofit。
Andhiseyepresentlywanderingfromhisworkcaughtthesunsetblazingatthebackofthehillthatisoveragainsthisown。Foraminuteperhapshesat，peninmouth，admiringtherichgoldencolourabovethecrest，andthenhisattentionwasattractedbythelittlefigureofaman，inkyblack，runningoverthehill—browtowardshim。Hewasashortishlittleman，andheworeahighhat，andhewasrunningsofastthathislegsverilytwinkled。
\"Anotherofthosefools，\"saidDoctorKemp。\"Likethatasswhoranintomethismorningroundacorner，withhis’’VisibleMana—coming，sir！’
Ican’timaginewhatpossessespeople。Onemightthinkwewereinthethirteenthcentury。\"
Hegotup，wenttothewindow，andstaredattheduskyhillsideandthedarklittlefiguretearingdownit。\"Heseemsinaconfoundedhurry，\"
saidDoctorKemp，\"buthedoesn’tseemtobegettingon。Ifhispocketswerefulloflead，hecouldn’trunheavier。
\"Spurted，sir，\"saidDoctorKemp。
InanothermomentthehigherofthevillasthathadclamberedupthehillfromBurdockhadoccultedtherunningfigure。Hewasvisibleagainforamoment，andagain，andthenagain，threetimesbetweenthethreedetachedhousesthatcamenext，andthentheterracehidhim。
\"Asses！\"saidDoctorKemp，swingingroundonhisheelandwalkingbacktohiswriting—table。
Butthosewhosawthefugitivenearer，andperceivedtheabjectterroronhisperspiringface，beingthemselvesintheopenroadway，didnotshareinthedoctor’scontempt。Bythemanpounded，andasheranhechinkedlikeawell—filledpursethatistossedtoandfro。Helookedneithertotherightnortheleft，buthisdilatedeyesstaredstraightdownhilltowherethelampswerebeinglit，andthepeoplewerecrowdedinthestreet。
Andhisill—shapedmouthfellapart，andaglairyfoamlayonhislips，andhisbreathcamehoarseandnoisy。Allhepassedstoppedandbeganstaringuptheroadanddown，andinterrogatingoneanotherwithaninklingofdiscomfortforthereasonofhishaste。
Andthenpresently，farupthehill，adogplayingintheroadyelpedandranunderagate，andastheystillwonderedsomething——awind——apad，pad，pad，——asoundlikeapantingbreathing，——rushedby。
Peoplescreamed。Peoplesprangoffthepavement。Itpassedinshouts，itpassedbyinstinctdownthehill。TheywereshoutinginthestreetbeforeMarvelwashalfwaythere。Theywereboltingintohousesandslammingthedoorsbehindthem，withthenews。Hehearditandmadeonelastdesperatespurt。Fearcamestridingby，rushedaheadofhim，andinamomenthadseizedthetown。
\"TheInvisibleManiscoming！TheInvisibleMan。\"
TheInvisibleMan—Chapter16Chapter16—IntheJollyCricketersTheJollyCricketersisjustatthebottomofthehill，wherethetram—linesbegin。Thebarmanleanthisfatredarmsonthecounterandtalkedofhorseswithananaemiccabman，whileablack—beardedmaningreysnappedupbiscuitandcheese，drankBurton，andconversedinAmericanwithapolicemanoffduty。
\"What’stheshoutingabout？\"saidtheanaemiccabmangoingoffatatangent，tryingtoseeupthehilloverthedirtyyellowblindinthelowwindowoftheinn。Somebodyranbyoutside。\"Fire，perhaps，\"saidthebarman。
Footstepsapproached，runningheavily，thedoorwaspushedopenviolently，andMarvel，weepinganddishevelled，hishatgone，theneckofhiscoattornopen，rushedin，madeaconvulsiveturn，andattemptedtoshutthedoor。Itwasheldhalfopenbyastrap。
\"Coming！\"hebawled，hisvoiceshriekingwithterror。\"He’scoming。
The’VisibleMan！Afterme！ForGawd’ssake！Elp！Elp！Elp！\"
\"Shutthedoors，\"saidthepoliceman。\"Who’scoming？What’stherow？\"
Hewenttothedoor，releasedthestrap，anditslammed。TheAmericanclosedtheotherdoor。
\"Lemmegoinside，\"saidMarvel，staggeringandweeping，butstillclutchingthebooks。\"Lemmegoinside。Lockmein——somewhere。Itellyouhe’safterme。Igivehimtheslip。Hesaidhe’dkillmeandhewill。\"
\"You’resafe，\"saidthemanwiththeblackbeard。\"Thedoor’sshut。
What’sitallabout？\"
\"Lemmegoinside，\"saidMarvel，andshriekedaloudasablowsuddenlymadethefasteneddoorshiverandwasfollowedbyahurriedrappingandashoutingoutside。\"Hullo，\"criedthepoliceman，\"who’sthere？\"Mr。Marvelbegantomakefranticdivesatpanelsthatlookedlikedoors。\"He’llkillme——he’sgotaknifeorsomething。ForGawd’ssake！\"
\"Hereyouare，\"saidthebarman。\"Comeinhere。\"Andhehelduptheflapofthebar。
Mr。Marvelrushedbehindthebarasthesummonsoutsidewasrepeated。
\"Don’topenthedoor，\"hescreamed。\"Pleasedon’topenthedoor。WhereshallIhide？\"
\"This，thisInvisibleMan，then？\"askedthemanwiththeblackbeard，withonehandbehindhim。\"Iguessit’sabouttimewesawhim。\"
Thewindowoftheinnwassuddenlysmashedin，andtherewasascreamingandrunningtoandfrointhestreet。Thepolicemanhadbeenstandingonthesetteestaringout，craningtoseewhowasatthedoor。Hegotdownwithraisedeyebrows。\"It’sthat，\"hesaid。Thebarmanstoodinfrontofthebar—parlourdoorwhichwasnowlockedonMr。Marvel，staredatthesmashedwindowandcameroundtothetwoothermen。
Everythingwassuddenlyquiet。\"IwishIhadmytruncheon，\"saidthepoliceman，goingirresolutelytothedoor。\"Onceweopen，inhecomes。
There’snostoppinghim。\"
\"Don’tyoubeintoomuchhurryaboutthatdoor，\"saidtheanaemiccabman，anxiously。
\"Drawthebolts，\"saidthemanwiththeblackbeard，\"andifhecomes——\"
Heshowedarevolverinhishand。
\"Thatwon’tdo，\"saidthepoliceman;\"that’smurder。\"
\"IknowwhatcountryI’min，\"saidthemanwiththebeard。\"I’mgoingtoletoffathislegs。Drawthebolts。\"
\"Notwiththatthinggoingoffbehindme，\"saidthebarman，craningovertheblind。
\"Verywell，\"saidthemanwiththeblackbeard，andstoopingdown，revolverready，drewthemhimself。Barman，cabman，andpolice—manfacedabout。
\"Comein，\"saidthebeardedmaninanundertone，standingbackandfacingtheunbolteddoorswithhispistolbehindhim。Noonecamein，thedoorremainedclosed。Fiveminutesafterwardswhenasecondcabmanpushedhisheadincautiously，theywerestillwaiting，andananxiousfacepeeredoutofthebar—parlourandsuppliedinformation。\"Areallthedoorsofthehouseshut？\"askedMarvel。\"He’sgoinground——prowlinground。He’sasartfulasthedevil。\"
\"GoodLord！\"saidtheburlybarman。\"There’stheback！Justwatchthemdoors！Isay！——\"Helookedabouthimhelplessly。Thebar—parlourdoorslammedandtheyheardthekeyturn。\"There’stheyarddoorandtheprivatedoor。
Theyarddoor——\"
Herushedoutofthebar。
Inaminutehereappearedwithacarving—knifeinhishand。\"Theyarddoorwasopen！\"hesaid，andhisfatunderlipdropped。
\"Hemaybeinthehousenow！\"saidthefirstcabman。
\"He’snotinthekitchen，\"saidthebarman。\"There’stwowomenthere，andI’vestabbedeveryinchofitwiththislittlebeefslicer。Andtheydon’tthinkhe’scomein。Theyhaven’tnoticed——\"
\"Haveyoufastenedit？\"askedthefirstcabman。
\"I’moutoffrocks，\"saidthebarman。
Themanwiththebeardreplacedhisrevolver。Andevenashedidsotheflapofthebarwasshutdownandtheboltclicked，andthenwithatremendousthudthecatchofthedoorsnappedandthebar—parlourdoorburstopen。TheyheardMarvelsqueallikeacaughtleveret，andforthwiththeywereclamberingoverthebartohisrescue。Thebeardedman’srevolvercrackedandthelooking—glassatthebackoftheparlourwasstarredbrightlyandcamesmashingandtinklingdown。
AsthebarmanenteredtheroomhesawMarvel，curiouslycrumpledupandstrugglingagainstthedoorthatledtotheyardandkitchen。Thedoorflewopenwhilethebarmanhesitated，andMarvelwasdraggedintothekitchen。
Therewasascreamandaclatterofpans。Marvel，headdown，andluggingbackobstinately，wasforcedtothekitchendoor，andtheboltsweredrawn。
Thenthepoliceman，whohadbeentryingtopassthebarman，rushedin，followedbyoneofthecabmen，grippedthewristoftheinvisiblehandthatcollaredMarvel，washitinthefaceandwentreelingback。Thedooropened，andMarvelmadeafranticefforttoobtainalodgmentbehindit。
Thenthecabmanclutchedsomething。\"Igothim，\"saidthecabman。Thebarman’sredhandscameclawingattheunseen。\"Hereheis！\"saidthebarman。
Mr。Marvel，released，suddenlydroppedtothegroundandmadeanattempttocrawlbehindthelegsofthefightingmen。Thestruggleblunderedroundtheedgeofthedoor。ThevoiceoftheInvisibleManwasheardforthefirsttime，yellingoutsharply，asthepolicemantrodonhisfoot。Thenhecriedoutpassionatelyandhisfistsflewroundlikeflails。Thecabmansuddenlywhoopedanddoubledup，kickedunderthediaphragm。Thedoorintothebar—parlourfromthekitchenslammedandcoveredMr。Marvel’sretreat。
Themeninthekitchenfoundthemselvesclutchingatandstrugglingwithemptyair。
\"Where’shegone？\"criedthemanwiththebeard。\"Out？\"
\"Thisway，\"saidthepoliceman，steppingintotheyardandstopping。
Apieceoftilewhizzedbyhisheadandsmashedamongthecrockeryonthekitchentable。
\"I’llshowhim，\"shoutedthemanwiththeblackbeard，andsuddenlyasteelbarrelshoneoverthepoliceman’sshoulder，andfivebulletshadfollowedoneanotherintothetwilightwhencethemisslehadcome。Ashefired，themanwiththebeardmovedhishandinahorizontalcurve，sothathisshotsradiatedoutintothenarrowyardlikespokesfromawheel。
Asilencefollowed。\"Fivecartridges，\"saidthemanwiththeblackbeard。
\"That’sthebestofall。Fouracesandthejoker。Getalantern，someone，andcomeandfeelaboutforhisbody。\"
TheInvisibleMan—Chapter17Chapter17—DoctorKemp’sVisitorDoctorKemphadcontinuedwritinginhisstudyuntiltheshotsarousedhim。Crack，crack，crack，theycameoneaftertheother。
\"Hello！\"saidDoctorKemp，puttinghispenintohismouthagainandlistening。\"Who’slettingoffrevolversinBurdock？Whataretheassesatnow？\"
Hewenttothesouthwindow，threwitup，andleaningoutstareddownonthenetworkofwindows，beadedgas—lampsandshopswithblackintersticesofroofandyardthatmadeupthetownatnight。\"Lookslikeacrowddownthehill，\"hesaid，\"bytheCricketers，\"andremainedwatching。Thencehiseyeswanderedoverthetowntofarawaywheretheships’lightsshone，andthepierglowed，alittleilluminatedpavilionlikeagemofyellowlight。Themooninitsfirstquarterhungoverthewesternhill，andthestarswereclearandalmosttropicallybright。
Afterfiveminutes，duringwhichhismindhadtravelledintoaremotespeculationofsocialconditionsofthefuture，andlostitselfatlastoverthetimedimension，DoctorKemprousedhimselfwithasigh，pulleddownthewindowagain，andreturnedtohiswriting—desk。
Itmusthavebeenaboutanhourafterthisthatthefront—doorbellrang。Hehadbeenwritingslacklyandwithintervalsofabstraction，sincetheshots。Hesatlistening。Heheardtheservantanswerthedoor，andwaitedforherfeetonthestaircase，butshedidnotcome。\"Wonderwhatthatwas，\"saidDoctorKemp。
Hetriedtoresumehiswork，failed，gotup，wentdownstairsfromhisstudytothelanding，rang，andcalledoverthebalustradetothehousemaidassheappearedinthehallbelow。\"Wasthataletter？\"heasked。
\"Onlyarunawayring，sir，\"sheanswered。
\"I’mrestlessto—night，\"hesaidtohimself。Hewentbacktohisstudy，andthistimeattackedhisworkresolutely。Inalittlewhilehewashardatworkagain，andtheonlysoundsintheroomwerethetickingoftheclockandthesubduedshrillnessofhisquill，hurryingintheverycentreofthecircleoflighthislamp—shadethrewonhistable。
Itwastwoo’clockbeforeDoctorKemphadfinishedhisworkforthenight。Herose，yawned，andwentdownstairstobed。Hehadalreadyremovedhiscoatandvest，whenhenoticedthathewasthirsty。Hetookacandleandwentdowntothedining—roominsearchofasiphonandwhisky。
DoctorKemp’sscientificpursuitshadmadehimaveryobservantman，andasherecrossedthehall，henoticedadarkspotonthelinoleumnearthematatthefootofthestairs。Hewentonupstairs，andthenitsuddenlyoccurredtohimtoaskhimselfwhatthespotonthelinoleummightbe。
Apparentlysomesubconsciouselementwasatwork。Atanyrate，heturnedwithhisburden，wentbacktothehall，putdownthesiphonandwhisky，andbendingdown，touchedthespot。Withoutanygreatsurprisehefoundithadthestickinessandcolourofdryingblood。
Hetookuphisburdenagain，andreturnedupstairs，lookingabouthimandtryingtoaccountfortheblood—spot。Onthelandinghesawsomethingandstoppedastonished。Thedoor—handleofhisownroomwasblood—stained。
Helookedathisownhand。Itwasquiteclean，andthenherememberedthatthedoorofhisroomhadbeenopenwhenhecamedownfromhisstudy，andthatconsequentlyhehadnottouchedthehandleatall。Hewentstraightintohisroom，hisfacequitecalm——perhapsatriflemoreresolutethatusual。Hisglance，wanderinginquisitively，fellonthebed。Onthecounterpanewasamessofblood，andthesheethadbeentorn。Hehadnotnoticedthisbeforebecausehehadwalkedstraighttothedressing—table。Onthefurthersidethebed—clothesweredepressedasifsomeonehadbeenrecentlysittingthere。
Thenhehadanoddimpressionthathehadheardaloudvoicesay，\"GoodHeavens！——Kemp！\"ButDoctorKempwasnobelieverinVoices。
Hestoodstaringatthetumbledsheets。Wasthatreallyavoice？Helookedaboutagain，butnoticednothingfurtherthanthedisorderedandblood—stainedbed。Thenhedistinctlyheardamovementacrosstheroom，nearthewash—handstand。Allmen，howeverhighlyeducated，retainsomesuperstitiousinklings。Thefeelingthatiscalled\"eerie\"cameuponhim。
Heclosedthedooroftheroom，cameforwardtothedressing—table，andputdownhisburdens。Suddenly，withastart，heperceivedacoiledandblood—stainedbandageoflinenraghanginginmid—air，betweenhimandthewash—handstand。
Hestaredatthisinamazement。Itwasanemptybandage，abandageproperlytiedbutquiteempty。Hewouldhaveadvancedtograspit，butatoucharrestedhim，andavoicespeakingquiteclosetohim。
\"Kemp！\"saidtheVoice。
\"Eigh？\"saidKemp，withhismouthopen。
\"Keepyournerve，\"saidtheVoice。\"I’manInvisibleMan。\"
Kempmadenoanswerforaspace，simplystaredatthebandage。\"InvisibleMan，\"hesaid。
\"I’manInvisibleMan，\"repeatedtheVoice。
ThestoryhehadbeenactivetoridiculeonlythatmorningrushedthroughKemp’sbrain。Hedoesnotappeartohavebeeneitherverymuchfrightenedorverygreatlysurprisedatthemoment。Realisationcamelater。
\"Ithoughtitwasallalie，\"hesaid。Thethoughtuppermostinhismindwasthereiteratedargumentsofthemorning。\"Haveyouabandageon？\"
heasked。
\"Yes，\"saidtheInvisibleMan。
\"Oh！\"saidKemp，andthenrousedhimself。\"Isay！\"hesaid。\"Butthisisnonsense。It’ssometrick。\"Hesteppedforwardsuddenly，andhishand，extendedtowardsthebandage，metinvisiblefingers。
Herecoiledatthetouchandhiscolourchanged。
\"Keepsteady，Kemp，forGod’ssake！Iwanthelpbadly。Stop！\"
Thehandgrippedhisarm。Hestruckatit。
\"Kemp！\"criedtheVoice。\"Kemp！Keepsteady！\"andthegriptightened。
AfranticdesiretofreehimselftookpossessionofKemp。Thehandofthebandagedarmgrippedhisshoulder，andhewassuddenlytrippedandflungbackwardsuponthebed。Heopenedhismouthtoshout，andthecornerofthesheetwasthrustbetweenhisteeth。TheInvisibleManhadhimdowngrimly，buthisarmswerefreeandhestruckandtriedtokicksavagely。
\"Listentoreason，willyou？\"saidtheInvisibleMan，stickingtohiminspiteofapoundingintheribs。\"ByHeaven！you’llmaddenmeinaminute！
\"Liestill，youfool！\"bawledtheInvisibleManinKemp’sear。
Kempstruggledforanothermomentandthenlaystill。
\"IfyoushoutI’llsmashyourface，\"saidtheInvisibleMan，relievinghismouth。
\"I’manInvisibleMan。It’snofoolishness，andnomagic。IreallyamanInvisibleMan。AndIwantyourhelp。Idon’twanttohurtyou，butifyoubehavelikeafranticrustic，Imust。Don’tyourememberme，Kemp？——Griffin，ofUniversityCollege？\"
\"Letmegetup，\"saidKemp。\"I’llstopwhereIam。Andletmesitquietforaminute。\"
Hesatupandfelthisneck。
\"IamGriffin，ofUniversityCollege，andIhavemademyselfinvisible。
Iamjustanordinaryman——amanyouhaveknown——madeinvisible。\"
\"Griffin？\"saidKemp。
\"Griffin，\"answeredtheVoice——\"ayoungerstudent，almostanalbino，sixfeethigh，andbroad，withapinkandwhitefaceandredeyes——whowonthemedalforchemistry。\"
\"Iamconfused，\"saidKemp。\"Mybrainisrioting。WhathasthistodowithGriffin？\"
\"IamGriffin。\"
Kemptthought。\"It’shorrible，\"hesaid。\"Butwhatdevilrymusthappentomakeamaninvisible？\"
\"It’snodevilry。It’saprocess，saneandintelligibleenough——\"
\"It’shorrible！\"saidKemp。\"Howonearth——？\"
\"It’shorribleenough。ButI’mwoundedaninpain，andtired——GreatGod！Kemp，youareaman。Takeitsteady。Givemesomefoodanddrink，andletmesitdownhere。\"
Kempstaredatthebandageasitmovedacrosstheroom，thensawabasketchairdraggedacrossthefloorandcometorestnearthebed。Itcreaked，andtheseatwasdepressedthequarterofaninchorso。Herubbedhiseyesandfelthisneckagain。\"Thisbeatsghosts，\"hesaid，andlaughedstupidly。
\"That’sbetter。ThankHeaven，you’regettingsensible！\"
\"Orsilly，\"saidKemp，andknuckledhiseyes。
\"Givemesomewhisky。I’mneardead。\"
\"Itdidn’tfeelso。Whereareyou？IfIgetupshallIrunintoyou？
There！allright。Whisky？Here。WhereshallIgiveityou？\"
ThechaircreakedandKempfelttheglassdrawnawayfromhim。Heletgobyaneffort;hisinstinctwasallagainstit。Itcametorestpoisedtwentyinchesabovethefrontedgeoftheseatofthechair。Hestaredatitininfiniteperplexity。\"Thisis——thismustbe——hypnotism。Youmusthavesuggestedyouareinvisible。\"
\"Nonsense，\"saidtheVoice。
\"It’sfrantic。\"
\"Listentome。\"
\"Idemonstratedconclusivelythismorning，\"beganKemp，\"thatinvisibility——\"
\"Nevermindwhatyou’vedemonstrated！——I’mstarving，\"saidtheVoice，\"andthenightis——chillytoamanwithoutclothes。\"
\"Food！\"saidKemp。
Thetumblerofwhiskytilteditself。\"Yes，\"saidtheInvisibleMan，rappingitdown。\"Haveyougotadressinggown？\"
Kempmadesomeexclamationinanundertone。Hewalkedtoawardrobeandproducedarobeofdingyscarlet。\"Thisdo？\"heasked。Itwastakenfromhim。Ithunglimpforamomentinmid—air，flutteredweirdly，stoodfullanddecorousbuttoningitself，andsatdowninhischair。\"Drawers，socks，slipperswouldbeacomfort，\"saidtheUnseen，curtly。\"Andfood。\"
\"Anything。ButthisistheinsanestthingIeverwasin，inmylife！\"
Heturnedouthisdrawersforthearticles，andthenwentdownstairstoransackhislarder。Hecamebackwithsomecoldcutletsandbread，pulledupalighttable，andplacedthembeforehisguest。\"Nevermindknives，\"
saidhisvisitor，andacutlethunginmid—air，withasoundofgnawing。
\"Invisible！\"saidKemp，andsatdownonabedroomchair。
\"IalwaysliketogetsomethingaboutmebeforeIeat，\"saidtheInvisibleMan，withafullmouth，eatinggreedily。\"Queerfancy！\"
\"Isupposethatwristisallright，\"saidKemp。
\"Trustme，\"saidtheInvisibleMan。
\"Ofallthestrangeandwonderful——\"
\"Exactly。Butit’soddIshouldblunderintoyourhousetogetmybandaging。
Myfirststrokeofluck。AnyhowImeanttosleepinthishouseto—night。
Youmuststandthat！It’safilthynuisance，mybloodshowing，isn’tit？
Quiteaclotoverthere。Getsvisibleasitcoagulates，Isee。I’vebeeninthehousethreehours。\"
\"Buthow’sitdone？\"beganKemp，inatoneofexasperation。\"Confoundit！Thewholebusiness——it’sunreasonablefrombeginningtoend。\"
\"Quitereasonable，\"saidtheInvisibleMan。\"Perfectlyreasonable。\"
Hereachedoverandsecuredthewhiskybottle。Kempstaredatthedevouringdressing—gown。Arayofcandle—lightpenetratingatornpatchintherightshoulder，madeatriangleoflightundertheleftribs。\"Whatweretheshots？\"heasked。\"Howdidtheshootingbegin？\"
\"Therewasafoolofaman——asortofconfederateofmine——cursehim！——whotriedtostealmymoney。Hasdoneso。\"
\"Isheinvisibletoo？\"
\"No。\"
\"Well？\"
\"Can’tIhavesomemoretoeatbeforeItellyouallthat？I’mhungry——inpain。Andyouwantmetotellstories！\"
Kempgotup。\"Youdidn’tdoanyshooting？\"heasked。
\"Notme，\"saidhisvisitor。\"SomefoolI’dneverseenfiredatrandom。
Alotofthemgotscared。Theyallgotscaredatme。Cursethem！——Isay——I
wantmoretoeatthanthis，Kemp。\"
\"I’llseewhatthereismoretoeatdownstairs，\"saidKemp。\"Notmuch，I’mafraid。\"
Afterhehaddoneeating，andhemadeaheavymeal，theInvisibleMandemandedacigar。HebittheendsavagelybeforeKempcouldfindaknife，andcursedwhentheouterleafloosened。Itwasstrangetoseehimsmoking;
hismouthandthroat，pharynxandnares，becamevisibleasasortofwhirlingsmokecast。
\"Thisblessedgiftofsmoking！\"hesaid，andpuffedvigorously。\"I’mluckytohavefallenuponyou，Kemp。Youmusthelpme。Fancytumblingonyoujustnow！I’minadevilishscrape。I’vebeenmad，Ithink。ThethingsIhavebeenthrough！Butwewilldothingsyet。Letmetellyou——\"
Hehelpedhimselftomorewhiskyandsoda。Kempgotup，lookedabouthim，andfetchedhimselfaglassfromhisspareroom。\"It’swild——butI
supposeImaydrink。\"
\"Youhaven’tchangedmuch，Kemp，thesedozenyears。Youfairmendon’t。
Coolandmethodical——afterthefirstcollapse。Imusttellyou。Wewillworktogether！\"
\"Buthowwasitalldone？\"saidKemp，\"andhowdidyougetlikethis？\"
\"ForGod’ssake，letmesmokeinpeaceforalittlewhile！AndthenIwillbegintotellyou。\"
Butthestorywasnottoldthatnight。TheInvisibleMan’swristwasgrowingpainful，hewasfeverish，exhausted，andhismindcameroundtobrooduponhischasedownthehillandthestruggleabouttheinn。HespokeinfragmentsofMarvel，hesmokedfaster，hisvoicegrewangry。Kemptriedtogatherwhathecould。
\"Hewasafraidofme，Icouldseehewasafraidofme，\"saidtheInvisibleManmanytimesover。\"Hemeanttogivemetheslip——hewasalwayscastingabout！WhatafoolIwas！
\"Thecur！
\"Ishouldhavekilledhim——\"
\"Wheredidyougetthemoney？\"askedKemp，abruptly。
TheInvisibleManwassilentforaspace。\"Ican’ttellyouto—night，\"
hesaid。
Hegroanedsuddenlyandleantforward，supportinghisinvisibleheadoninvisiblehands。\"Kemp，\"hesaid，\"I’vehadnosleepfornearthreedays——exceptacoupleofdozesofanhourorso。Imustsleepsoon。\"
\"Well，havemyroom——havethisroom。\"
\"ButhowcanIsleep？IfIsleep——hewillgetaway。Ugh！Whatdoesitmatter？\"
\"What’stheshot—wound？\"askedKemp，abruptly。
\"Nothing——scratchandblood。Oh，God！HowIwantsleep！\"
\"Whynot？\"
TheInvisibleManappearedtoberegardingKemp。\"BecauseI’veaparticularobjectiontobeingcaughtbymyfellow—men，\"hesaidslowly。
Kempstarted。
\"FoolthatIam！\"saidtheInvisibleMan，strikingthetablesmartly。
\"I’veputtheideaintoyourhead。\"
TheInvisibleMan—Chapter18Chapter18—TheInvisibleManSleepsExhaustedandwoundedastheInvisibleManwas，herefusedtoacceptKemp’swordthathisfreedomshouldberespected。Heexaminedthetwowindowsofthebedroom，drewuptheblinds，andopenedthesashestoconfirmKemp’sstatementthataretreatbythemwouldbepossible。Outsidethenightwasveryquietandstill，andthenewmoonwassettingoverthedown。Thenheexaminedthekeysofthebedroomandthetwodressing—roomdoors，tosatisfyhimselfthatthesealsocouldbemadeanassuranceoffreedom。
Finallyheexpressedhimselfsatisfied。Hestoodonthehearth—rugandKempheardthesoundofayawn。
\"I’msorry，\"saidtheInvisibleMan，\"ifIcannottellyouallthatIhavedoneto—night。ButIamwornout。It’sgrotesque，nodoubt。It’shorrible！Butbelieveme，Kemp，itisquiteapossiblething。Ihavemadeadiscovery。Imeanttokeepittomyself。Ican’t。Imusthaveapartner。
Andyou——Wecandosuchthings——Butto—morrow。Now，Kemp，IfeelasthoughImustsleeporperish。\"
Kempstoodinthemiddleoftheroomstaringattheheadlessgarment。
\"IsupposeImustleaveyou，\"hesaid。\"It’s——incredible。Threethingshappeninglikethis，overturningallmypreconceptions，wouldmakemeinsane。
Butit’sreal！IsthereanythingmorethatIcangetyou？\"
\"Onlybidmegood—night，\"saidGriffin。
\"Good—night，\"saidKemp，andshookaninvisiblehand。Hewalkedsidewaystothedoor。Suddenlythedressing—gownwalkedquicklytowardshim。\"Understandme！\"saidthedressing—gown。\"Noattemptstohamperme，orcaptureme！
Or——\"
Kemp’sfacechangedalittle。\"IthoughtIgaveyoumyword，\"hesaid。
Kempclosedthedoorsoftlybehindhim，andthekeywasturneduponhimforthwith。Then，ashestoodwithanexpressionofpassiveamazementonhisface，therapidfeetcametothedoorofthedressing—roomandthattoowaslocked。Kempslappedhisbrowwithhishand。\"AmIdreaming？Hastheworldgonemad——orhaveI？\"
Helaughed，andputhishandtothelockeddoor。\"Barredoutofmyownbedroom，byaflagrantabsurdity！\"hesaid。
Hewalkedtotheheadofthestaircase，turned，andstaredatthelockeddoors。\"It’sfact，\"hesaid。Heputhisfingerstohisslightlybruisedneck。\"Undeniablefact！
\"But——\"
Heshookhisheadhopelessly，turned，andwentdownstairs。
Helitthedining—roomlamp，gotoutacigar，andbeganpacingtheroom，ejaculating。Nowandthenhewouldarguewithhimself。
\"Invisible！\"hesaid。
\"Istheresuchathingasaninvisibleanimal？Inthesea，yes。Thousands！
millions！Allthelarvae，allthelittlenaupliiandtornarias，allthemicroscopicthings，thejelly—fish。Intheseatherearemorethingsinvisiblethanvisible！Ineverthoughtofthatbefore。Andinthepondstoo！Allthoselittlepond—lifethings——specksofcolourlesstranslucentjelly！
Butinair？No！
\"Itcan’tbe。
\"Butafterall——whynot？
\"Ifamanwasmadeofglasshewouldstillbevisible。\"
Hismeditationbecameprofound。Thebulkofthreecigarshadpassedintotheinvisibleordiffusedasawhiteashoverthecarpetbeforehespokeagain。Thenitwasmerelyanexclamation。Heturnedaside，walkedoutoftheroom，andwentintohislittleconsulting—roomandlitthegasthere。Itwasalittleroom，becauseDr。Kempdidnotlivebypractice，andinitweretheday’snewspapers。Themorning’spaperlaycarelesslyopenedandthrownaside。Hecaughtitup，turneditover，andreadtheaccountofa\"StrangeStoryfromIping\"thattheMarineratPortStowehadspeltoversopainfullytoMr。Marvel。Kempreaditswiftly。
\"Wrappedup！\"saidKemp。\"Disguised！Hidingit！’Nooneseemstohavebeenawareofhismisfortune。’Whatthedevilishisgame？\"
Hedroppedthepaper，andhiseyewentseeking。\"Ah！\"hesaid，andcaughtuptheSt。James’Gazette，lyingfoldedupasitarrived。\"Nowweshallgetatthetruth，\"saidDr。Kemp。Herentthepaperopen;acoupleofcolumnsconfrontedhim。\"AnEntireVillageinSussexgoesMad\"wastheheading。