\"Presentlyhecameupagain，stillmuttering。Heopenedthedooroftheroom，andbeforeIcouldenter，slammeditinmyface。
\"Iresolvedtoexplorethehouse，andspentsometimeindoingsoasnoiselesslyaspossible。Thehousewasveryoldandtumbledown，dampsothatthepaperintheatticswaspeelingfromthewalls，andrat—infested。
SomeofthedoorhandleswerestiffandIwasafraidtoturnthem。SeveralroomsIdidinspectwereunfurnished，andotherswerelitteredwiththeatricallumber，boughtsecond—hand，Ijudged，fromitsappearance。InoneroomnexttohisIfoundalotofoldclothes。Ibeganroutingamongthese，andinmyeagernessforgotagaintheevidentsharpnessofhisears。Iheardastealthyfootstepand，lookingupjustintime，sawhimpeeringinatthetumbledheapandholdinganold—fashionedrevolverinhishand。Istoodperfectlystillwhilehestaredaboutopen—mouthedandsuspicious。’Itmusthavebeenher，’hesaidslowly。’Damnher！’
\"Heshutthedoorquietly，andimmediatelyIheardthekeyturninthelock。Thenhisfootstepsretreated。IrealisedabruptlythatIwaslockedin。Foraminuteadidnotknowwhattodo。Iwalkedfromdoortowindowandback，andstoodperplexed。Agustofangercameuponme。ButIdecidedtoinspecttheclothesbeforeIdidanythingfurther，andmyfirstattemptbroughtdownapilefromanuppershelf。Thisbroughthimback，moresinisterthanever。Thattimeheactuallytouchedme，jumpedbackwithamazementandstoodastonishedinthemiddleoftheroom。
\"Presentlyhecalmedalittle。’Rats，’hesaidinanundertone，fingersonlip。Hewasevidentlyalittlescared。Iedgedquietlyoutoftheroom，butaplankcreaked。Thentheinfernallittlebrutestartedgoingalloverthehouse，revolverinhandandlockingdoorafterdoorandpocketingthekeys。WhenIrealisedwhathewasuptoIhadafitofrage——Icouldhardlycontrolmyselfsufficientlytowatchmyopportunity。BythistimeIknewhewasaloneinthehouse，andsoImadenomoreado，butknockedhimonthehead。\"
\"Knockedhimonthehead！\"exclaimedKemp。
\"Yes——stunnedhim——ashewasgoingdownstairs。Hithimfrombehindwithastoolthatstoodonthelanding。Hewentdownstairslikeabagofoldboots。\"
\"But——！Isay！Thecommonconventionsofhumanity——\"
\"Areallverywellforcommonpeople。Butthepointwas，Kemp，thatIhadtogetoutofthathouseinadisguisewithouthisseeingme。Icouldn’tthinkofanyotherwayofdoingit。AndthenIgaggedhimwithaLouisQuatorzevestandtiedhimupinasheet。\"
\"Tiedhimupinasheet！\"
\"Madeasortofbagofit。Itwasratheragoodideatokeeptheidiotscaredandquiet，andadevilishhardthingtogetoutof——headawayfromthestring。MydearKemp，it’snogoodyoursittingandglaringasthoughIwasamurderer。Ithadtobedone。Hehadhisrevolver。Ifoncehesawmehewouldbeabletodescribeme——\"
\"Butstill，\"saidKemp，\"inEngland——to—day。Andthemanwasinhisownhouse，andyouwere——well，robbing。\"
\"Robbing！Confoundit！You’llcallmeathiefnext！Surely，Kemp，you’renotfoolenoughtodanceontheoldstrings。Can’tyouseemyposition？\"
\"Andhistoo，\"saidKemp。
TheInvisibleManstoodupsharply。\"Whatdoyoumeantosay？\"
Kemp’sfacegrewatriflehard。Hewasabouttospeakandcheckedhimself。
\"Isuppose，afterall，\"hesaidwithasuddenchangeofmanner，\"thethinghadtobedone。Youwereinafix。Butstill——\"
\"OfcourseIwasinafix——aninfernalfix。Andhemademewildtoo——huntingmeaboutthehouse，foolingaboutwithhisrevolver，lockingandunlockingdoors。Hewassimplyexasperating。Youdon’tblameme，doyou？Youdon’tblameme？\"
\"Ineverblameanyone，\"saidKemp。\"It’squiteoutoffashion。Whatdidyoudonext？\"
\"Iwashungry。DownstairsIfoundaloafandsomerankcheese——morethansufficienttosatisfymyhunger。Itooksomebrandyandwater，andthenwentuppastmyimpromptubag——hewaslyingquitestill——totheroomcontainingtheoldclothes。Thislookedoutuponthestreet，twolacecurtainsbrownwithdirtguardingthewindow。Iwentandpeeredoutthroughtheirinterstices。Outsidethedaywasbright——bycontrastwiththebrownshadowsofthedismalhouseinwhichIfoundmyself，dazzlinglybright。Abrisktrafficwasgoingby，fruitcarts，ahansom，afour—wheelerwithapileofboxes，afishmonger’scart。Iturnedwithspotsofcolourswimmingbeforemyeyestotheshadowyfixturesbehindme。Myexcitementwasgivingplacetoaclearapprehensionofmypositionagain。Theroomwasfullofafaintscentofbenzoline，used，Isuppose，incleaningthegarments。
\"Ibeganasystematicsearchoftheplace。Ishouldjudgethehunchbackhadbeenaloneinthehouseforsometime。Hewasacuriousperson。EverythingthatcouldpossiblybeofservicetomeIcollectedintheclothesstoreroom，andthenImadeadeliberateselection。IfoundahandbagIthoughtasuitablepossession，andsomepowder，rouge，andsticking—plaster。
\"Ihadthoughtofpaintingandpowderingmyfaceandallthattherewastoshowofme，inordertorendermyselfvisible，butthedisadvantageofthislayinthefactthatIshouldrequireturpentineandotherappliancesandaconsiderableamountoftimebeforeIcouldvanishagain。FinallyIchoseamaskofthebettertype，slightlygrotesquebutnotmoresothanmanyhumanbeings，darkglasses，greyishwhiskers，andawig。Icouldfindnounderclothing，butthatIcouldbuysubsequently，andforthetimeI
swathedmyselfincalicodominoesandsomewhitecashmerescarfs。Icouldfindnosocks，butthehunchback’sbootswereratheraloosefitandsufficed。
Inadeskintheshopwerethreesovereignsandaboutthirtyshillings’
worthofsilver，andinalockedcupboardIburstintheinnerroomwereeightpoundsingold。Icouldgoforthintotheworldagain，equipped。
\"Thencameacurioushesitation。Wasmyappearancereally——credible？
Itriedmyselfwithalittlebedroomlooking—glass，inspectingmyselffromeverypointofviewtodiscoveranyforgottenchink，butitallseemedsound。Iwasgrotesquetothetheatricalpitch，astagemiser，butIwascertainlynotaphysicalimpossibility。Gatheringconfidence，Itookmylooking—glassdownintotheshop，pulleddowntheshopblinds，andsurveyedmyselffromeverypointofviewwiththehelpofthechevalglassinthecorner。
\"Ispentsomeminutesscrewingupmycourageandthenunlockedtheshopdoorandmarchedoutintothestreet，leavingthelittlemantogetoutofhissheetagainwhenheliked。Infiveminutesadozenturningsintervenedbetweenmeandthecostumier’sshop。Nooneappearedtonoticemeverypointedly。Mylastdifficultyseemedovercome。\"
Hestoppedagain。
\"Andyoutroublednomoreaboutthehunchback？\"saidKemp。
\"No，\"saidtheInvisibleMan。\"NorhaveIheardwhatbecameofhim。
Isupposeheuntiedhimselforkickedhimselfout。Theknotswereprettytight。\"
Hebecamesilent，andwenttothewindowandstaredout。
\"WhathappenedwhenyouwentoutintotheStrand？\"
\"Oh！——disillusionmentagain。Ithoughtmytroubleswereover。PracticallyIthoughtIhadimpunitytodowhateverIchose，everything——savetogiveawaymysecret。SoIthought。WhateverIdid，whatevertheconsequencesmightbe，wasnothingtome。Ihadmerelytoflingasidemygarmentsandvanish。Nopersoncouldholdme。IcouldtakemymoneywhereIfoundit。
Idecidedtotreatmyselftoasumptuousfeast，andthenputupatagoodhotel，andaccumulateanewoutfitofproperty。Ifeltamazinglyconfident——it’snotparticularlypleasantrecallingthatIwasanass。Iwentintoaplaceandwasalreadyorderingalunch，whenitoccurredtomethatIcouldnoteatunlessIexposedmyinvisibleface。Ifinishedorderingthelunch，toldthemanIshouldbebackintenminutes，andwentoutexasperated。
Idon’tknowifyouhaveeverbeendisappointedinyourappetite。\"
\"Notquitesobadly，\"saidKemp，\"butIcanimagineit。\"
\"Icouldhavesmashedthesillydevils。Atlast，faintwiththedesirefortastefulfood，Iwentintoanotherplaceanddemandedaprivateroom。
’Iamdisfigured，’Isaid。’Badly。’Theylookedatmecuriously，butofcourseitwasnottheiraffair——andsoatlastIgotmylunch。Itwasnotparticularlywellserved，butitsufficed;andwhenIhadhadit，Isatoveracigar，tryingtoplanmylineofaction。Andoutsideasnowstormwasbeginning。
\"ThemoreIthoughtitover，Kemp，themoreIrealisedwhatahelplessabsurdityanInvisibleManwas——inacoldanddirtyclimateandacrowdedcivilisedcity。BeforeImadethismadexperimentIhaddreamtofathousandadvantages。Thatafternoonitseemedalldisappointment。Iwentovertheheadsofthethingsamanreckonsdesirable。Nodoubtinvisibilitymadeitpossibletogetthem，butitmadeitimpossibletoenjoythemwhentheyaregot。Ambition——whatisthegoodofprideofplacewhenyoucannotappearthere？WhatisthegoodoftheloveofwomanwhenhernamemustneedsbeDelilah？Ihavenotasteforpolitics，fortheblackguardismsoffame，forphilanthropy，forsport。WhatwasItodo？AndforthisIhadbecomeawrapped—upmystery，aswathedandbandagedcaricatureofaman！\"
Hepaused，andhisattitudesuggestedarovingglanceatthewindow。
\"ButhowdidyougettoIping？\"saidKemp，anxioustokeephisguestbusytalking。
\"Iwenttheretowork。Ihadonehope。Itwasahalfidea！Ihaveitstill。Itisafullblownideanow。Awayofgettingback！OfrestoringwhatIhavedone。WhenIchoose。WhenIhavedoneallImeantodoinvisibly。
AndthatiswhatIchieflywanttotalktoyouaboutnow。\"
\"YouwentstraighttoIping？\"
\"Yes。Ihadsimplytogetmythreevolumesofmemorandaandmycheque—book，myluggageandunderclothing，orderaquantityofchemicalstoworkoutthisideaofmine——IwillshowyouthecalculationsassoonasIgetmybooks——andthenIstarted。Jove！Irememberthesnowstormnow，andtheaccursedbotheritwastokeepthesnowfromdampingmypasteboardnose。\"
\"Attheend，\"saidKemp，\"thedaybeforeyesterday，whentheyfoundyouout，yourather——tojudgebythepapers——\"
\"Idid。Rather。DidIkillthatfoolofaconstable？\"
\"No，\"saidKemp。\"He’sexpectedtorecover。\"
\"That’shisluck，then。Icleanlostmytemper，thefools！Whycouldn’ttheyleavemealone？Andthatgrocerlout？\"
\"Therearenodeathsexpected，\"saidKemp。
\"Idon’tknowaboutthattrampofmine，\"saidtheInvisibleMan，withanunpleasantlaugh。
\"ByHeaven，Kemp，youdon’tknowwhatrageis！Tohaveworkedforyears，tohaveplannedandplotted，andthentogetsomefumblingpurblindidiotmessingacrossyourcourse！Everyconceivablesortofsillycreaturethathaseverbeencreatedhasbeensenttocrossme。
\"IfIhavemuchmoreofit，Ishallgowild——Ishallstartmowing’em。
\"Asitis，they’vemadethingsathousandtimesmoredifficult。\"
\"Nodoubtit’sexasperating，\"saidKemp，dryly。
TheInvisibleMan—Chapter24Chapter24—ThePlanThatFailed\"Butnow，\"saidKemp，withasideglanceoutofthewindow，\"whatarewetodo？\"
Hemovednearerhisguestashespokeinsuchamannerastopreventthepossibilityofaglimpseofthethreemenwhowereadvancingupthehillroad——withanintolerableslowness，asitseemedtoKemp。
\"WhatwereyouplanningtodowhenyouwereheadingforPortBurdock？
Hadyouanyplan？\"
\"Iwasgoingtoclearoutofthecountry。ButIhavealteredthatplanrathersinceseeingyou。Ithoughtitwouldbewise，nowtheweatherishotandinvisibilitypossible，tomakefortheSouth。Especiallyasmysecretwasknown，andeveryonewouldbeonthelookoutforamaskedandmuffledman。YouhavealineofsteamersfromheretoFrance。Myideawastogetaboardoneandruntherisksofthepassage。ThenceIcouldgobytrainintoSpain，orelsegettoAlgiers。Itwouldnotbedifficult。Thereamanmightalwaysbeinvisible——andyetlive。Anddothings。Iwasusingthattrampasamoneyboxandluggagecarrier，untilIdecidedhowtogetmybooksandthingssentovertomeetme。\"
\"That’sclear。\"
\"Andthenthefilthybrutemustneedstryandrobme！Hehashiddenmybooks，Kemp。Hiddenmybooks！IfIcanlaymyhandsonhim！\"
\"Bestplantogetthebooksoutofhimfirst。\"
\"Butwhereishe？Doyouknow？\"
\"He’sinthetownpolicestation，lockedup，byhisownrequest，inthestrongestcellintheplace。\"
\"Cur！\"saidtheInvisibleMan。
\"Butthathangsupyourplansalittle。\"
\"Wemustgetthosebooks;thosebooksarevital。\"
\"Certainly，\"saidKemp，alittlenervously，wonderingifheheardfootstepsoutside。\"Certainlywemustgetthosebooks。Butthatwon’tbedifficult，ifhedoesn’tknowthey’reforyou。\"
\"No，\"saidtheInvisibleMan，andthought。
Kemptriedtothinkofsomethingtokeepthetalkgoing，buttheInvisibleManresumedofhisownaccord。
\"Blunderingintoyourhouse，Kemp，\"hesaid，\"changesallmyplans。
Foryouareamanthatcanunderstand。Inspiteofallthathashappened，inspiteofthispublicity，ofthelossofmybooks，ofwhatIhavesuffered，therestillremaingreatpossibilities，hugepossibilities——
\"YouhavetoldnooneIamhere？\"heaskedabruptly。
Kemphesitated。\"Thatwasimplied，\"hesaid。
\"Noone？\"insistedGriffin。
\"Notasoul。\"
\"Ah！Now——\"TheInvisibleManstoodup，andstickinghisarmsakimbobegantopacethestudy。
\"Imadeamistake，Kemp，ahugemistake，incarryingthisthingthroughalone。Ihavewastedstrength，time，opportunities。Alone——itiswonderfulhowlittleamancandoalone！Torobalittle，tohurtalittle，andthereistheend。
\"WhatIwant，Kemp，isagoal—keeper，ahelper，andahiding—place，anarrangementwherebyIcansleepandeatandrestinpeace，andunsuspected。
Imusthaveaconfederate。Withaconfederate，withfoodandrest——athousandthingsarepossible。
\"HithertoIhavegoneonvaguelines。Wehavetoconsiderallthatinvisibilitymeans，allthatitdoesnotmean。Itmeanslittleadvantageforeavesdroppingandsoforth——onemakessounds。It’soflittlehelp，alittlehelpperhaps——inhousebreakingandsoforth。Onceyou’vecaughtmeyoucouldeasilyimprisonme。ButontheotherhandIamhardtocatch。Thisinvisibility，infact，isonlygoodintwocases：It’susefulingettingaway，it’susefulinapproaching。It’sparticularlyuseful，therefore，inkilling。Icanwalkroundaman，whateverweaponhehas，choosemypoint，strikeasIlike。
DodgeasIlike。EscapeasIlike。\"
Kemp’shandwenttohismoustache。Wasthatamovementdownstairs？
\"Anditiskillingwemustdo，Kemp。\"
\"Itiskillingwemustdo，\"repeatedKemp。\"I’mlisteningtoyourplan，Griffin，butI’mnotagreeing，mind。Whykilling？\"
\"Notwantonkillingbutajudiciousslaying。ThepointistheyknowthereisanInvisibleMan——aswellasweknowthereisanInvisibleMan。
AndthatInvisibleMan，Kemp，mustnowestablishaReignofTerror。Yes——nodoubtit’sstartling。ButImeanit。AReignofTerror。HemusttakesometownlikeyourBurdockandterrifyanddominateit。Hemustissuehisorders。
Hecandothatinathousandways——scrapsofpaperthrustunderdoorswouldsuffice。Andallwhodisobeyhisordershemustkill，andkillallwhowoulddefendthedisobedient。\"
\"Humph！\"saidKemp，nolongerlisteningtoGriffinbuttothesoundofhisfrontdooropeningandclosing。
\"Itseemstome，Griffin，\"hesaid，tocoverhiswanderingattention，\"thatyourconfederatewouldbeinadifficultposition。\"
\"Noonewouldknowhewasaconfederate，\"saidtheInvisibleMan，eagerly。
Andthensuddenly，\"Hush！What’sthatdownstairs？\"
\"Nothing，\"saidKemp，andsuddenlybegantospeakloudandfast。\"I
don’tagreetothis，Griffin，\"hesaid。\"Understandme，Idon’tagreetothis。Whydreamofplayingagameagainsttherace？Howcanyouhopetogainhappiness？Don’tbealonewolf。Publishyourresults;taketheworld——takethenationatleast——intoyourconfidence。Thinkwhatyoumightdowithamillionhelpers——\"
TheInvisibleManinterruptedKemp。\"Therearefootstepscomingupstairs，\"
hesaidinalowvoice。
\"Nonsense，\"saidKemp。
\"Letmesee，\"saidtheInvisibleMan，andadvanced，armextended，tothedoor。
Kemphesitatedforasecondandthenmovedtointercepthim。TheInvisibleManstartedandstoodstill。\"Traitor！\"criedtheVoice，andsuddenlythedressing—gownopened，andsittingdowntheUnseenbegantodisrobe。Kempmadethreeswiftstepstothedoor，andforthwiththeInvisibleMan——hislegshadvanished——sprangtohisfeetwithashout。Kempflungthedooropen。
Asitopened，therecameasoundofhurryingfeetdownstairsandvoices。
WithaquickmovementKempthrusttheInvisibleManback，sprangaside，andslammedthedoor。Thekeywasoutsideandready。InanothermomentGriffinwouldhavebeenaloneinthebelvederestudy，aprisoner。Saveforonelittlething。Thekeyhadbeenslippedinhastilythatmorning。
AsKempslammedthedooritfellnoisilyuponthecarpet。
Kemp’sfacebecamewhite。Hetriedtogripthedoorhandlewithbothhands。Foramomenthestoodlugging。Thenthedoorgavesixinches。Buthegotitclosedagain。Thesecondtimeitwasjerkedafootwide，andthedressing—gowncamewedgingitselfintotheopening。Histhroatwasgrippedbyinvisiblefingers，andhelefthisholdonthehandletodefendhimself。Hewasforcedback，trippedandpitchedheavilyintothecornerofthelanding。Theemptydressing—gownwasflungonthetopofhim。
HalfwayupthestaircasewasColonelAdye，therecipientofKemp’sletter，thechiefoftheBurdockpolice。HewasstaringaghastatthesuddenappearanceofKemp，followedbytheextraordinarysightofclothingtossingemptyintheair。HesawKempfelled，andstrugglingtohisfeet。Hesawhimrushforward，andgodownagain，felledlikeanox。
Thensuddenlyhewasstruckviolently。Bynothing！Avastweight，itseemed，leaptuponhim，andhewashurledheadlongdownthestaircase，withagripathisthroatandakneeinhisgroin。Aninvisiblefoottrodonhisback，aghostlypatterpasseddownstairs，heheardthetwopoliceofficersinthehallshoutandrun，andthefrontdoorofthehouseslammedviolently。
Herolledoverandsatupstaring。Hesaw，staggeringdownthestaircase，Kemp，dustyanddishevelled，onesideofhisfacewhitefromablow，hislipbleeding，holdingapinkdressing—gownandsomeunderclothinginhisarms。
\"MyGod！\"criedKemp，\"thegame’sup！He’sgone！\"
TheInvisibleMan—Chapter25Chapter25—TheHuntingoftheInvisibleManForaspaceKempwastooinarticulatetomakeAdyeunderstandtheswiftthingsthathadjusthappened。Thetwomenstoodonthelanding，Kempspeakingswiftly，thegrotesqueswathingsofGriffinstillonhisarm。ButpresentlyAdyebegantograspsomethingofthesituation。
\"He’smad，\"saidKemp;\"inhuman。Heispureselfishness。Hethinksofnothingbuthisownadvantage，hisownsafety。Ihavelistenedtosuchastorythismorningofbrutalself—seeking！Hehaswoundedmen。Hewillkillthemunlesswecanpreventhim。Hewillcreateapanic。Nothingcanstophim。Heisgoingoutnow——furious！\"
\"Hemustbecaught，\"saidAdye。\"Thatiscertain。\"
\"Buthow？\"criedKemp，andsuddenlybecamefullofideas。\"Youmustbeginatonce。Youmustseteveryavailablemantowork。Youmustpreventhisleavingthisdistrict。Oncehegetsawayhemaygothroughthecountrysideashewills，killingandmaiming。Hedreamsofareignofterror！Areignofterror，Itellyou。Youmustsetawatchontrainsandroadsandshipping。
Thegarrisonmusthelp。Youmustwireforhelp。Theonlythingthatmaykeephimhereisthethoughtofrecoveringsomebooksofnoteshecountsofvalue。Iwilltellyouofthat！Thereisamaninyourpolicestation——Marvel。\"
\"Iknow，\"saidAdye，\"Iknow。Thosebooks——yes。\"
\"Andyoumustpreventhimfromeatingorsleeping;dayandnightthecountrymustbeastirforhim。Foodmustbelockedupandsecured，allfood，sothathewillhavetobreakhiswaytoit。Thehouseseverywheremustbebarredagainsthim。Heavensenduscoldnightsandrain！Thewholecountrysidemustbeginhuntingandkeephunting。Itellyou，Adye，heisadanger，adisaster;unlessheispinnedandsecured，itisfrightfultothinkofthethingsthatmayhappen。\"
\"Whatelsecanwedo？\"saidAdye。\"Imustgodownatonceandbeginorganising。Butwhynotcome？Yes——youcometoo！Come，andwemustholdasortofcouncilofwar，——getHoppstohelp——andtherailwaymanagers。
Byjove！it’surgent。Comealong——tellmeaswego。Whatelseistherewecando？Putthatstuffdown。\"
InanothermomentAdyewasleadingthewaydownstairs。Theyfoundthefrontdooropenandthepolicemenstandingoutsidestaringatemptyair。
\"He’sgotaway，sir，\"saidone。
\"Wemustgotothecentralstationatonce，\"saidAdye。\"Oneofyougoondownandgetacabtocomeupandmeetus——quickly。Andnow，Kemp，whatelse？\"
\"Dogs，\"saidKemp。\"Getdogs。Theydon’tseehim，buttheywindhim。
Getdogs。\"
\"Good，\"saidAdye。\"It’snotgenerallyknown，buttheprisonofficialsoveratHalsteadknowamanwithbloodhounds。Dogs。Whatelse？\"
\"Bearinmind，\"saidKemp，\"hisfoodshows。Aftereating，hisfoodshowsuntilitisassimilated。Sothathehastohideaftereating。Youmustkeeponbeating——everythicket，everyquietcorner。Andputallweapons，allimplementsthatmightbeweapons，away。Hecan’tcarrysuchthingsforlong。Andwhathecansnatchupandstrikemenwithmustbehiddenaway。\"
\"Goodagain，\"saidAdye。\"Weshallhavehimyet！\"
\"Andontheroads，\"saidKemp，andhesitated。
\"Yes？\"saidAdye。
\"Powderedglass，\"saidKemp。\"It’scruel，Iknow。Butthinkofwhathemaydo！\"
Adyedrewtheairinbetweenhisteethsharply。\"It’sunsportsmanlike。
Idon’tknow。ButI’llhavepowderedglassgotready。Ifhegoestoofar——\"
\"Theman’sbecomeinhuman，Itellyou，\"saidKemp。\"Iamassurehewillestablishareignofterror——sosoonashehasgotovertheemotionsofthisescape——asIamsureIamtalkingtoyou。Ouronlychanceistobeahead。Hehascuthimselfofffromhiskind。Hisbloodbeuponhisownhead。\"
TheInvisibleMan—Chapter26Chapter26—TheWicksteedMurderTheInvisibleManseemstohaverushedoutofKemp’shouseinastateofblindfury。AlittlechildplayingnearKemp’sgatewaywasviolentlycaughtupandthrownaside，sothatitsanklewasbroken，andthereafterforsomehourstheInvisibleManpassedoutofhumanperceptions。Nooneknowswherehewentnorwhathedid。ButonecanimaginehimhurryingthroughthehotJuneforenoon，upthehillandontotheopendownlandbehindPortBurdock，raginganddespairingathisintolerablefate，andshelteringatlast，heatedandweary，amidthethicketsofHintondean，topiecetogetheragainhisshatteredschemesagainsthisspecies。Thatseemsthemostprobablerefugeforhim，forthereitwashere—assertedhimselfinagrimlytragicalmannerabouttwointheafternoon。
Onewonderswhathisstateofmindmayhavebeenduringthattime，andwhatplanshedevised。NodoubthewasalmostecstaticallyexasperatedbyKemp’streachery，andthoughwemaybeabletounderstandthemotivesthatledtothatdeceit，wemaystillimagineandevensympathisealittlewiththefurytheattemptedsurprisemusthaveoccasioned。PerhapssomethingofthestunnedastonishmentofhisOxfordStreetexperiencesmayhavereturnedtohim，forevidentlyhehadcountedonKemp’sco—operationinhisbrutaldreamofaterrorisedworld。Atanyratehevanishedfromhumankenaboutmidday，andnolivingwitnesscantellwhathediduntilabouthalf—pasttwo。Itwasafortunatething，perhaps，forhumanity，butforhimitwasafatalinaction。
Duringthattimeagrowingmultitudeofmenscatteredoverthecountrysidewerebusy。Inthemorninghehadstillbeensimplyalegend，aterror;
intheafternoon，byvirtuechieflyofKemp’sdrilywordedproclamation，hewaspresentedasatangibleantagonist，tobewounded，captured，orovercome，andthecountrysidebeganorganisingitselfwithinconceivablerapidity。Bytwoo’clockevenhemightstillhaveremovedhimselfoutofthedistrictbygettingaboardatrain，butaftertwothatbecameimpossible。
EverypassengertrainalongthelinesonagreatparallelogrambetweenSouthampton，Manchester，Brighton，andHorsham，travelledwithlockeddoors，andthegoodstrafficwasalmostentirelysuspended。AndinagreatcircleoftwentymilesroundPortBurdock，menarmedwithgunsandbludgeonswerepresentlysettingoutingroupsofthreeandfour，withdogs，tobeattheroadsandfields。
Mountedpolicemenrodealongthecountrylanes，stoppingateverycottageandwarningthepeopletolockuptheirhouses，andkeepindoorsunlesstheywerearmed，andalltheelementaryschoolshadbrokenupbythreeo’clock，andthechildren，scaredandkeepingtogetheringroups，werehurryinghome。Kemp’sproclamation——signedindeedbyAdye——waspostedoveralmostthewholedistrictbyfourorfiveo’clockintheafternoon。Itgavebrieflybutclearlyalltheconditionsofthestruggle，thenecessityofkeepingtheInvisibleManfromfoodandsleep，thenecessityforincessantwatchfulnessandforapromptattentiontoanyevidenceofhismovements。
Andsoswiftanddecidedwastheactionoftheauthorities，sopromptanduniversalwasthebeliefinthisstrangebeing，thatbeforenightfallanareaofseveralhundredsquaremileswasinastringentstateofsiege。
Andbeforenightfall，too，athrillofhorrorwentthroughthewholewatchingnervouscountryside。Goingfromwhisperingmouthtomouth，swiftandcertainoverthelengthandbreadthofthecounty，passedthestoryofthemurderofMr。Wicksteed。
IfoursuppositionthattheInvisibleMan’srefugewastheHintondeanthickets，thenwemustsupposethatintheearlyafternoonhesalliedoutagainbentuponsomeprojectthatinvolvedtheuseofaweapon。Wecannotknowwhattheprojectwas，buttheevidencethathehadtheironrodinhandbeforehemetWicksteedistomeatleastoverwhelming。
Wecanknownothingofthedetailsoftheencounter。Itoccurredontheedgeofagravelpit，nottwohundredyardsfromLordBurdock’sLodgegate。Everythingpointstoadesperatestruggle，——thetrampledground，thenumerouswoundsMr。Wicksteedreceived，hissplinteredwalking—stick;
butwhytheattackwasmade——saveinamurderousfrenzy——itisimpossibletoimagine。Indeedthetheoryofmadnessisalmostunavoidable。Mr。Wicksteedwasamanofforty—fiveorforty—six，stewardtoLordBurdock，ofinoffensivehabitsandappearance，theverylastpersonintheworldtoprovokesuchaterribleantagonist。AgainsthimitwouldseemtheInvisibleManusedanironroddraggedfromabrokenpieceoffence。Hestoppedthisquietman，goingquietlyhometohismiddaymeal，attackedhim，beatdownhisfeebledefences，brokehisarm，felledhim，andsmashedhisheadtoajelly。
Hemusthavedraggedthisrodoutofthefencingbeforehemethisvictim;
hemusthavebeencarryingitreadyinhishand。Onlytwodetailsbeyondwhathasalreadybeenstatedseemtobearonthematter。OneisthecircumstancethatthegravelpitwasnotinMr。Wicksteed’sdirectpathhome，butnearlyacoupleofhundredyardsoutofhisway。Theotheristheassertionofalittlegirltotheeffectthat，goingtoherafternoonschool，shesawthemurderedman\"trotting\"inapeculiarmanneracrossafieldtowardsthegravelpit。Herpantomimeofhisactionsuggestsamanpursuingsomethingonthegroundbeforehimandstrikingatiteverandagainwithhiswalking—stick。
Shewasthelastpersontoseehimalive。Hepassedoutofhersighttohisdeath，thestrugglebeinghiddenfromheronlybyaclumpofbeechtreesandaslightdepressionintheground。
Nowthis，tothepresentwriter’smindatleast，liftsthemurderoutoftherealmoftheabsolutelywanton。WemayimaginethatGriffinhadtakentherodasaweaponindeed，butwithoutanydeliberateintentionofusingitinmurder。Wicksteedmaythenhavecomebyandnoticedthisrodinexplicablymovingthroughtheair。WithoutanythoughtoftheInvisibleMan——forPortBurdockistenmilesaway——hemayhavepursuedit。ItisquiteconceivablethathemaynotevenhaveheardoftheInvisibleMan。
OnecanthenimaginetheInvisibleManmakingoff——quietlyinordertoavoiddiscoveringhispresenceintheneighbourhood，andWicksteed，excitedandcurious，pursuingthisunaccountablylocomotiveobject——finallystrikingatit。
NodoubttheInvisibleMancouldeasilyhavedistancedhismiddle—agedpursuerunderordinarycircumstances，butthepositioninwhichWicksteed’sbodywasfoundsuggeststhathehadtheilllucktodrivehisquarryintoacornerbetweenadriftofstingingnettlesandthegravelpit。TothosewhoappreciatetheextraordinaryirascibilityoftheInvisibleMan，therestoftheencounterwillbeeasytoimagine。
Butthisispurehypothesis。Theonlyundeniablefacts——forstoriesofchildrenareoftenunreliable——arethediscoveryofWicksteed’sbody，donetodeath，andoftheblood—stainedironrodflungamongthenettles。
TheabandonmentoftherodbyGriffin，suggeststhatintheemotionalexcitementoftheaffair，thepurposeforwhichhetookit——ifhehadapurpose——wasabandoned。Hewascertainlyanintenselyegotisticalandunfeelingman，butthesightofhisvictim，hisfirstvictim，bloodyandpitifulathisfeet，mayhavereleasedsomelongpentfountainofremorsetofloodforatimewhateverschemeofactionhehadcontrived。
AfterthemurderofMr。Wicksteed，hewouldseemtohavestruckacrossthecountrytowardsthedownland。ThereisastoryofavoiceheardaboutsunsetbyacoupleofmeninafieldnearFernBottom。Itwaswailingandlaughing，sobbingandgroaning，andeverandagainitshouted。Itmusthavebeenqueerhearing。Itdroveupacrossthemiddleofacloverfieldanddiedawaytowardsthehills。
ThatafternoontheInvisibleManmusthavelearntsomethingoftherapiduseKemphadmadeofhisconfidences。Hemusthavefoundhouseslockedandsecured;hemayhaveloiteredaboutrailwaystationsandprowledaboutinns，andnodoubthereadtheproclamationsandrealisedsomethingofthenatureofthecampaignagainsthim。Andastheeveningadvanced，thefieldsbecamedottedhereandtherewithgroupsofthreeorfourmen，andnoisywiththeyelpingofdogs。Thesemen—huntershadparticularinstructionsastothewaytheyshouldsupportoneanotherinthecaseofanencounter。
Heavoidedthemall。Wemayunderstandsomethingofhisexasperation，anditcouldhavebeennonethelessbecausehehimselfhadsuppliedtheinformationthatwasbeingusedsoremorselesslyagainsthim。Forthatdayatleasthelostheart;fornearlytwenty—fourhours，savewhenheturnedonWicksteed，hewasahuntedman。Inthenight，hemusthaveeatenandslept;forinthemorninghewashimselfagain，active，powerful，angry，andmalignant，preparedforhislastgreatstruggleagainsttheworld。
TheInvisibleMan—Chapter27Chapter27—TheSiegeofKemp’sHouseKempreadastrangemissive，writteninpencilonagreasysheetofpaper。
\"Youhavebeenamazinglyenergeticandclever，\"thisletterran，\"thoughwhatyoustandtogainbyitIcannotimagine。Youareagainstme。Forawholedayyouhavechasedme;youhavetriedtorobmeofanight’srest。
ButIhavehadfoodinspiteofyou，Ihavesleptinspiteofyou，andthegameisonlybeginning。Thegameisonlybeginning。Thereisnothingforit，buttostarttheTerror。ThisannouncesthefirstdayoftheTerror。
PortBurdockisnolongerundertheQueentellyourColonelofPolice，andtherestofthem;itisunderme——theTerror！Thisisdayoneofyearoneofthenewepoch——theEpochoftheInvisibleMan。IamInvisibleMantheFirst。Tobeginwiththerulewillbeeasy。Thefirstdaytherewillbeoneexecutionforthesakeofexample——amannamedKemp。Deathstartsforhimto—day。Hemaylockhimselfaway，hidehimselfaway，getguardsabouthim，putonarmourifhelikes;Death，theunseenDeath，iscoming。
Lethimtakeprecautions;itwillimpressmypeople。Deathstartsfromthepillar—boxbymidday。Theletterwillfallinasthepostmancomesalong，thenoff！Thegamebegins。Deathstarts。Helphimnot，mypeople，lestDeathfalluponyoualso。To—dayKempistodie。\"
Kempreadthislettertwice。\"It’snohoax，\"hesaid。\"That’shisvoice！
Andhemeansit。\"
HeturnedthefoldedsheetoverandsawontheaddressedsideofitthepostmarkHintondean，andtheprosaicdetail，\"2d。topay。\"
Hegotup，leavinghislunchunfinished——theletterhadcomebytheoneo’clockpost——andwentintohisstudy。Herangforhishousekeeper，andtoldhertogoroundthehouseatonce，examineallthefasteningsofthewindows，andclosealltheshutters。Heclosedtheshuttersofhisstudyhimself。Fromalockeddrawerinhisbedroomhetookalittlerevolver，examineditcarefully，andputitintothepocketofhisloungejacket。
Hewroteanumberofbriefnotes，onetoColonelAdye，gavethemtohisservanttotake，withexplicitinstructionsastoherwayofleavingthehouse。\"Thereisnodanger，\"hesaid，andaddedamentalreservation，\"toyou。\"Heremainedmeditativeforaspaceafterdoingthis，andthenreturnedtohiscoolinglunch。
Heatewithgapsofthought。Finallyhestruckthetablesharply。\"Wewillhavehim！\"hesaid;\"andIamthebait。Hewillcometoofar。\"
Hewentuptothebelvedere，carefullyshuttingeverydoorafterhim。
\"It’sagame，\"hesaid，\"anoddgame——butthechancesareallforme，Mr。
Griffin，inspiteofyourinvisibility。Griffincontramundum——withavengeance！\"
Hestoodatthewindowstaringatthehothillside。\"Hemustgetfoodeveryday——andIdon’tenvyhim。Didhereallysleeplastnight？Outintheopensomewhere——securefromcollisions。Iwishwecouldgetsomegoodcoldwetweatherinsteadoftheheat。
\"Hemaybewatchingmenow。\"
Hewentclosetothewindow。Somethingrappedsmartlyagainstthebrickworkovertheframe，andmadehimstartviolently。
\"I’mgettingnervous，\"saidKemp。Butitwasfiveminutesbeforehewenttothewindowagain。\"Itmusthavebeenasparrow，\"hesaid。
Presentlyheheardthefront—doorbellringing，andhurrieddownstairs。
Heunboltedandunlockedthedoor，examinedthechain，putitup，andopenedcautiouslywithoutshowinghimself。Afamiliarvoicehailedhim。ItwasAdye。
\"Yourservant’sbeenassaulted，Kemp，\"hesaidroundthedoor。
\"What！\"exclaimedKemp。
\"Hadthatnoteofyourstakenawayfromher。He’scloseabouthere。
Letmein。\"
Kempreleasedthechain，andAdyeenteredthroughasnarrowanopeningaspossible。Hestoodinthehall，lookingwithinfinitereliefatKemprefasteningthedoor。\"Notewassnatchedoutofherhand。Scaredherhorribly。
She’sdownatthestation。Hysterics。He’sclosehere。Whatwasitabout？\"
Kempswore。
\"WhatafoolIwas，\"saidKemp。\"Imighthaveknown。It’snotanhour’swalkfromHintondean。Already！\"
\"What’sup？\"saidAdye。
\"Lookhere！\"saidKemp，andledthewayintohisstudy。HehandedAdyetheInvisibleMan’sletter。Adyereaditandwhistledsoftly。\"Andyou——？\"
saidAdye。
\"Proposedatrap——likeafool，\"saidKemp，\"andsentmyproposaloutbyamaidservant。Tohim。\"
AdyefollowedKemp’sprofanity。
\"He’llclearout，\"saidAdye。
\"Nothe，\"saidKemp。
Aresoundingsmashofglasscamefromupstairs。AdyehadasilveryglimpseofalittlerevolverhalfoutofKemp’spocket。\"It’sawindow，upstairs！\"
saidKemp，andledthewayup。Therecameasecondsmashwhiletheywerestillonthestaircase。Whentheyreachedthestudytheyfoundtwoofthethreewindowssmashed，halftheroomlitteredwithsplinteredglass，andonebigflintlyingonthewritingtable。Thetwomenstoppedinthedoorway，contemplatingthewreckage。Kempsworeagain，andashedidsothethirdwindowwentwithasnaplikeapistol，hungstarredforamoment，andcollapsedinjagged，shiveringtrianglesintotheroom。
\"What’sthisfor？\"saidAdye。
\"It’sabeginning，\"saidKemp。
\"There’snowayofclimbinguphere？\"
\"Notforacat，\"saidKemp。
\"Noshutters？\"
\"Nothere。Allthedownstairsrooms——Hullo！\"
Smash，andthenwhackofboardshithardcamefromdownstairs。\"Confoundhim！saidKemp。\"Thatmustbe——yes——it’soneofthebedrooms。He’sgoingtodoallthehouse。Buthe’safool。Theshuttersareup，andtheglasswillfalloutside。He’llcuthisfeet。\"
Anotherwindowproclaimeditsdestruction。Thetwomenstoodonthelandingperplexed。\"Ihaveit！saidAdye。\"Letmehaveastickorsomething，andI’llgodowntothestationandgetthebloodhoundsputon。Thatoughttosettlehim！They’rehardby——nottenminutes——\"
Anotherwindowwentthewayofitsfellows。
\"Youhaven’tarevolver？\"askedAdye。
Kemp’shandwenttohispocket。Thenhehesitated。\"Ihaven’tone——atleasttospare。\"
\"I’llbringitback，\"saidAdye，\"you’llbesafehere。\"
Kemphandedhimtheweapon。
\"Nowforthedoor，\"saidAdye。
Astheystoodhesitatinginthehall，theyheardoneofthefirst—floorbedroomwindowscrackandclash。Kempwenttothedoorandbegantosliptheboltsassilentlyaspossible。Hisfacewasalittlepalerthanusual。
\"Youmuststepstraightout，\"saidKemp。InanothermomentAdyewasonthedoorstepandtheboltsweredroppingbackintothestaples。Hehesitatedforamoment，feelingmorecomfortablewithhisbackagainstthedoor。
Thenhemarched，uprightandsquare，downthesteps。Hecrossedthelawnandapproachedthegate。Alittlebreezeseemedtorippleoverthegrass。
Somethingmovednearhim。\"Stopabit，\"saidaVoice，andAdyestoppeddeadandhishandtightenedontherevolver。
\"Well？\"saidAdye，whiteandgrim，andeverynervetense。
\"Obligemebygoingbacktothehouse，\"saidtheVoice，astenseandgrimasAdye’s。
\"Sorry，\"saidAdyealittlehoarsely，andmoistenedhislipswithhistongue。TheVoicewasonhisleftfront，hethought。Supposeheweretotakehisluckwithashot？
\"Whatareyougoingfor？\"saidtheVoice，andtherewasaquickmovementofthetwo，andaflashofsunlightfromtheopenlipofAdye’spocket。
Adyedesistedandthought。\"WhereIgo，\"hesaidslowly，\"ismyownbusiness。\"Thewordswerestillonhislips，whenanarmcameroundhisneck，hisbackfeltaknee，andhewassprawlingbackward。Hedrewclumsilyandfiredabsurdly，andinanothermomenthewasstruckinthemouthandtherevolverwrestedfromhisgrip。Hemadeavainclutchataslipperylimb，triedtostruggleupandfellback。\"Damn！\"saidAdye。TheVoicelaughed。\"I’dkillyounowifitwasn’tthewasteofabullet，\"itsaid。
Hesawtherevolverinmid—air，sixfeetoff，coveringhim。
\"Well？\"saidAdye，sittingup。
\"Getup，\"saidtheVoice。
Adyestoodup。
\"Attention\"saidtheVoice，andthenfiercely，\"Don’ttryanygames。
RememberIcanseeyourfaceifyoucan’tseemine。You’vegottogobacktothehouse。\"
\"Hewon’tletmein，\"saidAdye。
\"That’sapity，\"saidtheInvisibleMan。\"I’vegotnoquarrelwithyou。\"
Adyemoistenedhislipsagain。Heglancedawayfromthebarreloftherevolverandsawtheseafaroffveryblueanddarkunderthemiddaysun，thesmoothgreendown，thewhitecliffoftheHead，andthemultitudinoustown，andsuddenlyheknewthatlifewasverysweet。Hiseyescamebacktothislittlemetalthinghangingbetweenheavenandearth，sixyardsaway。\"WhatamItodo？\"hesaidsullenly。
\"WhatamItodo？\"askedtheInvisibleMan。\"Youwillgethelp。Theonlythingisforyoutogoback。\"
\"Iwilltry。Ifheletsmeinwillyoupromisenottorushthedoor？\"
\"I’vegotnoquarrelwithyou，\"saidtheVoice。
KemphadhurriedupstairsafterlettingAdyeout，andnowcrouchingamongthebrokenglassandpeeringcautiouslyovertheedgeofthestudywindow—sill，hesawAdyestandparleyingwiththeUnseen。\"Whydoesn’thefire？\"whisperedKemptohimself。ThentherevolvermovedalittleandtheglintofthesunlightflashedinKemp’seyes。Heshadedhiseyesandtriedtoseethesourceoftheblindingbeam。
\"Surely！\"hesaid。\"Adyehasgivenuptherevolver。\"
\"Promisenottorushthedoor，\"Adyewassaying。\"Don’tpushawinninggametoofar。Giveamanachance。\"
\"Yougobacktothehouse。ItellyouflatlyIwillnotpromiseanything。\"
Adye’sdecisionseemedsuddenlymade。Heturnedtowardsthehouse，walkingslowlywithhishandsbehindhim。Kempwatchedhim——puzzled。Therevolvervanished，flashedagainintosight，vanishedagain，andbecameevidentonacloserscrutinyasalittledarkobjectfollowingAdye。Thenthingshappenedveryquickly。Adyeleaptbackwards，swunground，clutchedatthislittleobject，missedit，threwuphishandsandfellforwardonhisface，leavingalittlepuffofblueintheair。Kempdidnothearthesoundoftheshot。Adyewrithed，raisedhimselfononearm，fellforward，andlaystill。
ForaspaceKempremainedstaringatthequietcarelessnessofAdye’sattitude。Theafternoonwasveryhotandstill，nothingseemedstirringinalltheworldsaveacoupleofyellowbutterflieschasingeachotherthroughtheshrubberybetweenthehouseandtheroadgate。Adyelayonthelawnnearthegate。Theblindsofallthevillasdownthehill—roadweredrawn，butinonelittlegreensummer—housewasawhitefigure，apparentlyanoldmanasleep。Kempscrutinisedthesurroundingsofthehouseforaglimpseoftherevolver，butithadvanished。HiseyescamebacktoAdye。
Thegamewasopeningwell。
Thencamearingingandknockingatthefrontdoor，thatgrewatlasttumultuous，butpursuanttoKemp’sinstructionstheservantshadlockedthemselvesintotheirrooms。Thiswasfollowedbyasilence。Kempsatlisteningandthenbeganpeeringcautiouslyoutofthethreewindows，oneafteranother。
Hewenttothestaircaseheadandstoodlisteninguneasily。Hearmedhimselfwithhisbedroompoker，andwenttoexaminetheinteriorfasteningsoftheground—floorwindowsagain。Everythingwassafeandquiet。Hereturnedtothebelvedere。Adyelaymotionlessovertheedgeofthegraveljustashehadfallen。Comingalongtheroadbythevillaswerethehousemaidandtwopolicemen。
Everythingwasdeadlystill。Thethreepeopleseemedveryslowinapproaching。
Hewonderedwhathisantagonistwasdoing。
Hestarted。Therewasasmashfrombelow。Hehesitatedandwentdownstairsagain。Suddenlythehouseresoundedwithheavyblowsandthesplinteringofwood。Heheardasmashandthedestructiveclangoftheironfasteningsoftheshutters。Heturnedthekeyandopenedthekitchendoor。Ashedidso，theshutters，splitandsplintering，cameflyinginward。Hestoodaghast。
Thewindowframe，saveforonecrossbar，wasstillintact，butonlylittleteethofglassremainedintheframe。Theshuttershadbeendriveninwithanaxe，andnowtheaxewasdescendinginsweepingblowsuponthewindowframeandtheironbarsdefendingit。Thensuddenlyitleaptasideandvanished。Hesawtherevolverlyingonthepathoutside，andthenthelittleweaponsprangintotheair。Hedodgedback。Therevolvercrackedjusttoolate，andasplinterfromtheedgeoftheclosingdoorflashedoverhishead。Heslammedandlockedthedoor，andashestoodoutsideheheardGriffinshoutingandlaughing。Thentheblowsoftheaxe，withtheirsplittingandsmashingaccompaniments，wereresumed。
Kempstoodinthepassagetryingtothink。InamomenttheInvisibleManwouldbeinthekitchen。Thisdoorwouldnotkeephimamoment，andthen——
Aringingcameatthefrontdooragain。Itwouldbethepolicemen。Heranintothehall，putupthechain，anddrewthebolts。Hemadethegirlspeakbeforehedroppedthechain，andthethreepeopleblunderedintothehouseinaheap，andKempslammedthedooragain。
\"TheInvisibleMan！\"saidKemp。\"Hehasarevolver，withtwoshots——left。
He’skilledAdye。Shothimanyhow。Didn’tyouseehimonthelawn？He’slyingthere。\"
\"Who？\"saidoneofthepolicemen。
\"Adye，\"saidKemp。
\"Wecameroundthebackway，\"saidthegirl。
\"What’sthatsmashing？\"askedoneofthepolicemen。
\"He’sinthekitchen——orwillbe。Hehasfoundanaxe——\"
SuddenlythehousewasfulloftheInvisibleMan’sresoundingblowsonthekitchendoor。Thegirlstaredtowardsthekitchen，shuddered，andretreatedintothedining—room。Kemptriedtoexplaininbrokensentences。
Theyheardthekitchendoorgive。
\"Thisway，\"criedKemp，startingintoactivity，andbundledthepolicemenintothedining—roomdoorway。
\"Poker，\"saidKemp，andrushedtothefender。Hehandedapokertoeachpoliceman。Hesuddenlyflunghimselfbackward。
\"Whup！\"saidonepoliceman，ducked，andcaughttheaxeonhispoker。
ThepistolsnappeditspenultimateshotandrippedavaluableSidneyCooper。
Thesecondpolicemanbroughthispokerdownonthelittleweapon，asonemightknockdownawasp，andsentitrattlingtothefloor。
Atthefirstclashthegirlscreamed，stoodscreamingforamomentbythefireplace，andthenrantoopentheshutters——possiblywithanideaofescapingbytheshatteredwindow。
Theaxerecededintothepassage，andfelltoapositionabouttwofeetfromtheground。TheycouldheartheInvisibleManbreathing。\"Standaway，youtwo，\"hesaid。\"IwantthatmanKemp。\"
\"Wewantyou，\"saidthefirstpoliceman，makingaquickstepforwardandwipingwithhispokerattheVoice。TheInvisibleManmusthavestartedback。Heblunderedintotheumbrellastand。Then，asthepolicemanstaggeredwiththeswingoftheblowhehadaimed，theInvisibleMancounteredwiththeaxe，thehelmetcrumpledlikepaper，andtheblowsentthemanspinningtothefloorattheheadofthekitchenstairs。Butthesecondpoliceman，aimingbehindtheaxewithhispoker，hitsomethingsoftthatsnapped。
Therewasasharpexclamationofpainandtheaxefelltotheground。Thepolicemanwipedagainatvacancyandhitnothing;heputhisfootontheaxe，andstruckagain。Thenhestood，pokerclubbed，listeningintentfortheslightestmovement。
Heheardthedining—roomwindowopen，andaquickrushoffeetwithin。
Hiscompanionrolledoverandsatupwiththebloodrunningdownbetweenhiseyeandear。\"Whereishe？\"askedthemanonthefloor。
\"Don’tknow。I’vehithim。He’sstandingsomewhereinthehall。Unlesshe’sslippedpastyou。DoctorKemp——sir。\"
Pause。
\"DoctorKemp，\"criedthepolicemanagain。
Thesecondpolicemanstruggledtohisfeet。Hestoodup。Suddenlythefaintpadofbarefeetonthekitchenstairscouldbeheard。\"Yap！\"criedthefirstpolicemanandincontinentlyflunghispoker。Itsmashedalittlegasbracket。
HemadeasifhewouldpursuetheInvisibleMandownstairs。Thenhethoughtbetterofitandsteppedintothedining—room。
\"DoctorKemp，\"hebegan，andstoppedshort——
\"DoctorKemp’sinhere，\"hesaid，ashiscompanionlookedoverhisshoulder。
Thedining—roomwindowwaswideopen，andneitherhousemaidnorKempwastobeseen。
Thesecondpoliceman’sopinionofKempwasterseandvivid。
TheInvisibleMan—Chapter28Chapter28—TheHunterHuntedMr。Heelas，Mr。Kemp’snearestneighbouramongthevillaholders，wasasleepinhissummerhousewhenthesiegeofKemp’shousebegan。Mr。Heelaswasoneofthesturdyminoritywhorefusedtobelieve\"inallthisnonsense\"
aboutanInvisibleMan。Hiswife，however，ashewastoberemindedsubsequently，did。Heinsisteduponwalkingabouthisgardenjustasifnothingwasthematter，andhewenttosleepintheafternooninaccordancewiththecustomofyears。Hesleptthroughthesmashingofthewindows，andthenwokeupsuddenlywithacuriouspersuasionofsomethingwrong。HelookedacrossatKemp’shouse，rubbedhiseyesandlookedagain。Thenheputhisfeettotheground，andsatlistening。Hesaidhewasdamned，andstillthestrangethingwasvisible。Thehouselookedasthoughithadbeendesertedforweeks——afteraviolentriot。Everywindowwasbroken，andeverywindow，savethoseofthebelvederestudy，wasblindedbytheinternalshutters。
\"Icouldhaveswornitwasallright\"——helookedathiswatch——\"twentyminutesago。\"
Hebecameawareofameasuredconcussionandtheclashofglass，farawayinthedistance。Andthen，ashesatopen—mouthed，cameastillmorewonderfulthing。Theshuttersofthedrawing—roomwindowwereflungopenviolently，andthehousemaidinheroutdoorhatandgarments，appearedstrugglinginafranticmannertothrowupthesash。Suddenlyamanappearedbesideher，helpingher——Dr。Kemp！Inanothermomentthewindowwasopen，andthehousemaidwasstrugglingout;shepitchedforwardandvanishedamongtheshrubs。Mr。Heelasstoodup，exclaimingvaguelyandvehementlyatallthesewonderfulthings。HesawKempstandonthesill，springfromthewindow，andreappearalmostinstantaneouslyrunningalongapathintheshrubberyandstoopingasheran，likeamanwhoevadesobservation。
Hevanishedbehindalaburnum，andappearedagainclamberingafencethatabuttedontheopendown。InasecondhehadtumbledoverandwasrunningatatremendouspacedowntheslopetowardsMr。Heelas。
\"Lord！\"criedMr。Heelas，struckwithanidea;\"it’sthatInvisibleManbrute！It’sright，afterall！\"
WithMr。Heelastothinkthingslikethatwastoact，andhiscookwatchinghimfromthetopwindowwasamazedtoseehimcomepeltingtowardsthehouseatagoodninemilesanhour。\"Thoughthewasn’tafraid，\"saidthecook。\"Mary，justcomehere！\"Therewasaslammingofdoors，aringingofbells，andthevoiceofMr。Heelasbellowinglikeabull。\"Shutthedoors，shutthewindows，shuteverything！theInvisibleManiscoming！\"
Instantlythehousewasfullofscreamsanddirections，andscurryingfeet。
HerantoshuttheFrenchwindowshimselfthatopenedontheveranda;ashedidsoKemp’sheadandshouldersandkneeappearedovertheedgeofthegardenfence。InanothermomentKemphadploughedthroughtheasparagus，andwasrunningacrossthetennislawntothehouse。
\"Youcan’tcomein，\"saidMr。Heelas，shuttingthebolts。\"I’mverysorryifhe’safteryou，butyoucan’tcomein！\"
Kempappearedwithafaceofterrorclosetotheglass，rappingandthenshakingfranticallyattheFrenchwindow。Then，seeinghiseffortswereuseless，heranalongtheveranda，vaultedtheend，andwenttohammeratthesidedoor。Thenheranroundbythesidegatetothefrontofthehouse，andsointothehill—road。AndMr。Heelasstaringfromhiswindow——afaceofhorror——hadscarcelywitnessedKempvanish，eretheasparaguswasbeingtrampledthiswayandthatbyfeetunseen。AtthatMr。Heelasfledprecipitatelyupstairs，andtherestofthechaseisbeyondhispurview。
Butashepassedthestaircasewindow，heheardthesidegateslam。
Emergingintothehill—road，Kempnaturallytookthedownwarddirection，andsoitwashecametoruninhisownpersontheveryracehehadwatchedwithsuchacriticaleyefromthebelvederestudyonlyfourdaysago。Heranitwellforamanoutoftraining;andthoughhisfacewaswhiteandwet，hiswitswerecooltothelast。Heranwithwidestrides，andwhereverapatchofroughgroundintervened，wherevertherecameapatchofrawflints，orabitofbrokenglassshonedazzling，hecrosseditandleftthebareinvisiblefeetthatfollowedtotakewhatlinetheywould。
ForthefirsttimeinhislifeKempdiscoveredthatthehill—roadwasindescribablyvastanddesolate，andthatthebeginningsofthetownfarbelowatthehillfootwerestrangelyremote。Neverhadtherebeenaslowerormorepainfulmethodofprogressionthanrunning。Allthegauntvillas，sleepingintheafternoonsun，lookedlockedandbarred;nodoubttheywerelockedandbarred——byhisownorders。Butatanyratetheymighthavekeptalookoutforaneventualitylikethis！Thetownwasrisingupnow，theseahaddroppedoutofsightbehindit，andpeopledownbelowwerestirring。Atramwasjustarrivingatthehillfoot。Beyondthatwasthepolicestation。Wasthatfootstepsheheardbehindhim？Spurt。
Thepeoplebelowwerestaringathim，oneortwowererunning，andhisbreathwasbeginningtosawinhisthroat。Thetramwasquitenearnow，andtheJollyCricketerswasnoisilybarringitsdoors。Beyondthetramwerepostsandheapsofgravel——thedrainageworks。Hehadatransitoryideaofjumpingintothetramandslammingthedoors，andthenheresolvedtogotothepolicestation。InanothermomenthehadpassedthedooroftheJollyCricketers，andwasintheblisteringfagendofthestreet，withhumanbeingsabouthim。Thetramdriverandhishelper——arrestedbythesightofhisfurioushaste——stoodstaringwiththetramhorsesunhitched。
Furtherontheastonishedfeaturesofnavviesappearedabovethemoundsofgravel。
Hispacebrokealittle，andthenheheardtheswiftpadofhispursuer，andleaptforwardagain。\"TheInvisibleMan！\"hecriedtothenavvies，withavagueindicativegesture，andbyaninspirationleapttheexcavationandplacedaburlygroupbetweenhimandthechase。Thenabandoningtheideaofthepolicestationheturnedintoalittlesidestreet，rushedbyagreengrocer’scart，hesitatedforthetenthofasecondatthedoorofasweetstuffshop，andthenmadeforthemouthofanalleythatranbackintothemainHillStreetagain。Twoorthreelittlechildrenwereplayinghere，andshriekedandscatteredrunningathisapparition，andforthwithdoorsandwindowsopenedandexcitedmothersrevealedtheirhearts。
OutheshotintoHillStreetagain，threehundredyardsfromthetramlineend，andimmediatelyhebecameawareofatumultuousvociferationandrunningpeople。
Heglancedupthestreettowardsthehill。Hardlyadozenyardsoffranahugenavvy，cursinginfragmentsandslashingviciouslywithaspade，andhardbehindhimcamethetramconductorwithhisfistsclenched。Upthestreetothersfollowedthesetwo，strikingandshouting。Downtowardsthetown，menandwomenwererunning，andhenoticedclearlyonemancomingoutofashop—doorwithastickinhishand。\"Spreadout！Spreadout！\"
criedsomeone。Kempsuddenlygraspedthealteredconditionofthechase。
Hestoppedandlookedround，panting。\"He’sclosehere！\"hecried。\"Formalineacross——\"
\"Aha！\"shoutedavoice。
Hewashithardundertheear，andwentreeling，tryingtofaceroundtowardshisunseenantagonist。Hejustmanagedtokeephisfeet，andhestruckavaincounterintheair。Thenhewashitagainunderthejaw，andsprawledheadlongontheground。Inanothermomentakneecompressedhisdiaphragm，andacoupleofeagerhandsgrippedhisthroat，butthegripofonewasweakerthantheother;hegraspedthewrists，heardacryofpainfromhisassailant，andthenthespadeofthenavvycamewhirlingthroughtheairabovehim，andstrucksomethingwithadullthud。Hefeltadropofmoistureonhisface。Thegripathisthroatsuddenlyrelaxed，andwithaconvulsiveeffortKemploosedhimself，graspedalimpshoulder，androlleduppermost。Hegrippedtheunseenelbowsneartheground。\"I’vegothim！\"screamedKemp。\"Help！Help！hold！He’sdown！Holdhisfeet！\"
Inanothersecondtherewasasimultaneousrushuponthestruggle，andastrangercomingintotheroadsuddenlymighthavethoughtanexceptionallysavagegameofRugbyfootballwasinprogress。AndtherewasnoshoutingafterKemp’scry——onlyasoundofblowsandfeetandaheavybreathing。
Thencameamightyeffort，andtheInvisibleManthrewoffacoupleofhisantagonistsandrosetohisknees。Kempclungtohiminfrontlikeahoundtoastag，andadozenhandsgripped，clutched，andtoreattheUnseen。Thetramconductorsuddenlygottheneckandshouldersandluggedhimback。
Downwenttheheapofstrugglingmenagainandrolledover。Therewas，Iamafraid，somesavagekicking。Thensuddenlyawildscreamof\"Mercy！
Mercy！\"thatdieddownswiftlytoasoundlikechoking。
\"Getback，youfools！\"criedthemuffledvoiceofKemp，andtherewasavigorousshovingbackofstalwartforms。\"He’shurt，Itellyou。Standback！\"
Therewasabriefstruggletoclearaspace，andthenthecircleofeagereyessawthedoctorkneeling，asitseemed，fifteeninchesintheair，andholdinginvisiblearmstotheground。Behindhimaconstablegrippedinvisibleankles。
\"Don’tyouleavegoofen，\"criedthebignavvy，holdingabloodstainedspade;\"he’sshamming。\"
\"He’snotshamming，\"saidthedoctor，cautiouslyraisinghisknee;\"andI’llholdhim。\"Hisfacewasbruisedandalreadygoingred;hespokethicklybecauseofableedinglip。Hereleasedonehandandseemedtobefeelingattheface。\"Themouth’sallwet，\"hesaid。Andthen，\"GoodGod！\"
Hestoodupabruptlyandthenkneltdownonthegroundbythesideofthethingunseen。Therewasapushingandshuffling，asoundofheavyfeetasfreshpeopleturneduptoincreasethepressureofthecrowd。Peoplenowwerecomingoutofthehouses。ThedoorsoftheJollyCricketersweresuddenlywideopen。Verylittlewassaid。
Kemptfeltabout，hishandseemingtopassthroughemptyair。\"He’snotbreathing，\"hesaid，andthen，\"Ican’tfeelhisheart。Hisside——ugh！\"
Suddenlyanoldwoman，peeringunderthearmofthebignavvy，screamedsharply。\"Lookythere！\"shesaid，andthrustoutawrinkledfinger。
Andlookingwhereshepointed，everyonesaw，faintandtransparentasthoughitwasmadeofglass，sothatveinsandarteriesandbonesandnervescouldbedistinguished，theoutlineofahand，ahandlimpandprone。
Itgrewcloudedandopaqueevenastheystared。
\"Hullo！\"criedtheconstable。\"Here’shisfeeta—showing！\"
Andso，slowly，beginningathishandsandfeetandcreepingalonghislimbstothevitalcentresofhisbody，thatstrangechangecontinued。
Itwasliketheslowspreadingofapoison。Firstcamethelittlewhitenerves，ahazygreysketchofalimb，thentheglassybonesandintricatearteries，thenthefleshandskin，firstafaintfogginessandthengrowingrapidlydenseandopaque。Presentlytheycouldseehiscrushedchestandhisshoulders，andthedimoutlineofhisdrawnandbatteredfeatures。
WhenatlastthecrowdmadewayforKemptostanderect，therelay，nakedandpitifulontheground，thebruisedandbrokenbodyofayoungmanaboutthirty。Hishairandbeardwerewhite——notgreywithagebutwhitewiththewhitenessofalbinism，andhiseyeswerelikegarnets。Hishandswereclenched，hiseyeswideopen，andhisexpressionwasoneofangeranddismay。
\"Coverhisface！\"saidaman。\"ForGawd’ssake，coverthatface！\"andthreelittlechildren，pushingforwardthroughthecrowd，weresuddenlytwistedroundandsentpackingoffagain。
SomeonebroughtasheetfromtheJollyCricketers;andhavingcoveredhim，theycarriedhimintothathouse。
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TheEpilogueSoendsthestoryofthestrangeandevilexperimentoftheInvisibleMan。AndifyouwouldlearnmoreofhimyoumustgotoalittleinnnearPortStoweandtalktothelandlord。Thesignoftheinnisanemptyboardsaveforahatandboots，andthenameisthetitleofthisstory。Thelandlordisashortandcorpulentlittlemanwithanoseofcylindricalprotrusion，wiryhair，andasporadicrosinessofvisage。Drinkgenerously，andhewilltellyougenerouslyofallthethingsthathappenedtohimafterthattime，andofhowthelawyerstriedtodohimoutofthetreasurefounduponhim。
\"Whentheyfoundtheycouldn’tprovewho’smoneywaswhich，I’mblessed，\"
hesays，\"iftheydidn’ttrytomakemeoutabloomingtreasuretrove！
DoIlooklikeaTreasureTrove？AndthenagentlemangavemeaguineaanighttotellthestoryattheEmpireMusic’all——justtell’eminmyownwords——barringone。\"
Andifyouwanttocutofftheflowofhisreminiscencesabruptly，youcanalwaysdosobyaskingifthereweren’tthreemanuscriptbooksinthestory。Headmitstherewereandproceedstoexplain，withasseverationsthateverybodythinkshehas’em！Butblessyou！hehasn’t。\"TheInvisibleManitwastook’emofftohide’emwhenIcutandranforPortStowe。
It’sthatMr。Kempputpeopleonwiththeideaofmyhaving’em。\"
Andthenhesubsidesintoapensivestate，watchesyoufurtively，bustlesnervouslywithglasses，andpresentlyleavesthebar。
Heisabachelorman——histasteswereeverbachelor，andtherearenowomenfolkinthehouse。Outwardlyhebuttons——itisexpectedofhim——butinhismorevitalprivacies，inthematterofbracesforexample，hestillturnstostring。Heconductshishousewithoutenterprise，butwitheminentdecorum。Hismovementsareslow，andheisagreatthinker。Buthehasareputationforwisdomandforarespectableparsimonyinthevillage，andhisknowledgeoftheroadsoftheSouthofEnglandwouldbeatCobbett。
AndonSundaymornings，everySundaymorningalltheyearround，whileheisclosedtotheouterworld，andeverynightafterten，hegoesintohisbarparlourbearingaglassofginfaintlytingedwithwater;andhavingplacedthisdown，helocksthedoorandexaminestheblinds，andevenlooksunderthetable。Andthen，beingsatisfiedofhissolitude，heunlocksthecupboardandaboxinthecupboardandadrawerinthatbox，andproducesthreevolumesboundinbrownleather，andplacesthemsolemnlyinthemiddleofthetable。Thecoversareweather—wornandtingedwithanalgalgreen——foroncetheysojournedinaditchandsomeofthepageshavebeenwashedblankbydirtywater。Thelandlordsitsdowninanarmchair，fillsalongclaypipeslowly，gloatingoverthebooksthewhile。Thenhepullsonetowardshimandopensit，andbeginstostudyit——turningovertheleavesbackwardsandforwards。
Hisbrowsareknitandhislipsmovepainfully。\"Hex，littletwoupintheair，crossandafiddle—de—dee。Lord！whataonehewasforintellect！\"
Presentlyherelaxesandleansback，andblinksthroughhissmokeacrosstheroomatthingsinvisibletoothereyes。\"Fullofsecrets，\"hesays。
\"Wonderfulsecrets！\"
\"OnceIgetthehaulofthem——Lord！
\"Iwouldn’tdowhathedid;I’djust——well！\"Hepullsathispipe。
Sohelapsesintoadream，theundyingwonderfuldreamofhislife。
AndthoughKemphasfishedunceasingly，andAdyehasquestionedclosely，nohumanbeingsavethelandlordknowsthosebooksarethere，withthesubtlesecretofinvisibilityandadozenotherstrangesecretswrittentherein。Andnoneotherwillknowofthemuntilhedies。