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。
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