ItwasthefinestofallpossibleWhit—Mondays，anddownthevillagestreetstoodarowofnearlyadozenboothsandashootinggallery，andonthegrassbytheforgewerethreeyellowandchocolatewaggonsandsomepicturesquestrangersofbothsexesputtingupacocoanutshy。Thegentlemenworebluejerseys，theladieswhiteapronsandquitefashionablehatswithheavyplumes。WodgerofthePurpleFawnandMr。Jaggersthecobbler，whoalsosoldsecond—handordinarybicycles，werestretchingastringofunion—jacksandroyalensigns（whichhadoriginallycelebratedtheJubilee）acrosstheroad……
Andinside，intheartificialdarknessoftheparlour，intowhichonlyonethinjetofsunlightpenetrated，thestranger，hungrywemustsuppose，andfearful，hiddeninhisuncomfortablehotwrappings，poredthroughhisdarkglassesuponhispaperorchinkedhisdirtylittlebottles，andoccasionallysworesavagelyattheboys，audibleifinvisible，outsidethewindows。
Inthecornerbythefireplacelaythefragmentsofhalfadozensmashedbottles，andapungenttangofchlorinetaintedtheair。Somuchweknowfromwhatwasheardatthetimeandfromwhatwassubsequentlyseenintheroom。
Aboutnoonhesuddenlyopenedhisparlourdoorandstoodglaringfixedlyatthethreeorfourpeopleinthebar。"Mrs。Hall，"hesaid。SomebodywentsheepishlyandcalledforMrs。Hall。
Mrs。Hallappearedafteraninterval，alittleshortofbreath，butallthefiercerforthat。Hallwasstillout。Shehaddeliberatedoverthescene，andshecameholdingalittletraywithanunsettledbilluponit。"Isityourbillyou’rewanting，sir？"shesaid。
"Whywasn’tmybreakfastlaid？Whyhaven’tyoupreparedmymealsandansweredmybell？DoyouthinkIlivewithouteating？"
"Whyisn’tmybillpaid？"saidMrs。Hall。"That’swhatIwanttoknow。"
"ItoldyouthreedaysagoIwasawaitingaremittance——"
"ItoldyoutwodaysagoIwasn’tgoingtoawaitnoremittances。Youcan’tgrumbleifyourbreakfastwaitsabit，ifmybill’sbeenwaitingthesefivedays，canyou？"
Thestrangersworebrieflybutvividly。
"Nar，nar！"fromthebar。
"AndI’dthankyoukindly，sir，ifyou’dkeepyourswearingtoyourself，sir，"saidMrs。Hall。
Thestrangerstoodlookingmorelikeanangrydiving—helmetthanever。
ItwasuniversallyfeltinthebarthatMrs。Hallhadthebetterofhim。
Hisnextwordsshowedasmuch。
"Lookhere，mygoodwoman——"hebegan。
"Don’tgoodwomanme，"saidMrs。Hall。
"I’vetoldyoumyremittancehasn’tcome——"
"Remittanceindeed！"saidMrs。Hall。
"Still，Idaresayinmypocket——"
"Youtoldmetwodaysagothatyouhadn’tanythingbutasovereign’sworthofsilveruponyou——"
"Well，I’vefoundsomemore——"
"’Ul—lo！"fromthebar。
"Iwonderwhereyoufoundit！"saidMrs。Hall。
Thatseemedtoannoythestrangerverymuch。Hestampedhisfoot。"Whatdoyoumean？"hesaid。
"ThatIwonderwhereyoufoundit，"saidMrs。Hall。"AndbeforeItakeanybillsorgetanybreakfasts，ordoanysuchthingswhatsoever，yougottotellmeoneortwothingsIdon’tunderstand，andwhatnobodydon’tunderstand，andwhateverybodyisveryanxioustounderstand。Iwantknowwhatyoubeendoingt’mychairupstairs，andIwantknowhow’tisyourroomwasempty，andhowyougotinagain。Themasstopsinthishousecomesinbythedoors——that’stheruleofthehouse，andthatyoudidn’tdo，andwhatIwantknowishowyoudidcomein。AndIwantknow——"
Suddenlythestrangerraisedhisglovedhandsclenched，stampedhisfoot，andsaid，"Stop！"withsuchextraordinaryviolencethathesilencedherinstantly。
"Youdon’tunderstand，"hesaid，"whoIamorwhatIam。I’llshowyou。
ByHeaven！I’llshowyou。"Thenheputhisopenpalmoverhisfaceandwithdrewit。Thecentreofhisfacebecameablackcavity。"Here，"hesaid。
HesteppedforwardandhandedMrs。Hallsomethingwhichshe，staringathismetamorphosedface，acceptedautomatically。Then，whenshesawwhatitwas，shescreamedloudly，droppedit，andstaggeredback。Thenose——itwasthestranger’snose！pinkandshining——rolledonthefloor。
Thenheremovedhisspectacles，andeveryoneinthebargasped。Hetookoffhishat，andwithaviolentgesturetoreathiswhiskersandbandages。
Foramomenttheyresistedhim。Aflashofhorribleanticipationpassedthroughthebar。"Oh，myGard！"saidsomeone。Thenofftheycame。
Itwasworsethananything。Mrs。Hall，standingopen—mouthedandhorror—struck，shriekedatwhatshesaw，andmadeforthedoorofthehouse。Everyonebegantomove。Theywerepreparedforscars，disfigurements，tangiblehorrors，butnothing！Thebandagesandfalsehairflewacrossthepassageintothebar，makingahobbledehoyjumptoavoidthem。Everyonetumbledoneveryoneelsedownthesteps。Forthemanwhostoodthereshoutingsomeincoherentexplanation，wasasolidgesticulatingfigureuptothecoat—collarofhim，andthen——nothingness，novisiblethingatall！
Peopledownthevillageheardshoutsandshrieks，andlookingupthestreetsawtheCoachandHorsesviolentlyfiringoutitshumanity。TheysawMrs。HallfalldownandMr。TeddyHenfreyjumptoavoidtumblingoverher，andthentheyheardthefrightfulscreamsofMillie，who，emergingsuddenlyfromthekitchenatthenoiseofthetumult，hadcomeupontheheadlessstrangerfrombehind。
Forthwitheveryonealldownthestreet，thesweet—stuffseller，cocoanutshyproprietorandhisassistant，theswingman，littleboysandgirls，rusticdandies，smartwenches，smockedeldersandapronedgipsies，beganrunningtowardstheinn;andinamiraculouslyshortspaceoftimeacrowdofperhapsfortypeople，andrapidlyincreasing，swayedandhootedandinquiredandexclaimedandsuggested，infrontofMrs。Hall’sestablishment。
Everyoneseemedeagertotalkatonce，andtheresultwasbabel。AsmallgroupsupportedMrs。Hall，whowaspickedupinastateofcollapse。Therewasaconference，andtheincredibleevidenceofavociferouseyewitness。
"O’Bogey！""What’shebeendoin’，then？""Ain’thurtthegirl，’as’e？"
"Runatenwithaknife，Ibelieve。""No’ed，Itellye。Idon’tmeannomannerofspeaking，Imeanmarn’withouta’ed！""Narnsense！’tassomeconjuringtrick。""Fetchedoff’iswrappin’s，’edid——"
Initsstrugglestoseeinthroughtheopendoor，thecrowdformeditselfintoastragglingwedge，withthemoreadventurousapexnearesttheinn。
"Hestoodforamoment，Iheerdthegalscream，andheturned。Isawherskirtswhisk，andhewentafterher。Didn’ttaketenseconds。Backhecomeswithaknifeinuzhandandaloaf;stoodjustasifhewasstaring。Notamomentago。Wentinthattheredoor。Itell’e，’eain’tgartno’ed’tall。Youjustmisseden——"
Therewasadisturbancebehind，andthespeakerstoppedtostepasideforalittleprocessionthatwasmarchingveryresolutelytowardsthehouse——firstMr。Hall，veryredanddetermined，thenMr。BobbyJaffers，thevillageconstable，andthenthewaryMr。Wadgers。Theyhadcomenowarmedwithawarrant。
Peopleshoutedconflictinginformationoftherecentcircumstances。
"’Edorno’ed，"saidJaffers，"Igotto’resten，and’restenIwill。"
Mr。Hallmarchedupthesteps，marchedstraighttothedooroftheparlourandflungitopen。"Constable，"hesaid，"doyourduty。"
Jaffersmarchedin，Hallnext，Wadgerslast。Theysawinthedimlighttheheadlessfigurefacingthem，withagnawedcrustofbreadinoneglovedhandandachunkofcheeseintheother。
"That’shim！"saidHall。
"Whatthedevil’sthis？"cameinatoneofangryexpostulationfromabovethecollarofthefigure。
"You’readamnedrumcustomer，mister，"saidMr。Jaffers。"But’edorno’ed，thewarrantsays’body，’andduty’sduty——"
"Keepoff！"saidthefigure，startingback。
Abruptlyhewhippeddownthebreadandcheese，andMr。Halljustgraspedtheknifeonthetableintimetosaveit。Offcamethestranger’sleftgloveandwasslappedinJaffers’face。InanothermomentJaffers，cuttingshortsomestatementconcerningawarrant，hadgrippedhimbythehandlesswristandcaughthisinvisiblethroat。Hegotasoundingkickontheshinthatmadehimshout，buthekepthisgrip。HallsenttheknifeslidingalongthetabletoWadgers，whoactedasgoal—keeperfortheoffensive，sotospeak，andthensteppedforwardasJaffersandthestrangerswayedandstaggeredtowardshim，clutchingandhittingin。Achairstoodintheway，andwentasidewithacrashastheycamedowntogether。
"Getthefeet，"saidJaffersbetweenhisteeth。
Mr。Hall，endeavoringtoactoninstructions，receivingasoundingkickintheribsthatdisposedofhimforamoment，andMr。Wadgers，seeingthedecapitatedstrangerhadrolledoverandgottheuppersideofJaffers，retreatedtowardsthedoor，knifeinhand，andsocollidedwithMr。HuxterandtheSiddermortoncartercomingtotherescueoflawandorder。Atthesamemomentdowncamethreeorfourbottlesfromthechiffonierandshotawebofpungencyintotheairoftheroom。
"I’llsurrender，"criedthestranger，thoughhehadJaffersdown，andinanothermomenthestooduppanting，astrangefigure，headlessandhandless——forhehadpulledoffhisrightglovenowaswellashisleft。"It’snogood，"
hesaid，asifsobbingforbreath。
Itwasthestrangestthingintheworldtohearthatvoicecomingasifoutofemptyspace，buttheSussexpeasantsareperhapsthemostmatter—of—factpeopleunderthesun。Jaffersgotupalsoandproducedapairofhandcuffs。
Thenhestarted。
"Isay！"saidJaffers，broughtupshortbyadimrealisationoftheincongruityofthewholebusiness。"Darmit！Can’tuse’emasIcansee。"
Thestrangerranhisarmdownhiswaistcoat，andasifbyamiraclethebuttonstowhichhisemptysleevepointedbecameundone。Thenhesaidsomethingabouthisshin，andstoopeddown。Heseemedtobefumblingwithhisshoesandsocks。
"Why！"saidHuxter，suddenly，"that’snotamanatall。It’sjustemptyclothes。Look！Youcanseedownhiscollarandtheliningsofhisclothes。
Icouldputmyarm——"
Heextendedhishand;itseemedtomeetsomethinginmid—air，andhedrewitbackwithasharpexclamation。"Iwishyou’dkeepyourfingersoutofmyeye，"saidtheaerialvoice，inatoneofsavageexpostulation。
"Thefactis，I’mallhere：head，hands，legs，andalltherestofit，butithappensI’minvisible。It’saconfoundednuisance，butIam。That’snoreasonwhyIshouldbepokedtopiecesbyeverystupidbumpkininIping，isit？"
Thesuitofclothes，nowallunbuttonedandhanginglooselyuponitsunseensupports，stoodup，armsakimbo。
Severalotherofthemenfolkshadnowenteredtheroom，sothatitwascloselycrowded。"Invisible，eigh？"saidHuxter，ignoringthestranger’sabuse。"Whoeverheardthelikesofthat？"
"It’sstrange，perhaps，butit’snotacrime。WhyamIassaultedbyapolicemaninthisfashion？"
"Ah！that’sadifferentmatter，"saidJaffers。"Nodoubtyouareabitdifficulttoseeinthislight，butIgotawarrant，andit’sallcorrect。
WhatI’mafterain’tnoinvisibility——it’sburglary。There’sahousebeenbrokenintoandmoneytook。"
"Well？"
"Andcircumstancescertainlypoint——"
"Stuffandnonsense！"saidtheInvisibleMan。
"Ihopeso，sir;butI’vegotmyinstructions。"
"Well，"saidthestranger，"I’llcome。I’llcome。Butnohandcuffs。"
"It’stheregularthing，"saidJaffers。
"Nohandcuffs，"stipulatedthestranger。
"Pardonme，"saidJaffers。
Abruptlythefiguresatdown，andbeforeanyonecouldrealisewhatwasbeingdone，theslippers，socks，andtrousershadbeenkickedoffunderthetable。Thenhesprangupagainandflungoffhiscoat。
"Here，stopthat，"saidJaffers，suddenlyrealisingwhatwashappening。
Hegrippedthewaist—coat;itstruggled，andtheshirtslippedoutofitandleftitlimpandemptyinhishand。"Holdhim！"saidJaffersloudly。
"Oncehegetstheythingsoff——！"
"Holdhim！"criedeveryone，andtherewasarushattheflutteringwhiteshirtwhichwasnowallthatwasvisibleofthestranger。
Theshirt—sleeveplantedashrewdblowinHall’sfacethatstoppedhisopen—armedadvance，andsenthimbackwardintooldToothsomethesexton，andinanothermomentthegarmentwasliftedupandbecameconvulsedandvacantlyflappingaboutthearms，evenasashirtthatisbeingthrustoveraman’shead。Jaffersclutchedatit，andonlyhelpedtopullitoff;
hewasstruckinthemouthoutoftheair，andincontinentlydrewhistruncheonandsmoteTeddyHenfreysavagelyuponthecrownofhishead。
"Lookout！"saideverybody，fencingatrandomandhittingatnothing。
"Holdhim！Shutthedoor！Don’tlethimloose！Igotsomething！Hereheis！"Aperfectbabelofnoisestheymade。Everybody，itseemed，wasbeinghitallatonce，andSandyWadgers，knowingaseverandhiswitssharpenedbyafrightfulblowinthenose，reopenedthedoorandledtherout。Theothers，followingincontinently，werejammedforamomentinthecornerbythedoorway。Thehittingcontinued。Phipps，theUnitarian，hadafronttoothbroken，andHenfreywasinjuredinthecartilageofhisear。Jafferswasstruckunderthejaw，and，turning，caughtatsomethingthatintervenedbetweenhimandHuxterinthemle，andpreventedtheircomingtogether。
Hefeltamuscularchest，andinanothermomentthewholemassofstruggling，excitedmenshotoutintothecrowdedhall。
"Igothim！"shoutedJaffers，chokingandreelingthroughthemall，andwrestlingwithpurplefaceandswellingveinsagainsthisunseenenemy。
Menstaggeredrightandleftastheextraordinaryconflictswayedswiftlytowardsthehousedoor，andwentspinningdownthehalf—dozenstepsoftheinn。Jafferscriedinastrangledvoice——holdingtight，nevertheless，andmakingplaywithhisknee——spunround，andfellheavilyundermostwithhisheadonthegravel。Onlythendidhisfingersrelax。
Therewereexcitedcriesof"Holdhim！""Invisible！"andsoforth，andayoungfellow，astrangerintheplacewhosenamedidnotcometolight，rushedinatonce，caughtsomething，missedhishold，andfellovertheconstable’sprostratebody。Halfwayacrosstheroad，awomanscreamedassomethingpushedbyher;adog，kickedapparently，yelpedandranhowlingintoHuxter’syard，andwiththatthetransitoftheInvisibleManwasaccomplished。Foraspacepeoplestoodamazedandgesticulating，andthencamePanic，andscatteredthemabroadthroughthevillageasagustscattersdeadleaves。
ButJafferslayquitestill，faceupwardandkneesbent。
TheInvisibleMan—Chapter8Chapter8—InTransitTheeighthchapterisexceedinglybrief，andrelatesthatGibbins，theamateurnaturalistofthedistrict，whilelyingoutonthespaciousopendownswithoutasoulwithinacoupleofmilesofhim，ashethought，andalmostdozing，heardclosetohimthesoundasofamancoughing，sneezing，andthenswearingsavagelytohimself;andlooking，beheldnothing。Yetthevoicewasindisputable。Itcontinuedtoswearwiththatbreadthandvarietythatdistinguishestheswearingofacultivatedman。Itgrewtoaclimax，diminishedagain，anddiedawayinthedistance，goingasitseemedtohiminthedirectionofAdderdean。Itliftedtoaspasmodicsneezeandended。Gibbinshadheardnothingofthemorning’soccurrences，butthephenomenonwassostrikinganddisturbingthathisphilosophicaltranquillityvanished;hegotuphastily，andhurrieddownthesteepnessofthehilltowardsthevillage，asfastashecouldgo。
TheInvisibleMan—Chapter9Chapter9—Mr。ThomasMarvelYoumustpictureMr。ThomasMarvelasapersonofcopious，flexiblevisage，anoseofcylindricalprotrusion，aliquorish，ample，fluctuatingmouth，andabeardofbristlingeccentricity。Hisfigureinclinedtoembonpoint;
hisshortlimbsaccentuatedthisinclination。Heworeafurrysilkhat，andthefrequentsubstitutionoftwineandshoe—lacesforbuttons，apparentatcriticalpointsofhiscostume，markedamanessentiallybachelor。
Mr。ThomasMarvelwassittingwithhisfeetinaditchbytheroadsideoverthedowntowardAdderdean，aboutamileandahalfoutofIping。Hisfeet，saveforsocksofirregularopenwork，werebare，hisbigtoeswerebroad，andprickedliketheearsofawatchfuldog。Inaleisurelymanner——hedideverythinginaleisurelymanner——hewascontemplatingtryingonapairofboots。Theywerethesoundestbootshehadcomeacrossforalongtime，buttoolargeforhim;whereastheoneshehadwere，indryweather，averycomfortablefit，buttoothin—soledfordamp。Mr。ThomasMarvelhatedroomyboots，butthenhehateddamp。Hehadneverproperlythoughtoutwhichhehatedmost，anditwasapleasantday，andtherewasnothingbettertodo。Soheputthefourbootsinagracefulgroupontheturfandlookedatthem。Andseeingthemthereamongthegrassandspringingagrimony，itsuddenlyoccurredtohimthatbothpairswereexceedinglyuglytosee。Hewasnotatallstartledbyavoicebehindhim。
"They’reboots，anyhow，"saidthevoice。
"Theyare——charityboots，"saidMr。ThomasMarvel，withhisheadononesideregardingthemdistastefully;"andwhichistheugliestpairinthewholeblesseduniverse，I’mdarnedifIknow！"
"H’m，"saidthevoice。
"I’vewornworse——infact，I’vewornnone。Butnonesoowdaciousugly——ifyou’llallowtheexpression。I’vebeencadgingboots——inparticular——fordays。BecauseIwassickofthem。They’resoundenough，ofcourse。Butagentlemanontrampseessuchathunderinglotofhisboots。Andifyou’llbelieveme，I’veraisednothinginthewholeblessedcounty，tryasIwould，butTHEM。Lookat’em！Andagoodcountyforboots，too，inageneralway。
Butit’sjustmypromiscuousluck。I’vegotmybootsinthiscountytenyearsormore。Andthentheytreatyoulikethis。"
"It’sabeastofacounty，"saidthevoice。"Andpigsforpeople。"
"Ain’tit？"saidMr。ThomasMarvel。"Lord！Butthemboots！Itbeatsit。"
Heturnedhisheadoverhisshouldertotheright，tolookatthebootsofhisinterlocutorwithaviewtocomparisons，andlo！wherethebootsofhisinterlocutorshouldhavebeenwereneitherlegsnorboots。Heturnedhisheadoverhisshouldertotheleft，andtherealsowereneitherlegsnorboots。Hewasirradiatedbythedawnofagreatamazement。"Whereareyar？"saidMr。ThomasMarveloverhisshoulderandcomingroundonallfours。Hesawastretchofemptydownswiththewindswayingandremotegreen—pointedfurzebushes。
"AmIdrunk？"saidMr。Marvel。"HaveIhadvisions？WasItalkingtomyself？Whatthe——"
"Don’tbealarmed，"saidavoice。
"Noneofyourventriloquisingme，"saidMr。ThomasMarvel，risingsharplytohisfeet。"Whereareyer？Alarmed，indeed！"
"Don’tbealarmed，"repeatedthevoice。
"You’llbealarmedinaminute，yousillyfool，"saidMr。ThomasMarvel。
"Whereareyer？Lemmegetmymarkonyer——
"Areyouburied？"saidMr。ThomasMarvel，afteraninterval。
Therewasnoanswer。Mr。ThomasMarvelstoodbootlessandamazed，hisjacketnearlythrownoff。
"Peewit，"saidapeewit，veryremote。
"Peewit，indeed！"saidMr。ThomasMarvel。"Thisain’tnotimeforfoolery。"
Thedownwasdesolate，eastandwest，northandsouth;theroadwithitsshallowditchesandwhiteborderingstakes，ransmoothandemptynorthandsouth，and，saveforthatpeewit，theblueskywasemptytoo。"Sohelpme，"saidMr。ThomasMarvel，shufflinghiscoatontohisshouldersagain。
"It’sthedrink！Imightha’known。"
"It’snotthedrink，"saidthevoice。"Youkeepyournervessteady。"
"Ow！"saidMr。Marvel，andhisfacegrewwhiteamidstitspatches。"It’sthedrink，"hislipsrepeatednoiselessly。Heremainedstaringabouthim，rotatingslowlybackwards。"IcouldhavesworeIheardavoice，"hewhispered。
"Ofcourseyoudid。"
"It’sthereagain，"saidMr。Marvel，closinghiseyesandclaspinghishandonhisbrowwithatragicgesture。Hewassuddenlytakenbythecollarandshakenviolentlyandleftmoredazedthanever。"Don’tbeafool，"
saidthevoice。
"I’m——off——my——blooming——chump，"saidMr。Marvel。"It’snogood。It’sfrettingaboutthemblarstedboots。I’moffmyblessedbloomingchump。
Orit’sspirits。"
"Neitheronethingnortheother，"saidthevoice。"Listen！"
"Chump，"saidMr。Marvel。
"Oneminute，"saidthevoicepenetratingly，——tremulouswithself—control。
"Well？"saidMr。ThomasMarvel，withastrangefeelingofhavingbeenduginthechestbyafinger。
"YouthinkI’mjustimagination？Justimagination？"
"Whatelsecanyoube？"saidMr。ThomasMarvel，rubbingthebackofhisneck。
"Verywell，"saidthevoice，inatoneofrelief。"ThenI’mgoingtothrowflintsatyoutillyouthinkdifferently。"
"Butwhereareyer？"
Thevoicemadenoanswer。Whizcameaflint，apparentlyoutoftheair，andmissedMr。Marvel’sshoulderbyahair’sbreadth。Mr。Marvel，turning，sawaflintjerkupintotheair，traceacomplicatedpath，hangforamoment，andthenflingathisfeetwithalmostinvisiblerapidity。Hewastooamazedtododge。Whizitcame，andricochetedfromabaretoeintotheditch。Mr。ThomasMarveljumpedafootandhowledaloud。Thenhestartedtorun，trippedoveranunseenobstacle，andcameheadoverheelsintoasittingposition。
"Now，"saidthevoice，asathirdstonecurvedupwardandhungintheairabovethetramp。"AmIimagination？"
Mr。Marvelbywayofreplystruggledtohisfeet，andwasimmediatelyrolledoveragain。Helayquietforamoment。"Ifyoustruggleanymore，"
saidthevoice，"Ishallthrowtheflintatyourhead。"
"It’safairdo，"saidMr。ThomasMarvel，sittingup，takinghiswoundedtoeinhandandfixinghiseyeonthethirdmissle。"Idon’tunderstandit。Stonesflingingthemselves。Stonestalking。Putyourselfdown。Rotaway。I’mdone。"
Thethirdflintfell。
"It’sverysimple，"saidthevoice。"I’maninvisibleman。"
"TellussomethingIdon’tknow，"saidMr。Marvel，gaspingwithpain。
"Whereyou’vehid——howyoudoit——Idon’tknow，I’mbeat。"
"That’sall，"saidthevoice。"I’minvisible。That’swhatIwantyoutounderstand。"
"Anyonecouldseethat。Thereisnoneedforyoutobesoconfoundedimpatient，mister。Nowthen。Giveusanotion。Howareyouhid？"
"I’minvisible。That’sthegreatpoint。AndwhatIwantyoutounderstandisthis——"
"Butwhereabouts？"interruptedMr。Marvel。
"Here！Sixyardsinfrontofyou。"
"Oh，come！Iain’tblind。You’llbetellingmenextyou’rejustthinair。I’mnotoneofyourignoranttramps——"
"Yes，Iam——thinair。You’relookingthroughme。"
"What！Ain’tthereanystufftoyou？Voxet——whatisit？——jabber。Isitthat？
"Iamjustahumanbeing——solid，needingfoodanddrink，needingcoveringtoo——ButI’minvisible。Yousee？Invisible。Simpleidea。Invisible。"
"What，reallike？"
"Yes，real。"
"Let’shaveahandofyou，"saidMarvel，"ifyouarereal。Itwon’tbesodarnout—of—the—waylike，then——Lord！"hesaid，"howyoumademejump！——grippingmelikethat！"
Hefeltthehandthathadclosedroundhiswristwithhisdisengagedfingers，andhistouchwenttimorouslyupthearm，pattedamuscularchest，andexploredabeardedface。Marvel’sfacewasastonishment。
"I’mdashed！"hesaid。"Ifthisdon’tbeatcock—fighting！Mostremarkable！——AndthereIcanseearabbitcleanthroughyou，’arfamileaway！Notabitofyouvisible——except——"
Hescrutinisedtheapparentlyemptyspacekeenly。"You’aven’tbeeneatin’breadandcheese？"heasked，holdingtheinvisiblearm。
"You’requiteright，andit’snotquiteassimilatedintothesystem。"
"Ah！"saidMr。Marvel。"Sortofghostly，though。"
"Ofcourse，allthisisn’tsowonderfulasyouthink。"
"It’squitewonderfulenoughformymodestwants，"saidMr。ThomasMarvel。
"Howjermanageit？Howthedooceisitdone？"
"It’stoolongastory。Andbesides——"
"Itellyou，thewholebusinessfairbeatsme，"saidMr。Marvel。
"WhatIwanttosayatpresentisthis：Ineedhelp。Ihavecometothat——Icameuponyousuddenly。Iwaswandering，madwithrage，naked，impotent。Icouldhavemurdered。AndIsawyou——"
"Lord！"saidMr。Marvel。
"Icameupbehindyou——hesitated——wenton——"
Mr。Marvel’sexpressionwaseloquent。
"——thenstopped。’Here，’Isaid，’isanoutcastlikemyself。Thisisthemanforme。’SoIturnedbackandcametoyou——you。And——"
"Lord！"saidMr。Marvel。"ButI’mallinadizzy。MayIask——Howisit？Andwhatyoumayberequiringinthewayofhelp？——Invisible！"
"Iwantyoutohelpmegetclothes——andshelter——andthen，withotherthings。I’veleftthemlongenough。Ifyouwon’t——well！Butyouwill——must。"
"Lookhere，"saidMr。Marvel。"I’mtooflabbergasted。Don’tknockmeaboutanymore。Andleavemego。Imustgetsteadyabit。Andyou’veprettynearbrokenmytoe。It’sallsounreasonable。Emptydowns，emptysky。NothingvisibleformilesexceptthebosomofNature。Andthencomesavoice。A
voiceoutofheaven！Andstones！Andafist——Lord！"
"Pullyourselftogether，"saidthevoice，"foryouhavetodothejobI’vechosenforyou。"
Mr。Marvelblewouthischeeks，andhiseyeswereround。
"I’vechosenyou，"saidthevoice。"Youaretheonlyman，exceptsomeofthosefoolsdownthere，whoknowsthereissuchathingasaninvisibleman。Youhavetobemyhelper。Helpme——andIwilldogreatthingsforyou。Aninvisiblemanisamanofpower。"Hestoppedforamomenttosneezeviolently。
"Butifyoubetrayme，"hesaid，"ifyoufailtodoasIdirectyou——"
HepausedandtappedMr。Marvel’sshouldersmartly。Mr。Marvelgaveayelpofterroratthetouch。"Idon’twanttobetrayyou，"saidMr。Marvel，edgingawayfromthedirectionofthefingers。"Don’tyougoa—thinkingthat，whateveryoudo。AllIwanttodoistohelpyou——justtellmewhatIgottodo。（Lord！）Whateveryouwantdone，thatI’mmostwillingtodo。"
TheInvisibleMan—Chapter10Chapter10—Mr。Marvel’sVisittoIpingAfterthefirstgustypanichadspentitselfIpingbecameargumentative。
Scepticismsuddenlyreareditshead——rathernervousscepticism，notatallassuredofitsback，butscepticismneverthe—less。Itissomucheasiernottobelieveinaninvisibleman;andthosewhohadactuallyseenhimdissolveintoair，orfeltthestrengthofhisarm，couldbecountedonthefingersoftwohands。AndofthesewitnessesMr。Wadgerswaspresentlymissing，havingretiredimpregnablybehindtheboltsandbarsofhisownhouse，andJafferswaslyingstunnedintheparlouroftheCoachandHorses。
Greatandstrangeideastranscendingexperienceoftenhavelesseffectuponmenandwomenthansmaller，moretangibleconsiderations。Ipingwasgaywithbunting，andeverybodywasingaladress。Whit—Mondayhadbeenlookedforwardtoforamonthormore。BytheafternooneventhosewhobelievedintheUnseenwerebeginningtoresumetheirlittleamusementsinatentativefashion，onthesuppositionthathehadquitegoneaway，andwiththescepticshewasalreadyajest。Butpeople，scepticsandbelieversalike，wereremarkablysociableallthatday。
Haysman’smeadowwasgaywithatent，inwhichMrs。Buntingandotherladieswerepreparingtea，while，without，theSunday—schoolchildrenranracesandplayedgamesunderthenoisyguidanceofthecurateandtheMissesCussandSackbut。Nodoubttherewasaslightuneasinessintheair，butpeopleforthemostparthadthesensetoconcealwhateverimaginativequalmstheyexperienced。Onthevillagegreenaninclinedstring，downwhich，clingingthewhiletoapulley—swunghandle，onecouldbehurledviolentlyagainstasackattheotherend，cameinforconsiderablefavouramongtheadolescent。Therewereswingsandcocoanutshiesandpromenading，andthesteamorganattachedtotheswingsfilledtheairwithapungentflavourofoilandwithequallypungentmusic。MembersoftheClub，whohadattendedchurchinthemorning，weresplendidinbadgesofpinkandgreen，andsomeofthegayer—mindedhadalsoadornedtheirbowlerhatswithbrilliant—colouredfavoursofribbon。OldFletcher，whoseconceptionsofholiday—makingweresevere，wasvisiblethroughthejasmineabouthiswindoworthroughtheopendoor（whicheverwayyouchosetolook），poiseddelicatelyonaplanksupportedontwochairs，andwhitewashingtheceilingofhisfrontroom。
Aboutfouro’clockastrangerenteredthevillagefromthedirectionofthedowns。Hewasashort，stoutpersoninanextraorindarilyshabbytophat，andheappearedtobeverymuchoutofbreath。Hischeekswerealternatelylimpandtightlypuffed。Hismottledfacewasapprenhensive，andhemovedwithasortofreluctantalacrity。Heturnedthecornerbythechurch，anddirectedhiswaytotheCoachandHorses。AmongothersoldFletcherremembersseeinghim，andindeedtheoldgentlemanwassostruckbyhispeculiaragitationthatheinadvertentlyallowedaquantityofwhitewashtorundownthebrushintothesleeveofhiscoatwhileregardinghim。
Thisstranger，totheperceptionsoftheproprietorofthecocoanutshy，appearedtobetalkingtohimself，andMr。Huxterremarkedthesamething。HestoppedatthefootoftheCoachandHorsessteps，and，accordingtoMr。Huxter，appearedtoundergoasevereinternalstrugglebeforehecouldinducehimselftoenterthehouse。Finallyhemarchedupthesteps，andwasseenbyMr。Huxtertoturntotheleftandopenthedooroftheparlour。Mr。Huxterheardvoicesfromwithintheroomandfromthebarapprisingthemanofhiserror。"Thatroom’sprivate！"saidHall，andthestrangershutthedoorclumsilyandwentintothebar。
Inthecourseofafewminuteshereappeared，wipinghislipswiththebackofhishandwithanairofquietsatisfactionthatsomehowimpressedMr。Huxterasassumed。Hestoodlookingabouthimforsomemoments，andthenMr。Huxtersawhimwalkinanoddlyfurtivemannertowardsthegatesoftheyard，uponwhichtheparlourwindowopened。Thestranger，aftersomehesitation，leantagainstoneofthegate—posts，producedashortclaypipe，andpreparedtofillit。Hisfingerstrembledwhiledoingso。
Helititclumsily，andfoldinghisarmsbegantosmokeinalanguidattitude，anattitudewhichhisoccasionalquickglancesuptheyardaltogetherbelied。
AllthisMr。Huxtersawoverthecanistersofthetobaccowindow，andthesingularityoftheman’sbehaviourpromptedhimtomaintainhisobservation。
Presentlythestrangerstoodupabruptlyandputhispipeinhispocket。
Thenhevanishedintotheyard。ForthwithMr。Huxter，conceivinghewaswitnessofsomepettylarceny，leaptroundhiscounterandranoutintotheroadtointerceptthethief。Ashedidso，Mr。Marvelreappeared，hishataskew，abigbundleinabluetable—clothinonehand，andthreebookstiedtogether——asitprovedafterwardswiththeVicar’sbraces——intheother。DirectlyhesawHuxterhegaveasortofgasp，andturningsharplytotheleft，begantorun。"Stopthief！"criedHuxter，andsetoffafterhim。Mr。Huxter’ssensationswerevividbutbrief。Hesawthemanjustbeforehimandspurtingbrisklyforthechurchcornerandthehillroad。
Hesawthevillageflagsandfestivitiesbeyond，andafaceorsoturnedtowardshim。Hebawled，"Stop！"again。Hehadhardlygonetenstridesbeforehisshinwascaughtinsomemysteriousfashion，andhewasnolongerrunning，butflyingwithinconceivablerapiditythroughtheair。Hesawthegroundsuddenlyclosetohisface。Theworldseemedtosplashintoamillionwhirlingspecksoflight，andsubsequentproceedingsinterestedhimnomore。
TheInvisibleMan—Chapter11Chapter11—IntheCoachandHorsesNowinorderclearlytounderstandwhathadhappenedintheinn，itisnecessarytogobacktothemomentwhenMr。MarvelfirstcameintoviewofMr。Huxter’swindow。AtthatprecisemomentMr。CussandMr。Buntingwereintheparlour。Theywereseriouslyinvestigatingthestrangeoccurrencesofthemorning，andwere，withMr。Hall’spermission，makingathoroughexaminationoftheInvisibleMan’sbelongings。Jaffershadpartiallyrecoveredfromhisfallandhadgonehomeinthechargeofhissympatheticfriends。
Thestranger’sscatteredgarmentshadbeenremovedbyMrs。Hallandtheroomtidiedup。Andonthetableunderthewindowwherethestrangerhadbeenwonttowork，Cusshadhitalmostatonceonthreebigbooksinmanuscriptlabelled"Diary。"
"Diary！"saidCuss，puttingthethreebooksonthetable。"Now，atanyrate，weshalllearnsomething。"TheVicarstoodwithhishandsonthetable。
"Diary，"repeatedCuss，sittingdown，puttingtwovolumestosupportthethird，andopeningit。"H’m——nonameonthefly—leaf。Bother！——cypher。
Andfigures。"
TheVicarcameroundtolookoverhisshoulder。
Cussturnedthepagesoverwithafacesuddenlydisappointed。"I’m——dearme！It’sallcypher，Bunting。"
"Therearenodiagrams？"askedMr。Bunting。"Noillustrationsthrowinglight——"
"Seeforyourself，"saidMr。Cuss。"Someofit’smathematicalandsomeofit’sRussianorsomesuchlanguage（tojudgebytheletters），andsomeofit’sGreek。NowtheGreekIthoughtyou——"
"Ofcourse，"saidMr。Bunting，takingoutandwipinghisspectaclesandfeelingsuddenlyveryuncomfortable，——forhehadnoGreekleftinhismindworthtalkingabout;"yes——theGreek，ofcourse，mayfurnishaclue。"
"I’llfindyouaplace。"
"I’dratherglancethroughthevolumesfirst，"saidMr。Bunting，stillwiping。"Ageneralimpressionfirst，Cuss，andthen，youknow，wecangolookingforclues。"
Hecoughed，putonhisglasses，arrangedthemfastidiously，coughedagain，andwishedsomethingwouldhappentoaverttheseeminglyinevitableexposure。ThenhetookthevolumeCusshandedhiminaleisurelymanner。
Andthensomethingdidhappen。
Thedooropenedsuddenly。
Bothgentlemenstartedviolently，lookedaround，andwererelievedtoseeasporadicallyrosyfacebeneathafurrysilkhat。"Tap？"askedtheface，andstoodstaring。
"No，"saidbothgentlemenatonce。
"Overtheotherside，myman，"saidMr。Bunting。And"Pleaseshutthatdoor，"saidMr。Cussirritably。
"Allright，"saidtheintruder，asitseemed，inalowvoicecuriouslydifferentfromthehuskinessofitsfirstenquiry。"Rightyouare，"saidtheintruderintheformervoice。"Standclear！"andhevanishedandclosedthedoor。
"Asailor，Ishouldjudge，"saidMr。Bunting。"Amusingfellowstheyare。Standclear！indeed。Anauticaltermreferringtohisgettingbackoutoftheroom，Isuppose。"
"Idaresayso，"saidCuss。"Mynervesarealllooseto—day。Itquitemademejump——thedooropeninglikethat。"
Mr。Buntingsmiledasifhehadnotjumped。"Andnow，"hesaidwithasigh，"thesebooks。"
"Oneminute，"saidCuss，andwentandlockedthedoor。"NowIthinkwearesafefrominterruption。"
Someonesniffedashedidso。
"Onethingisindisputable，"saidBunting，drawingupachairnexttothatofCuss。"TherecertainlyhavebeenverystrangethingshappeninIpingduringthelastfewdays——verystrange。Icannotofcoursebelieveinthisabsurdinvisibilitystory——"
"It’sincredible，"saidCuss，"——incredible。ButthefactremainsthatIsaw——Icertainlysawrightdownhissleeve——"
"Butdidyou——areyousure？Supposeamirror，forinstance，——hallucinationsaresoeasilyproduced。Idon’tknowifyouhaveeverseenareallygoodconjuror——"
"Iwon’targueagain，"saidCuss。"We’vethrashedthatout，Bunting。
Andjustnowthere’sthesebooks——Ah！here’ssomeofwhatItaketobeGreek！Greekletterscertainly。"
Hepointedtothemiddleofthepage。Mr。Buntingflushedslightlyandbroughthisfacenearer，apparentlyfindingsomedifficultywithhisglasses。
Suddenlyhebecameawareofastrangefeelingatthenapeofhisneck。
Hetriedtoraisehishead，andencounteredanimmovableresistance。Thefeelingwasacuriouspressure，thegripofaheavy，firmhand，anditborehischinirresistiblytothetable。"Don’tmove，littlemen，"whisperedavoice，"orI’llbrainyouboth！"HelookedintothefaceofCuss，closetohisown，andeachsawahorrifiedreflectionofhisownsicklyastonishment。
"I’msorrytohandleyouroughly，"saidtheVoice，"butit’sunavoidable。
"Sincewhendidyoulearntopryintoaninvestigator’sprivatememoranda？"
saidtheVoice;andtwochinsstruckthetablesimultaneouslyandtwosetsofteethrattled。
"Sincewhendidyoulearntoinvadetheprivateroomsofamaninmisfortune？"
andtheconcussionwasrepeated。
"Wherehavetheyputmyclothes？
"Listen，"saidtheVoice。"ThewindowsarefastenedandI’vetakenthekeyoutofthedoor。Iamafairlystrongman，andIhavethepokerhandy——besidesbeinginvisible。There’snottheslightestdoubtthatIcouldkillyoubothandgetawayquiteeasilyifIwantedto——doyouunderstand？Verywell。IfIletyougowillyoupromisenottotryanynonsenseanddowhatItellyou？"
TheVicarandtheDoctorlookedatoneanother，andtheDoctorpulledaface。"Yes，"saidMr。Bunting，andtheDoctorrepeatedit。Thenthepressureonthenecksrelaxed，andtheDoctorandtheVicarsatup，bothveryredinthefaceandwrigglingtheirheads。
"Pleasekeepsittingwhereyouare，"saidtheInvisibleMan。"Here’sthepoker，yousee。
"WhenIcameintothisroom，"continuedtheInvisibleMan，afterpresentingthepokertothetipofthenoseofeachofhisvisitors，"Ididnotexpecttofinditoccupied，andIexpectedtofind，inadditiontomybooksofmemoranda，anoutfitofclothing。Whereisit？No，——don’trise。Icanseeit’sgone。Now，justatpresent，thoughthedaysarequitewarmenoughforaninvisiblemantorunaboutstark，theeveningsarechilly。Iwantclothing——andotheraccommodation;andImustalsohavethosethreebooks。"
TheInvisibleMan—Chapter12Chapter12—TheInvisibleManLosesHisTemperItisunavoidablethatatthispointthenarrativeshouldbreakoffagain，foracertainverypainfulreasonthatwillpresentlybeapparent。Whilethesethingsweregoingonintheparlour，andwhileMr。HuxterwaswatchingMr。Marvelsmokinghispipeagainstthegate，notadozenyardsawaywereMr。HallandTeddyHenfreydiscussinginastateofcloudypuzzlementtheoneIpingtopic。
Suddenlytherecameaviolentthudagainstthedooroftheparlour，asharpcry，andthen——silence。
"Hul——lo！"saidTeddyHenfrey。
"Hul——lo！"fromtheTap。
Mr。Halltookthingsinslowlybutsurely。"Thatain’tright，"hesaid，andcameroundfrombehindthebartowardstheparlourdoor。
HeandTeddyapproachedthedoortogether，withintentfaces。Theireyesconsidered。"Summatwrong，"saidHall，andHenfreynoddedagreement。
Whiffsofanunpleasantchemicalodourmetthem，andtherewasamuffledsoundofconversation，veryrapidandsubdued。
"Youallraightthur？"askedHall，rapping。
Themutteredconversationceasedabruptly，foramomentsilence，thentheconversationwasresumedinhissingwhispers，thenasharpcryof"No！
no，youdon’t！"Therecameasuddenmotionandtheoversettingofachair，abriefstruggle。Silenceagain。
"Whatthedooce？"exclaimedHenfrey，sottovoce。
"You——all——raight——thur？"askedMr。Hallsharply，again。
TheVicar’svoiceansweredwithacuriousjerkingintonation："Quiteri——ight。Pleasedon’t——interrupt。"
"Odd！"saidMr。Henfrey。
"Odd！"saidMr。Hall。
"Says，’Don’tinterrupt，’"saidHenfrey。
"Iheerd’n，"saidHall。
"Andasniff，"saidHenfrey。
Theyremainedlistening。Theconversationwasrapidandsubdued。"I
can’t，"saidMr。Bunting，hisvoicerising;"Itellyou，sir，Iwillnot。"
"Whatwasthat？"askedHenfrey。
"Sayshewi’nart，"saidHall。"Warn’tspeakin’tous，wuzhe？"
"Disgraceful！"saidMr。Bunting，within。
"’Disgraceful，’"saidMr。Henfrey。"Iheardit——distinct。
"Who’sthatspeakingnow？"askedHenfrey。
"Mr。Cuss，Is’pose，"saidHall。"Canyouhear——anything？"
Silence。Thesoundswithinindistinctandperplexing。
"Soundslikethrowingthetable—clothabout，"saidHall。
Mrs。Hallappearedbehindthebar。Hallmadegesturesofsilenceandinvitation。ThisrousedMrs。Hall’swifelyopposition。"Whatyerlistenin’
therefor，Hall？"sheasked。"Ain’tyounothin’bettertodo——busydaylikethis？"
Halltriedtoconveyeverythingbygrimacesanddumbshow，butMrs。
Hallwasobdurate。Sheraisedhervoice。SoHallandHenfrey，rathercrestfallen，tip—toedbacktothebar，gesticulatingtoexplaintoher。
Atfirstsherefusedtoseeanythinginwhattheyhadheardatall。
ThensheinsistedonHallkeepingsilence，whileHenfreytoldherhisstory。
Shewasinclinedtothinkthewholebusinessnonsense——perhapstheywerejustmovingthefurnitureabout。"Iheerd’nsay’disgraceful’;thatIdid，"
saidHall。
"Iheerdthat，Mis’Hall，"saidHenfrey。
"Likeasnot——"beganMrs。Hall。
"Hsh！"saidMr。TeddyHenfrey。"Didn’tIhearthewindow？"
"Whatwindow？"askedMrs。Hall。
"Parlourwindow，"saidHenfrey。
Everyonestoodlisteningintently。Mrs。Hall’seyes，directedstraightbeforeher，sawwithoutseeingthebrilliantoblongoftheinndoor，theroadwhiteandvivid，andHuxter’sshop—frontblisteringintheJunesun。
AbruptlyHuxter’sdooropenedandHuxterappeared，eyesstaringwithexcitement，armsgesticulating。"Yap！"criedHuxter。"Stopthief！"andheranobliquelyacrosstheoblongtowardstheyardgates，andvanished。
Simultaneouslycameatumultfromtheparlour，andasoundofwindowsbeingclosed。
Hall，Henfrey，andthehumancontentsoftheTaprushedoutatoncepell—mellintothestreet。Theysawsomeonewhiskroundthecornertowardsthedownroad，andMr。Huxterexecutingacomplicatedleapintheairthatendedonhisfaceandshoulder。Downthestreetpeoplewerestandingastonishedorrunningtowardsthem。
Mr。Huxterwasstunned。Henfreystoppedtodiscoverthis，butHallandthetwolabourersfromtheTaprushedatoncetothecorner，shoutingincoherentthings，andsawMr。Marvelvanishingbythecornerofthechurchwall。
TheyappeartohavejumpedtotheimpossibleconclusionthatthiswastheInvisibleMansuddenlybecomevisible，andsetoffatoncealongthelaneinpursuit。ButHallhadhardlyrunadozenyardsbeforehegavealoudshoutofastonishmentandwentflyingheadlongsideways，clutchingoneofthelabourersandbringinghimtotheground。Hehadbeenchargedjustasonechargesamanatfootball。Thesecondlabourercameroundinacircle，stared，andconceivingthatHallhadtumbledoverofhisownaccord，turnedtoresumethepursuit，onlytobetrippedbytheanklejustasHuxterhadbeen。Then，asthefirstlabourerstruggledtohisfeet，hewaskickedsidewaysbyablowthatmighthavefelledanox。
Ashewentdown，therushfromthedirectionofthevillagegreencameroundthecorner。Thefirsttoappearwastheproprietorofthecocoanutshy，aburlymaninabluejersey。Hewasastonishedtoseethelaneemptysaveforthreemensprawlingabsurdlyontheground。Andthensomethinghappenedtohisrear—mostfoot，andhewentheadlongandrolledsidewaysjustintimetograzethefeetofhisbrotherandpartner，followingheadlong。
Thetwowerethenkicked，knelton，fallenover，andcursedbyquiteanumberofover—hastypeople。
NowwhenHallandHenfreyandthelabourersranoutofthehouse，Mrs。
Hall，whohadbeendisciplinedbyyearsofexperience，remainedinthebarnextthetill。Andsuddenlytheparlourdoorwasopened，andMr。Cussappeared，andwithoutglancingatherrushedatoncedownthestepstowardsthecorner。"Holdhim！"hecried。"Don’tlethimdropthatparcel！Youcanseehimsolongasheholdstheparcel。"HeknewnothingoftheexistenceofMarvel。FortheInvisibleManhadhandedoverthebooksandbundleintheyard。ThefaceofMr。Cusswasangryandresolute，buthiscostumewasdefective，asortoflimpwhitekiltthatcouldonlyhavepassedmusterinGreece。"Holdhim！"hebawled。"He’sgotmytrousers！AndeverystitchoftheVicar’sclothes！
"’Tendtohiminaminute！"hecriedtoHenfreyashepassedtheprostrateHuxter，andcomingroundthecornertojointhetumult，waspromptlyknockedoffhisfeetintoanindecoroussprawl。Somebodyinfullflighttrodheavilyonhisfinger。Heyelled，struggledtoregainhisfeet，wasknockedagainstandthrownonallfoursagain，andbecameawarethathewasinvolvednotinacapture，butarout。Everyonewasrunningbacktothevillage。Heroseagainandwashitseverelybehindtheear。HestaggeredandsetoffbacktotheCoachandHorsesforthwith，leapingoverthedesertedHuxter，whowasnowsittingup，onhisway。
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