第4章

"GoodHeavens！"saidKemp，readingeagerlyanincredulousaccountoftheeventsinIpingthepreviousafternoon，thathavealreadybeendescribed。

Overtheleafthereportinthemorningpaperhadbeenreprinted。

Here—readit。"Ranthroughthestreetsstrikingrightandleft。Jaffersinsensible。Mr。Huxteringreatpain——stillunabletodescribewhathesaw。Painfulhumiliation——vicar。Womenillwithterror！Windowssmashed。

Thisextraordinarystoryprobablyafabrication。Toogoodnottoprint——cumgrano！"

Hedroppedthepaperandstaredblanklyinfrontofhim。"Probablyafabrication！"

Hecaughtupthepaperagain，andre—readthewholebusiness。"ButwheredoestheTrampcomein？WhythedeucewashechasingaTramp？"

Hesatdownabruptlyonthesurgicalcouch。"He’snotonlyinvisible，"

hesaid，"buthe’smad！Homicidal！"

Whendawncametomingleitspallorwiththelamp—lightandcigarsmokeofthedining—room，Kempwasstillpacingupanddown，tryingtograsptheincredible。

Hewasaltogethertooexcitedtosleep。Hisservants，descendingsleepily，discoveredhim，andwereinclinedtothinkthatoverstudyhadworkedthisillonhim。Hegavethemextraordinarybutquiteexplicitinstructionstolaybreakfastfortwointhebelvederestudy——andthentoconfinethemselvestothebasementandground—floor。Thenhecontinuedtopacethedining—roomuntilthemorning’spapercame。Thathadmuchtosayandlittletotell，beyondtheconfirmationoftheeveningbeforeandaverybaldlywrittenaccountofanotherremarkabletalefromPortBurdock。ThisgaveKemptheessenceofthehappeningsattheJollyCricketers，andthenameofMarvel。

"Hehasmademekeepwithhimtwenty—fourhours，"Marveltestified。CertainminorfactswereaddedtotheIpingstory，notablythecuttingofthevillagetelegraph—wire。ButtherewasnothingtothrowlightontheconnectionbetweentheInvisibleManandtheTramp;forMr。Marvelhadsuppliednoinformationaboutthethreebooks，orthemoneywithwhichhewaslined。

Theincreduloustonehadvanishedandashoalofreportersandinquirerswerealreadyatworkelaboratingthematter。

Kempreadeveryscrapofthereportandsenthishousemaidouttogeteveryoneofthemorningpapersshecould。Thesealsohedevoured。

"Heisinvisible！"hesaid。"Anditreadslikeragegrowingtomania！

Thethingshemaydo！Thethingshemaydo！Andhe’supstairsfreeastheair。WhatonearthoughtItodo？

"Forinstance，woulditbeabreachoffaithif——？No。"

Hewenttoalittleuntidydeskinthecorner，andbegananote。Hetorethisuphalfwritten，andwroteanother。Hereaditoverandconsideredit。Thenhetookanenvelopeandaddresseditto"ColonelAdye，PortBurdock。"

TheInvisibleManawokeevenasKempwasdoingthis。Heawokeinaneviltemper，andKemp，alertforeverysound，heardhispatteringfeetrushsuddenlyacrossthebedroomoverhead。Thenachairwasflungoverandthewash—handstandtumblersmashed。Kemphurriedupstairsandrappedeagerly。

TheInvisibleMan—Chapter19Chapter19—CertainFirstPrinciples"What’sthematter？"askedKemp，whentheInvisibleManadmittedhim。

"Nothing，"wastheanswer。

"But，confoundit！Thesmash？"

"Fitoftemper，"saidtheInvisibleMan。"Forgotthisarm;andit’ssore。"

"You’reratherliabletothatsortofthing。"

"Iam。"

Kempwalkedacrosstheroomandpickedupthefragmentsofbrokenglass。

"Allthefactsareoutaboutyou，"saidKemp，standingupwiththeglassinhishand;"allthathappenedinIping，anddownthehill。Theworldhasbecomeawareofitsinvisiblecitizen。Butnooneknowsyouarehere。"

TheInvisibleManswore。

"Thesecret’sout。Igatheritwasasecret。Idon’tknowwhatyourplansare，butofcourseI’manxioustohelpyou。"

TheInvisibleMansatdownonthebed。

"There’sbreakfastupstairs，"saidKemp，speakingaseasilyaspossible，andhewasdelightedtofindhisstrangeguestrosewillingly。Kempledthewayupthenarrowstaircasetothebelvedere。

"Beforewecandoanythingelse，"saidKemp，"Imustunderstandalittlemoreaboutthisinvisibilityofyours。"Hehadsatdown，afteronenervousglanceoutofthewindow，withtheairofamanwhohastalkingtodo。

HisdoubtsofthesanityoftheentirebusinessflashedandvanishedagainashelookedacrosstowhereGriffinsatatthebreakfast—table，——aheadless，handlessdressing—gown，wipingunseenlipsonamiraculouslyheldserviette。

"It’ssimpleenough——andcredibleenough，"saidGriffin，puttingtheservietteasideandleaningtheinvisibleheadonaninvisiblehand。

"Nodoubt，toyou，but——"Kemplaughed。

"Well，yes;tomeitseemedwonderfulatfirst，nodoubt。Butnow，greatGod！——Butwewilldogreatthingsyet！IcameonthestufffirstatChesilstowe。"

"Chesilstowe？"

"IwentthereafterIleftLondon。YouknowIdroppedmedicineandtookupphysics？No？——well，Idid。Light——fascinatedme。"

"Ah！"

"Opticaldensity！Thewholesubjectisanetworkofriddles——anetworkwithsolutionsglimmeringelusivelythrough。Andbeingbuttwo—and—twentyandfullofenthusiasm，Isaid，’Iwilldevotemylifetothis。Thisisworthwhile。’Youknowwhatfoolsweareattwo—and—twenty？"

"Foolsthenorfoolsnow，"saidKemp。

"AsthoughKnowingcouldbeanysatisfactiontoaman！

"ButIwenttowork——likeanigger。AndIhadhardlyworkedandthoughtaboutthemattersixmonthsbeforelightcamethroughoneofthemeshessuddenly——blindingly！Ifoundageneralprincipleofpigmentsandrefraction，——aformula，ageometricalexpressioninvolvingfourdimensions。Fools，commonmen，evencommonmathematicians，donotknowanythingofwhatsomegeneralexpressionmaymeantothestudentofmolecularphysics。Inthebooks——thebooksthatTramphashidden——therearemarvels，miracles！Butthiswasnotamethod，itwasanideathatmightleadtoamethodbywhichitwouldbepossible，withoutchanginganyotherpropertyofmatter，——except，insomeinstances，colours，——tolowertherefractiveindexofasubstance，solidorliquid，tothatofair——sofarasallpracticalpurposesareconcerned。"

"Phew！"saidKemp。"That’sodd！ButstillIdon’tseequite——Icanunderstandthattherebyyoucouldspoilavaluablestone，butpersonalinvisibilityisafarcry。"

"Precisely，"saidGriffin。"Butconsider：Visibilitydependsontheactionofthevisiblebodiesonlight。Eitherabodyabsorbslight，oritreflectsorrefractsit，ordoesallthesethings。Ifitneitherreflectsnorrefractsnorabsorbslight，itcannotofitselfbevisible。Youseeanopaqueredbox，forinstance，becausethecolourabsorbssomeofthelightandreflectstherest，alltheredpartofthelight，toyou。Ifitdidnotabsorbanyparticularpartofthelight，butreflecteditall，thenitwouldbeashiningwhitebox。Silver！Adiamondboxwouldneitherabsorbmuchofthelightnorreflectmuchfromthegeneralsurface，butjusthereandtherewherethesurfaceswerefavourablethelightwouldbereflectedandrefracted，sothatyouwouldgetabrilliantappearanceofflashingreflectionsandtranslucencies，——asortofskeletonoflight。

Aglassboxwouldnotbesobrilliant，notsoclearlyvisible，asadiamondbox，becausetherewouldbelessrefractionandreflection。Seethat？Fromcertainpointsofviewyouwouldseequiteclearlythroughit。Somekindsofglasswouldbemorevisiblethanothers，aboxofflintglasswouldbebrighterthanaboxofordinarywindowglass。Aboxofverythincommonglasswouldbehardtoseeinabadlight，becauseitwouldabsorbhardlyanylightandrefractandreflectverylittle。Andifyouputasheetofcommonwhiteglassinwater，stillmoreifyouputitinsomedenserliquidthanwater，itwouldvanishalmostaltogether，becauselightpassingfromwatertoglassisonlyslightlyrefractedorreflectedorindeedaffectedinanyway。Itisalmostasinvisibleasajetofcoalgasorhydrogenisinair。Andforpreciselythesamereason！"

"Yes，"saidKemp，"thatisprettyplainsailing。"

"Andhereisanotherfactyouwillknowtobetrue。Ifasheetofglassissmashed，Kemp，andbeatenintoapowder，itbecomesmuchmorevisiblewhileitisintheair;itbecomesatlastanopaquewhitepowder。Thisisbecausethepowderingmultipliesthesurfacesoftheglassatwhichrefractionandreflectionoccur。Inthesheetofglassthereareonlytwosurfaces;inthepowderthelightisreflectedorrefractedbyeachgrainitpassesthrough，andverylittlegetsrightthroughthepowder。Butifthewhitepowderedglassisputintowater，itforthwithvanishes。Thepowderedglassandwaterhavemuchthesamerefractiveindex;thatis，thelightundergoesverylittlerefractionorreflectioninpassingfromonetotheother。

"Youmaketheglassinvisiblebyputtingitintoaliquidofnearlythesamerefractiveindex;atransparentthingbecomesinvisibleifitisputinanymediumofalmostthesamerefractiveindex。Andifyouwillconsideronlyasecond，youwillseealsothatthepowderofglassmightbemadetovanishinair，ifitsrefractiveindexcouldbemadethesameasthatofair;forthentherewouldbenorefractionorreflectionasthelightpassedfromglasstoair。"

"Yes，yes，"saidKemp。"Butaman’snotpowderedglass！"

"No，"saidGriffin。"He’smoretransparent！"

"Nonsense！"

"Thatfromadoctor！Howoneforgets！Haveyoualreadyforgottenyourphysics，intenyears？Justthinkofallthethingsthataretransparentandseemnottobeso。Paper，forinstance，ismadeupoftransparentfibres，anditiswhiteandopaqueonlyforthesamereasonthatapowderofglassiswhiteandopaque。Oilwhitepaper，filluptheintersticesbetweentheparticleswithoilsothatthereisnolongerrefractionorreflectionexceptatthesurfaces，anditbecomesastransparentasglass。Andnotonlypaper，butcottonfibre，linenfibre，woolfibre，woodyfibre，andbone，Kemp，flesh，hair，nailsandnerves，Kemp，infactthewholefabricofamanexcepttheredofhisbloodandtheblackpigmentofhair，areallmadeupoftransparent，colourlesstissue。Solittlesufficestomakeusvisibleonetotheother。Forthemostpartthefibresofalivingcreaturearenomoreopaquethanwater。"

"GreatHeavens！"criedKemp。"Ofcourse，ofcourse！Iwasthinkingonlylastnightofthesealarvaeandalljelly—fish！"

"Nowyouhaveme！AndallthatIknewandhadinmindayearafterI

leftLondon——sixyearsago。ButIkeptittomyself。Ihadtodomyworkunderfrightfuldisadvantages。Oliver，myprofessor，wasascientificbounder，ajournalistbyinstinct，athiefofideas，——hewasalwaysprying！Andyouknowtheknavishsystemofthescientificworld。Isimplywouldnotpublish，andlethimsharemycredit。Iwentonworking。Igotnearerandnearermakingmyformulaintoanexperiment，areality。Itoldnolivingsoul，becauseImeanttoflashmyworkupontheworldwithcrushingeffect，——tobecomefamousatablow。Itookupthequestionofpigmentstofillupcertaingaps。Andsuddenly，notbydesignbutbyaccident，Imadeadiscoveryinphysiology。"

"Yes？"

"Youknowtheredcolouringmatterofblood;itcanbemadewhite——colourless——andremainwithallthefunctionsithasnow！"

Kempgaveacryofincredulousamazement。

TheInvisibleManroseandbeganpacingthelittlestudy。"Youmaywellexclaim。Irememberthatnight。Itwaslateatnight，——inthedaytimeonewasbotheredwiththegaping，sillystudents，——andIworkedthensometimestilldawn。Itcamesuddenly，splendidandcompleteintomymind。Iwasalone;thelaboratorywasstill，withthetalllightsburningbrightlyandsilently。InallmygreatmomentsIhavebeenalone。’Onecouldmakeananimal——atissue——transparent！Onecouldmakeitinvisible！Allexceptthepigments。Icouldbeinvisible！’Isaid，suddenlyrealisingwhatitmeanttobeanalbinowithsuchknowledge。Itwasoverwhelming。IleftthefilteringIwasdoing，andwentandstaredoutofthegreatwindowatthestars。’Icouldbeinvisible！’Irepeated。

"Todosuchathingwouldbetotranscendmagic。AndIbeheld，uncloudedbydoubt，amagnificentvisionofallthatinvisibilitymightmeantoaman，——themystery，thepower，thefreedom。DrawbacksIsawnone。Youhaveonlytothink！AndI，ashabby，poverty—struck，hemmed—indemonstrator，teachingfoolsinaprovincialcollege，mightsuddenlybecome——this。I

askyou，Kemp，ifyou——Anyone，Itellyou，wouldhaveflunghimselfuponthatresearch。AndIworkedthreeyears，andeverymountainofdifficultyItoiledovershowedanotherfromitssummit。Theinfinitedetails！Andtheexasperation，——aprofessor，aprovincialprofessor，alwaysprying。

’Whenareyougoingtopublishthisworkofyours？’washiseverlastingquestion。Andthestudents，thecrampedmeans！ThreeyearsIhadofit——

"Andafterthreeyearsofsecrecyandexasperation，Ifoundthattocompleteitwasimpossible，——impossible。"

"How？"askedKemp。

"Money，"saidtheInvisibleMan，andwentagaintostareoutofthewindow。

Heturnedroundabruptly。"Irobbedtheoldman——robbedmyfather。

"Themoneywasnothis，andheshothimself。"

TheInvisibleMan—Chapter20Chapter20—AttheHouseinGreatPortlandStreetForamomentKempsatinsilence，staringatthebackoftheheadlessfigureatthewindow。Thenhestarted，struckbyathought，rose，tooktheInvisibleMan’sarm，andturnedhimawayfromtheoutlook。

"Youaretired，"hesaid，"andwhileIsit，youwalkabout。Havemychair。"

HeplacedhimselfbetweenGriffinandthenearestwindow。

ForaspaceGriffinsatsilent，andthenheresumedabruptly：

"IhadlefttheChesilstowecottagealready，"hesaid，"whenthathappened。

ItwaslastDecember。IhadtakenaroominLondon，alargeunfurnishedroominabigill—managedlodging—houseinaslumnearGreatPortlandStreet。

TheroomwassoonfulloftheappliancesIhadboughtwithhismoney;theworkwasgoingonsteadily，successfully，drawingnearanend。Iwaslikeamanemergingfromathicket，andsuddenlycomingonsomeunmeaningtragedy。

Iwenttoburyhim。Mymindwasstillonthisresearch，andIdidnotliftafingertosavehischaracter。Irememberthefuneral，thecheaphearse，thescantceremony，thewindyfrost—bittenhillside，andtheoldcollegefriendofhiswhoreadtheserviceoverhim，——ashabby，black，bentoldmanwithasnivellingcold。

"Irememberwalkingbacktotheemptyhome，throughtheplacethathadoncebeenavillageandwasnowpatchedandtinkeredbythejerrybuildersintotheuglylikenessofatown。Everywaytheroadsranoutatlastintothedesecratedfieldsandendedinrubbleheapsandrankwetweeds。Iremembermyselfasagauntblackfigure，goingalongtheslippery，shinypavement，andthestrangesenseofdetachmentIfeltfromthesqualidrespectability，thesordidcommercialismoftheplace。

"Ididnotfeelabitsorryformyfather。Heseemedtometobethevictimofhisownfoolishsentimentality。Thecurrentcantrequiredmyattendanceathisfuneral，butitwasreallynotmyaffair。

"ButgoingalongtheHighStreet，myoldlifecamebacktomeforaspace，forImetthegirlIhadknowntenyearssince。Oureyesmet。

"Somethingmovedmetoturnbackandtalktoher。Shewasaveryordinaryperson。

"Itwasalllikeadream，thatvisittotheoldplaces。IdidnotfeelthenthatIwaslonely，thatIhadcomeoutfromtheworldintoadesolateplace。Iappreciatedmylossofsympathy，butIputitdowntothegeneralinanityofthings。Re—enteringmyroomseemedliketherecoveryofreality。

TherewerethethingsIknewandloved。Therestoodtheapparatus，theexperimentsarrangedandwaiting。Andnowtherewasscarcelyadifficultyleft，beyondtheplanningofdetails。

"Iwilltellyou，Kemp，soonerorlater，allthecomplicatedprocesses。

Weneednotgointothatnow。Forthemostpart，savingcertaingapsI

chosetoremember，theyarewrittenincypherinthosebooksthattramphashidden。Wemusthunthimdown。Wemustgetthosebooksagain。Buttheessentialphasewastoplacethetransparentobjectwhoserefractiveindexwastobeloweredbetweentworadiatingcentresofasortofetherealvibration，ofwhichIwilltellyoumorefullylater。No，nottheseRntgenvibrations——I

don’tknowthattheseothersofminehavebeendescribed。Yettheyareobviousenough。Ineededtwolittledynamos，andtheseIworkedwithacheapgasengine。Myfirstexperimentwaswithabitofwhitewoolfabric。

Iwasthestrangestthingintheworldtoseeitintheflickeroftheflashessoftandwhite，andthentowatchitfadelikeawreathofsmokeandvanish。

"IcouldscarcelybelieveIhaddoneit。Iputmyhandintotheemptiness，andtherewasthethingassolidasever。Ifeltitawkwardly，andthrewitonthefloor。Ihadalittletroublefindingitagain。

"Andthencameacuriousexperience。Iheardamiaowbehindme，andturning，sawaleanwhitecat，verydirty，onthecisterncoveroutsidethewindow。Athoughtcameintomyhead。’Everythingreadyforyou，’I

said，andwenttothewindow，openedit，andcalledsoftly。Shecamein，purring，——thepoorbeastwasstarving，——andIgavehersomemilk。Allmyfoodwasinacupboardinthecorneroftheroom。Afterthatshewentsmellingroundtheroom，——evidentlywiththeideaofmakingherselfathome。Theinvisibleragupsetherabit;youshouldhaveseenherspitatit！ButImadehercomfortableonthepillowofmytruckle—bed。AndIgaveherbuttertogethertowash。"

"Andyouprocessedher？"

"Iprocessedher。Butgivingdrugstoacatisnojoke，Kemp！Andtheprocessfailed。"

"Failed！"

"Intwoparticulars。Theseweretheclawsandthepigmentstuff——whatisit？——atthebackoftheeyeinacat。Youknow？"

"Tapetum。"

"Yes，thetapetum。Itdidn’tgo。AfterI’dgiventhestufftobleachthebloodanddonecertainotherthingstoher，Igavethebeastopium，andputherandthepillowshewassleepingon，ontheapparatus。Andafteralltheresthadfadedandvanished，thereremainedtwolittleghostsofhereyes。"

"Odd！"

"Ican’texplainit。Shewasbandagedandclamped，ofcourse，——soI

hadhersafe;butshewokewhileshewasstillmisty，andmiaoweddismally，andsomeonecameknocking。Itwasanoldwomanfromdownstairs，whosuspectedmeofvivisecting，——adrink—soddenoldcreature，withonlyawhitecattocareforinalltheworld。Iwhippedoutsomechloroform，andappliedit，andansweredthedoor。’DidIhearacat？’sheasked。’Mycat？’’Nothere，’saidI，verypolitely。Shewasalittledoubtfulandtriedtopeerpastmeintotheroom;strangeenoughtohernodoubt，——barewalls，uncurtainedwindows，truckle—bed，withthegasenginevibrating，andtheseetheoftheradiantpoints，andthatfaintghastlystingingofchloroformintheair。Shehadtobesatisfiedatlastandwentawayagain。"

"Howlongdidittake？"askedKemp。

"Threeorfourhours——thecat。Thebonesandsinewsandthefatwerethelasttogo，andthetipsofthecolouredhairs。And，asIsay，thebackpartoftheeye，toughiridescentstuffitis，wouldn’tgoatall。

"Itwasnightoutsidelongbeforethebusinesswasover，andnothingwastobeseenbutthedimeyesandtheclaws。Istoppedthegasengine，feltforandstrokedthebeast，whichwasstillinsensible，andthen，beingtired，leftitsleepingontheinvisiblepillowandwenttobed。Ifoundithardtosleep。Ilayawakethinkingweakaimlessstuff，goingovertheexperimentoverandoveragain，ordreamingfeverishlyofthingsgrowingmistyandvanishingaboutme，untileverything，thegroundIstoodon，vanished，andsoIcametothatsicklyfallingnightmareonegets。Abouttwo，thecatbeganmiaowingabouttheroom。Itriedtohushitbytalkingtoit，andthenIdecidedtoturnitout。IremembertheshockIhadwhenstrikingalight——therewerejusttheroundeyesshininggreen——andnothingroundthem。Iwouldhavegivenitmilk，butIhadn’tany。Itwouldn’tbequiet，itjustsatdownandmiaowedatthedoor。Itriedtocatchit，withanideaofputtingitoutofthewindow，butitwouldn’tbecaught，itvanished。Thenitbeganmiaowingindifferentpartsoftheroom。AtlastIopenedthewindowandmadeabustle。Isupposeitwentoutatlast。I

neversawanymoreofit。

"Then——Heavenknowswhy——Ifellthinkingofmyfather’sfuneralagain，andthedismalwindyhillside，untilthedayhadcome。Ifoundsleepingwashopeless，and，lockingmydoorafterme，wanderedoutintothemorningstreets。"

"Youdon’tmeantosaythere’saninvisiblecatatlarge！"saidKemp。

"Ifithasn’tbeenkilled，"saidtheInvisibleMan。"Whynot？"

"Whynot？"saidKemp。"Ididn’tmeantointerrupt。"

"It’sveryprobablybeenkilled，"saidtheInvisibleMan。"Itwasalivefourdaysafter，Iknow，anddownagratinginGreatTitchfieldStreet;

becauseIsawacrowdroundtheplace，tryingtoseewhencethemiaowingcame。"

Hewassilentforthebestpartofaminute。Thenheresumedabruptly：

"Irememberthatmorningbeforethechangeveryvividly。ImusthavegoneupGreatPortlandStreet。IrememberthebarracksinAlbanyStreet，andthehorsesoldierscomingout，andatlastIfoundmyselfsittinginthesunshineandfeelingveryillandstrange，onthesummitofPrimroseHill。ItwasasunnydayinJanuary，——oneofthosesunny，frostydaysthatcamebeforethesnowthisyear。Mywearybraintriedtoformulatetheposition，toplotoutaplanofaction。

"Iwassurprisedtofind，nowthatmyprizewaswithinmygrasp，howinconclusiveitsattainmentseemed。AsamatteroffactIwasworkedout;

theintensestressofnearlyfouryears’continuousworkleftmeincapableofanystrengthoffeeling。Iwasapathetic，andItriedinvaintorecovertheenthusiasmofmyfirstinquiries，thepassionofdiscoverythathadenabledmetocompasseventhedownfallofmyfather’sgreyhairs。Nothingseemdtomatter。Isawprettyclearlythiswasatransientmood，duetooverworkandwantofsleep，andthateitherbydrugsorrestitwouldbepossibletorecovermyenergies。

"AllIcouldthinkclearlywasthatthethinghadtobecarriedthrough;

thefixedideastillruledme。Andsoon，forthemoneyIhadwasalmostexhausted。Ilookedaboutmeatthehillside，withchildrenplayingandgirlswatchingthem，andtriedtothinkofallthefantasticadvantagesaninvisiblemanwouldhaveintheworld。AfteratimeIcrawledhome，tooksomefoodandastrongdoseofstrychnine，andwenttosleepinmyclothesonmyunmadebed。Strychnineisagrandtonic，Kemp，totaketheflabbinessoutofaman。"

"It’sthedevil，"saidKemp。"It’sthepalaeolithicinabottle。"

"Iawokevastlyinvigoratedandratherirritable。Youknow？"

"Iknowthestuff。"

"Andtherewassomeonerappingatthedoor。Itwasmylandlordwiththreatsandinquiries，anoldPolishJewinalonggreycoatandgreasyslippers。Ihadbeentormentingacatinthenighthewassure，——theoldwoman’stonguehadbeenbusy。Heinsistedonknowingallaboutit。Thelawsofthiscountryagainstvivisectionwereverysevere，——hemightbeliable。Ideniedthecat。Thenthevibrationofthelittlegasenginecouldbefeltalloverthehouse，hesaid。Thatwastrue，certainly。Heedgedroundmeintotheroom，peeringaboutoverhisGerman—silverspectacles，andasuddendreadcameintomymindthathemightcarryawaysomethingofmysecret。ItriedtokeepbetweenhimandtheconcentratingapparatusIhadarranged，andthatonlymadehimmorecurious。WhatwasIdoing？

WhywasIalwaysaloneandsecretive？Wasitlegal？Wasitdangerous？I

paidnothingbuttheusualrent。Hishadalwaysbeenamostrespectablehouse——inadisreputableneighbourhood。Suddenlymytempergaveway。I

toldhimtogetout。Hebegantoprotest，tojabberofhisrightofentry。

InamomentIhadhimbythecollar;somethingripped，andhewentspinningoutintohisownpassage。Islammedandlockedthedoorandsatdownquivering。

"Hemadeafussoutside，whichIdisregarded，andafteratimehewentaway。

"Butthisbroughtmatterstoacrisis。Ididnotknowwhathewoulddo，norevenwhathehadpowertodo。Tomovetofreshapartmentswouldhavemeantdelay;altogetherIhadbarelytwentypoundsleftintheworld，——forthemostpartinthebank，——andIcouldnotaffordthat。Vanish！Itwasirresistible。Thentherewouldbeaninquiry，thesackingofmyroom——

"Atthethoughtofthepossibilityofmyworkbeingexposedorinterruptedatitsveryclimax，Ibecameangryandactive。Ihurriedoutwithmythreebooksofnotes，mycheque—book，——thetramphasthemnow，——anddirectedthemfromthenearestPostOfficetoahouseofcallforlettersandparcelsinGreatPortlandStreet。Itriedtogooutnoiselessly。Comingin，Ifoundmylandlordgoingquietlyupstairs;hehadheardthedoorclose，Isuppose。

YouwouldhavelaughedtoseehimjumpasideonthelandingasIcametearingafterhim。HeglaredatmeasIwentbyhim，andImadethehousequiverwiththeslammingofmydoor。Iheardhimcomeshufflinguptomyfloor，hesitate，andgodown。Isettoworkuponmypreparationsforthwith。

"Itwasalldonethateveningandnight。WhileIwasstillsittingunderthesickly，drowsyinfluenceofthedrugsthatdecolouriseblood，therecamearepeatedknockingatthedoor。Itceased，footstepswentawayandreturned，andtheknockingwasresumed。Therewasanattempttopushsomethingunderthedoor——abluepaper。TheninafitofirritationIroseandwentandflungthedoorwideopen。’Nowthen？’saidI。

"Itwasmylandlord，withanoticeofejectmentorsomething。Hehelditouttome，sawsomethingoddaboutmyhands，Iexpect，andliftedhiseyestomyface。

"Foramomenthegaped。Thenhegaveasortofinarticulatecry，droppedcandleandwrittogether，andwentblunderingdownthedarkpassagetothestairs。Ishutthedoor，lockedit，andwenttothelooking—glass。

ThenIunderstoodhisterror。Myfacewaswhite——likewhitestone。

"Butitwasallhorrible。Ihadnotexpectedthesuffering。Anightofrackinganguish，sicknessandfainting。Isetmyteeth，thoughmyskinwaspresentlyafire;allmybodyafire;butIlaytherelikegrimdeath。

IunderstoodnowhowitwasthecathadhowleduntilIchloroformedit。

LuckyitwasIlivedaloneanduntendedinmyroom。ThereweretimeswhenIsobbedandgroanedandtalked。ButIstucktoit。Ibecameinsensibleandwokelanguidinthedarkness。

"Thepainhadpassed。IthoughtIwaskillingmyselfandIdidnotcare。

Ishallneverforgetthatdawn，andthestrangehorrorofseeingthatmyhandshadbecomeascloudedglass，andwatchingthemgrowclearerandthinnerasthedaywentby，untilatlastIcouldseethesicklydisorderofmyroomthroughthem，thoughIclosedmytransparenteyelids。Mylimbsbecameglassy，thebonesandarteriesfaded，vanished，andthelittlewhitenerveswentlast。Igroundmyteethandstayedtheretotheend。Atlastonlythedeadtipsofthefinger—nailsremained，pallidandwhite，andthebrownstainofsomeaciduponmyfingers。

"Istruggledup。AtfirstIwasasincapableasaswathedinfant，——steppingwithlimbsIcouldnotsee。Iwasweakandveryhungry。Iwentandstaredatnothinginmyshaving—glass，atnothingsavewhereanattenuatedpigmentstillremainedbehindtheretinaofmyeyes，fainterthanmist。Ihadtohangontothetableandpressmyforeheadtotheglass。

"ItwasonlybyafranticeffortofwillthatIdraggedmyselfbacktotheapparatusandcompletedtheprocess。

"Isleptduringtheforenoon，pullingthesheetovermyeyestoshutoutthelight，andaboutmiddayIwasawakenedagainbyaknocking。Mystrengthhadreturned。Isatupandlistenedandheardawhispering。I

sprangtomyfeetandasnoiselesslyaspossiblebegantodetachtheconnectionsofmyapparatus，andtodistributeitabouttheroom，soastodestroythesuggestionsofitsarrangement。Presentlytheknockingwasrenewedandvoicescalled，firstmylandlord’s，andthentwoothers。TogaintimeIansweredthem。TheinvisibleragandpillowcametohandandIopenedthewindowandpitchedthemoutontothecisterncover。Asthewindowopened，aheavycrashcameatthedoor。Someonehadchargeditwiththeideaofsmashingthelock。ButthestoutboltsIhadscrewedupsomedaysbeforestoppedhim。Thatstartledme，mademeangry。Ibegantotrembleanddothingshurriedly。

"Itossedtogethersomeloosepaper，straw，packingpaperandsoforth，inthemiddleoftheroom，andturnedonthegas。Heavyblowsbegantorainuponthedoor。Icouldnotfindthematches。Ibeatmyhandsonthewallwithrage。Iturneddownthegasagain，steppedoutofthewindowonthecisterncover，verysoftlyloweredthesash，andsatdown，secureandinvisible，butquiveringwithanger，towatchevents。Theysplitapanel，Isaw，andinanothermomenttheyhadbrokenawaythestaplesoftheboltsandstoodintheopendoorway。Itwasthelandlordandhistwostep—sons，sturdyyoungmenofthreeorfourandtwenty。Behindthemflutteredtheoldhagofawomanfromdownstairs。

"Youmayimaginetheirastonishmentonfindingtheroomempty。Oneoftheyoungermenrushedtothewindowatonce，flungitupandstaredout。

Hisstaringeyesandthick—lippedbeardedfacecameafootfrommyface。

Iwashalfmindedtohithissillycountenance，butIarrestedmydoubledfist。Hestaredrightthroughme。Sodidtheothersastheyjoinedhim。

Theoldmanwentandpeeredunderthebed，andthentheyallmadearushforthecupboard。TheyhadtoargueaboutitatlengthinYiddishandCockneyEnglish。TheyconcludedIhadnotansweredthem，thattheirimaginationhaddeceivedthem。AfeelingofextraordinaryelationtooktheplaceofmyangerasIsatoutsidethewindowandwatchedthesefourpeople——fortheoldladycamein，glancingsuspiciouslyaboutherlikeacat，tryingtounderstandtheriddleofmybehaviour。

"Theoldman，sofarasIcouldunderstandhispatois，agreedwiththeoldladythatIwasavivisectionist。ThesonsprotestedingarbledEnglishthatIwasanelectrician，andappealedtothedynamosandradiators。Theywereallnervousagainstmyarrival，althoughIfoundsubsequentlythattheyhadboltedthefrontdoor。Theoldladypeeredintothecupboardandunderthebed，andoneoftheyoungmenpusheduptheregisterandstaredupthechimney。Oneofmyfellowlodgers，acostermongerwhosharedtheoppositeroomwithabutcher，appearedonthelanding，andhewascalledinandtoldincoherentthings。

"Itoccurredtomethattheradiators，iftheyfellintothehandsofsomeacutewell—educatedperson，wouldgivemeawaytoomuch，andwatchingmyopportunity，Icameintotheroomandtiltedoneofthelittledynamosoffitsfellowonwhichitwasstanding，andsmashedbothapparatus。Then，whiletheyweretryingtoexplainthesmash，Idodgedoutoftheroomandwentsoftlydownstairs。

"Iwentintooneofthesitting—roomsandwaiteduntiltheycamedown，stillspeculatingandargumentative，allalittledisappointedatfindingno’horrors，’andallalittlepuzzledhowtheystoodwithregardtome。

ThenIslippedupagainwithaboxofmatches，firedmyheapofpaperandrubbish，putthechairsandbeddingthereby，ledthegastotheaffair，bymeansofanindia—rubbertube，andwavingafarewelltotheroomleftitforthelasttime。"

"Youfiredthehouse！"exclaimedKemp。

"Firedthehouse。Itwastheonlywaytocovermytrail——andnodoubtitwasinsured。Islippedtheboltsofthefrontdoorquietlyandwentoutintothestreet。Iwasinvisible，andIwasonlyjustbeginningtorealisetheextraordinaryadvantagemyinvisibilitygaveme。MyheadwasalreadyteemingwithplansofallthewildandwonderfulthingsIhadnowimpunitytodo。"

TheInvisibleMan—Chapter21Chapter21—InOxfordStreet"IngoingdownstairsthefirsttimeIfoundanunexpecteddifficultybecauseIcouldnotseemyfeet;indeedIstumbledtwice，andtherewasanunaccustomedclumsinessingrippingthebolt。Bynotlookingdown，however，Imanagedtowalkonthelevelpassablywell。

"Mymood，Isay，wasoneofexaltation。Ifeltasaseeingmanmightdo，withpaddedfeetandnoiselessclothes，inacityoftheblind。Iexperiencedawildimpulsetojest，tostartlepeople，toclapmenontheback，flingpeople’shatsastray，andgenerallyrevelinmyextraordinaryadvantage。

"ButhardlyhadIemergeduponGreatPortlandStreet，however（mylodgingswasclosetothebigdraper’sshopthere），whenIheardaclashingconcussionandwashitviolentlybehind，andturningsawamancarryingabasketofsoda—watersiphons，andlookinginamazementathisburden。Althoughtheblowhadreallyhurtme，IfoundsomethingsoirresistibleinhisastonishmentthatIlaughedaloud。’Thedevil’sinthebasket，’Isaid，andsuddenlytwisteditoutofhishand。Heletgoincontinently，andIswungthewholeweightintotheair。

"Butafoolofacabman，standingoutsideapublichouse，madeasuddenrushforthis，andhisextendingfingerstookmewithexcruciatingviolenceundertheear。Iletthewholedownwithasmashonthecabman，andthen，withshoutsandtheclatteroffeetaboutme，peoplecomingoutofshops，vehiclespullingup，IrealisedwhatIhaddoneformyself，andcursingmyfolly，backedagainstashopwindowandpreparedtododgeoutoftheconfusion。InamomentIshouldbewedgedintoacrowdandinevitablydiscovered。

Ipushedbythebutcherboy，wholuckilydidnotturntoseethenothingnessthatshovedhimaside，anddodgedbehindthecabman’sfour—wheeler。Idonotknowhowtheysettledthebusiness。Ihurriedstraightacrosstheroad，whichwashappilyclear，andhardlyheedingwhichwayIwent，inthefrightofdetectiontheincidenthadgiven，plungedintotheafternoonthrongofOxfordStreet。

"Itriedtogetintothestreamofpeople，buttheyweretoothickforme，andinamomentmyheelswerebeingtroddenupon。Itooktothegutter，theroughnessofwhichIfoundpainfultomyfeet，andforthwiththeshaftofacrawlinghansomdugmeforciblyundertheshoulderblade，remindingmethatIwasalreadybruisedseverely。Istaggeredoutofthewayofthecab，avoidedaperambulatorbyaconvulsivemovement，andfoundmyselfbehindthehansom。Ahappythoughtsavedme，andasthisdroveslowlyalongIfollowedinitsimmediatewake，tremblingandastonishedattheturnofmyadventure。Andnotonlytrembling，butshivering。ItwasabrightdayinJanuaryandIwasstarknakedandthethinslimeofmudthatcoveredtheroadwasfreezing。Foolishasitseemstomenow，Ihadnotreckonedthat，transparentornot，Iwasstillamenabletotheweatherandallitsconsequences。

"Thensuddenlyabrightideacameintomyhead。Iranroundandgotintothecab。Andso，shivering，scared，andsniffingwiththefirstintimationsofacold，andwiththebruisesinthesmallofmybackgrowinguponmyattention。IdroveslowlyalongOxfordStreetandpastTottenhamCourtRoad。MymoodwasasdifferentfromthatinwhichIhadsalliedforthtenminutesagoasitispossibletoimagine。Thisinvisibilityindeed！Theonethoughtthatpossessedmewas——howwasItogetoutofthescrapeI

wasin。

"WecrawledpastMudie’s，andthereatallwomanwithfiveorsixyellow—labelledbookshailedmycab，andIsprangoutjustintimetoescapeher，shavingarailwayvannarrowlyinmyflight。ImadeoffuptheroadwaytoBloomsburySquare，intendingtostrikenorthpasttheMuseumandsogetintothequietdistrict。Iwasnotcruellychilled，andthestrangenessofmysituationsounnervedmethatIwhimperedasIran。AtthenorthwardcorneroftheSquarealittlewhitedogranoutofthePharmaceuticalSociety’soffices，andincontinentlymadeforme，nosedown。

"Ihadneverrealiseditbefore，butthenoseistothemindofadogwhattheeyeistothemindofaseeingman。Dogsperceivethescentofamanmovingasmenperceivehisvision。Thisbrutebeganbarkingandleaping，showing，asitseemedtome，onlytooplainlythathewasawareofme。

IcrossedGreatRussellStreet，glancingovermyshoulderasIdidso，andwentsomewayalongMontagueStreetbeforeIrealisedwhatIwasrunningtowards。

"ThenIbecameawareofablareofmusic，andlookingalongthestreetsawanumberofpeopleadvancingoutofRussellSquare，redshirts，andthebanneroftheSalvationArmytothefore。Suchacrowd，chantingintheroadwayandscoffingonthepavement，Icouldnothopetopenetrate，anddreadingtogobackandfartherfromhomeagain，anddecidingonthespurofthemoment，IranupthewhitestepsofahousefacingtheMuseumrailings，andstoodthereuntilthecrowdshouldhavepassed。Happilythedogstoppedatthenoiseofthebandtoo，hesitated，andturnedtail，runningbacktoBloomsburySquareagain。

"Oncametheband，bawlingwithunconsciousironysomehymnabout’WhenshallweseehisFace？’anditseemedaninterminabletimetomebeforethetideofthecrowdwashedalongthepavementbyme。Thud，thud，thud，camethedrumwithavibratingresonance，andforthemomentIdidnotnoticetwourchinsstoppingattherailingsbyme。’See’em，’saidone。

’Seewhat？’saidtheother。’Why——themfootmarks——bare。Likewhatyoumakesinmud。’

"IlookeddownandsawtheyoungstershadstoppedandweregapingatthemuddyfootmarksIhadleftbehindmeupthenewlywhitenedsteps。Thepassingpeopleelbowedandjostledthem，buttheirconfoundedintelligencewasarrested。’Thud，thud，thud，When，thud，shallwesee，thud，hisface，thud，thud。’’There’sabarefootmangoneupthemsteps，orIdon’tknownothing，’saidone。’Andheain’tnevercomedownagain。Andhisfootwasa—bleeding。’

"Thethickofthecrowdhadalreadypassed。’Lookythere，Ted，’quoththeyoungerofthedetectives，withthesharpnessofsurpriseinhisvoice，andpointedstraighttomyfeet。Ilookeddownandsawatoncethedimsuggestionoftheiroutlinesketchedinsplashesofmud。ForamomentI

wasparalysed。

"’Why，that’srum，’saidtheelder。’Dashedrum！It’sjustliketheghostofafoot，ain’tit？’Hehesitatedandadvancedwithoutstretchedhand。Amanpulledupshorttoseewhathewascatching，andthenagirl。

Inanothermomenthewouldhavetouchedme。ThenIsawwhattodo。Imadeastep，theboystartedbackwithanexclamation，andwitharapidmovementIswungmyselfoverintotheporticoofthenexthouse。Butthesmallerboywassharp—eyedenoughtofollowthemovementandbeforeIwaswelldownthestepsanduponthepavement，hehadrecoveredfromhismomentaryastonishmentandwasshoutingoutthatthefeethadgoneoverthewall。

"Theyrushedroundandsawmynewfootmarksflashintobeingonthelowerstepanduponthepavement。’What’sup？’askedsomeone。’Feet！Look！

Feetrunning！’Everybodyintheroad，exceptmythreepursuers，waspouringalongaftertheSalvationArmy，andthisnotonlyimpededmebutthem。

Therewasaneddyofsurpriseandinterrogation。AtthecostofbowlingoveroneyoungfellowIgotthrough，andinanothermomentIwasrushingheadlongroundthecircuitofRussellSquare，withsixorsevenastonishedpeoplefollowingmyfootmarks。Therewasnotimeforexplanation，orelsethewholehostwouldhavebeenafterme。

"TwiceIdoubledroundcorners，thriceIcrossedtheroadandcamebackonmytracks，andthen，asmyfeetgrewhotanddry，thedampimpressionsbegantofade。AtlastIhadabreathingspaceandrubbedmyfeetcleanwithmyhands，andsogotawayaltogether。ThelastIsawofthechasewasalittlegroupofadozenpeopleperhaps，studyingwithinfiniteperplexityaslowlydryingfootprintthathadresultedfromapuddleinTravistockSquare——afootprintasisolatedandincomprehensibletothemasCrusoe’ssolitarydiscovery。

"Thisrunningwarmedmetoacertainextent，andIwentonwithabettercouragethroughthemazeoflessfrequentedroadsthatrunshereabouts。

Mybackhadnowbecomeverystiffandsore，mytonsilswerepainfulfromthecabman’sfingers，andtheskinofmyneckhadbeenscratchedbyhisnails;myfeethurtexceedinglyandIwaslamefromalittlecutononefoot。Isawintimeablindmanapproachingme，andfledlimping，forI

fearedhissubtleintuitions。OnceortwiceaccidentalcollisionsoccurredandIleftpeopleamazed，withunaccountablecursesringingintheirears。

Thencamesomethingsilentandquietagainstmyface，andacrosstheSquarefellathinveilofslowlyfallingflakesofsnow。Ihadcaughtacold，anddoasIwouldIcouldnotavoidanoccasionalsneeze。Andeverydogthatcameinsight，withitspointingnoseandcurioussniffing，wasaterrortome。

"Thencamemenandboysrunning，firstoneandthenothers，andshoutingastheyran。Itwasafire。Theyraninthedirectionofmylodging，andlookingbackdownastreetIsawamassofblacksmokestreamingupabovetheroofsandtelephonewires。Itwasmylodgingburning;myclothes，myapparatus，allmyresourcesindeed，exceptmycheque—bookandthethreevolumesofmemorandathatawaitedmeinGreatPortlandStreet，werethere。

Burning！Ihadburntmyboats——ifeveramandid！Theplacewasblazing。"

TheInvisibleManpausedandthought。Kempglancednervouslyoutofthewindow。"Yes？"hesaid。"Goon。"

TheInvisibleMan—Chapter22Chapter22—IntheEmporium"SolastJanuary，withthebeginningofasnowstormintheairaboutme——andifitsettledonmeitwouldbetrayme！——weary，cold，painful，inexpressiblywretched，andstillbuthalfconvincedofmyinvisiblequality，IbeganthisnewlifetowhichIamcommitted。Ihadnorefuge，noappliances，nohumanbeingintheworldinwhomIcouldconfide。Tohavetoldmysecretwouldhavegivenmeaway——madeamereshowandrarityofme。Nevertheless，Iwashalfmindedtoaccostsomepasser—byandthrowmyselfuponhismercy。

ButIknewtooclearlytheterrorandbrutalcrueltymyadvanceswouldevoke。Imadenoplansinthestreet。Mysoleobjectwastogetshelterfromthesnow，togetmyselfcoveredandwarm;thenImighthopetoplan。

Buteventome，anInvisibleMan，therowsofLondonhousesstoodlatched，barred，andboltedimpregnably。

"OnlyonethingcouldIseeclearlybeforeme，thecoldexposureandmiseryofthesnowstormandthenight。

"AndthenIhadabrilliantidea。IturneddownoneoftheroadsleadingfromGowerStreettoTottenhamCourtRoad，andfoundmyselfoutsideOmniums，thebigestablishmentwhereeverythingistobebought——youknowtheplace——meat，grocery，linen，furniture，clothing，oilpaintingseven——ahugemeanderingcollectionofshopsratherthanashop。IhadthoughtIshouldfindthedoorsopen，buttheywereclosed，andasIstoodinthewideentranceacarriagestoppedoutside，andamaninuniform——youknowthekindofpersonagewith’Omnium’onhiscap——flungopenthedoor。Icontrivedtoenter，andwalkingdowntheshop——itwasadepartmentwheretheyweresellingribbonsandglovesandstockingsandthatkindofthing——cametoamorespaciousregiondevotedtopicnicbasketsandwickerfurniture。

"Ididnotfeelsafethere，however;peopleweregoingtoandfro，andIprowledrestlesslyaboutuntilIcameuponahugesectioninanupperfloorcontainingscoresandhundredsofbedsteads，andbeyondtheseIfoundaresting—placeatlastamongahugepileoffoldedflockmattresses。Theplacewasalreadylitupandaggreeablywarm，andIdecidedtoremainwhereIwas，keepingacautiouseyeonthetwoorthreesetsofshopmenandcustomerswhoweremeanderingthroughtheplaceuntilclosingtimecame。ThenIshouldbeable，Ithought，torobtheplaceforfoodandclothing，anddisguised，prowlthroughitandexamineitsresources，perhapssleeponsomeofthebedding。Thatseemedanacceptableplan。Myideawastoprocureclothingtomakemyselfamuffledbutacceptablefigure，togetmoney，andthentorecovermybooksandparcelswheretheyawaitedme，takealodgingsomewhereandelaborateplansforthecompleterealisationoftheadvantagesmyinvisibilitygaveme（asIstillimagined）overmyfellow—men。

"Closingtimearrivedquicklyenough;itcouldnothavebeenmorethananhourafterItookupmypositiononthemattressesbeforeInoticedtheblindsofthewindowsbeingdrawn，andcustomersbeingmarcheddoorward。

Andthenanumberofbriskyoungmenbeganwithremarkablealacritytotidyupthegoodsthatremaineddisturbed。Ileftmylairasthecrowdsdiminished，andprowledcautiouslyoutintothelessdesolatepartsoftheshop。Iwasreallysurprisedtoobservehowrapidlytheyoungmenandwomenwhippedawaythegoodsdisplayedforsaleduringtheday。Alltheboxesofgoods，thehangingfabrics，thefestoonsoflace，theboxesofsweetsinthegrocerysection，thedisplaysofthisandthat，werebeingwhippeddown，foldedup，slappedintotidyreceptacles，andeverythingthatcouldnotbetakendownandputawayhadsheetsofsomecoarsestufflikesackingflungoverit。Finallyallthechairswereturnedupontothecounters，leavingthefloorclear。Directlyeachoftheseyoungpeoplehaddone，heorshemadepromptlyforthedoorwithsuchanexpressionofanimationasIhaverarelyobservedinashopassistantbefore。Thencamealotofyoungstersscatteringsawdustandcarryingpailsandbrooms。

Ihadtododgetogetoutoftheway，andasitwas，myanklegotstungwiththesawdust。Forsometime，wanderingthroughtheswathedanddarkeneddepartments，Icouldhearthebroomsatwork。Andatlastagoodhourormoreaftertheshophadbeenclosed，cameanoiseoflockingdoors。Silencecameupontheplace，andIfoundmyselfwanderingthroughthevastandintricateshops，galleriesandshowroomsoftheplace，alone。Itwasverystill;inoneplaceIrememberpassingnearoneoftheTottenhamCourtRoadentrancesandlisteningtothetappingofbootheelsofthepassers—by。

"MyfirstvisitwastotheplacewhereIhadseenstockingsandglovesforsale。Itwasdark，andIhadthedevilofahuntaftermatches，whichIfoundatlastinthedrawerofthelittlecashdesk。ThenIhadtogetacandle。Ihadtoteardownwrappingsandransackanumberofboxesanddrawers，butatlastImanagedtoturnoutwhatIsought;theboxlabelcalledthemlambswoolpants，andlambswoolvests。Thensocks，athickcomforter，andthenIwenttotheclothingplaceandgottrousers，aloungejacket，anovercoatandaslouchhat——aclericalsortofhatwiththebrimturneddown。Ibegantofeelahumanbeingagain，andmynextthoughtwasfood。

"Upstairswasarefreshmentdepartment，andthereIgotcoldmeat。Therewascoffeestillintheurn，andIlitthegasandwarmeditupagain，andaltogetherIdidnotdobadly。Afterwards，prowlingthroughtheplaceinsearchofblankets——Ihadtoputupatlastwithaheapofdownquilts——I

cameuponagrocerysectionwithalotofchocolateandcandiedfruits，morethanwasgoodformeindeed——andsomewhiteburgundy。Andnearthatwasatoydepartment，andIhadabrilliantidea。Ifoundsomeartificialnoses——dummynoses，youknow，andIthoughtofdarkspectacles。ButOmniumshadnoopticaldepartment。Mynosehadbeenadifficultyindeed——Ihadthoughtofpaint。Butthediscoverysetmymindrunningonwigsandmasksandthelike。FinallyIwenttosleeponaheapofdownquilts，verywarmandcomfortable。

"MylastthoughtsbeforesleepingwerethemostagreeableIhadhadsincethechange。Iwasinastateofphysicalserenity，andthatwasreflectedinmymind。IthoughtthatIshouldbeabletoslipoutunobservedinthemorningwithmyclothesuponme，mufflingmyfacewithawhitewrapperIhadtaken，purchase，withthemoneyIhadtaken，spectaclesandsoforth，andsocompletemydisguise。Ilapsedintodisorderlydreamsofallthefantasticthingsthathadhappenedduringthelastfewdays。IsawtheuglylittleJewofalandlordvociferatinginhisrooms;Isawhistwosonsmarvelling，andthewrinkledoldwoman’sgnarledfaceassheaskedforhercat。Iexperiencedagainthestrangesensationofseeingtheclothdisappear，andsoIcameroundtothewindyhillsideandthesniffingoldclergymanmumbling’Dusttodust，earthtoearth，’andmyfather’sopengrave。

"’Youalso，’saidavoice，andsuddenlyIwasbeingforcedtowardsthegrave。Istruggled，shouted，appealedtothemourners，buttheycontinuedstonilyfollowingtheservice;theoldclergyman，too，neverfaltereddroningandsniffingthroughtheritual。IrealisedIwasinvisibleandinaudible，thatoverwhelmingforceshadtheirgriponme。Istruggledinvain，Iwasforcedoverthebrink，thecoffinranghollowasIfelluponit，andthegravelcameflyingaftermeinspadefuls。Nobodyheededme，nobodywasawareofme。Imadeconvulsivestrugglesandawoke。

"ThepaleLondondawnhadcome，theplacewasfullofachillygreylightthatfilteredroundtheedgesofthewindowblinds。Isatup，andforatimeIcouldnotthinkwherethisampleapartment，withitscounters，itspilesofrolledstuff，itsheapsofquiltsandcushions，itsironpillars，mightbe。Then，asrecollectioncamebacktome，Iheardvoicesinconversation。

"Thenfardowntheplace，inthebrighterlightofsomedepartmentwhichhadalreadyraiseditsblinds，Isawtwomenapproaching。Iscrambledtomyfeet，lookingaboutmeforsomewayofescape，andevenasIdidsothesoundofmymovementmadethemawareofme。Isupposetheysawmerelyafiguremovingquietlyandquicklyaway。’Who’sthat？’criedone，and’Stopthere，’shoutedtheother。Idashedroundacornerandcamefulltilt——afacelessfigure，mindyou！——onalankyladoffifteen。HeyelledandIbowledhimover，rushedpasthim，turnedanothercorner，andbyahappyinspirationthrewmyselfflatbehindacounter。InanothermomentfeetwentrunningpastandIheardvoicesshouting，’Allhandstothedoors！’

askingwhatwas’up，’andgivingoneanotheradvicehowtocatchme。

"Lyingontheground，Ifeltscaredoutofmywits。But——oddasitmayseem——itdidnotoccurtomeatthemomenttotakeoffmyclothesasI

shouldhavedone。Ihadmadeupmymind，Isuppose，togetawayinthem，andthatruledme。Andthendownthevistaofthecounterscameabawlingof’Hereheis！’

"Isprangtomyfeet，whippedachairoffthecounter，andsentitwhirlingatthefoolwhohadshouted，turned，cameintoanotherroundacorner，senthimspinning，andrushedupthestairs。Hekepthisfooting，gaveaviewhallo！andcameupthestaircasehotafterme。Upthestaircasewerepiledamultitudeofthosebright—colouredpotthings——whatarethey？"

"Artpots，"suggestedKemp。

"That’sit！Artpots。Well，Iturnedatthetopstepandswunground，pluckedoneoutofapileandsmasheditonhissillyheadashecameatme。Thewholepileofpotswentheadlong，andIheardshoutingandfootstepsrunningfromallparts。Imadeamadrushfortherefreshmentplace，andtherewasamaninwhitelikeamancook，whotookupthechase。Imadeonelastdesperateturnandfoundmyselfamonglampsandironmongery。I

wentbehindthecounterofthis，andwaitedformycook，andasheboltedinattheheadofthechase，Idoubledhimupwithalamp。Downhewent，andIcrouchedbehindthecounterandbeganwhippingoffmyclothesasfastasIcould。Coat，jacket，trousers，shoeswereallright，butalambswoolvestfitsamanlikeaskin。Iheardmoremencoming，mycookwaslyingquietontheothersideofthecounter，stunnedorscaredspeechless，andIhadtomakeanotherdashforit，likearabbithuntedoutofawood—pile。

"’Thisway，policeman！’Iheardsomeoneshouting。Ifoundmyselfinmybedsteadstore—roomagain，andattheendawildernessofwardrobes。

Irushedamongthem，wentflat，gotridofmyvestafterinfinitewriggling，andstoodafreemanagain，pantingandscared，asthepolicemanandthreeoftheshopmencameroundthecorner。Theymadearushforthevestandpants，andcollaredthetrousers。’He’sdroppinghisplunder，’saidoneoftheyoungmen。’Hemustbesomewherehere。’

"Buttheydidnotfindmeallthesame。

"Istoodwatchingthemhuntformeforatime，andcursingmyill—luckinlosingtheclothes。ThenIwentintotherefreshment—room，drankalittlemilkIfoundthere，andsatdownbythefiretoconsidermyposition。

"Inalittlewhiletwoassistantscameandbegantotalkoverthebusinessveryexcitedlyandlikethefoolstheywere。Iheardamagnifiedaccountofmydepredations，andotherspeculationsastomywhereabouts。ThenI

felltoschemingagain。Theinsurmountabledifficultyoftheplace，especiallynowitwasalarmed，wastogetanyplunderoutofit。Iwentdownintothewarehousetoseeiftherewasanychanceofpackingandaddressingaparcel，butIcouldnotunderstandthesystemofchecking。Abouteleveno’clock，thesnowhavingthawedasitfell，andthedaybeingfinerandalittlewarmerthanthepreviousone，IdecidedthattheEmporiumwashopeless，andwentoutagain，exasperatedatmywantofsuccess，withonlythevaguestplansofactioninmymind。"

TheInvisibleMan—Chapter23Chapter23—InDruryLane"Butyoubegintorealisenow，"saidtheInvisibleMan，"thefulldisadvantageofmycondition。Ihadnoshelter，nocovering。Togetclothingwastoforegoallmyadvantage，tomakeofmyselfastrangeandterriblething。

Iwasfasting;fortoeat，tofillmyselfwithunassimilatedmatter，wouldbetobecomegrotesquelyvisibleagain。"

"Ineverthoughtofthat，"saidKemp。

"NorhadI。Andthesnowhadwarnedmeofotherdangers。Icouldnotgoabroadinsnow——itwouldsettleonmeandexposeme。Rain，too，wouldmakemeawateryoutline，aglisteningsurfaceofaman——abubble。Andfog——Ishouldbelikeafainterbubbleinafog，asurface，agreasyglimmerofhumanity。Moreover，asIwentabroad——intheLondonair——Igathereddirtaboutmyankles，floatingsmutsanddustuponmyskin。IdidnotknowhowlongitwouldbebeforeIshouldbecomevisiblefromthatcausealso。

ButIsawclearlyitcouldnotbeforlong。

"NotinLondonatanyrate。

"IwentintotheslumstowardsGreatPortlandStreet，andfoundmyselfattheendofthestreetinwhichIhadlodged。Ididnotgothatway，becauseofthecrowdhalfwaydownitoppositetothestillsmokingruinsofthehouseIhadfired。Mymostimmediateproblemwastogetclothing。

Whattodowithmyfacepuzzledme。ThenIsawinoneofthoselittlemiscellaneousshops——news，sweets，toys，stationery，belatedChristmastomfoolery，andsoforth——anarrayofmasksandnoses。Irealisedthatproblemwassolved。

InaflashIsawmycourse。Iturnedabout，nolongeraimless，andwent——

circuitouslyinordertoavoidthebusyways，towardsthebackstreetsnorthoftheStrand;forIremembered，thoughnotverydistinctlywhere，thatsometheatricalcostumiershadshopsinthatdistrict。

"Thedaywascold，withanippingwinddownthenorthwardrunningstreets。

Iwalkedfasttoavoidbeingovertaken。Everycrossingwasadanger，everypassengerathingtowatchalertly。OnemanasIwasabouttopasshimatthetopofBedfordStreet，turneduponmeabruptlyandcameintome，sendingmeintotheroadandalmostunderthewheelofapassinghansom。

Theverdictofthecab—rankwasthathehadhadsomesortofstroke。I

wassounnervedbythisencounterthatIwentintoCoventGardenMarketandsatdownforsometimeinaquietcornerbyastallofviolets，pantingandtrembling。IfoundIhadcaughtafreshcold，andhadtoturnoutafteratimelestmysneezesshouldattractattention。

"AtlastIreachedtheobjectofmyquest，adirtyfly—blownlittleshopinabywaynearDruryLane，withawindowfulloftinselrobes，shamjewels，wigs，slippers，dominoesandtheatricalphotographs。Theshopwasold—fashionedandlowanddark，andthehouseroseaboveitforfourstoreys，darkanddismal。Ipeeredthroughthewindowand，seeingnoonewithin，entered。Theopeningofthedoorsetaclankingbellringing。Ileftitopen，andwalkedroundabarecostumestand，intoacornerbehindachevalglass。Foraminuteorsonoonecame。ThenIheardheavyfeetstridingacrossaroom，andamanappeareddowntheshop。

"Myplanswerenowperfectlydefinite。Iproposedtomakemywayintothehouse，secretemyselfupstairs，watchmyopportunity，andwheneverythingwasquiet，rummageoutawig，mask，spectacles，andcostume，andgointotheworld，perhapsagrotesquebutstillacrediblefigure。AndincidentallyofcourseIcouldrobthehouseofanyavailablemoney。

"Themanwhohadenteredtheshopwasashort，slight，hunched，beetle—browedman，withlongarmsandveryshortbandylegs。ApparentlyIhadinterruptedameal。Hestaredabouttheshopwithanexpressionofexpectation。Thisgavewaytosurprise，andthenanger，ashesawtheshopempty。’Damntheboys！’hesaid。Hewenttostareupanddownthestreet。Hecameinagaininaminute，kickedthedoortowithhisfootspitefully，andwentmutteringbacktothehousedoor。

"Icameforwardtofollowhim，andatthenoiseofmymovementhestoppeddead。Ididsotoo，startledbyhisquicknessofear。Heslammedthehousedoorinmyface。

"Istoodhesitating。SuddenlyIheardhisquickfootstepsreturning，andthedoorreopened。Hestoodlookingabouttheshoplikeonewhowasstillnotsatisfied。Then，murmuringtohimself，heexaminedthebackofthecounterandpeeredbehindsomefixtures。Thenhestooddoubtful。HehadleftthehousedooropenandIslippedintotheinnerroom。

"Itwasaqueerlittleroom，poorlyfurnishedandwithanumberofbigmasksinthecorner。Onthetablewashisbelatedbreakfast，anditwasaconfoundedlyexasperatingthingforme，Kemp，tohavetosniffhiscoffeeandstandwatchingwhilehecameinandresumedhismeal。Andhistablemannerswereirritating。Threedoorsopenedintothelittleroom，onegoingupstairsandonedown，buttheywereallshut。Icouldnotgetoutoftheroomwhilehewasthere，Icouldscarcelymovebecauseofhisalertness，andtherewasdraughtdownmyback。TwiceIstrangledasneezejustintime。

"Thespectacularqualityofmysensationswascuriousandnovel，butforallthatIwasheartilytiredandangrylongbeforehehaddonehiseating。Butatlasthemadeanendandputtinghisbeggarlycrockeryontheblacktintrayuponwhichhehadhadhisteapot，andgatheringallthecrumbsuponthemustard—stainedcloth，hetookthewholelotofthingsafterhim。Hisburdenpreventedhisshuttingthedoorbehindhim——ashewouldhavedone;Ineversawsuchamanforshuttingdoors——andIfollowedhimintoaverydirtyundergroundkitchenandscullery。Ihadthepleasureofseeinghimbegintowashup，andthen，findingnogoodinkeepingdownthere，andthebrickfloorbeingcoldtomyfeet，Ireturnedupstairsandsatinhischairbythefire。Itwasburninglow，andscarcelythinking，Iputonalittlecoal。Thenoiseofthisbroughthimupatonce，andhestoodaglare。Hepeeredabouttheroomandwaswithinanaceoftouchingme。Evenafterthatexamination，hescarcelyseemedsatisfied。Hestoppedinthedoorwayandtookafinalinspectionbeforehewentdown。

"Iwaitedinthelittleparlourforanage，andatlasthecameupandopenedtheupstairsdoor。Ijustmanagedtogetbyhim。

"Onthestaircasehestoppedsuddenly，sothatIverynearlyblunderedintohim。Hestoodlookingbackrightintomyfaceandlistening。’Icouldhavesworn，’hesaid。Hislonghairyhandpulledathislowerlip。Hiseyewentupanddownthestaircase。Thenhegruntedandwentonupagain。

"Hishandwasonthehandleofadoor，andthenhestoppedagainwiththesamepuzzledangeronhisface。Hewasbecomingawareofthefaintsoundsofmymovementsabouthim。Themanmusthavehaddiabolicallyacutehearing。Hesuddenlyflashedintorage。’Ifthere’sanyoneinthishouse，’

hecriedwithanoath，andleftthethreatunfinished。Heputhishandinhispocket，failedtofindwhathewanted，andrushingpastmewentblunderingnoisilyandpugnaciouslydownstairs。ButIdidnotfollowhim。

Isatontheheadofthestaircaseuntilhisreturn。