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。