Chapter1—TheStrangeMan’sArrivalThestrangercameearlyinFebruaryonewintryday，throughabitingwindandadrivingsnow，thelastsnowfalloftheyear，overthedown，walkingasitseemedfromBramblehurstrailwaystationandcarryingalittleblackportmanteauinhisthicklyglovedhand。Hewaswrappedupfromheadtofoot，andthebrimofhissoftfelthathideveryinchofhisfacebuttheshinytipofhisnose;thesnowhadpileditselfagainsthisshouldersandchest，andaddedawhitecresttotheburdenhecarried。HestaggeredintotheCoachandHorses，moredeadthanaliveasitseemed，andflunghisportmanteaudown。"Afire，"hecried，"inthenameofhumancharity！
　　Aroomandafire！"Hestampedandshookthesnowfromoffhimselfinthebar，andfollowedMrs。Hallintoherguestparlourtostrikehisbargain。
　　Andwiththatmuchintroduction，thatandareadyacquiescencetotermsandacoupleofsovereignsflunguponthetable，hetookuphisquartersintheinn。
　　Mrs。Halllitthefireandlefthimtherewhileshewenttopreparehimamealwithherownhands。AguesttostopatIpinginthewinter—timewasanunheard—ofpieceofluck，letaloneaguestwhowasno"haggler，"
　　andshewasresolvedtoshowherselfworthyofhergoodfortune。Assoonasthebaconwaswellunderway，andMillie，herlymphaticaid，hadbeenbriskedupabitbyafewdeftlychosenexpressionsofcontempt，shecarriedthecloth，plates，andglassesintotheparlourandbegantolaythemwiththeutmostclat。Althoughthefirewasburningupbriskly，shewassurprisedtoseethathervisitorstillworehishatandcoat，standingwithhisbacktoherandstaringoutofthewindowatthefallingsnowintheyard。
　　Hisglovedhandswereclaspedbehindhim，andheseemedtobelostinthought。
　　Shenoticedthatthemeltedsnowthatstillsprinkledhisshouldersdrippeduponhercarpet。"CanItakeyourhatandcoat，sir，"shesaid，"andgivethemagooddryinthekitchen？"
　　"No，"hesaidwithoutturning。
　　Shewasnotsureshehadheardhim，andwasabouttorepeatherquestion。
　　Heturnedhisheadandlookedatheroverhisshoulder。"Iprefertokeepthemon，"hesaidwithemphasis，andshenoticedthatheworebigbluespectacleswithside—lightsandhadabushyside—whiskeroverhiscoat—collarthatcompletelyhidhisface。
　　"Verywell，sir，"shesaid。"Asyoulike。Inabittheroomwillbewarmer。"
　　Hemadenoanswerandhadturnedhisfaceawayfromheragain;andMrs。
　　Hall，feelingthatherconversationaladvanceswereill—timed，laidtherestofthetablethingsinaquickstaccatoandwhiskedoutoftheroom。
　　Whenshereturnedhewasstillstandingtherelikeamanofstone，hisbackhunched，hiscollarturnedup，hisdrippinghat—brimturneddown，hidinghisfaceandearscompletely。Sheputdowntheeggsandbaconwithconsiderableemphasis，andcalledratherthansaidtohim，"Yourlunchisserved，sir。"
　　"Thankyou，"hesaidatthesametime，anddidnotstiruntilshewasclosingthedoor。Thenheswungroundandapproachedthetable。
　　Asshewentbehindthebartothekitchensheheardasoundrepeatedatregularintervals。Chirk，chirk，chirk，itwent，thesoundofaspoonbeingrapidlywhiskedroundabasin。"Thatgirl！"shesaid。"There！Icleanforgotit。It’sherbeingsolong！"Andwhilesheherselffinishedmixingthemustard，shegaveMillieafewverbalstabsforherexcessiveslowness。
　　Shehadcookedthehamandeggs，laidthetable，anddoneeverything，whileMillie（helpindeed！）hadonlysucceededindelayingthemustard。Andhimanewguestandwantingtostay！Thenshefilledthemustardpot，and，puttingitwithacertainstatelinessuponagoldandblacktea—tray，carrieditintotheparlour。
　　Sherappedandenteredpromptly。Asshedidsohervisitormovedquickly，sothatshegotbutaglimpseofawhiteobjectdisappearingbehindthetable。Itwouldseemhewaspickingsomethingfromthefloor。Sherappeddownthemustardpotonthetable，andthenshenoticedtheovercoatandhathadbeentakenoffandputoverachairinfrontofthefire。Apairofwetbootsthreatenedrusttohersteelfender。Shewenttothesethingsresolutely。"IsupposeImayhavethemtodrynow，"shesaidinavoicethatbrookednodenial。
　　"Leavethehat，"saidhervisitorinamuffledvoice，andturningshesawhehadraisedhisheadandwassittinglookingather。
　　Foramomentshestoodgapingathim，toosurprisedtospeak。
　　Heheldawhitecloth——itwasaserviettehehadbroughtwithhim——overthelowerpartofhisface，sothathismouthandjawswerecompletelyhidden，andthatwasthereasonofhismuffledvoice。ButitwasnotthatwhichstartledMrs。Hall。Itwasthefactthatallhisforeheadabovehisblueglasseswascoveredbyawhitebandage，andthatanothercoveredhisears，leavingnotascrapofhisfaceexposedexceptingonlyhispink，peakednose。Itwasbrightpink，andshinyjustasithadbeenatfirst。
　　Heworeadark—brownvelvetjacketwithahighblacklinenlinedcollarturnedupabouthisneck。Thethickblackhair，escapingasitcouldbelowandbetweenthecrossbandages，projectedincurioustailsandhorns，givinghimthestrangestappearanceconceivable。Thismuffledandbandagedheadwassounlikewhatshehadanticipated，thatforamomentshewasrigid。
　　Hedidnotremovetheserviette，butremainedholdingit，asshesawnow，withabrownglovedhand，andregardingherwithhisinscrutableblueglasses。"Leavethehat，"hesaid，speakingverydistinctlythroughthewhitecloth。
　　Hernervesbegantorecoverfromtheshocktheyhadreceived。Sheplacedthehatonthechairagainbythefire。"Ididn’tknow，sir，"shebegan，"that——"andshestoppedembarrassed。
　　"Thankyou，"hesaiddrily，glancingfromhertothedoorandthenatheragain。
　　"I’llhavethemnicelydried，sir，atonce，"shesaid，andcarriedhisclothesoutoftheroom。Sheglancedathiswhite—swathedheadandbluegogglesagainasshewasgoingoutofthedoor;buthisnapkinwasstillinfrontofhisface。Sheshiveredalittleassheclosedthedoorbehindher，andherfacewaseloquentofhersurpriseandperplexity。"Inever，"
　　shewhispered。"There！"Shewentquitesoftlytothekitchen，andwastoopreoccupiedtoaskMilliewhatshewasmessingaboutwithnow，whenshegotthere。
　　Thevisitorsatandlistenedtoherretreatingfeet。Heglancedinquiringlyatthewindowbeforeheremovedhisservietteandresumedhismeal。Hetookamouthful，glancedsuspiciouslyatthewindow，tookanothermouthful，thenroseand，takingtheservietteinhishand，walkedacrosstheroomandpulledtheblinddowntothetopofthewhitemuslinthatobscuredthelowerpanes。Thislefttheroomintwilight。Thisdone，hereturnedwithaneasierairtothetableandhismeal。
　　"Thepoorsoul’shadanaccidentoranop’rationorsomething，"saidMrs。Hall。"Whataturnthembandagesdidgiveme，tobesure！"
　　Sheputonsomemorecoal，unfoldedtheclothes—horse，andextendedthetraveller’scoatuponthis。"Andtheygoggles！Why，helookedmorelikeadivin’helmetthanahumanman！"Shehunghismuffleronacornerofthehorse。"Andholdingthathandkerchiefoverhismouthallthetime。
　　Talkin’throughit！……Perhapshismouthwashurttoo——maybe。"
　　Sheturnedround，asonewhosuddenlyremembers。"Blessmysoulalive！"
　　shesaid，goingoffatatangent;"ain’tyoudonethemtatersyet，Millie？"
　　WhenMrs。Hallwenttoclearawaythestranger’slunch，herideathathismouthmustalsohavebeencutordisfiguredintheaccidentshesupposedhimtohavesuffered，wasconfirmed，forhewassmokingapipe，andallthetimethatshewasintheroomheneverloosenedthesilkmufflerhehadwrappedroundthelowerpartofhisfacetoputthemouthpiecetohislips。Yetitwasnotforgetfulness，forshesawheglancedatitasitsmoulderedout。Hesatinthecornerwithhisbacktothewindow—blindandspokenow，havingeatenanddrunkandbeingcomfortablywarmedthrough，withlessaggressivebrevitythanbefore。Thereflectionofthefirelentakindofredanimationtohisbigspectaclestheyhadlackedhitherto。
　　"Ihavesomeluggage，"hesaid，"atBramblehurststation，"andheaskedherhowhecouldhaveitsent。Hebowedhisbandagedheadquitepolitelyinacknowledgmentofherexplanation。"To—morrow！"hesaid。"Thereisnospeedierdelivery？"andseemedquitedisappointedwhensheanswered"No。"
　　Wasshequitesure？Nomanwithatrapwhowouldgoover？
　　Mrs。Hall，nothingloath，answeredhisquestionsanddevelopedaconversation。
　　"It’sasteeproadbythedown，sir，"shesaidinanswertothequestionaboutatrap;andthen，snatchingatanopeningsaid，"Itwasthereacarriagewasupsettled，ayearagoandmore。Agentlemankilled，besideshiscoachman。
　　Accidents，sir，happeninamoment，don’tthey？"
　　Butthevisitorwasnottobedrawnsoeasily。"Theydo，"hesaidthroughhismuffler，eyeingherquietlythroughhisimpenetrableglasses。
　　"Buttheytakelongenoughtogetwell，sir，don’tthey？……Therewasmysister’sson，Tom，jestcuthisarmwithascythe，tumbledonitinthe’ayfield，and，blessme！hewasthreemonthstiedup，sir。You’dhardlybelieveit。It’sregulargivenmeadreadofascythe，sir。"
　　"Icanquiteunderstandthat，"saidthevisitor。
　　"Hewasafraid，onetime，thathe’dhavetohaveanop’ration——hewasthatbad，sir。"
　　Thevisitorlaughedabruptly，abarkofalaughthatheseemedtobiteandkillinhismouth。"Washe？"hesaid。
　　"Hewas，sir。Andnolaughingmattertothemashadthedoingforhim，asIhad——mysisterbeingtookupwithherlittleonessomuch。Therewasbandagestodo，sir，andbandagestoundo。SothatifImaymakesoboldastosayit，sir——"
　　"Willyougetmesomematches？"saidthevisitor，quiteabruptly。"Mypipeisout。"
　　Mrs。Hallwaspulledupsuddenly。Itwascertainlyrudeofhim，aftertellinghimallshehaddone。Shegaspedathimforamoment，andrememberedthetwosovereigns。Shewentforthematches。
　　"Thanks，"hesaidconcisely，assheputthemdown，andturnedhisshoulderuponherandstaredoutofthewindowagain。Itwasaltogethertoodiscouraging。
　　Evidentlyhewassensitiveonthetopicofoperationsandbandages。Shedidnot"makesoboldastosay，"however，afterall。Buthissnubbingwayhadirritatedher，andMilliehadahottimeofitthatafternoon。
　　Thevisitorremainedintheparlouruntilfouro’clock，withoutgivingtheghostofanexcuseforanintrusion。Forthemostparthewasquitestillduringthattime;itwouldseemhesatinthegrowingdarknesssmokinginthefirelight，perhapsdozing。
　　Onceortwiceacuriouslistenermighthaveheardhimatthecoals，andforthespaceoffiveminuteshewasaudiblepacingtheroom。Heseemedtobetalkingtohimself。Thenthearmchaircreakedashesatdownagain。
　　TheInvisibleMan—Chapter2Chapter2—Mr。TeddyHenfrey’sFirstImpressionsAtfouro’clock，whenitwasfairlydarkandMrs。Hallwasscrewinguphercouragetogoinandaskhervisitorifhewouldtakesometea，TeddyHenfrey，theclock—jobber，cameintothebar。"Mysakes！Mrs。Hall，"saidhe，"butthisisterribleweatherforthinboots！"Thesnowoutsidewasfallingfaster。
　　Mrs。Hallagreedwithhim，andthennoticedhehadhisbagandhituponabrilliantidea。"Nowyou’rehere，Mr。Teddy，"saidshe，"I’dbegladifyou’dgiveth’oldclockintheparlourabitofalook。’Tisgoing，anditstrikeswellandhearty;butthehour—handwon’tdonuthin’butpointatsix。"
　　Andleadingtheway，shewentacrosstotheparlourdoorandrappedandentered。
　　Hervisitor，shesawassheopenedthedoor，wasseatedinthearmchairbeforethefire，dozingitwouldseem，withhisbandagedheaddroopingononeside。Theonlylightintheroomwastheredglowfromthefire——whichlithiseyeslikeadverserailwaysignals，butlefthisdowncastfaceindarkness——andthescantyvestigesofthedaythatcameinthroughtheopendoor。Everythingwasruddy，shadowy，andindistincttoher，themoresosinceshehadjustbeenlightingthebarlamp，andhereyesweredazzled。
　　Butforaseconditseemedtoherthatthemanshelookedathadanenormousmouthwideopen，——avastandincrediblemouththatswallowedthewholeofthelowerportionofhisface。Itwasthesensationofamoment：thewhite—boundhead，themonstrousgoggleeyes，andthishugeyawnbelowit。Thenhestirred，startedupinhischair，putuphishand。Sheopenedthedoorwide，sothattheroomwaslighter，andshesawhimmoreclearly，withthemufflerheldtohisfacejustasshehadseenhimholdtheserviettebefore。Theshadows，shefancied，hadtrickedher。
　　"Wouldyoumind，sir，thismana—comingtolookattheclock，sir？"
　　shesaid，recoveringfromhermomentaryshock。
　　"Lookattheclock？"hesaid，staringroundinadrowsymannerandspeakingoverhishand，andthengettingmorefullyawake，"certainly。"
　　Mrs。Hallwentawaytogetalamp，andheroseandstretchedhimself。
　　Thencamethelight，andMr。TeddyHenfrey，entering，wasconfrontedbythisbandagedperson。Hewas，hesays，"takenaback。"
　　"Good—afternoon，"saidthestranger，regardinghim，asMr。Henfreysayswithavividsenseofthedarkspectacles，"likealobster。"
　　"Ihope，"saidMr。Henfrey，"thatit’snointrusion。"
　　"Nonewhatever，"saidthestranger。"ThoughIunderstand，"hesaid，turningtoMrs。Hall，"thatthisroomisreallytobemineformyownprivateuse。"
　　"Ithought，sir，"saidMrs。Hall，"you’dprefertheclock——"Shewasgoingtosay"mended。"
　　"Certainly，"saidthestranger，"certainly——but，asarule，Iliketobealoneandundisturbed。
　　"ButI’mreallygladtohavetheclockseento，"hesaid，seeingacertainhesitationinMr。Henfrey’smanner。"Veryglad。"Mr。Henfreyhadintendedtoapologiseandwithdraw，butthisanticipationreassuredhim。Thestrangerstoodroundwithhisbacktothefireplaceandputhishandsbehindhisback。"Andpresently，"hesaid，"whentheclock—mendingisover，IthinkIshouldliketohavesometea。Butnotuntiltheclock—mendingisover。"
　　Mrs。Hallwasabouttoleavetheroom，——shemadenoconversationaladvancesthistime，becauseshedidnotwanttobesnubbedinfrontofMr。Henfrey，——whenhervisitoraskedherifshehadmadeanyarrangementsabouthisboxesatBramblehurst。Shetoldhimshehadmentionedthemattertothepostman，andthatthecarriercouldbringthemoveronthemorrow。"Youarecertainthatistheearliest？"hesaid。
　　Shewascertain，withamarkedcoldness。
　　"Ishouldexplain，"headded，"whatIwasreallytoocoldandfatiguedtodobefore，thatIamanexperimentalinvestigator。"
　　"Indeed，sir，"saidMrs。Hall，muchimpressed。
　　"Andmybaggagecontainsapparatusandappliances。"
　　"Veryusefulthingsindeedtheyare，sir，"saidMrs。Hall。
　　"AndI’mnaturallyanxioustogetonwithmyinquiries。"
　　"Ofcourse，sir。"
　　"MyreasonforcomingtoIping，"heproceeded，withacertaindeliberationofmanner，"was——adesireforsolitude。Idonotwishtobedisturbedinmywork。Inadditiontomywork，anaccident——"
　　"Ithoughtasmuch，"saidMrs。Halltoherself。
　　"——necessitatesacertainretirement。Myeyes——aresometimessoweakandpainfulthatIhavetoshutmyselfupinthedarkforhourstogether。
　　Lockmyselfup。Sometimes——nowandthen。Notatpresent，certainly。Atsuchtimestheslightestdisturbance，theentryofastrangerintotheroom，isasourceofexcruciatingannoyancetome——itiswellthesethingsshouldbeunderstood。"
　　"Certainly，sir，"saidMrs。Hall。"AndifImightmakesoboldastoask——"
　　"That，Ithink，isall，"saidthestranger，withthatquietlyirresistibleairoffinalityhecouldassumeatwill。Mrs。Hallreservedherquestionandsympathyforabetteroccasion。
　　AfterMrs。Hallhadlefttheroom，heremainedstandinginfrontofthefire，glaring，soMr。Henfreyputsit，attheclock—mending。Mr。Henfreynotonlytookoffthehandsoftheclock，andtheface，butextractedtheworks;andhetriedtoworkinasslowandquietandunassumingamanneraspossible。Heworkedwiththelampclosetohim，andthegreenshadethrewabrilliantlightuponhishands，andupontheframeandwheels，andlefttherestoftheroomshadowy。Whenhelookedup，colouredpatchesswaminhiseyes。Beingconstitutionallyofacuriousnature，hehadremovedtheworks——aquiteunnecessaryproceeding——withtheideaofdelayinghisdepartureandperhapsfallingintoconversationwiththestranger。Butthestrangerstoodthere，perfectlysilentandstill。Sostill，itgotonHenfrey’snerves。Hefeltaloneintheroomandlookedup，andthere，greyanddim，wasthebandagedheadandhugebluelensesstaringfixedly，withamistofgreenspotsdriftinginfrontofthem。Itwassouncanny—lookingtoHenfreythatforaminutetheyremainedstaringblanklyatoneanother。
　　ThenHenfreylookeddownagain。Veryuncomfortableposition！Onewouldliketosaysomething。Shouldheremarkthattheweatherwasverycoldforthetimeofyear？
　　Helookedupasiftotakeaimwiththatintroductoryshot。"Theweather——"
　　hebegan。
　　"Whydon’tyoufinishandgo？"saidtherigidfigure，evidentlyinastateofpainfullysuppressedrage。"Allyou’vegottodoistofixthehour—handonitsaxle。You’resimplyhumbugging——"
　　"Certainly，sir——oneminutemore，sir。Ioverlooked——"AndMr。Henfreyfinishedandwent。
　　Buthewentofffeelingexcessivelyannoyed。"Damnit！"saidMr。Henfreytohimself，trudgingdownthevillagethroughthethawingsnow;"amanmustdoaclockattimes，sure—lie。"
　　Andagain："Can’tamanlookatyou？——Ugly！"
　　Andyetagain："Seeminglynot。Ifthepolicewaswantingyouyoucouldn’tbemorewroppedandbandaged。"
　　AtGleeson’scornerhesawHall，whohadrecentlymarriedthestranger’shostessattheCoachandHorses，andwhonowdrovetheIpingconveyance，whenoccasionalpeoplerequiredit，toSidderbridgeJunction，comingtowardshimonhisreturnfromthatplace。Hallhadevidentlybeen"stoppingabit"atSidderbridge，tojudgebyhisdriving。"’Owdo，Teddy？"hesaid，passing。
　　"Yougotarumunuphome！"saidTeddy。
　　Hallverysociablypulledup。"What’sthat？"heasked。
　　"Rum—lookingcustomerstoppingattheCoachandHorses，"saidTeddy。
　　"Mysakes！"
　　AndheproceededtogiveHallavividdescriptionofhisgrotesqueguest。
　　"Looksabitlikeadisguise，don’tit？I’dliketoseeaman’sfaceifIhadhimstoppinginmyplace，"saidHenfrey。"Butwomenarethattrustful，——wherestrangersareconcerned。He’stookyourroomsandheain’tevengivenaname，Hall。"
　　"Youdon’tsayso！"saidHall，whowasamanofsluggishapprehension。
　　"Yes，"saidTeddy。"Bytheweek。Whateverheis，youcan’tgetridofhimundertheweek。Andhe’sgotalotofluggagecomingto—morrow，sohesays。Let’shopeitwon’tbestonesinboxes，Hall。"
　　HetoldHallhowhisauntatHastingshadbeenswindledbyastrangerwithemptyportmanteaux。AltogetherheleftHallvaguelysuspicious。"Getup，oldgirl，"saidHall。"Is’poseImustsee’boutthis。"
　　Teddytrudgedonhiswaywithhismindconsiderablyrelieved。
　　Insteadof"seeing’boutit，"however，HallonhisreturnwasseverelyratedbyhiswifeonthelengthoftimehehadspentinSidderbridge，andhismildinquirieswereansweredsnappishlyandinamannernottothepoint。ButtheseedofsuspicionTeddyhadsowngerminatedinthemindofMr。Hallinspiteofthesediscouragements。"Youwim’don’tknoweverything，"
　　saidMr。Hall，resolvedtoascertainmoreaboutthepersonalityofhisguestattheearliestpossibleopportunity。Andafterthestrangerhadgonetobed，whichhedidabouthalf—pastnine，Mr。Hallwentaggressivelyintotheparlourandlookedveryhardathiswife’sfurniture，justtoshowthatthestrangerwasn’tmasterthere，andscrutinisedcloselyandalittlecontemptuouslyasheetofmathematicalcomputationthestrangerhadleft。WhenretiringforthenightheinstructedMrs。Halltolookverycloselyatthestranger’sluggagewhenitcamenextday。
　　"Youmindyourownbusiness，Hall，"saidMrs。Hall，"andI’llmindmine。"
　　ShewasallthemoreinclinedtosnapatHallbecausethestrangerwasundoubtedlyanunusuallystrangesortofstranger，andshewasbynomeansassuredabouthiminherownmind。Inthemiddleofthenightshewokeupdreamingofhugewhiteheadsliketurnips，thatcametrailingafterherattheendofinterminablenecks，andwithvastblackeyes。Butbeingasensiblewoman，shesubduedherterrorsandturnedoverandwenttosleepagain。
　　TheInvisibleMan—Chapter3Chapter3—TheThousandandOneBottlesThusitwasthatontheninthdayofFebruary，atthebeginningofthethaw，thissingularpersonfelloutofinfinityintoIpingVillage。Nextdayhisluggagearrivedthroughtheslush。Andveryremarkableluggageitwas。Therewasacoupleoftrunksindeed，suchasarationalmanmightneed，butinadditiontherewereaboxofbooks，——big，fatbooks，ofwhichsomewerejustinanincomprehensiblehandwriting，——andadozenormorecrates，boxes，andcases，containingobjectspackedinstraw，asitseemedtoHall，tuggingwithacasualcuriosityatthestraw——glassbottles。Thestranger，muffledinhat，coat，gloves，andwrapper，cameoutimpatientlytomeetFearenside’scart，whileHallwashavingawordorsoofgossippreparatorytohelpingbringthemin。Outhecame，notnoticingFearenside’sdog，whowassniffinginadilettantespiritatHall’slegs。"Comealongwiththoseboxes，"hesaid。"I’vebeenwaitinglongenough。"
　　Andhecamedownthestepstowardsthetailofthecartasiftolayhandsonthesmallercrate。
　　NosoonerhadFearenside’sdogcaughtsightofhim，however，thanitbegantobristleandgrowlsavagely，andwhenherusheddownthestepsitgaveanundecidedhop，andthensprangstraightathishand。"Whup！"
　　criedHall，jumpingback，forhewasnoherowithdogs，andFearensidehowled，"Liedown！"andsnatchedhiswhip。
　　Theysawthedog’steethhadslippedthehand，heardakick，sawthedogexecuteaflankingjumpandgethomeonthestranger’sleg，andheardtheripofhistrousering。ThenthefinerendofFearenside’swhipreachedhisproperty，andthedog，yelpingwithdismay，retreatedunderthewheelsofthewaggon。Itwasallthebusinessofahalf—minute。Noonespoke，everyoneshouted。Thestrangerglancedswiftlyathistorngloveandathisleg，madeasifhewouldstooptothelatter，thenturnedandrushedupthestepsintotheinn。Theyheardhimgoheadlongacrossthepassageanduptheuncarpetedstairstohisbedroom。
　　"Youbrute，you！"saidFearenside，climbingoffthewaggonwithhiswhipinhishand，whilethedogwatchedhimthroughthewheel。"Comehere！"
　　saidFearenside——"You’dbetter。"
　　Hallhadstoodgaping。"Hewuzbit，"saidHall。"I’dbettergoandseetoen，"andhetrottedafterthestranger。HemetMrs。Hallinthepassage。
　　"Carrier’sdarg，"hesaid，"biten。"
　　Hewentstraightupstairs，andthestranger’sdoorbeingajar，hepusheditopenandwasenteringwithoutanyceremony，beingofanaturallysympatheticturnofmind。
　　Theblindwasdownandtheroomdim。Hecaughtaglimpseofamostsingularthing，whatseemedahandlessarmwavingtowardshim，andafaceofthreehugeindeterminatespotsonwhite，verylikethefaceofapalepansy。
　　Thenhewasstruckviolentlyinthechest，hurledback，andthedoorslammedinhisfaceandlocked，allsorapidlythathehadnotimetoobserve。
　　Awavingofindecipherableshapes，ablow，andaconcussion。Therehestoodonthedarklittlelanding，wonderingwhatitmightbethathehadseen。
　　AfteracoupleofminutesherejoinedthelittlegroupthathadformedoutsidetheCoachandHorses。TherewasFearensidetellingaboutitalloveragainforthesecondtime;therewasMrs。Hallsayinghisdogdidn’thavenobusinesstobiteherguests;therewasHuxter，thegeneraldealerfromovertheroad，interrogative;andSandyWadgersfromtheforge，judicial;
　　besideswomenandchildren，——allofthemsayingfatuities："Wouldn’tletenbiteme，Iknows";"’Tasn’trighthavesuchdargs";"Whad’ebite’nforthen？"andsoforth。
　　Mr。Hall，staringatthemfromthestepsandlistening，founditincrediblethathehadseenanythingveryremarkablehappenupstairs。Besides，hisvocabularywasaltogethertoolimitedtoexpresshisimpressions。
　　"Hedon’twantnohelp，hesays，"hesaidinanswertohiswife’senquiry。
　　"We’dbetterbea—takin’ofhisluggagein。"
　　"Heoughttohaveitcauterisedatonce，"saidMr。Huxter;"especiallyifit’satallinflamed。"
　　"I’dshooten，that’swhatI’ddo，"saidaladyinthegroup。
　　Suddenlythedogbegangrowlingagain。
　　"Comealong，"criedanangryvoiceinthedoorway，andtherestoodthemuffledstrangerwithhiscollarturnedup，andhishat—brimbentdown。
　　"ThesooneryougetthosethingsinthebetterI’llbepleased。"Itisstatedbyananonymousbystanderthathistrousersandgloveshadbeenchanged。
　　"Wasyouhurt，sir？"saidFearenside。"I’mraresorrythedarg——"
　　"Notabit，"saidthestranger。"Neverbroketheskin。Hurryupwiththosethings。"
　　Hethensworetohimself，soMr。Hallasserts。
　　Directlythefirstcratewascarriedintotheparlour，inaccordancewithhisdirections，thestrangerflunghimselfuponitwithextraordinaryeagerness，andbegantounpackit，scatteringthestrawwithanutterdisregardofMrs。Hall’scarpet。Andfromithebegantoproducebottles——littlefatbottlescontainingpowders，smallandslenderbottlescontainingcolouredandwhitefluids，flutedbluebottleslabelledPoison，bottleswithroundbodiesandslendernecks，largegreen—glassbottles，largewhite—glassbottles，bottleswithglassstoppersandfrostedlabels，bottleswithfinecorks，bottleswithbungs，bottleswithwoodencaps，winebottles，salad—oilbottles——puttingtheminrowsonthechiffonier，onthemantel，onthetableunderthewindow，roundthefloor，onthebook—shelf——everywhere。
　　Thechemist’sshopinBramblehurstcouldnotboasthalfsomany。Quiteasightitwas。Crateaftercrateyieldedbottles，untilallsixwereemptyandthetablehighwithstraw;theonlythingsthatcameoutofthesecratesbesidesthebottleswereanumberoftest—tubesandacarefullypackedbalance。
　　Anddirectlythecrateswereunpacked，thestrangerwenttothewindowandsettowork，nottroublingintheleastaboutthelitterofstraw，thefirewhichhadgoneout，theboxofbooksoutside，norforthetrunksandotherluggagethathadgoneupstairs。
　　WhenMrs。Halltookhisdinnerintohim，hewasalreadysoabsorbedinhiswork，pouringlittledropsoutofthebottlesintotest—tubes，thathedidnothearheruntilshehadsweptawaythebulkofthestrawandputthetrayonthetable，withsomelittleemphasisperhaps，seeingthestatethatthefloorwasin。Thenhehalfturnedhisheadandimmediatelyturneditawayagain。Butshesawhehadremovedhisglasses;theywerebesidehimonthetable，anditseemedtoherthathiseyesocketswereextraordinarilyhollow。Heputonhisspectaclesagain，andthenturnedandfacedher。Shewasabouttocomplainofthestrawonthefloorwhenheanticipatedher。
　　"Iwishyouwouldn’tcomeinwithoutknocking，"hesaidinthetoneofabnormalexasperationthatseemedsocharacteristicofhim。
　　"Iknocked，butseemingly——"
　　"Perhapsyoudid。Butinmyinvestigations——myreallyveryurgentandnecessaryinvestigations——theslightestdisturbance，thejarofadoor——I
　　mustaskyou——"
　　"Certainly，sir。Youcanturnthelockifyou’relikethat，youknow——anytime。"
　　"Averygoodidea，"saidthestranger。
　　"Thisstror，sir，ifImightmakesoboldastoremark——"
　　"Don’t。Ifthestrawmakestroubleputitdowninthebill。"Andhemumbledather——wordssuspiciouslylikecurses。
　　Hewassoodd，standingthere，soaggressiveandexplosive，bottleinonehandandtest—tubeintheother，thatMrs。Hallwasquitealarmed。
　　Butshewasaresolutewoman。"Inwhichcase，Ishouldliketoknow，sir，whatyouconsider——"
　　"Ashilling。Putdownashilling。Surelyashilling’senough？"
　　"Sobeit，"saidMrs。Hall，takingupthetableclothandbeginningtospreaditoverthetable。"Ifyou’resatisfied，ofcourse——"
　　Heturnedandsatdown，withhiscoat—collartowardsher。
　　Alltheafternoonheworkedwiththedoorlockedand，asMrs。Halltestifies，forthemostpartinsilence。Butoncetherewasaconcussionandasoundofbottlesringingtogetherasthoughthetablehadbeenhit，andthesmashofabottleflungviolentlydown，andthenarapidpacingathwarttheroom。
　　Fearing"somethingwasthematter，"shewenttothedoorandlistened，notcaringtoknock。
　　"Ican’tgoon，"hewasraving。"Ican’tgoon。Threehundredthousand，fourhundredthousand！Thehugemultitude！Cheated！Allmylifeitmaytakeme！Patience！Patienceindeed！Foolandliar！"
　　Therewasanoiseofhobnailsonthebricksinthebar，andMrs。Hallveryreluctantlyhadtoleavetherestofhissoliloquy。Whenshereturnedtheroomwassilentagain，saveforthefaintcrepitationofhischairandtheoccasionalclinkofabottle。Itwasallover。Thestrangerhadresumedwork。
　　Whenshetookinhisteashesawbrokenglassinthecorneroftheroomundertheconcavemirror，andagoldenstainthathadbeencarelesslywiped。
　　Shecalledattentiontoit。
　　"Putitdowninthebill，"snappedhervisitor。"ForGod’ssakedon’tworryme。Ifthere’sdamagedone，putitdowninthebill";andhewentontickingalistintheexercisebookbeforehim。
　　"I’lltellyousomething，"saidFearensidemysteriously。Itwaslateintheafternoon，andtheywereinthelittlebeer—shopofIpingHanger。
　　"Well？"saidTeddyHenfrey。
　　"Thischapyou’respeakingof，whatmydogbit。Well——he’sblack。Leastways，hislegsare。Iseedthroughthetearofhisglove。You’dhaveexpectedasortofpinkytoshow，wouldn’tyou？Well——therewasn’tnone。Justblackness。
　　Itellyou，he’sasblackasmyhat。"
　　"Mysakes！"saidHenfrey。"It’sarummycasealtogether。Why，hisnoseisaspinkaspaint！"
　　"That’strue，"saidFearenside。"Iknowsthat。AndItell’eewhatI’mthinking。Thatmarn’sapiebald，Teddy。Blackhereandwhitethere——inpatches。Andhe’sashamedofit。He’sakindofhalf—breed，andthecolour’scomeoffpatchyinsteadofmixing。I’veheardofsuchthingsbefore。Andit’sthecommonwaywithhorses，asanyonecansee。"
　　TheInvisibleMan—Chapter4Chapter4—Mr。CussInterviewstheStrangerIhavetoldthecircumstancesofthestranger’sarrivalinIpingwithacertainfulnessofdetail，inorderthatthecuriousimpressionhecreatedmaybeunderstoodbythereader。Butexceptingtwooddincidents，thecircumstancesofhisstayuntiltheextraordinarydayoftheClubFestivalmaybepassedoververycursorily。TherewereanumberofskirmisheswithMrs。Hallonmattersofdomesticdiscipline，butineverycaseuntillateinApril，whenthefirstsignsofpenurybegan，heover—rodeherbytheeasyexpedientofanextrapayment。Halldidnotlikehim，andwheneverhedaredhetalkedoftheadvisabilityofgettingridofhim;butheshowedhisdislikechieflybyconcealingitostentatiously，andavoidinghisvisitorasmuchaspossible。
　　"Waittillthesummer，"saidMrs。Hall，sagely，"whentheartisksarebeginningtocome。Thenwe’llsee。Hemaybeabitoverbearing，butbillssettledpunctualisbillssettledpunctual，whateveryouliketosay。"
　　Thestrangerdidnotgotochurch，andindeedmadenodifferencebetweenSundayandtheirreligiousdays，evenincostume。Heworked，asMrs。Hallthought，veryfitfully。Somedayshewouldcomedownearlyandbecontinuouslybusy。Onothershewouldriselate，pacehisroom，frettingaudiblyforhourstogether，smoke，sleepinthearmchairbythefire。Communicationwiththeworldbeyondthevillagehehadnone。Histempercontinuedveryuncertain;forthemostparthismannerwasthatofamansufferingunderalmostunendurableprovocation，andonceortwicethingsweresnapped，torn，crushed，orbrokeninspasmodicgustsofviolence。Heseemedunderachronicirritationofthegreatestintensity。Hishabitoftalkingtohimselfinalowvoicegrewsteadilyuponhim，butthoughMrs。Halllistenedconscientiouslyshecouldmakeneitherheadnortailofwhatsheheard。
　　Herarelywentabroadbydaylight，butattwilighthewouldgooutmuffledupenormously，whethertheweatherwerecoldornot，andhechosetheloneliestpathsandthosemostovershadowedbytreesandbanks。Hisgogglingspectaclesandghastlybandagedfaceunderthepenthouseofhishat，camewithadisagreeablesuddennessoutofthedarknessupononeortwohome—goinglabourers;andTeddyHenfrey，tumblingoutoftheScarletCoatonenightathalf—pastnine，wasscaredshamefullybythestranger’sskull—likehead（hewaswalkinghatinhand）litbythesuddenlightoftheopeneddoor。Suchchildrenassawhimatnightfalldreamtofbogies，anditseemeddoubtfulwhetherhedislikedboysmorethantheydislikedhim，orthereverse——buttherewascertainlyavividenoughdislikeoneitherside。
　　ItwasinevitablethatapersonofsoremarkableanappearanceandbearingshouldformafrequenttopicinsuchavillageasIping。Opinionwasgreatlydividedabouthisoccupation。Mrs。Hallwassensitiveonthepoint。Whenquestioned，sheexplainedverycarefullythathewasan"experimentalinvestigator，"
　　goinggingerlyoverthesyllablesasonewhodreadspitfalls。Whenaskedwhatanexperimentalinvestigatorwas，shewouldsaywithatouchofsuperioritythatmosteducatedpeopleknewthat，andwouldthenexplainthathe"discoveredthings。"Hervisitorhadhadanaccident，shesaid，whichtemporarilydiscolouredhisfaceandhands;andbeingofasensitivedisposition，hewasaversetoanypublicnoticeofthefact。
　　Outofherhearingtherewasaviewlargelyentertainedthathewasacriminaltryingtoescapefromjusticebywrappinghimselfupsoastoconcealhimselfaltogetherfromtheeyeofthepolice。ThisideasprangfromthebrainofMr。TeddyHenfrey。NocrimeofanymagnitudedatingfromthemiddleorendofFebruarywasknowntohaveoccurred。ElaboratedintheimaginationofMr。Gould，theprobationaryassistantintheNationalSchool，thistheorytooktheformthatthestrangerwasanAnarchistindisguise，preparingexplosives，andheresolvedtoundertakesuchdetectiveoperationsashistimepermitted。Theseconsistedforthemostpartinlookingveryhardatthestrangerwhenevertheymet，orinaskingpeoplewhohadneverseenthestrangerleadingquestionsabouthim。Buthedetectednothing。
　　AnotherschoolofopinionfollowedMr。Fearenside，andeitheracceptedthepiebaldvieworsomemodificationofit;as，forinstance，SilasDurgan，whowasheardtoassertthat"ifhechosestoshowenselfatfairshe’dmakehisfortuneinnotime，"andbeingabitofatheologian，comparedthestrangertothemanwiththeonetalent。Yetanotherviewexplainedtheentirematterbyregardingthestrangerasaharmlesslunatic。Thathadtheadvantageofaccountingforeverythingstraightaway。
　　Betweenthesemaingroupstherewerewaverersandcompromisers。Sussexfolkhavefewsuperstitions，anditwasonlyaftertheeventsofearlyAprilthatthethoughtofthesupernaturalwasfirstwhisperedinthevillage。
　　Eventhenitwasonlycreditedamongthewomenfolks。
　　Butwhatevertheythoughtofhim，peopleinIpingonthewholeagreedindislikinghim。Hisirritability，thoughitmighthavebeencomprehensibletoanurbanbrain—worker，wasanamazingthingtothesequietSussexvillagers。
　　Thefranticgesticulationstheysurprisednowandthen，theheadlongpaceafternightfallthatswepthimuponthemroundquietcorners，theinhumanbludgeoningofallthetentativeadvancesofcuriosity，thetastefortwilightthatledtotheclosingofdoors，thepullingdownofblinds，theextinctionofcandlesandlamps——whocouldagreewithsuchgoingson？Theydrewasideashepasseddownthevillage，andwhenhehadgoneby，younghumoristswouldupwithcoat—collarsanddownwithhat—brims，andgopacingnervouslyafterhiminimitationofhisoccultbearing。Therewasasongpopularatthattimecalledthe"BogeyMan";MissStatchellsangitattheschoolroomconcert（inaidofthechurchlamps），andthereafterwheneveroneortwoofthevillagersweregatheredtogetherandthestrangerappeared，abarorsoofthistune，moreorlesssharporflat，waswhistledinthemidstofthem。Alsobelatedlittlechildrenwouldcall"BogeyMan！"afterhim，andmakeofftremulouslyelated。
　　Cuss，thegeneralpractitioner，wasdevouredbycuriosity。Thebandagesexcitedhisprofessionalinterest，thereportofthethousandandonebottlesarousedhisjealousregard。AllthroughAprilandMayhecovetedanopportunityoftalkingtothestranger;andatlast，towardsWhitsuntide，hecouldstanditnolonger，andhituponthesubscription—listforavillagenurseasanexcuse。HewassurprisedtofindthatMr。Halldidnotknowhisguest’sname。"Hegiveaname，"saidMrs。Hall——anassertionwhichwasquiteunfounded——
　　"butIdidn’trightlyhearit。"Shethoughtitseemedsosillynottoknowtheman’sname。
　　Cussrappedattheparlourdoorandentered。Therewasafairlyaudibleimprecationfromwithin。"Pardonmyintrusion，"saidCuss，andthenthedoorclosedandcutMrs。Hallofffromtherestoftheconversation。
　　Shecouldhearthemurmurofvoicesforthenexttenminutes，thenacryofsurprise，astirringoffeet，achairflungaside，abarkoflaughter，quickstepstothedoor，andCussappeared，hisfacewhite，hiseyesstaringoverhisshoulder。Heleftthedooropenbehindhim，andwithoutlookingatherstrodeacrossthehallandwentdownthesteps，andsheheardhisfeethurryingalongtheroad。Hecarriedhishatinhishand。Shestoodbehindthedoor，lookingattheopendooroftheparlour。Thensheheardthestrangerlaughingquietly，andthenhisfootstepscameacrosstheroom。
　　Shecouldnotseehisfacewhereshestood。Theparlourdoorslammed，andtheplacewassilentagain。
　　CusswentstraightupthevillagetoBuntingthevicar。"AmImad？"
　　Cussbeganabruptly，asheenteredtheshabbylittlestudy。"DoIlooklikeaninsaneperson？"
　　"What’shappened？"saidthevicar，puttingtheammoniteontheloosesheetsofhisforthcomingsermon。
　　"Thatchapattheinn——"
　　"Well？"
　　"Givemesomethingtodrink，"saidCuss，andhesatdown。
　　Whenhisnerveshadbeensteadiedbyaglassofcheapsherry——theonlydrinkthegoodvicarhadavailable——hetoldhimoftheinterviewhehadjusthad。"Wentin，"hegasped，"andbegantodemandasubscriptionforthatNurseFund。He’dstuckhishandsinhispocketsasIcamein，andhesatdownlumpilyinhischair。Sniffed。ItoldhimI’dheardhetookaninterestinscientificthings。Hesaidyes。Sniffedagain。Keptonsniffingallthetime;evidentlyrecentlycaughtaninfernalcold。Nowonder，wrappeduplikethat！Idevelopedthenurseidea，andallthewhilekeptmyeyesopen。Bottles——chemicals——everywhere。Balance，test—tubesinstands，andasmellof——eveningprimrose。Wouldhesubscribe？Saidhe’dconsiderit。
　　Askedhim，point—blank，washeresearching。Saidhewas。Alongresearch？
　　Gotquitecross。’Adamnablelongresearch，’saidhe，blowingthecorkout，sotospeak。’Oh，’saidI。Andoutcamethegrievance。Themanwasjustontheboil，andmyquestionboiledhimover。Hehadbeengivenaprescription，mostvaluableprescription——whatforhewouldn’tsay。Wasitmedical？’Damnyou！Whatareyoufishingafter？’Iapologised。Dignifiedsniffandcough。Heresumed。He’dreadit。Fiveingredients。Putitdown;
　　turnedhishead。Draughtofairfromwindowliftedthepaper。Swish，rustle。
　　Hewasworkinginaroomwithanopenfireplace，hesaid。Sawaflicker，andtherewastheprescriptionburningandliftingchimneyward。Rushedtowardsitjustasitwhiskedupchimney。So！Justatthatpoint，toillustratehisstory，outcamehisarm。"
　　"Well？"
　　"Nohand——justanemptysleeve。Lord！Ithought，that’sadeformity！
　　Gotacorkarm，Isuppose，andhastakenitoff。Then，Ithought，there’ssomethingoddinthat。Whatthedevilkeepsthatsleeveupandopen，ifthere’snothinginit？Therewasnothinginit，Itellyou。Nothingdownit，rightdowntothejoint。Icouldseerightdownittotheelbow，andtherewasaglimmeroflightshiningthroughatearofthecloth。’GoodGod！’Isaid。Thenhestopped。Staredatmewiththoseblackgogglesofhis，andthenathissleeve。"
　　"Well？"
　　"That’sall。Heneversaidaword;justglared，andputhissleevebackinhispocketquickly。’Iwassaying，’saidhe，’thattherewastheprescriptionburning，wasn’tI？’Interrogativecough。’Howthedevil，’saidI，’canyoumoveanemptysleevelikethat？’’Emptysleeve？’’Yes，’saidI，’anemptysleeve。’
　　"’It’sanemptysleeve，isit？Yousawitwasanemptysleeve？’Hestooduprightaway。Istooduptoo。Hecametowardsmeinthreeveryslowsteps，andstoodquiteclose。Sniffedvenomously。Ididn’tflinch，thoughI’mhangedifthatbandagedknobofhis，andthoseblinkers，aren’tenoughtounnerveanyone，comingquietlyuptoyou。
　　"’Yousaiditwasanemptysleeve？’hesaid。’Certainly，’Isaid。Atstaringandsayingnothingabarefacedman，unspectacled，startsscratch。
　　Thenveryquietlyhepulledhissleeveoutofhispocketagain，andraisedhisarmtowardsmeasthoughhewouldshowittomeagain。Hediditvery，veryslowly。Ilookedatit。Seemedanage。’Well？’saidI，clearingmythroat，’there’snothinginit。’Hadtosaysomething。Iwasbeginningtofeelfrightened。Icouldseerightdownit。Heextendeditstraighttowardsme，slowly，slowly——justlikethat——untilthecuffwassixinchesfrommyface。Queerthingtoseeanemptysleevecomeatyoulikethat！
　　Andthen——"
　　"Well？"
　　"Something——exactlylikeafingerandthumbitfelt——nippedmynose。"
　　Buntingbegantolaugh。
　　"Therewasn’tanythingthere！"saidCuss，hisvoicerunningupintoashriekatthe"there。""It’sallverywellforyoutolaugh，butItellyouIwassostartled，Ihithiscuffhard，andturnedround，andcutoutoftheroom——Ilefthim——"
　　Cussstopped。Therewasnomistakingthesincerityofhispanic。Heturnedroundinahelplesswayandtookasecondglassoftheexcellentvicar’sveryinferiorsherry。"WhenIhithiscuff，"saidCuss，"Itellyou，itfeltexactlylikehittinganarm。Andtherewasn’tanarm！Therewasn’ttheghostofanarm！"
　　Mr。Buntingthoughtitover。HelookedsuspiciouslyatCuss。"It’samostremarkablestory，"hesaid。Helookedverywiseandgraveindeed。
　　"It’sreally，"saidMr。Buntingwithjudicialemphasis，"amostremarkablestory。"
　　TheInvisibleMan—Chapter5Chapter5—TheBurglaryattheVicarageThefactsoftheburlgaryatthevicaragecametouschieflythroughthemediumofthevicarandhiswife。ItoccurredinthesmallhoursofWhit—Monday——thedaydevotedinIpingtotheClubfestivities。Mrs。Bunting，itseems，wokeupsuddenlyinthestillnessthatcomesbeforethedawn，withthestrongimpressionthatthedooroftheirbedroomhadopenedandclosed。Shedidnotarouseherhusbandatfirst，butsatupinbedlistening。Shethendistinctlyheardthepad，pad，padofbarefeetcomingoutoftheadjoiningdressing—roomandwalkingalongthepassagetowardsthestaircase。Assoonasshefeltassuredofthis，shearousedtheRev。Mr。Buntingasquietlyaspossible。Hedidnotstrikealight，butputtingonhisspectacles，herdressing—gown，andhisbathslippers，hewentoutonthelandingtolisten。Heheardquitedistinctlyafumblinggoingonathisstudydeskdownstairs，andthenaviolentsneeze。
　　Atthathereturnedtohisbedroom，armedhimselfwiththemostobviousweapon，thepoker，anddescendedthestaircaseasnoiselesslyaspossible。
　　Mrs。Buntingcameoutonthelanding。
　　Thehourwasaboutfour，andtheultimatedarknessofthenightwaspast。Therewasafaintshimmeroflightinthehall，butthestudydoorwayyawnedimpenetrablyblack。EverythingwasstillexceptthefaintcreakingofthestairsunderMr。Bunting’stread，andtheslightmovementsinthestudy。Thensomethingsnapped，thedrawerwasopened，andtherewasarustleofpapers。Thencameanimprecation，andamatchwasstruckandthestudywasfloodedwithyellowlight。Mr。Buntingwasnowinthehall，andthroughthecrackofthedoorhecouldseethedeskandtheopendrawerandacandleburningonthedesk。Buttherobberhecouldnotsee。Hestoodthereinthehallundecidedwhattodo，andMrs。Bunting，herfacewhiteandintent，creptslowlydownstairsafterhim。OnethingkeptupMr。Bunting’scourage：
　　thepersuasionthatthisburglarwasaresidentinthevillage。
　　Theyheardthechinkofmoney，andrealisedthattherobberhadfoundthehousekeepingreserveofgold——twopoundsteninhalf—sovereignsaltogether。
　　AtthatsoundMr。Buntingwasnervedtoabruptaction。Grippingthepokerfirmly，herushedintotheroom，closelyfollowedbyMrs。Bunting。"Surrender！"
　　criedMr。Bunting，fiercely，andthenstoppedamazed。Apparentlytheroomwasperfectlyempty。
　　Yettheirconvictionthattheyhad，thatverymoment，heardsomebodymovingintheroomhadamountedtoacertainty。Forhalfaminute，perhaps，theystoodgaping，thenMrs。Buntingwentacrosstheroomandlookedbehindthescreen，whileMr。Bunting，byakindredimpulse，peeredunderthedesk。
　　ThenMrs。Buntingturnedbackthewindow—curtains，andMr。Buntinglookedupthechimneyandprobeditwiththepoker。ThenMrs。Buntingscrutinisedthewaste—paperbasketandMr。Buntingopenedthelidofthecoal—scuttle。
　　Thentheycametoastopandstoodwitheyesinterrogatingeachother。
　　"Icouldhavesworn——"saidMr。Bunting。
　　"Thecandle！"saidMr。Bunting。"Wholitthecandle？"
　　"Thedrawer！"saidMrs。Bunting。"Andthemoney’sgone！"
　　Shewenthastilytothedoorway。
　　"Ofalltheextraordinaryoccurrences——"
　　Therewasaviolentsneezeinthepassage。Theyrushedout，andastheydidsothekitchendoorslammed。"Bringthecandle，"saidMr。Bunting，andledtheway。Theybothheardasoundofboltsbeinghastilyshotback。
　　Asheopenedthekitchendoorhesawthroughthescullerythatthebackdoorwasjustopening，andthefaintlightofearlydawndisplayedthedarkmassesofthegardenbeyond。Heiscertainthatnothingwentoutofthedoor。Itopened，stoodopenforamoment，andthenclosedwithaslam。
　　Asitdidso，thecandleMrs。Buntingwascarryingfromthestudyflickeredandflared。Itwasaminuteormorebeforetheyenteredthekitchen。
　　Theplacewasempty。Theyrefastenedthebackdoor，examinedthekitchen，pantry，andscullerythoroughly，andatlastwentdownintothecellar。
　　Therewasnotasoultobefoundinthehouse，searchastheywould。
　　Daylightfoundthevicarandhiswife，aquaintly—costumedlittlecouple，stillmarvellingaboutontheirowngroundfloorbytheunnecessarylightofagutteringcandle。
　　TheInvisibleMan—Chapter6Chapter6—TheFurnitureThatWentMadNowithappenedthatintheearlyhoursofWhit—Monday，beforeMilliewashuntedoutfortheday，Mr。HallandMrs。Hallbothroseandwentnoiselesslydownintothecellar。Theirbusinesstherewasofaprivatenature，andhadsomethingtodowiththespecificgravityoftheirbeer。TheyhadhardlyenteredthecellarwhenMrs。Hallfoundshehadforgottentobringdownabottleofsarsaparillafromtheirjoint—room。Asshewastheexpertandprincipaloperatorinthisaffair，Hallveryproperlywentupstairsforit。
　　Onthelandinghewassurprisedtoseethatthestranger’sdoorwasajar。Hewentonintohisownroomandfoundthebottleashehadbeendirected。
　　Butreturningwiththebottle，henoticedthattheboltsofthefrontdoorhadbeenshotback，thatthedoorwasinfactsimplyonthelatch。
　　Andwithaflashofinspirationheconnectedthiswiththestranger’sroomupstairsandthesuggestionsofMr。TeddyHenfrey。HedistinctlyrememberedholdingthecandlewhileMrs。Hallshotthoseboltsovernight。Atthesighthestopped，gaping，thenwiththebottlestillinhishandwentupstairsagain。Herappedatthestranger’sdoor。Therewasnoanswer。Herappedagain;thenpushedthedoorwideopenandentered。
　　Itwasasheexpected。Thebed，theroomalso，wasempty。Andwhatwasstranger，eventohisheavyintelligence，onthebedroomchairandalongtherailofthebedwerescatteredthegarments，theonlygarmentssofarasheknew，andthebandagesoftheirguest。Hisbigslouchhatevenwascockedjauntilyoverthebed—post。
　　AsHallstoodthereheheardhiswife’svoicecomingoutofthedepthofthecellar，withthatrapidtelescopingofthesyllablesandinterrogativecockingupofthefinalwordstoahighnote，bywhichtheWestSussexvillageriswonttoindicateabriskimpatience。"Gearge！Yougartwhatawand？"
　　Atthatheturnedandhurrieddowntoher。"Janny，"hesaid，overtherailofthecellarsteps，"’tasthetruthwhatHenfreysez。’E’snotinuzroom，’eent。Andthefrontdoor’sunbolted。"
　　AtfirstMrs。Halldidnotunderstand，andassoonasshedidsheresolvedtoseetheemptyroomforherself。Hall，stillholdingthebottle，wentfirst。"If’eentthere，"hesaid，"hiscloseare。Andwhat’s’edoin’
　　withouthisclose，then？’Tasamostcuriousbasness。"
　　Astheycameupthecellarsteps，theyboth，itwasafterwardsascertained，fanciedtheyheardthefrontdooropenandshut，butseeingitclosedandnothingthere，neithersaidawordtotheotheraboutitatthetime。Mrs。
　　Hallpassedherhusbandinthepassageandranonfirstupstairs。Someonesneezedonthestaircase。Hall，followingsixstepsbehind，thoughtthatheheardhersneeze。She，goingonfirst，wasundertheimpressionthatHallwassneezing。Sheflungopenthedoorandstoodregardingtheroom。"Ofallthecurious！"shesaid。
　　Sheheardasniffclosebehindherheadasitseemed，and，turning，wassurprisedtoseeHalladozenfeetoffonthetop—moststair。Butinanothermomenthewasbesideher。Shebentforwardandputherhandonthepillowandthenundertheclothes。
　　"Cold，"shesaid。"He’sbeenupthishourormore。"
　　Asshedidso，amostextraordinarythinghappened——thebed—clothesgatheredthemselvestogether，leaptupsuddenlyintoasortofpeak，andthenjumpedheadlongoverthebottomrail。Itwasexactlyasifahandhadclutchedtheminthecentreandflungthemaside。Immediatelyafter，thestranger’shathoppedoffthebed—post，describingawhirlingflightintheairthroughthebetterpartofacircle，andthendashedstraightatMrs。Hall’sface。Thenasswiftlycamethespongefromthewashstand;
　　andthenthechair，flingingthestranger’scoatandtrouserscarelesslyaside，andlaughingdrylyinavoicesingularlylikethestranger’s，turneditselfupwithitsfourlegsatMrs。Hall，seemedtotakeaimatherforamoment，andchargedather。Shescreamedandturned，andthenthechairlegscamegentlybutfirmlyagainstherbackandimpelledherandHalloutoftheroom。Thedoorslammedviolentlyandwaslocked。Thechairandbedseemedtobeexecutingadanceoftriumphforamoment，andthenabruptlyeverythingwasstill。
　　Mrs。HallwasleftalmostinafaintingconditioninMr。Hall’sarmsonthelanding。ItwaswiththegreatestdifficultythatMr。HallandMillie，whohadbeenrousedbyherscreamofalarm，succeededingettingherdownstairs，andapplyingtherestorativescustomaryinthesecases。
　　"’Tassperrits，"saidMrs。Hall。"Iknow’tassperrits。I’vereadinpapersofen。Tablesandchairsleapinganddancing——！"
　　"Takeadropmore，Janny，"saidHall。"’Twillsteadyye。"
　　"Lockhimout，"saidMrs。Hall。"Don’tlethimcomeinagain。Ihalfguessed——Imightha’known。Withthemgogglingeyesandbandagedhead，andnevergoingtochurchofaSunday。Andalltheybottles——more’nit’srightforanyonetohave。He’sputthesperritsintothefurniture。Mygoodoldfurniture！’TwasinthatverychairmypoordearmotherusedtositwhenIwasalittlegirl。Tothinkitshouldriseupagainstmenow！"
　　"Justadropmore，Janny，"saidHall。"Yournervesisallupset。"
　　TheysentMillieacrossthestreetthroughthegoldenfiveo’clocksunshinetorouseupMr。SandyWadgers，theblacksmith。Mr。Hall’scomplimentsandthefurnitureupstairswasbehavingmostextraordinary。WouldMr。Wadgerscomeround？Hewasaknowingman，wasMr。Wadgers，andveryresourceful。
　　Hetookquiteagraveviewofthecase。"Armdarmedefthetentwitchcraft，"
　　wastheviewofMr。SandyWadgers。"Youwarnthorseshoesforsuchgentryashe。"
　　Hecameroundgreatlyconcerned。Theywantedhimtoleadthewayupstairstotheroom，buthedidn’tseemtobeinanyhurry。Hepreferredtotalkinthepassage。OverthewayHuxter’sapprenticecameoutandbegantakingdowntheshuttersofthetobaccowindow。Hewascalledovertojointhediscussion。Mr。Huxternaturallyfollowedinthecourseofafewminutes。
　　TheAnglo—Saxongeniusforparliamentarygovernmentasserteditself;therewasagreatdealoftalkandnodecisiveaction。"Let’shavethefactsfirst，"insistedMr。SandyWadgers。"Let’sbesurewe’dbeactingperfectlyrightinbustin’thattheredooropen。Adooronbustisalwaysopentobustin’，butyecan’tonbustadooronceyou’vebusteden。"
　　Andsuddenlyandmostwonderfullythedooroftheroomupstairsopenedofitsownaccord，andastheylookedupinamazement，theysawdescendingthestairsthemuffledfigureofthestrangerstaringmoreblacklyandblanklythaneverwiththoseunreasonablylargeblueglasseyesofhis。
　　Hecamedownstifflyandslowly，staringallthetime;hewalkedacrossthepassagestaring，thenstopped。
　　"Lookthere！"hesaid，andtheireyesfollowedthedirectionofhisglovedfingerandsawabottleofsarsaparillahardbythecellardoor。
　　Thenheenteredtheparlour，andsuddenly，swiftly，viciouslyslammedthedoorintheirfaces。
　　Notawordwasspokenuntilthelastechoesoftheslamhaddiedaway。
　　Theystaredatoneanother。"Well，ifthatdon’tlickeverything！"saidMr。Wadgers，andleftthealternativeunsaid。
　　"I’dgoinandask’n’boutit，"saidWadgers，toMr。Hall。"I’dd’mandanexplanation。"
　　Ittooksometimetobringthelandlady’shusbanduptothatpitch。
　　Atlastherapped，openedthedoor，andgotasfaras，"Excuseme——"
　　"Gotothedevil！"saidthestrangerinatremendousvoice，and"Shutthatdoorafteryou。"Sothatbriefinterviewterminated。
　　TheInvisibleMan—Chapter7Chapter7—TheUnveilingoftheStrangerThestrangerwentintothelittleparlouroftheCoachandHorsesabouthalf—pastfiveinthemorning，andthereheremaineduntilnearmidday，theblindsdown，thedoorshut，andnone，afterHall’srepulse，venturingnearhim。
　　Allthattimehemusthavefasted。Thriceheranghisbell，thethirdtimefuriouslyandcontinuously，butnooneansweredhim。"Himandhis’gotothedevil’indeed！"saidMrs。Hall。Presentlycameanimperfectrumouroftheburglaryatthevicarage，andtwoandtwowereputtogether。
　　Hall，assistedbyWadgers，wentofftofindMr。Shuckleforth，themagistrate，andtakehisadvice。Nooneventuredupstairs。Howthestrangeroccupiedhimselfisunknown。Nowandthenhewouldstrideviolentlyupanddown，andtwicecameanoutburstofcurses，atearingofpaper，andaviolentsmashingofbottles。
　　Thelittlegroupofscaredbutcuriouspeopleincreased。Mrs。Huxtercameover;somegayyoungfellowsresplendentinblackready—madejacketsandpiqupaperties，foritwasWhit—Monday，joinedthegroupwithconfusedinterrogations。YoungArchieHarkerdistinguishedhimselfbygoinguptheyardandtryingtopeepunderthewindow—blinds。Hecouldseenothing，butgavereasonforsupposingthathedid，andothersoftheIpingyouthpresentlyjoinedhim。