Человек-невидимка
In Oxford Street
"Thethickofthecrowdhadalreadypassed. 'Lookythere,Ted,'quoththeyoungerofthedetectives,withthesharpnessofsurpriseinhisvoice,andpointedstraighttomyfeet. Ilookeddownandsawatoncethedimsuggestionoftheiroutlinesketchedinsplashesofmud. ForamomentIwasparalysed.
"'Why,that'srum,'saidtheelder.'Dashedrum!It'sjustliketheghostofafoot,ain'tit?' Hehesitatedandadvancedwithoutstretchedhand. Amanpulledupshorttoseewhathewascatching,andthenagirl. Inanothermomenthewouldhavetouchedme. ThenIsawwhattodo. Imadeastep,theboystartedbackwithanexclamation,andwitharapidmovementIswungmyselfoverintotheporticoofthenexthouse. Butthesmallerboywassharp-eyedenoughtofollowthemovement,andbeforeIwaswelldownthestepsanduponthepavement,hehadrecoveredfromhismomentaryastonishmentandwasshoutingoutthatthefeethadgoneoverthewall.
"Theyrushedroundandsawmynewfootmarksflashintobeingonthelowerstepanduponthepavement. 'What'sup?'askedsomeone.'Feet!Look!Feetrunning!'
"Everybodyintheroad,exceptmythreepursuers,waspouringalongaftertheSalvationArmy,andthisblownotonlyimpededmebutthem. Therewasaneddyofsurpriseandinterrogation. AtthecostofbowlingoveroneyoungfellowIgotthrough,andinanothermomentIwasrushingheadlongroundthecircuitofRussellSquare,withsixorsevenastonishedpeoplefollowingmyfootmarks. Therewasnotimeforexplanation,orelsethewholehostwouldhavebeenafterme.
