Человек-невидимка
In the Emporium
"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. Iwentbehindthecounterofthis,andwaitedformycook,andasheboltedinattheheadofthechase,Idoubledhimupwithalamp. Downhewent,andIcroucheddownbehindthecounterandbeganwhippingoffmyclothesasfastasIcould. Coat,jacket,trousers,shoeswereallright,butalambswoolvestfitsamanlikeaskin. Iheardmoremencoming,mycookwaslyingquietontheothersideofthecounter,stunnedorscaredspeechless,andIhadtomakeanotherdashforit,likearabbithuntedoutofawood-pile.
"'Thisway,policeman!'Iheardsomeoneshouting. Ifoundmyselfinmybedsteadstoreroomagain,andattheendofawildernessofwardrobes.
