Человек-невидимка
In Drury Lane
InoneroomnexttohisIfoundalotofoldclothes. Ibeganroutingamongthese,andinmyeagernessforgotagaintheevidentsharpnessofhisears. Iheardastealthyfootstepand,lookingupjustintime,sawhimpeeringinatthetumbledheapandholdinganold-fashionedrevolverinhishand. Istoodperfectlystillwhilehestaredaboutopen-mouthedandsuspicious. 'Itmusthavebeenher,'hesaidslowly.'Damnher!'
"Heshutthedoorquietly,andimmediatelyIheardthekeyturninthelock. Thenhisfootstepsretreated. IrealisedabruptlythatIwaslockedin. ForaminuteIdidnotknowwhattodo. Iwalkedfromdoortowindowandback,andstoodperplexed. Agustofangercameuponme. ButIdecidedtoinspecttheclothesbeforeIdidanythingfurther,andmyfirstattemptbroughtdownapilefromanuppershelf. Thisbroughthimback,moresinisterthanever. Thattimeheactuallytouchedme,jumpedbackwithamazementandstoodastonishedinthemiddleoftheroom.
"Presentlyhecalmedalittle.'Rats,'hesaidinanundertone,fingersonlips. Hewasevidentlyalittlescared. Iedgedquietlyoutoftheroom,butaplankcreaked. Thentheinfernallittlebrutestartedgoingalloverthehouse,revolverinhandandlockingdoorafterdoorandpocketingthekeys. WhenIrealisedwhathewasuptoIhadafitofrage—Icouldhardlycontrolmyselfsufficientlytowatchmyopportunity. BythistimeIknewhewasaloneinthehouse,andsoImadenomoreado,butknockedhimonthehead."
"Knockedhimonthehead?"exclaimedKemp.
