Человек-невидимка
The Unveiling of the Stranger
Initsstrugglestoseeinthroughtheopendoor,thecrowdformeditselfintoastragglingwedge,withthemoreadventurousapexnearesttheinn. "Hestoodforamoment,Iheerdthegalscream,andheturned.Isawherskirtswhisk,andhewentafterher. Didn'ttaketenseconds.Backhecomeswithaknifeinuzhandandaloaf;stoodjustasifhewasstaring. Notamomentago.Wentinthattheredoor. Itell'e,'eain'tgartno'edatall. 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—"
