Людина-невидимка

           Kempclosedthedoorsoftlybehindhim,andthekeywasturneduponhimforthwith. Then,ashestoodwithanexpressionofpassiveamazementonhisface,therapidfeetcametothedoorofthedressing-roomandthattoowaslocked. Kempslappedhisbrowwithhishand. "AmIdreaming?Hastheworldgonemad—orhaveI?" 

           Helaughed,andputhishandtothelockeddoor. "Barredoutofmyownbedroom,byaflagrantabsurdity!"hesaid. 

           Hewalkedtotheheadofthestaircase,turned,andstaredatthelockeddoors. "It'sfact,"hesaid.Heputhisfingerstohisslightlybruisedneck."Undeniablefact! 

           "But—" 

           Heshookhisheadhopelessly,turned,andwentdownstairs. 

           Helitthedining-roomlamp,gotoutacigar,andbeganpacingtheroom,ejaculating.Nowandthenhewouldarguewithhimself. 

           "Invisible!"hesaid. 

           "Istheresuchathingasaninvisibleanimal?...Inthesea,yes. Thousands—millions. Allthelarvae,allthelittlenaupliiandtornarias,allthemicroscopicthings,thejelly-fish. Intheseatherearemorethingsinvisiblethanvisible! Ineverthoughtofthatbefore. Andinthepondstoo! Allthoselittlepond-lifethings—specksofcolourlesstranslucentjelly!Butinair?No! 

           "Itcan'tbe. 

           "Butafterall—whynot? 

           "Ifamanwasmadeofglasshewouldstillbevisible."