Людина-невидимка
At the House in Great Portland Street
Ilookedaboutmeatthehillside,withchildrenplayingandgirlswatchingthem,andtriedtothinkofallthefantasticadvantagesaninvisiblemanwouldhaveintheworld. AfteratimeIcrawledhome,tooksomefoodandastrongdoseofstrychnine,andwenttosleepinmyclothesonmyunmadebed. Strychnineisagrandtonic,Kemp,totaketheflabbinessoutofaman."
"It'sthedevil,"saidKemp."It'sthepalaeolithicinabottle."
"Iawokevastlyinvigoratedandratherirritable.Youknow?"
"Iknowthestuff."
"Andtherewassomeonerappingatthedoor.Itwasmylandlordwiththreatsandinquiries,anoldPolishJewinalonggreycoatandgreasyslippers. Ihadbeentormentingacatinthenight,hewassure—theoldwoman'stonguehadbeenbusy. Heinsistedonknowingallaboutit. Thelawsinthiscountryagainstvivisectionwereverysevere—hemightbeliable. Ideniedthecat. Thenthevibrationofthelittlegasenginecouldbefeltalloverthehouse,hesaid. Thatwastrue,certainly. Heedgedroundmeintotheroom,peeringaboutoverhisGerman-silverspectacles,andasuddendreadcameintomymindthathemightcarryawaysomethingofmysecret. ItriedtokeepbetweenhimandtheconcentratingapparatusIhadarranged,andthatonlymadehimmorecurious. WhatwasIdoing?WhywasIalwaysaloneandsecretive? Wasitlegal?Wasitdangerous?Ipaidnothingbuttheusualrent. Hishadalwaysbeenamostrespectablehouse—inadisreputableneighbourhood.Suddenlymytempergaveway.
