Людина-невидимка
At the House in Great Portland Street
Itoldhimtogetout.Hebegantoprotest,tojabberofhisrightofentry. InamomentIhadhimbythecollar;somethingripped,andhewentspinningoutintohisownpassage. Islammedandlockedthedoorandsatdownquivering.
"Hemadeafussoutside,whichIdisregarded,andafteratimehewentaway.
"Butthisbroughtmatterstoacrisis.Ididnotknowwhathewoulddo,norevenwhathehadthepowertodo. Tomovetofreshapartmentswouldhavemeantdelay;altogetherIhadbarelytwentypoundsleftintheworld,forthemostpartinabank—andIcouldnotaffordthat. Vanish!Itwasirresistible. Thentherewouldbeaninquiry,thesackingofmyroom.
"Atthethoughtofthepossibilityofmyworkbeingexposedorinterruptedatitsveryclimax,Ibecameveryangryandactive. Ihurriedoutwithmythreebooksofnotes,mycheque-book—thetramphasthemnow—anddirectedthemfromthenearestPostOfficetoahouseofcallforlettersandparcelsinGreatPortlandStreet. Itriedtogooutnoiselessly.Comingin,Ifoundmylandlordgoingquietlyupstairs;hehadheardthedoorclose,Isuppose. YouwouldhavelaughedtoseehimjumpasideonthelandingasIcametearingafterhim. HeglaredatmeasIwentbyhim,andImadethehousequiverwiththeslammingofmydoor. Iheardhimcomeshufflinguptomyfloor,hesitate,andgodown. Isettoworkuponmypreparationsforthwith.
"Itwasalldonethateveningandnight. WhileIwasstillsittingunderthesickly,drowsyinfluenceofthedrugsthatdecolouriseblood,therecamearepeatedknockingatthedoor.
