Людина-невидимка
In Oxford Street
"TwiceIdoubledroundcorners,thriceIcrossedtheroadandcamebackuponmytracks,andthen,asmyfeetgrewhotanddry,thedampimpressionsbegantofade. AtlastIhadabreathingspaceandrubbedmyfeetcleanwithmyhands,andsogotawayaltogether. ThelastIsawofthechasewasalittlegroupofadozenpeopleperhaps,studyingwithinfiniteperplexityaslowlydryingfootprintthathadresultedfromapuddleinTavistockSquare,afootprintasisolatedandincomprehensibletothemasCrusoe'ssolitarydiscovery.
"Thisrunningwarmedmetoacertainextent,andIwentonwithabettercouragethroughthemazeoflessfrequentedroadsthatrunshereabouts. Mybackhadnowbecomeverystiffandsore,mytonsilswerepainfulfromthecabman'sfingers,andtheskinofmyneckhadbeenscratchedbyhisnails;myfeethurtexceedinglyandIwaslamefromalittlecutononefoot. Isawintimeablindmanapproachingme,andfledlimping,forIfearedhissubtleintuitions. OnceortwiceaccidentalcollisionsoccurredandIleftpeopleamazed,withunaccountablecursesringingintheirears. Thencamesomethingsilentandquietagainstmyface,andacrosstheSquarefellathinveilofslowlyfallingflakesofsnow. Ihadcaughtacold,anddoasIwouldIcouldnotavoidanoccasionalsneeze. Andeverydogthatcameinsight,withitspointingnoseandcurioussniffing,wasaterrortome.
