Людина-невидимка
In the Emporium
"ThepaleLondondawnhadcome,theplacewasfullofachillygreylightthatfilteredroundtheedgesofthewindowblinds. Isatup,andforatimeIcouldnotthinkwherethisampleapartment,withitscounters,itspilesofrolledstuff,itsheapofquiltsandcushions,itsironpillars,mightbe. Then,asrecollectioncamebacktome,Iheardvoicesinconversation.
"Thenfardowntheplace,inthebrighterlightofsomedepartmentwhichhadalreadyraiseditsblinds,Isawtwomenapproaching. Iscrambledtomyfeet,lookingaboutmeforsomewayofescape,andevenasIdidsothesoundofmymovementmadethemawareofme. Isupposetheysawmerelyafiguremovingquietlyandquicklyaway. 'Who'sthat?'criedone,and'Stopthere!'shoutedtheother. Idashedaroundacornerandcamefulltilt—afacelessfigure,mindyou!—onalankyladoffifteen. HeyelledandIbowledhimover,rushedpasthim,turnedanothercorner,andbyahappyinspirationthrewmyselfbehindacounter. InanothermomentfeetwentrunningpastandIheardvoicesshouting,'Allhandstothedoors!'askingwhatwas'up,'andgivingoneanotheradvicehowtocatchme.
"Lyingontheground,Ifeltscaredoutofmywits. But—oddasitmayseem—itdidnotoccurtomeatthemomenttotakeoffmyclothesasIshouldhavedone. Ihadmadeupmymind,Isuppose,togetawayinthem,andthatruledme. Andthendownthevistaofthecounterscameabawlingof'Hereheis!'
