Людина-невидимка
In the Emporium
Irushedamongthem,wentflat,gotridofmyvestafterinfinitewriggling,andstoodafreemanagain,pantingandscared,asthepolicemanandthreeoftheshopmencameroundthecorner. Theymadearushforthevestandpants,andcollaredthetrousers. 'He'sdroppinghisplunder,'saidoneoftheyoungmen. 'Hemustbesomewherehere.'
"Buttheydidnotfindmeallthesame.
"Istoodwatchingthemhuntformeforatime,andcursingmyill-luckinlosingtheclothes. ThenIwentintotherefreshment-room,drankalittlemilkIfoundthere,andsatdownbythefiretoconsidermyposition.
"Inalittlewhiletwoassistantscameinandbegantotalkoverthebusinessveryexcitedlyandlikethefoolstheywere. Iheardamagnifiedaccountofmydepredations,andotherspeculationsastomywhereabouts. ThenIfelltoschemingagain. Theinsurmountabledifficultyoftheplace,especiallynowitwasalarmed,wastogetanyplunderoutofit. Iwentdownintothewarehousetoseeiftherewasanychanceofpackingandaddressingaparcel,butIcouldnotunderstandthesystemofchecking. Abouteleveno'clock,thesnowhavingthawedasitfell,andthedaybeingfinerandalittlewarmerthanthepreviousone,IdecidedthattheEmporiumwashopeless,andwentoutagain,exasperatedatmywantofsuccess,withonlythevaguestplansofactioninmymind."
