Людина-невидимка
In Drury Lane
"Myplanswerenowperfectlydefinite. Iproposedtomakemywayintothehouse,secretemyselfupstairs,watchmyopportunity,andwheneverythingwasquiet,rummageoutawig,mask,spectacles,andcostume,andgointotheworld,perhapsagrotesquebutstillacrediblefigure. AndincidentallyofcourseIcouldrobthehouseofanyavailablemoney.
"Themanwhohadjustenteredtheshopwasashort,slight,hunched,beetle-browedman,withlongarmsandveryshortbandylegs. ApparentlyIhadinterruptedameal.Hestaredabouttheshopwithanexpressionofexpectation. Thisgavewaytosurprise,andthentoanger,ashesawtheshopempty. 'Damntheboys!'hesaid. Hewenttostareupanddownthestreet. Hecameinagaininaminute,kickedthedoortowithhisfootspitefully,andwentmutteringbacktothehousedoor.
"Icameforwardtofollowhim,andatthenoiseofmymovementhestoppeddead. Ididsotoo,startledbyhisquicknessofear. Heslammedthehousedoorinmyface.
"Istoodhesitating.SuddenlyIheardhisquickfootstepsreturning,andthedoorreopened. Hestoodlookingabouttheshoplikeonewhowasstillnotsatisfied. Then,murmuringtohimself,heexaminedthebackofthecounterandpeeredbehindsomefixtures. Thenhestooddoubtful. HehadleftthehousedooropenandIslippedintotheinnerroom.
