Людина-невидимка
The Plan That Failed
Kemp'sfacebecamewhite. Hetriedtogripthedoorhandlewithbothhands. Foramomenthestoodlugging. Thenthedoorgavesixinches.Buthegotitclosedagain. Thesecondtimeitwasjerkedafootwide,andthedressing-gowncamewedgingitselfintotheopening. Histhroatwasgrippedbyinvisiblefingers,andhelefthisholdonthehandletodefendhimself. Hewasforcedback,trippedandpitchedheavilyintothecornerofthelanding. Theemptydressing-gownwasflungonthetopofhim.
HalfwayupthestaircasewasColonelAdye,therecipientofKemp'sletter,thechiefoftheBurdockpolice. HewasstaringaghastatthesuddenappearanceofKemp,followedbytheextraordinarysightofclothingtossingemptyintheair. HesawKempfelled,andstrugglingtohisfeet.Hesawhimrushforward,andgodownagain,felledlikeanox.
Thensuddenlyhewasstruckviolently.Bynothing! Avastweight,itseemed,leaptuponhim,andhewashurledheadlongdownthestaircase,withagriponhisthroatandakneeinhisgroin. Aninvisiblefoottrodonhisback,aghostlypatterpasseddownstairs,heheardthetwopoliceofficersinthehallshoutandrun,andthefrontdoorofthehouseslammedviolently.
Herolledoverandsatupstaring. Hesaw,staggeringdownthestaircase,Kemp,dustyanddisheveled,onesideofhisfacewhitefromablow,hislipbleeding,andapinkdressing-gownandsomeunderclothingheldinhisarms.
"MyGod!"criedKemp,"thegame'sup!He'sgone!"
