Людина-невидимка
The Hunter Hunted
Inanothermomentakneecompressedhisdiaphragm,andacoupleofeagerhandsgrippedhisthroat,butthegripofonewasweakerthantheother; hegraspedthewrists,heardacryofpainfromhisassailant,andthenthespadeofthenavvycamewhirlingthroughtheairabovehim,andstrucksomethingwithadullthud. Hefeltadropofmoistureonhisface. Thegripathisthroatsuddenlyrelaxed,andwithaconvulsiveeffort,Kemploosedhimself,graspedalimpshoulder,androlleduppermost.Hegrippedtheunseenelbowsneartheground. "I'vegothim!"screamedKemp."Help!Help—hold!He'sdown!Holdhisfeet!"
Inanothersecondtherewasasimultaneousrushuponthestruggle,andastrangercomingintotheroadsuddenlymighthavethoughtanexceptionallysavagegameofRugbyfootballwasinprogress. AndtherewasnoshoutingafterKemp'scry—onlyasoundofblowsandfeetandheavybreathing.
Thencameamightyeffort,andtheInvisibleManthrewoffacoupleofhisantagonistsandrosetohisknees. Kempclungtohiminfrontlikeahoundtoastag,andadozenhandsgripped,clutched,andtoreattheUnseen. Thetramconductorsuddenlygottheneckandshouldersandluggedhimback.
Downwenttheheapofstrugglingmenagainandrolledover. Therewas,Iamafraid,somesavagekicking. Thensuddenlyawildscreamof"Mercy!Mercy!"thatdieddownswiftlytoasoundlikechoking.
"Getback,youfools!"criedthemuffledvoiceofKemp,andtherewasavigorousshovingbackofstalwartforms."He'shurt,Itellyou.Standback!"
