Людина-невидимка

           "I'mrestlessto-night,"hesaidtohimself. Hewentbacktohisstudy,andthistimeattackedhisworkresolutely. Inalittlewhilehewashardatworkagain,andtheonlysoundsintheroomwerethetickingoftheclockandthesubduedshrillnessofhisquill,hurryingintheverycentreofthecircleoflighthislampshadethrewonhistable. 

           Itwastwoo'clockbeforeDr.Kemphadfinishedhisworkforthenight. Herose,yawned,andwentdownstairstobed. Hehadalreadyremovedhiscoatandvest,whenhenoticedthathewasthirsty. Hetookacandleandwentdowntothedining-roominsearchofasyphonandwhiskey. 

           Dr.Kemp'sscientificpursuitshavemadehimaveryobservantman,andasherecrossedthehall,henoticedadarkspotonthelinoleumnearthematatthefootofthestairs. Hewentonupstairs,andthenitsuddenlyoccurredtohimtoaskhimselfwhatthespotonthelinoleummightbe. Apparentlysomesubconsciouselementwasatwork. Atanyrate,heturnedwithhisburden,wentbacktothehall,putdownthesyphonandwhiskey,andbendingdown,touchedthespot. Withoutanygreatsurprisehefoundithadthestickinessandcolourofdryingblood. 

           Hetookuphisburdenagain,andreturnedupstairs,lookingabouthimandtryingtoaccountfortheblood-spot. Onthelandinghesawsomethingandstoppedastonished. Thedoor-handleofhisownroomwasblood-stained. 

           Helookedathisownhand. Itwasquiteclean,andthenherememberedthatthedoorofhisroomhadbeenopenwhenhecamedownfromhisstudy,andthatconsequentlyhehadnottouchedthehandleatall. Hewentstraightintohisroom,hisfacequitecalm—perhapsatriflemoreresolutethanusual. Hisglance,wanderinginquisitively,fellonthebed.