"Presentlyhecameupagain，stillmuttering。Heopenedthedooroftheroom，andbeforeIcouldenter，slammeditinmyface。
"Iresolvedtoexplorethehouse，andspentsometimeindoingsoasnoiselesslyaspossible。Thehousewasveryoldandtumbledown，dampsothatthepaperintheatticswaspeelingfromthewalls，andrat—infested。
SomeofthedoorhandleswerestiffandIwasafraidtoturnthem。SeveralroomsIdidinspectwereunfurnished，andotherswerelitteredwiththeatricallumber，boughtsecond—hand，Ijudged，fromitsappearance。InoneroomnexttohisIfoundalotofoldclothes。Ibeganroutingamongthese，andinmyeagernessforgotagaintheevidentsharpnessofhisears。Iheardastealthyfootstepand，lookingupjustintime，sawhimpeeringinatthetumbledheapandholdinganold—fashionedrevolverinhishand。Istoodperfectlystillwhilehestaredaboutopen—mouthedandsuspicious。’Itmusthavebeenher，’hesaidslowly。’Damnher！’
"Heshutthedoorquietly，andimmediatelyIheardthekeyturninthelock。Thenhisfootstepsretreated。IrealisedabruptlythatIwaslockedin。Foraminuteadidnotknowwhattodo。Iwalkedfromdoortowindowandback，andstoodperplexed。Agustofangercameuponme。ButIdecidedtoinspecttheclothesbeforeIdidanythingfurther，andmyfirstattemptbroughtdownapilefromanuppershelf。Thisbroughthimback，moresinisterthanever。Thattimeheactuallytouchedme，jumpedbackwithamazementandstoodastonishedinthemiddleoftheroom。
"Presentlyhecalmedalittle。’Rats，’hesaidinanundertone，fingersonlip。Hewasevidentlyalittlescared。Iedgedquietlyoutoftheroom，butaplankcreaked。Thentheinfernallittlebrutestartedgoingalloverthehouse，revolverinhandandlockingdoorafterdoorandpocketingthekeys。WhenIrealisedwhathewasuptoIhadafitofrage——Icouldhardlycontrolmyselfsufficientlytowatchmyopportunity。BythistimeIknewhewasaloneinthehouse，andsoImadenomoreado，butknockedhimonthehead。"
"Knockedhimonthehead！"exclaimedKemp。
"Yes——stunnedhim——ashewasgoingdownstairs。Hithimfrombehindwithastoolthatstoodonthelanding。Hewentdownstairslikeabagofoldboots。"
"But——！Isay！Thecommonconventionsofhumanity——"
"Areallverywellforcommonpeople。Butthepointwas，Kemp，thatIhadtogetoutofthathouseinadisguisewithouthisseeingme。Icouldn’tthinkofanyotherwayofdoingit。AndthenIgaggedhimwithaLouisQuatorzevestandtiedhimupinasheet。"
"Tiedhimupinasheet！"
"Madeasortofbagofit。Itwasratheragoodideatokeeptheidiotscaredandquiet，andadevilishhardthingtogetoutof——headawayfromthestring。MydearKemp，it’snogoodyoursittingandglaringasthoughIwasamurderer。Ithadtobedone。Hehadhisrevolver。Ifoncehesawmehewouldbeabletodescribeme——"
"Butstill，"saidKemp，"inEngland——to—day。Andthemanwasinhisownhouse，andyouwere——well，robbing。"
"Robbing！Confoundit！You’llcallmeathiefnext！Surely，Kemp，you’renotfoolenoughtodanceontheoldstrings。Can’tyouseemyposition？"
"Andhistoo，"saidKemp。
TheInvisibleManstoodupsharply。"Whatdoyoumeantosay？"
Kemp’sfacegrewatriflehard。Hewasabouttospeakandcheckedhimself。
"Isuppose，afterall，"hesaidwithasuddenchangeofmanner，"thethinghadtobedone。Youwereinafix。Butstill——"
"OfcourseIwasinafix——aninfernalfix。Andhemademewildtoo——huntingmeaboutthehouse，foolingaboutwithhisrevolver，lockingandunlockingdoors。Hewassimplyexasperating。Youdon’tblameme，doyou？Youdon’tblameme？"
"Ineverblameanyone，"saidKemp。"It’squiteoutoffashion。Whatdidyoudonext？"
"Iwashungry。DownstairsIfoundaloafandsomerankcheese——morethansufficienttosatisfymyhunger。Itooksomebrandyandwater，andthenwentuppastmyimpromptubag——hewaslyingquitestill——totheroomcontainingtheoldclothes。Thislookedoutuponthestreet，twolacecurtainsbrownwithdirtguardingthewindow。Iwentandpeeredoutthroughtheirinterstices。Outsidethedaywasbright——bycontrastwiththebrownshadowsofthedismalhouseinwhichIfoundmyself，dazzlinglybright。Abrisktrafficwasgoingby，fruitcarts，ahansom，afour—wheelerwithapileofboxes，afishmonger’scart。Iturnedwithspotsofcolourswimmingbeforemyeyestotheshadowyfixturesbehindme。Myexcitementwasgivingplacetoaclearapprehensionofmypositionagain。Theroomwasfullofafaintscentofbenzoline，used，Isuppose，incleaningthegarments。
"Ibeganasystematicsearchoftheplace。Ishouldjudgethehunchbackhadbeenaloneinthehouseforsometime。Hewasacuriousperson。EverythingthatcouldpossiblybeofservicetomeIcollectedintheclothesstoreroom，andthenImadeadeliberateselection。IfoundahandbagIthoughtasuitablepossession，andsomepowder，rouge，andsticking—plaster。
"Ihadthoughtofpaintingandpowderingmyfaceandallthattherewastoshowofme，inordertorendermyselfvisible，butthedisadvantageofthislayinthefactthatIshouldrequireturpentineandotherappliancesandaconsiderableamountoftimebeforeIcouldvanishagain。FinallyIchoseamaskofthebettertype，slightlygrotesquebutnotmoresothanmanyhumanbeings，darkglasses，greyishwhiskers，andawig。Icouldfindnounderclothing，butthatIcouldbuysubsequently，andforthetimeI
swathedmyselfincalicodominoesandsomewhitecashmerescarfs。Icouldfindnosocks，butthehunchback’sbootswereratheraloosefitandsufficed。
Inadeskintheshopwerethreesovereignsandaboutthirtyshillings’
worthofsilver，andinalockedcupboardIburstintheinnerroomwereeightpoundsingold。Icouldgoforthintotheworldagain，equipped。
"Thencameacurioushesitation。Wasmyappearancereally——credible？
Itriedmyselfwithalittlebedroomlooking—glass，inspectingmyselffromeverypointofviewtodiscoveranyforgottenchink，butitallseemedsound。Iwasgrotesquetothetheatricalpitch，astagemiser，butIwascertainlynotaphysicalimpossibility。Gatheringconfidence，Itookmylooking—glassdownintotheshop，pulleddowntheshopblinds，andsurveyedmyselffromeverypointofviewwiththehelpofthechevalglassinthecorner。
"Ispentsomeminutesscrewingupmycourageandthenunlockedtheshopdoorandmarchedoutintothestreet，leavingthelittlemantogetoutofhissheetagainwhenheliked。Infiveminutesadozenturningsintervenedbetweenmeandthecostumier’sshop。Nooneappearedtonoticemeverypointedly。Mylastdifficultyseemedovercome。"
Hestoppedagain。
"Andyoutroublednomoreaboutthehunchback？"saidKemp。
"No，"saidtheInvisibleMan。"NorhaveIheardwhatbecameofhim。
Isupposeheuntiedhimselforkickedhimselfout。Theknotswereprettytight。"
Hebecamesilent，andwenttothewindowandstaredout。
"WhathappenedwhenyouwentoutintotheStrand？"
"Oh！——disillusionmentagain。Ithoughtmytroubleswereover。PracticallyIthoughtIhadimpunitytodowhateverIchose，everything——savetogiveawaymysecret。SoIthought。WhateverIdid，whatevertheconsequencesmightbe，wasnothingtome。Ihadmerelytoflingasidemygarmentsandvanish。Nopersoncouldholdme。IcouldtakemymoneywhereIfoundit。
Idecidedtotreatmyselftoasumptuousfeast，andthenputupatagoodhotel，andaccumulateanewoutfitofproperty。Ifeltamazinglyconfident——it’snotparticularlypleasantrecallingthatIwasanass。Iwentintoaplaceandwasalreadyorderingalunch，whenitoccurredtomethatIcouldnoteatunlessIexposedmyinvisibleface。Ifinishedorderingthelunch，toldthemanIshouldbebackintenminutes，andwentoutexasperated。
Idon’tknowifyouhaveeverbeendisappointedinyourappetite。"
"Notquitesobadly，"saidKemp，"butIcanimagineit。"
"Icouldhavesmashedthesillydevils。Atlast，faintwiththedesirefortastefulfood，Iwentintoanotherplaceanddemandedaprivateroom。
’Iamdisfigured，’Isaid。’Badly。’Theylookedatmecuriously，butofcourseitwasnottheiraffair——andsoatlastIgotmylunch。Itwasnotparticularlywellserved，butitsufficed;andwhenIhadhadit，Isatoveracigar，tryingtoplanmylineofaction。Andoutsideasnowstormwasbeginning。
"ThemoreIthoughtitover，Kemp，themoreIrealisedwhatahelplessabsurdityanInvisibleManwas——inacoldanddirtyclimateandacrowdedcivilisedcity。BeforeImadethismadexperimentIhaddreamtofathousandadvantages。Thatafternoonitseemedalldisappointment。Iwentovertheheadsofthethingsamanreckonsdesirable。Nodoubtinvisibilitymadeitpossibletogetthem，butitmadeitimpossibletoenjoythemwhentheyaregot。Ambition——whatisthegoodofprideofplacewhenyoucannotappearthere？WhatisthegoodoftheloveofwomanwhenhernamemustneedsbeDelilah？Ihavenotasteforpolitics，fortheblackguardismsoffame，forphilanthropy，forsport。WhatwasItodo？AndforthisIhadbecomeawrapped—upmystery，aswathedandbandagedcaricatureofaman！"
Hepaused，andhisattitudesuggestedarovingglanceatthewindow。
"ButhowdidyougettoIping？"saidKemp，anxioustokeephisguestbusytalking。
"Iwenttheretowork。Ihadonehope。Itwasahalfidea！Ihaveitstill。Itisafullblownideanow。Awayofgettingback！OfrestoringwhatIhavedone。WhenIchoose。WhenIhavedoneallImeantodoinvisibly。
AndthatiswhatIchieflywanttotalktoyouaboutnow。"
"YouwentstraighttoIping？"
"Yes。Ihadsimplytogetmythreevolumesofmemorandaandmycheque—book，myluggageandunderclothing，orderaquantityofchemicalstoworkoutthisideaofmine——IwillshowyouthecalculationsassoonasIgetmybooks——andthenIstarted。Jove！Irememberthesnowstormnow，andtheaccursedbotheritwastokeepthesnowfromdampingmypasteboardnose。"
"Attheend，"saidKemp，"thedaybeforeyesterday，whentheyfoundyouout，yourather——tojudgebythepapers——"
"Idid。Rather。DidIkillthatfoolofaconstable？"
"No，"saidKemp。"He’sexpectedtorecover。"
"That’shisluck，then。Icleanlostmytemper，thefools！Whycouldn’ttheyleavemealone？Andthatgrocerlout？"
"Therearenodeathsexpected，"saidKemp。
"Idon’tknowaboutthattrampofmine，"saidtheInvisibleMan，withanunpleasantlaugh。
"ByHeaven，Kemp，youdon’tknowwhatrageis！Tohaveworkedforyears，tohaveplannedandplotted，andthentogetsomefumblingpurblindidiotmessingacrossyourcourse！Everyconceivablesortofsillycreaturethathaseverbeencreatedhasbeensenttocrossme。
"IfIhavemuchmoreofit，Ishallgowild——Ishallstartmowing’em。
"Asitis，they’vemadethingsathousandtimesmoredifficult。"
"Nodoubtit’sexasperating，"saidKemp，dryly。
TheInvisibleMan—Chapter24Chapter24—ThePlanThatFailed"Butnow，"saidKemp，withasideglanceoutofthewindow，"whatarewetodo？"
Hemovednearerhisguestashespokeinsuchamannerastopreventthepossibilityofaglimpseofthethreemenwhowereadvancingupthehillroad——withanintolerableslowness，asitseemedtoKemp。
"WhatwereyouplanningtodowhenyouwereheadingforPortBurdock？
Hadyouanyplan？"
"Iwasgoingtoclearoutofthecountry。ButIhavealteredthatplanrathersinceseeingyou。Ithoughtitwouldbewise，nowtheweatherishotandinvisibilitypossible，tomakefortheSouth。Especiallyasmysecretwasknown，andeveryonewouldbeonthelookoutforamaskedandmuffledman。YouhavealineofsteamersfromheretoFrance。Myideawastogetaboardoneandruntherisksofthepassage。ThenceIcouldgobytrainintoSpain，orelsegettoAlgiers。Itwouldnotbedifficult。Thereamanmightalwaysbeinvisible——andyetlive。Anddothings。Iwasusingthattrampasamoneyboxandluggagecarrier，untilIdecidedhowtogetmybooksandthingssentovertomeetme。"
"That’sclear。"
"Andthenthefilthybrutemustneedstryandrobme！Hehashiddenmybooks，Kemp。Hiddenmybooks！IfIcanlaymyhandsonhim！"
"Bestplantogetthebooksoutofhimfirst。"
"Butwhereishe？Doyouknow？"
"He’sinthetownpolicestation，lockedup，byhisownrequest，inthestrongestcellintheplace。"
"Cur！"saidtheInvisibleMan。
"Butthathangsupyourplansalittle。"
"Wemustgetthosebooks;thosebooksarevital。"
"Certainly，"saidKemp，alittlenervously，wonderingifheheardfootstepsoutside。"Certainlywemustgetthosebooks。Butthatwon’tbedifficult，ifhedoesn’tknowthey’reforyou。"
"No，"saidtheInvisibleMan，andthought。
Kemptriedtothinkofsomethingtokeepthetalkgoing，buttheInvisibleManresumedofhisownaccord。
"Blunderingintoyourhouse，Kemp，"hesaid，"changesallmyplans。
Foryouareamanthatcanunderstand。Inspiteofallthathashappened，inspiteofthispublicity，ofthelossofmybooks，ofwhatIhavesuffered，therestillremaingreatpossibilities，hugepossibilities——
"YouhavetoldnooneIamhere？"heaskedabruptly。
Kemphesitated。"Thatwasimplied，"hesaid。
"Noone？"insistedGriffin。
"Notasoul。"
"Ah！Now——"TheInvisibleManstoodup，andstickinghisarmsakimbobegantopacethestudy。
"Imadeamistake，Kemp，ahugemistake，incarryingthisthingthroughalone。Ihavewastedstrength，time，opportunities。Alone——itiswonderfulhowlittleamancandoalone！Torobalittle，tohurtalittle，andthereistheend。
"WhatIwant，Kemp，isagoal—keeper，ahelper，andahiding—place，anarrangementwherebyIcansleepandeatandrestinpeace，andunsuspected。
Imusthaveaconfederate。Withaconfederate，withfoodandrest——athousandthingsarepossible。
"HithertoIhavegoneonvaguelines。Wehavetoconsiderallthatinvisibilitymeans，allthatitdoesnotmean。Itmeanslittleadvantageforeavesdroppingandsoforth——onemakessounds。It’soflittlehelp，alittlehelpperhaps——inhousebreakingandsoforth。Onceyou’vecaughtmeyoucouldeasilyimprisonme。ButontheotherhandIamhardtocatch。Thisinvisibility，infact，isonlygoodintwocases：It’susefulingettingaway，it’susefulinapproaching。It’sparticularlyuseful，therefore，inkilling。Icanwalkroundaman，whateverweaponhehas，choosemypoint，strikeasIlike。
DodgeasIlike。EscapeasIlike。"
Kemp’shandwenttohismoustache。Wasthatamovementdownstairs？
"Anditiskillingwemustdo，Kemp。"
"Itiskillingwemustdo，"repeatedKemp。"I’mlisteningtoyourplan，Griffin，butI’mnotagreeing，mind。Whykilling？"
"Notwantonkillingbutajudiciousslaying。ThepointistheyknowthereisanInvisibleMan——aswellasweknowthereisanInvisibleMan。
AndthatInvisibleMan，Kemp，mustnowestablishaReignofTerror。Yes——nodoubtit’sstartling。ButImeanit。AReignofTerror。HemusttakesometownlikeyourBurdockandterrifyanddominateit。Hemustissuehisorders。
Hecandothatinathousandways——scrapsofpaperthrustunderdoorswouldsuffice。Andallwhodisobeyhisordershemustkill，andkillallwhowoulddefendthedisobedient。"
"Humph！"saidKemp，nolongerlisteningtoGriffinbuttothesoundofhisfrontdooropeningandclosing。
"Itseemstome，Griffin，"hesaid，tocoverhiswanderingattention，"thatyourconfederatewouldbeinadifficultposition。"
"Noonewouldknowhewasaconfederate，"saidtheInvisibleMan，eagerly。
Andthensuddenly，"Hush！What’sthatdownstairs？"
"Nothing，"saidKemp，andsuddenlybegantospeakloudandfast。"I
don’tagreetothis，Griffin，"hesaid。"Understandme，Idon’tagreetothis。Whydreamofplayingagameagainsttherace？Howcanyouhopetogainhappiness？Don’tbealonewolf。Publishyourresults;taketheworld——takethenationatleast——intoyourconfidence。Thinkwhatyoumightdowithamillionhelpers——"
TheInvisibleManinterruptedKemp。"Therearefootstepscomingupstairs，"
hesaidinalowvoice。
"Nonsense，"saidKemp。
"Letmesee，"saidtheInvisibleMan，andadvanced，armextended，tothedoor。
Kemphesitatedforasecondandthenmovedtointercepthim。TheInvisibleManstartedandstoodstill。"Traitor！"criedtheVoice，andsuddenlythedressing—gownopened，andsittingdowntheUnseenbegantodisrobe。Kempmadethreeswiftstepstothedoor，andforthwiththeInvisibleMan——hislegshadvanished——sprangtohisfeetwithashout。Kempflungthedooropen。
Asitopened，therecameasoundofhurryingfeetdownstairsandvoices。
WithaquickmovementKempthrusttheInvisibleManback，sprangaside，andslammedthedoor。Thekeywasoutsideandready。InanothermomentGriffinwouldhavebeenaloneinthebelvederestudy，aprisoner。Saveforonelittlething。Thekeyhadbeenslippedinhastilythatmorning。
AsKempslammedthedooritfellnoisilyuponthecarpet。
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，withagripathisthroatandakneeinhisgroin。Aninvisiblefoottrodonhisback，aghostlypatterpasseddownstairs，heheardthetwopoliceofficersinthehallshoutandrun，andthefrontdoorofthehouseslammedviolently。
Herolledoverandsatupstaring。Hesaw，staggeringdownthestaircase，Kemp，dustyanddishevelled，onesideofhisfacewhitefromablow，hislipbleeding，holdingapinkdressing—gownandsomeunderclothinginhisarms。
"MyGod！"criedKemp，"thegame’sup！He’sgone！"
TheInvisibleMan—Chapter25Chapter25—TheHuntingoftheInvisibleManForaspaceKempwastooinarticulatetomakeAdyeunderstandtheswiftthingsthathadjusthappened。Thetwomenstoodonthelanding，Kempspeakingswiftly，thegrotesqueswathingsofGriffinstillonhisarm。ButpresentlyAdyebegantograspsomethingofthesituation。
"He’smad，"saidKemp;"inhuman。Heispureselfishness。Hethinksofnothingbuthisownadvantage，hisownsafety。Ihavelistenedtosuchastorythismorningofbrutalself—seeking！Hehaswoundedmen。Hewillkillthemunlesswecanpreventhim。Hewillcreateapanic。Nothingcanstophim。Heisgoingoutnow——furious！"
"Hemustbecaught，"saidAdye。"Thatiscertain。"
"Buthow？"criedKemp，andsuddenlybecamefullofideas。"Youmustbeginatonce。Youmustseteveryavailablemantowork。Youmustpreventhisleavingthisdistrict。Oncehegetsawayhemaygothroughthecountrysideashewills，killingandmaiming。Hedreamsofareignofterror！Areignofterror，Itellyou。Youmustsetawatchontrainsandroadsandshipping。
Thegarrisonmusthelp。Youmustwireforhelp。Theonlythingthatmaykeephimhereisthethoughtofrecoveringsomebooksofnoteshecountsofvalue。Iwilltellyouofthat！Thereisamaninyourpolicestation——Marvel。"
"Iknow，"saidAdye，"Iknow。Thosebooks——yes。"
"Andyoumustpreventhimfromeatingorsleeping;dayandnightthecountrymustbeastirforhim。Foodmustbelockedupandsecured，allfood，sothathewillhavetobreakhiswaytoit。Thehouseseverywheremustbebarredagainsthim。Heavensenduscoldnightsandrain！Thewholecountrysidemustbeginhuntingandkeephunting。Itellyou，Adye，heisadanger，adisaster;unlessheispinnedandsecured，itisfrightfultothinkofthethingsthatmayhappen。"
"Whatelsecanwedo？"saidAdye。"Imustgodownatonceandbeginorganising。Butwhynotcome？Yes——youcometoo！Come，andwemustholdasortofcouncilofwar，——getHoppstohelp——andtherailwaymanagers。
Byjove！it’surgent。Comealong——tellmeaswego。Whatelseistherewecando？Putthatstuffdown。"
InanothermomentAdyewasleadingthewaydownstairs。Theyfoundthefrontdooropenandthepolicemenstandingoutsidestaringatemptyair。
"He’sgotaway，sir，"saidone。
"Wemustgotothecentralstationatonce，"saidAdye。"Oneofyougoondownandgetacabtocomeupandmeetus——quickly。Andnow，Kemp，whatelse？"
"Dogs，"saidKemp。"Getdogs。Theydon’tseehim，buttheywindhim。
Getdogs。"
"Good，"saidAdye。"It’snotgenerallyknown，buttheprisonofficialsoveratHalsteadknowamanwithbloodhounds。Dogs。Whatelse？"
"Bearinmind，"saidKemp，"hisfoodshows。Aftereating，hisfoodshowsuntilitisassimilated。Sothathehastohideaftereating。Youmustkeeponbeating——everythicket，everyquietcorner。Andputallweapons，allimplementsthatmightbeweapons，away。Hecan’tcarrysuchthingsforlong。Andwhathecansnatchupandstrikemenwithmustbehiddenaway。"
"Goodagain，"saidAdye。"Weshallhavehimyet！"
"Andontheroads，"saidKemp，andhesitated。
"Yes？"saidAdye。
"Powderedglass，"saidKemp。"It’scruel，Iknow。Butthinkofwhathemaydo！"
Adyedrewtheairinbetweenhisteethsharply。"It’sunsportsmanlike。
Idon’tknow。ButI’llhavepowderedglassgotready。Ifhegoestoofar——"
"Theman’sbecomeinhuman，Itellyou，"saidKemp。"Iamassurehewillestablishareignofterror——sosoonashehasgotovertheemotionsofthisescape——asIamsureIamtalkingtoyou。Ouronlychanceistobeahead。Hehascuthimselfofffromhiskind。Hisbloodbeuponhisownhead。"
TheInvisibleMan—Chapter26Chapter26—TheWicksteedMurderTheInvisibleManseemstohaverushedoutofKemp’shouseinastateofblindfury。AlittlechildplayingnearKemp’sgatewaywasviolentlycaughtupandthrownaside，sothatitsanklewasbroken，andthereafterforsomehourstheInvisibleManpassedoutofhumanperceptions。Nooneknowswherehewentnorwhathedid。ButonecanimaginehimhurryingthroughthehotJuneforenoon，upthehillandontotheopendownlandbehindPortBurdock，raginganddespairingathisintolerablefate，andshelteringatlast，heatedandweary，amidthethicketsofHintondean，topiecetogetheragainhisshatteredschemesagainsthisspecies。Thatseemsthemostprobablerefugeforhim，forthereitwashere—assertedhimselfinagrimlytragicalmannerabouttwointheafternoon。
Onewonderswhathisstateofmindmayhavebeenduringthattime，andwhatplanshedevised。NodoubthewasalmostecstaticallyexasperatedbyKemp’streachery，andthoughwemaybeabletounderstandthemotivesthatledtothatdeceit，wemaystillimagineandevensympathisealittlewiththefurytheattemptedsurprisemusthaveoccasioned。PerhapssomethingofthestunnedastonishmentofhisOxfordStreetexperiencesmayhavereturnedtohim，forevidentlyhehadcountedonKemp’sco—operationinhisbrutaldreamofaterrorisedworld。Atanyratehevanishedfromhumankenaboutmidday，andnolivingwitnesscantellwhathediduntilabouthalf—pasttwo。Itwasafortunatething，perhaps，forhumanity，butforhimitwasafatalinaction。
Duringthattimeagrowingmultitudeofmenscatteredoverthecountrysidewerebusy。Inthemorninghehadstillbeensimplyalegend，aterror;
intheafternoon，byvirtuechieflyofKemp’sdrilywordedproclamation，hewaspresentedasatangibleantagonist，tobewounded，captured，orovercome，andthecountrysidebeganorganisingitselfwithinconceivablerapidity。Bytwoo’clockevenhemightstillhaveremovedhimselfoutofthedistrictbygettingaboardatrain，butaftertwothatbecameimpossible。
EverypassengertrainalongthelinesonagreatparallelogrambetweenSouthampton，Manchester，Brighton，andHorsham，travelledwithlockeddoors，andthegoodstrafficwasalmostentirelysuspended。AndinagreatcircleoftwentymilesroundPortBurdock，menarmedwithgunsandbludgeonswerepresentlysettingoutingroupsofthreeandfour，withdogs，tobeattheroadsandfields。
Mountedpolicemenrodealongthecountrylanes，stoppingateverycottageandwarningthepeopletolockuptheirhouses，andkeepindoorsunlesstheywerearmed，andalltheelementaryschoolshadbrokenupbythreeo’clock，andthechildren，scaredandkeepingtogetheringroups，werehurryinghome。Kemp’sproclamation——signedindeedbyAdye——waspostedoveralmostthewholedistrictbyfourorfiveo’clockintheafternoon。Itgavebrieflybutclearlyalltheconditionsofthestruggle，thenecessityofkeepingtheInvisibleManfromfoodandsleep，thenecessityforincessantwatchfulnessandforapromptattentiontoanyevidenceofhismovements。
Andsoswiftanddecidedwastheactionoftheauthorities，sopromptanduniversalwasthebeliefinthisstrangebeing，thatbeforenightfallanareaofseveralhundredsquaremileswasinastringentstateofsiege。
Andbeforenightfall，too，athrillofhorrorwentthroughthewholewatchingnervouscountryside。Goingfromwhisperingmouthtomouth，swiftandcertainoverthelengthandbreadthofthecounty，passedthestoryofthemurderofMr。Wicksteed。
IfoursuppositionthattheInvisibleMan’srefugewastheHintondeanthickets，thenwemustsupposethatintheearlyafternoonhesalliedoutagainbentuponsomeprojectthatinvolvedtheuseofaweapon。Wecannotknowwhattheprojectwas，buttheevidencethathehadtheironrodinhandbeforehemetWicksteedistomeatleastoverwhelming。
Wecanknownothingofthedetailsoftheencounter。Itoccurredontheedgeofagravelpit，nottwohundredyardsfromLordBurdock’sLodgegate。Everythingpointstoadesperatestruggle，——thetrampledground，thenumerouswoundsMr。Wicksteedreceived，hissplinteredwalking—stick;
butwhytheattackwasmade——saveinamurderousfrenzy——itisimpossibletoimagine。Indeedthetheoryofmadnessisalmostunavoidable。Mr。Wicksteedwasamanofforty—fiveorforty—six，stewardtoLordBurdock，ofinoffensivehabitsandappearance，theverylastpersonintheworldtoprovokesuchaterribleantagonist。AgainsthimitwouldseemtheInvisibleManusedanironroddraggedfromabrokenpieceoffence。Hestoppedthisquietman，goingquietlyhometohismiddaymeal，attackedhim，beatdownhisfeebledefences，brokehisarm，felledhim，andsmashedhisheadtoajelly。
Hemusthavedraggedthisrodoutofthefencingbeforehemethisvictim;
hemusthavebeencarryingitreadyinhishand。Onlytwodetailsbeyondwhathasalreadybeenstatedseemtobearonthematter。OneisthecircumstancethatthegravelpitwasnotinMr。Wicksteed’sdirectpathhome，butnearlyacoupleofhundredyardsoutofhisway。Theotheristheassertionofalittlegirltotheeffectthat，goingtoherafternoonschool，shesawthemurderedman"trotting"inapeculiarmanneracrossafieldtowardsthegravelpit。Herpantomimeofhisactionsuggestsamanpursuingsomethingonthegroundbeforehimandstrikingatiteverandagainwithhiswalking—stick。
Shewasthelastpersontoseehimalive。Hepassedoutofhersighttohisdeath，thestrugglebeinghiddenfromheronlybyaclumpofbeechtreesandaslightdepressionintheground。
Nowthis，tothepresentwriter’smindatleast，liftsthemurderoutoftherealmoftheabsolutelywanton。WemayimaginethatGriffinhadtakentherodasaweaponindeed，butwithoutanydeliberateintentionofusingitinmurder。Wicksteedmaythenhavecomebyandnoticedthisrodinexplicablymovingthroughtheair。WithoutanythoughtoftheInvisibleMan——forPortBurdockistenmilesaway——hemayhavepursuedit。ItisquiteconceivablethathemaynotevenhaveheardoftheInvisibleMan。
OnecanthenimaginetheInvisibleManmakingoff——quietlyinordertoavoiddiscoveringhispresenceintheneighbourhood，andWicksteed，excitedandcurious，pursuingthisunaccountablylocomotiveobject——finallystrikingatit。
NodoubttheInvisibleMancouldeasilyhavedistancedhismiddle—agedpursuerunderordinarycircumstances，butthepositioninwhichWicksteed’sbodywasfoundsuggeststhathehadtheilllucktodrivehisquarryintoacornerbetweenadriftofstingingnettlesandthegravelpit。TothosewhoappreciatetheextraordinaryirascibilityoftheInvisibleMan，therestoftheencounterwillbeeasytoimagine。
Butthisispurehypothesis。Theonlyundeniablefacts——forstoriesofchildrenareoftenunreliable——arethediscoveryofWicksteed’sbody，donetodeath，andoftheblood—stainedironrodflungamongthenettles。
TheabandonmentoftherodbyGriffin，suggeststhatintheemotionalexcitementoftheaffair，thepurposeforwhichhetookit——ifhehadapurpose——wasabandoned。Hewascertainlyanintenselyegotisticalandunfeelingman，butthesightofhisvictim，hisfirstvictim，bloodyandpitifulathisfeet，mayhavereleasedsomelongpentfountainofremorsetofloodforatimewhateverschemeofactionhehadcontrived。
AfterthemurderofMr。Wicksteed，hewouldseemtohavestruckacrossthecountrytowardsthedownland。ThereisastoryofavoiceheardaboutsunsetbyacoupleofmeninafieldnearFernBottom。Itwaswailingandlaughing，sobbingandgroaning，andeverandagainitshouted。Itmusthavebeenqueerhearing。Itdroveupacrossthemiddleofacloverfieldanddiedawaytowardsthehills。
ThatafternoontheInvisibleManmusthavelearntsomethingoftherapiduseKemphadmadeofhisconfidences。Hemusthavefoundhouseslockedandsecured;hemayhaveloiteredaboutrailwaystationsandprowledaboutinns，andnodoubthereadtheproclamationsandrealisedsomethingofthenatureofthecampaignagainsthim。Andastheeveningadvanced，thefieldsbecamedottedhereandtherewithgroupsofthreeorfourmen，andnoisywiththeyelpingofdogs。Thesemen—huntershadparticularinstructionsastothewaytheyshouldsupportoneanotherinthecaseofanencounter。
Heavoidedthemall。Wemayunderstandsomethingofhisexasperation，anditcouldhavebeennonethelessbecausehehimselfhadsuppliedtheinformationthatwasbeingusedsoremorselesslyagainsthim。Forthatdayatleasthelostheart;fornearlytwenty—fourhours，savewhenheturnedonWicksteed，hewasahuntedman。Inthenight，hemusthaveeatenandslept;forinthemorninghewashimselfagain，active，powerful，angry，andmalignant，preparedforhislastgreatstruggleagainsttheworld。
TheInvisibleMan—Chapter27Chapter27—TheSiegeofKemp’sHouseKempreadastrangemissive，writteninpencilonagreasysheetofpaper。
"Youhavebeenamazinglyenergeticandclever，"thisletterran，"thoughwhatyoustandtogainbyitIcannotimagine。Youareagainstme。Forawholedayyouhavechasedme;youhavetriedtorobmeofanight’srest。
ButIhavehadfoodinspiteofyou，Ihavesleptinspiteofyou，andthegameisonlybeginning。Thegameisonlybeginning。Thereisnothingforit，buttostarttheTerror。ThisannouncesthefirstdayoftheTerror。
PortBurdockisnolongerundertheQueentellyourColonelofPolice，andtherestofthem;itisunderme——theTerror！Thisisdayoneofyearoneofthenewepoch——theEpochoftheInvisibleMan。IamInvisibleMantheFirst。Tobeginwiththerulewillbeeasy。Thefirstdaytherewillbeoneexecutionforthesakeofexample——amannamedKemp。Deathstartsforhimto—day。Hemaylockhimselfaway，hidehimselfaway，getguardsabouthim，putonarmourifhelikes;Death，theunseenDeath，iscoming。
Lethimtakeprecautions;itwillimpressmypeople。Deathstartsfromthepillar—boxbymidday。Theletterwillfallinasthepostmancomesalong，thenoff！Thegamebegins。Deathstarts。Helphimnot，mypeople，lestDeathfalluponyoualso。To—dayKempistodie。"
Kempreadthislettertwice。"It’snohoax，"hesaid。"That’shisvoice！
Andhemeansit。"
HeturnedthefoldedsheetoverandsawontheaddressedsideofitthepostmarkHintondean，andtheprosaicdetail，"2d。topay。"
Hegotup，leavinghislunchunfinished——theletterhadcomebytheoneo’clockpost——andwentintohisstudy。Herangforhishousekeeper，andtoldhertogoroundthehouseatonce，examineallthefasteningsofthewindows，andclosealltheshutters。Heclosedtheshuttersofhisstudyhimself。Fromalockeddrawerinhisbedroomhetookalittlerevolver，examineditcarefully，andputitintothepocketofhisloungejacket。
Hewroteanumberofbriefnotes，onetoColonelAdye，gavethemtohisservanttotake，withexplicitinstructionsastoherwayofleavingthehouse。"Thereisnodanger，"hesaid，andaddedamentalreservation，"toyou。"Heremainedmeditativeforaspaceafterdoingthis，andthenreturnedtohiscoolinglunch。
Heatewithgapsofthought。Finallyhestruckthetablesharply。"Wewillhavehim！"hesaid;"andIamthebait。Hewillcometoofar。"
Hewentuptothebelvedere，carefullyshuttingeverydoorafterhim。
"It’sagame，"hesaid，"anoddgame——butthechancesareallforme，Mr。
Griffin，inspiteofyourinvisibility。Griffincontramundum——withavengeance！"
Hestoodatthewindowstaringatthehothillside。"Hemustgetfoodeveryday——andIdon’tenvyhim。Didhereallysleeplastnight？Outintheopensomewhere——securefromcollisions。Iwishwecouldgetsomegoodcoldwetweatherinsteadoftheheat。
"Hemaybewatchingmenow。"
Hewentclosetothewindow。Somethingrappedsmartlyagainstthebrickworkovertheframe，andmadehimstartviolently。
"I’mgettingnervous，"saidKemp。Butitwasfiveminutesbeforehewenttothewindowagain。"Itmusthavebeenasparrow，"hesaid。
Presentlyheheardthefront—doorbellringing，andhurrieddownstairs。
Heunboltedandunlockedthedoor，examinedthechain，putitup，andopenedcautiouslywithoutshowinghimself。Afamiliarvoicehailedhim。ItwasAdye。
"Yourservant’sbeenassaulted，Kemp，"hesaidroundthedoor。
"What！"exclaimedKemp。
"Hadthatnoteofyourstakenawayfromher。He’scloseabouthere。
Letmein。"
Kempreleasedthechain，andAdyeenteredthroughasnarrowanopeningaspossible。Hestoodinthehall，lookingwithinfinitereliefatKemprefasteningthedoor。"Notewassnatchedoutofherhand。Scaredherhorribly。
She’sdownatthestation。Hysterics。He’sclosehere。Whatwasitabout？"
Kempswore。
"WhatafoolIwas，"saidKemp。"Imighthaveknown。It’snotanhour’swalkfromHintondean。Already！"
"What’sup？"saidAdye。
"Lookhere！"saidKemp，andledthewayintohisstudy。HehandedAdyetheInvisibleMan’sletter。Adyereaditandwhistledsoftly。"Andyou——？"
saidAdye。
"Proposedatrap——likeafool，"saidKemp，"andsentmyproposaloutbyamaidservant。Tohim。"
AdyefollowedKemp’sprofanity。
"He’llclearout，"saidAdye。
"Nothe，"saidKemp。
Aresoundingsmashofglasscamefromupstairs。AdyehadasilveryglimpseofalittlerevolverhalfoutofKemp’spocket。"It’sawindow，upstairs！"
saidKemp，andledthewayup。Therecameasecondsmashwhiletheywerestillonthestaircase。Whentheyreachedthestudytheyfoundtwoofthethreewindowssmashed，halftheroomlitteredwithsplinteredglass，andonebigflintlyingonthewritingtable。Thetwomenstoppedinthedoorway，contemplatingthewreckage。Kempsworeagain，andashedidsothethirdwindowwentwithasnaplikeapistol，hungstarredforamoment，andcollapsedinjagged，shiveringtrianglesintotheroom。
"What’sthisfor？"saidAdye。
"It’sabeginning，"saidKemp。
"There’snowayofclimbinguphere？"
"Notforacat，"saidKemp。
"Noshutters？"
"Nothere。Allthedownstairsrooms——Hullo！"
Smash，andthenwhackofboardshithardcamefromdownstairs。"Confoundhim！saidKemp。"Thatmustbe——yes——it’soneofthebedrooms。He’sgoingtodoallthehouse。Buthe’safool。Theshuttersareup，andtheglasswillfalloutside。He’llcuthisfeet。"
Anotherwindowproclaimeditsdestruction。Thetwomenstoodonthelandingperplexed。"Ihaveit！saidAdye。"Letmehaveastickorsomething，andI’llgodowntothestationandgetthebloodhoundsputon。Thatoughttosettlehim！They’rehardby——nottenminutes——"
Anotherwindowwentthewayofitsfellows。
"Youhaven’tarevolver？"askedAdye。
Kemp’shandwenttohispocket。Thenhehesitated。"Ihaven’tone——atleasttospare。"
"I’llbringitback，"saidAdye，"you’llbesafehere。"
Kemphandedhimtheweapon。
"Nowforthedoor，"saidAdye。
Astheystoodhesitatinginthehall，theyheardoneofthefirst—floorbedroomwindowscrackandclash。Kempwenttothedoorandbegantosliptheboltsassilentlyaspossible。Hisfacewasalittlepalerthanusual。
"Youmuststepstraightout，"saidKemp。InanothermomentAdyewasonthedoorstepandtheboltsweredroppingbackintothestaples。Hehesitatedforamoment，feelingmorecomfortablewithhisbackagainstthedoor。
Thenhemarched，uprightandsquare，downthesteps。Hecrossedthelawnandapproachedthegate。Alittlebreezeseemedtorippleoverthegrass。
Somethingmovednearhim。"Stopabit，"saidaVoice，andAdyestoppeddeadandhishandtightenedontherevolver。
"Well？"saidAdye，whiteandgrim，andeverynervetense。
"Obligemebygoingbacktothehouse，"saidtheVoice，astenseandgrimasAdye’s。
"Sorry，"saidAdyealittlehoarsely，andmoistenedhislipswithhistongue。TheVoicewasonhisleftfront，hethought。Supposeheweretotakehisluckwithashot？
"Whatareyougoingfor？"saidtheVoice，andtherewasaquickmovementofthetwo，andaflashofsunlightfromtheopenlipofAdye’spocket。
Adyedesistedandthought。"WhereIgo，"hesaidslowly，"ismyownbusiness。"Thewordswerestillonhislips，whenanarmcameroundhisneck，hisbackfeltaknee，andhewassprawlingbackward。Hedrewclumsilyandfiredabsurdly，andinanothermomenthewasstruckinthemouthandtherevolverwrestedfromhisgrip。Hemadeavainclutchataslipperylimb，triedtostruggleupandfellback。"Damn！"saidAdye。TheVoicelaughed。"I’dkillyounowifitwasn’tthewasteofabullet，"itsaid。
Hesawtherevolverinmid—air，sixfeetoff，coveringhim。
"Well？"saidAdye，sittingup。
"Getup，"saidtheVoice。
Adyestoodup。
"Attention"saidtheVoice，andthenfiercely，"Don’ttryanygames。
RememberIcanseeyourfaceifyoucan’tseemine。You’vegottogobacktothehouse。"
"Hewon’tletmein，"saidAdye。
"That’sapity，"saidtheInvisibleMan。"I’vegotnoquarrelwithyou。"
Adyemoistenedhislipsagain。Heglancedawayfromthebarreloftherevolverandsawtheseafaroffveryblueanddarkunderthemiddaysun，thesmoothgreendown，thewhitecliffoftheHead，andthemultitudinoustown，andsuddenlyheknewthatlifewasverysweet。Hiseyescamebacktothislittlemetalthinghangingbetweenheavenandearth，sixyardsaway。"WhatamItodo？"hesaidsullenly。
"WhatamItodo？"askedtheInvisibleMan。"Youwillgethelp。Theonlythingisforyoutogoback。"
"Iwilltry。Ifheletsmeinwillyoupromisenottorushthedoor？"
"I’vegotnoquarrelwithyou，"saidtheVoice。
KemphadhurriedupstairsafterlettingAdyeout，andnowcrouchingamongthebrokenglassandpeeringcautiouslyovertheedgeofthestudywindow—sill，hesawAdyestandparleyingwiththeUnseen。"Whydoesn’thefire？"whisperedKemptohimself。ThentherevolvermovedalittleandtheglintofthesunlightflashedinKemp’seyes。Heshadedhiseyesandtriedtoseethesourceoftheblindingbeam。
"Surely！"hesaid。"Adyehasgivenuptherevolver。"
"Promisenottorushthedoor，"Adyewassaying。"Don’tpushawinninggametoofar。Giveamanachance。"
"Yougobacktothehouse。ItellyouflatlyIwillnotpromiseanything。"
Adye’sdecisionseemedsuddenlymade。Heturnedtowardsthehouse，walkingslowlywithhishandsbehindhim。Kempwatchedhim——puzzled。Therevolvervanished，flashedagainintosight，vanishedagain，andbecameevidentonacloserscrutinyasalittledarkobjectfollowingAdye。Thenthingshappenedveryquickly。Adyeleaptbackwards，swunground，clutchedatthislittleobject，missedit，threwuphishandsandfellforwardonhisface，leavingalittlepuffofblueintheair。Kempdidnothearthesoundoftheshot。Adyewrithed，raisedhimselfononearm，fellforward，andlaystill。
ForaspaceKempremainedstaringatthequietcarelessnessofAdye’sattitude。Theafternoonwasveryhotandstill，nothingseemedstirringinalltheworldsaveacoupleofyellowbutterflieschasingeachotherthroughtheshrubberybetweenthehouseandtheroadgate。Adyelayonthelawnnearthegate。Theblindsofallthevillasdownthehill—roadweredrawn，butinonelittlegreensummer—housewasawhitefigure，apparentlyanoldmanasleep。Kempscrutinisedthesurroundingsofthehouseforaglimpseoftherevolver，butithadvanished。HiseyescamebacktoAdye。
Thegamewasopeningwell。
Thencamearingingandknockingatthefrontdoor，thatgrewatlasttumultuous，butpursuanttoKemp’sinstructionstheservantshadlockedthemselvesintotheirrooms。Thiswasfollowedbyasilence。Kempsatlisteningandthenbeganpeeringcautiouslyoutofthethreewindows，oneafteranother。
Hewenttothestaircaseheadandstoodlisteninguneasily。Hearmedhimselfwithhisbedroompoker，andwenttoexaminetheinteriorfasteningsoftheground—floorwindowsagain。Everythingwassafeandquiet。Hereturnedtothebelvedere。Adyelaymotionlessovertheedgeofthegraveljustashehadfallen。Comingalongtheroadbythevillaswerethehousemaidandtwopolicemen。
Everythingwasdeadlystill。Thethreepeopleseemedveryslowinapproaching。
Hewonderedwhathisantagonistwasdoing。
Hestarted。Therewasasmashfrombelow。Hehesitatedandwentdownstairsagain。Suddenlythehouseresoundedwithheavyblowsandthesplinteringofwood。Heheardasmashandthedestructiveclangoftheironfasteningsoftheshutters。Heturnedthekeyandopenedthekitchendoor。Ashedidso，theshutters，splitandsplintering，cameflyinginward。Hestoodaghast。
Thewindowframe，saveforonecrossbar，wasstillintact，butonlylittleteethofglassremainedintheframe。Theshuttershadbeendriveninwithanaxe，andnowtheaxewasdescendinginsweepingblowsuponthewindowframeandtheironbarsdefendingit。Thensuddenlyitleaptasideandvanished。Hesawtherevolverlyingonthepathoutside，andthenthelittleweaponsprangintotheair。Hedodgedback。Therevolvercrackedjusttoolate，andasplinterfromtheedgeoftheclosingdoorflashedoverhishead。Heslammedandlockedthedoor，andashestoodoutsideheheardGriffinshoutingandlaughing。Thentheblowsoftheaxe，withtheirsplittingandsmashingaccompaniments，wereresumed。
Kempstoodinthepassagetryingtothink。InamomenttheInvisibleManwouldbeinthekitchen。Thisdoorwouldnotkeephimamoment，andthen——
Aringingcameatthefrontdooragain。Itwouldbethepolicemen。Heranintothehall，putupthechain，anddrewthebolts。Hemadethegirlspeakbeforehedroppedthechain，andthethreepeopleblunderedintothehouseinaheap，andKempslammedthedooragain。
"TheInvisibleMan！"saidKemp。"Hehasarevolver，withtwoshots——left。
He’skilledAdye。Shothimanyhow。Didn’tyouseehimonthelawn？He’slyingthere。"
"Who？"saidoneofthepolicemen。
"Adye，"saidKemp。
"Wecameroundthebackway，"saidthegirl。
"What’sthatsmashing？"askedoneofthepolicemen。
"He’sinthekitchen——orwillbe。Hehasfoundanaxe——"
SuddenlythehousewasfulloftheInvisibleMan’sresoundingblowsonthekitchendoor。Thegirlstaredtowardsthekitchen，shuddered，andretreatedintothedining—room。Kemptriedtoexplaininbrokensentences。
Theyheardthekitchendoorgive。
"Thisway，"criedKemp，startingintoactivity，andbundledthepolicemenintothedining—roomdoorway。
"Poker，"saidKemp，andrushedtothefender。Hehandedapokertoeachpoliceman。Hesuddenlyflunghimselfbackward。
"Whup！"saidonepoliceman，ducked，andcaughttheaxeonhispoker。
ThepistolsnappeditspenultimateshotandrippedavaluableSidneyCooper。
Thesecondpolicemanbroughthispokerdownonthelittleweapon，asonemightknockdownawasp，andsentitrattlingtothefloor。
Atthefirstclashthegirlscreamed，stoodscreamingforamomentbythefireplace，andthenrantoopentheshutters——possiblywithanideaofescapingbytheshatteredwindow。
Theaxerecededintothepassage，andfelltoapositionabouttwofeetfromtheground。TheycouldheartheInvisibleManbreathing。"Standaway，youtwo，"hesaid。"IwantthatmanKemp。"
"Wewantyou，"saidthefirstpoliceman，makingaquickstepforwardandwipingwithhispokerattheVoice。TheInvisibleManmusthavestartedback。Heblunderedintotheumbrellastand。Then，asthepolicemanstaggeredwiththeswingoftheblowhehadaimed，theInvisibleMancounteredwiththeaxe，thehelmetcrumpledlikepaper，andtheblowsentthemanspinningtothefloorattheheadofthekitchenstairs。Butthesecondpoliceman，aimingbehindtheaxewithhispoker，hitsomethingsoftthatsnapped。
Therewasasharpexclamationofpainandtheaxefelltotheground。Thepolicemanwipedagainatvacancyandhitnothing;heputhisfootontheaxe，andstruckagain。Thenhestood，pokerclubbed，listeningintentfortheslightestmovement。
Heheardthedining—roomwindowopen，andaquickrushoffeetwithin。
Hiscompanionrolledoverandsatupwiththebloodrunningdownbetweenhiseyeandear。"Whereishe？"askedthemanonthefloor。
"Don’tknow。I’vehithim。He’sstandingsomewhereinthehall。Unlesshe’sslippedpastyou。DoctorKemp——sir。"
Pause。
"DoctorKemp，"criedthepolicemanagain。
Thesecondpolicemanstruggledtohisfeet。Hestoodup。Suddenlythefaintpadofbarefeetonthekitchenstairscouldbeheard。"Yap！"criedthefirstpolicemanandincontinentlyflunghispoker。Itsmashedalittlegasbracket。
HemadeasifhewouldpursuetheInvisibleMandownstairs。Thenhethoughtbetterofitandsteppedintothedining—room。
"DoctorKemp，"hebegan，andstoppedshort——
"DoctorKemp’sinhere，"hesaid，ashiscompanionlookedoverhisshoulder。
Thedining—roomwindowwaswideopen，andneitherhousemaidnorKempwastobeseen。
Thesecondpoliceman’sopinionofKempwasterseandvivid。
TheInvisibleMan—Chapter28Chapter28—TheHunterHuntedMr。Heelas，Mr。Kemp’snearestneighbouramongthevillaholders，wasasleepinhissummerhousewhenthesiegeofKemp’shousebegan。Mr。Heelaswasoneofthesturdyminoritywhorefusedtobelieve"inallthisnonsense"
aboutanInvisibleMan。Hiswife，however，ashewastoberemindedsubsequently，did。Heinsisteduponwalkingabouthisgardenjustasifnothingwasthematter，andhewenttosleepintheafternooninaccordancewiththecustomofyears。Hesleptthroughthesmashingofthewindows，andthenwokeupsuddenlywithacuriouspersuasionofsomethingwrong。HelookedacrossatKemp’shouse，rubbedhiseyesandlookedagain。Thenheputhisfeettotheground，andsatlistening。Hesaidhewasdamned，andstillthestrangethingwasvisible。Thehouselookedasthoughithadbeendesertedforweeks——afteraviolentriot。Everywindowwasbroken，andeverywindow，savethoseofthebelvederestudy，wasblindedbytheinternalshutters。
"Icouldhaveswornitwasallright"——helookedathiswatch——"twentyminutesago。"
Hebecameawareofameasuredconcussionandtheclashofglass，farawayinthedistance。Andthen，ashesatopen—mouthed，cameastillmorewonderfulthing。Theshuttersofthedrawing—roomwindowwereflungopenviolently，andthehousemaidinheroutdoorhatandgarments，appearedstrugglinginafranticmannertothrowupthesash。Suddenlyamanappearedbesideher，helpingher——Dr。Kemp！Inanothermomentthewindowwasopen，andthehousemaidwasstrugglingout;shepitchedforwardandvanishedamongtheshrubs。Mr。Heelasstoodup，exclaimingvaguelyandvehementlyatallthesewonderfulthings。HesawKempstandonthesill，springfromthewindow，andreappearalmostinstantaneouslyrunningalongapathintheshrubberyandstoopingasheran，likeamanwhoevadesobservation。
Hevanishedbehindalaburnum，andappearedagainclamberingafencethatabuttedontheopendown。InasecondhehadtumbledoverandwasrunningatatremendouspacedowntheslopetowardsMr。Heelas。
"Lord！"criedMr。Heelas，struckwithanidea;"it’sthatInvisibleManbrute！It’sright，afterall！"
WithMr。Heelastothinkthingslikethatwastoact，andhiscookwatchinghimfromthetopwindowwasamazedtoseehimcomepeltingtowardsthehouseatagoodninemilesanhour。"Thoughthewasn’tafraid，"saidthecook。"Mary，justcomehere！"Therewasaslammingofdoors，aringingofbells，andthevoiceofMr。Heelasbellowinglikeabull。"Shutthedoors，shutthewindows，shuteverything！theInvisibleManiscoming！"
Instantlythehousewasfullofscreamsanddirections，andscurryingfeet。
HerantoshuttheFrenchwindowshimselfthatopenedontheveranda;ashedidsoKemp’sheadandshouldersandkneeappearedovertheedgeofthegardenfence。InanothermomentKemphadploughedthroughtheasparagus，andwasrunningacrossthetennislawntothehouse。
"Youcan’tcomein，"saidMr。Heelas，shuttingthebolts。"I’mverysorryifhe’safteryou，butyoucan’tcomein！"
Kempappearedwithafaceofterrorclosetotheglass，rappingandthenshakingfranticallyattheFrenchwindow。Then，seeinghiseffortswereuseless，heranalongtheveranda，vaultedtheend，andwenttohammeratthesidedoor。Thenheranroundbythesidegatetothefrontofthehouse，andsointothehill—road。AndMr。Heelasstaringfromhiswindow——afaceofhorror——hadscarcelywitnessedKempvanish，eretheasparaguswasbeingtrampledthiswayandthatbyfeetunseen。AtthatMr。Heelasfledprecipitatelyupstairs，andtherestofthechaseisbeyondhispurview。
Butashepassedthestaircasewindow，heheardthesidegateslam。
Emergingintothehill—road，Kempnaturallytookthedownwarddirection，andsoitwashecametoruninhisownpersontheveryracehehadwatchedwithsuchacriticaleyefromthebelvederestudyonlyfourdaysago。Heranitwellforamanoutoftraining;andthoughhisfacewaswhiteandwet，hiswitswerecooltothelast。Heranwithwidestrides，andwhereverapatchofroughgroundintervened，wherevertherecameapatchofrawflints，orabitofbrokenglassshonedazzling，hecrosseditandleftthebareinvisiblefeetthatfollowedtotakewhatlinetheywould。
ForthefirsttimeinhislifeKempdiscoveredthatthehill—roadwasindescribablyvastanddesolate，andthatthebeginningsofthetownfarbelowatthehillfootwerestrangelyremote。Neverhadtherebeenaslowerormorepainfulmethodofprogressionthanrunning。Allthegauntvillas，sleepingintheafternoonsun，lookedlockedandbarred;nodoubttheywerelockedandbarred——byhisownorders。Butatanyratetheymighthavekeptalookoutforaneventualitylikethis！Thetownwasrisingupnow，theseahaddroppedoutofsightbehindit，andpeopledownbelowwerestirring。Atramwasjustarrivingatthehillfoot。Beyondthatwasthepolicestation。Wasthatfootstepsheheardbehindhim？Spurt。
Thepeoplebelowwerestaringathim，oneortwowererunning，andhisbreathwasbeginningtosawinhisthroat。Thetramwasquitenearnow，andtheJollyCricketerswasnoisilybarringitsdoors。Beyondthetramwerepostsandheapsofgravel——thedrainageworks。Hehadatransitoryideaofjumpingintothetramandslammingthedoors，andthenheresolvedtogotothepolicestation。InanothermomenthehadpassedthedooroftheJollyCricketers，andwasintheblisteringfagendofthestreet，withhumanbeingsabouthim。Thetramdriverandhishelper——arrestedbythesightofhisfurioushaste——stoodstaringwiththetramhorsesunhitched。
Furtherontheastonishedfeaturesofnavviesappearedabovethemoundsofgravel。
Hispacebrokealittle，andthenheheardtheswiftpadofhispursuer，andleaptforwardagain。"TheInvisibleMan！"hecriedtothenavvies，withavagueindicativegesture，andbyaninspirationleapttheexcavationandplacedaburlygroupbetweenhimandthechase。Thenabandoningtheideaofthepolicestationheturnedintoalittlesidestreet，rushedbyagreengrocer’scart，hesitatedforthetenthofasecondatthedoorofasweetstuffshop，andthenmadeforthemouthofanalleythatranbackintothemainHillStreetagain。Twoorthreelittlechildrenwereplayinghere，andshriekedandscatteredrunningathisapparition，andforthwithdoorsandwindowsopenedandexcitedmothersrevealedtheirhearts。
OutheshotintoHillStreetagain，threehundredyardsfromthetramlineend，andimmediatelyhebecameawareofatumultuousvociferationandrunningpeople。
Heglancedupthestreettowardsthehill。Hardlyadozenyardsoffranahugenavvy，cursinginfragmentsandslashingviciouslywithaspade，andhardbehindhimcamethetramconductorwithhisfistsclenched。Upthestreetothersfollowedthesetwo，strikingandshouting。Downtowardsthetown，menandwomenwererunning，andhenoticedclearlyonemancomingoutofashop—doorwithastickinhishand。"Spreadout！Spreadout！"
criedsomeone。Kempsuddenlygraspedthealteredconditionofthechase。
Hestoppedandlookedround，panting。"He’sclosehere！"hecried。"Formalineacross——"
"Aha！"shoutedavoice。
Hewashithardundertheear，andwentreeling，tryingtofaceroundtowardshisunseenantagonist。Hejustmanagedtokeephisfeet，andhestruckavaincounterintheair。Thenhewashitagainunderthejaw，andsprawledheadlongontheground。Inanothermomentakneecompressedhisdiaphragm，andacoupleofeagerhandsgrippedhisthroat，butthegripofonewasweakerthantheother;hegraspedthewrists，heardacryofpainfromhisassailant，andthenthespadeofthenavvycamewhirlingthroughtheairabovehim，andstrucksomethingwithadullthud。Hefeltadropofmoistureonhisface。Thegripathisthroatsuddenlyrelaxed，andwithaconvulsiveeffortKemploosedhimself，graspedalimpshoulder，androlleduppermost。Hegrippedtheunseenelbowsneartheground。"I’vegothim！"screamedKemp。"Help！Help！hold！He’sdown！Holdhisfeet！"
Inanothersecondtherewasasimultaneousrushuponthestruggle，andastrangercomingintotheroadsuddenlymighthavethoughtanexceptionallysavagegameofRugbyfootballwasinprogress。AndtherewasnoshoutingafterKemp’scry——onlyasoundofblowsandfeetandaheavybreathing。
Thencameamightyeffort，andtheInvisibleManthrewoffacoupleofhisantagonistsandrosetohisknees。Kempclungtohiminfrontlikeahoundtoastag，andadozenhandsgripped，clutched，andtoreattheUnseen。Thetramconductorsuddenlygottheneckandshouldersandluggedhimback。
Downwenttheheapofstrugglingmenagainandrolledover。Therewas，Iamafraid，somesavagekicking。Thensuddenlyawildscreamof"Mercy！
Mercy！"thatdieddownswiftlytoasoundlikechoking。
"Getback，youfools！"criedthemuffledvoiceofKemp，andtherewasavigorousshovingbackofstalwartforms。"He’shurt，Itellyou。Standback！"
Therewasabriefstruggletoclearaspace，andthenthecircleofeagereyessawthedoctorkneeling，asitseemed，fifteeninchesintheair，andholdinginvisiblearmstotheground。Behindhimaconstablegrippedinvisibleankles。
"Don’tyouleavegoofen，"criedthebignavvy，holdingabloodstainedspade;"he’sshamming。"
"He’snotshamming，"saidthedoctor，cautiouslyraisinghisknee;"andI’llholdhim。"Hisfacewasbruisedandalreadygoingred;hespokethicklybecauseofableedinglip。Hereleasedonehandandseemedtobefeelingattheface。"Themouth’sallwet，"hesaid。Andthen，"GoodGod！"
Hestoodupabruptlyandthenkneltdownonthegroundbythesideofthethingunseen。Therewasapushingandshuffling，asoundofheavyfeetasfreshpeopleturneduptoincreasethepressureofthecrowd。Peoplenowwerecomingoutofthehouses。ThedoorsoftheJollyCricketersweresuddenlywideopen。Verylittlewassaid。
Kemptfeltabout，hishandseemingtopassthroughemptyair。"He’snotbreathing，"hesaid，andthen，"Ican’tfeelhisheart。Hisside——ugh！"
Suddenlyanoldwoman，peeringunderthearmofthebignavvy，screamedsharply。"Lookythere！"shesaid，andthrustoutawrinkledfinger。
Andlookingwhereshepointed，everyonesaw，faintandtransparentasthoughitwasmadeofglass，sothatveinsandarteriesandbonesandnervescouldbedistinguished，theoutlineofahand，ahandlimpandprone。
Itgrewcloudedandopaqueevenastheystared。
"Hullo！"criedtheconstable。"Here’shisfeeta—showing！"
Andso，slowly，beginningathishandsandfeetandcreepingalonghislimbstothevitalcentresofhisbody，thatstrangechangecontinued。
Itwasliketheslowspreadingofapoison。Firstcamethelittlewhitenerves，ahazygreysketchofalimb，thentheglassybonesandintricatearteries，thenthefleshandskin，firstafaintfogginessandthengrowingrapidlydenseandopaque。Presentlytheycouldseehiscrushedchestandhisshoulders，andthedimoutlineofhisdrawnandbatteredfeatures。
WhenatlastthecrowdmadewayforKemptostanderect，therelay，nakedandpitifulontheground，thebruisedandbrokenbodyofayoungmanaboutthirty。Hishairandbeardwerewhite——notgreywithagebutwhitewiththewhitenessofalbinism，andhiseyeswerelikegarnets。Hishandswereclenched，hiseyeswideopen，andhisexpressionwasoneofangeranddismay。
"Coverhisface！"saidaman。"ForGawd’ssake，coverthatface！"andthreelittlechildren，pushingforwardthroughthecrowd，weresuddenlytwistedroundandsentpackingoffagain。
SomeonebroughtasheetfromtheJollyCricketers;andhavingcoveredhim，theycarriedhimintothathouse。
************
TheEpilogueSoendsthestoryofthestrangeandevilexperimentoftheInvisibleMan。AndifyouwouldlearnmoreofhimyoumustgotoalittleinnnearPortStoweandtalktothelandlord。Thesignoftheinnisanemptyboardsaveforahatandboots，andthenameisthetitleofthisstory。Thelandlordisashortandcorpulentlittlemanwithanoseofcylindricalprotrusion，wiryhair，andasporadicrosinessofvisage。Drinkgenerously，andhewilltellyougenerouslyofallthethingsthathappenedtohimafterthattime，andofhowthelawyerstriedtodohimoutofthetreasurefounduponhim。
"Whentheyfoundtheycouldn’tprovewho’smoneywaswhich，I’mblessed，"
hesays，"iftheydidn’ttrytomakemeoutabloomingtreasuretrove！
DoIlooklikeaTreasureTrove？AndthenagentlemangavemeaguineaanighttotellthestoryattheEmpireMusic’all——justtell’eminmyownwords——barringone。"
Andifyouwanttocutofftheflowofhisreminiscencesabruptly，youcanalwaysdosobyaskingifthereweren’tthreemanuscriptbooksinthestory。Headmitstherewereandproceedstoexplain，withasseverationsthateverybodythinkshehas’em！Butblessyou！hehasn’t。"TheInvisibleManitwastook’emofftohide’emwhenIcutandranforPortStowe。
It’sthatMr。Kempputpeopleonwiththeideaofmyhaving’em。"
Andthenhesubsidesintoapensivestate，watchesyoufurtively，bustlesnervouslywithglasses，andpresentlyleavesthebar。
Heisabachelorman——histasteswereeverbachelor，andtherearenowomenfolkinthehouse。Outwardlyhebuttons——itisexpectedofhim——butinhismorevitalprivacies，inthematterofbracesforexample，hestillturnstostring。Heconductshishousewithoutenterprise，butwitheminentdecorum。Hismovementsareslow，andheisagreatthinker。Buthehasareputationforwisdomandforarespectableparsimonyinthevillage，andhisknowledgeoftheroadsoftheSouthofEnglandwouldbeatCobbett。
AndonSundaymornings，everySundaymorningalltheyearround，whileheisclosedtotheouterworld，andeverynightafterten，hegoesintohisbarparlourbearingaglassofginfaintlytingedwithwater;andhavingplacedthisdown，helocksthedoorandexaminestheblinds，andevenlooksunderthetable。Andthen，beingsatisfiedofhissolitude，heunlocksthecupboardandaboxinthecupboardandadrawerinthatbox，andproducesthreevolumesboundinbrownleather，andplacesthemsolemnlyinthemiddleofthetable。Thecoversareweather—wornandtingedwithanalgalgreen——foroncetheysojournedinaditchandsomeofthepageshavebeenwashedblankbydirtywater。Thelandlordsitsdowninanarmchair，fillsalongclaypipeslowly，gloatingoverthebooksthewhile。Thenhepullsonetowardshimandopensit，andbeginstostudyit——turningovertheleavesbackwardsandforwards。
Hisbrowsareknitandhislipsmovepainfully。"Hex，littletwoupintheair，crossandafiddle—de—dee。Lord！whataonehewasforintellect！"
Presentlyherelaxesandleansback，andblinksthroughhissmokeacrosstheroomatthingsinvisibletoothereyes。"Fullofsecrets，"hesays。
"Wonderfulsecrets！"
"OnceIgetthehaulofthem——Lord！
"Iwouldn’tdowhathedid;I’djust——well！"Hepullsathispipe。
Sohelapsesintoadream，theundyingwonderfuldreamofhislife。
AndthoughKemphasfishedunceasingly，andAdyehasquestionedclosely，nohumanbeingsavethelandlordknowsthosebooksarethere，withthesubtlesecretofinvisibilityandadozenotherstrangesecretswrittentherein。Andnoneotherwillknowofthemuntilhedies。