Человек-невидимка / The Invisible Man

“Damn it! Can’t use them!”

The stranger unbuttoned his coat. Then he started doing something with his shoes and socks.

“Why!” said Hall suddenly, “that’s not a man at all. It’s just empty clothes. Look! You can see inside his clothes. I could put my arm —”

He stretched his hand; it seemed to meet something in the air. “I wish you’d keep your fingers out of my eye,” said the angry voice.

“The fact is, I’m all here: head, hands, legs and all the rest of it, but I’m invisible.”

The suit, now all unbuttoned and hanging on the invisible body, stood up.

Several other men had now entered the room, so it was crowded. “Invisible, eh?” said Jaffers.

“It’s strange, perhaps, but it’s not a crime. Why am I attacked by a policeman?”

“Ah!” said Jaffers. “No doubt you are a bit difficult to see in this light, but I got a warrant and it’s all correct. What I’m after isn’t invisibility, it’s burglary. Somebody has broken into a house and taken money.”

The figure sat down and took off the shoes, socks, and trousers.

“Stop that,” said Jaffers, suddenly realizing what was happening. He gripped the coat, it struggled, and the shirt slipped out of it and left it empty in his hand. “Hold him!” said Jaffers loudly. “When he gets the clothes off —”

Конец ознакомительного фрагмента.