Человек-невидимка / The Invisible Man + аудиоприложение

They were prepared for scars, disfigurements, but nothing! The bandages and false hair flew across the passage into the bar. Everyone tumbled on everyone else down the steps. For the man who stood there was a solid gesticulating figure up to the coat-collar of him, and then-nothingness, no visible thing at all!

People down the village heard shouts and shrieks. They saw Mrs. Hall fall down, and then they heard the frightful screams of Millie, who, going from the kitchen at the noise of the tumult, had come upon the headless stranger from behind.

After that everybody began to run towards the inn, and in a minute a crowd of perhaps forty people, swayed and hooted and inquired and exclaimed and suggested. Everyone seemed eager to talk at once. A small group supported Mrs. Hall, who was in a state of collapse. There was a conference:

“O Bogey!”

“What has he been doing, then?”

“Hasn’t he hurt the girl?”

“He has run at her with a knife, I believe.”

“A man without a head!”

“Nonsense! It’s just a trick.

Trying to see in through the open door, the crowd formed itself into a straggling wedge.

“He stood for a moment, I heard the girl scream, and he turned. I saw her skirts, and he went after her. It didn’t take ten seconds. He came back with a knife in his hand. Not a moment ago. He went through that door. I tell you, he has no head! At all.”

The speaker stopped to step aside for a little procession that was marching very resolutely towards the house; first Mr.

People shouted.

“With the head or without any head, it doesn’t matter,” said Jaffers, “I will arrest him, in any case.”

Mr. Hall marched straight to the door of the parlour and flung it open.

“Constable,” he said, “do your duty.”

Jaffers marched in. Hall next, Wadgers last. They saw in the dim light the headless figure facing them, with a crust of bread in one gloved hand and a chunk of cheese in the other.

“That’s him!” said Hall.

“What the devil is this?” came an angry question from above the collar of the figure.

“You’re a rare man, indeed, mister,” said Mr. Jaffers. “But with the head or without any head, duty is duty!”

“Keep off!” said the figure, starting back.

Abruptly he whipped down the bread and cheese. Off came the stranger’s left glove and was slapped in Jaffers’ face.