Человек-невидимка / The Invisible Man + аудиоприложение

Marvel, closing his eyes and clasping his hands with a tragic gesture. He was suddenly taken by the collar and shaken violently, and left more dazed than ever.

“Don’t be a fool,” said the Voice.

“I got crazy,” said Mr. Marvel. “It’s no good. It’s because of those damned boots. Or it’s spirits.”

“Neither one thing nor the other,” said the Voice. “Listen!”

“Crazy,” said Mr. Marvel.

“One minute,” said the Voice.

“Well?” said Mr. Thomas Marvel.

“You think I’m just imagination? Just imagination?”

“What else can you be?” said Mr.

“Very well,” said the Voice, in a tone of relief. “Then I’m going to throw little stones at you till you think differently.”

“But where are you?”

The Voice made no answer. Whizz came a little stone, apparently out of the air. Mr. Marvel was too amazed to dodge. Whizz came another little stone, and ricochetted from a bare toe into the ditch. Mr. Thomas Marvel jumped a foot and howled aloud.

“Now,” said the Voice, “am I imagination?”

Mr.

“If you struggle,” said the Voice, “I shall throw the stone at your head.”

“Oh-oh,” said Mr. Thomas Marvel, taking his wounded toe in hand. “I don’t understand it. Stones are flinging themselves. Stones are talking. I’ll surrender.”

“It’s very simple,” said the Voice. “I’m an invisible man.”

“Tell me something more interesting,” said Mr. Marvel. “Where you’ve hid-how you do it-I don’t know.”

“That’s all,” said the Voice. “I’m invisible.

“Anyone can see that. There is no need for you to be so confounded impatient, mister. But tell me: where do you hid?”

“I’m invisible. That’s the great point. And what I want you to understand is this-”

“But where are you?” interrupted Mr. Marvel.

“Here! Six yards in front of you.”

“Oh, come on! I am not blind. You will tell me now that you are just air. I’m not ignorant.”

“Yes, I am air. You’re looking through me.”

“What! And you have nothing? Only your voice?”

“I am just a human being-solid, needing food and drink, needing covering too-But I’m invisible.

“What? Are you a real man?”

“Yes, real.”

“Let me touch your hand,” said Marvel, “if you are real. Lord!”

He felt the hand that had closed round his wrist with his disengaged fingers, and his fingers patted a muscular chest, and explored a bearded face. Marvel was very surprised.