edged in a curious way along the seat away from his interlocutor.

But you was just a-going to tell me about this here Invisible Man!"

protested the mariner. Mr. Marvel seemed to consult with himself.

Hoax," said a Voice. "It's a hoax," said Mr. Marvel.

But it's in the paper," said the mariner.

Hoax all the same," said Marvel. "I know the chap that started the

lie. There ain't no Invisible Man whatsoever--Blimey."

But how 'bout this paper? D'you mean to say--?"

Not a word of it," said Marvel, stoutly.

The mariner stared, paper in hand. Mr. Marvel jerkily faced about.

Wait a bit," said the mariner, rising and speaking slowly, "D'you

mean to say--?"

"I do," said Mr. Marvel.

"Then why did you let me go on and tell you all this blarsted

stuff, then? What d'yer mean by letting a man make a fool of

himself like that for? Eh?"

Mr. Marvel blew out his cheeks. The mariner was suddenly very red

indeed; he clenched his hands. "I been talking here this ten

108

The Invisible Man