CHAPTER XVI

IN THE "JOLLY CRICKETERS"

The "Jolly Cricketers" is just at the bottom of the hill, where the

tram-lines begin. The barman leant his fat red arms on the counter

and talked of horses with an anaemic cabman, while a black-bearded

man in grey snapped up biscuit and cheese, drank Burton, and

conversed in American with a policeman off duty.

What's the shouting about!" said the anaemic cabman, going off at a

tangent, trying to see up the hill over the dirty yellow blind in

the low window of the inn. Somebody ran by outside. "Fire, perhaps,"

said the barman.

Footsteps approached, running heavily, the door was pushed open

violently, and Marvel, weeping and dishevelled, his hat gone, the

neck of his coat torn open, rushed in, made a convulsive turn, and

attempted to shut the door. It was held half open by a strap.

"Coming!" he bawled, his voice shrieking with terror. "He's coming.

The 'Visible Man! After me! For Gawd's sake! 'Elp! 'Elp! 'Elp!"

Shut the doors," said the policeman. "Who's coming? What's the

row?" He went to the door, released the strap, and it slammed. The

The Invisible Man