What's that smashing?" asked one of the policemen.

He's in the kitchen--or will be. He has found an axe--"

Suddenly the house was full of the Invisible Man's resounding

blows on the kitchen door. The girl stared towards the kitchen,

shuddered, and retreated into the dining-room. Kemp tried to

explain in broken sentences. They heard the kitchen door give.

This way," said Kemp, starting into activity, and bundled the

policemen into the dining-room doorway.

"Poker," said Kemp, and rushed to the fender. He handed the poker

he had carried to the policeman and the dining-room one to the

other. He suddenly flung himself backward.

Whup!" said one policeman, ducked, and caught the axe on his poker.

The pistol snapped its penultimate shot and ripped a valuable Sidney

Cooper. The second policeman brought his poker down on the little

weapon, as one might knock down a wasp, and sent it rattling to the

floor.

At the first clash the girl screamed, stood screaming for a moment

by the fireplace, and then ran to open the shutters--possibly

with an idea of escaping by the shattered window.

228

The Invisible Man