took off his hat, and with a violent gesture tore at his whiskers

and bandages. For a moment they resisted him. A flash of horrible

anticipation passed through the bar. "Oh, my Gard!" said some one.

Then off they came.

It was worse than anything. Mrs. Hall, standing open-mouthed and

horror-struck, shrieked at what she saw, and made for the door of

the house. Everyone began to move. They were prepared for scars,

disfigurements, tangible horrors, but nothing! The bandages and

false hair flew across the passage into the bar, making a

hobbledehoy jump to avoid them. Everyone tumbled on everyone else

down the steps. For the man who stood there shouting some incoherent

explanation, 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, and looking up

the street saw the "Coach and Horses" violently firing out its

humanity. They saw Mrs. Hall fall down and Mr. Teddy Henfrey jump

to avoid tumbling over her, and then they heard the frightful

screams of Millie, who, emerging suddenly from the kitchen at the

noise of the tumult, had come upon the headless stranger from

behind. These increased suddenly.

Forthwith everyone all down the street, the sweetstuff seller,

cocoanut shy proprietor and his assistant, the swing man, little

boys and girls, rustic dandies, smart wenches, smocked elders

The Invisible Man