CHAPTER XII

THE INVISIBLE MAN LOSES HIS TEMPER

It is unavoidable that at this point the narrative should break off

again, for a certain very painful reason that will presently be

apparent. While these things were going on in the parlour, and

while Mr. Huxter was watching Mr. Marvel smoking his pipe against

the gate, not a dozen yards away were Mr. Hall and Teddy Henfrey

discussing in a state of cloudy puzzlement the one Iping topic.

Suddenly there came a violent thud against the door of the parlour,

a sharp cry, and then--silence.

Hul-lo!" said Teddy Henfrey.

Hul-lo!" from the Tap.

Mr. Hall took things in slowly but surely. "That ain't right," he

said, and came round from behind the bar towards the parlour door.

He and Teddy approached the door together, with intent faces. Their

eyes considered. "Summat wrong," said Hall, and Henfrey nodded

agreement. Whiffs of an unpleasant chemical odour met them, and

there was a muffled sound of conversation, very rapid and subdued.

The Invisible Man