“What! Ain’t there any stuff to you. Vox et ⁠—what is it?⁠—jabber. Is it that?”

“I am just a human being⁠—solid, needing food and drink, needing covering too⁠—But I’m invisible. You see? Invisible. Simple idea. Invisible.”

“What, real like?”

“Yes, real.”

“Let’s have a hand of you,” said Marvel, “if you are real. It won’t be so darn out-of-the-way like, then⁠— Lord !” he said, “how you made me jump!⁠—gripping me like that!”

He felt the hand that had closed round his wrist with his disengaged fingers, and his fingers went timorously up the arm, patted a muscular chest, and explored a bearded face. Marvel’s face was astonishment.