“Humph!” said Kemp, no longer listening to Griffin but to the sound of his front door opening and closing.
“It seems to me, Griffin,” he said, to cover his wandering attention, “that your confederate would be in a difficult position.”
“No one would know he was a confederate,” said the invisible man, eagerly. And then suddenly, “Hush! What’s that downstairs?”
“Nothing,” said Kemp, and suddenly began to speak loud and fast. “I don’t agree to this, Griffin,” he said. “Understand me, I don’t agree to this. Why dream of playing a game against the race? How can you hope to gain happiness? Don’t be a lone wolf. Publish your results; take the world—take the nation at least—into your confidence. Think what you might do with a million helpers—”
The invisible man interrupted—arm extended. “There are footsteps coming upstairs,” he said in a low voice.
“Nonsense,” said Kemp.
“Let me see,” said the invisible man, and advanced, arm extended, to the door.
And then things happened very swiftly. Kemp hesitated for a second and then moved to intercept him. The invisible man started and stood still. “Traitor!” cried the voice, and suddenly the dressing gown opened, and sitting down the unseen began to disrobe. Kemp made three swift steps to the door, and forthwith the invisible man—his legs had vanished—sprang to his feet with a shout. Kemp flung the door open.
As it opened, there came a sound of hurrying feet downstairs and voices.
With a quick movement Kemp thrust the invisible man back, sprang aside, and slammed the door. The key was outside and ready. In another