THE HUNTING OF THE INVISIBLE MAN

For a space Kemp was too inarticulate to make Adye understand the

swift things that had just happened. They stood on the landing,

Kemp speaking swiftly, the grotesque swathings of Griffin still on

his arm. But presently Adye began to grasp something of the

situation.

"He is mad," said Kemp; "inhuman. He is pure selfishness. He thinks

of nothing but his own advantage, his own safety. I have listened

to such a story this morning of brutal self-seeking.... He has wounded

men. He will kill them unless we can prevent him. He will create a

panic. Nothing can stop him. He is going out now--furious!"

"He must be caught," said Adye. "That is certain."

"But how?" cried Kemp, and suddenly became full of ideas. "You must

begin at once. You must set every available man to work; you must

prevent his leaving this district. Once he gets away, he may go

through the countryside as he wills, killing and maiming. He dreams

of a reign of terror! A reign of terror, I tell you. You must set a

watch on trains and roads and shipping. The garrison must help. You

must wire for help. The only thing that may keep him here is the

thought of recovering some books of notes he counts of value. I will

tell you of that! There is a man in your police station--Marvel."

"I know," said Adye, "I know. Those books--yes. But the tramp...."

"Says he hasn't them. But he thinks the tramp has. And you must

prevent him from eating or sleeping; day and night the country must

be astir for him. Food must be locked up and secured, all food, so

that he will have to break his way to it. The houses everywhere must

be barred against him. Heaven send us cold nights and rain! The

whole country-side must begin hunting and keep hunting. I tell you,

Adye, he is a danger, a disaster; unless he is pinned and secured,

it is frightful to think of the things that may happen."

"What else can we do?" said Adye. "I must go down at once and begin

organising. But why not come? Yes--you come too! Come, and we

must hold a sort of council of war--get Hopps to help--and the

railway managers. By Jove! it's urgent. Come along--tell me as we

go. What else is there we can do? Put that stuff down."

In another moment Adye was leading the way downstairs. They found

the front door open and the policemen standing outside staring at

empty air. "He's got away, sir," said one.

"We must go to the central station at once," said Adye. "One of you

go on down and get a cab to come up and meet us--quickly. And

now, Kemp, what else?"

"Dogs," said Kemp. "Get dogs. They don't see him, but they wind

him. Get dogs."

"Good," said Adye. "It's not generally known, but the prison

officials over at Halstead know a man with bloodhounds. Dogs. What

else?"

"Bear in mind," said Kemp, "his food shows. After eating, his food

shows until it is assimilated. So that he has to hide after eating.

You must keep on beating. Every thicket, every quiet corner. And

put all weapons--all implements that might be weapons, away. He

can't carry such things for long. And what he can snatch up and

strike men with must be hidden away."

"Good again," said Adye. "We shall have him yet!"

"And on the roads," said Kemp, and hesitated.

"Yes?" said Adye.

"Powdered glass," said Kemp. "It's cruel, I know. But think of what

he may do!"

Adye drew the air in sharply between his teeth. "It's

unsportsmanlike. I don't know. But I'll have powdered glass got

ready. If he goes too far...."

"The man's become inhuman, I tell you," said Kemp. "I am as sure he

will establish a reign of terror--so soon as he has got over the

emotions of this escape--as I am sure I am talking to you. Our

only chance is to be ahead. He has cut himself off from his kind.

His blood be upon his own head."

CHAPTER XXVI

Date: 2015-01-02; view: 772