The Invisible Man

Book Excerpt: ..."Very useful things indeed they are, sir," said Mrs. Hall."And I'm very naturally anxious to get on with my inquiries.""Of course, sir.""My reason for coming to Iping," he proceeded, with a certain deliberation of manner, "was ... a desire for solitude. I do not wish to be disturbed in my work. In addition to my work, an accident--""I thought as much," said Mrs. Hall to herself."--necessitates a certain retirement. My eyes--are sometimes so weak and painful that I have to shut myself up in the dark for hours together. Lock myself up. Sometimes--now and then. Not at present, certainly. At such times the slightest disturbance, the entry of a stranger into the room, is a source of excruciating annoyance to me--it is well these things should be understood.""Certainly, sir," said Mrs. Hall. "And if I might make so bold as to ask--""That I think, is all," said the stranger, with that quietly irresistible...