The story he had been active to ridicule only that morning rushed through Kemp’s brain.  He does not appear to have been either very much frightened or very greatly surprised at the moment.  Realisation came later.

“I thought it was all a lie,” he said.  The thought uppermost in his mind was the reiterated arguments of the morning.  “Have you a bandage on?” he asked.

“Yes,” said the Invisible Man.

“Oh!” said Kemp, and then roused himself.  “I say!” he said.  “But this is nonsense.  It’s some trick.”  He stepped forward suddenly, and his hand, extended towards the bandage, met invisible fingers.

He recoiled at the touch and his colour changed.

“Keep steady, Kemp, for God’s sake!  I want help badly.  Stop!”

The hand gripped his arm.  He struck at it.

“Kemp!” cried the Voice.  “Kemp!  Keep steady!” and the grip tightened.

A frantic desire to free himself took possession of Kemp.  The hand of the bandaged arm gripped his shoulder, and he was suddenly tripped and flung backwards upon the bed.  He opened his mouth to shout, and the corner of the sheet was thrust between his teeth.  The Invisible Man had him down grimly, but his arms were free and he struck and tried to kick savagely.

“Listen to reason, will you?” said the Invisible Man, sticking to him in spite of a pounding in the ribs.  “By Heaven! you’ll madden me in a minute!

“Lie still, you fool!” bawled the Invisible Man in Kemp’s ear.

Kemp struggled for another moment and then lay still.

“If you shout, I’ll smash your face,” said the Invisible Man, relieving his mouth.

“I’m an Invisible Man.  It’s no foolishness, and no magic.  I really am an Invisible Man.  And I want your help.  I don’t want to hurt you, but if you behave like a frantic rustic, I must.  Don’t you remember me, Kemp?  Griffin, of University College?”

“Let me get up,” said Kemp.  “I’ll stop where I am.  And let me sit quiet for a minute.”

He sat up and felt his neck.

“I am Griffin, of University College, and I have made myself invisible.  I am just an ordinary man—­a man you have known—­made invisible.”

“Griffin?” said Kemp.

“Griffin,” answered the Voice.  A younger student than you were, almost an albino, six feet high, and broad, with a pink and white face and red eyes, who won the medal for chemistry.”

“I am confused,” said Kemp.  “My brain is rioting.  What has this to do with Griffin?”

“I am Griffin.”

Kemp thought.  “It’s horrible,” he said.  “But what devilry must happen to make a man invisible?”

“It’s no devilry.  It’s a process, sane and intelligible enough—­”

“It’s horrible!” said Kemp.  “How on earth—?”

“It’s horrible enough.  But I’m wounded and in pain, and tired ...  Great God!  Kemp, you are a man.  Take it steady.  Give me some food and drink, and let me sit down here.”