“If I have much more of it, I shall go wild—­I shall start mowing ’em.

“As it is, they’ve made things a thousand times more difficult.”

“No doubt it’s exasperating,” said Kemp, drily.

CHAPTER XXIV

THE PLAN THAT FAILED

“But now,” said Kemp, with a side glance out of the window, “what are we to do?”

He moved nearer his guest as he spoke in such a manner as to prevent the possibility of a sudden glimpse of the three men who were advancing up the hill road—­with an intolerable slowness, as it seemed to Kemp.

“What were you planning to do when you were heading for Port Burdock? Had you any plan?”

“I was going to clear out of the country.  But I have altered that plan rather since seeing you.  I thought it would be wise, now the weather is hot and invisibility possible, to make for the South.  Especially as my secret was known, and everyone would be on the lookout for a masked and muffled man.  You have a line of steamers from here to France.  My idea was to get aboard one and run the risks of the passage.  Thence I could go by train into Spain, or else get to Algiers.  It would not be difficult.  There a man might always be invisible—­and yet live.  And do things.  I was using that tramp as a money box and luggage carrier, until I decided how to get my books and things sent over to meet me.”

“That’s clear.”

“And then the filthy brute must needs try and rob me!  He has hidden my books, Kemp.  Hidden my books!  If I can lay my hands on him!”

“Best plan to get the books out of him first.”

“But where is he?  Do you know?”

“He’s in the town police station, locked up, by his own request, in the strongest cell in the place.”

“Cur!” said the Invisible Man.

“But that hangs up your plans a little.”

“We must get those books; those books are vital.”

“Certainly,” said Kemp, a little nervously, wondering if he heard footsteps outside.  “Certainly we must get those books.  But that won’t be difficult, if he doesn’t know they’re for you.”

“No,” said the Invisible Man, and thought.

Kemp tried to think of something to keep the talk going, but the Invisible Man resumed of his own accord.

“Blundering into your house, Kemp,” he said, “changes all my plans.  For you are a man that can understand.  In spite of all that has happened, in spite of this publicity, of the loss of my books, of what I have suffered, there still remain great possibilities, huge possibilities—­”

“You have told no one I am here?” he asked abruptly.

Kemp hesitated.  “That was implied,” he said.

“No one?” insisted Griffin.

“Not a soul.”

“Ah!  Now—­” The Invisible Man stood up, and sticking his arms akimbo began to pace the study.