CHAPTER XXV
THE HUNTING OF THE INVISIBLE MAN
For a space Kemp was too inarticulate to make Adye understand theswift things that had just happened. They stood on the landing,Kemp speaking swiftly, the grotesque swathings of Griffin still onhis arm. But presently Adye began to grasp something of thesituation.
"He is mad," said Kemp; "inhuman. He is pure selfishness. He thinksof nothing but his own advantage, his own safety. I have listenedto such a story this morning of brutal self-seeking.... He has woundedmen. He will kill them unless we can prevent him. He will create apanic. 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 mustbegin at once. You must set every available man to work; you mustprevent his leaving this district. Once he gets away, he may gothrough the countryside as he wills, killing and maiming. He dreamsof a reign of terror! A reign of terror, I tell you. You must set awatch on trains and roads and shipping. The garrison must help. Youmust wire for help. The only thing that may keep him here is thethought of recovering some books of notes he counts of value. I willtell 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 mustprevent him from eating or sleeping; day and night the country mustbe astir for him. Food must be locked up and secured, all food, sothat he will have to break his way to it. The houses everywhere mustbe barred against him. Heaven send us cold nights and rain! Thewhole 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 beginorganising. But why not come? Yes--you come too! Come, and wemust hold a sort of council of war--get Hopps to help--and therailway managers. By Jove! it's urgent. Come along--tell me as wego. What else is there we can do? Put that stuff down."
In another moment Adye was leading the way downstairs. They foundthe front door open and the policemen standing outside staring atempty air. "He's got away, sir," said one.
"We must go to the central station at once," said Adye. "One of yougo on down and get a cab to come up and meet us--quickly. Andnow, Kemp, what else?"
"Dogs," said Kemp. "Get dogs. They don't see him, but they windhim. Get dogs."
"Good," said Adye. "It's not generally known, but the prisonofficials over at Halstead know a man with bloodhounds. Dogs. Whatelse?"
"Bear in mind," said Kemp, "his food shows. After eating, his foodshows until it is assimilated. So that he has to hide after eating.You must keep on beating. Every thicket, every quiet corner. Andput all weapons--all implements that might be weapons, away. Hecan't carry such things for long. And what he can snatch up andstrike 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 whathe may do!"
Adye drew the air in sharply between his teeth. "It'sunsportsmanlike. I don't know. But I'll have powdered glass gotready. If he goes too far...."
"The man's become inhuman, I tell you," said Kemp. "I am as sure hewill establish a reign of terror--so soon as he has got over theemotions of this escape--as I am sure I am talking to you. Ouronly chance is to be ahead. He has cut himself off from his kind.His blood be upon his own head."