On a frigid February day, a mysterious stranger disembarks at Bramblehurst railway station. He plods through the relentless snowfall to the village of Iping, eventually seeking refuge at the Coach and Horses Inn. His face obscured by dark glasses and bushy sideburns, the stranger requests a room from the innkeeper, Mrs. Hall.

A Peculiar Guest

Secluded, he consumes his meals in his quarters. Mrs. Hall, bringing a jar of mustard, observes the stranger’s head entirely wrapped in bandages. As she enters, he discreetly covers his mouth and chin with a napkin.

Unusual Possessions

The following day, his luggage arrives, an assortment of trunks and boxes filled with books, accompanied by a crate of bottles cushioned in straw. A drayman's dog attacks him, tearing his glove and trousers. Alarmed, Mr. Hall, the inn's owner, rushes to check on him, only to be abruptly shoved from the room as he enters unannounced. Later, Mrs. Hall notices the guest's trunks have been unpacked, revealing bizarre instruments, while his sunken eyes peer out without the usual glasses.

Whispers and Wonder

The villagers grow increasingly curious about the enigmatic guest. Some speculate he suffers from a rare skin condition. Meanwhile, inexplicable events unsettle the village. The vicar and his wife, awakened by sounds in their study, investigate only to find no one, despite hearing a sneeze and seeing a burning candle.

The Vanishing Act

Mr. Hall discovers disarray in the guest's quarters—clothing and bandages strewn about—and the man himself missing. As they ponder the situation, the inn's front door opens and closes mysteriously, moments before the lodger reappears on the stairs, offering no explanation for his absence.

Unveiling the Invisible

With the guest’s overdue bill, Mrs. Hall refuses service, prompting a furious reaction. Mr. Hall files a warrant against him. When the constable, landlord, and a curious neighbor confront him, they demand he reveals himself. To their disbelief, the man is invisible. Chaos ensues as the now infamous Invisible Man makes a daring escape.

Marvel's Encounter

The Invisible Man's next contact is with a tramp named Marvel, whom he coerces into helping retrieve his belongings from the inn. Arriving as the vicar and village doctor peruse his diary, they assault the men, reclaim the items, and flee. Reports of bizarre thefts proliferate, with money vanishing despite the thief remaining unseen.

The Pursuit at the Jolly Cricketers

Marvel, clutching the three books, bursts into the Jolly Cricketers Inn, breathlessly warning of the Invisible Man's pursuit. The barman, a policeman, and a cabman lay in wait, but the Invisible Man finds Marvel, trying to drag him away. A struggle ensues, culminating in a villager firing shots at the disembodied voice, though no body is found.

Dr. Kemp's Fright

Elsewhere, Dr. Kemp works late into the night in Burdock. Preparing for bed, he stumbles upon dried blood on the stairs and stains throughout his room. Astonished, he watches as a bandage wraps around thin air, then hears a voice call his name. The Invisible Man, seeking sanctuary, identifies himself as Griffin, a former university acquaintance. Griffin requests sustenance, revealing he hasn't rested properly in days.

Griffin's Confession

That night, Kemp immerses himself in newspaper stories detailing the Invisible Man's exploits. After contemplative deliberation, he writes to Colonel Adye, Burdock’s police chief. The following day, Griffin recounts his tale to Kemp, explaining his experiments with light refraction to render human cells transparent and thus invisible. His thirst for funds drove him to embezzle from his father, leading to his father's tragic demise. Eventually, his experiments bore fruit, compelling him to incinerate his research and embark on a bizarre journey,...