Chapter 5 of the ‘The Invisible Man’ by H. G. Wells

Chapter 5 of the ‘The Invisible Man’ by H. G. Wells

The Burglary at the Vicarage

A glimpse of the chapter 4

In the previous chapter, you came to know that the stranger continued experimenting in his room, keeping it closed for most of time. He rarely went outside in the daylight, but he preferred almost daily going outside after the sun-set. People had different stories about his occupation. Mr. Cuss had also very bad experience when he entered his room without prior appointment or permission and tried to interview him.

Now, I come to the chapter 5.

One day, the vicar (the priest) and his wife reported about a burglary in their study room. It occurred early in the morning of Monday, the day which is fully meant for the club festivities, enjoyed by the people of Iping, the village.

In the early morning of the day when the burglary took place, Mrs. Bunting woke up suddenly with a doubtful thought that their bedroom had been opened and closed. She sat up in bed silently, listening to confirm if it was not her husband who had done that. After that, she clearly heard the sound created by the bare feet on the floor coming out of the adjoining dressing room and walking along the passage towards the staircase. The moment she got sure about a burglar, she aroused her husband, Mr. Bunting as quietly as possible. He did not light the lamp, rather putting on his spectacles, his dressing gown, and his bath slippers went out to listen as to who would be there. He heard clearly some sound that went down-stairs. After that, he heard a violent sneeze. The, Rev. Mr. Bunting returned to his room, took a weapon for defence and went downstairs quietly.

 It was about four, and there was a dim light in the hall, but there was quite darkness in the study-room. There was silence everywhere except the faint creaking sound created on the stairs by Mr. Bunting’s walking steps and also the slight movements in the study.

After that, something snapped, the drawer was opened and there was a rustle of papers. Next a match was struck and the study room was full of yellow light. Mr. Bunting was now in the hall. Through the crack of the door, he could see the desk and the open drawer and a candle burning on the desk. But Mr. Bunting could not see the robber. He stood there in the hall thinking as to what he should do and Mrs. Bunting also followed him feeling quite afraid at the incident. The thought that kept Mr. Bunting’s courage intact was that the burglar was the resident of the village.

After some time, both of them heard the chink (the sound created by the coins) of money. It was the house-keeping reserve of gold coins- two pounds then in half sovereign together. Now Mr. Bunting prepared himself to attack the thief gripping his poker firmly. He rushed into the room closely followed by his wife. He cried loudly ‘Surrender!’, and then he was shocked in utter surprise. The room was empty. Yet they were confirmed that somebody was moving in the room.

For about 30 seconds, they stood gaping, and then Mrs. Bunting started searching for the thief in the room behind the curtains. Mr. Bunting also looked up the chimney and searched it with the poker. After that, Mrs. Bunting checked the waste paper basket and Mr. Bunting opened the lid of the coal- scuttle (a small room). Then they stopped and stood in front of each other as if questioning to each other for the next step. The conclusion they drew were the following:

1.      Someone lit the candle in the room. 2. The drawer was opened and the money was stolen.

Now Mr. and Mrs. Bunting went quickly to the doorway. There was a violent sneeze in the passage, both of them rushed out and as they did so, the kitchen door was slammed. Mr. Bunting instructed his wife to bring the candle. They heard a sound of bolts.

As Mr. Bunting opened the kitchen door, he noticed that the back door of the kitchen was just opening. Mr. Bunting was certain that nothing went out of the door, but the door stood opened for some time, and then it closed with a slam. The room was empty now. They closed it from inside and at last went down into the cellar. No one was there also. They found no one in the whole house.     Some Questions:

1.      Who was Mr. Bunting? When did burglary take place at Mr. Bunting’s house?

2.      What sound did Mrs. Bunting hear at night?

3.      What did Mr. Bunting do when he was around by his wife?

4.      What did Mrs. and Mr. Bunting realize when they heard the chink of money?

5.      Where did Mrs. Bunting go hastily?

6.      What did the couple hear in the passage?

7.      What did Mr. Bunting notice when he opened the kitchen door?

8.      What valuables Mrs. And Mr. Bunting lose when the burglary took place in their house?   How did the couple react to the burglary in their house?

9.      What did the couple marvel (wonder) at the day break?

Long Answer-type Qs.

1.      Describe what happened when Mr. Cuss met the stranger? 2.What were the reasons that forced him to meet Mr. Bunting? Describe their meeting.

3.Describe the general reactions of the villagers about the stranger.