Footprints without Feet

The Mystery of the Invisible Man

• The story begins in London with two boys who are astonished to see fresh, muddy footprints appearing on the steps of a house without any visible person making them.
• The footprints belong to a scientist named Griffin, who discovered a way to make the human body transparent and solid like a sheet of glass by swallowing rare drugs.
• Griffin is described as a "lawless person" who, in a fit of revenge, set fire to his landlord's house and had to remove all his clothes to become invisible and escape unseen.

Adventures and Misdeeds in London

• To survive the bitter mid-winter cold, Griffin broke into a large London store, where he helped himself to warm clothes, food, and wine.
• He was forced to flee and strip naked once again after being discovered by the store assistants the following morning.
• He later raided a theatrical shop in Drury Lane, disguising himself with bandages, dark glasses, a false nose, and whiskers to appear visible, before callously robbing the shopkeeper.

The Incident at Iping

• Griffin moved to the village of Iping to escape the city, staying at an inn owned by Mrs. Hall, where his eccentric appearance and irritable behavior caused much curiosity.
• When his stolen money ran out, a mysterious burglary occurred at a clergyman's home; the couple heard money being taken but found the room completely empty.
• Suspicion intensified when Griffin suddenly produced cash and after Mrs. Hall experienced a terrifying event where the furniture in Griffin's room seemingly came to life and attacked her.

The Final Escape

• Confronted by Mrs. Hall about the strange happenings, Griffin lost his temper and removed his bandages and disguises, revealing himself as a headless man to the horrified crowd.
• The local constable, Mr. Jaffers, arrived to arrest him, leading to a chaotic struggle as Griffin removed his clothes piece by piece to become invisible.
• Griffin eventually knocked the constable unconscious and made his final escape, leaving the villagers in a state of shock and confusion.