CHAPTER VIII. IN TRANSIT

by H. G. Wells

Chapter Eight

The eighth chapter is short but impactful. Gibbons, the local amateur naturalist, was sprawled out on the vast open downs, convinced he was alone for miles. As he drifted in and out of sleep, he suddenly heard a man nearby coughing, sneezing, and then muttering angrily to himself. He looked around but saw no one.

The voice was unmistakable, though. It continued to curse with a flair that suggested a well-educated man. The swearing built up to a peak, then faded away, seemingly heading toward Adderdean. It culminated in a sharp sneeze before falling silent.

Gibbons had no idea what had happened that morning, but the strange occurrence rattled him. His usual calm demeanor vanished. He quickly got to his feet and hurried down the steep hill toward the village, moving as fast as he could.