The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen by Kevin J. Anderson Read Free Book Online Page A

misguided—man of science discovered the means to become
invisible. A Mr. Hawley Griffin. Perhaps you've heard of him, even in
Kenya?"
    "Yes, I recall the tale. But… didn't he die? Something about a mob
reaction?"
    The unseen man continued. "He died, but his invisibility process didn't. I
stole the formula… and here I stand for all to see."
    "Is this some parlor trick, M?" Quatermain, scowled, then abruptly flinched
as something invisible slapped him in the head.
    "Boo!" said the unseen man. "Believe it."
    "Enough, Ghost," Nemo said.
    "Oooh, he speaks!" the invisible man chortled. "I thought for a moment the
nefarious captain had been stuffed. Pleased to meet you both. I'm Rodney
Skinner, gentleman thief."
    M frowned in the direction of the voice. "Skinner, make yourself
presentable."
    The invisible thief's coat, draped on the back of a chair, started to move by
itself. It took shape as the man got dressed, tugging arms through the sleeves.
Next, a pot of white greasepaint rose into the air.
    Skinner continued to chat as he dressed. "You see, I thought invisibility
would be a boon to my work, being a thief and all. Heh! You can imagine." His
grease-painted lips blew out a sigh. "My undoing—once you're invisible, it's
bloody hard to turn back."
    The transparent hand continued to dab greasepaint on his face, distributing
smears so that his physiognomy took shape eerily as he spoke. "And it's bloody
hard to spend your money if no one can see you."
    "In the end, we finally caught him," M said. "He'll be a valuable member of
your team."
    "And they'll provide the antidote if I'm a good boy," Skinner said,
explaining the real reason for his cooperation.
    "And are you a good boy?" Quatermain asked.
    "I guess you'll find out, won't you?"
    The door quickly opened again, and all eyes turned toward the voice. "Am I
late?" A beautiful woman stood at the door, carefully pushing it shut.
    Quatermain blinked at her stunning appearance. She was slender and
fit-looking, dressed in a stylish but not gaudy dress. She appeared to be in her
early thirties with startlingly green eyes and dark hair; a white silken scarf
was chastely tied around her throat. Her skin was ivory pale, as perfect as
milk.
    "Why, being late is a woman's prerogative, Mrs. Harker." M showed no trace of
annoyance at all.
    Quatermain groaned quietly. This meeting had grown worse with each new
revelation. "Please, M, tell me this is Harker's wife with a sick note."
    Her green eyes flashed at him with a surprisingly feral light." 'Sick' would
be a mild understatement, sir. My husband's been dead for years. At the moment,
I am perfectly capable of taking care of myself."
    "Gentlemen, this is Mrs. Wilhelmina Harker," M said. "Please welcome her to
our League."
    "And you couldn't find a chemist with—" Quatermain began, remembering all the
times and all the adventures where women had caused him trouble.
    "With the right to vote? Alas, no," Mina said.
    M was unruffled. He sucked on the end of his cigarette holder again. "In
addition to her chemical abilities, Mina's… prior acquaintance with a reluctant
team member may also be of use to us."
    Mina grimaced slightly, as if she didn't look forward to meeting her "prior
acquaintance" again.
    "And that's it? Chemistry and an old friendship?" Quatermain raised his
eyebrows. "Come on, I'm waiting to be impressed." Many lives would depend upon
the abilities of the members of this team.
    "Patience… is a virtue," Mina said, then added in a sultry, eerily hypnotic
voice, "Are you virtuous?"
    "The clock hands turn, gentlemen," said M, gathering all the dossiers. "As I
said earlier, we have very little time. You have other members to recruit before
you depart for Venice."
    "Kicking us out, already?" the now greasepainted Skinner asked. "A moment ago
it was all sherry and giggles."

 SIX
London
    Still uneasy in their partnership, Quatermain, Mina, Nemo, and Skinner
emerged from the museum onto