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1 The mysterious door

Mr Utterson the lawyer was a quiet serious man Hewas shy with strangers and afraid of showing his feelings Among friends however his eyes shone with kindnessand goodness And although this goodness never found itsway into his conversation it showed itself in his way of life He did not allow himself many enjoyable things in life He ateand drank simply and although he enjoyed the theatre hehad not been to a play for twenty years However he wasgentler towards other men s weaknesses and was alwaysready to help rather than blame them As a lawyer he was often the last good person that evil-doers met on their way toprison or worse These people often carried with them memories of his politeness and fairness

Mr Utterson's best friend was a distant cousin calledRichard Enfield who was well known as a fun-loving manabout town Nobody could understand why they werefriends as they were different from each other in every way They often took long walks together however marchingthrough the streets of London in companionable silence

One of these walks used to take them down a narrow sidestreet in a busy part of London It was a clean busy friendlystreet with bright little shops and shiny doorknockers Nearthe end of this street however stood a dark mysterious windowless building The door had neither bell nor knockerand looked dusty and uncared for Dirty children played fearlessly on the doorstep and nobody ever opened the door todrive them away

One day as Mr Enfield and his friend passed the building Mr Enfield pointed to it

Have you ever noticed that place he asked It remindsme of a very strange story

Really said Mr Utterson Tell me

Well began Enfield I was coming home about threeo clock on a black winter morning when suddenly I saw twopeople The first was a short man who was walking along thestreet and the second was a little girl who was running as fastas she could Well the two bumped into each other and thechild fell down Then a terrible thing happened The mancalmly walked all over the child's body with his heavy boots and left her screaming on the ground It was an inhuman thingto do I ran after the man caught him and fetched him back There was already a small crowd around the screaming child The man was perfectly cool but he gave me a very evil look which made me feel sick in my stomach The child's familythen arrived and also a doctor The child had been sent tofetch the doctor for a sick neighbour and was on her wayhome again

The child is more frightened than hurt said thedoctor and that you would think was the end of the story But you see I had taken a violent dislike to the short man So had the child's family that was only natural But the doctor who seemed a quiet kindly man was also looking at ourprisoner with murder in his eyes

The doctor and I understood each other perfectly Together we shouted at the man and told him we would tell this story all over London so that his name would be hated

He looked back at us with a proud blach look Nameyour price he said

We made him agree to a hundred pounds for the child sfamily With another black look the man led us to that doorover there He took out a key and let himself into thebuilding Presently he came out and handed us ten pounds ingold and a cheque for ninety pounds from Coutts's Bank Thename on the cheque was a well-known one

See here said the doctor doubtfully it isn't usual for aman to walk into an empty house at four in the morning andcome out with another man's cheque for nearly a hundredpounds

Don't worry said the man with an ugly look I'll staywith you until the banks open and

change the chequemyself

So we all went off the doctor and the prisoner and myself and spent the rest of the night at my house In the morningwe went together to the bank Sure enough the cheque wasgood and the money was passed to the child's family

Well well said Mr Utterson

Yes said Enfield it's a strange story My prisoner wasclearly a hard cruel man But the man whose name was onthe cheque was well known all over London for his kind andgenerous acts Why would a man like that give his cheque to acriminal

And you don't know if the writer of the cheque lives inthat building asked Mr Utterson

I don't like to ask said his friend In my experience it's not a good idea to ask too many questions in case the answers are ugly violent ones But I've studied the place alittle It doesn't seem like a house There's no other door and the only person who uses that door is the man I've just described to you There are three windows on the side of thehouse which look down onto a small courtyard The windowsare shut but they're always clean There's a chimney too which is usually smoking So somebody must live there

The two men continued on their walk Then Utterson brokethe silence

Enfield he said you're right about not asking toomany questions However I want to ask the name of the manwho walked over the child

Very well said Enfield He told us his name wasHyde

What does he look like

He's not easy to describe although I remember him perfectly He's a strange-looking man He's short but has astrong heavy body There's something wrong with his appearance something ugly and unpleasing no somethinghateful I disliked him at once

Mr Utterson thought deeply Are you sure he used a key he asked

What do you mean asked Enfield in surprise

I know it must seem strange said his friend But yousee if I don't ask you the name on the cheque it's because Iknow it already

Well why didn't you tell me said his friend rathercrossly Anyway he did have a key and he still has it Isaw him use it only a week ago

Mr Utterson looked at him thoughtfully but said nothingmore

2 In search of Mr Hyde

After dinner that evening Mr Utterson went into his office and unlocked a cupboard He took out an envelope It contained the will of Doctor Henry Jekyll and was writtenin the doctor's own handwriting

If I die or if I disappear for more than three months thewill began I wish to leave everything I own to my dearfriend Edward Hyde

This will had both worried and annoyed Mr Utterson To alawyer it was an unusual and dangerous kind of will It wasbad enough when Edward Hyde was only an unknown name but now that the lawyer knew something about Hyde the willworried him more than ever It had seemed like madness before now it began to seem shameful With a heavy heart MrUtterson replaced the envelope in the cupboard put on hiscoat and went to see his old friend Doctor Lanyon

Doctor Lanyon was enjoying his after-dinner coffee Comein old friend he cried The two men had known each othersince their school days They sat for several minutes drinkingcoffee and talking companionably of this and that At last MrUtterson mentioned the thoughts that were worrying him

I suppose Lanyon he said that you and I are HenryJekyll's oldest friends

I suppose so said Doctor Lanyon but I don't often seehim now

Really said Mr Utterson in surprise I thought you andhe were interested in the same things

We were at one time said Doctor Lanyon But morethan ten years ago Henry Jekyll became too well imaginativefor me He developed some strange wild unscientific ideas Itold him so and I've seen very little of him since then

Mr Utterson looked at his friend's red angry face Only adisagreement about some scientific question he thought It's nothing worse than that Calmly he continued Didyou ever meet a friend of Jekyll's a man called Hyde

Hyde repeated Lanyon No never

Soon the lawyer said goodnight and went home to bed where he lay awake for a long time thinking about Enfield's description of Hyde and Doctor Jekyll's will When at last hefell asleep he was troubled by dreams In his mind's eye hesaw a faceless man marching over the child's body Then hesaw his old friend Jekyll in bed while the same faceless figurestood over him The facelessness of that figure worried himdeeply

Very well Mr Hyde said the lawyer to himself I willfind you and I will see your face for myself

During the next few weeks Mr Utterson spent many hoursin the narrow street where Enfield had seen Hyde He waitedpatiently near the mysterious door hoping for a sight of MrHyde and one dry clear winter night he was successful The street was empty and silent and small sounds carried along way The lawyer heard footsteps He stepped back intothe shadows and waited A short figure turned the corner andwalked towards the mysterious door Although Mr Uttersoncould not see his face he felt a strong almost violent dislikefor the stranger

Mr Utterson stepped forward and touched him on the shoulder Mr Hyde

Yes that's my name said the stranger coolly What doyou want

I see that you're going in I'm an old friend of DoctorJekyll's My name is Utterson You must have heard myname may I come in with you

Doctor Jekyll is not at home replied Mr Hyde How didyou know me he added sharply

First let me see your face replied the lawyer

Mr Hyde hesitated for a moment then he stood under thestreet light and the lawyer saw his face Thank you saidMr Utterson Now I shall know you again It may beuseful

Yes said Mr Hyde it may indeed be useful Here too is my address You may need it one day He gave the lawyerhis address which was in a poor part of London

Good God thought the lawyer does Hyde know aboutJekyll's will Is that what he's thinking of But he saidnothing

And now said Mr Hyde How did you know me

You were described to me

Who did that

I know people who know you

Who asked Mr Hyde sharply

Doctor Jekyll for example said the lawyer

He never told you cried Mr Hyde in sudden anger Don't lie to me And before the lawyer could answer heturned the key in the lock and disappeared into the house

Mr Utterson stared at the closed door Why do I dislikehim so much he said to himself Enfield was right thereis something evil about the man Poor Henry Jekyll I'm worried about you Your new friend will mean trouble for you

Round the corner from the narrow street there was a squareof handsome old houses One of these was Doctor Jekyll's house and Mr Utterson knocked at the front door The servant answered and told him that Doctor Jekyll was not athome

I saw Mr Hyde go in by the laboratory door in the street atthe back of the house said the lawyer

That's right Mr Utterson replied the servant MrHyde has his own key and comes and goes when he likes Wehave orders from Doctor Jekyll to obey him

Mr Utterson walked home more worried than ever

A fortnight later Doctor Jekyll gave a dinner party for a fewold friends Mr Utterson was among them and he remained after the others had left

I've been wanting to speak to you for some time Jekyll said the lawyer about your will

Doctor Jekyll was a tall well made man of fifty with asmooth kindly face My poor friend he said you doworry unnecessarily you know Like poor Lanyon when Itold him about my new ideas Imaginative rubbish he calledthem I'm very disappointed in Lanyon

But the lawyer did not want to talk about Doctor Lanyon You know I've never agreed with your will he continued You've told me often enough said his friend sharply

Well I've learnt something about your friend Hyde continued the lawyer

The colour of the doctor's handsome face changed from pinkto greyish-white I don't want to hear any more he said You don't understand I'm in a very difficult painful situation

Tell me everything said Mr Utterson and I'll do mybest to help you

You're very kind but this is a private matter I'll tell youone thing I can get rid of Mr Hyde any time I want Youmust understand however that I take a great interest in poorHyde I know you've seen him he told me and I'm afraidhe wasn't very polite to you But I really do care about him And if anything happens to me I want you to promise tomake sure that he inherits my money

I cannot pretend that I shall ever like him said thelawyer

I'm not asking you to like him said his friend I onlyask you to help him when I'm gone

I promise said Mr Utterson sadly

3 The Carew murder

One night in London nearly a year later a servant girlwas sitting at her bedroom window looking out at themoonlit street She saw a tall handsome old man with whitehair coming along the street and a shorter younger manwalkingtowardshim The old man spoke politely to theyounger one He seemed the girl said later to be asking hisway Then the girl looked more closely at the younger manand recognized him

It was Mr Hyde she said later He once visited my master

Mr Hyde the girl said was carrying a heavy stick He wasplaying with it impatiently as he listened to the old man Thensuddenly he seemed to explode with anger

He was like a madman the servant girl said He shookhis stick at the old man who stepped back in surprise Thenhe hit the old man violently with the stick and knocked him tothe ground He beat the helpless body again and again I couldhear the bones breaking It was so terrible that I began tofeel ill Then everything went black and I don't remember anymore

It was two o clock in the morning before she was consciousagain and able to call the police The murderer had disappeared but the dead man was still lying on the ground withthe murder weapon beside him The stick had broken in themiddle and one half still lay beside the murdered man Thepolice decided that the murderer had carried away the otherhalf A gold watch and a purse were found in the dead man spockets but no cards or papers except a letter addressed toMr Utterson

A policeman brought this letter to the lawyer the nextmorning Together they drove to the police station where thebody had been taken

A police inspector showed him the body

Yes I recognize him said Mr Utterson heavily He isSir Danvers Carew

Thank you sir said the inspector And do you recognizethis He showed Mr Utterson the broken stick and told himthe servant girl s story

Mr Utterson knew the stick at once That s HenryJekyll s stick he said to himself I gave it to him long ago

Is this Hyde a short evil looking man he asked

That s how the servant girl described him sir agreed theinspector

Come with me said Mr Utterson to the inspector Ithink I know where he lives

Mr Utterson led him to the address on Mr Hyde s visitingcard It was in a poor part of London in a dirty street full ofcheap bars and eating houses This was the home of HenryJekyll s favourite friend the man who would inherit Jekyll squarter of a million pounds

An old servant opened the door Under her silvery hair wasa smooth face with a false smile and evil eyes but she was polite enough

Yes she said Mr Hyde lives here But he s not athome My master came in very late last night He left againafter only an hour

Was that unusual asked the inspector

Not at all replied the servant He s often away andfrequently stays away for months at a time

We would like to see his flat said Mr Utterson

Oh I can't do that sir began the servant

This gentleman is a police inspector said Mr Utterson

Ah said the servant looking unnaturally pleased aboutit Mr Hyde s in trouble What s he done

Mr Utterson and the inspector looked at each other Hedoesn't seem a very popular person said the inspector Heturned to the servant Now please let us in and we'll have alook around

Mr Hyde had only two rooms in the house These were extremely comfortable and in excellent taste with beautiful pictures on the walls and rich carpets on the floor Everythingwas wildly untidy however and the fireplace was full of halfburnt papers Among these the detective found part of acheque book He also found the other half of the murderweapon

Excellent he said Now let s visit the bank and see ifthey recognize this cheque book

Sure enough the bank held several thousand pounds in anaccount in the name of Edward Hyde

We've got him now sir said the inspector We've gotthe murder weapon and we've got his cheque book Now weonly need his description on the Wanted notices

This was not so easy There were no photographs of thewanted man and no two people could agree about his appearance They all agreed on one thing however An evil man sir the servant girl said You could see it in his face

4 Doctor Jekyll receives a letter

Later that same afternoon Mr Utterson found his way toDoctor Jekyll s house Jekyll s servant Poole let himin at once and took him through the kitchen and across theback garden to the laboratory behind the house It was thefirst time that Mr Utterson had seen his friend s laboratory and he looked around curiously

The old servant led Mr Utterson through the laboratory andup some stairs to the doctor s private study above This was alarge room with tall glass fronted cupboards a large mirrorand a big businesslike table A good fire burned in the fireplace and beside it sat Doctor Jekyll looking white and ill Ina thin tired voice he welcomed his friend

Have you heard the news said Mr Utterson after the oldservant had left

The newsboys were shouting about it in the street DoctorJekyll said A terrible business

Let me ask you something said the lawyer Sir DanversCarew was my client but you are my client too and I want toknow what I'm doing You haven't tried to hide the murderer have you

Utterson I promise you cried the doctor I promise youI'll never see him again I've finished with him for ever Andnow indeed he no longer needs my help You don't knowhim like I do He s safe quite safe Believe me nobody willever hear of Hyde again

The lawyer listened with a serious face He did not like hisfriend s feverish excited look

You seem very sure of him he replied I hope you reright If he is caught and comes to trial your name may bementioned

I'm absolutely sure of him answered Jekyll I can't tellyou how I know

but I'm certain But can you please adviseme about one thing I've received a letter and I don't knowwhether to show it to the police May I leave it in your hands Utterson

You're afraid I suppose that the letter will lead the police to Hyde asked the lawyer

No said Doctor Jekyll I don't care what happens toHyde I was thinking of my own reputation Anyway here is the letter

It was written in a strange pointed handwriting and signed Edward Hyde I am sorry that I have been so ungrateful inthe past for your many generous acts it began Please don't worry about me I am quite safe and I am certain that I can escape unharmed whenever I wish

Did this letter come by post asked the lawyer

No replied Doctor Jekyll There was no postmark on theenvelope The letter came by hand

Shall I keep the letter and think about it asked Mr Utterson

I want you to decide for me answered his client I mnot sure of anything any more

Very well said the lawyer Now tell me the part inyour will about disappearing for three months or more Wasthat Hyde s idea

It was whispered Doctor Jekyll

He was planning to murder you said the lawyer You've had a lucky escape

I've had a lesson too said his client in pain and sadness Oh what a lesson And he covered his face with his hands

On his way ont of the house the lawyer stopped and spoketo Poole

By the way he said a letter was handed in today foryour master Who brought it and what did he look like

Nobody came except the postman sir said the servant insurprise

That worries me thought Mr Utterson as he walkedhome Clearly the letter arrived by the laboratory door perhaps it was even written in the study I must think about thiscarefully

In the street the newsboys were still shouting Read allabout it Terrible murder

The lawyer s thoughts were sad One of his clients wasdead and the life and reputation of another were in danger Mr Utterson did not

usually ask anyone for advice Today however was different

That evening he sat by his fireside with his chief clerk MrGuest beside him The lawyer and his clerk had worked together for many years and knew and understood each other Also Mr Guest had been involved in business with DoctorJekyll and knew him well

Outside it was foggy and dark but the room was bright andwarm and there was a bottle of good whisky on the table

This is a sad business about Sir Danvers Carew said MrUtterson

Yes indeed sir The murderer was a madman of course

I would like your opinion about that replied the lawyer I have a letter from the murderer here

Mr Guest was interested in the study of handwriting Hiseyes brightened at once A murderer s letter he said That will be interesting He looked carefully at the writing Not a madman I think he said But what unusual handwriting

Just then a servant entered with a note

Is that note from Doctor Jekyll asked Mr Guest Ithought I recognized the handwriting Is it anything private Mr Utterson

Only an invitation to dinner Why Do you want to seethe letter

Just for a moment please sir The clerk put the two letters side by side and studied them carefully Thank you sir he said Very interesting

For a moment Mr Utterson hesitated wondering and worrying At last he put his thoughts into words Why did youlook at the two letters together he asked

Well sir in many ways the two are surprisingly similar

How strange Mr Guest I must ask you not to speakof this business to anyone

Of course not sir said the clerk You can depend onme Shortly afterwards he said good night to his master andmade his way home

When he was alone Mr Utterson locked the two letters inhis cupboard Well he thought So Henry Jekyll wrotethat letter for a murderer His face was as calm and expressionless as usual but his heart was filled with fear for his oldfriend

5 The death of a friend

Time passed The search for Mr Hyde continued SirDanvers Carew was an important and popular man andthe police tried desperately to arrest the murderer and bringhim to trial But there was no sign of Mr Hyde himself although the police and the newspapers discovered a lot about hispast life Nobody it seemed could say one good word aboutthe wanted man He was a cruel violent man who had livedan evil life full of hate and jealousy None of this however was any help to the police Mr Hyde had just disappeared

As time went by Mr Utterson became calmer and more atpeace with himself He was truly sorry that his client SirDanvers Carew was dead but he was also very glad that MrHyde had disappeared As for Doctor Jekyll he too appearedcalmer and happier He came out into the world again He invited friends to his house and accepted invitations to theirs Hehad always been a good and generous man Now however hebecame a churchgoer too He was busy he spent a lot of timein the fresh air and he looked happy and carefree For morethan two months he was at peace with himself and the world

On the 8th of January Mr Utterson was invited to dinner atDoctor Jekyll s house Doctor Lanyon was there too This isquite like old times thought the lawyer as he watched DoctorJekyll smiling at Doctor Lanyon

On January 12th however and again on the 14th DoctorJekyll refused to see visitors

The doctor is not well explained Poole He hopes youwill forgive him but he cannot see anyone

Mr Utterson called again next day and again the day afterthat After two months of almost daily meetings with his oldfriend the lawyer felt rather lonely On the sixth evening heinvited his clerk Mr Guest to dinner with him and on theseventh night he went to visit Doctor Lanyon

Doctor Lanyon made him welcome but Mr Utterson wasshocked by the change in the doctor s appearance His face which was usually pink and healthy was grey and thin andthere was a frightened look in his eyes He was suddenly anold sick man

He looks said Mr Utterson to himself like a man whoknows he s dying

How are you Lanyon he said You don't look well

I've had a shock Utterson replied Doctor Lanyon Andit will cause my death I have only a few weeks to live Hepaused Well it comes to us all sooner or later I've had agood life on the whole

Jekyll is ill too said the lawyer Have you seen him

At the name of Jekyll the look on Doctor Lanyon s face changed Please he said holding up a trembling hand don't speak that name in this house

Oh dear said Mr Utterson He hesitated for a moment The three of us have been friends all our lives Lanyon Weare too old now to make new friends Can't you forgive andforget Perhaps I can help

Nothing can be done replied Doctor Lanyon Ask himyourself

He won't let me into the house

That doesn't surprise me One day Utterson after I amdead you will perhaps learn the full story Meanwhile if youcan sit and talk to me of other things please stay Just don't mention that person as it hurts me to think about him

As soon as he got home Mr Utterson wrote to DoctorJekyll In his letter he asked why Jekyll refused to let him intohis house and why he and Doctor Lanyon were no longerfriendly The reply was long and not always easy to understand

I'm not angry with our old friend Doctor Jekyll wrote but I agree with him that the two of us must never meetagain Meanwhile you must forgive me if from now on I livea very quiet life If you find my door closed to you it's because I must travel this dark dangerous road alone I havedone wrong and I'm being punished for it and nobody canhelp me

What is this thought Mr Utterson Hyde has disappeared Jekyll is his normal self again at least he was untillast week Has he gone mad Then he remembered DoctorLanyon's words There is something more he said to himself something mysterious but I have no idea what it is

A week later Doctor Lanyon was too ill to leave his bed Two weeks after that he was dead After his friend's burial Mr Utterson went home and into his office From his lockedcupboard he took out an envelope which he had received soonafter his friend s death

In Doctor Lanyon's handwriting he read G J Utterson Private The lawyer turned the envelope over and over in hishands before he opened it What terrible news could itcontain With trembling hands Mr Utterson opened the envelope Inside was another envelope with the words Not to beopened until the death or disappearance of Doctor HenryJekyll

The lawyer could not believe his eyes Death or disappearance the words were the same as in Doctor Jekyll's will Iunderstand why Jekyll wrote those words said Mr Uttersonto himself But why did Lanyon write them too For a moment he wanted to open the envelope and uncover the mysterythere and then But Mr Utterson was too honest a man and alawyer to do that He knew he must obey his friend's andclient's last wish He locked the envelope away in his cupboard beside Doctor Jekyll's will

The lawyer was desperately worried about his friend DoctorJekyll He was afraid for him too He called at the house butthe doctor always refused to see him

How is he Poole Mr Utterson asked the old servant oneday

Not very well sir He spends all his time in the studyabove his laboratory He sleeps there as well He seems verysilent and uneasy Something is worrying him sir

but hewon't tell anyone

For a long time the lawyer called almost every day Little bylittle however he became tired of his friend's refusal to seehim and his visits became less frequent

6 The face at the window

One Sunday soon afterwards Mr Utterson was walkingwith his friend Enfield when they happened to passthrough the narrow side-street again Enfleld pointed to themysterious door

Well he said that story is finished We shall never seeMr Hyde again

I hope you're right said the lawyer Did I tell you Ionce saw Hyde too and had the same strong feelings of dislikefor him as you did What an evil man

I agree said his friend By the way why didn't you tellme that our mysterious door led to the laboratory at the back ofDoctor Jekyll's house I didn't know then but I know now

Well now that you know let's go into the courtyard andlook up at his window I must tell you I'm worried aboutpoor Jekyll Perhaps the sight of a friendly face will do himgood

Overhead the evening sky was bright but the courtyard wascool and dark At an open window of the study above the laboratory Doctor Jekyll sat like a prisoner staring at the worldoutside

I hope you are better Jekyll the lawyer called up to him

The doctor shook his head sadly I'm not well Utterson he said I shall not be here much longer thankGod

You spend too much time indoors You ought to get outinto the fresh air like Enfield and me By the way this ismy cousin Mr Enfield COme now-get your hat and join usfor a quick walk

You 're very kind said the doctor But no it's quiteimpossible I would like to invite you and Mr Enfield inside but the place is not very tidy

Well then said the lawyer gently we can talk to youfrom here

That's an excellent idea- began the doctor with asmile But suddenly the smile left his face and was replaced byan expression of hopelessness fear and horror The two menbelow saw it but only for a second as the window was shutwith a bang The two men looked at each other then turnedand left the courtyard without a word In silence they crossedthe narrow side-street They did not speak until they came outinto a busy noisy street Then Mr Utterson at last turned andlooked at his companion whose face was as pale as his own The expression on Doctor Jekyll's face had upset them bothdeeply

God help him whispered Mr Utterson God help thepoor man

But Mr Enfield only nodded his head very seriously andwalked on without a word

7 The last night

It was now March and Mr Utterson was sitting by thefire after dinner when he was surprised to receive avisitfrom Doctor Jekyll's servant Poole The old man looked paleand frightened

Mr Utterson he said something is wrong

Sit down by the fire and tell me all abut it

The doctor's locked himself up in his study sir

That's quite usual surely said the lawyer You knowyour master's habits as well as I do He often shuts himselfaway from the world

Yes but this time it's different It frightens me sirI've been frightened for more than a week now and I justcan't go on any longer

He stopped and stared down at the floor

Try and tell me Poole said Mr Utterson gently Something terrible is happening to my master I can't explain But please sir can you come with me and see foryourself

At once Mr Utterson fetched his coat and hat

Thank you sir whispered Poole gratefully

Together they made their way to Doctor Jekyll's house Itwas a wild stormy night To Mr Utterson the streets seemedstrangely empty and lonely The square when they reachedit was full of wind and flying dust The thin trees were blowing wildly and untidy grey clouds were sailing past a pale sickly moon

Well sir said Poole here we are and I hope that nothing is wrong He knocked softly at the front door The doorwas opened just a little and a voice from inside asked Is thatyou Poole

Yes-open the door

The hall when they entered was brightly lit A good firewas burning The room was full of people-every servant inthe house was there They looked like a crowd of frightenedchildren

What's all this said the lawyer What are you all doinghere Your master would not be pleased

They're frightened said Poole simply No one elsespoke A little servant girl began to cry

Quiet said Poole sharply trying to control his own fear Now-fetch me a light and we'll finish this business at once Mr Utterson sir please follow me He led the way across theback garden towards the laboratory

Come as quietly as you can sir I want you to hear but Idon't want him to hear you And sin if he asks you to go inside-don't go

Mr Utterson's heart gave a little jump of fear but hebravely followed the servant into the laboratory to the bottomof the stairs

Wait here sir-and listen carefully whispered Poole Hehimself again controlling his fear climbed the stairs andknocked on the study door

Mr Utterson would like to see you sir he called

Tell him I cannot see anyone said a voice from inside theStudy

Thank you sir said Poole He led Mr Utterson backacross the garden and into the house Sir he said was thatmy master's voice

The lawyer's face was pale It has changed he said

Changed You're right said Poole I've worked forDoctof Jekyll for twenty years That was not my master's voice Someone has murdered my master Eight days ago weheard his voice for the last time Dear God he cried-thenno more The voice you heard just now was the voice of hismuderer

This is an extraordinary story my good man said Mr Utterson He tried hard to appear calm If Dr Jekyll has beenmurdered-why is his murderer still there What reason couldhe possibly have for staying

Perhaps you don't believe me sir but I know what Iheard For a week now the person-or thing-in that studyhas been crying night and day for some special chemical powders My master was in the habit when he was particularlybusy with his scientific work of writing orders on pieces ofpaper and leaving them on the stairs We've had nothing elsethis week nothing except written orders and a locked door I've been to every chemist in town in search of these chemicalsof his but they were never right They weren't pure enough he said I had to take them back to the shop and try anotherchemist I don't know what these chemicals are but the person in that study wants them terribly badly

Did you keep any of these written orders asked Mr Utterson

Poole reached in his pocket and brought out a note Thelawyer read it carefully It said I am returning your chemicals as they are impure and therefore useless In the year18-you made up a mixture of chemical powders for DoctorHenry Jekyll Please search your cupboards for some more ofthe same mixture and send it to Doctor Jekyll AT ONCE Thisis VERY IMPORTANT

This is a strange note said Mr Utterson

The chemist thought so too sir said Poole When I tookhim this note he cried All my chemicals are pure and youcan tell your master so and he threw the note back at me

Are you sure this is your master's handwriting asked MrUtterson

Of course sir said Poole But what does handwritingmatter I've seen my master's murderer

Seen him repeated Mr Utterson

Yes It was like this I came suddenly into the laboratoryfrom the garden I think he had left the study to look forsomething The study door was open and there he was at thefar end of the laboratory He was searching among some oldboxes He looked up when I came in gave a kind of cry andran upstairs and into the study I only saw him for a moment but my blood seemed to freeze Sir if that was my master why was he wearing a mask over his face If it was my master why did he cry out like a trapped animal and run awayfrom me I've been his servant for twenty years And then Poole paused and covered his face with his hands tooupset to speak

This is all very mysterious said Mr Utterson but I thinkI begin to understand Your master Poole is ill And the illness has changed his appearance Perhaps that also explainsthe change in his voice It certainly explains the mask and theway he has been avoiding his friends And of course he's searching for these chemicals he cause he believes they willmake him well again Dear God I hope he's right PoorJekyll-thst is my explanation It's sad enough Poole butit's normal and natural and there's nothing to be alarmedabout

Sir said the servant that thing was not my master My master is a tall fine well built man The stranger wasmuch shorter Sir I have been with my master for twentyyears and I know his appearance as well as I know my own No sir that thing in the mask was never Doctor Jekyll and Ibelieve that he-it-murdered my master

Poole said the lawyer if you say that I must makesure We must break down the study door

You're right Mr Utterson cried the old servant

Very well Will you help me If we are wrong I'll makesure that you're not blamed for it

There's an axe in the laboratory suggested Poole

You realize Poole said Mr Utterson that this may bedangerous for us both Let us now be honest with each other This masked figure that you saw-you're certain that it wasnot your master

That's right sir

Did you in fact recognize it

Well sir it was all so quick that I'm not really sure But well I think it was Mr Hyde It was short like MrHyde and it moved in the same light quick active way Andwho else could come in by the laboratory door from the street You must remember sir that at the time of the Carew murder Mr Hyde still had the laboratory key with him But that's not all Mr Utterson did you ever meet Mr Hyde

Yes replied the lawyer I once spoke with him

Then you will know sir that there is something strangeabout Mr Hyde something evil

I agree with you said Mr Utterson I felt something likethst too

Yes sir Well when that thing in the mask jumped outfrom behind the boxes and ran up the stairs I had exactly thesame feeling That thing behind the mask was Mr Hydee

I understand Poole and I believe you said the lawyerslowly And I believe poor Henry Jekyll has been murdered I believe too that his murderer is still hiding in the study Now Poole let's go and make an end of it

Together they went out into the back garden The cloudshad covered the moon and it was now quite dark As theypassed silently by the wall of the laboratory they stopped andlistened Further away they could hear the everyday noises of aLondon evening From the study above them however camethe sound of footsteps moving backwards and forwards acrossthe floor

It walks like that all day sir whisperedPoole yes andmost of the night too It only stops when some more chemicalsarrive from the chemist Ah sir listen to that-do you thinkthose are my master's footsteps

The short light steps were indeed very different from Henry Jekyll's long heavy ones

Have you anything else to tell me Poole asked thelawyer heavily

Once said Poole I heard it weeping

Weeping repeated Mr Utterson in horror

Weeping like a lost child said the old servant It tore myheart I felt like weeping too

well said the lawyer we have a job to do

They went into the laboratory and climbed the stairs to thestudy Jekyll called the lawyer in a loud voice I must seeyou He paused for a moment but there was no reply Ifyou refuse to let me in then I'll break dowu the door

Utterson said a voice from inside the study I beg you toleave me alone

That's not Jekyll's voice shied Mr Utterson It's Hyde's Break the door down Poole

The axe rose and fell The door shook and a scream of purefear like a trapped animal rang from the study Again theaxe crashed against the door But the wood was strong and thelock was well made At last however the door fell inwardsupon the carpet

The two men stared into the study They saw a warm comfortable room with a good fire burning in the fireplace anda few papers on the big table A friendly homely room Butface down in the middle of the floor there lay the body of aman The lawyer turned it over on its back and saw the face ofEdward Hyde He was dressed in clothes that were much toolarge for him and in his hand he held a small bottle

The lawyer shook his head He's taken poison Poole hesaid I fear we've come too late to save Doctor Jekyll andtoo late to punish his murderer too Now we must find yourmaster's body

They searched everywhere but there was no sign of HenryJekyll dead or alive

Perhaps your master has escaped said Mr Utterson hopefully He went to check the door from the laboratory into thenarrow side street It was locked and covered with dust Onthe floor nearby he found a broken key

It's a long time since anyone opened this door said MrUtterson

Yes said Poole picking up the broken key So how didHyde get in

This is too difficult for me Pooh said the lawyer Let'sgo back to the study

They searched the study again Look sir said Poole Pointing to a small bable in the corner There were bottles ofliquid and some white powders lying in saucers He was testing his chemicals here

One of the doctor's books was lying on the floor Its coverwas torn off The lawyer picked it up Doctor Jekyll loved hisbooks and always took great care of them But he had writtenall over this one-the handwriting was unmistakable-beforetearing it and throwing it on the floor

Then the lawyer noticed the tall mirror on the wall betweenthe glass-fronted bookshelves

How strange said Mr Utterson Why did Jekyll want amirror in his study

Next they turned to the desk and found a large packet addressed to Mr Utterson The handwriting was DoctorJekyll's The lawyer opened the packet and three envelopesfell out on to the floor The first contained a will It was likeDoctor Jekyll's first win in every way- except one The doctor had left all his money not to Edward Hyde but to GabrielJohn Utterson

The lawyer looked at the will then at Poole and finally atthe dead man on the floor

I just don't understand he whispered Hyde has beenhere all this time-why didn't he destroy this will

He picked up the next envelope It contained a short note inthe doctor's handwriting Mr Utterson saw the date Poole he cried this is today's date on the letter Jekyllwas alive here today He can't be dead-he has run away or ishiding somewhere And if so why If he's alive can we besure that Hyde killed himself We must be careful Poole orwe may involve your master in some terrible danger

Why don't you read the note sir asked the servant

Because I'm afraid said the lawyer in a worried voice Slowly he lifted the letter and read

My dear Utterson

If you are reading this it means that I have disappeared Please go home and read Lanyon's letter Afterwards pleaseread the confessicn of

Your unfortunate and unhappy friend

Henry Jekyll

This must be the confession said Mr Utterson to himself picking up the third and largest envelope He put it in hispocket say nothing about these papers Poole he said Ifyour master has died or disappeared this paper may save hisreputation It's now ten o clock I must go home and studythese papers in peace and quiet But I shall come back here before midnight and then we shall send fof the police

They went out locking the laboratory door behind them With a heavy heart Mr Utterson walked home to read his letters

8 Doctor Lanyon's letter

Dear Utterson

Four days ago on the 9th of January I received a letterby the evening post it was in the handwriting of my oldfriend Henry Jekyll I was rather surprised as we were not inthe habit of writing to each other and I had had dinner withhim the night before When I came to read the letter I waseven more surprised The letter said

Dear Lanyon

You are one of my oldest friends Although we havesometimes disagreed on scientific matters I have alwaysremained your friend I would do anything for you Lanyon-please will you do something for me now

Please old friend come to my house at once wth thisletter in your hand Poole my servant has his orders Hewill be here with a locksmith Break the lock of my studydoor and then you must go in there alone Open the glassfronted cupboard on the left hand side and look on the fourthshelf from the top On it you will find some pacKets of chemical powders a small bottle and a book Please take everything back to your house

If you leave as soon as you receve this letter you shouldbe back home before midnight At that time you will recevea visit from a man Please give him the bottle the powdersand the book and I shall aways be grateful to you

Do not fail me Lanyon Believe me my life and mypeace of mind depend on you I am in fearful danger and only you can save me

Your friend

Henry Jekyll

After reading this letter I was sure that Doctor Jekyll wasmad But a friend is a friend and so I went at once to hishouse Jekyll's servant had received by the same post a letter similar to mine and he was waiting for me with the locksmith Together we went through the old laboratory andclimbed the stairs to the doctor's private study The doorwas very strong with an excellent lock but the locksmithknew his job Soon the door stood open and I entered thestudy I opened the cupboard and found the shelf Sureenough the powders the bottle and the book were there and I took them home with me

At home I lcoked at everything more carefully There wereseveral packets of white powder and a bottle of red strong smelling liquid The book contained nothing except alist of dates going back several years The last date wasnearly a year ago Here and there the doctor had added afew words The word donble appeared very early in thelist followed by the word Failed Double appeared inthe list several more times What was Jekyll doing Thebook looked like a list of unsuccessful experiments Howcould I by taking these things to my house save my friend's life and peace of mind And what was the reason for thismidnight visitor I put my old gun in my pocket then I putevery thing in a box for my midnight visitor to collect

At midnight exactly there was a knock on my door A shortman was standing in the shadows

Are you from Doctor Jekyll I asked He bent his head

Although I could not see his face there was something unpleasing about him and I was glad I had a weapon I invitedhim into the house and there in the bright light I took a closer look at him

His appearance was extremely strange His clothes werewell made and expensive but they were far too large forhim He looked like a child wearing his father's clothes butthere was nothing childlike about this man He was short asI have said but very strong At the same time there was alook of sickness and horror about him and his face was amask of pain violence and hate As a doctor I could pernapsfeel sorry for him as a mau I felt only fear and dislike

you got it said the stranger impatiently reachingout his hand and touching my arm His touch made my bloodrun cold I shook off his hand Come sir I said calmly Sit down and introduce yourself

I apologize Doctor Lanyon the stranger said more politely Doctor Henry Jekyll sent me here on an importantmatter I have to collect something from you

I gave him the box He took it with trembling hands Atlast he cried He turned to me His face was deathly pale Have you a medicine glass he asked

I gave it to him He put a little of the red liquid in the glassand added a packet of powder A small cloud of smoke rosefrom the glass and the colour of the liquid changed from redto purple and from purple to a watery green The strangerput the glass down on the table and looked sharply at me

And now he said choose carefully You can leave theroom now Or you can stay and experience something new something unknown to science You can be rich famous andsuccessful if only you will believe

Sir I said trying to remain calm I don't understandwhat you're trying to say and I think you are probably madBut I will stay

Very well said the stranger Now remember yourpromise You've been an unbeliever all your life Youlaughed at Doctor Jekyll's ideas and called them unscientificrubbish-now see for yourself

He put the glass to his lips and drank the liquid His wholebody shook and jumped and he almost fell He held onto theedge of the table breathing fast through his open mouth AsI watched his whole body seemed to change He seemed tobecome taller fatter-his face turned black and its shapebegan to change The next moment I jumped back againstthe wall trembling with fear and horror There before myeyes pale and shaken and sick stood Henry Jekyll

I cannot make myself write down the things that Jekyll with tears in his eyes confessed to me that night

Now fear and horror are my only companions Sleep has left me and I feel that I have not long to live As I write Iwonder Did I imagine it all As a scientist I cannot believeit-but I saw it happen with my own eyes

I will say just one thing more Utterson The evil thing thatcame into my house that night-as Jekyll told me-wasknown by the name of Hyde and was wanted by the policefor the murder of Sir Danvers Carew

Hastie Lanyon

With fear in his heart Mr Utterson put away Doctor Lanyon's letter and then opened the confession of Doctor Henry Jekyll

9 Doctor Jekyll's confession

I was born in the year 18- I inherited a large fortune a strong healthy body and an excellent mind I wasnaturally hard working and soon I was extremely successful inmy chosen work as a scientist Although I was still young important people came to me for advice At an age when mostyoung men are going out and having fun I was behaving like agrey haired old man

This was not easy for me The outside world saw a serious hard working doctor Behind this quiet character however was an active fun-loving young man-about-town This ofcourse was nothing to be ashamed of but I did not realizethat at the time I was ashamed and I soon learned to keepmy two lives separate

I was not dishonest in any way Both these people were me The serious successful young doctor was me and the wild fun-loving irresponsible young man was me too I thought about this for a long time and slowly I realized that I was notextraordinary in this Every man has two sides to hischaracter He is two people They live together-often uncomfortably in the same body

How fantastic I thought if I could separate these twocharacters and give my fun loving side his freedom Then hecould go out and enjoy himself unashamedly and leave serious studious Doctor Jekyll to get on with his important life-savingwork

Was it possible I wondered to find a drug that couldgive each side of my characier its own separate face and body

After much thought and careful study I believed I had foundthe answer I had read many scientific books and spent manyhours in my laboratory searching for the right mixture ofchemicals to make my drug At last I had everything I neededexcept a special kind of salt I bought some from a chemist and then I was ready

I hesitated for a long time before I began my experiment Only a small mistake in the mixture of the drug could meanimmediate death But in the end my wish to know wasstronger than my fear And so late one disastrous night Imixed everything together and prepared my drug I watchedthe smoke rising from the liquid as it changed colour from redto purple and at last to green Then bravely I drank everybitter drop

I felt a violent sickness in my stomach and a terrible pain inall my bones The room seemed to turn round and round and Itrembled with fear Then the fear and pain disappeared and astrange sweet feeling took its place Wild thoughts dancedthrough my mind They were not good serious thoughtsThey were the wild passions of an evil and cruel stranger Butinside myself I felt younger lighter more carefree than everbefore If this is pure evil I thought I like it

I stood there enjoying these strange new thoughts and passions-and suddenly realized that I was shorter At that timethere was no mirror in my stidy Later I put one on the wallof my study so that I could watch these changes in my appearance Now however it was three o clock in the morning andall the servants were asleep I decided it was safe to go to mybedroom in my new body and take a look at myself in the mirror there I crossed the garden and entered my house like astranger As I came into my room I saw Edward Hyde forthe first time

At that time the good side of my character was strongerthan the evil side Henry Jekyll had his faults but he wasmostly a good kind man I cannot be sure but I believe thatis the reason why Edward Hyde was so much smaller thanHenry Jekyll But that was not the only difference betweenthe two men Henry Jekyll had a kind open honest face Pure evil stared out of Edward Hyde's eyes I felt no dislike however Indeed I welcomed him Edward Hyde was me young and strong and full of life

Later however I noticed that Hyde's appearance andmanner had a strong effect on other people Nobody couldmeet Edward Hyde without a feeling of dislike and horror Ibelieve I understand the reason for this too Everyone is a mixture of good and evil Even the worst criminal has a little goodin him Only Edward Hyde was pure evil

I stood for a long time staring at the mirror Am Itrapped I wondered If I am I must leave this house beforedaylight If I don't I shall be arrested as a thief

I hurried back to my study With trembling hands I mixedanother dose of the drug and drank it Again I felt that terriblePain and sickness but a few seconds later I found myself withthe face and body and character of Henry Jekyll once more

I blame myself for the things that happened later It wasnot the fault of the drug That was neither good nor evil Butit opened the prison doors and all owed Edward Hyde toescape Soon he was out of control He you will remember was wholly evil Doctor Jekyll was not wholly good however He was a normal man with normal faults and weaknesses andHyde was too strong for him

I welcomed Hyde therefore I arranged everything verycarefully I bought a flat in a poor part of London where Ikept Hyde's clothes and employed a servant to do the housework I took a dose of the drug whenever I wanted to forgetmy old quiet serious self for a time In those early daysGod forgive me -I thought it was all very amusing DoctorJekyll was well known Nobody knew Hyde however and inhis body I was free to do as I wished

I will not go into details about my adventures and shamefulacts as Hyde Jekyll remained as good and kind as ever and always did his best to undo the harm that Hyde did But as timewent by Jekyll became less and less able to control Hyde

One night Hyde injured a child in the street and a passer bysaw him That passer by was your cousin I recognized himwhen the two of you came to my window Your cousin caughtHyde and an angry crowd collected They asked for money forthe child's family In the end in order to escape Hyde hadto give your cousin a cheque in the name of Jekyll

I learned my lesson from this and opened a new bank account in the name of Hyde I even gave Hyde a different handwriting I was sure I was safe-but I was wrong

Two months before the murder of Sir Danvers Carew I wentout on one of my evil adventures Before I went to bed I tooka dose of the drug and became Doctor Jekyll once more Iwoke up in bed the next morning with a strange feeling thatsomething was wrong I looked around the room thendown at my hand Henry Jekyll's hand was large white andwellmade but the hand I saw that morning on the bedcoverwas thin bony greyish brown and hairy It was the hand ofEdward Hyde

Sick with horror I stared at it I was Henry Jekyll when Iwent to bed I thought And now I am Edward Hyde What possible explanation can there be And moreimportant how can I get to my study and take the drug

Then I realized that the servants were quite used to the comings and goings of Hyde I put on Hyde's clothes and marchedconfidently through the house Poole stared in surprise to seeMr Hyde so early in the morning but I did not care Tenminutes later Doctor Jekyll had returned to his own shape andwas sitting down pretending to eat breakfast

Too worried to eat I sat there thinking hard about my situation I realized that in recent weeks Hyde had become biggerand stronger both in body and character

What will I do I thought Hyde takes control Ithought about the drug Once in the early days it had failedcompletely and sometimes I had had to take a double dose before I changed into Hyde Now however it was quite easy tobecome Hyde-the problem was to become Jekyll again aftermy adventures My good self and my evil self were fighting formy mind and body-and my evil self was winning

I knew I had to choose between the two and I chose DoctorJekyll Perhaps I was not wholly serious about this however because I did not sell Hyde's flat or destroy his clothes Fortwo months I lived the life of a quiet and responsible man Butsoon I began to miss Hyde-his strong young body his love oflife and his dark adventures in the narrow nameless streets ofLondon One night when my life as Jekyll seemed imposslblydull and boring I mixed a dose of the drug and drank it

It was like opening the door of a cage and letting a wild animal escape That night I became a madman and beat Sir Danvers to death-for no reason at all I felt only a wild delight asI hit his body again and again Afterwards I ran to the flat anddestroyed all my papers I was not ashamed of my crime Instead I was filled with a high sweet excitement I relived themurder as I walked back home through the streets I feltstrong and masterful Edward Hyde had a song on his lipsas he mixed a dose of the drug Your very good health SirDanvers he laughed as he drank A moment of terrible pain then poor Henry Jekyll fell to his knees and begged God to forgive him

When I was myself again I locked the door that led fromthe street to my laboratory I broke the key and threw itaway Goodbye for ever Mr Hyde I whispered

The next day the news of the murder was all over London The servant girl had seen the crime and recognized Mr Hyde My other self was wanted by the police

In some ways I was glad Now Hyde could not show hisface to the world again If he did every honest man in London would be proud to report him to the police

Once again I led a busy responsible and almost happy life until one fine clear January day I was sitting on a seat inthe park enjoying the sunshine when suddenly I felt deathlysick I began to tremble all over Soon however I felt wellagain not only well but young strong and fearless I lookeddown my clothes were suddenly too big the hand on my kneewas the bony hairy hand of Edward Hyde It was so sudden One moment I was a famous and popular doctor the next Iwas a violent criminal who was wanted for murder

How could I get to my study to take the drug I had lockedthe street door to my laboratory and broken the key I couldnot therefore enter from the street I could not go inthrough the house because of the servants I needed help fromoutside I thought of Lanyon but how could I reach him And how could I persuade him to let Hyde into his home How too could I persuade him to break into Doctor Jekyll's private study It looked impossible Then I remembered My appearance was unrecognizable but my handwriting was unchanged I could still write a letterin Doctor Jekyll's name Calling a passing taxicab I orderedthe driver to drive to a hotel quite near Lanyon's house Ofcourse Jekyll's clothes were much too large for my body and Ihad trouble in climbing into the cab The driver noticed mystrange appearance and could not help laughing I gave himsuch a black look however that the smile froze on his face In my desperate fear and danger I was like a pain-maddened animal ready to kill or wound at any moment I wanted topull the driver from his seat and murder him then and there But I was clever too My life depended on my coolness and Ifought to control my murderous passions

We reached the hotel I paid the driver and went inside holding up my too-large trousers The servants smiled whenthey saw my strange appearance I stared angrily at them andtheir smiles disappeared at once I gave my orders and they ledme to a private room and brought me some writing paper and apen

Hyde in danger of his life was a new experience for me He I write he because I find it hard to write I he wasnot human His only feelings at that time were fear and hate Hyde was wholly evil but he was not stupid He knew thathis life depended on two letters one to Lanyon and one toPoole If he failed he would die

Carefully he wrote the letters and sent a servant to postthem After that he sat all day by the fire in the private room There too he had dinner brought by a frightened waiter Atlast when darkness had covered the city he sat in the cornerof a closed taxicab Just drive round he ordered and thedriver drove backwards and forwards through the streets ofLondon

Then when Hyde thought the driver was beginning to sus-pect something he sent the taxicab away and continued onfoot He was a strange figure in his too-large clothes withfear and hate staring out of his eyes He walked along talkingto himself Once a woman spoke to him Will you buy my matches sir she begged Hyde hit heracross the face and she ran away in fear.

My plan was successful And when I arrived in Lanyon's house I took the dose of the drug that returned me to my nor-mal appearance

Immediately afterwards I felt deeply ashamed Perhaps itwas Lanyon's horror that made me feel like that.I do notknow But I hated myself and I was conscious of an importantchange in my feelings I was no longer afraid of the police-Iwas afraid of Hyde himself The thought of his short strong hairy body and his evil cruel wholly selfish mind filled mewith horror

Exhausted by the horrors of that day I slept heavily Iwoke in the morning feeling weak and shaky but quitenormal I still hated and feared the thought of the wild animalinside me and I had not forgotten the desperate dangers of theday before But I was at home and close to my drugs and Iwas most deeply grateful for my escape

I was walking across the garden after breakfast enjoyingthe clear wintry air when suddenly my body was again tornby those indescribable feelings which I always experienced af-ter a dose of the drug I only just reached my study before Iwas again burning and freezing with the violent passions ofHyde With feverish speed I mixed the drug This time I hadto take a double dose to return to my old shape And then on-ly six hours later the pains returned and I had to repeat thedose

From that day onwards the situation worsened I neededlarger and more frequent doses in order to stay in Jekyll's body The pains came unexpectedly but most of all when Iwas asleep I was afraid to go to bed or even to sleep for afew moments in my chair If I did so I always woke as Hyde

Soon Jekyll was a sick man feverish and weakened by painand fear As Jekyll grew weaker Hyde became stronger thanever He burned with hate for everybody and everything AndHyde and Jekyll now hated each other with equal passion Jekyll hated Hyde because Hyde was evil and inhuman andbecause Hyde was stronger than he was Jekyll lived in fear ofwaking up and finding himself in Hyde's body with allHyde's evil passions Hyde hated Jekyll for a different reason His fear of death-the punishment for murder-drove him tothe hiding-place of Jekyll's body But he hated this prison andwas always fighting to escape from Jekyll's mind and body and take control He also hated Jekyll's weakness and his sad hopeless condition Most of all,he hated Jekyll's dislike ofhim This was why Hyde sometimes did things to annoyJekyll He tore the doctor's books and wrote all over them.He burned his letters and even destroyed a picture of thedoctor's dead father

Only Hyde's fear of his own death stops him from killingme His love of life is terribly strong and he knows that if hekills me he too will die I almost feel sorry for him

It is useless to continue this confession The final disasterhas arrived and will put an end to my punishment I shallsoon lose my own face and character for ever I have only afew doses of the drug left I sent Poole to the same chemist tofetch some more chemicals When he brought them I mixed adose of the drug The liquid smoked and changed from red topurple but it did not turn green I drank it and looked in themirror But there was no effect Edward Hyde's face stillstared back at me

I expect Poole has told you that I have searched London forthe chemicals I need It is no good I have decided that thefirst chemicals I bought were not absolutely pure By accident they contained something unknown to myself or to the chemistthat prepared them And that unknown something made mydrug effective So my drug was an accidental discovery thatcannot be repeated

About a week has passed I have used the last of the oldchemicals and for the moment I am Henry Jekyll again But Icannot write much more-I have very little time If Hyde re-turns while I am writing this confession he will tear it topieces to annoy me If I finish it however he will probablynot notice it He lives only for the moment and he is already achanged man He is like a trapped animal now He sits in mychair trembling and weeping with hate and fear All the timehe listens for the policeman's knock at the door Will he becaught at last and put to death Or will he be brave enough totake a dose of poison at the last moment

Well that is not my business This is the true hour of mydeath When you read this the Henry Jekyll you know will bedead The rest of the story is about Edward Hyde Now as Iput down my pen I bring the life of unhappy Henry Jekyll toan end