4 An inspector calls

Chapter 4 An inspector calls Utterson agreed to let the issue of Hyde drop, but a few months later it thrust itself back into his life in a chilling manner. It was a blustery Wednesday night when Utterson was woken by a knock on his front door. He lit a candle and carried the flickering light to the entrance. A police inspector stood outside with a grim look on his face. "Mr. Utterson?" he asked. "I have a dark story to tell you."

Utterson lit a fire, as the inspector sat down and began his tale. "It began across London," the inspector said, "as a maidservant looked out of her window before she slept. She saw an elderly gentleman who had lost his way in the night. The maid was about to offer directions, when another fellow came towards him, a man she describes as short and hunched."

A shiver ran down Utterson's spine. "Go on," he said. "Well," the inspector continued, "all of a sudden this fellow broke into a rage. He struck the old man to the ground, and rained blows upon him with his cane. At the sight of such a terrible thing, the poor maid fainted." "And the old man?" "He is dead," the inspector said. "It is murder, Mr. Utterson."

The inspector reached into his coat pocket. He brought out the broken end of a walking cane. "Do you recognize this?" he asked. Utterson did. It was a cane he gave to Henry Jekyll years ago. Inscribed on the handle was a message: To Henry, from your friend Gabriel Utterson. "So you see why I have come to you," the inspector said. "This was the murderer's stick. Who is this man 'Henry'?" "It is Henry Jekyll." "Then he is our killer." "No," Utterson insisted, "Jekyll is a tall man. The maid described someone short. Inspector, I think I know the real name of the murderer. It is Edward Hyde, and I will gladly take you to his house."

The hunt was on. The inspector marched behind Utterson as the first glimmers of daylight lit the empty streets. Soon, they arrived in that dismal district, and at that decrepit door. Hyde's door. The inspector pounded on it with his fist. "Edward Hyde!" he called. "I demand to speak to you." No reply. The door creaked open on its rusty hinges. Utterson stepped back, happy to let the inspector lead the way inside.

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