12 A Letter from Dr. Lanyon

CHAPTER 12 A Letter from Dr. Lanyon As soon as Utterson returned home, he wrote a letter to Dr. Jekyll. Utterson complained about being turned away repeatedly and expressed concern for Jekyll's health. He also asked the cause of Jekyll's unhappy break from Lanyon. The lawyer felt very frustrated. He was almost at his wits' end.

A reply arrived the next day. It was a long and sometimes confusing letter. Jekyll started his letter by saying that his break with Lanyon was permanent. "I do not blame him, of course," Jekyll wrote. "But I agree that he and I should never speak again. In truth, I intend to lead a life of seclusion from this day on. Please do not be hurt or upset if my door is closed even to you, Utterson. This is the way it must be. I have brought this punishment on myself. If I am the chief of sinners. I am also the chief of sufferers. Until this time, I had no idea that life could hold such agony. Utterson, if you wish to ease my pain in any way, then please respect my silence." Utterson was amazed. Mr. Hyde and his evil influence were long gone. Not a week ago, Jekyll had been healthy, happy and heading toward a contented old age. They had returned to their routine of dinners

together and evenings by the fire. Other friends had commented on Jekyll's fine spirits. Utterson had believed that the threat of Hyde was over and done with. Whatever could have happened in so short a time? Less than two weeks later, Dr. Lanyon died. The church was filled with mourners, as Dr. Lanyon had many friends. Everyone was shocked by how quickly he had died. Only Utterson had suspected that the end was near. But of course, he said nothing to the other mourners. How would he ever explain the connection with Jekyll? Especially since Utterson felt that he, too, had been left in the dark. The night after the funeral, Utterson sat alone in his den. Sitting by the light of a single candle, he pulled an envelope out of his pocket. Lanyon's lawyer had given it to him after the funeral. It read: "For the eyes of G.J. Utterson ALONE. If I, Dr. Lanyon, should

outlive Mr. Utterson, this letter must be destroyed UNREAD." The lawyer bravely broke the seal on the envelope. Inside was another sealed envelope that read, "Not to be opened until the death or disappearance of Dr. Henry Jekyll." The wording shocked Utterson. This was the same as Jekyll's strange will concerning Mr. Hyde. It was Dr. Lanyon's handwriting on the envelope. Why would Lanyon be concerned about Jekyll's disappearance? And why would Lanyon suspect that Jekyll might disappear one day? As both a trustworthy friend and lawyer, Utterson placed the sealed envelope in the farthest corner of his safe. He hoped the day would never come when he would have to open it. He feared the truth might be too hard to bear. Utterson continued to call on Jekyll, but with less frequency. The lawyer had to admit to himself that he was often relieved when

Poole turned him away. He settled into a new routine and found comfort in it. Utterson knew that he would worry less if he kept busy. On one of his visits to Jekyll's home, Utterson asked Poole if the doctor was feeling any better. The butler reported that his master was seen less and less, even within the household. Utterson noted that Poole looked worried. "He spends most of his time in the room above the laboratory," Poole said. "In fact, Dr. Jekyll often sleeps there. I leave his meals outside the door and return later to retrieve the empty trays." Poole looked like he wanted to say more. He hesitated over a few words, then stopped. At last he said, "I'll tell the master that you were here." Utterson thanked Poole and left. It was clear that Poole was worried about Jekyll's health and about how much time he spent

alone. The lawyer was surprised to hear that even the doctor's servants rarely saw him. Utterson wondered if he had lost his good friend forever.