4 The Search for Mr. Hyde

CHAPTER 4 The Search for Mr. Hyde For some time after, Utterson visited the doorway where Enfield had told his story. He stopped by in the morning before heading to work. He visited over lunch hours when the street was busy with shoppers. At night, when no one was around, the lawyer waited and watched. "If he is Mr. Hyde," Utterson thought, "then I shall be Mr. Seek."

At long last his patience was rewarded. It was a clear, dry night with a bright, full moon lighting up the street. There was no fog or rain. All of the shops were closed and the street was very quiet. Standing in a doorway, Utterson heard light, quick footsteps approaching. Before he even saw the dark figure turn the corner, Utterson knew it was Mr. Hyde. Hyde was a small man. He wore casual clothes and a dark coat. His hat was pulled down low on his head. Utterson thought for a moment that Hyde was limping. But it was only his eyes playing tricks on him. Hyde had a strong, forceful walk. He walked straight to the door, pulling his key out as he crossed the street. He did not look like a burglar, or as if he was sneaking into the building. He looked comfortable. Hyde looked very much like a man going into his own home. Mr. Utterson stepped out of the shadows

and touched Hyde's shoulder as he passed. "Mr. Hyde, I presume?" Utterson said. Hyde shrank back with a hissing gasp. He was only startled for a moment, though. He appeared calm, but did not look the lawyer in the face as he answered. "That is my name. What do you want?" he said. "I am an old friend of Dr. Jekyll's," the lawyer said. "My name is Utterson. I'm sure you have heard of me. It is a coincidence to run into you out here," Mr. Utterson lied. "I wondered if you would let me inside the house." "How do you know me?" Mr. Hyde asked. He still refused to look Utterson in the face. He looked down the street or toward the door but not directly at the man standing in front of him. "May I ask a favor of you?" Utterson said. He ignored Hyde's question. The lawyer thought it best to get straight to the point.

Also, he felt the strong dislike and discomfort that Enfield mentioned. Something about Hyde brought about this reaction. "Of course," Hyde answered. "What shall it be?" "Allow me to see your face," the lawyer said. Hyde appeared to hesitate. Then, after a moment or two of thought, he boldly looked the lawyer in his eyes. They stared at each other for several seconds. "Now I shall know your face when we meet again," Utterson said. "It may be useful." Utterson spoke with a confident voice. "Yes," returned Hyde. "It is good that we have met." Hyde spoke confidently as well. The two men stood face to face, almost daring the other to look away first. "It might be best if you had my address, too," Hyde added. He handed Utterson a card. It listed

an address in Soho, a more dangerous part of the city. My word, Utterson thought to himself. Could he be giving me his address because of the will? Utterson worried about his friend Jekyll. Did Hyde hope to collect his inheritance soon? He kept his feelings to himself, though. He thanked Hyde for his card. "And now," Hyde said. "How do you know me?" "By description," came the reply. "Whose description?" "We have common friends," Utterson said. "Common friends?" Hyde asked. "Who are they?" "Well, Dr. Jekyll for instance," said Utterson. Hyde broke out into an awful, ugly laugh. His eyes were dark and cold. They did not

sparkle or light up as he laughed. There was no joy. In the next moment, with amazing quickness, Hyde unlocked the door and disappeared into the house.