Read The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde for Free Online Page B

look at the windows.
To tell you the truth, I am uneasy about poor Jekyll; and even
outside, I feel as if the presence of a friend might do him good."
    The court was very cool and a little damp, and full of
premature twilight, although the sky, high up overhead, was still
bright with sunset. The middle one of the three windows was
half-way open; and sitting close beside it, taking the air with an
infinite sadness of mien, like some disconsolate prisoner,
Utterson saw Dr. Jekyll.
    "What! Jekyll!" he cried. "I trust you are better."
    "I am very low, Utterson," replied the doctor drearily, "very
low. It will not last long, thank God."
    "You stay too much indoors," said the lawyer. "You should be
out, whipping up the circulation like Mr. Enfield and me. (This
is my cousin—Mr. Enfield—Dr. Jekyll.) Come now; get your
hat and take a quick turn with us."
    "You are very good," sighed the other. "I should like to very
much; but no, no, no, it is quite impossible; I dare not. But
indeed, Utterson, I am very glad to see you; this is really a
great pleasure; I would ask you and Mr. Enfield up, but the place
is really not fit."
    "Why, then," said the lawyer, good-naturedly, "the best thing
we can do is to stay down here and speak with you from where we
are."
    "That is just what I was about to venture to propose,"
returned the doctor with a smile. But the words were hardly
uttered, before the smile was struck out of his face and succeeded
by an expression of such abject terror and despair, as froze the
very blood of the two gentlemen below. They saw it but for a
glimpse for the window was instantly thrust down; but that glimpse
had been sufficient, and they turned and left the court without a
word. In silence, too, they traversed the by-street; and it was
not until they had come into a neighbouring thoroughfare, where
even upon a Sunday there were still some stirrings of life, that
Mr. Utterson at last turned and looked at his companion. They
were both pale; and there was an answering horror in their eyes.
    "God forgive us, God forgive us," said Mr. Utterson.
    But Mr. Enfield only nodded his head very seriously, and
walked on once more in silence.

The Last Night
*
    Mr. Utterson was sitting by his fireside one evening after dinner,
when he was surprised to receive a visit from Poole.
    "Bless me, Poole, what brings you here?" he cried; and then
taking a second look at him, "What ails you?" he added; "is the
doctor ill?"
    "Mr. Utterson," said the man, "there is something wrong."
    "Take a seat, and here is a glass of wine for you," said the
lawyer. "Now, take your time, and tell me plainly what you want."
    "You know the doctor's ways, sir," replied Poole, "and how he
shuts himself up. Well, he's shut up again in the cabinet; and I
don't like it, sir—I wish I may die if I like it. Mr.
Utterson, sir, I'm afraid."
    "Now, my good man," said the lawyer, "be explicit. What are
you afraid of?"
    "I've been afraid for about a week," returned Poole, doggedly
disregarding the question, "and I can bear it no more."
    The man's appearance amply bore out his words; his manner was
altered for the worse; and except for the moment when he had first
announced his terror, he had not once looked the lawyer in the
face. Even now, he sat with the glass of wine untasted on his
knee, and his eyes directed to a corner of the floor. "I can bear
it no more," he repeated.
    "Come," said the lawyer, "I see you have some good reason,
Poole; I see there is something seriously amiss. Try to tell me
what it is."
    "I think there's been foul play," said Poole, hoarsely.
    "Foul play!" cried the lawyer, a good deal frightened and
rather inclined to be irritated in consequence. "What foul play!
What does the man mean?"
    "I daren't say, sir," was the answer; "but will you come along
with me and see for yourself?"
    Mr. Utterson's only answer was to rise and get his hat and
greatcoat; but he observed with wonder the greatness of the relief
that appeared upon the butler's face, and