Jekyll and Hyde: Part 4

The scud had banked over the moon, and it was now quite dark.

The wind, which only broke in puffs and draughts into that deep well of building, tossed the light of the candle to and fro about their steps, until they came into the shelter of the theater, where they sat down silently to wait.

London hummed solemnly all around, but nearer at hand, the stillness was only broken by the sounds of a footfall moving to and fro along the cabinet floor.

"'So it will walk all day, sir,' whispered Poole.

'Ay, and the better part of the night.

Only when a new sample comes from the chemist there's a bit of a break.

Ah, it's an ill conscience that's such an enemy to rest.

Ah, sir, there's blood foully shed in every step of it.

And hark again, a little closer.

Put your heart in your ears, Mr. Utterson, and tell me, is that the doctor's foot?' The steps fell lightly and oddly, with a certain swing for all they went so slowly.

It was different indeed from the heavy creaking tread of Henry Jekyll.

Utterson sighed.

'Is there never anything else?' he asked.

Poole nodded.

'Once,' he said.

'Once I heard it weeping.' 'Weeping? How that?' said the lawyer, conscious of a sudden chill of horror.

'Weeping like a woman or a lost soul,' said the butler.

'I came away with that upon my heart, that I could have wept too.' But now the ten minutes drew to an end.

Poole disinterred the ax from under a stack of packing straw.

The candle was set upon the nearest table to light them to the attack, and they drew near with bated breath to where that patient foot was still going up and down, up and down in the quiet of the night.

'Jekyll,' cried Utterson with a loud voice, 'I demand to see you.' He paused a moment, but there came no reply.

'I give you fair warning.

Our suspicions are aroused, and I must and shall see you,' he resumed.

'If not by fair means, then by foul.

If not of your consent, then by brute force.' 'Utterson,' said the voice, 'for God's sake have mercy.' 'Oh, that's not Jekyll's voice.