room. Well, let our name be vengeance. Call Bradshaw.
The footman came at the summons, very white and nervous.
Pull yourself together, Bradshaw, said the lawyer. This suspense, I
know, is telling upon all of you; but it is now our intention to make
an end of it. Poole, here, and I are going to force our way into the
cabinet. If all is well, my shoulders are broad enough to bear the
blame. Meanwhile, lest anything should really be amiss, or any
malefactor seek to escape by the back, you and the boy must go round
the corner with a pair of good sticks and take your post at the
laboratory door. We give you ten minutes to get to your stations.
As Bradshaw left, the lawyer looked at his watch. And now, Poole, let
us get to ours, he said; and taking the poker under his arm, led the
way into the yard. 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 theatre, 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!
But 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.
38