in case of disappearance; but in place of the name of Edward Hyde, the
lawyer, with indescribable amazement read the name of Gabriel John
Utterson. He looked at Poole, and then back at the paper, and last of
all at the dead malefactor stretched upon the carpet.
My head goes round, he said. He has been all these days in
possession; he had no cause to like me; he must have raged to see
himself displaced; and he has not destroyed this document.
He caught up the next paper; it was a brief note in the doctor s hand
and dated at the top. O Poole! the lawyer cried, he was alive and
here this day. He cannot have been disposed of in so short a space; he
must be still alive, he must have fled! And then, why fled? and how?
and in that case, can we venture to declare this suicide? O, we must be
careful. I foresee that we may yet involve your master in some dire
catastrophe.
Why don t you read it, sir? asked Poole.
Because I fear, replied the lawyer solemnly. God grant I have no
cause for it! And with that he brought the paper to his eyes and read
as follows:
My dear Utterson, When this shall fall into your hands, I shall have
disappeared, under what circumstances I have not the penetration to
foresee, but my instinct and all the circumstances of my nameless
situation tell me that the end is sure and must be early. Go then, and
first read the narrative which Lanyon warned me he was to place in your
hands; and if you care to hear more, turn to the confession of
Your unworthy and unhappy friend,
HENRY JEKYLL.
There was a third enclosure? asked Utterson.
Here, sir, said Poole, and gave into his hands a considerable packet
sealed in several places.
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