36 THE STRANGE CASE OF DR. JEKYLL AND MR. HYDE
Thats very well said, returned the lawyer; and whatever comes of
it, I shall make it my business to see you are no loser.
There is an axe in the theatre, continued Poole; and you might
take the kitchen poker for yourself.
The lawyer took that rude but weighty instrument into his hand,
and balanced it. Do you know, Poole, he said, looking up, that you
and I are about to place ourselves in a position of some peril?
You may say so, sir, indeed, returned the butler.
It is well, then that we should be frank, said the other.
We both think more than we have said; let us make a clean breast.
This masked figure that you saw, did you recognise it?
Well, sir, it went so quick, and the creature was so doubled up, that
I could hardly swear to that, was the answer. But if you mean, was it
Mr. Hyde?why, yes, I think it was! You see, it was much of the same
bigness; and it had the same quick, light way with it; and then who
else could have got in by the laboratory door? You have not forgot, sir,
that at the time of the murder he had still the key with him? But thats
not all. I dont know, Mr. Utterson, if you ever met this Mr. Hyde?
Yes, said the lawyer, I once spoke with him.
Then you must know as well as the rest of us that there was some-
thing queer about that gentlemansomething that gave a man a turn
I dont know rightly how to say it, sir, beyond this: that you felt in your
marrow kind of cold and thin.
I own I felt something of what you describe, said Mr. Utterson.
Quite so, sir, returned Poole. Well, when that masked thing like
a monkey jumped from among the chemicals and whipped into the
cabinet, it went down my spine like ice. O, I know its not evidence,
Mr. Utterson; Im book-learned enough for that; but a man has his
feelings, and I give you my bible-word it was Mr. Hyde!
Ay, ay, said the lawyer. My fears incline to the same point. Evil, I
fear, foundedevil was sure to comeof that connection. Ay truly, I
believe you; I believe poor Harry is killed; and I believe his murderer
(for what purpose, God alone can tell) is still lurking in his victims
room. Well, let our name be vengeance. Call Bradshaw.
The footman came at the summons, very white and nervous.
Put 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