Трек 10_03

Poole shook his head and if anything, turned more pale than he was already.

«Sir, «he said, «that thing I saw was not my master. I know it!» His voice sank to a whisper. «My master was a tall man, sir-the thing I saw was like a dwarf. No, sir, that thing in the mask was never Dr. Jekyll-God knows what it was, but it was not my master. I am sure that murder has been done-»

Mr. Utterson had made a decision.

«Poole,» he said, and his face was very serious, «if you say that, then I consider it my duty to break in that door!»

«Ah, sir, now you’re talking!» cried Poole. «There’s an axe here, sir-and you might take the kitchen poker for yourself.»

«One moment,» said Mr. Utterson raising a hand. «It may be that you and I are about to place ourselves in a position of some danger. Tell me-did you recognize this masked figure that you saw?»

Poole looked him straight in the eye.

«If you mean, was it Mr. Hyde?-why, yes, I think it was! Who else could have got in by the laboratory door? You have not forgotten, sir, that at the time of the murder he still had the key with him? But that’s not all. Did you ever meet this man Hyde, Mr. Utterson?»

«Yes,» said the lawyer, «I once spoke with him.»

«Then you must know that there was something queer about the gentleman-something that made you feel kind of cold inside.»

«I know what you mean,» said the lawyer quietly.

«Well, when that masked thing jumped like a monkey from among the chemicals, I felt that same feeling right down my back. I’m sure it was Mr. Hyde!»

«I think you may be right,» returned the lawyer. «I believe poor Harry has been killed and I believe that his murderer-for what reason God alone can tell-is still in his victim’s room. Well, we shall find out. Call Bradshaw.»

The footman came quickly, looking very white and nervous.

«Bradshaw,» said Mr. Utterson, «Poole and I are going to force our way into the laboratory. I want you and the boy to take two strong sticks and go round the corner by the outside door, in case anyone tries to make their escape that way. We will give you ten minutes to get to your stations.»

As Bradshaw left, the lawyer looked at his watch.

«And now, Poole,» he said, «let us stand ready by the door.»

He took up the kitchen poker, Poole lifted a large axe, and they went into the yard. The clouds had closed over the moon, and it was now quite dark. When they came to the foot of the laboratory steps, they sat down silently to wait. London hummed solemnly all around; but nearer at hand the stillness was only broken by the sound of a footfall moving to and fro beyond the door.

«So it will walk all day, sir,» whispered Poole, «and most of the night, too. Listen carefully, sir, and tell me-is that the doctor’s step?»

The steps fell lightly and oddly. They were very different indeed from the heavy tread of Henry Jekyll. Mr. Utterson shook his head sadly, then the pair just sat and listened to the steps going up and down . . .

The ten minutes drew to an end. Mr. Utterson lifted a finger, Poole rose and set the candle upon a higher stair. They hesitated a moment longer, listening to that patient foot-fall still going up and down in the quiet night. «Jekyll,» cried Utterson, in a loud voice, «I demand to see you.» He paused, but there was no reply. «I must warn you that we are about to break in the door!»

«Utterson,» cried a voice, «for God’s sake, have mercy!»

«That’s not Jekyll’s voice-it’s Hyde’s!» cried the lawyer. «Down with the door, Poole!»

Poole swung the axe over his shoulder. The blow shook the building and the door seemed to jump against the lock. Inside, there was a dismal scream, as of an animal in terror. Four times the axe fell, but the wood was tough, and it was not until the fifth stroke that the lock broke away and the wreck of the door fell in upon the carpet.

In the sudden quiet, the two stood still, their hearts beating fast and loud, and stared into the laboratory. Nothing moved in there. Mr. Utterson took a deep breath and stepped into the room, moved forward, and came to a dead stop, a little cry breaking from his lips.

Right in the middle of the room, there lay the body of a man, his face to the floor. Mr. Utterson signed for Poole to follow him. They drew near, turned it on its back, and saw the face of Edward Hyde.