The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

Utterson returns home and examines a will from Dr. Jekyll, a client of his. The will stipulates that should Jekyll die or disappear, his “friend and benefactor Edward Hyde” (56) will inherit his possessions. As a lawyer, Utterson is disturbed by this document, especially now that he knows the character of Hyde. He consults with Dr. Lanyon, a friend of his and Jekyll’s. Lanyon says that he has become estranged from Jekyll since he went “wrong in the mind” and started to dabble in “unscientific balderdash” (57), and he professes that he has never heard of Hyde. Haunted by the mystery of the case, Utterson resolves to track down Hyde: “If he be Mr. Hyde, I shall be Mr. Seek” (59).

One night, while waiting at Hyde’s door, Utterson meets him returning home. The two exchange some terse words, and Hyde disappears into his house. Utterson is deeply disturbed by Hyde’s manner and appearance, which he judges to be “hardly human” and bearing “Satan’s signature” (61).

Utterson goes to Jekyll’s home, which is around the corner from and adjoins Hyde’s, and talks to Jekyll’s butler Poole. Poole explains that Jekyll is out and that Hyde has a key to enter his side of the house, through the laboratory, whenever he wishes.