The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

One afternoon Utterson visits Jekyll’s house and is admitted to his laboratory where he finds the doctor “looking deathly sick” (75). Jekyll swears that he will have no further dealings with Hyde, and that the latter “will never more be heard of” (75). Jekyll shows Utterson a letter from Hyde assuring him that he will be able to escape to safety. Jekyll entrusts Utterson with this letter, fearful that it may involve him in the crime and stain his character. Upon leaving, Utterson asks Poole, the butler, if he observed anyone delivering this letter; he replies that he did not.

Utterson consults with his head clerk, Mr. Guest, about the letter. Guest, who is an expert in handwriting, examines the letter and declares the handwriting “odd.” Just then, a servant delivers a note from Jekyll. Guest compares the two messages and observes that the handwriting is very similar but sloped in different directions. Utterson locks Hyde’s letter in his safe, shocked by the possibility that Jekyll may have forged for a murderer.