Eventually, Utterson moved the conversation round to my reason for visiting. It was a difficult thing to explain to him without being too suspicious, but I laid out for him what I wanted. 'I wish to redraft my will.'

He nodded at this everyday request, and I drew a deep breath. 'I wish to add clauses that would cater for any extended disappearances or absences of mine. If this should happen, I would like to appoint another man to step into my shoes and adopt all my responsibilities and assets.'

I could see that this had shocked Utterson somewhat. He too drew a deep breath at this unconventional request and asked, 'And which man is it that you would bestow such a bequest upon?'

'He is unknown to you, I believe: a man by the name of Edward Hyde.'

He nodded and buried his head in thought while he sipped his tea. After several minutes he looked up at me and the eyes that met mine were full of sorrow. 'I am afraid that I can have nothing to do with a will such as this, and if you are sensible neither will you. Why, I do not know this Mister Hyde, but I can barely imagine what he may have done to engender such trust from you. Or-' he paused for a moment to consider his next remark, '- or, what hold he might have over you to force you to write such a will. Henry, my old friend, if you are in trouble, tell me and I will do everything in my power to help.'