I nodded and tried to find answers in the bottom of my teacup. He was right, I had not heard of this Hyde man, but just the sound of his name - or maybe something in the way that my old friend uttered it - reinforced the dread that I had felt on seeing the doctor at the door. I replaced my cup in its saucer and the loud rattle of the one against the other belied the shaking of my hand. I looked up at Doctor Jekyll, but he seemed not to have noticed.

'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-,' I 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.'

Of all the responses I had expected, I did not anticipate a smile. It was an easy and familiar smile and went some way to settle the beating for my heart.

'Do not worry yourself, my friend,' he said. 'Edward Hyde could no more harm me than I could harm myself. And likewise, I trust him as much as I trust myself. I realise that this is a strange request, but will you please help me draw up this will. It is important to me.'