This was exactly what I had feared, the blackmailer finally had a face - maybe I could contrive to see it. 'What sort of a man is he to see?'

'He is not easy to describe. There is something wrong with his appearance; something displeasing, something downright detestable. I never saw a man I so disliked, and yet I scarce know why. He must be deformed somewhere; he gives a strong feeling of deformity, although I couldn't specify the point. He's an extraordinary-looking man, and yet I really can name nothing out of the way. No, sir; I can make no hand of it; I can't describe him. And it's not want of memory; for I declare I can see him this moment.'

We continued our walk while I considered this. It was saddening to me that all the pieces should fit so exactly with the fears I had on the day that Doctor Jekyll consulted me over his strange will.

'You are sure he used a key?' I inquired at last.

'My dear sir...' began Enfield, surprised out of himself.

'Yes, I know,' I said; 'I know it must seem strange. The fact is, if I do not ask you the name of the other party, it is because I know it already. You see, Richard, your tale has gone home. If you have been inexact in any point, you had better correct it.'

'I think you might have warned me,' he returned, with a touch of sullenness. 'But I have been pedantically exact, as you call it. The fellow had a key; and what's more, he has it still. I saw him use it, not a week ago.'