Ever the rational lawyer-sleuth, Utterson tries to explain to Poole that, to him, it seems as though Jekyll has been "seized with one of those maladies that both torture and deform the sufferer." The frantically sought-after drug, he hopes, is proof that Jekyll believes that "ultimate recovery" is possible.
Despite Utterson's rational explanations, Poole is not convinced: "That thing was not my master . . . this was more of a dwarf . . . do you think I do not know my master? . . . that thing was never Doctor
Jekyll — God knows what it was, but it was never Doctor Jekyll." He is adamant: "In the belief of my heart . . . murder was done."
Utterson says that if Poole is convinced, then Utterson has no alternative: He considers it his duty to break down Jekyll's door, and Poole can use an ax which is in the surgery room, while Utterson will use the fireplace poker. Before they commence, though, they confess to one another that they both believe that Hyde is in the room and that it was he who killed Jekyll. They call Bradshaw, one of Jekyll's servants and tell him and a boy to watch the laboratory on the other side of the square. Then they set their watches. In ten minutes, they will assault the red blaize door of Dr. Jekyll's private room.
As the minutes pass, Jekyll's room grows quiet until all they can hear are soft, light footfalls, very different from Jekyll's heavy creaking tread, pacing to and fro. "An ill-conscience," Poole whispers, "there's blood foully shed." When ten minutes are up, a candle is set on the nearest table to give them more light. Then Utterson cries out: "Jekyll, I demand to see you."
