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Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde Chapter 9 - Dr. Lanyon's Narrative
Mr. Utterson reads Dr. Lanyon's letter. On the ninth of January, Dr. Lanyon receives a letter from his colleague and old school companion, Dr. Jekyll. This desperate sounding letter states that although they have differed on scientific questions, their affection for each other is still intact. Thus, Dr. Jekyll asks Dr. Lanyon to go over to his laboratory and bring back some contents in his cabinet (some powders, a phial, and a book). A man presenting himself in Dr. Jekyll's name would arrive and receive the contents.
Upon reading the letter, Dr. Lanyon, although he thinks his colleague insane, fulfills the request. That night, a small man comes to pick up the materials. Dr. Lanyon describes him as odd, with clothes too big and a deformed way about him. Dr. Lanyon offers the man a seat, but he insists on the contents. As soon as he gets his hands on them, he mixes up a strange brew. Before drinking, he warns Dr. Lanyon of the unbelievable event he is about to behold. When the man takes a drink, he starts to undergo a series of physical changes. Upon witnessing the transformation, Dr. Lanyon writes:
"O God!" I screamed, and "O God!" again and again; for there before my eyes--pale and shaken, and half fainting, and groping before him with his hands, like a man restored from death--there stood Henry Jekyll!" Chapter 9, pg. 102
Dr. Lanyon concludes by stating that he still cannot fully believe what he saw that night. He feels that his days are numbered, that he continues to experience the horror of witnessing Hyde's transformation into Dr. Jekyll.
