As Campbell read the piece of paper, his face went white. He looked at Dorian with hate and fear in his eyes. ‘I’m sorry for you, Alan,’ said Dorian gently. I’ve already written a letter, and if you don’t want to help me, I’ll have to send it. But I think that you will help me.’ Campbell put his face in his hands and was silent for a long time. Dorian waited. I’ll need some things from my house,’ Campbell said at last.
Dorian sent his servant to fetch the things that Campbell needed, and the two men waited silently. When the servant returned, Dorian took the scientist upstairs to the locked room. As they entered, Dorian remembered that the portrait was uncovered. He turned to cover it, then stopped and stared in horror. One of the hands in the picture was red with blood. For Dorian, this was more terrible than the dead body in the room. With shaking hands, he quickly covered the picture.
‘Leave me now,’ ordered Campbell. Five hours later Campbell came back downstairs. ‘I’ve done what you asked me to do,’ he said. ‘And now goodbye. I never want to see you again.’ When Campbell had left, Dorian went upstairs. There was a terrible smell in the room, but the dead body had gone.
