For three years , the man who called himself Roger Chillingworth had lived in the town . Only Hester knew who he was and he was certain she would keep his secret . He had told her that he would be shamed if people knew he was her husband . But his true purpose for taking another name and staying in the town was much deeper and darker . He was determined to find and to punish Pearl ' s father . He knew enough about medicine for people to accept and welcome him . Skilled doctors were hard to find in New England at that time . He soon gained the respect and confidance of the townspeople . He was also well - known for his religeous devotion . Soon after his arrival in town , he became friendly with Reverned Master Dimmsedale . About this time , Master Dimmesdale had begun to grow thin and pale . His voice lost its power and became sad and tired . Sometimes , when he was surprised , he put his hand over his heart and his eyes filled with pain . People worried that his long hours of study and hard work for the church were damaging his health . When Roger Chillingworth became a friend and doctor to the young man , they were pleased . They believed God had sent this man to care for their pastor . At first , Master Dimmesdale refused to be treated by the doctor . " I need no medicine , " he said . But every sunday his face was faler and thiner and his voice was weaker . And had it become a habit to press his hand over his heart ? Was he tired of his work ? Did he wish to die ? The older Clergyman asked him these questions and remined him that refusing medical help - perhaps sent by God - was a sin . Master Dimmesdale listened quietly , and then promised to ask the doctor for help . " Although if it were God ' s will , " said Master Dimmesdale , " I would be happy to leave behind " my labors and my sins and be buried in my grave . " In this way , the mysterious old Roger Chillingworth became the doctor of Master Arthur Dimmesdale . These two men , so different in age , began to spend much time together . They took long walks on the seashore or in the forest , gathering plants to use in making medicines . Roger Chillingworth watched his patient carefully . He had to know the man , it seemed , before he could heal him . They talked about medical , religious and even personal matters . But if the young man had any dark secrets , Roger Chillingworh never discovered them . At a suggestion from Chillingwoth , friends of Masteer Dimmesdale arranged for the two men to live in the same house . The townspeople thought it was the most sensible arrangment . Now , the doctor could keep a close eye on Master Dimmesdale ' s health until the younger man took a wife . The house , which stood next to the graveyard , belonged to the widow . Mr , Dimmesdale had sunny front apartment with plenty of rooms for his books . On the other side of the house , Chillingworth had his study and laboratory for making his medicines . Arthur Dimmesdale ' s friends believed this arrangement was part of God ' s plan for improving his health . But many people in community suspected that the old doctor was not what he pretended to be . They had seen a change in him since he had come to live in the town . At first , his ｅxpression had been calm and thoughtful but now there was something ugly and evil in his face . Some people believed that he had come from the devil to fight for the young Clergeman ' s soul . Nobody doubted , however , that Master Dimmesdale would win that battle .