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Dra cu la
By
Bra m S to k er
CH APT ER I
JO NAT H AN H ARK ER ’S J O URNAL
(K ep t i n s h orth an d.)
3 M ay. B is tr itz .— Left M unic h at 8:3 5 P. M ., on 1st M ay, arriv in g at
Vie n na e arly n ex t m orn in g; s h ould h av e a rriv ed a t 6 :4 6, b ut tr a in w as a n h our
la te . B uda-P esth s e em s a w onderfu l p la ce, f ro m th e g lim pse w hic h I g ot o f it
fro m t h e t r a in a n d t h e l ittle I c o uld w alk t h ro ugh t h e s tr e ets . I f e are d t o g o v ery
fa r f ro m th e s ta tio n, a s w e h ad a rriv ed la te a n d w ould s ta rt a s n ear th e c o rre ct
tim e a s p ossib le . T he im pre ssio n I h ad w as th at w e w ere le av in g th e W est a n d
en te rin g th e E ast; th e m ost w este rn o f sp le n did b rid ges o ver th e D an ube,
whic h is h ere o f n oble w id th an d d ep th , to ok u s am ong th e tr a d itio ns o f
Turk is h r u le .
We l e ft i n p re tty g ood t im e, a n d c am e a fte r n ig htf a ll t o K la u se n burg h. H ere
I s to pped f o r t h e n ig ht a t t h e H ote l R oyale . I h ad f o r d in ner, o r r a th er s u pper, a
ch ic k en d one u p s o m e w ay w ith r e d p ep per, w hic h w as v ery g ood b ut th ir s ty .
(M em ., g et re cip e fo r M in a.) I a sk ed th e w aite r, a n d h e sa id it w as c alle d
“p ap rik a h en dl,” a n d th at, a s it w as a n atio nal d is h , I s h ould b e a b le to g et it
an yw here a lo ng t h e C arp ath ia n s. I f o und m y s m atte rin g o f G erm an v ery u se fu l
here ; i n deed , I d on’t k now h ow I s h ould b e a b le t o g et o n w ith out i t.
Hav in g h ad s o m e tim e a t m y d is p osa l w hen in L ondon, I h ad v is ite d th e
Britis h M use u m , a n d m ad e s e arc h a m ong th e b ooks a n d m ap s in th e lib ra ry
re g ard in g T ra n sy lv an ia ; it h ad str u ck m e th at so m e fo re k now le d ge o f th e
co untr y c o uld h ard ly f a il t o h av e s o m e i m porta n ce i n d ealin g w ith a n oble m an
of th at c o untr y . I fin d th at th e d is tr ic t h e n am ed is in th e e x tr e m e e ast o f th e
co untr y , ju st on th e bord ers of th re e sta te s, T ra n sy lv an ia , M old av ia an d
Bukovin a, in th e m id st o f th e C arp ath ia n m ounta in s; o ne o f th e w ild est a n d
le ast k now n p ortio ns o f E uro pe. I w as n ot a b le to lig ht o n a n y m ap o r w ork
giv in g th e e x act lo cality o f th e C astle D ra cu la , a s th ere a re n o m ap s o f th is
co untr y a s y et to c o m pare w ith o ur o w n O rd nan ce S urv ey m ap s; b ut I fo und
th at B is tr itz , th e p ost to w n n am ed b y C ount D ra cu la , is a fa ir ly w ell- k now n
pla ce. I s h all e n te r h ere s o m e o f m y n ote s, a s th ey m ay re fre sh m y m em ory
when I t a lk o ver m y t r a v els w ith M in a.
In th e popula tio n of T ra n sy lv an ia th ere are fo ur dis tin ct natio nalitie s:
Sax ons in th e South , an d m ix ed w ith th em th e W alla ch s, w ho are th e
desc en dan ts o f t h e D acia n s; M ag yars i n t h e W est, a n d S zek ely s i n t h e E ast a n d
North . I a m g oin g a m ong th e la tte r, w ho c la im to b e d esc en ded fro m A ttila
an d t h e H uns. T his m ay b e s o , f o r w hen t h e M ag yars c o nquere d t h e c o untr y i n
th e e le v en th c en tu ry th ey f o und th e H uns s e ttle d in it. I r e ad th at e v ery k now n su pers titio n in th e w orld is g ath ere d in to th e h ors e sh oe o f th e C arp ath ia n s, a s
if it w ere th e c en tr e o f s o m e s o rt o f im ag in ativ e w hir lp ool; if s o m y s ta y m ay
be v ery i n te re stin g. ( M em ., I m ust a sk t h e C ount a ll a b out t h em .)
I d id n ot s le ep w ell, th ough m y b ed w as c o m fo rta b le e n ough, f o r I h ad a ll
so rts o f q ueer d re am s. T here w as a d og h ow lin g a ll n ig ht u nder m y w in dow ,
whic h m ay h av e h ad s o m eth in g to d o w ith it; o r it m ay h av e b een th e p ap rik a,
fo r I h ad to d rin k u p a ll th e
wate r in m y c ara fe , a n d w as s till th ir s ty . T ow ard s
morn in g I s le p t a n d w as w ak en ed b y t h e c o ntin uous k nock in g a t m y d oor, s o I
guess I m ust hav e been sle ep in g so undly th en . I had fo r bre ak fa st m ore
pap rik a, an d a so rt of porrid ge of m aiz e flo ur w hic h th ey sa id w as
“m am alig a,” an d eg g-p la n t stu ff e d w ith fo rc em eat, a very ex celle n t dis h ,
whic h th ey c all “ im ple ta ta .” (M em ., g et re cip e fo r th is a ls o .) I h ad to h urry
bre ak fa st, fo r th e tr a in s ta rte d a little b efo re e ig ht, o r ra th er it o ught to h av e
done s o , f o r a fte r r u sh in g to th e s ta tio n a t 7 :3 0 I h ad to s it in th e c arria g e f o r
more th an a n h our b efo re w e b eg an to m ove. It s e em s to m e th at th e fu rth er
east y ou g o th e m ore u npunctu al are th e tr a in s. W hat o ught th ey to b e in
Chin a?
All d ay lo ng w e s e em ed to d aw dle th ro ugh a c o untr y w hic h w as fu ll o f
beau ty o f e v ery k in d. S om etim es w e s a w little to w ns o r c astle s o n th e to p o f
ste ep h ills su ch a s w e se e in o ld m is sa ls ; so m etim es w e ra n b y riv ers a n d
str e am s w hic h s e em ed f ro m th e w id e s to ny m arg in o n e ach s id e o f th em to b e
su bje ct t o g re at f lo ods. I t t a k es a l o t o f w ate r, a n d r u nnin g s tr o ng, t o s w eep t h e
outs id e e d ge o f a riv er c le ar. A t e v ery sta tio n th ere w ere g ro ups o f p eo ple ,
so m etim es c ro w ds, a n d in a ll s o rts o f a ttir e . S om e o f th em w ere ju st lik e th e
peasa n ts a t h om e o r th ose I s a w c o m in g th ro ugh F ra n ce a n d G erm an y, w ith
sh ort ja ck ets a n d ro und h ats a n d h om e-m ad e tr o use rs ; b ut o th ers w ere v ery
pic tu re sq ue. T he w om en lo oked p re tty , e x cep t w hen y ou g ot n ear th em , b ut
th ey w ere v ery c lu m sy a b out t h e w ais t. T hey h ad a ll f u ll w hite s le ev es o f s o m e
kin d o r o th er, a n d m ost o f th em h ad b ig b elts w ith a lo t o f s tr ip s o f s o m eth in g
flu tte rin g fro m th em lik e th e d re sse s in a b alle t, b ut o f co urs e th ere w ere
pettic o ats u nder th em . T he str a n gest fig ure s w e sa w w ere th e S lo vak s, w ho
were m ore b arb aria n th an th e re st, w ith th eir b ig c o w -b oy h ats , g re at b ag gy
dir ty -w hite tr o use rs , w hite lin en sh ir ts , an d en orm ous h eav y le ath er b elts ,
nearly a fo ot w id e, a ll s tu dded o ver w ith b ra ss n ails . T hey w ore h ig h b oots ,
with th eir tr o use rs tu ck ed in to th em , a n d h ad lo ng b la ck h air a n d h eav y b la ck
mousta ch es. T hey a re v ery p ic tu re sq ue, b ut d o n ot lo ok p re p osse ssin g. O n th e
sta g e th ey w ould b e s e t d ow n a t o nce a s s o m e o ld O rie n ta l b an d o f b rig an ds.
They a re , h ow ev er, I a m t o ld , v ery h arm le ss a n d r a th er w an tin g i n n atu ra l s e lf -
asse rtio n.
It w as o n th e d ark s id e o f tw ilig ht w hen w e g ot to B is tr itz , w hic h is a v ery
in te re stin g o ld p la ce. B ein g p ra ctic ally o n th e fro ntie r— fo r th e B org o P ass le ad s fro m it in to B ukovin a— it has had a very sto rm y ex is te n ce, an d it
certa in ly s h ow s m ark s o f it. F if ty y ears a g o a s e rie s o f g re at f ir e s to ok p la ce,
whic h m ad e te rrib le h av oc o n fiv e s e p ara te o ccasio ns. A t th e v ery b eg in nin g
of t h e s e v en te en th c en tu ry i t u nderw en t a s ie g e o f t h re e w eek s a n d l o st 1 3,0 00
peo ple , t h e c asu altie s o f w ar p ro per b ein g a ssis te d b y f a m in e a n d d is e ase .
Count D ra cu la h ad d ir e cte d m e to g o to th e G old en K ro ne H ote l, w hic h I
fo und, to m y g re at d elig ht, to b e th oro ughly o ld -fa sh io ned , fo r o f c o urs e I
wan te d to s e e a ll I c o uld o f th e w ay s o f th e c o untr y . I w as e v id en tly e x pecte d ,
fo r w hen I g ot n ear th e d oor I fa ced a c h eery -lo okin g e ld erly w om an in th e
usu al p easa n t d re ss— white u nderg arm en t w ith lo ng d ouble a p ro n, fro nt, a n d
back , o f c o lo ure d s tu ff f ittin g a lm ost t o o t ig ht f o r m odesty . W hen I c am e c lo se
sh e bow ed an d sa id , “T he H err E nglis h m an ?” “Y es,” I sa id , “Jo nath an
Hark er.” S he s m ile d , a n d g av e s o m e m essa g e to a n e ld erly m an in w hite s h ir t-
sle ev es, w ho h ad f o llo w ed h er to th e d oor. H e w en t, b ut im med ia te ly r e tu rn ed
with a l e tte r:—
“M y F rie n d.— Welc o m e to th e C arp ath ia n s. I a m a n xio usly e x pectin g y ou.
Sle ep w ell t o -n ig ht. A t t h re e t o -m orro w t h e d ilig en ce w ill s ta rt f o r B ukovin a; a
pla ce o n it is k ep t f o r y ou. A t th e B org o P ass m y c arria g e w ill a w ait y ou a n d
will b rin g y ou to m e. I tr u st th at y our jo urn ey f ro m L ondon h as b een a h ap py
one, a n d t h at y ou w ill e n jo y y our s ta y i n m y b eau tif u l l a n d.
“Y our f rie n d,
“D ra cu la .”
4 M ay.— I f o und t h at m y l a n dlo rd h ad g ot a l e tte r f ro m t h e C ount, d ir e ctin g
him t o s e cu re t h e b est p la ce o n t h e c o ach f o r m e; b ut o n m ak in g i n quir ie s a s t o
deta ils he se em ed so m ew hat re tic en t, an d pre te n ded th at he co uld not
unders ta n d m y G erm an . T his c o uld n ot b e tr u e, b ecau se u p to th en h e h ad
unders to od i t p erfe ctly ; a t l e ast, h e a n sw ere d m y q uestio ns e x actly a s i f h e d id .
He a n d h is w if e , th e o ld la d y w ho h ad r e ceiv ed m e, lo oked a t e ach o th er in a
frig hte n ed so rt o f w ay. H e m um ble d o ut th at th e m oney h ad b een se n t in a
le tte r, a n d th at w as a ll h e k new . W hen I a sk ed h im if h e k new C ount D ra cu la ,
an d co uld te ll m e an yth in g of his castle , both he an d his w if e cro sse d
th em se lv es, a n d, s a y in g th at th ey k new n oth in g a t a ll, s im ply r e fu se d to s p eak
fu rth er. It w as s o n ear th e tim e o f s ta rtin g th at I h ad n o tim e to a sk a n y o ne
els e , f o r i t w as a ll v ery m yste rio us a n d n ot b y a n y m ean s c o m fo rtin g.
Ju st b efo re I w as le av in g, th e o ld la d y c am e u p to m y r o om a n d s a id in a
very h yste ric al w ay :
“M ust y ou g o? O h! y oung H err, m ust y ou g o?” S he w as i n s u ch a n e x cite d
sta te th at sh e se em ed to h av e lo st h er g rip o f w hat G erm an sh e k new , a n d
mix ed it a ll u p w ith s o m e o th er la n guag e w hic h I d id n ot k now a t a ll. I w as ju st a b le to f o llo w h er b y a sk in g m an y q uestio ns. W hen I to ld h er th at I m ust
go a t o nce, a n d t h at I w as e n gag ed o n i m porta n t b usin ess, s h e a sk ed a g ain :
“D o y ou k now w hat d ay it is ? ” I a n sw ere d th at it w as th e fo urth o f M ay.
She s h ook h er h ead a s s h e s a id a g ain :
“O h, y es! I k now th at! I k now th at, b ut d o y ou k now w hat d ay it is ? ” O n
my s a y in g t h at I d id n ot u nders ta n d, s h e w en t o n:
“It i s t h e e v e o f S t. G eo rg e’s D ay. D o y ou n ot k now t h at t o -n ig ht, w hen t h e
clo ck s tr ik es m id nig ht, a ll th e e v il th in gs in th e w orld w ill h av e f u ll s w ay ? D o
you k now w here y ou a re g oin g, a n d w hat y ou a re g oin g to ?” S he w as in s u ch
ev id en t d is tr e ss t h at I t r ie d to c o m fo rt h er, b ut w ith out e ff e ct. F in ally s h e w en t
dow n o n h er k nees a n d im plo re d m e n ot to g o; a t le ast to w ait a d ay o r tw o
befo re sta rtin g. It w as all very rid ic u lo us but I did not fe el co m fo rta b le .
How ev er, t h ere w as b usin ess t o b e d one, a n d I c o uld a llo w n oth in g t o i n te rfe re
with it. I th ere fo re tr ie d to r a is e h er u p, a n d s a id , a s g ra v ely a s I c o uld , th at I
th an ked h er, b ut m y d uty w as im pera tiv e, a n d th at I m ust g o. S he th en ro se
an d d rie d h er e y es, a n d ta k in g a c ru cif ix f ro m h er n eck o ff e re d it to m e. I d id
not k now w hat to d o, fo r, a s a n E nglis h C hurc h m an , I h av e b een ta u ght to
re g ard su ch th in gs as in so m e m easu re id ola tr o us, an d yet it se em ed so
ungra cio us to r e fu se a n o ld la d y m ean in g s o w ell a n d in s u ch a s ta te o f m in d.
She sa w , I su ppose , th e d oubt in m y fa ce, fo r sh e p ut th e ro sa ry ro und m y
neck , a n d sa id , “ F or y our m oth er’s sa k e,” a n d
wen t o ut o f th e ro om . I a m
writin g u p th is p art o f th e d ia ry w hils t I a m w aitin g f o r th e c o ach , w hic h is , o f
co urs e , l a te ; a n d t h e c ru cif ix i s s till r o und m y n eck . W heth er i t i s t h e o ld l a d y’s
fe ar, o r t h e m an y g hostly t r a d itio ns o f t h is p la ce, o r t h e c ru cif ix i ts e lf , I d o n ot
know , b ut I a m n ot fe elin g n early a s e asy in m y m in d a s u su al. If th is b ook
sh ould e v er r e ach M in a b efo re I d o, le t it b rin g m y g ood-b ye. H ere c o m es th e
co ach !
5 M ay. T he C astle .— The g re y o f th e m orn in g h as p asse d , a n d th e s u n is
hig h o ver t h e d is ta n t h oriz o n, w hic h s e em s j a g ged , w heth er w ith t r e es o r h ills I
know n ot, fo r it is so fa r o ff th at b ig th in gs a n d little a re m ix ed . I a m n ot
sle ep y, a n d, a s I a m n ot to b e c alle d till I a w ak e, n atu ra lly I w rite till s le ep
co m es. T here a re m an y o dd th in gs to p ut d ow n, a n d, le st w ho r e ad s th em m ay
fa n cy th at I d in ed to o w ell b efo re I le ft B is tr itz , le t m e p ut d ow n m y d in ner
ex actly . I d in ed o n w hat th ey c alle d “ ro bber s te ak ”— bits o f b aco n, o nio n, a n d
beef, s e aso ned w ith r e d p ep per, a n d s tr u ng o n s tic k s a n d r o aste d o ver th e f ir e ,
in t h e s im ple s ty le o f th e L ondon c at’s m eat! T he w in e w as G old en M ed ia sc h ,
whic h pro duces a queer stin g on th e to ngue, w hic h is , how ev er, not
dis a g re eab le . I h ad o nly a c o uple o f g la sse s o f t h is , a n d n oth in g e ls e .
When I g ot o n th e c o ach th e d riv er h ad n ot ta k en h is s e at, a n d I s a w h im
ta lk in g w ith th e la n dla d y. T hey w ere e v id en tly ta lk in g o f m e, fo r e v ery n ow an d th en th ey lo oked a t m e, a n d s o m e o f th e p eo ple w ho w ere s ittin g o n th e
ben ch o uts id e th e d oor— whic h th ey c all b y a n am e m ean in g “ w ord -b eare r” —
cam e a n d l is te n ed , a n d t h en l o oked a t m e, m ost o f t h em p ity in gly . I c o uld h ear
a lo t o f w ord s o fte n re p eate d , q ueer w ord s, fo r th ere w ere m an y n atio nalitie s
in th e c ro w d; s o I q uie tly g ot m y p oly glo t d ic tio nary f ro m m y b ag a n d lo oked
th em o ut. I m ust s a y th ey w ere n ot c h eerin g to m e, fo r a m ongst th em w ere
“O rd og”— Sata n , “p okol” — hell, “str e g oic a”— witc h , “v ro lo k” an d
“v lk osla k ”— both o f w hic h m ean th e sa m e th in g, o ne b ein g S lo vak a n d th e
oth er S erv ia n f o r s o m eth in g t h at i s e ith er w ere -w olf o r v am pir e . ( M em ., I m ust
ask t h e C ount a b out t h ese s u pers titio ns)
When w e s ta rte d , th e c ro w d ro und th e in n d oor, w hic h h ad b y th is tim e
sw elle d to a c o nsid era b le s iz e, a ll m ad e th e s ig n o f th e c ro ss a n d p oin te d tw o
fin gers to w ard s m e. W ith s o m e d if f ic u lty I g ot a fe llo w -p asse n ger to te ll m e
what th ey m ean t; h e w ould n ot a n sw er a t fir s t, b ut o n le arn in g th at I w as
Englis h , h e e x pla in ed th at it w as a c h arm o r g uard a g ain st th e e v il e y e. T his
was n ot v ery p le asa n t fo r m e, ju st s ta rtin g fo r a n u nknow n p la ce to m eet a n
unknow n m an ; b ut e v ery o ne s e em ed s o k in d-h earte d , a n d s o s o rro w fu l, a n d
so sy m path etic th at I c o uld n ot b ut b e to uch ed . I sh all n ev er fo rg et th e la st
glim pse w hic h I h ad o f th e in n-y ard a n d its c ro w d o f p ic tu re sq ue fig ure s, a ll
cro ssin g th em se lv es, as th ey sto od ro und th e w id e arc h w ay, w ith its
back gro und o f r ic h f o lia g e o f o le an der a n d o ra n ge t r e es i n g re en t u bs c lu ste re d
in th e c en tr e o f th e y ard . T hen o ur d riv er, w hose w id e lin en d ra w ers c o vere d
th e w hole f ro nt o f t h e b ox-s e at— “g otz a” t h ey c all t h em — cra ck ed h is b ig w hip
over h is f o ur s m all h ors e s, w hic h r a n a b re ast, a n d w e s e t o ff o n o ur j o urn ey.
I s o on l o st s ig ht a n d r e co lle ctio n o f g hostly f e ars i n t h e b eau ty o f t h e s c en e
as w e d ro ve a lo ng, a lth ough h ad I k now n th e la n guag e, o r ra th er la n guag es,
whic h m y fe llo w -p asse n gers w ere sp eak in g, I m ig ht n ot h av e b een a b le to
th ro w th em o ff s o e asily . B efo re u s la y a g re en s lo pin g la n d f u ll o f f o re sts a n d
woods, w ith h ere a n d th ere s te ep h ills , c ro w ned w ith c lu m ps o f tr e es o r w ith
fa rm house s, th e bla n k gab le en d to th e ro ad .
There w as ev ery w here a
bew ild erin g m ass of fru it blo sso m — ap ple , plu m , pear, ch erry ; an d as w e
dro ve b y I c o uld s e e th e g re en g ra ss u nder th e tr e es s p an gle d w ith th e fa lle n
peta ls . I n a n d o ut a m ongst th ese g re en h ills o f w hat th ey c all h ere th e “ M itte l
Lan d” r a n t h e r o ad , l o sin g i ts e lf a s i t s w ep t r o und t h e g ra ssy c u rv e, o r w as s h ut
out b y th e s tr a g glin g e n ds o f p in e w oods, w hic h h ere a n d th ere r a n d ow n th e
hills id es l ik e t o ngues o f f la m e. T he r o ad w as r u gged , b ut s till w e s e em ed t o f ly
over i t w ith a f e v eris h h aste . I c o uld n ot u nders ta n d t h en w hat t h e h aste m ean t,
but t h e d riv er w as e v id en tly b en t o n l o sin g n o t im e i n r e ach in g B org o P ru nd. I
was to ld th at th is r o ad is in s u m mertim e e x celle n t, b ut th at it h ad n ot y et b een
put in o rd er a fte r th e w in te r sn ow s. In th is re sp ect it is d if f e re n t fro m th e
gen era l r u n o f r o ad s in th e C arp ath ia n s, f o r it is a n o ld tr a d itio n th at th ey a re
not to b e k ep t in to o g ood o rd er. O f o ld th e H osp ad ars w ould n ot r e p air th em , le st th e T urk s h ould th in k th at th ey w ere p re p arin g to b rin g in f o re ig n tr o ops,
an d s o h aste n t h e w ar w hic h w as a lw ay s r e ally a t l o ad in g p oin t.
Bey ond th e g re en s w ellin g h ills o f th e M itte l L an d ro se m ig hty s lo pes o f
fo re st u p t o t h e l o fty s te ep s o f t h e C arp ath ia n s t h em se lv es. R ig ht a n d l e ft o f u s
th ey to w ere d , w ith th e a fte rn oon s u n fa llin g fu ll u pon th em a n d b rin gin g o ut
all th e g lo rio us c o lo urs o f th is b eau tif u l ra n ge, d eep b lu e a n d p urp le in th e
sh ad ow s o f th e p eak s, g re en a n d b ro w n w here g ra ss a n d r o ck m in gle d , a n d a n
en dle ss pers p ectiv e of ja g ged ro ck an d poin te d cra g s, till th ese w ere
th em se lv es lo st in th e d is ta n ce, w here th e s n ow y p eak s r o se g ra n dly . H ere a n d
th ere s e em ed m ig hty r if ts i n t h e m ounta in s, t h ro ugh w hic h , a s t h e s u n b eg an t o
sin k, w e sa w n ow a n d a g ain th e w hite g le am o f fa llin g w ate r. O ne o f m y
co m pan io ns to uch ed m y a rm a s w e s w ep t r o und th e b ase o f a h ill a n d o pen ed
up th e lo fty , s n ow -c o vere d p eak o f a m ounta in , w hic h s e em ed , a s w e w ound
on o ur s e rp en tin e w ay, t o b e r ig ht b efo re u s:—
“L ook! I s te n s z ek !” — “G od’s s e at! ” — an d h e c ro sse d h im se lf r e v ere n tly .
As w e w ound o n o ur en dle ss w ay, an d th e su n sa n k lo w er an d lo w er
beh in d u s, th e sh ad ow s o f th e e v en in g b eg an to c re ep ro und u s. T his w as
em phasis e d b y th e f a ct th at th e s n ow y m ounta in -to p s till h eld th e s u nse t, a n d
se em ed to g lo w o ut w ith a d elic ate co ol p in k. H ere an d th ere w e p asse d
Csz ek s a n d S lo vak s, a ll in p ic tu re sq ue a ttir e , b ut I n otic ed th at g oitr e w as
pain fu lly p re v ale n t. B y th e r o ad sid e w ere m an y c ro sse s, a n d a s w e s w ep t b y,
my c o m pan io ns a ll c ro sse d th em se lv es. H ere a n d th ere w as a p easa n t m an o r
wom an kneelin g befo re a sh rin e, w ho did not ev en tu rn ro und as w e
ap pro ach ed , b ut s e em ed in th e s e lf -s u rre n der o f d ev otio n to h av e n eith er e y es
nor e ars f o r th e o ute r w orld . T here w ere m an y th in gs n ew to m e: f o r in sta n ce,
hay -ric k s in th e tr e es, a n d h ere a n d th ere v ery b eau tif u l m asse s o f w eep in g
bir c h , th eir w hite s te m s s h in in g lik e s ilv er th ro ugh th e d elic ate g re en o f th e
le av es. N ow a n d a g ain w e p asse d a le ite r- w ag on— th e o rd in ary p easa n t’s c art
—with its lo ng, s n ak e-lik e v erte b ra , c alc u la te d to s u it th e in eq ualitie s o f th e
ro ad . O n th is w ere s u re to b e s e ate d q uite a g ro up o f h om e-c o m in g p easa n ts ,
th e C sz ek s w ith th eir w hite , a n d th e S lo vak s w ith th eir c o lo ure d , s h eep sk in s,
th e la tte r carry in g la n ce-fa sh io n th eir lo ng sta v es, w ith ax e at en d. A s th e
ev en in g fe ll it b eg an to g et v ery c o ld , a n d th e g ro w in g tw ilig ht se em ed to
merg e in to o ne d ark m is tin ess th e g lo om o f th e tr e es, o ak , b eech , a n d p in e,
th ough in th e v alle y s w hic h ra n d eep b etw een th e sp urs o f th e h ills , a s w e
asc en ded th ro ugh th e P ass, th e d ark fir s s to od o ut h ere a n d th ere a g ain st th e
back gro und o f la te -ly in g s n ow . S om etim es, a s th e ro ad w as c u t th ro ugh th e
pin e w oods th at se em ed in th e d ark ness to b e c lo sin g d ow n u pon u s,
gre at
masse s o f g re y ness, w hic h h ere an d th ere b estr e w ed th e tr e es, p ro duced a
pecu lia rly w eir d a n d s o le m n e ff e ct, w hic h c arrie d o n th e th oughts a n d g rim
fa n cie s e n gen dere d e arlie r in th e e v en in g, w hen th e fa llin g s u nse t th re w in to str a n ge re lie f th e g host- lik e c lo uds w hic h a m ongst th e C arp ath ia n s se em to
win d c ease le ssly th ro ugh th e v alle y s. S om etim es th e h ills w ere s o s te ep th at,
desp ite o ur d riv er’s h aste , th e h ors e s c o uld o nly g o slo w ly . I w is h ed to g et
dow n a n d w alk u p t h em , a s w e d o a t h om e, b ut t h e d riv er w ould n ot h ear o f i t.
“N o, n o,” h e s a id ; “ y ou m ust n ot w alk h ere ; th e d ogs a re to o f ie rc e”; a n d th en
he a d ded , w ith w hat h e e v id en tly m ean t fo r g rim p le asa n tr y — fo r h e lo oked
ro und to c atc h th e a p pro vin g s m ile o f th e r e st— “an d y ou m ay h av e e n ough o f
su ch m atte rs b efo re y ou g o to sle ep .” T he o nly sto p h e w ould m ak e w as a
mom en t’s p au se t o l ig ht h is l a m ps.
When it gre w dark th ere se em ed to be so m e ex cite m en t am ongst th e
passe n gers , an d th ey k ep t sp eak in g to h im , o ne afte r th e o th er, as th ough
urg in g h im to fu rth er s p eed . H e la sh ed th e h ors e s u nm erc if u lly w ith h is lo ng
whip , an d w ith w ild crie s of en co ura g em en t urg ed th em on to fu rth er
ex ertio ns. T hen th ro ugh th e d ark ness I c o uld s e e a s o rt o f p atc h o f g re y lig ht
ah ead o f u s, a s th ough th ere w ere a c le ft in th e h ills . T he e x cite m en t o f th e
passe n gers g re w g re ate r; th e c ra zy c o ach ro ck ed o n its g re at le ath er s p rin gs,
an d s w ay ed l ik e a b oat t o sse d o n a s to rm y s e a. I h ad t o h old o n. T he r o ad g re w
more l e v el, a n d w e a p peare d t o f ly a lo ng. T hen t h e m ounta in s s e em ed t o c o m e
neare r t o u s o n e ach s id e a n d t o f ro w n d ow n u pon u s; w e w ere e n te rin g o n t h e
Borg o P ass. O ne b y o ne s e v era l o f t h e p asse n gers o ff e re d m e g if ts , w hic h t h ey
pre sse d u pon m e w ith a n e arn estn ess w hic h w ould ta k e n o d en ia l; th ese w ere
certa in ly o f a n o dd a n d v arie d k in d, b ut e ach w as g iv en in s im ple g ood f a ith ,
with a k in dly w ord , a n d a b le ssin g, a n d th at s tr a n ge m ix tu re o f fe ar- m ean in g
movem en ts w hic h I h ad se en o uts id e th e h ote l a t B is tr itz — th e sig n o f th e
cro ss a n d th e g uard a g ain st th e e v il e y e. T hen , a s w e fle w a lo ng, th e d riv er
le an ed f o rw ard , a n d o n e ach s id e th e p asse n gers , c ra n in g o ver th e e d ge o f th e
co ach , p eere d e ag erly in to th e d ark ness. It w as e v id en t th at so m eth in g v ery
ex citin g w as e ith er h ap pen in g o r e x pecte d , b ut th ough I a sk ed e ach p asse n ger,
no o ne w ould g iv e m e th e s lig hte st e x pla n atio n. T his s ta te o f e x cite m en t k ep t
on f o r s o m e little tim e; a n d a t la st w e s a w b efo re u s th e P ass o pen in g o ut o n
th e e aste rn s id e. T here w ere d ark , ro llin g c lo uds o verh ead , a n d in th e a ir th e
heav y, o ppre ssiv e s e n se o f th under. It s e em ed a s th ough th e m ounta in ra n ge
had s e p ara te d tw o a tm osp here s, a n d th at n ow w e h ad g ot in to th e th undero us
one. I w as n ow m yse lf lo okin g o ut f o r th e c o nvey an ce w hic h w as to ta k e m e
to th e C ount. E ach m om en t I e x pecte d to s e e th e g la re o f la m ps th ro ugh th e
bla ck ness; b ut a ll w as d ark . T he o nly lig ht w as th e f lic k erin g r a y s o f o ur o w n
la m ps, in w hic h th e s te am f ro m o ur h ard -d riv en h ors e s r o se in a w hite c lo ud.
We c o uld s e e n ow t h e s a n dy r o ad l y in g w hite b efo re u s, b ut t h ere w as o n i t n o
sig n o f a v eh ic le . T he p asse n gers d re w b ack w ith a s ig h o f g la d ness, w hic h
se em ed to m ock m y o w n d is a p poin tm en t. I w as a lr e ad y th in kin g w hat I h ad
best d o, w hen th e d riv er, lo okin g a t h is w atc h , s a id to th e o th ers s o m eth in g
whic h I c o uld h ard ly h ear, it w as s p oken s o q uie tly a n d in s o lo w a to ne; I th ought it w as “ A n h our le ss th an th e tim e.” T hen tu rn in g to m e, h e s a id in
Germ an w ors e t h an m y o w n:—
“T here is n o c arria g e h ere . T he H err is n ot e x pecte d a fte r a ll. H e w ill n ow
co m e o n to B ukovin a, a n d re tu rn to -m orro w o r th e n ex t d ay ; b ette r th e n ex t
day.” W hils t h e w as s p eak in g th e h ors e s b eg an to n eig h a n d s n ort a n d p lu nge
wild ly , so th at th e d riv er h ad to h old th em u p. T hen , a m ongst a c h oru s o f
sc re am s fro m th e p easa n ts a n d a u niv ers a l
cro ssin g o f th em se lv es, a c alè ch e,
with fo ur h ors e s, d ro ve u p b eh in d u s, o verto ok u s, a n d d re w u p b esid e th e
co ach . I c o uld s e e f ro m t h e f la sh o f o ur l a m ps, a s t h e r a y s f e ll o n t h em , t h at t h e
hors e s w ere c o al- b la ck a n d s p le n did a n im als . T hey w ere d riv en b y a ta ll m an ,
with a lo ng b ro w n b eard a n d a g re at b la ck h at, w hic h s e em ed to h id e h is f a ce
fro m u s. I co uld o nly se e th e g le am o f a p air o f v ery b rig ht ey es, w hic h
se em ed r e d i n t h e l a m plig ht, a s h e t u rn ed t o u s. H e s a id t o t h e d riv er:—
“Y ou a re e arly t o -n ig ht, m y f rie n d.” T he m an s ta m mere d i n r e p ly :—
“T he E nglis h H err w as i n a h urry ,” t o w hic h t h e s tr a n ger r e p lie d :—
“T hat i s w hy, I s u ppose , y ou w is h ed h im t o g o o n t o B ukovin a. Y ou c an not
deceiv e m e, m y frie n d; I k now to o m uch , a n d m y h ors e s a re sw if t.” A s h e
sp oke h e s m ile d , a n d t h e l a m plig ht f e ll o n a h ard -lo okin g m outh , w ith v ery r e d
lip s an d sh arp -lo okin g te eth , as w hite as iv ory . O ne of m y co m pan io ns
whis p ere d t o a n oth er t h e l in e f ro m B urg er’s “ L en ore ”:—
“D en n d ie T odte n r e ite n s c h nell” —
(“ F or t h e d ead t r a v el f a st.” )
The str a n ge d riv er ev id en tly h eard th e w ord s, fo r h e lo oked u p w ith a
gle am in g s m ile . T he p asse n ger tu rn ed h is f a ce a w ay, a t th e s a m e tim e p uttin g
out h is tw o fin gers a n d c ro ssin g h im se lf . “ G iv e m e th e H err ’s lu ggag e,” s a id
th e d riv er; a n d w ith e x ceed in g a la crity m y b ag s w ere h an ded o ut a n d p ut i n t h e
calè ch e. T hen I d esc en ded f ro m t h e s id e o f t h e c o ach , a s t h e c alè ch e w as c lo se
alo ngsid e, t h e d riv er h elp in g m e w ith a h an d w hic h c au ght m y a rm i n a g rip o f
ste el; h is s tr e n gth m ust h av e b een p ro dig io us. W ith out a w ord h e s h ook h is
re in s, th e h ors e s tu rn ed , a n d w e sw ep t in to th e d ark ness o f th e P ass. A s I
lo oked b ack I s a w th e s te am f ro m th e h ors e s o f th e c o ach b y th e lig ht o f th e
la m ps, a n d p ro je cte d a g ain st it th e fig ure s o f m y la te c o m pan io ns c ro ssin g
th em se lv es. T hen th e d riv er c ra ck ed h is w hip a n d c alle d to h is h ors e s, a n d o ff
th ey s w ep t o n th eir w ay to B ukovin a. A s th ey s a n k in to th e d ark ness I fe lt a
str a n ge c h ill, a n d a lo nely f e elin g c am e o ver m e; b ut a c lo ak w as th ro w n o ver
my sh ould ers , a n d a ru g a cro ss m y k nees, a n d th e d riv er sa id in e x celle n t
Germ an :—
“T he n ig ht is c h ill, m ein H err, a n d m y m aste r th e C ount b ad e m e ta k e a ll
care o f y ou. T here is a fla sk o f sliv ovitz (th e p lu m b ra n dy o f th e c o untr y ) undern eath th e s e at, if y ou s h ould r e q uir e it.” I d id n ot ta k e a n y, b ut it w as a
co m fo rt to k now it w as th ere a ll th e s a m e. I fe lt a little s tr a n gely , a n d n ot a
little f rig hte n ed . I th in k h ad th ere b een a n y a lte rn ativ e I s h ould h av e ta k en it,
in ste ad o f p ro se cu tin g t h at u nknow n n ig ht j o urn ey. T he c arria g e w en t a t a h ard
pace str a ig ht a lo ng, th en w e m ad e a c o m ple te tu rn a n d w en t a lo ng a n oth er
str a ig ht ro ad . It s e em ed to m e th at w e w ere s im ply g oin g o ver a n d o ver th e
sa m e g ro und a g ain ; a n d s o I to ok n ote o f s o m e s a lie n t p oin t, a n d fo und th at
th is w as s o . I w ould h av e lik ed to h av e a sk ed th e d riv er w hat th is a ll m ean t,
but I re ally fe are d to d o so , fo r I th ought th at, p la ced a s I w as, a n y p ro te st
would h av e h ad n o e ff e ct i n c ase t h ere h ad b een a n i n te n tio n t o d ela y. B y-a n d-
by, h ow ev er, a s I w as c u rio us t o k now h ow t im e w as p assin g, I s tr u ck a m atc h ,
an d b y i ts f la m e l o oked a t m y w atc h ; i t w as w ith in a f e w m in ute s o f m id nig ht.
This g av e m e a so rt o f sh ock , fo r I su ppose th e g en era l su pers titio n a b out
mid nig ht w as in cre ase d b y m y r e cen t e x perie n ces. I w aite d w ith a s ic k f e elin g
of s u sp en se .
Then a d og b eg an t o h ow l s o m ew here i n a f a rm house f a r d ow n t h e r o ad — a
lo ng, a g onis e d w ailin g, a s if fro m fe ar. T he s o und w as ta k en u p b y a n oth er
dog, a n d th en a n oth er a n d a n oth er, till, b orn e o n th e w in d w hic h n ow s ig hed
so ftly t h ro ugh t h e P ass, a w ild h ow lin g b eg an , w hic h s e em ed t o c o m e f ro m a ll
over th e c o untr y , a s f a r a s th e im ag in atio n c o uld g ra sp it th ro ugh th e g lo om o f
th e n ig ht. A t th e f ir s t h ow l th e h ors e s b eg an to s tr a in a n d r e ar, b ut th e d riv er
sp oke t o t h em s o oth in gly , a n d t h ey q uie te d d ow n, b ut s h iv ere d a n d s w eate d a s
th ough a fte r a r u naw ay f ro m s u dden f rig ht. T hen , f a r o ff in th e d is ta n ce, f ro m
th e m ounta in s o n e ach s id e o f u s b eg an a lo uder a n d a s h arp er h ow lin g— th at
of w olv es— whic h a ff e cte d b oth th e h ors e s a n d m yse lf in th e s a m e w ay — fo r I
was m in ded to ju m p fro m th e c alè ch e a n d ru n, w hils t th ey re are d a g ain a n d
plu nged m ad ly , s o t h at t h e d riv er h ad t o u se a ll h is g re at s tr e n gth t o k eep t h em
fro m b oltin g. I n a f e w m in ute s, h ow ev er, m y o w n e ars g ot a ccu sto m ed to th e
so und, a n d th e h ors e s s o f a r b ecam e q uie t th at th e d riv er w as a b le to d esc en d
an d to sta n d befo re th em . H e pette d an d so oth ed th em , an d w his p ere d
so m eth in g in th eir ears , as I h av e h eard o f h ors e -ta m ers d oin g, an d w ith
ex tr a o rd in ary eff e ct, fo r u nder h is care sse s th ey b ecam e q uite m an ag eab le
ag ain , th ough th ey s till tr e m ble d . T he d riv er a g ain to ok h is s e at, a n d s h ak in g
his r e in s, s ta rte d o ff a t a g re at p ace. T his t im e, a fte r g oin g t o t h e f a r s id e o f t h e
Pass, h e su dden ly tu rn ed d ow n a n arro w ro ad w ay w hic h ra n sh arp ly to th e
rig ht.
Soon w e w ere h em med i n w ith t r e es, w hic h i n p la ces a rc h ed r ig ht o ver t h e
ro ad w ay till w e p asse d a s th ro ugh a tu nnel; a n d a g ain g re at fro w nin g ro ck s
guard ed u s b old ly o n e ith er s id e. T hough w e w ere i n s h elte r, w e c o uld h ear t h e
ris in g w in d, f o r i t m oan ed a n d w his tle d t h ro ugh t h e r o ck s, a n d t h e b ra n ch es o f
th e tr e es c ra sh ed to geth er a s w e s w ep t a lo ng. It g re w c o ld er a n d c o ld er s till,
an d f in e, p ow dery s n ow b eg an to f a ll, s o th at s o on w e a n d a ll a ro und u s w ere co vere d w ith a w hite b la n ket. T he k een w in d s till c arrie d th e h ow lin g o f th e
dogs, th ough th is g re w fa in te r a s w e w en t o n o ur w ay. T he b ay in g o f th e
wolv es s o unded n eare r a n d n eare r, a s th ough th ey w ere c lo sin g ro und o n u s
fro m e v ery s id e. I g re w d re ad fu lly a fra id , a n d th e h ors e s s h are d m y f e ar. T he
driv er, h ow ev er, w as n ot in th e le ast d is tu rb ed ; h e k ep t tu rn in g h is h ead to le ft
an d r ig ht, b ut I c o uld n ot s e e a n yth in g t h ro ugh t h e d ark ness.
Sudden ly , a w ay o n o ur le ft, I s a w a f a in t f lic k erin g b lu e f la m e. T he d riv er
sa w i t a t t h e s a m e m om en t; h e a t o nce c h eck ed t h e h ors e s, a n d, j u m pin g t o t h e
gro und, d is a p peare d in to th e d ark ness. I d id n ot k now w hat to d o, th e le ss a s
th e how lin g of th e w olv es gre w clo se r; but w hile I w ondere d th e driv er
su dden ly a p peare d a g ain , a n d w ith out a w ord to ok h is s e at, a n d w e re su m ed
our jo urn ey. I th in k I m ust hav e fa lle n asle ep an d kep t dre am in g of th e
in cid en t, fo r it s e em ed to b e re p eate d e n dle ssly , a n d n ow lo okin g b ack , it is
lik e a s o rt o f a w fu l n ig htm are . O nce th e f la m e a p peare d s o n ear th e r o ad , th at
ev en in th e d ark ness a ro und u s I c o uld w atc h th e d riv er’s m otio ns. H e w en t
ra p id ly to w here th e b lu e f la m e a ro se — it m ust h av e b een v ery f a in t, f o r it d id
not s e em to illu m in e th e p la ce a ro und it a t a ll— an d g ath erin g a fe w s to nes,
fo rm ed th em in to s o m e d ev ic e. O nce th ere a p peare d a s tr a n ge o ptic al e ff e ct:
when h e s to od b etw een m e a n d t h e f la m e h e d id n ot o bstr u ct i t, f o r I c o uld s e e
its g hostly flic k er a ll th e sa m e. T his sta rtle d m e, b ut a s th e e ff e ct w as o nly
mom en ta ry , I t o ok i t t h at m y e y es d eceiv ed m e s tr a in in g t h ro ugh t h e d ark ness.
Then f o r a tim e th ere w ere n o b lu e f la m es, a n d w e s p ed o nw ard s th ro ugh th e
glo om , w ith th e how lin g of th e w olv es aro und us, as th ough th ey w ere
fo llo w in g i n a m ovin g c ir c le .
At la st th ere c am e a tim e w hen th e d riv er w en t f u rth er a fie ld th an h e h ad
yet g one, a n d d urin g h is a b se n ce, th e h ors e s b eg an to tr e m ble w ors e th an e v er
an d to s n ort a n d s c re am w ith frig ht. I c o uld n ot s e e a n y c au se fo r it, fo r th e
how lin g o f th e w olv es h ad c ease d a lto geth er; b ut ju st th en th e m oon, s a ilin g
th ro ugh t h e b la ck c lo uds, a p peare d b eh in d t h e j a g ged c re st o f a b eetlin g, p in e-
cla d r o ck , a n d b y its lig ht I s a w a ro und u s a r in g o f w olv es, w ith w hite te eth
an d l o llin g r e d t o ngues, w ith l o ng, s in ew y l im bs a n d s h ag gy h air. T hey w ere a
hundre d tim es m ore te rrib le in th e g rim sile n ce w hic h h eld th em th an e v en
when t h ey h ow le d . F or m yse lf , I f e lt a s o rt o f p ara ly sis o f f e ar. I t i s o nly w hen
a m an f e els h im se lf f a ce to f a ce w ith s u ch h orro rs th at h e c an u nders ta n d th eir
tr u e i m port.
All a t o nce th e w olv es b eg an to h ow l a s th ough th e m oonlig ht h ad h ad
so m e p ecu lia r e ff e ct o n t h em . T he h ors e s j u m ped a b out a n d r e are d , a n d l o oked
help le ssly ro und w ith e y es th at ro lle d in a w ay p ain fu l to s e e; b ut th e liv in g
rin g o f te rro r en co m passe d th em o n ev ery sid e; an d th ey h ad p erfo rc e to
re m ain w ith in it. I c alle d to th e c o ach m an to c o m e, fo r it s e em ed to m e th at
our o nly ch an ce w as to tr y to b re ak o ut th ro ugh th e rin g an d to aid h is ap pro ach . I s h oute d a n d b eat th e s id e o f th e c alè ch e, h opin g b y th e n ois e to
sc are th e w olv es fro m th at s id e, s o a s to g iv e h im a c h an ce o f re ach in g th e
tr a p . H ow h e c am e th ere , I k now n ot, b ut I h eard h is v oic e r a is e d in a to ne o f
im perio us c o m man d, a n d lo okin g to w ard s th e so und, sa w h im sta n d in th e
ro ad w ay. A s he sw ep t his lo ng arm s, as th ough bru sh in g asid e so m e
im palp ab le o bsta cle , th e w olv es fe ll b ack a n d b ack fu rth er still. Ju st th en a
heav y c lo ud p asse d a cro ss th e fa ce o f th e m oon, so th at w e w ere a g ain in
dark ness.
When I c o uld s e e a g ain th e d riv er w as c lim bin g in to th e c alè ch e, a n d th e
wolv es h ad d is a p peare d . T his w as a ll s o s tr a n ge a n d u ncan ny th at a d re ad fu l
fe ar c am e u pon m e, a n d I w as a fra id to sp eak o r m ove. T he tim e se em ed
in te rm in ab le a s w e s w ep t o n o ur w ay, n ow in a lm ost c o m ple te d ark ness, fo r
th e r o llin g c lo uds o bsc u re d th e m oon. W e k ep t o n a sc en din g, w ith o ccasio nal
perio ds of quic k desc en t, but in th e m ain alw ay s asc en din g. S udden ly , I
becam e c o nsc io us o f th e fa ct th at th e d riv er w as in th e a ct o f p ullin g u p th e
hors e s in th e c o urty ard o f a v ast r u in ed c astle , f ro m w hose ta ll b la ck w in dow s
cam e n o ra y o f lig ht, a n d w hose b ro ken b attle m en ts sh ow ed a ja g ged lin e
ag ain st t h e m oonlit s k y.
CH APT ER I I
JO NAT H AN H ARK ER ’S J O URNAL— co n tin ued
5 M ay.— I m ust h av e b een a sle ep , f o r c erta in ly if I h ad b een f u lly a w ak e I
must h av e n otic ed th e a p pro ach o f s u ch a r e m ark ab le p la ce. I n th e g lo om th e
co urty ard lo oked o f c o nsid era b le siz e, a n d a s se v era l d ark w ay s le d fro m it
under g re at r o und a rc h es, it p erh ap s s e em ed b ig ger th an it r e ally is . I h av e n ot
yet b een a b le t o s e e i t b y d ay lig ht.
When th e c alè ch e s to pped , th e d riv er ju m ped d ow n a n d h eld o ut h is h an d
to a ssis t m e t o a lig ht. A gain I c o uld n ot b ut n otic e h is p ro dig io us s tr e n gth . H is
han d a ctu ally s e em ed lik e a s te el v ic e th at c o uld h av e c ru sh ed m in e if h e h ad
ch ose n . T hen h e to ok o ut m y tr a p s, a n d p la ced th em o n th e g ro und b esid e m e
as I s to od c lo se t o a g re at d oor, o ld a n d s tu dded w ith l a rg e i r o n n ails , a n d s e t i n
a p ro je ctin g d oorw ay o f m assiv e s to ne. I c o uld s e e e v en in th e d im lig ht th at
th e s to ne w as m assiv ely c arv ed , b ut th at th e c arv in g h ad b een m uch w orn b y
tim e a n d w eath er. A s I s to od, th e d riv er ju m ped a g ain in to h is s e at a n d s h ook
th e r e in s; t h e h ors e s s ta rte d f o rw ard , a n d t r a p a n d a ll d is a p peare d d ow n o ne o f
th e d ark o pen in gs.
I s to od in s ile n ce w here I w as, fo r I d id n ot k now w hat to d o. O f b ell o r knock er th ere w as n o sig n; th ro ugh th ese fro w nin g w alls a n d d ark w in dow
open in gs it w as n ot lik ely th at m y v oic e c o uld p en etr a te . T he tim e I w aite d
se em ed e n dle ss, a n d I fe lt d oubts a n d fe ars c ro w din g u pon m e. W hat s o rt o f
pla ce h ad I co m e to , an d am ong w hat k in d o f p eo ple ? W hat so rt o f g rim
ad ven tu re w as it o n w hic h I h ad e m bark ed ? W as th is a c u sto m ary in cid en t in
th e l if e o f a s o lic ito r’s c le rk s e n t o ut t o e x pla in t h e p urc h ase o f a L ondon e sta te
to a f o re ig ner? S olic ito r’s c le rk ! M in a w ould n ot lik e th at. S olic ito r— fo r ju st
befo re le av in g L ondon I g ot w ord th at m y e x am in atio n w as s u ccessfu l; a n d I
am n ow a f u ll- b lo w n s o lic ito r! I b eg an t o r u b m y e y es a n d p in ch m yse lf t o s e e
if I w ere a w ak e. I t a ll s e em ed lik e a h orrib le n ig htm are to m e, a n d I e x pecte d
th at I sh ould su dden ly aw ak e, an d fin d m yse lf at hom e, w ith th e daw n
str u gglin g in th ro ugh th e w in dow s, a s I h ad n ow a n d a g ain f e lt in th e m orn in g
afte r a d ay o f o verw ork . B ut m y f le sh a n sw ere d t h e p in ch in g t e st, a n d m y e y es
were n ot t o b e d eceiv ed . I w as i n deed a w ak e a n d a m ong t h e C arp ath ia n s. A ll I
co uld d o n ow w as t o b e p atie n t, a n d t o w ait t h e c o m in g o f t h e m orn in g.
Ju st a s I h ad c o m e to th is c o nclu sio n I h eard a h eav y ste p a p pro ach in g
beh in d t h e g re at d oor, a n d s a w t h ro ugh t h e c h in ks t h e g le am o f a c o m in g l ig ht.
Then th ere w as th e s o und o f r a ttlin g c h ain s a n d th e c la n kin g o f m assiv e b olts
dra w n b ack . A k ey w as tu rn ed w ith th e lo ud g ra tin g n ois e o f lo ng d is u se , a n d
th e g re at d oor s w ung b ack .
With in , s to od a t a ll o ld m an , c le an s h av en s a v e f o r a l o ng w hite m ousta ch e,
an d c la d i n b la ck f ro m h ead t o f o ot, w ith out a s in gle s p eck o f c o lo ur a b out h im
an yw here . H e h eld in h is h an d a n a n tiq ue silv er la m p, in w hic h th e fla m e
burn ed w ith out ch im ney or glo be of an y kin d, th ro w in g lo ng quiv erin g
sh ad ow s a s i t f lic k ere d i n t h e d ra u ght o f t h e o pen d oor. T he o ld m an m otio ned
me in w ith h is r ig ht h an d w ith a c o urtly g estu re , s a y in g in e x celle n t E nglis h ,
but w ith a s tr a n ge i n to natio n:—
“W elc o m e to m y h ouse ! E nte r f re ely a n d o f y our o w n w ill! ” H e m ad e n o
motio n o f s te p pin g t o m eet m e, b ut s to od l ik e a s ta tu e, a s t h ough h is g estu re o f
welc o m e h ad fix ed h im in to s to ne. T he in sta n t, h ow ev er, th at I h ad s te p ped
over th e th re sh old , h e m oved im puls iv ely fo rw ard , a n d h old in g o ut h is h an d
gra sp ed m in e w ith a s tr e n gth w hic h m ad e m e w in ce, a n e ff e ct w hic h w as n ot
le sse n ed b y t h e f a ct t h at i t s e em ed a s c o ld a s i c e— more l ik e t h e h an d o f a d ead
th an a l iv in g m an . A gain h e s a id :—
“W elc o m e to m y h ouse . C om e fre ely . G o s a fe ly ; a n d le av e s o m eth in g o f
th e h ap pin ess y ou b rin g!” T he s tr e n gth o f th e h an dsh ak e w as s o m uch a k in to
th at w hic h I h ad n otic ed in th e d riv er, w hose fa ce I h ad n ot s e en , th at fo r a
mom en t I d oubte d if it w ere n ot th e s a m e p ers o n to w hom I w as s p eak in g; s o
to m ak e s u re , I s a id i n te rro gativ ely :—
“C ount D ra cu la ?” H e b ow ed i n a c o urtly w ay a s h e r e p lie d :— “I a m D ra cu la ; a n d I b id y ou w elc o m e, M r. H ark er, t o m y h ouse . C om e i n ;
th e n ig ht a ir is c h ill, a n d y ou m ust n eed to e at a n d r e st.” A s h e w as s p eak in g,
he p ut th e la m p o n a b ra ck et o n th e w all, a n d s te p pin g o ut, to ok m y lu ggag e;
he h ad c arrie d i t i n b efo re I c o uld f o re sta ll h im . I p ro te ste d b ut h e i n sis te d :—
“N ay, s ir , y ou a re m y g uest. I t is la te , a n d m y p eo ple a re n ot a v aila b le . L et
me s e e to y our c o m fo rt m yse lf .” H e in sis te d o n c arry in g m y tr a p s a lo ng th e
passa g e, a n d t h en u p a g re at w in din g s ta ir , a n d a lo ng a n oth er g re at p assa g e, o n
whose s to ne flo or o ur s te p s ra n g h eav ily . A t th e e n d o f th is h e th re w o pen a
heav y d oor, a n d I r e jo ic ed to s e e w ith in a w ell- lit r o om in w hic h a ta b le w as
sp re ad fo r su pper, a n d o n w hose m ig hty h earth a g re at fir e o f lo gs, fre sh ly
re p le n is h ed , f la m ed a n d f la re d .
The C ount h alte d , p uttin g d ow n m y b ag s, c lo se d t h e d oor, a n d c ro ssin g t h e
ro om , o pen ed a n oth er d oor, w hic h le d in to a sm all o cta g onal ro om lit b y a
sin gle la m p, a n d se em in gly w ith out a w in dow o f a n y so rt. P assin g th ro ugh
th is , h e o pen ed a n oth er d oor, a n d m otio ned m e to e n te r. It w as a w elc o m e
sig ht; f o r h ere w as a g re at b ed ro om w ell lig hte d a n d w arm ed w ith a n oth er lo g
fir e ,— als o ad ded to b ut la te ly , fo r th e to p lo gs w ere fre sh — whic h se n t a
hollo w ro ar u p th e w id e c h im ney. T he C ount h im se lf le ft m y lu ggag e in sid e
an d w ith dre w , s a y in g, b efo re h e c lo se d t h e d oor:—
“Y ou w ill n eed , a fte r y our jo urn ey, to re fre sh y ours e lf b y m ak in g y our
to ile t. I tr u st y ou w ill fin d a ll y ou w is h . W hen y ou a re re ad y, c o m e in to th e
oth er r o om , w here y ou w ill f in d y our s u pper p re p are d .”
The lig ht a n d w arm th a n d th e C ount’s c o urte o us w elc o m e s e em ed to h av e
dis sip ate d a ll m y d oubts a n d fe ars . H av in g th en re ach ed m y n orm al sta te , I
dis c o vere d th at I w as h alf fa m is h ed w ith h unger; s o m ak in g a h asty to ile t, I
wen t i n to t h e o th er r o om .
I fo und su pper a lr e ad y la id o ut. M y h ost, w ho sto od o n o ne sid e o f th e
gre at fir e p la ce, le an in g a g ain st th e sto new ork , m ad e a g ra cefu l w av e o f h is
han d t o t h e t a b le , a n d s a id :—
“I p ra y y ou, b e s e ate d a n d s u p h ow y ou p le ase . Y ou w ill, I t r u st, e x cu se m e
th at I d o n ot j o in y ou; b ut I h av e d in ed a lr e ad y, a n d I d o n ot s u p.”
I h an ded to h im th e s e ale d le tte r w hic h M r. H aw kin s h ad e n tr u ste d to m e.
He o pen ed it a n d r e ad it g ra v ely ; th en , w ith a c h arm in g s m ile , h e h an ded it to
me t o r e ad . O ne p assa g e o f i t, a t l e ast, g av e m e a t h rill o f p le asu re .
“I m ust re g re t th at a n a tta ck o f g out, fro m w hic h m ala d y I a m a c o nsta n t
su ff e re r, f o rb id s a b so lu te ly a n y tr a v ellin g o n m y p art f o r s o m e tim e to c o m e;
but I a m h ap py to s a y I c an s e n d a s u ff ic ie n t s u bstitu te , o ne in w hom I h av e
ev ery p ossib le c o nfid en ce. H e is a y oung m an , f u ll o f e n erg y a n d ta le n t in h is
ow n w ay, a n d o f a v ery f a ith fu l d is p ositio n. H e is d is c re et a n d s ile n t, a n d h as gro w n in to m an hood in m y s e rv ic e. H e s h all b e r e ad y to a tte n d o n y ou w hen
you w ill d urin g h is s ta y, a n d s h all t a k e y our i n str u ctio ns i n a ll m atte rs .”
The C ount h im se lf c am e f o rw ard a n d t o ok o ff t h e c o ver o f a d is h , a n d I f e ll
to a t o nce o n a n e x celle n t ro ast c h ic k en . T his , w ith s o m e c h eese a n d a s a la d
an d a b ottle o f o ld T okay, o f w hic h I h ad tw o g la sse s, w as m y s u pper. D urin g
th e tim e I w as e atin g it th e C ount a sk ed m e m an y q uestio ns a s to m y jo urn ey,
an d I t o ld h im b y d eg re es a ll I h ad e x perie n ced .
By th is tim e I h ad f in is h ed m y s u pper, a n d b y m y h ost’s d esir e h ad d ra w n
up a c h air b y th e f ir e a n d b eg un to s m oke a c ig ar w hic h h e o ff e re d m e, a t th e
sa m e tim e e x cu sin g h im se lf th at h e d id n ot s m oke. I h ad n ow a n o pportu nity
of o bse rv in g h im , a n d f o und h im o f a v ery m ark ed p hysio gnom y.
His fa ce w as a s tr o ng— a v ery s tr o ng— aq uilin e, w ith h ig h b rid ge o f th e
th in n ose a n d p ecu lia rly a rc h ed n ostr ils ; w ith lo fty d om ed fo re h ead , a n d h air
gro w in g sc an tily ro und th e te m ple s b ut p ro fu se ly e ls e w here . H is e y eb ro w s
were v ery m assiv e, a lm ost m eetin g o ver th e n ose , a n d w ith b ush y h air th at
se em ed to c u rl in its o w n p ro fu sio n. T he m outh , s o f a r a s I c o uld s e e it u nder
th e h eav y m ousta ch e, w as f ix ed a n d r a th er c ru el- lo okin g, w ith p ecu lia rly s h arp
white t e eth ; t h ese p ro tr u ded o ver t h e l ip s, w hose r e m ark ab le r u ddin ess s h ow ed
asto nis h in g v ita lity in a m an o f h is y ears . F or th e r e st, h is e ars w ere p ale , a n d
at th e to ps e x tr e m ely p oin te d ; th e c h in w as b ro ad a n d s tr o ng, a n d th e c h eek s
fir m t h ough t h in . T he g en era l e ff e ct w as o ne o f e x tr a o rd in ary p allo r.
Hith erto I h ad n otic ed t h e b ack s o f h is h an ds a s t h ey l a y o n h is k nees i n t h e
fir e lig ht, a n d th ey h ad se em ed ra th er w hite a n d fin e; b ut se ein g th em n ow
clo se to m e, I c o uld n ot b ut n otic e th at th ey w ere ra th er c o ars e — bro ad , w ith
sq uat fin gers . S tr a n ge to s a y, th ere w ere h air s in th e c en tr e o f th e p alm . T he
nails w ere l o ng a n d f in e, a n d c u t t o a s h arp p oin t. A s t h e C ount l e an ed o ver m e
an d h is h an ds t o uch ed m e, I c o uld n ot r e p re ss a s h udder. I t m ay h av e b een t h at
his b re ath w as r a n k, b ut a h orrib le f e elin g o f n au se a c am e o ver m e, w hic h , d o
what I w ould , I co uld n ot co nceal. T he C ount, ev id en tly n otic in g it, d re w
back ; a n d w ith a g rim s o rt o f s m ile , w hic h s h ow ed m ore th an h e h ad y et d one
his p ro tu bera n t te eth , s a t h im se lf d ow n a g ain o n h is o w n s id e o f th e f ir e p la ce.
We w ere b oth s ile n t f o r a w hile ; a n d a s I l o oked t o w ard s t h e w in dow I s a w t h e
fir s t d im str e ak o f th e c o m in g d aw n. T here se em ed a str a n ge stilln ess o ver
ev ery th in g; b ut a s I lis te n ed I h eard a s if fro m d ow n b elo w in th e v alle y th e
how lin g o f m an y w olv es. T he C ount’s e y es g le am ed , a n d h e s a id :—
“L is te n to th em — th e ch ild re n of th e nig ht. W hat m usic th ey m ak e!”
Seein g, I s u ppose , s o m e e x pre ssio n i n m y f a ce s tr a n ge t o h im , h e a d ded :—
“A h, sir , y ou d w elle rs in th e city can not en te r in to th e fe elin gs o f th e
hunte r.” T hen h e r o se a n d s a id :— “B ut y ou m ust b e tir e d . Y our b ed ro om is a ll re ad y, a n d to -m orro w y ou
sh all s le ep a s la te a s y ou w ill. I h av e to b e a w ay till th e a fte rn oon; s o s le ep
well a n d d re am w ell! ” W ith a c o urte o us b ow , h e o pen ed fo r m e h im se lf th e
door t o t h e o cta g onal r o om , a n d I e n te re d m y b ed ro om ....
I a m a ll in a s e a o f w onders . I d oubt; I f e ar; I th in k s tr a n ge th in gs, w hic h I
dare n ot c o nfe ss to m y o w n s o ul. G od k eep m e, if o nly f o r th e s a k e o f th ose
dear t o m e!
7 M ay.— It is a g ain e arly m orn in g, b ut I h av e re ste d a n d e n jo yed th e la st
tw en ty -fo ur h ours . I s le p t till la te in th e d ay, a n d a w oke o f m y o w n a cco rd .
When I h ad d re sse d m yse lf I w en t in to th e ro om w here w e h ad s u pped , a n d
fo und a c o ld b re ak fa st l a id o ut, w ith c o ff e e k ep t h ot b y t h e p ot b ein g p la ced o n
th e h earth . T here w as a c ard o n t h e t a b le , o n w hic h w as w ritte n :—
“I h av e to b e a b se n t fo r a w hile . D o n ot w ait fo r m e.— D.” I s e t to a n d
en jo yed a h earty m eal. W hen I h ad d one, I l o oked f o r a b ell, s o t h at I m ig ht l e t
th e s e rv an ts k now I h ad f in is h ed ; b ut I c o uld n ot f in d o ne. T here a re c erta in ly
odd defic ie n cie s in th e house , co nsid erin g th e ex tr a o rd in ary ev id en ces of
wealth w hic h a re ro und m e. T he ta b le s e rv ic e is o f g old , a n d s o b eau tif u lly
wro ught th at it m ust b e o f im men se v alu e. T he c u rta in s a n d u phols te ry o f th e
ch air s a n d so fa s a n d th e h an gin gs o f m y b ed a re o f th e c o stlie st a n d m ost
beau tif u l f a b ric s, a n d m ust h av e b een o f f a b ulo us v alu e w hen t h ey w ere m ad e,
fo r t h ey a re c en tu rie s o ld , t h ough i n e x celle n t o rd er. I s a w s o m eth in g l ik e t h em
in H am pto n C ourt, b ut th ere th ey w ere w orn a n d f ra y ed a n d m oth -e ate n . B ut
still in n one o f th e r o om s is th ere a m ir ro r. T here is n ot e v en a to ile t g la ss o n
my ta b le , a n d I h ad to g et th e little s h av in g g la ss f ro m m y b ag b efo re I c o uld
eith er s h av e o r b ru sh m y h air. I h av e n ot y et s e en a s e rv an t a n yw here , o r h eard
a s o und n ear th e c astle e x cep t th e h ow lin g o f w olv es. S om e tim e a fte r I h ad
fin is h ed m y m eal— I d o n ot k now w heth er to c all it b re ak fa st o r d in ner, f o r it
was b etw een f iv e a n d s ix o ’c lo ck w hen I h ad i t— I l o oked a b out f o r s o m eth in g
to r e ad , f o r I d id n ot lik e to g o a b out th e c astle u ntil I h ad a sk ed th e C ount’s
perm is sio n. T here w as a b so lu te ly n oth in g in th e ro om , b ook, n ew sp ap er, o r
ev en w ritin g m ate ria ls ; s o I o pen ed a n oth er d oor in th e r o om a n d f o und a s o rt
of l ib ra ry . T he d oor o pposite m in e I t r ie d , b ut f o und i t l o ck ed .
In t h e l ib ra ry I f o und, t o m y g re at d elig ht, a v ast n um ber o f E nglis h b ooks,
whole s h elv es f u ll o f t h em , a n d b ound v olu m es o f m ag azin es a n d n ew sp ap ers .
A ta b le in th e c en tr e w as litte re d w ith E nglis h m ag azin es a n d n ew sp ap ers ,
th ough n one o f th em w ere o f v ery re cen t d ate . T he b ooks w ere o f th e m ost
varie d k in d— his to ry , g eo gra p hy, p olitic s, p olitic al e co nom y, b ota n y, g eo lo gy,
la w — all r e la tin g t o E ngla n d a n d E nglis h l if e a n d c u sto m s a n d m an ners . T here
were e v en s u ch b ooks o f re fe re n ce a s th e L ondon D ir e cto ry , th e “ R ed ” a n d
“B lu e” books, W hita k er’s A lm an ac, th e A rm y an d N av y Lis ts , an d— it
so m eh ow g la d den ed m y h eart t o s e e i t— th e L aw L is t. Whils t I w as l o okin g a t t h e b ooks, t h e d oor o pen ed , a n d t h e C ount e n te re d .
He s a lu te d m e in a h earty w ay, a n d h oped th at I h ad h ad a g ood n ig ht’s r e st.
Then h e w en t o n:—
“I a m g la d y ou fo und y our w ay in h ere , fo r I a m s u re th ere is m uch th at
will in te re st y ou. T hese c o m pan io ns” — an d h e la id h is h an d o n s o m e o f th e
books— “h av e b een g ood f rie n ds to m e, a n d f o r s o m e y ears p ast, e v er s in ce I
had th e id ea of goin g to L ondon, hav e giv en m e m an y, m an y hours of
ple asu re . T hro ugh t h em I h av e c o m e t o k now y our g re at E ngla n d; a n d t o k now
her is to lo ve h er. I lo ng to g o th ro ugh th e c ro w ded str e ets o f y our m ig hty
London, to b e in th e m id st o f th e w hir l a n d r u sh o f h um an ity , to s h are its lif e ,
its c h an ge, its d eath , a n d a ll th at m ak es it w hat it is . B ut a la s! a s y et I o nly
know y our to ngue th ro ugh b ooks. T o y ou, m y f rie n d, I lo ok th at I k now it to
sp eak .”
“B ut, C ount,” I s a id , “ y ou k now a n d s p eak E nglis h t h oro ughly !” H e b ow ed
gra v ely .
“I th an k y ou, m y f rie n d, f o r y our a ll to o-fla tte rin g e stim ate , b ut y et I f e ar
th at I a m b ut a l ittle w ay o n t h e r o ad I w ould t r a v el. T ru e, I k now t h e g ra m mar
an d t h e w ord s, b ut y et I k now n ot h ow t o s p eak t h em .”
“In deed ,” I s a id , “ y ou s p eak e x celle n tly .”
“N ot s o ,” h e a n sw ere d . “ W ell, I k now th at, d id I m ove a n d s p eak in y our
London, n one th ere a re w ho w ould n ot k now m e fo r a s tr a n ger. T hat is n ot
en ough fo r m e. H ere I a m n oble ; I a m b oyar; th e c o m mon p eo ple k now m e,
an d I a m m aste r. B ut a s tr a n ger i n a s tr a n ge l a n d, h e i s n o o ne; m en k now h im
not— an d to k now n ot is to c are n ot f o r. I a m c o nte n t if I a m lik e th e r e st, s o
th at n o m an s to ps if h e s e e m e, o r p au se in h is s p eak in g if h e h ear m y w ord s,
‘H a, h a! a s tr a n ger!’ I h av e b een s o lo ng m aste r th at I w ould b e m aste r s till—
or a t le ast th at n one o th er s h ould b e m aste r o f m e. Y ou c o m e to m e n ot a lo ne
as a g en t o f m y frie n d P ete r H aw kin s, o f E xete r, to te ll m e a ll a b out m y n ew
esta te in L ondon. Y ou s h all, I tr u st, re st h ere w ith m e a w hile , s o th at b y o ur
ta lk in g I m ay l e arn t h e E nglis h i n to natio n; a n d I w ould t h at y ou t e ll m e w hen I
mak e e rro r, e v en o f th e s m alle st, in m y s p eak in g. I a m s o rry th at I h ad to b e
aw ay so lo ng to -d ay ; b ut y ou w ill, I k now , fo rg iv e o ne w ho h as so m an y
im porta n t a ff a ir s i n h an d.”
Of c o urs e I s a id a ll I c o uld a b out b ein g w illin g, a n d a sk ed if I m ig ht c o m e
in to t h at r o om w hen I c h ose . H e a n sw ere d : “ Y es, c erta in ly ,” a n d a d ded :—
“Y ou m ay g o a n yw here y ou w is h in th e c astle , e x cep t w here th e d oors a re
lo ck ed , w here o f c o urs e y ou w ill n ot w is h t o g o. T here i s r e aso n t h at a ll t h in gs
are a s th ey a re , a n d d id y ou s e e w ith m y e y es a n d k now w ith m y k now le d ge,
you w ould p erh ap s b ette r u nders ta n d.” I s a id I w as s u re o f th is , a n d th en h e wen t o n:—
“W e a re in T ra n sy lv an ia ; a n d T ra n sy lv an ia is n ot E ngla n d. O ur w ay s a re
not y our w ay s, a n d th ere s h all b e to y ou m an y s tr a n ge th in gs. N ay, f ro m w hat
you h av e to ld m e o f y our e x perie n ces a lr e ad y, y ou k now s o m eth in g o f w hat
str a n ge t h in gs t h ere m ay b e.”
This l e d t o m uch c o nvers a tio n; a n d a s i t w as e v id en t t h at h e w an te d t o t a lk ,
if o nly fo r ta lk in g’s s a k e, I a sk ed h im m an y q uestio ns re g ard in g th in gs th at
had a lr e ad y h ap pen ed to m e o r c o m e w ith in m y n otic e. S om etim es h e s h eere d
off t h e s u bje ct, o r t u rn ed t h e c o nvers a tio n b y p re te n din g n ot t o u nders ta n d; b ut
gen era lly h e a n sw ere d a ll I a sk ed m ost fra n kly . T hen a s tim e w en t o n, a n d I
had g ot so m ew hat b old er, I a sk ed h im o f so m e o f th e str a n ge th in gs o f th e
pre ced in g n ig ht, a s, f o r in sta n ce, w hy th e c o ach m an w en t to th e p la ces w here
he h ad s e en th e b lu e fla m es. H e th en e x pla in ed to m e th at it w as c o m monly
belie v ed th at o n a c erta in n ig ht o f th e y ear— la st n ig ht, in fa ct, w hen a ll e v il
sp ir its a re s u ppose d to h av e u nch eck ed s w ay — a b lu e fla m e is s e en o ver a n y
pla ce w here tr e asu re h as b een c o nceale d . “ T hat tr e asu re h as b een h id den ,” h e
wen t o n, “ in th e re g io n th ro ugh w hic h y ou c am e la st n ig ht, th ere c an b e b ut
little d oubt; f o r it w as th e g ro und f o ught o ver f o r c en tu rie s b y th e W alla ch ia n ,
th e S ax on, a n d th e T urk . W hy, th ere is h ard ly a fo ot o f s o il in a ll th is re g io n
th at h as n ot b een e n ric h ed b y th e b lo od o f m en , p atr io ts o r in vad ers . In o ld
day s th ere w ere s tir rin g tim es, w hen th e A ustr ia n a n d th e H ungaria n c am e u p
in h ord es, a n d th e p atr io ts w en t o ut to m eet th em — men a n d w om en , th e a g ed
an d th e c h ild re n to o— an d w aite d th eir c o m in g o n th e r o ck s a b ove th e p asse s,
th at th ey m ig ht sw eep d estr u ctio n o n th em w ith th eir artif ic ia l av ala n ch es.
When th e in vad er w as tr iu m phan t h e fo und b ut little , fo r w hate v er th ere w as
had b een s h elte re d i n t h e f rie n dly s o il.”
“B ut h ow ,” s a id I , “ can it h av e r e m ain ed s o lo ng u ndis c o vere d , w hen th ere
is a su re in dex to it if m en w ill b ut ta k e th e tr o uble to lo ok?” T he C ount
sm ile d , a n d a s h is lip s ra n b ack o ver h is g um s, th e lo ng, s h arp , c an in e te eth
sh ow ed o ut s tr a n gely ; h e a n sw ere d :—
“B ecau se y our p easa n t is a t h eart a c o w ard a n d a f o ol! T hose f la m es o nly
ap pear o n o ne n ig ht; a n d o n th at n ig ht n o m an o f th is la n d w ill, if h e c an h elp
it, s tir w ith out h is d oors . A nd, d ear s ir , e v en i f h e d id h e w ould n ot k now w hat
to d o. W hy, e v en th e p easa n t th at y ou te ll m e o f w ho m ark ed th e p la ce o f th e
fla m e w ould n ot k now w here to lo ok in d ay lig ht e v en f o r h is o w n w ork . E ven
you w ould n ot, I d are b e s w orn , b e a b le t o f in d t h ese p la ces a g ain ?”
“T here y ou a re r ig ht,” I s a id . “ I k now n o m ore t h an t h e d ead w here e v en t o
lo ok f o r t h em .” T hen w e d rif te d i n to o th er m atte rs .
“C om e,” h e s a id a t la st, “ te ll m e o f L ondon a n d o f th e h ouse w hic h y ou
hav e p ro cu re d fo r m e.” W ith a n a p olo gy fo r m y re m is sn ess, I w en t in to m y ow n r o om t o g et t h e p ap ers f ro m m y b ag . W hils t I w as p la cin g t h em i n o rd er I
heard a r a ttlin g o f c h in a a n d s ilv er in th e n ex t r o om , a n d a s I p asse d th ro ugh,
notic ed th at th e ta b le h ad b een c le are d a n d th e la m p lit, f o r it w as b y th is tim e
deep in to th e d ark . T he la m ps w ere a ls o lit in th e s tu dy o r lib ra ry , a n d I f o und
th e C ount ly in g o n th e so fa , re ad in g, o f a ll th in gs in th e w orld , a n E nglis h
Bra d sh aw ’s G uid e. W hen I c am e in h e c le are d th e b ooks a n d p ap ers f ro m th e
ta b le ; a n d w ith h im I w en t i n to p la n s a n d d eed s a n d f ig ure s o f a ll s o rts . H e w as
in te re ste d in e v ery th in g, a n d a sk ed m e a m yria d q uestio ns a b ou t th e p la ce a n d
its su rro undin gs. H e c le arly h ad stu die d b efo re h an d a ll h e c o uld g et o n th e
su bje ct o f th e n eig hbourh ood, fo r h e e v id en tly a t th e e n d k new v ery m uch
more t h an I d id . W hen I r e m ark ed t h is , h e a n sw ere d :—
“W ell, b ut, m y frie n d, is it n ot n eed fu l th at I s h ould ? W hen I g o th ere I
sh all b e a ll a lo ne, a n d m y f rie n d H ark er J o nath an — nay, p ard on m e, I f a ll in to
my co untr y ’s hab it of puttin g your patr o nym ic fir s t— my frie n d Jo nath an
Hark er w ill n ot b e b y m y s id e to c o rre ct a n d a id m e. H e w ill b e in E xete r,
mile s a w ay, p ro bab ly w ork in g a t p ap ers o f th e l a w w ith m y o th er f rie n d, P ete r
Haw kin s. S o!”
We w en t th oro ughly in to th e b usin ess o f th e p urc h ase o f th e esta te at
Purfle et. W hen I h ad to ld h im th e f a cts a n d g ot h is s ig natu re to th e n ecessa ry
pap ers , a n d h ad w ritte n a le tte r w ith th em re ad y to p ost to M r. H aw kin s, h e
beg an to a sk m e h ow I h ad c o m e a cro ss s o s u ita b le a p la ce. I r e ad to h im th e
note s w hic h I h ad m ad e a t t h e t im e, a n d w hic h I i n sc rib e h ere :—
“A t P urfle et, o n a b y-ro ad , I c am e a cro ss ju st s u ch a p la ce a s s e em ed to b e
re q uir e d , a n d w here w as d is p la y ed a d ila p id ate d n otic e th at th e p la ce w as f o r
sa le . I t i s s u rro unded b y a h ig h w all, o f a n cie n t s tr u ctu re , b uilt o f h eav y s to nes,
an d h as n ot b een r e p air e d f o r a la rg e n um ber o f y ears . T he c lo se d g ate s a re o f
heav y o ld o ak a n d i r o n, a ll e ate n w ith r u st.
“T he e sta te is c alle d C arfa x , n o d oubt a c o rru ptio n o f th e o ld Q uatr e F ace,
as th e h ouse is f o ur- s id ed , a g re ein g w ith th e c ard in al p oin ts o f th e c o m pass. I t
co nta in s in a ll so m e tw en ty a cre s, q uite su rro unded b y th e so lid sto ne w all
ab ove m en tio ned . T here a re m an y tr e es o n it, w hic h m ak e i t in p la ces g lo om y,
an d th ere is a d eep , d ark -lo okin g p ond o r s m all la k e, e v id en tly fe d b y s o m e
sp rin gs, a s th e w ate r is c le ar a n d f lo w s a w ay in a f a ir - s iz ed s tr e am . T he h ouse
is v ery la rg e a n d o f a ll p erio ds b ack , I s h ould s a y, to m ed iæ val tim es, f o r o ne
part i s o f s to ne i m men se ly t h ic k , w ith o nly a f e w w in dow s h ig h u p a n d h eav ily
barre d w ith ir o n. I t lo oks lik e p art o f a k eep , a n d is c lo se to a n o ld c h ap el o r
ch urc h . I c o uld n ot e n te r it, a s I h ad n ot th e k ey o f th e d oor le ad in g to it f ro m
th e h ouse , b ut I h av e t a k en w ith m y k odak v ie w s o f i t f ro m v ario us p oin ts . T he
house h as b een a d ded to , b ut in a v ery s tr a g glin g w ay, a n d I c an o nly g uess a t
th e a m ount o f g ro und it c o vers , w hic h m ust b e v ery g re at. T here a re b ut f e w
house s c lo se a t h an d, o ne b ein g a v ery la rg e h ouse o nly r e cen tly a d ded to a n d fo rm ed in to a p riv ate lu natic asy lu m . It is n ot, h ow ev er, v is ib le fro m th e
gro unds.”
When I h ad f in is h ed , h e s a id :—
“I a m g la d t h at i t i s o ld a n d b ig . I m yse lf a m o f a n o ld f a m ily , a n d t o l iv e i n
a n ew h ouse w ould k ill m e. A h ouse c an not b e m ad e h ab ita b le in a d ay ; a n d,
afte r a ll, h ow f e w d ay s g o to m ak e u p a c en tu ry . I r e jo ic e a ls o th at th ere is a
ch ap el o f o ld tim es. W e T ra n sy lv an ia n n oble s lo ve n ot to th in k th at o ur b ones
may lie a m ongst th e c o m mon d ead . I s e ek n ot g aie ty n or m ir th , n ot th e b rig ht
volu ptu ousn ess of m uch su nsh in e an d sp ark lin g w ate rs w hic h ple ase th e
young a n d g ay. I a m n o lo nger y oung; a n d m y h eart, th ro ugh w eary y ears o f
mourn in g o ver th e d ead , is n ot a ttu ned to m ir th . M ore o ver, th e w alls o f m y
castle a re b ro ken ; th e s h ad ow s a re m an y, a n d th e w in d b re ath es c o ld th ro ugh
th e b ro ken b attle m en ts a n d c ase m en ts . I lo ve th e s h ad e a n d th e s h ad ow , a n d
would b e a lo ne w ith m y th oughts w hen I m ay.” S om eh ow h is w ord s a n d h is
lo ok d id n ot s e em to a cco rd , o r e ls e it w as th at h is c ast o f f a ce m ad e h is s m ile
lo ok m alig nan t a n d s a tu rn in e.
Pre se n tly , w ith an ex cu se , h e le ft m e, ask in g m e to p ut all m y p ap ers
to geth er. H e w as s o m e little tim e a w ay, a n d I b eg an to lo ok a t s o m e o f th e
books aro und m e. O ne w as an atla s, w hic h I fo und open ed natu ra lly at
Engla n d, a s i f t h at m ap h ad b een m uch u se d . O n l o okin g a t i t I f o und i n c erta in
pla ces little r in gs m ark ed , a n d o n e x am in in g th ese I n otic ed th at o ne w as n ear
London o n th e e ast sid e, m an if e stly w here h is n ew e sta te w as situ ate d ; th e
oth er t w o w ere E xete r, a n d W hitb y o n t h e Y ork sh ir e c o ast.
It w as th e b ette r p art o f a n h our w hen th e C ount r e tu rn ed . “ A ha!” h e s a id ;
“still at y our b ooks? G ood! B ut y ou m ust n ot w ork alw ay s. C om e; I am
in fo rm ed th at y our s u pper is re ad y.” H e to ok m y a rm , a n d w e w en t in to th e
nex t ro om , w here I fo und a n e x celle n t s u pper re ad y o n th e ta b le . T he C ount
ag ain e x cu se d h im se lf , a s h e h ad d in ed o ut o n h is b ein g a w ay f ro m h om e. B ut
he s a t a s o n t h e p re v io us n ig ht, a n d c h atte d w hils t I a te . A fte r s u pper I s m oked ,
as o n th e la st e v en in g, a n d th e C ount sta y ed w ith m e, c h attin g a n d a sk in g
questio ns o n ev ery co nceiv ab le su bje ct, h our afte r h our. I fe lt th at it w as
gettin g v ery la te in deed , b ut I d id n ot s a y a n yth in g, f o r I f e lt u nder o blig atio n
to m eet m y h ost’s w is h es in e v ery w ay. I w as n ot sle ep y, a s th e lo ng sle ep
yeste rd ay h ad f o rtif ie d m e; b ut I c o uld n ot h elp e x perie n cin g th at c h ill w hic h
co m es o ver o ne a t t h e c o m in g o f t h e d aw n, w hic h i s l ik e, i n i ts w ay, t h e t u rn o f
th e t id e. T hey s a y t h at p eo ple w ho a re n ear d eath d ie g en era lly a t t h e c h an ge t o
th e d aw n o r a t th e tu rn o f th e tid e; a n y o ne w ho h as w hen tir e d , a n d tie d a s it
were t o h is p ost, e x perie n ced t h is c h an ge i n t h e a tm osp here c an w ell b elie v e i t.
All at once w e heard th e cro w of a co ck co m in g up w ith pre te rn atu ra l
sh rilln ess th ro ugh th e c le ar m orn in g a ir ; C ount D ra cu la , ju m pin g to h is fe et,
sa id :— “W hy, th ere is th e m orn in g a g ain ! H ow r e m is s I a m to le t y ou s ta y u p s o
lo ng. Y ou m ust m ak e y our c o nvers a tio n re g ard in g m y d ear n ew c o untr y o f
Engla n d le ss in te re stin g, s o th at I m ay n ot fo rg et h ow tim e flie s b y u s,” a n d,
with a c o urtly b ow , h e q uic k ly l e ft m e.
I w en t in to m y o w n ro om a n d d re w th e c u rta in s, b ut th ere w as little to
notic e; m y w in dow o pen ed in to th e c o urty ard , a ll I c o uld s e e w as th e w arm
gre y o f q uic k en in g s k y. S o I p ulle d t h e c u rta in s a g ain , a n d h av e w ritte n o f t h is
day.
8 M ay.— I b eg an to fe ar a s I w ro te in th is b ook th at I w as g ettin g to o
dif f u se ; b ut n ow I a m g la d th at I w en t in to d eta il fro m th e fir s t, fo r th ere is
so m eth in g s o s tr a n ge a b out t h is p la ce a n d a ll i n i t t h at I c an not b ut f e el u neasy .
I w is h I w ere sa fe o ut o f it, o r th at I h ad n ev er c o m e. It m ay b e th at th is
str a n ge n ig ht- e x is te n ce is te llin g o n m e; b ut w ould th at th at w ere a ll! I f th ere
were a n y o ne to ta lk to I c o uld b ear it, b ut th ere is n o o ne. I h av e o nly th e
Count to s p eak w ith , a n d h e!— I f e ar I a m m yse lf th e o nly liv in g s o ul w ith in
th e p la ce. L et m e b e p ro sa ic s o f a r a s f a cts c an b e; it w ill h elp m e to b ear u p,
an d im ag in atio n m ust n ot r u n r io t w ith m e. I f it d oes I a m lo st. L et m e s a y a t
once h ow I s ta n d— or s e em t o .
I o nly s le p t a fe w h ours w hen I w en t to b ed , a n d fe elin g th at I c o uld n ot
sle ep a n y m ore , g ot u p. I h ad h ung m y s h av in g g la ss b y th e w in dow , a n d w as
ju st b eg in nin g to s h av e. S udden ly I f e lt a h an d o n m y s h ould er, a n d h eard th e
Count’s v oic e s a y in g t o m e, “ G ood-m orn in g.” I s ta rte d , f o r i t a m azed m e t h at I
had n ot se en h im , sin ce th e re fle ctio n o f th e g la ss c o vere d th e w hole ro om
beh in d m e. In sta rtin g I h ad c u t m yse lf slig htly , b ut d id n ot n otic e it a t th e
mom en t. H av in g a n sw ere d t h e C ount’s s a lu ta tio n, I t u rn ed t o t h e g la ss a g ain t o
se e h ow I h ad b een m is ta k en . T his tim e th ere c o uld b e n o e rro r, fo r th e m an
was c lo se to m e, a n d I c o uld se e h im o ver m y sh ould er. B ut th ere w as n o
re fle ctio n o f h im i n t h e m ir ro r! T he w hole r o om b eh in d m e w as d is p la y ed ; b ut
th ere w as n o sig n o f a m an in it, ex cep t m yse lf . T his w as sta rtlin g, an d,
co m in g o n th e to p o f s o m an y s tr a n ge th in gs, w as b eg in nin g to in cre ase th at
vag ue f e elin g o f u neasin ess w hic h I a lw ay s h av e w hen th e C ount is n ear; b ut
at th e in sta n t I s a w th at th e c u t h ad b le d a little , a n d th e b lo od w as tr ic k lin g
over m y c h in . I la id d ow n th e r a zo r, tu rn in g a s I d id s o h alf r o und to lo ok f o r
so m e s tic k in g p la ste r. W hen th e C ount s a w m y fa ce, h is e y es b la zed w ith a
so rt o f d em onia c f u ry , a n d h e s u dden ly m ad e a g ra b a t m y t h ro at. I d re w a w ay,
an d h is h an d to uch ed th e s tr in g o f b ead s w hic h h eld th e c ru cif ix . It m ad e a n
in sta n t ch an ge in h im , fo r th e fu ry p asse d so q uic k ly th at I co uld h ard ly
belie v e t h at i t w as e v er t h ere .
“T ak e c are ,” h e s a id , “ ta k e c are h ow y ou c u t y ours e lf . I t i s m ore d an gero us
th an y ou th in k in th is c o untr y .” T hen s e iz in g th e s h av in g g la ss, h e w en t o n:
“A nd th is is th e w re tc h ed th in g th at h as d one th e m is c h ie f. I t is a f o ul b au ble of m an ’s v an ity . A w ay w ith it! ” an d o pen in g th e h eav y w in dow w ith o ne
wre n ch o f h is te rrib le h an d, h e f lu ng o ut th e g la ss, w hic h w as s h atte re d in to a
th ousa n d p ie ces o n th e s to nes o f th e c o urty ard fa r b elo w . T hen h e w ith dre w
with out a w ord . I t i s v ery a n noyin g, f o r I d o n ot s e e h ow I a m t o s h av e, u nle ss
in m y w atc h -c ase o r th e b otto m o f th e sh av in g-p ot, w hic h is fo rtu nate ly o f
meta l.
When I w en t in to th e d in in g-ro om , b re ak fa st w as p re p are d ; b ut I c o uld n ot
fin d t h e C ount a n yw here . S o I b re ak fa ste d a lo ne. I t i s s tr a n ge t h at a s y et I h av e
not se en th e C ount eat o r d rin k. H e m ust b e a v ery p ecu lia r m an ! A fte r
bre ak fa st I d id a little e x plo rin g in th e c astle . I w en t o ut o n th e sta ir s , a n d
fo und a r o om l o okin g t o w ard s t h e S outh . T he v ie w w as m ag nif ic en t, a n d f ro m
where I s to od th ere w as e v ery o pportu nity o f s e ein g it. T he c astle is o n th e
very e d ge o f a t e rrib le p re cip ic e. A s to ne f a llin g f ro m t h e w in dow w ould f a ll a
th ousa n d f e et w ith out to uch in g a n yth in g! A s f a r a s th e e y e c an r e ach is a s e a
of g re en tr e e to ps, w ith o ccasio nally a d eep r if t w here th ere is a c h asm . H ere
an d th ere a re s ilv er th re ad s w here th e r iv ers w in d in d eep g org es th ro ugh th e
fo re sts .
But I a m n ot in h eart to d esc rib e b eau ty , fo r w hen I h ad s e en th e v ie w I
ex plo re d f u rth er; d oors , d oors , d oors e v ery w here , a n d a ll l o ck ed a n d b olte d . I n
no p la ce s a v e f ro m t h e w in dow s i n t h e c astle w alls i s t h ere a n a v aila b le e x it.
The c astle i s a v erita b le p ris o n, a n d I a m a p ris o ner!
CH APT ER I II
JO NAT H AN H ARK ER ’S J O URNAL— co n tin ued
When I f o und th at I w as a p ris o ner a s o rt o f w ild f e elin g c am e o ver m e. I
ru sh ed u p a n d d ow n th e sta ir s , tr y in g e v ery d oor a n d p eerin g o ut o f e v ery
win dow I co uld fin d; but afte r a little th e co nvic tio n of m y help le ssn ess
overp ow ere d a ll o th er fe elin gs. W hen I lo ok b ack a fte r a fe w h ours I th in k I
must h av e b een m ad f o r th e tim e, f o r I b eh av ed m uch a s a r a t d oes in a tr a p .
When , h ow ev er, th e c o nvic tio n h ad c o m e to m e th at I w as h elp le ss I s a t d ow n
quie tly — as q uie tly a s I h av e e v er d one a n yth in g in m y lif e — an d b eg an to
th in k o ver w hat w as b est to b e d one. I a m th in kin g s till, a n d a s y et h av e c o m e
to n o d efin ite c o nclu sio n. O f o ne th in g o nly a m I c erta in ; th at it is n o u se
mak in g m y id eas k now n to th e C ount. H e k now s w ell th at I a m im pris o ned ;
an d a s h e h as d one it h im se lf , a n d h as d oubtle ss h is o w n m otiv es fo r it, h e
would o nly d eceiv e m e i f I t r u ste d h im f u lly w ith t h e f a cts . S o f a r a s I c an s e e,
my o nly p la n w ill b e to k eep m y k now le d ge a n d m y f e ars to m yse lf , a n d m y ey es o pen . I a m , I k now , e ith er b ein g d eceiv ed , lik e a b ab y, b y m y o w n f e ars ,
or e ls e I a m in d esp era te s tr a its ; a n d if th e la tte r b e s o , I n eed , a n d s h all n eed ,
all m y b ra in s t o g et t h ro ugh.
I h ad h ard ly c o m e to th is c o nclu sio n w hen I h eard th e g re at d oor b elo w
sh ut, a n d k new th at th e C ount h ad r e tu rn ed . H e d id n ot c o m e a t o nce in to th e
lib ra ry , s o I w en t c au tio usly to m y o w n r o om a n d f o und h im m ak in g th e b ed .
This w as o dd, b ut o nly c o nfir m ed w hat I h ad a ll a lo ng th ought— th at th ere
were n o s e rv an ts in th e h ouse . W hen la te r I s a w h im th ro ugh th e c h in k o f th e
hin ges o f th e d oor la y in g th e ta b le in th e d in in g-ro om , I w as a ssu re d o f it; f o r
if h e d oes h im se lf a ll t h ese m en ia l o ff ic es, s u re ly i t i s p ro of t h at t h ere i s n o o ne
els e to d o th em . T his g av e m e a f rig ht, f o r if th ere is n o o ne e ls e in th e c astle ,
it m ust h av e b een th e C ount h im se lf w ho w as th e d riv er o f th e c o ach th at
bro ught m e h ere . T his i s a t e rrib le t h ought; f o r i f s o , w hat d oes i t m ean t h at h e
co uld c o ntr o l th e w olv es, a s h e d id , b y o nly h old in g u p h is h an d in s ile n ce.
How w as it th at a ll th e p eo ple a t B is tr itz a n d o n th e c o ach h ad s o m e te rrib le
fe ar fo r m e? W hat m ean t th e g iv in g o f th e c ru cif ix , o f th e g arlic , o f th e w ild
ro se , of th e m ounta in ash ? B le ss th at good, good w om an w ho hung th e
cru cif ix ro und m y n eck ! fo r it is a c o m fo rt a n d a s tr e n gth to m e w hen ev er I
to uch it. It is odd th at a th in g w hic h I hav e been ta u ght to re g ard w ith
dis fa v our a n d a s id ola tr o us s h ould in a tim e o f lo nelin ess a n d tr o uble b e o f
help . I s i t t h at t h ere i s s o m eth in g i n t h e e sse n ce o f t h e t h in g i ts e lf , o r t h at i t i s a
med iu m , a ta n gib le h elp , in c o nvey in g m em orie s o f s y m path y a n d c o m fo rt?
Som e tim e, if it m ay b e, I m ust e x am in e th is m atte r a n d tr y to m ak e u p m y
min d a b out it. I n th e m ean tim e I m ust f in d o ut a ll I c an a b out C ount D ra cu la ,
as it m ay h elp m e to u nders ta n d. T o-n ig ht h e m ay ta lk o f h im se lf , if I tu rn th e
co nvers a tio n th at w ay. I m ust b e v ery care fu l, h ow ev er, n ot to aw ak e h is
su sp ic io n.
Mid nig ht.— I h av e h ad a lo ng ta lk w ith th e C ount. I ask ed h im a fe w
questio ns on Tra n sy lv an ia his to ry , an d he w arm ed up to th e su bje ct
wonderfu lly . I n h is s p eak in g o f t h in gs a n d p eo ple , a n d e sp ecia ll y o f b attle s, h e
sp oke a s if h e h ad b een p re se n t a t th em a ll. T his h e a fte rw ard s e x pla in ed b y
sa y in g th at to a b oyar th e p rid e o f h is h ouse a n d n am e is h is o w n p rid e, th at
th eir g lo ry is h is g lo ry , th at th eir fa te is h is fa te . W hen ev er h e s p oke o f h is
house he alw ay s sa id “w e,” an d sp oke alm ost in th e plu ra l, lik e a kin g
sp eak in g. I w is h I c o uld p ut d ow n a ll h e s a id e x actly a s h e s a id it, f o r to m e it
was m ost fa sc in atin g. It s e em ed to h av e in it a w hole h is to ry o f th e c o untr y .
He g re w e x cite d a s h e sp oke, a n d w alk ed a b out th e ro om p ullin g h is g re at
white m ousta ch e a n d g ra sp in g a n yth in g o n w hic h h e la id h is h an ds a s th ough
he w ould c ru sh it b y m ain s tr e n gth . O ne th in g h e s a id w hic h I s h all p ut d ow n
as n early a s I c an ; f o r i t t e lls i n i ts w ay t h e s to ry o f h is r a ce:—
“W e S zek ely s h av e a r ig ht to b e p ro ud, f o r in o ur v ein s f lo w s th e b lo od o f man y b ra v e ra ces w ho fo ught a s th e lio n fig hts , fo r lo rd sh ip . H ere , in th e
whir lp ool o f E uro pean ra ces, th e U gric tr ib e b ore d ow n fro m Ic ela n d th e
fig htin g sp ir it w hic h T hor an d W odin gav e th em , w hic h th eir B ers e rk ers
dis p la y ed to s u ch fe ll in te n t o n th e s e ab oard s o f E uro pe, a y, a n d o f A sia a n d
Afric a t o o, t ill t h e p eo ple s t h ought t h at t h e w ere -w olv es t h em se lv es h ad c o m e.
Here , to o, w hen th ey c am e, th ey fo und th e H uns, w hose w arlik e fu ry h ad
sw ep t th e e arth lik e a liv in g fla m e, till th e d yin g p eo ple s h eld th at in th eir
vein s ra n th e b lo od o f th ose o ld w itc h es, w ho, ex pelle d fro m S cy th ia h ad
mate d w ith t h e d ev ils i n t h e d ese rt. F ools , f o ols ! W hat d ev il o r w hat w itc h w as
ev er s o g re at a s A ttila , w hose b lo od is in th ese v ein s? ” H e h eld u p h is a rm s.
“Is i t a w onder t h at w e w ere a c o nquerin g r a ce; t h at w e w ere p ro ud; t h at w hen
th e M ag yar, th e L om bard , th e A var, th e B ulg ar, or th e T urk poure d his
th ousa n ds o n o ur f ro ntie rs , w e d ro ve t h em b ack ? I s i t s tr a n ge t h at w hen A rp ad
an d h is l e g io ns s w ep t t h ro ugh t h e H ungaria n f a th erla n d h e f o und u s h ere w hen
he r e ach ed th e f ro ntie r; th at th e H onfo gla la s w as c o m ple te d th ere ? A nd w hen
th e H ungaria n f lo od s w ep t e astw ard , th e S zek ely s w ere c la im ed a s k in dre d b y
th e v ic to rio us M ag yars , a n d t o u s f o r c en tu rie s w as tr u ste d t h e g uard in g o f t h e
fro ntie r o f T urk ey -la n d; a y, a n d m ore th an th at, e n dle ss d uty o f th e fro ntie r
guard , f o r, a s th e T urk s s a y, ‘ w ate r s le ep s, a n d e n em y is s le ep le ss.’ W ho m ore
gla d ly th an w e th ro ughout th e F our N atio ns r e ceiv ed th e ‘ b lo ody s w ord ,’ o r a t
its w arlik e call flo ck ed quic k er to th e sta n dard of th e K in g? W hen w as
re d eem ed t h at g re at s h am e o f m y n atio n, t h e s h am e o f C asso va, w hen t h e f la g s
of th e W alla ch a n d th e M ag yar w en t d ow n b en eath th e C re sc en t? W ho w as it
but o ne o f m y o w n r a ce w ho a s V oiv ode c ro sse d t h e D an ube a n d b eat t h e T urk
on h is o w n g ro und? T his w as a D ra cu la in deed ! W oe w as it th at h is o w n
unw orth y b ro th er, w hen h e h ad f a lle n , s o ld h is p eo ple to t h e T urk a n d b ro ught
th e s h am e o f s la v ery o n th em ! W as it n ot th is D ra cu la , in deed , w ho in sp ir e d
th at o th er o f h is r a ce w ho i n a l a te r a g e a g ain a n d a g ain b ro ught h is f o rc es o ver
th e g re at r iv er in to T urk ey -la n d; w ho, w hen h e w as b eate n b ack , c am e a g ain ,
an d ag ain , an d ag ain , th ough h e h ad to co m e alo ne fro m th e b lo ody fie ld
where h is tr o ops w ere b ein g s la u ghte re d , s in ce h e k new th at h e a lo ne c o uld
ultim ate ly t r iu m ph! T hey s a id t h at h e t h ought o nly o f h im se lf . B ah ! w hat g ood
are p easa n ts w ith out a l e ad er? W here e n ds t h e w ar w ith out a b ra in a n d h eart t o
co nduct it? A gain , w hen , afte r th e battle of M ohács, w e th re w off th e
Hungaria n y oke, w e o f th e D ra cu la b lo od w ere a m ongst th eir le ad ers , f o r o ur
sp ir it w ould n ot b ro ok t h at w e w ere n ot f re e. A h, y oung s ir , t h e S zek ely s— an d
th e D ra cu la a s th eir h eart’s b lo od, th eir b ra in s, a n d th eir s w ord s— can b oast a
re co rd th at m ush ro om g ro w th s lik e th e H ap sb urg s an d th e R om an off s can
nev er r e ach . T he w arlik e d ay s a re o ver. B lo od is to o p re cio us a th in g in th ese
day s o f d is h onoura b le p eace; a n d t h e g lo rie s o f t h e g re at r a ces a re a s a t a le t h at
is t o ld .”
It w as b y th is tim e c lo se o n m orn in g, a n d w e w en t to b ed . (M em ., th is dia ry se em s horrib ly lik e th e beg in nin g of th e “A ra b ia n N ig hts ,” fo r
ev ery th in g h as t o b re ak o ff a t c o ck cro w — or l ik e t h e g host o f H am le t’s f a th er.)
12 M ay.— Let m e b eg in w ith f a cts — bare , m eag re f a cts , v erif ie d b y b ooks
an d f ig ure s, a n d o f w hic h t h ere c an b e n o d oubt. I m ust n ot c o nfu se t h em w ith
ex perie n ces w hic h w ill h av e t o r e st o n m y o w n o bse rv atio n, o r m y m em ory o f
th em . L ast e v en in g w hen th e C ount c am e fro m h is ro om h e b eg an b y a sk in g
me q uestio ns o n le g al m atte rs a n d o n th e d oin g o f c erta in k in ds o f b usin ess. I
had s p en t th e d ay w earily o ver b ooks, a n d, s im ply to k eep m y m in d o ccu pie d ,
wen t o ver s o m e o f th e m atte rs I h ad b een e x am in ed in a t L in co ln ’s I n n. T here
was a c erta in m eth od in th e C ount’s in quir ie s, s o I s h all tr y to p ut th em d ow n
in s e q uen ce; t h e k now le d ge m ay s o m eh ow o r s o m e t im e b e u se fu l t o m e.
Fir s t, h e a sk ed if a m an in E ngla n d m ig ht h av e tw o s o lic ito rs o r m ore . I
to ld h im h e m ig ht h av e a d ozen if h e w is h ed , b ut th at it w ould n ot b e w is e to
hav e m ore t h an o ne s o lic ito r e n gag ed i n o ne t r a n sa ctio n, a s o nly o ne c o uld a ct
at a tim e, a n d th at to c h an ge w ould b e c erta in to m ilita te a g ain st h is in te re st.
He s e em ed t h oro ughly t o u nders ta n d, a n d w en t o n t o a sk i f t h ere w ould b e a n y
pra ctic al d if f ic u lty i n h av in g o ne m an t o a tte n d, s a y, t o b an kin g, a n d a n oth er t o
lo ok a fte r sh ip pin g, in c ase lo cal h elp w ere n eed ed in a p la ce fa r fro m th e
hom e o f th e b an kin g so lic ito r. I a sk ed h im to e x pla in m ore fu lly , so th at I
mig ht n ot b y a n y c h an ce m is le ad h im , s o h e s a id :—
“I s h all i llu str a te . Y our f rie n d a n d m in e, M r. P ete r H aw kin s, f ro m u nder t h e
sh ad ow o f y our b eau tif u l c ath ed ra l a t E xete r, w hic h is f a r f ro m L ondon, b uys
fo r m e th ro ugh y our g ood s e lf m y p la ce a t L ondon. G ood! N ow h ere le t m e
sa y f ra n kly , le st y ou s h ould th in k it s tr a n ge th at I h av e s o ught th e s e rv ic es o f
one s o f a r o ff f ro m L ondon i n ste ad o f s o m e o ne r e sid en t t h ere , t h at m y m otiv e
was th at n o lo cal in te re st m ig ht b e s e rv ed s a v e m y w is h o nly ; a n d a s o ne o f
London re sid en ce m ig ht, p erh ap s, h av e s o m e p urp ose o f h im se lf o r frie n d to
se rv e, I w en t t h us a fie ld t o s e ek m y a g en t, w hose l a b ours s h ould b e o nly t o m y
in te re st. N ow , s u ppose I , w ho h av e m uch o f a ff a ir s , w is h t o s h ip g oods, s a y, t o
New castle , o r D urh am , o r H arw ic h , o r D over, m ig ht i t n ot b e t h at i t c o uld w ith
more ease b e d one b y co nsig nin g to o ne in th ese p orts ? ” I an sw ere d th at
certa in ly it w ould b e m ost e asy , b ut th at w e s o lic ito rs h ad a s y ste m o f a g en cy
one f o r th e o th er, s o th at lo cal w ork c o uld b e d one lo cally o n in str u ctio n f ro m
an y so lic ito r, so th at th e c lie n t, sim ply p la cin g h im se lf in th e h an ds o f o ne
man , c o uld h av e h is w is h es c arrie d o ut b y h im w ith out f u rth er t r o uble .
“B ut,” s a id h e, “ I c o uld b e a t l ib erty t o d ir e ct m yse lf . I s i t n ot s o ?”
“O f c o urs e ,” I r e p lie d ; a n d “ su ch i s o fte n d one b y m en o f b usin ess, w ho d o
not l ik e t h e w hole o f t h eir a ff a ir s t o b e k now n b y a n y o ne p ers o n.”
“G ood!” h e sa id , an d th en w en t o n to ask ab out th e m ean s o f m ak in g
co nsig nm en ts a n d th e f o rm s to b e g one th ro ugh, a n d o f a ll s o rts o f d if f ic u ltie s whic h m ig ht a ris e , b ut b y f o re th ought c o uld b e g uard ed a g ain st. I e x pla in ed a ll
th ese t h in gs t o h im t o t h e b est o f m y a b ility , a n d h e c erta in ly l e ft m e u nder t h e
im pre ssio n th at h e w ould h av e m ad e a w onderfu l so lic ito r, fo r th ere w as
noth in g th at h e d id n ot th in k o f o r fo re se e. F or a m an w ho w as n ev er in th e
co untr y , an d w ho d id n ot ev id en tly d o m uch in th e w ay o f b usin ess, h is
know le d ge a n d a cu m en w ere w onderfu l. W hen h e h ad sa tis fie d h im se lf o n
th ese p oin ts o f w hic h h e h ad s p oken , a n d I h ad v erif ie d a ll a s w ell a s I c o uld
by t h e b ooks a v aila b le , h e s u dden ly s to od u p a n d s a id :—
“H av e y ou w ritte n s in ce y our f ir s t le tte r to o ur f rie n d M r. P ete r H aw kin s,
or t o a n y o th er? ” I t w as w ith s o m e b itte rn ess i n m y h eart t h at I a n sw ere d t h at I
had n ot, th at as y et I h ad n ot se en an y o pportu nity o f se n din g le tte rs to
an ybody.
“T hen w rite n ow , m y y oung frie n d,” h e s a id , la y in g a h eav y h an d o n m y
sh ould er: “ w rite to o ur f rie n d a n d to a n y o th er; a n d s a y, if it w ill p le ase y ou,
th at y ou s h all s ta y w ith m e u ntil a m onth f ro m n ow .”
“D o y ou w is h m e to s ta y s o lo ng?” I a sk ed , f o r m y h eart g re w c o ld a t th e
th ought.
“I d esir e it m uch ; n ay, I w ill ta k e n o r e fu sa l. W hen y our m aste r, e m plo yer,
what you w ill, en gag ed th at so m eo ne sh ould co m e on his beh alf , it w as
unders to od th at m y n eed s o nly w ere to b e c o nsu lte d . I h av e n ot s tin te d . Is it
not s o ?”
What c o uld I d o b ut b ow a ccep ta n ce? It w as M r. H aw kin s’s in te re st, n ot
min e, a n d I h ad to th in k o f h im , n ot m yse lf ; a n d b esid es, w hile C ount D ra cu la
was s p eak in g, th ere w as th at in h is e y es a n d in h is b earin g w hic h m ad e m e
re m em ber th at I w as a p ris o ner, a n d th at if I w is h ed it I c o uld h av e n o c h oic e.
The C ount s a w h is v ic to ry in m y b ow , a n d h is m aste ry in th e tr o uble o f m y
fa ce, f o r h e b eg an a t o nce to u se th em , b ut in h is o w n s m ooth , r e sis tle ss w ay :
—
“I p ra y y ou, m y g ood y oung frie n d, th at y ou w ill n ot d is c o urs e o f th in gs
oth er th an b usin ess in y our le tte rs . It w ill d oubtle ss p le ase y our frie n ds to
know th at y ou a re w ell, a n d th at y ou lo ok f o rw ard to g ettin g h om e to th em . I s
it n ot so ?” A s h e sp oke h e h an ded m e th re e sh eets o f n ote -p ap er a n d th re e
en velo pes. T hey w ere a ll o f th e th in nest fo re ig n p ost, a n d lo okin g a t th em ,
th en a t h im , a n d n otic in g h is q uie t s m ile , w ith th e s h arp , c an in e te eth ly in g
over t h e r e d u nderlip , I u nders to od a s w ell a s i f h e h ad s p oken t h at I s h ould b e
care fu l w hat I w ro te , f o r h e w ould b e a b le to r e ad it. S o I d ete rm in ed to w rite
only f o rm al n ote s n ow , b ut to w rite f u lly to M r. H aw kin s in s e cre t, a n d a ls o to
Min a, f o r to h er I c o uld w rite in s h orth an d, w hic h w ould p uzzle th e C ount, if
he d id s e e it. W hen I h ad w ritte n m y tw o le tte rs I s a t q uie t, re ad in g a b ook
whils t th e C ount w ro te se v era l n ote s, re fe rrin g as h e w ro te th em to so m e books o n h is ta b le . T hen h e to ok u p m y tw o a n d p la ced th em w ith h is o w n,
an d p ut b y h is w ritin g m ate ria ls , a fte r w hic h , th e in sta n t th e d oor h ad c lo se d
beh in d h im , I le an ed o ver a n d lo oked a t th e le tte rs , w hic h w ere f a ce d ow n o n
th e ta b le . I f e lt n o c o m punctio n in d oin g s o , f o r u nder th e c ir c u m sta n ces I f e lt
th at I s h ould p ro te ct m yse lf i n e v ery w ay I c o uld .
One of th e le tte rs w as dir e cte d to S am uel F. B illin gto n, N o. 7, T he
Cre sc en t, W hitb y, a n oth er to H err L eu tn er, V arn a; th e th ir d w as to C outts &
Co., L ondon, a n d th e f o urth to H erre n K lo psto ck & B illr e u th , b an kers , B uda-
Pesth . T he s e co nd a n d f o urth w ere u nse ale d . I w as ju st a b out to lo ok a t th em
when I sa w th e d oor- h an dle m ove. I sa n k b ack in m y se at, h av in g ju st h ad
tim e to r e p la ce th e le tte rs a s th ey h ad b een a n d to r e su m e m y b ook b efo re th e
Count, h old in g s till a n oth er le tte r in h is h an d, e n te re d th e ro om . H e to ok u p
th e le tte rs o n th e ta b le a n d s ta m ped th em c are fu lly , a n d th en tu rn in g to m e,
sa id :—
“I tr u st y ou w ill fo rg iv e m e, b ut I h av e m uch w ork to d o in p riv ate th is
ev en in g. Y ou w ill, I h ope, f in d a ll th in gs a s y ou w is h .” A t th e d oor h e tu rn ed ,
an d a fte r a m om en t’s p au se s a id :—
“L et m e a d vis e y ou, m y d ear y oung f rie n d— nay, le t m e w arn y ou w ith a ll
se rio usn ess, th at s h ould y ou le av e th ese r o om s y ou w ill n ot b y a n y c h an ce g o
to s le ep in a n y o th er p art o f th e c astle . I t is o ld , a n d h as m an y m em orie s, a n d
th ere a re b ad d re am s f o r th ose w ho s le ep u nw is e ly . B e w arn ed ! S hould s le ep
now o r e v er o verc o m e y ou, o r b e lik e to d o, th en h aste to y our o w n c h am ber
or to th ese r o om s, f o r y our r e st w ill th en b e s a fe . B ut if y ou b e n ot c are fu l in
th is re sp ect, th en ”— He fin is h ed his sp eech in a gru eso m e w ay, fo r he
motio ned w ith h is h an ds a s if h e w ere w ash in g th em . I q uite u nders to od; m y
only d oubt w as as to w heth er an y d re am co uld b e m ore te rrib le th an th e
unnatu ra l, h orrib le n et o f g lo om a n d m yste ry w hic h se em ed c lo sin g a ro und
me.
Late r.— I e n dors e th e la st w ord s w ritte n , b ut th is tim e th ere is n o d oubt in
questio n. I s h all n ot f e ar to s le ep in a n y p la ce w here h e is n ot. I h av e p la ced
th e c ru cif ix o ver t h e h ead o f m y b ed — I i m ag in e t h at m y r e st i s t h us f re er f ro m
dre am s; a n d t h ere i t s h all r e m ain .
When h e le ft m e I w en t to m y ro om . A fte r a little w hile , n ot h earin g a n y
so und, I cam e o ut an d w en t u p th e sto ne sta ir to w here I co uld lo ok o ut
to w ard s th e S outh . T here w as so m e se n se o f fre ed om in th e v ast e x pan se ,
in accessib le t h ough i t w as t o m e, a s c o m pare d w ith t h e n arro w d ark ness o f t h e
co urty ard . L ookin g o ut o n t h is , I f e lt t h at I w as i n deed i n p ris o n, a n d I s e em ed
to w an t a b re ath o f f re sh a ir , t h ough i t w ere o f t h e n ig ht. I a m b eg in nin g t o f e el
th is n octu rn al e x is te n ce t e ll o n m e. I t i s d estr o yin g m y n erv e. I s ta rt a t m y o w n
sh ad ow , a n d a m f u ll o f a ll s o rts o f h orrib le im ag in in gs. G od k now s th at th ere is g ro und fo r m y te rrib le fe ar in th is a ccu rs e d p la ce! I lo oked o ut o ver th e
beau tif u l e x pan se , b ath ed i n s o ft y ello w m oonlig ht t ill i t w as a lm ost a s l ig ht a s
day. In th e s o ft lig ht th e d is ta n t h ills b ecam e m elte d , a n d th e s h ad ow s in th e
valle y s a n d g org es o f v elv ety b la ck ness. T he m ere b eau ty s e em ed t o c h eer m e;
th ere w as p eace a n d c o m fo rt in e v ery b re ath I d re w . A s I le an ed fro m th e
win dow m y e y e w as c au ght b y so m eth in g m ovin g a sto re y b elo w m e, a n d
so m ew hat to m y le ft, w here I im ag in ed , f ro m th e o rd er o f th e r o om s, th at th e
win dow s o f th e C ount’s o w n ro om w ould lo ok o ut. T he w in dow a t w hic h I
sto od w as ta ll a n d d eep , s to ne-m ullio ned , a n d th ough w eath erw orn , w as s till
co m ple te ; b ut it w as e v id en tly m an y a d ay sin ce th e c ase h ad b een th ere . I
dre w b ack b eh in d t h e s to new ork , a n d l o oked c are fu lly o ut.
What I s a w w as th e C ount’s h ead c o m in g o ut f ro m th e w in dow . I d id n ot
se e th e fa ce, b ut I k new th e m an b y th e n eck a n d th e m ovem en t o f h is b ack
an d a rm s. I n a n y c ase I c o uld n ot m is ta k e th e h an ds w hic h I h ad h ad s o m an y
opportu nitie s o f s tu dyin g. I w as a t f ir s t i n te re ste d a n d s o m ew hat a m use d , f o r i t
is w onderfu l h ow s m all a m atte r w ill in te re st a n d a m use a m an w hen h e is a
pris o ner. B ut m y v ery f e elin gs c h an ged to r e p uls io n a n d te rro r w hen I s a w th e
whole m an slo w ly em erg e fro m th e w in dow an d b eg in to cra w l d ow n th e
castle w all o ver th at d re ad fu l a b yss, fa ce d ow n w ith h is c lo ak s p re ad in g o ut
aro und h im lik e g re at w in gs. A t f ir s t I c o uld n ot b elie v e m y e y es. I th ought it
was so m e tr ic k o f th e m oonlig ht, so m e w eir d e ff e ct o f sh ad ow ; b ut I k ep t
lo okin g, a n d it c o uld b e n o d elu sio n. I sa w th e fin gers a n d to es g ra sp th e
co rn ers o f th e s to nes, w orn c le ar o f th e m orta r b y th e s tr e ss o f y ears , a n d b y
th us u sin g e v ery p ro je ctio n a n d i n eq uality m ove d ow nw ard s w ith c o nsid era b le
sp eed , j u st a s a l iz ard m oves a lo ng a w all.
What m an ner of m an is th is , or w hat m an ner of cre atu re is it in th e
se m bla n ce o f m an ? I f e el th e d re ad o f th is h orrib le p la ce o verp ow erin g m e; I
am in f e ar— in a w fu l f e ar— an d th ere is n o e sc ap e f o r m e; I a m e n co m passe d
ab out w ith t e rro rs t h at I d are n ot t h in k o f....
15 M ay.— Once m ore h av e I s e en th e C ount g o o ut in h is liz ard fa sh io n.
He m oved d ow nw ard s i n a s id elo ng w ay, s o m e h undre d f e et d ow n, a n d a g ood
deal to th e le ft. H e v an is h ed in to s o m e h ole o r w in dow . W hen h is h ead h ad
dis a p peare d , I le an ed o ut to tr y a n d s e e m ore , b ut w ith out a v ail— th e d is ta n ce
was to o g re at to a llo w a p ro per a n gle o f s ig ht. I k new h e h ad le ft th e c astle
now , a n d t h ought t o u se t h e o pportu nity t o e x plo re m ore t h an I h ad d are d t o d o
as y et. I w en t b ack to th e ro om , a n d ta k in g a la m p, tr ie d a ll th e d oors . T hey
were a ll lo ck ed , a s I h ad e x pecte d , a n d th e lo ck s w ere c o m para tiv ely n ew ; b ut
I w en t d ow n th e s to ne s ta ir s to th e h all w here I h ad e n te re d o rig in ally . I f o und
I c o uld p ull b ack th e b olts e asily e n ough a n d u nhook th e g re at c h ain s; b ut th e
door w as lo ck ed , a n d th e k ey w as g one! T hat k ey m ust b e in th e C ount’s
ro om ; I m ust w atc h sh ould h is d oor b e u nlo ck ed , so th at I m ay g et it a n d esc ap e. I w en t o n to m ak e a th oro ugh e x am in atio n o f th e v ario us s ta ir s a n d
passa g es, a n d t o t r y t h e d oors t h at o pen ed f ro m t h em . O ne o r t w o s m all r o om s
near th e h all w ere o pen , b ut th ere w as n oth in g to se e in th em ex cep t o ld
fu rn itu re , d usty w ith a g e a n d m oth -e ate n . A t l a st, h ow ev er, I f o und o ne d oor a t
th e to p o f th e sta ir w ay w hic h , th ough it se em ed to b e lo ck ed , g av e a little
under p re ssu re . I tr ie d it h ard er, a n d fo und th at it w as n ot re ally lo ck ed , b ut
th at t h e r e sis ta n ce c am e f ro m t h e f a ct t h at t h e h in ges h ad f a lle n s o m ew hat, a n d
th e h eav y d oor r e ste d o n th e f lo or. H ere w as a n o pportu nity w hic h I m ig ht n ot
hav e a g ain , s o I e x erte d m yse lf , a n d w ith m an y e ff o rts f o rc ed it b ack s o th at I
co uld e n te r. I w as n ow in a w in g o f th e c astle fu rth er to th e rig ht th an th e
ro om s I k new a n d a s to re y l o w er d ow n. F ro m t h e w in dow s I c o uld s e e t h at t h e
su ite o f ro om s la y a lo ng to th e so uth o f th e c astle , th e w in dow s o f th e e n d
ro om lo okin g o ut b oth w est a n d so uth . O n th e la tte r sid e, a s w ell a s to th e
fo rm er, th ere w as a g re at p re cip ic e. T he c astle w as b uilt o n th e c o rn er o f a
gre at r o ck , s o th at o n th re e s id es it w as q uite im pre g nab le , a n d g re at w in dow s
were pla ced here w here slin g, or bow , or cu lv erin co uld not re ach , an d
co nse q uen tly lig ht an d co m fo rt, im possib le to a p ositio n w hic h h ad to b e
guard ed , w ere se cu re d . T o th e w est w as a g re at v alle y, a n d th en , ris in g fa r
aw ay, g re at ja g ged m ounta in fa stn esse s, ris in g p eak o n p eak , th e s h eer ro ck
stu dded w ith m ounta in ash an d th orn , w hose ro ots clu ng in cra ck s an d
cre v ic es a n d c ra n nie s o f t h e s to ne. T his w as e v id en tly th e p ortio n o f t h e c astle
occu pie d b y th e la d ie s in b ygone d ay s, fo r th e fu rn itu re h ad m ore air o f
co m fo rt th an a n y I h ad s e en . T he w in dow s w ere c u rta in le ss, a n d th e y ello w
moonlig ht, flo odin g in th ro ugh th e d ia m ond p an es, e n ab le d o ne to s e e e v en
co lo urs , w hils t it s o fte n ed th e w ealth o f d ust w hic h la y o ver a ll a n d d is g uis e d
in s o m e m easu re th e r a v ag es o f tim e a n d th e m oth . M y la m p s e em ed to b e o f
little e ff e ct in th e b rillia n t m oonlig ht, b ut I w as g la d to h av e it w ith m e, fo r
th ere w as a d re ad lo nelin ess in th e p la ce w hic h c h ille d m y h eart a n d m ad e m y
nerv es tr e m ble . S till, it w as b ette r th an liv in g a lo ne in th e r o om s w hic h I h ad
co m e to h ate f ro m th e p re se n ce o f th e C ount, a n d a fte r tr y in g a little to s c h ool
my n erv es, I f o und a s o ft q uie tu de c o m e o ver m e. H ere I a m , s ittin g a t a little
oak ta b le w here in o ld tim es p ossib ly s o m e fa ir la d y s a t to p en , w ith m uch
th ought a n d m an y b lu sh es, h er ill- s p elt lo ve-le tte r, a n d w ritin g in m y d ia ry in
sh orth an d a ll th at h as h ap pen ed s in ce I c lo se d it la st. It is n in ete en th c en tu ry
up-to -d ate w ith a v en gean ce. A nd y et, u nle ss m y s e n se s d eceiv e m e, th e o ld
cen tu rie s h ad , a n d h av e, p ow ers o f th eir o w n w hic h m ere “ m odern ity ” c an not
kill.
Late r: th e M orn in g o f 1 6 M ay.— God p re se rv e m y s a n ity , f o r to th is I a m
re d uced . S afe ty a n d t h e a ssu ra n ce o f s a fe ty a re t h in gs o f t h e p ast. W hils t I l iv e
on h ere th ere is b ut o ne th in g to h ope f o r, th at I m ay n ot g o m ad , if , in deed , I
be n ot m ad a lr e ad y. I f I b e s a n e, t h en s u re ly i t i s m ad den in g t o t h in k t h at o f a ll
th e f o ul th in gs th at lu rk in th is h ate fu l p la ce th e C ount is th e le ast d re ad fu l to me; th at to h im a lo ne I c an lo ok f o r s a fe ty , e v en th ough th is b e o nly w hils t I
can s e rv e h is p urp ose . G re at G od! m erc if u l G od! L et m e b e c alm , fo r o ut o f
th at w ay l ie s m ad ness i n deed . I b eg in t o g et n ew l ig hts o n c erta in t h in gs w hic h
hav e p uzzle d m e. U p to n ow I n ev er q uite k new w hat S hak esp eare m ean t
when h e m ad e H am le t s a y :—
“M y t a b le ts ! q uic k , m y t a b le ts !
’T is m eet t h at I p ut i t d ow n,” e tc .,
fo r n ow , f e elin g a s th ough m y o w n b ra in w ere u nhin ged o r a s if th e s h ock
had c o m e w hic h m ust e n d in its u ndoin g, I tu rn to m y d ia ry fo r re p ose . T he
hab it o f e n te rin g a ccu ra te ly m ust h elp t o s o oth e m e.
The C ount’s m yste rio us w arn in g f rig hte n ed m e a t th e tim e; it f rig hte n s m e
more n ow w hen I th in k o f it, fo r in fu tu re h e h as a fe arfu l h old u pon m e. I
sh all f e ar t o d oubt w hat h e m ay s a y !
When I h ad w ritte n in m y d ia ry a n d h ad f o rtu nate ly r e p la ced th e b ook a n d
pen in m y p ock et I f e lt s le ep y. T he C ount’s w arn in g c am e in to m y m in d, b ut I
to ok a p le asu re in d is o bey in g it. T he s e n se o f s le ep w as u pon m e, a n d w ith it
th e o bstin acy w hic h s le ep b rin gs a s o utr id er. T he s o ft m oonlig ht s o oth ed , a n d
th e w id e ex pan se w ith out g av e a se n se o f fre ed om w hic h re fre sh ed m e. I
dete rm in ed n ot to re tu rn to -n ig ht to th e g lo om -h au nte d ro om s, b ut to sle ep
here , w here , o f o ld , la d ie s h ad s a t a n d s u ng a n d liv ed s w eet liv es w hils t th eir
gen tle b re asts w ere sa d fo r th eir m en fo lk a w ay in th e m id st o f re m ors e le ss
wars . I d re w a g re at c o uch o ut o f its p la ce n ear th e c o rn er, s o th at a s I la y, I
co uld lo ok at th e lo vely vie w to east an d so uth , an d unth in kin g of an d
uncarin g f o r t h e d ust, c o m pose d m yse lf f o r s le ep . I s u ppose I m ust h av e f a lle n
asle ep ; I h ope s o , b ut I f e ar, f o r a ll th at f o llo w ed w as s ta rtlin gly r e al— so r e al
th at n ow s ittin g h ere in th e b ro ad , f u ll s u nlig ht o f th e m orn in g, I c an not in th e
le ast b elie v e t h at i t w as a ll s le ep .
I w as n ot a lo ne. T he ro om w as th e s a m e, u nch an ged in a n y w ay s in ce I
cam e in to it; I c o uld s e e a lo ng th e flo or, in th e b rillia n t m oonlig ht, m y o w n
fo ots te p s m ark ed w here I h ad d is tu rb ed th e lo ng a ccu m ula tio n o f d ust. I n th e
moonlig ht o pposite m e w ere th re e y oung w om en , la d ie s b y th eir d re ss a n d
man ner. I th ought a t th e tim e th at I m ust b e d re am in g w hen I s a w th em , fo r,
th ough th e m oonlig ht w as b eh in d th em , th ey th re w n o s h ad ow o n th e flo or.
They c am e c lo se to m e, a n d lo oked a t m e f o r s o m e tim e, a n d th en w his p ere d
to geth er. T w o w ere d ark , a n d h ad h ig h a q uilin e n ose s, lik e th e C ount, a n d
gre at d ark , p ie rc in g e y es th at s e em ed to b e a lm ost re d w hen c o ntr a ste d w ith
th e p ale y ello w m oon. T he o th er w as fa ir , a s fa ir a s c an b e, w ith g re at w av y
masse s o f g old en h air a n d e y es lik e p ale sa p phir e s. I se em ed so m eh ow to
know h er fa ce, a n d to k now it in c o nnectio n w ith so m e d re am y fe ar, b ut I
co uld n ot r e co lle ct a t th e m om en t h ow o r w here . A ll th re e h ad b rillia n t w hite te eth t h at s h one l ik e p earls a g ain st t h e r u by o f t h eir v olu ptu ous l ip s. T here w as
so m eth in g a b out th em th at m ad e m e u neasy , so m e lo ngin g a n d a t th e sa m e
tim e s o m e d ead ly fe ar. I fe lt in m y h eart a w ic k ed , b urn in g d esir e th at th ey
would k is s m e w ith th ose r e d lip s. I t is n ot g ood to n ote th is d ow n, le st s o m e
day it s h ould m eet M in a’s e y es a n d c au se h er p ain ; b ut it is th e tr u th . T hey
whis p ere d to geth er, a n d th en th ey a ll th re e la u ghed — su ch a s ilv ery , m usic al
la u gh, b ut a s h ard a s th ough th e so und n ev er c o uld h av e c o m e th ro ugh th e
so ftn ess o f h um an l ip s. I t w as l ik e t h e i n to le ra b le , t in glin g s w eetn ess o f w ate r-
gla sse s w hen p la y ed o n b y a cu nnin g h an d. T he fa ir g ir l sh ook h er h ead
co quettis h ly , a n d t h e o th er t w o u rg ed h er o n. O ne s a id :—
“G o o n! Y ou a re f ir s t, a n d w e s h all f o llo w ; y ours i s t h e r ig ht t o b eg in .” T he
oth er a d ded :—
“H e is y oung a n d s tr o ng; th ere a re k is se s fo r u s a ll.” I la y q uie t, lo okin g
out u nder m y e y ela sh es in a n a g ony o f d elig htf u l a n tic ip atio n . T he fa ir g ir l
ad van ced a n d b en t o ver m e till I c o uld f e el th e m ovem en t o f h er b re ath u pon
me. S w eet it w as in one se n se , honey -s w eet, an d se n t th e sa m e tin glin g
th ro ugh t h e n erv es a s h er v oic e, b ut w ith a b itte r u nderly in g t h e s w eet, a b itte r
off e n siv en ess, a s o ne s m ells i n b lo od.
I w as a fra id t o r a is e m y e y elid s, b ut l o oked o ut a n d s a w p erfe ctly u nder t h e
la sh es. T he g ir l w en t o n h er k nees, a n d b en t o ver m e, s im ply g lo atin g. T here
was a d elib era te v olu ptu ousn ess w hic h w as b oth t h rillin g a n d r e p uls iv e, a n d a s
sh e a rc h ed h er n eck s h e a ctu ally lic k ed h er lip s lik e a n a n im al, till I c o uld s e e
in t h e m oonlig ht t h e m ois tu re s h in in g o n t h e s c arle t l ip s a n d o n t h e r e d t o ngue
as it la p ped th e w hite s h arp te eth . L ow er a n d lo w er w en t h er h ead a s th e lip s
wen t b elo w t h e r a n ge o f m y m outh a n d c h in a n d s e em ed a b out t o f a ste n o n m y
th ro at. T hen s h e p au se d , a n d I c o uld h ear th e c h urn in g s o und o f h er to ngue a s
it l ic k ed h er t e eth a n d l ip s, a n d c o uld f e el t h e h ot b re ath o n m y n eck . T hen t h e
sk in o f m y th ro at b eg an to tin gle a s o ne’s f le sh d oes w hen th e h an d th at is to
tic k le i t a p pro ach es n eare r— neare r. I c o uld f e el t h e s o ft, s h iv erin g t o uch o f t h e
lip s o n th e s u per- s e n sitiv e s k in o f m y th ro at, a n d th e h ard d en ts o f tw o s h arp
te eth , ju st to uch in g an d pau sin g th ere . I clo se d m y ey es in a la n guoro us
ecsta sy a n d w aite d — waite d w ith b eatin g h eart.
But at th at in sta n t, an oth er se n sa tio n sw ep t th ro ugh m e as quic k as
lig htn in g. I w as c o nsc io us o f th e p re se n ce o f th e C ount, a n d o f h is b ein g a s if
la p ped in a s to rm o f fu ry . A s m y e y es o pen ed in volu nta rily I s a w h is s tr o ng
han d g ra sp th e s le n der n eck o f th e f a ir w om an a n d w ith g ia n t’s p ow er d ra w it
back , t h e b lu e e y es t r a n sfo rm ed w ith f u ry , t h e w hite t e eth c h am pin g w ith r a g e,
an d th e fa ir ch eek s b la zin g re d w ith p assio n. B ut th e C ount! N ev er d id I
im ag in e su ch w ra th a n d fu ry , e v en to th e d em ons o f th e p it. H is e y es w ere
positiv ely b la zin g. T he r e d lig ht in th em w as lu rid , a s if th e f la m es o f h ell- fir e
bla zed b eh in d th em . H is fa ce w as d eath ly p ale , a n d th e lin es o f it w ere h ard lik e d ra w n w ir e s; t h e t h ic k e y eb ro w s t h at m et o ver t h e n ose n ow s e em ed l ik e a
heav in g b ar o f w hite -h ot m eta l. W ith a f ie rc e s w eep o f h is a rm , h e h urle d th e
wom an f ro m h im , a n d th en m otio ned to th e o th ers , a s th ough h e w ere b eatin g
th em b ack ; it w as th e sa m e im perio us g estu re th at I h ad se en u se d to th e
wolv es. I n a v oic e w hic h , th ough lo w a n d a lm ost in a w his p er s e em ed to c u t
th ro ugh t h e a ir a n d t h en r in g r o und t h e r o om h e s a id :—
“H ow d are y ou to uch h im , a n y o f y ou? H ow d are y ou c ast e y es o n h im
when I h ad f o rb id den i t? B ack , I t e ll y ou a ll! T his m an b elo ngs t o m e! B ew are
how y ou m ed dle w ith h im , o r y ou’ll h av e to d eal w ith m e.” T he f a ir g ir l, w ith
a l a u gh o f r ib ald c o quetr y , t u rn ed t o a n sw er h im :—
“Y ou y ours e lf n ev er lo ved ; y ou n ev er lo ve!” O n th is th e o th er w om en
jo in ed , a n d s u ch a m ir th le ss, h ard , s o ulle ss l a u ghte r r a n g t h ro ugh t h e r o om t h at
it a lm ost m ad e m e f a in t t o h ear; i t s e em ed l ik e t h e p le asu re o f f ie n ds. T hen t h e
Count tu rn ed , a fte r lo okin g a t m y f a ce a tte n tiv ely , a n d s a id in a s o ft w his p er:
—
“Y es, I to o c an lo ve; y ou y ours e lv es c an te ll it f ro m th e p ast. I s it n ot s o ?
Well, n ow I p ro m is e y ou th at w hen I a m d one w ith h im y ou s h all k is s h im a t
your w ill. N ow g o! g o! I m ust a w ak en h im , f o r t h ere i s w ork t o b e d one.”
“A re w e to h av e n oth in g to -n ig ht? ” s a id o ne o f th em , w ith a lo w la u gh, a s
sh e p oin te d to th e b ag w hic h h e h ad th ro w n u pon th e f lo or, a n d w hic h m oved
as th ough th ere w ere s o m e liv in g th in g w ith in it. F or a n sw er h e n odded h is
head . O ne o f th e w om en ju m ped fo rw ard a n d o pen ed it. If m y e ars d id n ot
deceiv e m e t h ere w as a g asp a n d a lo w w ail, a s o f a h alf -s m oth ere d c h ild . T he
wom en c lo se d ro und, w hils t I w as a g hast w ith h orro r; b ut a s I lo oked th ey
dis a p peare d , a n d w ith th em th e d re ad fu l b ag . T here w as n o d oor n ear th em ,
an d th ey c o uld n ot h av e p asse d m e w ith out m y n otic in g. T hey s im ply s e em ed
to f a d e in to th e r a y s o f th e m oonlig ht a n d p ass o ut th ro ugh th e w in dow , f o r I
co uld s e e o uts id e th e d im , s h ad ow y fo rm s fo r a m om en t b efo re th ey e n tir e ly
fa d ed a w ay.
Then t h e h orro r o verc am e m e, a n d I s a n k d ow n u nco nsc io us.
CH APT ER I V
JO NAT H AN H ARK ER ’S J O URNAL— co n tin ued
I a w oke
in m y o w n b ed . I f i t b e t h at I h ad n ot d re am t, t h e C ount m ust h av e
carrie d m e h ere . I tr ie d to s a tis fy m yse lf o n th e s u bje ct, b ut c o uld n ot a rriv e a t
an y u nquestio nab le r e su lt. T o b e s u re , t h ere w ere c erta in s m all e v id en ces, s u ch
as th at m y c lo th es w ere fo ld ed a n d la id b y in a m an ner w hic h w as n ot m y hab it. M y w atc h w as s till u nw ound, a n d I a m r ig oro usly a ccu sto m ed t o w in d i t
th e la st th in g b efo re g oin g to b ed , a n d m an y s u ch d eta ils . B ut th ese th in gs a re
no p ro of, fo r th ey m ay h av e b een e v id en ces th at m y m in d w as n ot a s u su al,
an d, fro m so m e c au se o r a n oth er, I h ad c erta in ly b een m uch u pse t. I m ust
watc h fo r p ro of. O f o ne th in g I a m g la d : if it w as th at th e C ount c arrie d m e
here a n d u ndre sse d m e, h e m ust h av e b een h urrie d in h is ta sk , f o r m y p ock ets
are in ta ct. I a m s u re th is d ia ry w ould h av e b een a m yste ry to h im w hic h h e
would n ot h av e b ro oked . H e w ould h av e t a k en o r d estr o yed i t. A s I l o ok r o und
th is ro om , alth ough it h as b een to m e so fu ll o f fe ar, it is n ow a so rt o f
sa n ctu ary , fo r n oth in g c an b e m ore d re ad fu l th an th ose a w fu l w om en , w ho
were — who a re — waitin g t o s u ck m y b lo od.
18 M ay.— I h av e b een d ow n to lo ok a t th at ro om a g ain in d ay lig ht, fo r I
must k now t h e t r u th . W hen I g ot t o t h e d oorw ay a t t h e t o p o f t h e s ta ir s I f o und
it clo se d . It h ad b een so fo rc ib ly d riv en ag ain st th e ja m b th at p art o f th e
woodw ork w as s p lin te re d . I c o uld s e e th at th e b olt o f th e lo ck h ad n ot b een
sh ot, b ut t h e d oor i s f a ste n ed f ro m t h e i n sid e. I f e ar i t w as n o d re am , a n d m ust
act o n t h is s u rm is e .
19 M ay.— I a m s u re ly in th e to ils . L ast n ig ht th e C ount a sk ed m e in th e
su av est to nes to w rite th re e le tte rs , o ne s a y in g th at m y w ork h ere w as n early
done, a n d th at I s h ould s ta rt fo r h om e w ith in a fe w d ay s, a n oth er th at I w as
sta rtin g o n t h e n ex t m orn in g f ro m t h e t im e o f t h e l e tte r, a n d t h e t h ir d t h at I h ad
le ft t h e c astle a n d a rriv ed a t B is tr itz . I w ould f a in h av e r e b elle d , b ut f e lt t h at i n
th e p re se n t sta te o f th in gs it w ould b e m ad ness to q uarre l o pen ly w ith th e
Count w hils t I a m s o a b so lu te ly i n h is p ow er; a n d t o r e fu se w ould b e t o e x cite
his s u sp ic io n a n d to a ro use h is a n ger. H e k now s th at I k now to o m uch , a n d
th at I m ust n ot liv e, le st I b e d an gero us to h im ; m y o nly c h an ce is to p ro lo ng
my opportu nitie s. S om eth in g m ay occu r w hic h w ill giv e m e a ch an ce to
esc ap e. I sa w in his ey es so m eth in g of th at gath erin g w ra th w hic h w as
man if e st w hen h e h urle d th at fa ir w om an fro m h im . H e e x pla in ed to m e th at
posts w ere f e w a n d u ncerta in , a n d th at m y w ritin g n ow w ould e n su re e ase o f
min d to m y frie n ds; a n d h e a ssu re d m e w ith s o m uch im pre ssiv en ess th at h e
would c o unte rm an d t h e l a te r l e tte rs , w hic h w ould b e h eld o ver a t B is tr itz u ntil
due t im e i n c ase c h an ce w ould a d m it o f m y p ro lo ngin g m y s ta y, t h at t o o ppose
him w ould h av e b een to c re ate n ew s u sp ic io n. I th ere fo re p re te n ded to f a ll in
with h is v ie w s, an d ask ed h im w hat d ate s I sh ould p ut o n th e le tte rs . H e
calc u la te d a m in ute , a n d t h en s a id :—
“T he f ir s t s h ould b e J u ne 1 2, t h e s e co nd J u ne 1 9, a n d t h e t h ir d J u ne 2 9.”
I k now n ow t h e s p an o f m y l if e . G od h elp m e!
28 M ay.— There is a c h an ce o f e sc ap e, o r a t a n y r a te o f b ein g a b le to s e n d
word h om e. A b an d o f S zg an y h av e c o m e to th e c astle , a n d a re e n cam ped in th e c o urty ard . T hese S zg an y a re g ip sie s; I h av e n ote s o f th em in m y b ook.
They a re p ecu lia r t o t h is p art o f t h e w orld , t h ough a llie d t o t h e o rd in ary g ip sie s
all th e w orld o ver. T here a re th o usa n ds o f th em in H ungary a n d T ra n sy lv an ia ,
who a re a lm ost o uts id e a ll l a w . T hey a tta ch t h em se lv es a s a r u le t o s o m e g re at
noble o r b oyar, a n d c all t h em se lv es b y h is n am e. T hey a re f e arle ss a n d w ith out
re lig io n, sa v e su pers titio n, an d th ey ta lk only th eir ow n varie tie s of th e
Rom an y t o ngue.
I sh all w rite so m e le tte rs h om e, a n d sh all tr y to g et th em to h av e th em
poste d . I hav e alr e ad y sp oken th em th ro ugh my win dow to beg in
acq uain ta n cesh ip . T hey to ok th eir h ats o ff an d m ad e o beis a n ce an d m an y
sig ns, w hic h , h ow ev er, I c o uld n ot u nders ta n d a n y m ore th an I c o uld th eir
sp oken l a n guag e....
I h av e w ritte n th e le tte rs . M in a’s is in sh orth an d, a n d I sim ply a sk M r.
Haw kin s to c o m munic ate w ith h er. T o h er I h av e e x pla in ed m y s itu atio n, b ut
with out t h e h orro rs w hic h I m ay o nly s u rm is e . I t w ould s h ock a n d f rig hte n h er
to d eath w ere I t o e x pose m y h eart t o h er. S hould t h e l e tte rs n ot c arry , t h en t h e
Count s h all n ot y et k now m y s e cre t o r t h e e x te n t o f m y k now le d ge....
I h av e g iv en th e le tte rs ; I th re w th em th ro ugh th e b ars o f m y w in dow w ith
a g old p ie ce, a n d m ad e w hat s ig ns I c o uld to h av e th em p oste d . T he m an w ho
to ok t h em p re sse d t h em t o h is h eart a n d b ow ed , a n d t h en p ut t h em i n h is c ap . I
co uld d o n o m ore . I s to le b ack to th e s tu dy, a n d b eg an to r e ad . A s th e C ount
did n ot c o m e i n , I h av e w ritte n h ere ....
The C ount h as c o m e. H e s a t d ow n b esid e m e, a n d s a id in h is s m ooth est
voic e a s h e o pen ed t w o l e tte rs :—
“T he S zg an y h as g iv en m e t h ese , o f w hic h , t h ough I k now n ot w hen ce t h ey
co m e, I s h all, o f c o urs e , ta k e c are . S ee!” — he m ust h av e lo oked a t it— “o ne is
fro m y ou, a n d t o m y f rie n d P ete r H aw kin s; t h e o th er” — here h e c au ght s ig ht o f
th e s tr a n ge s y m bols a s h e o pen ed th e e n velo pe, a n d th e d ark lo ok c am e in to
his f a ce, a n d h is e y es b la zed w ic k ed ly — “th e o th er is a v ile th in g, a n o utr a g e
upon frie n dsh ip a n d h osp ita lity ! It is n ot s ig ned . W ell! s o it c an not m atte r to
us.” A nd h e c alm ly h eld le tte r a n d e n velo pe in th e f la m e o f th e la m p till th ey
were c o nsu m ed . T hen h e w en t o n:—
“T he le tte r to H aw kin s— th at I s h all, o f c o urs e , s e n d o n, s in ce it is y ours .
Your le tte rs a re s a cre d to m e. Y our p ard on, m y f rie n d, th at u nknow in gly I d id
bre ak th e s e al. W ill y ou n ot c o ver it a g ain ?” H e h eld o ut th e le tte r to m e, a n d
with a c o urte o us b ow h an ded m e a c le an e n velo pe. I c o uld o nly r e d ir e ct i t a n d
han d it to h im in s ile n ce. W hen h e w en t o ut o f th e r o om I c o uld h ear th e k ey
tu rn s o ftly . A m in ute l a te r I w en t o ver a n d t r ie d i t, a n d t h e d oor w as l o ck ed .
When , a n h our o r tw o a fte r, th e C ount c am e q uie tly in to th e ro om , h is co m in g aw ak en ed m e, fo r I h ad g one to sle ep o n th e so fa . H e w as v ery
co urte o us a n d v ery c h eery in h is m an ner, a n d s e ein g th at I h ad b een s le ep in g,
he s a id :—
“S o, m y f rie n d, y ou a re t ir e d ? G et t o b ed . T here i s t h e s u re st r e st. I m ay n ot
hav e th e p le asu re to ta lk to -n ig ht, s in ce th ere a re m an y la b ours to m e; b ut y ou
will s le ep , I p ra y.” I p asse d to m y r o om a n d w en t to b ed , a n d, s tr a n ge to s a y,
sle p t w ith out d re am in g. D esp air h as i ts o w n c alm s.
31 M ay.— This m orn in g w hen I w oke I th ought I w ould p ro vid e m yse lf
with s o m e p ap er a n d e n velo pes f ro m m y b ag a n d k eep th em in m y p ock et, s o
th at I m ig ht w rite in c ase I sh ould g et a n o pportu nity , b ut a g ain a su rp ris e ,
ag ain a s h ock !
Every s c ra p o f p ap er w as g one, a n d w ith it a ll m y n ote s, m y m em ora n da,
re la tin g to ra ilw ay s a n d tr a v el, m y le tte r o f c re d it, in fa ct a ll th at m ig ht b e
use fu l to m e w ere I o nce o uts id e th e c astle . I s a t a n d p ondere d a w hile , a n d
th en s o m e th ought o ccu rre d to m e, a n d I m ad e s e arc h o f m y p ortm an te au a n d
in t h e w ard ro be w here I h ad p la ced m y c lo th es.
The s u it i n w hic h I h ad t r a v elle d w as g one, a n d a ls o m y o verc o at a n d r u g; I
co uld f in d n o tr a ce o f th em a n yw here . T his lo oked lik e s o m e n ew s c h em e o f
villa in y....
17 J u ne.— This m orn in g, a s I w as s ittin g o n t h e e d ge o f m y b ed c u dgellin g
my b ra in s, I h eard w ith out a c ra ck in g o f w hip s a n d p oundin g a n d s c ra p in g o f
hors e s’ f e et u p th e r o ck y p ath b ey ond th e c o urty ard . W ith jo y I h urrie d to th e
win dow , a n d s a w d riv e in to th e y ard tw o g re at le ite r- w ag ons, e ach d ra w n b y
eig ht s tu rd y h ors e s, a n d a t th e h ead o f e ach p air a S lo vak , w ith h is w id e h at,
gre at n ail- s tu dded b elt, d ir ty s h eep sk in , a n d h ig h b oots . T hey h ad a ls o th eir
lo ng s ta v es in h an d. I ra n to th e d oor, in te n din g to d esc en d a n d tr y a n d jo in
th em th ro ugh th e m ain h all, a s I th ought th at w ay m ig ht b e o pen ed f o r th em .
Again a s h ock : m y d oor w as f a ste n ed o n t h e o uts id e.
Then I r a n t o t h e w in dow a n d c rie d t o t h em . T hey l o oked u p a t m e s tu pid ly
an d p oin te d , b ut ju st th en th e “ h etm an ” o f th e S zg an y c am e o ut, a n d s e ein g
th em poin tin g to m y w in dow , sa id so m eth in g, at w hic h th ey la u ghed .
Hen cefo rth n o e ff o rt o f m in e, n o p ite o us c ry o r a g onis e d e n tr e aty , w ould m ak e
th em ev en lo ok at m e. T hey re so lu te ly tu rn ed aw ay. T he le ite r- w ag ons
co nta in ed g re at, s q uare b oxes, w ith h an dle s o f t h ic k r o pe; t h ese w ere e v id en tly
em pty by th e ease w ith w hic h th e Slo vak s han dle d th em , an d by th eir
re so nan ce a s th ey w ere ro ughly m oved . W hen th ey w ere a ll u nlo ad ed a n d
pack ed i n a g re at h eap i n o ne c o rn er o f t h e y ard , t h e S lo vak s w ere g iv en s o m e
money b y th e S zg an y, an d sp ittin g o n it fo r lu ck , la zily w en t each to h is
hors e ’s h ead . S hortly a fte rw ard s, I h eard th e c ra ck in g o f th eir w hip s d ie a w ay
in t h e d is ta n ce. 24 J u ne, b efo re m orn in g.— Last n ig ht th e C ount le ft m e e arly , a n d lo ck ed
him se lf in to h is o w n r o om . A s s o on a s I d are d I r a n u p th e w in din g s ta ir , a n d
lo oked o ut o f th e w in dow , w hic h o pen ed s o uth . I th ought I w ould w atc h fo r
th e C ount, fo r th ere is so m eth in g goin g on. T he Szg an y are quarte re d
so m ew here in th e c astle a n d a re d oin g w ork o f s o m e k in d. I k now it, f o r n ow
an d th en I h ear a fa r- a w ay m uff le d so und as o f m atto ck an d sp ad e, an d,
whate v er i t i s , i t m ust b e t h e e n d o f s o m e r u th le ss v illa in y.
I h ad b een a t th e w in dow so m ew hat le ss th an h alf a n h our, w hen I sa w
so m eth in g co m in g out of th e C ount’s w in dow . I dre w back an d w atc h ed
care fu lly , a n d s a w th e w hole m an e m erg e. It w as a n ew s h ock to m e to fin d
th at h e h ad o n th e s u it o f c lo th es w hic h I h ad w orn w hils t tr a v ellin g h ere , a n d
slu ng o ver h is sh ould er th e te rrib le b ag w hic h I h ad se en th e w om en ta k e
aw ay. T here c o uld b e n o d oubt a s t o h is q uest, a n d i n m y g arb , t o o! T his , t h en ,
is h is n ew s c h em e o f e v il: t h at h e w ill a llo w o th ers t o s e e m e, a s t h ey t h in k, s o
th at h e m ay b oth le av e e v id en ce th at I h av e b een s e en in th e to w ns o r v illa g es
postin g m y o w n l e tte rs , a n d t h at a n y w ic k ed ness w hic h h e m ay d o s h all b y t h e
lo cal p eo ple b e a ttr ib ute d t o m e.
It m ak es m e r a g e t o t h in k t h at t h is c an g o o n, a n d w hils t I a m s h ut u p h ere ,
a v erita b le p ris o ner, b ut w ith out th at p ro te ctio n o f th e la w w hic h is e v en a
crim in al’s r ig ht a n d c o nso la tio n.
I th ought I w ould w atc h fo r th e C ount’s re tu rn , a n d fo r a lo ng tim e sa t
dogged ly a t th e w in dow . T hen I b eg an to n otic e th at th ere w ere s o m e q uain t
little s p eck s flo atin g in th e ra y s o f th e m oonlig ht. T hey w ere lik e th e tin ie st
gra in s o f d ust, a n d th ey w hir le d r o und a n d g ath ere d in c lu ste rs in a n eb ulo us
so rt o f w ay. I w atc h ed th em w ith a s e n se o f s o oth in g, a n d a s o rt o f c alm s to le
over m e. I le an ed b ack in th e e m bra su re in a m ore c o m fo rta b le p ositio n, s o
th at I c o uld e n jo y m ore f u lly t h e a ëria l g am bollin g.
Som eth in g m ad e m e s ta rt u p, a lo w , p ite o us h ow lin g o f d ogs s o m ew here
fa r b elo w in th e v alle y, w hic h w as h id den f ro m m y s ig ht. L ouder it s e em ed to
rin g i n m y e ars , a n d t h e f lo atin g m ote s o f d ust t o t a k e n ew s h ap es t o t h e s o und
as t h ey d an ced i n t h e m oonlig ht. I f e lt m yse lf s tr u gglin g t o a w ak e t o s o m e c all
of m y in stin cts ; n ay, m y v ery s o ul w as s tr u gglin g, a n d m y h alf -re m em bere d
se n sib ilitie s w ere str iv in g to an sw er th e call. I w as b eco m in g h ypnotis e d !
Quic k er a n d q uic k er d an ced t h e d ust; t h e m oonbeam s s e em ed t o q uiv er a s t h ey
wen t b y m e in to th e m ass o f g lo om b ey ond. M ore a n d m ore th ey g ath ere d till
th ey s e em ed t o t a k e d im p han to m s h ap es. A nd t h en I s ta rte d , b ro ad a w ak e a n d
in fu ll posse ssio n of m y se n se s, an d ra n sc re am in g fro m th e pla ce. T he
phan to m sh ap es, w hic h w ere beco m in g gra d ually m ate ria lis e d fro m th e
moonbeam s, w ere t h ose o f t h e t h re e g hostly w om en t o w hom I w as d oom ed . I
fle d , a n d f e lt s o m ew hat s a fe r in m y o w n r o om , w here th ere w as n o m oonlig ht
an d w here t h e l a m p w as b urn in g b rig htly . When a co uple o f h ours h ad p asse d I h eard so m eth in g stir rin g in th e
Count’s r o om , s o m eth in g lik e a s h arp w ail q uic k ly s u ppre sse d ; a n d th en th ere
was sile n ce, d eep , a w fu l sile n ce, w hic h c h ille d m e. W ith a b eatin g h eart, I
tr ie d t h e d oor; b ut I w as l o ck ed i n m y p ris o n, a n d c o uld d o n oth in g. I s a t d ow n
an d s im ply c rie d .
As I s a t I h eard a s o und in th e c o urty ard w ith out— th e a g onis e d c ry o f a
wom an . I ru sh ed to th e w in dow , a n d th ro w in g it u p, p eere d o ut b etw een th e
bars . T here , in deed , w as a w om an w ith d is h ev elle d h air , h old in g h er h an ds
over h er h eart a s o ne d is tr e sse d w ith r u nnin g. S he w as l e an in g a g ain st a c o rn er
of th e g ate w ay. W hen sh e sa w m y fa ce at th e w in dow sh e th re w h ers e lf
fo rw ard , a n d s h oute d i n a v oic e l a d en w ith m en ace:—
“M onste r, g iv e m e m y c h ild !”
She th re w h ers e lf o n h er k nees, a n d ra is in g u p h er h an ds, c rie d th e s a m e
word s in to nes w hic h w ru ng m y h eart. T hen sh e to re h er h air a n d b eat h er
bre ast, an d ab an doned h ers e lf to all th e v io le n ces o f ex tr a v ag an t em otio n.
Fin ally , s h e t h re w h ers e lf f o rw ard , a n d, t h ough I c o uld n ot s e e h er, I c o uld h ear
th e b eatin g o f h er n ak ed h an ds a g ain st t h e d oor.
Som ew here h ig h o verh ead , p ro bab ly o n th e to w er, I h eard th e v oic e o f th e
Count c allin g in h is h ars h , m eta llic w his p er. H is c all s e em ed to b e a n sw ere d
fro m f a r a n d w id e b y t h e h ow lin g o f w olv es. B efo re m an y m in ute s h ad p asse d
a p ack o f th em p oure d , lik e a p en t- u p d am w hen lib era te d , th ro ugh th e w id e
en tr a n ce i n to t h e c o urty ard .
There w as n o c ry f ro m th e w om an , a n d th e h ow lin g o f th e w olv es w as b ut
sh ort. B efo re l o ng t h ey s tr e am ed a w ay s in gly , l ic k in g t h eir l ip s.
I c o uld n ot p ity h er, f o r I k new n ow w hat h ad b eco m e o f h er c h ild , a n d s h e
was b ette r d ead .
What s h all I d o? w hat c an I d o? H ow c an I e sc ap e f ro m t h is d re ad fu l th in g
of n ig ht a n d g lo om a n d f e ar?
25 J u ne, m orn in g.— No m an k now s t ill h e h as s u ff e re d f ro m t h e n ig ht h ow
sw eet a n d h ow d ear to h is h eart a n d e y e th e m orn in g c an b e. W hen th e s u n
gre w s o h ig h th is m orn in g th at it s tr u ck th e to p o f th e g re at g ate w ay o pposite
my w in dow , th e h ig h s p ot w hic h it to uch ed s e em ed to m e a s if th e d ove f ro m
th e a rk h ad lig hte d th ere . M y fe ar fe ll fro m m e a s if it h ad b een a v ap oro us
garm en t w hic h d is so lv ed i n t h e w arm th . I m ust t a k e a ctio n o f s o m e s o rt w hils t
th e c o ura g e o f th e d ay is u pon m e. L ast n ig ht o ne o f m y p ost- d ate d le tte rs
wen t to p ost, th e f ir s t o f th at f a ta l s e rie s w hic h is to b lo t o ut th e v ery tr a ces o f
my e x is te n ce f ro m t h e e arth .
Let m e n ot t h in k o f i t. A ctio n! It h as a lw ay s b een a t n ig ht- tim e t h at I h av e b een m ole ste d o r t h re ate n ed , o r
in s o m e w ay i n d an ger o r i n f e ar. I h av e n ot y et s e en t h e C ount i n t h e d ay lig ht.
Can it b e th at h e s le ep s w hen o th ers w ak e, th at h e m ay b e a w ak e w hils t th ey
sle ep ? I f I c o uld o nly g et i n to h is r o om ! B ut t h ere i s n o p ossib le w ay. T he d oor
is a lw ay s l o ck ed , n o w ay f o r m e.
Yes, th ere is a w ay, if o ne d are s to ta k e it. W here h is b ody h as g one w hy
may n ot a n oth er b ody g o? I h av e se en h im m yse lf c ra w l fro m h is w in dow .
Why sh ould n ot I im ita te h im , a n d g o in b y h is w in dow ? T he c h an ces a re
desp era te , b ut m y n eed is m ore d esp era te s till. I s h all ris k it. A t th e w ors t it
can o nly b e d eath ; a n d a m an ’s d eath is n ot a c alf ’s , a n d t h e d re ad ed H ere afte r
may s till b e o pen to m e. G od h elp m e in m y ta sk ! G ood-b ye, M in a, if I fa il;
good-b ye, m y fa ith fu l frie n d a n d s e co nd fa th er; g ood-b ye, a ll, a n d la st o f a ll
Min a!
Sam e d ay, la te r.— I h av e m ad e th e e ff o rt, a n d G od, h elp in g m e, h av e c o m e
sa fe ly b ack to th is r o om . I m ust p ut d ow n e v ery d eta il in o rd er. I w en t w hils t
my c o ura g e w as f re sh s tr a ig ht t o t h e w in dow o n t h e s o uth s id e, a n d a t o nce g ot
outs id e o n th e n arro w le d ge o f s to ne w hic h ru ns a ro und th e b uild in g o n th is
sid e. T he s to nes a re b ig a n d r o ughly c u t, a n d t h e m orta r h as b y p ro cess o f t im e
been w ash ed a w ay b etw een t h em . I t o ok o ff m y b oots , a n d v en tu re d o ut o n t h e
desp era te w ay. I lo oked d ow n o nce, s o a s to m ak e s u re th at a s u dden g lim pse
of th e a w fu l d ep th w ould n ot o verc o m e m e, b ut a fte r th at k ep t m y e y es a w ay
fro m it. I k new p re tty w ell th e d ir e ctio n a n d d is ta n ce o f th e C ount’s w in dow ,
an d m ad e f o r i t a s w ell a s I c o uld , h av in g r e g ard t o t h e o pportu nitie s a v aila b le .
I did not fe el diz zy — I su ppose I w as to o ex cite d — an d th e tim e se em ed
rid ic u lo usly s h ort t ill I f o und m yse lf s ta n din g o n t h e w in dow -s ill a n d t r y in g t o
ra is e u p th e s a sh . I w as f ille d w ith a g ita tio n, h ow ev er, w hen I b en t d ow n a n d
slid f e et f o re m ost in t h ro ugh th e w in dow . T hen I lo oked a ro und f o r t h e C ount,
but, w ith s u rp ris e a n d g la d ness, m ad e a d is c o very . T he ro om w as e m pty ! It
was b are ly f u rn is h ed w ith o dd th in gs, w hic h s e em ed to h av e n ev er b een u se d ;
th e f u rn itu re w as s o m eth in g t h e s a m e s ty le a s t h at i n t h e s o uth r o om s, a n d w as
co vere d w ith d ust. I lo oked f o r th e k ey, b ut it w as n ot in th e lo ck , a n d I c o uld
not f in d it a n yw here . T he o nly th in g I f o und w as a g re at h eap o f g old in o ne
co rn er— gold o f a ll k in ds, R om an , a n d B ritis h , a n d A ustr ia n , a n d H ungaria n ,
an d G re ek a n d T urk is h m oney, c o vere d w ith a film o f d ust, a s th ough it h ad
la in lo ng in th e g ro und. N one o f it th at I n otic ed w as le ss th an th re e h undre d
years o ld . T here w ere a ls o c h ain s a n d o rn am en ts , so m e je w elle d , b ut a ll o f
th em o ld a n d s ta in ed .
At o ne c o rn er o f t h e r o om w as a h eav y d oor. I t r ie d i t, f o r, s in ce I c o uld n ot
fin d th e k ey o f th e ro om o r th e k ey o f th e o ute r d oor, w hic h w as th e m ain
obje ct o f m y s e arc h , I m ust m ak e f u rth er e x am in atio n, o r a ll m y e ff o rts w ould
be in v ain . I t w as o pen , a n d le d th ro ugh a s to ne p assa g e to a c ir c u la r s ta ir w ay, whic h w en t s te ep ly d ow n. I d esc en ded , m in din g c are fu lly w here I w en t, fo r
th e s ta ir s w ere d ark , b ein g o nly lit b y lo ophole s in th e h eav y m aso nry . A t th e
botto m th ere w as a d ark , tu nnel- lik e p assa g e, th ro ugh w hic h c am e a d eath ly ,
sic k ly o dour, th e o dour o f o ld earth n ew ly tu rn ed . A s I w en t th ro ugh th e
passa g e th e s m ell g re w c lo se r a n d h eav ie r. A t la st I p ulle d o pen a h eav y d oor
whic h sto od aja r, an d fo und m yse lf in an old , ru in ed ch ap el, w hic h had
ev id en tly b een u se d a s a g ra v ey ard . T he ro of w as b ro ken , a n d in tw o p la ces
were s te p s le ad in g to v au lts , b ut th e g ro und h ad re cen tly b een d ug o ver, a n d
th e earth p la ced in g re at w ooden b oxes, m an if e stly th ose w hic h h ad b een
bro ught b y th e S lo vak s. T here w as n obody a b out, a n d I m ad e s e arc h fo r a n y
fu rth er o utle t, b ut th ere w as n one. T hen I w en t o ver e v ery in ch o f th e g ro und,
so a s n ot to lo se a c h an ce. I w en t d ow n e v en in to th e v au lts , w here th e d im
lig ht s tr u ggle d , a lth ough to d o s o w as a d re ad to m y v ery s o ul. In to tw o o f
th ese I w en t, b ut s a w n oth in g e x cep t f ra g m en ts o f o ld c o ff in s a n d p ile s o f d ust;
in t h e t h ir d , h ow ev er, I m ad e a d is c o very .
There , in o ne o f th e g re at b oxes, o f w hic h th ere w ere f if ty in a ll, o n a p ile
of n ew ly d ug e arth , la y th e C ount! H e w as e ith er d ead o r a sle ep , I c o uld n ot
sa y w hic h — fo r th e e y es w ere o pen a n d s to ny, b ut w ith out th e g la ssin ess o f
death — an d th e c h eek s h ad th e w arm th o f lif e th ro ugh a ll th eir p allo r; th e lip s
were a s r e d a s e v er. B ut th ere w as n o s ig n o f m ovem en t, n o p uls e , n o b re ath ,
no b eatin g o f th e h eart. I b en t o ver h im , a n d tr ie d to f in d a n y s ig n o f lif e , b ut
in v ain . H e c o uld n ot h av e la in th ere lo ng, fo r th e e arth y s m ell w ould h av e
passe d a w ay i n a f e w h ours . B y t h e s id e o f t h e b ox w as i ts c o ver, p ie rc ed w ith
hole s h ere a n d th ere . I th ought h e m ig ht h av e th e k ey s o n h im , b ut w hen I
wen t to s e arc h I s a w th e d ead e y es, a n d in th em , d ead th ough th ey w ere , s u ch
a lo ok o f h ate , th ough u nco nsc io us o f m e o r m y p re se n ce, th at I f le d f ro m th e
pla ce, a n d le av in g th e C ount’s ro om b y th e w in dow , c ra w le d a g ain u p th e
castle w all. R eg ain in g m y r o om , I t h re w m yse lf p an tin g u pon t h e b ed a n d t r ie d
to t h in k....
29 Ju ne.— To-d ay is th e d ate o f m y la st le tte r, a n d th e C ount h as ta k en
ste p s to p ro ve th at it w as g en uin e, f o r a g ain I s a w h im le av e th e c astle b y th e
sa m e w in dow , a n d in m y c lo th es. A s h e w en t d ow n th e w all, liz ard f a sh io n, I
wis h ed I h ad a g un o r s o m e l e th al w eap on, t h at I m ig ht d estr o y h im ; b ut I f e ar
th at n o w eap on w ro ught a lo ne b y m an ’s h an d w ould h av e a n y e ff e ct o n h im . I
dare d n ot w ait to s e e h im r e tu rn , f o r I f e are d to s e e th ose w eir d s is te rs . I c am e
back t o t h e l ib ra ry , a n d r e ad t h ere t ill I f e ll a sle ep .
I w as a w ak en ed b y th e C ount, w ho lo oked a t m e a s g rim ly a s a m an c an
lo ok a s h e s a id :—
“T o-m orro w , m y frie n d, w e m ust part. Y ou re tu rn to your beau tif u l
Engla n d, I to so m e w ork w hic h m ay h av e su ch a n e n d th at w e m ay n ev er
meet. Y our l e tte r h om e h as b een d esp atc h ed ; t o -m orro w I s h all n ot b e h ere , b ut all s h all b e r e ad y f o r y our j o urn ey. I n t h e m orn in g c o m e t h e S zg an y, w ho h av e
so m e l a b ours o f t h eir o w n h ere , a n d a ls o c o m e s o m e S lo vak s. W hen t h ey h av e
gone, m y c arria g e s h all c o m e f o r y ou, a n d s h all b ear y ou to th e B org o P ass to
meet t h e d ilig en ce f ro m B ukovin a t o B is tr itz . B ut I a m i n h opes t h at I s h all s e e
more o f y ou a t C astle D ra cu la .” I s u sp ecte d h im , a n d d ete rm in ed to te st h is
sin cerity . S in cerity ! It se em s lik e a p ro fa n atio n o f th e w ord to w rite it in
co nnectio n w ith s u ch a m onste r, s o a sk ed h im p oin t- b la n k:—
“W hy m ay I n ot g o t o -n ig ht? ”
“B ecau se , d ear s ir , m y c o ach m an a n d h ors e s a re a w ay o n a m is sio n.”
“B ut I w ould w alk w ith p le asu re . I w an t to g et a w ay a t o nce.” H e s m ile d ,
su ch a s o ft, s m ooth , d ia b olic al s m ile th at I k new th ere w as s o m e tr ic k b eh in d
his s m ooth ness. H e s a id :—
“A nd y our b ag gag e?”
“I d o n ot c are a b out i t. I c an s e n d f o r i t s o m e o th er t im e.”
The C ount s to od u p, a n d s a id , w ith a s w eet c o urte sy w hic h m ad e m e ru b
my e y es, i t s e em ed s o r e al:—
“Y ou E nglis h h av e a s a y in g w hic h is c lo se to m y h eart, f o r its s p ir it is th at
whic h r u le s o ur b oyars : ‘ W elc o m e t h e c o m in g; s p eed t h e p artin g g uest.’ C om e
with m e, m y d ear y oung frie n d. N ot an h our sh all y ou w ait in m y h ouse
ag ain st y our w ill, th ough s a d a m I a t y our g oin g, a n d th at y ou s o s u dden ly
desir e it. C om e!” W ith a s ta te ly g ra v ity , h e, w ith th e la m p, p re ced ed m e d ow n
th e s ta ir s a n d a lo ng t h e h all. S udden ly h e s to pped .
“H ark !”
Clo se a t h an d c am e th e h ow lin g o f m an y w olv es. It w as a lm ost a s if th e
so und s p ra n g u p a t t h e r is in g o f h is h an d, j u st a s t h e m usic o f a g re at o rc h estr a
se em s t o l e ap u nder t h e b âto n o f t h e c o nducto r. A fte r a p au se o f a m om en t, h e
pro ceed ed , in h is sta te ly w ay, to th e d oor, d re w b ack th e p ondero us b olts ,
unhooked t h e h eav y c h ain s, a n d b eg an t o d ra w i t o pen .
To m y in te n se a sto nis h m en t I sa w th at it w as u nlo ck ed . S usp ic io usly , I
lo oked a ll r o und, b ut c o uld s e e n o k ey o f a n y k in d.
As th e d oor b eg an to o pen , th e h ow lin g o f th e w olv es w ith out g re w lo uder
an d a n grie r; t h eir r e d j a w s, w ith c h am pin g t e eth , a n d t h eir b lu nt- c la w ed f e et a s
th ey le ap ed , c am e in th ro ugh th e o pen in g d oor. I k new th en th at to s tr u ggle a t
th e m om en t a g ain st th e C ount w as u se le ss. W ith su ch a llie s a s th ese a t h is
co m man d, I c o uld d o n oth in g. B ut s till t h e d oor c o ntin ued s lo w ly t o o pen , a n d
only th e C ount’s b ody s to od in th e g ap . S udden ly it s tr u ck m e th at th is m ig ht
be t h e m om en t a n d m ean s o f m y d oom ; I w as t o b e g iv en t o t h e w olv es, a n d a t
my ow n in stig atio n. T here w as a dia b olic al w ic k ed ness in th e id ea gre at en ough f o r t h e C ount, a n d a s a l a st c h an ce I c rie d o ut:—
“S hut th e d oor; I s h all w ait till m orn in g!” a n d c o vere d m y fa ce w ith m y
han ds to hid e m y te ars of bit te r dis a p poin tm en t. W ith one sw eep of his
pow erfu l a rm , th e C ount th re w th e d oor s h ut, a n d th e g re at b olts c la n ged a n d
ech oed t h ro ugh t h e h all a s t h ey s h ot b ack i n to t h eir p la ces.
In s ile n ce w e r e tu rn ed t o t h e l ib ra ry , a n d a fte r a m in ute o r t w o I w en t t o m y
ow n ro om . T he la st I s a w o f C ount D ra cu la w as h is k is sin g h is h an d to m e;
with a re d lig ht o f tr iu m ph in h is e y es, a n d w ith a sm ile th at Ju das in h ell
mig ht b e p ro ud o f.
When I w as in m y ro om an d ab out to lie d ow n, I th ought I h eard a
whis p erin g at m y door. I w en t to it so ftly an d lis te n ed . U nle ss m y ears
deceiv ed m e, I h eard t h e v oic e o f t h e C ount:—
“B ack , b ack , to y our o w n p la ce! Y our tim e is n ot y et c o m e. W ait! H av e
patie n ce! T o-n ig ht i s m in e. T o-m orro w n ig ht i s y ours !” T here w as a l o w , s w eet
rip ple o f la u ghte r, a n d in a ra g e I th re w o pen th e d oor, a n d s a w w ith out th e
th re e te rrib le w om en lic k in g th eir lip s. A s I ap peare d th ey all jo in ed in a
horrib le l a u gh, a n d r a n a w ay.
I c am e b ack to m y r o om a n d th re w m yse lf o n m y k nees. I t is th en s o n ear
th e e n d? T o-m orro w ! to -m orro w ! L ord , h elp m e, a n d th ose to w hom I a m
dear!
30 J u ne, m orn in g.— These m ay b e th e la st w ord s I e v er w rite in th is d ia ry .
I s le p t till ju st b efo re th e d aw n, a n d w hen I w oke th re w m yse lf o n m y k nees,
fo r I d ete rm in ed t h at i f D eath c am e h e s h ould f in d m e r e ad y.
At la st I fe lt th at s u btle c h an ge in th e a ir , a n d k new th at th e m orn in g h ad
co m e. T hen c am e th e w elc o m e c o ck -c ro w , a n d I fe lt th at I w as s a fe . W ith a
gla d h eart, I o pen ed m y d oor a n d r a n d ow n t o t h e h all. I h ad s e en t h at t h e d oor
was u nlo ck ed , a n d n ow e sc ap e w as b efo re m e. W ith h an ds th at tr e m ble d w ith
eag ern ess, I u nhooked t h e c h ain s a n d d re w b ack t h e m assiv e b olts .
But th e d oor w ould n ot m ove. D esp air s e iz ed m e. I p ulle d , a n d p ulle d , a t
th e d oor, a n d s h ook it till, m assiv e a s it w as, it r a ttle d in its c ase m en t. I c o uld
se e t h e b olt s h ot. I t h ad b een l o ck ed a fte r I l e ft t h e C ount.
Then a w ild d esir e t o ok m e t o o bta in t h at k ey a t a n y r is k , a n d I d ete rm in ed
th en a n d t h ere t o s c ale t h e w all a g ain a n d g ain t h e C ount’s r o om . H e m ig ht k ill
me, b ut d eath n ow se em ed th e h ap pie r ch oic e o f ev ils . W ith out a p au se I
ru sh ed u p t o t h e e ast w in dow , a n d s c ra m ble d d ow n t h e w all, a s b efo re , i n to t h e
Count’s r o om . I t w as e m pty , b ut th at w as a s I e x pecte d . I c o uld n ot s e e a k ey
an yw here , b ut t h e h eap o f g old r e m ain ed . I w en t t h ro ugh t h e d oor i n t h e c o rn er
an d d ow n th e w in din g sta ir a n d a lo ng th e d ark p assa g e to th e o ld c h ap el. I knew n ow w ell e n ough w here t o f in d t h e m onste r I s o ught.
The g re at b ox w as i n t h e s a m e p la ce, c lo se a g ain st t h e w all, b ut t h e l id w as
la id o n it, n ot fa ste n ed d ow n, b ut w ith th e n ails re ad y in th eir p la ces to b e
ham mere d h om e. I k new I m ust r e ach th e b ody f o r th e k ey, s o I r a is e d th e lid ,
an d la id it b ack a g ain st th e w all; a n d th en I s a w s o m eth in g w hic h fille d m y
very so ul w ith h orro r. T here la y th e C ount, b ut lo okin g a s if h is y outh h ad
been h alf re n ew ed , fo r th e w hite h air a n d m ousta ch e w ere c h an ged to d ark
ir o n-g re y ; th e ch eek s w ere fu lle r, an d th e w hite sk in se em ed ru by-re d
undern eath ; t h e m outh w as r e d der t h an e v er, f o r o n t h e l ip s w ere g outs o f f re sh
blo od, w hic h tr ic k le d f ro m th e c o rn ers o f th e m outh a n d r a n o ver th e c h in a n d
neck . E ven th e d eep , b urn in g e y es s e em ed s e t a m ongst s w olle n f le sh , f o r th e
lid s a n d p ouch es u ndern eath w ere b lo ate d . It se em ed a s if th e w hole a w fu l
cre atu re w ere s im ply g org ed w ith b lo od. H e la y lik e a f ilth y le ech , e x hau ste d
with h is r e p le tio n. I s h uddere d a s I b en t o ver to to uch h im , a n d e v ery s e n se in
me r e v olte d a t t h e c o nta ct; b ut I h ad t o s e arc h , o r I w as l o st. T he c o m in g n ig ht
mig ht s e e m y o w n b ody a b an quet in a s im ila r w ay to th ose h orrid th re e. I f e lt
all o ver th e b ody, b ut n o sig n c o uld I fin d o f th e k ey. T hen I sto pped a n d
lo oked a t th e C ount. T here w as a m ock in g s m ile o n th e b lo ate d fa ce w hic h
se em ed to d riv e m e m ad . T his w as th e b ein g I w as h elp in g to tr a n sfe r to
London, w here , p erh ap s, f o r c en tu rie s to c o m e h e m ig ht, a m ongst its te em in g
millio ns, s a tia te h is lu st f o r b lo od, a n d c re ate a n ew a n d e v er- w id en in g c ir c le
of s e m i- d em ons to b atte n o n th e h elp le ss. T he v ery th ought d ro ve m e m ad . A
te rrib le d esir e c am e u pon m e t o r id t h e w orld o f s u ch a m onste r. T here w as n o
le th al w eap on a t h an d, b ut I se iz ed a sh ovel w hic h th e w ork m en h ad b een
usin g to f ill th e c ase s, a n d lif tin g it h ig h, s tr u ck , w ith th e e d ge d ow nw ard , a t
th e h ate fu l f a ce. B ut a s I d id s o t h e h ead t u rn ed , a n d t h e e y es f e ll f u ll u pon m e,
with a ll t h eir b la ze o f b asilis k h orro r. T he s ig ht s e em ed t o p ara ly se m e, a n d t h e
sh ovel tu rn ed in m y h an d a n d g la n ced fro m th e fa ce, m ere ly m ak in g a d eep
gash a b ove th e f o re h ead . T he s h ovel f e ll f ro m m y h an d a cro ss th e b ox, a n d a s
I p ulle d it a w ay th e fla n ge o f th e b la d e c au ght th e e d ge o f th e lid w hic h fe ll
over a g ain , a n d h id t h e h orrid t h in g f ro m m y s ig ht. T he l a st g lim pse I h ad w as
of t h e b lo ate d f a ce, b lo od-s ta in ed a n d f ix ed w ith a g rin o f m alic e w hic h w ould
hav e h eld i ts o w n i n t h e n eth erm ost h ell.
I th ought a n d th ought w hat s h ould b e m y n ex t m ove, b ut m y b ra in s e em ed
on f ir e , a n d I w aite d w ith a d esp air in g f e elin g g ro w in g o ver m e. A s I w aite d I
heard in th e d is ta n ce a g ip sy s o ng s u ng b y m erry v oic es c o m in g c lo se r, a n d
th ro ugh th eir s o ng th e r o llin g o f h eav y w heels a n d th e c ra ck in g o f w hip s; th e
Szg an y a n d th e S lo vak s o f w hom th e C ount h ad s p oken w ere c o m in g. W ith a
la st lo ok a ro und a n d a t th e b ox w hic h c o nta in ed th e v ile b ody, I r a n f ro m th e
pla ce a n d g ain ed th e C ount’s r o om , d ete rm in ed to r u sh o ut a t th e m om en t th e
door s h ould b e o pen ed . W ith s tr a in ed e ars , I l is te n ed , a n d h eard d ow nsta ir s t h e
grin din g o f th e k ey in th e g re at lo ck a n d th e fa llin g b ack o f th e h eav y d oor. There m ust h av e b een s o m e o th er m ean s o f e n tr y , o r s o m e o ne h ad a k ey f o r
one o f t h e l o ck ed d oors . T hen t h ere c am e t h e s o und o f m an y f e et t r a m pin g a n d
dyin g a w ay in s o m e p assa g e w hic h s e n t u p a c la n gin g e ch o. I tu rn ed to ru n
dow n a g ain to w ard s th e v au lt, w here I m ig ht f in d th e n ew e n tr a n ce; b ut a t th e
mom en t th ere se em ed to c o m e a v io le n t p uff o f w in d, a n d th e d oor to th e
win din g sta ir b le w to w ith a sh ock th at se t th e d ust fro m th e lin te ls fly in g.
When I r a n to p ush it o pen , I f o und th at it w as h opele ssly f a st. I w as a g ain a
pris o ner, a n d t h e n et o f d oom w as c lo sin g r o und m e m ore c lo se ly .
As I w rite t h ere i s i n t h e p assa g e b elo w a s o und o f m an y t r a m pin g f e et a n d
th e c ra sh o f w eig hts b ein g s e t d ow n h eav ily , d oubtle ss th e b oxes, w ith th eir
fre ig ht o f e arth . T here is a so und o f h am merin g; it is th e b ox b ein g n aile d
dow n. N ow I c an h ear t h e h eav y f e et t r a m pin g a g ain a lo ng t h e h all, w ith m an y
oth er i d le f e et c o m in g b eh in d t h em .
The d oor is s h ut, a n d th e c h ain s r a ttle ; th ere is a g rin din g o f th e k ey in th e
lo ck ; I c an h ear th e k ey w ith dra w : th en a n oth er d oor o pen s a n d s h uts ; I h ear
th e c re ak in g o f l o ck a n d b olt.
Hark ! in th e c o urty ard a n d d ow n th e ro ck y w ay th e ro ll o f h eav y w heels ,
th e c ra ck o f w hip s, a n d t h e c h oru s o f t h e S zg an y a s t h ey p ass i n to t h e d is ta n ce.
I a m a lo ne i n t h e c astle w ith t h ose a w fu l w om en . F au gh! M in a i s a w om an ,
an d t h ere i s n ought i n c o m mon. T hey a re d ev ils o f t h e P it!
I sh all n ot re m ain alo ne w ith th em ; I sh all tr y to sc ale th e castle w all
fa rth er th an I h av e y et a tte m pte d . I s h all ta k e s o m e o f th e g old w ith m e, le st I
wan t i t l a te r. I m ay f in d a w ay f ro m t h is d re ad fu l p la ce.
And th en a w ay fo r h om e! a w ay to th e q uic k est a n d n eare st tr a in ! a w ay
fro m th is c u rs e d s p ot, f ro m th is c u rs e d la n d, w here th e d ev il a n d h is c h ild re n
still w alk w ith e arth ly f e et!
At le ast G od’s m erc y is bette r th an th at of th ese m onste rs , an d th e
pre cip ic e i s s te ep a n d h ig h. A t i ts f o ot a m an m ay s le ep — as a m an . G ood-b ye,
all! M in a!
CH APT ER V
Lette r f r o m M is s M in a M urra y t o M is s L ucy W este n ra .
“9 M ay.
“M y d eare st L ucy,—
“F org iv e m y lo ng d ela y in w ritin g, b ut I h av e b een s im ply o verw helm ed with w ork . T he lif e o f a n a ssis ta n t s c h oolm is tr e ss is s o m etim es tr y in g. I a m
lo ngin g to b e w ith y ou, a n d b y th e s e a, w here w e c an ta lk to geth er f re ely a n d
build o ur c astle s in th e a ir. I h av e b een w ork in g v ery h ard la te ly , b ecau se I
wan t to k eep u p w ith J o nath an ’s s tu die s, a n d I h av e b een p ra ctis in g s h orth an d
very a ssid uously . W hen w e a re m arrie d I s h all b e a b le t o b e u se fu l t o J o nath an ,
an d if I c an s te n ogra p h w ell e n ough I c an ta k e d ow n w hat h e w an ts to s a y in
th is w ay an d w rite it out fo r him on th e ty pew rite r, at w hic h als o I am
pra ctis in g v ery h ard . H e a n d I s o m etim es w rite le tte rs in s h orth an d, a n d h e is
keep in g a s te n ogra p hic jo urn al o f h is tr a v els a b ro ad . W hen I a m w ith y ou I
sh all k eep a d ia ry in th e s a m e w ay. I d on’t m ean o ne o f th ose tw o-p ag es-to -
th e-w eek -w ith -S unday -s q ueezed -in -a -c o rn er dia rie s, but a so rt of jo urn al
whic h I c an w rite in w hen ev er I fe el in clin ed . I d o n ot s u ppose th ere w ill b e
much o f in te re st to o th er p eo ple ; b ut it is n ot in te n ded f o r th em . I m ay s h ow it
to J o nath an s o m e d ay i f t h ere i s i n i t a n yth in g w orth s h arin g, b ut i t i s r e ally a n
ex erc is e b ook. I s h all t r y t o d o w hat I s e e l a d y j o urn alis ts d o: i n te rv ie w in g a n d
writin g d esc rip tio ns a n d t r y in g t o r e m em ber c o nvers a tio ns. I a m t o ld t h at, w ith
a little p ra ctic e, o ne c an re m em ber a ll th at g oes o n o r th at o ne h ears sa id
durin g a d ay. H ow ev er, w e s h all s e e. I w ill t e ll y ou o f m y l ittle p la n s w hen w e
meet. I h av e j u st h ad a f e w h urrie d l in es f ro m J o nath an f ro m T ra n sy lv an ia . H e
is w ell, a n d w ill b e re tu rn in g in a b out a w eek . I a m lo ngin g to h ear a ll h is
new s. It m ust b e so n ic e to se e str a n ge c o untr ie s. I w onder if w e— I m ean
Jo nath an a n d I— sh all e v er se e th em to geth er. T here is th e te n o ’c lo ck b ell
rin gin g. G ood-b ye.
“Y our l o vin g
“M in a.
“T ell m e a ll t h e n ew s w hen y ou w rite . Y ou h av e n ot t o ld m e a n yth in g f o r a
lo ng tim e. I h ear ru m ours , a n d e sp ecia lly o f a ta ll, h an dso m e, c u rly -h air e d
man ???”
Lette r, L ucy W este n ra t o M in a M urra y.
“1 7, C hath am S tr e et,
“W ed nesd ay.
“M y d eare st M in a,—
“I m ust sa y y ou ta x m e v ery u nfa ir ly w ith b ein g a b ad c o rre sp onden t. I
wro te to y ou tw ic e s in ce w e p arte d , a n d y our la st le tte r w as o nly y our s e co nd.
Besid es, I h av e n oth in g to te ll y ou. T here is re ally n oth in g to in te re st y ou.
Tow n i s v ery p le asa n t j u st n ow , a n d w e g o a g ood d eal t o p ic tu re -g alle rie s a n d
fo r w alk s a n d rid es in th e p ark . A s to th e ta ll, c u rly -h air e d m an , I s u ppose it
was th e o ne w ho w as w ith m e a t th e la st P op. S om e o ne h as e v id en tly b een
te llin g ta le s. T hat w as M r. H olm wood. H e o fte n c o m es to s e e u s, a n d h e a n d mam ma g et o n v ery w ell to geth er; th ey h av e s o m an y th in gs to ta lk a b out in
co m mon. W e m et s o m e t im e a g o a m an t h at w ould j u st d o f o r y ou, i f y ou w ere
not a lr e ad y e n gag ed to Jo nath an . H e is a n e x celle n t p arti, b ein g h an dso m e,
well o ff , a n d o f g ood b ir th . H e is a d octo r a n d r e ally c le v er. J u st f a n cy ! H e is
only n in e-a n d-tw en ty , a n d h e h as a n i m men se l u natic a sy lu m a ll u nder h is o w n
care . M r. H olm wood in tr o duced h im to m e, a n d h e c alle d h ere to s e e u s, a n d
ofte n c o m es n ow . I t h in k h e i s o ne o f t h e m ost r e so lu te m en I e v er s a w , a n d y et
th e m ost calm . H e se em s ab so lu te ly im pertu rb ab le . I can fa n cy w hat a
wonderfu l p ow er h e m ust h av e o ver h is p atie n ts . H e h as a c u rio us h ab it o f
lo okin g o ne s tr a ig ht in th e fa ce, a s if tr y in g to re ad o ne’s th oughts . H e tr ie s
th is o n v ery m uch w ith m e, b ut I f la tte r m yse lf h e h as g ot a t o ugh n ut t o c ra ck .
I k now th at f ro m m y g la ss. D o y ou e v er tr y to r e ad y our o w n f a ce? I d o, a n d I
can t e ll y ou i t i s n ot a b ad s tu dy, a n d g iv es y ou m ore t r o uble t h an y ou c an w ell
fa n cy if you hav e nev er tr ie d it. H e sa y s th at I aff o rd him a cu rio us
psy ch olo gic al stu dy, a n d I h um bly th in k I d o. I d o n ot, a s y ou k now , ta k e
su ff ic ie n t in te re st in d re ss to b e a b le to d esc rib e th e n ew fa sh io ns. D re ss is a
bore . T hat i s s la n g a g ain , b ut n ev er m in d; A rth ur s a y s t h at e v ery d ay. T here , i t
is a ll o ut. M in a, w e h av e to ld a ll o ur se cre ts to e ach o th er sin ce w e w ere
ch ild re n ; w e h av e sle p t to geth er a n d e ate n to geth er, a n d la u ghed a n d c rie d
to geth er; a n d n ow , th ough I h av e sp oken , I w ould lik e to sp eak m ore . O h,
Min a, c o uld n’t y ou g uess? I lo ve h im . I a m b lu sh in g a s I w rite , f o r a lth ough I
th in k h e lo ves m e, h e h as n ot to ld m e s o in w ord s. B ut o h, M in a, I lo ve h im ; I
lo ve h im ; I lo ve h im ! T here , th at d oes m e g ood. I w is h I w ere w ith y ou, d ear,
sittin g b y th e fir e u ndre ssin g, a s w e u se d to s it; a n d I w ould tr y to te ll y ou
what I fe el. I d o n ot k now h ow I a m w ritin g th is e v en to y ou. I a m a fra id to
sto p, o r I s h ould t e ar u p t h e l e tte r, a n d I d on’t w an t t o s to p, f o r I d o s o w an t t o
te ll y ou a ll. L et m e h ear f ro m y ou a t o nce, a n d te ll m e a ll th at y ou th in k a b out
it. M in a, I m ust s to p. G ood-n ig ht. B le ss m e in y our p ra y ers ; a n d, M in a, p ra y
fo r m y h ap pin ess.
“L U CY.
“P .S .— I n eed n ot t e ll y ou t h is i s a s e cre t. G ood-n ig ht a g ain .
“L .”
Lette r, L ucy W este n ra t o M in a M urra y.
“2 4 M ay.
“M y d eare st M in a,—
“T han ks, a n d th an ks, a n d th an ks a g ain f o r y our s w eet le tte r. I t w as s o n ic e
to b e a b le t o t e ll y ou a n d t o h av e y our s y m path y.
“M y d ear, it n ev er r a in s b ut it p ours . H ow tr u e th e o ld p ro verb s a re . H ere
am I , w ho s h all b e tw en ty in S ep te m ber, a n d y et I n ev er h ad a p ro posa l till to - day, n ot a re al p ro posa l, an d to -d ay I h av e h ad th re e. Ju st fa n cy ! T H REE
pro posa ls in o ne d ay ! I s n ’t it a w fu l! I f e el s o rry , r e ally a n d tr u ly s o rry , f o r tw o
of th e p oor fe llo w s. O h, M in a, I a m s o h ap py th at I d on’t k now w hat to d o
with m yse lf . A nd th re e p ro posa ls ! B ut, fo r g oodness’ s a k e, d o n’t te ll a n y o f
th e g ir ls , o r th ey w ould b e g ettin g a ll s o rts o f e x tr a v ag an t id eas a n d i m ag in in g
th em se lv es in ju re d a n d s lig hte d if in th eir v ery f ir s t d ay a t h om e th ey d id n ot
get s ix a t l e ast. S om e g ir ls a re s o v ain ! Y ou a n d I , M in a d ear, w ho a re e n gag ed
an d a re g oin g t o s e ttle d ow n s o on s o berly i n to o ld m arrie d w om en , c an d esp is e
van ity . W ell, I m ust te ll y ou a b out th e th re e, b ut y ou m ust k eep it a se cre t,
dear, f ro m e v ery o ne, e x cep t, o f c o urs e , J o nath an . Y ou w ill te ll h im , b ecau se I
would , i f I w ere i n y our p la ce, c erta in ly t e ll A rth ur. A w om an o ught t o t e ll h er
husb an d e v ery th in g— don’t y ou th in k s o , d ear? — an d I m ust b e f a ir. M en lik e
wom en , c erta in ly th eir w iv es, to b e q uite a s f a ir a s th ey a re ; a n d w om en , I a m
afra id , a re n ot a lw ay s q uite a s fa ir a s th ey s h ould b e. W ell, m y d ear, n um ber
One c am e ju st b efo re lu nch . I to ld y ou o f h im , D r. J o hn S ew ard , th e lu natic -
asy lu m m an , w ith th e str o ng ja w a n d th e g ood fo re h ead . H e w as v ery c o ol
outw ard ly , b ut w as n erv ous a ll th e sa m e. H e h ad e v id en tly b een sc h oolin g
him se lf a s to a ll so rts o f little th in gs, a n d re m em bere d th em ; b ut h e a lm ost
man ag ed to s it d ow n o n h is s ilk h at, w hic h m en d on’t g en era lly d o w hen th ey
are c o ol, a n d th en w hen h e w an te d to a p pear a t e ase h e k ep t p la y in g w ith a
la n cet in a w ay th at m ad e m e n early sc re am . H e sp oke to m e, M in a, v ery
str a ig htf o rw ard ly . H e t o ld m e h ow d ear I w as t o h im , t h ough h e h ad k now n m e
so little , a n d w hat h is lif e w ould b e w ith m e to h elp a n d c h eer h im . H e w as
goin g to te ll m e h ow u nhap py h e w ould b e if I d id n ot c are f o r h im , b ut w hen
he s a w m e c ry h e s a id th at h e w as a b ru te a n d w ould n ot a d d to m y p re se n t
tr o uble . T hen h e b ro ke o ff a n d a sk ed if I c o uld lo ve h im in tim e; a n d w hen I
sh ook m y h ead h is h an ds t r e m ble d , a n d t h en w ith s o m e h esita tio n h e a sk ed m e
if I c are d a lr e ad y f o r a n y o ne e ls e . H e p ut i t v ery n ic ely , s a y in g t h at h e d id n ot
wan t to w rin g m y co nfid en ce fro m m e, but only to know , becau se if a
wom an ’s h eart w as f re e a m an m ig ht h av e h ope. A nd th en , M in a, I f e lt a s o rt
of d uty to te ll h im th at th ere w as s o m e o ne. I o nly to ld h im th at m uch , a n d
th en h e s to od u p, a n d h e l o oked v ery s tr o ng a n d v ery g ra v e a s h e t o ok b oth m y
han ds in h is a n d s a id h e h oped I w ould b e h ap py, a n d th at if I e v er w an te d a
frie n d I m ust c o unt h im o ne o f m y b est. O h, M in a d ear, I c an ’t h elp c ry in g:
an d y ou m ust e x cu se th is le tte r b ein g a ll b lo tte d . B ein g p ro pose d to is a ll v ery
nic e a n d a ll t h at s o rt o f t h in g, b ut i t i s n ’t a t a ll a h ap py t h in g w hen y ou h av e t o
se e a poor fe llo w , w hom you know lo ves you honestly , goin g aw ay an d
lo okin g a ll b ro ken -h earte d , a n d t o k now t h at, n o m atte r w hat h e m ay s a y a t t h e
mom en t, y ou a re p assin g q uite o ut o f h is lif e . M y d ear, I m ust s to p h ere a t
pre se n t, I f e el s o m is e ra b le , t h ough I a m s o h ap py.
“E ven in g.
“A rth ur h as ju st g one, a n d I f e el in b ette r s p ir its th an w hen I le ft o ff , s o I can g o o n te llin g y ou a b out th e d ay. W ell, m y d ear, n um ber T w o c am e a fte r
lu nch . H e is su ch a n ic e fe llo w , a n A m eric an fro m T ex as, a n d h e lo oks so
young a n d so fre sh th at it se em s a lm ost im possib le th at h e h as b een to so
man y p la ces a n d h as h ad s u ch a d ven tu re s. I s y m path is e w ith p oor D esd em ona
when s h e h ad s u ch a d an gero us s tr e am p oure d i n h er e ar, e v en b y a b la ck m an .
I s u ppose th at w e w om en a re s u ch c o w ard s th at w e th in k a m an w ill s a v e u s
fro m f e ars , a n d w e m arry h im . I k now n ow w hat I w ould d o if I w ere a m an
an d w an te d to m ak e a g ir l lo ve m e. N o, I d on’t, fo r th ere w as M r. M orris
te llin g u s h is s to rie s, a n d A rth ur n ev er to ld a n y, a n d y et— — M y d ear, I a m
so m ew hat p re v io us. M r. Q uin cey P . M orris fo und m e a lo ne. It s e em s th at a
man a lw ay s d oes fin d a g ir l a lo ne. N o, h e d oesn ’t, fo r A rth ur tr ie d tw ic e to
mak e a c h an ce, a n d I h elp in g h im a ll I c o uld ; I a m n ot a sh am ed t o s a y i t n ow . I
must te ll y ou b efo re h an d th at M r. M orris d oesn ’t a lw ay s s p eak s la n g— th at is
to sa y, h e n ev er d oes so to str a n gers o r b efo re th em , fo r h e is re ally w ell
ed ucate d a n d h as e x quis ite m an ners — but h e fo und o ut th at it a m use d m e to
hear h im ta lk A m eric an s la n g, a n d w hen ev er I w as p re se n t, a n d th ere w as n o
one to b e s h ock ed , h e s a id s u ch f u nny th in gs. I a m a fra id , m y d ear, h e h as to
in ven t it a ll, fo r it fits e x actly in to w hate v er e ls e h e h as to s a y. B ut th is is a
way s la n g h as. I d o n ot k now m yse lf i f I s h all e v er s p eak s la n g; I d o n ot k now
if A rth ur lik es it, a s I h av e n ev er h eard h im u se a n y a s y et. W ell, M r. M orris
sa t d ow n b esid e m e a n d l o oked a s h ap py a n d j o lly a s h e c o uld , b ut I c o uld s e e
all th e s a m e th at h e w as v ery n erv ous. H e to ok m y h an d in h is , a n d s a id e v er
so s w eetly :—
“ ‘M is s L ucy, I k now I a in ’t g ood e n ough to re g ula te th e fix in ’s o f y our
little s h oes, b ut I g uess if y ou w ait till y ou f in d a m an th at is y ou w ill g o jo in
th em s e v en y oung w om en w ith th e l a m ps w hen y ou q uit. W on’t y ou j u st h itc h
up a lo ngsid e o f m e a n d le t u s g o d ow n th e lo ng ro ad to geth er, d riv in g in
double h arn ess? ’
“W ell, h e d id lo ok s o g ood-h um oure d a n d s o jo lly th at it d id n’t s e em h alf
so h ard t o r e fu se h im a s i t d id p oor D r. S ew ard ; s o I s a id , a s l ig htly a s I c o uld ,
th at I d id n ot k now a n yth in g o f h itc h in g, a n d t h at I w asn ’t b ro ken t o h arn ess a t
all y et. T hen h e s a id t h at h e h ad s p oken i n a l ig ht m an ner, a n d h e h oped t h at i f
he h ad m ad e a m is ta k e i n d oin g s o o n s o g ra v e, s o m om en to us, a n o ccasio n f o r
him , I w ould fo rg iv e h im . H e re ally d id lo ok s e rio us w hen h e w as s a y in g it,
an d I c o uld n’t h elp f e elin g a b it s e rio us to o— I k now , M in a, y ou w ill th in k m e
a h orrid flir t— th ough I c o uld n’t h elp fe elin g a s o rt o f e x ulta tio n th at h e w as
num ber t w o i n o ne d ay. A nd t h en , m y d ear, b efo re I c o uld s a y a w ord h e b eg an
pourin g o ut a p erfe ct to rre n t o f lo ve-m ak in g, la y in g h is v ery h eart a n d s o ul a t
my f e et. H e lo oked s o e arn est o ver it th at I s h all n ev er a g ain th in k th at a m an
must b e p la y fu l a lw ay s, a n d n ev er e arn est, b ecau se h e is m erry a t tim es. I
su ppose h e sa w so m eth in g in m y fa ce w hic h c h eck ed h im , fo r h e su dden ly
sto pped , a n d s a id w ith a s o rt o f m an ly f e rv our th at I c o uld h av e lo ved h im f o r if I h ad b een f re e:—
“ ‘L ucy, y ou are an h onest- h earte d g ir l, I k now . I sh ould n ot b e h ere
sp eak in g t o y ou a s I a m n ow i f I d id n ot b elie v e y ou c le an g rit, r ig ht t h ro ugh t o
th e v ery d ep th s o f y our s o ul. T ell m e, lik e o ne g ood f e llo w to a n oth er, is th ere
an y o ne e ls e th at y ou c are fo r? A nd if th ere is I’ll n ev er tr o uble y ou a h air ’s
bre ad th a g ain , b ut w ill b e, i f y ou w ill l e t m e, a v ery f a ith fu l f rie n d.’
“M y d ear M in a, w hy are m en so n oble w hen w e w om en are so little
worth y o f th em ? H ere w as I a lm ost m ak in g fu n o f th is g re at- h earte d , tr u e
gen tle m an . I b urs t in to te ars — I a m a fra id , m y d ear, y ou w ill th in k th is a v ery
slo ppy le tte r in m ore w ay s th an o ne— an d I r e ally f e lt v ery b ad ly . W hy c an ’t
th ey le t a g ir l m arry th re e m en , o r a s m an y a s w an t h er, a n d sa v e a ll th is
tr o uble ? B ut t h is i s h ere sy , a n d I m ust n ot s a y i t. I a m g la d t o s a y t h at, t h ough I
was c ry in g, I w as a b le t o l o ok i n to M r. M orris ’s b ra v e e y es, a n d I t o ld h im o ut
str a ig ht:—
“ ‘ Y es, t h ere i s s o m e o ne I l o ve, t h ough h e h as n ot t o ld m e y et t h at h e e v en
lo ves m e.’ I w as r ig ht t o s p eak t o h im s o f ra n kly , f o r q uite a l ig ht c am e i n to h is
fa ce, a n d h e p ut o ut b oth h is h an ds a n d to ok m in e— I th in k I p ut th em in to h is
—an d s a id i n a h earty w ay :—
“ ‘ T hat’s m y b ra v e g ir l. I t’s b ette r w orth b ein g l a te f o r a c h an ce o f w in nin g
you th an b ein g in tim e f o r a n y o th er g ir l in th e w orld . D on’t c ry , m y d ear. I f
it’s fo r m e, I’m a h ard n ut to c ra ck ; a n d I ta k e it sta n din g u p. If th at o th er
fe llo w d oesn ’t k now h is h ap pin ess, w ell, h e’d b ette r lo ok f o r it s o on, o r h e’ll
hav e to d eal w ith m e. L ittle g ir l, y our h onesty a n d p lu ck h av e m ad e m e a
frie n d, a n d th at’s r a re r th an a lo ver; it’s m ore u nse lf is h a n yhow . M y d ear, I ’m
goin g to h av e a p re tty lo nely w alk b etw een th is a n d K in gdom C om e. W on’t
you g iv e m e o ne k is s? It’ ll b e s o m eth in g to k eep o ff th e d ark ness n ow a n d
th en . Y ou c an , y ou k now , i f y ou l ik e, f o r t h at o th er g ood f e llo w — he m ust b e a
good fe llo w , m y d ear, a n d a fin e fe llo w , o r y ou c o uld n ot lo ve h im — hasn ’t
sp oken y et.’ T hat q uite w on m e, M in a, f o r it w as b ra v e a n d s w eet o f h im , a n d
noble , to o, to a riv al— wasn ’t it? — an d h e s o s a d ; s o I le an t o ver a n d k is se d
him . H e s to od u p w ith m y tw o h an ds in h is , a n d a s h e lo oked d ow n in to m y
fa ce— I a m a fra id I w as b lu sh in g v ery m uch — he s a id :—
“ ‘L ittle g ir l, I h old y our h an d, a n d y ou’v e k is se d m e, a n d if th ese th in gs
don’t m ak e u s f rie n ds n oth in g e v er w ill. T han k y ou f o r y our s w eet h onesty to
me, a n d g ood-b ye.’ H e w ru ng m y h an d, a n d ta k in g u p h is h at, w en t s tr a ig ht
out o f th e ro om w ith out lo okin g b ack , w ith out a te ar o r a q uiv er o r a p au se ;
an d I a m c ry in g lik e a b ab y. O h, w hy m ust a m an lik e th at b e m ad e u nhap py
when th ere a re lo ts o f g ir ls a b out w ho w ould w ors h ip th e v ery g ro und h e tr o d
on? I k now I w ould if I w ere f re e— only I d on’t w an t to b e f re e. M y d ear, th is
quite u pse t m e, a n d I f e el I c an not w rite o f h ap pin ess ju st a t o nce, a fte r te llin g you o f i t; a n d I d on’t w is h t o t e ll o f t h e n um ber t h re e u ntil i t c an b e a ll h ap py.
“E ver y our l o vin g
“L ucy.
“P .S .— Oh, a b out n um ber T hre e— I n eed n’t t e ll y ou o f n um ber T hre e, n eed
I? B esid es, it w as a ll s o c o nfu se d ; it s e em ed o nly a m om en t f ro m h is c o m in g
in to th e r o om till b oth h is a rm s w ere r o und m e, a n d h e w as k is sin g m e. I a m
very , v ery h ap py, a n d I d on’t k now w hat I h av e d one t o d ese rv e i t. I m ust o nly
tr y in th e f u tu re to s h ow th at I a m n ot u ngra te fu l to G od f o r a ll H is g oodness
to m e i n s e n din g t o m e s u ch a l o ver, s u ch a h usb an d, a n d s u ch a f rie n d.
“G ood-b ye.”
Dr. S ew ard ’s D ia ry .
(K ep t i n p honogra p h)
25 M ay.— Ebb tid e in a p petite to -d ay. C an not e at, c an not re st, so d ia ry
in ste ad . S in ce m y r e b uff o f y este rd ay I h av e a s o rt o f e m pty f e elin g; n oth in g i n
th e w orld s e em s o f s u ff ic ie n t im porta n ce to b e w orth th e d oin g.... A s I k new
th at th e o nly c u re fo r th is s o rt o f th in g w as w ork , I w en t d ow n a m ongst th e
patie n ts . I p ic k ed o ut o ne w ho h as a ff o rd ed m e a s tu dy o f m uch i n te re st. H e i s
so q uain t th at I a m d ete rm in ed to u nders ta n d h im a s w ell a s I c an . T o-d ay I
se em ed t o g et n eare r t h an e v er b efo re t o t h e h eart o f h is m yste ry .
I q uestio ned h im m ore f u lly th an I h ad e v er d one, w ith a v ie w to m ak in g
myse lf m aste r o f th e f a cts o f h is h allu cin atio n. I n m y m an ner o f d oin g it th ere
was, I n ow se e, so m eth in g o f c ru elty . I se em ed to w is h to k eep h im to th e
poin t o f h is m ad ness— a th in g w hic h I a v oid w ith th e p atie n ts a s I w ould th e
mouth o f h ell.
(M em ., under w hat cir c u m sta n ces w ould I not av oid th e pit of hell? )
Om nia R om æ v en alia s u nt. H ell h as its p ric e! v erb . s a p . If th ere b e a n yth in g
beh in d t h is i n stin ct i t w ill b e v alu ab le t o t r a ce i t a fte rw ard s a ccu ra te ly , s o I h ad
bette r c o m men ce t o d o s o , t h ere fo re —
R. M . R en fie ld , æ ta t 5 9.— San guin e te m pera m en t; g re at p hysic al s tr e n gth ;
morb id ly ex cita b le ; p erio ds o f g lo om , en din g in so m e fix ed id ea w hic h I
can not m ak e o ut. I p re su m e th at th e sa n guin e te m pera m en t its e lf an d th e
dis tu rb in g in flu en ce en d in a m en ta lly -a cco m plis h ed fin is h ; a possib ly
dan gero us m an , p ro bab ly d an gero us if u nse lf is h . In s e lf is h m en c au tio n is a s
se cu re a n a rm our f o r t h eir f o es a s f o r t h em se lv es. W hat I t h in k o f o n t h is p oin t
is , w hen se lf is th e fix ed p oin t th e cen tr ip eta l fo rc e is b ala n ced w ith th e
cen tr if u gal; w hen d uty , a cau se , etc ., is th e fix ed p oin t, th e la tte r fo rc e is
para m ount, a n d o nly a ccid en t o r a s e rie s o f a ccid en ts c an b ala n ce i t.
Lette r, Q uin cey P . M orris t o H on. A rth ur H olm wood. “2 5 M ay.
“M y d ear A rt,—
“W e’v e to ld yarn s by th e cam p-fir e in th e pra ir ie s; an d dre sse d one
an oth er’s w ounds a fte r tr y in g a la n din g a t th e M arq uesa s; a n d d ru nk h ealth s
on th e s h ore o f T itic aca. T here a re m ore y arn s to b e to ld , a n d o th er w ounds to
be h eale d , a n d a n oth er h ealth to b e d ru nk. W on’t y ou le t th is b e a t m y c am p-
fir e to -m orro w n ig ht? I h av e n o h esita tio n in a sk in g y ou, a s I k now a c erta in
la d y i s e n gag ed t o a c erta in d in ner- p arty , a n d t h at y ou a re f re e. T here w ill o nly
be o ne o th er, o ur o ld p al a t th e K ore a, J a ck S ew ard . H e’s c o m in g, to o, a n d w e
both w an t to m in gle o ur w eep s o ver th e w in e-c u p, a n d to d rin k a h ealth w ith
all o ur h earts to th e h ap pie st m an in a ll th e w id e w orld , w ho h as w on th e
noble st h eart th at G od h as m ad e a n d th e b est w orth w in nin g. W e p ro m is e y ou
a h earty w elc o m e, a n d a l o vin g g re etin g, a n d a h ealth a s t r u e a s y our o w n r ig ht
han d. W e s h all b oth s w ear to le av e y ou a t h om e if y ou d rin k to o d eep to a
certa in p air o f e y es. C om e!
“Y ours , a s e v er a n d a lw ay s,
“Q uin cey P . M orris .”
Tele g ra m f ro m A rth ur H olm wood t o Q uin cey P . M orris .
“2 6 M ay.
“C ount m e in e v ery tim e. I b ear m essa g es w hic h w ill m ak e b oth y our e ars
tin gle .
“A rt.”
CH APT ER V I
MIN A M URRAY ’S J O URNAL
24 J u ly . W hitb y.— Lucy m et m e a t t h e s ta tio n, l o okin g s w eete r a n d l o velie r
th an e v er, a n d w e d ro ve u p to th e h ouse a t th e C re sc en t in w hic h th ey h av e
ro om s. T his is a lo vely p la ce. T he little riv er, th e E sk , ru ns th ro ugh a d eep
valle y, w hic h b ro ad en s o ut a s it c o m es n ear th e h arb our. A g re at v ia d uct r u ns
acro ss, w ith h ig h p ie rs , th ro ugh w hic h th e v ie w s e em s s o m eh ow f u rth er a w ay
th an it re ally is . T he v alle y is b eau tif u lly g re en , a n d it is s o s te ep th at w hen
you a re o n th e h ig h la n d o n e ith er s id e y ou lo ok r ig ht a cro ss it, u nle ss y ou a re
near e n ough to s e e d ow n. T he h ouse s o f th e o ld to w n— th e s id e a w ay f ro m u s
—are a ll re d -ro ofe d , a n d s e em p ile d u p o ne o ver th e o th er a n yhow , lik e th e
pic tu re s w e se e o f N ure m berg . R ig ht o ver th e to w n is th e ru in o f W hitb y Abbey, w hic h w as sa ck ed b y th e D an es, a n d w hic h is th e sc en e o f p art o f
“M arm io n,” w here th e g ir l w as b uilt u p in th e w all. I t is a m ost n oble r u in , o f
im men se s iz e, a n d f u ll o f b eau tif u l a n d r o m an tic b its ; th ere is a le g en d th at a
white la d y is s e en in o ne o f th e w in dow s. B etw een it a n d th e to w n th ere is
an oth er c h urc h , th e p aris h o ne, ro und w hic h is a b ig g ra v ey ard , a ll fu ll o f
to m bsto nes. T his is to m y m in d th e n ic est s p ot in W hitb y, f o r it lie s r ig ht o ver
th e to w n, a n d h as a fu ll v ie w o f th e h arb our a n d a ll u p th e b ay to w here th e
head la n d c alle d K ettle n ess str e tc h es o ut in to th e se a. It d esc en ds so ste ep ly
over th e h arb our th at p art o f th e b an k h as f a lle n a w ay, a n d s o m e o f th e g ra v es
hav e b een d estr o yed . I n o ne p la ce p art o f t h e s to new ork o f t h e g ra v es s tr e tc h es
out o ver th e sa n dy p ath w ay fa r b elo w . T here are w alk s, w ith se ats b esid e
th em , t h ro ugh t h e c h urc h yard ; a n d p eo ple g o a n d s it t h ere a ll d ay l o ng l o okin g
at th e b eau tif u l v ie w a n d e n jo yin g th e b re eze. I s h all c o m e a n d s it h ere v ery
ofte n m yse lf a n d w ork . I n deed , I a m w ritin g n ow , w ith m y b ook o n m y k nee,
an d l is te n in g t o t h e t a lk o f t h re e o ld m en w ho a re s ittin g b esid e m e. T hey s e em
to d o n oth in g a ll d ay b ut s it u p h ere a n d t a lk .
The h arb our lie s b elo w m e, w ith , o n th e fa r sid e, o ne lo ng g ra n ite w all
str e tc h in g o ut i n to t h e s e a, w ith a c u rv e o utw ard s a t t h e e n d o f i t, i n t h e m id dle
of w hic h i s a l ig hth ouse . A h eav y s e a-w all r u ns a lo ng o uts id e o f i t. O n t h e n ear
sid e, th e se a-w all m ak es a n e lb ow c ro oked in vers e ly , a n d its e n d to o h as a
lig hth ouse . B etw een th e tw o p ie rs th ere is a n arro w o pen in g in to th e h arb our,
whic h t h en s u dden ly w id en s.
It is n ic e a t h ig h w ate r; b ut w hen th e tid e is o ut it s h oals a w ay to n oth in g,
an d t h ere i s m ere ly t h e s tr e am o f t h e E sk , r u nnin g b etw een b an ks o f s a n d, w ith
ro ck s h ere a n d t h ere . O uts id e t h e h arb our o n t h is s id e t h ere r is e s f o r a b out h alf
a m ile a g re at r e ef, th e s h arp e d ge o f w hic h r u ns s tr a ig ht o ut f ro m b eh in d th e
so uth lig hth ouse . A t th e e n d o f it is a b uoy w ith a b ell, w hic h s w in gs in b ad
weath er, a n d s e n ds in a m ourn fu l s o und o n th e w in d. T hey h av e a le g en d h ere
th at w hen a s h ip i s l o st b ells a re h eard o ut a t s e a. I m ust a sk t h e o ld m an a b out
th is ; h e i s c o m in g t h is w ay....
He is a f u nny o ld m an . H e m ust b e a w fu lly o ld , f o r h is f a ce is a ll g narle d
an d t w is te d l ik e t h e b ark o f a t r e e. H e t e lls m e t h at h e i s n early a h undre d , a n d
th at h e w as a s a ilo r in th e G re en la n d f is h in g f le et w hen W ate rlo o w as f o ught.
He is , I a m a fra id , a v ery s c ep tic al p ers o n, fo r w hen I a sk ed h im a b out th e
bells a t s e a a n d t h e W hite L ad y a t t h e a b bey h e s a id v ery b ru sq uely :—
“I w ould n’t fa sh m ase l’ a b out th em , m is s. T hem th in gs b e a ll w ore o ut.
Min d, I d on’t s a y t h at t h ey n ev er w as, b ut I d o s a y t h at t h ey w asn ’t i n m y t im e.
They b e a ll v ery w ell f o r c o m ers a n d tr ip pers , a n ’ th e lik e, b ut n ot f o r a n ic e
young la d y lik e y ou. T hem fe et- fo lk s fro m Y ork a n d L eed s th at b e a lw ay s
eatin ’ c u re d h errin ’s a n ’ d rin kin ’ te a a n ’ lo okin ’ o ut to b uy c h eap je t w ould
cre ed a u ght. I w onder m ase l’ w ho’d b e b oth ere d te llin ’ lie s to th em — ev en th e new sp ap ers , w hic h i s f u ll o f f o ol- ta lk .” I t h ought h e w ould b e a g ood p ers o n t o
le arn in te re stin g th in gs fro m , so I ask ed h im if h e w ould m in d te llin g m e
so m eth in g a b out t h e w hale -fis h in g i n t h e o ld d ay s. H e w as j u st s e ttlin g h im se lf
to b eg in w hen t h e c lo ck s tr u ck s ix , w here u pon h e l a b oure d t o g et u p, a n d s a id :
—
“I m ust g an g a g eean w ard s h om e n ow , m is s. M y g ra n d-d au ghte r d oesn ’t
lik e to b e k ep t w aitin ’ w hen th e te a is r e ad y, f o r it ta k es m e tim e to c ra m mle
ab oon th e g re es, fo r th ere b e a m an y o f ’e m ; a n ’, m is s, I la ck b elly -tim ber
sa ir ly b y t h e c lo ck .”
He h obble d a w ay, a n d I c o uld s e e h im h urry in g, a s w ell a s h e c o uld , d ow n
th e s te p s. T he s te p s a re a g re at f e atu re o n th e p la ce. T hey le ad f ro m th e to w n
up to th e c h urc h , th ere a re h undre d s o f th em — I d o n ot k now h ow m an y— an d
th ey w in d u p i n a d elic ate c u rv e; t h e s lo pe i s s o g en tle t h at a h ors e c o uld e asily
walk u p a n d d ow n t h em . I t h in k t h ey m ust o rig in ally h av e h ad s o m eth in g t o d o
with th e a b bey. I s h all g o h om e to o. L ucy w en t o ut v is itin g w ith h er m oth er,
an d a s t h ey w ere o nly d uty c alls , I d id n ot g o. T hey w ill b e h om e b y t h is .
1 A ugust.— I c am e u p h ere a n h our a g o w ith L ucy, a n d w e h ad a m ost
in te re stin g ta lk w ith m y o ld frie n d a n d th e tw o o th ers w ho a lw ay s c o m e a n d
jo in h im . H e is e v id en tly th e S ir O ra cle o f th em , a n d I s h ould th in k m ust h av e
been in h is tim e a m ost d ic ta to ria l p ers o n. H e w ill n ot a d m it a n yth in g, a n d
dow nfa ces e v ery body. If h e c an ’t o ut- a rg ue th em h e b ullie s th em , a n d th en
ta k es th eir sile n ce fo r a g re em en t w ith h is v ie w s. L ucy w as lo okin g sw eetly
pre tty in h er w hite la w n fro ck ; sh e h as g ot a b eau tif u l c o lo ur sin ce sh e h as
been h ere . I n otic ed th at th e o ld m en d id n ot lo se a n y tim e in c o m in g u p a n d
sittin g n ear h er w hen w e s a t d ow n. S he is s o s w eet w ith o ld p eo ple ; I th in k
th ey a ll f e ll i n l o ve w ith h er o n t h e s p ot. E ven m y o ld m an s u ccu m bed a n d d id
not c o ntr a d ic t h er, b ut g av e m e d ouble s h are in ste ad . I g ot h im o n th e s u bje ct
of th e le g en ds, a n d h e w en t o ff a t o nce in to a s o rt o f s e rm on. I m ust tr y to
re m em ber i t a n d p ut i t d ow n:—
“It b e a ll f o ol- ta lk , lo ck , s to ck , a n d b arre l; th at’s w hat it b e, a n ’ n ow t e ls e .
These b an s a n ’ w afts a n ’ b oh-g hosts a n ’ b arg uests a n ’ b ogle s a n ’ a ll a n en t t h em
is o nly fit to s e t b air n s a n ’ d iz zy w om en a -b eld erin ’. T hey b e n ow t b ut a ir -
ble b s. T hey, a n ’ a ll g rim s a n ’ s ig ns a n ’ w arn in ’s , b e a ll i n ven te d b y p ars o ns a n ’
ills o m e b eu k-b odie s a n ’ ra ilw ay to ute rs to s k eer a n ’ s c u nner h aff lin ’s , a n ’ to
get f o lk s to d o s o m eth in ’ th at th ey d on’t o th er in clin e to . I t m ak es m e ir e fu l to
th in k o ’ th em . W hy, it’s th em th at, n ot c o nte n t w ith p rin tin ’ lie s o n p ap er a n ’
pre ach in ’ th em o ut o f p ulp its , d oes w an t to b e c u ttin ’ th em o n th e to m bsto nes.
Look h ere a ll a ro und y ou in w hat a ir t y e w ill; a ll th em s te an s, h old in ’ u p th eir
head s a s w ell a s th ey c an o ut o f th eir p rid e, is a can t— sim ply tu m blin ’ d ow n
with th e w eig ht o ’ th e lie s w ro te o n th em , ‘H ere lie s th e b ody’ o r ‘S acre d to
th e m em ory ’ w ro te o n a ll o f th em , a n ’ y et in n ig h h alf o f th em th ere b ean ’t n o bodie s a t a ll; a n ’ th e m em orie s o f th em b ean ’t c are d a p in ch o f s n uff a b out,
much l e ss s a cre d . L ie s a ll o f t h em , n oth in ’ b ut l ie s o f o ne k in d o r a n oth er! M y
gog, b ut i t’ ll b e a q uare s c o w derm en t a t t h e D ay o f J u dgm en t w hen t h ey c o m e
tu m blin ’ u p in th eir d eath -s a rk s, a ll jo uped to geth er a n ’ tr y in ’ to d ra g th eir
to m bste an s w ith th em to p ro ve h ow g ood th ey w as; s o m e o f th em tr im mlin ’
an d d ith erin ’, w ith th eir h an ds th at d ozzen ed a n ’ s lip py fro m ly in ’ in th e s e a
th at t h ey c an ’t e v en k eep t h eir g ru p o ’ t h em .”
I c o uld s e e f ro m th e o ld f e llo w ’s s e lf -s a tis fie d a ir a n d th e w ay in w hic h h e
lo oked ro und fo r th e a p pro val o f h is c ro nie s th at h e w as “ sh ow in g o ff ,” s o I
put i n a w ord t o k eep h im g oin g:—
“O h, M r. S w ale s, y ou c an ’t b e s e rio us. S ure ly th ese to m bsto nes a re n ot a ll
wro ng?”
“Y ab blin s! T here m ay b e a p ooris h f e w n ot w ro ng, s a v in ’ w here t h ey m ak e
out t h e p eo ple t o o g ood; f o r t h ere b e f o lk t h at d o t h in k a b alm -b ow l b e l ik e t h e
se a, if o nly it b e th eir o w n. T he w hole th in g b e o nly lie s. N ow lo ok y ou h ere ;
you c o m e h ere a s tr a n ger, a n ’ y ou s e e th is k ir k -g arth .” I n odded , f o r I th ought
it b ette r to a sse n t, th ough I d id n ot q uite u nders ta n d h is d ia le ct. I k new it h ad
so m eth in g to d o w ith th e c h urc h . H e w en t o n: “ A nd y ou c o nsa te th at a ll th ese
ste an s b e a b oon fo lk th at b e h ap ped h ere , s n od a n ’ s n og?” I a sse n te d a g ain .
“T hen th at b e ju st w here th e lie c o m es in . W hy, th ere b e s c o re s o f th ese la y -
bed s t h at b e t o om a s o ld D un’s ’ b acca-b ox o n F rid ay n ig ht.” H e n udged o ne o f
his co m pan io ns, an d th ey all la u ghed . “A nd m y g og! h ow co uld th ey b e
oth erw is e ? L ook a t th at o ne, th e a fte st a b aft th e b ie r- b an k: re ad it! ” I w en t
over a n d r e ad :—
“E dw ard S pen cela g h, m aste r m arin er, m urd ere d b y p ir a te s o ff th e c o ast o f
Andre s, A pril, 1 854, æ t. 3 0.” W hen I c am e b ack M r. S w ale s w en t o n:—
“W ho b ro ught h im h om e, I w onder, to h ap h im h ere ? M urd ere d o ff th e
co ast o f A ndre s! a n ’ y ou c o nsa te d h is b ody l a y u nder! W hy, I c o uld n am e y e a
dozen w hose b ones lie in th e G re en la n d s e as a b ove”— he p oin te d n orth w ard s
—“o r w here th e c u rre n ts m ay h av e d rif te d th em . T here b e th e s te an s a ro und
ye. Y e c an , w ith y our y oung e y es, re ad th e s m all- p rin t o f th e lie s fro m h ere .
This B ra ith w aite L ow re y — I k new h is f a th er, lo st in th e L iv ely o ff G re en la n d
in ’2 0; o r A ndre w W oodhouse , d ro w ned in th e sa m e se as in 1 777; o r Jo hn
Pax to n, d ro w ned o ff C ap e F are w ell a y ear la te r; o r o ld J o hn R aw lin gs, w hose
gra n dfa th er s a ile d w ith m e, d ro w ned i n t h e G ulf o f F in la n d i n ’ 5 0. D o y e t h in k
th at all th ese m en w ill h av e to m ak e a ru sh to W hitb y w hen th e tr u m pet
so unds? I h av e m e a n th eru m s a b oot i t! I te ll y e t h at w hen t h ey g ot h ere t h ey ’d
be jo m mlin ’ a n ’ jo stlin ’ o ne a n oth er th at w ay th at it ’ u d b e lik e a f ig ht u p o n
th e i c e i n t h e o ld d ay s, w hen w e’d b e a t o ne a n oth er f ro m d ay lig ht t o d ark , a n ’
tr y in ’ t o t ie u p o ur c u ts b y t h e lig ht o f t h e a u ro ra b ore alis .” T his w as e v id en tly lo cal p le asa n tr y , f o r t h e o ld m an c ack le d o ver i t, a n d h is c ro nie s j o in ed i n w ith
gusto .
“B ut,” I sa id , “su re ly you are not quite co rre ct, fo r you sta rt on th e
assu m ptio n th at a ll th e p oor p eo ple , o r th eir sp ir its , w ill h av e to ta k e th eir
to m bsto nes w ith th em o n th e D ay o f Ju dgm en t. D o y ou th in k th at w ill b e
re ally n ecessa ry ?”
“W ell, w hat e ls e b e t h ey t o m bsto nes f o r? A nsw er m e t h at, m is s!”
“T o p le ase t h eir r e la tiv es, I s u ppose .”
“T o p le ase th eir re la tiv es, y ou s u ppose !” T his h e s a id w ith in te n se s c o rn .
“H ow w ill it p le asu re th eir r e la tiv es to k now th at lie s is w ro te o ver th em , a n d
th at e v ery body in th e p la ce k now s th at th ey b e lie s? ” H e p oin te d to a s to ne a t
our fe et w hic h h ad b een la id d ow n a s a s la b , o n w hic h th e s e at w as re ste d ,
clo se to th e e d ge o f th e c lif f . “ R ead th e lie s o n th at th ru ff -s te an ,” h e s a id . T he
le tte rs w ere u psid e d ow n to m e f ro m w here I s a t, b ut L ucy w as m ore o pposite
to t h em , s o s h e l e an t o ver a n d r e ad :—
“S acre d to th e m em ory o f G eo rg e C an on, w ho d ie d , in th e h ope o f a
glo rio us re su rre ctio n, o n J u ly , 2 9, 1 873, fa llin g fro m th e ro ck s a t K ettle n ess.
This t o m b w as e re cte d b y h is s o rro w in g m oth er t o h er d early b elo ved s o n. ‘ H e
was th e o nly s o n o f h is m oth er, a n d s h e w as a w id ow .’ R eally , M r. S w ale s, I
don’t s e e a n yth in g v ery f u nny in th at! ” S he s p oke h er c o m men t v ery g ra v ely
an d s o m ew hat s e v ere ly .
“Y e d on’t s e e a u ght f u nny! H a! h a! B ut th at’s b ecau se y e d on’t g aw m th e
so rro w in ’ m oth er w as a h ell- c at th at h ate d h im b ecau se h e w as a cre w k’d — a
re g ula r l a m ite r h e w as— an ’ h e h ate d h er s o t h at h e c o m mitte d s u ic id e i n o rd er
th at s h e m ig htn ’t g et a n in su ra n ce s h e p ut o n h is lif e . H e b le w n ig h th e to p o f
his h ead o ff w ith an o ld m usk et th at th ey h ad fo r sc arin ’ th e cro w s w ith .
’T w arn ’t f o r c ro w s th en , f o r it b ro ught th e c le g s a n d th e d ow ps to h im . T hat’s
th e w ay h e f e ll o ff th e r o ck s. A nd, a s to h opes o f a g lo rio us r e su rre ctio n, I ’v e
ofte n h eard h im s a y m ase l’ t h at h e h oped h e’d g o t o h ell, f o r h is m oth er w as s o
pio us t h at s h e’d b e s u re t o g o t o h eav en , a n ’ h e d id n’t w an t t o a d dle w here s h e
was. N ow is n ’t th at s te an a t a n y ra te ”— he h am mere d it w ith h is s tic k a s h e
sp oke— “a p ack o f lie s? an d w on’t it m ak e G ab rie l k eck le w hen G eo rd ie
co m es p an tin ’ u p t h e g re es w ith t h e t o m bste an b ala n ced o n h is h um p, a n d a sk s
it t o b e t o ok a s e v id en ce!”
I d id n ot k now w hat to s a y, b ut L ucy tu rn ed th e c o nvers a tio n a s s h e s a id ,
ris in g u p:—
“O h, w hy d id y ou t e ll u s o f t h is ? I t i s m y f a v ourite s e at, a n d I c an not l e av e
it; a n d n ow I f in d I m ust g o o n s ittin g o ver t h e g ra v e o f a s u ic id e.” “T hat w on’t h arm y e, m y p re tty ; a n ’ it m ay m ak e p oor G eo rd ie g la d so m e
to h av e s o tr im a la ss s ittin ’ o n h is la p . T hat w on’t h urt y e. W hy, I ’v e s a t h ere
off a n ’ o n f o r n ig h tw en ty y ears p ast, a n ’ it h asn ’t d one m e n o h arm . D on’t y e
fa sh a b out t h em a s l ie s u nder y e, o r t h at d oesn ’ l ie t h ere e ith er! I t’ ll b e t im e f o r
ye to b e g ettin g s c art w hen y e s e e th e to m bste an s a ll ru n a w ay w ith , a n d th e
pla ce a s b are a s a s tu bble -fie ld . T here ’s t h e c lo ck , a n ’ I m ust g an g. M y s e rv ic e
to y e, l a d ie s!” A nd o ff h e h obble d .
Lucy a n d I s a t a w hile , a n d it w as a ll s o b eau tif u l b efo re u s th at w e to ok
han ds a s w e s a t; a n d s h e to ld m e a ll o ver a g ain a b out A rth ur a n d th eir c o m in g
marria g e. T hat m ad e m e ju st a little heart- s ic k , fo r I hav en ’t heard fro m
Jo nath an f o r a w hole m onth .
The s a m e d ay. I c am e u p h ere a lo ne, f o r I a m v ery s a d . T here w as n o l e tte r
fo r m e. I h ope th ere c an not b e a n yth in g th e m atte r w ith J o nath an . T he c lo ck
has ju st s tr u ck n in e. I s e e th e lig hts s c atte re d a ll o ver th e to w n, s o m etim es in
ro w s w here th e s tr e ets a re , a n d s o m etim es s in gly ; th ey ru n rig ht u p th e E sk
an d d ie a w ay in th e c u rv e o f th e v alle y. T o m y le ft th e v ie w is c u t o ff b y a
bla ck lin e o f ro of o f th e o ld h ouse n ex t th e a b bey. T he s h eep a n d la m bs a re
ble atin g in th e fie ld s a w ay b eh in d m e, a n d th ere is a c la tte r o f a d onkey ’s
hoofs u p th e p av ed r o ad b elo w . T he b an d o n th e p ie r is p la y in g a h ars h w altz
in g ood tim e, a n d f u rth er a lo ng th e q uay th ere is a S alv atio n A rm y m eetin g in
a b ack s tr e et. N eith er o f th e b an ds h ears th e o th er, b ut u p h ere I h ear a n d s e e
th em b oth . I w onder w here J o nath an is a n d if h e is th in kin g o f m e! I w is h h e
were h ere .
Dr. S ew ard ’s D ia ry .
5 Ju ne.— The c ase o f R en fie ld g ro w s m ore in te re stin g th e m ore I g et to
unders ta n d th e m an . H e has certa in qualitie s very la rg ely dev elo ped ;
se lf is h ness, s e cre cy, a n d p urp ose . I w is h I c o uld g et a t w hat i s t h e o bje ct o f t h e
la tte r. H e s e em s t o h av e s o m e s e ttle d s c h em e o f h is o w n, b ut w hat i t i s I d o n ot
yet k now . H is r e d eem in g q uality is a lo ve o f a n im als , th ough, in deed , h e h as
su ch c u rio us tu rn s in it th at I s o m etim es im ag in e h e is o nly a b norm ally c ru el.
His p ets are o f o dd so rts . Ju st n ow h is h obby is catc h in g flie s. H e h as at
pre se n t su ch a quan tity th at I hav e had m yse lf to ex postu la te . To m y
asto nis h m en t, h e d id n ot b re ak o ut in to a fu ry , a s I e x pecte d , b ut to ok th e
matte r in s im ple s e rio usn ess. H e th ought f o r a m om en t, a n d th en s a id : “ M ay I
hav e th re e d ay s? I s h all c le ar th em a w ay.” O f c o urs e , I s a id th at w ould d o. I
must w atc h h im .
18 J u ne.— He h as tu rn ed h is m in d n ow to s p id ers , a n d h as g ot s e v era l v ery
big f e llo w s in a b ox. H e k eep s f e ed in g th em w ith h is f lie s, a n d th e n um ber o f
th e la tte r is b eco m in g s e n sib ly d im in is h ed , a lth ough h e h as u se d h alf h is f o od
in a ttr a ctin g m ore f lie s f ro m o uts id e t o h is r o om . 1 J u ly .— His s p id ers a re n ow b eco m in g a s g re at a n uis a n ce a s h is f lie s, a n d
to -d ay I to ld h im th at h e m ust g et r id o f th em . H e lo oked v ery s a d a t th is , s o I
sa id th at he m ust cle ar out so m e of th em , at all ev en ts . H e ch eerfu lly
acq uie sc ed in th is , a n d I g av e h im th e s a m e tim e a s b efo re fo r re d uctio n. H e
dis g uste d m e m uch w hile w ith h im , fo r w hen a h orrid b lo w -fly , b lo ate d w ith
so m e c arrio n f o od, b uzzed in to th e r o om , h e c au ght it, h eld it e x ulta n tly f o r a
fe w m om en ts b etw een h is f in ger a n d th um b, a n d, b efo re I k new w hat h e w as
goin g to d o, p ut it in h is m outh a n d a te it. I s c o ld ed h im f o r it, b ut h e a rg ued
quie tly th at it w as v ery g ood a n d v ery w hole so m e; th at it w as lif e , s tr o ng lif e ,
an d g av e lif e to h im . T his g av e m e a n id ea, o r th e ru dim en t o f o ne. I m ust
watc h h ow h e g ets r id o f h is s p id ers . H e h as e v id en tly s o m e d eep p ro ble m in
his m in d, fo r h e k eep s a little n ote -b ook in w hic h h e is a lw ay s jo ttin g d ow n
so m eth in g. W hole p ag es o f it are fille d w ith m asse s o f fig ure s, g en era lly
sin gle n um bers ad ded u p in b atc h es, an d th en th e to ta ls ad ded in b atc h es
ag ain , a s t h ough h e w ere “ fo cu ssin g” s o m e a cco unt, a s t h e a u dito rs p ut i t.
8 J u ly .— There i s a m eth od i n h is m ad ness, a n d t h e r u dim en ta ry i d ea i n m y
min d is g ro w in g. It w ill b e a w hole id ea so on, an d th en , o h, u nco nsc io us
cere b ra tio n! y ou w ill h av e to g iv e th e w all to y our c o nsc io us b ro th er. I k ep t
aw ay f ro m m y f rie n d f o r a f e w d ay s, s o th at I m ig ht n otic e if th ere w ere a n y
ch an ge. T hin gs r e m ain a s t h ey w ere e x cep t t h at h e h as p arte d w ith s o m e o f h is
pets a n d g ot a n ew o ne. H e h as m an ag ed to g et a s p arro w , a n d h as a lr e ad y
partia lly ta m ed it. H is m ean s o f ta m in g is s im ple , f o r a lr e ad y th e s p id ers h av e
dim in is h ed . T hose th at d o r e m ain , h ow ev er, a re w ell f e d , f o r h e s till b rin gs in
th e f lie s b y t e m ptin g t h em w ith h is f o od.
19 Ju ly .— We are pro gre ssin g. M y frie n d has now a w hole co lo ny of
sp arro w s, a n d h is f lie s a n d s p id ers a re a lm ost o blite ra te d . W hen I c am e in h e
ra n to m e a n d sa id h e w an te d to a sk m e a g re at fa v our— a v ery , v ery g re at
fa v our; a n d a s h e s p oke h e f a w ned o n m e lik e a d og. I a sk ed h im w hat it w as,
an d h e s a id , w ith a s o rt o f r a p tu re i n h is v oic e a n d b earin g:—
“A k itte n , a n ic e little , s le ek p la y fu l k itte n , th at I c an p la y w ith , a n d te ach ,
an d fe ed — an d fe ed — an d fe ed !” I w as n ot u npre p are d fo r th is re q uest, fo r I
had n otic ed h ow h is p ets w en t o n in cre asin g in s iz e a n d v iv acity , b ut I d id n ot
care th at h is p re tty f a m ily o f ta m e s p arro w s s h ould b e w ip ed o ut in th e s a m e
man ner a s th e flie s a n d th e s p id ers ; s o I s a id I w ould s e e a b out it, a n d a sk ed
him i f h e w ould n ot r a th er h av e a c at t h an a k itte n . H is e ag ern ess b etr a y ed h im
as h e a n sw ere d :—
“O h, y es, I w ould l ik e a c at! I o nly a sk ed f o r a k itte n l e st y ou s h ould r e fu se
me a c at. N o o ne w ould r e fu se m e a k itte n , w ould t h ey ?” I s h ook m y h ead , a n d
sa id t h at a t p re se n t I f e are d i t w ould n ot b e p ossib le , b ut t h at I w ould s e e a b out
it. H is fa ce fe ll, a n d I c o uld se e a w arn in g o f d an ger in it, fo r th ere w as a
su dden f ie rc e, s id elo ng lo ok w hic h m ean t k illin g. T he m an is a n u ndev elo ped hom ic id al m an ia c. I s h all te st h im w ith h is p re se n t c ra v in g a n d s e e h ow it w ill
work o ut; t h en I s h all k now m ore .
10 p . m .— I h av e v is ite d h im ag ain an d fo und h im sittin g in a co rn er
bro odin g. W hen I cam e in h e th re w h im se lf o n h is k nees b efo re m e an d
im plo re d m e to le t h im h av e a c at; th at h is s a lv atio n d ep en ded u pon it. I w as
fir m , h ow ev er, a n d to ld h im th at h e c o uld n ot h av e it, w here u pon h e w en t
with out a w ord , a n d s a t d ow n, g naw in g h is f in gers , in th e c o rn er w here I h ad
fo und h im . I s h all s e e h im i n t h e m orn in g e arly .
20 J u ly .— Vis ite d R en fie ld v ery e arly , b efo re t h e a tte n dan t w en t h is r o unds.
Found h im u p a n d h um min g a tu ne. H e w as s p re ad in g o ut h is s u gar, w hic h h e
had sa v ed , in th e w in dow , an d w as m an if e stly beg in nin g his fly -c atc h in g
ag ain ; a n d b eg in nin g it c h eerfu lly a n d w ith a g ood g ra ce. I lo oked a ro und f o r
his bir d s, an d not se ein g th em , ask ed him w here th ey w ere . H e re p lie d ,
with out t u rn in g r o und, t h at t h ey h ad a ll f lo w n a w ay. T here w ere a f e w f e ath ers
ab out t h e r o om a n d o n h is p illo w a d ro p o f b lo od. I s a id n oth in g, b ut w en t a n d
to ld t h e k eep er t o r e p ort t o m e i f t h ere w ere a n yth in g o dd a b out h im d urin g t h e
day.
11 a . m .— The a tte n dan t h as ju st b een to m e to s a y th at R en fie ld h as b een
very s ic k a n d h as d is g org ed a w hole lo t o f f e ath ers . “ M y b elie f is , d octo r,” h e
sa id , “ th at h e h as e ate n h is b ir d s, a n d t h at h e j u st t o ok a n d a te t h em r a w !”
11 p . m .— I g av e R en fie ld a s tr o ng o pia te to -n ig ht, e n ough to m ak e e v en
him s le ep , a n d to ok a w ay h is p ock et- b ook to lo ok a t it. T he th ought th at h as
been b uzzin g a b out m y b ra in la te ly is c o m ple te , a n d th e th eo ry p ro ved . M y
hom ic id al m an ia c is of a pecu lia r kin d. I sh all hav e to in ven t a new
cla ssif ic atio n f o r h im , a n d c all h im a z o öphag ous ( lif e -e atin g) m an ia c; w hat h e
desir e s is to a b so rb a s m an y liv es a s h e c an , a n d h e h as la id h im se lf o ut to
ach ie v e it in a c u m ula tiv e w ay. H e g av e m an y flie s to o ne s p id er a n d m an y
sp id ers to o ne b ir d , a n d th en w an te d a c at to e at th e m an y b ir d s. W hat w ould
hav e b een h is la te r ste p s? It w ould a lm ost b e w orth w hile to c o m ple te th e
ex perim en t. It m ig ht be done if th ere w ere only a su ff ic ie n t cau se . M en
sn eere d a t v iv is e ctio n, a n d y et lo ok a t its re su lts to -d ay ! W hy n ot a d van ce
sc ie n ce i n i ts m ost d if f ic u lt a n d v ita l a sp ect— th e k now le d ge o f t h e b ra in ? H ad
I e v en th e s e cre t o f o ne s u ch m in d— did I h old th e k ey to th e fa n cy o f e v en
one lu natic — I m ig ht a d van ce m y o w n b ra n ch o f s c ie n ce to a p itc h c o m pare d
with w hic h B urd on-S an ders o n’s physio lo gy or Ferrie r’s bra in -k now le d ge
would b e a s n oth in g. I f o nly t h ere w ere a s u ff ic ie n t c au se ! I m ust n ot t h in k t o o
much o f th is , o r I m ay b e te m pte d ; a g ood c au se m ig ht tu rn th e s c ale w ith m e,
fo r m ay n ot I t o o b e o f a n e x cep tio nal b ra in , c o ngen ita lly ?
How w ell th e m an r e aso ned ; lu natic s a lw ay s d o w ith in th eir o w n s c o pe. I
wonder a t h ow m an y liv es h e v alu es a m an , o r if a t o nly o ne. H e h as c lo se d th e a cco unt m ost a ccu ra te ly , a n d to -d ay b eg un a n ew r e co rd . H ow m an y o f u s
beg in a n ew r e co rd w ith e ach d ay o f o ur l iv es?
To m e it se em s o nly y este rd ay th at m y w hole lif e e n ded w ith m y n ew
hope, an d th at tr u ly I beg an a new re co rd . S o it w ill be until th e G re at
Reco rd er s u m s m e u p a n d c lo se s m y l e d ger a cco unt w ith a b ala n ce t o p ro fit o r
lo ss. O h, L ucy, L ucy, I c an not b e a n gry w ith y ou, n or c an I b e a n gry w ith m y
frie n d w hose h ap pin ess is y ours ; b ut I m ust o nly w ait o n h opele ss a n d w ork .
Work ! w ork !
If I o nly c o uld h av e a s str o ng a c au se a s m y p oor m ad frie n d th ere — a
good, u nse lf is h c au se t o m ak e m e w ork — th at w ould b e i n deed h ap pin ess.
Min a M urra y ’s J o urn al.
26 J u ly .— I a m a n xio us, a n d it s o oth es m e to e x pre ss m yse lf h ere ; it is lik e
whis p erin g to o ne’s se lf an d lis te n in g at th e sa m e tim e. A nd th ere is als o
so m eth in g a b out th e s h orth an d s y m bols th at m ak es it d if f e re n t f ro m w ritin g. I
am u nhap py a b out L ucy a n d a b out J o nath an . I h ad n ot h eard f ro m J o nath an f o r
so m e tim e, a n d w as v ery c o ncern ed ; b ut y este rd ay d ear M r. H aw kin s, w ho is
alw ay s s o k in d, s e n t m e a le tte r f ro m h im . I h ad w ritte n a sk in g h im if h e h ad
heard , a n d h e s a id th e e n clo se d h ad ju st b een r e ceiv ed . I t is o nly a lin e d ate d
fro m C astle D ra cu la , a n d s a y s t h at h e i s j u st s ta rtin g f o r h om e. T hat i s n ot l ik e
Jo nath an ; I d o n ot u nders ta n d it, a n d it m ak es m e u neasy . T hen , to o, L ucy,
alth ough sh e is so w ell, h as la te ly ta k en to h er o ld h ab it o f w alk in g in h er
sle ep . H er m oth er h as s p oken t o m e a b out i t, a n d w e h av e d ecid ed t h at I a m t o
lo ck th e d oor o f o ur ro om e v ery n ig ht. M rs . W este n ra h as g ot a n id ea th at
sle ep -w alk ers a lw ay s g o o ut o n ro ofs o f h ouse s a n d a lo ng th e e d ges o f c lif f s
an d t h en g et s u dden ly w ak en ed a n d f a ll o ver w ith a d esp air in g c ry t h at e ch oes
all o ver t h e p la ce. P oor d ear, s h e i s n atu ra lly a n xio us a b out L ucy, a n d s h e t e lls
me t h at h er h usb an d, L ucy ’s f a th er, h ad t h e s a m e h ab it; t h at h e w ould g et u p i n
th e n ig ht a n d d re ss h im se lf a n d g o o ut, if h e w ere n ot s to pped . L ucy is to b e
marrie d in th e a u tu m n, a n d s h e is a lr e ad y p la n nin g o ut h er d re sse s a n d h ow
her h ouse is to b e a rra n ged . I sy m path is e w ith h er, fo r I d o th e sa m e, o nly
Jo nath an a n d I w ill s ta rt in lif e in a v ery s im ple w ay, a n d s h all h av e to tr y to
mak e b oth en ds m eet. M r. H olm wood— he is th e H on. A rth ur H olm wood,
only s o n o f L ord G odalm in g— is c o m in g u p h ere v ery s h ortly — as s o on a s h e
can le av e to w n, fo r h is fa th er is n ot v ery w ell, an d I th in k d ear L ucy is
co untin g th e m om en ts till h e c o m es. S he w an ts to ta k e h im u p to th e s e at o n
th e c h urc h yard c lif f a n d s h ow h im th e b eau ty o f W hitb y. I d are sa y it is th e
waitin g w hic h d is tu rb s h er; s h e w ill b e a ll r ig ht w hen h e a rriv es.
27 J u ly .— No n ew s fro m J o nath an . I a m g ettin g q uite u neasy a b out h im ,
th ough w hy I s h ould I d o n ot k now ; b ut I d o w is h th at h e w ould w rite , if it
were o nly a sin gle lin e. L ucy w alk s m ore th an ev er, an d each n ig ht I am aw ak en ed b y h er m ovin g a b out th e ro om . F ortu nate ly , th e w eath er is s o h ot
th at sh e can not get co ld ; but still th e an xie ty an d th e perp etu ally bein g
wak en ed is b eg in nin g to te ll o n m e, a n d I a m g ettin g n erv ous a n d w ak efu l
myse lf . Than k G od, Lucy ’s health keep s up. M r. H olm wood has been
su dden ly c alle d to R in g to se e h is fa th er, w ho h as b een ta k en se rio usly ill.
Lucy f re ts a t th e p ostp onem en t o f s e ein g h im , b ut it d oes n ot to uch h er lo oks;
sh e is a tr if le s to ute r, a n d h er c h eek s a re a lo vely r o se -p in k. S he h as lo st th at
an æ m ic l o ok w hic h s h e h ad . I p ra y i t w ill a ll l a st.
3 A ugust.— Anoth er w eek g one, a n d n o n ew s fro m J o nath an , n ot e v en to
Mr. H aw kin s, f ro m w hom I h av e h eard . O h, I d o h ope h e is n ot ill. H e s u re ly
would h av e w ritte n . I lo ok a t th at la st le tte r o f h is , b ut s o m eh ow it d oes n ot
sa tis fy m e. It d oes n ot re ad lik e h im , a n d y et it is h is w ritin g. T here is n o
mis ta k e o f t h at. L ucy h as n ot w alk ed m uch i n h er s le ep t h e l a st w eek , b ut t h ere
is a n o dd c o ncen tr a tio n a b out h er w hic h I d o n ot u nders ta n d; e v en i n h er s le ep
sh e s e em s to b e w atc h in g m e. S he tr ie s th e d oor, a n d fin din g it lo ck ed , g oes
ab out t h e r o om s e arc h in g f o r t h e k ey.
6 A ugust.— Anoth er th re e d ay s, an d n o n ew s. T his su sp en se is g ettin g
dre ad fu l. If I o nly k new w here to w rite to o r w here to g o to , I sh ould fe el
easie r; b ut n o o ne h as h eard a w ord o f J o nath an s in ce th at la st le tte r. I m ust
only pra y to G od fo r patie n ce. L ucy is m ore ex cita b le th an ev er, but is
oth erw is e w ell. L ast n ig ht w as v ery t h re ate n in g, a n d t h e f is h erm en s a y t h at w e
are i n f o r a s to rm . I m ust t r y t o w atc h i t a n d l e arn t h e w eath er s ig ns. T o-d ay i s
a gre y day, an d th e su n as I w rite is hid den in th ic k clo uds, hig h over
Kettle n ess. E very th in g is gre y — ex cep t th e gre en gra ss, w hic h se em s lik e
em era ld a m ongst it; g re y e arth y r o ck ; g re y c lo uds, tin ged w ith th e s u nburs t a t
th e fa r e d ge, h an g o ver th e g re y s e a, in to w hic h th e s a n d-p oin ts s tr e tc h lik e
gre y f in gers . T he s e a is tu m blin g in o ver th e s h allo w s a n d th e s a n dy f la ts w ith
a ro ar, m uff le d in th e s e a-m is ts d rif tin g in la n d. T he h oriz o n is lo st in a g re y
mis t. A ll is v astn ess; th e c lo uds a re p ile d u p lik e g ia n t ro ck s, a n d th ere is a
“b ro ol” o ver th e s e a th at s o unds lik e s o m e p re sa g e o f d oom . D ark f ig ure s a re
on th e b each h ere a n d th ere , s o m etim es h alf s h ro uded in th e m is t, a n d s e em
“m en lik e tr e es w alk in g.” T he f is h in g-b oats a re r a cin g f o r h om e, a n d r is e a n d
dip in th e gro und sw ell as th ey sw eep in to th e harb our, ben din g to th e
sc u ppers . H ere c o m es o ld M r. S w ale s. H e is m ak in g s tr a ig ht f o r m e, a n d I c an
se e, b y t h e w ay h e l if ts h is h at, t h at h e w an ts t o t a lk ....
I h av e b een q uite to uch ed b y th e c h an ge in th e p oor o ld m an . W hen h e s a t
dow n b esid e m e, h e s a id i n a v ery g en tle w ay :—
“I w an t t o s a y s o m eth in g t o y ou, m is s.” I c o uld s e e h e w as n ot a t e ase , s o I
to ok h is p oor o ld w rin kle d h an d in m in e a n d a sk ed h im to s p eak f u lly ; s o h e
sa id , l e av in g h is h an d i n m in e:— “I’m a fra id , m y d eary , th at I m ust h av e sh ock ed y ou b y a ll th e w ic k ed
th in gs I’v e b een sa y in ’ a b out th e d ead , a n d su ch lik e, fo r w eek s p ast; b ut I
did n’t m ean th em , a n d I w an t y e to re m em ber th at w hen I’m g one. W e a u d
fo lk s th at b e d aff le d , a n d w ith o ne f o ot a b aft th e k ro k-h ooal, d on’t a lto geth er
lik e t o t h in k o f i t, a n d w e d on’t w an t t o f e el s c art o f i t; a n ’ t h at’s w hy I ’v e t o ok
to m ak in ’ l ig ht o f i t, s o t h at I ’d c h eer u p m y o w n h eart a b it. B ut, L ord l o ve y e,
mis s, I a in ’t a fra id o f d yin ’, n ot a b it; o nly I d on’t w an t to d ie if I c an h elp it.
My tim e m ust b e n ig h a t h an d n ow , fo r I b e a u d, a n d a h undre d y ears is to o
much fo r a n y m an to e x pect; a n d I’m s o n ig h it th at th e A ud M an is a lr e ad y
whettin ’ h is s c y th e. Y e s e e, I c an ’t g et o ut o ’ th e h ab it o f c aff in ’ a b out it a ll a t
once; th e c h afts w ill w ag a s th ey b e u se d to . S om e d ay so on th e A ngel o f
Death w ill so und his tr u m pet fo r m e. B ut don’t ye dooal an ’ gre et, m y
deary !” — fo r h e s a w th at I w as c ry in g— “if h e s h ould c o m e th is v ery n ig ht I ’d
not r e fu se to a n sw er h is c all. F or lif e b e, a fte r a ll, o nly a w aitin ’ f o r s o m eth in ’
els e t h an w hat w e’re d oin ’; a n d d eath b e a ll t h at w e c an r ig htly d ep en d o n. B ut
I’m c o nte n t, fo r it’s c o m in ’ to m e, m y d eary , a n d c o m in ’ q uic k . It m ay b e
co m in ’ w hile w e b e lo okin ’ a n d w onderin ’. M ay be it’s in th at w in d o ut o ver
th e s e a th at’s b rin gin ’ w ith it lo ss a n d w re ck , a n d s o re d is tr e ss, a n d s a d h earts .
Look! lo ok!” h e c rie d s u dden ly . “ T here ’s s o m eth in g in th at w in d a n d in th e
hoast b ey ont th at s o unds, a n d lo oks, a n d ta ste s, a n d s m ells lik e d eath . It’s in
th e a ir ; I f e el i t c o m in ’. L ord , m ak e m e a n sw er c h eerfu l w hen m y c all c o m es!”
He h eld u p h is a rm s d ev outly , a n d r a is e d h is h at. H is m outh m oved a s th ough
he w ere p ra y in g. A fte r a fe w m in ute s’ s ile n ce, h e g ot u p, s h ook h an ds w ith
me, a n d b le sse d m e, a n d s a id g ood-b ye, a n d h obble d o ff . It a ll to uch ed m e,
an d u pse t m e v ery m uch .
I w as g la d w hen th e c o astg uard c am e a lo ng, w ith h is s p y-g la ss u nder h is
arm . H e sto pped to ta lk w ith m e, a s h e a lw ay s d oes, b ut a ll th e tim e k ep t
lo okin g a t a s tr a n ge s h ip .
“I c an ’t m ak e h er o ut,” h e s a id ; “ sh e’s a R ussia n , b y th e lo ok o f h er; b ut
sh e’s k nock in g a b out in th e q ueere st w ay. S he d oesn ’t k now h er m in d a b it;
sh e s e em s t o s e e t h e s to rm c o m in g, b ut c an ’t d ecid e w heth er t o r u n u p n orth i n
th e o pen , o r to p ut in h ere . L ook th ere a g ain ! S he is s te ere d m ig hty s tr a n gely ,
fo r s h e d oesn ’t m in d th e h an d o n th e w heel; c h an ges a b out w ith e v ery p uff o f
win d. W e’ll h ear m ore o f h er b efo re t h is t im e t o -m orro w .”
CH APT ER V II
CUTTIN G F R O M “ T H E D AIL Y G RAPH ,” 8 A UG UST
(P aste d i n M in a M urra y ’s J o urn al.) Fro m a C orre sp onden t.
Whitb y.
O ne
g re ate st a n d su dden est sto rm s o n re co rd h as ju st b een e x perie n ced
here , w ith re su lts b oth s tr a n ge a n d u niq ue. T he w eath er h ad b een s o m ew hat
su ltr y , b ut n ot to a n y d eg re e u nco m mon in th e m onth o f A ugust. S atu rd ay
ev en in g w as a s f in e a s w as e v er k now n, a n d th e g re at b ody o f h olid ay -m ak ers
la id o ut y este rd ay f o r v is its to M ulg ra v e W oods, R obin H ood’s B ay, R ig M ill,
Runsw ic k , S ta ith es, a n d t h e v ario us t r ip s i n t h e n eig hbourh ood o f W hitb y. T he
ste am ers E m ma a n d S carb oro ugh m ad e tr ip s u p a n d d ow n th e c o ast, a n d th ere
was a n u nusu al a m ount o f “ tr ip pin g” b oth to a n d fro m W hitb y. T he d ay w as
unusu ally fin e till th e a fte rn oon, w hen s o m e o f th e g ossip s w ho fre q uen t th e
East C lif f c h urc h yard , a n d fro m th at c o m man din g e m in en ce w atc h th e w id e
sw eep o f s e a v is ib le t o t h e n orth a n d e ast, c alle d a tte n tio n t o a s u dden s h ow o f
“m are s’-ta ils ” h ig h in th e s k y to th e n orth -w est. T he w in d w as th en b lo w in g
fro m th e so uth -w est in th e m ild d eg re e w hic h in b aro m etr ic al la n guag e is
ra n ked “ N o. 2 : l ig ht b re eze.” T he c o astg uard o n d uty a t o nce m ad e r e p ort, a n d
one old fis h erm an , w ho fo r m ore th an half a cen tu ry has kep t w atc h on
weath er s ig ns f ro m th e E ast C lif f , f o re to ld in a n e m phatic m an ner th e c o m in g
of a s u dden s to rm . T he a p pro ach o f s u nse t w as s o v ery b eau tif u l, s o g ra n d in
its m asse s o f s p le n did ly -c o lo ure d c lo uds, th at th ere w as q uite a n a sse m bla g e
on th e w alk a lo ng th e c lif f in th e o ld c h urc h yard to e n jo y th e b eau ty . B efo re
th e s u n d ip ped b elo w t h e b la ck m ass o f K ettle n ess, s ta n din g b old ly a th w art t h e
weste rn s k y, i ts d ow nw ard w ay w as m ark ed b y m yria d c lo uds o f e v ery s u nse t-
co lo ur— fla m e, p urp le , p in k, g re en , v io le t, a n d a ll th e tin ts o f g old ; w ith h ere
an d t h ere m asse s n ot l a rg e, b ut o f s e em in gly a b so lu te b la ck ness, i n a ll s o rts o f
sh ap es, a s w ell o utlin ed a s c o lo ssa l s ilh ouette s. T he e x perie n ce w as n ot l o st o n
th e p ain te rs , a n d d oubtle ss s o m e o f th e s k etc h es o f th e “ P re lu de to th e G re at
Sto rm ” w ill g ra ce t h e R . A . a n d R . I . w alls i n M ay n ex t. M ore t h an o ne c ap ta in
mad e u p h is m in d th en a n d th ere th at h is “ co bble ” o r h is “ m ule ,” a s th ey te rm
th e d if f e re n t c la sse s o f b oats , w ould re m ain in th e h arb our till th e s to rm h ad
passe d . T he w in d f e ll a w ay e n tir e ly d urin g th e e v en in g, a n d a t m id nig ht th ere
was a d ead c alm , a su ltr y h eat, a n d th at p re v ailin g in te n sity w hic h , o n th e
ap pro ach o f th under, a ff e cts p ers o ns o f a s e n sitiv e n atu re . T here w ere b ut f e w
lig hts in s ig ht a t s e a, f o r e v en th e c o astin g s te am ers , w hic h u su ally “ h ug” th e
sh ore s o c lo se ly , k ep t w ell t o s e aw ard , a n d b ut f e w f is h in g-b oats w ere i n s ig ht.
The o nly s a il n otic eab le w as a fo re ig n s c h ooner w ith a ll s a ils s e t, w hic h w as
se em in gly g oin g w estw ard s. T he fo olh ard in ess o r ig nora n ce o f h er o ff ic ers
was a p ro lif ic th em e fo r c o m men t w hils t sh e re m ain ed in sig ht, a n d e ff o rts
were m ad e to s ig nal h er to r e d u ce s a il in f a ce o f h er d an ger. B efo re th e n ig ht
sh ut d ow n s h e w as s e en w ith s a ils id ly fla p pin g a s s h e g en tly ro lle d o n th e
undula tin g s w ell o f t h e s e a, “A s i d le a s a p ain te d s h ip u pon a p ain te d o cean .”
Shortly b efo re te n o ’c lo ck th e stilln ess o f th e a ir g re w q uite o ppre ssiv e,
an d th e sile n ce w as so m ark ed th at th e b le atin g o f a sh eep in la n d o r th e
bark in g o f a d og in th e to w n w as d is tin ctly h eard , a n d th e b an d o n th e p ie r,
with its liv ely F re n ch a ir , w as lik e a d is c o rd in th e g re at h arm ony o f n atu re ’s
sile n ce. A little a fte r m id nig ht c am e a s tr a n ge s o und fro m o ver th e s e a, a n d
hig h o verh ead t h e a ir b eg an t o c arry a s tr a n ge, f a in t, h ollo w b oom in g.
Then w ith out w arn in g th e te m pest b ro ke. W ith a ra p id ity w hic h , a t th e
tim e, se em ed in cre d ib le , an d ev en afte rw ard s is im possib le to re aliz e, th e
whole a sp ect o f n atu re a t o nce b ecam e c o nvuls e d . T he w av es r o se in g ro w in g
fu ry , e ach o verto ppin g its fe llo w , till in a v ery fe w m in ute s th e la te ly g la ssy
se a w as l ik e a r o arin g a n d d ev ourin g m onste r. W hite -c re ste d w av es b eat m ad ly
on th e le v el sa n ds a n d ru sh ed u p th e sh elv in g c lif f s ; o th ers b ro ke o ver th e
pie rs , a n d w ith th eir s p um e s w ep t th e la n th orn s o f th e lig hth ouse s w hic h r is e
fro m th e e n d o f e ith er p ie r o f W hitb y H arb our. T he w in d r o are d lik e th under,
an d b le w w ith s u ch f o rc e th at it w as w ith d if f ic u lty th at e v en s tr o ng m en k ep t
th eir fe et, or clu ng w ith grim cla sp to th e ir o n sta n ch io ns. It w as fo und
necessa ry to c le ar th e e n tir e p ie rs fro m th e m ass o f o nlo okers , o r e ls e th e
fa ta litie s o f th e n ig ht w ould h av e b een in cre ase d m an if o ld . T o ad d to th e
dif f ic u ltie s a n d d an gers o f th e tim e, m asse s o f s e a-fo g c am e d rif tin g in la n d—
white , w et c lo uds, w hic h s w ep t b y in g hostly f a sh io n, s o d an k a n d d am p a n d
co ld th at it n eed ed b ut little e ff o rt o f im ag in atio n to th in k th at th e s p ir its o f
th ose lo st a t s e a w ere to uch in g th eir liv in g b re th re n w ith th e c la m my h an ds o f
death , a n d m an y a o ne s h uddere d a s t h e w re ath s o f s e a-m is t s w ep t b y. A t t im es
th e m is t c le are d , a n d t h e s e a f o r s o m e d is ta n ce c o uld b e s e en i n t h e g la re o f t h e
lig htn in g, w hic h n ow c am e th ic k a n d fa st, fo llo w ed b y s u ch s u dden p eals o f
th under th at th e w hole s k y o verh ead s e em ed tr e m blin g u nder th e s h ock o f th e
fo ots te p s o f t h e s to rm .
Som e o f th e s c en es th us re v eale d w ere o f im measu ra b le g ra n deu r a n d o f
ab so rb in g in te re st— th e se a, ru nnin g m ounta in s h ig h, th re w sk yw ard s w ith
each w av e m ig hty m asse s o f w hite f o am , w hic h th e te m pest s e em ed to s n atc h
at a n d w hir l a w ay in to s p ace; h ere a n d th ere a f is h in g-b oat, w ith a r a g o f s a il,
ru nnin g m ad ly f o r s h elte r b efo re t h e b la st; n ow a n d a g ain t h e w hite w in gs o f a
sto rm -to sse d s e a-b ir d . O n t h e s u m mit o f t h e E ast C lif f t h e n ew s e arc h lig ht w as
re ad y fo r e x perim en t, b ut h ad n ot y et b een tr ie d . T he o ff ic ers in c h arg e o f it
got it in to w ork in g o rd er, a n d in th e p au se s o f th e in ru sh in g m is t s w ep t w ith it
th e s u rfa ce o f th e s e a. O nce o r tw ic e its s e rv ic e w as m ost e ff e ctiv e, a s w hen a
fis h in g-b oat, w ith g unw ale u nder w ate r, ru sh ed in to th e h arb our, a b le , b y th e
guid an ce o f th e sh elte rin g lig ht, to a v oid th e d an ger o f d ash in g a g ain st th e
pie rs . A s e ach b oat a ch ie v ed th e s a fe ty o f th e p ort th ere w as a s h out o f jo y
fro m th e m ass o f p eo ple o n sh ore , a sh out w hic h fo r a m om en t se em ed to cle av e t h e g ale a n d w as t h en s w ep t a w ay i n i ts r u sh .
Befo re lo ng th e se arc h lig ht d is c o vere d so m e d is ta n ce aw ay a sc h ooner
with a ll s a ils s e t, a p pare n tly th e s a m e v esse l w hic h h ad b een n otic ed e arlie r in
th e e v en in g. T he w in d h ad b y th is tim e b ack ed to th e e ast, a n d th ere w as a
sh udder a m ongst th e w atc h ers o n th e c lif f a s th ey r e aliz ed th e te rrib le d an ger
in w hic h sh e n ow w as. B etw een h er a n d th e p ort la y th e g re at fla t re ef o n
whic h s o m an y g ood s h ip s h av e f ro m t im e t o t im e s u ff e re d , a n d, w ith t h e w in d
blo w in g f ro m its p re se n t q uarte r, it w ould b e q uite im possib le th at s h e s h ould
fe tc h th e e n tr a n ce o f th e h arb our. I t w as n ow n early th e h our o f h ig h tid e, b ut
th e w av es w ere s o g re at th at in th eir tr o ughs th e s h allo w s o f th e s h ore w ere
alm ost v is ib le , an d th e sc h ooner, w ith all sa ils se t, w as ru sh in g w ith su ch
sp eed th at, in th e w ord s o f o ne o ld s a lt, “ sh e m ust fe tc h u p s o m ew here , if it
was o nly i n h ell.” T hen c am e a n oth er r u sh o f s e a-fo g, g re ate r t h an a n y h ith erto
—a m ass o f d an k m is t, w hic h s e em ed to c lo se o n a ll th in gs lik e a g re y p all,
an d l e ft a v aila b le t o m en o nly t h e o rg an o f h earin g, f o r t h e r o ar o f t h e t e m pest,
an d th e c ra sh o f th e th under, a n d th e b oom in g o f th e m ig hty b illo w s c am e
th ro ugh t h e d am p o bliv io n e v en l o uder t h an b efo re . T he r a y s o f t h e s e arc h lig ht
were k ep t fix ed o n th e h arb our m outh a cro ss th e E ast P ie r, w here th e s h ock
was e x pecte d , a n d m en w aite d b re ath le ss. T he w in d s u dden ly s h if te d to th e
north -e ast, an d th e re m nan t of th e se a-fo g m elte d in th e bla st; an d th en ,
mir a b ile d ic tu , b etw een th e p ie rs , le ap in g fro m w av e to w av e a s it ru sh ed a t
head lo ng s p eed , s w ep t th e s tr a n ge s c h ooner b efo re th e b la st, w ith a ll s a il s e t,
an d g ain ed th e sa fe ty o f th e h arb our. T he se arc h lig ht fo llo w ed h er, an d a
sh udder r a n t h ro ugh a ll w ho s a w h er, f o r l a sh ed t o t h e h elm w as a c o rp se , w ith
dro opin g h ead , w hic h s w ung h orrib ly t o a n d f ro a t e ach m otio n o f t h e s h ip . N o
oth er fo rm c o uld b e se en o n d eck a t a ll. A g re at a w e c am e o n a ll a s th ey
re alis e d t h at t h e s h ip , a s i f b y a m ir a cle , h ad f o und t h e h arb our, u nste ere d s a v e
by t h e h an d o f a d ead m an ! H ow ev er, a ll t o ok p la ce m ore q uic k ly t h an i t t a k es
to w rite t h ese w ord s. T he s c h ooner p au se d n ot, b ut r u sh in g a cro ss t h e h arb our,
pitc h ed h ers e lf o n t h at a ccu m ula tio n o f s a n d a n d g ra v el w ash ed b y m an y t id es
an d m an y s to rm s in to th e s o uth -e ast c o rn er o f th e p ie r ju ttin g u nder th e E ast
Clif f , k now n l o cally a s T ate H ill P ie r.
There w as o f c o urs e a c o nsid era b le c o ncu ssio n a s th e v esse l d ro ve u p o n
th e s a n d h eap . E very s p ar, r o pe, a n d s ta y w as s tr a in ed , a n d s o m e o f th e “ to p-
ham mer” c am e c ra sh in g d ow n. B ut, s tr a n gest o f a ll, th e v ery in sta n t th e s h ore
was to uch ed , a n im men se d og s p ra n g u p o n d eck f ro m b elo w , a s if s h ot u p b y
th e co ncu ssio n, an d ru nnin g fo rw ard , ju m ped fro m th e bow on th e sa n d.
Mak in g str a ig ht fo r th e ste ep clif f , w here th e ch urc h yard han gs over th e
la n ew ay to th e E ast P ie r s o s te ep ly th at s o m e o f th e f la t to m bsto nes— “th ru ff -
ste an s” o r “th ro ugh-s to nes,” as th ey call th em in th e W hitb y v ern acu la r—
actu ally p ro je ct o ver w here th e s u sta in in g c lif f h as f a lle n a w ay, it d is a p peare d
in th e dark ness, w hic h se em ed in te n sif ie d ju st bey ond th e fo cu s of th e se arc h lig ht.
It s o h ap pen ed t h at t h ere w as n o o ne a t t h e m om en t o n T ate H ill P ie r, a s a ll
th ose w hose h ouse s a re in c lo se p ro xim ity w ere e ith er in b ed o r w ere o ut o n
th e h eig hts ab ove. T hus th e co astg uard o n d uty o n th e easte rn sid e o f th e
harb our, w ho a t o nce ra n d ow n to th e little p ie r, w as th e fir s t to c lim b o n
board . T he m en w ork in g th e se arc h lig ht, a fte r sc o urin g th e e n tr a n ce o f th e
harb our w ith out s e ein g a n yth in g, th en tu rn ed th e lig ht o n th e d ere lic t a n d k ep t
it t h ere . T he c o astg uard r a n a ft, a n d w hen h e c am e b esid e t h e w heel, b en t o ver
to e x am in e it, a n d re co ile d a t o nce a s th ough u nder so m e su dden e m otio n.
This s e em ed t o p iq ue g en era l c u rio sity , a n d q uite a n um ber o f p eo ple b eg an t o
ru n. I t i s a g ood w ay r o und f ro m t h e W est C lif f b y t h e D ra w brid ge t o T ate H ill
Pie r, b ut y our c o rre sp onden t is a fa ir ly g ood ru nner, a n d c am e w ell a h ead o f
th e c ro w d. W hen I a rriv ed , h ow ev er, I f o und a lr e ad y a sse m ble d o n th e p ie r a
cro w d, w hom t h e c o astg uard a n d p olic e r e fu se d t o a llo w t o c o m e o n b oard . B y
th e c o urte sy o f th e c h ie f b oatm an , I w as, a s y our c o rre sp onden t, p erm itte d to
clim b o n d eck , a n d w as o ne o f a s m all g ro up w ho s a w t h e d ead s e am an w hils t
actu ally l a sh ed t o t h e w heel.
It w as n o w onder th at th e c o astg uard w as s u rp ris e d , o r e v en a w ed , f o r n ot
ofte n c an s u ch a s ig ht h av e b een s e en . T he m an w as s im ply fa ste n ed b y h is
han ds, t ie d o ne o ver t h e o th er, t o a s p oke o f t h e w heel. B etw een t h e i n ner h an d
an d th e w ood w as a c ru cif ix , th e s e t o f b ead s o n w hic h it w as f a ste n ed b ein g
aro und b oth w ris ts a n d w heel, a n d a ll k ep t f a st b y t h e b in din g c o rd s. T he p oor
fe llo w m ay h av e b een s e ate d a t o ne t im e, b ut t h e f la p pin g a n d b uff e tin g o f t h e
sa ils h ad w ork ed th ro ugh th e r u dder o f th e w heel a n d d ra g ged h im to a n d f ro ,
so th at th e co rd s w ith w hic h he w as tie d had cu t th e fle sh to th e bone.
Accu ra te n ote w as m ad e o f th e s ta te o f th in gs, a n d a d octo r— Surg eo n J . M .
Caff y n, o f 3 3, E ast E llio t P la ce — who c am e im med ia te ly a fte r m e, d ecla re d ,
afte r m ak in g e x am in atio n, th at th e m an m ust h av e b een d ead fo r q uite tw o
day s. I n h is p ock et w as a b ottle , c are fu lly c o rk ed , e m pty s a v e f o r a l ittle r o ll o f
pap er, w hic h p ro ved to b e th e a d den dum to th e lo g. T he c o astg uard s a id th e
man m ust h av e tie d u p h is o w n h an ds, f a ste n in g th e k nots w ith h is te eth . T he
fa ct th at a c o astg uard w as th e fir s t o n b oard m ay sa v e so m e c o m plic atio ns,
la te r o n, in th e A dm ir a lty C ourt; fo r co astg uard s can not cla im th e sa lv ag e
whic h is th e r ig ht o f th e f ir s t c iv ilia n e n te rin g o n a d ere lic t. A lr e ad y, h ow ev er,
th e le g al to ngues a re w ag gin g, a n d o ne y oung la w s tu den t is lo udly a sse rtin g
th at th e rig hts o f th e o w ner a re a lr e ad y c o m ple te ly sa crif ic ed , h is p ro perty
bein g h eld in c o ntr a v en tio n o f th e sta tu te s o f m ortm ain , sin ce th e tille r, a s
em ble m sh ip , if n ot p ro of, o f d ele g ate d p osse ssio n, is h eld in a d ead h an d. I t is
need le ss to s a y th at th e d ead s te ers m an h as b een r e v ere n tly r e m oved f ro m th e
pla ce w here h e h eld h is h onoura b le w atc h a n d w ard t ill d eath — a s te ad fa stn ess
as n oble a s t h at o f t h e y oung C asa b ia n ca— an d p la ced i n t h e m ortu ary t o a w ait
in quest. Alr e ad y th e s u dden s to rm is p assin g, a n d its f ie rc en ess is a b atin g; c ro w ds
are sc atte rin g hom ew ard , an d th e sk y is beg in nin g to re d den over th e
York sh ir e w old s. I s h all s e n d, i n t im e f o r y our n ex t i s su e, f u rth er d eta ils o f t h e
dere lic t s h ip w hic h f o und h er w ay s o m ir a cu lo usly i n to h arb our i n t h e s to rm .
Whitb y
9 A ugust.— The s e q uel to th e s tr a n ge a rriv al o f th e d ere lic t in th e s to rm
la st n ig ht is a lm ost m ore sta rtlin g th an th e th in g its e lf . It tu rn s o ut th at th e
sc h ooner is a R ussia n fro m V arn a, a n d is c alle d th e D em ete r. S he is a lm ost
en tir e ly i n b alla st o f s ilv er s a n d, w ith o nly a s m all a m ount o f c arg o— a n um ber
of g re at w ooden b oxes fille d w ith m ould . T his carg o w as co nsig ned to a
Whitb y s o lic ito r, M r. S . F . B illin gto n, o f 7 , T he C re sc en t, w ho th is m orn in g
wen t a b oard a n d f o rm ally to ok p osse ssio n o f th e g oods c o nsig ned to h im . T he
Russia n c o nsu l, to o, a ctin g f o r th e c h arte r- p arty , to ok f o rm al p osse ssio n o f th e
sh ip , a n d p aid a ll h arb our d ues, e tc . N oth in g i s t a lk ed a b out h ere t o -d ay e x cep t
th e s tr a n ge c o in cid en ce; th e o ff ic ia ls o f th e B oard o f T ra d e h av e b een m ost
ex actin g in se ein g th at ev ery co m plia n ce has been m ad e w ith ex is tin g
re g ula tio ns. A s th e m atte r is to b e a “ n in e d ay s’ w onder,” th ey a re e v id en tly
dete rm in ed th at th ere sh all b e n o c au se o f a fte r c o m pla in t. A g ood d eal o f
in te re st w as a b ro ad c o ncern in g th e d og w hic h la n ded w hen th e sh ip str u ck ,
an d m ore t h an a f e w o f t h e m em bers o f t h e S . P . C . A ., w hic h i s v ery s tr o ng i n
Whitb y, h av e tr ie d to b efrie n d th e an im al. T o th e g en era l d is a p poin tm en t,
how ev er, i t w as n ot t o b e f o und; i t s e em s t o h av e d is a p peare d e n tir e ly f ro m t h e
to w n. It m ay b e th at it w as frig hte n ed a n d m ad e its w ay o n to th e m oors ,
where i t i s s till h id in g i n t e rro r. T here a re s o m e w ho l o ok w ith d re ad o n s u ch a
possib ility , l e st l a te r o n i t s h ould i n i ts e lf b eco m e a d an ger, f o r i t i s e v id en tly a
fie rc e b ru te . E arly th is m orn in g a la rg e d og, a h alf -b re d m astif f b elo ngin g to a
co al m erc h an t c lo se to T ate H ill P ie r, w as f o und d ead in th e r o ad w ay o pposite
to its m aste r’s y ard . It h ad b een fig htin g, a n d m an if e stly h ad h ad a sa v ag e
opponen t, f o r its th ro at w as to rn a w ay, a n d its b elly w as s lit o pen a s if w ith a
sa v ag e c la w .
Late r.— By th e k in dness o f th e B oard o f T ra d e in sp ecto r, I h av e b een
perm itte d to lo ok o ver th e lo g-b ook o f th e D em ete r, w hic h w as in o rd er u p to
with in t h re e d ay s, b ut c o nta in ed n oth in g o f s p ecia l i n te re st e x cep t a s t o f a cts o f
mis sin g m en . T he g re ate st in te re st, h ow ev er, is w ith r e g ard to th e p ap er f o und
in th e b ottle , w hic h w as to -d ay p ro duced a t th e in quest; a n d a m ore s tr a n ge
narra tiv e th an th e tw o b etw een th em u nfo ld it h as n ot b een m y lo t to c o m e
acro ss. A s t h ere i s n o m otiv e f o r c o ncealm en t, I a m p erm itte d t o u se t h em , a n d
acco rd in gly se n d you a re sc rip t, sim ply om ittin g te ch nic al deta ils of
se am an sh ip a n d s u perc arg o. It a lm ost s e em s a s th ough th e c ap ta in h ad b een
se iz ed w ith s o m e k in d o f m an ia b efo re h e h ad g ot w ell in to b lu e w ate r, a n d
th at th is h ad d ev elo ped p ers is te n tly th ro ughout th e v oyag e. O f co urs e m y sta te m en t m ust b e ta k en c u m g ra n o, s in ce I a m w ritin g f ro m th e d ic ta tio n o f a
cle rk o f t h e R ussia n c o nsu l, w ho k in dly t r a n sla te d f o r m e, t im e b ein g s h ort.
LO G O F T H E “ D EM ETER .”
Varn a t o W hitb y.
Writte n 1 8 J u ly , t h in gs s o s tr a n ge h ap pen in g, t h at I s h all k eep a ccu ra te n ote
hen cefo rth t ill w e l a n d.
On 6 J u ly w e fin is h ed ta k in g in c arg o, s ilv er s a n d a n d b oxes o f e arth . A t
noon se t sa il. E ast w in d, fre sh . C re w , fiv e h an ds ... tw o m ate s, co ok, an d
myse lf ( c ap ta in ).
On 11 Ju ly at daw n en te re d B osp horu s. B oard ed by T urk is h C usto m s
off ic ers . B ack sh eesh . A ll c o rre ct. U nder w ay a t 4 p . m .
On 1 2 Ju ly th ro ugh D ard an elle s. M ore C usto m s o ff ic ers a n d fla g boat o f
guard in g s q uad ro n. B ack sh eesh a g ain . W ork o f o ff ic ers th oro ugh, b ut q uic k .
Wan t u s o ff s o on. A t d ark p asse d i n to A rc h ip ela g o.
On 13 Ju ly passe d C ap e M ata p an . C re w dis sa tis fie d ab out so m eth in g.
Seem ed s c are d , b ut w ould n ot s p eak o ut.
On 1 4 Ju ly w as so m ew hat a n xio us a b out c re w . M en a ll ste ad y fe llo w s,
who s a ile d w ith m e b efo re . M ate c o uld n ot m ak e o ut w hat w as w ro ng; th ey
only to ld h im th ere w as s o m eth in g, a n d c ro sse d th em se lv es. M ate lo st te m per
with o ne o f th em th at d ay a n d s tr u ck h im . E xpecte d f ie rc e q uarre l, b ut a ll w as
quie t.
On 1 6 J u ly m ate r e p orte d in th e m orn in g th at o ne o f c re w , P etr o fs k y, w as
mis sin g. C ould n ot a cco unt fo r it. T ook la rb oard w atc h e ig ht b ells la st n ig ht;
was re lie v ed b y A bra m off , b ut d id n ot g o to b unk. M en m ore d ow ncast th an
ev er. A ll s a id th ey e x pecte d s o m eth in g o f th e k in d, b ut w ould n ot s a y m ore
th an th ere w as so m eth in g ab oard . M ate g ettin g v ery im patie n t w ith th em ;
fe are d s o m e t r o uble a h ead .
On 1 7 J u ly , y este rd ay, o ne o f th e m en , O lg are n , c am e to m y c ab in , a n d in
an a w estr u ck w ay c o nfid ed to m e th at h e th ought th ere w as a str a n ge m an
ab oard th e s h ip . H e s a id th at in h is w atc h h e h ad b een s h elte rin g b eh in d th e
deck -h ouse , a s th ere w as a r a in -s to rm , w hen h e s a w a ta ll, th in m an , w ho w as
not lik e a n y o f th e c re w , c o m e u p th e c o m pan io n-w ay, a n d g o a lo ng th e d eck
fo rw ard , an d d is a p pear. H e fo llo w ed cau tio usly , b ut w hen h e g ot to b ow s
fo und no one, an d th e hatc h w ay s w ere all clo se d . H e w as in a pan ic of
su pers titio us f e ar, a n d I a m a fra id th e p an ic m ay s p re ad . T o a lla y it, I s h all to -
day s e arc h e n tir e s h ip c are fu lly f ro m s te m t o s te rn .
Late r in th e d ay I g ot to geth er th e w hole c re w , a n d to ld th em , a s th ey
ev id en tly th ought th ere w as s o m e o ne in th e s h ip , w e w ould s e arc h f ro m s te m to s te rn . F ir s t m ate a n gry ; s a id it w as f o lly , a n d to y ie ld to s u ch f o olis h id eas
would d em ora lis e th e m en ; s a id h e w ould e n gag e to k eep th em o ut o f tr o uble
with a h an dsp ik e. I le t h im ta k e th e h elm , w hile th e re st b eg an th oro ugh
se arc h , a ll k eep in g a b re ast, w ith la n te rn s: w e le ft n o c o rn er u nse arc h ed . A s
th ere w ere o nly t h e b ig w ooden b oxes, t h ere w ere n o o dd c o rn ers w here a m an
co uld h id e. M en m uch re lie v ed w hen se arc h o ver, a n d w en t b ack to w ork
ch eerfu lly . F ir s t m ate s c o w le d , b ut s a id n oth in g.
22 J u ly .— Rough w eath er l a st t h re e d ay s, a n d a ll h an ds b usy w ith s a ils — no
tim e to b e f rig hte n ed . M en s e em to h av e f o rg otte n th eir d re ad . M ate c h eerfu l
ag ain , a n d a ll o n g ood te rm s. P ra is e d m en fo r w ork in b ad w eath er. P asse d
Gib ra lte r a n d o ut t h ro ugh S tr a its . A ll w ell.
24 J u ly .— There s e em s s o m e d oom o ver th is s h ip . A lr e ad y a h an d s h ort,
an d e n te rin g o n th e B ay o f B is c ay w ith w ild w eath er a h ead , a n d y et la st n ig ht
an oth er m an lo st— dis a p peare d . L ik e th e f ir s t, h e c am e o ff h is w atc h a n d w as
not s e en a g ain . M en a ll in a p an ic o f f e ar; s e n t a r o und r o bin , a sk in g to h av e
double w atc h , a s th ey fe ar to b e a lo ne. M ate a n gry . F ear th ere w ill b e s o m e
tr o uble , a s e ith er h e o r t h e m en w ill d o s o m e v io le n ce.
28 J u ly .— Four d ay s i n h ell, k nock in g a b out i n a s o rt o f m aels tr o m , a n d t h e
win d a te m pest. N o s le ep f o r a n y o ne. M en a ll w orn o ut. H ard ly k now h ow to
se t a w atc h , s in ce n o o ne fit to g o o n. S eco nd m ate v olu nte ere d to s te er a n d
watc h , a n d le t m en s n atc h a f e w h ours ’ s le ep . W in d a b atin g; s e as s till te rrif ic ,
but f e el t h em l e ss, a s s h ip i s s te ad ie r.
29 J u ly .— Anoth er tr a g ed y. H ad s in gle w atc h to -n ig ht, a s c re w to o tir e d to
double . W hen m orn in g w atc h cam e on deck co uld fin d no one ex cep t
ste ers m an . R ais e d o utc ry , a n d a ll c am e o n d eck . T horo ugh s e arc h , b ut n o o ne
fo und. A re n ow w ith out s e co nd m ate , a n d c re w in a p an ic . M ate a n d I a g re ed
to g o a rm ed h en cefo rth a n d w ait f o r a n y s ig n o f c au se .
30 J u ly .— Last n ig ht. R ejo ic ed w e a re n earin g E ngla n d. W eath er fin e, a ll
sa ils s e t. R etir e d w orn o ut; s le p t s o undly ; a w ak ed b y m ate t e llin g m e t h at b oth
man o f w atc h a n d s te ers m an m is sin g. O nly s e lf a n d m ate a n d t w o h an ds l e ft t o
work s h ip .
1 A ugust.— Tw o d ay s o f f o g, a n d n ot a s a il s ig hte d . H ad h oped w hen i n t h e
Englis h C han nel to b e a b le to s ig nal f o r h elp o r g et in s o m ew here . N ot h av in g
pow er to w ork s a ils , h av e to ru n b efo re w in d. D are n ot lo w er, a s c o uld n ot
ra is e th em a g ain . W e se em to b e d rif tin g to so m e te rrib le d oom . M ate n ow
more dem ora lis e d th an eith er of m en . H is str o nger natu re se em s to hav e
work ed in w ard ly a g ain st h im se lf . M en a re b ey ond fe ar, w ork in g s to lid ly a n d
patie n tly , w ith m in ds m ad e u p t o w ors t. T hey a re R ussia n , h e R oum an ia n .
2 A ugust, m id nig ht.— Woke u p f ro m f e w m in ute s’ s le ep b y h earin g a c ry , se em in gly o uts id e m y p ort. C ould s e e n oth in g i n f o g. R ush ed o n d eck , a n d r a n
ag ain st m ate . T ells m e h eard c ry a n d ra n , b ut n o s ig n o f m an o n w atc h . O ne
more g one. L ord , h elp u s! M ate s a y s w e m ust b e p ast S tr a its o f D over, a s in a
mom en t o f f o g l if tin g h e s a w N orth F ore la n d, j u st a s h e h eard t h e m an c ry o ut.
If s o w e a re n ow o ff in th e N orth S ea, a n d o nly G od c an g uid e u s in th e f o g,
whic h s e em s t o m ove w ith u s; a n d G od s e em s t o h av e d ese rte d u s.
3 A ugust.— At m id nig ht I w en t t o r e lie v e t h e m an a t t h e w heel, a n d w hen I
got t o i t f o und n o o ne t h ere . T he w in d w as s te ad y, a n d a s w e r a n b efo re i t t h ere
was n o y aw in g. I d are d n ot le av e it, so sh oute d fo r th e m ate . A fte r a fe w
se co nds he ru sh ed up on deck in his fla n nels . H e lo oked w ild -e y ed an d
hag gard , a n d I g re atly f e ar h is r e aso n h as g iv en w ay. H e c am e c lo se t o m e a n d
whis p ere d h oars e ly , w ith h is m outh to m y e ar, a s th ough fe arin g th e v ery a ir
mig ht h ear: “ It is h ere ; I k now it, n ow . O n th e w atc h la st n ig ht I s a w I t, lik e a
man , ta ll a n d th in , a n d g hastly p ale . It w as in th e b ow s, a n d lo okin g o ut. I
cre p t b eh in d I t, a n d g av e I t m y k nif e ; b ut th e k nif e w en t th ro ugh I t, e m pty a s
th e a ir.” A nd a s h e s p oke h e to ok h is k nif e a n d d ro ve it s a v ag ely in to s p ace.
Then h e w en t o n: “ B ut I t is h ere , a n d I ’ll f in d I t. I t is in th e h old , p erh ap s in
one o f th ose b oxes. I’ll u nsc re w th em o ne b y o ne an d se e. Y ou w ork th e
helm .” A nd, w ith a w arn in g lo ok a n d h is fin ger o n h is lip , h e w en t b elo w .
There w as s p rin gin g u p a c h oppy w in d, a n d I c o uld n ot le av e th e h elm . I s a w
him c o m e o ut o n d eck a g ain w ith a to ol- c h est a n d a la n te rn , a n d g o d ow n th e
fo rw ard h atc h w ay. H e is m ad , s ta rk , r a v in g m ad , a n d it’s n o u se m y tr y in g to
sto p h im . H e c an ’t h urt th ose b ig b oxes: th ey a re in voic ed a s “ cla y,” a n d to
pull th em a b out is a s h arm le ss a th in g a s h e c an d o. S o h ere I s ta y, a n d m in d
th e h elm , a n d w rite th ese n ote s. I c an o nly tr u st in G od a n d w ait till th e fo g
cle ars . T hen , if I c an ’t s te er to a n y h arb our w ith th e w in d th at is , I s h all c u t
dow n s a ils a n d l ie b y, a n d s ig nal f o r h elp ....
It is n early a ll o ver n ow . Ju st a s I w as b eg in nin g to h ope th at th e m ate
would c o m e o ut c alm er— fo r I h eard h im k nock in g a w ay a t s o m eth in g in th e
hold , an d w ork is good fo r him — th ere cam e up th e hatc h w ay a su dden ,
sta rtle d s c re am , w hic h m ad e m y b lo od r u n c o ld , a n d u p o n th e d eck h e c am e
as if s h ot fro m a g un— a ra g in g m ad m an , w ith h is e y es ro llin g a n d h is fa ce
co nvuls e d w ith f e ar. “ S av e m e! s a v e m e!” h e c rie d , a n d th en lo oked r o und o n
th e b la n ket o f f o g. H is h orro r tu rn ed to d esp air , a n d in a s te ad y v oic e h e s a id :
“Y ou h ad b ette r c o m e t o o, c ap ta in , b efo re i t i s t o o l a te . H e i s t h ere . I k now t h e
se cre t n ow . T he s e a w ill s a v e m e f ro m H im , a n d it is a ll th at is le ft! ” B efo re I
co uld s a y a w ord , o r m ove f o rw ard t o s e iz e h im , h e s p ra n g o n t h e b ulw ark a n d
delib era te ly t h re w h im se lf i n to t h e s e a. I s u ppose I k now t h e s e cre t t o o, n ow . I t
was th is m ad m an w ho h ad g ot rid o f th e m en o ne b y o ne, a n d n ow h e h as
fo llo w ed th em h im se lf . G od h elp m e! H ow am I to acco unt fo r all th ese
horro rs w hen I g et t o p ort? W hen I g et t o p ort! W ill t h at e v er b e? 4 A ugust.— Still fo g, w hic h th e su nris e can not p ie rc e. I k now th ere is
su nris e b ecau se I a m a s a ilo r, w hy e ls e I k now n ot. I d are d n ot g o b elo w , I
dare d n ot le av e th e h elm ; s o h ere a ll n ig ht I s ta y ed , a n d in th e d im ness o f th e
nig ht I sa w It— Him ! G od fo rg iv e m e, but th e m ate w as rig ht to ju m p
overb oard . I t w as b ette r to d ie lik e a m an ; to d ie lik e a s a ilo r in b lu e w ate r n o
man c an o bje ct. B ut I a m c ap ta in , a n d I m ust n ot le av e m y s h ip . B ut I s h all
baff le th is fie n d o r m onste r, fo r I s h all tie m y h an ds to th e w heel w hen m y
str e n gth b eg in s to fa il, a n d a lo ng w ith th em I s h all tie th at w hic h H e— It! —
dare n ot to uch ; a n d th en , c o m e g ood w in d o r fo ul, I s h all s a v e m y s o ul, a n d
my h onour a s a c ap ta in . I a m g ro w in g w eak er, a n d th e n ig ht is c o m in g o n. I f
He c an lo ok m e in th e fa ce a g ain , I m ay n ot h av e tim e to a ct.... If w e a re
wre ck ed , m ay hap th is bottle m ay be fo und, an d th ose w ho fin d it m ay
unders ta n d; i f n ot, ... w ell, t h en a ll m en s h all k now t h at I h av e b een t r u e t o m y
tr u st. G od a n d th e B le sse d V ir g in a n d th e sa in ts h elp a p oor ig nora n t so ul
tr y in g t o d o h is d uty ....
Of c o urs e t h e v erd ic t w as a n o pen o ne. T here i s n o e v id en ce t o a d duce; a n d
wheth er o r n ot th e m an h im se lf c o m mitte d th e m urd ers th ere is n ow n one to
sa y. T he fo lk h ere h old a lm ost u niv ers a lly th at th e c ap ta in is s im ply a h ero ,
an d h e i s t o b e g iv en a p ublic f u nera l. A lr e ad y i t i s a rra n ged t h at h is b ody i s t o
be ta k en w ith a tr a in o f b oats u p th e E sk f o r a p ie ce a n d th en b ro ught b ack to
Tate H ill P ie r a n d u p th e a b bey s te p s; f o r h e is to b e b urie d in th e c h urc h yard
on th e c lif f . T he o w ners o f m ore th an a h undre d b oats h av e a lr e ad y g iv en in
th eir n am es a s w is h in g t o f o llo w h im t o t h e g ra v e.
No tr a ce h as e v er b een fo und o f th e g re at d og; a t w hic h th ere is m uch
mourn in g, f o r, w ith p ublic o pin io n in its p re se n t s ta te , h e w ould , I b elie v e, b e
ad opte d b y th e to w n. T o-m orro w w ill s e e th e f u nera l; a n d s o w ill e n d th is o ne
more “ m yste ry o f t h e s e a.”
Min a M urra y ’s J o urn al.
8 A ugust.— Lucy w as v ery re stle ss a ll n ig ht, a n d I, to o, c o uld n ot s le ep .
The s to rm w as fe arfu l, a n d a s it b oom ed lo udly a m ong th e c h im ney -p ots , it
mad e m e s h udder. W hen a s h arp p uff c am e it s e em ed to b e lik e a d is ta n t g un.
Str a n gely en ough, L ucy did not w ak e; but sh e got up tw ic e an d dre sse d
hers e lf . F ortu nate ly , e ach tim e I a w oke in tim e a n d m an ag ed to u ndre ss h er
with out w ak in g h er, a n d g ot h er b ack to b ed . It is a v ery s tr a n ge th in g, th is
sle ep -w alk in g, fo r a s so on a s h er w ill is th w arte d in a n y p hysic al w ay, h er
in te n tio n, if th ere b e a n y, d is a p pears , a n d s h e y ie ld s h ers e lf a lm ost e x actly to
th e r o utin e o f h er l if e .
Early i n t h e m orn in g w e b oth g ot u p a n d w en t d ow n t o t h e h arb our t o s e e i f
an yth in g h ad h ap pen ed in th e n ig ht. T here w ere v ery fe w p eo ple a b out, a n d
th ough th e s u n w as b rig ht, a n d th e a ir c le ar a n d fre sh , th e b ig , g rim -lo okin g wav es, th at s e em ed d ark th em se lv es b ecau se th e fo am th at to pped th em w as
lik e s n ow , fo rc ed th em se lv es in th ro ugh th e n arro w m outh o f th e h arb our—
lik e a b ully in g m an g oin g t h ro ugh a c ro w d. S om eh ow I f e lt g la d t h at J o nath an
was n ot o n t h e s e a l a st n ig ht, b ut o n l a n d. B ut, o h, i s h e o n l a n d o r s e a? W here
is h e, a n d h ow ? I a m g ettin g f e arfu lly a n xio us a b out h im . I f I o nly k new w hat
to d o, a n d c o uld d o a n yth in g!
10 A ugust.— The fu nera l of th e poor se a-c ap ta in to -d ay w as m ost
to uch in g. E very b oat in th e h arb our s e em ed to b e th ere , a n d th e c o ff in w as
carrie d b y c ap ta in s a ll th e w ay f ro m T ate H ill P ie r u p to th e c h urc h yard . L ucy
cam e w ith m e, a n d w e w en t e arly to o ur o ld s e at, w hils t th e c o rtè g e o f b oats
wen t u p th e r iv er to th e V ia d uct a n d c am e d ow n a g ain . W e h ad a lo vely v ie w ,
an d s a w th e p ro cessio n n early a ll th e w ay. T he p oor fe llo w w as la id to re st
quite n ear o ur se at so th at w e sto od o n it w hen th e tim e cam e an d sa w
ev ery th in g. P oor L ucy s e em ed m uch u pse t. S he w as r e stle ss a n d u neasy a ll t h e
tim e, a n d I c an not b ut th in k th at h er d re am in g a t n ig ht is te llin g o n h er. S he is
quite o dd in o ne th in g: s h e w ill n ot a d m it to m e th at th ere is a n y c au se fo r
re stle ssn ess; o r if th ere b e, sh e d oes n ot u nders ta n d it h ers e lf . T here is a n
ad ditio nal c au se in th at p oor o ld M r. S w ale s w as f o und d ead th is m orn in g o n
our s e at, h is n eck b ein g b ro ken . H e h ad e v id en tly , a s th e d octo r s a id , fa lle n
back in th e s e at in s o m e s o rt o f f rig ht, f o r th ere w as a lo ok o f f e ar a n d h orro r
on h is f a ce th at th e m en s a id m ad e th em s h udder. P oor d ear o ld m an ! P erh ap s
he h ad s e en D eath w ith h is d yin g e y es! L ucy i s s o s w eet a n d s e n sitiv e t h at s h e
fe els in flu en ces m ore a cu te ly th an o th er p eo ple d o. Ju st n ow sh e w as q uite
upse t b y a little th in g w hic h I d id n ot m uch h eed , th ough I a m m yse lf v ery
fo nd o f a n im als . O ne o f th e m en w ho c am e u p h ere o fte n to lo ok f o r th e b oats
was fo llo w ed b y h is d og. T he d og is a lw ay s w ith h im . T hey a re b oth q uie t
pers o ns, a n d I n ev er s a w th e m an a n gry , n or h eard th e d og b ark . D urin g th e
se rv ic e t h e d og w ould n ot c o m e t o i ts m aste r, w ho w as o n t h e s e at w ith u s, b ut
kep t a fe w y ard s o ff , b ark in g a n d h ow lin g. Its m aste r s p oke to it g en tly , a n d
th en h ars h ly , a n d th en a n grily ; b ut it w ould n eith er c o m e n or c ease to m ak e a
nois e . I t w as i n a s o rt o f f u ry , w ith i ts e y es s a v ag e, a n d a ll i ts h air s b ris tlin g o ut
lik e a c at’s ta il w hen p uss is o n th e w ar- p ath . F in ally th e m an , to o, g ot a n gry ,
an d ju m ped d ow n a n d k ic k ed th e d og, a n d th en to ok it b y th e s c ru ff o f th e
neck a n d h alf d ra g ged a n d h alf th re w it o n th e to m bsto ne o n w hic h th e s e at is
fix ed . T he m om en t it to uch ed th e s to ne th e p oor th in g b ecam e q uie t a n d fe ll
all i n to a t r e m ble . I t d id n ot t r y t o g et a w ay, b ut c ro uch ed d ow n, q uiv erin g a n d
co w erin g, a n d w as in s u ch a p itia b le s ta te o f te rro r th at I tr ie d , th ough w ith out
eff e ct, t o c o m fo rt i t. L ucy w as f u ll o f p ity , t o o, b ut s h e d id n ot a tte m pt t o t o uch
th e d og, b ut l o oked a t i t i n a n a g onis e d s o rt o f w ay. I g re atly f e ar t h at s h e i s o f
to o s u per- s e n sitiv e a n atu re to g o th ro ugh th e w orld w ith out tr o uble . S he w ill
be d re am in g o f th is to -n ig ht, I a m s u re . T he w hole a g glo m era tio n o f th in gs—
th e s h ip s te ere d in to p ort b y a d ead m an ; h is a ttitu de, tie d to th e w heel w ith a cru cif ix a n d b ead s; th e to uch in g fu nera l; th e d og, n ow fu rio us a n d n ow in
te rro r— will a ll a ff o rd m ate ria l f o r h er d re am s.
I t h in k i t w ill b e b est f o r h er t o g o t o b ed t ir e d o ut p hysic ally , s o I s h all t a k e
her f o r a l o ng w alk b y t h e c lif f s t o R obin H ood’s B ay a n d b ack . S he o ught n ot
to h av e m uch i n clin atio n f o r s le ep -w alk in g t h en .
CH APT ER V III
MIN A M URRAY ’S J O URNAL
Sam e d ay, 1 1 o ’c lo ck p . m .— Oh, b ut I a m tir e d ! If it w ere n ot th at I h ad
mad e m y d ia ry a d uty I s h ould n ot o pen it to -n ig ht. W e h ad a lo vely w alk .
Lucy, a fte r a w hile , w as in g ay s p ir its , o w in g, I th in k, to s o m e d ear c o w s w ho
cam e n osin g to w ard s u s in a fie ld c lo se to th e lig hth ouse , a n d frig hte n ed th e
wits o ut o f u s. I b elie v e w e f o rg ot e v ery th in g e x cep t, o f c o urs e , p ers o nal f e ar,
an d i t s e em ed t o w ip e t h e s la te c le an a n d g iv e u s a f re sh s ta rt. W e h ad a c ap ita l
“se v ere te a” a t R obin H ood’s B ay in a s w eet little o ld -fa sh io ned in n, w ith a
bow -w in dow r ig ht o ver th e s e aw eed -c o vere d r o ck s o f th e s tr a n d. I b elie v e w e
sh ould h av e sh ock ed th e “ N ew W om an ” w ith o ur a p petite s. M en a re m ore
to le ra n t, ble ss th em ! T hen w e w alk ed hom e w ith so m e, or ra th er m an y,
sto ppag es to re st, a n d w ith o ur h earts fu ll o f a c o nsta n t d re ad o f w ild b ulls .
Lucy w as r e ally t ir e d , a n d w e i n te n ded t o c re ep o ff t o b ed a s s o on a s w e c o uld .
The y oung c u ra te c am e in , h ow ev er, a n d M rs . W este n ra a sk ed h im to s ta y f o r
su pper. L ucy a n d I h ad b oth a f ig ht f o r i t w ith t h e d usty m ille r; I k now i t w as a
hard f ig ht o n m y p art, a n d I a m q uite h ero ic . I t h in k t h at s o m e d ay t h e b is h ops
must g et to geth er a n d s e e a b out b re ed in g u p a n ew c la ss o f c u ra te s, w ho d on’t
ta k e s u pper, n o m atte r h ow th ey m ay b e p re sse d to , a n d w ho w ill k now w hen
gir ls a re tir e d . L ucy is a sle ep a n d b re ath in g s o ftly . S he h as m ore c o lo ur in h er
ch eek s th an u su al, a n d lo oks, o h, s o s w eet. I f M r. H olm wood f e ll in lo ve w ith
her s e ein g h er o nly in th e d ra w in g-ro om , I w onder w hat h e w ould s a y if h e
sa w h er n ow . S om e o f th e “ N ew W om en ” w rite rs w ill s o m e d ay s ta rt a n id ea
th at m en an d w om en sh ould be allo w ed to se e each oth er asle ep befo re
pro posin g o r a ccep tin g. B ut I s u ppose th e N ew W om an w on’t c o ndesc en d in
fu tu re to a ccep t; sh e w ill d o th e p ro posin g h ers e lf . A nd a n ic e jo b sh e w ill
mak e o f it, to o! T here ’s so m e c o nso la tio n in th at. I a m so h ap py to -n ig ht,
becau se d ear L ucy s e em s b ette r. I r e ally b elie v e s h e h as t u rn ed th e c o rn er, a n d
th at w e a re o ver h er tr o uble s w ith d re am in g. I s h ould b e q uite h ap py if I o nly
knew i f J o nath an .... G od b le ss a n d k eep h im .
11 A ugust, 3 a . m .— Dia ry a g ain . N o s le ep n ow , s o I m ay a s w ell w rite . I
am to o a g ita te d to s le ep . W e h av e h ad s u ch a n a d ven tu re , s u ch a n a g onis in g ex perie n ce. I f e ll a sle ep a s s o on a s I h ad c lo se d m y d ia ry .... S udden ly I b ecam e
bro ad a w ak e, a n d s a t u p, w ith a h orrib le s e n se o f f e ar u pon m e, a n d o f s o m e
fe elin g o f e m ptin ess a ro und m e. T he r o om w as d ark , s o I c o uld n ot s e e L ucy ’s
bed ; I s to le a cro ss a n d f e lt f o r h er. T he b ed w as e m pty . I l it a m atc h a n d f o und
th at s h e w as n ot i n t h e r o om . T he d oor w as s h ut, b ut n ot l o ck ed , a s I h ad l e ft i t.
I fe are d to w ak e h er m oth er, w ho h as b een m ore th an u su ally ill la te ly , so
th re w o n so m e c lo th es a n d g ot re ad y to lo ok fo r h er. A s I w as le av in g th e
ro om it s tr u ck m e th at th e c lo th es s h e w ore m ig ht g iv e m e s o m e c lu e to h er
dre am in g in te n tio n. Dre ssin g-g ow n would m ean house ; dre ss, outs id e.
Dre ssin g-g ow n a n d d re ss w ere b oth in th eir p la ces. “ T han k G od,” I sa id to
myse lf , “ sh e c an not b e f a r, a s s h e is o nly in h er n ig htd re ss.” I r a n d ow nsta ir s
an d lo oked in th e s ittin g-ro om . N ot th ere ! T hen I lo oked in a ll th e o th er o pen
ro om s o f th e h ouse , w ith a n e v er- g ro w in g fe ar c h illin g m y h eart. F in ally I
cam e t o t h e h all d oor a n d f o und i t o pen . I t w as n ot w id e o pen , b ut t h e c atc h o f
th e lo ck h ad n ot c au ght. T he p eo ple o f th e h ouse a re c are fu l to lo ck th e d oor
ev ery n ig ht, s o I f e are d th at L ucy m ust h av e g one o ut a s s h e w as. T here w as
no tim e to th in k o f w hat m ig ht h ap pen ; a v ag ue, o verm aste rin g f e ar o bsc u re d
all d eta ils . I t o ok a b ig , h eav y s h aw l a n d r a n o ut. T he c lo ck w as s tr ik in g o ne a s
I w as in th e C re sc en t, a n d th ere w as n ot a s o ul in s ig ht. I r a n a lo ng th e N orth
Terra ce, b ut c o uld se e n o sig n o f th e w hite fig ure w hic h I e x pecte d . A t th e
ed ge o f th e W est C lif f a b ove th e p ie r I lo oked a cro ss th e h arb our to th e E ast
Clif f , in th e hope or fe ar— I don’t know w hic h — of se ein g L ucy in our
fa v ourite s e at. T here w as a b rig ht f u ll m oon, w ith h eav y b la ck , d riv in g c lo uds,
whic h t h re w t h e w hole s c en e i n to a f le etin g d io ra m a o f l ig ht a n d s h ad e a s t h ey
sa ile d a cro ss. F or a m om en t o r tw o I c o uld s e e n oth in g, a s th e s h ad ow o f a
clo ud o bsc u re d S t. M ary ’s C hurc h a n d a ll a ro und i t. T hen a s t h e c lo ud p asse d I
co uld s e e t h e r u in s o f t h e a b bey c o m in g i n to v ie w ; a n d a s t h e e d ge o f a n arro w
ban d of lig ht as sh arp as a sw ord -c u t m oved alo ng, th e ch urc h an d th e
ch urc h yard b ecam e g ra d ually v is ib le . W hate v er m y e x pecta tio n w as, it w as
not d is a p poin te d , f o r th ere , o n o ur f a v ourite s e at, th e s ilv er lig ht o f th e m oon
str u ck a h alf -re clin in g f ig ure , s n ow y w hite . T he c o m in g o f th e c lo ud w as to o
quic k f o r m e t o s e e m uch , f o r s h ad ow s h ut d ow n o n l ig ht a lm ost i m med ia te ly ;
but i t s e em ed t o m e a s t h ough s o m eth in g d ark s to od b eh in d t h e s e at w here t h e
white fig ure sh one, a n d b en t o ver it. W hat it w as, w heth er m an o r b east, I
co uld n ot te ll; I d id n ot w ait to c atc h a n oth er g la n ce, b ut f le w d ow n th e s te ep
ste p s t o t h e p ie r a n d a lo ng b y t h e f is h -m ark et t o t h e b rid ge, w hic h w as t h e o nly
way t o r e ach t h e E ast C lif f . T he t o w n s e em ed a s d ead , f o r n ot a s o ul d id I s e e;
I r e jo ic ed t h at i t w as s o , f o r I w an te d n o w itn ess o f p oor L ucy ’s c o nditio n. T he
tim e a n d d is ta n ce s e em ed e n dle ss, a n d m y k nees t r e m ble d a n d m y b re ath c am e
la b oure d a s I to ile d u p th e e n dle ss s te p s to th e a b bey. I m ust h av e g one fa st,
an d y et it s e em ed to m e a s if m y f e et w ere w eig hte d w ith le ad , a n d a s th ough
ev ery j o in t i n m y b ody w ere r u sty . W hen I g ot a lm ost t o t h e t o p I c o uld s e e t h e se at a n d th e w hite fig ure , fo r I w as n ow c lo se e n ough to d is tin guis h it e v en
th ro ugh th e sp ells o f sh ad ow . T here w as u ndoubte d ly so m eth in g, lo ng a n d
bla ck , b en din g o ver th e h alf -re clin in g w hite fig ure . I c alle d in frig ht, “ L ucy !
Lucy !” a n d s o m eth in g r a is e d a h ead , a n d f ro m w here I w as I c o uld s e e a w hite
fa ce a n d r e d , g le am in g e y es. L ucy d id n ot a n sw er, a n d I r a n o n t o t h e e n tr a n ce
of th e c h urc h yard . A s I e n te re d , th e c h urc h w as b etw een m e a n d th e s e at, a n d
fo r a m in ute o r s o I l o st s ig ht o f h er. W hen I c am e i n v ie w a g ain t h e c lo ud h ad
passe d , an d th e m oonlig ht str u ck so b rillia n tly th at I co uld se e L ucy h alf
re clin in g w ith h er h ead ly in g o ver th e b ack o f th e s e at. S he w as q uite a lo ne,
an d t h ere w as n ot a s ig n o f a n y l iv in g t h in g a b out.
When I b en t o ver h er I c o uld s e e th at s h e w as s till a sle ep . H er lip s w ere
parte d , a n d s h e w as b re ath in g— not s o ftly a s u su al w ith h er, b ut i n l o ng, h eav y
gasp s, a s t h ough s tr iv in g t o g et h er l u ngs f u ll a t e v ery b re ath . A s I c am e c lo se ,
sh e p ut u p h er h an d in h er s le ep a n d p ulle d th e c o lla r o f h er n ig htd re ss c lo se
aro und h er t h ro at. W hils t s h e d id s o t h ere c am e a l ittle s h udder t h ro ugh h er, a s
th ough s h e f e lt th e c o ld . I f lu ng th e w arm s h aw l o ver h er, a n d d re w th e e d ges
tig ht r o und h er n eck , f o r I d re ad ed le st s h e s h ould g et s o m e d ead ly c h ill f ro m
th e n ig ht a ir , u ncla d a s s h e w as. I f e are d t o w ak e h er a ll a t o nce, s o , i n o rd er t o
hav e m y h an ds fre e th at I m ig ht h elp h er, I fa ste n ed th e s h aw l a t h er th ro at
with a b ig s a fe ty -p in ; b ut I m ust h av e b een c lu m sy in m y a n xie ty a n d p in ch ed
or p ric k ed h er w ith it, f o r b y-a n d-b y, w hen h er b re ath in g b ecam e q uie te r, s h e
put her han d to her th ro at ag ain an d m oan ed . W hen I had her care fu lly
wra p ped u p I p ut m y s h oes o n h er f e et a n d t h en b eg an v ery g en tly t o w ak e h er.
At f ir s t s h e d id n ot r e sp ond; b ut g ra d ually s h e b ecam e m ore a n d m ore u neasy
in h er s le ep , m oan in g a n d s ig hin g o ccasio nally . A t la st, a s tim e w as p assin g
fa st, a n d, f o r m an y o th er r e aso ns, I w is h ed t o g et h er h om e a t o nce, I s h ook h er
more fo rc ib ly , till fin ally s h e o pen ed h er e y es a n d a w oke. S he d id n ot s e em
su rp ris e d to s e e m e, a s, o f c o urs e , s h e d id n ot re alis e a ll a t o nce w here s h e
was. L ucy a lw ay s w ak es p re ttily , a n d e v en a t s u ch a t im e, w hen h er b ody m ust
hav e b een ch ille d w ith co ld , an d h er m in d so m ew hat ap palle d at w ak in g
uncla d in a c h urc h yard a t n ig ht, sh e d id n ot lo se h er g ra ce. S he tr e m ble d a
little , a n d c lu ng t o m e; w hen I t o ld h er t o c o m e a t o nce w ith m e h om e s h e r o se
with out a w ord , w ith th e o bed ie n ce o f a c h ild . A s w e p asse d a lo ng, th e g ra v el
hurt m y fe et, a n d L ucy n otic ed m e w in ce. S he s to pped a n d w an te d to in sis t
upon m y ta k in g m y sh oes; b ut I w ould n ot. H ow ev er, w hen w e g ot to th e
path w ay o uts id e t h e c h urc h yard , w here t h ere w as a p uddle o f w ate r, r e m ain in g
fro m th e sto rm , I d au bed m y fe et w ith m ud, u sin g e ach fo ot in tu rn o n th e
oth er, so th at a s w e w en t h om e, n o o ne, in c ase w e sh ould m eet a n y o ne,
sh ould n otic e m y b are f e et.
Fortu ne fa v oure d u s, a n d w e g ot h om e w ith out m eetin g a s o ul. O nce w e
sa w a m an , w ho s e em ed n ot q uite s o ber, p assin g a lo ng a s tr e et in f ro nt o f u s;
but w e h id in a d oor till h e h ad d is a p peare d u p a n o pen in g s u ch a s th ere a re here , s te ep little c lo se s, o r “ w ynds,” a s th ey c all th em in S co tla n d. M y h eart
beat s o lo ud a ll th e tim e th at s o m etim es I th ought I s h ould fa in t. I w as fille d
with a n xie ty a b out L ucy, n ot o nly fo r h er h ealth , le st s h e s h ould s u ff e r fro m
th e e x posu re , b ut fo r h er re p uta tio n in c ase th e s to ry s h ould g et w in d. W hen
we g ot in , a n d h ad w ash ed o ur fe et, a n d h ad sa id a p ra y er o f th an kfu ln ess
to geth er, I tu ck ed her in to bed . B efo re fa llin g asle ep sh e ask ed — ev en
im plo re d — me n ot t o s a y a w ord t o a n y o ne, e v en h er m oth er, a b out h er s le ep -
walk in g a d ven tu re . I h esita te d a t f ir s t to p ro m is e ; b ut o n th in kin g o f th e s ta te
of h er m oth er’s h ealth , a n d h ow th e k now le d ge o f s u ch a th in g w ould f re t h er,
an d t h in kin g, t o o, o f h ow s u ch a s to ry m ig ht b eco m e d is to rte d — nay, i n fa llib ly
would — in c ase it sh ould le ak o ut, I th ought it w is e r to d o so . I h ope I d id
rig ht. I h av e l o ck ed t h e d oor, a n d t h e k ey i s t ie d t o m y w ris t, s o p erh ap s I s h all
not b e a g ain d is tu rb ed . L ucy i s s le ep in g s o undly ; t h e r e fle x o f t h e d aw n i s h ig h
an d f a r o ver t h e s e a....
Sam e d ay, n oon.— All g oes w ell. L ucy s le p t t ill I w oke h er a n d s e em ed n ot
to h av e e v en c h an ged h er s id e. T he a d ven tu re o f th e n ig ht d oes n ot s e em to
hav e h arm ed h er; o n th e c o ntr a ry , it h as b en efite d h er, f o r s h e lo oks b ette r th is
morn in g t h an s h e h as d one f o r w eek s. I w as s o rry t o n otic e t h at m y c lu m sin ess
with th e s a fe ty -p in h urt h er. I n deed , it m ig ht h av e b een s e rio us, f o r th e s k in o f
her th ro at w as p ie rc ed . I m ust h av e p in ch ed u p a p ie ce o f lo ose s k in a n d h av e
tr a n sfix ed it, f o r th ere a re tw o little r e d p oin ts lik e p in -p ric k s, a n d o n th e b an d
of h er n ig htd re ss w as a d ro p o f b lo od. W hen I a p olo gis e d a n d w as c o ncern ed
ab out it, sh e la u ghed an d pette d m e, an d sa id sh e did not ev en fe el it.
Fortu nate ly i t c an not l e av e a s c ar, a s i t i s s o t in y.
Sam e d ay, n ig ht.— We p asse d a h ap py d ay. T he a ir w as c le ar, a n d th e s u n
brig ht, a n d th ere w as a c o ol b re eze. W e to ok o ur lu nch to M ulg ra v e W oods,
Mrs . W este n ra d riv in g b y th e ro ad a n d L ucy a n d I w alk in g b y th e c lif f -p ath
an d jo in in g h er a t th e g ate . I fe lt a little s a d m yse lf , fo r I c o uld n ot b ut fe el
how a b so lu te ly h ap py it w ould h av e b een h ad Jo nath an b een w ith m e. B ut
th ere ! I m ust o nly b e p atie n t. I n th e e v en in g w e s tr o lle d in th e C asin o T erra ce,
an d h eard s o m e g ood m usic b y S pohr a n d M ack en zie , a n d w en t to b ed e arly .
Lucy s e em s m ore re stf u l th an s h e h as b een fo r s o m e tim e, a n d fe ll a sle ep a t
once. I s h all lo ck th e d oor a n d s e cu re th e k ey th e s a m e a s b efo re , th ough I d o
not e x pect a n y t r o uble t o -n ig ht.
12 A ugust.— My e x pecta tio ns w ere w ro ng, f o r t w ic e d urin g t h e n ig ht I w as
wak en ed b y L ucy t r y in g t o g et o ut. S he s e em ed , e v en i n h er s le ep , t o b e a l ittle
im patie n t at fin din g th e d oor sh ut, an d w en t b ack to b ed u nder a so rt o f
pro te st. I w oke w ith th e d aw n, a n d h eard th e b ir d s c h ir p in g o uts id e o f th e
win dow . L ucy w oke, to o, a n d, I w as g la d to s e e, w as e v en b ette r th an o n th e
pre v io us m orn in g. A ll h er o ld g aie ty o f m an ner s e em ed to h av e c o m e b ack ,
an d s h e c am e a n d s n uggle d in b esid e m e a n d to ld m e a ll a b out A rth ur. I to ld her h ow a n xio us I w as a b out J o nath an , a n d t h en s h e t r ie d t o c o m fo rt m e. W ell,
sh e s u cceed ed s o m ew hat, f o r, th ough s y m path y c an ’t a lte r f a cts , it c an h elp to
mak e t h em m ore b eara b le .
13 A ugust.— Anoth er q uie t d ay, a n d to b ed w ith th e k ey o n m y w ris t a s
befo re . A gain I a w oke in th e n ig ht, a n d fo und L ucy sittin g u p in b ed , still
asle ep , p oin tin g to th e w in dow . I g ot u p q uie tly , a n d p ullin g a sid e th e b lin d,
lo oked o ut. I t w as b rillia n t m oonlig ht, a n d th e s o ft e ff e ct o f th e lig ht o ver th e
se a an d sk y— merg ed to geth er in o ne g re at, sile n t m yste ry — was b eau tif u l
bey ond w ord s. B etw een m e a n d th e m oonlig ht f litte d a g re at b at, c o m in g a n d
goin g in g re at w hir lin g c ir c le s. O nce o r tw ic e it c am e q uite c lo se , b ut w as, I
su ppose , f rig hte n ed a t s e ein g m e, a n d f litte d a w ay a cro ss th e h arb our to w ard s
th e a b bey. W hen I c am e b ack f ro m t h e w in dow L ucy h ad l a in d ow n a g ain , a n d
was s le ep in g p eacefu lly . S he d id n ot s tir a g ain a ll n ig ht.
14 A ugust.— On th e E ast C lif f , r e ad in g a n d w ritin g a ll d ay. L ucy s e em s to
hav e b eco m e a s m uch in lo ve w ith th e s p ot a s I a m , a n d it is h ard to g et h er
aw ay fro m it w hen it is tim e to c o m e h om e fo r lu nch o r te a o r d in ner. T his
afte rn oon s h e m ad e a fu nny re m ark . W e w ere c o m in g h om e fo r d in ner, a n d
had c o m e to th e to p o f th e s te p s u p f ro m th e W est P ie r a n d s to pped to lo ok a t
th e v ie w , a s w e g en era lly d o. T he s e ttin g s u n, lo w d ow n in th e s k y, w as ju st
dro ppin g b eh in d K ettle n ess; th e re d lig ht w as th ro w n o ver o n th e E ast C lif f
an d th e o ld a b bey, a n d s e em ed to b ath e e v ery th in g in a b eau tif u l ro sy g lo w .
We w ere s ile n t f o r a w hile , a n d s u dden ly L ucy m urm ure d a s i f t o h ers e lf :—
“H is re d ey es ag ain ! T hey are ju st th e sa m e.” It w as su ch an odd
ex pre ssio n, co m in g ap ro pos o f n oth in g, th at it q uite sta rtle d m e. I sle w ed
ro und a little , s o a s to s e e L ucy w ell w ith out s e em in g to s ta re a t h er, a n d s a w
th at s h e w as in a h alf -d re am y s ta te , w ith a n o dd lo ok o n h er f a ce th at I c o uld
not q uite m ak e o ut; s o I s a id n oth in g, b ut f o llo w ed h er e y es. S he a p peare d to
be l o okin g o ver a t o ur o w n s e at, w here o n w as a d ark f ig ure s e ate d a lo ne. I w as
a little s ta rtle d m yse lf , f o r it s e em ed f o r a n in sta n t a s if th e s tr a n ger h ad g re at
ey es lik e b urn in g fla m es; b ut a se co nd lo ok d is p elle d th e illu sio n. T he re d
su nlig ht w as s h in in g o n th e w in dow s o f S t. M ary ’s C hurc h b eh in d o ur s e at,
an d a s th e s u n d ip ped th ere w as ju st s u ff ic ie n t c h an ge in th e re fra ctio n a n d
re fle ctio n to m ak e it a p pear a s if th e lig ht m oved . I c alle d L ucy ’s a tte n tio n to
th e p ecu lia r e ff e ct, a n d s h e b ecam e h ers e lf w ith a s ta rt, b ut s h e lo oked s a d a ll
th e s a m e; i t m ay h av e b een t h at s h e w as t h in kin g o f t h at t e rrib le n ig ht u p t h ere .
We n ev er r e fe r to it; s o I s a id n oth in g, a n d w e w en t h om e to d in ner. L ucy h ad
a h ead ach e a n d w en t e arly to b ed . I s a w h er a sle ep , a n d w en t o ut fo r a little
str o ll m yse lf ; I w alk ed a lo ng th e c lif f s to th e w estw ard , a n d w as f u ll o f s w eet
sa d ness, fo r I w as th in kin g o f Jo nath an . W hen c o m in g h om e— it w as th en
brig ht m oonlig ht, s o b rig ht th at, th ough th e fro nt o f o ur p art o f th e C re sc en t
was in sh ad ow , e v ery th in g c o uld b e w ell se en — I th re w a g la n ce u p a t o ur win dow , a n d sa w L ucy ’s h ead le an in g o ut. I th ought th at p erh ap s sh e w as
lo okin g o ut fo r m e, s o I o pen ed m y h an dkerc h ie f a n d w av ed it. S he d id n ot
notic e o r m ak e a n y m ovem en t w hate v er. J u st th en , th e m oonlig ht c re p t r o und
an a n gle o f t h e b uild in g, a n d t h e l ig ht f e ll o n t h e w in dow . T here d is tin ctly w as
Lucy w ith h er h ead ly in g u p a g ain st th e s id e o f th e w in dow -s ill a n d h er e y es
sh ut. She w as fa st asle ep , an d by her, se ate d on th e w in dow -s ill, w as
so m eth in g th at lo oked lik e a g ood-s iz ed b ir d . I w as a fra id sh e m ig ht g et a
ch ill, s o I r a n u psta ir s , b ut a s I c am e i n to t h e r o om s h e w as m ovin g b ack t o h er
bed , f a st a sle ep , a n d b re ath in g h eav ily ; s h e w as h old in g h er h an d t o h er t h ro at,
as t h ough t o p ro te ct i t f ro m c o ld .
I d id n ot w ak e h er, b ut tu ck ed h er u p w arm ly ; I h av e ta k en c are th at th e
door i s l o ck ed a n d t h e w in dow s e cu re ly f a ste n ed .
She lo oks so sw eet a s sh e sle ep s; b ut sh e is p ale r th an is h er w ont, a n d
th ere i s a d ra w n, h ag gard l o ok u nder h er e y es w hic h I d o n ot l ik e. I f e ar s h e i s
fre ttin g a b out s o m eth in g. I w is h I c o uld f in d o ut w hat i t i s .
15 A ugust.— Rose la te r th an u su al. L ucy w as la n guid a n d tir e d , a n d s le p t
on a fte r w e h ad b een c alle d . W e h ad a h ap py s u rp ris e a t b re ak fa st. A rth ur’s
fa th er is b ette r, a n d w an ts th e m arria g e to c o m e o ff s o on. L ucy is f u ll o f q uie t
jo y, a n d h er m oth er is g la d a n d s o rry a t o nce. L ate r o n in th e d ay s h e to ld m e
th e c au se . S he is g rie v ed to lo se L ucy a s h er v ery o w n, b ut s h e is r e jo ic ed th at
sh e is so on to h av e so m e o ne to p ro te ct h er. P oor d ear, sw eet la d y! S he
co nfid ed to m e th at s h e h as g ot h er d eath -w arra n t. S he h as n ot to ld L ucy, a n d
mad e m e p ro m is e se cre cy ; h er d octo r to ld h er th at w ith in a fe w m onth s, a t
most, sh e m ust d ie , fo r h er h eart is w eak en in g. A t an y tim e, ev en n ow , a
su dden s h ock w ould b e a lm ost s u re t o k ill h er. A h, w e w ere w is e t o k eep f ro m
her t h e a ff a ir o f t h e d re ad fu l n ig ht o f L ucy ’s s le ep -w alk in g.
17 A ugust.— No d ia ry fo r tw o w hole d ay s. I h av e n ot h ad th e h eart to
write . S om e s o rt o f s h ad ow y p all s e em s to b e c o m in g o ver o ur h ap pin ess. N o
new s fro m Jo nath an , an d L ucy se em s to be gro w in g w eak er, w hils t her
moth er’s h ours a re n um berin g to a c lo se . I d o n ot u nders ta n d L ucy ’s fa d in g
aw ay a s s h e is d oin g. S he e ats w ell a n d s le ep s w ell, a n d e n jo ys th e f re sh a ir ;
but a ll th e tim e th e ro se s in h er c h eek s a re fa d in g, a n d s h e g ets w eak er a n d
more la n guid d ay b y d ay ; a t n ig ht I h ear h er g asp in g a s if fo r a ir. I k eep th e
key o f o ur d oor a lw ay s fa ste n ed to m y w ris t a t n ig ht, b ut sh e g ets u p a n d
walk s a b out th e ro om , a n d sits a t th e o pen w in dow . L ast n ig ht I fo und h er
le an in g o ut w hen I w oke u p, a n d w hen I t r ie d t o w ak e h er I c o uld n ot; s h e w as
in a f a in t. W hen I m an ag ed to r e sto re h er s h e w as a s w eak a s w ate r, a n d c rie d
sile n tly b etw een lo ng, p ain fu l s tr u ggle s f o r b re ath . W hen I a sk ed h er h ow s h e
cam e to b e a t th e w in dow sh e sh ook h er h ead a n d tu rn ed a w ay. I tr u st h er
fe elin g i ll m ay n ot b e f ro m t h at u nlu ck y p ric k o f t h e s a fe ty -p in . I l o oked a t h er
th ro at j u st n ow a s s h e l a y a sle ep , a n d t h e t in y w ounds s e em n ot t o h av e h eale d . They a re s till o pen , a n d, if a n yth in g, la rg er th an b efo re , a n d th e e d ges o f th em
are f a in tly w hite . T hey a re lik e little w hite d ots w ith r e d c en tr e s. U nle ss th ey
heal w ith in a d ay o r t w o, I s h all i n sis t o n t h e d octo r s e ein g a b out t h em .
Lette r, S am uel F . B illin gto n & S on, S olic ito rs , W hitb y, to M essrs . C arte r,
Pate rs o n & C o., L ondon.
“1 7 A ugust.
“D ear S ir s ,—
“H ere w ith p le ase r e ceiv e i n voic e o f g oods s e n t b y G re at N orth ern R ailw ay.
Sam e a re to b e d eliv ere d a t C arfa x , n ear P urfle et, im med ia te ly o n re ceip t a t
goods s ta tio n K in g’s C ro ss. T he h ouse i s a t p re se n t e m pty , b ut e n clo se d p le ase
fin d k ey s, a ll o f w hic h a re l a b elle d .
“Y ou w ill ple ase dep osit th e boxes, fif ty in num ber, w hic h fo rm th e
co nsig nm en t, in th e p artia lly ru in ed b uild in g fo rm in g p art o f th e h ouse a n d
mark ed ‘A ’ o n ro ugh d ia g ra m e n clo se d . Y our a g en t w ill e asily re co gnis e th e
lo cality , a s i t i s t h e a n cie n t c h ap el o f t h e m an sio n. T he g oods l e av e b y t h e t r a in
at 9 :3 0 to -n ig ht, a n d w ill b e d ue a t K in g’s C ro ss a t 4 :3 0 to -m orro w a fte rn oon.
As o ur clie n t w is h es th e d eliv ery m ad e as so on as p ossib le , w e sh all b e
oblig ed b y y our h av in g te am s re ad y a t K in g’s C ro ss a t th e tim e n am ed a n d
fo rth w ith c o nvey in g th e g oods to d estin atio n. In o rd er to o bvia te a n y d ela y s
possib le th ro ugh a n y r o utin e r e q uir e m en ts a s to p ay m en t in y our d ep artm en ts ,
we en clo se ch eq ue h ere w ith fo r te n p ounds (£ 10), re ceip t o f w hic h p le ase
ack now le d ge. S hould th e ch arg e b e le ss th an th is am ount, y ou can re tu rn
bala n ce; if g re ate r, w e sh all a t o nce se n d c h eq ue fo r d if f e re n ce o n h earin g
fro m y ou. Y ou a re to le av e th e k ey s o n c o m in g a w ay in th e m ain h all o f th e
house , w here th e p ro prie to r m ay g et th em o n h is e n te rin g th e h ouse b y m ean s
of h is d uplic ate k ey.
“P ra y d o n ot ta k e u s as ex ceed in g th e b ounds o f b usin ess co urte sy in
pre ssin g y ou i n a ll w ay s t o u se t h e u tm ost e x ped itio n.
“W e a re , d ear S ir s ,
“F aith fu lly y ours ,
“S am uel F . B illin gto n & S on.”
Lette r, M essrs . C arte r, P ate rs o n & C o., L ondon, to M essrs . B illin gto n &
Son, W hitb y.
“2 1 A ugust.
“D ear S ir s ,—
“W e b eg to a ck now le d ge £ 10 re ceiv ed a n d to re tu rn c h eq ue £ 1 1 7s. 9 d,
am ount of overp lu s, as sh ow n in re ceip te d acco unt here w ith . G oods are deliv ere d i n e x act a cco rd an ce w ith i n str u ctio ns, a n d k ey s l e ft i n p arc el i n m ain
hall, a s d ir e cte d .
“W e a re , d ear S ir s ,
“Y ours r e sp ectf u lly .
“P ro C arte r, P ate rs o n & C o.”
Min a M urra y ’s J o urn al.
18 A ugust.— I am hap py to -d ay, an d w rite sittin g on th e se at in th e
ch urc h yard . L ucy is e v er s o m uch b ette r. L ast n ig ht s h e s le p t w ell a ll n ig ht,
an d d id n ot d is tu rb m e o nce. T he ro se s se em co m in g b ack alr e ad y to h er
ch eek s, th ough s h e is s till s a d ly p ale a n d w an -lo okin g. I f s h e w ere in a n y w ay
an æ m ic I c o uld u nders ta n d it, b ut s h e is n ot. S he is in g ay s p ir its a n d fu ll o f
lif e a n d c h eerfu ln ess. A ll th e m orb id r e tic en ce s e em s to h av e p asse d f ro m h er,
an d s h e h as ju st r e m in ded m e, a s if I n eed ed a n y r e m in din g, o f th at n ig ht, a n d
th at it w as h ere , o n th is v ery se at, I fo und h er a sle ep . A s sh e to ld m e sh e
ta p ped p la y fu lly w ith t h e h eel o f h er b oot o n t h e s to ne s la b a n d s a id :—
“M y p oor little fe et d id n’t m ak e m uch n ois e th en ! I d are sa y p oor o ld M r.
Sw ale s w ould h av e to ld m e th at it w as b ecau se I d id n’t w an t to w ak e u p
Geo rd ie .” A s s h e w as i n s u ch a c o m munic ativ e h um our, I a sk ed h er i f s h e h ad
dre am ed at all th at n ig ht. B efo re sh e an sw ere d , th at sw eet, p uck ere d lo ok
cam e i n to h er f o re h ead , w hic h A rth ur— I c all h im A rth ur f ro m h er h ab it— sa y s
he l o ves; a n d, i n deed , I d on’t w onder t h at h e d oes. T hen s h e w en t o n i n a h alf -
dre am in g k in d o f w ay, a s i f t r y in g t o r e call i t t o h ers e lf :—
“I d id n’t q uite d re am ; b ut it a ll s e em ed to b e r e al. I o nly w an te d to b e h ere
in th is s p ot— I d on’t k now w hy, f o r I w as a fra id o f s o m eth in g— I d on’t k now
what. I r e m em ber, th ough I s u ppose I w as a sle ep , p assin g th ro ugh th e s tr e ets
an d o ver th e b rid ge. A f is h le ap ed a s I w en t b y, a n d I le an ed o ver to lo ok a t it,
an d I h eard a l o t o f d ogs h ow lin g— th e w hole t o w n s e em ed a s i f i t m ust b e f u ll
of d ogs all h ow lin g at o nce— as I w en t u p th e ste p s. T hen I h ad a v ag ue
mem ory o f so m eth in g lo ng a n d d ark w ith re d e y es, ju st a s w e sa w in th e
su nse t, a n d s o m eth in g v ery s w eet a n d v ery b itte r a ll a ro und m e a t o nce; a n d
th en I s e em ed s in kin g in to d eep g re en w ate r, a n d th ere w as a s in gin g in m y
ears , a s I h av e h eard th ere is to d ro w nin g m en ; a n d th en e v ery th in g s e em ed
passin g a w ay fro m m e; m y so ul se em ed to g o o ut fro m m y b ody a n d flo at
ab out th e a ir. I se em to re m em ber th at o nce th e W est L ig hth ouse w as rig ht
under m e, a n d th en th ere w as a s o rt o f a g onis in g fe elin g, a s if I w ere in a n
earth quak e, a n d I c am e b ack a n d f o und y ou s h ak in g m y b ody. I s a w y ou d o it
befo re I f e lt y ou.”
Then s h e b eg an t o l a u gh. I t s e em ed a l ittle u ncan ny t o m e, a n d I l is te n ed t o
her b re ath le ssly . I d id n ot q uite lik e it, a n d th ought it b ette r n ot to k eep h er min d o n th e s u bje ct, s o w e d rif te d o n to o th er s u bje cts , a n d L ucy w as lik e h er
old s e lf a g ain . W hen w e g ot h om e th e f re sh b re eze h ad b ra ced h er u p, a n d h er
pale c h eek s w ere r e ally m ore r o sy . H er m oth er r e jo ic ed w hen s h e s a w h er, a n d
we a ll s p en t a v ery h ap py e v en in g t o geth er.
19 A ugust.— Jo y, jo y, jo y! a lth ough n ot a ll jo y. A t la st, n ew s o f J o nath an .
The d ear fe llo w h as b een ill; th at is w hy h e d id n ot w rite . I a m n ot a fra id to
th in k it o r sa y it, n ow th at I k now . M r. H aw kin s se n t m e o n th e le tte r, a n d
wro te h im se lf , o h, so k in dly . I a m to le av e in th e m orn in g a n d g o o ver to
Jo nath an , a n d to h elp to n urs e h im if n ecessa ry , a n d to b rin g h im h om e. M r.
Haw kin s s a y s i t w ould n ot b e a b ad t h in g i f w e w ere t o b e m arrie d o ut t h ere . I
hav e c rie d o ver th e g ood S is te r’s le tte r till I c an f e el it w et a g ain st m y b oso m ,
where it lie s. It is o f J o nath an , a n d m ust b e n ex t m y h eart, fo r h e is in m y
heart. M y jo urn ey is a ll m ap ped o ut, a n d m y lu ggag e r e ad y. I a m o nly ta k in g
one c h an ge o f d re ss; L ucy w ill b rin g m y t r u nk t o L ondon a n d k eep i t t ill I s e n d
fo r it, fo r it m ay b e th at ... I m ust w rite n o m ore ; I m ust k eep it to sa y to
Jo nath an , m y h usb an d. T he le tte r th at h e h as s e en a n d to uch ed m ust c o m fo rt
me t ill w e m eet.
Lette r, S is te r A gath a, H osp ita l o f S t. J o se p h a n d S te . M ary , B uda-P esth , to
Mis s W ilh elm in a M urra y.
“1 2 A ugust.
“D ear M ad am ,—
“I w rite by desir e of M r. Jo nath an H ark er, w ho is him se lf not str o ng
en ough to w rite , th ough p ro gre ssin g w ell, th an ks to G od a n d S t. J o se p h a n d
Ste . M ary . H e h as b een u nder o ur c are f o r n early s ix w eek s, s u ff e rin g f ro m a
vio le n t b ra in fe v er. H e w is h es m e to c o nvey h is lo ve, a n d to s a y th at b y th is
post I w rite fo r h im to M r. P ete r H aw kin s, E xete r, to sa y, w ith h is d utif u l
re sp ects , t h at h e i s s o rry f o r h is d ela y, a n d t h at a ll o f h is w ork i s c o m ple te d . H e
will r e q uir e s o m e f e w w eek s’ r e st in o ur s a n ato riu m in th e h ills , b ut w ill th en
re tu rn . H e w is h es m e to s a y th at h e h as n ot s u ff ic ie n t m oney w ith h im , a n d
th at h e w ould l ik e t o p ay f o r h is s ta y in g h ere , s o t h at o th ers w ho n eed s h all n ot
be w an tin g f o r h elp .
“B elie v e m e,
“Y ours , w ith s y m path y a n d a ll b le ssin gs,
“S is te r A gath a.
“P . S .— My p atie n t b ein g a sle ep , I o pen th is to le t y ou k now so m eth in g
more . H e h as t o ld m e a ll a b out y ou, a n d t h at y ou a re s h ortly t o b e h is w if e . A ll
ble ssin gs to y ou b oth ! H e h as h ad s o m e fe arfu l s h ock — so s a y s o ur d octo r—
an d in h is d elir iu m h is r a v in gs h av e b een d re ad fu l; o f w olv es a n d p ois o n a n d blo od; o f g hosts a n d d em ons; a n d I fe ar to s a y o f w hat. B e c are fu l w ith h im
alw ay s th at th ere m ay b e n oth in g to e x cite h im o f th is k in d f o r a lo ng tim e to
co m e; th e tr a ces o f s u ch a n illn ess a s h is d o n ot lig htly d ie a w ay. W e s h ould
hav e w ritte n lo ng a g o, b ut w e k new n oth in g o f h is frie n ds, a n d th ere w as o n
him noth in g th at an y one co uld unders ta n d. H e cam e in th e tr a in fro m
Kla u se n burg , a n d t h e g uard w as t o ld b y t h e s ta tio n-m aste r t h ere t h at h e r u sh ed
in to th e sta tio n sh outin g fo r a tic k et fo r hom e. S eein g fro m his vio le n t
dem ean our th at h e w as E nglis h , th ey g av e h im a tic k et f o r th e f u rth est s ta tio n
on t h e w ay t h ith er t h at t h e t r a in r e ach ed .
“B e assu re d th at he is w ell care d fo r. H e has w on all hearts by his
sw eetn ess a n d g en tle n ess. H e i s t r u ly g ettin g o n w ell, a n d I h av e n o d oubt w ill
in a fe w w eek s b e a ll h im se lf . B ut b e c are fu l o f h im fo r s a fe ty ’s s a k e. T here
are , I p ra y G od a n d S t. J o se p h a n d S te . M ary , m an y, m an y, h ap py y ears fo r
you b oth .”
Dr. S ew ard ’s D ia ry .
19 A ugust.— Str a n ge an d su dden ch an ge in R en fie ld la st n ig ht. A bout
eig ht o ’c lo ck h e b eg an to g et e x cite d a n d sn if f a b out a s a d og d oes w hen
se ttin g. T he a tte n dan t w as s tr u ck b y h is m an ner, a n d k now in g m y in te re st in
him , e n co ura g ed h im to ta lk . H e is u su ally re sp ectf u l to th e a tte n dan t a n d a t
tim es s e rv ile ; b ut to -n ig ht, th e m an te lls m e, h e w as q uite h au ghty . W ould n ot
co ndesc en d t o t a lk w ith h im a t a ll. A ll h e w ould s a y w as:—
“I d on’t w an t t o t a lk t o y ou: y ou d on’t c o unt n ow ; t h e M aste r i s a t h an d.”
The a tte n dan t th in ks it is s o m e s u dden f o rm o f r e lig io us m an ia w hic h h as
se iz ed him . If so , w e m ust lo ok out fo r sq ualls , fo r a str o ng m an w ith
hom ic id al a n d r e lig io us m an ia a t o nce m ig ht b e d an gero us. T he c o m bin atio n i s
a d re ad fu l o ne. A t n in e o ’c lo ck I v is ite d h im m yse lf . H is a ttitu de to m e w as
th e sa m e a s th at to th e a tte n dan t; in h is su blim e se lf -fe elin g th e d if f e re n ce
betw een m yse lf a n d a tte n dan t s e em ed t o h im a s n oth in g. I t l o oks l ik e r e lig io us
man ia , an d h e w ill so on th in k th at h e h im se lf is G od. T hese in fin ite sim al
dis tin ctio ns b etw een m an a n d m an a re to o p altr y fo r a n O m nip ote n t B ein g.
How th ese m ad m en g iv e th em se lv es a w ay ! T he re al G od ta k eth h eed le st a
sp arro w fa ll; but th e G od cre ate d fro m hum an van ity se es no dif f e re n ce
betw een a n e ag le a n d a s p arro w . O h, i f m en o nly k new !
For h alf an h our o r m ore R en fie ld k ep t g ettin g ex cite d in g re ate r an d
gre ate r deg re e. I did not pre te n d to be w atc h in g him , but I kep t str ic t
obse rv atio n a ll th e s a m e. A ll a t o nce th at s h if ty lo ok c am e in to h is e y es w hic h
we alw ay s se e w hen a m ad m an h as se iz ed an id ea, an d w ith it th e sh if ty
movem en t o f th e h ead a n d b ack w hic h a sy lu m a tte n dan ts c o m e to k now s o
well. H e becam e quite quie t, an d w en t an d sa t on th e ed ge of his bed
re sig ned ly , a n d lo oked in to s p ace w ith la ck -lu str e e y es. I th ought I w ould f in d out i f h is a p ath y w ere r e al o r o nly a ssu m ed , a n d t r ie d t o l e ad h im t o t a lk o f h is
pets , a th em e w hic h h ad n ev er f a ile d to e x cite h is a tte n tio n. A t f ir s t h e m ad e
no r e p ly , b ut a t l e n gth s a id t e stily :—
“B oth er t h em a ll! I d on’t c are a p in a b out t h em .”
“W hat? ” I s a id . “ Y ou d on’t m ean to te ll m e y ou d on’t c are a b out s p id ers ? ”
(S pid ers a t p re se n t a re h is h obby a n d th e n ote -b ook is f illin g u p w ith c o lu m ns
of s m all f ig ure s.) T o t h is h e a n sw ere d e n ig m atic ally :—
“T he b rid e-m aid en s r e jo ic e th e e y es th at w ait th e c o m in g o f th e b rid e; b ut
when th e b rid e d ra w eth n ig h, th en th e m aid en s s h in e n ot to th e e y es th at a re
fille d .”
He w ould n ot e x pla in h im se lf , b ut r e m ain ed o bstin ate ly s e ate d o n h is b ed
all t h e t im e I r e m ain ed w ith h im .
I a m w eary t o -n ig ht a n d l o w i n s p ir its . I c an not b ut t h in k o f L ucy, a n d h ow
dif f e re n t th in gs m ig ht h av e b een . I f I d on’t s le ep a t o nce, c h lo ra l, th e m odern
Morp heu s— C2H Cl3 O . H 2O ! I m ust b e c are fu l n ot to le t it g ro w in to a h ab it.
No, I sh all ta k e none to -n ig ht! I hav e th ought of L ucy, an d I sh all not
dis h onour h er b y m ix in g t h e t w o. I f n eed b e, t o -n ig ht s h all b e s le ep le ss....
Late r.— Gla d I m ad e th e re so lu tio n; g la d der th at I k ep t to it. I h ad la in
to ssin g ab out, an d h ad h eard th e clo ck str ik e o nly tw ic e, w hen th e n ig ht-
watc h m an cam e to m e, se n t up fro m th e w ard , to sa y th at R en fie ld had
esc ap ed . I th re w o n m y clo th es an d ra n d ow n at o nce; m y p atie n t is to o
dan gero us a p ers o n to b e ro am in g a b out. T hose id eas o f h is m ig ht w ork o ut
dan gero usly w ith s tr a n gers . T he a tte n dan t w as w aitin g f o r m e. H e s a id h e h ad
se en h im n ot te n m in ute s b efo re , s e em in gly a sle ep in h is b ed , w hen h e h ad
lo oked th ro ugh th e o bse rv atio n-tr a p in th e d oor. H is a tte n tio n w as c alle d b y
th e s o und o f th e w in dow b ein g w re n ch ed o ut. H e ra n b ack a n d s a w h is fe et
dis a p pear t h ro ugh t h e w in dow , a n d h ad a t o nce s e n t u p f o r m e. H e w as o nly i n
his n ig ht- g ear, a n d c an not b e f a r o ff . T he a tte n dan t th ought it w ould b e m ore
use fu l to w atc h w here h e s h ould g o th an to f o llo w h im , a s h e m ig ht lo se s ig ht
of h im w hils t g ettin g o ut o f th e b uild in g b y th e d oor. H e is a b ulk y m an , a n d
co uld n’t g et th ro ugh th e w in dow . I a m th in , s o , w ith h is a id , I g ot o ut, b ut f e et
fo re m ost, a n d, a s w e w ere o nly a fe w fe et a b ove g ro und, la n ded u nhurt. T he
atte n dan t t o ld m e t h e p atie n t h ad g one t o t h e l e ft, a n d h ad t a k en a s tr a ig ht l in e,
so I r a n a s q uic k ly a s I c o uld . A s I g ot th ro ugh th e b elt o f tr e es I s a w a w hite
fig ure sc ale th e h ig h w all w hic h se p ara te s o ur g ro unds fro m th ose o f th e
dese rte d h ouse .
I r a n b ack a t o nce, t o ld t h e w atc h m an t o g et t h re e o r f o ur m en i m med ia te ly
an d fo llo w m e in to th e gro unds of C arfa x , in case our frie n d m ig ht be
dan gero us. I g ot a la d der m yse lf , a n d c ro ssin g th e w all, d ro pped d ow n o n th e oth er s id e. I c o uld s e e R en fie ld ’s f ig ure ju st d is a p pearin g b eh in d th e a n gle o f
th e h ouse , s o I r a n a fte r h im . O n th e f a r s id e o f th e h ouse I f o und h im p re sse d
clo se ag ain st th e old ir o nbound oak door of th e ch ap el. H e w as ta lk in g,
ap pare n tly to s o m e o ne, b ut I w as a fra id to g o n ear e n ough to h ear w hat h e
was s a y in g, l e st I m ig ht f rig hte n h im , a n d h e s h ould r u n o ff . C hasin g a n e rra n t
sw arm o f b ees i s n oth in g t o f o llo w in g a n ak ed l u natic , w hen t h e f it o f e sc ap in g
is u pon h im ! A fte r a fe w m in ute s, h ow ev er, I c o uld s e e th at h e d id n ot ta k e
note o f a n yth in g a ro und h im , a n d s o v en tu re d t o d ra w n eare r t o h im — th e m ore
so a s m y m en h ad n ow c ro sse d th e w all a n d w ere c lo sin g h im in . I h eard h im
sa y :—
“I a m h ere to d o Y our b id din g, M aste r. I a m Y our sla v e, a n d Y ou w ill
re w ard m e, fo r I s h all b e fa ith fu l. I h av e w ors h ip ped Y ou lo ng a n d a fa r o ff .
Now th at Y ou a re n ear, I a w ait Y our c o m man ds, a n d Y ou w ill n ot p ass m e b y,
will Y ou, d ear M aste r, i n Y our d is tr ib utio n o f g ood t h in gs? ”
He is a s e lf is h o ld b eg gar a n yhow . H e th in ks o f th e lo av es a n d f is h es e v en
when he belie v es he is in a R eal P re se n ce. H is m an ia s m ak e a sta rtlin g
co m bin atio n. W hen w e clo se d in on him he fo ught lik e a tig er. H e is
im men se ly s tr o ng, f o r h e w as m ore l ik e a w ild b east t h an a m an . I n ev er s a w a
lu natic in s u ch a p aro xysm o f r a g e b efo re ; a n d I h ope I s h all n ot a g ain . I t is a
merc y th at w e h av e f o und o ut h is s tr e n gth a n d h is d an ger in g ood tim e. W ith
str e n gth a n d d ete rm in atio n lik e h is , h e m ig ht h av e d one w ild w ork b efo re h e
was c ag ed . H e i s s a fe n ow a t a n y r a te . J a ck S hep pard h im se lf c o uld n’t g et f re e
fro m th e str a it- w ais tc o at th at k eep s h im re str a in ed , a n d h e’s c h ain ed to th e
wall in th e p ad ded ro om . H is c rie s a re a t tim es a w fu l, b ut th e sile n ces th at
fo llo w are m ore dead ly still, fo r he m ean s m urd er in ev ery tu rn an d
movem en t.
Ju st n ow h e s p oke c o here n t w ord s f o r t h e f ir s t t im e:—
“I s h all b e p atie n t, M aste r. I t i s c o m in g— co m in g— co m in g!”
So I to ok th e h in t, a n d c am e to o. I w as to o e x cite d to s le ep , b ut th is d ia ry
has q uie te d m e, a n d I f e el I s h all g et s o m e s le ep t o -n ig ht.
CH APT ER I X
Lette r, M in a H ark er t o L ucy W este n ra .
“B uda-P esth , 2 4 A ugust.
“M y d eare st L ucy,—
“I k now y ou w ill b e a n xio us to h ear a ll th at h as h ap pen ed s in ce w e p arte d at th e ra ilw ay sta tio n a t W hitb y. W ell, m y d ear, I g ot to H ull a ll rig ht, a n d
cau ght t h e b oat t o H am burg , a n d t h en t h e t r a in o n h ere . I f e el t h at I c an h ard ly
re call a n yth in g o f th e jo urn ey, e x cep t th at I k new I w as c o m in g to J o nath an ,
an d, th at a s I s h ould h av e to d o s o m e n urs in g, I h ad b ette r g et a ll th e s le ep I
co uld .... I f o und m y d ear o ne, o h, s o th in a n d p ale a n d w eak -lo okin g. A ll th e
re so lu tio n h as g one o ut o f h is d ear e y es, a n d th at q uie t d ig nity w hic h I to ld
you w as in h is f a ce h as v an is h ed . H e is o nly a w re ck o f h im se lf , a n d h e d oes
not r e m em ber a n yth in g t h at h as h ap pen ed t o h im f o r a l o ng t im e p ast. A t l e ast,
he w an ts m e to b elie v e so , a n d I sh all n ev er a sk . H e h as h ad so m e te rrib le
sh ock , a n d I f e ar it m ig ht ta x h is p oor b ra in if h e w ere to tr y to r e call it. S is te r
Agath a, w ho is a g ood c re atu re a n d a b orn n urs e , te lls m e th at h e ra v ed o f
dre ad fu l th in gs w hils t h e w as o ff h is h ead . I w an te d h er to te ll m e w hat th ey
were ; b ut s h e w ould o nly c ro ss h ers e lf , a n d s a y s h e w ould n ev er te ll; th at th e
ra v in gs o f th e s ic k w ere th e s e cre ts o f G od, a n d th at if a n urs e th ro ugh h er
vocatio n s h ould h ear th em , s h e s h ould r e sp ect h er tr u st. S he is a s w eet, g ood
so ul, a n d t h e n ex t d ay, w hen s h e s a w I w as t r o uble d , s h e o pen ed u p t h e s u bje ct
ag ain , a n d a fte r s a y in g th at s h e c o uld n ev er m en tio n w hat m y p oor d ear r a v ed
ab out, a d ded : ‘ I c an t e ll y ou t h is m uch , m y d ear: t h at i t w as n ot a b out a n yth in g
whic h h e h as d one w ro ng h im se lf ; a n d y ou, a s h is w if e t o b e, h av e n o c au se t o
be c o ncern ed . H e h as n ot f o rg otte n y ou o r w hat h e o w es to y ou. H is f e ar w as
of g re at a n d t e rrib le t h in gs, w hic h n o m orta l c an t r e at o f.’ I d o b elie v e t h e d ear
so ul th ought I m ig ht b e je alo us le st m y p oor d ear s h ould h av e fa lle n in lo ve
with a n y o th er g ir l. T he i d ea o f m y b ein g j e alo us a b out J o nath an ! A nd y et, m y
dear, l e t m e w his p er, I f e lt a t h rill o f j o y t h ro ugh m e w hen I k new t h at n o o th er
wom an w as a c au se o f tr o uble . I a m n ow s ittin g b y h is b ed sid e, w here I c an
se e h is f a ce w hile h e s le ep s. H e i s w ak in g!...
“W hen h e w oke h e a sk ed m e fo r h is c o at, a s h e w an te d to g et s o m eth in g
fro m th e p ock et; I a sk ed S is te r A gath a, a n d s h e b ro ught a ll h is th in gs. I s a w
th at a m ongst t h em w as h is n ote -b ook, a n d w as g oin g t o a sk h im t o l e t m e l o ok
at i t— fo r I k new t h en t h at I m ig ht f in d s o m e c lu e t o h is t r o uble — but I s u ppose
he m ust h av e s e en m y w is h in m y e y es, fo r h e s e n t m e o ver to th e w in dow ,
sa y in g h e w an te d t o b e q uite a lo ne f o r a m om en t. T hen h e c alle d m e b ack , a n d
when I c am e h e h ad h is h an d o ver th e n ote -b ook, a n d h e sa id to m e v ery
so le m nly :—
“ ‘W ilh elm in a’— I k new th en th at h e w as in d ead ly e arn est, fo r h e h as
nev er c alle d m e b y th at n am e s in ce h e a sk ed m e to m arry h im — ‘y ou k now ,
dear, m y id eas o f th e tr u st b etw een h usb an d a n d w if e : th ere sh ould b e n o
se cre t, n o c o ncealm en t. I h av e h ad a g re at s h ock , a n d w hen I tr y to th in k o f
what it is I f e el m y h ead s p in r o und, a n d I d o n ot k now if it w as a ll r e al o r th e
dre am in g o f a m ad m an . Y ou k now I h av e h ad b ra in fe v er, a n d th at is to b e
mad . T he s e cre t i s h ere , a n d I d o n ot w an t t o k now i t. I w an t t o t a k e u p m y l if e
here , w ith o ur m arria g e.’ F or, m y d ear, w e h ad d ecid ed to b e m arrie d a s s o on as th e fo rm alitie s a re c o m ple te . ‘A re y ou w illin g, W ilh elm in a, to sh are m y
ig nora n ce? H ere is th e b ook. T ak e it a n d k eep it, r e ad it if y ou w ill, b ut n ev er
le t m e k now ; u nle ss, in deed , s o m e s o le m n d uty s h ould c o m e u pon m e to g o
back to th e b itte r h ours , a sle ep o r a w ak e, s a n e o r m ad , r e co rd ed h ere .’ H e f e ll
back e x hau ste d , a n d I p ut th e b ook u nder h is p illo w , a n d k is se d h im . I h av e
ask ed S is te r A gath a to b eg th e S uperio r to le t o ur w ed din g b e th is a fte rn oon,
an d a m w aitin g h er r e p ly ....
“S he h as c o m e a n d t o ld m e t h at t h e c h ap la in o f t h e E nglis h m is sio n c h urc h
has b een s e n t f o r. W e a re t o b e m arrie d i n a n h our, o r a s s o on a fte r a s J o nath an
aw ak es....
“L ucy, th e tim e h as c o m e a n d g one. I fe el v ery so le m n, b ut v ery , v ery
hap py. J o nath an w oke a l ittle a fte r t h e h our, a n d a ll w as r e ad y, a n d h e s a t u p i n
bed , p ro pped u p w ith p illo w s. H e a n sw ere d h is ‘ I w ill’ f ir m ly a n d s tr o ngly . I
co uld h ard ly sp eak ; m y h eart w as so fu ll th at e v en th ose w ord s se em ed to
ch oke m e. T he d ear sis te rs w ere so k in d. P le ase G od, I sh all n ev er, n ev er
fo rg et th em , n or th e g ra v e a n d s w eet r e sp onsib ilitie s I h av e ta k en u pon m e. I
must te ll y ou o f m y w ed din g p re se n t. W hen th e c h ap la in a n d th e s is te rs h ad
le ft m e a lo ne w ith m y h usb an d— oh, L ucy, i t i s t h e f ir s t t im e I h av e w ritte n t h e
word s ‘m y h usb an d’— le ft m e a lo ne w ith m y h usb an d, I to ok th e b ook fro m
under h is p illo w , a n d w ra p ped it u p in w hite p ap er, a n d tie d it w ith a little b it
of p ale b lu e r ib bon w hic h w as r o und m y n eck , a n d s e ale d i t o ver t h e k not w ith
se alin g-w ax , a n d fo r m y s e al I u se d m y w ed din g rin g. T hen I k is se d it a n d
sh ow ed it to m y h usb an d, a n d to ld h im th at I w ould k eep it s o , a n d th en it
would b e a n o utw ard a n d v is ib le s ig n f o r u s a ll o ur liv es th at w e tr u ste d e ach
oth er; t h at I w ould n ev er o pen i t u nle ss i t w ere f o r h is o w n d ear s a k e o r f o r t h e
sa k e o f s o m e s te rn d uty . T hen h e t o ok m y h an d i n h is , a n d o h, L ucy, i t w as t h e
fir s t tim e h e to ok h is w if e ’s h an d, a n d s a id th at it w as th e d eare st th in g in a ll
th e w id e w orld , a n d th at h e w ould g o th ro ugh a ll th e p ast a g ain to w in it, if
need b e. T he p oor d ear m ean t to h av e s a id a p art o f th e p ast, b ut h e c an not
th in k o f tim e y et, a n d I s h all n ot w onder if a t fir s t h e m ix es u p n ot o nly th e
month , b ut t h e y ear.
“W ell, m y d ear, w hat c o uld I sa y ? I c o uld o nly te ll h im th at I w as th e
hap pie st w om an in a ll th e w id e w orld , a n d th at I h ad n oth in g to g iv e h im
ex cep t m yse lf , m y lif e , a n d m y tr u st, a n d th at w ith th ese w en t m y lo ve a n d
duty f o r a ll th e d ay s o f m y lif e . A nd, m y d ear, w hen h e k is se d m e, a n d d re w
me t o h im w ith h is p oor w eak h an ds, i t w as l ik e a v ery s o le m n p le d ge b etw een
us....
“L ucy d ear, d o y ou k now w hy I t e ll y ou a ll t h is ? I t i s n ot o nly b ecau se i t i s
all s w eet to m e, b ut b ecau se y ou h av e b een , a n d a re , v ery d ear to m e. I t w as
my p riv ile g e t o b e y our f rie n d a n d g uid e w hen y ou c am e f ro m t h e s c h oolr o om
to p re p are f o r th e w orld o f lif e . I w an t y ou to s e e n ow , a n d w ith th e e y es o f a very h ap py w if e , w hith er d uty h as l e d m e; s o t h at i n y our o w n m arrie d l if e y ou
to o m ay b e a ll h ap py a s I a m . M y d ear, p le ase A lm ig hty G od, y our l if e m ay b e
all i t p ro m is e s: a l o ng d ay o f s u nsh in e, w ith n o h ars h w in d, n o f o rg ettin g d uty ,
no d is tr u st. I m ust n ot w is h y ou n o p ain , f o r th at c an n ev er b e; b ut I d o h ope
you w ill b e a lw ay s a s h ap py a s I a m n ow . G ood-b ye, m y d ear. I s h all p ost th is
at o nce, a n d, p erh ap s, w rite y ou v ery s o on a g ain . I m ust s to p, f o r J o nath an is
wak in g— I m ust a tte n d t o m y h usb an d!
“Y our e v er- lo vin g
“M in a H ark er.”
Lette r, L ucy W este n ra t o M in a H ark er.
“W hitb y, 3 0 A ugust.
“M y d eare st M in a,—
“O cean s o f lo ve a n d m illio ns o f k is se s, a n d m ay y ou s o on b e in y our o w n
hom e w ith y our h usb an d. I w is h y ou c o uld b e c o m in g h om e s o on e n ough to
sta y w ith u s h ere . T he str o ng a ir w ould so on re sto re Jo nath an ; it h as q uite
re sto re d m e. I h av e a n a p petite l ik e a c o rm ora n t, a m f u ll o f l if e , a n d s le ep w ell.
You w ill b e g la d to k now th at I h av e q uite g iv en u p w alk in g in m y s le ep . I
th in k I h av e n ot s tir re d o ut o f m y b ed f o r a w eek , t h at i s w hen I o nce g ot i n to i t
at n ig ht. A rth ur sa y s I a m g ettin g fa t. B y th e w ay, I fo rg ot to te ll y ou th at
Arth ur is h ere . W e h av e su ch w alk s a n d d riv es, a n d rid es, a n d ro w in g, a n d
te n nis , a n d f is h in g t o geth er; a n d I l o ve h im m ore t h an e v er. H e t e lls m e t h at h e
lo ves m e m ore , b ut I d oubt t h at, f o r a t f ir s t h e t o ld m e t h at h e c o uld n’t l o ve m e
more th an h e d id th en . B ut th is is n onse n se . T here h e is , c allin g to m e. S o n o
more j u st a t p re se n t f ro m y our l o vin g
“L ucy.
“P . S .— Moth er s e n ds h er l o ve. S he s e em s b ette r, p oor d ear.
“P . P . S .— We a re t o b e m arrie d o n 2 8 S ep te m ber.”
Dr. S ew ard ’s D ia ry .
20 A ugust.— The c ase o f R en fie ld g ro w s e v en m ore in te re stin g. H e h as
now s o f a r q uie te d th at th ere a re s p ells o f c essa tio n f ro m h is p assio n. F or th e
fir s t w eek a fte r h is a tta ck h e w as p erp etu ally v io le n t. T hen o ne n ig ht, ju st a s
th e m oon ro se , h e g re w q uie t, a n d k ep t m urm urin g to h im se lf : “ N ow I c an
wait; n ow I c an w ait.” T he a tte n dan t c am e to te ll m e, s o I r a n d ow n a t o nce to
hav e a l o ok a t h im . H e w as s till i n t h e s tr a it- w ais tc o at a n d i n t h e p ad ded r o om ,
but th e s u ff u se d lo ok h ad g one fro m h is fa ce, a n d h is e y es h ad s o m eth in g o f
th eir o ld p le ad in g— I m ig ht a lm ost s a y, “ crin gin g”— so ftn ess. I w as s a tis fie d
with h is p re se n t c o nditio n, a n d d ir e cte d h im to b e re lie v ed . T he a tte n dan ts
hesita te d , b ut fin ally c arrie d o ut m y w is h es w ith out p ro te st. It w as a s tr a n ge th in g th at th e p atie n t h ad h um our e n ough to se e th eir d is tr u st, fo r, c o m in g
clo se t o m e, h e s a id i n a w his p er, a ll t h e w hile l o okin g f u rtiv ely a t t h em :—
“T hey t h in k I c o uld h urt y ou! F an cy m e h urtin g y ou! T he f o ols !”
It w as s o oth in g, s o m eh ow , to th e fe elin gs to fin d m yse lf d is so cia te d e v en
in th e m in d o f th is p oor m ad m an fro m th e o th ers ; b ut a ll th e s a m e I d o n ot
fo llo w h is th ought. A m I to ta k e it th at I h av e a n yth in g in c o m mon w ith h im ,
so th at w e a re , a s it w ere , to s ta n d to geth er; o r h as h e to g ain fro m m e s o m e
good s o s tu pen dous t h at m y w ell- b ein g i s n eed fu l t o h im ? I m ust f in d o ut l a te r
on. T o-n ig ht h e w ill n ot s p eak . E ven th e o ff e r o f a k itte n o r e v en a f u ll- g ro w n
cat w ill n ot t e m pt h im . H e w ill o nly s a y : “ I d on’t t a k e a n y s to ck i n c ats . I h av e
more t o t h in k o f n ow , a n d I c an w ait; I c an w ait.”
Afte r a w hile I le ft h im . T he a tte n dan t te lls m e th at h e w as q uie t u ntil ju st
befo re d aw n, a n d th at th en h e b eg an to g et u neasy , a n d a t le n gth v io le n t, u ntil
at la st h e f e ll in to a p aro xysm w hic h e x hau ste d h im s o th at h e s w ooned in to a
so rt o f c o m a.
... T hre e n ig hts h as th e s a m e th in g h ap pen ed — vio le n t a ll d ay th en q uie t
fro m m oonris e to s u nris e . I w is h I c o uld g et s o m e c lu e to th e c au se . I t w ould
alm ost se em a s if th ere w as so m e in flu en ce w hic h c am e a n d w en t. H ap py
th ought! W e s h all t o -n ig ht p la y s a n e w its a g ain st m ad o nes. H e e sc ap ed b efo re
with out o ur h elp ; to -n ig ht h e s h all e sc ap e w ith it. W e s h all g iv e h im a c h an ce,
an d h av e t h e m en r e ad y t o f o llo w i n c ase t h ey a re r e q uir e d ....
23 A ugust.— “T he u nex pecte d a lw ay s h ap pen s.” H ow w ell D is ra eli k new
lif e . O ur b ir d w hen h e fo und th e c ag e o pen w ould n ot fly , s o a ll o ur s u btle
arra n gem en ts w ere f o r n ought. A t a n y r a te , w e h av e p ro ved o ne t h in g; t h at t h e
sp ells o f q uie tn ess l a st a r e aso nab le t im e. W e s h all i n f u tu re b e a b le t o e ase h is
bonds fo r a fe w h ours e ach d ay. I h av e g iv en o rd ers to th e n ig ht a tte n dan t
mere ly to s h ut h im in th e p ad ded ro om , w hen o nce h e is q uie t, u ntil a n h our
befo re su nris e . T he p oor so ul’s b ody w ill e n jo y th e re lie f e v en if h is m in d
can not a p pre cia te it. H ark ! T he u nex pecte d a g ain ! I a m c alle d ; th e p atie n t h as
once m ore e sc ap ed .
Late r.— Anoth er nig ht ad ven tu re . Ren fie ld artf u lly waite d until th e
atte n dan t w as e n te rin g th e r o om to in sp ect. T hen h e d ash ed o ut p ast h im a n d
fle w d ow n t h e p assa g e. I s e n t w ord f o r t h e a tte n dan ts t o f o llo w . A gain h e w en t
in to th e g ro unds o f th e d ese rte d h ouse , a n d w e fo und h im in th e s a m e p la ce,
pre sse d a g ain st th e o ld c h ap el d oor. W hen h e s a w m e h e b ecam e f u rio us, a n d
had n ot th e a tte n dan ts s e iz ed h im in tim e, h e w ould h av e tr ie d to k ill m e. A s
we w ere h old in g h im a str a n ge th in g h ap pen ed . H e su dden ly re d ouble d h is
eff o rts , an d th en as su dden ly g re w calm . I lo oked ro und in stin ctiv ely , b ut
co uld s e e n oth in g. T hen I c au ght th e p atie n t’s e y e a n d fo llo w ed it, b ut c o uld
tr a ce n oth in g a s it lo oked in to th e m oonlit s k y e x cep t a b ig b at, w hic h w as fla p pin g its sile n t a n d g hostly w ay to th e w est. B ats u su ally w heel a n d flit
ab out, b ut th is o ne s e em ed to g o s tr a ig ht o n, a s if it k new w here it w as b ound
fo r o r h ad s o m e in te n tio n o f its o w n. T he p atie n t g re w c alm er e v ery in sta n t,
an d p re se n tly s a id :—
“Y ou n eed n’t tie m e; I s h all g o q uie tly !” W ith out tr o uble w e c am e b ack to
th e h ouse . I f e el th ere is s o m eth in g o m in ous in h is c alm , a n d s h all n ot f o rg et
th is n ig ht....
Lucy W este n ra ’s D ia ry
Hillin gham , 2 4 A ugust.— I m ust im ita te M in a, an d k eep w ritin g th in gs
dow n. T hen w e c an h av e lo ng ta lk s w hen w e d o m eet. I w onder w hen it w ill
be. I w is h s h e w ere w ith m e a g ain , f o r I f e el s o u nhap py. L ast n ig ht I s e em ed
to b e d re am in g a g ain j u st a s I w as a t W hitb y. P erh ap s i t i s t h e c h an ge o f a ir , o r
gettin g hom e ag ain . It is all dark an d horrid to m e, fo r I can re m em ber
noth in g; b ut I a m fu ll o f v ag ue fe ar, a n d I fe el s o w eak a n d w orn o ut. W hen
Arth ur c am e to lu nch h e lo oked q uite g rie v ed w hen h e s a w m e, a n d I h ad n’t
th e s p ir it to tr y to b e c h eerfu l. I w onder if I c o uld s le ep in m oth er’s r o om to -
nig ht. I s h all m ak e a n e x cu se a n d t r y .
25 A ugust.— Anoth er bad nig ht. M oth er did not se em to ta k e to m y
pro posa l. S he s e em s n ot t o o w ell h ers e lf , a n d d oubtle ss s h e f e ars t o w orry m e.
I tr ie d to k eep a w ak e, a n d s u cceed ed fo r a w hile ; b ut w hen th e c lo ck s tr u ck
tw elv e i t w ak ed m e f ro m a d oze, s o I m ust h av e b een f a llin g a sle ep . T here w as
a s o rt o f s c ra tc h in g o r f la p pin g a t th e w in dow , b ut I d id n ot m in d it, a n d a s I
re m em ber no m ore , I su ppose I m ust th en hav e fa lle n asle ep . M ore bad
dre am s. I w is h I c o uld r e m em ber th em . T his m orn in g I a m h orrib ly w eak . M y
fa ce i s g hastly p ale , a n d m y t h ro at p ain s m e. I t m ust b e s o m eth in g w ro ng w ith
my lu ngs, f o r I d on’t s e em e v er to g et a ir e n ough. I s h all tr y to c h eer u p w hen
Arth ur c o m es, o r e ls e I k now h e w ill b e m is e ra b le t o s e e m e s o .
Lette r, A rth ur H olm wood t o D r. S ew ard .
“A lb em arle H ote l, 3 1 A ugust.
“M y d ear J a ck ,—
“I w an t y ou to d o m e a fa v our. L ucy is ill; th at is , sh e h as n o sp ecia l
dis e ase , b ut s h e lo oks a w fu l, a n d is g ettin g w ors e e v ery d ay. I h av e a sk ed h er
if th ere is a n y c au se ; I d o n ot d are to a sk h er m oth er, fo r to d is tu rb th e p oor
la d y’s m in d a b out h er d au ghte r in h er p re se n t s ta te o f h ealth w ould b e fa ta l.
Mrs . W este n ra h as c o nfid ed to m e th at h er d oom is sp oken — dis e ase o f th e
heart— th ough poor L ucy does not know it yet. I am su re th at th ere is
so m eth in g p re y in g o n m y d ear g ir l’s m in d. I a m a lm ost d is tr a cte d w hen I t h in k
of h er; to lo ok a t h er g iv es m e a p an g. I to ld h er I s h ould a sk y ou to s e e h er,
an d th ough sh e dem urre d at fir s t— I know w hy, old fe llo w — sh e fin ally co nse n te d . I t w ill b e a p ain fu l ta sk f o r y ou, I k now , o ld f rie n d, b ut it is f o r h er
sa k e, a n d I m ust n ot h esita te to a sk , o r y ou to a ct. Y ou a re to c o m e to lu nch a t
Hillin gham to -m orro w , tw o o ’c lo ck , s o a s n ot to a ro use a n y s u sp ic io n in M rs .
Weste n ra , a n d a fte r lu nch L ucy w ill ta k e a n o pportu nity o f b ein g a lo ne w ith
you. I s h all c o m e in fo r te a, a n d w e c an g o a w ay to geth er; I a m fille d w ith
an xie ty , a n d w an t to c o nsu lt w ith y ou a lo ne a s s o on a s I c an a fte r y ou h av e
se en h er. D o n ot f a il!
“A rth ur.”
Tele g ra m , A rth ur H olm wood t o S ew ard .
“1 S ep te m ber.
“A m su m moned to se e m y fa th er, w ho is w ors e . A m w ritin g. W rite m e
fu lly b y t o -n ig ht’s p ost t o R in g. W ir e m e i f n ecessa ry .”
Lette r f ro m D r. S ew ard t o A rth ur H olm wood.
“2 S ep te m ber.
“M y d ear o ld f e llo w ,—
“W ith re g ard to M is s W este n ra ’s h ealth I h aste n to le t y ou k now a t o nce
th at i n m y o pin io n t h ere i s n ot a n y f u nctio nal d is tu rb an ce o r a n y m ala d y t h at I
know of. A t th e sa m e tim e, I am not by an y m ean s sa tis fie d w ith her
ap peara n ce; s h e is w oefu lly d if f e re n t f ro m w hat s h e w as w hen I s a w h er la st.
Of co urs e y ou m ust b ear in m in d th at I d id n ot h av e fu ll o pportu nity o f
ex am in atio n s u ch a s I s h ould w is h ; o ur v ery f rie n dsh ip m ak es a l ittle d if f ic u lty
whic h n ot e v en m ed ic al s c ie n ce o r c u sto m c an b rid ge o ver. I h ad b ette r te ll
you ex actly w hat h ap pen ed , le av in g y ou to d ra w , in a m easu re , y our o w n
co nclu sio ns. I s h all t h en s a y w hat I h av e d one a n d p ro pose d oin g.
“I f o und M is s W este n ra in s e em in gly g ay s p ir its . H er m oth er w as p re se n t,
an d in a f e w s e co nds I m ad e u p m y m in d th at s h e w as tr y in g a ll s h e k new to
mis le ad h er m oth er a n d p re v en t h er f ro m b ein g a n xio us. I h av e n o d oubt s h e
guesse s, if sh e d oes n ot k now , w hat n eed o f cau tio n th ere is . W e lu nch ed
alo ne, a n d a s w e a ll e x erte d o urs e lv es to b e c h eerfu l, w e g ot, a s s o m e k in d o f
re w ard fo r our la b ours , so m e re al ch eerfu ln ess am ongst us. T hen M rs .
Weste n ra w en t to lie d ow n, a n d L ucy w as le ft w ith m e. W e w en t in to h er
boudoir , an d till w e g ot th ere h er g aie ty re m ain ed , fo r th e se rv an ts w ere
co m in g a n d g oin g. A s s o on a s th e d oor w as c lo se d , h ow ev er, th e m ask fe ll
fro m h er fa ce, a n d s h e s a n k d ow n in to a c h air w ith a g re at s ig h, a n d h id h er
ey es w ith h er h an d. W hen I s a w th at h er h ig h s p ir its h ad f a ile d , I a t o nce to ok
ad van ta g e o f h er r e actio n t o m ak e a d ia g nosis . S he s a id t o m e v ery s w eetly :—
“ ‘ I c an not te ll y ou h ow I lo ath e ta lk in g a b out m yse lf .’ I r e m in ded h er th at
a d octo r’s c o nfid en ce w as s a cre d , b ut th at y ou w ere g rie v ously a n xio us a b out her. S he c au ght o n to m y m ean in g a t o nce, a n d s e ttle d th at m atte r in a w ord .
‘T ell A rth ur e v ery th in g y ou c h oose . I d o n ot c are f o r m yse lf , b ut a ll f o r h im !’
So I a m q uite f re e.
“I c o uld e asily s e e th at s h e is s o m ew hat b lo odle ss, b ut I c o uld n ot s e e th e
usu al a n æ m ic s ig ns, a n d b y a c h an ce I w as a ctu ally a b le to te st th e q uality o f
her b lo od, f o r in o pen in g a w in dow w hic h w as s tif f a c o rd g av e w ay, a n d s h e
cu t h er h an d s lig htly w ith b ro ken g la ss. It w as a s lig ht m atte r in its e lf , b ut it
gav e m e a n e v id en t c h an ce, a n d I s e cu re d a f e w d ro ps o f th e b lo od a n d h av e
an aly se d th em . T he q ualita tiv e a n aly sis g iv es a q uite n orm al c o nditio n, a n d
sh ow s, I sh ould in fe r, in its e lf a v ig oro us sta te o f h ealth . In o th er p hysic al
matte rs I w as q uite s a tis fie d t h at t h ere i s n o n eed f o r a n xie ty ; b ut a s t h ere m ust
be a cau se so m ew here , I hav e co m e to th e co nclu sio n th at it m ust be
so m eth in g m en ta l. S he c o m pla in s o f d if f ic u lty in b re ath in g sa tis fa cto rily a t
tim es, an d of heav y, le th arg ic sle ep , w ith dre am s th at frig hte n her, but
re g ard in g w hic h s h e c an r e m em ber n oth in g. S he s a y s th at a s a c h ild s h e u se d
to w alk in h er s le ep , a n d th at w hen in W hitb y th e h ab it c am e b ack , a n d th at
once s h e w alk ed o ut in th e n ig ht a n d w en t to E ast C lif f , w here M is s M urra y
fo und h er; b ut s h e a ssu re s m e th at o f la te th e h ab it h as n ot re tu rn ed . I a m in
doubt, a n d s o h av e d one th e b est th in g I k now o f; I h av e w ritte n to m y o ld
frie n d a n d m aste r, P ro fe sso r V an H els in g, o f A m ste rd am , w ho k now s a s m uch
ab out o bsc u re d is e ase s a s a n y o ne in th e w orld . I h av e a sk ed h im to c o m e
over, a n d a s y ou to ld m e th at a ll th in gs w ere to b e a t y our c h arg e, I h av e
men tio ned to h im w ho y ou a re a n d y our r e la tio ns to M is s W este n ra . T his , m y
dear f e llo w , i s i n o bed ie n ce t o y our w is h es, f o r I a m o nly t o o p ro ud a n d h ap py
to d o a n yth in g I c an f o r h er. V an H els in g w ould , I k now , d o a n yth in g f o r m e
fo r a p ers o nal r e aso n, s o , n o m atte r o n w hat g ro und h e c o m es, w e m ust a ccep t
his w is h es. H e i s a s e em in gly a rb itr a ry m an , b ut t h is i s b ecau se h e k now s w hat
he is ta lk in g ab out bette r th an an y one els e . H e is a philo so pher an d a
meta p hysic ia n , a n d o ne o f t h e m ost a d van ced s c ie n tis ts o f h is d ay ; a n d h e h as,
I b elie v e, a n a b so lu te ly o pen m in d. T his , w ith a n ir o n n erv e, a te m per o f th e
ic e-b ro ok, an in dom ita b le re so lu tio n, se lf -c o m man d, an d to le ra tio n ex alte d
fro m v ir tu es to b le ssin gs, a n d th e k in dlie st a n d tr u est h eart th at b eats — th ese
fo rm h is e q uip m en t fo r th e n oble w ork th at h e is d oin g fo r m an kin d— work
both in th eo ry a n d p ra ctic e, fo r h is v ie w s a re a s w id e a s h is a ll- e m bra cin g
sy m path y. I te ll you th ese fa cts th at you m ay know w hy I hav e su ch
co nfid en ce in him . I hav e ask ed him to co m e at once. I sh all se e M is s
Weste n ra to -m orro w a g ain . S he is to m eet m e a t th e S to re s, s o th at I m ay n ot
ala rm h er m oth er b y t o o e arly a r e p etitio n o f m y c all.
“Y ours a lw ay s,
“Jo hn S ew ard .”
Lette r, A bra h am V an H els in g, M . D ., D . P h., D . L it., etc ., etc ., to D r. Sew ard .
“2 S ep te m ber.
“M y g ood F rie n d,—
“W hen I h av e re ceiv ed y our le tte r I a m a lr e ad y c o m in g to y ou. B y g ood
fo rtu ne I c an le av e ju st a t o nce, w ith out w ro ng to a n y o f th ose w ho h av e
tr u ste d m e. W ere fo rtu ne o th er, th en it w ere b ad fo r th ose w ho h av e tr u ste d ,
fo r I c o m e to m y f rie n d w hen h e c all m e to a id th ose h e h old s d ear. T ell y our
frie n d th at w hen th at tim e y ou s u ck f ro m m y w ound s o s w if tly th e p ois o n o f
th e g an gre n e f ro m t h at k nif e t h at o ur o th er f rie n d, t o o n erv ous, l e t s lip , y ou d id
more f o r h im w hen h e w an ts m y a id s a n d y ou c all f o r th em th an a ll h is g re at
fo rtu ne c o uld d o. B ut it is p le asu re a d ded to d o fo r h im , y our frie n d; it is to
you th at I c o m e. H av e th en r o om s f o r m e a t th e G re at E aste rn H ote l, s o th at I
may b e n ear to h an d, a n d p le ase it s o a rra n ge th at w e m ay s e e th e y oung la d y
not to o la te o n to -m orro w , fo r it is lik ely th at I m ay h av e to re tu rn h ere th at
nig ht. B ut if n eed b e I s h all c o m e a g ain in th re e d ay s, a n d s ta y lo nger if it
must. T ill t h en g ood-b ye, m y f rie n d J o hn.
“V an H els in g.”
Lette r, D r. S ew ard t o H on. A rth ur H olm wood.
“3 S ep te m ber.
“M y d ear A rt,—
“V an H els in g h as c o m e a n d g one. H e c am e o n w ith m e to H illin gham , a n d
fo und t h at, b y L ucy ’s d is c re tio n, h er m oth er w as l u nch in g o ut, s o t h at w e w ere
alo ne w ith h er. V an H els in g m ad e a v ery c are fu l e x am in atio n o f th e p atie n t.
He i s t o r e p ort t o m e, a n d I s h all a d vis e y ou, f o r o f c o urs e I w as n ot p re se n t a ll
th e tim e. H e is , I fe ar, m uch c o ncern ed , b ut s a y s h e m ust th in k. W hen I to ld
him o f o ur frie n dsh ip a n d h ow y ou tr u st to m e in th e m atte r, h e s a id : ‘Y ou
must te ll h im a ll y ou th in k. T ell h im w hat I th in k, if y ou c an g uess it, if y ou
will. N ay, I a m n ot je stin g. T his is n o je st, b ut lif e a n d d eath , p erh ap s m ore .’ I
ask ed w hat h e m ean t b y th at, f o r h e w as v ery s e rio us. T his w as w hen w e h ad
co m e b ack to to w n, a n d h e w as h av in g a c u p o f te a b efo re sta rtin g o n h is
re tu rn t o A m ste rd am . H e w ould n ot g iv e m e a n y f u rth er c lu e. Y ou m ust n ot b e
an gry w ith m e, A rt, b ecau se h is v ery re tic en ce m ean s th at a ll h is b ra in s a re
work in g f o r h er g ood. H e w ill s p eak p la in ly e n ough w hen th e tim e c o m es, b e
su re . S o I to ld h im I w ould s im ply w rite a n a cco unt o f o ur v is it, ju st a s if I
were d oin g a d esc rip tiv e s p ecia l a rtic le fo r T he D aily T ele g ra p h. H e s e em ed
not to n otic e, b ut r e m ark ed th at th e s m uts in L ondon w ere n ot q uite s o b ad a s
th ey u se d t o b e w hen h e w as a s tu den t h ere . I a m t o g et h is r e p ort t o -m orro w i f
he c an p ossib ly m ak e i t. I n a n y c ase I a m t o h av e a l e tte r. “W ell, a s to th e v is it. L ucy w as m ore c h eerfu l th an o n th e d ay I fir s t s a w
her, a n d c erta in ly lo oked b ette r. S he h ad lo st so m eth in g o f th e g hastly lo ok
th at s o u pse t y ou, a n d h er b re ath in g w as n orm al. S he w as v ery s w eet to th e
pro fe sso r ( a s s h e a lw ay s i s ), a n d t r ie d t o m ak e h im f e el a t e ase ; t h ough I c o uld
se e th at th e p oor g ir l w as m ak in g a h ard s tr u ggle f o r it. I b elie v e V an H els in g
sa w it, to o, f o r I s a w th e q uic k lo ok u nder h is b ush y b ro w s th at I k new o f o ld .
Then h e b eg an to c h at o f a ll th in gs e x cep t o urs e lv es a n d d is e ase s a n d w ith
su ch a n in fin ite g en ia lity th at I c o uld s e e p oor L ucy ’s p re te n se o f a n im atio n
merg e in to re ality . Then , w ith out an y se em in g ch an ge, he bro ught th e
co nvers a tio n g en tly r o und t o h is v is it, a n d s u av ely s a id :—
“ ‘M y d ear y oung m is s, I h av e th e s o g re at p le asu re b ecau se y ou a re s o
much b elo ved . T hat i s m uch , m y d ear, e v er w ere t h ere t h at w hic h I d o n ot s e e.
They t o ld m e y ou w ere d ow n i n t h e s p ir it, a n d t h at y ou w ere o f a g hastly p ale .
To th em I s a y : “ P ouf!” ’ A nd h e s n ap ped h is f in gers a t m e a n d w en t o n: ‘ B ut
you a n d I s h all s h ow t h em h ow w ro ng t h ey a re . H ow c an h e’— an d h e p oin te d
at m e w ith th e s a m e lo ok a n d g estu re a s th at w ith w hic h o nce h e p oin te d m e
out t o h is c la ss, o n, o r r a th er a fte r, a p artic u la r o ccasio n w hic h h e n ev er f a ils t o
re m in d m e o f— ‘k now a n yth in g o f a y oung la d ie s? H e h as h is m ad am s t o p la y
with , a n d to b rin g th em b ack to h ap pin ess, a n d to th ose th at lo ve th em . It is
much to do, an d, oh, but th ere are re w ard s, in th at w e can besto w su ch
hap pin ess. B ut th e y oung la d ie s! H e h as n o w if e n or d au ghte r, a n d th e y oung
do n ot te ll th em se lv es to th e y o ung, b ut to th e o ld , lik e m e, w ho h av e k now n
so m an y s o rro w s a n d th e c au se s o f th em . S o, m y d ear, w e w ill s e n d h im a w ay
to s m oke th e c ig are tte in th e g ard en , w hile s y ou a n d I h av e little ta lk a ll to
ours e lv es.’ I t o ok t h e h in t, a n d s tr o lle d a b out, a n d p re se n tly t h e p ro fe sso r c am e
to th e w in dow a n d c alle d m e in . H e lo oked g ra v e, b ut sa id : ‘I h av e m ad e
care fu l e x am in atio n, b ut th ere is n o fu nctio nal c au se . W ith y ou I a g re e th at
th ere h as b een m uch b lo od lo st; it h as b een , b ut is n ot. B ut th e c o nditio ns o f
her a re in n o w ay a n æ m ic . I h av e a sk ed h er to s e n d m e h er m aid , th at I m ay
ask j u st o ne o r t w o q uestio n, t h at s o I m ay n ot c h an ce t o m is s n oth in g. I k now
well w hat sh e w ill sa y. A nd y et th ere is cau se ; th ere is alw ay s cau se fo r
ev ery th in g. I m ust g o b ack h om e a n d t h in k. Y ou m ust s e n d t o m e t h e t e le g ra m
ev ery d ay ; a n d i f t h ere b e c au se I s h all c o m e a g ain . T he d is e ase — fo r n ot t o b e
all w ell is a d is e ase — in te re st m e, a n d th e s w eet y oung d ear, s h e in te re st m e
to o. S he c h arm m e, a n d f o r h er, i f n ot f o r y ou o r d is e ase , I c o m e.’
“A s I te ll y ou, h e w ould n ot s a y a w ord m ore , e v en w hen w e w ere a lo ne.
And s o n ow , A rt, y ou k now a ll I k now . I s h all k eep s te rn w atc h . I tr u st y our
poor f a th er i s r a lly in g. I t m ust b e a t e rrib le t h in g t o y ou, m y d ear o ld f e llo w , t o
be p la ced i n s u ch a p ositio n b etw een t w o p eo ple w ho a re b oth s o d ear t o y ou. I
know y our id ea o f d uty to y our f a th er, a n d y ou a re r ig ht to s tic k to it; b ut, if
need b e, I s h all s e n d y ou w ord to c o m e a t o nce to L ucy ; s o d o n ot b e o ver-
an xio us u nle ss y ou h ear f ro m m e.” Dr. S ew ard ’s D ia ry .
4 S ep te m ber.— Zoöphag ous p atie n t s till k eep s u p o ur in te re st in h im . H e
had o nly o ne o utb urs t a n d th at w as y este rd ay a t a n u nusu al tim e. J u st b efo re
th e str o ke of noon he beg an to gro w re stle ss. T he atte n dan t knew th e
sy m pto m s, a n d a t o nce s u m moned a id . F ortu nate ly t h e m en c am e a t a r u n, a n d
were j u st i n t im e, f o r a t t h e s tr o ke o f n oon h e b ecam e s o v io le n t t h at i t t o ok a ll
th eir str e n gth to h old h im . In a b out fiv e m in ute s, h ow ev er, h e b eg an to g et
more a n d m ore q uie t, a n d f in ally s a n k i n to a s o rt o f m ela n ch oly , i n w hic h s ta te
he h as re m ain ed u p to n ow . T he a tte n dan t te lls m e th at h is s c re am s w hils t in
th e p aro xysm w ere re ally a p pallin g; I fo und m y h an ds fu ll w hen I g ot in ,
atte n din g to s o m e o f th e o th er p atie n ts w ho w ere f rig hte n ed b y h im . I n deed , I
can q uite u nders ta n d th e e ff e ct, fo r th e so unds d is tu rb ed e v en m e, th ough I
was s o m e d is ta n ce a w ay. I t is n ow a fte r th e d in ner- h our o f th e a sy lu m , a n d a s
yet m y p atie n t s its in a c o rn er b ro odin g, w ith a d ull, s u lle n , w oe-b eg one lo ok
in h is f a ce, w hic h s e em s r a th er to in dic ate th an to s h ow s o m eth in g d ir e ctly . I
can not q uite u nders ta n d i t.
Late r.— Anoth er c h an ge in m y p atie n t. A t f iv e o ’c lo ck I lo oked in o n h im ,
an d fo und h im s e em in gly a s h ap py a n d c o nte n te d a s h e u se d to b e. H e w as
catc h in g f lie s a n d e atin g t h em , a n d w as k eep in g n ote o f h is c ap tu re b y m ak in g
nail- m ark s o n th e e d ge o f th e d oor b etw een th e rid ges o f p ad din g. W hen h e
sa w m e, h e c am e o ver a n d a p olo gis e d f o r h is b ad c o nduct, a n d a sk ed m e in a
very h um ble , c rin gin g w ay to b e le d b ack to h is o w n ro om a n d to h av e h is
note -b ook a g ain . I th ought it w ell to h um our h im : s o h e is b ack in h is ro om
with th e w in dow o pen . H e h as th e s u gar o f h is te a s p re ad o ut o n th e w in dow -
sill, a n d is re ap in g q uite a h arv est o f flie s. H e is n ot n ow e atin g th em , b ut
puttin g th em in to a b ox, a s o f o ld , a n d is a lr e ad y e x am in in g th e c o rn ers o f h is
ro om t o f in d a s p id er. I t r ie d t o g et h im t o t a lk a b out t h e p ast f e w d ay s, f o r a n y
clu e to h is th oughts w ould b e o f im men se h elp to m e; b ut h e w ould n ot r is e .
For a m om en t o r tw o h e lo oked v ery s a d , a n d s a id in a s o rt o f f a r- a w ay v oic e,
as t h ough s a y in g i t r a th er t o h im se lf t h an t o m e:—
“A ll o ver! a ll o ver! H e h as d ese rte d m e. N o h ope f o r m e n ow u nle ss I d o i t
fo r m yse lf !” T hen s u dden ly tu rn in g to m e in a r e so lu te w ay, h e s a id : “ D octo r,
won’t y ou b e v ery g ood to m e a n d le t m e h av e a little m ore s u gar? I th in k it
would b e g ood f o r m e.”
“A nd t h e f lie s? ” I s a id .
“Y es! T he flie s lik e it, to o, a n d I lik e th e flie s; th ere fo re I lik e it.” A nd
th ere a re p eo ple w ho k now s o little a s to th in k th at m ad m en d o n ot a rg ue. I
pro cu re d h im a d ouble s u pply , a n d le ft h im a s h ap py a m an a s, I s u ppose , a n y
in t h e w orld . I w is h I c o uld f a th om h is m in d.
Mid nig ht.— Anoth er ch an ge in h im . I h ad b een to se e M is s W este n ra , whom I f o und m uch b ette r, a n d h ad j u st r e tu rn ed , a n d w as s ta n din g a t o ur o w n
gate l o okin g a t t h e s u nse t, w hen o nce m ore I h eard h im y ellin g. A s h is r o om i s
on th is s id e o f th e h ouse , I c o uld h ear it b ette r th an in th e m orn in g. It w as a
sh ock to m e to tu rn fro m th e w onderfu l sm oky beau ty of a su nse t over
London, w ith i ts l u rid l ig hts a n d i n ky s h ad ow s a n d a ll t h e m arv ello us t in ts t h at
co m e o n f o ul c lo uds e v en a s o n f o ul w ate r, a n d t o r e alis e a ll t h e g rim s te rn ness
of m y o w n c o ld s to ne b uild in g, w ith its w ealth o f b re ath in g m is e ry , a n d m y
ow n d eso la te h eart to e n dure it a ll. I re ach ed h im ju st a s th e s u n w as g oin g
dow n, a n d f ro m h is w in dow s a w th e r e d d is c s in k. A s it s a n k h e b ecam e le ss
an d l e ss f re n zie d ; a n d j u st a s i t d ip ped h e s lid f ro m t h e h an ds t h at h eld h im , a n
in ert m ass, on th e flo or. It is wonderfu l, how ev er, what in te lle ctu al
re cu pera tiv e p ow er lu natic s h av e, f o r w ith in a f e w m in ute s h e s to od u p q uite
calm ly a n d lo oked a ro und h im . I s ig nalle d to th e a tte n dan ts n ot to h old h im ,
fo r I w as an xio us to se e w hat h e w ould d o. H e w en t str a ig ht o ver to th e
win dow a n d b ru sh ed o ut th e c ru m bs o f s u gar; th en h e to ok h is fly -b ox, a n d
em ptie d it o uts id e, a n d th re w a w ay th e b ox; th en h e sh ut th e w in dow , a n d
cro ssin g o ver, s a t d ow n o n h is b ed . A ll t h is s u rp ris e d m e, s o I a sk ed h im : “ A re
you n ot g oin g t o k eep f lie s a n y m ore ?”
“N o,” s a id h e; “ I a m s ic k o f a ll t h at r u bbis h !” H e c erta in ly i s a w onderfu lly
in te re stin g s tu dy. I w is h I c o uld g et s o m e g lim pse o f h is m in d o r o f th e c au se
of h is s u dden p assio n. S to p; th ere m ay b e a c lu e a fte r a ll, if w e c an f in d w hy
to -d ay h is p aro xysm s c am e o n a t h ig h n oon a n d a t s u nse t. C an it b e th at th ere
is a m alig n in flu en ce o f th e s u n a t p erio ds w hic h a ff e cts c erta in n atu re s— as a t
tim es t h e m oon d oes o th ers ? W e s h all s e e.
Tele g ra m , S ew ard , L ondon, t o V an H els in g, A m ste rd am .
“4 S ep te m ber.— Patie n t s till b ette r t o -d ay.”
Tele g ra m , S ew ard , L ondon, t o V an H els in g, A m ste rd am .
“5 S ep te m ber.— Patie n t g re atly im pro ved . G ood a p petite ; s le ep s n atu ra lly ;
good s p ir its ; c o lo ur c o m in g b ack .”
Tele g ra m , S ew ard , L ondon, t o V an H els in g, A m ste rd am .
“6 S ep te m ber.— Terrib le c h an ge f o r th e w ors e . C om e a t o nce; d o n ot lo se
an h our. I h old o ver t e le g ra m t o H olm wood t ill h av e s e en y ou.”
CH APT ER X
Lette r, D r. S ew ard t o H on . A rth ur H olm wood .
“6 S ep te m ber. “M y d ear A rt,—
“M y n ew s to -d ay is n ot s o g ood. L ucy th is m orn in g h ad g one b ack a b it.
There is , h ow ev er, o ne g ood th in g w hic h h as a ris e n fro m it; M rs . W este n ra
was n atu ra lly a n xio us c o ncern in g L ucy, a n d h as c o nsu lte d m e p ro fe ssio nally
ab out h er. I t o ok a d van ta g e o f t h e o pportu nity , a n d t o ld h er t h at m y o ld m aste r,
Van H els in g, t h e g re at s p ecia lis t, w as c o m in g t o s ta y w ith m e, a n d t h at I w ould
put h er in h is c h arg e c o njo in tly w ith m yse lf ; so n ow w e c an c o m e a n d g o
with out a la rm in g h er u nduly , f o r a s h ock t o h er w ould m ean s u dden d eath , a n d
th is , in L ucy ’s w eak c o nditio n, m ig ht b e d is a str o us to h er. W e a re h ed ged in
with d if f ic u ltie s, a ll o f u s, m y p oor o ld f e llo w ; b ut, p le ase G od, w e s h all c o m e
th ro ugh th em a ll rig ht. If a n y n eed I s h all w rite , s o th at, if y ou d o n ot h ear
fro m m e, t a k e i t f o r g ra n te d t h at I a m s im ply w aitin g f o r n ew s. I n h aste
Yours e v er,
“Jo hn S ew ard .”
Dr. S ew ard ’s D ia ry .
7 S ep te m ber.— The fir s t th in g V an H els in g sa id to m e w hen w e m et a t
Liv erp ool S tr e et w as:—
“H av e y ou s a id a n yth in g t o o ur y oung f rie n d t h e l o ver o f h er? ”
“N o,” I s a id . “ I w aite d t ill I h ad s e en y ou, a s I s a id i n m y t e le g ra m . I w ro te
him a le tte r s im ply te llin g h im th at y ou w ere c o m in g, a s M is s W este n ra w as
not s o w ell, a n d t h at I s h ould l e t h im k now i f n eed b e.”
“R ig ht, m y frie n d,” he sa id , “q uite rig ht! B ette r he not know as yet;
perh ap s h e s h all n ev er k now . I p ra y s o ; b ut if it b e n eed ed , th en h e s h all k now
all. A nd, m y g ood f rie n d J o hn, l e t m e c au tio n y ou. Y ou d eal w ith t h e m ad m en .
All m en are m ad in so m e w ay or th e oth er; an d in asm uch as you deal
dis c re etly w ith y our m ad m en , s o d eal w ith G od’s m ad m en , t o o— th e r e st o f t h e
world . Y ou te ll n ot y our m ad m en w hat y ou d o n or w hy y ou d o it; y ou te ll
th em n ot w hat y ou th in k. S o y ou s h all k eep k now le d ge in its p la ce, w here it
may re st— where it m ay g ath er its k in d a ro und it a n d b re ed . Y ou a n d I s h all
keep a s y et w hat w e k now h ere , a n d h ere .” H e t o uch ed m e o n t h e h eart a n d o n
th e fo re h ead , an d th en to uch ed h im se lf th e sa m e w ay. “I h av e fo r m yse lf
th oughts a t t h e p re se n t. L ate r I s h all u nfo ld t o y ou.”
“W hy n ot n ow ?” I a sk ed . “ It m ay d o s o m e g ood; w e m ay a rriv e a t s o m e
decis io n.” H e s to pped a n d l o oked a t m e, a n d s a id :—
“M y frie n d Jo hn, w hen th e c o rn is g ro w n, e v en b efo re it h as rip en ed —
while th e m ilk o f its m oth er- e arth is in h im , a n d th e su nsh in e h as n ot y et
beg un to p ain t h im w ith h is g old , th e h usb an dm an h e p ull th e e ar a n d r u b h im
betw een h is ro ugh h an ds, a n d b lo w a w ay th e g re en c h aff , a n d sa y to y ou: ‘L ook! h e’s g ood c o rn ; h e w ill m ak e g ood c ro p w hen th e tim e c o m es.’ ” I d id
not s e e th e a p plic atio n, a n d to ld h im s o . F or re p ly h e re ach ed o ver a n d to ok
my ear in h is h an d an d p ulle d it p la y fu lly , as h e u se d lo ng ag o to d o at
le ctu re s, a n d s a id : “ T he g ood h usb an dm an te ll y ou s o th en b ecau se h e k now s,
but n ot till th en . B ut y ou d o n ot f in d th e g ood h usb an dm an d ig u p h is p la n te d
co rn to s e e if h e g ro w ; th at is f o r th e c h ild re n w ho p la y a t h usb an dry , a n d n ot
fo r th ose w ho ta k e it a s o f th e w ork o f th eir lif e . S ee y ou n ow , f rie n d J o hn? I
hav e s o w n m y c o rn , a n d N atu re h as h er w ork to d o in m ak in g it s p ro ut; if h e
sp ro ut a t a ll, th ere ’s s o m e p ro m is e ; a n d I w ait till th e e ar b eg in s to s w ell.” H e
bro ke o ff , f o r h e e v id en tly s a w th at I u nders to od. T hen h e w en t o n, a n d v ery
gra v ely :—
“Y ou w ere a lw ay s a c are fu l stu den t, a n d y our c ase -b ook w as e v er m ore
fu ll th an th e r e st. Y ou w ere o nly s tu den t th en ; n ow y ou a re m aste r, a n d I tr u st
th at g ood h ab it h av e n ot f a il. R em em ber, m y f rie n d, t h at k now le d ge i s s tr o nger
th an m em ory , a n d w e s h ould n ot tr u st th e w eak er. E ven if y ou h av e n ot k ep t
th e g ood p ra ctis e , l e t m e t e ll y ou t h at t h is c ase o f o ur d ear m is s i s o ne t h at m ay
be— min d, I s a y m ay b e— of s u ch i n te re st t o u s a n d o th ers t h at a ll t h e r e st m ay
not m ak e h im k ic k th e b eam , a s y our p eo ple s s a y. T ak e th en g ood n ote o f it.
Noth in g is to o s m all. I c o unse l y ou, p ut d ow n in r e co rd e v en y our d oubts a n d
su rm is e s. H ere afte r i t m ay b e o f i n te re st t o y ou t o s e e h ow t r u e y ou g uess. W e
le arn f ro m f a ilu re , n ot f ro m s u ccess!”
When I d esc rib ed L ucy ’s sy m pto m s— th e sa m e a s b efo re , b ut in fin ite ly
more m ark ed — he l o oked v ery g ra v e, b ut s a id n oth in g. H e t o ok w ith h im a b ag
in w hic h w ere m an y in str u m en ts a n d d ru gs, “ th e g hastly p ara p hern alia o f o ur
ben efic ia l tr a d e,” a s h e o nce c alle d , in o ne o f h is le ctu re s, th e e q uip m en t o f a
pro fe sso r o f t h e h ealin g c ra ft. W hen w e w ere s h ow n i n , M rs . W este n ra m et u s.
She w as a la rm ed , b ut n ot n early s o m uch a s I e x pecte d to f in d h er. N atu re in
one o f h er b en efic en t m oods h as o rd ain ed t h at e v en d eath h as s o m e a n tid ote t o
its o w n te rro rs . H ere , in a c ase w here a n y s h ock m ay p ro ve f a ta l, m atte rs a re
so o rd ere d th at, fro m s o m e c au se o r o th er, th e th in gs n ot p ers o nal— ev en th e
te rrib le c h an ge in h er d au ghte r to w hom s h e is s o a tta ch ed — do n ot s e em to
re ach h er. It is s o m eth in g lik e th e w ay D am e N atu re g ath ers ro und a fo re ig n
body a n e n velo pe o f s o m e in se n sitiv e tis su e w hic h c an p ro te ct fro m e v il th at
whic h it w ould o th erw is e h arm b y c o nta ct. If th is b e a n o rd ere d s e lf is h ness,
th en w e s h ould p au se b efo re w e c o ndem n a n y o ne f o r th e v ic e o f e g ois m , f o r
th ere m ay b e d eep er r o ot f o r i ts c au se s t h an w e h av e k now le d ge o f.
I u se d m y k now le d ge o f th is p hase o f s p ir itu al p ath olo gy, a n d la id d ow n a
ru le th at s h e s h ould n ot b e p re se n t w ith L ucy o r th in k o f h er illn ess m ore th an
was a b so lu te ly re q uir e d . S he a sse n te d re ad ily , s o re ad ily th at I s a w a g ain th e
han d o f N atu re fig htin g fo r lif e . V an H els in g a n d I w ere s h ow n u p to L ucy ’s
ro om . I f I w as s h ock ed w hen I s a w h er y este rd ay, I w as h orrif ie d w hen I s a w her to -d ay. S he w as g hastly , c h alk ily p ale ; th e r e d s e em ed to h av e g one e v en
fro m h er lip s a n d g um s, a n d th e b ones o f h er f a ce s to od o ut p ro m in en tly ; h er
bre ath in g w as p ain fu l to s e e o r h ear. V an H els in g’s fa ce g re w s e t a s m arb le ,
an d h is e y eb ro w s c o nverg ed till th ey a lm ost to uch ed o ver h is n ose . L ucy la y
motio nle ss, a n d d id n ot s e em t o h av e s tr e n gth t o s p eak , s o f o r a w hile w e w ere
all s ile n t. T hen V an H els in g b eck oned to m e, a n d w e w en t g en tly o ut o f th e
ro om . T he i n sta n t w e h ad c lo se d t h e d oor h e s te p ped q uic k ly a lo ng t h e p assa g e
to th e n ex t d oor, w hic h w as o pen . T hen h e p ulle d m e q uic k ly in w ith h im a n d
clo se d th e d oor. “ M y G od!” h e s a id ; “ th is is d re ad fu l. T here is n o tim e to b e
lo st. S he w ill d ie f o r s h eer w an t o f b lo od t o k eep t h e h eart’s a ctio n a s i t s h ould
be. T here m ust b e t r a n sfu sio n o f b lo od a t o nce. I s i t y ou o r m e?”
“I a m y ounger a n d s tr o nger, P ro fe sso r. I t m ust b e m e.”
“T hen g et r e ad y a t o nce. I w ill b rin g u p m y b ag . I a m p re p are d .”
I w en t d ow nsta ir s w ith h im , a n d a s w e w ere g oin g t h ere w as a k nock a t t h e
hall- d oor. W hen w e re ach ed th e h all th e m aid h ad ju st o pen ed th e d oor, a n d
Arth ur w as ste p pin g q uic k ly in . H e ru sh ed u p to m e, sa y in g in an eag er
whis p er:—
“Ja ck , I w as s o a n xio us. I re ad b etw een th e lin es o f y our le tte r, a n d h av e
been in a n a g ony. T he d ad w as b ette r, s o I r a n d ow n h ere to s e e f o r m yse lf . I s
not th at g en tle m an D r. V an H els in g? I a m s o th an kfu l to y ou, s ir , f o r c o m in g.”
When fir s t th e P ro fe sso r’s e y e h ad lit u pon h im h e h ad b een a n gry a t h is
in te rru ptio n a t s u ch a tim e; b ut n ow , a s h e to ok in h is s ta lw art p ro portio ns a n d
re co gnis e d t h e s tr o ng y oung m an hood w hic h s e em ed t o e m an ate f ro m h im , h is
ey es g le am ed . W ith out a p au se h e s a id t o h im g ra v ely a s h e h eld o ut h is h an d:
—
“S ir , y ou h av e c o m e i n t im e. Y ou a re t h e l o ver o f o ur d ear m is s. S he i s b ad ,
very , v ery b ad . N ay, m y c h ild , d o n ot g o lik e th at.” F or h e s u dden ly g re w p ale
an d s a t d ow n i n a c h air a lm ost f a in tin g. “ Y ou a re t o h elp h er. Y ou c an d o m ore
th an a n y t h at l iv e, a n d y our c o ura g e i s y our b est h elp .”
“W hat c an I d o?” a sk ed A rth ur h oars e ly . “ T ell m e, a n d I s h all d o i t. M y l if e
is h ers , a n d I w ould g iv e th e la st d ro p o f b lo od in m y b ody fo r h er.” T he
Pro fe sso r h as a str o ngly h um oro us sid e, an d I co uld fro m o ld k now le d ge
dete ct a t r a ce o f i ts o rig in i n h is a n sw er:—
“M y y oung s ir , I d o n ot a sk s o m uch a s t h at— not t h e l a st! ”
“W hat s h all I d o?” T here w as f ir e i n h is e y es, a n d h is o pen n ostr il q uiv ere d
with in te n t. V an H els in g s la p ped h im o n th e s h ould er. “ C om e!” h e s a id . “ Y ou
are a m an , a n d it is a m an w e w an t. Y ou a re b ette r th an m e, b ette r th an m y
frie n d Jo hn.” A rth ur lo oked bew ild ere d , an d th e Pro fe sso r w en t on by
ex pla in in g i n a k in dly w ay :— “Y oung m is s is b ad , v ery b ad . S he w an ts b lo od, a n d b lo od s h e m ust h av e
or d ie . M y f rie n d J o hn a n d I h av e c o nsu lte d ; a n d w e a re a b out t o p erfo rm w hat
we c all tr a n sfu sio n o f b lo od— to tr a n sfe r fro m fu ll v ein s o f o ne to th e e m pty
vein s w hic h p in e f o r h im . J o hn w as to g iv e h is b lo od, a s h e is th e m ore y oung
an d s tr o ng th an m e”— here A rth ur to ok m y h an d a n d w ru ng it h ard in s ile n ce
—“b ut, n ow y ou a re h ere , y ou a re m ore g ood th an u s, o ld o r y oung, w ho to il
much i n t h e w orld o f t h ought. O ur n erv es a re n ot s o c alm a n d o ur b lo od n ot s o
brig ht t h an y ours !” A rth ur t u rn ed t o h im a n d s a id :—
“If y ou o nly k new h ow g la d ly I w ould d ie fo r h er y ou w ould u nders ta n d
——”
He s to pped , w ith a s o rt o f c h oke i n h is v oic e.
“G ood b oy!” sa id V an H els in g. “ In th e n ot- s o -fa r- o ff y ou w ill b e h ap py
th at y ou h av e d one a ll fo r h er y ou lo ve. C om e n ow a n d b e s ile n t. Y ou s h all
kis s h er o nce b efo re it is d one, b ut th en y ou m ust g o; a n d y ou m ust le av e a t
my s ig n. S ay n o w ord t o M ad am e; y ou k now h ow i t i s w ith h er! T here m ust b e
no s h ock ; a n y k now le d ge o f t h is w ould b e o ne. C om e!”
We all w en t u p to L ucy ’s ro om . A rth ur b y d ir e ctio n re m ain ed o uts id e.
Lucy tu rn ed h er h ead a n d lo oked a t u s, b ut s a id n oth in g. S he w as n ot a sle ep ,
but s h e w as s im ply t o o w eak t o m ak e t h e e ff o rt. H er e y es s p oke t o u s; t h at w as
all. V an H els in g to ok s o m e th in gs f ro m h is b ag a n d la id th em o n a little ta b le
out o f sig ht. T hen h e m ix ed a n arc o tic , an d co m in g o ver to th e b ed , sa id
ch eerily :—
“N ow , little m is s, h ere is y our m ed ic in e. D rin k it o ff , lik e a g ood c h ild .
See, I lif t y ou s o th at to s w allo w is e asy . Y es.” S he h ad m ad e th e e ff o rt w ith
su ccess.
It a sto nis h ed m e h ow lo ng th e d ru g to ok to a ct. T his , in fa ct, m ark ed th e
ex te n t o f h er w eak ness. T he t im e s e em ed e n dle ss u ntil s le ep b eg an t o f lic k er i n
her e y elid s. A t la st, h ow ev er, th e n arc o tic b eg an to m an if e st its p ote n cy ; a n d
sh e fe ll in to a d eep s le ep . W hen th e P ro fe sso r w as s a tis fie d h e c alle d A rth ur
in to th e r o om , a n d b ad e h im s tr ip o ff h is c o at. T hen h e a d ded : “ Y ou m ay ta k e
th at o ne little k is s w hile s I b rin g o ver th e ta b le . F rie n d J o hn, h elp to m e!” S o
neith er o f u s l o oked w hils t h e b en t o ver h er.
Van H els in g t u rn in g t o m e, s a id :
“H e is so young an d str o ng an d of blo od so pure th at w e need not
defib rin ate i t.”
Then w ith s w if tn ess, b ut w ith a b so lu te m eth od, V an H els in g p erfo rm ed t h e
opera tio n. A s t h e t r a n sfu sio n w en t o n s o m eth in g l ik e l if e s e em ed t o c o m e b ack
to p oor L ucy ’s c h eek s, a n d t h ro ugh A rth ur’s g ro w in g p allo r t h e j o y o f h is f a ce se em ed a b so lu te ly t o s h in e. A fte r a b it I b eg an t o g ro w a n xio us, f o r t h e l o ss o f
blo od w as t e llin g o n A rth ur, s tr o ng m an a s h e w as. I t g av e m e a n i d ea o f w hat
a te rrib le str a in L ucy ’s sy ste m m ust hav e underg one th at w hat w eak en ed
Arth ur o nly p artia lly re sto re d h er. B ut th e P ro fe sso r’s fa ce w as se t, a n d h e
sto od w atc h in h an d a n d w ith h is e y es fix ed n ow o n th e p atie n t a n d n ow o n
Arth ur. I c o uld h ear m y o w n h eart b eat. P re se n tly h e s a id in a s o ft v oic e: “ D o
not s tir a n in sta n t. I t is e n ough. Y ou a tte n d h im ; I w ill lo ok to h er.” W hen a ll
was o ver I c o uld s e e h ow m uch A rth ur w as w eak en ed . I d re sse d th e w ound
an d to ok h is a rm to b rin g h im a w ay, w hen V an H els in g s p oke w ith out tu rn in g
ro und— th e m an s e em s t o h av e e y es i n t h e b ack o f h is h ead :—
“T he bra v e lo ver, I th in k, dese rv e an oth er kis s, w hic h he sh all hav e
pre se n tly .” A nd a s h e h ad n ow f in is h ed h is o pera tio n, h e a d ju ste d t h e p illo w t o
th e p atie n t’s h ead . A s h e d id s o t h e n arro w b la ck v elv et b an d w hic h s h e s e em s
alw ay s to w ear ro und h er th ro at, b uck le d w ith a n o ld d ia m ond b uck le w hic h
her l o ver h ad g iv en h er, w as d ra g ged a l ittle u p, a n d s h ow ed a r e d m ark o n h er
th ro at. A rth ur d id n ot n otic e it, b ut I c o uld h ear th e d eep h is s o f in dra w n
bre ath w hic h is o ne o f V an H els in g’s w ay s o f b etr a y in g em otio n. H e sa id
noth in g a t th e m om en t, b ut tu rn ed to m e, s a y in g: “ N ow ta k e d ow n o ur b ra v e
young lo ver, g iv e h im o f th e p ort w in e, a n d le t h im lie d ow n a w hile . H e m ust
th en g o h om e a n d r e st, s le ep m uch a n d e at m uch , th at h e m ay b e r e cru ite d o f
what h e h as s o g iv en to h is lo ve. H e m ust n ot s ta y h ere . H old ! a m om en t. I
may t a k e i t, s ir , t h at y ou a re a n xio us o f r e su lt. T hen b rin g i t w ith y ou t h at i n a ll
way s th e o pera tio n is s u ccessfu l. Y ou h av e s a v ed h er lif e th is tim e, a n d y ou
can g o h om e a n d re st e asy in m in d th at a ll th at c an b e is . I s h all te ll h er a ll
when s h e is w ell; s h e s h all lo ve y ou n one th e le ss fo r w hat y ou h av e d one.
Good-b ye.”
When A rth ur h ad g one I w en t b ack to t h e r o om . L ucy w as s le ep in g g en tly ,
but h er b re ath in g w as s tr o nger; I c o uld s e e t h e c o unte rp an e m ove a s h er b re ast
heav ed . B y th e b ed sid e sa t V an H els in g, lo okin g a t h er in te n tly . T he v elv et
ban d a g ain c o vere d t h e r e d m ark . I a sk ed t h e P ro fe sso r i n a w his p er:—
“W hat d o y ou m ak e o f t h at m ark o n h er t h ro at? ”
“W hat d o y ou m ak e o f i t? ”
“I h av e n ot e x am in ed it y et,” I a n sw ere d , a n d th en a n d th ere p ro ceed ed to
lo ose th e b an d. J u st o ver th e e x te rn al ju gula r v ein th ere w ere tw o p unctu re s,
not la rg e, b ut n ot w hole so m e-lo okin g. T here w as n o s ig n o f d is e ase , b ut th e
ed ges w ere w hite an d w orn -lo okin g, as if by so m e tr itu ra tio n. It at once
occu rre d t o m e t h at t h is w ound, o r w hate v er i t w as, m ig ht b e t h e m ean s o f t h at
man if e st lo ss o f b lo od; b ut I a b an doned th e id ea a s s o on a s f o rm ed , f o r s u ch a
th in g c o uld n ot b e. T he w hole b ed w ould h av e b een d re n ch ed t o a s c arle t w ith
th e b lo od w hic h t h e g ir l m ust h av e l o st t o l e av e s u ch a p allo r a s s h e h ad b efo re th e t r a n sfu sio n.
“W ell? ” s a id V an H els in g.
“W ell,” s a id I , “ I c an m ak e n oth in g o f it.” T he P ro fe sso r s to od u p. “ I m ust
go b ack to A m ste rd am to -n ig ht,” h e s a id . “ T here a re b ooks a n d th in gs th ere
whic h I w an t. Y ou m ust re m ain h ere a ll th e n ig ht, a n d y ou m ust n ot le t y our
sig ht p ass f ro m h er.”
“S hall I h av e a n urs e ?” I a sk ed .
“W e a re t h e b est n urs e s, y ou a n d I . Y ou k eep w atc h a ll n ig ht; s e e t h at s h e i s
well f e d , a n d th at n oth in g d is tu rb s h er. Y ou m ust n ot s le ep a ll th e n ig ht. L ate r
on w e c an s le ep , y ou a n d I . I s h all b e b ack a s s o on a s p ossib le . A nd th en w e
may b eg in .”
“M ay b eg in ?” I s a id . “ W hat o n e arth d o y ou m ean ?”
“W e s h all s e e!” h e a n sw ere d , a s h e h urrie d o ut. H e c am e b ack a m om en t
la te r a n d p ut h is h ead i n sid e t h e d oor a n d s a id w ith w arn in g f in ger h eld u p:—
“R em em ber, sh e is y our c h arg e. If y ou le av e h er, a n d h arm b efa ll, y ou
sh all n ot s le ep e asy h ere afte r!”
Dr. S ew ard ’s D ia ry — co ntin ued .
8 S ep te m ber.— I s a t u p a ll n ig ht w ith L ucy. T he o pia te w ork ed its e lf o ff
to w ard s d usk , a n d s h e w ak ed n atu ra lly ; s h e l o oked a d if f e re n t b ein g f ro m w hat
sh e h ad b een b efo re th e o pera tio n. H er s p ir its e v en w ere g ood, a n d s h e w as
fu ll o f a h ap py v iv acity , b ut I c o uld s e e e v id en ces o f th e a b so lu te p ro str a tio n
whic h s h e h ad u nderg one. W hen I to ld M rs . W este n ra th at D r. V an H els in g
had d ir e cte d th at I s h ould s it u p w ith h er s h e a lm ost p ooh-p oohed th e id ea,
poin tin g o ut h er d au ghte r’s r e n ew ed s tr e n gth a n d e x celle n t s p ir its . I w as f ir m ,
how ev er, an d m ad e pre p ara tio ns fo r m y lo ng vig il. W hen her m aid had
pre p are d h er f o r th e n ig ht I c am e in , h av in g in th e m ean tim e h ad s u pper, a n d
to ok a s e at b y th e b ed sid e. S he d id n ot in a n y w ay m ak e o bje ctio n, b ut lo oked
at m e g ra te fu lly w hen ev er I c au ght h er e y e. A fte r a lo ng sp ell sh e se em ed
sin kin g o ff to sle ep , b ut w ith a n e ff o rt se em ed to p ull h ers e lf to geth er a n d
sh ook it o ff . T his w as re p eate d se v era l tim es, w ith g re ate r e ff o rt a n d w ith
sh orte r p au se s a s th e tim e m oved o n. I t w as a p pare n t th at s h e d id n ot w an t to
sle ep , s o I t a ck le d t h e s u bje ct a t o nce:—
“Y ou d o n ot w an t t o g o t o s le ep ?”
“N o; I a m a fra id .”
“A fra id t o g o t o s le ep ! W hy s o ? I t i s t h e b oon w e a ll c ra v e f o r.”
“A h, n ot i f y ou w ere l ik e m e— if s le ep w as t o y ou a p re sa g e o f h orro r!” “A p re sa g e o f h orro r! W hat o n e arth d o y ou m ean ?”
“I d on’t k now ; o h, I d on’t k now . A nd th at is w hat is s o te rrib le . A ll th is
weak ness c o m es t o m e i n s le ep ; u ntil I d re ad t h e v ery t h ought.”
“B ut, m y d ear g ir l, y ou m ay s le ep to -n ig ht. I a m h ere w atc h in g y ou, a n d I
can p ro m is e t h at n oth in g w ill h ap pen .”
“A h, I c an tr u st y ou!” I s e iz ed th e o pportu nity , a n d s a id : “ I p ro m is e y ou
th at i f I s e e a n y e v id en ce o f b ad d re am s I w ill w ak e y ou a t o nce.”
“Y ou w ill? O h, w ill y ou re ally ? H ow g ood y ou a re to m e. T hen I w ill
sle ep !” A nd a lm ost a t th e w ord s h e g av e a d eep s ig h o f r e lie f, a n d s a n k b ack ,
asle ep .
All n ig ht lo ng I w atc h ed b y h er. S he n ev er s tir re d , b ut s le p t o n a n d o n in a
deep , tr a n quil, lif e -g iv in g, h ealth -g iv in g s le ep . H er lip s w ere s lig htly p arte d ,
an d h er b re ast ro se a n d fe ll w ith th e re g ula rity o f a p en dulu m . T here w as a
sm ile o n h er f a ce, a n d it w as e v id en t th at n o b ad d re am s h ad c o m e to d is tu rb
her p eace o f m in d.
In th e e arly m orn in g h er m aid c am e, a n d I le ft h er in h er c are a n d to ok
myse lf b ack h om e, f o r I w as a n xio us a b out m an y th in gs. I s e n t a s h ort w ir e to
Van H els in g a n d t o A rth ur, t e llin g t h em o f t h e e x celle n t r e su lt o f t h e o pera tio n.
My o w n w ork , w ith its m an if o ld a rre ars , to ok m e a ll d ay to c le ar o ff ; it w as
dark w hen I w as a b le to in quir e a b out m y z o öphag ous p atie n t. T he r e p ort w as
good; h e h ad b een q uite q uie t fo r th e p ast d ay a n d n ig ht. A te le g ra m c am e
fro m V an H els in g at A m ste rd am w hils t I w as at d in ner, su ggestin g th at I
sh ould b e a t H illin gham t o -n ig ht, a s i t m ig ht b e w ell t o b e a t h an d, a n d s ta tin g
th at h e w as l e av in g b y t h e n ig ht m ail a n d w ould j o in m e e arly i n t h e m orn in g.
9 S ep te m ber.— I w as p re tty tir e d a n d w orn o ut w hen I g ot to H illin gham .
For tw o n ig hts I h ad h ard ly h ad a w in k o f s le ep , a n d m y b ra in w as b eg in nin g
to fe el th at n um bness w hic h m ark s c ere b ra l e x hau stio n. L ucy w as u p a n d in
ch eerfu l s p ir its . W hen s h e s h ook h an ds w ith m e s h e l o oked s h arp ly i n m y f a ce
an d s a id :—
“N o s ittin g u p to -n ig ht fo r y ou. Y ou a re w orn o ut. I a m q uite w ell a g ain ;
in deed , I a m ; a n d if th ere is to b e a n y s ittin g u p, it is I w ho w ill s it u p w ith
you.” I w ould n ot a rg ue th e p oin t, b ut w en t a n d h ad m y s u pper. L ucy c am e
with m e, a n d, e n liv en ed b y h er c h arm in g p re se n ce, I m ad e a n e x celle n t m eal,
an d h ad a c o uple o f g la sse s o f th e m ore th an e x celle n t p ort. T hen L ucy to ok
me u psta ir s , a n d sh ow ed m e a ro om n ex t h er o w n, w here a c o zy fir e w as
burn in g. “ N ow ,” s h e s a id , “ y ou m ust s ta y h ere . I s h all l e av e t h is d oor o pen a n d
my d oor t o o. Y ou c an l ie o n t h e s o fa f o r I k now t h at n oth in g w ould i n duce a n y
of y ou d octo rs to g o to b ed w hils t th ere is a p atie n t a b ove th e h oriz o n. If I
wan t a n yth in g I s h all c all o ut, a n d y ou c an c o m e to m e a t o nce.” I c o uld n ot but a cq uie sc e, f o r I w as “ d og-tir e d ,” a n d c o uld n ot h av e s a t u p h ad I tr ie d . S o,
on h er r e n ew in g h er p ro m is e to c all m e if s h e s h ould w an t a n yth in g, I la y o n
th e s o fa , a n d f o rg ot a ll a b out e v ery th in g.
Lucy W este n ra ’s D ia ry .
9 S ep te m ber.— I fe el so h ap py to -n ig ht. I h av e b een so m is e ra b ly w eak ,
th at to b e a b le to th in k a n d m ove a b out is lik e fe elin g s u nsh in e a fte r a lo ng
sp ell o f e ast w in d o ut o f a s te el s k y. S om eh ow A rth ur f e els v ery , v ery c lo se to
me. I s e em to fe el h is p re se n ce w arm a b out m e. I s u ppose it is th at s ic k ness
an d w eak ness are se lf is h th in gs an d tu rn o ur in ner ey es an d sy m path y o n
ours e lv es, w hils t health an d str e n gth giv e L ove re in , an d in th ought an d
fe elin g h e can w an der w here h e w ills . I k now w here m y th oughts are . If
Arth ur o nly k new ! M y d ear, m y d ear, y our e ars m ust tin gle a s y ou s le ep , a s
min e d o w ak in g. O h, t h e b lis sfu l r e st o f l a st n ig ht! H ow I s le p t, w ith t h at d ear,
good D r. S ew ard w atc h in g m e. A nd to -n ig ht I s h all n ot f e ar to s le ep , s in ce h e
is c lo se a t h an d a n d w ith in c all. T han k e v ery body fo r b ein g s o g ood to m e!
Than k G od! G ood-n ig ht, A rth ur.
Dr. S ew ard ’s D ia ry .
10 S ep te m ber.— I w as c o nsc io us o f th e P ro fe sso r’s h an d o n m y h ead , a n d
sta rte d a w ak e a ll in a se co nd. T hat is o ne o f th e th in gs th at w e le arn in a n
asy lu m , a t a n y r a te .
“A nd h ow i s o ur p atie n t? ”
“W ell, w hen I l e ft h er, o r r a th er w hen s h e l e ft m e,” I a n sw ere d .
“C om e, l e t u s s e e,” h e s a id . A nd t o geth er w e w en t i n to t h e r o om .
The b lin d w as d ow n, a n d I w en t o ver to r a is e it g en tly , w hils t V an H els in g
ste p ped , w ith h is s o ft, c at- lik e t r e ad , o ver t o t h e b ed .
As I ra is e d th e b lin d, a n d th e m orn in g s u nlig ht flo oded th e ro om , I h eard
th e P ro fe sso r’s lo w h is s o f in sp ir a tio n, a n d k now in g its ra rity , a d ead ly fe ar
sh ot th ro ugh m y h eart. A s I p asse d o ver h e m oved b ack , a n d h is e x cla m atio n
of h orro r, “ G ott in H im mel! ” n eed ed n o e n fo rc em en t f ro m h is a g onis e d f a ce.
He ra is e d h is h an d a n d p oin te d to th e b ed , a n d h is ir o n fa ce w as d ra w n a n d
ash en w hite . I f e lt m y k nees b eg in t o t r e m ble .
There o n th e b ed , se em in gly in a sw oon, la y p oor L ucy, m ore h orrib ly
white a n d w an -lo okin g th an e v er. E ven th e lip s w ere w hite , a n d th e g um s
se em ed t o h av e s h ru nken b ack f ro m t h e t e eth , a s w e s o m etim es s e e i n a c o rp se
afte r a p ro lo nged i lln ess. V an H els in g r a is e d h is f o ot t o s ta m p i n a n ger, b ut t h e
in stin ct o f h is lif e a n d a ll th e lo ng y ears o f h ab it s to od to h im , a n d h e p ut it
dow n a g ain s o ftly . “ Q uic k !” h e s a id . “ B rin g th e b ra n dy.” I f le w to th e d in in g-
ro om , a n d re tu rn ed w ith th e d ecan te r. H e w ette d th e p oor w hite lip s w ith it, an d t o geth er w e r u bbed p alm a n d w ris t a n d h eart. H e f e lt h er h eart, a n d a fte r a
fe w m om en ts o f a g onis in g s u sp en se s a id :—
“It is n ot to o la te . I t b eats , th ough b ut f e eb ly . A ll o ur w ork is u ndone; w e
must b eg in a g ain . T here is n o y oung A rth ur h ere n ow ; I h av e to c all o n y ou
yours e lf th is tim e, f rie n d J o hn.” A s h e s p oke, h e w as d ip pin g in to h is b ag a n d
pro ducin g th e in str u m en ts f o r tr a n sfu sio n; I h ad ta k en o ff m y c o at a n d r o lle d
up m y s h ir t- s le ev e. T here w as n o p ossib ility o f a n o pia te ju st a t p re se n t, a n d
no n eed o f o ne; a n d s o , w ith out a m om en t’s d ela y, w e b eg an th e o pera tio n.
Afte r a tim e— it d id n ot se em a sh ort tim e e ith er, fo r th e d ra in in g a w ay o f
one’s b lo od, n o m atte r h ow w illin gly it b e g iv en , is a te rrib le fe elin g— Van
Hels in g h eld u p a w arn in g f in ger. “ D o n ot s tir ,” h e s a id , “ b ut I f e ar th at w ith
gro w in g str e n gth sh e m ay w ak e; a n d th at w ould m ak e d an ger, o h, so m uch
dan ger. B ut I sh all pre cau tio n ta k e. I sh all giv e hypoderm ic in je ctio n of
morp hia .” H e p ro ceed ed th en , s w if tly a n d d eftly , to c arry o ut h is in te n t. T he
eff e ct o n L ucy w as n ot b ad , fo r th e fa in t se em ed to m erg e su btly in to th e
narc o tic s le ep . It w as w ith a fe elin g o f p ers o nal p rid e th at I c o uld s e e a fa in t
tin ge o f c o lo ur s te al b ack in to th e p allid c h eek s a n d lip s. N o m an k now s, till
he e x perie n ces it, w hat it is to fe el h is o w n lif e -b lo od d ra w n a w ay in to th e
vein s o f t h e w om an h e l o ves.
The P ro fe sso r w atc h ed m e c ritic ally . “ T hat w ill d o,” h e s a id . “ A lr e ad y?” I
re m onstr a te d . “ Y ou to ok a g re at d eal m ore fro m A rt.” T o w hic h h e s m ile d a
sa d s o rt o f s m ile a s h e r e p lie d :—
“H e is h er lo ver, h er f ia n cé. Y ou h av e w ork , m uch w ork , to d o f o r h er a n d
fo r o th ers ; a n d t h e p re se n t w ill s u ff ic e.”
When w e sto pped th e o pera tio n, h e atte n ded to L ucy, w hils t I ap plie d
dig ita l p re ssu re to m y o w n in cis io n. I la id d ow n, w hils t I w aite d h is le is u re to
atte n d to m e, fo r I fe lt fa in t an d a little sic k . B y-a n d-b y h e b ound u p m y
wound, a n d s e n t m e d ow nsta ir s to g et a g la ss o f w in e fo r m yse lf . A s I w as
le av in g t h e r o om , h e c am e a fte r m e, a n d h alf w his p ere d :—
“M in d, n oth in g m ust b e sa id o f th is . If o ur y oung lo ver sh ould tu rn u p
unex pecte d , a s b efo re , n o w ord to h im . It w ould a t o nce frig hte n h im a n d
en je alo us h im , t o o. T here m ust b e n one. S o!”
When I c am e b ack h e l o oked a t m e c are fu lly , a n d t h en s a id :—
“Y ou a re n ot m uch th e w ors e . G o in to th e r o om , a n d lie o n y our s o fa , a n d
re st a w hile ; t h en h av e m uch b re ak fa st, a n d c o m e h ere t o m e.”
I f o llo w ed o ut h is o rd ers , f o r I k new h ow r ig ht a n d w is e th ey w ere . I h ad
done m y p art, a n d n ow m y n ex t d uty w as to k eep u p m y s tr e n gth . I f e lt v ery
weak , an d in th e w eak ness lo st so m eth in g o f th e am azem en t at w hat h ad
occu rre d . I fe ll a sle ep o n th e s o fa , h ow ev er, w onderin g o ver a n d o ver a g ain how L ucy h ad m ad e su ch a re tr o gra d e m ovem en t, a n d h ow sh e c o uld h av e
been d ra in ed o f s o m uch b lo od w ith n o s ig n a n yw here to s h ow f o r it. I th in k I
must h av e c o ntin ued m y w onder in m y d re am s, f o r, s le ep in g a n d w ak in g, m y
th oughts a lw ay s c am e b ack t o th e l ittle p unctu re s i n h er t h ro at a n d t h e r a g ged ,
ex hau ste d a p peara n ce o f t h eir e d ges— tin y t h ough t h ey w ere .
Lucy s le p t w ell in to th e d ay, a n d w hen s h e w oke s h e w as fa ir ly w ell a n d
str o ng, t h ough n ot n early s o m uch s o a s t h e d ay b efo re . W hen V an H els in g h ad
se en h er, h e w en t o ut f o r a w alk , le av in g m e in c h arg e, w ith s tr ic t in ju nctio ns
th at I w as n ot to le av e h er fo r a m om en t. I c o uld h ear h is v oic e in th e h all,
ask in g t h e w ay t o t h e n eare st t e le g ra p h o ff ic e.
Lucy c h atte d w ith m e fre ely , a n d s e em ed q uite u nco nsc io us th at a n yth in g
had h ap pen ed . I tr ie d to k eep h er a m use d a n d in te re ste d . W hen h er m oth er
cam e u p to s e e h er, s h e d id n ot s e em to n otic e a n y c h an ge w hate v er, b ut s a id
to m e g ra te fu lly :—
“W e o w e y ou s o m uch , D r. S ew ard , f o r a ll y ou h av e d one, b ut y ou r e ally
must n ow ta k e c are n ot to o verw ork y ours e lf . Y ou a re lo okin g p ale y ours e lf .
You w an t a w if e t o n urs e a n d l o ok a fte r y ou a b it; t h at y ou d o!” A s s h e s p oke,
Lucy tu rn ed c rim so n, th ough it w as o nly m om en ta rily , fo r h er p oor w aste d
vein s co uld n ot sta n d fo r lo ng su ch an u nw onte d d ra in to th e h ead . T he
re actio n c am e i n e x cessiv e p allo r a s s h e t u rn ed i m plo rin g e y es o n m e. I s m ile d
an d n odded , a n d la id m y fin ger o n m y lip s; w ith a s ig h, s h e s a n k b ack a m id
her p illo w s.
Van H els in g r e tu rn ed in a c o uple o f h ours , a n d p re se n tly s a id to m e: “ N ow
you g o h om e, a n d e at m uch a n d d rin k e n ough. M ak e y ours e lf s tr o ng. I s ta y
here to -n ig ht, a n d I s h all s it u p w ith little m is s m yse lf . Y ou a n d I m ust w atc h
th e c ase , a n d w e m ust h av e n one o th er to k now . I h av e g ra v e r e aso ns. N o, d o
not a sk th em ; th in k w hat y ou w ill. D o n ot fe ar to th in k e v en th e m ost n ot-
pro bab le . G ood-n ig ht.”
In t h e h all t w o o f t h e m aid s c am e t o m e, a n d a sk ed i f t h ey o r e ith er o f t h em
mig ht n ot s it u p w ith M is s L ucy. T hey im plo re d m e to le t th em ; a n d w hen I
sa id it w as D r. V an H els in g’s w is h th at e ith er h e o r I s h ould s it u p, th ey a sk ed
me q uite p ite o usly to in te rc ed e w ith th e “fo re ig n g en tle m an .” I w as m uch
to uch ed b y th eir k in dness. P erh ap s it is b ecau se I a m w eak a t p re se n t, a n d
perh ap s b ecau se it w as o n L ucy ’s a cco unt, th at th eir d ev otio n w as m an if e ste d ;
fo r o ver a n d o ver a g ain h av e I s e en s im ila r in sta n ces o f w om an ’s k in dness. I
got b ack h ere in tim e f o r a la te d in ner; w en t m y r o unds— all w ell; a n d s e t th is
dow n w hils t w aitin g f o r s le ep . I t i s c o m in g.
11 S ep te m ber.— This afte rn oon I w en t o ver to H illin gham . F ound V an
Hels in g in e x celle n t s p ir its , a n d L ucy m uch b ette r. S hortly a fte r I h ad a rriv ed ,
a b ig p arc el fro m a b ro ad c am e fo r th e P ro fe sso r. H e o pen ed it w ith m uch im pre ssm en t— assu m ed , of co urs e — an d sh ow ed a gre at bundle of w hite
flo w ers .
“T hese a re f o r y ou, M is s L ucy,” h e s a id .
“F or m e? O h, D r. V an H els in g!”
“Y es, m y d ear, b ut n ot fo r y ou to p la y w ith . T hese a re m ed ic in es.” H ere
Lucy m ad e a w ry fa ce. “ N ay, b ut th ey a re n ot to ta k e in a d eco ctio n o r in
nau se o us fo rm , s o y ou n eed n ot s n ub th at s o c h arm in g n ose , o r I s h all p oin t
out to m y f rie n d A rth ur w hat w oes h e m ay h av e to e n dure in s e ein g s o m uch
beau ty th at h e s o lo ves s o m uch d is to rt. A ha, m y p re tty m is s, th at b rin g th e s o
nic e n ose a ll s tr a ig ht a g ain . T his is m ed ic in al, b ut y ou d o n ot k now h ow . I p ut
him in y our w in dow , I m ak e p re t