The questions all related to the novel "Dracula", and focus on chapter 16 to chapter 22. Each part has different words counting. The answers must be your own words and no other reference can be used

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