StudyDaddy Literature This writing task is about novel "Dracula", focus on chapter 17 (other chapter can be used if necessary) and you need to write a poem for the main topic “Technology and modernity "in the specific det

This writing task is about novel "Dracula", focus on chapter 17 (other chapter can be used if necessary) and you need to write a poem for the main topic “Technology and modernity "in the specific det

Dra cu la

By

Bra m S to k er

CH APT ER I

JO NAT H AN H ARK ER ’S J O URNAL

(K ep t i n s h orth an d.)

3 M ay. B is tr itz .— Left M unic h at 8:3 5 P. M ., on 1st M ay, arriv in g at

Vie n na e arly n ex t m orn in g; s h ould h av e a rriv ed a t 6 :4 6, b ut tr a in w as a n h our

la te . B uda-P esth s e em s a w onderfu l p la ce, f ro m th e g lim pse w hic h I g ot o f it

fro m t h e t r a in a n d t h e l ittle I c o uld w alk t h ro ugh t h e s tr e ets . I f e are d t o g o v ery

fa r f ro m th e s ta tio n, a s w e h ad a rriv ed la te a n d w ould s ta rt a s n ear th e c o rre ct

tim e a s p ossib le . T he im pre ssio n I h ad w as th at w e w ere le av in g th e W est a n d

en te rin g th e E ast; th e m ost w este rn o f sp le n did b rid ges o ver th e D an ube,

whic h is h ere o f n oble w id th an d d ep th , to ok u s am ong th e tr a d itio ns o f

Turk is h r u le .

We l e ft i n p re tty g ood t im e, a n d c am e a fte r n ig htf a ll t o K la u se n burg h. H ere

I s to pped f o r t h e n ig ht a t t h e H ote l R oyale . I h ad f o r d in ner, o r r a th er s u pper, a

ch ic k en d one u p s o m e w ay w ith r e d p ep per, w hic h w as v ery g ood b ut th ir s ty .

(M em ., g et re cip e fo r M in a.) I a sk ed th e w aite r, a n d h e sa id it w as c alle d

“p ap rik a h en dl,” a n d th at, a s it w as a n atio nal d is h , I s h ould b e a b le to g et it

an yw here a lo ng t h e C arp ath ia n s. I f o und m y s m atte rin g o f G erm an v ery u se fu l

here ; i n deed , I d on’t k now h ow I s h ould b e a b le t o g et o n w ith out i t.

Hav in g h ad s o m e tim e a t m y d is p osa l w hen in L ondon, I h ad v is ite d th e

Britis h M use u m , a n d m ad e s e arc h a m ong th e b ooks a n d m ap s in th e lib ra ry

re g ard in g T ra n sy lv an ia ; it h ad str u ck m e th at so m e fo re k now le d ge o f th e

co untr y c o uld h ard ly f a il t o h av e s o m e i m porta n ce i n d ealin g w ith a n oble m an

of th at c o untr y . I fin d th at th e d is tr ic t h e n am ed is in th e e x tr e m e e ast o f th e

co untr y , ju st on th e bord ers of th re e sta te s, T ra n sy lv an ia , M old av ia an d

Bukovin a, in th e m id st o f th e C arp ath ia n m ounta in s; o ne o f th e w ild est a n d

le ast k now n p ortio ns o f E uro pe. I w as n ot a b le to lig ht o n a n y m ap o r w ork

giv in g th e e x act lo cality o f th e C astle D ra cu la , a s th ere a re n o m ap s o f th is

co untr y a s y et to c o m pare w ith o ur o w n O rd nan ce S urv ey m ap s; b ut I fo und

th at B is tr itz , th e p ost to w n n am ed b y C ount D ra cu la , is a fa ir ly w ell- k now n

pla ce. I s h all e n te r h ere s o m e o f m y n ote s, a s th ey m ay re fre sh m y m em ory

when I t a lk o ver m y t r a v els w ith M in a.

In th e popula tio n of T ra n sy lv an ia th ere are fo ur dis tin ct natio nalitie s:

Sax ons in th e South , an d m ix ed w ith th em th e W alla ch s, w ho are th e

desc en dan ts o f t h e D acia n s; M ag yars i n t h e W est, a n d S zek ely s i n t h e E ast a n d

North . I a m g oin g a m ong th e la tte r, w ho c la im to b e d esc en ded fro m A ttila

an d t h e H uns. T his m ay b e s o , f o r w hen t h e M ag yars c o nquere d t h e c o untr y i n

th e e le v en th c en tu ry th ey f o und th e H uns s e ttle d in it. I r e ad th at e v ery k now n su pers titio n in th e w orld is g ath ere d in to th e h ors e sh oe o f th e C arp ath ia n s, a s

if it w ere th e c en tr e o f s o m e s o rt o f im ag in ativ e w hir lp ool; if s o m y s ta y m ay

be v ery i n te re stin g. ( M em ., I m ust a sk t h e C ount a ll a b out t h em .)

I d id n ot s le ep w ell, th ough m y b ed w as c o m fo rta b le e n ough, f o r I h ad a ll

so rts o f q ueer d re am s. T here w as a d og h ow lin g a ll n ig ht u nder m y w in dow ,

whic h m ay h av e h ad s o m eth in g to d o w ith it; o r it m ay h av e b een th e p ap rik a,

fo r I h ad to d rin k u p a ll th e

wate r in m y c ara fe , a n d w as s till th ir s ty . T ow ard s

morn in g I s le p t a n d w as w ak en ed b y t h e c o ntin uous k nock in g a t m y d oor, s o I

guess I m ust hav e been sle ep in g so undly th en . I had fo r bre ak fa st m ore

pap rik a, an d a so rt of porrid ge of m aiz e flo ur w hic h th ey sa id w as

“m am alig a,” an d eg g-p la n t stu ff e d w ith fo rc em eat, a very ex celle n t dis h ,

whic h th ey c all “ im ple ta ta .” (M em ., g et re cip e fo r th is a ls o .) I h ad to h urry

bre ak fa st, fo r th e tr a in s ta rte d a little b efo re e ig ht, o r ra th er it o ught to h av e

done s o , f o r a fte r r u sh in g to th e s ta tio n a t 7 :3 0 I h ad to s it in th e c arria g e f o r

more th an a n h our b efo re w e b eg an to m ove. It s e em s to m e th at th e fu rth er

east y ou g o th e m ore u npunctu al are th e tr a in s. W hat o ught th ey to b e in

Chin a?

All d ay lo ng w e s e em ed to d aw dle th ro ugh a c o untr y w hic h w as fu ll o f

beau ty o f e v ery k in d. S om etim es w e s a w little to w ns o r c astle s o n th e to p o f

ste ep h ills su ch a s w e se e in o ld m is sa ls ; so m etim es w e ra n b y riv ers a n d

str e am s w hic h s e em ed f ro m th e w id e s to ny m arg in o n e ach s id e o f th em to b e

su bje ct t o g re at f lo ods. I t t a k es a l o t o f w ate r, a n d r u nnin g s tr o ng, t o s w eep t h e

outs id e e d ge o f a riv er c le ar. A t e v ery sta tio n th ere w ere g ro ups o f p eo ple ,

so m etim es c ro w ds, a n d in a ll s o rts o f a ttir e . S om e o f th em w ere ju st lik e th e

peasa n ts a t h om e o r th ose I s a w c o m in g th ro ugh F ra n ce a n d G erm an y, w ith

sh ort ja ck ets a n d ro und h ats a n d h om e-m ad e tr o use rs ; b ut o th ers w ere v ery

pic tu re sq ue. T he w om en lo oked p re tty , e x cep t w hen y ou g ot n ear th em , b ut

th ey w ere v ery c lu m sy a b out t h e w ais t. T hey h ad a ll f u ll w hite s le ev es o f s o m e

kin d o r o th er, a n d m ost o f th em h ad b ig b elts w ith a lo t o f s tr ip s o f s o m eth in g

flu tte rin g fro m th em lik e th e d re sse s in a b alle t, b ut o f co urs e th ere w ere

pettic o ats u nder th em . T he str a n gest fig ure s w e sa w w ere th e S lo vak s, w ho

were m ore b arb aria n th an th e re st, w ith th eir b ig c o w -b oy h ats , g re at b ag gy

dir ty -w hite tr o use rs , w hite lin en sh ir ts , an d en orm ous h eav y le ath er b elts ,

nearly a fo ot w id e, a ll s tu dded o ver w ith b ra ss n ails . T hey w ore h ig h b oots ,

with th eir tr o use rs tu ck ed in to th em , a n d h ad lo ng b la ck h air a n d h eav y b la ck

mousta ch es. T hey a re v ery p ic tu re sq ue, b ut d o n ot lo ok p re p osse ssin g. O n th e

sta g e th ey w ould b e s e t d ow n a t o nce a s s o m e o ld O rie n ta l b an d o f b rig an ds.

They a re , h ow ev er, I a m t o ld , v ery h arm le ss a n d r a th er w an tin g i n n atu ra l s e lf -

asse rtio n.

It w as o n th e d ark s id e o f tw ilig ht w hen w e g ot to B is tr itz , w hic h is a v ery

in te re stin g o ld p la ce. B ein g p ra ctic ally o n th e fro ntie r— fo r th e B org o P ass le ad s fro m it in to B ukovin a— it has had a very sto rm y ex is te n ce, an d it

certa in ly s h ow s m ark s o f it. F if ty y ears a g o a s e rie s o f g re at f ir e s to ok p la ce,

whic h m ad e te rrib le h av oc o n fiv e s e p ara te o ccasio ns. A t th e v ery b eg in nin g

of t h e s e v en te en th c en tu ry i t u nderw en t a s ie g e o f t h re e w eek s a n d l o st 1 3,0 00

peo ple , t h e c asu altie s o f w ar p ro per b ein g a ssis te d b y f a m in e a n d d is e ase .

Count D ra cu la h ad d ir e cte d m e to g o to th e G old en K ro ne H ote l, w hic h I

fo und, to m y g re at d elig ht, to b e th oro ughly o ld -fa sh io ned , fo r o f c o urs e I

wan te d to s e e a ll I c o uld o f th e w ay s o f th e c o untr y . I w as e v id en tly e x pecte d ,

fo r w hen I g ot n ear th e d oor I fa ced a c h eery -lo okin g e ld erly w om an in th e

usu al p easa n t d re ss— white u nderg arm en t w ith lo ng d ouble a p ro n, fro nt, a n d

back , o f c o lo ure d s tu ff f ittin g a lm ost t o o t ig ht f o r m odesty . W hen I c am e c lo se

sh e bow ed an d sa id , “T he H err E nglis h m an ?” “Y es,” I sa id , “Jo nath an

Hark er.” S he s m ile d , a n d g av e s o m e m essa g e to a n e ld erly m an in w hite s h ir t-

sle ev es, w ho h ad f o llo w ed h er to th e d oor. H e w en t, b ut im med ia te ly r e tu rn ed

with a l e tte r:—

“M y F rie n d.— Welc o m e to th e C arp ath ia n s. I a m a n xio usly e x pectin g y ou.

Sle ep w ell t o -n ig ht. A t t h re e t o -m orro w t h e d ilig en ce w ill s ta rt f o r B ukovin a; a

pla ce o n it is k ep t f o r y ou. A t th e B org o P ass m y c arria g e w ill a w ait y ou a n d

will b rin g y ou to m e. I tr u st th at y our jo urn ey f ro m L ondon h as b een a h ap py

one, a n d t h at y ou w ill e n jo y y our s ta y i n m y b eau tif u l l a n d.

“Y our f rie n d,

“D ra cu la .”

4 M ay.— I f o und t h at m y l a n dlo rd h ad g ot a l e tte r f ro m t h e C ount, d ir e ctin g

him t o s e cu re t h e b est p la ce o n t h e c o ach f o r m e; b ut o n m ak in g i n quir ie s a s t o

deta ils he se em ed so m ew hat re tic en t, an d pre te n ded th at he co uld not

unders ta n d m y G erm an . T his c o uld n ot b e tr u e, b ecau se u p to th en h e h ad

unders to od i t p erfe ctly ; a t l e ast, h e a n sw ere d m y q uestio ns e x actly a s i f h e d id .

He a n d h is w if e , th e o ld la d y w ho h ad r e ceiv ed m e, lo oked a t e ach o th er in a

frig hte n ed so rt o f w ay. H e m um ble d o ut th at th e m oney h ad b een se n t in a

le tte r, a n d th at w as a ll h e k new . W hen I a sk ed h im if h e k new C ount D ra cu la ,

an d co uld te ll m e an yth in g of his castle , both he an d his w if e cro sse d

th em se lv es, a n d, s a y in g th at th ey k new n oth in g a t a ll, s im ply r e fu se d to s p eak

fu rth er. It w as s o n ear th e tim e o f s ta rtin g th at I h ad n o tim e to a sk a n y o ne

els e , f o r i t w as a ll v ery m yste rio us a n d n ot b y a n y m ean s c o m fo rtin g.

Ju st b efo re I w as le av in g, th e o ld la d y c am e u p to m y r o om a n d s a id in a

very h yste ric al w ay :

“M ust y ou g o? O h! y oung H err, m ust y ou g o?” S he w as i n s u ch a n e x cite d

sta te th at sh e se em ed to h av e lo st h er g rip o f w hat G erm an sh e k new , a n d

mix ed it a ll u p w ith s o m e o th er la n guag e w hic h I d id n ot k now a t a ll. I w as ju st a b le to f o llo w h er b y a sk in g m an y q uestio ns. W hen I to ld h er th at I m ust

go a t o nce, a n d t h at I w as e n gag ed o n i m porta n t b usin ess, s h e a sk ed a g ain :

“D o y ou k now w hat d ay it is ? ” I a n sw ere d th at it w as th e fo urth o f M ay.

She s h ook h er h ead a s s h e s a id a g ain :

“O h, y es! I k now th at! I k now th at, b ut d o y ou k now w hat d ay it is ? ” O n

my s a y in g t h at I d id n ot u nders ta n d, s h e w en t o n:

“It i s t h e e v e o f S t. G eo rg e’s D ay. D o y ou n ot k now t h at t o -n ig ht, w hen t h e

clo ck s tr ik es m id nig ht, a ll th e e v il th in gs in th e w orld w ill h av e f u ll s w ay ? D o

you k now w here y ou a re g oin g, a n d w hat y ou a re g oin g to ?” S he w as in s u ch

ev id en t d is tr e ss t h at I t r ie d to c o m fo rt h er, b ut w ith out e ff e ct. F in ally s h e w en t

dow n o n h er k nees a n d im plo re d m e n ot to g o; a t le ast to w ait a d ay o r tw o

befo re sta rtin g. It w as all very rid ic u lo us but I did not fe el co m fo rta b le .

How ev er, t h ere w as b usin ess t o b e d one, a n d I c o uld a llo w n oth in g t o i n te rfe re

with it. I th ere fo re tr ie d to r a is e h er u p, a n d s a id , a s g ra v ely a s I c o uld , th at I

th an ked h er, b ut m y d uty w as im pera tiv e, a n d th at I m ust g o. S he th en ro se

an d d rie d h er e y es, a n d ta k in g a c ru cif ix f ro m h er n eck o ff e re d it to m e. I d id

not k now w hat to d o, fo r, a s a n E nglis h C hurc h m an , I h av e b een ta u ght to

re g ard su ch th in gs as in so m e m easu re id ola tr o us, an d yet it se em ed so

ungra cio us to r e fu se a n o ld la d y m ean in g s o w ell a n d in s u ch a s ta te o f m in d.

She sa w , I su ppose , th e d oubt in m y fa ce, fo r sh e p ut th e ro sa ry ro und m y

neck , a n d sa id , “ F or y our m oth er’s sa k e,” a n d

wen t o ut o f th e ro om . I a m

writin g u p th is p art o f th e d ia ry w hils t I a m w aitin g f o r th e c o ach , w hic h is , o f

co urs e , l a te ; a n d t h e c ru cif ix i s s till r o und m y n eck . W heth er i t i s t h e o ld l a d y’s

fe ar, o r t h e m an y g hostly t r a d itio ns o f t h is p la ce, o r t h e c ru cif ix i ts e lf , I d o n ot

know , b ut I a m n ot fe elin g n early a s e asy in m y m in d a s u su al. If th is b ook

sh ould e v er r e ach M in a b efo re I d o, le t it b rin g m y g ood-b ye. H ere c o m es th e

co ach !

5 M ay. T he C astle .— The g re y o f th e m orn in g h as p asse d , a n d th e s u n is

hig h o ver t h e d is ta n t h oriz o n, w hic h s e em s j a g ged , w heth er w ith t r e es o r h ills I

know n ot, fo r it is so fa r o ff th at b ig th in gs a n d little a re m ix ed . I a m n ot

sle ep y, a n d, a s I a m n ot to b e c alle d till I a w ak e, n atu ra lly I w rite till s le ep

co m es. T here a re m an y o dd th in gs to p ut d ow n, a n d, le st w ho r e ad s th em m ay

fa n cy th at I d in ed to o w ell b efo re I le ft B is tr itz , le t m e p ut d ow n m y d in ner

ex actly . I d in ed o n w hat th ey c alle d “ ro bber s te ak ”— bits o f b aco n, o nio n, a n d

beef, s e aso ned w ith r e d p ep per, a n d s tr u ng o n s tic k s a n d r o aste d o ver th e f ir e ,

in t h e s im ple s ty le o f th e L ondon c at’s m eat! T he w in e w as G old en M ed ia sc h ,

whic h pro duces a queer stin g on th e to ngue, w hic h is , how ev er, not

dis a g re eab le . I h ad o nly a c o uple o f g la sse s o f t h is , a n d n oth in g e ls e .

When I g ot o n th e c o ach th e d riv er h ad n ot ta k en h is s e at, a n d I s a w h im

ta lk in g w ith th e la n dla d y. T hey w ere e v id en tly ta lk in g o f m e, fo r e v ery n ow an d th en th ey lo oked a t m e, a n d s o m e o f th e p eo ple w ho w ere s ittin g o n th e

ben ch o uts id e th e d oor— whic h th ey c all b y a n am e m ean in g “ w ord -b eare r” —

cam e a n d l is te n ed , a n d t h en l o oked a t m e, m ost o f t h em p ity in gly . I c o uld h ear

a lo t o f w ord s o fte n re p eate d , q ueer w ord s, fo r th ere w ere m an y n atio nalitie s

in th e c ro w d; s o I q uie tly g ot m y p oly glo t d ic tio nary f ro m m y b ag a n d lo oked

th em o ut. I m ust s a y th ey w ere n ot c h eerin g to m e, fo r a m ongst th em w ere

“O rd og”— Sata n , “p okol” — hell, “str e g oic a”— witc h , “v ro lo k” an d

“v lk osla k ”— both o f w hic h m ean th e sa m e th in g, o ne b ein g S lo vak a n d th e

oth er S erv ia n f o r s o m eth in g t h at i s e ith er w ere -w olf o r v am pir e . ( M em ., I m ust

ask t h e C ount a b out t h ese s u pers titio ns)

When w e s ta rte d , th e c ro w d ro und th e in n d oor, w hic h h ad b y th is tim e

sw elle d to a c o nsid era b le s iz e, a ll m ad e th e s ig n o f th e c ro ss a n d p oin te d tw o

fin gers to w ard s m e. W ith s o m e d if f ic u lty I g ot a fe llo w -p asse n ger to te ll m e

what th ey m ean t; h e w ould n ot a n sw er a t fir s t, b ut o n le arn in g th at I w as

Englis h , h e e x pla in ed th at it w as a c h arm o r g uard a g ain st th e e v il e y e. T his

was n ot v ery p le asa n t fo r m e, ju st s ta rtin g fo r a n u nknow n p la ce to m eet a n

unknow n m an ; b ut e v ery o ne s e em ed s o k in d-h earte d , a n d s o s o rro w fu l, a n d

so sy m path etic th at I c o uld n ot b ut b e to uch ed . I sh all n ev er fo rg et th e la st

glim pse w hic h I h ad o f th e in n-y ard a n d its c ro w d o f p ic tu re sq ue fig ure s, a ll

cro ssin g th em se lv es, as th ey sto od ro und th e w id e arc h w ay, w ith its

back gro und o f r ic h f o lia g e o f o le an der a n d o ra n ge t r e es i n g re en t u bs c lu ste re d

in th e c en tr e o f th e y ard . T hen o ur d riv er, w hose w id e lin en d ra w ers c o vere d

th e w hole f ro nt o f t h e b ox-s e at— “g otz a” t h ey c all t h em — cra ck ed h is b ig w hip

over h is f o ur s m all h ors e s, w hic h r a n a b re ast, a n d w e s e t o ff o n o ur j o urn ey.

I s o on l o st s ig ht a n d r e co lle ctio n o f g hostly f e ars i n t h e b eau ty o f t h e s c en e

as w e d ro ve a lo ng, a lth ough h ad I k now n th e la n guag e, o r ra th er la n guag es,

whic h m y fe llo w -p asse n gers w ere sp eak in g, I m ig ht n ot h av e b een a b le to

th ro w th em o ff s o e asily . B efo re u s la y a g re en s lo pin g la n d f u ll o f f o re sts a n d

woods, w ith h ere a n d th ere s te ep h ills , c ro w ned w ith c lu m ps o f tr e es o r w ith

fa rm house s, th e bla n k gab le en d to th e ro ad .

There w as ev ery w here a

bew ild erin g m ass of fru it blo sso m — ap ple , plu m , pear, ch erry ; an d as w e

dro ve b y I c o uld s e e th e g re en g ra ss u nder th e tr e es s p an gle d w ith th e fa lle n

peta ls . I n a n d o ut a m ongst th ese g re en h ills o f w hat th ey c all h ere th e “ M itte l

Lan d” r a n t h e r o ad , l o sin g i ts e lf a s i t s w ep t r o und t h e g ra ssy c u rv e, o r w as s h ut

out b y th e s tr a g glin g e n ds o f p in e w oods, w hic h h ere a n d th ere r a n d ow n th e

hills id es l ik e t o ngues o f f la m e. T he r o ad w as r u gged , b ut s till w e s e em ed t o f ly

over i t w ith a f e v eris h h aste . I c o uld n ot u nders ta n d t h en w hat t h e h aste m ean t,

but t h e d riv er w as e v id en tly b en t o n l o sin g n o t im e i n r e ach in g B org o P ru nd. I

was to ld th at th is r o ad is in s u m mertim e e x celle n t, b ut th at it h ad n ot y et b een

put in o rd er a fte r th e w in te r sn ow s. In th is re sp ect it is d if f e re n t fro m th e

gen era l r u n o f r o ad s in th e C arp ath ia n s, f o r it is a n o ld tr a d itio n th at th ey a re

not to b e k ep t in to o g ood o rd er. O f o ld th e H osp ad ars w ould n ot r e p air th em , le st th e T urk s h ould th in k th at th ey w ere p re p arin g to b rin g in f o re ig n tr o ops,

an d s o h aste n t h e w ar w hic h w as a lw ay s r e ally a t l o ad in g p oin t.

Bey ond th e g re en s w ellin g h ills o f th e M itte l L an d ro se m ig hty s lo pes o f

fo re st u p t o t h e l o fty s te ep s o f t h e C arp ath ia n s t h em se lv es. R ig ht a n d l e ft o f u s

th ey to w ere d , w ith th e a fte rn oon s u n fa llin g fu ll u pon th em a n d b rin gin g o ut

all th e g lo rio us c o lo urs o f th is b eau tif u l ra n ge, d eep b lu e a n d p urp le in th e

sh ad ow s o f th e p eak s, g re en a n d b ro w n w here g ra ss a n d r o ck m in gle d , a n d a n

en dle ss pers p ectiv e of ja g ged ro ck an d poin te d cra g s, till th ese w ere

th em se lv es lo st in th e d is ta n ce, w here th e s n ow y p eak s r o se g ra n dly . H ere a n d

th ere s e em ed m ig hty r if ts i n t h e m ounta in s, t h ro ugh w hic h , a s t h e s u n b eg an t o

sin k, w e sa w n ow a n d a g ain th e w hite g le am o f fa llin g w ate r. O ne o f m y

co m pan io ns to uch ed m y a rm a s w e s w ep t r o und th e b ase o f a h ill a n d o pen ed

up th e lo fty , s n ow -c o vere d p eak o f a m ounta in , w hic h s e em ed , a s w e w ound

on o ur s e rp en tin e w ay, t o b e r ig ht b efo re u s:—

“L ook! I s te n s z ek !” — “G od’s s e at! ” — an d h e c ro sse d h im se lf r e v ere n tly .

As w e w ound o n o ur en dle ss w ay, an d th e su n sa n k lo w er an d lo w er

beh in d u s, th e sh ad ow s o f th e e v en in g b eg an to c re ep ro und u s. T his w as

em phasis e d b y th e f a ct th at th e s n ow y m ounta in -to p s till h eld th e s u nse t, a n d

se em ed to g lo w o ut w ith a d elic ate co ol p in k. H ere an d th ere w e p asse d

Csz ek s a n d S lo vak s, a ll in p ic tu re sq ue a ttir e , b ut I n otic ed th at g oitr e w as

pain fu lly p re v ale n t. B y th e r o ad sid e w ere m an y c ro sse s, a n d a s w e s w ep t b y,

my c o m pan io ns a ll c ro sse d th em se lv es. H ere a n d th ere w as a p easa n t m an o r

wom an kneelin g befo re a sh rin e, w ho did not ev en tu rn ro und as w e

ap pro ach ed , b ut s e em ed in th e s e lf -s u rre n der o f d ev otio n to h av e n eith er e y es

nor e ars f o r th e o ute r w orld . T here w ere m an y th in gs n ew to m e: f o r in sta n ce,

hay -ric k s in th e tr e es, a n d h ere a n d th ere v ery b eau tif u l m asse s o f w eep in g

bir c h , th eir w hite s te m s s h in in g lik e s ilv er th ro ugh th e d elic ate g re en o f th e

le av es. N ow a n d a g ain w e p asse d a le ite r- w ag on— th e o rd in ary p easa n t’s c art

—with its lo ng, s n ak e-lik e v erte b ra , c alc u la te d to s u it th e in eq ualitie s o f th e

ro ad . O n th is w ere s u re to b e s e ate d q uite a g ro up o f h om e-c o m in g p easa n ts ,

th e C sz ek s w ith th eir w hite , a n d th e S lo vak s w ith th eir c o lo ure d , s h eep sk in s,

th e la tte r carry in g la n ce-fa sh io n th eir lo ng sta v es, w ith ax e at en d. A s th e

ev en in g fe ll it b eg an to g et v ery c o ld , a n d th e g ro w in g tw ilig ht se em ed to

merg e in to o ne d ark m is tin ess th e g lo om o f th e tr e es, o ak , b eech , a n d p in e,

th ough in th e v alle y s w hic h ra n d eep b etw een th e sp urs o f th e h ills , a s w e

asc en ded th ro ugh th e P ass, th e d ark fir s s to od o ut h ere a n d th ere a g ain st th e

back gro und o f la te -ly in g s n ow . S om etim es, a s th e ro ad w as c u t th ro ugh th e

pin e w oods th at se em ed in th e d ark ness to b e c lo sin g d ow n u pon u s,

gre at

masse s o f g re y ness, w hic h h ere an d th ere b estr e w ed th e tr e es, p ro duced a

pecu lia rly w eir d a n d s o le m n e ff e ct, w hic h c arrie d o n th e th oughts a n d g rim

fa n cie s e n gen dere d e arlie r in th e e v en in g, w hen th e fa llin g s u nse t th re w in to str a n ge re lie f th e g host- lik e c lo uds w hic h a m ongst th e C arp ath ia n s se em to

win d c ease le ssly th ro ugh th e v alle y s. S om etim es th e h ills w ere s o s te ep th at,

desp ite o ur d riv er’s h aste , th e h ors e s c o uld o nly g o slo w ly . I w is h ed to g et

dow n a n d w alk u p t h em , a s w e d o a t h om e, b ut t h e d riv er w ould n ot h ear o f i t.

“N o, n o,” h e s a id ; “ y ou m ust n ot w alk h ere ; th e d ogs a re to o f ie rc e”; a n d th en

he a d ded , w ith w hat h e e v id en tly m ean t fo r g rim p le asa n tr y — fo r h e lo oked

ro und to c atc h th e a p pro vin g s m ile o f th e r e st— “an d y ou m ay h av e e n ough o f

su ch m atte rs b efo re y ou g o to sle ep .” T he o nly sto p h e w ould m ak e w as a

mom en t’s p au se t o l ig ht h is l a m ps.

When it gre w dark th ere se em ed to be so m e ex cite m en t am ongst th e

passe n gers , an d th ey k ep t sp eak in g to h im , o ne afte r th e o th er, as th ough

urg in g h im to fu rth er s p eed . H e la sh ed th e h ors e s u nm erc if u lly w ith h is lo ng

whip , an d w ith w ild crie s of en co ura g em en t urg ed th em on to fu rth er

ex ertio ns. T hen th ro ugh th e d ark ness I c o uld s e e a s o rt o f p atc h o f g re y lig ht

ah ead o f u s, a s th ough th ere w ere a c le ft in th e h ills . T he e x cite m en t o f th e

passe n gers g re w g re ate r; th e c ra zy c o ach ro ck ed o n its g re at le ath er s p rin gs,

an d s w ay ed l ik e a b oat t o sse d o n a s to rm y s e a. I h ad t o h old o n. T he r o ad g re w

more l e v el, a n d w e a p peare d t o f ly a lo ng. T hen t h e m ounta in s s e em ed t o c o m e

neare r t o u s o n e ach s id e a n d t o f ro w n d ow n u pon u s; w e w ere e n te rin g o n t h e

Borg o P ass. O ne b y o ne s e v era l o f t h e p asse n gers o ff e re d m e g if ts , w hic h t h ey

pre sse d u pon m e w ith a n e arn estn ess w hic h w ould ta k e n o d en ia l; th ese w ere

certa in ly o f a n o dd a n d v arie d k in d, b ut e ach w as g iv en in s im ple g ood f a ith ,

with a k in dly w ord , a n d a b le ssin g, a n d th at s tr a n ge m ix tu re o f fe ar- m ean in g

movem en ts w hic h I h ad se en o uts id e th e h ote l a t B is tr itz — th e sig n o f th e

cro ss a n d th e g uard a g ain st th e e v il e y e. T hen , a s w e fle w a lo ng, th e d riv er

le an ed f o rw ard , a n d o n e ach s id e th e p asse n gers , c ra n in g o ver th e e d ge o f th e

co ach , p eere d e ag erly in to th e d ark ness. It w as e v id en t th at so m eth in g v ery

ex citin g w as e ith er h ap pen in g o r e x pecte d , b ut th ough I a sk ed e ach p asse n ger,

no o ne w ould g iv e m e th e s lig hte st e x pla n atio n. T his s ta te o f e x cite m en t k ep t

on f o r s o m e little tim e; a n d a t la st w e s a w b efo re u s th e P ass o pen in g o ut o n

th e e aste rn s id e. T here w ere d ark , ro llin g c lo uds o verh ead , a n d in th e a ir th e

heav y, o ppre ssiv e s e n se o f th under. It s e em ed a s th ough th e m ounta in ra n ge

had s e p ara te d tw o a tm osp here s, a n d th at n ow w e h ad g ot in to th e th undero us

one. I w as n ow m yse lf lo okin g o ut f o r th e c o nvey an ce w hic h w as to ta k e m e

to th e C ount. E ach m om en t I e x pecte d to s e e th e g la re o f la m ps th ro ugh th e

bla ck ness; b ut a ll w as d ark . T he o nly lig ht w as th e f lic k erin g r a y s o f o ur o w n

la m ps, in w hic h th e s te am f ro m o ur h ard -d riv en h ors e s r o se in a w hite c lo ud.

We c o uld s e e n ow t h e s a n dy r o ad l y in g w hite b efo re u s, b ut t h ere w as o n i t n o

sig n o f a v eh ic le . T he p asse n gers d re w b ack w ith a s ig h o f g la d ness, w hic h

se em ed to m ock m y o w n d is a p poin tm en t. I w as a lr e ad y th in kin g w hat I h ad

best d o, w hen th e d riv er, lo okin g a t h is w atc h , s a id to th e o th ers s o m eth in g

whic h I c o uld h ard ly h ear, it w as s p oken s o q uie tly a n d in s o lo w a to ne; I th ought it w as “ A n h our le ss th an th e tim e.” T hen tu rn in g to m e, h e s a id in

Germ an w ors e t h an m y o w n:—

“T here is n o c arria g e h ere . T he H err is n ot e x pecte d a fte r a ll. H e w ill n ow

co m e o n to B ukovin a, a n d re tu rn to -m orro w o r th e n ex t d ay ; b ette r th e n ex t

day.” W hils t h e w as s p eak in g th e h ors e s b eg an to n eig h a n d s n ort a n d p lu nge

wild ly , so th at th e d riv er h ad to h old th em u p. T hen , a m ongst a c h oru s o f

sc re am s fro m th e p easa n ts a n d a u niv ers a l

cro ssin g o f th em se lv es, a c alè ch e,

with fo ur h ors e s, d ro ve u p b eh in d u s, o verto ok u s, a n d d re w u p b esid e th e

co ach . I c o uld s e e f ro m t h e f la sh o f o ur l a m ps, a s t h e r a y s f e ll o n t h em , t h at t h e

hors e s w ere c o al- b la ck a n d s p le n did a n im als . T hey w ere d riv en b y a ta ll m an ,

with a lo ng b ro w n b eard a n d a g re at b la ck h at, w hic h s e em ed to h id e h is f a ce

fro m u s. I co uld o nly se e th e g le am o f a p air o f v ery b rig ht ey es, w hic h

se em ed r e d i n t h e l a m plig ht, a s h e t u rn ed t o u s. H e s a id t o t h e d riv er:—

“Y ou a re e arly t o -n ig ht, m y f rie n d.” T he m an s ta m mere d i n r e p ly :—

“T he E nglis h H err w as i n a h urry ,” t o w hic h t h e s tr a n ger r e p lie d :—

“T hat i s w hy, I s u ppose , y ou w is h ed h im t o g o o n t o B ukovin a. Y ou c an not

deceiv e m e, m y frie n d; I k now to o m uch , a n d m y h ors e s a re sw if t.” A s h e

sp oke h e s m ile d , a n d t h e l a m plig ht f e ll o n a h ard -lo okin g m outh , w ith v ery r e d

lip s an d sh arp -lo okin g te eth , as w hite as iv ory . O ne of m y co m pan io ns

whis p ere d t o a n oth er t h e l in e f ro m B urg er’s “ L en ore ”:—

“D en n d ie T odte n r e ite n s c h nell” —

(“ F or t h e d ead t r a v el f a st.” )

The str a n ge d riv er ev id en tly h eard th e w ord s, fo r h e lo oked u p w ith a

gle am in g s m ile . T he p asse n ger tu rn ed h is f a ce a w ay, a t th e s a m e tim e p uttin g

out h is tw o fin gers a n d c ro ssin g h im se lf . “ G iv e m e th e H err ’s lu ggag e,” s a id

th e d riv er; a n d w ith e x ceed in g a la crity m y b ag s w ere h an ded o ut a n d p ut i n t h e

calè ch e. T hen I d esc en ded f ro m t h e s id e o f t h e c o ach , a s t h e c alè ch e w as c lo se

alo ngsid e, t h e d riv er h elp in g m e w ith a h an d w hic h c au ght m y a rm i n a g rip o f

ste el; h is s tr e n gth m ust h av e b een p ro dig io us. W ith out a w ord h e s h ook h is

re in s, th e h ors e s tu rn ed , a n d w e sw ep t in to th e d ark ness o f th e P ass. A s I

lo oked b ack I s a w th e s te am f ro m th e h ors e s o f th e c o ach b y th e lig ht o f th e

la m ps, a n d p ro je cte d a g ain st it th e fig ure s o f m y la te c o m pan io ns c ro ssin g

th em se lv es. T hen th e d riv er c ra ck ed h is w hip a n d c alle d to h is h ors e s, a n d o ff

th ey s w ep t o n th eir w ay to B ukovin a. A s th ey s a n k in to th e d ark ness I fe lt a

str a n ge c h ill, a n d a lo nely f e elin g c am e o ver m e; b ut a c lo ak w as th ro w n o ver

my sh ould ers , a n d a ru g a cro ss m y k nees, a n d th e d riv er sa id in e x celle n t

Germ an :—

“T he n ig ht is c h ill, m ein H err, a n d m y m aste r th e C ount b ad e m e ta k e a ll

care o f y ou. T here is a fla sk o f sliv ovitz (th e p lu m b ra n dy o f th e c o untr y ) undern eath th e s e at, if y ou s h ould r e q uir e it.” I d id n ot ta k e a n y, b ut it w as a

co m fo rt to k now it w as th ere a ll th e s a m e. I fe lt a little s tr a n gely , a n d n ot a

little f rig hte n ed . I th in k h ad th ere b een a n y a lte rn ativ e I s h ould h av e ta k en it,

in ste ad o f p ro se cu tin g t h at u nknow n n ig ht j o urn ey. T he c arria g e w en t a t a h ard

pace str a ig ht a lo ng, th en w e m ad e a c o m ple te tu rn a n d w en t a lo ng a n oth er

str a ig ht ro ad . It s e em ed to m e th at w e w ere s im ply g oin g o ver a n d o ver th e

sa m e g ro und a g ain ; a n d s o I to ok n ote o f s o m e s a lie n t p oin t, a n d fo und th at

th is w as s o . I w ould h av e lik ed to h av e a sk ed th e d riv er w hat th is a ll m ean t,

but I re ally fe are d to d o so , fo r I th ought th at, p la ced a s I w as, a n y p ro te st

would h av e h ad n o e ff e ct i n c ase t h ere h ad b een a n i n te n tio n t o d ela y. B y-a n d-

by, h ow ev er, a s I w as c u rio us t o k now h ow t im e w as p assin g, I s tr u ck a m atc h ,

an d b y i ts f la m e l o oked a t m y w atc h ; i t w as w ith in a f e w m in ute s o f m id nig ht.

This g av e m e a so rt o f sh ock , fo r I su ppose th e g en era l su pers titio n a b out

mid nig ht w as in cre ase d b y m y r e cen t e x perie n ces. I w aite d w ith a s ic k f e elin g

of s u sp en se .

Then a d og b eg an t o h ow l s o m ew here i n a f a rm house f a r d ow n t h e r o ad — a

lo ng, a g onis e d w ailin g, a s if fro m fe ar. T he s o und w as ta k en u p b y a n oth er

dog, a n d th en a n oth er a n d a n oth er, till, b orn e o n th e w in d w hic h n ow s ig hed

so ftly t h ro ugh t h e P ass, a w ild h ow lin g b eg an , w hic h s e em ed t o c o m e f ro m a ll

over th e c o untr y , a s f a r a s th e im ag in atio n c o uld g ra sp it th ro ugh th e g lo om o f

th e n ig ht. A t th e f ir s t h ow l th e h ors e s b eg an to s tr a in a n d r e ar, b ut th e d riv er

sp oke t o t h em s o oth in gly , a n d t h ey q uie te d d ow n, b ut s h iv ere d a n d s w eate d a s

th ough a fte r a r u naw ay f ro m s u dden f rig ht. T hen , f a r o ff in th e d is ta n ce, f ro m

th e m ounta in s o n e ach s id e o f u s b eg an a lo uder a n d a s h arp er h ow lin g— th at

of w olv es— whic h a ff e cte d b oth th e h ors e s a n d m yse lf in th e s a m e w ay — fo r I

was m in ded to ju m p fro m th e c alè ch e a n d ru n, w hils t th ey re are d a g ain a n d

plu nged m ad ly , s o t h at t h e d riv er h ad t o u se a ll h is g re at s tr e n gth t o k eep t h em

fro m b oltin g. I n a f e w m in ute s, h ow ev er, m y o w n e ars g ot a ccu sto m ed to th e

so und, a n d th e h ors e s s o f a r b ecam e q uie t th at th e d riv er w as a b le to d esc en d

an d to sta n d befo re th em . H e pette d an d so oth ed th em , an d w his p ere d

so m eth in g in th eir ears , as I h av e h eard o f h ors e -ta m ers d oin g, an d w ith

ex tr a o rd in ary eff e ct, fo r u nder h is care sse s th ey b ecam e q uite m an ag eab le

ag ain , th ough th ey s till tr e m ble d . T he d riv er a g ain to ok h is s e at, a n d s h ak in g

his r e in s, s ta rte d o ff a t a g re at p ace. T his t im e, a fte r g oin g t o t h e f a r s id e o f t h e

Pass, h e su dden ly tu rn ed d ow n a n arro w ro ad w ay w hic h ra n sh arp ly to th e

rig ht.

Soon w e w ere h em med i n w ith t r e es, w hic h i n p la ces a rc h ed r ig ht o ver t h e

ro ad w ay till w e p asse d a s th ro ugh a tu nnel; a n d a g ain g re at fro w nin g ro ck s

guard ed u s b old ly o n e ith er s id e. T hough w e w ere i n s h elte r, w e c o uld h ear t h e

ris in g w in d, f o r i t m oan ed a n d w his tle d t h ro ugh t h e r o ck s, a n d t h e b ra n ch es o f

th e tr e es c ra sh ed to geth er a s w e s w ep t a lo ng. It g re w c o ld er a n d c o ld er s till,

an d f in e, p ow dery s n ow b eg an to f a ll, s o th at s o on w e a n d a ll a ro und u s w ere co vere d w ith a w hite b la n ket. T he k een w in d s till c arrie d th e h ow lin g o f th e

dogs, th ough th is g re w fa in te r a s w e w en t o n o ur w ay. T he b ay in g o f th e

wolv es s o unded n eare r a n d n eare r, a s th ough th ey w ere c lo sin g ro und o n u s

fro m e v ery s id e. I g re w d re ad fu lly a fra id , a n d th e h ors e s s h are d m y f e ar. T he

driv er, h ow ev er, w as n ot in th e le ast d is tu rb ed ; h e k ep t tu rn in g h is h ead to le ft

an d r ig ht, b ut I c o uld n ot s e e a n yth in g t h ro ugh t h e d ark ness.

Sudden ly , a w ay o n o ur le ft, I s a w a f a in t f lic k erin g b lu e f la m e. T he d riv er

sa w i t a t t h e s a m e m om en t; h e a t o nce c h eck ed t h e h ors e s, a n d, j u m pin g t o t h e

gro und, d is a p peare d in to th e d ark ness. I d id n ot k now w hat to d o, th e le ss a s

th e how lin g of th e w olv es gre w clo se r; but w hile I w ondere d th e driv er

su dden ly a p peare d a g ain , a n d w ith out a w ord to ok h is s e at, a n d w e re su m ed

our jo urn ey. I th in k I m ust hav e fa lle n asle ep an d kep t dre am in g of th e

in cid en t, fo r it s e em ed to b e re p eate d e n dle ssly , a n d n ow lo okin g b ack , it is

lik e a s o rt o f a w fu l n ig htm are . O nce th e f la m e a p peare d s o n ear th e r o ad , th at

ev en in th e d ark ness a ro und u s I c o uld w atc h th e d riv er’s m otio ns. H e w en t

ra p id ly to w here th e b lu e f la m e a ro se — it m ust h av e b een v ery f a in t, f o r it d id

not s e em to illu m in e th e p la ce a ro und it a t a ll— an d g ath erin g a fe w s to nes,

fo rm ed th em in to s o m e d ev ic e. O nce th ere a p peare d a s tr a n ge o ptic al e ff e ct:

when h e s to od b etw een m e a n d t h e f la m e h e d id n ot o bstr u ct i t, f o r I c o uld s e e

its g hostly flic k er a ll th e sa m e. T his sta rtle d m e, b ut a s th e e ff e ct w as o nly

mom en ta ry , I t o ok i t t h at m y e y es d eceiv ed m e s tr a in in g t h ro ugh t h e d ark ness.

Then f o r a tim e th ere w ere n o b lu e f la m es, a n d w e s p ed o nw ard s th ro ugh th e

glo om , w ith th e how lin g of th e w olv es aro und us, as th ough th ey w ere

fo llo w in g i n a m ovin g c ir c le .

At la st th ere c am e a tim e w hen th e d riv er w en t f u rth er a fie ld th an h e h ad

yet g one, a n d d urin g h is a b se n ce, th e h ors e s b eg an to tr e m ble w ors e th an e v er

an d to s n ort a n d s c re am w ith frig ht. I c o uld n ot s e e a n y c au se fo r it, fo r th e

how lin g o f th e w olv es h ad c ease d a lto geth er; b ut ju st th en th e m oon, s a ilin g

th ro ugh t h e b la ck c lo uds, a p peare d b eh in d t h e j a g ged c re st o f a b eetlin g, p in e-

cla d r o ck , a n d b y its lig ht I s a w a ro und u s a r in g o f w olv es, w ith w hite te eth

an d l o llin g r e d t o ngues, w ith l o ng, s in ew y l im bs a n d s h ag gy h air. T hey w ere a

hundre d tim es m ore te rrib le in th e g rim sile n ce w hic h h eld th em th an e v en

when t h ey h ow le d . F or m yse lf , I f e lt a s o rt o f p ara ly sis o f f e ar. I t i s o nly w hen

a m an f e els h im se lf f a ce to f a ce w ith s u ch h orro rs th at h e c an u nders ta n d th eir

tr u e i m port.

All a t o nce th e w olv es b eg an to h ow l a s th ough th e m oonlig ht h ad h ad

so m e p ecu lia r e ff e ct o n t h em . T he h ors e s j u m ped a b out a n d r e are d , a n d l o oked

help le ssly ro und w ith e y es th at ro lle d in a w ay p ain fu l to s e e; b ut th e liv in g

rin g o f te rro r en co m passe d th em o n ev ery sid e; an d th ey h ad p erfo rc e to

re m ain w ith in it. I c alle d to th e c o ach m an to c o m e, fo r it s e em ed to m e th at

our o nly ch an ce w as to tr y to b re ak o ut th ro ugh th e rin g an d to aid h is ap pro ach . I s h oute d a n d b eat th e s id e o f th e c alè ch e, h opin g b y th e n ois e to

sc are th e w olv es fro m th at s id e, s o a s to g iv e h im a c h an ce o f re ach in g th e

tr a p . H ow h e c am e th ere , I k now n ot, b ut I h eard h is v oic e r a is e d in a to ne o f

im perio us c o m man d, a n d lo okin g to w ard s th e so und, sa w h im sta n d in th e

ro ad w ay. A s he sw ep t his lo ng arm s, as th ough bru sh in g asid e so m e

im palp ab le o bsta cle , th e w olv es fe ll b ack a n d b ack fu rth er still. Ju st th en a

heav y c lo ud p asse d a cro ss th e fa ce o f th e m oon, so th at w e w ere a g ain in

dark ness.

When I c o uld s e e a g ain th e d riv er w as c lim bin g in to th e c alè ch e, a n d th e

wolv es h ad d is a p peare d . T his w as a ll s o s tr a n ge a n d u ncan ny th at a d re ad fu l

fe ar c am e u pon m e, a n d I w as a fra id to sp eak o r m ove. T he tim e se em ed

in te rm in ab le a s w e s w ep t o n o ur w ay, n ow in a lm ost c o m ple te d ark ness, fo r

th e r o llin g c lo uds o bsc u re d th e m oon. W e k ep t o n a sc en din g, w ith o ccasio nal

perio ds of quic k desc en t, but in th e m ain alw ay s asc en din g. S udden ly , I

becam e c o nsc io us o f th e fa ct th at th e d riv er w as in th e a ct o f p ullin g u p th e

hors e s in th e c o urty ard o f a v ast r u in ed c astle , f ro m w hose ta ll b la ck w in dow s

cam e n o ra y o f lig ht, a n d w hose b ro ken b attle m en ts sh ow ed a ja g ged lin e

ag ain st t h e m oonlit s k y.

CH APT ER I I

JO NAT H AN H ARK ER ’S J O URNAL— co n tin ued

5 M ay.— I m ust h av e b een a sle ep , f o r c erta in ly if I h ad b een f u lly a w ak e I

must h av e n otic ed th e a p pro ach o f s u ch a r e m ark ab le p la ce. I n th e g lo om th e

co urty ard lo oked o f c o nsid era b le siz e, a n d a s se v era l d ark w ay s le d fro m it

under g re at r o und a rc h es, it p erh ap s s e em ed b ig ger th an it r e ally is . I h av e n ot

yet b een a b le t o s e e i t b y d ay lig ht.

When th e c alè ch e s to pped , th e d riv er ju m ped d ow n a n d h eld o ut h is h an d

to a ssis t m e t o a lig ht. A gain I c o uld n ot b ut n otic e h is p ro dig io us s tr e n gth . H is

han d a ctu ally s e em ed lik e a s te el v ic e th at c o uld h av e c ru sh ed m in e if h e h ad

ch ose n . T hen h e to ok o ut m y tr a p s, a n d p la ced th em o n th e g ro und b esid e m e

as I s to od c lo se t o a g re at d oor, o ld a n d s tu dded w ith l a rg e i r o n n ails , a n d s e t i n

a p ro je ctin g d oorw ay o f m assiv e s to ne. I c o uld s e e e v en in th e d im lig ht th at

th e s to ne w as m assiv ely c arv ed , b ut th at th e c arv in g h ad b een m uch w orn b y

tim e a n d w eath er. A s I s to od, th e d riv er ju m ped a g ain in to h is s e at a n d s h ook

th e r e in s; t h e h ors e s s ta rte d f o rw ard , a n d t r a p a n d a ll d is a p peare d d ow n o ne o f

th e d ark o pen in gs.

I s to od in s ile n ce w here I w as, fo r I d id n ot k now w hat to d o. O f b ell o r knock er th ere w as n o sig n; th ro ugh th ese fro w nin g w alls a n d d ark w in dow

open in gs it w as n ot lik ely th at m y v oic e c o uld p en etr a te . T he tim e I w aite d

se em ed e n dle ss, a n d I fe lt d oubts a n d fe ars c ro w din g u pon m e. W hat s o rt o f

pla ce h ad I co m e to , an d am ong w hat k in d o f p eo ple ? W hat so rt o f g rim

ad ven tu re w as it o n w hic h I h ad e m bark ed ? W as th is a c u sto m ary in cid en t in

th e l if e o f a s o lic ito r’s c le rk s e n t o ut t o e x pla in t h e p urc h ase o f a L ondon e sta te

to a f o re ig ner? S olic ito r’s c le rk ! M in a w ould n ot lik e th at. S olic ito r— fo r ju st

befo re le av in g L ondon I g ot w ord th at m y e x am in atio n w as s u ccessfu l; a n d I

am n ow a f u ll- b lo w n s o lic ito r! I b eg an t o r u b m y e y es a n d p in ch m yse lf t o s e e

if I w ere a w ak e. I t a ll s e em ed lik e a h orrib le n ig htm are to m e, a n d I e x pecte d

th at I sh ould su dden ly aw ak e, an d fin d m yse lf at hom e, w ith th e daw n

str u gglin g in th ro ugh th e w in dow s, a s I h ad n ow a n d a g ain f e lt in th e m orn in g

afte r a d ay o f o verw ork . B ut m y f le sh a n sw ere d t h e p in ch in g t e st, a n d m y e y es

were n ot t o b e d eceiv ed . I w as i n deed a w ak e a n d a m ong t h e C arp ath ia n s. A ll I

co uld d o n ow w as t o b e p atie n t, a n d t o w ait t h e c o m in g o f t h e m orn in g.

Ju st a s I h ad c o m e to th is c o nclu sio n I h eard a h eav y ste p a p pro ach in g

beh in d t h e g re at d oor, a n d s a w t h ro ugh t h e c h in ks t h e g le am o f a c o m in g l ig ht.

Then th ere w as th e s o und o f r a ttlin g c h ain s a n d th e c la n kin g o f m assiv e b olts

dra w n b ack . A k ey w as tu rn ed w ith th e lo ud g ra tin g n ois e o f lo ng d is u se , a n d

th e g re at d oor s w ung b ack .

With in , s to od a t a ll o ld m an , c le an s h av en s a v e f o r a l o ng w hite m ousta ch e,

an d c la d i n b la ck f ro m h ead t o f o ot, w ith out a s in gle s p eck o f c o lo ur a b out h im

an yw here . H e h eld in h is h an d a n a n tiq ue silv er la m p, in w hic h th e fla m e

burn ed w ith out ch im ney or glo be of an y kin d, th ro w in g lo ng quiv erin g

sh ad ow s a s i t f lic k ere d i n t h e d ra u ght o f t h e o pen d oor. T he o ld m an m otio ned

me in w ith h is r ig ht h an d w ith a c o urtly g estu re , s a y in g in e x celle n t E nglis h ,

but w ith a s tr a n ge i n to natio n:—

“W elc o m e to m y h ouse ! E nte r f re ely a n d o f y our o w n w ill! ” H e m ad e n o

motio n o f s te p pin g t o m eet m e, b ut s to od l ik e a s ta tu e, a s t h ough h is g estu re o f

welc o m e h ad fix ed h im in to s to ne. T he in sta n t, h ow ev er, th at I h ad s te p ped

over th e th re sh old , h e m oved im puls iv ely fo rw ard , a n d h old in g o ut h is h an d

gra sp ed m in e w ith a s tr e n gth w hic h m ad e m e w in ce, a n e ff e ct w hic h w as n ot

le sse n ed b y t h e f a ct t h at i t s e em ed a s c o ld a s i c e— more l ik e t h e h an d o f a d ead

th an a l iv in g m an . A gain h e s a id :—

“W elc o m e to m y h ouse . C om e fre ely . G o s a fe ly ; a n d le av e s o m eth in g o f

th e h ap pin ess y ou b rin g!” T he s tr e n gth o f th e h an dsh ak e w as s o m uch a k in to

th at w hic h I h ad n otic ed in th e d riv er, w hose fa ce I h ad n ot s e en , th at fo r a

mom en t I d oubte d if it w ere n ot th e s a m e p ers o n to w hom I w as s p eak in g; s o

to m ak e s u re , I s a id i n te rro gativ ely :—

“C ount D ra cu la ?” H e b ow ed i n a c o urtly w ay a s h e r e p lie d :— “I a m D ra cu la ; a n d I b id y ou w elc o m e, M r. H ark er, t o m y h ouse . C om e i n ;

th e n ig ht a ir is c h ill, a n d y ou m ust n eed to e at a n d r e st.” A s h e w as s p eak in g,

he p ut th e la m p o n a b ra ck et o n th e w all, a n d s te p pin g o ut, to ok m y lu ggag e;

he h ad c arrie d i t i n b efo re I c o uld f o re sta ll h im . I p ro te ste d b ut h e i n sis te d :—

“N ay, s ir , y ou a re m y g uest. I t is la te , a n d m y p eo ple a re n ot a v aila b le . L et

me s e e to y our c o m fo rt m yse lf .” H e in sis te d o n c arry in g m y tr a p s a lo ng th e

passa g e, a n d t h en u p a g re at w in din g s ta ir , a n d a lo ng a n oth er g re at p assa g e, o n

whose s to ne flo or o ur s te p s ra n g h eav ily . A t th e e n d o f th is h e th re w o pen a

heav y d oor, a n d I r e jo ic ed to s e e w ith in a w ell- lit r o om in w hic h a ta b le w as

sp re ad fo r su pper, a n d o n w hose m ig hty h earth a g re at fir e o f lo gs, fre sh ly

re p le n is h ed , f la m ed a n d f la re d .

The C ount h alte d , p uttin g d ow n m y b ag s, c lo se d t h e d oor, a n d c ro ssin g t h e

ro om , o pen ed a n oth er d oor, w hic h le d in to a sm all o cta g onal ro om lit b y a

sin gle la m p, a n d se em in gly w ith out a w in dow o f a n y so rt. P assin g th ro ugh

th is , h e o pen ed a n oth er d oor, a n d m otio ned m e to e n te r. It w as a w elc o m e

sig ht; f o r h ere w as a g re at b ed ro om w ell lig hte d a n d w arm ed w ith a n oth er lo g

fir e ,— als o ad ded to b ut la te ly , fo r th e to p lo gs w ere fre sh — whic h se n t a

hollo w ro ar u p th e w id e c h im ney. T he C ount h im se lf le ft m y lu ggag e in sid e

an d w ith dre w , s a y in g, b efo re h e c lo se d t h e d oor:—

“Y ou w ill n eed , a fte r y our jo urn ey, to re fre sh y ours e lf b y m ak in g y our

to ile t. I tr u st y ou w ill fin d a ll y ou w is h . W hen y ou a re re ad y, c o m e in to th e

oth er r o om , w here y ou w ill f in d y our s u pper p re p are d .”

The lig ht a n d w arm th a n d th e C ount’s c o urte o us w elc o m e s e em ed to h av e

dis sip ate d a ll m y d oubts a n d fe ars . H av in g th en re ach ed m y n orm al sta te , I

dis c o vere d th at I w as h alf fa m is h ed w ith h unger; s o m ak in g a h asty to ile t, I

wen t i n to t h e o th er r o om .

I fo und su pper a lr e ad y la id o ut. M y h ost, w ho sto od o n o ne sid e o f th e

gre at fir e p la ce, le an in g a g ain st th e sto new ork , m ad e a g ra cefu l w av e o f h is

han d t o t h e t a b le , a n d s a id :—

“I p ra y y ou, b e s e ate d a n d s u p h ow y ou p le ase . Y ou w ill, I t r u st, e x cu se m e

th at I d o n ot j o in y ou; b ut I h av e d in ed a lr e ad y, a n d I d o n ot s u p.”

I h an ded to h im th e s e ale d le tte r w hic h M r. H aw kin s h ad e n tr u ste d to m e.

He o pen ed it a n d r e ad it g ra v ely ; th en , w ith a c h arm in g s m ile , h e h an ded it to

me t o r e ad . O ne p assa g e o f i t, a t l e ast, g av e m e a t h rill o f p le asu re .

“I m ust re g re t th at a n a tta ck o f g out, fro m w hic h m ala d y I a m a c o nsta n t

su ff e re r, f o rb id s a b so lu te ly a n y tr a v ellin g o n m y p art f o r s o m e tim e to c o m e;

but I a m h ap py to s a y I c an s e n d a s u ff ic ie n t s u bstitu te , o ne in w hom I h av e

ev ery p ossib le c o nfid en ce. H e is a y oung m an , f u ll o f e n erg y a n d ta le n t in h is

ow n w ay, a n d o f a v ery f a ith fu l d is p ositio n. H e is d is c re et a n d s ile n t, a n d h as gro w n in to m an hood in m y s e rv ic e. H e s h all b e r e ad y to a tte n d o n y ou w hen

you w ill d urin g h is s ta y, a n d s h all t a k e y our i n str u ctio ns i n a ll m atte rs .”

The C ount h im se lf c am e f o rw ard a n d t o ok o ff t h e c o ver o f a d is h , a n d I f e ll

to a t o nce o n a n e x celle n t ro ast c h ic k en . T his , w ith s o m e c h eese a n d a s a la d

an d a b ottle o f o ld T okay, o f w hic h I h ad tw o g la sse s, w as m y s u pper. D urin g

th e tim e I w as e atin g it th e C ount a sk ed m e m an y q uestio ns a s to m y jo urn ey,

an d I t o ld h im b y d eg re es a ll I h ad e x perie n ced .

By th is tim e I h ad f in is h ed m y s u pper, a n d b y m y h ost’s d esir e h ad d ra w n

up a c h air b y th e f ir e a n d b eg un to s m oke a c ig ar w hic h h e o ff e re d m e, a t th e

sa m e tim e e x cu sin g h im se lf th at h e d id n ot s m oke. I h ad n ow a n o pportu nity

of o bse rv in g h im , a n d f o und h im o f a v ery m ark ed p hysio gnom y.

His fa ce w as a s tr o ng— a v ery s tr o ng— aq uilin e, w ith h ig h b rid ge o f th e

th in n ose a n d p ecu lia rly a rc h ed n ostr ils ; w ith lo fty d om ed fo re h ead , a n d h air

gro w in g sc an tily ro und th e te m ple s b ut p ro fu se ly e ls e w here . H is e y eb ro w s

were v ery m assiv e, a lm ost m eetin g o ver th e n ose , a n d w ith b ush y h air th at

se em ed to c u rl in its o w n p ro fu sio n. T he m outh , s o f a r a s I c o uld s e e it u nder

th e h eav y m ousta ch e, w as f ix ed a n d r a th er c ru el- lo okin g, w ith p ecu lia rly s h arp

white t e eth ; t h ese p ro tr u ded o ver t h e l ip s, w hose r e m ark ab le r u ddin ess s h ow ed

asto nis h in g v ita lity in a m an o f h is y ears . F or th e r e st, h is e ars w ere p ale , a n d

at th e to ps e x tr e m ely p oin te d ; th e c h in w as b ro ad a n d s tr o ng, a n d th e c h eek s

fir m t h ough t h in . T he g en era l e ff e ct w as o ne o f e x tr a o rd in ary p allo r.

Hith erto I h ad n otic ed t h e b ack s o f h is h an ds a s t h ey l a y o n h is k nees i n t h e

fir e lig ht, a n d th ey h ad se em ed ra th er w hite a n d fin e; b ut se ein g th em n ow

clo se to m e, I c o uld n ot b ut n otic e th at th ey w ere ra th er c o ars e — bro ad , w ith

sq uat fin gers . S tr a n ge to s a y, th ere w ere h air s in th e c en tr e o f th e p alm . T he

nails w ere l o ng a n d f in e, a n d c u t t o a s h arp p oin t. A s t h e C ount l e an ed o ver m e

an d h is h an ds t o uch ed m e, I c o uld n ot r e p re ss a s h udder. I t m ay h av e b een t h at

his b re ath w as r a n k, b ut a h orrib le f e elin g o f n au se a c am e o ver m e, w hic h , d o

what I w ould , I co uld n ot co nceal. T he C ount, ev id en tly n otic in g it, d re w

back ; a n d w ith a g rim s o rt o f s m ile , w hic h s h ow ed m ore th an h e h ad y et d one

his p ro tu bera n t te eth , s a t h im se lf d ow n a g ain o n h is o w n s id e o f th e f ir e p la ce.

We w ere b oth s ile n t f o r a w hile ; a n d a s I l o oked t o w ard s t h e w in dow I s a w t h e

fir s t d im str e ak o f th e c o m in g d aw n. T here se em ed a str a n ge stilln ess o ver

ev ery th in g; b ut a s I lis te n ed I h eard a s if fro m d ow n b elo w in th e v alle y th e

how lin g o f m an y w olv es. T he C ount’s e y es g le am ed , a n d h e s a id :—

“L is te n to th em — th e ch ild re n of th e nig ht. W hat m usic th ey m ak e!”

Seein g, I s u ppose , s o m e e x pre ssio n i n m y f a ce s tr a n ge t o h im , h e a d ded :—

“A h, sir , y ou d w elle rs in th e city can not en te r in to th e fe elin gs o f th e

hunte r.” T hen h e r o se a n d s a id :— “B ut y ou m ust b e tir e d . Y our b ed ro om is a ll re ad y, a n d to -m orro w y ou

sh all s le ep a s la te a s y ou w ill. I h av e to b e a w ay till th e a fte rn oon; s o s le ep

well a n d d re am w ell! ” W ith a c o urte o us b ow , h e o pen ed fo r m e h im se lf th e

door t o t h e o cta g onal r o om , a n d I e n te re d m y b ed ro om ....

I a m a ll in a s e a o f w onders . I d oubt; I f e ar; I th in k s tr a n ge th in gs, w hic h I

dare n ot c o nfe ss to m y o w n s o ul. G od k eep m e, if o nly f o r th e s a k e o f th ose

dear t o m e!

7 M ay.— It is a g ain e arly m orn in g, b ut I h av e re ste d a n d e n jo yed th e la st

tw en ty -fo ur h ours . I s le p t till la te in th e d ay, a n d a w oke o f m y o w n a cco rd .

When I h ad d re sse d m yse lf I w en t in to th e ro om w here w e h ad s u pped , a n d

fo und a c o ld b re ak fa st l a id o ut, w ith c o ff e e k ep t h ot b y t h e p ot b ein g p la ced o n

th e h earth . T here w as a c ard o n t h e t a b le , o n w hic h w as w ritte n :—

“I h av e to b e a b se n t fo r a w hile . D o n ot w ait fo r m e.— D.” I s e t to a n d

en jo yed a h earty m eal. W hen I h ad d one, I l o oked f o r a b ell, s o t h at I m ig ht l e t

th e s e rv an ts k now I h ad f in is h ed ; b ut I c o uld n ot f in d o ne. T here a re c erta in ly

odd defic ie n cie s in th e house , co nsid erin g th e ex tr a o rd in ary ev id en ces of

wealth w hic h a re ro und m e. T he ta b le s e rv ic e is o f g old , a n d s o b eau tif u lly

wro ught th at it m ust b e o f im men se v alu e. T he c u rta in s a n d u phols te ry o f th e

ch air s a n d so fa s a n d th e h an gin gs o f m y b ed a re o f th e c o stlie st a n d m ost

beau tif u l f a b ric s, a n d m ust h av e b een o f f a b ulo us v alu e w hen t h ey w ere m ad e,

fo r t h ey a re c en tu rie s o ld , t h ough i n e x celle n t o rd er. I s a w s o m eth in g l ik e t h em

in H am pto n C ourt, b ut th ere th ey w ere w orn a n d f ra y ed a n d m oth -e ate n . B ut

still in n one o f th e r o om s is th ere a m ir ro r. T here is n ot e v en a to ile t g la ss o n

my ta b le , a n d I h ad to g et th e little s h av in g g la ss f ro m m y b ag b efo re I c o uld

eith er s h av e o r b ru sh m y h air. I h av e n ot y et s e en a s e rv an t a n yw here , o r h eard

a s o und n ear th e c astle e x cep t th e h ow lin g o f w olv es. S om e tim e a fte r I h ad

fin is h ed m y m eal— I d o n ot k now w heth er to c all it b re ak fa st o r d in ner, f o r it

was b etw een f iv e a n d s ix o ’c lo ck w hen I h ad i t— I l o oked a b out f o r s o m eth in g

to r e ad , f o r I d id n ot lik e to g o a b out th e c astle u ntil I h ad a sk ed th e C ount’s

perm is sio n. T here w as a b so lu te ly n oth in g in th e ro om , b ook, n ew sp ap er, o r

ev en w ritin g m ate ria ls ; s o I o pen ed a n oth er d oor in th e r o om a n d f o und a s o rt

of l ib ra ry . T he d oor o pposite m in e I t r ie d , b ut f o und i t l o ck ed .

In t h e l ib ra ry I f o und, t o m y g re at d elig ht, a v ast n um ber o f E nglis h b ooks,

whole s h elv es f u ll o f t h em , a n d b ound v olu m es o f m ag azin es a n d n ew sp ap ers .

A ta b le in th e c en tr e w as litte re d w ith E nglis h m ag azin es a n d n ew sp ap ers ,

th ough n one o f th em w ere o f v ery re cen t d ate . T he b ooks w ere o f th e m ost

varie d k in d— his to ry , g eo gra p hy, p olitic s, p olitic al e co nom y, b ota n y, g eo lo gy,

la w — all r e la tin g t o E ngla n d a n d E nglis h l if e a n d c u sto m s a n d m an ners . T here

were e v en s u ch b ooks o f re fe re n ce a s th e L ondon D ir e cto ry , th e “ R ed ” a n d

“B lu e” books, W hita k er’s A lm an ac, th e A rm y an d N av y Lis ts , an d— it

so m eh ow g la d den ed m y h eart t o s e e i t— th e L aw L is t. Whils t I w as l o okin g a t t h e b ooks, t h e d oor o pen ed , a n d t h e C ount e n te re d .

He s a lu te d m e in a h earty w ay, a n d h oped th at I h ad h ad a g ood n ig ht’s r e st.

Then h e w en t o n:—

“I a m g la d y ou fo und y our w ay in h ere , fo r I a m s u re th ere is m uch th at

will in te re st y ou. T hese c o m pan io ns” — an d h e la id h is h an d o n s o m e o f th e

books— “h av e b een g ood f rie n ds to m e, a n d f o r s o m e y ears p ast, e v er s in ce I

had th e id ea of goin g to L ondon, hav e giv en m e m an y, m an y hours of

ple asu re . T hro ugh t h em I h av e c o m e t o k now y our g re at E ngla n d; a n d t o k now

her is to lo ve h er. I lo ng to g o th ro ugh th e c ro w ded str e ets o f y our m ig hty

London, to b e in th e m id st o f th e w hir l a n d r u sh o f h um an ity , to s h are its lif e ,

its c h an ge, its d eath , a n d a ll th at m ak es it w hat it is . B ut a la s! a s y et I o nly

know y our to ngue th ro ugh b ooks. T o y ou, m y f rie n d, I lo ok th at I k now it to

sp eak .”

“B ut, C ount,” I s a id , “ y ou k now a n d s p eak E nglis h t h oro ughly !” H e b ow ed

gra v ely .

“I th an k y ou, m y f rie n d, f o r y our a ll to o-fla tte rin g e stim ate , b ut y et I f e ar

th at I a m b ut a l ittle w ay o n t h e r o ad I w ould t r a v el. T ru e, I k now t h e g ra m mar

an d t h e w ord s, b ut y et I k now n ot h ow t o s p eak t h em .”

“In deed ,” I s a id , “ y ou s p eak e x celle n tly .”

“N ot s o ,” h e a n sw ere d . “ W ell, I k now th at, d id I m ove a n d s p eak in y our

London, n one th ere a re w ho w ould n ot k now m e fo r a s tr a n ger. T hat is n ot

en ough fo r m e. H ere I a m n oble ; I a m b oyar; th e c o m mon p eo ple k now m e,

an d I a m m aste r. B ut a s tr a n ger i n a s tr a n ge l a n d, h e i s n o o ne; m en k now h im

not— an d to k now n ot is to c are n ot f o r. I a m c o nte n t if I a m lik e th e r e st, s o

th at n o m an s to ps if h e s e e m e, o r p au se in h is s p eak in g if h e h ear m y w ord s,

‘H a, h a! a s tr a n ger!’ I h av e b een s o lo ng m aste r th at I w ould b e m aste r s till—

or a t le ast th at n one o th er s h ould b e m aste r o f m e. Y ou c o m e to m e n ot a lo ne

as a g en t o f m y frie n d P ete r H aw kin s, o f E xete r, to te ll m e a ll a b out m y n ew

esta te in L ondon. Y ou s h all, I tr u st, re st h ere w ith m e a w hile , s o th at b y o ur

ta lk in g I m ay l e arn t h e E nglis h i n to natio n; a n d I w ould t h at y ou t e ll m e w hen I

mak e e rro r, e v en o f th e s m alle st, in m y s p eak in g. I a m s o rry th at I h ad to b e

aw ay so lo ng to -d ay ; b ut y ou w ill, I k now , fo rg iv e o ne w ho h as so m an y

im porta n t a ff a ir s i n h an d.”

Of c o urs e I s a id a ll I c o uld a b out b ein g w illin g, a n d a sk ed if I m ig ht c o m e

in to t h at r o om w hen I c h ose . H e a n sw ere d : “ Y es, c erta in ly ,” a n d a d ded :—

“Y ou m ay g o a n yw here y ou w is h in th e c astle , e x cep t w here th e d oors a re

lo ck ed , w here o f c o urs e y ou w ill n ot w is h t o g o. T here i s r e aso n t h at a ll t h in gs

are a s th ey a re , a n d d id y ou s e e w ith m y e y es a n d k now w ith m y k now le d ge,

you w ould p erh ap s b ette r u nders ta n d.” I s a id I w as s u re o f th is , a n d th en h e wen t o n:—

“W e a re in T ra n sy lv an ia ; a n d T ra n sy lv an ia is n ot E ngla n d. O ur w ay s a re

not y our w ay s, a n d th ere s h all b e to y ou m an y s tr a n ge th in gs. N ay, f ro m w hat

you h av e to ld m e o f y our e x perie n ces a lr e ad y, y ou k now s o m eth in g o f w hat

str a n ge t h in gs t h ere m ay b e.”

This l e d t o m uch c o nvers a tio n; a n d a s i t w as e v id en t t h at h e w an te d t o t a lk ,

if o nly fo r ta lk in g’s s a k e, I a sk ed h im m an y q uestio ns re g ard in g th in gs th at

had a lr e ad y h ap pen ed to m e o r c o m e w ith in m y n otic e. S om etim es h e s h eere d

off t h e s u bje ct, o r t u rn ed t h e c o nvers a tio n b y p re te n din g n ot t o u nders ta n d; b ut

gen era lly h e a n sw ere d a ll I a sk ed m ost fra n kly . T hen a s tim e w en t o n, a n d I

had g ot so m ew hat b old er, I a sk ed h im o f so m e o f th e str a n ge th in gs o f th e

pre ced in g n ig ht, a s, f o r in sta n ce, w hy th e c o ach m an w en t to th e p la ces w here

he h ad s e en th e b lu e fla m es. H e th en e x pla in ed to m e th at it w as c o m monly

belie v ed th at o n a c erta in n ig ht o f th e y ear— la st n ig ht, in fa ct, w hen a ll e v il

sp ir its a re s u ppose d to h av e u nch eck ed s w ay — a b lu e fla m e is s e en o ver a n y

pla ce w here tr e asu re h as b een c o nceale d . “ T hat tr e asu re h as b een h id den ,” h e

wen t o n, “ in th e re g io n th ro ugh w hic h y ou c am e la st n ig ht, th ere c an b e b ut

little d oubt; f o r it w as th e g ro und f o ught o ver f o r c en tu rie s b y th e W alla ch ia n ,

th e S ax on, a n d th e T urk . W hy, th ere is h ard ly a fo ot o f s o il in a ll th is re g io n

th at h as n ot b een e n ric h ed b y th e b lo od o f m en , p atr io ts o r in vad ers . In o ld

day s th ere w ere s tir rin g tim es, w hen th e A ustr ia n a n d th e H ungaria n c am e u p

in h ord es, a n d th e p atr io ts w en t o ut to m eet th em — men a n d w om en , th e a g ed

an d th e c h ild re n to o— an d w aite d th eir c o m in g o n th e r o ck s a b ove th e p asse s,

th at th ey m ig ht sw eep d estr u ctio n o n th em w ith th eir artif ic ia l av ala n ch es.

When th e in vad er w as tr iu m phan t h e fo und b ut little , fo r w hate v er th ere w as

had b een s h elte re d i n t h e f rie n dly s o il.”

“B ut h ow ,” s a id I , “ can it h av e r e m ain ed s o lo ng u ndis c o vere d , w hen th ere

is a su re in dex to it if m en w ill b ut ta k e th e tr o uble to lo ok?” T he C ount

sm ile d , a n d a s h is lip s ra n b ack o ver h is g um s, th e lo ng, s h arp , c an in e te eth

sh ow ed o ut s tr a n gely ; h e a n sw ere d :—

“B ecau se y our p easa n t is a t h eart a c o w ard a n d a f o ol! T hose f la m es o nly

ap pear o n o ne n ig ht; a n d o n th at n ig ht n o m an o f th is la n d w ill, if h e c an h elp

it, s tir w ith out h is d oors . A nd, d ear s ir , e v en i f h e d id h e w ould n ot k now w hat

to d o. W hy, e v en th e p easa n t th at y ou te ll m e o f w ho m ark ed th e p la ce o f th e

fla m e w ould n ot k now w here to lo ok in d ay lig ht e v en f o r h is o w n w ork . E ven

you w ould n ot, I d are b e s w orn , b e a b le t o f in d t h ese p la ces a g ain ?”

“T here y ou a re r ig ht,” I s a id . “ I k now n o m ore t h an t h e d ead w here e v en t o

lo ok f o r t h em .” T hen w e d rif te d i n to o th er m atte rs .

“C om e,” h e s a id a t la st, “ te ll m e o f L ondon a n d o f th e h ouse w hic h y ou

hav e p ro cu re d fo r m e.” W ith a n a p olo gy fo r m y re m is sn ess, I w en t in to m y ow n r o om t o g et t h e p ap ers f ro m m y b ag . W hils t I w as p la cin g t h em i n o rd er I

heard a r a ttlin g o f c h in a a n d s ilv er in th e n ex t r o om , a n d a s I p asse d th ro ugh,

notic ed th at th e ta b le h ad b een c le are d a n d th e la m p lit, f o r it w as b y th is tim e

deep in to th e d ark . T he la m ps w ere a ls o lit in th e s tu dy o r lib ra ry , a n d I f o und

th e C ount ly in g o n th e so fa , re ad in g, o f a ll th in gs in th e w orld , a n E nglis h

Bra d sh aw ’s G uid e. W hen I c am e in h e c le are d th e b ooks a n d p ap ers f ro m th e

ta b le ; a n d w ith h im I w en t i n to p la n s a n d d eed s a n d f ig ure s o f a ll s o rts . H e w as

in te re ste d in e v ery th in g, a n d a sk ed m e a m yria d q uestio ns a b ou t th e p la ce a n d

its su rro undin gs. H e c le arly h ad stu die d b efo re h an d a ll h e c o uld g et o n th e

su bje ct o f th e n eig hbourh ood, fo r h e e v id en tly a t th e e n d k new v ery m uch

more t h an I d id . W hen I r e m ark ed t h is , h e a n sw ere d :—

“W ell, b ut, m y frie n d, is it n ot n eed fu l th at I s h ould ? W hen I g o th ere I

sh all b e a ll a lo ne, a n d m y f rie n d H ark er J o nath an — nay, p ard on m e, I f a ll in to

my co untr y ’s hab it of puttin g your patr o nym ic fir s t— my frie n d Jo nath an

Hark er w ill n ot b e b y m y s id e to c o rre ct a n d a id m e. H e w ill b e in E xete r,

mile s a w ay, p ro bab ly w ork in g a t p ap ers o f th e l a w w ith m y o th er f rie n d, P ete r

Haw kin s. S o!”

We w en t th oro ughly in to th e b usin ess o f th e p urc h ase o f th e esta te at

Purfle et. W hen I h ad to ld h im th e f a cts a n d g ot h is s ig natu re to th e n ecessa ry

pap ers , a n d h ad w ritte n a le tte r w ith th em re ad y to p ost to M r. H aw kin s, h e

beg an to a sk m e h ow I h ad c o m e a cro ss s o s u ita b le a p la ce. I r e ad to h im th e

note s w hic h I h ad m ad e a t t h e t im e, a n d w hic h I i n sc rib e h ere :—

“A t P urfle et, o n a b y-ro ad , I c am e a cro ss ju st s u ch a p la ce a s s e em ed to b e

re q uir e d , a n d w here w as d is p la y ed a d ila p id ate d n otic e th at th e p la ce w as f o r

sa le . I t i s s u rro unded b y a h ig h w all, o f a n cie n t s tr u ctu re , b uilt o f h eav y s to nes,

an d h as n ot b een r e p air e d f o r a la rg e n um ber o f y ears . T he c lo se d g ate s a re o f

heav y o ld o ak a n d i r o n, a ll e ate n w ith r u st.

“T he e sta te is c alle d C arfa x , n o d oubt a c o rru ptio n o f th e o ld Q uatr e F ace,

as th e h ouse is f o ur- s id ed , a g re ein g w ith th e c ard in al p oin ts o f th e c o m pass. I t

co nta in s in a ll so m e tw en ty a cre s, q uite su rro unded b y th e so lid sto ne w all

ab ove m en tio ned . T here a re m an y tr e es o n it, w hic h m ak e i t in p la ces g lo om y,

an d th ere is a d eep , d ark -lo okin g p ond o r s m all la k e, e v id en tly fe d b y s o m e

sp rin gs, a s th e w ate r is c le ar a n d f lo w s a w ay in a f a ir - s iz ed s tr e am . T he h ouse

is v ery la rg e a n d o f a ll p erio ds b ack , I s h ould s a y, to m ed iæ val tim es, f o r o ne

part i s o f s to ne i m men se ly t h ic k , w ith o nly a f e w w in dow s h ig h u p a n d h eav ily

barre d w ith ir o n. I t lo oks lik e p art o f a k eep , a n d is c lo se to a n o ld c h ap el o r

ch urc h . I c o uld n ot e n te r it, a s I h ad n ot th e k ey o f th e d oor le ad in g to it f ro m

th e h ouse , b ut I h av e t a k en w ith m y k odak v ie w s o f i t f ro m v ario us p oin ts . T he

house h as b een a d ded to , b ut in a v ery s tr a g glin g w ay, a n d I c an o nly g uess a t

th e a m ount o f g ro und it c o vers , w hic h m ust b e v ery g re at. T here a re b ut f e w

house s c lo se a t h an d, o ne b ein g a v ery la rg e h ouse o nly r e cen tly a d ded to a n d fo rm ed in to a p riv ate lu natic asy lu m . It is n ot, h ow ev er, v is ib le fro m th e

gro unds.”

When I h ad f in is h ed , h e s a id :—

“I a m g la d t h at i t i s o ld a n d b ig . I m yse lf a m o f a n o ld f a m ily , a n d t o l iv e i n

a n ew h ouse w ould k ill m e. A h ouse c an not b e m ad e h ab ita b le in a d ay ; a n d,

afte r a ll, h ow f e w d ay s g o to m ak e u p a c en tu ry . I r e jo ic e a ls o th at th ere is a

ch ap el o f o ld tim es. W e T ra n sy lv an ia n n oble s lo ve n ot to th in k th at o ur b ones

may lie a m ongst th e c o m mon d ead . I s e ek n ot g aie ty n or m ir th , n ot th e b rig ht

volu ptu ousn ess of m uch su nsh in e an d sp ark lin g w ate rs w hic h ple ase th e

young a n d g ay. I a m n o lo nger y oung; a n d m y h eart, th ro ugh w eary y ears o f

mourn in g o ver th e d ead , is n ot a ttu ned to m ir th . M ore o ver, th e w alls o f m y

castle a re b ro ken ; th e s h ad ow s a re m an y, a n d th e w in d b re ath es c o ld th ro ugh

th e b ro ken b attle m en ts a n d c ase m en ts . I lo ve th e s h ad e a n d th e s h ad ow , a n d

would b e a lo ne w ith m y th oughts w hen I m ay.” S om eh ow h is w ord s a n d h is

lo ok d id n ot s e em to a cco rd , o r e ls e it w as th at h is c ast o f f a ce m ad e h is s m ile

lo ok m alig nan t a n d s a tu rn in e.

Pre se n tly , w ith an ex cu se , h e le ft m e, ask in g m e to p ut all m y p ap ers

to geth er. H e w as s o m e little tim e a w ay, a n d I b eg an to lo ok a t s o m e o f th e

books aro und m e. O ne w as an atla s, w hic h I fo und open ed natu ra lly at

Engla n d, a s i f t h at m ap h ad b een m uch u se d . O n l o okin g a t i t I f o und i n c erta in

pla ces little r in gs m ark ed , a n d o n e x am in in g th ese I n otic ed th at o ne w as n ear

London o n th e e ast sid e, m an if e stly w here h is n ew e sta te w as situ ate d ; th e

oth er t w o w ere E xete r, a n d W hitb y o n t h e Y ork sh ir e c o ast.

It w as th e b ette r p art o f a n h our w hen th e C ount r e tu rn ed . “ A ha!” h e s a id ;

“still at y our b ooks? G ood! B ut y ou m ust n ot w ork alw ay s. C om e; I am

in fo rm ed th at y our s u pper is re ad y.” H e to ok m y a rm , a n d w e w en t in to th e

nex t ro om , w here I fo und a n e x celle n t s u pper re ad y o n th e ta b le . T he C ount

ag ain e x cu se d h im se lf , a s h e h ad d in ed o ut o n h is b ein g a w ay f ro m h om e. B ut

he s a t a s o n t h e p re v io us n ig ht, a n d c h atte d w hils t I a te . A fte r s u pper I s m oked ,

as o n th e la st e v en in g, a n d th e C ount sta y ed w ith m e, c h attin g a n d a sk in g

questio ns o n ev ery co nceiv ab le su bje ct, h our afte r h our. I fe lt th at it w as

gettin g v ery la te in deed , b ut I d id n ot s a y a n yth in g, f o r I f e lt u nder o blig atio n

to m eet m y h ost’s w is h es in e v ery w ay. I w as n ot sle ep y, a s th e lo ng sle ep

yeste rd ay h ad f o rtif ie d m e; b ut I c o uld n ot h elp e x perie n cin g th at c h ill w hic h

co m es o ver o ne a t t h e c o m in g o f t h e d aw n, w hic h i s l ik e, i n i ts w ay, t h e t u rn o f

th e t id e. T hey s a y t h at p eo ple w ho a re n ear d eath d ie g en era lly a t t h e c h an ge t o

th e d aw n o r a t th e tu rn o f th e tid e; a n y o ne w ho h as w hen tir e d , a n d tie d a s it

were t o h is p ost, e x perie n ced t h is c h an ge i n t h e a tm osp here c an w ell b elie v e i t.

All at once w e heard th e cro w of a co ck co m in g up w ith pre te rn atu ra l

sh rilln ess th ro ugh th e c le ar m orn in g a ir ; C ount D ra cu la , ju m pin g to h is fe et,

sa id :— “W hy, th ere is th e m orn in g a g ain ! H ow r e m is s I a m to le t y ou s ta y u p s o

lo ng. Y ou m ust m ak e y our c o nvers a tio n re g ard in g m y d ear n ew c o untr y o f

Engla n d le ss in te re stin g, s o th at I m ay n ot fo rg et h ow tim e flie s b y u s,” a n d,

with a c o urtly b ow , h e q uic k ly l e ft m e.

I w en t in to m y o w n ro om a n d d re w th e c u rta in s, b ut th ere w as little to

notic e; m y w in dow o pen ed in to th e c o urty ard , a ll I c o uld s e e w as th e w arm

gre y o f q uic k en in g s k y. S o I p ulle d t h e c u rta in s a g ain , a n d h av e w ritte n o f t h is

day.

8 M ay.— I b eg an to fe ar a s I w ro te in th is b ook th at I w as g ettin g to o

dif f u se ; b ut n ow I a m g la d th at I w en t in to d eta il fro m th e fir s t, fo r th ere is

so m eth in g s o s tr a n ge a b out t h is p la ce a n d a ll i n i t t h at I c an not b ut f e el u neasy .

I w is h I w ere sa fe o ut o f it, o r th at I h ad n ev er c o m e. It m ay b e th at th is

str a n ge n ig ht- e x is te n ce is te llin g o n m e; b ut w ould th at th at w ere a ll! I f th ere

were a n y o ne to ta lk to I c o uld b ear it, b ut th ere is n o o ne. I h av e o nly th e

Count to s p eak w ith , a n d h e!— I f e ar I a m m yse lf th e o nly liv in g s o ul w ith in

th e p la ce. L et m e b e p ro sa ic s o f a r a s f a cts c an b e; it w ill h elp m e to b ear u p,

an d im ag in atio n m ust n ot r u n r io t w ith m e. I f it d oes I a m lo st. L et m e s a y a t

once h ow I s ta n d— or s e em t o .

I o nly s le p t a fe w h ours w hen I w en t to b ed , a n d fe elin g th at I c o uld n ot

sle ep a n y m ore , g ot u p. I h ad h ung m y s h av in g g la ss b y th e w in dow , a n d w as

ju st b eg in nin g to s h av e. S udden ly I f e lt a h an d o n m y s h ould er, a n d h eard th e

Count’s v oic e s a y in g t o m e, “ G ood-m orn in g.” I s ta rte d , f o r i t a m azed m e t h at I

had n ot se en h im , sin ce th e re fle ctio n o f th e g la ss c o vere d th e w hole ro om

beh in d m e. In sta rtin g I h ad c u t m yse lf slig htly , b ut d id n ot n otic e it a t th e

mom en t. H av in g a n sw ere d t h e C ount’s s a lu ta tio n, I t u rn ed t o t h e g la ss a g ain t o

se e h ow I h ad b een m is ta k en . T his tim e th ere c o uld b e n o e rro r, fo r th e m an

was c lo se to m e, a n d I c o uld se e h im o ver m y sh ould er. B ut th ere w as n o

re fle ctio n o f h im i n t h e m ir ro r! T he w hole r o om b eh in d m e w as d is p la y ed ; b ut

th ere w as n o sig n o f a m an in it, ex cep t m yse lf . T his w as sta rtlin g, an d,

co m in g o n th e to p o f s o m an y s tr a n ge th in gs, w as b eg in nin g to in cre ase th at

vag ue f e elin g o f u neasin ess w hic h I a lw ay s h av e w hen th e C ount is n ear; b ut

at th e in sta n t I s a w th at th e c u t h ad b le d a little , a n d th e b lo od w as tr ic k lin g

over m y c h in . I la id d ow n th e r a zo r, tu rn in g a s I d id s o h alf r o und to lo ok f o r

so m e s tic k in g p la ste r. W hen th e C ount s a w m y fa ce, h is e y es b la zed w ith a

so rt o f d em onia c f u ry , a n d h e s u dden ly m ad e a g ra b a t m y t h ro at. I d re w a w ay,

an d h is h an d to uch ed th e s tr in g o f b ead s w hic h h eld th e c ru cif ix . It m ad e a n

in sta n t ch an ge in h im , fo r th e fu ry p asse d so q uic k ly th at I co uld h ard ly

belie v e t h at i t w as e v er t h ere .

“T ak e c are ,” h e s a id , “ ta k e c are h ow y ou c u t y ours e lf . I t i s m ore d an gero us

th an y ou th in k in th is c o untr y .” T hen s e iz in g th e s h av in g g la ss, h e w en t o n:

“A nd th is is th e w re tc h ed th in g th at h as d one th e m is c h ie f. I t is a f o ul b au ble of m an ’s v an ity . A w ay w ith it! ” an d o pen in g th e h eav y w in dow w ith o ne

wre n ch o f h is te rrib le h an d, h e f lu ng o ut th e g la ss, w hic h w as s h atte re d in to a

th ousa n d p ie ces o n th e s to nes o f th e c o urty ard fa r b elo w . T hen h e w ith dre w

with out a w ord . I t i s v ery a n noyin g, f o r I d o n ot s e e h ow I a m t o s h av e, u nle ss

in m y w atc h -c ase o r th e b otto m o f th e sh av in g-p ot, w hic h is fo rtu nate ly o f

meta l.

When I w en t in to th e d in in g-ro om , b re ak fa st w as p re p are d ; b ut I c o uld n ot

fin d t h e C ount a n yw here . S o I b re ak fa ste d a lo ne. I t i s s tr a n ge t h at a s y et I h av e

not se en th e C ount eat o r d rin k. H e m ust b e a v ery p ecu lia r m an ! A fte r

bre ak fa st I d id a little e x plo rin g in th e c astle . I w en t o ut o n th e sta ir s , a n d

fo und a r o om l o okin g t o w ard s t h e S outh . T he v ie w w as m ag nif ic en t, a n d f ro m

where I s to od th ere w as e v ery o pportu nity o f s e ein g it. T he c astle is o n th e

very e d ge o f a t e rrib le p re cip ic e. A s to ne f a llin g f ro m t h e w in dow w ould f a ll a

th ousa n d f e et w ith out to uch in g a n yth in g! A s f a r a s th e e y e c an r e ach is a s e a

of g re en tr e e to ps, w ith o ccasio nally a d eep r if t w here th ere is a c h asm . H ere

an d th ere a re s ilv er th re ad s w here th e r iv ers w in d in d eep g org es th ro ugh th e

fo re sts .

But I a m n ot in h eart to d esc rib e b eau ty , fo r w hen I h ad s e en th e v ie w I

ex plo re d f u rth er; d oors , d oors , d oors e v ery w here , a n d a ll l o ck ed a n d b olte d . I n

no p la ce s a v e f ro m t h e w in dow s i n t h e c astle w alls i s t h ere a n a v aila b le e x it.

The c astle i s a v erita b le p ris o n, a n d I a m a p ris o ner!

CH APT ER I II

JO NAT H AN H ARK ER ’S J O URNAL— co n tin ued

When I f o und th at I w as a p ris o ner a s o rt o f w ild f e elin g c am e o ver m e. I

ru sh ed u p a n d d ow n th e sta ir s , tr y in g e v ery d oor a n d p eerin g o ut o f e v ery

win dow I co uld fin d; but afte r a little th e co nvic tio n of m y help le ssn ess

overp ow ere d a ll o th er fe elin gs. W hen I lo ok b ack a fte r a fe w h ours I th in k I

must h av e b een m ad f o r th e tim e, f o r I b eh av ed m uch a s a r a t d oes in a tr a p .

When , h ow ev er, th e c o nvic tio n h ad c o m e to m e th at I w as h elp le ss I s a t d ow n

quie tly — as q uie tly a s I h av e e v er d one a n yth in g in m y lif e — an d b eg an to

th in k o ver w hat w as b est to b e d one. I a m th in kin g s till, a n d a s y et h av e c o m e

to n o d efin ite c o nclu sio n. O f o ne th in g o nly a m I c erta in ; th at it is n o u se

mak in g m y id eas k now n to th e C ount. H e k now s w ell th at I a m im pris o ned ;

an d a s h e h as d one it h im se lf , a n d h as d oubtle ss h is o w n m otiv es fo r it, h e

would o nly d eceiv e m e i f I t r u ste d h im f u lly w ith t h e f a cts . S o f a r a s I c an s e e,

my o nly p la n w ill b e to k eep m y k now le d ge a n d m y f e ars to m yse lf , a n d m y ey es o pen . I a m , I k now , e ith er b ein g d eceiv ed , lik e a b ab y, b y m y o w n f e ars ,

or e ls e I a m in d esp era te s tr a its ; a n d if th e la tte r b e s o , I n eed , a n d s h all n eed ,

all m y b ra in s t o g et t h ro ugh.

I h ad h ard ly c o m e to th is c o nclu sio n w hen I h eard th e g re at d oor b elo w

sh ut, a n d k new th at th e C ount h ad r e tu rn ed . H e d id n ot c o m e a t o nce in to th e

lib ra ry , s o I w en t c au tio usly to m y o w n r o om a n d f o und h im m ak in g th e b ed .

This w as o dd, b ut o nly c o nfir m ed w hat I h ad a ll a lo ng th ought— th at th ere

were n o s e rv an ts in th e h ouse . W hen la te r I s a w h im th ro ugh th e c h in k o f th e

hin ges o f th e d oor la y in g th e ta b le in th e d in in g-ro om , I w as a ssu re d o f it; f o r

if h e d oes h im se lf a ll t h ese m en ia l o ff ic es, s u re ly i t i s p ro of t h at t h ere i s n o o ne

els e to d o th em . T his g av e m e a f rig ht, f o r if th ere is n o o ne e ls e in th e c astle ,

it m ust h av e b een th e C ount h im se lf w ho w as th e d riv er o f th e c o ach th at

bro ught m e h ere . T his i s a t e rrib le t h ought; f o r i f s o , w hat d oes i t m ean t h at h e

co uld c o ntr o l th e w olv es, a s h e d id , b y o nly h old in g u p h is h an d in s ile n ce.

How w as it th at a ll th e p eo ple a t B is tr itz a n d o n th e c o ach h ad s o m e te rrib le

fe ar fo r m e? W hat m ean t th e g iv in g o f th e c ru cif ix , o f th e g arlic , o f th e w ild

ro se , of th e m ounta in ash ? B le ss th at good, good w om an w ho hung th e

cru cif ix ro und m y n eck ! fo r it is a c o m fo rt a n d a s tr e n gth to m e w hen ev er I

to uch it. It is odd th at a th in g w hic h I hav e been ta u ght to re g ard w ith

dis fa v our a n d a s id ola tr o us s h ould in a tim e o f lo nelin ess a n d tr o uble b e o f

help . I s i t t h at t h ere i s s o m eth in g i n t h e e sse n ce o f t h e t h in g i ts e lf , o r t h at i t i s a

med iu m , a ta n gib le h elp , in c o nvey in g m em orie s o f s y m path y a n d c o m fo rt?

Som e tim e, if it m ay b e, I m ust e x am in e th is m atte r a n d tr y to m ak e u p m y

min d a b out it. I n th e m ean tim e I m ust f in d o ut a ll I c an a b out C ount D ra cu la ,

as it m ay h elp m e to u nders ta n d. T o-n ig ht h e m ay ta lk o f h im se lf , if I tu rn th e

co nvers a tio n th at w ay. I m ust b e v ery care fu l, h ow ev er, n ot to aw ak e h is

su sp ic io n.

Mid nig ht.— I h av e h ad a lo ng ta lk w ith th e C ount. I ask ed h im a fe w

questio ns on Tra n sy lv an ia his to ry , an d he w arm ed up to th e su bje ct

wonderfu lly . I n h is s p eak in g o f t h in gs a n d p eo ple , a n d e sp ecia ll y o f b attle s, h e

sp oke a s if h e h ad b een p re se n t a t th em a ll. T his h e a fte rw ard s e x pla in ed b y

sa y in g th at to a b oyar th e p rid e o f h is h ouse a n d n am e is h is o w n p rid e, th at

th eir g lo ry is h is g lo ry , th at th eir fa te is h is fa te . W hen ev er h e s p oke o f h is

house he alw ay s sa id “w e,” an d sp oke alm ost in th e plu ra l, lik e a kin g

sp eak in g. I w is h I c o uld p ut d ow n a ll h e s a id e x actly a s h e s a id it, f o r to m e it

was m ost fa sc in atin g. It s e em ed to h av e in it a w hole h is to ry o f th e c o untr y .

He g re w e x cite d a s h e sp oke, a n d w alk ed a b out th e ro om p ullin g h is g re at

white m ousta ch e a n d g ra sp in g a n yth in g o n w hic h h e la id h is h an ds a s th ough

he w ould c ru sh it b y m ain s tr e n gth . O ne th in g h e s a id w hic h I s h all p ut d ow n

as n early a s I c an ; f o r i t t e lls i n i ts w ay t h e s to ry o f h is r a ce:—

“W e S zek ely s h av e a r ig ht to b e p ro ud, f o r in o ur v ein s f lo w s th e b lo od o f man y b ra v e ra ces w ho fo ught a s th e lio n fig hts , fo r lo rd sh ip . H ere , in th e

whir lp ool o f E uro pean ra ces, th e U gric tr ib e b ore d ow n fro m Ic ela n d th e

fig htin g sp ir it w hic h T hor an d W odin gav e th em , w hic h th eir B ers e rk ers

dis p la y ed to s u ch fe ll in te n t o n th e s e ab oard s o f E uro pe, a y, a n d o f A sia a n d

Afric a t o o, t ill t h e p eo ple s t h ought t h at t h e w ere -w olv es t h em se lv es h ad c o m e.

Here , to o, w hen th ey c am e, th ey fo und th e H uns, w hose w arlik e fu ry h ad

sw ep t th e e arth lik e a liv in g fla m e, till th e d yin g p eo ple s h eld th at in th eir

vein s ra n th e b lo od o f th ose o ld w itc h es, w ho, ex pelle d fro m S cy th ia h ad

mate d w ith t h e d ev ils i n t h e d ese rt. F ools , f o ols ! W hat d ev il o r w hat w itc h w as

ev er s o g re at a s A ttila , w hose b lo od is in th ese v ein s? ” H e h eld u p h is a rm s.

“Is i t a w onder t h at w e w ere a c o nquerin g r a ce; t h at w e w ere p ro ud; t h at w hen

th e M ag yar, th e L om bard , th e A var, th e B ulg ar, or th e T urk poure d his

th ousa n ds o n o ur f ro ntie rs , w e d ro ve t h em b ack ? I s i t s tr a n ge t h at w hen A rp ad

an d h is l e g io ns s w ep t t h ro ugh t h e H ungaria n f a th erla n d h e f o und u s h ere w hen

he r e ach ed th e f ro ntie r; th at th e H onfo gla la s w as c o m ple te d th ere ? A nd w hen

th e H ungaria n f lo od s w ep t e astw ard , th e S zek ely s w ere c la im ed a s k in dre d b y

th e v ic to rio us M ag yars , a n d t o u s f o r c en tu rie s w as tr u ste d t h e g uard in g o f t h e

fro ntie r o f T urk ey -la n d; a y, a n d m ore th an th at, e n dle ss d uty o f th e fro ntie r

guard , f o r, a s th e T urk s s a y, ‘ w ate r s le ep s, a n d e n em y is s le ep le ss.’ W ho m ore

gla d ly th an w e th ro ughout th e F our N atio ns r e ceiv ed th e ‘ b lo ody s w ord ,’ o r a t

its w arlik e call flo ck ed quic k er to th e sta n dard of th e K in g? W hen w as

re d eem ed t h at g re at s h am e o f m y n atio n, t h e s h am e o f C asso va, w hen t h e f la g s

of th e W alla ch a n d th e M ag yar w en t d ow n b en eath th e C re sc en t? W ho w as it

but o ne o f m y o w n r a ce w ho a s V oiv ode c ro sse d t h e D an ube a n d b eat t h e T urk

on h is o w n g ro und? T his w as a D ra cu la in deed ! W oe w as it th at h is o w n

unw orth y b ro th er, w hen h e h ad f a lle n , s o ld h is p eo ple to t h e T urk a n d b ro ught

th e s h am e o f s la v ery o n th em ! W as it n ot th is D ra cu la , in deed , w ho in sp ir e d

th at o th er o f h is r a ce w ho i n a l a te r a g e a g ain a n d a g ain b ro ught h is f o rc es o ver

th e g re at r iv er in to T urk ey -la n d; w ho, w hen h e w as b eate n b ack , c am e a g ain ,

an d ag ain , an d ag ain , th ough h e h ad to co m e alo ne fro m th e b lo ody fie ld

where h is tr o ops w ere b ein g s la u ghte re d , s in ce h e k new th at h e a lo ne c o uld

ultim ate ly t r iu m ph! T hey s a id t h at h e t h ought o nly o f h im se lf . B ah ! w hat g ood

are p easa n ts w ith out a l e ad er? W here e n ds t h e w ar w ith out a b ra in a n d h eart t o

co nduct it? A gain , w hen , afte r th e battle of M ohács, w e th re w off th e

Hungaria n y oke, w e o f th e D ra cu la b lo od w ere a m ongst th eir le ad ers , f o r o ur

sp ir it w ould n ot b ro ok t h at w e w ere n ot f re e. A h, y oung s ir , t h e S zek ely s— an d

th e D ra cu la a s th eir h eart’s b lo od, th eir b ra in s, a n d th eir s w ord s— can b oast a

re co rd th at m ush ro om g ro w th s lik e th e H ap sb urg s an d th e R om an off s can

nev er r e ach . T he w arlik e d ay s a re o ver. B lo od is to o p re cio us a th in g in th ese

day s o f d is h onoura b le p eace; a n d t h e g lo rie s o f t h e g re at r a ces a re a s a t a le t h at

is t o ld .”

It w as b y th is tim e c lo se o n m orn in g, a n d w e w en t to b ed . (M em ., th is dia ry se em s horrib ly lik e th e beg in nin g of th e “A ra b ia n N ig hts ,” fo r

ev ery th in g h as t o b re ak o ff a t c o ck cro w — or l ik e t h e g host o f H am le t’s f a th er.)

12 M ay.— Let m e b eg in w ith f a cts — bare , m eag re f a cts , v erif ie d b y b ooks

an d f ig ure s, a n d o f w hic h t h ere c an b e n o d oubt. I m ust n ot c o nfu se t h em w ith

ex perie n ces w hic h w ill h av e t o r e st o n m y o w n o bse rv atio n, o r m y m em ory o f

th em . L ast e v en in g w hen th e C ount c am e fro m h is ro om h e b eg an b y a sk in g

me q uestio ns o n le g al m atte rs a n d o n th e d oin g o f c erta in k in ds o f b usin ess. I

had s p en t th e d ay w earily o ver b ooks, a n d, s im ply to k eep m y m in d o ccu pie d ,

wen t o ver s o m e o f th e m atte rs I h ad b een e x am in ed in a t L in co ln ’s I n n. T here

was a c erta in m eth od in th e C ount’s in quir ie s, s o I s h all tr y to p ut th em d ow n

in s e q uen ce; t h e k now le d ge m ay s o m eh ow o r s o m e t im e b e u se fu l t o m e.

Fir s t, h e a sk ed if a m an in E ngla n d m ig ht h av e tw o s o lic ito rs o r m ore . I

to ld h im h e m ig ht h av e a d ozen if h e w is h ed , b ut th at it w ould n ot b e w is e to

hav e m ore t h an o ne s o lic ito r e n gag ed i n o ne t r a n sa ctio n, a s o nly o ne c o uld a ct

at a tim e, a n d th at to c h an ge w ould b e c erta in to m ilita te a g ain st h is in te re st.

He s e em ed t h oro ughly t o u nders ta n d, a n d w en t o n t o a sk i f t h ere w ould b e a n y

pra ctic al d if f ic u lty i n h av in g o ne m an t o a tte n d, s a y, t o b an kin g, a n d a n oth er t o

lo ok a fte r sh ip pin g, in c ase lo cal h elp w ere n eed ed in a p la ce fa r fro m th e

hom e o f th e b an kin g so lic ito r. I a sk ed h im to e x pla in m ore fu lly , so th at I

mig ht n ot b y a n y c h an ce m is le ad h im , s o h e s a id :—

“I s h all i llu str a te . Y our f rie n d a n d m in e, M r. P ete r H aw kin s, f ro m u nder t h e

sh ad ow o f y our b eau tif u l c ath ed ra l a t E xete r, w hic h is f a r f ro m L ondon, b uys

fo r m e th ro ugh y our g ood s e lf m y p la ce a t L ondon. G ood! N ow h ere le t m e

sa y f ra n kly , le st y ou s h ould th in k it s tr a n ge th at I h av e s o ught th e s e rv ic es o f

one s o f a r o ff f ro m L ondon i n ste ad o f s o m e o ne r e sid en t t h ere , t h at m y m otiv e

was th at n o lo cal in te re st m ig ht b e s e rv ed s a v e m y w is h o nly ; a n d a s o ne o f

London re sid en ce m ig ht, p erh ap s, h av e s o m e p urp ose o f h im se lf o r frie n d to

se rv e, I w en t t h us a fie ld t o s e ek m y a g en t, w hose l a b ours s h ould b e o nly t o m y

in te re st. N ow , s u ppose I , w ho h av e m uch o f a ff a ir s , w is h t o s h ip g oods, s a y, t o

New castle , o r D urh am , o r H arw ic h , o r D over, m ig ht i t n ot b e t h at i t c o uld w ith

more ease b e d one b y co nsig nin g to o ne in th ese p orts ? ” I an sw ere d th at

certa in ly it w ould b e m ost e asy , b ut th at w e s o lic ito rs h ad a s y ste m o f a g en cy

one f o r th e o th er, s o th at lo cal w ork c o uld b e d one lo cally o n in str u ctio n f ro m

an y so lic ito r, so th at th e c lie n t, sim ply p la cin g h im se lf in th e h an ds o f o ne

man , c o uld h av e h is w is h es c arrie d o ut b y h im w ith out f u rth er t r o uble .

“B ut,” s a id h e, “ I c o uld b e a t l ib erty t o d ir e ct m yse lf . I s i t n ot s o ?”

“O f c o urs e ,” I r e p lie d ; a n d “ su ch i s o fte n d one b y m en o f b usin ess, w ho d o

not l ik e t h e w hole o f t h eir a ff a ir s t o b e k now n b y a n y o ne p ers o n.”

“G ood!” h e sa id , an d th en w en t o n to ask ab out th e m ean s o f m ak in g

co nsig nm en ts a n d th e f o rm s to b e g one th ro ugh, a n d o f a ll s o rts o f d if f ic u ltie s whic h m ig ht a ris e , b ut b y f o re th ought c o uld b e g uard ed a g ain st. I e x pla in ed a ll

th ese t h in gs t o h im t o t h e b est o f m y a b ility , a n d h e c erta in ly l e ft m e u nder t h e

im pre ssio n th at h e w ould h av e m ad e a w onderfu l so lic ito r, fo r th ere w as

noth in g th at h e d id n ot th in k o f o r fo re se e. F or a m an w ho w as n ev er in th e

co untr y , an d w ho d id n ot ev id en tly d o m uch in th e w ay o f b usin ess, h is

know le d ge a n d a cu m en w ere w onderfu l. W hen h e h ad sa tis fie d h im se lf o n

th ese p oin ts o f w hic h h e h ad s p oken , a n d I h ad v erif ie d a ll a s w ell a s I c o uld

by t h e b ooks a v aila b le , h e s u dden ly s to od u p a n d s a id :—

“H av e y ou w ritte n s in ce y our f ir s t le tte r to o ur f rie n d M r. P ete r H aw kin s,

or t o a n y o th er? ” I t w as w ith s o m e b itte rn ess i n m y h eart t h at I a n sw ere d t h at I

had n ot, th at as y et I h ad n ot se en an y o pportu nity o f se n din g le tte rs to

an ybody.

“T hen w rite n ow , m y y oung frie n d,” h e s a id , la y in g a h eav y h an d o n m y

sh ould er: “ w rite to o ur f rie n d a n d to a n y o th er; a n d s a y, if it w ill p le ase y ou,

th at y ou s h all s ta y w ith m e u ntil a m onth f ro m n ow .”

“D o y ou w is h m e to s ta y s o lo ng?” I a sk ed , f o r m y h eart g re w c o ld a t th e

th ought.

“I d esir e it m uch ; n ay, I w ill ta k e n o r e fu sa l. W hen y our m aste r, e m plo yer,

what you w ill, en gag ed th at so m eo ne sh ould co m e on his beh alf , it w as

unders to od th at m y n eed s o nly w ere to b e c o nsu lte d . I h av e n ot s tin te d . Is it

not s o ?”

What c o uld I d o b ut b ow a ccep ta n ce? It w as M r. H aw kin s’s in te re st, n ot

min e, a n d I h ad to th in k o f h im , n ot m yse lf ; a n d b esid es, w hile C ount D ra cu la

was s p eak in g, th ere w as th at in h is e y es a n d in h is b earin g w hic h m ad e m e

re m em ber th at I w as a p ris o ner, a n d th at if I w is h ed it I c o uld h av e n o c h oic e.

The C ount s a w h is v ic to ry in m y b ow , a n d h is m aste ry in th e tr o uble o f m y

fa ce, f o r h e b eg an a t o nce to u se th em , b ut in h is o w n s m ooth , r e sis tle ss w ay :

—

“I p ra y y ou, m y g ood y oung frie n d, th at y ou w ill n ot d is c o urs e o f th in gs

oth er th an b usin ess in y our le tte rs . It w ill d oubtle ss p le ase y our frie n ds to

know th at y ou a re w ell, a n d th at y ou lo ok f o rw ard to g ettin g h om e to th em . I s

it n ot so ?” A s h e sp oke h e h an ded m e th re e sh eets o f n ote -p ap er a n d th re e

en velo pes. T hey w ere a ll o f th e th in nest fo re ig n p ost, a n d lo okin g a t th em ,

th en a t h im , a n d n otic in g h is q uie t s m ile , w ith th e s h arp , c an in e te eth ly in g

over t h e r e d u nderlip , I u nders to od a s w ell a s i f h e h ad s p oken t h at I s h ould b e

care fu l w hat I w ro te , f o r h e w ould b e a b le to r e ad it. S o I d ete rm in ed to w rite

only f o rm al n ote s n ow , b ut to w rite f u lly to M r. H aw kin s in s e cre t, a n d a ls o to

Min a, f o r to h er I c o uld w rite in s h orth an d, w hic h w ould p uzzle th e C ount, if

he d id s e e it. W hen I h ad w ritte n m y tw o le tte rs I s a t q uie t, re ad in g a b ook

whils t th e C ount w ro te se v era l n ote s, re fe rrin g as h e w ro te th em to so m e books o n h is ta b le . T hen h e to ok u p m y tw o a n d p la ced th em w ith h is o w n,

an d p ut b y h is w ritin g m ate ria ls , a fte r w hic h , th e in sta n t th e d oor h ad c lo se d

beh in d h im , I le an ed o ver a n d lo oked a t th e le tte rs , w hic h w ere f a ce d ow n o n

th e ta b le . I f e lt n o c o m punctio n in d oin g s o , f o r u nder th e c ir c u m sta n ces I f e lt

th at I s h ould p ro te ct m yse lf i n e v ery w ay I c o uld .

One of th e le tte rs w as dir e cte d to S am uel F. B illin gto n, N o. 7, T he

Cre sc en t, W hitb y, a n oth er to H err L eu tn er, V arn a; th e th ir d w as to C outts &

Co., L ondon, a n d th e f o urth to H erre n K lo psto ck & B illr e u th , b an kers , B uda-

Pesth . T he s e co nd a n d f o urth w ere u nse ale d . I w as ju st a b out to lo ok a t th em

when I sa w th e d oor- h an dle m ove. I sa n k b ack in m y se at, h av in g ju st h ad

tim e to r e p la ce th e le tte rs a s th ey h ad b een a n d to r e su m e m y b ook b efo re th e

Count, h old in g s till a n oth er le tte r in h is h an d, e n te re d th e ro om . H e to ok u p

th e le tte rs o n th e ta b le a n d s ta m ped th em c are fu lly , a n d th en tu rn in g to m e,

sa id :—

“I tr u st y ou w ill fo rg iv e m e, b ut I h av e m uch w ork to d o in p riv ate th is

ev en in g. Y ou w ill, I h ope, f in d a ll th in gs a s y ou w is h .” A t th e d oor h e tu rn ed ,

an d a fte r a m om en t’s p au se s a id :—

“L et m e a d vis e y ou, m y d ear y oung f rie n d— nay, le t m e w arn y ou w ith a ll

se rio usn ess, th at s h ould y ou le av e th ese r o om s y ou w ill n ot b y a n y c h an ce g o

to s le ep in a n y o th er p art o f th e c astle . I t is o ld , a n d h as m an y m em orie s, a n d

th ere a re b ad d re am s f o r th ose w ho s le ep u nw is e ly . B e w arn ed ! S hould s le ep

now o r e v er o verc o m e y ou, o r b e lik e to d o, th en h aste to y our o w n c h am ber

or to th ese r o om s, f o r y our r e st w ill th en b e s a fe . B ut if y ou b e n ot c are fu l in

th is re sp ect, th en ”— He fin is h ed his sp eech in a gru eso m e w ay, fo r he

motio ned w ith h is h an ds a s if h e w ere w ash in g th em . I q uite u nders to od; m y

only d oubt w as as to w heth er an y d re am co uld b e m ore te rrib le th an th e

unnatu ra l, h orrib le n et o f g lo om a n d m yste ry w hic h se em ed c lo sin g a ro und

me.

Late r.— I e n dors e th e la st w ord s w ritte n , b ut th is tim e th ere is n o d oubt in

questio n. I s h all n ot f e ar to s le ep in a n y p la ce w here h e is n ot. I h av e p la ced

th e c ru cif ix o ver t h e h ead o f m y b ed — I i m ag in e t h at m y r e st i s t h us f re er f ro m

dre am s; a n d t h ere i t s h all r e m ain .

When h e le ft m e I w en t to m y ro om . A fte r a little w hile , n ot h earin g a n y

so und, I cam e o ut an d w en t u p th e sto ne sta ir to w here I co uld lo ok o ut

to w ard s th e S outh . T here w as so m e se n se o f fre ed om in th e v ast e x pan se ,

in accessib le t h ough i t w as t o m e, a s c o m pare d w ith t h e n arro w d ark ness o f t h e

co urty ard . L ookin g o ut o n t h is , I f e lt t h at I w as i n deed i n p ris o n, a n d I s e em ed

to w an t a b re ath o f f re sh a ir , t h ough i t w ere o f t h e n ig ht. I a m b eg in nin g t o f e el

th is n octu rn al e x is te n ce t e ll o n m e. I t i s d estr o yin g m y n erv e. I s ta rt a t m y o w n

sh ad ow , a n d a m f u ll o f a ll s o rts o f h orrib le im ag in in gs. G od k now s th at th ere is g ro und fo r m y te rrib le fe ar in th is a ccu rs e d p la ce! I lo oked o ut o ver th e

beau tif u l e x pan se , b ath ed i n s o ft y ello w m oonlig ht t ill i t w as a lm ost a s l ig ht a s

day. In th e s o ft lig ht th e d is ta n t h ills b ecam e m elte d , a n d th e s h ad ow s in th e

valle y s a n d g org es o f v elv ety b la ck ness. T he m ere b eau ty s e em ed t o c h eer m e;

th ere w as p eace a n d c o m fo rt in e v ery b re ath I d re w . A s I le an ed fro m th e

win dow m y e y e w as c au ght b y so m eth in g m ovin g a sto re y b elo w m e, a n d

so m ew hat to m y le ft, w here I im ag in ed , f ro m th e o rd er o f th e r o om s, th at th e

win dow s o f th e C ount’s o w n ro om w ould lo ok o ut. T he w in dow a t w hic h I

sto od w as ta ll a n d d eep , s to ne-m ullio ned , a n d th ough w eath erw orn , w as s till

co m ple te ; b ut it w as e v id en tly m an y a d ay sin ce th e c ase h ad b een th ere . I

dre w b ack b eh in d t h e s to new ork , a n d l o oked c are fu lly o ut.

What I s a w w as th e C ount’s h ead c o m in g o ut f ro m th e w in dow . I d id n ot

se e th e fa ce, b ut I k new th e m an b y th e n eck a n d th e m ovem en t o f h is b ack

an d a rm s. I n a n y c ase I c o uld n ot m is ta k e th e h an ds w hic h I h ad h ad s o m an y

opportu nitie s o f s tu dyin g. I w as a t f ir s t i n te re ste d a n d s o m ew hat a m use d , f o r i t

is w onderfu l h ow s m all a m atte r w ill in te re st a n d a m use a m an w hen h e is a

pris o ner. B ut m y v ery f e elin gs c h an ged to r e p uls io n a n d te rro r w hen I s a w th e

whole m an slo w ly em erg e fro m th e w in dow an d b eg in to cra w l d ow n th e

castle w all o ver th at d re ad fu l a b yss, fa ce d ow n w ith h is c lo ak s p re ad in g o ut

aro und h im lik e g re at w in gs. A t f ir s t I c o uld n ot b elie v e m y e y es. I th ought it

was so m e tr ic k o f th e m oonlig ht, so m e w eir d e ff e ct o f sh ad ow ; b ut I k ep t

lo okin g, a n d it c o uld b e n o d elu sio n. I sa w th e fin gers a n d to es g ra sp th e

co rn ers o f th e s to nes, w orn c le ar o f th e m orta r b y th e s tr e ss o f y ears , a n d b y

th us u sin g e v ery p ro je ctio n a n d i n eq uality m ove d ow nw ard s w ith c o nsid era b le

sp eed , j u st a s a l iz ard m oves a lo ng a w all.

What m an ner of m an is th is , or w hat m an ner of cre atu re is it in th e

se m bla n ce o f m an ? I f e el th e d re ad o f th is h orrib le p la ce o verp ow erin g m e; I

am in f e ar— in a w fu l f e ar— an d th ere is n o e sc ap e f o r m e; I a m e n co m passe d

ab out w ith t e rro rs t h at I d are n ot t h in k o f....

15 M ay.— Once m ore h av e I s e en th e C ount g o o ut in h is liz ard fa sh io n.

He m oved d ow nw ard s i n a s id elo ng w ay, s o m e h undre d f e et d ow n, a n d a g ood

deal to th e le ft. H e v an is h ed in to s o m e h ole o r w in dow . W hen h is h ead h ad

dis a p peare d , I le an ed o ut to tr y a n d s e e m ore , b ut w ith out a v ail— th e d is ta n ce

was to o g re at to a llo w a p ro per a n gle o f s ig ht. I k new h e h ad le ft th e c astle

now , a n d t h ought t o u se t h e o pportu nity t o e x plo re m ore t h an I h ad d are d t o d o

as y et. I w en t b ack to th e ro om , a n d ta k in g a la m p, tr ie d a ll th e d oors . T hey

were a ll lo ck ed , a s I h ad e x pecte d , a n d th e lo ck s w ere c o m para tiv ely n ew ; b ut

I w en t d ow n th e s to ne s ta ir s to th e h all w here I h ad e n te re d o rig in ally . I f o und

I c o uld p ull b ack th e b olts e asily e n ough a n d u nhook th e g re at c h ain s; b ut th e

door w as lo ck ed , a n d th e k ey w as g one! T hat k ey m ust b e in th e C ount’s

ro om ; I m ust w atc h sh ould h is d oor b e u nlo ck ed , so th at I m ay g et it a n d esc ap e. I w en t o n to m ak e a th oro ugh e x am in atio n o f th e v ario us s ta ir s a n d

passa g es, a n d t o t r y t h e d oors t h at o pen ed f ro m t h em . O ne o r t w o s m all r o om s

near th e h all w ere o pen , b ut th ere w as n oth in g to se e in th em ex cep t o ld

fu rn itu re , d usty w ith a g e a n d m oth -e ate n . A t l a st, h ow ev er, I f o und o ne d oor a t

th e to p o f th e sta ir w ay w hic h , th ough it se em ed to b e lo ck ed , g av e a little

under p re ssu re . I tr ie d it h ard er, a n d fo und th at it w as n ot re ally lo ck ed , b ut

th at t h e r e sis ta n ce c am e f ro m t h e f a ct t h at t h e h in ges h ad f a lle n s o m ew hat, a n d

th e h eav y d oor r e ste d o n th e f lo or. H ere w as a n o pportu nity w hic h I m ig ht n ot

hav e a g ain , s o I e x erte d m yse lf , a n d w ith m an y e ff o rts f o rc ed it b ack s o th at I

co uld e n te r. I w as n ow in a w in g o f th e c astle fu rth er to th e rig ht th an th e

ro om s I k new a n d a s to re y l o w er d ow n. F ro m t h e w in dow s I c o uld s e e t h at t h e

su ite o f ro om s la y a lo ng to th e so uth o f th e c astle , th e w in dow s o f th e e n d

ro om lo okin g o ut b oth w est a n d so uth . O n th e la tte r sid e, a s w ell a s to th e

fo rm er, th ere w as a g re at p re cip ic e. T he c astle w as b uilt o n th e c o rn er o f a

gre at r o ck , s o th at o n th re e s id es it w as q uite im pre g nab le , a n d g re at w in dow s

were pla ced here w here slin g, or bow , or cu lv erin co uld not re ach , an d

co nse q uen tly lig ht an d co m fo rt, im possib le to a p ositio n w hic h h ad to b e

guard ed , w ere se cu re d . T o th e w est w as a g re at v alle y, a n d th en , ris in g fa r

aw ay, g re at ja g ged m ounta in fa stn esse s, ris in g p eak o n p eak , th e s h eer ro ck

stu dded w ith m ounta in ash an d th orn , w hose ro ots clu ng in cra ck s an d

cre v ic es a n d c ra n nie s o f t h e s to ne. T his w as e v id en tly th e p ortio n o f t h e c astle

occu pie d b y th e la d ie s in b ygone d ay s, fo r th e fu rn itu re h ad m ore air o f

co m fo rt th an a n y I h ad s e en . T he w in dow s w ere c u rta in le ss, a n d th e y ello w

moonlig ht, flo odin g in th ro ugh th e d ia m ond p an es, e n ab le d o ne to s e e e v en

co lo urs , w hils t it s o fte n ed th e w ealth o f d ust w hic h la y o ver a ll a n d d is g uis e d

in s o m e m easu re th e r a v ag es o f tim e a n d th e m oth . M y la m p s e em ed to b e o f

little e ff e ct in th e b rillia n t m oonlig ht, b ut I w as g la d to h av e it w ith m e, fo r

th ere w as a d re ad lo nelin ess in th e p la ce w hic h c h ille d m y h eart a n d m ad e m y

nerv es tr e m ble . S till, it w as b ette r th an liv in g a lo ne in th e r o om s w hic h I h ad

co m e to h ate f ro m th e p re se n ce o f th e C ount, a n d a fte r tr y in g a little to s c h ool

my n erv es, I f o und a s o ft q uie tu de c o m e o ver m e. H ere I a m , s ittin g a t a little

oak ta b le w here in o ld tim es p ossib ly s o m e fa ir la d y s a t to p en , w ith m uch

th ought a n d m an y b lu sh es, h er ill- s p elt lo ve-le tte r, a n d w ritin g in m y d ia ry in

sh orth an d a ll th at h as h ap pen ed s in ce I c lo se d it la st. It is n in ete en th c en tu ry

up-to -d ate w ith a v en gean ce. A nd y et, u nle ss m y s e n se s d eceiv e m e, th e o ld

cen tu rie s h ad , a n d h av e, p ow ers o f th eir o w n w hic h m ere “ m odern ity ” c an not

kill.

Late r: th e M orn in g o f 1 6 M ay.— God p re se rv e m y s a n ity , f o r to th is I a m

re d uced . S afe ty a n d t h e a ssu ra n ce o f s a fe ty a re t h in gs o f t h e p ast. W hils t I l iv e

on h ere th ere is b ut o ne th in g to h ope f o r, th at I m ay n ot g o m ad , if , in deed , I

be n ot m ad a lr e ad y. I f I b e s a n e, t h en s u re ly i t i s m ad den in g t o t h in k t h at o f a ll

th e f o ul th in gs th at lu rk in th is h ate fu l p la ce th e C ount is th e le ast d re ad fu l to me; th at to h im a lo ne I c an lo ok f o r s a fe ty , e v en th ough th is b e o nly w hils t I

can s e rv e h is p urp ose . G re at G od! m erc if u l G od! L et m e b e c alm , fo r o ut o f

th at w ay l ie s m ad ness i n deed . I b eg in t o g et n ew l ig hts o n c erta in t h in gs w hic h

hav e p uzzle d m e. U p to n ow I n ev er q uite k new w hat S hak esp eare m ean t

when h e m ad e H am le t s a y :—

“M y t a b le ts ! q uic k , m y t a b le ts !

’T is m eet t h at I p ut i t d ow n,” e tc .,

fo r n ow , f e elin g a s th ough m y o w n b ra in w ere u nhin ged o r a s if th e s h ock

had c o m e w hic h m ust e n d in its u ndoin g, I tu rn to m y d ia ry fo r re p ose . T he

hab it o f e n te rin g a ccu ra te ly m ust h elp t o s o oth e m e.

The C ount’s m yste rio us w arn in g f rig hte n ed m e a t th e tim e; it f rig hte n s m e

more n ow w hen I th in k o f it, fo r in fu tu re h e h as a fe arfu l h old u pon m e. I

sh all f e ar t o d oubt w hat h e m ay s a y !

When I h ad w ritte n in m y d ia ry a n d h ad f o rtu nate ly r e p la ced th e b ook a n d

pen in m y p ock et I f e lt s le ep y. T he C ount’s w arn in g c am e in to m y m in d, b ut I

to ok a p le asu re in d is o bey in g it. T he s e n se o f s le ep w as u pon m e, a n d w ith it

th e o bstin acy w hic h s le ep b rin gs a s o utr id er. T he s o ft m oonlig ht s o oth ed , a n d

th e w id e ex pan se w ith out g av e a se n se o f fre ed om w hic h re fre sh ed m e. I

dete rm in ed n ot to re tu rn to -n ig ht to th e g lo om -h au nte d ro om s, b ut to sle ep

here , w here , o f o ld , la d ie s h ad s a t a n d s u ng a n d liv ed s w eet liv es w hils t th eir

gen tle b re asts w ere sa d fo r th eir m en fo lk a w ay in th e m id st o f re m ors e le ss

wars . I d re w a g re at c o uch o ut o f its p la ce n ear th e c o rn er, s o th at a s I la y, I

co uld lo ok at th e lo vely vie w to east an d so uth , an d unth in kin g of an d

uncarin g f o r t h e d ust, c o m pose d m yse lf f o r s le ep . I s u ppose I m ust h av e f a lle n

asle ep ; I h ope s o , b ut I f e ar, f o r a ll th at f o llo w ed w as s ta rtlin gly r e al— so r e al

th at n ow s ittin g h ere in th e b ro ad , f u ll s u nlig ht o f th e m orn in g, I c an not in th e

le ast b elie v e t h at i t w as a ll s le ep .

I w as n ot a lo ne. T he ro om w as th e s a m e, u nch an ged in a n y w ay s in ce I

cam e in to it; I c o uld s e e a lo ng th e flo or, in th e b rillia n t m oonlig ht, m y o w n

fo ots te p s m ark ed w here I h ad d is tu rb ed th e lo ng a ccu m ula tio n o f d ust. I n th e

moonlig ht o pposite m e w ere th re e y oung w om en , la d ie s b y th eir d re ss a n d

man ner. I th ought a t th e tim e th at I m ust b e d re am in g w hen I s a w th em , fo r,

th ough th e m oonlig ht w as b eh in d th em , th ey th re w n o s h ad ow o n th e flo or.

They c am e c lo se to m e, a n d lo oked a t m e f o r s o m e tim e, a n d th en w his p ere d

to geth er. T w o w ere d ark , a n d h ad h ig h a q uilin e n ose s, lik e th e C ount, a n d

gre at d ark , p ie rc in g e y es th at s e em ed to b e a lm ost re d w hen c o ntr a ste d w ith

th e p ale y ello w m oon. T he o th er w as fa ir , a s fa ir a s c an b e, w ith g re at w av y

masse s o f g old en h air a n d e y es lik e p ale sa p phir e s. I se em ed so m eh ow to

know h er fa ce, a n d to k now it in c o nnectio n w ith so m e d re am y fe ar, b ut I

co uld n ot r e co lle ct a t th e m om en t h ow o r w here . A ll th re e h ad b rillia n t w hite te eth t h at s h one l ik e p earls a g ain st t h e r u by o f t h eir v olu ptu ous l ip s. T here w as

so m eth in g a b out th em th at m ad e m e u neasy , so m e lo ngin g a n d a t th e sa m e

tim e s o m e d ead ly fe ar. I fe lt in m y h eart a w ic k ed , b urn in g d esir e th at th ey

would k is s m e w ith th ose r e d lip s. I t is n ot g ood to n ote th is d ow n, le st s o m e

day it s h ould m eet M in a’s e y es a n d c au se h er p ain ; b ut it is th e tr u th . T hey

whis p ere d to geth er, a n d th en th ey a ll th re e la u ghed — su ch a s ilv ery , m usic al

la u gh, b ut a s h ard a s th ough th e so und n ev er c o uld h av e c o m e th ro ugh th e

so ftn ess o f h um an l ip s. I t w as l ik e t h e i n to le ra b le , t in glin g s w eetn ess o f w ate r-

gla sse s w hen p la y ed o n b y a cu nnin g h an d. T he fa ir g ir l sh ook h er h ead

co quettis h ly , a n d t h e o th er t w o u rg ed h er o n. O ne s a id :—

“G o o n! Y ou a re f ir s t, a n d w e s h all f o llo w ; y ours i s t h e r ig ht t o b eg in .” T he

oth er a d ded :—

“H e is y oung a n d s tr o ng; th ere a re k is se s fo r u s a ll.” I la y q uie t, lo okin g

out u nder m y e y ela sh es in a n a g ony o f d elig htf u l a n tic ip atio n . T he fa ir g ir l

ad van ced a n d b en t o ver m e till I c o uld f e el th e m ovem en t o f h er b re ath u pon

me. S w eet it w as in one se n se , honey -s w eet, an d se n t th e sa m e tin glin g

th ro ugh t h e n erv es a s h er v oic e, b ut w ith a b itte r u nderly in g t h e s w eet, a b itte r

off e n siv en ess, a s o ne s m ells i n b lo od.

I w as a fra id t o r a is e m y e y elid s, b ut l o oked o ut a n d s a w p erfe ctly u nder t h e

la sh es. T he g ir l w en t o n h er k nees, a n d b en t o ver m e, s im ply g lo atin g. T here

was a d elib era te v olu ptu ousn ess w hic h w as b oth t h rillin g a n d r e p uls iv e, a n d a s

sh e a rc h ed h er n eck s h e a ctu ally lic k ed h er lip s lik e a n a n im al, till I c o uld s e e

in t h e m oonlig ht t h e m ois tu re s h in in g o n t h e s c arle t l ip s a n d o n t h e r e d t o ngue

as it la p ped th e w hite s h arp te eth . L ow er a n d lo w er w en t h er h ead a s th e lip s

wen t b elo w t h e r a n ge o f m y m outh a n d c h in a n d s e em ed a b out t o f a ste n o n m y

th ro at. T hen s h e p au se d , a n d I c o uld h ear th e c h urn in g s o und o f h er to ngue a s

it l ic k ed h er t e eth a n d l ip s, a n d c o uld f e el t h e h ot b re ath o n m y n eck . T hen t h e

sk in o f m y th ro at b eg an to tin gle a s o ne’s f le sh d oes w hen th e h an d th at is to

tic k le i t a p pro ach es n eare r— neare r. I c o uld f e el t h e s o ft, s h iv erin g t o uch o f t h e

lip s o n th e s u per- s e n sitiv e s k in o f m y th ro at, a n d th e h ard d en ts o f tw o s h arp

te eth , ju st to uch in g an d pau sin g th ere . I clo se d m y ey es in a la n guoro us

ecsta sy a n d w aite d — waite d w ith b eatin g h eart.

But at th at in sta n t, an oth er se n sa tio n sw ep t th ro ugh m e as quic k as

lig htn in g. I w as c o nsc io us o f th e p re se n ce o f th e C ount, a n d o f h is b ein g a s if

la p ped in a s to rm o f fu ry . A s m y e y es o pen ed in volu nta rily I s a w h is s tr o ng

han d g ra sp th e s le n der n eck o f th e f a ir w om an a n d w ith g ia n t’s p ow er d ra w it

back , t h e b lu e e y es t r a n sfo rm ed w ith f u ry , t h e w hite t e eth c h am pin g w ith r a g e,

an d th e fa ir ch eek s b la zin g re d w ith p assio n. B ut th e C ount! N ev er d id I

im ag in e su ch w ra th a n d fu ry , e v en to th e d em ons o f th e p it. H is e y es w ere

positiv ely b la zin g. T he r e d lig ht in th em w as lu rid , a s if th e f la m es o f h ell- fir e

bla zed b eh in d th em . H is fa ce w as d eath ly p ale , a n d th e lin es o f it w ere h ard lik e d ra w n w ir e s; t h e t h ic k e y eb ro w s t h at m et o ver t h e n ose n ow s e em ed l ik e a

heav in g b ar o f w hite -h ot m eta l. W ith a f ie rc e s w eep o f h is a rm , h e h urle d th e

wom an f ro m h im , a n d th en m otio ned to th e o th ers , a s th ough h e w ere b eatin g

th em b ack ; it w as th e sa m e im perio us g estu re th at I h ad se en u se d to th e

wolv es. I n a v oic e w hic h , th ough lo w a n d a lm ost in a w his p er s e em ed to c u t

th ro ugh t h e a ir a n d t h en r in g r o und t h e r o om h e s a id :—

“H ow d are y ou to uch h im , a n y o f y ou? H ow d are y ou c ast e y es o n h im

when I h ad f o rb id den i t? B ack , I t e ll y ou a ll! T his m an b elo ngs t o m e! B ew are

how y ou m ed dle w ith h im , o r y ou’ll h av e to d eal w ith m e.” T he f a ir g ir l, w ith

a l a u gh o f r ib ald c o quetr y , t u rn ed t o a n sw er h im :—

“Y ou y ours e lf n ev er lo ved ; y ou n ev er lo ve!” O n th is th e o th er w om en

jo in ed , a n d s u ch a m ir th le ss, h ard , s o ulle ss l a u ghte r r a n g t h ro ugh t h e r o om t h at

it a lm ost m ad e m e f a in t t o h ear; i t s e em ed l ik e t h e p le asu re o f f ie n ds. T hen t h e

Count tu rn ed , a fte r lo okin g a t m y f a ce a tte n tiv ely , a n d s a id in a s o ft w his p er:

—

“Y es, I to o c an lo ve; y ou y ours e lv es c an te ll it f ro m th e p ast. I s it n ot s o ?

Well, n ow I p ro m is e y ou th at w hen I a m d one w ith h im y ou s h all k is s h im a t

your w ill. N ow g o! g o! I m ust a w ak en h im , f o r t h ere i s w ork t o b e d one.”

“A re w e to h av e n oth in g to -n ig ht? ” s a id o ne o f th em , w ith a lo w la u gh, a s

sh e p oin te d to th e b ag w hic h h e h ad th ro w n u pon th e f lo or, a n d w hic h m oved

as th ough th ere w ere s o m e liv in g th in g w ith in it. F or a n sw er h e n odded h is

head . O ne o f th e w om en ju m ped fo rw ard a n d o pen ed it. If m y e ars d id n ot

deceiv e m e t h ere w as a g asp a n d a lo w w ail, a s o f a h alf -s m oth ere d c h ild . T he

wom en c lo se d ro und, w hils t I w as a g hast w ith h orro r; b ut a s I lo oked th ey

dis a p peare d , a n d w ith th em th e d re ad fu l b ag . T here w as n o d oor n ear th em ,

an d th ey c o uld n ot h av e p asse d m e w ith out m y n otic in g. T hey s im ply s e em ed

to f a d e in to th e r a y s o f th e m oonlig ht a n d p ass o ut th ro ugh th e w in dow , f o r I

co uld s e e o uts id e th e d im , s h ad ow y fo rm s fo r a m om en t b efo re th ey e n tir e ly

fa d ed a w ay.

Then t h e h orro r o verc am e m e, a n d I s a n k d ow n u nco nsc io us.

CH APT ER I V

JO NAT H AN H ARK ER ’S J O URNAL— co n tin ued

I a w oke

in m y o w n b ed . I f i t b e t h at I h ad n ot d re am t, t h e C ount m ust h av e

carrie d m e h ere . I tr ie d to s a tis fy m yse lf o n th e s u bje ct, b ut c o uld n ot a rriv e a t

an y u nquestio nab le r e su lt. T o b e s u re , t h ere w ere c erta in s m all e v id en ces, s u ch

as th at m y c lo th es w ere fo ld ed a n d la id b y in a m an ner w hic h w as n ot m y hab it. M y w atc h w as s till u nw ound, a n d I a m r ig oro usly a ccu sto m ed t o w in d i t

th e la st th in g b efo re g oin g to b ed , a n d m an y s u ch d eta ils . B ut th ese th in gs a re

no p ro of, fo r th ey m ay h av e b een e v id en ces th at m y m in d w as n ot a s u su al,

an d, fro m so m e c au se o r a n oth er, I h ad c erta in ly b een m uch u pse t. I m ust

watc h fo r p ro of. O f o ne th in g I a m g la d : if it w as th at th e C ount c arrie d m e

here a n d u ndre sse d m e, h e m ust h av e b een h urrie d in h is ta sk , f o r m y p ock ets

are in ta ct. I a m s u re th is d ia ry w ould h av e b een a m yste ry to h im w hic h h e

would n ot h av e b ro oked . H e w ould h av e t a k en o r d estr o yed i t. A s I l o ok r o und

th is ro om , alth ough it h as b een to m e so fu ll o f fe ar, it is n ow a so rt o f

sa n ctu ary , fo r n oth in g c an b e m ore d re ad fu l th an th ose a w fu l w om en , w ho

were — who a re — waitin g t o s u ck m y b lo od.

18 M ay.— I h av e b een d ow n to lo ok a t th at ro om a g ain in d ay lig ht, fo r I

must k now t h e t r u th . W hen I g ot t o t h e d oorw ay a t t h e t o p o f t h e s ta ir s I f o und

it clo se d . It h ad b een so fo rc ib ly d riv en ag ain st th e ja m b th at p art o f th e

woodw ork w as s p lin te re d . I c o uld s e e th at th e b olt o f th e lo ck h ad n ot b een

sh ot, b ut t h e d oor i s f a ste n ed f ro m t h e i n sid e. I f e ar i t w as n o d re am , a n d m ust

act o n t h is s u rm is e .

19 M ay.— I a m s u re ly in th e to ils . L ast n ig ht th e C ount a sk ed m e in th e

su av est to nes to w rite th re e le tte rs , o ne s a y in g th at m y w ork h ere w as n early

done, a n d th at I s h ould s ta rt fo r h om e w ith in a fe w d ay s, a n oth er th at I w as

sta rtin g o n t h e n ex t m orn in g f ro m t h e t im e o f t h e l e tte r, a n d t h e t h ir d t h at I h ad

le ft t h e c astle a n d a rriv ed a t B is tr itz . I w ould f a in h av e r e b elle d , b ut f e lt t h at i n

th e p re se n t sta te o f th in gs it w ould b e m ad ness to q uarre l o pen ly w ith th e

Count w hils t I a m s o a b so lu te ly i n h is p ow er; a n d t o r e fu se w ould b e t o e x cite

his s u sp ic io n a n d to a ro use h is a n ger. H e k now s th at I k now to o m uch , a n d

th at I m ust n ot liv e, le st I b e d an gero us to h im ; m y o nly c h an ce is to p ro lo ng

my opportu nitie s. S om eth in g m ay occu r w hic h w ill giv e m e a ch an ce to

esc ap e. I sa w in his ey es so m eth in g of th at gath erin g w ra th w hic h w as

man if e st w hen h e h urle d th at fa ir w om an fro m h im . H e e x pla in ed to m e th at

posts w ere f e w a n d u ncerta in , a n d th at m y w ritin g n ow w ould e n su re e ase o f

min d to m y frie n ds; a n d h e a ssu re d m e w ith s o m uch im pre ssiv en ess th at h e

would c o unte rm an d t h e l a te r l e tte rs , w hic h w ould b e h eld o ver a t B is tr itz u ntil

due t im e i n c ase c h an ce w ould a d m it o f m y p ro lo ngin g m y s ta y, t h at t o o ppose

him w ould h av e b een to c re ate n ew s u sp ic io n. I th ere fo re p re te n ded to f a ll in

with h is v ie w s, an d ask ed h im w hat d ate s I sh ould p ut o n th e le tte rs . H e

calc u la te d a m in ute , a n d t h en s a id :—

“T he f ir s t s h ould b e J u ne 1 2, t h e s e co nd J u ne 1 9, a n d t h e t h ir d J u ne 2 9.”

I k now n ow t h e s p an o f m y l if e . G od h elp m e!

28 M ay.— There is a c h an ce o f e sc ap e, o r a t a n y r a te o f b ein g a b le to s e n d

word h om e. A b an d o f S zg an y h av e c o m e to th e c astle , a n d a re e n cam ped in th e c o urty ard . T hese S zg an y a re g ip sie s; I h av e n ote s o f th em in m y b ook.

They a re p ecu lia r t o t h is p art o f t h e w orld , t h ough a llie d t o t h e o rd in ary g ip sie s

all th e w orld o ver. T here a re th o usa n ds o f th em in H ungary a n d T ra n sy lv an ia ,

who a re a lm ost o uts id e a ll l a w . T hey a tta ch t h em se lv es a s a r u le t o s o m e g re at

noble o r b oyar, a n d c all t h em se lv es b y h is n am e. T hey a re f e arle ss a n d w ith out

re lig io n, sa v e su pers titio n, an d th ey ta lk only th eir ow n varie tie s of th e

Rom an y t o ngue.

I sh all w rite so m e le tte rs h om e, a n d sh all tr y to g et th em to h av e th em

poste d . I hav e alr e ad y sp oken th em th ro ugh my win dow to beg in

acq uain ta n cesh ip . T hey to ok th eir h ats o ff an d m ad e o beis a n ce an d m an y

sig ns, w hic h , h ow ev er, I c o uld n ot u nders ta n d a n y m ore th an I c o uld th eir

sp oken l a n guag e....

I h av e w ritte n th e le tte rs . M in a’s is in sh orth an d, a n d I sim ply a sk M r.

Haw kin s to c o m munic ate w ith h er. T o h er I h av e e x pla in ed m y s itu atio n, b ut

with out t h e h orro rs w hic h I m ay o nly s u rm is e . I t w ould s h ock a n d f rig hte n h er

to d eath w ere I t o e x pose m y h eart t o h er. S hould t h e l e tte rs n ot c arry , t h en t h e

Count s h all n ot y et k now m y s e cre t o r t h e e x te n t o f m y k now le d ge....

I h av e g iv en th e le tte rs ; I th re w th em th ro ugh th e b ars o f m y w in dow w ith

a g old p ie ce, a n d m ad e w hat s ig ns I c o uld to h av e th em p oste d . T he m an w ho

to ok t h em p re sse d t h em t o h is h eart a n d b ow ed , a n d t h en p ut t h em i n h is c ap . I

co uld d o n o m ore . I s to le b ack to th e s tu dy, a n d b eg an to r e ad . A s th e C ount

did n ot c o m e i n , I h av e w ritte n h ere ....

The C ount h as c o m e. H e s a t d ow n b esid e m e, a n d s a id in h is s m ooth est

voic e a s h e o pen ed t w o l e tte rs :—

“T he S zg an y h as g iv en m e t h ese , o f w hic h , t h ough I k now n ot w hen ce t h ey

co m e, I s h all, o f c o urs e , ta k e c are . S ee!” — he m ust h av e lo oked a t it— “o ne is

fro m y ou, a n d t o m y f rie n d P ete r H aw kin s; t h e o th er” — here h e c au ght s ig ht o f

th e s tr a n ge s y m bols a s h e o pen ed th e e n velo pe, a n d th e d ark lo ok c am e in to

his f a ce, a n d h is e y es b la zed w ic k ed ly — “th e o th er is a v ile th in g, a n o utr a g e

upon frie n dsh ip a n d h osp ita lity ! It is n ot s ig ned . W ell! s o it c an not m atte r to

us.” A nd h e c alm ly h eld le tte r a n d e n velo pe in th e f la m e o f th e la m p till th ey

were c o nsu m ed . T hen h e w en t o n:—

“T he le tte r to H aw kin s— th at I s h all, o f c o urs e , s e n d o n, s in ce it is y ours .

Your le tte rs a re s a cre d to m e. Y our p ard on, m y f rie n d, th at u nknow in gly I d id

bre ak th e s e al. W ill y ou n ot c o ver it a g ain ?” H e h eld o ut th e le tte r to m e, a n d

with a c o urte o us b ow h an ded m e a c le an e n velo pe. I c o uld o nly r e d ir e ct i t a n d

han d it to h im in s ile n ce. W hen h e w en t o ut o f th e r o om I c o uld h ear th e k ey

tu rn s o ftly . A m in ute l a te r I w en t o ver a n d t r ie d i t, a n d t h e d oor w as l o ck ed .

When , a n h our o r tw o a fte r, th e C ount c am e q uie tly in to th e ro om , h is co m in g aw ak en ed m e, fo r I h ad g one to sle ep o n th e so fa . H e w as v ery

co urte o us a n d v ery c h eery in h is m an ner, a n d s e ein g th at I h ad b een s le ep in g,

he s a id :—

“S o, m y f rie n d, y ou a re t ir e d ? G et t o b ed . T here i s t h e s u re st r e st. I m ay n ot

hav e th e p le asu re to ta lk to -n ig ht, s in ce th ere a re m an y la b ours to m e; b ut y ou

will s le ep , I p ra y.” I p asse d to m y r o om a n d w en t to b ed , a n d, s tr a n ge to s a y,

sle p t w ith out d re am in g. D esp air h as i ts o w n c alm s.

31 M ay.— This m orn in g w hen I w oke I th ought I w ould p ro vid e m yse lf

with s o m e p ap er a n d e n velo pes f ro m m y b ag a n d k eep th em in m y p ock et, s o

th at I m ig ht w rite in c ase I sh ould g et a n o pportu nity , b ut a g ain a su rp ris e ,

ag ain a s h ock !

Every s c ra p o f p ap er w as g one, a n d w ith it a ll m y n ote s, m y m em ora n da,

re la tin g to ra ilw ay s a n d tr a v el, m y le tte r o f c re d it, in fa ct a ll th at m ig ht b e

use fu l to m e w ere I o nce o uts id e th e c astle . I s a t a n d p ondere d a w hile , a n d

th en s o m e th ought o ccu rre d to m e, a n d I m ad e s e arc h o f m y p ortm an te au a n d

in t h e w ard ro be w here I h ad p la ced m y c lo th es.

The s u it i n w hic h I h ad t r a v elle d w as g one, a n d a ls o m y o verc o at a n d r u g; I

co uld f in d n o tr a ce o f th em a n yw here . T his lo oked lik e s o m e n ew s c h em e o f

villa in y....

17 J u ne.— This m orn in g, a s I w as s ittin g o n t h e e d ge o f m y b ed c u dgellin g

my b ra in s, I h eard w ith out a c ra ck in g o f w hip s a n d p oundin g a n d s c ra p in g o f

hors e s’ f e et u p th e r o ck y p ath b ey ond th e c o urty ard . W ith jo y I h urrie d to th e

win dow , a n d s a w d riv e in to th e y ard tw o g re at le ite r- w ag ons, e ach d ra w n b y

eig ht s tu rd y h ors e s, a n d a t th e h ead o f e ach p air a S lo vak , w ith h is w id e h at,

gre at n ail- s tu dded b elt, d ir ty s h eep sk in , a n d h ig h b oots . T hey h ad a ls o th eir

lo ng s ta v es in h an d. I ra n to th e d oor, in te n din g to d esc en d a n d tr y a n d jo in

th em th ro ugh th e m ain h all, a s I th ought th at w ay m ig ht b e o pen ed f o r th em .

Again a s h ock : m y d oor w as f a ste n ed o n t h e o uts id e.

Then I r a n t o t h e w in dow a n d c rie d t o t h em . T hey l o oked u p a t m e s tu pid ly

an d p oin te d , b ut ju st th en th e “ h etm an ” o f th e S zg an y c am e o ut, a n d s e ein g

th em poin tin g to m y w in dow , sa id so m eth in g, at w hic h th ey la u ghed .

Hen cefo rth n o e ff o rt o f m in e, n o p ite o us c ry o r a g onis e d e n tr e aty , w ould m ak e

th em ev en lo ok at m e. T hey re so lu te ly tu rn ed aw ay. T he le ite r- w ag ons

co nta in ed g re at, s q uare b oxes, w ith h an dle s o f t h ic k r o pe; t h ese w ere e v id en tly

em pty by th e ease w ith w hic h th e Slo vak s han dle d th em , an d by th eir

re so nan ce a s th ey w ere ro ughly m oved . W hen th ey w ere a ll u nlo ad ed a n d

pack ed i n a g re at h eap i n o ne c o rn er o f t h e y ard , t h e S lo vak s w ere g iv en s o m e

money b y th e S zg an y, an d sp ittin g o n it fo r lu ck , la zily w en t each to h is

hors e ’s h ead . S hortly a fte rw ard s, I h eard th e c ra ck in g o f th eir w hip s d ie a w ay

in t h e d is ta n ce. 24 J u ne, b efo re m orn in g.— Last n ig ht th e C ount le ft m e e arly , a n d lo ck ed

him se lf in to h is o w n r o om . A s s o on a s I d are d I r a n u p th e w in din g s ta ir , a n d

lo oked o ut o f th e w in dow , w hic h o pen ed s o uth . I th ought I w ould w atc h fo r

th e C ount, fo r th ere is so m eth in g goin g on. T he Szg an y are quarte re d

so m ew here in th e c astle a n d a re d oin g w ork o f s o m e k in d. I k now it, f o r n ow

an d th en I h ear a fa r- a w ay m uff le d so und as o f m atto ck an d sp ad e, an d,

whate v er i t i s , i t m ust b e t h e e n d o f s o m e r u th le ss v illa in y.

I h ad b een a t th e w in dow so m ew hat le ss th an h alf a n h our, w hen I sa w

so m eth in g co m in g out of th e C ount’s w in dow . I dre w back an d w atc h ed

care fu lly , a n d s a w th e w hole m an e m erg e. It w as a n ew s h ock to m e to fin d

th at h e h ad o n th e s u it o f c lo th es w hic h I h ad w orn w hils t tr a v ellin g h ere , a n d

slu ng o ver h is sh ould er th e te rrib le b ag w hic h I h ad se en th e w om en ta k e

aw ay. T here c o uld b e n o d oubt a s t o h is q uest, a n d i n m y g arb , t o o! T his , t h en ,

is h is n ew s c h em e o f e v il: t h at h e w ill a llo w o th ers t o s e e m e, a s t h ey t h in k, s o

th at h e m ay b oth le av e e v id en ce th at I h av e b een s e en in th e to w ns o r v illa g es

postin g m y o w n l e tte rs , a n d t h at a n y w ic k ed ness w hic h h e m ay d o s h all b y t h e

lo cal p eo ple b e a ttr ib ute d t o m e.

It m ak es m e r a g e t o t h in k t h at t h is c an g o o n, a n d w hils t I a m s h ut u p h ere ,

a v erita b le p ris o ner, b ut w ith out th at p ro te ctio n o f th e la w w hic h is e v en a

crim in al’s r ig ht a n d c o nso la tio n.

I th ought I w ould w atc h fo r th e C ount’s re tu rn , a n d fo r a lo ng tim e sa t

dogged ly a t th e w in dow . T hen I b eg an to n otic e th at th ere w ere s o m e q uain t

little s p eck s flo atin g in th e ra y s o f th e m oonlig ht. T hey w ere lik e th e tin ie st

gra in s o f d ust, a n d th ey w hir le d r o und a n d g ath ere d in c lu ste rs in a n eb ulo us

so rt o f w ay. I w atc h ed th em w ith a s e n se o f s o oth in g, a n d a s o rt o f c alm s to le

over m e. I le an ed b ack in th e e m bra su re in a m ore c o m fo rta b le p ositio n, s o

th at I c o uld e n jo y m ore f u lly t h e a ëria l g am bollin g.

Som eth in g m ad e m e s ta rt u p, a lo w , p ite o us h ow lin g o f d ogs s o m ew here

fa r b elo w in th e v alle y, w hic h w as h id den f ro m m y s ig ht. L ouder it s e em ed to

rin g i n m y e ars , a n d t h e f lo atin g m ote s o f d ust t o t a k e n ew s h ap es t o t h e s o und

as t h ey d an ced i n t h e m oonlig ht. I f e lt m yse lf s tr u gglin g t o a w ak e t o s o m e c all

of m y in stin cts ; n ay, m y v ery s o ul w as s tr u gglin g, a n d m y h alf -re m em bere d

se n sib ilitie s w ere str iv in g to an sw er th e call. I w as b eco m in g h ypnotis e d !

Quic k er a n d q uic k er d an ced t h e d ust; t h e m oonbeam s s e em ed t o q uiv er a s t h ey

wen t b y m e in to th e m ass o f g lo om b ey ond. M ore a n d m ore th ey g ath ere d till

th ey s e em ed t o t a k e d im p han to m s h ap es. A nd t h en I s ta rte d , b ro ad a w ak e a n d

in fu ll posse ssio n of m y se n se s, an d ra n sc re am in g fro m th e pla ce. T he

phan to m sh ap es, w hic h w ere beco m in g gra d ually m ate ria lis e d fro m th e

moonbeam s, w ere t h ose o f t h e t h re e g hostly w om en t o w hom I w as d oom ed . I

fle d , a n d f e lt s o m ew hat s a fe r in m y o w n r o om , w here th ere w as n o m oonlig ht

an d w here t h e l a m p w as b urn in g b rig htly . When a co uple o f h ours h ad p asse d I h eard so m eth in g stir rin g in th e

Count’s r o om , s o m eth in g lik e a s h arp w ail q uic k ly s u ppre sse d ; a n d th en th ere

was sile n ce, d eep , a w fu l sile n ce, w hic h c h ille d m e. W ith a b eatin g h eart, I

tr ie d t h e d oor; b ut I w as l o ck ed i n m y p ris o n, a n d c o uld d o n oth in g. I s a t d ow n

an d s im ply c rie d .

As I s a t I h eard a s o und in th e c o urty ard w ith out— th e a g onis e d c ry o f a

wom an . I ru sh ed to th e w in dow , a n d th ro w in g it u p, p eere d o ut b etw een th e

bars . T here , in deed , w as a w om an w ith d is h ev elle d h air , h old in g h er h an ds

over h er h eart a s o ne d is tr e sse d w ith r u nnin g. S he w as l e an in g a g ain st a c o rn er

of th e g ate w ay. W hen sh e sa w m y fa ce at th e w in dow sh e th re w h ers e lf

fo rw ard , a n d s h oute d i n a v oic e l a d en w ith m en ace:—

“M onste r, g iv e m e m y c h ild !”

She th re w h ers e lf o n h er k nees, a n d ra is in g u p h er h an ds, c rie d th e s a m e

word s in to nes w hic h w ru ng m y h eart. T hen sh e to re h er h air a n d b eat h er

bre ast, an d ab an doned h ers e lf to all th e v io le n ces o f ex tr a v ag an t em otio n.

Fin ally , s h e t h re w h ers e lf f o rw ard , a n d, t h ough I c o uld n ot s e e h er, I c o uld h ear

th e b eatin g o f h er n ak ed h an ds a g ain st t h e d oor.

Som ew here h ig h o verh ead , p ro bab ly o n th e to w er, I h eard th e v oic e o f th e

Count c allin g in h is h ars h , m eta llic w his p er. H is c all s e em ed to b e a n sw ere d

fro m f a r a n d w id e b y t h e h ow lin g o f w olv es. B efo re m an y m in ute s h ad p asse d

a p ack o f th em p oure d , lik e a p en t- u p d am w hen lib era te d , th ro ugh th e w id e

en tr a n ce i n to t h e c o urty ard .

There w as n o c ry f ro m th e w om an , a n d th e h ow lin g o f th e w olv es w as b ut

sh ort. B efo re l o ng t h ey s tr e am ed a w ay s in gly , l ic k in g t h eir l ip s.

I c o uld n ot p ity h er, f o r I k new n ow w hat h ad b eco m e o f h er c h ild , a n d s h e

was b ette r d ead .

What s h all I d o? w hat c an I d o? H ow c an I e sc ap e f ro m t h is d re ad fu l th in g

of n ig ht a n d g lo om a n d f e ar?

25 J u ne, m orn in g.— No m an k now s t ill h e h as s u ff e re d f ro m t h e n ig ht h ow

sw eet a n d h ow d ear to h is h eart a n d e y e th e m orn in g c an b e. W hen th e s u n

gre w s o h ig h th is m orn in g th at it s tr u ck th e to p o f th e g re at g ate w ay o pposite

my w in dow , th e h ig h s p ot w hic h it to uch ed s e em ed to m e a s if th e d ove f ro m

th e a rk h ad lig hte d th ere . M y fe ar fe ll fro m m e a s if it h ad b een a v ap oro us

garm en t w hic h d is so lv ed i n t h e w arm th . I m ust t a k e a ctio n o f s o m e s o rt w hils t

th e c o ura g e o f th e d ay is u pon m e. L ast n ig ht o ne o f m y p ost- d ate d le tte rs

wen t to p ost, th e f ir s t o f th at f a ta l s e rie s w hic h is to b lo t o ut th e v ery tr a ces o f

my e x is te n ce f ro m t h e e arth .

Let m e n ot t h in k o f i t. A ctio n! It h as a lw ay s b een a t n ig ht- tim e t h at I h av e b een m ole ste d o r t h re ate n ed , o r

in s o m e w ay i n d an ger o r i n f e ar. I h av e n ot y et s e en t h e C ount i n t h e d ay lig ht.

Can it b e th at h e s le ep s w hen o th ers w ak e, th at h e m ay b e a w ak e w hils t th ey

sle ep ? I f I c o uld o nly g et i n to h is r o om ! B ut t h ere i s n o p ossib le w ay. T he d oor

is a lw ay s l o ck ed , n o w ay f o r m e.

Yes, th ere is a w ay, if o ne d are s to ta k e it. W here h is b ody h as g one w hy

may n ot a n oth er b ody g o? I h av e se en h im m yse lf c ra w l fro m h is w in dow .

Why sh ould n ot I im ita te h im , a n d g o in b y h is w in dow ? T he c h an ces a re

desp era te , b ut m y n eed is m ore d esp era te s till. I s h all ris k it. A t th e w ors t it

can o nly b e d eath ; a n d a m an ’s d eath is n ot a c alf ’s , a n d t h e d re ad ed H ere afte r

may s till b e o pen to m e. G od h elp m e in m y ta sk ! G ood-b ye, M in a, if I fa il;

good-b ye, m y fa ith fu l frie n d a n d s e co nd fa th er; g ood-b ye, a ll, a n d la st o f a ll

Min a!

Sam e d ay, la te r.— I h av e m ad e th e e ff o rt, a n d G od, h elp in g m e, h av e c o m e

sa fe ly b ack to th is r o om . I m ust p ut d ow n e v ery d eta il in o rd er. I w en t w hils t

my c o ura g e w as f re sh s tr a ig ht t o t h e w in dow o n t h e s o uth s id e, a n d a t o nce g ot

outs id e o n th e n arro w le d ge o f s to ne w hic h ru ns a ro und th e b uild in g o n th is

sid e. T he s to nes a re b ig a n d r o ughly c u t, a n d t h e m orta r h as b y p ro cess o f t im e

been w ash ed a w ay b etw een t h em . I t o ok o ff m y b oots , a n d v en tu re d o ut o n t h e

desp era te w ay. I lo oked d ow n o nce, s o a s to m ak e s u re th at a s u dden g lim pse

of th e a w fu l d ep th w ould n ot o verc o m e m e, b ut a fte r th at k ep t m y e y es a w ay

fro m it. I k new p re tty w ell th e d ir e ctio n a n d d is ta n ce o f th e C ount’s w in dow ,

an d m ad e f o r i t a s w ell a s I c o uld , h av in g r e g ard t o t h e o pportu nitie s a v aila b le .

I did not fe el diz zy — I su ppose I w as to o ex cite d — an d th e tim e se em ed

rid ic u lo usly s h ort t ill I f o und m yse lf s ta n din g o n t h e w in dow -s ill a n d t r y in g t o

ra is e u p th e s a sh . I w as f ille d w ith a g ita tio n, h ow ev er, w hen I b en t d ow n a n d

slid f e et f o re m ost in t h ro ugh th e w in dow . T hen I lo oked a ro und f o r t h e C ount,

but, w ith s u rp ris e a n d g la d ness, m ad e a d is c o very . T he ro om w as e m pty ! It

was b are ly f u rn is h ed w ith o dd th in gs, w hic h s e em ed to h av e n ev er b een u se d ;

th e f u rn itu re w as s o m eth in g t h e s a m e s ty le a s t h at i n t h e s o uth r o om s, a n d w as

co vere d w ith d ust. I lo oked f o r th e k ey, b ut it w as n ot in th e lo ck , a n d I c o uld

not f in d it a n yw here . T he o nly th in g I f o und w as a g re at h eap o f g old in o ne

co rn er— gold o f a ll k in ds, R om an , a n d B ritis h , a n d A ustr ia n , a n d H ungaria n ,

an d G re ek a n d T urk is h m oney, c o vere d w ith a film o f d ust, a s th ough it h ad

la in lo ng in th e g ro und. N one o f it th at I n otic ed w as le ss th an th re e h undre d

years o ld . T here w ere a ls o c h ain s a n d o rn am en ts , so m e je w elle d , b ut a ll o f

th em o ld a n d s ta in ed .

At o ne c o rn er o f t h e r o om w as a h eav y d oor. I t r ie d i t, f o r, s in ce I c o uld n ot

fin d th e k ey o f th e ro om o r th e k ey o f th e o ute r d oor, w hic h w as th e m ain

obje ct o f m y s e arc h , I m ust m ak e f u rth er e x am in atio n, o r a ll m y e ff o rts w ould

be in v ain . I t w as o pen , a n d le d th ro ugh a s to ne p assa g e to a c ir c u la r s ta ir w ay, whic h w en t s te ep ly d ow n. I d esc en ded , m in din g c are fu lly w here I w en t, fo r

th e s ta ir s w ere d ark , b ein g o nly lit b y lo ophole s in th e h eav y m aso nry . A t th e

botto m th ere w as a d ark , tu nnel- lik e p assa g e, th ro ugh w hic h c am e a d eath ly ,

sic k ly o dour, th e o dour o f o ld earth n ew ly tu rn ed . A s I w en t th ro ugh th e

passa g e th e s m ell g re w c lo se r a n d h eav ie r. A t la st I p ulle d o pen a h eav y d oor

whic h sto od aja r, an d fo und m yse lf in an old , ru in ed ch ap el, w hic h had

ev id en tly b een u se d a s a g ra v ey ard . T he ro of w as b ro ken , a n d in tw o p la ces

were s te p s le ad in g to v au lts , b ut th e g ro und h ad re cen tly b een d ug o ver, a n d

th e earth p la ced in g re at w ooden b oxes, m an if e stly th ose w hic h h ad b een

bro ught b y th e S lo vak s. T here w as n obody a b out, a n d I m ad e s e arc h fo r a n y

fu rth er o utle t, b ut th ere w as n one. T hen I w en t o ver e v ery in ch o f th e g ro und,

so a s n ot to lo se a c h an ce. I w en t d ow n e v en in to th e v au lts , w here th e d im

lig ht s tr u ggle d , a lth ough to d o s o w as a d re ad to m y v ery s o ul. In to tw o o f

th ese I w en t, b ut s a w n oth in g e x cep t f ra g m en ts o f o ld c o ff in s a n d p ile s o f d ust;

in t h e t h ir d , h ow ev er, I m ad e a d is c o very .

There , in o ne o f th e g re at b oxes, o f w hic h th ere w ere f if ty in a ll, o n a p ile

of n ew ly d ug e arth , la y th e C ount! H e w as e ith er d ead o r a sle ep , I c o uld n ot

sa y w hic h — fo r th e e y es w ere o pen a n d s to ny, b ut w ith out th e g la ssin ess o f

death — an d th e c h eek s h ad th e w arm th o f lif e th ro ugh a ll th eir p allo r; th e lip s

were a s r e d a s e v er. B ut th ere w as n o s ig n o f m ovem en t, n o p uls e , n o b re ath ,

no b eatin g o f th e h eart. I b en t o ver h im , a n d tr ie d to f in d a n y s ig n o f lif e , b ut

in v ain . H e c o uld n ot h av e la in th ere lo ng, fo r th e e arth y s m ell w ould h av e

passe d a w ay i n a f e w h ours . B y t h e s id e o f t h e b ox w as i ts c o ver, p ie rc ed w ith

hole s h ere a n d th ere . I th ought h e m ig ht h av e th e k ey s o n h im , b ut w hen I

wen t to s e arc h I s a w th e d ead e y es, a n d in th em , d ead th ough th ey w ere , s u ch

a lo ok o f h ate , th ough u nco nsc io us o f m e o r m y p re se n ce, th at I f le d f ro m th e

pla ce, a n d le av in g th e C ount’s ro om b y th e w in dow , c ra w le d a g ain u p th e

castle w all. R eg ain in g m y r o om , I t h re w m yse lf p an tin g u pon t h e b ed a n d t r ie d

to t h in k....

29 Ju ne.— To-d ay is th e d ate o f m y la st le tte r, a n d th e C ount h as ta k en

ste p s to p ro ve th at it w as g en uin e, f o r a g ain I s a w h im le av e th e c astle b y th e

sa m e w in dow , a n d in m y c lo th es. A s h e w en t d ow n th e w all, liz ard f a sh io n, I

wis h ed I h ad a g un o r s o m e l e th al w eap on, t h at I m ig ht d estr o y h im ; b ut I f e ar

th at n o w eap on w ro ught a lo ne b y m an ’s h an d w ould h av e a n y e ff e ct o n h im . I

dare d n ot w ait to s e e h im r e tu rn , f o r I f e are d to s e e th ose w eir d s is te rs . I c am e

back t o t h e l ib ra ry , a n d r e ad t h ere t ill I f e ll a sle ep .

I w as a w ak en ed b y th e C ount, w ho lo oked a t m e a s g rim ly a s a m an c an

lo ok a s h e s a id :—

“T o-m orro w , m y frie n d, w e m ust part. Y ou re tu rn to your beau tif u l

Engla n d, I to so m e w ork w hic h m ay h av e su ch a n e n d th at w e m ay n ev er

meet. Y our l e tte r h om e h as b een d esp atc h ed ; t o -m orro w I s h all n ot b e h ere , b ut all s h all b e r e ad y f o r y our j o urn ey. I n t h e m orn in g c o m e t h e S zg an y, w ho h av e

so m e l a b ours o f t h eir o w n h ere , a n d a ls o c o m e s o m e S lo vak s. W hen t h ey h av e

gone, m y c arria g e s h all c o m e f o r y ou, a n d s h all b ear y ou to th e B org o P ass to

meet t h e d ilig en ce f ro m B ukovin a t o B is tr itz . B ut I a m i n h opes t h at I s h all s e e

more o f y ou a t C astle D ra cu la .” I s u sp ecte d h im , a n d d ete rm in ed to te st h is

sin cerity . S in cerity ! It se em s lik e a p ro fa n atio n o f th e w ord to w rite it in

co nnectio n w ith s u ch a m onste r, s o a sk ed h im p oin t- b la n k:—

“W hy m ay I n ot g o t o -n ig ht? ”

“B ecau se , d ear s ir , m y c o ach m an a n d h ors e s a re a w ay o n a m is sio n.”

“B ut I w ould w alk w ith p le asu re . I w an t to g et a w ay a t o nce.” H e s m ile d ,

su ch a s o ft, s m ooth , d ia b olic al s m ile th at I k new th ere w as s o m e tr ic k b eh in d

his s m ooth ness. H e s a id :—

“A nd y our b ag gag e?”

“I d o n ot c are a b out i t. I c an s e n d f o r i t s o m e o th er t im e.”

The C ount s to od u p, a n d s a id , w ith a s w eet c o urte sy w hic h m ad e m e ru b

my e y es, i t s e em ed s o r e al:—

“Y ou E nglis h h av e a s a y in g w hic h is c lo se to m y h eart, f o r its s p ir it is th at

whic h r u le s o ur b oyars : ‘ W elc o m e t h e c o m in g; s p eed t h e p artin g g uest.’ C om e

with m e, m y d ear y oung frie n d. N ot an h our sh all y ou w ait in m y h ouse

ag ain st y our w ill, th ough s a d a m I a t y our g oin g, a n d th at y ou s o s u dden ly

desir e it. C om e!” W ith a s ta te ly g ra v ity , h e, w ith th e la m p, p re ced ed m e d ow n

th e s ta ir s a n d a lo ng t h e h all. S udden ly h e s to pped .

“H ark !”

Clo se a t h an d c am e th e h ow lin g o f m an y w olv es. It w as a lm ost a s if th e

so und s p ra n g u p a t t h e r is in g o f h is h an d, j u st a s t h e m usic o f a g re at o rc h estr a

se em s t o l e ap u nder t h e b âto n o f t h e c o nducto r. A fte r a p au se o f a m om en t, h e

pro ceed ed , in h is sta te ly w ay, to th e d oor, d re w b ack th e p ondero us b olts ,

unhooked t h e h eav y c h ain s, a n d b eg an t o d ra w i t o pen .

To m y in te n se a sto nis h m en t I sa w th at it w as u nlo ck ed . S usp ic io usly , I

lo oked a ll r o und, b ut c o uld s e e n o k ey o f a n y k in d.

As th e d oor b eg an to o pen , th e h ow lin g o f th e w olv es w ith out g re w lo uder

an d a n grie r; t h eir r e d j a w s, w ith c h am pin g t e eth , a n d t h eir b lu nt- c la w ed f e et a s

th ey le ap ed , c am e in th ro ugh th e o pen in g d oor. I k new th en th at to s tr u ggle a t

th e m om en t a g ain st th e C ount w as u se le ss. W ith su ch a llie s a s th ese a t h is

co m man d, I c o uld d o n oth in g. B ut s till t h e d oor c o ntin ued s lo w ly t o o pen , a n d

only th e C ount’s b ody s to od in th e g ap . S udden ly it s tr u ck m e th at th is m ig ht

be t h e m om en t a n d m ean s o f m y d oom ; I w as t o b e g iv en t o t h e w olv es, a n d a t

my ow n in stig atio n. T here w as a dia b olic al w ic k ed ness in th e id ea gre at en ough f o r t h e C ount, a n d a s a l a st c h an ce I c rie d o ut:—

“S hut th e d oor; I s h all w ait till m orn in g!” a n d c o vere d m y fa ce w ith m y

han ds to hid e m y te ars of bit te r dis a p poin tm en t. W ith one sw eep of his

pow erfu l a rm , th e C ount th re w th e d oor s h ut, a n d th e g re at b olts c la n ged a n d

ech oed t h ro ugh t h e h all a s t h ey s h ot b ack i n to t h eir p la ces.

In s ile n ce w e r e tu rn ed t o t h e l ib ra ry , a n d a fte r a m in ute o r t w o I w en t t o m y

ow n ro om . T he la st I s a w o f C ount D ra cu la w as h is k is sin g h is h an d to m e;

with a re d lig ht o f tr iu m ph in h is e y es, a n d w ith a sm ile th at Ju das in h ell

mig ht b e p ro ud o f.

When I w as in m y ro om an d ab out to lie d ow n, I th ought I h eard a

whis p erin g at m y door. I w en t to it so ftly an d lis te n ed . U nle ss m y ears

deceiv ed m e, I h eard t h e v oic e o f t h e C ount:—

“B ack , b ack , to y our o w n p la ce! Y our tim e is n ot y et c o m e. W ait! H av e

patie n ce! T o-n ig ht i s m in e. T o-m orro w n ig ht i s y ours !” T here w as a l o w , s w eet

rip ple o f la u ghte r, a n d in a ra g e I th re w o pen th e d oor, a n d s a w w ith out th e

th re e te rrib le w om en lic k in g th eir lip s. A s I ap peare d th ey all jo in ed in a

horrib le l a u gh, a n d r a n a w ay.

I c am e b ack to m y r o om a n d th re w m yse lf o n m y k nees. I t is th en s o n ear

th e e n d? T o-m orro w ! to -m orro w ! L ord , h elp m e, a n d th ose to w hom I a m

dear!

30 J u ne, m orn in g.— These m ay b e th e la st w ord s I e v er w rite in th is d ia ry .

I s le p t till ju st b efo re th e d aw n, a n d w hen I w oke th re w m yse lf o n m y k nees,

fo r I d ete rm in ed t h at i f D eath c am e h e s h ould f in d m e r e ad y.

At la st I fe lt th at s u btle c h an ge in th e a ir , a n d k new th at th e m orn in g h ad

co m e. T hen c am e th e w elc o m e c o ck -c ro w , a n d I fe lt th at I w as s a fe . W ith a

gla d h eart, I o pen ed m y d oor a n d r a n d ow n t o t h e h all. I h ad s e en t h at t h e d oor

was u nlo ck ed , a n d n ow e sc ap e w as b efo re m e. W ith h an ds th at tr e m ble d w ith

eag ern ess, I u nhooked t h e c h ain s a n d d re w b ack t h e m assiv e b olts .

But th e d oor w ould n ot m ove. D esp air s e iz ed m e. I p ulle d , a n d p ulle d , a t

th e d oor, a n d s h ook it till, m assiv e a s it w as, it r a ttle d in its c ase m en t. I c o uld

se e t h e b olt s h ot. I t h ad b een l o ck ed a fte r I l e ft t h e C ount.

Then a w ild d esir e t o ok m e t o o bta in t h at k ey a t a n y r is k , a n d I d ete rm in ed

th en a n d t h ere t o s c ale t h e w all a g ain a n d g ain t h e C ount’s r o om . H e m ig ht k ill

me, b ut d eath n ow se em ed th e h ap pie r ch oic e o f ev ils . W ith out a p au se I

ru sh ed u p t o t h e e ast w in dow , a n d s c ra m ble d d ow n t h e w all, a s b efo re , i n to t h e

Count’s r o om . I t w as e m pty , b ut th at w as a s I e x pecte d . I c o uld n ot s e e a k ey

an yw here , b ut t h e h eap o f g old r e m ain ed . I w en t t h ro ugh t h e d oor i n t h e c o rn er

an d d ow n th e w in din g sta ir a n d a lo ng th e d ark p assa g e to th e o ld c h ap el. I knew n ow w ell e n ough w here t o f in d t h e m onste r I s o ught.

The g re at b ox w as i n t h e s a m e p la ce, c lo se a g ain st t h e w all, b ut t h e l id w as

la id o n it, n ot fa ste n ed d ow n, b ut w ith th e n ails re ad y in th eir p la ces to b e

ham mere d h om e. I k new I m ust r e ach th e b ody f o r th e k ey, s o I r a is e d th e lid ,

an d la id it b ack a g ain st th e w all; a n d th en I s a w s o m eth in g w hic h fille d m y

very so ul w ith h orro r. T here la y th e C ount, b ut lo okin g a s if h is y outh h ad

been h alf re n ew ed , fo r th e w hite h air a n d m ousta ch e w ere c h an ged to d ark

ir o n-g re y ; th e ch eek s w ere fu lle r, an d th e w hite sk in se em ed ru by-re d

undern eath ; t h e m outh w as r e d der t h an e v er, f o r o n t h e l ip s w ere g outs o f f re sh

blo od, w hic h tr ic k le d f ro m th e c o rn ers o f th e m outh a n d r a n o ver th e c h in a n d

neck . E ven th e d eep , b urn in g e y es s e em ed s e t a m ongst s w olle n f le sh , f o r th e

lid s a n d p ouch es u ndern eath w ere b lo ate d . It se em ed a s if th e w hole a w fu l

cre atu re w ere s im ply g org ed w ith b lo od. H e la y lik e a f ilth y le ech , e x hau ste d

with h is r e p le tio n. I s h uddere d a s I b en t o ver to to uch h im , a n d e v ery s e n se in

me r e v olte d a t t h e c o nta ct; b ut I h ad t o s e arc h , o r I w as l o st. T he c o m in g n ig ht

mig ht s e e m y o w n b ody a b an quet in a s im ila r w ay to th ose h orrid th re e. I f e lt

all o ver th e b ody, b ut n o sig n c o uld I fin d o f th e k ey. T hen I sto pped a n d

lo oked a t th e C ount. T here w as a m ock in g s m ile o n th e b lo ate d fa ce w hic h

se em ed to d riv e m e m ad . T his w as th e b ein g I w as h elp in g to tr a n sfe r to

London, w here , p erh ap s, f o r c en tu rie s to c o m e h e m ig ht, a m ongst its te em in g

millio ns, s a tia te h is lu st f o r b lo od, a n d c re ate a n ew a n d e v er- w id en in g c ir c le

of s e m i- d em ons to b atte n o n th e h elp le ss. T he v ery th ought d ro ve m e m ad . A

te rrib le d esir e c am e u pon m e t o r id t h e w orld o f s u ch a m onste r. T here w as n o

le th al w eap on a t h an d, b ut I se iz ed a sh ovel w hic h th e w ork m en h ad b een

usin g to f ill th e c ase s, a n d lif tin g it h ig h, s tr u ck , w ith th e e d ge d ow nw ard , a t

th e h ate fu l f a ce. B ut a s I d id s o t h e h ead t u rn ed , a n d t h e e y es f e ll f u ll u pon m e,

with a ll t h eir b la ze o f b asilis k h orro r. T he s ig ht s e em ed t o p ara ly se m e, a n d t h e

sh ovel tu rn ed in m y h an d a n d g la n ced fro m th e fa ce, m ere ly m ak in g a d eep

gash a b ove th e f o re h ead . T he s h ovel f e ll f ro m m y h an d a cro ss th e b ox, a n d a s

I p ulle d it a w ay th e fla n ge o f th e b la d e c au ght th e e d ge o f th e lid w hic h fe ll

over a g ain , a n d h id t h e h orrid t h in g f ro m m y s ig ht. T he l a st g lim pse I h ad w as

of t h e b lo ate d f a ce, b lo od-s ta in ed a n d f ix ed w ith a g rin o f m alic e w hic h w ould

hav e h eld i ts o w n i n t h e n eth erm ost h ell.

I th ought a n d th ought w hat s h ould b e m y n ex t m ove, b ut m y b ra in s e em ed

on f ir e , a n d I w aite d w ith a d esp air in g f e elin g g ro w in g o ver m e. A s I w aite d I

heard in th e d is ta n ce a g ip sy s o ng s u ng b y m erry v oic es c o m in g c lo se r, a n d

th ro ugh th eir s o ng th e r o llin g o f h eav y w heels a n d th e c ra ck in g o f w hip s; th e

Szg an y a n d th e S lo vak s o f w hom th e C ount h ad s p oken w ere c o m in g. W ith a

la st lo ok a ro und a n d a t th e b ox w hic h c o nta in ed th e v ile b ody, I r a n f ro m th e

pla ce a n d g ain ed th e C ount’s r o om , d ete rm in ed to r u sh o ut a t th e m om en t th e

door s h ould b e o pen ed . W ith s tr a in ed e ars , I l is te n ed , a n d h eard d ow nsta ir s t h e

grin din g o f th e k ey in th e g re at lo ck a n d th e fa llin g b ack o f th e h eav y d oor. There m ust h av e b een s o m e o th er m ean s o f e n tr y , o r s o m e o ne h ad a k ey f o r

one o f t h e l o ck ed d oors . T hen t h ere c am e t h e s o und o f m an y f e et t r a m pin g a n d

dyin g a w ay in s o m e p assa g e w hic h s e n t u p a c la n gin g e ch o. I tu rn ed to ru n

dow n a g ain to w ard s th e v au lt, w here I m ig ht f in d th e n ew e n tr a n ce; b ut a t th e

mom en t th ere se em ed to c o m e a v io le n t p uff o f w in d, a n d th e d oor to th e

win din g sta ir b le w to w ith a sh ock th at se t th e d ust fro m th e lin te ls fly in g.

When I r a n to p ush it o pen , I f o und th at it w as h opele ssly f a st. I w as a g ain a

pris o ner, a n d t h e n et o f d oom w as c lo sin g r o und m e m ore c lo se ly .

As I w rite t h ere i s i n t h e p assa g e b elo w a s o und o f m an y t r a m pin g f e et a n d

th e c ra sh o f w eig hts b ein g s e t d ow n h eav ily , d oubtle ss th e b oxes, w ith th eir

fre ig ht o f e arth . T here is a so und o f h am merin g; it is th e b ox b ein g n aile d

dow n. N ow I c an h ear t h e h eav y f e et t r a m pin g a g ain a lo ng t h e h all, w ith m an y

oth er i d le f e et c o m in g b eh in d t h em .

The d oor is s h ut, a n d th e c h ain s r a ttle ; th ere is a g rin din g o f th e k ey in th e

lo ck ; I c an h ear th e k ey w ith dra w : th en a n oth er d oor o pen s a n d s h uts ; I h ear

th e c re ak in g o f l o ck a n d b olt.

Hark ! in th e c o urty ard a n d d ow n th e ro ck y w ay th e ro ll o f h eav y w heels ,

th e c ra ck o f w hip s, a n d t h e c h oru s o f t h e S zg an y a s t h ey p ass i n to t h e d is ta n ce.

I a m a lo ne i n t h e c astle w ith t h ose a w fu l w om en . F au gh! M in a i s a w om an ,

an d t h ere i s n ought i n c o m mon. T hey a re d ev ils o f t h e P it!

I sh all n ot re m ain alo ne w ith th em ; I sh all tr y to sc ale th e castle w all

fa rth er th an I h av e y et a tte m pte d . I s h all ta k e s o m e o f th e g old w ith m e, le st I

wan t i t l a te r. I m ay f in d a w ay f ro m t h is d re ad fu l p la ce.

And th en a w ay fo r h om e! a w ay to th e q uic k est a n d n eare st tr a in ! a w ay

fro m th is c u rs e d s p ot, f ro m th is c u rs e d la n d, w here th e d ev il a n d h is c h ild re n

still w alk w ith e arth ly f e et!

At le ast G od’s m erc y is bette r th an th at of th ese m onste rs , an d th e

pre cip ic e i s s te ep a n d h ig h. A t i ts f o ot a m an m ay s le ep — as a m an . G ood-b ye,

all! M in a!

CH APT ER V

Lette r f r o m M is s M in a M urra y t o M is s L ucy W este n ra .

“9 M ay.

“M y d eare st L ucy,—

“F org iv e m y lo ng d ela y in w ritin g, b ut I h av e b een s im ply o verw helm ed with w ork . T he lif e o f a n a ssis ta n t s c h oolm is tr e ss is s o m etim es tr y in g. I a m

lo ngin g to b e w ith y ou, a n d b y th e s e a, w here w e c an ta lk to geth er f re ely a n d

build o ur c astle s in th e a ir. I h av e b een w ork in g v ery h ard la te ly , b ecau se I

wan t to k eep u p w ith J o nath an ’s s tu die s, a n d I h av e b een p ra ctis in g s h orth an d

very a ssid uously . W hen w e a re m arrie d I s h all b e a b le t o b e u se fu l t o J o nath an ,

an d if I c an s te n ogra p h w ell e n ough I c an ta k e d ow n w hat h e w an ts to s a y in

th is w ay an d w rite it out fo r him on th e ty pew rite r, at w hic h als o I am

pra ctis in g v ery h ard . H e a n d I s o m etim es w rite le tte rs in s h orth an d, a n d h e is

keep in g a s te n ogra p hic jo urn al o f h is tr a v els a b ro ad . W hen I a m w ith y ou I

sh all k eep a d ia ry in th e s a m e w ay. I d on’t m ean o ne o f th ose tw o-p ag es-to -

th e-w eek -w ith -S unday -s q ueezed -in -a -c o rn er dia rie s, but a so rt of jo urn al

whic h I c an w rite in w hen ev er I fe el in clin ed . I d o n ot s u ppose th ere w ill b e

much o f in te re st to o th er p eo ple ; b ut it is n ot in te n ded f o r th em . I m ay s h ow it

to J o nath an s o m e d ay i f t h ere i s i n i t a n yth in g w orth s h arin g, b ut i t i s r e ally a n

ex erc is e b ook. I s h all t r y t o d o w hat I s e e l a d y j o urn alis ts d o: i n te rv ie w in g a n d

writin g d esc rip tio ns a n d t r y in g t o r e m em ber c o nvers a tio ns. I a m t o ld t h at, w ith

a little p ra ctic e, o ne c an re m em ber a ll th at g oes o n o r th at o ne h ears sa id

durin g a d ay. H ow ev er, w e s h all s e e. I w ill t e ll y ou o f m y l ittle p la n s w hen w e

meet. I h av e j u st h ad a f e w h urrie d l in es f ro m J o nath an f ro m T ra n sy lv an ia . H e

is w ell, a n d w ill b e re tu rn in g in a b out a w eek . I a m lo ngin g to h ear a ll h is

new s. It m ust b e so n ic e to se e str a n ge c o untr ie s. I w onder if w e— I m ean

Jo nath an a n d I— sh all e v er se e th em to geth er. T here is th e te n o ’c lo ck b ell

rin gin g. G ood-b ye.

“Y our l o vin g

“M in a.

“T ell m e a ll t h e n ew s w hen y ou w rite . Y ou h av e n ot t o ld m e a n yth in g f o r a

lo ng tim e. I h ear ru m ours , a n d e sp ecia lly o f a ta ll, h an dso m e, c u rly -h air e d

man ???”

Lette r, L ucy W este n ra t o M in a M urra y.

“1 7, C hath am S tr e et,

“W ed nesd ay.

“M y d eare st M in a,—

“I m ust sa y y ou ta x m e v ery u nfa ir ly w ith b ein g a b ad c o rre sp onden t. I

wro te to y ou tw ic e s in ce w e p arte d , a n d y our la st le tte r w as o nly y our s e co nd.

Besid es, I h av e n oth in g to te ll y ou. T here is re ally n oth in g to in te re st y ou.

Tow n i s v ery p le asa n t j u st n ow , a n d w e g o a g ood d eal t o p ic tu re -g alle rie s a n d

fo r w alk s a n d rid es in th e p ark . A s to th e ta ll, c u rly -h air e d m an , I s u ppose it

was th e o ne w ho w as w ith m e a t th e la st P op. S om e o ne h as e v id en tly b een

te llin g ta le s. T hat w as M r. H olm wood. H e o fte n c o m es to s e e u s, a n d h e a n d mam ma g et o n v ery w ell to geth er; th ey h av e s o m an y th in gs to ta lk a b out in

co m mon. W e m et s o m e t im e a g o a m an t h at w ould j u st d o f o r y ou, i f y ou w ere

not a lr e ad y e n gag ed to Jo nath an . H e is a n e x celle n t p arti, b ein g h an dso m e,

well o ff , a n d o f g ood b ir th . H e is a d octo r a n d r e ally c le v er. J u st f a n cy ! H e is

only n in e-a n d-tw en ty , a n d h e h as a n i m men se l u natic a sy lu m a ll u nder h is o w n

care . M r. H olm wood in tr o duced h im to m e, a n d h e c alle d h ere to s e e u s, a n d

ofte n c o m es n ow . I t h in k h e i s o ne o f t h e m ost r e so lu te m en I e v er s a w , a n d y et

th e m ost calm . H e se em s ab so lu te ly im pertu rb ab le . I can fa n cy w hat a

wonderfu l p ow er h e m ust h av e o ver h is p atie n ts . H e h as a c u rio us h ab it o f

lo okin g o ne s tr a ig ht in th e fa ce, a s if tr y in g to re ad o ne’s th oughts . H e tr ie s

th is o n v ery m uch w ith m e, b ut I f la tte r m yse lf h e h as g ot a t o ugh n ut t o c ra ck .

I k now th at f ro m m y g la ss. D o y ou e v er tr y to r e ad y our o w n f a ce? I d o, a n d I

can t e ll y ou i t i s n ot a b ad s tu dy, a n d g iv es y ou m ore t r o uble t h an y ou c an w ell

fa n cy if you hav e nev er tr ie d it. H e sa y s th at I aff o rd him a cu rio us

psy ch olo gic al stu dy, a n d I h um bly th in k I d o. I d o n ot, a s y ou k now , ta k e

su ff ic ie n t in te re st in d re ss to b e a b le to d esc rib e th e n ew fa sh io ns. D re ss is a

bore . T hat i s s la n g a g ain , b ut n ev er m in d; A rth ur s a y s t h at e v ery d ay. T here , i t

is a ll o ut. M in a, w e h av e to ld a ll o ur se cre ts to e ach o th er sin ce w e w ere

ch ild re n ; w e h av e sle p t to geth er a n d e ate n to geth er, a n d la u ghed a n d c rie d

to geth er; a n d n ow , th ough I h av e sp oken , I w ould lik e to sp eak m ore . O h,

Min a, c o uld n’t y ou g uess? I lo ve h im . I a m b lu sh in g a s I w rite , f o r a lth ough I

th in k h e lo ves m e, h e h as n ot to ld m e s o in w ord s. B ut o h, M in a, I lo ve h im ; I

lo ve h im ; I lo ve h im ! T here , th at d oes m e g ood. I w is h I w ere w ith y ou, d ear,

sittin g b y th e fir e u ndre ssin g, a s w e u se d to s it; a n d I w ould tr y to te ll y ou

what I fe el. I d o n ot k now h ow I a m w ritin g th is e v en to y ou. I a m a fra id to

sto p, o r I s h ould t e ar u p t h e l e tte r, a n d I d on’t w an t t o s to p, f o r I d o s o w an t t o

te ll y ou a ll. L et m e h ear f ro m y ou a t o nce, a n d te ll m e a ll th at y ou th in k a b out

it. M in a, I m ust s to p. G ood-n ig ht. B le ss m e in y our p ra y ers ; a n d, M in a, p ra y

fo r m y h ap pin ess.

“L U CY.

“P .S .— I n eed n ot t e ll y ou t h is i s a s e cre t. G ood-n ig ht a g ain .

“L .”

Lette r, L ucy W este n ra t o M in a M urra y.

“2 4 M ay.

“M y d eare st M in a,—

“T han ks, a n d th an ks, a n d th an ks a g ain f o r y our s w eet le tte r. I t w as s o n ic e

to b e a b le t o t e ll y ou a n d t o h av e y our s y m path y.

“M y d ear, it n ev er r a in s b ut it p ours . H ow tr u e th e o ld p ro verb s a re . H ere

am I , w ho s h all b e tw en ty in S ep te m ber, a n d y et I n ev er h ad a p ro posa l till to - day, n ot a re al p ro posa l, an d to -d ay I h av e h ad th re e. Ju st fa n cy ! T H REE

pro posa ls in o ne d ay ! I s n ’t it a w fu l! I f e el s o rry , r e ally a n d tr u ly s o rry , f o r tw o

of th e p oor fe llo w s. O h, M in a, I a m s o h ap py th at I d on’t k now w hat to d o

with m yse lf . A nd th re e p ro posa ls ! B ut, fo r g oodness’ s a k e, d o n’t te ll a n y o f

th e g ir ls , o r th ey w ould b e g ettin g a ll s o rts o f e x tr a v ag an t id eas a n d i m ag in in g

th em se lv es in ju re d a n d s lig hte d if in th eir v ery f ir s t d ay a t h om e th ey d id n ot

get s ix a t l e ast. S om e g ir ls a re s o v ain ! Y ou a n d I , M in a d ear, w ho a re e n gag ed

an d a re g oin g t o s e ttle d ow n s o on s o berly i n to o ld m arrie d w om en , c an d esp is e

van ity . W ell, I m ust te ll y ou a b out th e th re e, b ut y ou m ust k eep it a se cre t,

dear, f ro m e v ery o ne, e x cep t, o f c o urs e , J o nath an . Y ou w ill te ll h im , b ecau se I

would , i f I w ere i n y our p la ce, c erta in ly t e ll A rth ur. A w om an o ught t o t e ll h er

husb an d e v ery th in g— don’t y ou th in k s o , d ear? — an d I m ust b e f a ir. M en lik e

wom en , c erta in ly th eir w iv es, to b e q uite a s f a ir a s th ey a re ; a n d w om en , I a m

afra id , a re n ot a lw ay s q uite a s fa ir a s th ey s h ould b e. W ell, m y d ear, n um ber

One c am e ju st b efo re lu nch . I to ld y ou o f h im , D r. J o hn S ew ard , th e lu natic -

asy lu m m an , w ith th e str o ng ja w a n d th e g ood fo re h ead . H e w as v ery c o ol

outw ard ly , b ut w as n erv ous a ll th e sa m e. H e h ad e v id en tly b een sc h oolin g

him se lf a s to a ll so rts o f little th in gs, a n d re m em bere d th em ; b ut h e a lm ost

man ag ed to s it d ow n o n h is s ilk h at, w hic h m en d on’t g en era lly d o w hen th ey

are c o ol, a n d th en w hen h e w an te d to a p pear a t e ase h e k ep t p la y in g w ith a

la n cet in a w ay th at m ad e m e n early sc re am . H e sp oke to m e, M in a, v ery

str a ig htf o rw ard ly . H e t o ld m e h ow d ear I w as t o h im , t h ough h e h ad k now n m e

so little , a n d w hat h is lif e w ould b e w ith m e to h elp a n d c h eer h im . H e w as

goin g to te ll m e h ow u nhap py h e w ould b e if I d id n ot c are f o r h im , b ut w hen

he s a w m e c ry h e s a id th at h e w as a b ru te a n d w ould n ot a d d to m y p re se n t

tr o uble . T hen h e b ro ke o ff a n d a sk ed if I c o uld lo ve h im in tim e; a n d w hen I

sh ook m y h ead h is h an ds t r e m ble d , a n d t h en w ith s o m e h esita tio n h e a sk ed m e

if I c are d a lr e ad y f o r a n y o ne e ls e . H e p ut i t v ery n ic ely , s a y in g t h at h e d id n ot

wan t to w rin g m y co nfid en ce fro m m e, but only to know , becau se if a

wom an ’s h eart w as f re e a m an m ig ht h av e h ope. A nd th en , M in a, I f e lt a s o rt

of d uty to te ll h im th at th ere w as s o m e o ne. I o nly to ld h im th at m uch , a n d

th en h e s to od u p, a n d h e l o oked v ery s tr o ng a n d v ery g ra v e a s h e t o ok b oth m y

han ds in h is a n d s a id h e h oped I w ould b e h ap py, a n d th at if I e v er w an te d a

frie n d I m ust c o unt h im o ne o f m y b est. O h, M in a d ear, I c an ’t h elp c ry in g:

an d y ou m ust e x cu se th is le tte r b ein g a ll b lo tte d . B ein g p ro pose d to is a ll v ery

nic e a n d a ll t h at s o rt o f t h in g, b ut i t i s n ’t a t a ll a h ap py t h in g w hen y ou h av e t o

se e a poor fe llo w , w hom you know lo ves you honestly , goin g aw ay an d

lo okin g a ll b ro ken -h earte d , a n d t o k now t h at, n o m atte r w hat h e m ay s a y a t t h e

mom en t, y ou a re p assin g q uite o ut o f h is lif e . M y d ear, I m ust s to p h ere a t

pre se n t, I f e el s o m is e ra b le , t h ough I a m s o h ap py.

“E ven in g.

“A rth ur h as ju st g one, a n d I f e el in b ette r s p ir its th an w hen I le ft o ff , s o I can g o o n te llin g y ou a b out th e d ay. W ell, m y d ear, n um ber T w o c am e a fte r

lu nch . H e is su ch a n ic e fe llo w , a n A m eric an fro m T ex as, a n d h e lo oks so

young a n d so fre sh th at it se em s a lm ost im possib le th at h e h as b een to so

man y p la ces a n d h as h ad s u ch a d ven tu re s. I s y m path is e w ith p oor D esd em ona

when s h e h ad s u ch a d an gero us s tr e am p oure d i n h er e ar, e v en b y a b la ck m an .

I s u ppose th at w e w om en a re s u ch c o w ard s th at w e th in k a m an w ill s a v e u s

fro m f e ars , a n d w e m arry h im . I k now n ow w hat I w ould d o if I w ere a m an

an d w an te d to m ak e a g ir l lo ve m e. N o, I d on’t, fo r th ere w as M r. M orris

te llin g u s h is s to rie s, a n d A rth ur n ev er to ld a n y, a n d y et— — M y d ear, I a m

so m ew hat p re v io us. M r. Q uin cey P . M orris fo und m e a lo ne. It s e em s th at a

man a lw ay s d oes fin d a g ir l a lo ne. N o, h e d oesn ’t, fo r A rth ur tr ie d tw ic e to

mak e a c h an ce, a n d I h elp in g h im a ll I c o uld ; I a m n ot a sh am ed t o s a y i t n ow . I

must te ll y ou b efo re h an d th at M r. M orris d oesn ’t a lw ay s s p eak s la n g— th at is

to sa y, h e n ev er d oes so to str a n gers o r b efo re th em , fo r h e is re ally w ell

ed ucate d a n d h as e x quis ite m an ners — but h e fo und o ut th at it a m use d m e to

hear h im ta lk A m eric an s la n g, a n d w hen ev er I w as p re se n t, a n d th ere w as n o

one to b e s h ock ed , h e s a id s u ch f u nny th in gs. I a m a fra id , m y d ear, h e h as to

in ven t it a ll, fo r it fits e x actly in to w hate v er e ls e h e h as to s a y. B ut th is is a

way s la n g h as. I d o n ot k now m yse lf i f I s h all e v er s p eak s la n g; I d o n ot k now

if A rth ur lik es it, a s I h av e n ev er h eard h im u se a n y a s y et. W ell, M r. M orris

sa t d ow n b esid e m e a n d l o oked a s h ap py a n d j o lly a s h e c o uld , b ut I c o uld s e e

all th e s a m e th at h e w as v ery n erv ous. H e to ok m y h an d in h is , a n d s a id e v er

so s w eetly :—

“ ‘M is s L ucy, I k now I a in ’t g ood e n ough to re g ula te th e fix in ’s o f y our

little s h oes, b ut I g uess if y ou w ait till y ou f in d a m an th at is y ou w ill g o jo in

th em s e v en y oung w om en w ith th e l a m ps w hen y ou q uit. W on’t y ou j u st h itc h

up a lo ngsid e o f m e a n d le t u s g o d ow n th e lo ng ro ad to geth er, d riv in g in

double h arn ess? ’

“W ell, h e d id lo ok s o g ood-h um oure d a n d s o jo lly th at it d id n’t s e em h alf

so h ard t o r e fu se h im a s i t d id p oor D r. S ew ard ; s o I s a id , a s l ig htly a s I c o uld ,

th at I d id n ot k now a n yth in g o f h itc h in g, a n d t h at I w asn ’t b ro ken t o h arn ess a t

all y et. T hen h e s a id t h at h e h ad s p oken i n a l ig ht m an ner, a n d h e h oped t h at i f

he h ad m ad e a m is ta k e i n d oin g s o o n s o g ra v e, s o m om en to us, a n o ccasio n f o r

him , I w ould fo rg iv e h im . H e re ally d id lo ok s e rio us w hen h e w as s a y in g it,

an d I c o uld n’t h elp f e elin g a b it s e rio us to o— I k now , M in a, y ou w ill th in k m e

a h orrid flir t— th ough I c o uld n’t h elp fe elin g a s o rt o f e x ulta tio n th at h e w as

num ber t w o i n o ne d ay. A nd t h en , m y d ear, b efo re I c o uld s a y a w ord h e b eg an

pourin g o ut a p erfe ct to rre n t o f lo ve-m ak in g, la y in g h is v ery h eart a n d s o ul a t

my f e et. H e lo oked s o e arn est o ver it th at I s h all n ev er a g ain th in k th at a m an

must b e p la y fu l a lw ay s, a n d n ev er e arn est, b ecau se h e is m erry a t tim es. I

su ppose h e sa w so m eth in g in m y fa ce w hic h c h eck ed h im , fo r h e su dden ly

sto pped , a n d s a id w ith a s o rt o f m an ly f e rv our th at I c o uld h av e lo ved h im f o r if I h ad b een f re e:—

“ ‘L ucy, y ou are an h onest- h earte d g ir l, I k now . I sh ould n ot b e h ere

sp eak in g t o y ou a s I a m n ow i f I d id n ot b elie v e y ou c le an g rit, r ig ht t h ro ugh t o

th e v ery d ep th s o f y our s o ul. T ell m e, lik e o ne g ood f e llo w to a n oth er, is th ere

an y o ne e ls e th at y ou c are fo r? A nd if th ere is I’ll n ev er tr o uble y ou a h air ’s

bre ad th a g ain , b ut w ill b e, i f y ou w ill l e t m e, a v ery f a ith fu l f rie n d.’

“M y d ear M in a, w hy are m en so n oble w hen w e w om en are so little

worth y o f th em ? H ere w as I a lm ost m ak in g fu n o f th is g re at- h earte d , tr u e

gen tle m an . I b urs t in to te ars — I a m a fra id , m y d ear, y ou w ill th in k th is a v ery

slo ppy le tte r in m ore w ay s th an o ne— an d I r e ally f e lt v ery b ad ly . W hy c an ’t

th ey le t a g ir l m arry th re e m en , o r a s m an y a s w an t h er, a n d sa v e a ll th is

tr o uble ? B ut t h is i s h ere sy , a n d I m ust n ot s a y i t. I a m g la d t o s a y t h at, t h ough I

was c ry in g, I w as a b le t o l o ok i n to M r. M orris ’s b ra v e e y es, a n d I t o ld h im o ut

str a ig ht:—

“ ‘ Y es, t h ere i s s o m e o ne I l o ve, t h ough h e h as n ot t o ld m e y et t h at h e e v en

lo ves m e.’ I w as r ig ht t o s p eak t o h im s o f ra n kly , f o r q uite a l ig ht c am e i n to h is

fa ce, a n d h e p ut o ut b oth h is h an ds a n d to ok m in e— I th in k I p ut th em in to h is

—an d s a id i n a h earty w ay :—

“ ‘ T hat’s m y b ra v e g ir l. I t’s b ette r w orth b ein g l a te f o r a c h an ce o f w in nin g

you th an b ein g in tim e f o r a n y o th er g ir l in th e w orld . D on’t c ry , m y d ear. I f

it’s fo r m e, I’m a h ard n ut to c ra ck ; a n d I ta k e it sta n din g u p. If th at o th er

fe llo w d oesn ’t k now h is h ap pin ess, w ell, h e’d b ette r lo ok f o r it s o on, o r h e’ll

hav e to d eal w ith m e. L ittle g ir l, y our h onesty a n d p lu ck h av e m ad e m e a

frie n d, a n d th at’s r a re r th an a lo ver; it’s m ore u nse lf is h a n yhow . M y d ear, I ’m

goin g to h av e a p re tty lo nely w alk b etw een th is a n d K in gdom C om e. W on’t

you g iv e m e o ne k is s? It’ ll b e s o m eth in g to k eep o ff th e d ark ness n ow a n d

th en . Y ou c an , y ou k now , i f y ou l ik e, f o r t h at o th er g ood f e llo w — he m ust b e a

good fe llo w , m y d ear, a n d a fin e fe llo w , o r y ou c o uld n ot lo ve h im — hasn ’t

sp oken y et.’ T hat q uite w on m e, M in a, f o r it w as b ra v e a n d s w eet o f h im , a n d

noble , to o, to a riv al— wasn ’t it? — an d h e s o s a d ; s o I le an t o ver a n d k is se d

him . H e s to od u p w ith m y tw o h an ds in h is , a n d a s h e lo oked d ow n in to m y

fa ce— I a m a fra id I w as b lu sh in g v ery m uch — he s a id :—

“ ‘L ittle g ir l, I h old y our h an d, a n d y ou’v e k is se d m e, a n d if th ese th in gs

don’t m ak e u s f rie n ds n oth in g e v er w ill. T han k y ou f o r y our s w eet h onesty to

me, a n d g ood-b ye.’ H e w ru ng m y h an d, a n d ta k in g u p h is h at, w en t s tr a ig ht

out o f th e ro om w ith out lo okin g b ack , w ith out a te ar o r a q uiv er o r a p au se ;

an d I a m c ry in g lik e a b ab y. O h, w hy m ust a m an lik e th at b e m ad e u nhap py

when th ere a re lo ts o f g ir ls a b out w ho w ould w ors h ip th e v ery g ro und h e tr o d

on? I k now I w ould if I w ere f re e— only I d on’t w an t to b e f re e. M y d ear, th is

quite u pse t m e, a n d I f e el I c an not w rite o f h ap pin ess ju st a t o nce, a fte r te llin g you o f i t; a n d I d on’t w is h t o t e ll o f t h e n um ber t h re e u ntil i t c an b e a ll h ap py.

“E ver y our l o vin g

“L ucy.

“P .S .— Oh, a b out n um ber T hre e— I n eed n’t t e ll y ou o f n um ber T hre e, n eed

I? B esid es, it w as a ll s o c o nfu se d ; it s e em ed o nly a m om en t f ro m h is c o m in g

in to th e r o om till b oth h is a rm s w ere r o und m e, a n d h e w as k is sin g m e. I a m

very , v ery h ap py, a n d I d on’t k now w hat I h av e d one t o d ese rv e i t. I m ust o nly

tr y in th e f u tu re to s h ow th at I a m n ot u ngra te fu l to G od f o r a ll H is g oodness

to m e i n s e n din g t o m e s u ch a l o ver, s u ch a h usb an d, a n d s u ch a f rie n d.

“G ood-b ye.”

Dr. S ew ard ’s D ia ry .

(K ep t i n p honogra p h)

25 M ay.— Ebb tid e in a p petite to -d ay. C an not e at, c an not re st, so d ia ry

in ste ad . S in ce m y r e b uff o f y este rd ay I h av e a s o rt o f e m pty f e elin g; n oth in g i n

th e w orld s e em s o f s u ff ic ie n t im porta n ce to b e w orth th e d oin g.... A s I k new

th at th e o nly c u re fo r th is s o rt o f th in g w as w ork , I w en t d ow n a m ongst th e

patie n ts . I p ic k ed o ut o ne w ho h as a ff o rd ed m e a s tu dy o f m uch i n te re st. H e i s

so q uain t th at I a m d ete rm in ed to u nders ta n d h im a s w ell a s I c an . T o-d ay I

se em ed t o g et n eare r t h an e v er b efo re t o t h e h eart o f h is m yste ry .

I q uestio ned h im m ore f u lly th an I h ad e v er d one, w ith a v ie w to m ak in g

myse lf m aste r o f th e f a cts o f h is h allu cin atio n. I n m y m an ner o f d oin g it th ere

was, I n ow se e, so m eth in g o f c ru elty . I se em ed to w is h to k eep h im to th e

poin t o f h is m ad ness— a th in g w hic h I a v oid w ith th e p atie n ts a s I w ould th e

mouth o f h ell.

(M em ., under w hat cir c u m sta n ces w ould I not av oid th e pit of hell? )

Om nia R om æ v en alia s u nt. H ell h as its p ric e! v erb . s a p . If th ere b e a n yth in g

beh in d t h is i n stin ct i t w ill b e v alu ab le t o t r a ce i t a fte rw ard s a ccu ra te ly , s o I h ad

bette r c o m men ce t o d o s o , t h ere fo re —

R. M . R en fie ld , æ ta t 5 9.— San guin e te m pera m en t; g re at p hysic al s tr e n gth ;

morb id ly ex cita b le ; p erio ds o f g lo om , en din g in so m e fix ed id ea w hic h I

can not m ak e o ut. I p re su m e th at th e sa n guin e te m pera m en t its e lf an d th e

dis tu rb in g in flu en ce en d in a m en ta lly -a cco m plis h ed fin is h ; a possib ly

dan gero us m an , p ro bab ly d an gero us if u nse lf is h . In s e lf is h m en c au tio n is a s

se cu re a n a rm our f o r t h eir f o es a s f o r t h em se lv es. W hat I t h in k o f o n t h is p oin t

is , w hen se lf is th e fix ed p oin t th e cen tr ip eta l fo rc e is b ala n ced w ith th e

cen tr if u gal; w hen d uty , a cau se , etc ., is th e fix ed p oin t, th e la tte r fo rc e is

para m ount, a n d o nly a ccid en t o r a s e rie s o f a ccid en ts c an b ala n ce i t.

Lette r, Q uin cey P . M orris t o H on. A rth ur H olm wood. “2 5 M ay.

“M y d ear A rt,—

“W e’v e to ld yarn s by th e cam p-fir e in th e pra ir ie s; an d dre sse d one

an oth er’s w ounds a fte r tr y in g a la n din g a t th e M arq uesa s; a n d d ru nk h ealth s

on th e s h ore o f T itic aca. T here a re m ore y arn s to b e to ld , a n d o th er w ounds to

be h eale d , a n d a n oth er h ealth to b e d ru nk. W on’t y ou le t th is b e a t m y c am p-

fir e to -m orro w n ig ht? I h av e n o h esita tio n in a sk in g y ou, a s I k now a c erta in

la d y i s e n gag ed t o a c erta in d in ner- p arty , a n d t h at y ou a re f re e. T here w ill o nly

be o ne o th er, o ur o ld p al a t th e K ore a, J a ck S ew ard . H e’s c o m in g, to o, a n d w e

both w an t to m in gle o ur w eep s o ver th e w in e-c u p, a n d to d rin k a h ealth w ith

all o ur h earts to th e h ap pie st m an in a ll th e w id e w orld , w ho h as w on th e

noble st h eart th at G od h as m ad e a n d th e b est w orth w in nin g. W e p ro m is e y ou

a h earty w elc o m e, a n d a l o vin g g re etin g, a n d a h ealth a s t r u e a s y our o w n r ig ht

han d. W e s h all b oth s w ear to le av e y ou a t h om e if y ou d rin k to o d eep to a

certa in p air o f e y es. C om e!

“Y ours , a s e v er a n d a lw ay s,

“Q uin cey P . M orris .”

Tele g ra m f ro m A rth ur H olm wood t o Q uin cey P . M orris .

“2 6 M ay.

“C ount m e in e v ery tim e. I b ear m essa g es w hic h w ill m ak e b oth y our e ars

tin gle .

“A rt.”

CH APT ER V I

MIN A M URRAY ’S J O URNAL

24 J u ly . W hitb y.— Lucy m et m e a t t h e s ta tio n, l o okin g s w eete r a n d l o velie r

th an e v er, a n d w e d ro ve u p to th e h ouse a t th e C re sc en t in w hic h th ey h av e

ro om s. T his is a lo vely p la ce. T he little riv er, th e E sk , ru ns th ro ugh a d eep

valle y, w hic h b ro ad en s o ut a s it c o m es n ear th e h arb our. A g re at v ia d uct r u ns

acro ss, w ith h ig h p ie rs , th ro ugh w hic h th e v ie w s e em s s o m eh ow f u rth er a w ay

th an it re ally is . T he v alle y is b eau tif u lly g re en , a n d it is s o s te ep th at w hen

you a re o n th e h ig h la n d o n e ith er s id e y ou lo ok r ig ht a cro ss it, u nle ss y ou a re

near e n ough to s e e d ow n. T he h ouse s o f th e o ld to w n— th e s id e a w ay f ro m u s

—are a ll re d -ro ofe d , a n d s e em p ile d u p o ne o ver th e o th er a n yhow , lik e th e

pic tu re s w e se e o f N ure m berg . R ig ht o ver th e to w n is th e ru in o f W hitb y Abbey, w hic h w as sa ck ed b y th e D an es, a n d w hic h is th e sc en e o f p art o f

“M arm io n,” w here th e g ir l w as b uilt u p in th e w all. I t is a m ost n oble r u in , o f

im men se s iz e, a n d f u ll o f b eau tif u l a n d r o m an tic b its ; th ere is a le g en d th at a

white la d y is s e en in o ne o f th e w in dow s. B etw een it a n d th e to w n th ere is

an oth er c h urc h , th e p aris h o ne, ro und w hic h is a b ig g ra v ey ard , a ll fu ll o f

to m bsto nes. T his is to m y m in d th e n ic est s p ot in W hitb y, f o r it lie s r ig ht o ver

th e to w n, a n d h as a fu ll v ie w o f th e h arb our a n d a ll u p th e b ay to w here th e

head la n d c alle d K ettle n ess str e tc h es o ut in to th e se a. It d esc en ds so ste ep ly

over th e h arb our th at p art o f th e b an k h as f a lle n a w ay, a n d s o m e o f th e g ra v es

hav e b een d estr o yed . I n o ne p la ce p art o f t h e s to new ork o f t h e g ra v es s tr e tc h es

out o ver th e sa n dy p ath w ay fa r b elo w . T here are w alk s, w ith se ats b esid e

th em , t h ro ugh t h e c h urc h yard ; a n d p eo ple g o a n d s it t h ere a ll d ay l o ng l o okin g

at th e b eau tif u l v ie w a n d e n jo yin g th e b re eze. I s h all c o m e a n d s it h ere v ery

ofte n m yse lf a n d w ork . I n deed , I a m w ritin g n ow , w ith m y b ook o n m y k nee,

an d l is te n in g t o t h e t a lk o f t h re e o ld m en w ho a re s ittin g b esid e m e. T hey s e em

to d o n oth in g a ll d ay b ut s it u p h ere a n d t a lk .

The h arb our lie s b elo w m e, w ith , o n th e fa r sid e, o ne lo ng g ra n ite w all

str e tc h in g o ut i n to t h e s e a, w ith a c u rv e o utw ard s a t t h e e n d o f i t, i n t h e m id dle

of w hic h i s a l ig hth ouse . A h eav y s e a-w all r u ns a lo ng o uts id e o f i t. O n t h e n ear

sid e, th e se a-w all m ak es a n e lb ow c ro oked in vers e ly , a n d its e n d to o h as a

lig hth ouse . B etw een th e tw o p ie rs th ere is a n arro w o pen in g in to th e h arb our,

whic h t h en s u dden ly w id en s.

It is n ic e a t h ig h w ate r; b ut w hen th e tid e is o ut it s h oals a w ay to n oth in g,

an d t h ere i s m ere ly t h e s tr e am o f t h e E sk , r u nnin g b etw een b an ks o f s a n d, w ith

ro ck s h ere a n d t h ere . O uts id e t h e h arb our o n t h is s id e t h ere r is e s f o r a b out h alf

a m ile a g re at r e ef, th e s h arp e d ge o f w hic h r u ns s tr a ig ht o ut f ro m b eh in d th e

so uth lig hth ouse . A t th e e n d o f it is a b uoy w ith a b ell, w hic h s w in gs in b ad

weath er, a n d s e n ds in a m ourn fu l s o und o n th e w in d. T hey h av e a le g en d h ere

th at w hen a s h ip i s l o st b ells a re h eard o ut a t s e a. I m ust a sk t h e o ld m an a b out

th is ; h e i s c o m in g t h is w ay....

He is a f u nny o ld m an . H e m ust b e a w fu lly o ld , f o r h is f a ce is a ll g narle d

an d t w is te d l ik e t h e b ark o f a t r e e. H e t e lls m e t h at h e i s n early a h undre d , a n d

th at h e w as a s a ilo r in th e G re en la n d f is h in g f le et w hen W ate rlo o w as f o ught.

He is , I a m a fra id , a v ery s c ep tic al p ers o n, fo r w hen I a sk ed h im a b out th e

bells a t s e a a n d t h e W hite L ad y a t t h e a b bey h e s a id v ery b ru sq uely :—

“I w ould n’t fa sh m ase l’ a b out th em , m is s. T hem th in gs b e a ll w ore o ut.

Min d, I d on’t s a y t h at t h ey n ev er w as, b ut I d o s a y t h at t h ey w asn ’t i n m y t im e.

They b e a ll v ery w ell f o r c o m ers a n d tr ip pers , a n ’ th e lik e, b ut n ot f o r a n ic e

young la d y lik e y ou. T hem fe et- fo lk s fro m Y ork a n d L eed s th at b e a lw ay s

eatin ’ c u re d h errin ’s a n ’ d rin kin ’ te a a n ’ lo okin ’ o ut to b uy c h eap je t w ould

cre ed a u ght. I w onder m ase l’ w ho’d b e b oth ere d te llin ’ lie s to th em — ev en th e new sp ap ers , w hic h i s f u ll o f f o ol- ta lk .” I t h ought h e w ould b e a g ood p ers o n t o

le arn in te re stin g th in gs fro m , so I ask ed h im if h e w ould m in d te llin g m e

so m eth in g a b out t h e w hale -fis h in g i n t h e o ld d ay s. H e w as j u st s e ttlin g h im se lf

to b eg in w hen t h e c lo ck s tr u ck s ix , w here u pon h e l a b oure d t o g et u p, a n d s a id :

—

“I m ust g an g a g eean w ard s h om e n ow , m is s. M y g ra n d-d au ghte r d oesn ’t

lik e to b e k ep t w aitin ’ w hen th e te a is r e ad y, f o r it ta k es m e tim e to c ra m mle

ab oon th e g re es, fo r th ere b e a m an y o f ’e m ; a n ’, m is s, I la ck b elly -tim ber

sa ir ly b y t h e c lo ck .”

He h obble d a w ay, a n d I c o uld s e e h im h urry in g, a s w ell a s h e c o uld , d ow n

th e s te p s. T he s te p s a re a g re at f e atu re o n th e p la ce. T hey le ad f ro m th e to w n

up to th e c h urc h , th ere a re h undre d s o f th em — I d o n ot k now h ow m an y— an d

th ey w in d u p i n a d elic ate c u rv e; t h e s lo pe i s s o g en tle t h at a h ors e c o uld e asily

walk u p a n d d ow n t h em . I t h in k t h ey m ust o rig in ally h av e h ad s o m eth in g t o d o

with th e a b bey. I s h all g o h om e to o. L ucy w en t o ut v is itin g w ith h er m oth er,

an d a s t h ey w ere o nly d uty c alls , I d id n ot g o. T hey w ill b e h om e b y t h is .

1 A ugust.— I c am e u p h ere a n h our a g o w ith L ucy, a n d w e h ad a m ost

in te re stin g ta lk w ith m y o ld frie n d a n d th e tw o o th ers w ho a lw ay s c o m e a n d

jo in h im . H e is e v id en tly th e S ir O ra cle o f th em , a n d I s h ould th in k m ust h av e

been in h is tim e a m ost d ic ta to ria l p ers o n. H e w ill n ot a d m it a n yth in g, a n d

dow nfa ces e v ery body. If h e c an ’t o ut- a rg ue th em h e b ullie s th em , a n d th en

ta k es th eir sile n ce fo r a g re em en t w ith h is v ie w s. L ucy w as lo okin g sw eetly

pre tty in h er w hite la w n fro ck ; sh e h as g ot a b eau tif u l c o lo ur sin ce sh e h as

been h ere . I n otic ed th at th e o ld m en d id n ot lo se a n y tim e in c o m in g u p a n d

sittin g n ear h er w hen w e s a t d ow n. S he is s o s w eet w ith o ld p eo ple ; I th in k

th ey a ll f e ll i n l o ve w ith h er o n t h e s p ot. E ven m y o ld m an s u ccu m bed a n d d id

not c o ntr a d ic t h er, b ut g av e m e d ouble s h are in ste ad . I g ot h im o n th e s u bje ct

of th e le g en ds, a n d h e w en t o ff a t o nce in to a s o rt o f s e rm on. I m ust tr y to

re m em ber i t a n d p ut i t d ow n:—

“It b e a ll f o ol- ta lk , lo ck , s to ck , a n d b arre l; th at’s w hat it b e, a n ’ n ow t e ls e .

These b an s a n ’ w afts a n ’ b oh-g hosts a n ’ b arg uests a n ’ b ogle s a n ’ a ll a n en t t h em

is o nly fit to s e t b air n s a n ’ d iz zy w om en a -b eld erin ’. T hey b e n ow t b ut a ir -

ble b s. T hey, a n ’ a ll g rim s a n ’ s ig ns a n ’ w arn in ’s , b e a ll i n ven te d b y p ars o ns a n ’

ills o m e b eu k-b odie s a n ’ ra ilw ay to ute rs to s k eer a n ’ s c u nner h aff lin ’s , a n ’ to

get f o lk s to d o s o m eth in ’ th at th ey d on’t o th er in clin e to . I t m ak es m e ir e fu l to

th in k o ’ th em . W hy, it’s th em th at, n ot c o nte n t w ith p rin tin ’ lie s o n p ap er a n ’

pre ach in ’ th em o ut o f p ulp its , d oes w an t to b e c u ttin ’ th em o n th e to m bsto nes.

Look h ere a ll a ro und y ou in w hat a ir t y e w ill; a ll th em s te an s, h old in ’ u p th eir

head s a s w ell a s th ey c an o ut o f th eir p rid e, is a can t— sim ply tu m blin ’ d ow n

with th e w eig ht o ’ th e lie s w ro te o n th em , ‘H ere lie s th e b ody’ o r ‘S acre d to

th e m em ory ’ w ro te o n a ll o f th em , a n ’ y et in n ig h h alf o f th em th ere b ean ’t n o bodie s a t a ll; a n ’ th e m em orie s o f th em b ean ’t c are d a p in ch o f s n uff a b out,

much l e ss s a cre d . L ie s a ll o f t h em , n oth in ’ b ut l ie s o f o ne k in d o r a n oth er! M y

gog, b ut i t’ ll b e a q uare s c o w derm en t a t t h e D ay o f J u dgm en t w hen t h ey c o m e

tu m blin ’ u p in th eir d eath -s a rk s, a ll jo uped to geth er a n ’ tr y in ’ to d ra g th eir

to m bste an s w ith th em to p ro ve h ow g ood th ey w as; s o m e o f th em tr im mlin ’

an d d ith erin ’, w ith th eir h an ds th at d ozzen ed a n ’ s lip py fro m ly in ’ in th e s e a

th at t h ey c an ’t e v en k eep t h eir g ru p o ’ t h em .”

I c o uld s e e f ro m th e o ld f e llo w ’s s e lf -s a tis fie d a ir a n d th e w ay in w hic h h e

lo oked ro und fo r th e a p pro val o f h is c ro nie s th at h e w as “ sh ow in g o ff ,” s o I

put i n a w ord t o k eep h im g oin g:—

“O h, M r. S w ale s, y ou c an ’t b e s e rio us. S ure ly th ese to m bsto nes a re n ot a ll

wro ng?”

“Y ab blin s! T here m ay b e a p ooris h f e w n ot w ro ng, s a v in ’ w here t h ey m ak e

out t h e p eo ple t o o g ood; f o r t h ere b e f o lk t h at d o t h in k a b alm -b ow l b e l ik e t h e

se a, if o nly it b e th eir o w n. T he w hole th in g b e o nly lie s. N ow lo ok y ou h ere ;

you c o m e h ere a s tr a n ger, a n ’ y ou s e e th is k ir k -g arth .” I n odded , f o r I th ought

it b ette r to a sse n t, th ough I d id n ot q uite u nders ta n d h is d ia le ct. I k new it h ad

so m eth in g to d o w ith th e c h urc h . H e w en t o n: “ A nd y ou c o nsa te th at a ll th ese

ste an s b e a b oon fo lk th at b e h ap ped h ere , s n od a n ’ s n og?” I a sse n te d a g ain .

“T hen th at b e ju st w here th e lie c o m es in . W hy, th ere b e s c o re s o f th ese la y -

bed s t h at b e t o om a s o ld D un’s ’ b acca-b ox o n F rid ay n ig ht.” H e n udged o ne o f

his co m pan io ns, an d th ey all la u ghed . “A nd m y g og! h ow co uld th ey b e

oth erw is e ? L ook a t th at o ne, th e a fte st a b aft th e b ie r- b an k: re ad it! ” I w en t

over a n d r e ad :—

“E dw ard S pen cela g h, m aste r m arin er, m urd ere d b y p ir a te s o ff th e c o ast o f

Andre s, A pril, 1 854, æ t. 3 0.” W hen I c am e b ack M r. S w ale s w en t o n:—

“W ho b ro ught h im h om e, I w onder, to h ap h im h ere ? M urd ere d o ff th e

co ast o f A ndre s! a n ’ y ou c o nsa te d h is b ody l a y u nder! W hy, I c o uld n am e y e a

dozen w hose b ones lie in th e G re en la n d s e as a b ove”— he p oin te d n orth w ard s

—“o r w here th e c u rre n ts m ay h av e d rif te d th em . T here b e th e s te an s a ro und

ye. Y e c an , w ith y our y oung e y es, re ad th e s m all- p rin t o f th e lie s fro m h ere .

This B ra ith w aite L ow re y — I k new h is f a th er, lo st in th e L iv ely o ff G re en la n d

in ’2 0; o r A ndre w W oodhouse , d ro w ned in th e sa m e se as in 1 777; o r Jo hn

Pax to n, d ro w ned o ff C ap e F are w ell a y ear la te r; o r o ld J o hn R aw lin gs, w hose

gra n dfa th er s a ile d w ith m e, d ro w ned i n t h e G ulf o f F in la n d i n ’ 5 0. D o y e t h in k

th at all th ese m en w ill h av e to m ak e a ru sh to W hitb y w hen th e tr u m pet

so unds? I h av e m e a n th eru m s a b oot i t! I te ll y e t h at w hen t h ey g ot h ere t h ey ’d

be jo m mlin ’ a n ’ jo stlin ’ o ne a n oth er th at w ay th at it ’ u d b e lik e a f ig ht u p o n

th e i c e i n t h e o ld d ay s, w hen w e’d b e a t o ne a n oth er f ro m d ay lig ht t o d ark , a n ’

tr y in ’ t o t ie u p o ur c u ts b y t h e lig ht o f t h e a u ro ra b ore alis .” T his w as e v id en tly lo cal p le asa n tr y , f o r t h e o ld m an c ack le d o ver i t, a n d h is c ro nie s j o in ed i n w ith

gusto .

“B ut,” I sa id , “su re ly you are not quite co rre ct, fo r you sta rt on th e

assu m ptio n th at a ll th e p oor p eo ple , o r th eir sp ir its , w ill h av e to ta k e th eir

to m bsto nes w ith th em o n th e D ay o f Ju dgm en t. D o y ou th in k th at w ill b e

re ally n ecessa ry ?”

“W ell, w hat e ls e b e t h ey t o m bsto nes f o r? A nsw er m e t h at, m is s!”

“T o p le ase t h eir r e la tiv es, I s u ppose .”

“T o p le ase th eir re la tiv es, y ou s u ppose !” T his h e s a id w ith in te n se s c o rn .

“H ow w ill it p le asu re th eir r e la tiv es to k now th at lie s is w ro te o ver th em , a n d

th at e v ery body in th e p la ce k now s th at th ey b e lie s? ” H e p oin te d to a s to ne a t

our fe et w hic h h ad b een la id d ow n a s a s la b , o n w hic h th e s e at w as re ste d ,

clo se to th e e d ge o f th e c lif f . “ R ead th e lie s o n th at th ru ff -s te an ,” h e s a id . T he

le tte rs w ere u psid e d ow n to m e f ro m w here I s a t, b ut L ucy w as m ore o pposite

to t h em , s o s h e l e an t o ver a n d r e ad :—

“S acre d to th e m em ory o f G eo rg e C an on, w ho d ie d , in th e h ope o f a

glo rio us re su rre ctio n, o n J u ly , 2 9, 1 873, fa llin g fro m th e ro ck s a t K ettle n ess.

This t o m b w as e re cte d b y h is s o rro w in g m oth er t o h er d early b elo ved s o n. ‘ H e

was th e o nly s o n o f h is m oth er, a n d s h e w as a w id ow .’ R eally , M r. S w ale s, I

don’t s e e a n yth in g v ery f u nny in th at! ” S he s p oke h er c o m men t v ery g ra v ely

an d s o m ew hat s e v ere ly .

“Y e d on’t s e e a u ght f u nny! H a! h a! B ut th at’s b ecau se y e d on’t g aw m th e

so rro w in ’ m oth er w as a h ell- c at th at h ate d h im b ecau se h e w as a cre w k’d — a

re g ula r l a m ite r h e w as— an ’ h e h ate d h er s o t h at h e c o m mitte d s u ic id e i n o rd er

th at s h e m ig htn ’t g et a n in su ra n ce s h e p ut o n h is lif e . H e b le w n ig h th e to p o f

his h ead o ff w ith an o ld m usk et th at th ey h ad fo r sc arin ’ th e cro w s w ith .

’T w arn ’t f o r c ro w s th en , f o r it b ro ught th e c le g s a n d th e d ow ps to h im . T hat’s

th e w ay h e f e ll o ff th e r o ck s. A nd, a s to h opes o f a g lo rio us r e su rre ctio n, I ’v e

ofte n h eard h im s a y m ase l’ t h at h e h oped h e’d g o t o h ell, f o r h is m oth er w as s o

pio us t h at s h e’d b e s u re t o g o t o h eav en , a n ’ h e d id n’t w an t t o a d dle w here s h e

was. N ow is n ’t th at s te an a t a n y ra te ”— he h am mere d it w ith h is s tic k a s h e

sp oke— “a p ack o f lie s? an d w on’t it m ak e G ab rie l k eck le w hen G eo rd ie

co m es p an tin ’ u p t h e g re es w ith t h e t o m bste an b ala n ced o n h is h um p, a n d a sk s

it t o b e t o ok a s e v id en ce!”

I d id n ot k now w hat to s a y, b ut L ucy tu rn ed th e c o nvers a tio n a s s h e s a id ,

ris in g u p:—

“O h, w hy d id y ou t e ll u s o f t h is ? I t i s m y f a v ourite s e at, a n d I c an not l e av e

it; a n d n ow I f in d I m ust g o o n s ittin g o ver t h e g ra v e o f a s u ic id e.” “T hat w on’t h arm y e, m y p re tty ; a n ’ it m ay m ak e p oor G eo rd ie g la d so m e

to h av e s o tr im a la ss s ittin ’ o n h is la p . T hat w on’t h urt y e. W hy, I ’v e s a t h ere

off a n ’ o n f o r n ig h tw en ty y ears p ast, a n ’ it h asn ’t d one m e n o h arm . D on’t y e

fa sh a b out t h em a s l ie s u nder y e, o r t h at d oesn ’ l ie t h ere e ith er! I t’ ll b e t im e f o r

ye to b e g ettin g s c art w hen y e s e e th e to m bste an s a ll ru n a w ay w ith , a n d th e

pla ce a s b are a s a s tu bble -fie ld . T here ’s t h e c lo ck , a n ’ I m ust g an g. M y s e rv ic e

to y e, l a d ie s!” A nd o ff h e h obble d .

Lucy a n d I s a t a w hile , a n d it w as a ll s o b eau tif u l b efo re u s th at w e to ok

han ds a s w e s a t; a n d s h e to ld m e a ll o ver a g ain a b out A rth ur a n d th eir c o m in g

marria g e. T hat m ad e m e ju st a little heart- s ic k , fo r I hav en ’t heard fro m

Jo nath an f o r a w hole m onth .

The s a m e d ay. I c am e u p h ere a lo ne, f o r I a m v ery s a d . T here w as n o l e tte r

fo r m e. I h ope th ere c an not b e a n yth in g th e m atte r w ith J o nath an . T he c lo ck

has ju st s tr u ck n in e. I s e e th e lig hts s c atte re d a ll o ver th e to w n, s o m etim es in

ro w s w here th e s tr e ets a re , a n d s o m etim es s in gly ; th ey ru n rig ht u p th e E sk

an d d ie a w ay in th e c u rv e o f th e v alle y. T o m y le ft th e v ie w is c u t o ff b y a

bla ck lin e o f ro of o f th e o ld h ouse n ex t th e a b bey. T he s h eep a n d la m bs a re

ble atin g in th e fie ld s a w ay b eh in d m e, a n d th ere is a c la tte r o f a d onkey ’s

hoofs u p th e p av ed r o ad b elo w . T he b an d o n th e p ie r is p la y in g a h ars h w altz

in g ood tim e, a n d f u rth er a lo ng th e q uay th ere is a S alv atio n A rm y m eetin g in

a b ack s tr e et. N eith er o f th e b an ds h ears th e o th er, b ut u p h ere I h ear a n d s e e

th em b oth . I w onder w here J o nath an is a n d if h e is th in kin g o f m e! I w is h h e

were h ere .

Dr. S ew ard ’s D ia ry .

5 Ju ne.— The c ase o f R en fie ld g ro w s m ore in te re stin g th e m ore I g et to

unders ta n d th e m an . H e has certa in qualitie s very la rg ely dev elo ped ;

se lf is h ness, s e cre cy, a n d p urp ose . I w is h I c o uld g et a t w hat i s t h e o bje ct o f t h e

la tte r. H e s e em s t o h av e s o m e s e ttle d s c h em e o f h is o w n, b ut w hat i t i s I d o n ot

yet k now . H is r e d eem in g q uality is a lo ve o f a n im als , th ough, in deed , h e h as

su ch c u rio us tu rn s in it th at I s o m etim es im ag in e h e is o nly a b norm ally c ru el.

His p ets are o f o dd so rts . Ju st n ow h is h obby is catc h in g flie s. H e h as at

pre se n t su ch a quan tity th at I hav e had m yse lf to ex postu la te . To m y

asto nis h m en t, h e d id n ot b re ak o ut in to a fu ry , a s I e x pecte d , b ut to ok th e

matte r in s im ple s e rio usn ess. H e th ought f o r a m om en t, a n d th en s a id : “ M ay I

hav e th re e d ay s? I s h all c le ar th em a w ay.” O f c o urs e , I s a id th at w ould d o. I

must w atc h h im .

18 J u ne.— He h as tu rn ed h is m in d n ow to s p id ers , a n d h as g ot s e v era l v ery

big f e llo w s in a b ox. H e k eep s f e ed in g th em w ith h is f lie s, a n d th e n um ber o f

th e la tte r is b eco m in g s e n sib ly d im in is h ed , a lth ough h e h as u se d h alf h is f o od

in a ttr a ctin g m ore f lie s f ro m o uts id e t o h is r o om . 1 J u ly .— His s p id ers a re n ow b eco m in g a s g re at a n uis a n ce a s h is f lie s, a n d

to -d ay I to ld h im th at h e m ust g et r id o f th em . H e lo oked v ery s a d a t th is , s o I

sa id th at he m ust cle ar out so m e of th em , at all ev en ts . H e ch eerfu lly

acq uie sc ed in th is , a n d I g av e h im th e s a m e tim e a s b efo re fo r re d uctio n. H e

dis g uste d m e m uch w hile w ith h im , fo r w hen a h orrid b lo w -fly , b lo ate d w ith

so m e c arrio n f o od, b uzzed in to th e r o om , h e c au ght it, h eld it e x ulta n tly f o r a

fe w m om en ts b etw een h is f in ger a n d th um b, a n d, b efo re I k new w hat h e w as

goin g to d o, p ut it in h is m outh a n d a te it. I s c o ld ed h im f o r it, b ut h e a rg ued

quie tly th at it w as v ery g ood a n d v ery w hole so m e; th at it w as lif e , s tr o ng lif e ,

an d g av e lif e to h im . T his g av e m e a n id ea, o r th e ru dim en t o f o ne. I m ust

watc h h ow h e g ets r id o f h is s p id ers . H e h as e v id en tly s o m e d eep p ro ble m in

his m in d, fo r h e k eep s a little n ote -b ook in w hic h h e is a lw ay s jo ttin g d ow n

so m eth in g. W hole p ag es o f it are fille d w ith m asse s o f fig ure s, g en era lly

sin gle n um bers ad ded u p in b atc h es, an d th en th e to ta ls ad ded in b atc h es

ag ain , a s t h ough h e w ere “ fo cu ssin g” s o m e a cco unt, a s t h e a u dito rs p ut i t.

8 J u ly .— There i s a m eth od i n h is m ad ness, a n d t h e r u dim en ta ry i d ea i n m y

min d is g ro w in g. It w ill b e a w hole id ea so on, an d th en , o h, u nco nsc io us

cere b ra tio n! y ou w ill h av e to g iv e th e w all to y our c o nsc io us b ro th er. I k ep t

aw ay f ro m m y f rie n d f o r a f e w d ay s, s o th at I m ig ht n otic e if th ere w ere a n y

ch an ge. T hin gs r e m ain a s t h ey w ere e x cep t t h at h e h as p arte d w ith s o m e o f h is

pets a n d g ot a n ew o ne. H e h as m an ag ed to g et a s p arro w , a n d h as a lr e ad y

partia lly ta m ed it. H is m ean s o f ta m in g is s im ple , f o r a lr e ad y th e s p id ers h av e

dim in is h ed . T hose th at d o r e m ain , h ow ev er, a re w ell f e d , f o r h e s till b rin gs in

th e f lie s b y t e m ptin g t h em w ith h is f o od.

19 Ju ly .— We are pro gre ssin g. M y frie n d has now a w hole co lo ny of

sp arro w s, a n d h is f lie s a n d s p id ers a re a lm ost o blite ra te d . W hen I c am e in h e

ra n to m e a n d sa id h e w an te d to a sk m e a g re at fa v our— a v ery , v ery g re at

fa v our; a n d a s h e s p oke h e f a w ned o n m e lik e a d og. I a sk ed h im w hat it w as,

an d h e s a id , w ith a s o rt o f r a p tu re i n h is v oic e a n d b earin g:—

“A k itte n , a n ic e little , s le ek p la y fu l k itte n , th at I c an p la y w ith , a n d te ach ,

an d fe ed — an d fe ed — an d fe ed !” I w as n ot u npre p are d fo r th is re q uest, fo r I

had n otic ed h ow h is p ets w en t o n in cre asin g in s iz e a n d v iv acity , b ut I d id n ot

care th at h is p re tty f a m ily o f ta m e s p arro w s s h ould b e w ip ed o ut in th e s a m e

man ner a s th e flie s a n d th e s p id ers ; s o I s a id I w ould s e e a b out it, a n d a sk ed

him i f h e w ould n ot r a th er h av e a c at t h an a k itte n . H is e ag ern ess b etr a y ed h im

as h e a n sw ere d :—

“O h, y es, I w ould l ik e a c at! I o nly a sk ed f o r a k itte n l e st y ou s h ould r e fu se

me a c at. N o o ne w ould r e fu se m e a k itte n , w ould t h ey ?” I s h ook m y h ead , a n d

sa id t h at a t p re se n t I f e are d i t w ould n ot b e p ossib le , b ut t h at I w ould s e e a b out

it. H is fa ce fe ll, a n d I c o uld se e a w arn in g o f d an ger in it, fo r th ere w as a

su dden f ie rc e, s id elo ng lo ok w hic h m ean t k illin g. T he m an is a n u ndev elo ped hom ic id al m an ia c. I s h all te st h im w ith h is p re se n t c ra v in g a n d s e e h ow it w ill

work o ut; t h en I s h all k now m ore .

10 p . m .— I h av e v is ite d h im ag ain an d fo und h im sittin g in a co rn er

bro odin g. W hen I cam e in h e th re w h im se lf o n h is k nees b efo re m e an d

im plo re d m e to le t h im h av e a c at; th at h is s a lv atio n d ep en ded u pon it. I w as

fir m , h ow ev er, a n d to ld h im th at h e c o uld n ot h av e it, w here u pon h e w en t

with out a w ord , a n d s a t d ow n, g naw in g h is f in gers , in th e c o rn er w here I h ad

fo und h im . I s h all s e e h im i n t h e m orn in g e arly .

20 J u ly .— Vis ite d R en fie ld v ery e arly , b efo re t h e a tte n dan t w en t h is r o unds.

Found h im u p a n d h um min g a tu ne. H e w as s p re ad in g o ut h is s u gar, w hic h h e

had sa v ed , in th e w in dow , an d w as m an if e stly beg in nin g his fly -c atc h in g

ag ain ; a n d b eg in nin g it c h eerfu lly a n d w ith a g ood g ra ce. I lo oked a ro und f o r

his bir d s, an d not se ein g th em , ask ed him w here th ey w ere . H e re p lie d ,

with out t u rn in g r o und, t h at t h ey h ad a ll f lo w n a w ay. T here w ere a f e w f e ath ers

ab out t h e r o om a n d o n h is p illo w a d ro p o f b lo od. I s a id n oth in g, b ut w en t a n d

to ld t h e k eep er t o r e p ort t o m e i f t h ere w ere a n yth in g o dd a b out h im d urin g t h e

day.

11 a . m .— The a tte n dan t h as ju st b een to m e to s a y th at R en fie ld h as b een

very s ic k a n d h as d is g org ed a w hole lo t o f f e ath ers . “ M y b elie f is , d octo r,” h e

sa id , “ th at h e h as e ate n h is b ir d s, a n d t h at h e j u st t o ok a n d a te t h em r a w !”

11 p . m .— I g av e R en fie ld a s tr o ng o pia te to -n ig ht, e n ough to m ak e e v en

him s le ep , a n d to ok a w ay h is p ock et- b ook to lo ok a t it. T he th ought th at h as

been b uzzin g a b out m y b ra in la te ly is c o m ple te , a n d th e th eo ry p ro ved . M y

hom ic id al m an ia c is of a pecu lia r kin d. I sh all hav e to in ven t a new

cla ssif ic atio n f o r h im , a n d c all h im a z o öphag ous ( lif e -e atin g) m an ia c; w hat h e

desir e s is to a b so rb a s m an y liv es a s h e c an , a n d h e h as la id h im se lf o ut to

ach ie v e it in a c u m ula tiv e w ay. H e g av e m an y flie s to o ne s p id er a n d m an y

sp id ers to o ne b ir d , a n d th en w an te d a c at to e at th e m an y b ir d s. W hat w ould

hav e b een h is la te r ste p s? It w ould a lm ost b e w orth w hile to c o m ple te th e

ex perim en t. It m ig ht be done if th ere w ere only a su ff ic ie n t cau se . M en

sn eere d a t v iv is e ctio n, a n d y et lo ok a t its re su lts to -d ay ! W hy n ot a d van ce

sc ie n ce i n i ts m ost d if f ic u lt a n d v ita l a sp ect— th e k now le d ge o f t h e b ra in ? H ad

I e v en th e s e cre t o f o ne s u ch m in d— did I h old th e k ey to th e fa n cy o f e v en

one lu natic — I m ig ht a d van ce m y o w n b ra n ch o f s c ie n ce to a p itc h c o m pare d

with w hic h B urd on-S an ders o n’s physio lo gy or Ferrie r’s bra in -k now le d ge

would b e a s n oth in g. I f o nly t h ere w ere a s u ff ic ie n t c au se ! I m ust n ot t h in k t o o

much o f th is , o r I m ay b e te m pte d ; a g ood c au se m ig ht tu rn th e s c ale w ith m e,

fo r m ay n ot I t o o b e o f a n e x cep tio nal b ra in , c o ngen ita lly ?

How w ell th e m an r e aso ned ; lu natic s a lw ay s d o w ith in th eir o w n s c o pe. I

wonder a t h ow m an y liv es h e v alu es a m an , o r if a t o nly o ne. H e h as c lo se d th e a cco unt m ost a ccu ra te ly , a n d to -d ay b eg un a n ew r e co rd . H ow m an y o f u s

beg in a n ew r e co rd w ith e ach d ay o f o ur l iv es?

To m e it se em s o nly y este rd ay th at m y w hole lif e e n ded w ith m y n ew

hope, an d th at tr u ly I beg an a new re co rd . S o it w ill be until th e G re at

Reco rd er s u m s m e u p a n d c lo se s m y l e d ger a cco unt w ith a b ala n ce t o p ro fit o r

lo ss. O h, L ucy, L ucy, I c an not b e a n gry w ith y ou, n or c an I b e a n gry w ith m y

frie n d w hose h ap pin ess is y ours ; b ut I m ust o nly w ait o n h opele ss a n d w ork .

Work ! w ork !

If I o nly c o uld h av e a s str o ng a c au se a s m y p oor m ad frie n d th ere — a

good, u nse lf is h c au se t o m ak e m e w ork — th at w ould b e i n deed h ap pin ess.

Min a M urra y ’s J o urn al.

26 J u ly .— I a m a n xio us, a n d it s o oth es m e to e x pre ss m yse lf h ere ; it is lik e

whis p erin g to o ne’s se lf an d lis te n in g at th e sa m e tim e. A nd th ere is als o

so m eth in g a b out th e s h orth an d s y m bols th at m ak es it d if f e re n t f ro m w ritin g. I

am u nhap py a b out L ucy a n d a b out J o nath an . I h ad n ot h eard f ro m J o nath an f o r

so m e tim e, a n d w as v ery c o ncern ed ; b ut y este rd ay d ear M r. H aw kin s, w ho is

alw ay s s o k in d, s e n t m e a le tte r f ro m h im . I h ad w ritte n a sk in g h im if h e h ad

heard , a n d h e s a id th e e n clo se d h ad ju st b een r e ceiv ed . I t is o nly a lin e d ate d

fro m C astle D ra cu la , a n d s a y s t h at h e i s j u st s ta rtin g f o r h om e. T hat i s n ot l ik e

Jo nath an ; I d o n ot u nders ta n d it, a n d it m ak es m e u neasy . T hen , to o, L ucy,

alth ough sh e is so w ell, h as la te ly ta k en to h er o ld h ab it o f w alk in g in h er

sle ep . H er m oth er h as s p oken t o m e a b out i t, a n d w e h av e d ecid ed t h at I a m t o

lo ck th e d oor o f o ur ro om e v ery n ig ht. M rs . W este n ra h as g ot a n id ea th at

sle ep -w alk ers a lw ay s g o o ut o n ro ofs o f h ouse s a n d a lo ng th e e d ges o f c lif f s

an d t h en g et s u dden ly w ak en ed a n d f a ll o ver w ith a d esp air in g c ry t h at e ch oes

all o ver t h e p la ce. P oor d ear, s h e i s n atu ra lly a n xio us a b out L ucy, a n d s h e t e lls

me t h at h er h usb an d, L ucy ’s f a th er, h ad t h e s a m e h ab it; t h at h e w ould g et u p i n

th e n ig ht a n d d re ss h im se lf a n d g o o ut, if h e w ere n ot s to pped . L ucy is to b e

marrie d in th e a u tu m n, a n d s h e is a lr e ad y p la n nin g o ut h er d re sse s a n d h ow

her h ouse is to b e a rra n ged . I sy m path is e w ith h er, fo r I d o th e sa m e, o nly

Jo nath an a n d I w ill s ta rt in lif e in a v ery s im ple w ay, a n d s h all h av e to tr y to

mak e b oth en ds m eet. M r. H olm wood— he is th e H on. A rth ur H olm wood,

only s o n o f L ord G odalm in g— is c o m in g u p h ere v ery s h ortly — as s o on a s h e

can le av e to w n, fo r h is fa th er is n ot v ery w ell, an d I th in k d ear L ucy is

co untin g th e m om en ts till h e c o m es. S he w an ts to ta k e h im u p to th e s e at o n

th e c h urc h yard c lif f a n d s h ow h im th e b eau ty o f W hitb y. I d are sa y it is th e

waitin g w hic h d is tu rb s h er; s h e w ill b e a ll r ig ht w hen h e a rriv es.

27 J u ly .— No n ew s fro m J o nath an . I a m g ettin g q uite u neasy a b out h im ,

th ough w hy I s h ould I d o n ot k now ; b ut I d o w is h th at h e w ould w rite , if it

were o nly a sin gle lin e. L ucy w alk s m ore th an ev er, an d each n ig ht I am aw ak en ed b y h er m ovin g a b out th e ro om . F ortu nate ly , th e w eath er is s o h ot

th at sh e can not get co ld ; but still th e an xie ty an d th e perp etu ally bein g

wak en ed is b eg in nin g to te ll o n m e, a n d I a m g ettin g n erv ous a n d w ak efu l

myse lf . Than k G od, Lucy ’s health keep s up. M r. H olm wood has been

su dden ly c alle d to R in g to se e h is fa th er, w ho h as b een ta k en se rio usly ill.

Lucy f re ts a t th e p ostp onem en t o f s e ein g h im , b ut it d oes n ot to uch h er lo oks;

sh e is a tr if le s to ute r, a n d h er c h eek s a re a lo vely r o se -p in k. S he h as lo st th at

an æ m ic l o ok w hic h s h e h ad . I p ra y i t w ill a ll l a st.

3 A ugust.— Anoth er w eek g one, a n d n o n ew s fro m J o nath an , n ot e v en to

Mr. H aw kin s, f ro m w hom I h av e h eard . O h, I d o h ope h e is n ot ill. H e s u re ly

would h av e w ritte n . I lo ok a t th at la st le tte r o f h is , b ut s o m eh ow it d oes n ot

sa tis fy m e. It d oes n ot re ad lik e h im , a n d y et it is h is w ritin g. T here is n o

mis ta k e o f t h at. L ucy h as n ot w alk ed m uch i n h er s le ep t h e l a st w eek , b ut t h ere

is a n o dd c o ncen tr a tio n a b out h er w hic h I d o n ot u nders ta n d; e v en i n h er s le ep

sh e s e em s to b e w atc h in g m e. S he tr ie s th e d oor, a n d fin din g it lo ck ed , g oes

ab out t h e r o om s e arc h in g f o r t h e k ey.

6 A ugust.— Anoth er th re e d ay s, an d n o n ew s. T his su sp en se is g ettin g

dre ad fu l. If I o nly k new w here to w rite to o r w here to g o to , I sh ould fe el

easie r; b ut n o o ne h as h eard a w ord o f J o nath an s in ce th at la st le tte r. I m ust

only pra y to G od fo r patie n ce. L ucy is m ore ex cita b le th an ev er, but is

oth erw is e w ell. L ast n ig ht w as v ery t h re ate n in g, a n d t h e f is h erm en s a y t h at w e

are i n f o r a s to rm . I m ust t r y t o w atc h i t a n d l e arn t h e w eath er s ig ns. T o-d ay i s

a gre y day, an d th e su n as I w rite is hid den in th ic k clo uds, hig h over

Kettle n ess. E very th in g is gre y — ex cep t th e gre en gra ss, w hic h se em s lik e

em era ld a m ongst it; g re y e arth y r o ck ; g re y c lo uds, tin ged w ith th e s u nburs t a t

th e fa r e d ge, h an g o ver th e g re y s e a, in to w hic h th e s a n d-p oin ts s tr e tc h lik e

gre y f in gers . T he s e a is tu m blin g in o ver th e s h allo w s a n d th e s a n dy f la ts w ith

a ro ar, m uff le d in th e s e a-m is ts d rif tin g in la n d. T he h oriz o n is lo st in a g re y

mis t. A ll is v astn ess; th e c lo uds a re p ile d u p lik e g ia n t ro ck s, a n d th ere is a

“b ro ol” o ver th e s e a th at s o unds lik e s o m e p re sa g e o f d oom . D ark f ig ure s a re

on th e b each h ere a n d th ere , s o m etim es h alf s h ro uded in th e m is t, a n d s e em

“m en lik e tr e es w alk in g.” T he f is h in g-b oats a re r a cin g f o r h om e, a n d r is e a n d

dip in th e gro und sw ell as th ey sw eep in to th e harb our, ben din g to th e

sc u ppers . H ere c o m es o ld M r. S w ale s. H e is m ak in g s tr a ig ht f o r m e, a n d I c an

se e, b y t h e w ay h e l if ts h is h at, t h at h e w an ts t o t a lk ....

I h av e b een q uite to uch ed b y th e c h an ge in th e p oor o ld m an . W hen h e s a t

dow n b esid e m e, h e s a id i n a v ery g en tle w ay :—

“I w an t t o s a y s o m eth in g t o y ou, m is s.” I c o uld s e e h e w as n ot a t e ase , s o I

to ok h is p oor o ld w rin kle d h an d in m in e a n d a sk ed h im to s p eak f u lly ; s o h e

sa id , l e av in g h is h an d i n m in e:— “I’m a fra id , m y d eary , th at I m ust h av e sh ock ed y ou b y a ll th e w ic k ed

th in gs I’v e b een sa y in ’ a b out th e d ead , a n d su ch lik e, fo r w eek s p ast; b ut I

did n’t m ean th em , a n d I w an t y e to re m em ber th at w hen I’m g one. W e a u d

fo lk s th at b e d aff le d , a n d w ith o ne f o ot a b aft th e k ro k-h ooal, d on’t a lto geth er

lik e t o t h in k o f i t, a n d w e d on’t w an t t o f e el s c art o f i t; a n ’ t h at’s w hy I ’v e t o ok

to m ak in ’ l ig ht o f i t, s o t h at I ’d c h eer u p m y o w n h eart a b it. B ut, L ord l o ve y e,

mis s, I a in ’t a fra id o f d yin ’, n ot a b it; o nly I d on’t w an t to d ie if I c an h elp it.

My tim e m ust b e n ig h a t h an d n ow , fo r I b e a u d, a n d a h undre d y ears is to o

much fo r a n y m an to e x pect; a n d I’m s o n ig h it th at th e A ud M an is a lr e ad y

whettin ’ h is s c y th e. Y e s e e, I c an ’t g et o ut o ’ th e h ab it o f c aff in ’ a b out it a ll a t

once; th e c h afts w ill w ag a s th ey b e u se d to . S om e d ay so on th e A ngel o f

Death w ill so und his tr u m pet fo r m e. B ut don’t ye dooal an ’ gre et, m y

deary !” — fo r h e s a w th at I w as c ry in g— “if h e s h ould c o m e th is v ery n ig ht I ’d

not r e fu se to a n sw er h is c all. F or lif e b e, a fte r a ll, o nly a w aitin ’ f o r s o m eth in ’

els e t h an w hat w e’re d oin ’; a n d d eath b e a ll t h at w e c an r ig htly d ep en d o n. B ut

I’m c o nte n t, fo r it’s c o m in ’ to m e, m y d eary , a n d c o m in ’ q uic k . It m ay b e

co m in ’ w hile w e b e lo okin ’ a n d w onderin ’. M ay be it’s in th at w in d o ut o ver

th e s e a th at’s b rin gin ’ w ith it lo ss a n d w re ck , a n d s o re d is tr e ss, a n d s a d h earts .

Look! lo ok!” h e c rie d s u dden ly . “ T here ’s s o m eth in g in th at w in d a n d in th e

hoast b ey ont th at s o unds, a n d lo oks, a n d ta ste s, a n d s m ells lik e d eath . It’s in

th e a ir ; I f e el i t c o m in ’. L ord , m ak e m e a n sw er c h eerfu l w hen m y c all c o m es!”

He h eld u p h is a rm s d ev outly , a n d r a is e d h is h at. H is m outh m oved a s th ough

he w ere p ra y in g. A fte r a fe w m in ute s’ s ile n ce, h e g ot u p, s h ook h an ds w ith

me, a n d b le sse d m e, a n d s a id g ood-b ye, a n d h obble d o ff . It a ll to uch ed m e,

an d u pse t m e v ery m uch .

I w as g la d w hen th e c o astg uard c am e a lo ng, w ith h is s p y-g la ss u nder h is

arm . H e sto pped to ta lk w ith m e, a s h e a lw ay s d oes, b ut a ll th e tim e k ep t

lo okin g a t a s tr a n ge s h ip .

“I c an ’t m ak e h er o ut,” h e s a id ; “ sh e’s a R ussia n , b y th e lo ok o f h er; b ut

sh e’s k nock in g a b out in th e q ueere st w ay. S he d oesn ’t k now h er m in d a b it;

sh e s e em s t o s e e t h e s to rm c o m in g, b ut c an ’t d ecid e w heth er t o r u n u p n orth i n

th e o pen , o r to p ut in h ere . L ook th ere a g ain ! S he is s te ere d m ig hty s tr a n gely ,

fo r s h e d oesn ’t m in d th e h an d o n th e w heel; c h an ges a b out w ith e v ery p uff o f

win d. W e’ll h ear m ore o f h er b efo re t h is t im e t o -m orro w .”

CH APT ER V II

CUTTIN G F R O M “ T H E D AIL Y G RAPH ,” 8 A UG UST

(P aste d i n M in a M urra y ’s J o urn al.) Fro m a C orre sp onden t.

Whitb y.

O ne

g re ate st a n d su dden est sto rm s o n re co rd h as ju st b een e x perie n ced

here , w ith re su lts b oth s tr a n ge a n d u niq ue. T he w eath er h ad b een s o m ew hat

su ltr y , b ut n ot to a n y d eg re e u nco m mon in th e m onth o f A ugust. S atu rd ay

ev en in g w as a s f in e a s w as e v er k now n, a n d th e g re at b ody o f h olid ay -m ak ers

la id o ut y este rd ay f o r v is its to M ulg ra v e W oods, R obin H ood’s B ay, R ig M ill,

Runsw ic k , S ta ith es, a n d t h e v ario us t r ip s i n t h e n eig hbourh ood o f W hitb y. T he

ste am ers E m ma a n d S carb oro ugh m ad e tr ip s u p a n d d ow n th e c o ast, a n d th ere

was a n u nusu al a m ount o f “ tr ip pin g” b oth to a n d fro m W hitb y. T he d ay w as

unusu ally fin e till th e a fte rn oon, w hen s o m e o f th e g ossip s w ho fre q uen t th e

East C lif f c h urc h yard , a n d fro m th at c o m man din g e m in en ce w atc h th e w id e

sw eep o f s e a v is ib le t o t h e n orth a n d e ast, c alle d a tte n tio n t o a s u dden s h ow o f

“m are s’-ta ils ” h ig h in th e s k y to th e n orth -w est. T he w in d w as th en b lo w in g

fro m th e so uth -w est in th e m ild d eg re e w hic h in b aro m etr ic al la n guag e is

ra n ked “ N o. 2 : l ig ht b re eze.” T he c o astg uard o n d uty a t o nce m ad e r e p ort, a n d

one old fis h erm an , w ho fo r m ore th an half a cen tu ry has kep t w atc h on

weath er s ig ns f ro m th e E ast C lif f , f o re to ld in a n e m phatic m an ner th e c o m in g

of a s u dden s to rm . T he a p pro ach o f s u nse t w as s o v ery b eau tif u l, s o g ra n d in

its m asse s o f s p le n did ly -c o lo ure d c lo uds, th at th ere w as q uite a n a sse m bla g e

on th e w alk a lo ng th e c lif f in th e o ld c h urc h yard to e n jo y th e b eau ty . B efo re

th e s u n d ip ped b elo w t h e b la ck m ass o f K ettle n ess, s ta n din g b old ly a th w art t h e

weste rn s k y, i ts d ow nw ard w ay w as m ark ed b y m yria d c lo uds o f e v ery s u nse t-

co lo ur— fla m e, p urp le , p in k, g re en , v io le t, a n d a ll th e tin ts o f g old ; w ith h ere

an d t h ere m asse s n ot l a rg e, b ut o f s e em in gly a b so lu te b la ck ness, i n a ll s o rts o f

sh ap es, a s w ell o utlin ed a s c o lo ssa l s ilh ouette s. T he e x perie n ce w as n ot l o st o n

th e p ain te rs , a n d d oubtle ss s o m e o f th e s k etc h es o f th e “ P re lu de to th e G re at

Sto rm ” w ill g ra ce t h e R . A . a n d R . I . w alls i n M ay n ex t. M ore t h an o ne c ap ta in

mad e u p h is m in d th en a n d th ere th at h is “ co bble ” o r h is “ m ule ,” a s th ey te rm

th e d if f e re n t c la sse s o f b oats , w ould re m ain in th e h arb our till th e s to rm h ad

passe d . T he w in d f e ll a w ay e n tir e ly d urin g th e e v en in g, a n d a t m id nig ht th ere

was a d ead c alm , a su ltr y h eat, a n d th at p re v ailin g in te n sity w hic h , o n th e

ap pro ach o f th under, a ff e cts p ers o ns o f a s e n sitiv e n atu re . T here w ere b ut f e w

lig hts in s ig ht a t s e a, f o r e v en th e c o astin g s te am ers , w hic h u su ally “ h ug” th e

sh ore s o c lo se ly , k ep t w ell t o s e aw ard , a n d b ut f e w f is h in g-b oats w ere i n s ig ht.

The o nly s a il n otic eab le w as a fo re ig n s c h ooner w ith a ll s a ils s e t, w hic h w as

se em in gly g oin g w estw ard s. T he fo olh ard in ess o r ig nora n ce o f h er o ff ic ers

was a p ro lif ic th em e fo r c o m men t w hils t sh e re m ain ed in sig ht, a n d e ff o rts

were m ad e to s ig nal h er to r e d u ce s a il in f a ce o f h er d an ger. B efo re th e n ig ht

sh ut d ow n s h e w as s e en w ith s a ils id ly fla p pin g a s s h e g en tly ro lle d o n th e

undula tin g s w ell o f t h e s e a, “A s i d le a s a p ain te d s h ip u pon a p ain te d o cean .”

Shortly b efo re te n o ’c lo ck th e stilln ess o f th e a ir g re w q uite o ppre ssiv e,

an d th e sile n ce w as so m ark ed th at th e b le atin g o f a sh eep in la n d o r th e

bark in g o f a d og in th e to w n w as d is tin ctly h eard , a n d th e b an d o n th e p ie r,

with its liv ely F re n ch a ir , w as lik e a d is c o rd in th e g re at h arm ony o f n atu re ’s

sile n ce. A little a fte r m id nig ht c am e a s tr a n ge s o und fro m o ver th e s e a, a n d

hig h o verh ead t h e a ir b eg an t o c arry a s tr a n ge, f a in t, h ollo w b oom in g.

Then w ith out w arn in g th e te m pest b ro ke. W ith a ra p id ity w hic h , a t th e

tim e, se em ed in cre d ib le , an d ev en afte rw ard s is im possib le to re aliz e, th e

whole a sp ect o f n atu re a t o nce b ecam e c o nvuls e d . T he w av es r o se in g ro w in g

fu ry , e ach o verto ppin g its fe llo w , till in a v ery fe w m in ute s th e la te ly g la ssy

se a w as l ik e a r o arin g a n d d ev ourin g m onste r. W hite -c re ste d w av es b eat m ad ly

on th e le v el sa n ds a n d ru sh ed u p th e sh elv in g c lif f s ; o th ers b ro ke o ver th e

pie rs , a n d w ith th eir s p um e s w ep t th e la n th orn s o f th e lig hth ouse s w hic h r is e

fro m th e e n d o f e ith er p ie r o f W hitb y H arb our. T he w in d r o are d lik e th under,

an d b le w w ith s u ch f o rc e th at it w as w ith d if f ic u lty th at e v en s tr o ng m en k ep t

th eir fe et, or clu ng w ith grim cla sp to th e ir o n sta n ch io ns. It w as fo und

necessa ry to c le ar th e e n tir e p ie rs fro m th e m ass o f o nlo okers , o r e ls e th e

fa ta litie s o f th e n ig ht w ould h av e b een in cre ase d m an if o ld . T o ad d to th e

dif f ic u ltie s a n d d an gers o f th e tim e, m asse s o f s e a-fo g c am e d rif tin g in la n d—

white , w et c lo uds, w hic h s w ep t b y in g hostly f a sh io n, s o d an k a n d d am p a n d

co ld th at it n eed ed b ut little e ff o rt o f im ag in atio n to th in k th at th e s p ir its o f

th ose lo st a t s e a w ere to uch in g th eir liv in g b re th re n w ith th e c la m my h an ds o f

death , a n d m an y a o ne s h uddere d a s t h e w re ath s o f s e a-m is t s w ep t b y. A t t im es

th e m is t c le are d , a n d t h e s e a f o r s o m e d is ta n ce c o uld b e s e en i n t h e g la re o f t h e

lig htn in g, w hic h n ow c am e th ic k a n d fa st, fo llo w ed b y s u ch s u dden p eals o f

th under th at th e w hole s k y o verh ead s e em ed tr e m blin g u nder th e s h ock o f th e

fo ots te p s o f t h e s to rm .

Som e o f th e s c en es th us re v eale d w ere o f im measu ra b le g ra n deu r a n d o f

ab so rb in g in te re st— th e se a, ru nnin g m ounta in s h ig h, th re w sk yw ard s w ith

each w av e m ig hty m asse s o f w hite f o am , w hic h th e te m pest s e em ed to s n atc h

at a n d w hir l a w ay in to s p ace; h ere a n d th ere a f is h in g-b oat, w ith a r a g o f s a il,

ru nnin g m ad ly f o r s h elte r b efo re t h e b la st; n ow a n d a g ain t h e w hite w in gs o f a

sto rm -to sse d s e a-b ir d . O n t h e s u m mit o f t h e E ast C lif f t h e n ew s e arc h lig ht w as

re ad y fo r e x perim en t, b ut h ad n ot y et b een tr ie d . T he o ff ic ers in c h arg e o f it

got it in to w ork in g o rd er, a n d in th e p au se s o f th e in ru sh in g m is t s w ep t w ith it

th e s u rfa ce o f th e s e a. O nce o r tw ic e its s e rv ic e w as m ost e ff e ctiv e, a s w hen a

fis h in g-b oat, w ith g unw ale u nder w ate r, ru sh ed in to th e h arb our, a b le , b y th e

guid an ce o f th e sh elte rin g lig ht, to a v oid th e d an ger o f d ash in g a g ain st th e

pie rs . A s e ach b oat a ch ie v ed th e s a fe ty o f th e p ort th ere w as a s h out o f jo y

fro m th e m ass o f p eo ple o n sh ore , a sh out w hic h fo r a m om en t se em ed to cle av e t h e g ale a n d w as t h en s w ep t a w ay i n i ts r u sh .

Befo re lo ng th e se arc h lig ht d is c o vere d so m e d is ta n ce aw ay a sc h ooner

with a ll s a ils s e t, a p pare n tly th e s a m e v esse l w hic h h ad b een n otic ed e arlie r in

th e e v en in g. T he w in d h ad b y th is tim e b ack ed to th e e ast, a n d th ere w as a

sh udder a m ongst th e w atc h ers o n th e c lif f a s th ey r e aliz ed th e te rrib le d an ger

in w hic h sh e n ow w as. B etw een h er a n d th e p ort la y th e g re at fla t re ef o n

whic h s o m an y g ood s h ip s h av e f ro m t im e t o t im e s u ff e re d , a n d, w ith t h e w in d

blo w in g f ro m its p re se n t q uarte r, it w ould b e q uite im possib le th at s h e s h ould

fe tc h th e e n tr a n ce o f th e h arb our. I t w as n ow n early th e h our o f h ig h tid e, b ut

th e w av es w ere s o g re at th at in th eir tr o ughs th e s h allo w s o f th e s h ore w ere

alm ost v is ib le , an d th e sc h ooner, w ith all sa ils se t, w as ru sh in g w ith su ch

sp eed th at, in th e w ord s o f o ne o ld s a lt, “ sh e m ust fe tc h u p s o m ew here , if it

was o nly i n h ell.” T hen c am e a n oth er r u sh o f s e a-fo g, g re ate r t h an a n y h ith erto

—a m ass o f d an k m is t, w hic h s e em ed to c lo se o n a ll th in gs lik e a g re y p all,

an d l e ft a v aila b le t o m en o nly t h e o rg an o f h earin g, f o r t h e r o ar o f t h e t e m pest,

an d th e c ra sh o f th e th under, a n d th e b oom in g o f th e m ig hty b illo w s c am e

th ro ugh t h e d am p o bliv io n e v en l o uder t h an b efo re . T he r a y s o f t h e s e arc h lig ht

were k ep t fix ed o n th e h arb our m outh a cro ss th e E ast P ie r, w here th e s h ock

was e x pecte d , a n d m en w aite d b re ath le ss. T he w in d s u dden ly s h if te d to th e

north -e ast, an d th e re m nan t of th e se a-fo g m elte d in th e bla st; an d th en ,

mir a b ile d ic tu , b etw een th e p ie rs , le ap in g fro m w av e to w av e a s it ru sh ed a t

head lo ng s p eed , s w ep t th e s tr a n ge s c h ooner b efo re th e b la st, w ith a ll s a il s e t,

an d g ain ed th e sa fe ty o f th e h arb our. T he se arc h lig ht fo llo w ed h er, an d a

sh udder r a n t h ro ugh a ll w ho s a w h er, f o r l a sh ed t o t h e h elm w as a c o rp se , w ith

dro opin g h ead , w hic h s w ung h orrib ly t o a n d f ro a t e ach m otio n o f t h e s h ip . N o

oth er fo rm c o uld b e se en o n d eck a t a ll. A g re at a w e c am e o n a ll a s th ey

re alis e d t h at t h e s h ip , a s i f b y a m ir a cle , h ad f o und t h e h arb our, u nste ere d s a v e

by t h e h an d o f a d ead m an ! H ow ev er, a ll t o ok p la ce m ore q uic k ly t h an i t t a k es

to w rite t h ese w ord s. T he s c h ooner p au se d n ot, b ut r u sh in g a cro ss t h e h arb our,

pitc h ed h ers e lf o n t h at a ccu m ula tio n o f s a n d a n d g ra v el w ash ed b y m an y t id es

an d m an y s to rm s in to th e s o uth -e ast c o rn er o f th e p ie r ju ttin g u nder th e E ast

Clif f , k now n l o cally a s T ate H ill P ie r.

There w as o f c o urs e a c o nsid era b le c o ncu ssio n a s th e v esse l d ro ve u p o n

th e s a n d h eap . E very s p ar, r o pe, a n d s ta y w as s tr a in ed , a n d s o m e o f th e “ to p-

ham mer” c am e c ra sh in g d ow n. B ut, s tr a n gest o f a ll, th e v ery in sta n t th e s h ore

was to uch ed , a n im men se d og s p ra n g u p o n d eck f ro m b elo w , a s if s h ot u p b y

th e co ncu ssio n, an d ru nnin g fo rw ard , ju m ped fro m th e bow on th e sa n d.

Mak in g str a ig ht fo r th e ste ep clif f , w here th e ch urc h yard han gs over th e

la n ew ay to th e E ast P ie r s o s te ep ly th at s o m e o f th e f la t to m bsto nes— “th ru ff -

ste an s” o r “th ro ugh-s to nes,” as th ey call th em in th e W hitb y v ern acu la r—

actu ally p ro je ct o ver w here th e s u sta in in g c lif f h as f a lle n a w ay, it d is a p peare d

in th e dark ness, w hic h se em ed in te n sif ie d ju st bey ond th e fo cu s of th e se arc h lig ht.

It s o h ap pen ed t h at t h ere w as n o o ne a t t h e m om en t o n T ate H ill P ie r, a s a ll

th ose w hose h ouse s a re in c lo se p ro xim ity w ere e ith er in b ed o r w ere o ut o n

th e h eig hts ab ove. T hus th e co astg uard o n d uty o n th e easte rn sid e o f th e

harb our, w ho a t o nce ra n d ow n to th e little p ie r, w as th e fir s t to c lim b o n

board . T he m en w ork in g th e se arc h lig ht, a fte r sc o urin g th e e n tr a n ce o f th e

harb our w ith out s e ein g a n yth in g, th en tu rn ed th e lig ht o n th e d ere lic t a n d k ep t

it t h ere . T he c o astg uard r a n a ft, a n d w hen h e c am e b esid e t h e w heel, b en t o ver

to e x am in e it, a n d re co ile d a t o nce a s th ough u nder so m e su dden e m otio n.

This s e em ed t o p iq ue g en era l c u rio sity , a n d q uite a n um ber o f p eo ple b eg an t o

ru n. I t i s a g ood w ay r o und f ro m t h e W est C lif f b y t h e D ra w brid ge t o T ate H ill

Pie r, b ut y our c o rre sp onden t is a fa ir ly g ood ru nner, a n d c am e w ell a h ead o f

th e c ro w d. W hen I a rriv ed , h ow ev er, I f o und a lr e ad y a sse m ble d o n th e p ie r a

cro w d, w hom t h e c o astg uard a n d p olic e r e fu se d t o a llo w t o c o m e o n b oard . B y

th e c o urte sy o f th e c h ie f b oatm an , I w as, a s y our c o rre sp onden t, p erm itte d to

clim b o n d eck , a n d w as o ne o f a s m all g ro up w ho s a w t h e d ead s e am an w hils t

actu ally l a sh ed t o t h e w heel.

It w as n o w onder th at th e c o astg uard w as s u rp ris e d , o r e v en a w ed , f o r n ot

ofte n c an s u ch a s ig ht h av e b een s e en . T he m an w as s im ply fa ste n ed b y h is

han ds, t ie d o ne o ver t h e o th er, t o a s p oke o f t h e w heel. B etw een t h e i n ner h an d

an d th e w ood w as a c ru cif ix , th e s e t o f b ead s o n w hic h it w as f a ste n ed b ein g

aro und b oth w ris ts a n d w heel, a n d a ll k ep t f a st b y t h e b in din g c o rd s. T he p oor

fe llo w m ay h av e b een s e ate d a t o ne t im e, b ut t h e f la p pin g a n d b uff e tin g o f t h e

sa ils h ad w ork ed th ro ugh th e r u dder o f th e w heel a n d d ra g ged h im to a n d f ro ,

so th at th e co rd s w ith w hic h he w as tie d had cu t th e fle sh to th e bone.

Accu ra te n ote w as m ad e o f th e s ta te o f th in gs, a n d a d octo r— Surg eo n J . M .

Caff y n, o f 3 3, E ast E llio t P la ce — who c am e im med ia te ly a fte r m e, d ecla re d ,

afte r m ak in g e x am in atio n, th at th e m an m ust h av e b een d ead fo r q uite tw o

day s. I n h is p ock et w as a b ottle , c are fu lly c o rk ed , e m pty s a v e f o r a l ittle r o ll o f

pap er, w hic h p ro ved to b e th e a d den dum to th e lo g. T he c o astg uard s a id th e

man m ust h av e tie d u p h is o w n h an ds, f a ste n in g th e k nots w ith h is te eth . T he

fa ct th at a c o astg uard w as th e fir s t o n b oard m ay sa v e so m e c o m plic atio ns,

la te r o n, in th e A dm ir a lty C ourt; fo r co astg uard s can not cla im th e sa lv ag e

whic h is th e r ig ht o f th e f ir s t c iv ilia n e n te rin g o n a d ere lic t. A lr e ad y, h ow ev er,

th e le g al to ngues a re w ag gin g, a n d o ne y oung la w s tu den t is lo udly a sse rtin g

th at th e rig hts o f th e o w ner a re a lr e ad y c o m ple te ly sa crif ic ed , h is p ro perty

bein g h eld in c o ntr a v en tio n o f th e sta tu te s o f m ortm ain , sin ce th e tille r, a s

em ble m sh ip , if n ot p ro of, o f d ele g ate d p osse ssio n, is h eld in a d ead h an d. I t is

need le ss to s a y th at th e d ead s te ers m an h as b een r e v ere n tly r e m oved f ro m th e

pla ce w here h e h eld h is h onoura b le w atc h a n d w ard t ill d eath — a s te ad fa stn ess

as n oble a s t h at o f t h e y oung C asa b ia n ca— an d p la ced i n t h e m ortu ary t o a w ait

in quest. Alr e ad y th e s u dden s to rm is p assin g, a n d its f ie rc en ess is a b atin g; c ro w ds

are sc atte rin g hom ew ard , an d th e sk y is beg in nin g to re d den over th e

York sh ir e w old s. I s h all s e n d, i n t im e f o r y our n ex t i s su e, f u rth er d eta ils o f t h e

dere lic t s h ip w hic h f o und h er w ay s o m ir a cu lo usly i n to h arb our i n t h e s to rm .

Whitb y

9 A ugust.— The s e q uel to th e s tr a n ge a rriv al o f th e d ere lic t in th e s to rm

la st n ig ht is a lm ost m ore sta rtlin g th an th e th in g its e lf . It tu rn s o ut th at th e

sc h ooner is a R ussia n fro m V arn a, a n d is c alle d th e D em ete r. S he is a lm ost

en tir e ly i n b alla st o f s ilv er s a n d, w ith o nly a s m all a m ount o f c arg o— a n um ber

of g re at w ooden b oxes fille d w ith m ould . T his carg o w as co nsig ned to a

Whitb y s o lic ito r, M r. S . F . B illin gto n, o f 7 , T he C re sc en t, w ho th is m orn in g

wen t a b oard a n d f o rm ally to ok p osse ssio n o f th e g oods c o nsig ned to h im . T he

Russia n c o nsu l, to o, a ctin g f o r th e c h arte r- p arty , to ok f o rm al p osse ssio n o f th e

sh ip , a n d p aid a ll h arb our d ues, e tc . N oth in g i s t a lk ed a b out h ere t o -d ay e x cep t

th e s tr a n ge c o in cid en ce; th e o ff ic ia ls o f th e B oard o f T ra d e h av e b een m ost

ex actin g in se ein g th at ev ery co m plia n ce has been m ad e w ith ex is tin g

re g ula tio ns. A s th e m atte r is to b e a “ n in e d ay s’ w onder,” th ey a re e v id en tly

dete rm in ed th at th ere sh all b e n o c au se o f a fte r c o m pla in t. A g ood d eal o f

in te re st w as a b ro ad c o ncern in g th e d og w hic h la n ded w hen th e sh ip str u ck ,

an d m ore t h an a f e w o f t h e m em bers o f t h e S . P . C . A ., w hic h i s v ery s tr o ng i n

Whitb y, h av e tr ie d to b efrie n d th e an im al. T o th e g en era l d is a p poin tm en t,

how ev er, i t w as n ot t o b e f o und; i t s e em s t o h av e d is a p peare d e n tir e ly f ro m t h e

to w n. It m ay b e th at it w as frig hte n ed a n d m ad e its w ay o n to th e m oors ,

where i t i s s till h id in g i n t e rro r. T here a re s o m e w ho l o ok w ith d re ad o n s u ch a

possib ility , l e st l a te r o n i t s h ould i n i ts e lf b eco m e a d an ger, f o r i t i s e v id en tly a

fie rc e b ru te . E arly th is m orn in g a la rg e d og, a h alf -b re d m astif f b elo ngin g to a

co al m erc h an t c lo se to T ate H ill P ie r, w as f o und d ead in th e r o ad w ay o pposite

to its m aste r’s y ard . It h ad b een fig htin g, a n d m an if e stly h ad h ad a sa v ag e

opponen t, f o r its th ro at w as to rn a w ay, a n d its b elly w as s lit o pen a s if w ith a

sa v ag e c la w .

Late r.— By th e k in dness o f th e B oard o f T ra d e in sp ecto r, I h av e b een

perm itte d to lo ok o ver th e lo g-b ook o f th e D em ete r, w hic h w as in o rd er u p to

with in t h re e d ay s, b ut c o nta in ed n oth in g o f s p ecia l i n te re st e x cep t a s t o f a cts o f

mis sin g m en . T he g re ate st in te re st, h ow ev er, is w ith r e g ard to th e p ap er f o und

in th e b ottle , w hic h w as to -d ay p ro duced a t th e in quest; a n d a m ore s tr a n ge

narra tiv e th an th e tw o b etw een th em u nfo ld it h as n ot b een m y lo t to c o m e

acro ss. A s t h ere i s n o m otiv e f o r c o ncealm en t, I a m p erm itte d t o u se t h em , a n d

acco rd in gly se n d you a re sc rip t, sim ply om ittin g te ch nic al deta ils of

se am an sh ip a n d s u perc arg o. It a lm ost s e em s a s th ough th e c ap ta in h ad b een

se iz ed w ith s o m e k in d o f m an ia b efo re h e h ad g ot w ell in to b lu e w ate r, a n d

th at th is h ad d ev elo ped p ers is te n tly th ro ughout th e v oyag e. O f co urs e m y sta te m en t m ust b e ta k en c u m g ra n o, s in ce I a m w ritin g f ro m th e d ic ta tio n o f a

cle rk o f t h e R ussia n c o nsu l, w ho k in dly t r a n sla te d f o r m e, t im e b ein g s h ort.

LO G O F T H E “ D EM ETER .”

Varn a t o W hitb y.

Writte n 1 8 J u ly , t h in gs s o s tr a n ge h ap pen in g, t h at I s h all k eep a ccu ra te n ote

hen cefo rth t ill w e l a n d.

On 6 J u ly w e fin is h ed ta k in g in c arg o, s ilv er s a n d a n d b oxes o f e arth . A t

noon se t sa il. E ast w in d, fre sh . C re w , fiv e h an ds ... tw o m ate s, co ok, an d

myse lf ( c ap ta in ).

On 11 Ju ly at daw n en te re d B osp horu s. B oard ed by T urk is h C usto m s

off ic ers . B ack sh eesh . A ll c o rre ct. U nder w ay a t 4 p . m .

On 1 2 Ju ly th ro ugh D ard an elle s. M ore C usto m s o ff ic ers a n d fla g boat o f

guard in g s q uad ro n. B ack sh eesh a g ain . W ork o f o ff ic ers th oro ugh, b ut q uic k .

Wan t u s o ff s o on. A t d ark p asse d i n to A rc h ip ela g o.

On 13 Ju ly passe d C ap e M ata p an . C re w dis sa tis fie d ab out so m eth in g.

Seem ed s c are d , b ut w ould n ot s p eak o ut.

On 1 4 Ju ly w as so m ew hat a n xio us a b out c re w . M en a ll ste ad y fe llo w s,

who s a ile d w ith m e b efo re . M ate c o uld n ot m ak e o ut w hat w as w ro ng; th ey

only to ld h im th ere w as s o m eth in g, a n d c ro sse d th em se lv es. M ate lo st te m per

with o ne o f th em th at d ay a n d s tr u ck h im . E xpecte d f ie rc e q uarre l, b ut a ll w as

quie t.

On 1 6 J u ly m ate r e p orte d in th e m orn in g th at o ne o f c re w , P etr o fs k y, w as

mis sin g. C ould n ot a cco unt fo r it. T ook la rb oard w atc h e ig ht b ells la st n ig ht;

was re lie v ed b y A bra m off , b ut d id n ot g o to b unk. M en m ore d ow ncast th an

ev er. A ll s a id th ey e x pecte d s o m eth in g o f th e k in d, b ut w ould n ot s a y m ore

th an th ere w as so m eth in g ab oard . M ate g ettin g v ery im patie n t w ith th em ;

fe are d s o m e t r o uble a h ead .

On 1 7 J u ly , y este rd ay, o ne o f th e m en , O lg are n , c am e to m y c ab in , a n d in

an a w estr u ck w ay c o nfid ed to m e th at h e th ought th ere w as a str a n ge m an

ab oard th e s h ip . H e s a id th at in h is w atc h h e h ad b een s h elte rin g b eh in d th e

deck -h ouse , a s th ere w as a r a in -s to rm , w hen h e s a w a ta ll, th in m an , w ho w as

not lik e a n y o f th e c re w , c o m e u p th e c o m pan io n-w ay, a n d g o a lo ng th e d eck

fo rw ard , an d d is a p pear. H e fo llo w ed cau tio usly , b ut w hen h e g ot to b ow s

fo und no one, an d th e hatc h w ay s w ere all clo se d . H e w as in a pan ic of

su pers titio us f e ar, a n d I a m a fra id th e p an ic m ay s p re ad . T o a lla y it, I s h all to -

day s e arc h e n tir e s h ip c are fu lly f ro m s te m t o s te rn .

Late r in th e d ay I g ot to geth er th e w hole c re w , a n d to ld th em , a s th ey

ev id en tly th ought th ere w as s o m e o ne in th e s h ip , w e w ould s e arc h f ro m s te m to s te rn . F ir s t m ate a n gry ; s a id it w as f o lly , a n d to y ie ld to s u ch f o olis h id eas

would d em ora lis e th e m en ; s a id h e w ould e n gag e to k eep th em o ut o f tr o uble

with a h an dsp ik e. I le t h im ta k e th e h elm , w hile th e re st b eg an th oro ugh

se arc h , a ll k eep in g a b re ast, w ith la n te rn s: w e le ft n o c o rn er u nse arc h ed . A s

th ere w ere o nly t h e b ig w ooden b oxes, t h ere w ere n o o dd c o rn ers w here a m an

co uld h id e. M en m uch re lie v ed w hen se arc h o ver, a n d w en t b ack to w ork

ch eerfu lly . F ir s t m ate s c o w le d , b ut s a id n oth in g.

22 J u ly .— Rough w eath er l a st t h re e d ay s, a n d a ll h an ds b usy w ith s a ils — no

tim e to b e f rig hte n ed . M en s e em to h av e f o rg otte n th eir d re ad . M ate c h eerfu l

ag ain , a n d a ll o n g ood te rm s. P ra is e d m en fo r w ork in b ad w eath er. P asse d

Gib ra lte r a n d o ut t h ro ugh S tr a its . A ll w ell.

24 J u ly .— There s e em s s o m e d oom o ver th is s h ip . A lr e ad y a h an d s h ort,

an d e n te rin g o n th e B ay o f B is c ay w ith w ild w eath er a h ead , a n d y et la st n ig ht

an oth er m an lo st— dis a p peare d . L ik e th e f ir s t, h e c am e o ff h is w atc h a n d w as

not s e en a g ain . M en a ll in a p an ic o f f e ar; s e n t a r o und r o bin , a sk in g to h av e

double w atc h , a s th ey fe ar to b e a lo ne. M ate a n gry . F ear th ere w ill b e s o m e

tr o uble , a s e ith er h e o r t h e m en w ill d o s o m e v io le n ce.

28 J u ly .— Four d ay s i n h ell, k nock in g a b out i n a s o rt o f m aels tr o m , a n d t h e

win d a te m pest. N o s le ep f o r a n y o ne. M en a ll w orn o ut. H ard ly k now h ow to

se t a w atc h , s in ce n o o ne fit to g o o n. S eco nd m ate v olu nte ere d to s te er a n d

watc h , a n d le t m en s n atc h a f e w h ours ’ s le ep . W in d a b atin g; s e as s till te rrif ic ,

but f e el t h em l e ss, a s s h ip i s s te ad ie r.

29 J u ly .— Anoth er tr a g ed y. H ad s in gle w atc h to -n ig ht, a s c re w to o tir e d to

double . W hen m orn in g w atc h cam e on deck co uld fin d no one ex cep t

ste ers m an . R ais e d o utc ry , a n d a ll c am e o n d eck . T horo ugh s e arc h , b ut n o o ne

fo und. A re n ow w ith out s e co nd m ate , a n d c re w in a p an ic . M ate a n d I a g re ed

to g o a rm ed h en cefo rth a n d w ait f o r a n y s ig n o f c au se .

30 J u ly .— Last n ig ht. R ejo ic ed w e a re n earin g E ngla n d. W eath er fin e, a ll

sa ils s e t. R etir e d w orn o ut; s le p t s o undly ; a w ak ed b y m ate t e llin g m e t h at b oth

man o f w atc h a n d s te ers m an m is sin g. O nly s e lf a n d m ate a n d t w o h an ds l e ft t o

work s h ip .

1 A ugust.— Tw o d ay s o f f o g, a n d n ot a s a il s ig hte d . H ad h oped w hen i n t h e

Englis h C han nel to b e a b le to s ig nal f o r h elp o r g et in s o m ew here . N ot h av in g

pow er to w ork s a ils , h av e to ru n b efo re w in d. D are n ot lo w er, a s c o uld n ot

ra is e th em a g ain . W e se em to b e d rif tin g to so m e te rrib le d oom . M ate n ow

more dem ora lis e d th an eith er of m en . H is str o nger natu re se em s to hav e

work ed in w ard ly a g ain st h im se lf . M en a re b ey ond fe ar, w ork in g s to lid ly a n d

patie n tly , w ith m in ds m ad e u p t o w ors t. T hey a re R ussia n , h e R oum an ia n .

2 A ugust, m id nig ht.— Woke u p f ro m f e w m in ute s’ s le ep b y h earin g a c ry , se em in gly o uts id e m y p ort. C ould s e e n oth in g i n f o g. R ush ed o n d eck , a n d r a n

ag ain st m ate . T ells m e h eard c ry a n d ra n , b ut n o s ig n o f m an o n w atc h . O ne

more g one. L ord , h elp u s! M ate s a y s w e m ust b e p ast S tr a its o f D over, a s in a

mom en t o f f o g l if tin g h e s a w N orth F ore la n d, j u st a s h e h eard t h e m an c ry o ut.

If s o w e a re n ow o ff in th e N orth S ea, a n d o nly G od c an g uid e u s in th e f o g,

whic h s e em s t o m ove w ith u s; a n d G od s e em s t o h av e d ese rte d u s.

3 A ugust.— At m id nig ht I w en t t o r e lie v e t h e m an a t t h e w heel, a n d w hen I

got t o i t f o und n o o ne t h ere . T he w in d w as s te ad y, a n d a s w e r a n b efo re i t t h ere

was n o y aw in g. I d are d n ot le av e it, so sh oute d fo r th e m ate . A fte r a fe w

se co nds he ru sh ed up on deck in his fla n nels . H e lo oked w ild -e y ed an d

hag gard , a n d I g re atly f e ar h is r e aso n h as g iv en w ay. H e c am e c lo se t o m e a n d

whis p ere d h oars e ly , w ith h is m outh to m y e ar, a s th ough fe arin g th e v ery a ir

mig ht h ear: “ It is h ere ; I k now it, n ow . O n th e w atc h la st n ig ht I s a w I t, lik e a

man , ta ll a n d th in , a n d g hastly p ale . It w as in th e b ow s, a n d lo okin g o ut. I

cre p t b eh in d I t, a n d g av e I t m y k nif e ; b ut th e k nif e w en t th ro ugh I t, e m pty a s

th e a ir.” A nd a s h e s p oke h e to ok h is k nif e a n d d ro ve it s a v ag ely in to s p ace.

Then h e w en t o n: “ B ut I t is h ere , a n d I ’ll f in d I t. I t is in th e h old , p erh ap s in

one o f th ose b oxes. I’ll u nsc re w th em o ne b y o ne an d se e. Y ou w ork th e

helm .” A nd, w ith a w arn in g lo ok a n d h is fin ger o n h is lip , h e w en t b elo w .

There w as s p rin gin g u p a c h oppy w in d, a n d I c o uld n ot le av e th e h elm . I s a w

him c o m e o ut o n d eck a g ain w ith a to ol- c h est a n d a la n te rn , a n d g o d ow n th e

fo rw ard h atc h w ay. H e is m ad , s ta rk , r a v in g m ad , a n d it’s n o u se m y tr y in g to

sto p h im . H e c an ’t h urt th ose b ig b oxes: th ey a re in voic ed a s “ cla y,” a n d to

pull th em a b out is a s h arm le ss a th in g a s h e c an d o. S o h ere I s ta y, a n d m in d

th e h elm , a n d w rite th ese n ote s. I c an o nly tr u st in G od a n d w ait till th e fo g

cle ars . T hen , if I c an ’t s te er to a n y h arb our w ith th e w in d th at is , I s h all c u t

dow n s a ils a n d l ie b y, a n d s ig nal f o r h elp ....

It is n early a ll o ver n ow . Ju st a s I w as b eg in nin g to h ope th at th e m ate

would c o m e o ut c alm er— fo r I h eard h im k nock in g a w ay a t s o m eth in g in th e

hold , an d w ork is good fo r him — th ere cam e up th e hatc h w ay a su dden ,

sta rtle d s c re am , w hic h m ad e m y b lo od r u n c o ld , a n d u p o n th e d eck h e c am e

as if s h ot fro m a g un— a ra g in g m ad m an , w ith h is e y es ro llin g a n d h is fa ce

co nvuls e d w ith f e ar. “ S av e m e! s a v e m e!” h e c rie d , a n d th en lo oked r o und o n

th e b la n ket o f f o g. H is h orro r tu rn ed to d esp air , a n d in a s te ad y v oic e h e s a id :

“Y ou h ad b ette r c o m e t o o, c ap ta in , b efo re i t i s t o o l a te . H e i s t h ere . I k now t h e

se cre t n ow . T he s e a w ill s a v e m e f ro m H im , a n d it is a ll th at is le ft! ” B efo re I

co uld s a y a w ord , o r m ove f o rw ard t o s e iz e h im , h e s p ra n g o n t h e b ulw ark a n d

delib era te ly t h re w h im se lf i n to t h e s e a. I s u ppose I k now t h e s e cre t t o o, n ow . I t

was th is m ad m an w ho h ad g ot rid o f th e m en o ne b y o ne, a n d n ow h e h as

fo llo w ed th em h im se lf . G od h elp m e! H ow am I to acco unt fo r all th ese

horro rs w hen I g et t o p ort? W hen I g et t o p ort! W ill t h at e v er b e? 4 A ugust.— Still fo g, w hic h th e su nris e can not p ie rc e. I k now th ere is

su nris e b ecau se I a m a s a ilo r, w hy e ls e I k now n ot. I d are d n ot g o b elo w , I

dare d n ot le av e th e h elm ; s o h ere a ll n ig ht I s ta y ed , a n d in th e d im ness o f th e

nig ht I sa w It— Him ! G od fo rg iv e m e, but th e m ate w as rig ht to ju m p

overb oard . I t w as b ette r to d ie lik e a m an ; to d ie lik e a s a ilo r in b lu e w ate r n o

man c an o bje ct. B ut I a m c ap ta in , a n d I m ust n ot le av e m y s h ip . B ut I s h all

baff le th is fie n d o r m onste r, fo r I s h all tie m y h an ds to th e w heel w hen m y

str e n gth b eg in s to fa il, a n d a lo ng w ith th em I s h all tie th at w hic h H e— It! —

dare n ot to uch ; a n d th en , c o m e g ood w in d o r fo ul, I s h all s a v e m y s o ul, a n d

my h onour a s a c ap ta in . I a m g ro w in g w eak er, a n d th e n ig ht is c o m in g o n. I f

He c an lo ok m e in th e fa ce a g ain , I m ay n ot h av e tim e to a ct.... If w e a re

wre ck ed , m ay hap th is bottle m ay be fo und, an d th ose w ho fin d it m ay

unders ta n d; i f n ot, ... w ell, t h en a ll m en s h all k now t h at I h av e b een t r u e t o m y

tr u st. G od a n d th e B le sse d V ir g in a n d th e sa in ts h elp a p oor ig nora n t so ul

tr y in g t o d o h is d uty ....

Of c o urs e t h e v erd ic t w as a n o pen o ne. T here i s n o e v id en ce t o a d duce; a n d

wheth er o r n ot th e m an h im se lf c o m mitte d th e m urd ers th ere is n ow n one to

sa y. T he fo lk h ere h old a lm ost u niv ers a lly th at th e c ap ta in is s im ply a h ero ,

an d h e i s t o b e g iv en a p ublic f u nera l. A lr e ad y i t i s a rra n ged t h at h is b ody i s t o

be ta k en w ith a tr a in o f b oats u p th e E sk f o r a p ie ce a n d th en b ro ught b ack to

Tate H ill P ie r a n d u p th e a b bey s te p s; f o r h e is to b e b urie d in th e c h urc h yard

on th e c lif f . T he o w ners o f m ore th an a h undre d b oats h av e a lr e ad y g iv en in

th eir n am es a s w is h in g t o f o llo w h im t o t h e g ra v e.

No tr a ce h as e v er b een fo und o f th e g re at d og; a t w hic h th ere is m uch

mourn in g, f o r, w ith p ublic o pin io n in its p re se n t s ta te , h e w ould , I b elie v e, b e

ad opte d b y th e to w n. T o-m orro w w ill s e e th e f u nera l; a n d s o w ill e n d th is o ne

more “ m yste ry o f t h e s e a.”

Min a M urra y ’s J o urn al.

8 A ugust.— Lucy w as v ery re stle ss a ll n ig ht, a n d I, to o, c o uld n ot s le ep .

The s to rm w as fe arfu l, a n d a s it b oom ed lo udly a m ong th e c h im ney -p ots , it

mad e m e s h udder. W hen a s h arp p uff c am e it s e em ed to b e lik e a d is ta n t g un.

Str a n gely en ough, L ucy did not w ak e; but sh e got up tw ic e an d dre sse d

hers e lf . F ortu nate ly , e ach tim e I a w oke in tim e a n d m an ag ed to u ndre ss h er

with out w ak in g h er, a n d g ot h er b ack to b ed . It is a v ery s tr a n ge th in g, th is

sle ep -w alk in g, fo r a s so on a s h er w ill is th w arte d in a n y p hysic al w ay, h er

in te n tio n, if th ere b e a n y, d is a p pears , a n d s h e y ie ld s h ers e lf a lm ost e x actly to

th e r o utin e o f h er l if e .

Early i n t h e m orn in g w e b oth g ot u p a n d w en t d ow n t o t h e h arb our t o s e e i f

an yth in g h ad h ap pen ed in th e n ig ht. T here w ere v ery fe w p eo ple a b out, a n d

th ough th e s u n w as b rig ht, a n d th e a ir c le ar a n d fre sh , th e b ig , g rim -lo okin g wav es, th at s e em ed d ark th em se lv es b ecau se th e fo am th at to pped th em w as

lik e s n ow , fo rc ed th em se lv es in th ro ugh th e n arro w m outh o f th e h arb our—

lik e a b ully in g m an g oin g t h ro ugh a c ro w d. S om eh ow I f e lt g la d t h at J o nath an

was n ot o n t h e s e a l a st n ig ht, b ut o n l a n d. B ut, o h, i s h e o n l a n d o r s e a? W here

is h e, a n d h ow ? I a m g ettin g f e arfu lly a n xio us a b out h im . I f I o nly k new w hat

to d o, a n d c o uld d o a n yth in g!

10 A ugust.— The fu nera l of th e poor se a-c ap ta in to -d ay w as m ost

to uch in g. E very b oat in th e h arb our s e em ed to b e th ere , a n d th e c o ff in w as

carrie d b y c ap ta in s a ll th e w ay f ro m T ate H ill P ie r u p to th e c h urc h yard . L ucy

cam e w ith m e, a n d w e w en t e arly to o ur o ld s e at, w hils t th e c o rtè g e o f b oats

wen t u p th e r iv er to th e V ia d uct a n d c am e d ow n a g ain . W e h ad a lo vely v ie w ,

an d s a w th e p ro cessio n n early a ll th e w ay. T he p oor fe llo w w as la id to re st

quite n ear o ur se at so th at w e sto od o n it w hen th e tim e cam e an d sa w

ev ery th in g. P oor L ucy s e em ed m uch u pse t. S he w as r e stle ss a n d u neasy a ll t h e

tim e, a n d I c an not b ut th in k th at h er d re am in g a t n ig ht is te llin g o n h er. S he is

quite o dd in o ne th in g: s h e w ill n ot a d m it to m e th at th ere is a n y c au se fo r

re stle ssn ess; o r if th ere b e, sh e d oes n ot u nders ta n d it h ers e lf . T here is a n

ad ditio nal c au se in th at p oor o ld M r. S w ale s w as f o und d ead th is m orn in g o n

our s e at, h is n eck b ein g b ro ken . H e h ad e v id en tly , a s th e d octo r s a id , fa lle n

back in th e s e at in s o m e s o rt o f f rig ht, f o r th ere w as a lo ok o f f e ar a n d h orro r

on h is f a ce th at th e m en s a id m ad e th em s h udder. P oor d ear o ld m an ! P erh ap s

he h ad s e en D eath w ith h is d yin g e y es! L ucy i s s o s w eet a n d s e n sitiv e t h at s h e

fe els in flu en ces m ore a cu te ly th an o th er p eo ple d o. Ju st n ow sh e w as q uite

upse t b y a little th in g w hic h I d id n ot m uch h eed , th ough I a m m yse lf v ery

fo nd o f a n im als . O ne o f th e m en w ho c am e u p h ere o fte n to lo ok f o r th e b oats

was fo llo w ed b y h is d og. T he d og is a lw ay s w ith h im . T hey a re b oth q uie t

pers o ns, a n d I n ev er s a w th e m an a n gry , n or h eard th e d og b ark . D urin g th e

se rv ic e t h e d og w ould n ot c o m e t o i ts m aste r, w ho w as o n t h e s e at w ith u s, b ut

kep t a fe w y ard s o ff , b ark in g a n d h ow lin g. Its m aste r s p oke to it g en tly , a n d

th en h ars h ly , a n d th en a n grily ; b ut it w ould n eith er c o m e n or c ease to m ak e a

nois e . I t w as i n a s o rt o f f u ry , w ith i ts e y es s a v ag e, a n d a ll i ts h air s b ris tlin g o ut

lik e a c at’s ta il w hen p uss is o n th e w ar- p ath . F in ally th e m an , to o, g ot a n gry ,

an d ju m ped d ow n a n d k ic k ed th e d og, a n d th en to ok it b y th e s c ru ff o f th e

neck a n d h alf d ra g ged a n d h alf th re w it o n th e to m bsto ne o n w hic h th e s e at is

fix ed . T he m om en t it to uch ed th e s to ne th e p oor th in g b ecam e q uie t a n d fe ll

all i n to a t r e m ble . I t d id n ot t r y t o g et a w ay, b ut c ro uch ed d ow n, q uiv erin g a n d

co w erin g, a n d w as in s u ch a p itia b le s ta te o f te rro r th at I tr ie d , th ough w ith out

eff e ct, t o c o m fo rt i t. L ucy w as f u ll o f p ity , t o o, b ut s h e d id n ot a tte m pt t o t o uch

th e d og, b ut l o oked a t i t i n a n a g onis e d s o rt o f w ay. I g re atly f e ar t h at s h e i s o f

to o s u per- s e n sitiv e a n atu re to g o th ro ugh th e w orld w ith out tr o uble . S he w ill

be d re am in g o f th is to -n ig ht, I a m s u re . T he w hole a g glo m era tio n o f th in gs—

th e s h ip s te ere d in to p ort b y a d ead m an ; h is a ttitu de, tie d to th e w heel w ith a cru cif ix a n d b ead s; th e to uch in g fu nera l; th e d og, n ow fu rio us a n d n ow in

te rro r— will a ll a ff o rd m ate ria l f o r h er d re am s.

I t h in k i t w ill b e b est f o r h er t o g o t o b ed t ir e d o ut p hysic ally , s o I s h all t a k e

her f o r a l o ng w alk b y t h e c lif f s t o R obin H ood’s B ay a n d b ack . S he o ught n ot

to h av e m uch i n clin atio n f o r s le ep -w alk in g t h en .

CH APT ER V III

MIN A M URRAY ’S J O URNAL

Sam e d ay, 1 1 o ’c lo ck p . m .— Oh, b ut I a m tir e d ! If it w ere n ot th at I h ad

mad e m y d ia ry a d uty I s h ould n ot o pen it to -n ig ht. W e h ad a lo vely w alk .

Lucy, a fte r a w hile , w as in g ay s p ir its , o w in g, I th in k, to s o m e d ear c o w s w ho

cam e n osin g to w ard s u s in a fie ld c lo se to th e lig hth ouse , a n d frig hte n ed th e

wits o ut o f u s. I b elie v e w e f o rg ot e v ery th in g e x cep t, o f c o urs e , p ers o nal f e ar,

an d i t s e em ed t o w ip e t h e s la te c le an a n d g iv e u s a f re sh s ta rt. W e h ad a c ap ita l

“se v ere te a” a t R obin H ood’s B ay in a s w eet little o ld -fa sh io ned in n, w ith a

bow -w in dow r ig ht o ver th e s e aw eed -c o vere d r o ck s o f th e s tr a n d. I b elie v e w e

sh ould h av e sh ock ed th e “ N ew W om an ” w ith o ur a p petite s. M en a re m ore

to le ra n t, ble ss th em ! T hen w e w alk ed hom e w ith so m e, or ra th er m an y,

sto ppag es to re st, a n d w ith o ur h earts fu ll o f a c o nsta n t d re ad o f w ild b ulls .

Lucy w as r e ally t ir e d , a n d w e i n te n ded t o c re ep o ff t o b ed a s s o on a s w e c o uld .

The y oung c u ra te c am e in , h ow ev er, a n d M rs . W este n ra a sk ed h im to s ta y f o r

su pper. L ucy a n d I h ad b oth a f ig ht f o r i t w ith t h e d usty m ille r; I k now i t w as a

hard f ig ht o n m y p art, a n d I a m q uite h ero ic . I t h in k t h at s o m e d ay t h e b is h ops

must g et to geth er a n d s e e a b out b re ed in g u p a n ew c la ss o f c u ra te s, w ho d on’t

ta k e s u pper, n o m atte r h ow th ey m ay b e p re sse d to , a n d w ho w ill k now w hen

gir ls a re tir e d . L ucy is a sle ep a n d b re ath in g s o ftly . S he h as m ore c o lo ur in h er

ch eek s th an u su al, a n d lo oks, o h, s o s w eet. I f M r. H olm wood f e ll in lo ve w ith

her s e ein g h er o nly in th e d ra w in g-ro om , I w onder w hat h e w ould s a y if h e

sa w h er n ow . S om e o f th e “ N ew W om en ” w rite rs w ill s o m e d ay s ta rt a n id ea

th at m en an d w om en sh ould be allo w ed to se e each oth er asle ep befo re

pro posin g o r a ccep tin g. B ut I s u ppose th e N ew W om an w on’t c o ndesc en d in

fu tu re to a ccep t; sh e w ill d o th e p ro posin g h ers e lf . A nd a n ic e jo b sh e w ill

mak e o f it, to o! T here ’s so m e c o nso la tio n in th at. I a m so h ap py to -n ig ht,

becau se d ear L ucy s e em s b ette r. I r e ally b elie v e s h e h as t u rn ed th e c o rn er, a n d

th at w e a re o ver h er tr o uble s w ith d re am in g. I s h ould b e q uite h ap py if I o nly

knew i f J o nath an .... G od b le ss a n d k eep h im .

11 A ugust, 3 a . m .— Dia ry a g ain . N o s le ep n ow , s o I m ay a s w ell w rite . I

am to o a g ita te d to s le ep . W e h av e h ad s u ch a n a d ven tu re , s u ch a n a g onis in g ex perie n ce. I f e ll a sle ep a s s o on a s I h ad c lo se d m y d ia ry .... S udden ly I b ecam e

bro ad a w ak e, a n d s a t u p, w ith a h orrib le s e n se o f f e ar u pon m e, a n d o f s o m e

fe elin g o f e m ptin ess a ro und m e. T he r o om w as d ark , s o I c o uld n ot s e e L ucy ’s

bed ; I s to le a cro ss a n d f e lt f o r h er. T he b ed w as e m pty . I l it a m atc h a n d f o und

th at s h e w as n ot i n t h e r o om . T he d oor w as s h ut, b ut n ot l o ck ed , a s I h ad l e ft i t.

I fe are d to w ak e h er m oth er, w ho h as b een m ore th an u su ally ill la te ly , so

th re w o n so m e c lo th es a n d g ot re ad y to lo ok fo r h er. A s I w as le av in g th e

ro om it s tr u ck m e th at th e c lo th es s h e w ore m ig ht g iv e m e s o m e c lu e to h er

dre am in g in te n tio n. Dre ssin g-g ow n would m ean house ; dre ss, outs id e.

Dre ssin g-g ow n a n d d re ss w ere b oth in th eir p la ces. “ T han k G od,” I sa id to

myse lf , “ sh e c an not b e f a r, a s s h e is o nly in h er n ig htd re ss.” I r a n d ow nsta ir s

an d lo oked in th e s ittin g-ro om . N ot th ere ! T hen I lo oked in a ll th e o th er o pen

ro om s o f th e h ouse , w ith a n e v er- g ro w in g fe ar c h illin g m y h eart. F in ally I

cam e t o t h e h all d oor a n d f o und i t o pen . I t w as n ot w id e o pen , b ut t h e c atc h o f

th e lo ck h ad n ot c au ght. T he p eo ple o f th e h ouse a re c are fu l to lo ck th e d oor

ev ery n ig ht, s o I f e are d th at L ucy m ust h av e g one o ut a s s h e w as. T here w as

no tim e to th in k o f w hat m ig ht h ap pen ; a v ag ue, o verm aste rin g f e ar o bsc u re d

all d eta ils . I t o ok a b ig , h eav y s h aw l a n d r a n o ut. T he c lo ck w as s tr ik in g o ne a s

I w as in th e C re sc en t, a n d th ere w as n ot a s o ul in s ig ht. I r a n a lo ng th e N orth

Terra ce, b ut c o uld se e n o sig n o f th e w hite fig ure w hic h I e x pecte d . A t th e

ed ge o f th e W est C lif f a b ove th e p ie r I lo oked a cro ss th e h arb our to th e E ast

Clif f , in th e hope or fe ar— I don’t know w hic h — of se ein g L ucy in our

fa v ourite s e at. T here w as a b rig ht f u ll m oon, w ith h eav y b la ck , d riv in g c lo uds,

whic h t h re w t h e w hole s c en e i n to a f le etin g d io ra m a o f l ig ht a n d s h ad e a s t h ey

sa ile d a cro ss. F or a m om en t o r tw o I c o uld s e e n oth in g, a s th e s h ad ow o f a

clo ud o bsc u re d S t. M ary ’s C hurc h a n d a ll a ro und i t. T hen a s t h e c lo ud p asse d I

co uld s e e t h e r u in s o f t h e a b bey c o m in g i n to v ie w ; a n d a s t h e e d ge o f a n arro w

ban d of lig ht as sh arp as a sw ord -c u t m oved alo ng, th e ch urc h an d th e

ch urc h yard b ecam e g ra d ually v is ib le . W hate v er m y e x pecta tio n w as, it w as

not d is a p poin te d , f o r th ere , o n o ur f a v ourite s e at, th e s ilv er lig ht o f th e m oon

str u ck a h alf -re clin in g f ig ure , s n ow y w hite . T he c o m in g o f th e c lo ud w as to o

quic k f o r m e t o s e e m uch , f o r s h ad ow s h ut d ow n o n l ig ht a lm ost i m med ia te ly ;

but i t s e em ed t o m e a s t h ough s o m eth in g d ark s to od b eh in d t h e s e at w here t h e

white fig ure sh one, a n d b en t o ver it. W hat it w as, w heth er m an o r b east, I

co uld n ot te ll; I d id n ot w ait to c atc h a n oth er g la n ce, b ut f le w d ow n th e s te ep

ste p s t o t h e p ie r a n d a lo ng b y t h e f is h -m ark et t o t h e b rid ge, w hic h w as t h e o nly

way t o r e ach t h e E ast C lif f . T he t o w n s e em ed a s d ead , f o r n ot a s o ul d id I s e e;

I r e jo ic ed t h at i t w as s o , f o r I w an te d n o w itn ess o f p oor L ucy ’s c o nditio n. T he

tim e a n d d is ta n ce s e em ed e n dle ss, a n d m y k nees t r e m ble d a n d m y b re ath c am e

la b oure d a s I to ile d u p th e e n dle ss s te p s to th e a b bey. I m ust h av e g one fa st,

an d y et it s e em ed to m e a s if m y f e et w ere w eig hte d w ith le ad , a n d a s th ough

ev ery j o in t i n m y b ody w ere r u sty . W hen I g ot a lm ost t o t h e t o p I c o uld s e e t h e se at a n d th e w hite fig ure , fo r I w as n ow c lo se e n ough to d is tin guis h it e v en

th ro ugh th e sp ells o f sh ad ow . T here w as u ndoubte d ly so m eth in g, lo ng a n d

bla ck , b en din g o ver th e h alf -re clin in g w hite fig ure . I c alle d in frig ht, “ L ucy !

Lucy !” a n d s o m eth in g r a is e d a h ead , a n d f ro m w here I w as I c o uld s e e a w hite

fa ce a n d r e d , g le am in g e y es. L ucy d id n ot a n sw er, a n d I r a n o n t o t h e e n tr a n ce

of th e c h urc h yard . A s I e n te re d , th e c h urc h w as b etw een m e a n d th e s e at, a n d

fo r a m in ute o r s o I l o st s ig ht o f h er. W hen I c am e i n v ie w a g ain t h e c lo ud h ad

passe d , an d th e m oonlig ht str u ck so b rillia n tly th at I co uld se e L ucy h alf

re clin in g w ith h er h ead ly in g o ver th e b ack o f th e s e at. S he w as q uite a lo ne,

an d t h ere w as n ot a s ig n o f a n y l iv in g t h in g a b out.

When I b en t o ver h er I c o uld s e e th at s h e w as s till a sle ep . H er lip s w ere

parte d , a n d s h e w as b re ath in g— not s o ftly a s u su al w ith h er, b ut i n l o ng, h eav y

gasp s, a s t h ough s tr iv in g t o g et h er l u ngs f u ll a t e v ery b re ath . A s I c am e c lo se ,

sh e p ut u p h er h an d in h er s le ep a n d p ulle d th e c o lla r o f h er n ig htd re ss c lo se

aro und h er t h ro at. W hils t s h e d id s o t h ere c am e a l ittle s h udder t h ro ugh h er, a s

th ough s h e f e lt th e c o ld . I f lu ng th e w arm s h aw l o ver h er, a n d d re w th e e d ges

tig ht r o und h er n eck , f o r I d re ad ed le st s h e s h ould g et s o m e d ead ly c h ill f ro m

th e n ig ht a ir , u ncla d a s s h e w as. I f e are d t o w ak e h er a ll a t o nce, s o , i n o rd er t o

hav e m y h an ds fre e th at I m ig ht h elp h er, I fa ste n ed th e s h aw l a t h er th ro at

with a b ig s a fe ty -p in ; b ut I m ust h av e b een c lu m sy in m y a n xie ty a n d p in ch ed

or p ric k ed h er w ith it, f o r b y-a n d-b y, w hen h er b re ath in g b ecam e q uie te r, s h e

put her han d to her th ro at ag ain an d m oan ed . W hen I had her care fu lly

wra p ped u p I p ut m y s h oes o n h er f e et a n d t h en b eg an v ery g en tly t o w ak e h er.

At f ir s t s h e d id n ot r e sp ond; b ut g ra d ually s h e b ecam e m ore a n d m ore u neasy

in h er s le ep , m oan in g a n d s ig hin g o ccasio nally . A t la st, a s tim e w as p assin g

fa st, a n d, f o r m an y o th er r e aso ns, I w is h ed t o g et h er h om e a t o nce, I s h ook h er

more fo rc ib ly , till fin ally s h e o pen ed h er e y es a n d a w oke. S he d id n ot s e em

su rp ris e d to s e e m e, a s, o f c o urs e , s h e d id n ot re alis e a ll a t o nce w here s h e

was. L ucy a lw ay s w ak es p re ttily , a n d e v en a t s u ch a t im e, w hen h er b ody m ust

hav e b een ch ille d w ith co ld , an d h er m in d so m ew hat ap palle d at w ak in g

uncla d in a c h urc h yard a t n ig ht, sh e d id n ot lo se h er g ra ce. S he tr e m ble d a

little , a n d c lu ng t o m e; w hen I t o ld h er t o c o m e a t o nce w ith m e h om e s h e r o se

with out a w ord , w ith th e o bed ie n ce o f a c h ild . A s w e p asse d a lo ng, th e g ra v el

hurt m y fe et, a n d L ucy n otic ed m e w in ce. S he s to pped a n d w an te d to in sis t

upon m y ta k in g m y sh oes; b ut I w ould n ot. H ow ev er, w hen w e g ot to th e

path w ay o uts id e t h e c h urc h yard , w here t h ere w as a p uddle o f w ate r, r e m ain in g

fro m th e sto rm , I d au bed m y fe et w ith m ud, u sin g e ach fo ot in tu rn o n th e

oth er, so th at a s w e w en t h om e, n o o ne, in c ase w e sh ould m eet a n y o ne,

sh ould n otic e m y b are f e et.

Fortu ne fa v oure d u s, a n d w e g ot h om e w ith out m eetin g a s o ul. O nce w e

sa w a m an , w ho s e em ed n ot q uite s o ber, p assin g a lo ng a s tr e et in f ro nt o f u s;

but w e h id in a d oor till h e h ad d is a p peare d u p a n o pen in g s u ch a s th ere a re here , s te ep little c lo se s, o r “ w ynds,” a s th ey c all th em in S co tla n d. M y h eart

beat s o lo ud a ll th e tim e th at s o m etim es I th ought I s h ould fa in t. I w as fille d

with a n xie ty a b out L ucy, n ot o nly fo r h er h ealth , le st s h e s h ould s u ff e r fro m

th e e x posu re , b ut fo r h er re p uta tio n in c ase th e s to ry s h ould g et w in d. W hen

we g ot in , a n d h ad w ash ed o ur fe et, a n d h ad sa id a p ra y er o f th an kfu ln ess

to geth er, I tu ck ed her in to bed . B efo re fa llin g asle ep sh e ask ed — ev en

im plo re d — me n ot t o s a y a w ord t o a n y o ne, e v en h er m oth er, a b out h er s le ep -

walk in g a d ven tu re . I h esita te d a t f ir s t to p ro m is e ; b ut o n th in kin g o f th e s ta te

of h er m oth er’s h ealth , a n d h ow th e k now le d ge o f s u ch a th in g w ould f re t h er,

an d t h in kin g, t o o, o f h ow s u ch a s to ry m ig ht b eco m e d is to rte d — nay, i n fa llib ly

would — in c ase it sh ould le ak o ut, I th ought it w is e r to d o so . I h ope I d id

rig ht. I h av e l o ck ed t h e d oor, a n d t h e k ey i s t ie d t o m y w ris t, s o p erh ap s I s h all

not b e a g ain d is tu rb ed . L ucy i s s le ep in g s o undly ; t h e r e fle x o f t h e d aw n i s h ig h

an d f a r o ver t h e s e a....

Sam e d ay, n oon.— All g oes w ell. L ucy s le p t t ill I w oke h er a n d s e em ed n ot

to h av e e v en c h an ged h er s id e. T he a d ven tu re o f th e n ig ht d oes n ot s e em to

hav e h arm ed h er; o n th e c o ntr a ry , it h as b en efite d h er, f o r s h e lo oks b ette r th is

morn in g t h an s h e h as d one f o r w eek s. I w as s o rry t o n otic e t h at m y c lu m sin ess

with th e s a fe ty -p in h urt h er. I n deed , it m ig ht h av e b een s e rio us, f o r th e s k in o f

her th ro at w as p ie rc ed . I m ust h av e p in ch ed u p a p ie ce o f lo ose s k in a n d h av e

tr a n sfix ed it, f o r th ere a re tw o little r e d p oin ts lik e p in -p ric k s, a n d o n th e b an d

of h er n ig htd re ss w as a d ro p o f b lo od. W hen I a p olo gis e d a n d w as c o ncern ed

ab out it, sh e la u ghed an d pette d m e, an d sa id sh e did not ev en fe el it.

Fortu nate ly i t c an not l e av e a s c ar, a s i t i s s o t in y.

Sam e d ay, n ig ht.— We p asse d a h ap py d ay. T he a ir w as c le ar, a n d th e s u n

brig ht, a n d th ere w as a c o ol b re eze. W e to ok o ur lu nch to M ulg ra v e W oods,

Mrs . W este n ra d riv in g b y th e ro ad a n d L ucy a n d I w alk in g b y th e c lif f -p ath

an d jo in in g h er a t th e g ate . I fe lt a little s a d m yse lf , fo r I c o uld n ot b ut fe el

how a b so lu te ly h ap py it w ould h av e b een h ad Jo nath an b een w ith m e. B ut

th ere ! I m ust o nly b e p atie n t. I n th e e v en in g w e s tr o lle d in th e C asin o T erra ce,

an d h eard s o m e g ood m usic b y S pohr a n d M ack en zie , a n d w en t to b ed e arly .

Lucy s e em s m ore re stf u l th an s h e h as b een fo r s o m e tim e, a n d fe ll a sle ep a t

once. I s h all lo ck th e d oor a n d s e cu re th e k ey th e s a m e a s b efo re , th ough I d o

not e x pect a n y t r o uble t o -n ig ht.

12 A ugust.— My e x pecta tio ns w ere w ro ng, f o r t w ic e d urin g t h e n ig ht I w as

wak en ed b y L ucy t r y in g t o g et o ut. S he s e em ed , e v en i n h er s le ep , t o b e a l ittle

im patie n t at fin din g th e d oor sh ut, an d w en t b ack to b ed u nder a so rt o f

pro te st. I w oke w ith th e d aw n, a n d h eard th e b ir d s c h ir p in g o uts id e o f th e

win dow . L ucy w oke, to o, a n d, I w as g la d to s e e, w as e v en b ette r th an o n th e

pre v io us m orn in g. A ll h er o ld g aie ty o f m an ner s e em ed to h av e c o m e b ack ,

an d s h e c am e a n d s n uggle d in b esid e m e a n d to ld m e a ll a b out A rth ur. I to ld her h ow a n xio us I w as a b out J o nath an , a n d t h en s h e t r ie d t o c o m fo rt m e. W ell,

sh e s u cceed ed s o m ew hat, f o r, th ough s y m path y c an ’t a lte r f a cts , it c an h elp to

mak e t h em m ore b eara b le .

13 A ugust.— Anoth er q uie t d ay, a n d to b ed w ith th e k ey o n m y w ris t a s

befo re . A gain I a w oke in th e n ig ht, a n d fo und L ucy sittin g u p in b ed , still

asle ep , p oin tin g to th e w in dow . I g ot u p q uie tly , a n d p ullin g a sid e th e b lin d,

lo oked o ut. I t w as b rillia n t m oonlig ht, a n d th e s o ft e ff e ct o f th e lig ht o ver th e

se a an d sk y— merg ed to geth er in o ne g re at, sile n t m yste ry — was b eau tif u l

bey ond w ord s. B etw een m e a n d th e m oonlig ht f litte d a g re at b at, c o m in g a n d

goin g in g re at w hir lin g c ir c le s. O nce o r tw ic e it c am e q uite c lo se , b ut w as, I

su ppose , f rig hte n ed a t s e ein g m e, a n d f litte d a w ay a cro ss th e h arb our to w ard s

th e a b bey. W hen I c am e b ack f ro m t h e w in dow L ucy h ad l a in d ow n a g ain , a n d

was s le ep in g p eacefu lly . S he d id n ot s tir a g ain a ll n ig ht.

14 A ugust.— On th e E ast C lif f , r e ad in g a n d w ritin g a ll d ay. L ucy s e em s to

hav e b eco m e a s m uch in lo ve w ith th e s p ot a s I a m , a n d it is h ard to g et h er

aw ay fro m it w hen it is tim e to c o m e h om e fo r lu nch o r te a o r d in ner. T his

afte rn oon s h e m ad e a fu nny re m ark . W e w ere c o m in g h om e fo r d in ner, a n d

had c o m e to th e to p o f th e s te p s u p f ro m th e W est P ie r a n d s to pped to lo ok a t

th e v ie w , a s w e g en era lly d o. T he s e ttin g s u n, lo w d ow n in th e s k y, w as ju st

dro ppin g b eh in d K ettle n ess; th e re d lig ht w as th ro w n o ver o n th e E ast C lif f

an d th e o ld a b bey, a n d s e em ed to b ath e e v ery th in g in a b eau tif u l ro sy g lo w .

We w ere s ile n t f o r a w hile , a n d s u dden ly L ucy m urm ure d a s i f t o h ers e lf :—

“H is re d ey es ag ain ! T hey are ju st th e sa m e.” It w as su ch an odd

ex pre ssio n, co m in g ap ro pos o f n oth in g, th at it q uite sta rtle d m e. I sle w ed

ro und a little , s o a s to s e e L ucy w ell w ith out s e em in g to s ta re a t h er, a n d s a w

th at s h e w as in a h alf -d re am y s ta te , w ith a n o dd lo ok o n h er f a ce th at I c o uld

not q uite m ak e o ut; s o I s a id n oth in g, b ut f o llo w ed h er e y es. S he a p peare d to

be l o okin g o ver a t o ur o w n s e at, w here o n w as a d ark f ig ure s e ate d a lo ne. I w as

a little s ta rtle d m yse lf , f o r it s e em ed f o r a n in sta n t a s if th e s tr a n ger h ad g re at

ey es lik e b urn in g fla m es; b ut a se co nd lo ok d is p elle d th e illu sio n. T he re d

su nlig ht w as s h in in g o n th e w in dow s o f S t. M ary ’s C hurc h b eh in d o ur s e at,

an d a s th e s u n d ip ped th ere w as ju st s u ff ic ie n t c h an ge in th e re fra ctio n a n d

re fle ctio n to m ak e it a p pear a s if th e lig ht m oved . I c alle d L ucy ’s a tte n tio n to

th e p ecu lia r e ff e ct, a n d s h e b ecam e h ers e lf w ith a s ta rt, b ut s h e lo oked s a d a ll

th e s a m e; i t m ay h av e b een t h at s h e w as t h in kin g o f t h at t e rrib le n ig ht u p t h ere .

We n ev er r e fe r to it; s o I s a id n oth in g, a n d w e w en t h om e to d in ner. L ucy h ad

a h ead ach e a n d w en t e arly to b ed . I s a w h er a sle ep , a n d w en t o ut fo r a little

str o ll m yse lf ; I w alk ed a lo ng th e c lif f s to th e w estw ard , a n d w as f u ll o f s w eet

sa d ness, fo r I w as th in kin g o f Jo nath an . W hen c o m in g h om e— it w as th en

brig ht m oonlig ht, s o b rig ht th at, th ough th e fro nt o f o ur p art o f th e C re sc en t

was in sh ad ow , e v ery th in g c o uld b e w ell se en — I th re w a g la n ce u p a t o ur win dow , a n d sa w L ucy ’s h ead le an in g o ut. I th ought th at p erh ap s sh e w as

lo okin g o ut fo r m e, s o I o pen ed m y h an dkerc h ie f a n d w av ed it. S he d id n ot

notic e o r m ak e a n y m ovem en t w hate v er. J u st th en , th e m oonlig ht c re p t r o und

an a n gle o f t h e b uild in g, a n d t h e l ig ht f e ll o n t h e w in dow . T here d is tin ctly w as

Lucy w ith h er h ead ly in g u p a g ain st th e s id e o f th e w in dow -s ill a n d h er e y es

sh ut. She w as fa st asle ep , an d by her, se ate d on th e w in dow -s ill, w as

so m eth in g th at lo oked lik e a g ood-s iz ed b ir d . I w as a fra id sh e m ig ht g et a

ch ill, s o I r a n u psta ir s , b ut a s I c am e i n to t h e r o om s h e w as m ovin g b ack t o h er

bed , f a st a sle ep , a n d b re ath in g h eav ily ; s h e w as h old in g h er h an d t o h er t h ro at,

as t h ough t o p ro te ct i t f ro m c o ld .

I d id n ot w ak e h er, b ut tu ck ed h er u p w arm ly ; I h av e ta k en c are th at th e

door i s l o ck ed a n d t h e w in dow s e cu re ly f a ste n ed .

She lo oks so sw eet a s sh e sle ep s; b ut sh e is p ale r th an is h er w ont, a n d

th ere i s a d ra w n, h ag gard l o ok u nder h er e y es w hic h I d o n ot l ik e. I f e ar s h e i s

fre ttin g a b out s o m eth in g. I w is h I c o uld f in d o ut w hat i t i s .

15 A ugust.— Rose la te r th an u su al. L ucy w as la n guid a n d tir e d , a n d s le p t

on a fte r w e h ad b een c alle d . W e h ad a h ap py s u rp ris e a t b re ak fa st. A rth ur’s

fa th er is b ette r, a n d w an ts th e m arria g e to c o m e o ff s o on. L ucy is f u ll o f q uie t

jo y, a n d h er m oth er is g la d a n d s o rry a t o nce. L ate r o n in th e d ay s h e to ld m e

th e c au se . S he is g rie v ed to lo se L ucy a s h er v ery o w n, b ut s h e is r e jo ic ed th at

sh e is so on to h av e so m e o ne to p ro te ct h er. P oor d ear, sw eet la d y! S he

co nfid ed to m e th at s h e h as g ot h er d eath -w arra n t. S he h as n ot to ld L ucy, a n d

mad e m e p ro m is e se cre cy ; h er d octo r to ld h er th at w ith in a fe w m onth s, a t

most, sh e m ust d ie , fo r h er h eart is w eak en in g. A t an y tim e, ev en n ow , a

su dden s h ock w ould b e a lm ost s u re t o k ill h er. A h, w e w ere w is e t o k eep f ro m

her t h e a ff a ir o f t h e d re ad fu l n ig ht o f L ucy ’s s le ep -w alk in g.

17 A ugust.— No d ia ry fo r tw o w hole d ay s. I h av e n ot h ad th e h eart to

write . S om e s o rt o f s h ad ow y p all s e em s to b e c o m in g o ver o ur h ap pin ess. N o

new s fro m Jo nath an , an d L ucy se em s to be gro w in g w eak er, w hils t her

moth er’s h ours a re n um berin g to a c lo se . I d o n ot u nders ta n d L ucy ’s fa d in g

aw ay a s s h e is d oin g. S he e ats w ell a n d s le ep s w ell, a n d e n jo ys th e f re sh a ir ;

but a ll th e tim e th e ro se s in h er c h eek s a re fa d in g, a n d s h e g ets w eak er a n d

more la n guid d ay b y d ay ; a t n ig ht I h ear h er g asp in g a s if fo r a ir. I k eep th e

key o f o ur d oor a lw ay s fa ste n ed to m y w ris t a t n ig ht, b ut sh e g ets u p a n d

walk s a b out th e ro om , a n d sits a t th e o pen w in dow . L ast n ig ht I fo und h er

le an in g o ut w hen I w oke u p, a n d w hen I t r ie d t o w ak e h er I c o uld n ot; s h e w as

in a f a in t. W hen I m an ag ed to r e sto re h er s h e w as a s w eak a s w ate r, a n d c rie d

sile n tly b etw een lo ng, p ain fu l s tr u ggle s f o r b re ath . W hen I a sk ed h er h ow s h e

cam e to b e a t th e w in dow sh e sh ook h er h ead a n d tu rn ed a w ay. I tr u st h er

fe elin g i ll m ay n ot b e f ro m t h at u nlu ck y p ric k o f t h e s a fe ty -p in . I l o oked a t h er

th ro at j u st n ow a s s h e l a y a sle ep , a n d t h e t in y w ounds s e em n ot t o h av e h eale d . They a re s till o pen , a n d, if a n yth in g, la rg er th an b efo re , a n d th e e d ges o f th em

are f a in tly w hite . T hey a re lik e little w hite d ots w ith r e d c en tr e s. U nle ss th ey

heal w ith in a d ay o r t w o, I s h all i n sis t o n t h e d octo r s e ein g a b out t h em .

Lette r, S am uel F . B illin gto n & S on, S olic ito rs , W hitb y, to M essrs . C arte r,

Pate rs o n & C o., L ondon.

“1 7 A ugust.

“D ear S ir s ,—

“H ere w ith p le ase r e ceiv e i n voic e o f g oods s e n t b y G re at N orth ern R ailw ay.

Sam e a re to b e d eliv ere d a t C arfa x , n ear P urfle et, im med ia te ly o n re ceip t a t

goods s ta tio n K in g’s C ro ss. T he h ouse i s a t p re se n t e m pty , b ut e n clo se d p le ase

fin d k ey s, a ll o f w hic h a re l a b elle d .

“Y ou w ill ple ase dep osit th e boxes, fif ty in num ber, w hic h fo rm th e

co nsig nm en t, in th e p artia lly ru in ed b uild in g fo rm in g p art o f th e h ouse a n d

mark ed ‘A ’ o n ro ugh d ia g ra m e n clo se d . Y our a g en t w ill e asily re co gnis e th e

lo cality , a s i t i s t h e a n cie n t c h ap el o f t h e m an sio n. T he g oods l e av e b y t h e t r a in

at 9 :3 0 to -n ig ht, a n d w ill b e d ue a t K in g’s C ro ss a t 4 :3 0 to -m orro w a fte rn oon.

As o ur clie n t w is h es th e d eliv ery m ad e as so on as p ossib le , w e sh all b e

oblig ed b y y our h av in g te am s re ad y a t K in g’s C ro ss a t th e tim e n am ed a n d

fo rth w ith c o nvey in g th e g oods to d estin atio n. In o rd er to o bvia te a n y d ela y s

possib le th ro ugh a n y r o utin e r e q uir e m en ts a s to p ay m en t in y our d ep artm en ts ,

we en clo se ch eq ue h ere w ith fo r te n p ounds (£ 10), re ceip t o f w hic h p le ase

ack now le d ge. S hould th e ch arg e b e le ss th an th is am ount, y ou can re tu rn

bala n ce; if g re ate r, w e sh all a t o nce se n d c h eq ue fo r d if f e re n ce o n h earin g

fro m y ou. Y ou a re to le av e th e k ey s o n c o m in g a w ay in th e m ain h all o f th e

house , w here th e p ro prie to r m ay g et th em o n h is e n te rin g th e h ouse b y m ean s

of h is d uplic ate k ey.

“P ra y d o n ot ta k e u s as ex ceed in g th e b ounds o f b usin ess co urte sy in

pre ssin g y ou i n a ll w ay s t o u se t h e u tm ost e x ped itio n.

“W e a re , d ear S ir s ,

“F aith fu lly y ours ,

“S am uel F . B illin gto n & S on.”

Lette r, M essrs . C arte r, P ate rs o n & C o., L ondon, to M essrs . B illin gto n &

Son, W hitb y.

“2 1 A ugust.

“D ear S ir s ,—

“W e b eg to a ck now le d ge £ 10 re ceiv ed a n d to re tu rn c h eq ue £ 1 1 7s. 9 d,

am ount of overp lu s, as sh ow n in re ceip te d acco unt here w ith . G oods are deliv ere d i n e x act a cco rd an ce w ith i n str u ctio ns, a n d k ey s l e ft i n p arc el i n m ain

hall, a s d ir e cte d .

“W e a re , d ear S ir s ,

“Y ours r e sp ectf u lly .

“P ro C arte r, P ate rs o n & C o.”

Min a M urra y ’s J o urn al.

18 A ugust.— I am hap py to -d ay, an d w rite sittin g on th e se at in th e

ch urc h yard . L ucy is e v er s o m uch b ette r. L ast n ig ht s h e s le p t w ell a ll n ig ht,

an d d id n ot d is tu rb m e o nce. T he ro se s se em co m in g b ack alr e ad y to h er

ch eek s, th ough s h e is s till s a d ly p ale a n d w an -lo okin g. I f s h e w ere in a n y w ay

an æ m ic I c o uld u nders ta n d it, b ut s h e is n ot. S he is in g ay s p ir its a n d fu ll o f

lif e a n d c h eerfu ln ess. A ll th e m orb id r e tic en ce s e em s to h av e p asse d f ro m h er,

an d s h e h as ju st r e m in ded m e, a s if I n eed ed a n y r e m in din g, o f th at n ig ht, a n d

th at it w as h ere , o n th is v ery se at, I fo und h er a sle ep . A s sh e to ld m e sh e

ta p ped p la y fu lly w ith t h e h eel o f h er b oot o n t h e s to ne s la b a n d s a id :—

“M y p oor little fe et d id n’t m ak e m uch n ois e th en ! I d are sa y p oor o ld M r.

Sw ale s w ould h av e to ld m e th at it w as b ecau se I d id n’t w an t to w ak e u p

Geo rd ie .” A s s h e w as i n s u ch a c o m munic ativ e h um our, I a sk ed h er i f s h e h ad

dre am ed at all th at n ig ht. B efo re sh e an sw ere d , th at sw eet, p uck ere d lo ok

cam e i n to h er f o re h ead , w hic h A rth ur— I c all h im A rth ur f ro m h er h ab it— sa y s

he l o ves; a n d, i n deed , I d on’t w onder t h at h e d oes. T hen s h e w en t o n i n a h alf -

dre am in g k in d o f w ay, a s i f t r y in g t o r e call i t t o h ers e lf :—

“I d id n’t q uite d re am ; b ut it a ll s e em ed to b e r e al. I o nly w an te d to b e h ere

in th is s p ot— I d on’t k now w hy, f o r I w as a fra id o f s o m eth in g— I d on’t k now

what. I r e m em ber, th ough I s u ppose I w as a sle ep , p assin g th ro ugh th e s tr e ets

an d o ver th e b rid ge. A f is h le ap ed a s I w en t b y, a n d I le an ed o ver to lo ok a t it,

an d I h eard a l o t o f d ogs h ow lin g— th e w hole t o w n s e em ed a s i f i t m ust b e f u ll

of d ogs all h ow lin g at o nce— as I w en t u p th e ste p s. T hen I h ad a v ag ue

mem ory o f so m eth in g lo ng a n d d ark w ith re d e y es, ju st a s w e sa w in th e

su nse t, a n d s o m eth in g v ery s w eet a n d v ery b itte r a ll a ro und m e a t o nce; a n d

th en I s e em ed s in kin g in to d eep g re en w ate r, a n d th ere w as a s in gin g in m y

ears , a s I h av e h eard th ere is to d ro w nin g m en ; a n d th en e v ery th in g s e em ed

passin g a w ay fro m m e; m y so ul se em ed to g o o ut fro m m y b ody a n d flo at

ab out th e a ir. I se em to re m em ber th at o nce th e W est L ig hth ouse w as rig ht

under m e, a n d th en th ere w as a s o rt o f a g onis in g fe elin g, a s if I w ere in a n

earth quak e, a n d I c am e b ack a n d f o und y ou s h ak in g m y b ody. I s a w y ou d o it

befo re I f e lt y ou.”

Then s h e b eg an t o l a u gh. I t s e em ed a l ittle u ncan ny t o m e, a n d I l is te n ed t o

her b re ath le ssly . I d id n ot q uite lik e it, a n d th ought it b ette r n ot to k eep h er min d o n th e s u bje ct, s o w e d rif te d o n to o th er s u bje cts , a n d L ucy w as lik e h er

old s e lf a g ain . W hen w e g ot h om e th e f re sh b re eze h ad b ra ced h er u p, a n d h er

pale c h eek s w ere r e ally m ore r o sy . H er m oth er r e jo ic ed w hen s h e s a w h er, a n d

we a ll s p en t a v ery h ap py e v en in g t o geth er.

19 A ugust.— Jo y, jo y, jo y! a lth ough n ot a ll jo y. A t la st, n ew s o f J o nath an .

The d ear fe llo w h as b een ill; th at is w hy h e d id n ot w rite . I a m n ot a fra id to

th in k it o r sa y it, n ow th at I k now . M r. H aw kin s se n t m e o n th e le tte r, a n d

wro te h im se lf , o h, so k in dly . I a m to le av e in th e m orn in g a n d g o o ver to

Jo nath an , a n d to h elp to n urs e h im if n ecessa ry , a n d to b rin g h im h om e. M r.

Haw kin s s a y s i t w ould n ot b e a b ad t h in g i f w e w ere t o b e m arrie d o ut t h ere . I

hav e c rie d o ver th e g ood S is te r’s le tte r till I c an f e el it w et a g ain st m y b oso m ,

where it lie s. It is o f J o nath an , a n d m ust b e n ex t m y h eart, fo r h e is in m y

heart. M y jo urn ey is a ll m ap ped o ut, a n d m y lu ggag e r e ad y. I a m o nly ta k in g

one c h an ge o f d re ss; L ucy w ill b rin g m y t r u nk t o L ondon a n d k eep i t t ill I s e n d

fo r it, fo r it m ay b e th at ... I m ust w rite n o m ore ; I m ust k eep it to sa y to

Jo nath an , m y h usb an d. T he le tte r th at h e h as s e en a n d to uch ed m ust c o m fo rt

me t ill w e m eet.

Lette r, S is te r A gath a, H osp ita l o f S t. J o se p h a n d S te . M ary , B uda-P esth , to

Mis s W ilh elm in a M urra y.

“1 2 A ugust.

“D ear M ad am ,—

“I w rite by desir e of M r. Jo nath an H ark er, w ho is him se lf not str o ng

en ough to w rite , th ough p ro gre ssin g w ell, th an ks to G od a n d S t. J o se p h a n d

Ste . M ary . H e h as b een u nder o ur c are f o r n early s ix w eek s, s u ff e rin g f ro m a

vio le n t b ra in fe v er. H e w is h es m e to c o nvey h is lo ve, a n d to s a y th at b y th is

post I w rite fo r h im to M r. P ete r H aw kin s, E xete r, to sa y, w ith h is d utif u l

re sp ects , t h at h e i s s o rry f o r h is d ela y, a n d t h at a ll o f h is w ork i s c o m ple te d . H e

will r e q uir e s o m e f e w w eek s’ r e st in o ur s a n ato riu m in th e h ills , b ut w ill th en

re tu rn . H e w is h es m e to s a y th at h e h as n ot s u ff ic ie n t m oney w ith h im , a n d

th at h e w ould l ik e t o p ay f o r h is s ta y in g h ere , s o t h at o th ers w ho n eed s h all n ot

be w an tin g f o r h elp .

“B elie v e m e,

“Y ours , w ith s y m path y a n d a ll b le ssin gs,

“S is te r A gath a.

“P . S .— My p atie n t b ein g a sle ep , I o pen th is to le t y ou k now so m eth in g

more . H e h as t o ld m e a ll a b out y ou, a n d t h at y ou a re s h ortly t o b e h is w if e . A ll

ble ssin gs to y ou b oth ! H e h as h ad s o m e fe arfu l s h ock — so s a y s o ur d octo r—

an d in h is d elir iu m h is r a v in gs h av e b een d re ad fu l; o f w olv es a n d p ois o n a n d blo od; o f g hosts a n d d em ons; a n d I fe ar to s a y o f w hat. B e c are fu l w ith h im

alw ay s th at th ere m ay b e n oth in g to e x cite h im o f th is k in d f o r a lo ng tim e to

co m e; th e tr a ces o f s u ch a n illn ess a s h is d o n ot lig htly d ie a w ay. W e s h ould

hav e w ritte n lo ng a g o, b ut w e k new n oth in g o f h is frie n ds, a n d th ere w as o n

him noth in g th at an y one co uld unders ta n d. H e cam e in th e tr a in fro m

Kla u se n burg , a n d t h e g uard w as t o ld b y t h e s ta tio n-m aste r t h ere t h at h e r u sh ed

in to th e sta tio n sh outin g fo r a tic k et fo r hom e. S eein g fro m his vio le n t

dem ean our th at h e w as E nglis h , th ey g av e h im a tic k et f o r th e f u rth est s ta tio n

on t h e w ay t h ith er t h at t h e t r a in r e ach ed .

“B e assu re d th at he is w ell care d fo r. H e has w on all hearts by his

sw eetn ess a n d g en tle n ess. H e i s t r u ly g ettin g o n w ell, a n d I h av e n o d oubt w ill

in a fe w w eek s b e a ll h im se lf . B ut b e c are fu l o f h im fo r s a fe ty ’s s a k e. T here

are , I p ra y G od a n d S t. J o se p h a n d S te . M ary , m an y, m an y, h ap py y ears fo r

you b oth .”

Dr. S ew ard ’s D ia ry .

19 A ugust.— Str a n ge an d su dden ch an ge in R en fie ld la st n ig ht. A bout

eig ht o ’c lo ck h e b eg an to g et e x cite d a n d sn if f a b out a s a d og d oes w hen

se ttin g. T he a tte n dan t w as s tr u ck b y h is m an ner, a n d k now in g m y in te re st in

him , e n co ura g ed h im to ta lk . H e is u su ally re sp ectf u l to th e a tte n dan t a n d a t

tim es s e rv ile ; b ut to -n ig ht, th e m an te lls m e, h e w as q uite h au ghty . W ould n ot

co ndesc en d t o t a lk w ith h im a t a ll. A ll h e w ould s a y w as:—

“I d on’t w an t t o t a lk t o y ou: y ou d on’t c o unt n ow ; t h e M aste r i s a t h an d.”

The a tte n dan t th in ks it is s o m e s u dden f o rm o f r e lig io us m an ia w hic h h as

se iz ed him . If so , w e m ust lo ok out fo r sq ualls , fo r a str o ng m an w ith

hom ic id al a n d r e lig io us m an ia a t o nce m ig ht b e d an gero us. T he c o m bin atio n i s

a d re ad fu l o ne. A t n in e o ’c lo ck I v is ite d h im m yse lf . H is a ttitu de to m e w as

th e sa m e a s th at to th e a tte n dan t; in h is su blim e se lf -fe elin g th e d if f e re n ce

betw een m yse lf a n d a tte n dan t s e em ed t o h im a s n oth in g. I t l o oks l ik e r e lig io us

man ia , an d h e w ill so on th in k th at h e h im se lf is G od. T hese in fin ite sim al

dis tin ctio ns b etw een m an a n d m an a re to o p altr y fo r a n O m nip ote n t B ein g.

How th ese m ad m en g iv e th em se lv es a w ay ! T he re al G od ta k eth h eed le st a

sp arro w fa ll; but th e G od cre ate d fro m hum an van ity se es no dif f e re n ce

betw een a n e ag le a n d a s p arro w . O h, i f m en o nly k new !

For h alf an h our o r m ore R en fie ld k ep t g ettin g ex cite d in g re ate r an d

gre ate r deg re e. I did not pre te n d to be w atc h in g him , but I kep t str ic t

obse rv atio n a ll th e s a m e. A ll a t o nce th at s h if ty lo ok c am e in to h is e y es w hic h

we alw ay s se e w hen a m ad m an h as se iz ed an id ea, an d w ith it th e sh if ty

movem en t o f th e h ead a n d b ack w hic h a sy lu m a tte n dan ts c o m e to k now s o

well. H e becam e quite quie t, an d w en t an d sa t on th e ed ge of his bed

re sig ned ly , a n d lo oked in to s p ace w ith la ck -lu str e e y es. I th ought I w ould f in d out i f h is a p ath y w ere r e al o r o nly a ssu m ed , a n d t r ie d t o l e ad h im t o t a lk o f h is

pets , a th em e w hic h h ad n ev er f a ile d to e x cite h is a tte n tio n. A t f ir s t h e m ad e

no r e p ly , b ut a t l e n gth s a id t e stily :—

“B oth er t h em a ll! I d on’t c are a p in a b out t h em .”

“W hat? ” I s a id . “ Y ou d on’t m ean to te ll m e y ou d on’t c are a b out s p id ers ? ”

(S pid ers a t p re se n t a re h is h obby a n d th e n ote -b ook is f illin g u p w ith c o lu m ns

of s m all f ig ure s.) T o t h is h e a n sw ere d e n ig m atic ally :—

“T he b rid e-m aid en s r e jo ic e th e e y es th at w ait th e c o m in g o f th e b rid e; b ut

when th e b rid e d ra w eth n ig h, th en th e m aid en s s h in e n ot to th e e y es th at a re

fille d .”

He w ould n ot e x pla in h im se lf , b ut r e m ain ed o bstin ate ly s e ate d o n h is b ed

all t h e t im e I r e m ain ed w ith h im .

I a m w eary t o -n ig ht a n d l o w i n s p ir its . I c an not b ut t h in k o f L ucy, a n d h ow

dif f e re n t th in gs m ig ht h av e b een . I f I d on’t s le ep a t o nce, c h lo ra l, th e m odern

Morp heu s— C2H Cl3 O . H 2O ! I m ust b e c are fu l n ot to le t it g ro w in to a h ab it.

No, I sh all ta k e none to -n ig ht! I hav e th ought of L ucy, an d I sh all not

dis h onour h er b y m ix in g t h e t w o. I f n eed b e, t o -n ig ht s h all b e s le ep le ss....

Late r.— Gla d I m ad e th e re so lu tio n; g la d der th at I k ep t to it. I h ad la in

to ssin g ab out, an d h ad h eard th e clo ck str ik e o nly tw ic e, w hen th e n ig ht-

watc h m an cam e to m e, se n t up fro m th e w ard , to sa y th at R en fie ld had

esc ap ed . I th re w o n m y clo th es an d ra n d ow n at o nce; m y p atie n t is to o

dan gero us a p ers o n to b e ro am in g a b out. T hose id eas o f h is m ig ht w ork o ut

dan gero usly w ith s tr a n gers . T he a tte n dan t w as w aitin g f o r m e. H e s a id h e h ad

se en h im n ot te n m in ute s b efo re , s e em in gly a sle ep in h is b ed , w hen h e h ad

lo oked th ro ugh th e o bse rv atio n-tr a p in th e d oor. H is a tte n tio n w as c alle d b y

th e s o und o f th e w in dow b ein g w re n ch ed o ut. H e ra n b ack a n d s a w h is fe et

dis a p pear t h ro ugh t h e w in dow , a n d h ad a t o nce s e n t u p f o r m e. H e w as o nly i n

his n ig ht- g ear, a n d c an not b e f a r o ff . T he a tte n dan t th ought it w ould b e m ore

use fu l to w atc h w here h e s h ould g o th an to f o llo w h im , a s h e m ig ht lo se s ig ht

of h im w hils t g ettin g o ut o f th e b uild in g b y th e d oor. H e is a b ulk y m an , a n d

co uld n’t g et th ro ugh th e w in dow . I a m th in , s o , w ith h is a id , I g ot o ut, b ut f e et

fo re m ost, a n d, a s w e w ere o nly a fe w fe et a b ove g ro und, la n ded u nhurt. T he

atte n dan t t o ld m e t h e p atie n t h ad g one t o t h e l e ft, a n d h ad t a k en a s tr a ig ht l in e,

so I r a n a s q uic k ly a s I c o uld . A s I g ot th ro ugh th e b elt o f tr e es I s a w a w hite

fig ure sc ale th e h ig h w all w hic h se p ara te s o ur g ro unds fro m th ose o f th e

dese rte d h ouse .

I r a n b ack a t o nce, t o ld t h e w atc h m an t o g et t h re e o r f o ur m en i m med ia te ly

an d fo llo w m e in to th e gro unds of C arfa x , in case our frie n d m ig ht be

dan gero us. I g ot a la d der m yse lf , a n d c ro ssin g th e w all, d ro pped d ow n o n th e oth er s id e. I c o uld s e e R en fie ld ’s f ig ure ju st d is a p pearin g b eh in d th e a n gle o f

th e h ouse , s o I r a n a fte r h im . O n th e f a r s id e o f th e h ouse I f o und h im p re sse d

clo se ag ain st th e old ir o nbound oak door of th e ch ap el. H e w as ta lk in g,

ap pare n tly to s o m e o ne, b ut I w as a fra id to g o n ear e n ough to h ear w hat h e

was s a y in g, l e st I m ig ht f rig hte n h im , a n d h e s h ould r u n o ff . C hasin g a n e rra n t

sw arm o f b ees i s n oth in g t o f o llo w in g a n ak ed l u natic , w hen t h e f it o f e sc ap in g

is u pon h im ! A fte r a fe w m in ute s, h ow ev er, I c o uld s e e th at h e d id n ot ta k e

note o f a n yth in g a ro und h im , a n d s o v en tu re d t o d ra w n eare r t o h im — th e m ore

so a s m y m en h ad n ow c ro sse d th e w all a n d w ere c lo sin g h im in . I h eard h im

sa y :—

“I a m h ere to d o Y our b id din g, M aste r. I a m Y our sla v e, a n d Y ou w ill

re w ard m e, fo r I s h all b e fa ith fu l. I h av e w ors h ip ped Y ou lo ng a n d a fa r o ff .

Now th at Y ou a re n ear, I a w ait Y our c o m man ds, a n d Y ou w ill n ot p ass m e b y,

will Y ou, d ear M aste r, i n Y our d is tr ib utio n o f g ood t h in gs? ”

He is a s e lf is h o ld b eg gar a n yhow . H e th in ks o f th e lo av es a n d f is h es e v en

when he belie v es he is in a R eal P re se n ce. H is m an ia s m ak e a sta rtlin g

co m bin atio n. W hen w e clo se d in on him he fo ught lik e a tig er. H e is

im men se ly s tr o ng, f o r h e w as m ore l ik e a w ild b east t h an a m an . I n ev er s a w a

lu natic in s u ch a p aro xysm o f r a g e b efo re ; a n d I h ope I s h all n ot a g ain . I t is a

merc y th at w e h av e f o und o ut h is s tr e n gth a n d h is d an ger in g ood tim e. W ith

str e n gth a n d d ete rm in atio n lik e h is , h e m ig ht h av e d one w ild w ork b efo re h e

was c ag ed . H e i s s a fe n ow a t a n y r a te . J a ck S hep pard h im se lf c o uld n’t g et f re e

fro m th e str a it- w ais tc o at th at k eep s h im re str a in ed , a n d h e’s c h ain ed to th e

wall in th e p ad ded ro om . H is c rie s a re a t tim es a w fu l, b ut th e sile n ces th at

fo llo w are m ore dead ly still, fo r he m ean s m urd er in ev ery tu rn an d

movem en t.

Ju st n ow h e s p oke c o here n t w ord s f o r t h e f ir s t t im e:—

“I s h all b e p atie n t, M aste r. I t i s c o m in g— co m in g— co m in g!”

So I to ok th e h in t, a n d c am e to o. I w as to o e x cite d to s le ep , b ut th is d ia ry

has q uie te d m e, a n d I f e el I s h all g et s o m e s le ep t o -n ig ht.

CH APT ER I X

Lette r, M in a H ark er t o L ucy W este n ra .

“B uda-P esth , 2 4 A ugust.

“M y d eare st L ucy,—

“I k now y ou w ill b e a n xio us to h ear a ll th at h as h ap pen ed s in ce w e p arte d at th e ra ilw ay sta tio n a t W hitb y. W ell, m y d ear, I g ot to H ull a ll rig ht, a n d

cau ght t h e b oat t o H am burg , a n d t h en t h e t r a in o n h ere . I f e el t h at I c an h ard ly

re call a n yth in g o f th e jo urn ey, e x cep t th at I k new I w as c o m in g to J o nath an ,

an d, th at a s I s h ould h av e to d o s o m e n urs in g, I h ad b ette r g et a ll th e s le ep I

co uld .... I f o und m y d ear o ne, o h, s o th in a n d p ale a n d w eak -lo okin g. A ll th e

re so lu tio n h as g one o ut o f h is d ear e y es, a n d th at q uie t d ig nity w hic h I to ld

you w as in h is f a ce h as v an is h ed . H e is o nly a w re ck o f h im se lf , a n d h e d oes

not r e m em ber a n yth in g t h at h as h ap pen ed t o h im f o r a l o ng t im e p ast. A t l e ast,

he w an ts m e to b elie v e so , a n d I sh all n ev er a sk . H e h as h ad so m e te rrib le

sh ock , a n d I f e ar it m ig ht ta x h is p oor b ra in if h e w ere to tr y to r e call it. S is te r

Agath a, w ho is a g ood c re atu re a n d a b orn n urs e , te lls m e th at h e ra v ed o f

dre ad fu l th in gs w hils t h e w as o ff h is h ead . I w an te d h er to te ll m e w hat th ey

were ; b ut s h e w ould o nly c ro ss h ers e lf , a n d s a y s h e w ould n ev er te ll; th at th e

ra v in gs o f th e s ic k w ere th e s e cre ts o f G od, a n d th at if a n urs e th ro ugh h er

vocatio n s h ould h ear th em , s h e s h ould r e sp ect h er tr u st. S he is a s w eet, g ood

so ul, a n d t h e n ex t d ay, w hen s h e s a w I w as t r o uble d , s h e o pen ed u p t h e s u bje ct

ag ain , a n d a fte r s a y in g th at s h e c o uld n ev er m en tio n w hat m y p oor d ear r a v ed

ab out, a d ded : ‘ I c an t e ll y ou t h is m uch , m y d ear: t h at i t w as n ot a b out a n yth in g

whic h h e h as d one w ro ng h im se lf ; a n d y ou, a s h is w if e t o b e, h av e n o c au se t o

be c o ncern ed . H e h as n ot f o rg otte n y ou o r w hat h e o w es to y ou. H is f e ar w as

of g re at a n d t e rrib le t h in gs, w hic h n o m orta l c an t r e at o f.’ I d o b elie v e t h e d ear

so ul th ought I m ig ht b e je alo us le st m y p oor d ear s h ould h av e fa lle n in lo ve

with a n y o th er g ir l. T he i d ea o f m y b ein g j e alo us a b out J o nath an ! A nd y et, m y

dear, l e t m e w his p er, I f e lt a t h rill o f j o y t h ro ugh m e w hen I k new t h at n o o th er

wom an w as a c au se o f tr o uble . I a m n ow s ittin g b y h is b ed sid e, w here I c an

se e h is f a ce w hile h e s le ep s. H e i s w ak in g!...

“W hen h e w oke h e a sk ed m e fo r h is c o at, a s h e w an te d to g et s o m eth in g

fro m th e p ock et; I a sk ed S is te r A gath a, a n d s h e b ro ught a ll h is th in gs. I s a w

th at a m ongst t h em w as h is n ote -b ook, a n d w as g oin g t o a sk h im t o l e t m e l o ok

at i t— fo r I k new t h en t h at I m ig ht f in d s o m e c lu e t o h is t r o uble — but I s u ppose

he m ust h av e s e en m y w is h in m y e y es, fo r h e s e n t m e o ver to th e w in dow ,

sa y in g h e w an te d t o b e q uite a lo ne f o r a m om en t. T hen h e c alle d m e b ack , a n d

when I c am e h e h ad h is h an d o ver th e n ote -b ook, a n d h e sa id to m e v ery

so le m nly :—

“ ‘W ilh elm in a’— I k new th en th at h e w as in d ead ly e arn est, fo r h e h as

nev er c alle d m e b y th at n am e s in ce h e a sk ed m e to m arry h im — ‘y ou k now ,

dear, m y id eas o f th e tr u st b etw een h usb an d a n d w if e : th ere sh ould b e n o

se cre t, n o c o ncealm en t. I h av e h ad a g re at s h ock , a n d w hen I tr y to th in k o f

what it is I f e el m y h ead s p in r o und, a n d I d o n ot k now if it w as a ll r e al o r th e

dre am in g o f a m ad m an . Y ou k now I h av e h ad b ra in fe v er, a n d th at is to b e

mad . T he s e cre t i s h ere , a n d I d o n ot w an t t o k now i t. I w an t t o t a k e u p m y l if e

here , w ith o ur m arria g e.’ F or, m y d ear, w e h ad d ecid ed to b e m arrie d a s s o on as th e fo rm alitie s a re c o m ple te . ‘A re y ou w illin g, W ilh elm in a, to sh are m y

ig nora n ce? H ere is th e b ook. T ak e it a n d k eep it, r e ad it if y ou w ill, b ut n ev er

le t m e k now ; u nle ss, in deed , s o m e s o le m n d uty s h ould c o m e u pon m e to g o

back to th e b itte r h ours , a sle ep o r a w ak e, s a n e o r m ad , r e co rd ed h ere .’ H e f e ll

back e x hau ste d , a n d I p ut th e b ook u nder h is p illo w , a n d k is se d h im . I h av e

ask ed S is te r A gath a to b eg th e S uperio r to le t o ur w ed din g b e th is a fte rn oon,

an d a m w aitin g h er r e p ly ....

“S he h as c o m e a n d t o ld m e t h at t h e c h ap la in o f t h e E nglis h m is sio n c h urc h

has b een s e n t f o r. W e a re t o b e m arrie d i n a n h our, o r a s s o on a fte r a s J o nath an

aw ak es....

“L ucy, th e tim e h as c o m e a n d g one. I fe el v ery so le m n, b ut v ery , v ery

hap py. J o nath an w oke a l ittle a fte r t h e h our, a n d a ll w as r e ad y, a n d h e s a t u p i n

bed , p ro pped u p w ith p illo w s. H e a n sw ere d h is ‘ I w ill’ f ir m ly a n d s tr o ngly . I

co uld h ard ly sp eak ; m y h eart w as so fu ll th at e v en th ose w ord s se em ed to

ch oke m e. T he d ear sis te rs w ere so k in d. P le ase G od, I sh all n ev er, n ev er

fo rg et th em , n or th e g ra v e a n d s w eet r e sp onsib ilitie s I h av e ta k en u pon m e. I

must te ll y ou o f m y w ed din g p re se n t. W hen th e c h ap la in a n d th e s is te rs h ad

le ft m e a lo ne w ith m y h usb an d— oh, L ucy, i t i s t h e f ir s t t im e I h av e w ritte n t h e

word s ‘m y h usb an d’— le ft m e a lo ne w ith m y h usb an d, I to ok th e b ook fro m

under h is p illo w , a n d w ra p ped it u p in w hite p ap er, a n d tie d it w ith a little b it

of p ale b lu e r ib bon w hic h w as r o und m y n eck , a n d s e ale d i t o ver t h e k not w ith

se alin g-w ax , a n d fo r m y s e al I u se d m y w ed din g rin g. T hen I k is se d it a n d

sh ow ed it to m y h usb an d, a n d to ld h im th at I w ould k eep it s o , a n d th en it

would b e a n o utw ard a n d v is ib le s ig n f o r u s a ll o ur liv es th at w e tr u ste d e ach

oth er; t h at I w ould n ev er o pen i t u nle ss i t w ere f o r h is o w n d ear s a k e o r f o r t h e

sa k e o f s o m e s te rn d uty . T hen h e t o ok m y h an d i n h is , a n d o h, L ucy, i t w as t h e

fir s t tim e h e to ok h is w if e ’s h an d, a n d s a id th at it w as th e d eare st th in g in a ll

th e w id e w orld , a n d th at h e w ould g o th ro ugh a ll th e p ast a g ain to w in it, if

need b e. T he p oor d ear m ean t to h av e s a id a p art o f th e p ast, b ut h e c an not

th in k o f tim e y et, a n d I s h all n ot w onder if a t fir s t h e m ix es u p n ot o nly th e

month , b ut t h e y ear.

“W ell, m y d ear, w hat c o uld I sa y ? I c o uld o nly te ll h im th at I w as th e

hap pie st w om an in a ll th e w id e w orld , a n d th at I h ad n oth in g to g iv e h im

ex cep t m yse lf , m y lif e , a n d m y tr u st, a n d th at w ith th ese w en t m y lo ve a n d

duty f o r a ll th e d ay s o f m y lif e . A nd, m y d ear, w hen h e k is se d m e, a n d d re w

me t o h im w ith h is p oor w eak h an ds, i t w as l ik e a v ery s o le m n p le d ge b etw een

us....

“L ucy d ear, d o y ou k now w hy I t e ll y ou a ll t h is ? I t i s n ot o nly b ecau se i t i s

all s w eet to m e, b ut b ecau se y ou h av e b een , a n d a re , v ery d ear to m e. I t w as

my p riv ile g e t o b e y our f rie n d a n d g uid e w hen y ou c am e f ro m t h e s c h oolr o om

to p re p are f o r th e w orld o f lif e . I w an t y ou to s e e n ow , a n d w ith th e e y es o f a very h ap py w if e , w hith er d uty h as l e d m e; s o t h at i n y our o w n m arrie d l if e y ou

to o m ay b e a ll h ap py a s I a m . M y d ear, p le ase A lm ig hty G od, y our l if e m ay b e

all i t p ro m is e s: a l o ng d ay o f s u nsh in e, w ith n o h ars h w in d, n o f o rg ettin g d uty ,

no d is tr u st. I m ust n ot w is h y ou n o p ain , f o r th at c an n ev er b e; b ut I d o h ope

you w ill b e a lw ay s a s h ap py a s I a m n ow . G ood-b ye, m y d ear. I s h all p ost th is

at o nce, a n d, p erh ap s, w rite y ou v ery s o on a g ain . I m ust s to p, f o r J o nath an is

wak in g— I m ust a tte n d t o m y h usb an d!

“Y our e v er- lo vin g

“M in a H ark er.”

Lette r, L ucy W este n ra t o M in a H ark er.

“W hitb y, 3 0 A ugust.

“M y d eare st M in a,—

“O cean s o f lo ve a n d m illio ns o f k is se s, a n d m ay y ou s o on b e in y our o w n

hom e w ith y our h usb an d. I w is h y ou c o uld b e c o m in g h om e s o on e n ough to

sta y w ith u s h ere . T he str o ng a ir w ould so on re sto re Jo nath an ; it h as q uite

re sto re d m e. I h av e a n a p petite l ik e a c o rm ora n t, a m f u ll o f l if e , a n d s le ep w ell.

You w ill b e g la d to k now th at I h av e q uite g iv en u p w alk in g in m y s le ep . I

th in k I h av e n ot s tir re d o ut o f m y b ed f o r a w eek , t h at i s w hen I o nce g ot i n to i t

at n ig ht. A rth ur sa y s I a m g ettin g fa t. B y th e w ay, I fo rg ot to te ll y ou th at

Arth ur is h ere . W e h av e su ch w alk s a n d d riv es, a n d rid es, a n d ro w in g, a n d

te n nis , a n d f is h in g t o geth er; a n d I l o ve h im m ore t h an e v er. H e t e lls m e t h at h e

lo ves m e m ore , b ut I d oubt t h at, f o r a t f ir s t h e t o ld m e t h at h e c o uld n’t l o ve m e

more th an h e d id th en . B ut th is is n onse n se . T here h e is , c allin g to m e. S o n o

more j u st a t p re se n t f ro m y our l o vin g

“L ucy.

“P . S .— Moth er s e n ds h er l o ve. S he s e em s b ette r, p oor d ear.

“P . P . S .— We a re t o b e m arrie d o n 2 8 S ep te m ber.”

Dr. S ew ard ’s D ia ry .

20 A ugust.— The c ase o f R en fie ld g ro w s e v en m ore in te re stin g. H e h as

now s o f a r q uie te d th at th ere a re s p ells o f c essa tio n f ro m h is p assio n. F or th e

fir s t w eek a fte r h is a tta ck h e w as p erp etu ally v io le n t. T hen o ne n ig ht, ju st a s

th e m oon ro se , h e g re w q uie t, a n d k ep t m urm urin g to h im se lf : “ N ow I c an

wait; n ow I c an w ait.” T he a tte n dan t c am e to te ll m e, s o I r a n d ow n a t o nce to

hav e a l o ok a t h im . H e w as s till i n t h e s tr a it- w ais tc o at a n d i n t h e p ad ded r o om ,

but th e s u ff u se d lo ok h ad g one fro m h is fa ce, a n d h is e y es h ad s o m eth in g o f

th eir o ld p le ad in g— I m ig ht a lm ost s a y, “ crin gin g”— so ftn ess. I w as s a tis fie d

with h is p re se n t c o nditio n, a n d d ir e cte d h im to b e re lie v ed . T he a tte n dan ts

hesita te d , b ut fin ally c arrie d o ut m y w is h es w ith out p ro te st. It w as a s tr a n ge th in g th at th e p atie n t h ad h um our e n ough to se e th eir d is tr u st, fo r, c o m in g

clo se t o m e, h e s a id i n a w his p er, a ll t h e w hile l o okin g f u rtiv ely a t t h em :—

“T hey t h in k I c o uld h urt y ou! F an cy m e h urtin g y ou! T he f o ols !”

It w as s o oth in g, s o m eh ow , to th e fe elin gs to fin d m yse lf d is so cia te d e v en

in th e m in d o f th is p oor m ad m an fro m th e o th ers ; b ut a ll th e s a m e I d o n ot

fo llo w h is th ought. A m I to ta k e it th at I h av e a n yth in g in c o m mon w ith h im ,

so th at w e a re , a s it w ere , to s ta n d to geth er; o r h as h e to g ain fro m m e s o m e

good s o s tu pen dous t h at m y w ell- b ein g i s n eed fu l t o h im ? I m ust f in d o ut l a te r

on. T o-n ig ht h e w ill n ot s p eak . E ven th e o ff e r o f a k itte n o r e v en a f u ll- g ro w n

cat w ill n ot t e m pt h im . H e w ill o nly s a y : “ I d on’t t a k e a n y s to ck i n c ats . I h av e

more t o t h in k o f n ow , a n d I c an w ait; I c an w ait.”

Afte r a w hile I le ft h im . T he a tte n dan t te lls m e th at h e w as q uie t u ntil ju st

befo re d aw n, a n d th at th en h e b eg an to g et u neasy , a n d a t le n gth v io le n t, u ntil

at la st h e f e ll in to a p aro xysm w hic h e x hau ste d h im s o th at h e s w ooned in to a

so rt o f c o m a.

... T hre e n ig hts h as th e s a m e th in g h ap pen ed — vio le n t a ll d ay th en q uie t

fro m m oonris e to s u nris e . I w is h I c o uld g et s o m e c lu e to th e c au se . I t w ould

alm ost se em a s if th ere w as so m e in flu en ce w hic h c am e a n d w en t. H ap py

th ought! W e s h all t o -n ig ht p la y s a n e w its a g ain st m ad o nes. H e e sc ap ed b efo re

with out o ur h elp ; to -n ig ht h e s h all e sc ap e w ith it. W e s h all g iv e h im a c h an ce,

an d h av e t h e m en r e ad y t o f o llo w i n c ase t h ey a re r e q uir e d ....

23 A ugust.— “T he u nex pecte d a lw ay s h ap pen s.” H ow w ell D is ra eli k new

lif e . O ur b ir d w hen h e fo und th e c ag e o pen w ould n ot fly , s o a ll o ur s u btle

arra n gem en ts w ere f o r n ought. A t a n y r a te , w e h av e p ro ved o ne t h in g; t h at t h e

sp ells o f q uie tn ess l a st a r e aso nab le t im e. W e s h all i n f u tu re b e a b le t o e ase h is

bonds fo r a fe w h ours e ach d ay. I h av e g iv en o rd ers to th e n ig ht a tte n dan t

mere ly to s h ut h im in th e p ad ded ro om , w hen o nce h e is q uie t, u ntil a n h our

befo re su nris e . T he p oor so ul’s b ody w ill e n jo y th e re lie f e v en if h is m in d

can not a p pre cia te it. H ark ! T he u nex pecte d a g ain ! I a m c alle d ; th e p atie n t h as

once m ore e sc ap ed .

Late r.— Anoth er nig ht ad ven tu re . Ren fie ld artf u lly waite d until th e

atte n dan t w as e n te rin g th e r o om to in sp ect. T hen h e d ash ed o ut p ast h im a n d

fle w d ow n t h e p assa g e. I s e n t w ord f o r t h e a tte n dan ts t o f o llo w . A gain h e w en t

in to th e g ro unds o f th e d ese rte d h ouse , a n d w e fo und h im in th e s a m e p la ce,

pre sse d a g ain st th e o ld c h ap el d oor. W hen h e s a w m e h e b ecam e f u rio us, a n d

had n ot th e a tte n dan ts s e iz ed h im in tim e, h e w ould h av e tr ie d to k ill m e. A s

we w ere h old in g h im a str a n ge th in g h ap pen ed . H e su dden ly re d ouble d h is

eff o rts , an d th en as su dden ly g re w calm . I lo oked ro und in stin ctiv ely , b ut

co uld s e e n oth in g. T hen I c au ght th e p atie n t’s e y e a n d fo llo w ed it, b ut c o uld

tr a ce n oth in g a s it lo oked in to th e m oonlit s k y e x cep t a b ig b at, w hic h w as fla p pin g its sile n t a n d g hostly w ay to th e w est. B ats u su ally w heel a n d flit

ab out, b ut th is o ne s e em ed to g o s tr a ig ht o n, a s if it k new w here it w as b ound

fo r o r h ad s o m e in te n tio n o f its o w n. T he p atie n t g re w c alm er e v ery in sta n t,

an d p re se n tly s a id :—

“Y ou n eed n’t tie m e; I s h all g o q uie tly !” W ith out tr o uble w e c am e b ack to

th e h ouse . I f e el th ere is s o m eth in g o m in ous in h is c alm , a n d s h all n ot f o rg et

th is n ig ht....

Lucy W este n ra ’s D ia ry

Hillin gham , 2 4 A ugust.— I m ust im ita te M in a, an d k eep w ritin g th in gs

dow n. T hen w e c an h av e lo ng ta lk s w hen w e d o m eet. I w onder w hen it w ill

be. I w is h s h e w ere w ith m e a g ain , f o r I f e el s o u nhap py. L ast n ig ht I s e em ed

to b e d re am in g a g ain j u st a s I w as a t W hitb y. P erh ap s i t i s t h e c h an ge o f a ir , o r

gettin g hom e ag ain . It is all dark an d horrid to m e, fo r I can re m em ber

noth in g; b ut I a m fu ll o f v ag ue fe ar, a n d I fe el s o w eak a n d w orn o ut. W hen

Arth ur c am e to lu nch h e lo oked q uite g rie v ed w hen h e s a w m e, a n d I h ad n’t

th e s p ir it to tr y to b e c h eerfu l. I w onder if I c o uld s le ep in m oth er’s r o om to -

nig ht. I s h all m ak e a n e x cu se a n d t r y .

25 A ugust.— Anoth er bad nig ht. M oth er did not se em to ta k e to m y

pro posa l. S he s e em s n ot t o o w ell h ers e lf , a n d d oubtle ss s h e f e ars t o w orry m e.

I tr ie d to k eep a w ak e, a n d s u cceed ed fo r a w hile ; b ut w hen th e c lo ck s tr u ck

tw elv e i t w ak ed m e f ro m a d oze, s o I m ust h av e b een f a llin g a sle ep . T here w as

a s o rt o f s c ra tc h in g o r f la p pin g a t th e w in dow , b ut I d id n ot m in d it, a n d a s I

re m em ber no m ore , I su ppose I m ust th en hav e fa lle n asle ep . M ore bad

dre am s. I w is h I c o uld r e m em ber th em . T his m orn in g I a m h orrib ly w eak . M y

fa ce i s g hastly p ale , a n d m y t h ro at p ain s m e. I t m ust b e s o m eth in g w ro ng w ith

my lu ngs, f o r I d on’t s e em e v er to g et a ir e n ough. I s h all tr y to c h eer u p w hen

Arth ur c o m es, o r e ls e I k now h e w ill b e m is e ra b le t o s e e m e s o .

Lette r, A rth ur H olm wood t o D r. S ew ard .

“A lb em arle H ote l, 3 1 A ugust.

“M y d ear J a ck ,—

“I w an t y ou to d o m e a fa v our. L ucy is ill; th at is , sh e h as n o sp ecia l

dis e ase , b ut s h e lo oks a w fu l, a n d is g ettin g w ors e e v ery d ay. I h av e a sk ed h er

if th ere is a n y c au se ; I d o n ot d are to a sk h er m oth er, fo r to d is tu rb th e p oor

la d y’s m in d a b out h er d au ghte r in h er p re se n t s ta te o f h ealth w ould b e fa ta l.

Mrs . W este n ra h as c o nfid ed to m e th at h er d oom is sp oken — dis e ase o f th e

heart— th ough poor L ucy does not know it yet. I am su re th at th ere is

so m eth in g p re y in g o n m y d ear g ir l’s m in d. I a m a lm ost d is tr a cte d w hen I t h in k

of h er; to lo ok a t h er g iv es m e a p an g. I to ld h er I s h ould a sk y ou to s e e h er,

an d th ough sh e dem urre d at fir s t— I know w hy, old fe llo w — sh e fin ally co nse n te d . I t w ill b e a p ain fu l ta sk f o r y ou, I k now , o ld f rie n d, b ut it is f o r h er

sa k e, a n d I m ust n ot h esita te to a sk , o r y ou to a ct. Y ou a re to c o m e to lu nch a t

Hillin gham to -m orro w , tw o o ’c lo ck , s o a s n ot to a ro use a n y s u sp ic io n in M rs .

Weste n ra , a n d a fte r lu nch L ucy w ill ta k e a n o pportu nity o f b ein g a lo ne w ith

you. I s h all c o m e in fo r te a, a n d w e c an g o a w ay to geth er; I a m fille d w ith

an xie ty , a n d w an t to c o nsu lt w ith y ou a lo ne a s s o on a s I c an a fte r y ou h av e

se en h er. D o n ot f a il!

“A rth ur.”

Tele g ra m , A rth ur H olm wood t o S ew ard .

“1 S ep te m ber.

“A m su m moned to se e m y fa th er, w ho is w ors e . A m w ritin g. W rite m e

fu lly b y t o -n ig ht’s p ost t o R in g. W ir e m e i f n ecessa ry .”

Lette r f ro m D r. S ew ard t o A rth ur H olm wood.

“2 S ep te m ber.

“M y d ear o ld f e llo w ,—

“W ith re g ard to M is s W este n ra ’s h ealth I h aste n to le t y ou k now a t o nce

th at i n m y o pin io n t h ere i s n ot a n y f u nctio nal d is tu rb an ce o r a n y m ala d y t h at I

know of. A t th e sa m e tim e, I am not by an y m ean s sa tis fie d w ith her

ap peara n ce; s h e is w oefu lly d if f e re n t f ro m w hat s h e w as w hen I s a w h er la st.

Of co urs e y ou m ust b ear in m in d th at I d id n ot h av e fu ll o pportu nity o f

ex am in atio n s u ch a s I s h ould w is h ; o ur v ery f rie n dsh ip m ak es a l ittle d if f ic u lty

whic h n ot e v en m ed ic al s c ie n ce o r c u sto m c an b rid ge o ver. I h ad b ette r te ll

you ex actly w hat h ap pen ed , le av in g y ou to d ra w , in a m easu re , y our o w n

co nclu sio ns. I s h all t h en s a y w hat I h av e d one a n d p ro pose d oin g.

“I f o und M is s W este n ra in s e em in gly g ay s p ir its . H er m oth er w as p re se n t,

an d in a f e w s e co nds I m ad e u p m y m in d th at s h e w as tr y in g a ll s h e k new to

mis le ad h er m oth er a n d p re v en t h er f ro m b ein g a n xio us. I h av e n o d oubt s h e

guesse s, if sh e d oes n ot k now , w hat n eed o f cau tio n th ere is . W e lu nch ed

alo ne, a n d a s w e a ll e x erte d o urs e lv es to b e c h eerfu l, w e g ot, a s s o m e k in d o f

re w ard fo r our la b ours , so m e re al ch eerfu ln ess am ongst us. T hen M rs .

Weste n ra w en t to lie d ow n, a n d L ucy w as le ft w ith m e. W e w en t in to h er

boudoir , an d till w e g ot th ere h er g aie ty re m ain ed , fo r th e se rv an ts w ere

co m in g a n d g oin g. A s s o on a s th e d oor w as c lo se d , h ow ev er, th e m ask fe ll

fro m h er fa ce, a n d s h e s a n k d ow n in to a c h air w ith a g re at s ig h, a n d h id h er

ey es w ith h er h an d. W hen I s a w th at h er h ig h s p ir its h ad f a ile d , I a t o nce to ok

ad van ta g e o f h er r e actio n t o m ak e a d ia g nosis . S he s a id t o m e v ery s w eetly :—

“ ‘ I c an not te ll y ou h ow I lo ath e ta lk in g a b out m yse lf .’ I r e m in ded h er th at

a d octo r’s c o nfid en ce w as s a cre d , b ut th at y ou w ere g rie v ously a n xio us a b out her. S he c au ght o n to m y m ean in g a t o nce, a n d s e ttle d th at m atte r in a w ord .

‘T ell A rth ur e v ery th in g y ou c h oose . I d o n ot c are f o r m yse lf , b ut a ll f o r h im !’

So I a m q uite f re e.

“I c o uld e asily s e e th at s h e is s o m ew hat b lo odle ss, b ut I c o uld n ot s e e th e

usu al a n æ m ic s ig ns, a n d b y a c h an ce I w as a ctu ally a b le to te st th e q uality o f

her b lo od, f o r in o pen in g a w in dow w hic h w as s tif f a c o rd g av e w ay, a n d s h e

cu t h er h an d s lig htly w ith b ro ken g la ss. It w as a s lig ht m atte r in its e lf , b ut it

gav e m e a n e v id en t c h an ce, a n d I s e cu re d a f e w d ro ps o f th e b lo od a n d h av e

an aly se d th em . T he q ualita tiv e a n aly sis g iv es a q uite n orm al c o nditio n, a n d

sh ow s, I sh ould in fe r, in its e lf a v ig oro us sta te o f h ealth . In o th er p hysic al

matte rs I w as q uite s a tis fie d t h at t h ere i s n o n eed f o r a n xie ty ; b ut a s t h ere m ust

be a cau se so m ew here , I hav e co m e to th e co nclu sio n th at it m ust be

so m eth in g m en ta l. S he c o m pla in s o f d if f ic u lty in b re ath in g sa tis fa cto rily a t

tim es, an d of heav y, le th arg ic sle ep , w ith dre am s th at frig hte n her, but

re g ard in g w hic h s h e c an r e m em ber n oth in g. S he s a y s th at a s a c h ild s h e u se d

to w alk in h er s le ep , a n d th at w hen in W hitb y th e h ab it c am e b ack , a n d th at

once s h e w alk ed o ut in th e n ig ht a n d w en t to E ast C lif f , w here M is s M urra y

fo und h er; b ut s h e a ssu re s m e th at o f la te th e h ab it h as n ot re tu rn ed . I a m in

doubt, a n d s o h av e d one th e b est th in g I k now o f; I h av e w ritte n to m y o ld

frie n d a n d m aste r, P ro fe sso r V an H els in g, o f A m ste rd am , w ho k now s a s m uch

ab out o bsc u re d is e ase s a s a n y o ne in th e w orld . I h av e a sk ed h im to c o m e

over, a n d a s y ou to ld m e th at a ll th in gs w ere to b e a t y our c h arg e, I h av e

men tio ned to h im w ho y ou a re a n d y our r e la tio ns to M is s W este n ra . T his , m y

dear f e llo w , i s i n o bed ie n ce t o y our w is h es, f o r I a m o nly t o o p ro ud a n d h ap py

to d o a n yth in g I c an f o r h er. V an H els in g w ould , I k now , d o a n yth in g f o r m e

fo r a p ers o nal r e aso n, s o , n o m atte r o n w hat g ro und h e c o m es, w e m ust a ccep t

his w is h es. H e i s a s e em in gly a rb itr a ry m an , b ut t h is i s b ecau se h e k now s w hat

he is ta lk in g ab out bette r th an an y one els e . H e is a philo so pher an d a

meta p hysic ia n , a n d o ne o f t h e m ost a d van ced s c ie n tis ts o f h is d ay ; a n d h e h as,

I b elie v e, a n a b so lu te ly o pen m in d. T his , w ith a n ir o n n erv e, a te m per o f th e

ic e-b ro ok, an in dom ita b le re so lu tio n, se lf -c o m man d, an d to le ra tio n ex alte d

fro m v ir tu es to b le ssin gs, a n d th e k in dlie st a n d tr u est h eart th at b eats — th ese

fo rm h is e q uip m en t fo r th e n oble w ork th at h e is d oin g fo r m an kin d— work

both in th eo ry a n d p ra ctic e, fo r h is v ie w s a re a s w id e a s h is a ll- e m bra cin g

sy m path y. I te ll you th ese fa cts th at you m ay know w hy I hav e su ch

co nfid en ce in him . I hav e ask ed him to co m e at once. I sh all se e M is s

Weste n ra to -m orro w a g ain . S he is to m eet m e a t th e S to re s, s o th at I m ay n ot

ala rm h er m oth er b y t o o e arly a r e p etitio n o f m y c all.

“Y ours a lw ay s,

“Jo hn S ew ard .”

Lette r, A bra h am V an H els in g, M . D ., D . P h., D . L it., etc ., etc ., to D r. Sew ard .

“2 S ep te m ber.

“M y g ood F rie n d,—

“W hen I h av e re ceiv ed y our le tte r I a m a lr e ad y c o m in g to y ou. B y g ood

fo rtu ne I c an le av e ju st a t o nce, w ith out w ro ng to a n y o f th ose w ho h av e

tr u ste d m e. W ere fo rtu ne o th er, th en it w ere b ad fo r th ose w ho h av e tr u ste d ,

fo r I c o m e to m y f rie n d w hen h e c all m e to a id th ose h e h old s d ear. T ell y our

frie n d th at w hen th at tim e y ou s u ck f ro m m y w ound s o s w if tly th e p ois o n o f

th e g an gre n e f ro m t h at k nif e t h at o ur o th er f rie n d, t o o n erv ous, l e t s lip , y ou d id

more f o r h im w hen h e w an ts m y a id s a n d y ou c all f o r th em th an a ll h is g re at

fo rtu ne c o uld d o. B ut it is p le asu re a d ded to d o fo r h im , y our frie n d; it is to

you th at I c o m e. H av e th en r o om s f o r m e a t th e G re at E aste rn H ote l, s o th at I

may b e n ear to h an d, a n d p le ase it s o a rra n ge th at w e m ay s e e th e y oung la d y

not to o la te o n to -m orro w , fo r it is lik ely th at I m ay h av e to re tu rn h ere th at

nig ht. B ut if n eed b e I s h all c o m e a g ain in th re e d ay s, a n d s ta y lo nger if it

must. T ill t h en g ood-b ye, m y f rie n d J o hn.

“V an H els in g.”

Lette r, D r. S ew ard t o H on. A rth ur H olm wood.

“3 S ep te m ber.

“M y d ear A rt,—

“V an H els in g h as c o m e a n d g one. H e c am e o n w ith m e to H illin gham , a n d

fo und t h at, b y L ucy ’s d is c re tio n, h er m oth er w as l u nch in g o ut, s o t h at w e w ere

alo ne w ith h er. V an H els in g m ad e a v ery c are fu l e x am in atio n o f th e p atie n t.

He i s t o r e p ort t o m e, a n d I s h all a d vis e y ou, f o r o f c o urs e I w as n ot p re se n t a ll

th e tim e. H e is , I fe ar, m uch c o ncern ed , b ut s a y s h e m ust th in k. W hen I to ld

him o f o ur frie n dsh ip a n d h ow y ou tr u st to m e in th e m atte r, h e s a id : ‘Y ou

must te ll h im a ll y ou th in k. T ell h im w hat I th in k, if y ou c an g uess it, if y ou

will. N ay, I a m n ot je stin g. T his is n o je st, b ut lif e a n d d eath , p erh ap s m ore .’ I

ask ed w hat h e m ean t b y th at, f o r h e w as v ery s e rio us. T his w as w hen w e h ad

co m e b ack to to w n, a n d h e w as h av in g a c u p o f te a b efo re sta rtin g o n h is

re tu rn t o A m ste rd am . H e w ould n ot g iv e m e a n y f u rth er c lu e. Y ou m ust n ot b e

an gry w ith m e, A rt, b ecau se h is v ery re tic en ce m ean s th at a ll h is b ra in s a re

work in g f o r h er g ood. H e w ill s p eak p la in ly e n ough w hen th e tim e c o m es, b e

su re . S o I to ld h im I w ould s im ply w rite a n a cco unt o f o ur v is it, ju st a s if I

were d oin g a d esc rip tiv e s p ecia l a rtic le fo r T he D aily T ele g ra p h. H e s e em ed

not to n otic e, b ut r e m ark ed th at th e s m uts in L ondon w ere n ot q uite s o b ad a s

th ey u se d t o b e w hen h e w as a s tu den t h ere . I a m t o g et h is r e p ort t o -m orro w i f

he c an p ossib ly m ak e i t. I n a n y c ase I a m t o h av e a l e tte r. “W ell, a s to th e v is it. L ucy w as m ore c h eerfu l th an o n th e d ay I fir s t s a w

her, a n d c erta in ly lo oked b ette r. S he h ad lo st so m eth in g o f th e g hastly lo ok

th at s o u pse t y ou, a n d h er b re ath in g w as n orm al. S he w as v ery s w eet to th e

pro fe sso r ( a s s h e a lw ay s i s ), a n d t r ie d t o m ak e h im f e el a t e ase ; t h ough I c o uld

se e th at th e p oor g ir l w as m ak in g a h ard s tr u ggle f o r it. I b elie v e V an H els in g

sa w it, to o, f o r I s a w th e q uic k lo ok u nder h is b ush y b ro w s th at I k new o f o ld .

Then h e b eg an to c h at o f a ll th in gs e x cep t o urs e lv es a n d d is e ase s a n d w ith

su ch a n in fin ite g en ia lity th at I c o uld s e e p oor L ucy ’s p re te n se o f a n im atio n

merg e in to re ality . Then , w ith out an y se em in g ch an ge, he bro ught th e

co nvers a tio n g en tly r o und t o h is v is it, a n d s u av ely s a id :—

“ ‘M y d ear y oung m is s, I h av e th e s o g re at p le asu re b ecau se y ou a re s o

much b elo ved . T hat i s m uch , m y d ear, e v er w ere t h ere t h at w hic h I d o n ot s e e.

They t o ld m e y ou w ere d ow n i n t h e s p ir it, a n d t h at y ou w ere o f a g hastly p ale .

To th em I s a y : “ P ouf!” ’ A nd h e s n ap ped h is f in gers a t m e a n d w en t o n: ‘ B ut

you a n d I s h all s h ow t h em h ow w ro ng t h ey a re . H ow c an h e’— an d h e p oin te d

at m e w ith th e s a m e lo ok a n d g estu re a s th at w ith w hic h o nce h e p oin te d m e

out t o h is c la ss, o n, o r r a th er a fte r, a p artic u la r o ccasio n w hic h h e n ev er f a ils t o

re m in d m e o f— ‘k now a n yth in g o f a y oung la d ie s? H e h as h is m ad am s t o p la y

with , a n d to b rin g th em b ack to h ap pin ess, a n d to th ose th at lo ve th em . It is

much to do, an d, oh, but th ere are re w ard s, in th at w e can besto w su ch

hap pin ess. B ut th e y oung la d ie s! H e h as n o w if e n or d au ghte r, a n d th e y oung

do n ot te ll th em se lv es to th e y o ung, b ut to th e o ld , lik e m e, w ho h av e k now n

so m an y s o rro w s a n d th e c au se s o f th em . S o, m y d ear, w e w ill s e n d h im a w ay

to s m oke th e c ig are tte in th e g ard en , w hile s y ou a n d I h av e little ta lk a ll to

ours e lv es.’ I t o ok t h e h in t, a n d s tr o lle d a b out, a n d p re se n tly t h e p ro fe sso r c am e

to th e w in dow a n d c alle d m e in . H e lo oked g ra v e, b ut sa id : ‘I h av e m ad e

care fu l e x am in atio n, b ut th ere is n o fu nctio nal c au se . W ith y ou I a g re e th at

th ere h as b een m uch b lo od lo st; it h as b een , b ut is n ot. B ut th e c o nditio ns o f

her a re in n o w ay a n æ m ic . I h av e a sk ed h er to s e n d m e h er m aid , th at I m ay

ask j u st o ne o r t w o q uestio n, t h at s o I m ay n ot c h an ce t o m is s n oth in g. I k now

well w hat sh e w ill sa y. A nd y et th ere is cau se ; th ere is alw ay s cau se fo r

ev ery th in g. I m ust g o b ack h om e a n d t h in k. Y ou m ust s e n d t o m e t h e t e le g ra m

ev ery d ay ; a n d i f t h ere b e c au se I s h all c o m e a g ain . T he d is e ase — fo r n ot t o b e

all w ell is a d is e ase — in te re st m e, a n d th e s w eet y oung d ear, s h e in te re st m e

to o. S he c h arm m e, a n d f o r h er, i f n ot f o r y ou o r d is e ase , I c o m e.’

“A s I te ll y ou, h e w ould n ot s a y a w ord m ore , e v en w hen w e w ere a lo ne.

And s o n ow , A rt, y ou k now a ll I k now . I s h all k eep s te rn w atc h . I tr u st y our

poor f a th er i s r a lly in g. I t m ust b e a t e rrib le t h in g t o y ou, m y d ear o ld f e llo w , t o

be p la ced i n s u ch a p ositio n b etw een t w o p eo ple w ho a re b oth s o d ear t o y ou. I

know y our id ea o f d uty to y our f a th er, a n d y ou a re r ig ht to s tic k to it; b ut, if

need b e, I s h all s e n d y ou w ord to c o m e a t o nce to L ucy ; s o d o n ot b e o ver-

an xio us u nle ss y ou h ear f ro m m e.” Dr. S ew ard ’s D ia ry .

4 S ep te m ber.— Zoöphag ous p atie n t s till k eep s u p o ur in te re st in h im . H e

had o nly o ne o utb urs t a n d th at w as y este rd ay a t a n u nusu al tim e. J u st b efo re

th e str o ke of noon he beg an to gro w re stle ss. T he atte n dan t knew th e

sy m pto m s, a n d a t o nce s u m moned a id . F ortu nate ly t h e m en c am e a t a r u n, a n d

were j u st i n t im e, f o r a t t h e s tr o ke o f n oon h e b ecam e s o v io le n t t h at i t t o ok a ll

th eir str e n gth to h old h im . In a b out fiv e m in ute s, h ow ev er, h e b eg an to g et

more a n d m ore q uie t, a n d f in ally s a n k i n to a s o rt o f m ela n ch oly , i n w hic h s ta te

he h as re m ain ed u p to n ow . T he a tte n dan t te lls m e th at h is s c re am s w hils t in

th e p aro xysm w ere re ally a p pallin g; I fo und m y h an ds fu ll w hen I g ot in ,

atte n din g to s o m e o f th e o th er p atie n ts w ho w ere f rig hte n ed b y h im . I n deed , I

can q uite u nders ta n d th e e ff e ct, fo r th e so unds d is tu rb ed e v en m e, th ough I

was s o m e d is ta n ce a w ay. I t is n ow a fte r th e d in ner- h our o f th e a sy lu m , a n d a s

yet m y p atie n t s its in a c o rn er b ro odin g, w ith a d ull, s u lle n , w oe-b eg one lo ok

in h is f a ce, w hic h s e em s r a th er to in dic ate th an to s h ow s o m eth in g d ir e ctly . I

can not q uite u nders ta n d i t.

Late r.— Anoth er c h an ge in m y p atie n t. A t f iv e o ’c lo ck I lo oked in o n h im ,

an d fo und h im s e em in gly a s h ap py a n d c o nte n te d a s h e u se d to b e. H e w as

catc h in g f lie s a n d e atin g t h em , a n d w as k eep in g n ote o f h is c ap tu re b y m ak in g

nail- m ark s o n th e e d ge o f th e d oor b etw een th e rid ges o f p ad din g. W hen h e

sa w m e, h e c am e o ver a n d a p olo gis e d f o r h is b ad c o nduct, a n d a sk ed m e in a

very h um ble , c rin gin g w ay to b e le d b ack to h is o w n ro om a n d to h av e h is

note -b ook a g ain . I th ought it w ell to h um our h im : s o h e is b ack in h is ro om

with th e w in dow o pen . H e h as th e s u gar o f h is te a s p re ad o ut o n th e w in dow -

sill, a n d is re ap in g q uite a h arv est o f flie s. H e is n ot n ow e atin g th em , b ut

puttin g th em in to a b ox, a s o f o ld , a n d is a lr e ad y e x am in in g th e c o rn ers o f h is

ro om t o f in d a s p id er. I t r ie d t o g et h im t o t a lk a b out t h e p ast f e w d ay s, f o r a n y

clu e to h is th oughts w ould b e o f im men se h elp to m e; b ut h e w ould n ot r is e .

For a m om en t o r tw o h e lo oked v ery s a d , a n d s a id in a s o rt o f f a r- a w ay v oic e,

as t h ough s a y in g i t r a th er t o h im se lf t h an t o m e:—

“A ll o ver! a ll o ver! H e h as d ese rte d m e. N o h ope f o r m e n ow u nle ss I d o i t

fo r m yse lf !” T hen s u dden ly tu rn in g to m e in a r e so lu te w ay, h e s a id : “ D octo r,

won’t y ou b e v ery g ood to m e a n d le t m e h av e a little m ore s u gar? I th in k it

would b e g ood f o r m e.”

“A nd t h e f lie s? ” I s a id .

“Y es! T he flie s lik e it, to o, a n d I lik e th e flie s; th ere fo re I lik e it.” A nd

th ere a re p eo ple w ho k now s o little a s to th in k th at m ad m en d o n ot a rg ue. I

pro cu re d h im a d ouble s u pply , a n d le ft h im a s h ap py a m an a s, I s u ppose , a n y

in t h e w orld . I w is h I c o uld f a th om h is m in d.

Mid nig ht.— Anoth er ch an ge in h im . I h ad b een to se e M is s W este n ra , whom I f o und m uch b ette r, a n d h ad j u st r e tu rn ed , a n d w as s ta n din g a t o ur o w n

gate l o okin g a t t h e s u nse t, w hen o nce m ore I h eard h im y ellin g. A s h is r o om i s

on th is s id e o f th e h ouse , I c o uld h ear it b ette r th an in th e m orn in g. It w as a

sh ock to m e to tu rn fro m th e w onderfu l sm oky beau ty of a su nse t over

London, w ith i ts l u rid l ig hts a n d i n ky s h ad ow s a n d a ll t h e m arv ello us t in ts t h at

co m e o n f o ul c lo uds e v en a s o n f o ul w ate r, a n d t o r e alis e a ll t h e g rim s te rn ness

of m y o w n c o ld s to ne b uild in g, w ith its w ealth o f b re ath in g m is e ry , a n d m y

ow n d eso la te h eart to e n dure it a ll. I re ach ed h im ju st a s th e s u n w as g oin g

dow n, a n d f ro m h is w in dow s a w th e r e d d is c s in k. A s it s a n k h e b ecam e le ss

an d l e ss f re n zie d ; a n d j u st a s i t d ip ped h e s lid f ro m t h e h an ds t h at h eld h im , a n

in ert m ass, on th e flo or. It is wonderfu l, how ev er, what in te lle ctu al

re cu pera tiv e p ow er lu natic s h av e, f o r w ith in a f e w m in ute s h e s to od u p q uite

calm ly a n d lo oked a ro und h im . I s ig nalle d to th e a tte n dan ts n ot to h old h im ,

fo r I w as an xio us to se e w hat h e w ould d o. H e w en t str a ig ht o ver to th e

win dow a n d b ru sh ed o ut th e c ru m bs o f s u gar; th en h e to ok h is fly -b ox, a n d

em ptie d it o uts id e, a n d th re w a w ay th e b ox; th en h e sh ut th e w in dow , a n d

cro ssin g o ver, s a t d ow n o n h is b ed . A ll t h is s u rp ris e d m e, s o I a sk ed h im : “ A re

you n ot g oin g t o k eep f lie s a n y m ore ?”

“N o,” s a id h e; “ I a m s ic k o f a ll t h at r u bbis h !” H e c erta in ly i s a w onderfu lly

in te re stin g s tu dy. I w is h I c o uld g et s o m e g lim pse o f h is m in d o r o f th e c au se

of h is s u dden p assio n. S to p; th ere m ay b e a c lu e a fte r a ll, if w e c an f in d w hy

to -d ay h is p aro xysm s c am e o n a t h ig h n oon a n d a t s u nse t. C an it b e th at th ere

is a m alig n in flu en ce o f th e s u n a t p erio ds w hic h a ff e cts c erta in n atu re s— as a t

tim es t h e m oon d oes o th ers ? W e s h all s e e.

Tele g ra m , S ew ard , L ondon, t o V an H els in g, A m ste rd am .

“4 S ep te m ber.— Patie n t s till b ette r t o -d ay.”

Tele g ra m , S ew ard , L ondon, t o V an H els in g, A m ste rd am .

“5 S ep te m ber.— Patie n t g re atly im pro ved . G ood a p petite ; s le ep s n atu ra lly ;

good s p ir its ; c o lo ur c o m in g b ack .”

Tele g ra m , S ew ard , L ondon, t o V an H els in g, A m ste rd am .

“6 S ep te m ber.— Terrib le c h an ge f o r th e w ors e . C om e a t o nce; d o n ot lo se

an h our. I h old o ver t e le g ra m t o H olm wood t ill h av e s e en y ou.”

CH APT ER X

Lette r, D r. S ew ard t o H on . A rth ur H olm wood .

“6 S ep te m ber. “M y d ear A rt,—

“M y n ew s to -d ay is n ot s o g ood. L ucy th is m orn in g h ad g one b ack a b it.

There is , h ow ev er, o ne g ood th in g w hic h h as a ris e n fro m it; M rs . W este n ra

was n atu ra lly a n xio us c o ncern in g L ucy, a n d h as c o nsu lte d m e p ro fe ssio nally

ab out h er. I t o ok a d van ta g e o f t h e o pportu nity , a n d t o ld h er t h at m y o ld m aste r,

Van H els in g, t h e g re at s p ecia lis t, w as c o m in g t o s ta y w ith m e, a n d t h at I w ould

put h er in h is c h arg e c o njo in tly w ith m yse lf ; so n ow w e c an c o m e a n d g o

with out a la rm in g h er u nduly , f o r a s h ock t o h er w ould m ean s u dden d eath , a n d

th is , in L ucy ’s w eak c o nditio n, m ig ht b e d is a str o us to h er. W e a re h ed ged in

with d if f ic u ltie s, a ll o f u s, m y p oor o ld f e llo w ; b ut, p le ase G od, w e s h all c o m e

th ro ugh th em a ll rig ht. If a n y n eed I s h all w rite , s o th at, if y ou d o n ot h ear

fro m m e, t a k e i t f o r g ra n te d t h at I a m s im ply w aitin g f o r n ew s. I n h aste

Yours e v er,

“Jo hn S ew ard .”

Dr. S ew ard ’s D ia ry .

7 S ep te m ber.— The fir s t th in g V an H els in g sa id to m e w hen w e m et a t

Liv erp ool S tr e et w as:—

“H av e y ou s a id a n yth in g t o o ur y oung f rie n d t h e l o ver o f h er? ”

“N o,” I s a id . “ I w aite d t ill I h ad s e en y ou, a s I s a id i n m y t e le g ra m . I w ro te

him a le tte r s im ply te llin g h im th at y ou w ere c o m in g, a s M is s W este n ra w as

not s o w ell, a n d t h at I s h ould l e t h im k now i f n eed b e.”

“R ig ht, m y frie n d,” he sa id , “q uite rig ht! B ette r he not know as yet;

perh ap s h e s h all n ev er k now . I p ra y s o ; b ut if it b e n eed ed , th en h e s h all k now

all. A nd, m y g ood f rie n d J o hn, l e t m e c au tio n y ou. Y ou d eal w ith t h e m ad m en .

All m en are m ad in so m e w ay or th e oth er; an d in asm uch as you deal

dis c re etly w ith y our m ad m en , s o d eal w ith G od’s m ad m en , t o o— th e r e st o f t h e

world . Y ou te ll n ot y our m ad m en w hat y ou d o n or w hy y ou d o it; y ou te ll

th em n ot w hat y ou th in k. S o y ou s h all k eep k now le d ge in its p la ce, w here it

may re st— where it m ay g ath er its k in d a ro und it a n d b re ed . Y ou a n d I s h all

keep a s y et w hat w e k now h ere , a n d h ere .” H e t o uch ed m e o n t h e h eart a n d o n

th e fo re h ead , an d th en to uch ed h im se lf th e sa m e w ay. “I h av e fo r m yse lf

th oughts a t t h e p re se n t. L ate r I s h all u nfo ld t o y ou.”

“W hy n ot n ow ?” I a sk ed . “ It m ay d o s o m e g ood; w e m ay a rriv e a t s o m e

decis io n.” H e s to pped a n d l o oked a t m e, a n d s a id :—

“M y frie n d Jo hn, w hen th e c o rn is g ro w n, e v en b efo re it h as rip en ed —

while th e m ilk o f its m oth er- e arth is in h im , a n d th e su nsh in e h as n ot y et

beg un to p ain t h im w ith h is g old , th e h usb an dm an h e p ull th e e ar a n d r u b h im

betw een h is ro ugh h an ds, a n d b lo w a w ay th e g re en c h aff , a n d sa y to y ou: ‘L ook! h e’s g ood c o rn ; h e w ill m ak e g ood c ro p w hen th e tim e c o m es.’ ” I d id

not s e e th e a p plic atio n, a n d to ld h im s o . F or re p ly h e re ach ed o ver a n d to ok

my ear in h is h an d an d p ulle d it p la y fu lly , as h e u se d lo ng ag o to d o at

le ctu re s, a n d s a id : “ T he g ood h usb an dm an te ll y ou s o th en b ecau se h e k now s,

but n ot till th en . B ut y ou d o n ot f in d th e g ood h usb an dm an d ig u p h is p la n te d

co rn to s e e if h e g ro w ; th at is f o r th e c h ild re n w ho p la y a t h usb an dry , a n d n ot

fo r th ose w ho ta k e it a s o f th e w ork o f th eir lif e . S ee y ou n ow , f rie n d J o hn? I

hav e s o w n m y c o rn , a n d N atu re h as h er w ork to d o in m ak in g it s p ro ut; if h e

sp ro ut a t a ll, th ere ’s s o m e p ro m is e ; a n d I w ait till th e e ar b eg in s to s w ell.” H e

bro ke o ff , f o r h e e v id en tly s a w th at I u nders to od. T hen h e w en t o n, a n d v ery

gra v ely :—

“Y ou w ere a lw ay s a c are fu l stu den t, a n d y our c ase -b ook w as e v er m ore

fu ll th an th e r e st. Y ou w ere o nly s tu den t th en ; n ow y ou a re m aste r, a n d I tr u st

th at g ood h ab it h av e n ot f a il. R em em ber, m y f rie n d, t h at k now le d ge i s s tr o nger

th an m em ory , a n d w e s h ould n ot tr u st th e w eak er. E ven if y ou h av e n ot k ep t

th e g ood p ra ctis e , l e t m e t e ll y ou t h at t h is c ase o f o ur d ear m is s i s o ne t h at m ay

be— min d, I s a y m ay b e— of s u ch i n te re st t o u s a n d o th ers t h at a ll t h e r e st m ay

not m ak e h im k ic k th e b eam , a s y our p eo ple s s a y. T ak e th en g ood n ote o f it.

Noth in g is to o s m all. I c o unse l y ou, p ut d ow n in r e co rd e v en y our d oubts a n d

su rm is e s. H ere afte r i t m ay b e o f i n te re st t o y ou t o s e e h ow t r u e y ou g uess. W e

le arn f ro m f a ilu re , n ot f ro m s u ccess!”

When I d esc rib ed L ucy ’s sy m pto m s— th e sa m e a s b efo re , b ut in fin ite ly

more m ark ed — he l o oked v ery g ra v e, b ut s a id n oth in g. H e t o ok w ith h im a b ag

in w hic h w ere m an y in str u m en ts a n d d ru gs, “ th e g hastly p ara p hern alia o f o ur

ben efic ia l tr a d e,” a s h e o nce c alle d , in o ne o f h is le ctu re s, th e e q uip m en t o f a

pro fe sso r o f t h e h ealin g c ra ft. W hen w e w ere s h ow n i n , M rs . W este n ra m et u s.

She w as a la rm ed , b ut n ot n early s o m uch a s I e x pecte d to f in d h er. N atu re in

one o f h er b en efic en t m oods h as o rd ain ed t h at e v en d eath h as s o m e a n tid ote t o

its o w n te rro rs . H ere , in a c ase w here a n y s h ock m ay p ro ve f a ta l, m atte rs a re

so o rd ere d th at, fro m s o m e c au se o r o th er, th e th in gs n ot p ers o nal— ev en th e

te rrib le c h an ge in h er d au ghte r to w hom s h e is s o a tta ch ed — do n ot s e em to

re ach h er. It is s o m eth in g lik e th e w ay D am e N atu re g ath ers ro und a fo re ig n

body a n e n velo pe o f s o m e in se n sitiv e tis su e w hic h c an p ro te ct fro m e v il th at

whic h it w ould o th erw is e h arm b y c o nta ct. If th is b e a n o rd ere d s e lf is h ness,

th en w e s h ould p au se b efo re w e c o ndem n a n y o ne f o r th e v ic e o f e g ois m , f o r

th ere m ay b e d eep er r o ot f o r i ts c au se s t h an w e h av e k now le d ge o f.

I u se d m y k now le d ge o f th is p hase o f s p ir itu al p ath olo gy, a n d la id d ow n a

ru le th at s h e s h ould n ot b e p re se n t w ith L ucy o r th in k o f h er illn ess m ore th an

was a b so lu te ly re q uir e d . S he a sse n te d re ad ily , s o re ad ily th at I s a w a g ain th e

han d o f N atu re fig htin g fo r lif e . V an H els in g a n d I w ere s h ow n u p to L ucy ’s

ro om . I f I w as s h ock ed w hen I s a w h er y este rd ay, I w as h orrif ie d w hen I s a w her to -d ay. S he w as g hastly , c h alk ily p ale ; th e r e d s e em ed to h av e g one e v en

fro m h er lip s a n d g um s, a n d th e b ones o f h er f a ce s to od o ut p ro m in en tly ; h er

bre ath in g w as p ain fu l to s e e o r h ear. V an H els in g’s fa ce g re w s e t a s m arb le ,

an d h is e y eb ro w s c o nverg ed till th ey a lm ost to uch ed o ver h is n ose . L ucy la y

motio nle ss, a n d d id n ot s e em t o h av e s tr e n gth t o s p eak , s o f o r a w hile w e w ere

all s ile n t. T hen V an H els in g b eck oned to m e, a n d w e w en t g en tly o ut o f th e

ro om . T he i n sta n t w e h ad c lo se d t h e d oor h e s te p ped q uic k ly a lo ng t h e p assa g e

to th e n ex t d oor, w hic h w as o pen . T hen h e p ulle d m e q uic k ly in w ith h im a n d

clo se d th e d oor. “ M y G od!” h e s a id ; “ th is is d re ad fu l. T here is n o tim e to b e

lo st. S he w ill d ie f o r s h eer w an t o f b lo od t o k eep t h e h eart’s a ctio n a s i t s h ould

be. T here m ust b e t r a n sfu sio n o f b lo od a t o nce. I s i t y ou o r m e?”

“I a m y ounger a n d s tr o nger, P ro fe sso r. I t m ust b e m e.”

“T hen g et r e ad y a t o nce. I w ill b rin g u p m y b ag . I a m p re p are d .”

I w en t d ow nsta ir s w ith h im , a n d a s w e w ere g oin g t h ere w as a k nock a t t h e

hall- d oor. W hen w e re ach ed th e h all th e m aid h ad ju st o pen ed th e d oor, a n d

Arth ur w as ste p pin g q uic k ly in . H e ru sh ed u p to m e, sa y in g in an eag er

whis p er:—

“Ja ck , I w as s o a n xio us. I re ad b etw een th e lin es o f y our le tte r, a n d h av e

been in a n a g ony. T he d ad w as b ette r, s o I r a n d ow n h ere to s e e f o r m yse lf . I s

not th at g en tle m an D r. V an H els in g? I a m s o th an kfu l to y ou, s ir , f o r c o m in g.”

When fir s t th e P ro fe sso r’s e y e h ad lit u pon h im h e h ad b een a n gry a t h is

in te rru ptio n a t s u ch a tim e; b ut n ow , a s h e to ok in h is s ta lw art p ro portio ns a n d

re co gnis e d t h e s tr o ng y oung m an hood w hic h s e em ed t o e m an ate f ro m h im , h is

ey es g le am ed . W ith out a p au se h e s a id t o h im g ra v ely a s h e h eld o ut h is h an d:

—

“S ir , y ou h av e c o m e i n t im e. Y ou a re t h e l o ver o f o ur d ear m is s. S he i s b ad ,

very , v ery b ad . N ay, m y c h ild , d o n ot g o lik e th at.” F or h e s u dden ly g re w p ale

an d s a t d ow n i n a c h air a lm ost f a in tin g. “ Y ou a re t o h elp h er. Y ou c an d o m ore

th an a n y t h at l iv e, a n d y our c o ura g e i s y our b est h elp .”

“W hat c an I d o?” a sk ed A rth ur h oars e ly . “ T ell m e, a n d I s h all d o i t. M y l if e

is h ers , a n d I w ould g iv e th e la st d ro p o f b lo od in m y b ody fo r h er.” T he

Pro fe sso r h as a str o ngly h um oro us sid e, an d I co uld fro m o ld k now le d ge

dete ct a t r a ce o f i ts o rig in i n h is a n sw er:—

“M y y oung s ir , I d o n ot a sk s o m uch a s t h at— not t h e l a st! ”

“W hat s h all I d o?” T here w as f ir e i n h is e y es, a n d h is o pen n ostr il q uiv ere d

with in te n t. V an H els in g s la p ped h im o n th e s h ould er. “ C om e!” h e s a id . “ Y ou

are a m an , a n d it is a m an w e w an t. Y ou a re b ette r th an m e, b ette r th an m y

frie n d Jo hn.” A rth ur lo oked bew ild ere d , an d th e Pro fe sso r w en t on by

ex pla in in g i n a k in dly w ay :— “Y oung m is s is b ad , v ery b ad . S he w an ts b lo od, a n d b lo od s h e m ust h av e

or d ie . M y f rie n d J o hn a n d I h av e c o nsu lte d ; a n d w e a re a b out t o p erfo rm w hat

we c all tr a n sfu sio n o f b lo od— to tr a n sfe r fro m fu ll v ein s o f o ne to th e e m pty

vein s w hic h p in e f o r h im . J o hn w as to g iv e h is b lo od, a s h e is th e m ore y oung

an d s tr o ng th an m e”— here A rth ur to ok m y h an d a n d w ru ng it h ard in s ile n ce

—“b ut, n ow y ou a re h ere , y ou a re m ore g ood th an u s, o ld o r y oung, w ho to il

much i n t h e w orld o f t h ought. O ur n erv es a re n ot s o c alm a n d o ur b lo od n ot s o

brig ht t h an y ours !” A rth ur t u rn ed t o h im a n d s a id :—

“If y ou o nly k new h ow g la d ly I w ould d ie fo r h er y ou w ould u nders ta n d

——”

He s to pped , w ith a s o rt o f c h oke i n h is v oic e.

“G ood b oy!” sa id V an H els in g. “ In th e n ot- s o -fa r- o ff y ou w ill b e h ap py

th at y ou h av e d one a ll fo r h er y ou lo ve. C om e n ow a n d b e s ile n t. Y ou s h all

kis s h er o nce b efo re it is d one, b ut th en y ou m ust g o; a n d y ou m ust le av e a t

my s ig n. S ay n o w ord t o M ad am e; y ou k now h ow i t i s w ith h er! T here m ust b e

no s h ock ; a n y k now le d ge o f t h is w ould b e o ne. C om e!”

We all w en t u p to L ucy ’s ro om . A rth ur b y d ir e ctio n re m ain ed o uts id e.

Lucy tu rn ed h er h ead a n d lo oked a t u s, b ut s a id n oth in g. S he w as n ot a sle ep ,

but s h e w as s im ply t o o w eak t o m ak e t h e e ff o rt. H er e y es s p oke t o u s; t h at w as

all. V an H els in g to ok s o m e th in gs f ro m h is b ag a n d la id th em o n a little ta b le

out o f sig ht. T hen h e m ix ed a n arc o tic , an d co m in g o ver to th e b ed , sa id

ch eerily :—

“N ow , little m is s, h ere is y our m ed ic in e. D rin k it o ff , lik e a g ood c h ild .

See, I lif t y ou s o th at to s w allo w is e asy . Y es.” S he h ad m ad e th e e ff o rt w ith

su ccess.

It a sto nis h ed m e h ow lo ng th e d ru g to ok to a ct. T his , in fa ct, m ark ed th e

ex te n t o f h er w eak ness. T he t im e s e em ed e n dle ss u ntil s le ep b eg an t o f lic k er i n

her e y elid s. A t la st, h ow ev er, th e n arc o tic b eg an to m an if e st its p ote n cy ; a n d

sh e fe ll in to a d eep s le ep . W hen th e P ro fe sso r w as s a tis fie d h e c alle d A rth ur

in to th e r o om , a n d b ad e h im s tr ip o ff h is c o at. T hen h e a d ded : “ Y ou m ay ta k e

th at o ne little k is s w hile s I b rin g o ver th e ta b le . F rie n d J o hn, h elp to m e!” S o

neith er o f u s l o oked w hils t h e b en t o ver h er.

Van H els in g t u rn in g t o m e, s a id :

“H e is so young an d str o ng an d of blo od so pure th at w e need not

defib rin ate i t.”

Then w ith s w if tn ess, b ut w ith a b so lu te m eth od, V an H els in g p erfo rm ed t h e

opera tio n. A s t h e t r a n sfu sio n w en t o n s o m eth in g l ik e l if e s e em ed t o c o m e b ack

to p oor L ucy ’s c h eek s, a n d t h ro ugh A rth ur’s g ro w in g p allo r t h e j o y o f h is f a ce se em ed a b so lu te ly t o s h in e. A fte r a b it I b eg an t o g ro w a n xio us, f o r t h e l o ss o f

blo od w as t e llin g o n A rth ur, s tr o ng m an a s h e w as. I t g av e m e a n i d ea o f w hat

a te rrib le str a in L ucy ’s sy ste m m ust hav e underg one th at w hat w eak en ed

Arth ur o nly p artia lly re sto re d h er. B ut th e P ro fe sso r’s fa ce w as se t, a n d h e

sto od w atc h in h an d a n d w ith h is e y es fix ed n ow o n th e p atie n t a n d n ow o n

Arth ur. I c o uld h ear m y o w n h eart b eat. P re se n tly h e s a id in a s o ft v oic e: “ D o

not s tir a n in sta n t. I t is e n ough. Y ou a tte n d h im ; I w ill lo ok to h er.” W hen a ll

was o ver I c o uld s e e h ow m uch A rth ur w as w eak en ed . I d re sse d th e w ound

an d to ok h is a rm to b rin g h im a w ay, w hen V an H els in g s p oke w ith out tu rn in g

ro und— th e m an s e em s t o h av e e y es i n t h e b ack o f h is h ead :—

“T he bra v e lo ver, I th in k, dese rv e an oth er kis s, w hic h he sh all hav e

pre se n tly .” A nd a s h e h ad n ow f in is h ed h is o pera tio n, h e a d ju ste d t h e p illo w t o

th e p atie n t’s h ead . A s h e d id s o t h e n arro w b la ck v elv et b an d w hic h s h e s e em s

alw ay s to w ear ro und h er th ro at, b uck le d w ith a n o ld d ia m ond b uck le w hic h

her l o ver h ad g iv en h er, w as d ra g ged a l ittle u p, a n d s h ow ed a r e d m ark o n h er

th ro at. A rth ur d id n ot n otic e it, b ut I c o uld h ear th e d eep h is s o f in dra w n

bre ath w hic h is o ne o f V an H els in g’s w ay s o f b etr a y in g em otio n. H e sa id

noth in g a t th e m om en t, b ut tu rn ed to m e, s a y in g: “ N ow ta k e d ow n o ur b ra v e

young lo ver, g iv e h im o f th e p ort w in e, a n d le t h im lie d ow n a w hile . H e m ust

th en g o h om e a n d r e st, s le ep m uch a n d e at m uch , th at h e m ay b e r e cru ite d o f

what h e h as s o g iv en to h is lo ve. H e m ust n ot s ta y h ere . H old ! a m om en t. I

may t a k e i t, s ir , t h at y ou a re a n xio us o f r e su lt. T hen b rin g i t w ith y ou t h at i n a ll

way s th e o pera tio n is s u ccessfu l. Y ou h av e s a v ed h er lif e th is tim e, a n d y ou

can g o h om e a n d re st e asy in m in d th at a ll th at c an b e is . I s h all te ll h er a ll

when s h e is w ell; s h e s h all lo ve y ou n one th e le ss fo r w hat y ou h av e d one.

Good-b ye.”

When A rth ur h ad g one I w en t b ack to t h e r o om . L ucy w as s le ep in g g en tly ,

but h er b re ath in g w as s tr o nger; I c o uld s e e t h e c o unte rp an e m ove a s h er b re ast

heav ed . B y th e b ed sid e sa t V an H els in g, lo okin g a t h er in te n tly . T he v elv et

ban d a g ain c o vere d t h e r e d m ark . I a sk ed t h e P ro fe sso r i n a w his p er:—

“W hat d o y ou m ak e o f t h at m ark o n h er t h ro at? ”

“W hat d o y ou m ak e o f i t? ”

“I h av e n ot e x am in ed it y et,” I a n sw ere d , a n d th en a n d th ere p ro ceed ed to

lo ose th e b an d. J u st o ver th e e x te rn al ju gula r v ein th ere w ere tw o p unctu re s,

not la rg e, b ut n ot w hole so m e-lo okin g. T here w as n o s ig n o f d is e ase , b ut th e

ed ges w ere w hite an d w orn -lo okin g, as if by so m e tr itu ra tio n. It at once

occu rre d t o m e t h at t h is w ound, o r w hate v er i t w as, m ig ht b e t h e m ean s o f t h at

man if e st lo ss o f b lo od; b ut I a b an doned th e id ea a s s o on a s f o rm ed , f o r s u ch a

th in g c o uld n ot b e. T he w hole b ed w ould h av e b een d re n ch ed t o a s c arle t w ith

th e b lo od w hic h t h e g ir l m ust h av e l o st t o l e av e s u ch a p allo r a s s h e h ad b efo re th e t r a n sfu sio n.

“W ell? ” s a id V an H els in g.

“W ell,” s a id I , “ I c an m ak e n oth in g o f it.” T he P ro fe sso r s to od u p. “ I m ust

go b ack to A m ste rd am to -n ig ht,” h e s a id . “ T here a re b ooks a n d th in gs th ere

whic h I w an t. Y ou m ust re m ain h ere a ll th e n ig ht, a n d y ou m ust n ot le t y our

sig ht p ass f ro m h er.”

“S hall I h av e a n urs e ?” I a sk ed .

“W e a re t h e b est n urs e s, y ou a n d I . Y ou k eep w atc h a ll n ig ht; s e e t h at s h e i s

well f e d , a n d th at n oth in g d is tu rb s h er. Y ou m ust n ot s le ep a ll th e n ig ht. L ate r

on w e c an s le ep , y ou a n d I . I s h all b e b ack a s s o on a s p ossib le . A nd th en w e

may b eg in .”

“M ay b eg in ?” I s a id . “ W hat o n e arth d o y ou m ean ?”

“W e s h all s e e!” h e a n sw ere d , a s h e h urrie d o ut. H e c am e b ack a m om en t

la te r a n d p ut h is h ead i n sid e t h e d oor a n d s a id w ith w arn in g f in ger h eld u p:—

“R em em ber, sh e is y our c h arg e. If y ou le av e h er, a n d h arm b efa ll, y ou

sh all n ot s le ep e asy h ere afte r!”

Dr. S ew ard ’s D ia ry — co ntin ued .

8 S ep te m ber.— I s a t u p a ll n ig ht w ith L ucy. T he o pia te w ork ed its e lf o ff

to w ard s d usk , a n d s h e w ak ed n atu ra lly ; s h e l o oked a d if f e re n t b ein g f ro m w hat

sh e h ad b een b efo re th e o pera tio n. H er s p ir its e v en w ere g ood, a n d s h e w as

fu ll o f a h ap py v iv acity , b ut I c o uld s e e e v id en ces o f th e a b so lu te p ro str a tio n

whic h s h e h ad u nderg one. W hen I to ld M rs . W este n ra th at D r. V an H els in g

had d ir e cte d th at I s h ould s it u p w ith h er s h e a lm ost p ooh-p oohed th e id ea,

poin tin g o ut h er d au ghte r’s r e n ew ed s tr e n gth a n d e x celle n t s p ir its . I w as f ir m ,

how ev er, an d m ad e pre p ara tio ns fo r m y lo ng vig il. W hen her m aid had

pre p are d h er f o r th e n ig ht I c am e in , h av in g in th e m ean tim e h ad s u pper, a n d

to ok a s e at b y th e b ed sid e. S he d id n ot in a n y w ay m ak e o bje ctio n, b ut lo oked

at m e g ra te fu lly w hen ev er I c au ght h er e y e. A fte r a lo ng sp ell sh e se em ed

sin kin g o ff to sle ep , b ut w ith a n e ff o rt se em ed to p ull h ers e lf to geth er a n d

sh ook it o ff . T his w as re p eate d se v era l tim es, w ith g re ate r e ff o rt a n d w ith

sh orte r p au se s a s th e tim e m oved o n. I t w as a p pare n t th at s h e d id n ot w an t to

sle ep , s o I t a ck le d t h e s u bje ct a t o nce:—

“Y ou d o n ot w an t t o g o t o s le ep ?”

“N o; I a m a fra id .”

“A fra id t o g o t o s le ep ! W hy s o ? I t i s t h e b oon w e a ll c ra v e f o r.”

“A h, n ot i f y ou w ere l ik e m e— if s le ep w as t o y ou a p re sa g e o f h orro r!” “A p re sa g e o f h orro r! W hat o n e arth d o y ou m ean ?”

“I d on’t k now ; o h, I d on’t k now . A nd th at is w hat is s o te rrib le . A ll th is

weak ness c o m es t o m e i n s le ep ; u ntil I d re ad t h e v ery t h ought.”

“B ut, m y d ear g ir l, y ou m ay s le ep to -n ig ht. I a m h ere w atc h in g y ou, a n d I

can p ro m is e t h at n oth in g w ill h ap pen .”

“A h, I c an tr u st y ou!” I s e iz ed th e o pportu nity , a n d s a id : “ I p ro m is e y ou

th at i f I s e e a n y e v id en ce o f b ad d re am s I w ill w ak e y ou a t o nce.”

“Y ou w ill? O h, w ill y ou re ally ? H ow g ood y ou a re to m e. T hen I w ill

sle ep !” A nd a lm ost a t th e w ord s h e g av e a d eep s ig h o f r e lie f, a n d s a n k b ack ,

asle ep .

All n ig ht lo ng I w atc h ed b y h er. S he n ev er s tir re d , b ut s le p t o n a n d o n in a

deep , tr a n quil, lif e -g iv in g, h ealth -g iv in g s le ep . H er lip s w ere s lig htly p arte d ,

an d h er b re ast ro se a n d fe ll w ith th e re g ula rity o f a p en dulu m . T here w as a

sm ile o n h er f a ce, a n d it w as e v id en t th at n o b ad d re am s h ad c o m e to d is tu rb

her p eace o f m in d.

In th e e arly m orn in g h er m aid c am e, a n d I le ft h er in h er c are a n d to ok

myse lf b ack h om e, f o r I w as a n xio us a b out m an y th in gs. I s e n t a s h ort w ir e to

Van H els in g a n d t o A rth ur, t e llin g t h em o f t h e e x celle n t r e su lt o f t h e o pera tio n.

My o w n w ork , w ith its m an if o ld a rre ars , to ok m e a ll d ay to c le ar o ff ; it w as

dark w hen I w as a b le to in quir e a b out m y z o öphag ous p atie n t. T he r e p ort w as

good; h e h ad b een q uite q uie t fo r th e p ast d ay a n d n ig ht. A te le g ra m c am e

fro m V an H els in g at A m ste rd am w hils t I w as at d in ner, su ggestin g th at I

sh ould b e a t H illin gham t o -n ig ht, a s i t m ig ht b e w ell t o b e a t h an d, a n d s ta tin g

th at h e w as l e av in g b y t h e n ig ht m ail a n d w ould j o in m e e arly i n t h e m orn in g.

9 S ep te m ber.— I w as p re tty tir e d a n d w orn o ut w hen I g ot to H illin gham .

For tw o n ig hts I h ad h ard ly h ad a w in k o f s le ep , a n d m y b ra in w as b eg in nin g

to fe el th at n um bness w hic h m ark s c ere b ra l e x hau stio n. L ucy w as u p a n d in

ch eerfu l s p ir its . W hen s h e s h ook h an ds w ith m e s h e l o oked s h arp ly i n m y f a ce

an d s a id :—

“N o s ittin g u p to -n ig ht fo r y ou. Y ou a re w orn o ut. I a m q uite w ell a g ain ;

in deed , I a m ; a n d if th ere is to b e a n y s ittin g u p, it is I w ho w ill s it u p w ith

you.” I w ould n ot a rg ue th e p oin t, b ut w en t a n d h ad m y s u pper. L ucy c am e

with m e, a n d, e n liv en ed b y h er c h arm in g p re se n ce, I m ad e a n e x celle n t m eal,

an d h ad a c o uple o f g la sse s o f th e m ore th an e x celle n t p ort. T hen L ucy to ok

me u psta ir s , a n d sh ow ed m e a ro om n ex t h er o w n, w here a c o zy fir e w as

burn in g. “ N ow ,” s h e s a id , “ y ou m ust s ta y h ere . I s h all l e av e t h is d oor o pen a n d

my d oor t o o. Y ou c an l ie o n t h e s o fa f o r I k now t h at n oth in g w ould i n duce a n y

of y ou d octo rs to g o to b ed w hils t th ere is a p atie n t a b ove th e h oriz o n. If I

wan t a n yth in g I s h all c all o ut, a n d y ou c an c o m e to m e a t o nce.” I c o uld n ot but a cq uie sc e, f o r I w as “ d og-tir e d ,” a n d c o uld n ot h av e s a t u p h ad I tr ie d . S o,

on h er r e n ew in g h er p ro m is e to c all m e if s h e s h ould w an t a n yth in g, I la y o n

th e s o fa , a n d f o rg ot a ll a b out e v ery th in g.

Lucy W este n ra ’s D ia ry .

9 S ep te m ber.— I fe el so h ap py to -n ig ht. I h av e b een so m is e ra b ly w eak ,

th at to b e a b le to th in k a n d m ove a b out is lik e fe elin g s u nsh in e a fte r a lo ng

sp ell o f e ast w in d o ut o f a s te el s k y. S om eh ow A rth ur f e els v ery , v ery c lo se to

me. I s e em to fe el h is p re se n ce w arm a b out m e. I s u ppose it is th at s ic k ness

an d w eak ness are se lf is h th in gs an d tu rn o ur in ner ey es an d sy m path y o n

ours e lv es, w hils t health an d str e n gth giv e L ove re in , an d in th ought an d

fe elin g h e can w an der w here h e w ills . I k now w here m y th oughts are . If

Arth ur o nly k new ! M y d ear, m y d ear, y our e ars m ust tin gle a s y ou s le ep , a s

min e d o w ak in g. O h, t h e b lis sfu l r e st o f l a st n ig ht! H ow I s le p t, w ith t h at d ear,

good D r. S ew ard w atc h in g m e. A nd to -n ig ht I s h all n ot f e ar to s le ep , s in ce h e

is c lo se a t h an d a n d w ith in c all. T han k e v ery body fo r b ein g s o g ood to m e!

Than k G od! G ood-n ig ht, A rth ur.

Dr. S ew ard ’s D ia ry .

10 S ep te m ber.— I w as c o nsc io us o f th e P ro fe sso r’s h an d o n m y h ead , a n d

sta rte d a w ak e a ll in a se co nd. T hat is o ne o f th e th in gs th at w e le arn in a n

asy lu m , a t a n y r a te .

“A nd h ow i s o ur p atie n t? ”

“W ell, w hen I l e ft h er, o r r a th er w hen s h e l e ft m e,” I a n sw ere d .

“C om e, l e t u s s e e,” h e s a id . A nd t o geth er w e w en t i n to t h e r o om .

The b lin d w as d ow n, a n d I w en t o ver to r a is e it g en tly , w hils t V an H els in g

ste p ped , w ith h is s o ft, c at- lik e t r e ad , o ver t o t h e b ed .

As I ra is e d th e b lin d, a n d th e m orn in g s u nlig ht flo oded th e ro om , I h eard

th e P ro fe sso r’s lo w h is s o f in sp ir a tio n, a n d k now in g its ra rity , a d ead ly fe ar

sh ot th ro ugh m y h eart. A s I p asse d o ver h e m oved b ack , a n d h is e x cla m atio n

of h orro r, “ G ott in H im mel! ” n eed ed n o e n fo rc em en t f ro m h is a g onis e d f a ce.

He ra is e d h is h an d a n d p oin te d to th e b ed , a n d h is ir o n fa ce w as d ra w n a n d

ash en w hite . I f e lt m y k nees b eg in t o t r e m ble .

There o n th e b ed , se em in gly in a sw oon, la y p oor L ucy, m ore h orrib ly

white a n d w an -lo okin g th an e v er. E ven th e lip s w ere w hite , a n d th e g um s

se em ed t o h av e s h ru nken b ack f ro m t h e t e eth , a s w e s o m etim es s e e i n a c o rp se

afte r a p ro lo nged i lln ess. V an H els in g r a is e d h is f o ot t o s ta m p i n a n ger, b ut t h e

in stin ct o f h is lif e a n d a ll th e lo ng y ears o f h ab it s to od to h im , a n d h e p ut it

dow n a g ain s o ftly . “ Q uic k !” h e s a id . “ B rin g th e b ra n dy.” I f le w to th e d in in g-

ro om , a n d re tu rn ed w ith th e d ecan te r. H e w ette d th e p oor w hite lip s w ith it, an d t o geth er w e r u bbed p alm a n d w ris t a n d h eart. H e f e lt h er h eart, a n d a fte r a

fe w m om en ts o f a g onis in g s u sp en se s a id :—

“It is n ot to o la te . I t b eats , th ough b ut f e eb ly . A ll o ur w ork is u ndone; w e

must b eg in a g ain . T here is n o y oung A rth ur h ere n ow ; I h av e to c all o n y ou

yours e lf th is tim e, f rie n d J o hn.” A s h e s p oke, h e w as d ip pin g in to h is b ag a n d

pro ducin g th e in str u m en ts f o r tr a n sfu sio n; I h ad ta k en o ff m y c o at a n d r o lle d

up m y s h ir t- s le ev e. T here w as n o p ossib ility o f a n o pia te ju st a t p re se n t, a n d

no n eed o f o ne; a n d s o , w ith out a m om en t’s d ela y, w e b eg an th e o pera tio n.

Afte r a tim e— it d id n ot se em a sh ort tim e e ith er, fo r th e d ra in in g a w ay o f

one’s b lo od, n o m atte r h ow w illin gly it b e g iv en , is a te rrib le fe elin g— Van

Hels in g h eld u p a w arn in g f in ger. “ D o n ot s tir ,” h e s a id , “ b ut I f e ar th at w ith

gro w in g str e n gth sh e m ay w ak e; a n d th at w ould m ak e d an ger, o h, so m uch

dan ger. B ut I sh all pre cau tio n ta k e. I sh all giv e hypoderm ic in je ctio n of

morp hia .” H e p ro ceed ed th en , s w if tly a n d d eftly , to c arry o ut h is in te n t. T he

eff e ct o n L ucy w as n ot b ad , fo r th e fa in t se em ed to m erg e su btly in to th e

narc o tic s le ep . It w as w ith a fe elin g o f p ers o nal p rid e th at I c o uld s e e a fa in t

tin ge o f c o lo ur s te al b ack in to th e p allid c h eek s a n d lip s. N o m an k now s, till

he e x perie n ces it, w hat it is to fe el h is o w n lif e -b lo od d ra w n a w ay in to th e

vein s o f t h e w om an h e l o ves.

The P ro fe sso r w atc h ed m e c ritic ally . “ T hat w ill d o,” h e s a id . “ A lr e ad y?” I

re m onstr a te d . “ Y ou to ok a g re at d eal m ore fro m A rt.” T o w hic h h e s m ile d a

sa d s o rt o f s m ile a s h e r e p lie d :—

“H e is h er lo ver, h er f ia n cé. Y ou h av e w ork , m uch w ork , to d o f o r h er a n d

fo r o th ers ; a n d t h e p re se n t w ill s u ff ic e.”

When w e sto pped th e o pera tio n, h e atte n ded to L ucy, w hils t I ap plie d

dig ita l p re ssu re to m y o w n in cis io n. I la id d ow n, w hils t I w aite d h is le is u re to

atte n d to m e, fo r I fe lt fa in t an d a little sic k . B y-a n d-b y h e b ound u p m y

wound, a n d s e n t m e d ow nsta ir s to g et a g la ss o f w in e fo r m yse lf . A s I w as

le av in g t h e r o om , h e c am e a fte r m e, a n d h alf w his p ere d :—

“M in d, n oth in g m ust b e sa id o f th is . If o ur y oung lo ver sh ould tu rn u p

unex pecte d , a s b efo re , n o w ord to h im . It w ould a t o nce frig hte n h im a n d

en je alo us h im , t o o. T here m ust b e n one. S o!”

When I c am e b ack h e l o oked a t m e c are fu lly , a n d t h en s a id :—

“Y ou a re n ot m uch th e w ors e . G o in to th e r o om , a n d lie o n y our s o fa , a n d

re st a w hile ; t h en h av e m uch b re ak fa st, a n d c o m e h ere t o m e.”

I f o llo w ed o ut h is o rd ers , f o r I k new h ow r ig ht a n d w is e th ey w ere . I h ad

done m y p art, a n d n ow m y n ex t d uty w as to k eep u p m y s tr e n gth . I f e lt v ery

weak , an d in th e w eak ness lo st so m eth in g o f th e am azem en t at w hat h ad

occu rre d . I fe ll a sle ep o n th e s o fa , h ow ev er, w onderin g o ver a n d o ver a g ain how L ucy h ad m ad e su ch a re tr o gra d e m ovem en t, a n d h ow sh e c o uld h av e

been d ra in ed o f s o m uch b lo od w ith n o s ig n a n yw here to s h ow f o r it. I th in k I

must h av e c o ntin ued m y w onder in m y d re am s, f o r, s le ep in g a n d w ak in g, m y

th oughts a lw ay s c am e b ack t o th e l ittle p unctu re s i n h er t h ro at a n d t h e r a g ged ,

ex hau ste d a p peara n ce o f t h eir e d ges— tin y t h ough t h ey w ere .

Lucy s le p t w ell in to th e d ay, a n d w hen s h e w oke s h e w as fa ir ly w ell a n d

str o ng, t h ough n ot n early s o m uch s o a s t h e d ay b efo re . W hen V an H els in g h ad

se en h er, h e w en t o ut f o r a w alk , le av in g m e in c h arg e, w ith s tr ic t in ju nctio ns

th at I w as n ot to le av e h er fo r a m om en t. I c o uld h ear h is v oic e in th e h all,

ask in g t h e w ay t o t h e n eare st t e le g ra p h o ff ic e.

Lucy c h atte d w ith m e fre ely , a n d s e em ed q uite u nco nsc io us th at a n yth in g

had h ap pen ed . I tr ie d to k eep h er a m use d a n d in te re ste d . W hen h er m oth er

cam e u p to s e e h er, s h e d id n ot s e em to n otic e a n y c h an ge w hate v er, b ut s a id

to m e g ra te fu lly :—

“W e o w e y ou s o m uch , D r. S ew ard , f o r a ll y ou h av e d one, b ut y ou r e ally

must n ow ta k e c are n ot to o verw ork y ours e lf . Y ou a re lo okin g p ale y ours e lf .

You w an t a w if e t o n urs e a n d l o ok a fte r y ou a b it; t h at y ou d o!” A s s h e s p oke,

Lucy tu rn ed c rim so n, th ough it w as o nly m om en ta rily , fo r h er p oor w aste d

vein s co uld n ot sta n d fo r lo ng su ch an u nw onte d d ra in to th e h ead . T he

re actio n c am e i n e x cessiv e p allo r a s s h e t u rn ed i m plo rin g e y es o n m e. I s m ile d

an d n odded , a n d la id m y fin ger o n m y lip s; w ith a s ig h, s h e s a n k b ack a m id

her p illo w s.

Van H els in g r e tu rn ed in a c o uple o f h ours , a n d p re se n tly s a id to m e: “ N ow

you g o h om e, a n d e at m uch a n d d rin k e n ough. M ak e y ours e lf s tr o ng. I s ta y

here to -n ig ht, a n d I s h all s it u p w ith little m is s m yse lf . Y ou a n d I m ust w atc h

th e c ase , a n d w e m ust h av e n one o th er to k now . I h av e g ra v e r e aso ns. N o, d o

not a sk th em ; th in k w hat y ou w ill. D o n ot fe ar to th in k e v en th e m ost n ot-

pro bab le . G ood-n ig ht.”

In t h e h all t w o o f t h e m aid s c am e t o m e, a n d a sk ed i f t h ey o r e ith er o f t h em

mig ht n ot s it u p w ith M is s L ucy. T hey im plo re d m e to le t th em ; a n d w hen I

sa id it w as D r. V an H els in g’s w is h th at e ith er h e o r I s h ould s it u p, th ey a sk ed

me q uite p ite o usly to in te rc ed e w ith th e “fo re ig n g en tle m an .” I w as m uch

to uch ed b y th eir k in dness. P erh ap s it is b ecau se I a m w eak a t p re se n t, a n d

perh ap s b ecau se it w as o n L ucy ’s a cco unt, th at th eir d ev otio n w as m an if e ste d ;

fo r o ver a n d o ver a g ain h av e I s e en s im ila r in sta n ces o f w om an ’s k in dness. I

got b ack h ere in tim e f o r a la te d in ner; w en t m y r o unds— all w ell; a n d s e t th is

dow n w hils t w aitin g f o r s le ep . I t i s c o m in g.

11 S ep te m ber.— This afte rn oon I w en t o ver to H illin gham . F ound V an

Hels in g in e x celle n t s p ir its , a n d L ucy m uch b ette r. S hortly a fte r I h ad a rriv ed ,

a b ig p arc el fro m a b ro ad c am e fo r th e P ro fe sso r. H e o pen ed it w ith m uch im pre ssm en t— assu m ed , of co urs e — an d sh ow ed a gre at bundle of w hite

flo w ers .

“T hese a re f o r y ou, M is s L ucy,” h e s a id .

“F or m e? O h, D r. V an H els in g!”

“Y es, m y d ear, b ut n ot fo r y ou to p la y w ith . T hese a re m ed ic in es.” H ere

Lucy m ad e a w ry fa ce. “ N ay, b ut th ey a re n ot to ta k e in a d eco ctio n o r in

nau se o us fo rm , s o y ou n eed n ot s n ub th at s o c h arm in g n ose , o r I s h all p oin t

out to m y f rie n d A rth ur w hat w oes h e m ay h av e to e n dure in s e ein g s o m uch

beau ty th at h e s o lo ves s o m uch d is to rt. A ha, m y p re tty m is s, th at b rin g th e s o

nic e n ose a ll s tr a ig ht a g ain . T his is m ed ic in al, b ut y ou d o n ot k now h ow . I p ut

him in y our w in dow , I m ak e p re tty w re ath , a n d h an g h im r o und y our n eck , s o

th at y ou sle ep w ell. O h y es! th ey, lik e th e lo tu s flo w er, m ak e y our tr o uble

fo rg otte n . It s m ell s o lik e th e w ate rs o f L eth e, a n d o f th at fo unta in o f y outh

th at t h e C onquis ta d ore s s o ught f o r i n t h e F lo rid as, a n d f in d h im a ll t o o l a te .”

Whils t he w as sp eak in g, L ucy had been ex am in in g th e flo w ers an d

sm ellin g th em . N ow sh e th re w th em d ow n, sa y in g, w ith h alf -la u ghte r, a n d

half -d is g ust:—

“O h, P ro fe sso r, I b elie v e y ou a re o nly p uttin g u p a jo ke o n m e. W hy, th ese

flo w ers a re o nly c o m mon g arlic .”

To m y s u rp ris e , V an H els in g ro se u p a n d s a id w ith a ll h is s te rn ness, h is

ir o n j a w s e t a n d h is b ush y e y eb ro w s m eetin g:—

“N o tr if lin g w ith m e! I n ev er je st! T here is g rim p urp ose in a ll I d o; a n d I

warn y ou t h at y ou d o n ot t h w art m e. T ak e c are , f o r t h e s a k e o f o th ers i f n ot f o r

your o w n.” T hen s e ein g p oor L ucy s c are d , a s s h e m ig ht w ell b e, h e w en t o n

more g en tly : “ O h, l ittle m is s, m y d ear, d o n ot f e ar m e. I o nly d o f o r y our g ood;

but t h ere i s m uch v ir tu e t o y ou i n th ose s o c o m mon f lo w ers . S ee, I p la ce th em

myse lf i n y our r o om . I m ak e m yse lf t h e w re ath t h at y ou a re t o w ear. B ut h ush !

no te llin g to o th ers th at m ak e so in quis itiv e q uestio ns. W e m ust o bey, a n d

sile n ce is a p art o f o bed ie n ce; a n d o bed ie n ce is to b rin g y ou s tr o ng a n d w ell

in to lo vin g a rm s th at w ait f o r y ou. N ow s it s till a w hile . C om e w ith m e, f rie n d

Jo hn, a n d y ou s h all h elp m e d eck th e ro om w ith m y g arlic , w hic h is a ll th e

way f ro m H aarle m , w here m y f rie n d V an derp ool r a is e h erb i n h is g la ss-h ouse s

all t h e y ear. I h ad t o t e le g ra p h y este rd ay, o r t h ey w ould n ot h av e b een h ere .”

We w en t i n to t h e r o om , t a k in g t h e f lo w ers w ith u s. T he P ro fe sso r’s a ctio ns

were c erta in ly o dd a n d n ot to b e f o und in a n y p harm aco pœ ia th at I e v er h eard

of. F ir s t h e f a ste n ed u p th e w in dow s a n d la tc h ed th em s e cu re ly ; n ex t, ta k in g a

han dfu l o f t h e f lo w ers , h e r u bbed t h em a ll o ver t h e s a sh es, a s t h ough t o e n su re

th at e v ery w hif f o f a ir th at m ig ht g et in w ould b e la d en w ith th e g arlic s m ell.

Then w ith t h e w is p h e r u bbed a ll o ver t h e j a m b o f t h e d oor, a b ove, b elo w , a n d at e ach s id e, a n d r o und th e f ir e p la ce in th e s a m e w ay. I t a ll s e em ed g ro te sq ue

to m e, a n d p re se n tly I s a id :—

“W ell, P ro fe sso r, I k now y ou a lw ay s h av e a re aso n fo r w hat y ou d o, b ut

th is c erta in ly p uzzle s m e. I t is w ell w e h av e n o s c ep tic h ere , o r h e w ould s a y

th at y ou w ere w ork in g s o m e s p ell t o k eep o ut a n e v il s p ir it.”

“P erh ap s I a m !” h e a n sw ere d q uie tly a s h e b eg an t o m ak e t h e w re ath w hic h

Lucy w as t o w ear r o und h er n eck .

We th en w aite d w hils t L ucy m ad e h er to ile t fo r th e n ig ht, a n d w hen s h e

was i n b ed h e c am e a n d h im se lf f ix ed t h e w re ath o f g arlic r o und h er n eck . T he

la st w ord s h e s a id t o h er w ere :—

“T ak e c are y ou d o n ot d is tu rb i t; a n d e v en i f t h e r o om f e el c lo se , d o n ot t o -

nig ht o pen t h e w in dow o r t h e d oor.”

“I p ro m is e ,” s a id L ucy, “ an d th an k y ou b oth a th ousa n d tim es f o r a ll y our

kin dness t o m e! O h, w hat h av e I d one t o b e b le sse d w ith s u ch f rie n ds? ”

As w e l e ft t h e h ouse i n m y f ly , w hic h w as w aitin g, V an H els in g s a id :—

“T o-n ig ht I c an sle ep in p eace, a n d sle ep I w an t— tw o n ig hts o f tr a v el,

much r e ad in g in th e d ay b etw een , a n d m uch a n xie ty o n th e d ay to f o llo w , a n d

a n ig ht t o s it u p, w ith out t o w in k. T o-m orro w i n t h e m orn in g e arly y ou c all f o r

me, a n d w e c o m e t o geth er t o s e e o ur p re tty m is s, s o m uch m ore s tr o ng f o r m y

‘s p ell’ w hic h I h av e w ork . H o! h o!”

He se em ed so co nfid en t th at I, re m em berin g m y ow n co nfid en ce tw o

nig hts b efo re a n d w ith th e b an efu l re su lt, fe lt a w e a n d v ag ue te rro r. It m ust

hav e b een m y w eak ness th at m ad e m e h esita te to te ll it to m y f rie n d, b ut I f e lt

it a ll t h e m ore , l ik e u nsh ed t e ars .

CH APT ER X I

Lucy W este n ra ’s D ia ry .

12 S ep te m ber.— How g ood t h ey a ll a re t o m e. I q uite l o ve t h at d ear D r. V an

Hels in g. I w onder w hy h e w as s o a n xio us a b out th ese flo w ers . H e p ositiv ely

frig hte n ed m e, h e w as s o fie rc e. A nd y et h e m ust h av e b een rig ht, fo r I fe el

co m fo rt f ro m t h em a lr e ad y. S om eh ow , I d o n ot d re ad b ein g a lo ne t o -n ig ht, a n d

I can g o to sle ep w ith out fe ar. I sh all n ot m in d an y fla p pin g o uts id e th e

win dow . O h, t h e t e rrib le s tr u ggle t h at I h av e h ad a g ain st s le ep s o o fte n o f l a te ;

th e p ain o f th e sle ep le ssn ess, o r th e p ain o f th e fe ar o f sle ep , w ith su ch

unknow n h orro rs a s it h as f o r m e! H ow b le sse d a re s o m e p eo ple , w hose liv es hav e n o f e ars , n o d re ad s; to w hom s le ep is a b le ssin g th at c o m es n ig htly , a n d

brin gs n oth in g b ut s w eet d re am s. W ell, h ere I a m to -n ig ht, h opin g fo r s le ep ,

an d ly in g lik e Ophelia in th e pla y, with “v ir g in cra n ts an d m aid en

str e w m en ts .” I n ev er lik ed g arlic b efo re , b ut to -n ig ht it is d elig htf u l! T here is

peace i n i ts s m ell; I f e el s le ep c o m in g a lr e ad y. G ood-n ig ht, e v ery body.

Dr. S ew ard ’s D ia ry .

13 S ep te m ber.— Calle d a t th e B erk ele y a n d fo und V an H els in g, a s u su al,

up to tim e. T he c arria g e o rd ere d fro m th e h ote l w as w aitin g. T he P ro fe sso r

to ok h is b ag , w hic h h e a lw ay s b rin gs w ith h im n ow .

Let a ll b e p ut d ow n e x actly . V an H els in g a n d I a rriv ed a t H illin gham a t

eig ht o ’c lo ck . It w as a lo vely m orn in g; th e b rig ht s u nsh in e a n d a ll th e fre sh

fe elin g o f e arly a u tu m n s e em ed lik e th e c o m ple tio n o f n atu re ’s a n nual w ork .

The l e av es w ere t u rn in g t o a ll k in ds o f b eau tif u l c o lo urs , b ut h ad n ot y et b eg un

to d ro p f ro m t h e t r e es. W hen w e e n te re d w e m et M rs . W este n ra c o m in g o ut o f

th e m orn in g ro om . S he is a lw ay s a n e arly ris e r. S he g re ete d u s w arm ly a n d

sa id :—

“Y ou w ill b e g la d t o k now t h at L ucy i s b ette r. T he d ear c h ild i s s till a sle ep .

I lo oked in to h er ro om a n d s a w h er, b ut d id n ot g o in , le st I s h ould d is tu rb

her.” T he P ro fe sso r sm ile d , a n d lo oked q uite ju bila n t. H e ru bbed h is h an ds

to geth er, a n d s a id :—

“A ha! I th ought I h ad d ia g nose d th e c ase . M y tr e atm en t is w ork in g,” to

whic h s h e a n sw ere d :—

“Y ou m ust n ot ta k e all th e cre d it to y ours e lf , d octo r. L ucy ’s sta te th is

morn in g i s d ue i n p art t o m e.”

“H ow y ou d o m ean , m a’a m ?” a sk ed t h e P ro fe sso r.

“W ell, I w as a n xio us a b out th e d ear c h ild in th e n ig ht, a n d w en t in to h er

ro om . S he w as sle ep in g so undly — so so undly th at e v en m y c o m in g d id n ot

wak e h er. B ut th e r o om w as a w fu lly s tu ff y . T here w ere a lo t o f th ose h orrib le ,

str o ng-s m ellin g flo w ers a b out e v ery w here , a n d sh e h ad a ctu ally a b unch o f

th em r o und h er n eck . I f e are d th at th e h eav y o dour w ould b e to o m uch f o r th e

dear c h ild in h er w eak s ta te , s o I to ok th em a ll a w ay a n d o pen ed a b it o f th e

win dow t o l e t i n a l ittle f re sh a ir. Y ou w ill b e p le ase d w ith h er, I a m s u re .”

She m oved o ff in to h er b oudoir , w here s h e u su ally b re ak fa ste d e arly . A s

sh e h ad s p oken , I w atc h ed t h e P ro fe sso r’s f a ce, a n d s a w i t t u rn a sh en g re y. H e

had b een a b le t o r e ta in h is s e lf -c o m man d w hils t t h e p oor l a d y w as p re se n t, f o r

he k new h er s ta te a n d h ow m is c h ie v ous a s h ock w ould b e; h e a ctu ally s m ile d

on h er a s h e h eld o pen th e d oor f o r h er to p ass in to h er r o om . B ut th e in sta n t

sh e h ad d is a p peare d h e p ulle d m e, s u dden ly a n d f o rc ib ly , i n to t h e d in in g-ro om an d c lo se d t h e d oor.

Then , fo r th e fir s t tim e in m y lif e , I sa w V an H els in g b re ak d ow n. H e

ra is e d h is h an ds o ver h is h ead in a so rt o f m ute d esp air , a n d th en b eat h is

palm s to geth er in a h elp le ss w ay ; fin ally h e s a t d ow n o n a c h air , a n d p uttin g

his h an ds b efo re h is fa ce, b eg an to so b, w ith lo ud, d ry so bs th at se em ed to

co m e fro m th e v ery ra ck in g o f h is h eart. T hen h e ra is e d h is a rm s a g ain , a s

th ough a p pealin g to th e w hole u niv ers e . “ G od! G od! G od!” h e sa id . “ W hat

hav e w e d one, w hat h as th is p oor th in g d one, th at w e a re so so re b ese t? Is

th ere f a te a m ongst u s s till, s e n t d ow n f ro m th e p ag an w orld o f o ld , th at s u ch

th in gs m ust b e, a n d i n s u ch w ay ? T his p oor m oth er, a ll u nknow in g, a n d a ll f o r

th e b est a s s h e th in k, d oes s u ch th in g a s lo se h er d au ghte r b ody a n d s o ul; a n d

we m ust n ot t e ll h er, w e m ust n ot e v en w arn h er, o r s h e d ie , a n d t h en b oth d ie .

Oh, h ow w e are b ese t! H ow are all th e p ow ers o f th e d ev ils ag ain st u s!”

Sudden ly h e j u m ped t o h is f e et. “ C om e,” h e s a id , “ co m e, w e m ust s e e a n d a ct.

Dev ils o r n o d ev ils , o r a ll t h e d ev ils a t o nce, i t m atte rs n ot; w e f ig ht h im a ll t h e

sa m e.” H e w en t to th e h all- d oor fo r h is b ag ; an d to geth er w e w en t u p to

Lucy ’s r o om .

Once a g ain I d re w u p th e b lin d, w hils t V an H els in g w en t to w ard s th e b ed .

This tim e h e d id n ot s ta rt a s h e lo oked o n th e p oor f a ce w ith th e s a m e a w fu l,

wax en p allo r a s b efo re . H e w ore a l o ok o f s te rn s a d ness a n d i n fin ite p ity .

“A s I e x pecte d ,” h e m urm ure d , w ith th at h is sin g in sp ir a tio n o f h is w hic h

mean t s o m uch . W ith out a w ord h e w en t a n d lo ck ed th e d oor, a n d th en b eg an

to se t out on th e little ta b le th e in str u m en ts fo r yet an oth er opera tio n of

tr a n sfu sio n o f b lo od. I h ad lo ng a g o re co gnis e d th e n ecessity , a n d b eg un to

ta k e o ff m y c o at, b ut h e s to pped m e w ith a w arn in g h an d. “ N o!” h e s a id . “ T o-

day y ou m ust o pera te . I sh all p ro vid e. Y ou are w eak en ed alr e ad y.” A s h e

sp oke h e t o ok o ff h is c o at a n d r o lle d u p h is s h ir t- s le ev e.

Again th e o pera tio n; a g ain th e n arc o tic ; a g ain s o m e r e tu rn o f c o lo ur to th e

ash y c h eek s, a n d th e re g ula r b re ath in g o f h ealth y s le ep . T his tim e I w atc h ed

whils t V an H els in g r e cru ite d h im se lf a n d r e ste d .

Pre se n tly h e t o ok a n o pportu nity o f t e llin g M rs . W este n ra t h at s h e m ust n ot

re m ove a n yth in g fro m L ucy ’s ro om w ith out c o nsu ltin g h im ; th at th e flo w ers

were o f m ed ic in al v alu e, a n d t h at t h e b re ath in g o f t h eir o dour w as a p art o f t h e

sy ste m o f c u re . T hen h e to ok o ver th e c are o f th e c ase h im se lf , s a y in g th at h e

would w atc h t h is n ig ht a n d t h e n ex t a n d w ould s e n d m e w ord w hen t o c o m e.

Afte r an oth er hour L ucy w ak ed fro m her sle ep , fre sh an d brig ht an d

se em in gly n ot m uch t h e w ors e f o r h er t e rrib le o rd eal.

What d oes it a ll m ean ? I a m b eg in nin g to w onder if m y lo ng h ab it o f lif e

am ongst t h e i n sa n e i s b eg in nin g t o t e ll u pon m y o w n b ra in . Lucy W este n ra ’s D ia ry .

17 S ep te m ber.— Four d ay s an d n ig hts o f p eace. I am g ettin g so str o ng

ag ain th at I h ard ly k now m yse lf . It is a s if I h ad p asse d th ro ugh s o m e lo ng

nig htm are , a n d h ad ju st a w ak en ed to s e e th e b eau tif u l s u nsh in e a n d fe el th e

fre sh a ir o f th e m orn in g a ro und m e. I h av e a d im h alf -re m em bra n ce o f lo ng,

an xio us t im es o f w aitin g a n d f e arin g; d ark ness i n w hic h t h ere w as n ot e v en t h e

pain o f h ope to m ak e p re se n t d is tr e ss m ore p oig nan t: a n d th en lo ng s p ells o f

obliv io n, a n d t h e r is in g b ack t o l if e a s a d iv er c o m in g u p t h ro ugh a g re at p re ss

of w ate r. S in ce, h ow ev er, D r. V an H els in g h as b een w ith m e, all th is b ad

dre am in g s e em s to h av e p asse d a w ay ; th e n ois e s th at u se d to f rig hte n m e o ut

of m y w its — th e fla p pin g ag ain st th e w in dow s, th e dis ta n t voic es w hic h

se em ed s o c lo se t o m e, t h e h ars h s o unds t h at c am e f ro m I k now n ot w here a n d

co m man ded m e to d o I k now n ot w hat— hav e a ll c ease d . I g o to b ed n ow

with out a n y f e ar o f s le ep . I d o n ot e v en tr y to k eep a w ak e. I h av e g ro w n q uite

fo nd o f th e g arlic , a n d a b oxfu l a rriv es fo r m e e v ery d ay fro m H aarle m . T o-

nig ht D r. V an H els in g is g oin g a w ay, a s h e h as to b e f o r a d ay in A m ste rd am .

But I n eed n ot b e w atc h ed ; I a m w ell e n ough to b e le ft a lo ne. T han k G od f o r

moth er’s sa k e, a n d d ear A rth ur’s , a n d fo r a ll o ur frie n ds w ho h av e b een so

kin d! I s h all n ot e v en fe el th e c h an ge, fo r la st n ig ht D r. V an H els in g s le p t in

his c h air a lo t o f th e tim e. I fo und h im a sle ep tw ic e w hen I a w oke; b ut I d id

not f e ar t o g o t o s le ep a g ain , a lth ough t h e b oughs o r b ats o r s o m eth in g n ap ped

alm ost a n grily a g ain st t h e w in dow -p an es.

“T he P all M all G azette ,” 1 8 S ep te m ber.

TH E E SC A PE D W OLF.

PE R IL O US A DVEN TU RE O F O UR I N TERV IE W ER .

In te rv ie w w ith t h e K eep er i n t h e Z oölo gic al G ard en s.

Afte r m an y in quir ie s a n d a lm ost a s m an y re fu sa ls , a n d p erp etu ally u sin g

th e w ord s “ P all M all G azette ” a s a so rt o f ta lis m an , I m an ag ed to fin d th e

keep er o f th e s e ctio n o f th e Z oölo gic al G ard en s in w hic h th e w olf d ep artm en t

is i n clu ded . T hom as B ild er l iv es i n o ne o f t h e c o tta g es i n t h e e n clo su re b eh in d

th e e le p han t- h ouse , a n d w as ju st sittin g d ow n to h is te a w hen I fo und h im .

Thom as a n d h is w if e a re h osp ita b le f o lk , e ld erly , a n d w ith out c h ild re n , a n d if

th e s p ecim en I e n jo yed o f th eir h osp ita lity b e o f th e a v era g e k in d, th eir liv es

must b e p re tty c o m fo rta b le . T he k eep er w ould n ot e n te r o n w hat h e c alle d

“b usin ess” u ntil t h e s u pper w as o ver, a n d w e w ere a ll s a tis fie d . T hen w hen t h e

ta b le w as c le are d , a n d h e h ad l it h is p ip e, h e s a id :—

“N ow , s ir , y ou c an g o o n a n d a rs k m e w hat y ou w an t. Y ou’ll e x co ose m e

re fo osin ’ t o t a lk o f p erfe sh unal s u bje cts a fo re m eals . I g iv es t h e w olv es a n d t h e

ja ck als a n d th e h yen as in a ll o ur s e ctio n th eir te a a fo re I b eg in s to a rs k th em questio ns.”

“H ow d o y ou m ean , a sk th em q uestio ns? ” I q uerie d , w is h fu l to g et h im

in to a t a lk ativ e h um our.

“ ’Ittin ’ o f th em o ver th e ’e ad w ith a p ole is o ne w ay ; s c ra tc h in ’ o f th eir

hears i s a n oth er, w hen g en ts a s i s f lu sh w an ts a b it o f a s h ow -o rf t o t h eir g als . I

don’t so m uch m in d th e fu st— th e ’ittin ’ w ith a p ole a fo re I c h uck s in th eir

din ner; b ut I w aits t ill t h ey ’v e ’ a d t h eir s h erry a n d k aw ff e e, s o t o s p eak , a fo re I

tr ie s o n w ith th e e ar- s c ra tc h in ’. M in d y ou,” h e a d ded p hilo so phic ally , “ th ere ’s

a d eal o f th e s a m e n atu re in u s a s in th em th eer a n im ile s. H ere ’s y ou a -c o m in ’

an d a rs k in ’ o f m e q uestio ns a b out m y b usin ess, a n d I th at g ru m py-lik e th at

only f o r y our b lo om in ’ ’ a rf-q uid I ’d ’ a ’ s e en y ou b lo w ed f u st ’ fo re I ’d a n sw er.

Not ev en w hen you ars k ed m e sa rc astic -lik e if I’d lik e you to ars k th e

Superin te n den t if y ou m ig ht a rs k m e q uestio ns. W ith out o ff e n ce d id I te ll y er

to g o t o ’ e ll? ”

“Y ou d id .”

“A n’ w hen y ou sa id y ou’d re p ort m e fo r u sin ’ o f o bsc en e la n guag e th at

was ’ ittin ’ m e o ver th e ’ e ad ; b ut th e ’ a rf-q uid m ad e th at a ll r ig ht. I w ere n ’t a -

goin ’ to fig ht, s o I w aite d fo r th e fo od, a n d d id w ith m y ’o w l a s th e w olv es,

an d l io ns, a n d t ig ers d oes. B ut, L or’ l o ve y er ’ a rt, n ow t h at t h e o ld ’ o om an h as

stu ck a c h unk o f h er te a-c ak e in m e, a n ’ r in se d m e o ut w ith h er b lo om in ’ o ld

te ap ot, a n d I’v e lit h up, y ou m ay sc ra tc h m y e ars fo r a ll y ou’re w orth , a n d

won’t g it e v en a g ro w l o ut o f m e. D riv e a lo ng w ith y our q uestio ns. I k now

what y er a -c o m in ’ a t, t h at ’ e re e sc ap ed w olf .”

“E xactly . I w an t y ou to g iv e m e y our v ie w o f it. Ju st te ll m e h ow it

hap pen ed ; a n d w hen I k now t h e f a cts I ’ll g et y ou t o s a y w hat y ou c o nsid er w as

th e c au se o f i t, a n d h ow y ou t h in k t h e w hole a ff a ir w ill e n d.”

“A ll rig ht, g uv’n or. T his ’e re is a b out th e ’o le s to ry . T hat ’e re w olf w hat

we c alle d B ers ic k er w as o ne o f th re e g re y o nes th at c am e fro m N orw ay to

Ja m ra ch ’s , w hic h w e b ought o ff h im fo ur y ears ag o. H e w as a n ic e w ell-

beh av ed w olf , th at n ev er g av e n o tr o uble to ta lk o f. I ’m m ore s u rp ris e d a t ’ im

fo r w an tin ’ to g et o ut n or a n y o th er a n im ile in th e p la ce. B ut, th ere , y ou c an ’t

tr u st w olv es n o m ore n or w om en .”

“D on’t y ou m in d h im , s ir !” b ro ke in M rs . T om , w ith a c h eery la u gh. “ ’ E ’s

got m in din ’ th e a n im ile s s o lo ng th at b le st if h e a in ’t lik e a o ld w olf ’is se lf !

But t h ere a in ’t n o ’ a rm i n ’ im .”

“W ell, s ir , it w as a b out tw o h ours a fte r f e ed in ’ y este rd ay w hen I f ir s t h ear

my d is tu rb an ce. I w as m ak in ’ u p a litte r in th e m onkey -h ouse fo r a y oung

pum a w hic h is ill; b ut w hen I h eard th e y elp in ’ an d ’o w lin ’ I k em aw ay

str a ig ht. T here w as B ers ic k er a -te arin ’ lik e a m ad th in g a t th e b ars a s if h e wan te d t o g et o ut. T here w asn ’t m uch p eo ple a b out t h at d ay, a n d c lo se a t h an d

was o nly o ne m an , a t a ll, t h in c h ap , w ith a ’ o ok n ose a n d a p oin te d b eard , w ith

a f e w w hite h air s r u nnin ’ t h ro ugh i t. H e h ad a ’ a rd , c o ld l o ok a n d r e d e y es, a n d

I to ok a so rt o f m is lik e to h im , fo r it se em ed a s if it w as ’im a s th ey w as

hir rita te d a t. H e ’a d w hite k id g lo ves o n ’is ’a n ds, a n d h e p oin te d o ut th e

an im ile s t o m e a n d s a y s: ‘ K eep er, t h ese w olv es s e em u pse t a t s o m eth in g.’

“ ‘ M ay be it’s y ou,’ s a y s I , f o r I d id n ot lik e th e a ir s a s h e g iv e ’ is se lf . H e

did n’t g it a n gry , a s I ’o ped h e w ould , b ut h e s m ile d a k in d o f in so le n t s m ile ,

with a m outh fu ll o f w hite , sh arp te eth . ‘O h n o, th ey w ould n’t lik e m e,’ ’e

sa y s.

“ ‘O w y es, th ey w ould ,’ sa y s I, a -im ita tin ’ o f h im . ‘T hey a lw ay s lik es a

bone o r t w o t o c le an t h eir t e eth o n a b out t e a-tim e, w hic h y ou ’ a s a b ag fu l.’

“W ell, it w as a o dd th in g, b ut w hen th e a n im ile s s e e u s a -ta lk in ’ th ey la y

dow n, a n d w hen I w en t o ver to B ers ic k er h e le t m e s tr o ke h is e ars s a m e a s

ev er. T hat t h ere m an k em o ver, a n d b le sse d b ut i f h e d id n’t p ut i n h is h an d a n d

str o ke t h e o ld w olf ’s e ars t o o!

“ ‘ T yke c are ,’ s a y s I . ‘ B ers ic k er i s q uic k .’

“ ‘ N ev er m in d,’ h e s a y s. ‘ I’m u se d t o ’ e m !’

“ ‘A re y ou in th e b usin ess y ours e lf ? ’ I s a y s, ty kin g o ff m y ’a t, fo r a m an

what t r a d es i n w olv es, a n cete re r, i s a g ood f rie n d t o k eep ers .

“ ‘N o’ sa y s h e, ‘n ot ex actly in th e b usin ess, b ut I ’a v e m ad e p ets o f

se v era l.’ A nd w ith th at h e lif ts h is ’ a t a s p erlite a s a lo rd , a n d w alk s a w ay. O ld

Bers ic k er k ep ’ a -lo okin ’ a rte r ’im till ’e w as o ut o f s ig ht, a n d th en w en t a n d

la y d ow n in a c o rn er a n d w ould n’t c o m e h out th e ’o le h ev en in g. W ell, la rs t

nig ht, so so on a s th e m oon w as h up, th e w olv es h ere a ll b eg an a -’o w lin g.

There w arn ’t n oth in g fo r th em to ’o w l a t. T here w arn ’t n o o ne n ear, e x cep t

so m e o ne th at w as ev id en tly a-c allin ’ a d og so m ew here s o ut b ack o f th e

gard in gs in th e P ark ro ad . O nce o r tw ic e I w en t o ut to s e e th at a ll w as rig ht,

an d i t w as, a n d t h en t h e ’ o w lin g s to pped . J u st b efo re t w elv e o ’c lo ck I j u st t o ok

a lo ok ro und a fo re tu rn in ’ in , a n ’, b ust m e, b ut w hen I k em o pposite to o ld

Bers ic k er’s c ag e I s e e th e r a ils b ro ken a n d tw is te d a b out a n d th e c ag e e m pty .

And t h at’s a ll I k now f o r c ertin g.”

“D id a n y o ne e ls e s e e a n yth in g?”

“O ne o f o ur g ard ’n ers w as a -c o m in ’ ’ o m e a b out th at tim e f ro m a ’ a rm ony,

when h e s e es a b ig g re y d og c o m in ’ o ut th ro ugh th e g ard in g ’ e d ges. A t le ast,

so h e s a y s, b ut I d on’t g iv e m uch fo r it m yse lf , fo r if h e d id ’e n ev er s a id a

word a b out it to h is m is sis w hen ’ e g ot ’ o m e, a n d it w as o nly a fte r th e e sc ap e

of th e w olf w as m ad e k now n, a n d w e h ad b een u p a ll n ig ht- a -h untin ’ o f th e Park fo r B ers ic k er, th at h e re m em bere d s e ein ’ a n yth in g. M y o w n b elie f w as

th at t h e ’ a rm ony ’ a d g ot i n to h is ’ e ad .”

“N ow , M r. B ild er, c an y ou a cco unt i n a n y w ay f o r t h e e sc ap e o f t h e w olf ? ”

“W ell, s ir ,” h e s a id , w ith a s u sp ic io us s o rt o f m odesty , “ I th in k I c an ; b ut I

don’t k now a s ’ o w y ou’d b e s a tis fie d w ith t h e t h eo ry .”

“C erta in ly I sh all. If a m an lik e you, w ho know s th e an im als fro m

ex perie n ce, c an ’t h azard a g ood g uess a t a n y r a te , w ho i s e v en t o t r y ?”

“W ell th en , sir , I a cco unts fo r it th is w ay ; it se em s to m e th at ’e re w olf

esc ap ed — sim ply b ecau se h e w an te d t o g et o ut.”

Fro m th e h earty w ay th at b oth T hom as a n d h is w if e la u ghed a t th e jo ke I

co uld s e e th at it h ad d one s e rv ic e b efo re , a n d th at th e w hole e x pla n atio n w as

sim ply a n e la b ora te s e ll. I c o uld n’t c o pe in b ad in ag e w ith th e w orth y T hom as,

but I t h ought I k new a s u re r w ay t o h is h eart, s o I s a id :—

“N ow , M r. B ild er, w e’ll c o nsid er th at f ir s t h alf -s o vere ig n w ork ed o ff , a n d

th is b ro th er o f h is is w aitin g to b e c la im ed w hen y ou’v e to ld m e w hat y ou

th in k w ill h ap pen .”

“R ig ht y ’a re , s ir ,” h e s a id b ris k ly . “ Y e’ll e x co ose m e, I k now , f o r a -c h aff in ’

of y e, b ut t h e o ld w om an h ere w in ked a t m e, w hic h w as a s m uch a s t e llin g m e

to g o o n.”

“W ell, I n ev er!” s a id t h e o ld l a d y.

“M y o pin io n i s t h is : t h at ’ e re w olf i s a -’id in ’ o f, s o m ew here s. T he g ard ’n er

wot d id n’t re m em ber sa id h e w as a -g allo pin ’ n orth w ard fa ste r th an a h ors e

co uld g o; b ut I d on’t b elie v e h im , f o r, y er s e e, s ir , w olv es d on’t g allo p n o m ore

nor dogs does, th ey not bein ’ built th at w ay. W olv es is fin e th in gs in a

sto ry book, an d I dessa y w hen th ey gets in pack s an d does be ch iv yin ’

so m eth in ’ t h at’s m ore a fe are d t h an t h ey i s t h ey c an m ak e a d ev il o f a n ois e a n d

ch op it u p, w hate v er it is . B ut, L or’ b le ss y ou, in r e al lif e a w olf is o nly a lo w

cre atu re , n ot h alf s o c le v er o r b old a s a g ood d og; a n d n ot h alf a q uarte r s o

much f ig ht in ’ im . T his o ne a in ’t b een u se d to f ig htin ’ o r e v en to p ro vid in ’ f o r

his se lf , a n d m ore lik e h e’s s o m ew here ro und th e P ark a -’id in ’ a n ’ a -s h iv erin ’

of, a n d, if h e th in ks a t a ll, w onderin ’ w here h e is to g et h is b re ak fa st f ro m ; o r

may be h e’s g ot d ow n s o m e a re a a n d is in a c o al- c ella r. M y e y e, w on’t s o m e

co ok g et a r u m s ta rt w hen s h e s e es h is g re en e y es a -s h in in g a t h er o ut o f th e

dark ! I f h e c an ’t g et f o od h e’s b ound t o l o ok f o r i t, a n d m ay hap h e m ay c h an ce

to l ig ht o n a b utc h er’s s h op i n t im e. I f h e d oesn ’t, a n d s o m e n urs e m aid g oes a -

walk in ’ o rf w ith a so ld ie r, le av in ’ o f th e h in fa n t in th e p era m bula to r— well,

th en I s h ould n’t b e s u rp ris e d i f t h e c en su s i s o ne b ab by t h e l e ss. T hat’s a ll.”

I w as h an din g h im th e h alf -s o vere ig n, w hen s o m eth in g c am e b obbin g u p ag ain st th e w in dow , an d M r. B ild er’s fa ce d ouble d its n atu ra l le n gth w ith

su rp ris e .

“G od ble ss m e!” he sa id . “If th ere ain ’t old B ers ic k er co m e back by

’is se lf !”

He w en t to th e d oor an d o pen ed it; a m ost u nnecessa ry p ro ceed in g it

se em ed t o m e. I h av e a lw ay s t h ought t h at a w ild a n im al n ev er l o oks s o w ell a s

when so m e obsta cle of pro nounced dura b ility is betw een us; a pers o nal

ex perie n ce h as i n te n sif ie d r a th er t h an d im in is h ed t h at i d ea.

Afte r a ll, h ow ev er, th ere is n oth in g lik e c u sto m , f o r n eith er B ild er n or h is

wif e th ought a n y m ore o f th e w olf th an I s h ould o f a d og. T he a n im al its e lf

was a s p eacefu l a n d w ell- b eh av ed a s th at fa th er o f a ll p ic tu re -w olv es— Red

Rid in g H ood’s q uondam f rie n d, w hils t m ovin g h er c o nfid en ce i n m asq uera d e.

The w hole s c en e w as a n u nutte ra b le m ix tu re o f c o m ed y a n d p ath os. T he

wic k ed w olf th at f o r h alf a d ay h ad p ara ly se d L ondon a n d s e t a ll th e c h ild re n

in th e to w n s h iv erin g in th eir s h oes, w as th ere in a s o rt o f p en ite n t m ood, a n d

was re ceiv ed an d pette d lik e a so rt of vulp in e pro dig al so n. O ld B ild er

ex am in ed h im a ll o ver w ith m ost te n der s o lic itu de, a n d w hen h e h ad f in is h ed

with h is p en ite n t s a id :—

“T here , I k new th e p oor o ld c h ap w ould g et in to so m e k in d o f tr o uble ;

did n’t I s a y it a ll a lo ng? H ere ’s h is h ead a ll c u t a n d f u ll o f b ro ken g la ss. ’ E ’s

been a -g ettin ’ o ver s o m e b lo om in ’ w all o r o th er. It’s a s h ym e th at p eo ple a re

allo w ed to to p th eir w alls w ith b ro ken b ottle s. T his ’e re ’s w hat c o m es o f it.

Com e a lo ng, B ers ic k er.”

He to ok th e w olf a n d lo ck ed h im u p in a c ag e, w ith a p ie ce o f m eat th at

sa tis fie d , in q uan tity a t a n y ra te , th e e le m en ta ry c o nditio ns o f th e fa tte d c alf ,

an d w en t o ff t o r e p ort.

I c am e o ff , to o, to re p ort th e o nly e x clu siv e in fo rm atio n th at is g iv en to -

day r e g ard in g t h e s tr a n ge e sc ap ad e a t t h e Z oo.

Dr. S ew ard ’s D ia ry .

17 S ep te m ber.— I w as e n gag ed a fte r d in ner in m y stu dy p ostin g u p m y

books, w hic h , th ro ugh p re ss o f o th er w ork a n d th e m an y v is its to L ucy, h ad

fa lle n s a d ly in to a rre ar. S udden ly th e d oor w as b urs t o pen , a n d in ru sh ed m y

patie n t, w ith h is fa ce d is to rte d w ith p assio n. I w as th unders tr u ck , fo r s u ch a

th in g a s a p atie n t g ettin g o f h is o w n a cco rd in to th e S uperin te n den t’s s tu dy is

alm ost u nknow n. W ith out a n in sta n t’s p au se h e m ad e s tr a ig ht a t m e. H e h ad a

din ner- k nif e in h is h an d, a n d, a s I s a w h e w as d an gero us, I tr ie d to k eep th e

ta b le b etw een u s. H e w as t o o q uic k a n d t o o s tr o ng f o r m e, h ow ev er; f o r b efo re

I co uld g et m y b ala n ce h e h ad str u ck at m e an d cu t m y le ft w ris t ra th er se v ere ly . B efo re h e c o uld s tr ik e a g ain , h ow ev er, I g ot in m y r ig ht a n d h e w as

sp ra w lin g o n h is b ack o n t h e f lo or. M y w ris t b le d f re ely , a n d q uite a l ittle p ool

tr ic k le d o n to th e c arp et. I s a w th at m y f rie n d w as n ot in te n t o n f u rth er e ff o rt,

an d o ccu pie d m yse lf b in din g u p m y w ris t, k eep in g a w ary e y e o n t h e p ro str a te

fig ure a ll t h e tim e. W hen th e a tte n dan ts r u sh ed i n , a n d w e tu rn ed o ur a tte n tio n

to h im , h is e m plo ym en t p ositiv ely s ic k en ed m e. H e w as ly in g o n h is b elly o n

th e f lo or lic k in g u p, lik e a d og, th e b lo od w hic h h ad f a lle n f ro m m y w ounded

wris t. H e w as e asily se cu re d , a n d, to m y su rp ris e , w en t w ith th e a tte n dan ts

quite p la cid ly , s im ply re p eatin g o ver a n d o ver a g ain : “ T he b lo od is th e lif e !

The b lo od i s t h e l if e !”

I c an not a ff o rd t o l o se b lo od j u st a t p re se n t; I h av e l o st t o o m uch o f l a te f o r

my p hysic al g ood, an d th en th e p ro lo nged str a in o f L ucy ’s illn ess an d its

horrib le p hase s is te llin g o n m e. I a m o ver- e x cite d a n d w eary , a n d I n eed r e st,

re st, r e st. H ap pily V an H els in g h as n ot s u m moned m e, s o I n eed n ot f o re g o m y

sle ep ; t o -n ig ht I c o uld n ot w ell d o w ith out i t.

Tele g ra m , V an H els in g, A ntw erp , t o S ew ard , C arfa x .

(S en t to C arfa x , S usse x , a s n o c o unty g iv en ; d eliv ere d la te b y tw en ty -tw o

hours .)

“1 7 S ep te m ber.— Do n ot f a il to b e a t H illin gham to -n ig ht. I f n ot w atc h in g

all t h e t im e f re q uen tly , v is it a n d s e e t h at f lo w ers a re a s p la ced ; v ery i m porta n t;

do n ot f a il. S hall b e w ith y ou a s s o on a s p ossib le a fte r a rriv al.”

Dr. S ew ard ’s D ia ry .

18 S ep te m ber.— Ju st o ff f o r tr a in to L ondon. T he a rriv al o f V an H els in g’s

te le g ra m fille d m e w ith d is m ay. A w hole n ig ht lo st, an d I k now b y b itte r

ex perie n ce w hat m ay h ap pen i n a n ig ht. O f c o urs e i t i s p ossib le t h at a ll m ay b e

well, but w hat m ay hav e hap pen ed ? S ure ly th ere is so m e horrib le doom

han gin g o ver u s th at e v ery p ossib le a ccid en t s h ould th w art u s in a ll w e tr y to

do. I s h all ta k e th is c y lin der w ith m e, a n d th en I c an c o m ple te m y e n tr y o n

Lucy ’s p honogra p h.

Mem ora n dum l e ft b y L ucy W este n ra .

17 S ep te m ber. N ig ht.— I w rite th is a n d le av e it to b e s e en , s o th at n o o ne

may b y a n y c h an ce g et in to tr o uble th ro ugh m e. T his is a n e x act re co rd o f

what to ok p la ce to -n ig ht. I fe el I am d yin g o f w eak ness, an d h av e b are ly

str e n gth t o w rite , b ut i t m ust b e d one i f I d ie i n t h e d oin g.

I w en t to b ed a s u su al, ta k in g c are th at th e f lo w ers w ere p la ced a s D r. V an

Hels in g d ir e cte d , a n d s o on f e ll a sle ep .

I w as w ak ed b y th e fla p pin g a t th e w in dow , w hic h h ad b eg un a fte r th at

sle ep -w alk in g o n th e c lif f a t W hitb y w hen M in a s a v ed m e, a n d w hic h n ow I know s o w ell. I w as n ot a fra id , b ut I d id w is h th at D r. S ew ard w as in th e n ex t

ro om — as D r. V an H els in g s a id h e w ould b e— so t h at I m ig ht h av e c alle d h im .

I tr ie d to g o to s le ep , b ut c o uld n ot. T hen th ere c am e to m e th e o ld fe ar o f

sle ep , a n d I d ete rm in ed to k eep a w ak e. P erv ers e ly sle ep w ould tr y to c o m e

th en w hen I d id n ot w an t it; s o , a s I f e are d to b e a lo ne, I o pen ed m y d oor a n d

calle d o ut: “ Is th ere a n ybody th ere ?” T here w as n o a n sw er. I w as a fra id to

wak e m oth er, a n d s o c lo se d m y d oor a g ain . T hen o uts id e in th e s h ru bbery I

heard a s o rt o f h ow l lik e a d og’s , b ut m ore fie rc e a n d d eep er. I w en t to th e

win dow a n d lo oked o ut, b ut c o uld s e e n oth in g, e x cep t a b ig b at, w hic h h ad

ev id en tly b een b uff e tin g its w in gs a g ain st th e w in dow . S o I w en t b ack to b ed

ag ain , b ut d ete rm in ed n ot to g o to sle ep . P re se n tly th e d oor o pen ed , an d

moth er l o oked i n ; s e ein g b y m y m ovin g t h at I w as n ot a sle ep , c am e i n , a n d s a t

by m e. S he s a id t o m e e v en m ore s w eetly a n d s o ftly t h an h er w ont:—

“I w as u neasy a b out y ou, d arlin g, a n d c am e in to se e th at y ou w ere a ll

rig ht.”

I fe are d s h e m ig ht c atc h c o ld s ittin g th ere , a n d a sk ed h er to c o m e in a n d

sle ep w ith m e, s o s h e c am e i n to b ed , a n d l a y d ow n b esid e m e; s h e d id n ot t a k e

off h er d re ssin g g ow n, fo r s h e s a id s h e w ould o nly s ta y a w hile a n d th en g o

back to h er o w n b ed . A s s h e la y th ere in m y a rm s, a n d I in h ers , th e f la p pin g

an d buff e tin g cam e to th e w in dow ag ain . She w as sta rtle d an d a little

frig hte n ed , a n d c rie d o ut: “ W hat is th at? ” I tr ie d to p acif y h er, a n d a t la st

su cceed ed , a n d s h e la y q uie t; b ut I c o uld h ear h er p oor d ear h eart s till b eatin g

te rrib ly . A fte r a w hile th ere w as th e lo w h ow l a g ain o ut in th e s h ru bbery , a n d

sh ortly a fte r th ere w as a c ra sh a t th e w in dow , a n d a lo t o f b ro ken g la ss w as

hurle d o n t h e f lo or. T he w in dow b lin d b le w b ack w ith t h e w in d t h at r u sh ed i n ,

an d in th e a p ertu re o f th e b ro ken p an es th ere w as th e h ead o f a g re at, g au nt

gre y w olf . M oth er c rie d o ut in a f rig ht, a n d s tr u ggle d u p in to a s ittin g p ostu re ,

an d c lu tc h ed w ild ly a t a n yth in g t h at w ould h elp h er. A m ongst o th er t h in gs, s h e

clu tc h ed th e w re ath o f flo w ers th at D r. V an H els in g in sis te d o n m y w earin g

ro und m y n eck , a n d to re it a w ay fro m m e. F or a s e co nd o r tw o s h e s a t u p,

poin tin g at th e w olf , an d th ere w as a str a n ge an d h orrib le g urg lin g in h er

th ro at; th en sh e fe ll o ver— as if str u ck w ith lig htn in g, a n d h er h ead h it m y

fo re h ead a n d m ad e m e d iz zy fo r a m om en t o r tw o. T he ro om a n d a ll ro und

se em ed to s p in r o und. I k ep t m y e y es f ix ed o n th e w in dow , b ut th e w olf d re w

his h ead b ack , a n d a w hole m yria d o f little s p eck s s e em ed to c o m e b lo w in g in

th ro ugh th e b ro ken w in dow , a n d w heelin g a n d c ir c lin g r o und lik e th e p illa r o f

dust t h at t r a v elle rs d esc rib e w hen t h ere i s a s im oon i n t h e d ese rt. I t r ie d t o s tir ,

but th ere w as so m e sp ell upon m e, an d dear m oth er’s poor body, w hic h

se em ed t o g ro w c o ld a lr e ad y— fo r h er d ear h eart h ad c ease d t o b eat— weig hed

me d ow n; a n d I r e m em bere d n o m ore f o r a w hile .

The tim e did not se em lo ng, but very , very aw fu l, till I re co vere d co nsc io usn ess a g ain . S om ew here n ear, a p assin g b ell w as to llin g; th e d ogs a ll

ro und th e n eig hbourh ood w ere h ow lin g; a n d in o ur s h ru bbery , s e em in gly ju st

outs id e, a n ig htin gale w as s in gin g. I w as d azed a n d s tu pid w ith p ain a n d t e rro r

an d w eak ness, b ut th e s o und o f th e n ig htin gale s e em ed lik e th e v oic e o f m y

dead m oth er c o m e b ack to c o m fo rt m e. T he s o unds s e em ed to h av e a w ak en ed

th e m aid s, to o, fo r I c o uld h ear th eir b are fe et p atte rin g o uts id e m y d oor. I

calle d to th em , a n d th ey c am e in , a n d w hen th ey s a w w hat h ad h ap pen ed , a n d

what it w as th at la y o ver m e o n th e b ed , th ey s c re am ed o ut. T he w in d r u sh ed

in th ro ugh th e b ro ken w in dow , a n d th e d oor s la m med to . T hey lif te d o ff th e

body o f m y d ear m oth er, a n d l a id h er, c o vere d u p w ith a s h eet, o n t h e b ed a fte r

I h ad g ot u p. T hey w ere a ll s o f rig hte n ed a n d n erv ous th at I d ir e cte d th em to

go to th e d in in g-ro om a n d h av e e ach a g la ss o f w in e. T he d oor f le w o pen f o r

an in sta n t a n d c lo se d a g ain . T he m aid s s h rie k ed , a n d th en w en t in a b ody to

th e d in in g-ro om ; a n d I la id w hat flo w ers I h ad o n m y d ear m oth er’s b re ast.

When th ey w ere th ere I r e m em bere d w hat D r. V an H els in g h ad to ld m e, b ut I

did n’t l ik e t o r e m ove t h em , a n d, b esid es, I w ould h av e s o m e o f t h e s e rv an ts t o

sit u p w ith m e n ow . I w as s u rp ris e d th at th e m aid s d id n ot c o m e b ack . I c alle d

th em , b ut g ot n o a n sw er, s o I w en t t o t h e d in in g-ro om t o l o ok f o r t h em .

My h eart s a n k w hen I s a w w hat h ad h ap pen ed . T hey a ll f o ur la y h elp le ss

on th e flo or, b re ath in g h eav ily . T he d ecan te r o f s h erry w as o n th e ta b le h alf

fu ll, b ut th ere w as a q ueer, a crid s m ell a b out. I w as s u sp ic io us, a n d e x am in ed

th e d ecan te r. I t s m elt o f la u dan um , a n d lo okin g o n th e s id eb oard , I f o und th at

th e b ottle w hic h m oth er’s d octo r u se s f o r h er— oh! d id u se — was e m pty . W hat

am I to d o? w hat a m I to d o? I a m b ack in th e ro om w ith m oth er. I c an not

le av e h er, a n d I a m a lo ne, s a v e f o r th e s le ep in g s e rv an ts , w hom s o m e o ne h as

dru gged . A lo ne w ith t h e d ead ! I d are n ot g o o ut, f o r I c an h ear t h e l o w h ow l o f

th e w olf t h ro ugh t h e b ro ken w in dow .

The a ir s e em s f u ll o f s p eck s, f lo atin g a n d c ir c lin g in th e d ra u ght f ro m th e

win dow , a n d th e lig hts b urn b lu e a n d d im . W hat a m I to d o? G od s h ie ld m e

fro m h arm t h is n ig ht! I s h all h id e t h is p ap er i n m y b re ast, w here t h ey s h all f in d

it w hen t h ey c o m e t o l a y m e o ut. M y d ear m oth er g one! I t i s t im e t h at I g o t o o.

Good-b ye, d ear A rth ur, if I s h ould n ot s u rv iv e th is n ig ht. G od k eep y ou, d ear,

an d G od h elp m e!

CH APT ER X II

DR. S E W ARD’S D IA RY

18 S ep te m ber.— I d ro ve a t o nce to H illin gham a n d a rriv ed e arly . K eep in g

my c ab a t th e g ate , I w en t u p th e a v en ue a lo ne. I k nock ed g en tly a n d r a n g a s quie tly a s p ossib le , fo r I fe are d to d is tu rb L ucy o r h er m oth er, a n d h oped to

only b rin g a s e rv an t to th e d oor. A fte r a w hile , f in din g n o r e sp onse , I k nock ed

an d r a n g a g ain ; s till n o a n sw er. I c u rs e d th e la zin ess o f th e s e rv an ts th at th ey

sh ould lie a b ed a t s u ch a n h our— fo r it w as n ow te n o ’c lo ck — an d s o r a n g a n d

knock ed a g ain , b ut m ore i m patie n tly , b ut s till w ith out r e sp onse . H ith erto I h ad

bla m ed o nly th e s e rv an ts , b ut n ow a te rrib le f e ar b eg an to a ssa il m e. W as th is

deso la tio n b ut a n oth er lin k in th e c h ain o f d oom w hic h s e em ed d ra w in g tig ht

aro und u s? W as it in deed a h ouse o f d eath to w hic h I h ad c o m e, to o la te ? I

knew th at m in ute s, e v en se co nds o f d ela y, m ig ht m ean h ours o f d an ger to

Lucy, i f s h e h ad h ad a g ain o ne o f t h ose f rig htf u l r e la p se s; a n d I w en t r o und t h e

house t o t r y i f I c o uld f in d b y c h an ce a n e n tr y a n yw here .

I c o uld f in d n o m ean s o f i n gre ss. E very w in dow a n d d oor w as f a ste n ed a n d

lo ck ed , a n d I r e tu rn ed b aff le d to th e p orc h . A s I d id s o , I h eard th e r a p id p it-

pat o f a sw if tly d riv en h ors e ’s fe et. T hey sto pped at th e g ate , an d a fe w

se co nds la te r I m et V an H els in g r u nnin g u p th e a v en ue. W hen h e s a w m e, h e

gasp ed o ut:—

“T hen it w as y ou, a n d ju st a rriv ed . H ow is s h e? A re w e to o la te ? D id y ou

not g et m y t e le g ra m ?”

I a n sw ere d a s q uic k ly a n d c o here n tly a s I c o uld th at I h ad o nly g ot h is

te le g ra m e arly in th e m orn in g, a n d h ad n ot lo st a m in ute in c o m in g h ere , a n d

th at I c o uld n ot m ak e a n y o ne in th e h ouse h ear m e. H e p au se d a n d r a is e d h is

hat a s h e s a id s o le m nly :—

“T hen I fe ar w e are to o la te . G od’s w ill be done!” W ith his usu al

re cu pera tiv e e n erg y, h e w en t o n: “ C om e. I f t h ere b e n o w ay o pen t o g et i n , w e

must m ak e o ne. T im e i s a ll i n a ll t o u s n ow .”

We w en t ro und to th e back of th e house , w here th ere w as a kitc h en

win dow . T he P ro fe sso r t o ok a s m all s u rg ic al s a w f ro m h is c ase , a n d h an din g i t

to m e, p oin te d to th e ir o n b ars w hic h g uard ed th e w in dow . I a tta ck ed th em a t

once a n d h ad v ery s o on c u t t h ro ugh t h re e o f t h em . T hen w ith a l o ng, t h in k nif e

we p ush ed b ack th e f a ste n in g o f th e s a sh es a n d o pen ed th e w in dow . I h elp ed

th e P ro fe sso r in , a n d f o llo w ed h im . T here w as n o o ne in th e k itc h en o r in th e

se rv an ts ’ r o om s, w hic h w ere c lo se a t h an d. W e tr ie d a ll th e r o om s a s w e w en t

alo ng, a n d in th e d in in g-ro om , d im ly lit b y r a y s o f lig ht th ro ugh th e s h utte rs ,

fo und f o ur s e rv an t- w om en l y in g o n t h e f lo or. T here w as n o n eed t o t h in k t h em

dead , fo r th eir ste rto ro us b re ath in g a n d th e a crid sm ell o f la u dan um in th e

ro om le ft n o d oubt a s to th eir c o nditio n. V an H els in g a n d I lo oked a t e ach

oth er, a n d a s w e m oved a w ay h e s a id : “ W e c an a tte n d to th em la te r.” T hen w e

asc en ded t o L ucy ’s r o om . F or a n i n sta n t o r t w o w e p au se d a t t h e d oor t o l is te n ,

but th ere w as n o s o und th at w e c o uld h ear. W ith w hite fa ces a n d tr e m blin g

han ds, w e o pen ed t h e d oor g en tly , a n d e n te re d t h e r o om . How s h all I d esc rib e w hat w e s a w ? O n th e b ed la y tw o w om en , L ucy a n d

her m oth er. T he la tte r la y f a rth est in , a n d s h e w as c o vere d w ith a w hite s h eet,

th e e d ge o f w hic h h ad b een b lo w n b ack b y th e d ra u ght th ro ugh th e b ro ken

win dow , s h ow in g t h e d ra w n, w hite f a ce, w ith a l o ok o f t e rro r f ix ed u pon i t. B y

her s id e la y L ucy, w ith fa ce w hite a n d s till m ore d ra w n. T he flo w ers w hic h

had b een ro und h er n eck w e fo und u pon h er m oth er’s b oso m , a n d h er th ro at

was b are , sh ow in g th e tw o little w ounds w hic h w e h ad n otic ed b efo re , b ut

lo okin g h orrib ly w hite a n d m an gle d . W ith out a w ord th e P ro fe sso r b en t o ver

th e b ed , h is h ead a lm ost to uch in g p oor L ucy ’s b re ast; th en h e g av e a q uic k

tu rn o f h is h ead , a s o f o ne w ho lis te n s, a n d le ap in g to h is f e et, h e c rie d o ut to

me:—

“It i s n ot y et t o o l a te ! Q uic k ! q uic k ! B rin g t h e b ra n dy!”

I f le w d ow nsta ir s a n d r e tu rn ed w ith i t, t a k in g c are t o s m ell a n d t a ste i t, l e st

it, to o, w ere d ru gged lik e th e d ecan te r o f s h erry w hic h I fo und o n th e ta b le .

The m aid s w ere still b re ath in g, b ut m ore re stle ssly , an d I fa n cie d th at th e

narc o tic w as w earin g o ff . I d id n ot sta y to m ak e su re , b ut re tu rn ed to V an

Hels in g. H e r u bbed th e b ra n dy, a s o n a n oth er o ccasio n, o n h er lip s a n d g um s

an d o n h er w ris ts a n d t h e p alm s o f h er h an ds. H e s a id t o m e:—

“I c an d o th is , a ll th at c an b e a t th e p re se n t. Y ou g o w ak e th ose m aid s.

Flic k th em in th e f a ce w ith a w et to w el, a n d f lic k th em h ard . M ak e th em g et

heat a n d f ir e a n d a w arm b ath . T his p oor s o ul is n early a s c o ld a s th at b esid e

her. S he w ill n eed b e h eate d b efo re w e c an d o a n yth in g m ore .”

I w en t a t o nce, a n d fo und little d if f ic u lty in w ak in g th re e o f th e w om en .

The fo urth w as o nly a y oung g ir l, a n d th e d ru g h ad e v id en tly a ff e cte d h er

more s tr o ngly , s o I lif te d h er o n th e s o fa a n d le t h er s le ep . T he o th ers w ere

dazed a t f ir s t, b ut a s r e m em bra n ce c am e b ack t o t h em t h ey c rie d a n d s o bbed i n

a h yste ric al m an ner. I w as s te rn w ith th em , h ow ev er, a n d w ould n ot le t th em

ta lk . I to ld th em th at o ne lif e w as b ad e n ough to lo se , a n d th at if th ey d ela y ed

th ey w ould s a crif ic e M is s L ucy. S o, s o bbin g a n d c ry in g, th ey w en t a b out th eir

way, h alf cla d as th ey w ere , an d p re p are d fir e an d w ate r. F ortu nate ly , th e

kitc h en a n d b oile r f ir e s w ere s till a liv e, a n d t h ere w as n o l a ck o f h ot w ate r. W e

got a b ath a n d c arrie d L ucy o ut a s s h e w as a n d p la ced h er in it. W hils t w e

were b usy c h afin g h er lim bs th ere w as a k nock a t th e h all d oor. O ne o f th e

maid s r a n o ff , h urrie d o n s o m e m ore c lo th es, a n d o pen ed i t. T hen s h e r e tu rn ed

an d w his p ere d t o u s t h at t h ere w as a g en tle m an w ho h ad c o m e w ith a m essa g e

fro m M r. H olm wood. I b ad e h er sim ply te ll h im th at h e m ust w ait, fo r w e

co uld s e e n o o ne n ow . S he w en t a w ay w ith th e m essa g e, a n d, e n gro sse d w ith

our w ork , I c le an f o rg ot a ll a b out h im .

I n ev er s a w i n a ll m y e x perie n ce t h e P ro fe sso r w ork i n s u ch d ead ly e arn est.

I k new — as h e k new — th at it w as a s ta n d-u p f ig ht w ith d eath , a n d in a p au se to ld h im s o . H e a n sw ere d m e in a w ay th at I d id n ot u nders ta n d, b ut w ith th e

ste rn est l o ok t h at h is f a ce c o uld w ear:—

“If th at w ere a ll, I w ould sto p h ere w here w e a re n ow , a n d le t h er fa d e

aw ay in to p eace, f o r I s e e n o lig ht in lif e o ver h er h oriz o n.” H e w en t o n w ith

his w ork w ith , i f p ossib le , r e n ew ed a n d m ore f re n zie d v ig our.

Pre se n tly w e b oth b eg an to b e c o nsc io us th at th e h eat w as b eg in nin g to b e

of s o m e e ff e ct. L ucy ’s h eart b eat a tr if le m ore a u dib ly to th e s te th osc o pe, a n d

her l u ngs h ad a p erc ep tib le m ovem en t. V an H els in g’s f a ce a lm ost b eam ed , a n d

as w e l if te d h er f ro m t h e b ath a n d r o lle d h er i n a h ot s h eet t o d ry h er h e s a id t o

me:—

“T he f ir s t g ain i s o urs ! C heck t o t h e K in g!”

We to ok L ucy in to a n oth er ro om , w hic h h ad b y n ow b een p re p are d , a n d

la id h er in b ed a n d fo rc ed a fe w d ro ps o f b ra n dy d ow n h er th ro at. I n otic ed

th at V an H els in g tie d a s o ft s ilk h an dkerc h ie f ro und h er th ro at. S he w as s till

unco nsc io us, a n d w as q uite a s b ad a s, i f n ot w ors e t h an , w e h ad e v er s e en h er.

Van H els in g c alle d in o ne o f th e w om en , a n d to ld h er to s ta y w ith h er a n d

not to ta k e h er e y es o ff h er till w e r e tu rn ed , a n d th en b eck oned m e o ut o f th e

ro om .

“W e m ust c o nsu lt a s to w hat is to b e d one,” h e s a id a s w e d esc en ded th e

sta ir s . In th e h all h e o pen ed th e d in in g-ro om d oor, an d w e p asse d in , h e

clo sin g th e d oor c are fu lly b eh in d h im . T he s h utte rs h ad b een o pen ed , b ut th e

blin ds w ere a lr e ad y d ow n, w ith th at o bed ie n ce to th e e tiq uette o f d eath w hic h

th e B ritis h w om an o f th e lo w er c la sse s a lw ay s rig id ly o bse rv es. T he ro om

was, th ere fo re , d im ly d ark . It w as, h ow ev er, lig ht e n ough fo r o ur p urp ose s.

Van H els in g’s ste rn ness w as so m ew hat re lie v ed b y a lo ok o f p erp le x ity . H e

was e v id en tly to rtu rin g h is m in d a b out s o m eth in g, s o I w aite d fo r a n in sta n t,

an d h e s p oke:—

“W hat a re w e to d o n ow ? W here a re w e to tu rn fo r h elp ? W e m ust h av e

an oth er tr a n sfu sio n o f b lo od, a n d th at s o on, o r th at p oor g ir l’s lif e w on’t b e

worth a n h our’s p urc h ase . Y ou a re e x hau ste d a lr e ad y; I a m e x hau ste d to o. I

fe ar to tr u st th ose w om en , e v en if th ey w ould h av e c o ura g e to s u bm it. W hat

are w e t o d o f o r s o m e o ne w ho w ill o pen h is v ein s f o r h er? ”

“W hat’s t h e m atte r w ith m e, a n yhow ?”

The v oic e c am e f ro m th e s o fa a cro ss th e r o om , a n d its to nes b ro ught r e lie f

an d jo y to m y h eart, fo r th ey w ere th ose o f Q uin cey M orris . V an H els in g

sta rte d a n grily a t th e fir s t s o und, b ut h is fa ce s o fte n ed a n d a g la d lo ok c am e

in to h is e y es a s I c rie d o ut: “ Q uin cey M orris !” a n d ru sh ed to w ard s h im w ith

outs tr e tc h ed h an ds. “W hat b ro ught y ou h ere ?” I c rie d a s o ur h an ds m et.

“I g uess A rt i s t h e c au se .”

He h an ded m e a t e le g ra m :—

“H av e n ot h eard fro m S ew ard fo r th re e d ay s, an d am te rrib ly an xio us.

Can not le av e. F ath er s till in s a m e c o nditio n. S en d m e w ord h ow L ucy is . D o

not d ela y.— Holm wood.”

“I t h in k I c am e j u st i n t h e n ic k o f t im e. Y ou k now y ou h av e o nly t o t e ll m e

what t o d o.”

Van H els in g s tr o de f o rw ard , a n d to ok h is h an d, lo okin g h im s tr a ig ht in th e

ey es a s h e s a id :—

“A b ra v e m an ’s b lo od is th e b est th in g o n th is e arth w hen a w om an is in

tr o uble . Y ou’re a m an a n d n o m is ta k e. W ell, t h e d ev il m ay w ork a g ain st u s f o r

all h e’s w orth , b ut G od s e n ds u s m en w hen w e w an t t h em .”

Once a g ain w e w en t th ro ugh th at g hastly o pera tio n. I h av e n ot th e h eart to

go th ro ugh w ith th e d eta ils . L ucy h ad g ot a te rrib le s h ock a n d it to ld o n h er

more t h an b efo re , f o r t h ough p le n ty o f b lo od w en t i n to h er v ein s, h er b ody d id

not re sp ond to th e tr e atm en t a s w ell a s o n th e o th er o ccasio ns. H er s tr u ggle

back in to lif e w as s o m eth in g f rig htf u l to s e e a n d h ear. H ow ev er, th e a ctio n o f

both heart an d lu ngs im pro ved , an d V an H els in g m ad e a su bcu ta n eo us

in je ctio n o f m orp hia , as b efo re , an d w ith g ood eff e ct. H er fa in t b ecam e a

pro fo und slu m ber. T he Pro fe sso r w atc h ed w hils t I w en t dow nsta ir s w ith

Quin cey M orris , a n d s e n t o ne o f th e m aid s to p ay o ff o ne o f th e c ab m en w ho

were w aitin g. I le ft Q uin cey ly in g d ow n a fte r h av in g a g la ss o f w in e, a n d to ld

th e c o ok to g et r e ad y a g ood b re ak fa st. T hen a th ought s tr u ck m e, a n d I w en t

back to th e ro om w here L ucy n ow w as. W hen I c am e s o ftly in , I fo und V an

Hels in g w ith a s h eet o r t w o o f n ote -p ap er i n h is h an d. H e h ad e v id en tly r e ad i t,

an d w as th in kin g it o ver a s h e s a t w ith h is h an d to h is b ro w . T here w as a lo ok

of g rim sa tis fa ctio n in h is fa ce, a s o f o ne w ho h as h ad a d oubt so lv ed . H e

han ded m e th e p ap er s a y in g o nly : “ It d ro pped fro m L ucy ’s b re ast w hen w e

carrie d h er t o t h e b ath .”

When I h ad re ad it, I sto od lo okin g a t th e P ro fe sso r, a n d a fte r a p au se

ask ed h im : “ In G od’s n am e, w hat d oes i t a ll m ean ? W as s h e, o r i s s h e, m ad ; o r

what s o rt o f h orrib le d an ger is it? ” I w as s o b ew ild ere d th at I d id n ot k now

what t o s a y m ore . V an H els in g p ut o ut h is h an d a n d t o ok t h e p ap er, s a y in g:—

“D o n ot t r o uble a b out i t n ow . F org et i t f o r t h e p re se n t. Y ou s h all k now a n d

unders ta n d it a ll in g ood tim e; b ut it w ill b e la te r. A nd n ow w hat is it th at y ou

cam e t o m e t o s a y ?” T his b ro ught m e b ack t o f a ct, a n d I w as a ll m yse lf a g ain .

“I c am e to s p eak a b out th e c ertif ic ate o f d eath . If w e d o n ot a ct p ro perly an d w is e ly , th ere m ay be an in quest, an d th at pap er w ould hav e to be

pro duced . I a m in h opes th at w e n eed h av e n o in quest, f o r if w e h ad it w ould

su re ly k ill p oor L ucy, i f n oth in g e ls e d id . I k now , a n d y ou k now , a n d t h e o th er

docto r w ho a tte n ded h er k now s, th at M rs . W este n ra h ad d is e ase o f th e h eart,

an d w e c an c ertif y t h at s h e d ie d o f i t. L et u s f ill u p t h e c ertif ic ate a t o nce, a n d I

sh all t a k e i t m yse lf t o t h e r e g is tr a r a n d g o o n t o t h e u nderta k er.”

“G ood, o h m y f rie n d J o hn! W ell t h ought o f! T ru ly M is s L ucy, i f s h e b e s a d

in th e fo es th at b ese t h er, is a t le ast h ap py in th e frie n ds th at lo ve h er. O ne,

tw o, th re e, a ll o pen th eir v ein s f o r h er, b esid es o ne o ld m an . A h y es, I k now ,

frie n d J o hn; I a m n ot b lin d! I l o ve y ou a ll t h e m ore f o r i t! N ow g o.”

In th e h all I m et Q uin cey M orris , w ith a te le g ra m fo r A rth ur te llin g h im

th at M rs . W este n ra w as d ead ; th at L ucy a ls o h ad b een ill, b ut w as n ow g oin g

on b ette r; a n d th at V an H els in g a n d I w ere w ith h er. I to ld h im w here I w as

goin g, a n d h e h urrie d m e o ut, b ut a s I w as g oin g s a id :—

“W hen you co m e back , Ja ck , m ay I hav e tw o w ord s w ith you all to

ours e lv es? ” I n odded in re p ly a n d w en t o ut. I fo und n o d if f ic u lty a b out th e

re g is tr a tio n, a n d a rra n ged w ith th e lo cal u nderta k er to c o m e u p in th e e v en in g

to m easu re f o r t h e c o ff in a n d t o m ak e a rra n gem en ts .

When I g ot b ack Q uin cey w as w aitin g f o r m e. I to ld h im I w ould s e e h im

as s o on a s I k new a b out L ucy, a n d w en t u p t o h er r o om . S he w as s till s le ep in g,

an d t h e P ro fe sso r s e em in gly h ad n ot m oved f ro m h is s e at a t h er s id e. F ro m h is

puttin g h is fin ger to h is lip s, I g ath ere d th at h e e x pecte d h er to w ak e b efo re

lo ng a n d w as a fra id o f fo re sta llin g n atu re . S o I w en t d ow n to Q uin cey a n d

to ok h im in to th e b re ak fa st- ro om , w here th e b lin ds w ere n ot d ra w n d ow n, a n d

whic h w as a l ittle m ore c h eerfu l, o r r a th er l e ss c h eerle ss, t h an t h e o th er r o om s.

When w e w ere a lo ne, h e s a id t o m e:—

“Ja ck S ew ard , I d on’t w an t to sh ove m yse lf in a n yw here w here I’v e n o

rig ht t o b e; b ut t h is i s n o o rd in ary c ase . Y ou k now I l o ved t h at g ir l a n d w an te d

to m arry h er; b ut, a lth ough t h at’s a ll p ast a n d g one, I c an ’t h elp f e elin g a n xio us

ab out h er a ll th e s a m e. W hat is it th at’s w ro ng w ith h er? T he D utc h m an — an d

a fin e o ld fe llo w h e is ; I c an s e e th at— sa id , th at tim e y ou tw o c am e in to th e

ro om , th at y ou m ust h av e a n oth er tr a n sfu sio n o f b lo od, a n d th at b oth y ou a n d

he w ere e x hau ste d . N ow I k now w ell th at y ou m ed ic al m en s p eak in c am era ,

an d th at a m an m ust n ot e x pect to k now w hat th ey c o nsu lt a b out in p riv ate .

But th is is n o c o m mon m atte r, a n d, w hate v er it is , I h av e d one m y p art. I s n ot

th at s o ?”

“T hat’s s o ,” I s a id , a n d h e w en t o n:—

“I ta k e it th at b oth y ou a n d V an H els in g h ad d one a lr e ad y w hat I d id to -

day. I s n ot t h at s o ?” “T hat’s s o .”

“A nd I g uess A rt w as in it to o. W hen I s a w h im f o ur d ay s a g o d ow n a t h is

ow n p la ce h e lo oked q ueer. I h av e n ot s e en a n yth in g p ulle d d ow n s o q uic k

sin ce I w as o n th e P am pas a n d h ad a m are th at I w as f o nd o f g o to g ra ss a ll in

a n ig ht. O ne o f th ose b ig b ats th at th ey c all v am pir e s h ad g ot a t h er in th e

nig ht, a n d w hat w ith h is g org e a n d th e v ein le ft o pen , th ere w asn ’t e n ough

blo od i n h er t o l e t h er s ta n d u p, a n d I h ad t o p ut a b ulle t t h ro ugh h er a s s h e l a y.

Ja ck , if y ou m ay te ll m e w ith out b etr a y in g c o nfid en ce, A rth ur w as th e f ir s t, is

not t h at s o ?” A s h e s p oke t h e p oor f e llo w l o oked t e rrib ly a n xio us. H e w as i n a

to rtu re o f s u sp en se r e g ard in g th e w om an h e lo ved , a n d h is u tte r ig nora n ce o f

th e te rrib le m yste ry w hic h se em ed to su rro und h er in te n sif ie d h is p ain . H is

very h eart w as b le ed in g, a n d it to ok a ll th e m an hood o f h im — an d th ere w as a

ro yal lo t of it, to o— to keep him fro m bre ak in g dow n. I pau se d befo re

an sw erin g, fo r I fe lt th at I m ust n ot b etr a y an yth in g w hic h th e P ro fe sso r

wis h ed k ep t s e cre t; b ut a lr e ad y h e k new s o m uch , a n d g uesse d s o m uch , th at

th ere c o uld b e n o r e aso n f o r n ot a n sw erin g, s o I a n sw ere d in th e s a m e p hra se :

“T hat’s s o .”

“A nd h ow l o ng h as t h is b een g oin g o n?”

“A bout t e n d ay s.”

“T en d ay s! T hen I g uess, J a ck S ew ard , th at th at p oor p re tty c re atu re th at

we a ll l o ve h as h ad p ut i n to h er v ein s w ith in t h at t im e t h e b lo od o f f o ur s tr o ng

men . M an a liv e, h er w hole b ody w ould n’t h old it.” T hen , c o m in g c lo se to m e,

he s p oke i n a f ie rc e h alf -w his p er: “ W hat t o ok i t o ut? ”

I s h ook m y h ead . “ T hat,” I s a id , “ is t h e c ru x. V an H els in g i s s im ply f ra n tic

ab out i t, a n d I a m a t m y w its ’ e n d. I c an ’t e v en h azard a g uess. T here h as b een

a s e rie s o f l ittle c ir c u m sta n ces w hic h h av e t h ro w n o ut a ll o ur c alc u la tio ns a s t o

Lucy b ein g p ro perly w atc h ed . B ut th ese s h all n ot o ccu r a g ain . H ere w e s ta y

until a ll b e w ell— or ill.” Q uin cey h eld o ut h is h an d. “ C ount m e in ,” h e s a id .

“Y ou a n d t h e D utc h m an w ill t e ll m e w hat t o d o, a n d I ’ll d o i t.”

When s h e w oke la te i n th e a fte rn oon, L ucy ’s f ir s t m ovem en t w as to f e el i n

her b re ast, a n d, to m y su rp ris e , p ro duced th e p ap er w hic h V an H els in g h ad

giv en m e to re ad . T he c are fu l P ro fe sso r h ad re p la ced it w here it h ad c o m e

fro m , le st o n w ak in g s h e s h ould b e a la rm ed . H er e y e th en lit o n V an H els in g

an d o n m e to o, a n d g la d den ed . T hen s h e lo oked a ro und th e r o om , a n d s e ein g

where s h e w as, s h uddere d ; s h e g av e a lo ud c ry , a n d p ut h er p oor th in h an ds

befo re her pale fa ce. W e both unders to od w hat th at m ean t— th at sh e had

re alis e d to th e f u ll h er m oth er’s d eath ; s o w e tr ie d w hat w e c o uld to c o m fo rt

her. D oubtle ss s y m path y e ase d h er s o m ew hat, b ut s h e w as v ery l o w i n t h ought

an d s p ir it, a n d w ep t s ile n tly a n d w eak ly f o r a l o ng t im e. W e t o ld h er t h at e ith er

or b oth o f u s w ould n ow re m ain w ith h er a ll th e tim e, a n d th at se em ed to co m fo rt her. Tow ard s dusk sh e fe ll in to a doze. H ere a very odd th in g

occu rre d . W hils t s till a sle ep s h e to ok th e p ap er fro m h er b re ast a n d to re it in

tw o. V an H els in g ste p ped o ver a n d to ok th e p ie ces fro m h er. A ll th e sa m e,

how ev er, s h e w en t o n w ith th e a ctio n o f te arin g, a s th ough th e m ate ria l w ere

still in h er h an ds; fin ally sh e lif te d h er h an ds an d o pen ed th em as th ough

sc atte rin g th e fra g m en ts . Van H els in g se em ed su rp ris e d , an d his bro w s

gath ere d a s i f i n t h ought, b ut h e s a id n oth in g.

19 S ep te m ber.— All la st n ig ht sh e sle p t fitf u lly , b ein g alw ay s afra id to

sle ep , a n d s o m eth in g w eak er w hen s h e w oke f ro m i t. T he P ro fe sso r a n d I t o ok

it in tu rn s to w atc h , a n d w e n ev er le ft h er f o r a m om en t u natte n ded . Q uin cey

Morris sa id n oth in g ab out h is in te n tio n, b ut I k new th at all n ig ht lo ng h e

patr o lle d r o und a n d r o und t h e h ouse .

When th e d ay c am e, its s e arc h in g lig ht s h ow ed th e r a v ag es in p oor L ucy ’s

str e n gth . S he w as h ard ly ab le to tu rn h er h ead , an d th e little n ouris h m en t

whic h s h e c o uld ta k e s e em ed to d o h er n o g ood. A t tim es s h e s le p t, a n d b oth

Van H els in g a n d I n otic ed th e d if f e re n ce in h er, b etw een s le ep in g a n d w ak in g.

Whils t a sle ep s h e lo oked s tr o nger, a lth ough m ore h ag gard , a n d h er b re ath in g

was s o fte r; h er o pen m outh s h ow ed th e p ale g um s d ra w n b ack f ro m th e te eth ,

whic h th us lo oked p ositiv ely lo nger a n d s h arp er th an u su al; w hen s h e w oke

th e s o ftn ess o f h er e y es e v id en tly c h an ged th e e x pre ssio n, f o r s h e lo oked h er

ow n s e lf , a lth ough a d yin g o ne. I n th e a fte rn oon s h e a sk ed f o r A rth ur, a n d w e

te le g ra p hed f o r h im . Q uin cey w en t o ff t o m eet h im a t t h e s ta tio n.

When h e a rriv ed it w as n early s ix o ’c lo ck , a n d th e s u n w as s e ttin g f u ll a n d

warm , a n d t h e r e d l ig ht s tr e am ed i n t h ro ugh t h e w in dow a n d g av e m ore c o lo ur

to th e pale ch eek s. W hen he sa w her, A rth ur w as sim ply ch okin g w ith

em otio n, a n d n one o f u s c o uld s p eak . I n th e h ours th at h ad p asse d , th e f its o f

sle ep , o r th e c o m ato se c o nditio n th at p asse d f o r it, h ad g ro w n m ore f re q uen t,

so th at th e p au se s w hen c o nvers a tio n w as p ossib le w ere s h orte n ed . A rth ur’s

pre se n ce, h ow ev er, s e em ed to a ct a s a s tim ula n t; s h e r a llie d a little , a n d s p oke

to h im m ore b rig htly th an sh e h ad d one sin ce w e arriv ed . H e to o p ulle d

him se lf to geth er, a n d s p oke a s c h eerily a s h e c o uld , s o th at th e b est w as m ad e

of e v ery th in g.

It w as n ow n early o ne o ’c lo ck , a n d h e a n d V an H els in g a re s ittin g w ith h er.

I a m to r e lie v e th em in a q uarte r o f a n h our, a n d I a m e n te rin g th is o n L ucy ’s

phonogra p h. U ntil s ix o ’c lo ck t h ey a re t o t r y t o r e st. I f e ar t h at t o -m orro w w ill

en d o ur w atc h in g, f o r t h e s h ock h as b een t o o g re at; t h e p oor c h ild c an not r a lly .

God h elp u s a ll.

Lette r, M in a H ark er t o L ucy W este n ra .

(U nopen ed b y h er.) “1 7 S ep te m ber.

“M y d eare st L ucy,—

“It s e em s a n a g e s in ce I h eard f ro m y ou, o r in deed s in ce I w ro te . Y ou w ill

pard on m e, I k now , fo r a ll m y fa u lts w hen y ou h av e re ad a ll m y b udget o f

new s. W ell, I g ot m y h usb an d b ack a ll r ig ht; w hen w e a rriv ed a t E xete r th ere

was a c arria g e w aitin g f o r u s, a n d in it, th ough h e h ad a n a tta ck o f g out, M r.

Haw kin s. H e to ok u s to h is h ouse , w here th ere w ere r o om s f o r u s a ll n ic e a n d

co m fo rta b le , a n d w e d in ed t o geth er. A fte r d in ner M r. H aw kin s s a id :—

“ ‘M y d ears , I w an t to d rin k y our h ealth a n d p ro sp erity ; a n d m ay e v ery

ble ssin g a tte n d y ou b oth . I k now y ou b oth f ro m c h ild re n , a n d h av e, w ith lo ve

an d p rid e, s e en y ou g ro w u p. N ow I w an t y ou to m ak e y our h om e h ere w ith

me. I h av e le ft to m e n eith er c h ic k n or c h ild ; a ll a re g one, a n d in m y w ill I

hav e le ft y ou e v ery th in g.’ I c rie d , L ucy d ear, a s Jo nath an a n d th e o ld m an

cla sp ed h an ds. O ur e v en in g w as a v ery , v ery h ap py o ne.

“S o h ere w e a re , in sta lle d in th is b eau tif u l o ld h ouse , a n d fro m b oth m y

bed ro om a n d t h e d ra w in g-ro om I c an s e e t h e g re at e lm s o f t h e c ath ed ra l c lo se ,

with th eir g re at b la ck s te m s s ta n din g o ut a g ain st th e o ld y ello w s to ne o f th e

cath ed ra l a n d I c an h ear t h e r o oks o verh ead c aw in g a n d c aw in g a n d c h atte rin g

an d g ossip in g a ll d ay, a fte r th e m an ner o f ro oks— an d h um an s. I a m b usy , I

need not te ll you, arra n gin g th in gs an d house k eep in g. Jo nath an an d M r.

Haw kin s a re b usy a ll d ay ; fo r, n ow th at J o nath an is a p artn er, M r. H aw kin s

wan ts t o t e ll h im a ll a b out t h e c lie n ts .

“H ow is y our d ear m oth er g ettin g o n? I w is h I c o uld r u n u p to to w n f o r a

day o r tw o to se e y ou, d ear, b ut I d are n ot g o y et, w ith so m uch o n m y

sh ould ers ; a n d J o nath an w an ts lo okin g a fte r s till. H e is b eg in nin g to p ut s o m e

fle sh o n h is b ones a g ain , b ut h e w as te rrib ly w eak en ed b y th e lo ng illn ess;

ev en n ow h e s o m etim es s ta rts o ut o f h is s le ep in a s u dden w ay a n d a w ak es a ll

tr e m blin g u ntil I c an c o ax h im b ack to h is u su al p la cid ity . H ow ev er, th an k

God, th ese o ccasio ns g ro w le ss fre q uen t a s th e d ay s g o o n, a n d th ey w ill in

tim e p ass a w ay a lto geth er, I tr u st. A nd n ow I h av e to ld y ou m y n ew s, le t m e

ask y ours . W hen a re y ou to b e m arrie d , a n d w here , a n d w ho is to p erfo rm th e

cere m ony, a n d w hat a re y ou to w ear, a n d is it to b e a p ublic o r a p riv ate

wed din g? T ell m e a ll a b out it, d ear; te ll m e a ll a b out e v ery th in g, fo r th ere is

noth in g w hic h i n te re sts y ou w hic h w ill n ot b e d ear t o m e. J o nath an a sk s m e t o

se n d h is ‘re sp ectf u l d uty ,’ b ut I d o n ot th in k th at is g ood e n ough fro m th e

ju nio r p artn er o f th e im porta n t fir m H aw kin s & H ark er; a n d s o , a s y ou lo ve

me, a n d h e l o ves m e, a n d I l o ve y ou w ith a ll t h e m oods a n d t e n se s o f t h e v erb ,

I se n d y ou sim ply h is ‘lo ve’ in ste ad . G ood-b ye, m y d eare st L ucy, an d all

ble ssin gs o n y ou.

“Y ours , “M in a H ark er.”

Rep ort f ro m P atr ic k H en nesse y, M . D ., M . R . C . S . L . K . Q . C . P . I ., e tc .,

etc ., t o J o hn S ew ard , M . D .

“2 0 S ep te m ber.

“M y d ear S ir ,—

“In acco rd an ce w ith y our w is h es, I en clo se re p ort o f th e co nditio ns o f

ev ery th in g le ft in m y c h arg e.... W ith r e g ard to p atie n t, R en fie ld , th ere is m ore

to s a y. H e h as h ad a n oth er o utb re ak , w hic h m ig ht h av e h ad a d re ad fu l e n din g,

but w hic h , as it fo rtu nate ly hap pen ed , w as unatte n ded w ith an y unhap py

re su lts . T his a fte rn oon a c arrie r’s c art w ith tw o m en m ad e a c all a t th e e m pty

house w hose g ro unds a b ut o n o urs — th e h ouse to w hic h , y ou w ill re m em ber,

th e p atie n t tw ic e r a n a w ay. T he m en s to pped a t o ur g ate to a sk th e p orte r th eir

way, a s th ey w ere s tr a n gers . I w as m yse lf lo okin g o ut o f th e s tu dy w in dow ,

hav in g a s m oke a fte r d in ner, a n d s a w o ne o f t h em c o m e u p t o t h e h ouse . A s h e

passe d th e w in dow o f R en fie ld ’s ro om , th e p atie n t b eg an to ra te h im fro m

with in , a n d c alle d h im a ll th e f o ul n am es h e c o uld la y h is to ngue to . T he m an ,

who s e em ed a d ecen t f e llo w e n ough, c o nte n te d h im se lf b y t e llin g h im t o “ sh ut

up f o r a f o ul- m outh ed b eg gar,” w here o n o ur m an a ccu se d h im o f r o bbin g h im

an d w an tin g to m urd er h im a n d s a id th at h e w ould h in der h im if h e w ere to

sw in g f o r it. I o pen ed th e w in dow a n d s ig ned to th e m an n ot to n otic e, s o h e

co nte n te d h im se lf a fte r lo okin g th e p la ce o ver a n d m ak in g u p h is m in d a s to

what k in d o f a p la ce h e h ad g ot to b y s a y in g: ‘L or’ b le ss y er, s ir , I w ould n’t

min d w hat w as s a id to m e in a b lo om in ’ m ad house . I p ity y e a n d th e g uv’n or

fo r h av in ’ to liv e in th e h ouse w ith a w ild b east lik e th at.’ T hen h e a sk ed h is

way c iv illy e n ough, a n d I to ld h im w here th e g ate o f th e e m pty h ouse w as; h e

wen t a w ay, f o llo w ed b y th re ats a n d c u rs e s a n d r e v ilin gs f ro m o ur m an . I w en t

dow n to s e e if I c o uld m ak e o ut a n y c au se fo r h is a n ger, s in ce h e is u su ally

su ch a w ell- b eh av ed m an , a n d e x cep t h is v io le n t fits n oth in g o f th e k in d h ad

ev er o ccu rre d . I fo und h im , to m y a sto nis h m en t, q uite c o m pose d a n d m ost

gen ia l in h is m an ner. I tr ie d to g et h im to ta lk o f th e in cid en t, b ut h e b la n dly

ask ed m e q uestio ns a s to w hat I m ean t, a n d le d m e to b elie v e th at h e w as

co m ple te ly o bliv io us o f th e a ff a ir. It w as, I a m so rry to sa y, h ow ev er, o nly

an oth er in sta n ce o f h is c u nnin g, f o r w ith in h alf a n h our I h eard o f h im a g ain .

This t im e h e h ad b ro ken o ut t h ro ugh t h e w in dow o f h is r o om , a n d w as r u nnin g

dow n t h e a v en ue. I c alle d t o t h e a tte n dan ts t o f o llo w m e, a n d r a n a fte r h im , f o r

I f e are d h e w as i n te n t o n s o m e m is c h ie f. M y f e ar w as j u stif ie d w hen I s a w t h e

sa m e c art w hic h h ad p asse d b efo re c o m in g d ow n th e r o ad , h av in g o n it s o m e

gre at w ooden b oxes. T he m en w ere w ip in g th eir f o re h ead s, a n d w ere f lu sh ed

in t h e f a ce, a s i f w ith v io le n t e x erc is e . B efo re I c o uld g et u p t o h im t h e p atie n t

ru sh ed a t th em , a n d p ullin g o ne o f th em o ff th e c art, b eg an to k nock h is h ead

ag ain st th e g ro und. If I h ad n ot se iz ed h im ju st a t th e m om en t I b elie v e h e would h av e k ille d th e m an th ere a n d th en . T he o th er f e llo w ju m ped d ow n a n d

str u ck h im o ver th e h ead w ith th e b utt- e n d o f h is h eav y w hip . I t w as a te rrib le

blo w ; b ut h e d id n ot s e em to m in d it, b ut s e iz ed h im a ls o , a n d s tr u ggle d w ith

th e th re e o f u s, p ullin g u s to a n d f ro a s if w e w ere k itte n s. Y ou k now I a m n o

lig ht w eig ht, a n d th e o th ers w ere b oth b urly m en . A t f ir s t h e w as s ile n t in h is

fig htin g; b ut a s w e b eg an to m aste r h im , a n d th e a tte n dan ts w ere p uttin g a

str a it- w ais tc o at o n h im , h e b eg an t o s h out: ‘ I’ll f ru str a te t h em ! T hey s h an ’t r o b

me! th ey s h an ’t m urd er m e b y in ch es! I ’ll f ig ht f o r m y L ord a n d M aste r!’ a n d

all s o rts o f s im ila r in co here n t r a v in gs. I t w as w ith v ery c o nsid era b le d if f ic u lty

th at th ey g ot h im b ack to th e h ouse a n d p ut h im in th e p ad ded r o om . O ne o f

th e a tte n dan ts , H ard y, h ad a f in ger b ro ken . H ow ev er, I s e t i t a ll r ig ht; a n d h e i s

goin g o n w ell.

“T he tw o c arrie rs w ere a t f ir s t lo ud in th eir th re ats o f a ctio ns f o r d am ag es,

an d p ro m is e d to ra in a ll th e p en altie s o f th e la w o n u s. T heir th re ats w ere ,

how ev er, m in gle d w ith s o m e s o rt o f in dir e ct a p olo gy f o r th e d efe at o f th e tw o

of t h em b y a f e eb le m ad m an . T hey s a id t h at i f i t h ad n ot b een f o r t h e w ay t h eir

str e n gth h ad b een s p en t i n c arry in g a n d r a is in g t h e h eav y b oxes t o t h e c art t h ey

would h av e m ad e s h ort w ork o f h im . T hey g av e a s a n oth er re aso n fo r th eir

defe at t h e e x tr a o rd in ary s ta te o f d ro uth t o w hic h t h ey h ad b een r e d uced b y t h e

dusty n atu re o f th eir o ccu patio n a n d th e r e p re h en sib le d is ta n ce f ro m th e s c en e

of th eir la b ours o f a n y p la ce o f p ublic e n te rta in m en t. I q uite u nders to od th eir

drif t, a n d a fte r a s tif f g la ss o f g ro g, o r r a th er m ore o f t h e s a m e, a n d w ith e ach a

so vere ig n in h an d, th ey m ad e lig ht o f th e a tta ck , a n d s w ore th at th ey w ould

en co unte r a w ors e m ad m an a n y d ay f o r th e p le asu re o f m eetin g s o ‘ b lo om in ’

good a b lo ke’ a s y our c o rre sp onden t. I t o ok t h eir n am es a n d a d dre sse s, i n c ase

th ey m ig ht be need ed . T hey are as fo llo w s:— Ja ck S m olle t, of D uddin g’s

Ren ts , K in g G eo rg e’s R oad , G re at W alw orth , an d T hom as S nellin g, P ete r

Farle y ’s R ow , G uid e C ourt, B eth nal G re en . T hey a re b oth in th e e m plo ym en t

of H arris & S ons, M ovin g a n d S hip m en t C om pan y, O ra n ge M aste r’s Y ard ,

Soho.

“I s h all r e p ort to y ou a n y m atte r o f in te re st o ccu rrin g h ere , a n d s h all w ir e

you a t o nce i f t h ere i s a n yth in g o f i m porta n ce.

“B elie v e m e, d ear S ir ,

“Y ours f a ith fu lly ,

“P atr ic k H en nesse y.”

Lette r, M in a H ark er t o L ucy W este n ra .

(U nopen ed b y h er.)

“1 8 S ep te m ber. “M y d eare st L ucy,—

“S uch a s a d b lo w h as b efa lle n u s. M r. H aw kin s h as d ie d v ery s u dden ly .

Som e m ay n ot t h in k i t s o s a d f o r u s, b ut w e h ad b oth c o m e t o s o l o ve h im t h at

it re ally s e em s a s th ough w e h ad lo st a fa th er. I n ev er k new e ith er fa th er o r

moth er, so th at th e d ear o ld m an ’s d eath is a re al b lo w to m e. Jo nath an is

gre atly d is tr e sse d . I t i s n ot o nly t h at h e f e els s o rro w , d eep s o rro w , f o r t h e d ear,

good m an w ho h as b efrie n ded h im a ll h is lif e , a n d n ow a t th e e n d h as tr e ate d

him lik e h is o w n s o n a n d le ft h im a fo rtu ne w hic h to p eo ple o f o ur m odest

brin gin g u p is w ealth b ey ond th e d re am o f a v aric e, b ut J o nath an fe els it o n

an oth er a cco unt. H e s a y s th e a m ount o f r e sp onsib ility w hic h it p uts u pon h im

mak es h im n erv ous. H e b eg in s t o d oubt h im se lf . I t r y t o c h eer h im u p, a n d m y

belie f i n h im h elp s h im t o h av e a b elie f i n h im se lf . B ut i t i s h ere t h at t h e g ra v e

sh ock th at h e e x perie n ced te lls u pon h im th e m ost. O h, it is to o h ard th at a

sw eet, s im ple , n oble , s tr o ng n atu re s u ch a s h is — a n atu re w hic h e n ab le d h im

by o ur d ear, g ood frie n d’s a id to ris e fro m c le rk to m aste r in a fe w y ears —

sh ould b e s o in ju re d th at th e v ery e sse n ce o f its s tr e n gth is g one. F org iv e m e,

dear, if I w orry y ou w ith m y tr o uble s in th e m id st o f y our o w n h ap pin ess; b ut,

Lucy d ear, I m ust te ll so m e o ne, fo r th e str a in o f k eep in g u p a b ra v e a n d

ch eerfu l a p peara n ce to J o nath an tr ie s m e, a n d I h av e n o o ne h ere th at I c an

co nfid e in . I d re ad c o m in g u p to L ondon, a s w e m ust d o th e d ay a fte r to -

morro w ; f o r p oor M r. H aw kin s le ft in h is w ill th at h e w as to b e b urie d in th e

gra v e w ith h is f a th er. A s th ere a re n o r e la tio ns a t a ll, J o nath an w ill h av e to b e

ch ie f m ourn er. I sh all tr y to ru n o ver to se e y ou, d eare st, if o nly fo r a fe w

min ute s. F org iv e m e f o r t r o ublin g y ou. W ith a ll b le ssin gs,

“Y our l o vin g

“M in a H ark er.”

Dr. S ew ard ’s D ia ry .

20 S ep te m ber.— Only re so lu tio n a n d h ab it c an le t m e m ak e a n e n tr y to -

nig ht. I a m to o m is e ra b le , to o lo w -s p ir ite d , to o s ic k o f th e w orld a n d a ll in it,

in clu din g lif e its e lf , th at I w ould n ot c are if I h eard th is m om en t th e f la p pin g

of t h e w in gs o f t h e a n gel o f d eath . A nd h e h as b een f la p pin g t h ose g rim w in gs

to s o m e p urp ose o f la te — Lucy ’s m oth er a n d A rth ur’s fa th er, a n d n ow .... L et

me g et o n w ith m y w ork .

I d uly r e lie v ed V an H els in g in h is w atc h o ver L ucy. W e w an te d A rth ur to

go to re st a ls o , b ut h e re fu se d a t fir s t. It w as o nly w hen I to ld h im th at w e

sh ould w an t h im to h elp u s d urin g th e d ay, a n d th at w e m ust n ot a ll b re ak

dow n fo r w an t o f re st, le st L ucy sh ould su ff e r, th at h e ag re ed to g o. V an

Hels in g w as v ery k in d to h im . “ C om e, m y c h ild ,” h e s a id ; “ co m e w ith m e.

You a re s ic k a n d w eak , a n d h av e h ad m uch s o rro w a n d m uch m en ta l p ain , a s

well a s th at ta x o n y our s tr e n gth th at w e k now o f. Y ou m ust n ot b e a lo ne; f o r to b e a lo ne i s t o b e f u ll o f f e ars a n d a la rm s. C om e t o t h e d ra w in g-ro om , w here

th ere is a b ig f ir e , a n d th ere a re tw o s o fa s. Y ou s h all lie o n o ne, a n d I o n th e

oth er, a n d o ur s y m path y w ill b e c o m fo rt to e ach o th er, e v en th ough w e d o n ot

sp eak , a n d e v en i f w e s le ep .” A rth ur w en t o ff w ith h im , c astin g b ack a l o ngin g

lo ok o n L ucy ’s f a ce, w hic h l a y i n h er p illo w , a lm ost w hite r t h an t h e l a w n. S he

la y q uite s till, a n d I l o oked r o und t h e r o om t o s e e t h at a ll w as a s i t s h ould b e. I

co uld s e e th at th e P ro fe sso r h ad c arrie d o ut in th is ro om , a s in th e o th er, h is

purp ose o f u sin g th e g arlic ; th e w hole o f th e w in dow -s a sh es re ek ed w ith it,

an d ro und L ucy ’s n eck , o ver th e s ilk h an dkerc h ie f w hic h V an H els in g m ad e

her k eep o n, w as a ro ugh c h ap le t o f th e sa m e o doro us flo w ers . L ucy w as

bre ath in g s o m ew hat s te rto ro usly , a n d h er fa ce w as a t its w ors t, fo r th e o pen

mouth s h ow ed th e p ale g um s. H er te eth , in th e d im , u ncerta in lig ht, s e em ed

lo nger a n d s h arp er th an th ey h ad b een in th e m orn in g. I n p artic u la r, b y s o m e

tr ic k o f t h e l ig ht, t h e c an in e t e eth l o oked l o nger a n d s h arp er t h an t h e r e st. I s a t

dow n b y h er, a n d p re se n tly s h e m oved u neasily . A t th e s a m e m om en t th ere

cam e a s o rt o f d ull f la p pin g o r b uff e tin g a t t h e w in dow . I w en t o ver t o i t s o ftly ,

an d p eep ed o ut b y th e c o rn er o f th e b lin d. T here w as a fu ll m oonlig ht, a n d I

co uld se e th at th e n ois e w as m ad e b y a g re at b at, w hic h w heele d ro und—

doubtle ss a ttr a cte d b y th e lig ht, a lth ough s o d im — an d e v ery n ow a n d a g ain

str u ck th e w in dow w ith its w in gs. W hen I c am e b ack to m y s e at, I f o und th at

Lucy h ad m oved s lig htly , a n d h ad t o rn a w ay t h e g arlic f lo w ers f ro m h er t h ro at.

I r e p la ced t h em a s w ell a s I c o uld , a n d s a t w atc h in g h er.

Pre se n tly s h e w oke, a n d I g av e h er fo od, a s V an H els in g h ad p re sc rib ed .

She t o ok b ut a l ittle , a n d t h at l a n guid ly . T here d id n ot s e em t o b e w ith h er n ow

th e u nco nsc io us s tr u ggle f o r lif e a n d s tr e n gth th at h ad h ith erto s o m ark ed h er

illn ess. It str u ck m e a s c u rio us th at th e m om en t sh e b ecam e c o nsc io us sh e

pre sse d th e g arlic f lo w ers c lo se to h er. I t w as c erta in ly o dd th at w hen ev er s h e

got in to th at le th arg ic s ta te , w ith th e s te rto ro us b re ath in g, s h e p ut th e f lo w ers

fro m h er; b ut th at w hen sh e w ak ed sh e c lu tc h ed th em c lo se . T here w as n o

possib ility of m ak in g an y m is ta k e ab out th is , fo r in th e lo ng hours th at

fo llo w ed , sh e h ad m an y sp ells o f sle ep in g an d w ak in g an d re p eate d b oth

actio ns m an y t im es.

At s ix o ’c lo ck V an H els in g c am e t o r e lie v e m e. A rth ur h ad th en f a lle n i n to

a d oze, a n d h e m erc if u lly le t h im s le ep o n. W hen h e s a w L ucy ’s f a ce I c o uld

hear th e s is sin g in dra w o f h is b re ath , a n d h e s a id to m e in a s h arp w his p er:

“D ra w u p th e b lin d; I w an t lig ht! ” T hen h e b en t d ow n, a n d, w ith h is fa ce

alm ost to uch in g L ucy ’s , e x am in ed h er c are fu lly . H e r e m oved th e f lo w ers a n d

lif te d t h e s ilk h an dkerc h ie f f ro m h er t h ro at. A s h e d id s o h e s ta rte d b ack , a n d I

co uld h ear h is e ja cu la tio n, “ M ein G ott! ” a s it w as s m oth ere d in h is th ro at. I

ben t o ver a n d l o oked , t o o, a n d a s I n otic ed s o m e q ueer c h ill c am e o ver m e.

The w ounds o n t h e t h ro at h ad a b so lu te ly d is a p peare d . For f u lly f iv e m in ute s V an H els in g s to od l o okin g a t h er, w ith h is f a ce a t i ts

ste rn est. T hen h e t u rn ed t o m e a n d s a id c alm ly :—

“S he i s d yin g. I t w ill n ot b e l o ng n ow . I t w ill b e m uch d if f e re n ce, m ark m e,

wheth er s h e d ie s c o nsc io us o r in h er s le ep . W ak e th at p oor b oy, a n d le t h im

co m e a n d s e e t h e l a st; h e t r u sts u s, a n d w e h av e p ro m is e d h im .”

I w en t t o t h e d in in g-ro om a n d w ak ed h im . H e w as d azed f o r a m om en t, b ut

when h e s a w th e s u nlig ht str e am in g in th ro ugh th e e d ges o f th e s h utte rs h e

th ought h e w as la te , a n d e x pre sse d h is f e ar. I a ssu re d h im th at L ucy w as s till

asle ep , b ut t o ld h im a s g en tly a s I c o uld t h at b oth V an H els in g a n d I f e are d t h at

th e e n d w as n ear. H e c o vere d h is fa ce w ith h is h an ds, a n d s lid d ow n o n h is

knees b y t h e s o fa , w here h e r e m ain ed , p erh ap s a m in ute , w ith h is h ead b urie d ,

pra y in g, w hils t h is sh ould ers sh ook w ith g rie f. I to ok h im b y th e h an d a n d

ra is e d him up. “C om e,” I sa id , “m y dear old fe llo w , su m mon all your

fo rtitu de: i t w ill b e b est a n d e asie st f o r h er.”

When w e c am e i n to L ucy ’s r o om I c o uld s e e t h at V an H els in g h ad , w ith h is

usu al f o re th ought, b een p uttin g m atte rs s tr a ig ht a n d m ak in g e v ery th in g l o ok a s

ple asin g a s p ossib le . H e h ad e v en b ru sh ed L ucy ’s h air , s o th at it la y o n th e

pillo w i n i ts u su al s u nny r ip ple s. W hen w e c am e i n to t h e r o om s h e o pen ed h er

ey es, a n d s e ein g h im , w his p ere d s o ftly :—

“A rth ur! O h, m y lo ve, I a m s o g la d y ou h av e c o m e!” H e w as s to opin g to

kis s h er, w hen V an H els in g m otio ned h im b ack . “ N o,” h e w his p ere d , “ n ot y et!

Hold h er h an d; i t w ill c o m fo rt h er m ore .”

So A rth ur t o ok h er h an d a n d k nelt b esid e h er, a n d s h e l o oked h er b est, w ith

all th e s o ft lin es m atc h in g th e a n gelic b eau ty o f h er e y es. T hen g ra d ually h er

ey es c lo se d , a n d s h e s a n k to s le ep . F or a little b it h er b re ast h eav ed s o ftly , a n d

her b re ath c am e a n d w en t l ik e a t ir e d c h ild ’s .

And th en in se n sib ly th ere c am e th e s tr a n ge c h an ge w hic h I h ad n otic ed in

th e n ig ht. H er b re ath in g g re w ste rto ro us, th e m outh o pen ed , an d th e p ale

gum s, d ra w n b ack , m ad e th e te eth lo ok lo nger a n d s h arp er th an e v er. I n a s o rt

of sle ep -w ak in g, v ag ue, u nco nsc io us w ay sh e o pen ed h er e y es, w hic h w ere

now d ull a n d h ard a t o nce, a n d s a id in a s o ft, v olu ptu ous v oic e, s u ch a s I h ad

nev er h eard f ro m h er l ip s:—

“A rth ur! O h, m y l o ve, I a m s o g la d y ou h av e c o m e! K is s m e!” A rth ur b en t

eag erly o ver to k is s h er; b ut a t th at in sta n t V an H els in g, w ho, lik e m e, h ad

been s ta rtle d b y h er v oic e, s w ooped u pon h im , a n d c atc h in g h im b y th e n eck

with b oth h an ds, d ra g ged h im b ack w ith a fu ry o f str e n gth w hic h I n ev er

th ought h e c o uld h av e p osse sse d , a n d a ctu ally h urle d h im a lm ost a cro ss th e

ro om .

“N ot fo r y our lif e !” h e s a id ; “ n ot fo r y our liv in g s o ul a n d h ers !” A nd h e sto od b etw een t h em l ik e a l io n a t b ay.

Arth ur w as s o ta k en a b ack th at h e d id n ot f o r a m om en t k now w hat to d o

or sa y ; a n d b efo re a n y im puls e o f v io le n ce c o uld se iz e h im h e re alis e d th e

pla ce a n d t h e o ccasio n, a n d s to od s ile n t, w aitin g.

I k ep t m y e y es f ix ed o n L ucy, a s d id V an H els in g, a n d w e s a w a s p asm a s

of ra g e flit lik e a sh ad ow o ver h er fa ce; th e sh arp te eth c h am ped to geth er.

Then h er e y es c lo se d , a n d s h e b re ath ed h eav ily .

Very s h ortly a fte r s h e o pen ed h er e y es in a ll th eir s o ftn ess, a n d p uttin g o ut

her p oor, p ale , th in h an d, to ok V an H els in g’s g re at b ro w n o ne; d ra w in g it to

her, sh e kis se d it. “M y tr u e frie n d,” sh e sa id , in a fa in t voic e, but w ith

unte lla b le p ath os, “M y tr u e frie n d, an d h is ! O h, g uard h im , an d g iv e m e

peace!”

“I sw ear it! ” h e sa id so le m nly , k neelin g b esid e h er an d h old in g u p h is

han d, a s o ne w ho r e g is te rs a n o ath . T hen h e tu rn ed to A rth ur, a n d s a id to h im :

“C om e, m y c h ild , ta k e h er h an d in y ours , a n d k is s h er o n th e fo re h ead , a n d

only o nce.”

Their e y es m et i n ste ad o f t h eir l ip s; a n d s o t h ey p arte d .

Lucy ’s e y es c lo se d ; a n d V an H els in g, w ho h ad b een w atc h in g c lo se ly , t o ok

Arth ur’s a rm , a n d d re w h im a w ay.

And th en L ucy ’s b re ath in g b ecam e ste rto ro us ag ain , an d all at o nce it

cease d .

“It i s a ll o ver,” s a id V an H els in g. “ S he i s d ead !”

I t o ok A rth ur b y t h e a rm , a n d l e d h im a w ay t o t h e d ra w in g-ro om , w here h e

sa t d ow n, a n d c o vere d h is fa ce w ith h is h an ds, s o bbin g in a w ay th at n early

bro ke m e d ow n t o s e e.

I w en t b ack to th e r o om , a n d f o u nd V an H els in g lo okin g a t p oor L ucy, a n d

his fa ce w as s te rn er th an e v er. S om e c h an ge h ad c o m e o ver h er b ody. D eath

had g iv en b ack p art o f h er b eau ty , fo r h er b ro w a n d c h eek s h ad re co vere d

so m e o f t h eir f lo w in g l in es; e v en t h e l ip s h ad l o st t h eir d ead ly p allo r. I t w as a s

if th e b lo od, n o lo nger n eed ed f o r th e w ork in g o f th e h eart, h ad g one to m ak e

th e h ars h ness o f d eath a s l ittle r u de a s m ig ht b e.

“W e t h ought h er d yin g w hils t s h e s le p t,

And s le ep in g w hen s h e d ie d .”

I s to od b esid e V an H els in g, a n d s a id :—

“A h, w ell, p oor g ir l, t h ere i s p eace f o r h er a t l a st. I t i s t h e e n d!”

He t u rn ed t o m e, a n d s a id w ith g ra v e s o le m nity :— “N ot s o ; a la s! n ot s o . I t i s o nly t h e b eg in nin g!”

When I a sk ed h im w hat h e m ean t, h e o nly s h ook h is h ead a n d a n sw ere d :—

“W e c an d o n oth in g a s y et. W ait a n d s e e.”

CH APT ER X III

DR. S E W ARD’S D IA RY — co n tin ued .

T he

f u nera l w as a rra n ged f o r t h e n ex t s u cceed in g d ay, s o t h at L ucy a n d h er

moth er m ig ht b e b urie d to geth er. I a tte n ded to a ll th e g hastly f o rm alitie s, a n d

th e u rb an e u nderta k er p ro ved th at h is s ta ff w ere a ff lic te d — or b le sse d — with

so m eth in g o f h is o w n o bse q uio us s u av ity . E ven t h e w om an w ho p erfo rm ed t h e

la st o ff ic es f o r t h e d ead r e m ark ed t o m e, i n a c o nfid en tia l, b ro th er- p ro fe ssio nal

way, w hen s h e h ad c o m e o ut f ro m t h e d eath -c h am ber:—

“S he m ak es a v ery b eau tif u l c o rp se , s ir. It’s q uite a p riv ile g e to a tte n d o n

her. I t’s n ot t o o m uch t o s a y t h at s h e w ill d o c re d it t o o ur e sta b lis h m en t! ”

I n otic ed t h at V an H els in g n ev er k ep t f a r a w ay. T his w as p ossib le f ro m t h e

dis o rd ere d s ta te o f th in gs in th e h ouse h old . T here w ere n o re la tiv es a t h an d;

an d a s A rth ur h ad to b e b ack th e n ex t d ay to a tte n d a t h is f a th er’s f u nera l, w e

were unab le to notif y an y one w ho sh ould hav e been bid den . U nder th e

cir c u m sta n ces, V an H els in g a n d I to ok it u pon o urs e lv es to e x am in e p ap ers ,

etc . H e i n sis te d u pon l o okin g o ver L ucy ’s p ap ers h im se lf . I a sk ed h im w hy, f o r

I fe are d th at h e, b ein g a fo re ig ner, m ig ht n ot b e q uite a w are o f E nglis h le g al

re q uir e m en ts , a n d s o m ig ht in ig nora n ce m ak e s o m e u nnecessa ry tr o uble . H e

an sw ere d m e:—

“I k now ; I k now . Y ou f o rg et t h at I a m a l a w yer a s w ell a s a d octo r. B ut t h is

is n ot a lto geth er f o r th e la w . Y ou k new th at, w hen y ou a v oid ed th e c o ro ner. I

hav e m ore t h an h im t o a v oid . T here m ay b e p ap ers m ore — su ch a s t h is .”

As h e sp oke h e to ok fro m h is p ock et- b ook th e m em ora n dum w hic h h ad

been i n L ucy ’s b re ast, a n d w hic h s h e h ad t o rn i n h er s le ep .

“W hen y ou f in d a n yth in g o f t h e s o lic ito r w ho i s f o r t h e l a te M rs . W este n ra ,

se al a ll h er p ap ers , a n d w rite h im to -n ig ht. F or m e, I w atc h h ere in th e ro om

an d i n M is s L ucy ’s o ld r o om a ll n ig ht, a n d I m yse lf s e arc h f o r w hat m ay b e. I t

is n ot w ell t h at h er v ery t h oughts g o i n to t h e h an ds o f s tr a n gers .”

I w en t o n w ith m y p art o f t h e w ork , a n d i n a n oth er h alf h our h ad f o und t h e

nam e a n d a d dre ss o f M rs . W este n ra ’s s o lic ito r a n d h ad w ritte n to h im . A ll th e

poor la d y’s p ap ers w ere in o rd er; e x plic it d ir e ctio ns re g ard in g th e p la ce o f buria l w ere g iv en . I h ad h ard ly se ale d th e le tte r, w hen , to m y su rp ris e , V an

Hels in g w alk ed i n to t h e r o om , s a y in g:—

“C an I h elp y ou, frie n d Jo hn? I a m fre e, a n d if I m ay, m y se rv ic e is to

you.”

“H av e y ou g ot w hat y ou l o oked f o r? ” I a sk ed , t o w hic h h e r e p lie d :—

“I d id n ot l o ok f o r a n y s p ecif ic t h in g. I o nly h oped t o f in d, a n d f in d I h av e,

all th at th ere w as— only s o m e le tte rs a n d a f e w m em ora n da, a n d a d ia ry n ew

beg un. B ut I h av e t h em h ere , a n d w e s h all f o r t h e p re se n t s a y n oth in g o f t h em .

I s h all s e e th at p oor la d to -m orro w e v en in g, a n d, w ith h is s a n ctio n, I s h all u se

so m e.”

When w e h ad f in is h ed t h e w ork i n h an d, h e s a id t o m e:—

“A nd n ow , frie n d J o hn, I th in k w e m ay to b ed . W e w an t s le ep , b oth y ou

an d I , a n d r e st t o r e cu pera te . T o-m orro w w e s h all h av e m uch t o d o, b ut f o r t h e

to -n ig ht t h ere i s n o n eed o f u s. A la s!”

Befo re tu rn in g in w e w en t to lo ok at poor L ucy. T he underta k er had

certa in ly d one h is w ork w ell, fo r th e ro om w as tu rn ed in to a s m all c h ap elle

ard en te . T here w as a w ild ern ess o f b eau tif u l w hite flo w ers , a n d d eath w as

mad e a s little re p uls iv e a s m ig ht b e. T he e n d o f th e w in din g-s h eet w as la id

over t h e f a ce; w hen t h e P ro fe sso r b en t o ver a n d t u rn ed i t g en tly b ack , w e b oth

sta rte d a t th e b eau ty b efo re u s, th e ta ll w ax c an dle s s h ow in g a s u ff ic ie n t lig ht

to n ote it w ell. A ll L ucy ’s lo velin ess h ad c o m e b ack to h er in d eath , a n d th e

hours th at h ad p asse d , in ste ad o f le av in g tr a ces o f “ d ecay ’s e ff a cin g f in gers ,”

had b ut r e sto re d th e b eau ty o f lif e , till p ositiv ely I c o uld n ot b elie v e m y e y es

th at I w as l o okin g a t a c o rp se .

The P ro fe sso r lo oked ste rn ly g ra v e. H e h ad n ot lo ved h er a s I h ad , a n d

th ere w as n o n eed f o r te ars in h is e y es. H e s a id to m e: “ R em ain till I r e tu rn ,”

an d le ft th e ro om . H e c am e b ack w ith a h an dfu l o f w ild g arlic fro m th e b ox

waitin g in th e h all, b ut w hic h h ad n ot b een o pen ed , a n d p la ced th e flo w ers

am ongst th e o th ers o n a n d a ro und th e b ed . T hen h e to ok f ro m h is n eck , in sid e

his c o lla r, a little g old c ru cif ix , a n d p la ced it o ver th e m outh . H e r e sto re d th e

sh eet t o i ts p la ce, a n d w e c am e a w ay.

I w as u ndre ssin g in m y o w n ro om , w hen , w ith a p re m onito ry ta p a t th e

door, h e e n te re d , a n d a t o nce b eg an t o s p eak :—

“T o-m orro w I w an t y ou to b rin g m e, b efo re n ig ht, a se t o f p ost- m orte m

kniv es.”

“M ust w e m ak e a n a u to psy ?” I a sk ed .

“Y es a n d n o. I w an t to o pera te , b ut n ot a s y ou th in k. L et m e te ll y ou n ow ,

but n ot a w ord t o a n oth er. I w an t t o c u t o ff h er h ead a n d t a k e o ut h er h eart. A h! you a s u rg eo n, a n d s o s h ock ed ! Y ou, w hom I h av e s e en w ith n o tr e m ble o f

han d o r h eart, d o o pera tio ns o f lif e a n d d eath th at m ak e th e r e st s h udder. O h,

but I m ust n ot f o rg et, m y d ear f rie n d J o hn, th at y ou lo ved h er; a n d I h av e n ot

fo rg otte n it, f o r it is I th at s h all o pera te , a n d y ou m ust o nly h elp . I w ould lik e

to d o it to -n ig ht, b ut fo r A rth ur I m ust n ot; h e w ill b e fre e a fte r h is fa th er’s

fu nera l to -m orro w , a n d h e w ill w an t to s e e h er— to s e e it. T hen , w hen s h e is

co ff in ed r e ad y f o r th e n ex t d ay, y ou a n d I s h all c o m e w hen a ll s le ep . W e s h all

unsc re w t h e c o ff in -lid , a n d s h all d o o ur o pera tio n: a n d th en r e p la ce a ll, s o t h at

none k now , s a v e w e a lo ne.”

“B ut w hy d o it at all? T he g ir l is d ead . W hy m utila te h er p oor b ody

with out n eed ? A nd if th ere is n o n ecessity fo r a p ost- m orte m a n d n oth in g to

gain b y i t— no g ood t o h er, t o u s, t o s c ie n ce, t o h um an k now le d ge— why d o i t?

With out s u ch i t i s m onstr o us.”

For an sw er he put his han d on m y sh ould er, an d sa id , w ith in fin ite

te n dern ess:—

“F rie n d Jo hn, I p ity y our p oor b le ed in g h eart; a n d I lo ve y ou th e m ore

becau se i t d oes s o b le ed . I f I c o uld , I w ould t a k e o n m yse lf t h e b urd en t h at y ou

do b ear. B ut th ere a re th in gs th at y ou k now n ot, b ut th at y ou s h all k now , a n d

ble ss m e f o r k now in g, t h ough t h ey a re n ot p le asa n t t h in gs. J o hn, m y c h ild , y ou

hav e b een m y f rie n d n ow m an y y ears , a n d y et d id y ou e v er k now m e t o d o a n y

with out g ood c au se ? I m ay e rr— I a m b ut m an ; b ut I b elie v e in a ll I d o. W as it

not fo r th ese c au se s th at y ou s e n d fo r m e w hen th e g re at tr o uble c am e? Y es!

Were y ou n ot a m azed , n ay h orrif ie d , w hen I w ould n ot l e t A rth ur k is s h is l o ve

—th ough sh e w as d yin g— an d sn atc h ed h im a w ay b y a ll m y str e n gth ? Y es!

And y et y ou s a w h ow s h e th an ked m e, w ith h er s o b eau tif u l d yin g e y es, h er

voic e, to o, s o w eak , a n d s h e k is s m y r o ugh o ld h an d a n d b le ss m e? Y es! A nd

did y ou n ot h ear m e s w ear p ro m is e t o h er, t h at s o s h e c lo se d h er e y es g ra te fu l?

Yes!

“W ell, I h av e g ood re aso n n ow fo r a ll I w an t to d o. Y ou h av e fo r m an y

years tr u st m e; y ou h av e b elie v e m e w eek s p ast, w hen th ere b e th in gs so

str a n ge th at y ou m ig ht h av e w ell d oubt. B elie v e m e y et a little , f rie n d J o hn. I f

you tr u st m e n ot, th en I m ust te ll w hat I th in k; a n d th at is n ot p erh ap s w ell.

And i f I w ork — as w ork I s h all, n o m atte r t r u st o r n o t r u st— with out m y f rie n d

tr u st in m e, I w ork w ith h eav y h eart a n d fe el, o h! s o lo nely w hen I w an t a ll

help a n d c o ura g e th at m ay b e!” H e p au se d a m om en t a n d w en t o n s o le m nly :

“F rie n d J o hn, th ere a re s tr a n ge a n d te rrib le d ay s b efo re u s. L et u s n ot b e tw o,

but o ne, t h at s o w e w ork t o a g ood e n d. W ill y ou n ot h av e f a ith i n m e?”

I to ok h is h an d, a n d p ro m is e d h im . I h eld m y d oor o pen a s h e w en t a w ay,

an d w atc h ed h im g o in to h is ro om a n d c lo se th e d oor. A s I sto od w ith out

movin g, I s a w o ne o f th e m aid s p ass s ile n tly a lo ng th e p assa g e— sh e h ad h er back to w ard s m e, s o d id n ot s e e m e— an d g o in to th e ro om w here L ucy la y.

The s ig ht t o uch ed m e. D ev otio n i s s o r a re , a n d w e a re s o g ra te fu l t o t h ose w ho

sh ow i t u nask ed t o t h ose w e l o ve. H ere w as a p oor g ir l p uttin g a sid e t h e t e rro rs

whic h s h e n atu ra lly h ad o f d eath to g o w atc h a lo ne b y th e b ie r o f th e m is tr e ss

whom s h e lo ved , s o th at th e p oor c la y m ig ht n ot b e lo nely till la id to e te rn al

re st....

I m ust h av e s le p t lo ng a n d s o undly , fo r it w as b ro ad d ay lig ht w hen V an

Hels in g w ak ed m e b y c o m in g i n to m y r o om . H e c am e o ver t o m y b ed sid e a n d

sa id :—

“Y ou n eed n ot t r o uble a b out t h e k niv es; w e s h all n ot d o i t.”

“W hy n ot? ” I ask ed . F or h is so le m nity o f th e n ig ht b efo re h ad g re atly

im pre sse d m e.

“B ecau se ,” h e s a id s te rn ly , “ it is to o la te — or to o e arly . S ee!” H ere h e h eld

up t h e l ittle g old en c ru cif ix . “ T his w as s to le n i n t h e n ig ht.”

“H ow , s to le n ,” I a sk ed i n w onder, “ sin ce y ou h av e i t n ow ?”

“B ecau se I g et it b ack fro m th e w orth le ss w re tc h w ho sto le it, fro m th e

wom an w ho r o bbed t h e d ead a n d t h e l iv in g. H er p unis h m en t w ill s u re ly c o m e,

but n ot t h ro ugh m e; s h e k new n ot a lto geth er w hat s h e d id a n d t h us u nknow in g,

sh e o nly s to le . N ow w e m ust w ait.”

He w en t a w ay o n th e w ord , le av in g m e w ith a n ew m yste ry to th in k o f, a

new p uzzle t o g ra p ple w ith .

The fo re n oon w as a dre ary tim e, but at noon th e so lic ito r cam e: M r.

Marq uan d, o f W hole m an , S ons, M arq uan d & L id derd ale . H e w as v ery g en ia l

an d v ery a p pre cia tiv e o f w hat w e h ad d one, a n d t o ok o ff o ur h an ds a ll c are s a s

to d eta ils . D urin g lu nch h e to ld u s th at M rs . W este n ra h ad fo r so m e tim e

ex pecte d su dden d eath fro m h er h eart, an d h ad p ut h er aff a ir s in ab so lu te

ord er; h e in fo rm ed u s th at, w ith th e e x cep tio n o f a c erta in e n ta ile d p ro perty o f

Lucy ’s fa th er’s w hic h n ow , in d efa u lt o f d ir e ct is su e, w en t b ack to a d is ta n t

bra n ch o f t h e f a m ily , t h e w hole e sta te , r e al a n d p ers o nal, w as l e ft a b so lu te ly t o

Arth ur H olm wood. W hen h e h ad t o ld u s s o m uch h e w en t o n:—

“F ra n kly w e d id o ur b est to p re v en t s u ch a te sta m en ta ry d is p ositio n, a n d

poin te d out certa in co ntin gen cie s th at m ig ht le av e her dau ghte r eith er

pen nile ss o r n ot so fre e as sh e sh ould b e to act re g ard in g a m atr im onia l

allia n ce. In deed , w e pre sse d th e m atte r so fa r th at w e alm ost cam e in to

co llis io n, fo r s h e a sk ed u s if w e w ere o r w ere n ot p re p are d to c arry o ut h er

wis h es. O f c o urs e , w e h ad th en n o a lte rn ativ e b ut to a ccep t. W e w ere r ig ht in

prin cip le , a n d n in ety -n in e tim es o ut o f a h undre d w e s h ould h av e p ro ved , b y

th e lo gic o f e v en ts , th e a ccu ra cy o f o ur ju dgm en t. F ra n kly , h ow ev er, I m ust ad m it th at in th is c ase a n y o th er fo rm o f d is p ositio n w ould h av e re n dere d

im possib le th e carry in g out of her w is h es. For by her pre d eceasin g her

dau ghte r t h e l a tte r w ould h av e c o m e i n to p osse ssio n o f t h e p ro perty , a n d, e v en

had s h e o nly s u rv iv ed h er m oth er b y f iv e m in ute s, h er p ro perty w ould , i n c ase

th ere w ere n o w ill— an d a w ill w as a p ra ctic al im possib ility in s u ch a c ase —

hav e been tr e ate d at her decease as under in te sta cy. In w hic h case L ord

Godalm in g, th ough s o d ear a frie n d, w ould h av e h ad n o c la im in th e w orld ;

an d th e in herito rs , b ein g re m ote , w ould n ot b e lik ely to a b an don th eir ju st

rig hts , fo r s e n tim en ta l re aso ns re g ard in g a n e n tir e s tr a n ger. I a ssu re y ou, m y

dear s ir s , I a m r e jo ic ed a t t h e r e su lt, p erfe ctly r e jo ic ed .”

He w as a g ood f e llo w , b ut h is r e jo ic in g a t th e o ne little p art— in w hic h h e

was o ff ic ia lly in te re ste d — of so g re at a tr a g ed y, w as a n o bje ct- le sso n in th e

lim ita tio ns o f s y m path etic u nders ta n din g.

He d id n ot r e m ain lo ng, b ut s a id h e w ould lo ok in la te r in th e d ay a n d s e e

Lord G odalm in g. H is co m in g, h ow ev er, h ad b een a certa in co m fo rt to u s,

sin ce it a ssu re d u s th at w e s h ould n ot h av e to d re ad h ostile c ritic is m a s to a n y

of o ur a cts . A rth ur w as e x pecte d a t f iv e o ’c lo ck , s o a l ittle b efo re t h at t im e w e

vis ite d th e d eath -c h am ber. It w as s o in v ery tr u th , fo r n ow b oth m oth er a n d

dau ghte r la y in it. T he u nderta k er, tr u e to h is c ra ft, h ad m ad e th e b est d is p la y

he co uld o f h is g oods, an d th ere w as a m ortu ary air ab out th e p la ce th at

lo w ere d o ur s p ir its a t o nce. V an H els in g o rd ere d th e f o rm er a rra n gem en t to b e

ad here d to , ex pla in in g th at, as L ord G odalm in g w as co m in g v ery so on, it

would b e le ss h arro w in g to h is fe elin gs to s e e a ll th at w as le ft o f h is fia n cée

quite a lo ne. T he u nderta k er s e em ed s h ock ed a t h is o w n s tu pid ity a n d e x erte d

him se lf to re sto re th in gs to th e co nditio n in w hic h w e le ft th em th e n ig ht

befo re , so th at w hen A rth ur c am e su ch sh ock s to h is fe elin gs a s w e c o uld

av oid w ere s a v ed .

Poor fe llo w ! H e lo oked d esp era te ly sa d an d b ro ken ; ev en h is sta lw art

man hood s e em ed to h av e s h ru nk s o m ew hat u nder th e s tr a in o f h is m uch -tr ie d

em otio ns. H e h ad , I k new , b een v ery g en uin ely a n d d ev ote d ly a tta ch ed to h is

fa th er; a n d to lo se h im , a n d a t s u ch a tim e, w as a b itte r b lo w to h im . W ith m e

he w as w arm a s e v er, a n d to V an H els in g h e w as sw eetly c o urte o us; b ut I

co uld n ot h elp s e ein g th at th ere w as s o m e c o nstr a in t w ith h im . T he P ro fe sso r

notic ed i t, t o o, a n d m otio ned m e t o b rin g h im u psta ir s . I d id s o , a n d l e ft h im a t

th e d oor o f th e r o om , a s I f e lt h e w ould lik e to b e q uite a lo ne w ith h er, b ut h e

to ok m y a rm a n d l e d m e i n , s a y in g h usk ily :—

“Y ou lo ved h er to o, o ld f e llo w ; s h e to ld m e a ll a b out it, a n d th ere w as n o

frie n d h ad a c lo se r p la ce i n h er h eart t h an y ou. I d on’t k now h ow t o t h an k y ou

fo r a ll y ou h av e d one f o r h er. I c an ’t t h in k y et....”

Here h e s u dden ly b ro ke d ow n, a n d t h re w h is a rm s r o und m y s h ould ers a n d la id h is h ead o n m y b re ast, c ry in g:—

“O h, J a ck ! J a ck ! W hat s h all I d o! T he w hole o f lif e s e em s g one f ro m m e

all a t o nce, a n d t h ere i s n oth in g i n t h e w id e w orld f o r m e t o l iv e f o r.”

I c o m fo rte d h im a s w ell a s I c o uld . In s u ch c ase s m en d o n ot n eed m uch

ex pre ssio n. A g rip o f th e h an d, th e tig hte n in g o f a n a rm o ver th e s h ould er, a

so b in u nis o n, a re e x pre ssio ns o f s y m path y d ear to a m an ’s h eart. I s to od s till

an d s ile n t t ill h is s o bs d ie d a w ay, a n d t h en I s a id s o ftly t o h im :—

“C om e a n d l o ok a t h er.”

Togeth er w e m oved o ver to th e b ed , a n d I lif te d th e la w n fro m h er fa ce.

God! how beau tif u l sh e w as. Every hour se em ed to be en han cin g her

lo velin ess. I t f rig hte n ed a n d a m azed m e s o m ew hat; a n d a s f o r A rth ur, h e f e ll

a-tr e m blin g, a n d f in ally w as s h ak en w ith d oubt a s w ith a n a g ue. A t l a st, a fte r a

lo ng p au se , h e s a id t o m e i n a f a in t w his p er:—

“Ja ck , i s s h e r e ally d ead ?”

I a ssu re d h im s a d ly th at it w as s o , a n d w en t o n to s u ggest— fo r I f e lt th at

su ch a h orrib le d oubt s h ould n ot h av e lif e fo r a m om en t lo nger th an I c o uld

help — th at it o fte n h ap pen ed th at a fte r d eath f a ces b ecam e s o fte n ed a n d e v en

re so lv ed i n to t h eir y outh fu l b eau ty ; t h at t h is w as e sp ecia lly s o w hen d eath h ad

been p re ced ed b y a n y a cu te o r p ro lo nged s u ff e rin g. I t s e em ed t o q uite d o a w ay

with a n y d oubt, a n d, a fte r k neelin g b esid e t h e c o uch f o r a w hile a n d l o okin g a t

her lo vin gly a n d lo ng, h e tu rn ed a sid e. I to ld h im th at th at m ust b e g ood-b ye,

as t h e c o ff in h ad t o b e p re p are d ; s o h e w en t b ack a n d t o ok h er d ead h an d i n h is

an d k is se d it, a n d b en t o ver a n d k is se d h er fo re h ead . H e c am e a w ay, fo ndly

lo okin g b ack o ver h is s h ould er a t h er a s h e c am e.

I l e ft h im i n t h e d ra w in g-ro om , a n d t o ld V an H els in g t h at h e h ad s a id g ood-

bye; s o th e la tte r w en t to th e k itc h en to te ll th e u nderta k er’s m en to p ro ceed

with th e p re p ara tio ns a n d to sc re w u p th e c o ff in . W hen h e c am e o ut o f th e

ro om a g ain I t o ld h im o f A rth ur’s q uestio n, a n d h e r e p lie d :—

“I a m n ot s u rp ris e d . J u st n ow I d oubte d f o r a m om en t m yse lf !”

We a ll d in ed t o geth er, a n d I c o uld s e e t h at p oor A rt w as t r y in g t o m ak e t h e

best o f t h in gs. V an H els in g h ad b een s ile n t a ll d in ner- tim e; b ut w hen w e h ad l it

our c ig ars h e s a id —

“L ord — —”; b ut A rth ur i n te rru pte d h im :—

“N o, n o, n ot th at, f o r G od’s s a k e! n ot y et a t a n y r a te . F org iv e m e, s ir : I d id

not m ean t o s p eak o ff e n siv ely ; i t i s o nly b ecau se m y l o ss i s s o r e cen t.”

The P ro fe sso r a n sw ere d v ery s w eetly :—

“I o nly u se d th at n am e b ecau se I w as in d oubt. I m ust n ot c all y ou ‘ M r.,’ an d I h av e g ro w n t o l o ve y ou— yes, m y d ear b oy, t o l o ve y ou— as A rth ur.”

Arth ur h eld o ut h is h an d, a n d t o ok t h e o ld m an ’s w arm ly .

“C all m e w hat y ou w ill,” h e s a id . “ I h ope I m ay a lw ay s h av e th e title o f a

frie n d. A nd le t m e sa y th at I a m a t a lo ss fo r w ord s to th an k y ou fo r y our

goodness to m y p oor d ear.” H e p au se d a m om en t, a n d w en t o n: “ I k now th at

sh e u nders to od y our g oodness e v en b ette r t h an I d o; a n d i f I w as r u de o r i n a n y

way w an tin g at th at tim e you acte d so — you re m em ber” — th e Pro fe sso r

nodded — “y ou m ust f o rg iv e m e.”

He a n sw ere d w ith a g ra v e k in dness:—

“I k now it w as h ard fo r y ou to q uite tr u st m e th en , fo r to tr u st su ch

vio le n ce n eed s t o u nders ta n d; a n d I t a k e i t t h at y ou d o n ot— th at y ou c an not—

tr u st m e n ow , fo r y ou d o n ot y et u nders ta n d. A nd th ere m ay b e m ore tim es

when I s h all w an t y ou to tr u st w hen y ou c an not— an d m ay n ot— an d m ust n ot

yet u nders ta n d. B ut th e tim e w ill c o m e w hen y our tr u st s h all b e w hole a n d

co m ple te i n m e, a n d w hen y ou s h all u nders ta n d a s t h ough t h e s u nlig ht h im se lf

sh one th ro ugh. T hen y ou s h all b le ss m e fro m fir s t to la st fo r y our o w n s a k e,

an d f o r t h e s a k e o f o th ers a n d f o r h er d ear s a k e t o w hom I s w ore t o p ro te ct.”

“A nd, in deed , in deed , s ir ,” s a id A rth ur w arm ly , “ I s h all in a ll w ay s tr u st

you. I k now an d b elie v e y ou h av e a v ery n oble h eart, an d y ou are Ja ck ’s

frie n d, a n d y ou w ere h ers . Y ou s h all d o w hat y ou l ik e.”

The P ro fe sso r cle are d h is th ro at a co uple o f tim es, as th ough ab out to

sp eak , a n d f in ally s a id :—

“M ay I a sk y ou s o m eth in g n ow ?”

“C erta in ly .”

“Y ou k now t h at M rs . W este n ra l e ft y ou a ll h er p ro perty ?”

“N o, p oor d ear; I n ev er t h ought o f i t.”

“A nd a s it is a ll y ours , y ou h av e a r ig ht to d eal w ith it a s y ou w ill. I w an t

you to g iv e m e p erm is sio n to r e ad a ll M is s L ucy ’s p ap ers a n d le tte rs . B elie v e

me, it is n o id le c u rio sity . I h av e a m otiv e o f w hic h , b e s u re , s h e w ould h av e

ap pro ved . I h av e t h em a ll h ere . I t o ok t h em b efo re w e k new t h at a ll w as y ours ,

so t h at n o s tr a n ge h an d m ig ht t o uch t h em — no s tr a n ge e y e l o ok t h ro ugh w ord s

in to h er s o ul. I s h all k eep t h em , i f I m ay ; e v en y ou m ay n ot s e e t h em y et, b ut I

sh all k eep th em s a fe . N o w ord s h all b e lo st; a n d in th e g ood tim e I s h all g iv e

th em b ack to y ou. I t’s a h ard th in g I a sk , b ut y ou w ill d o it, w ill y ou n ot, f o r

Lucy ’s s a k e?”

Arth ur s p oke o ut h eartily , l ik e h is o ld s e lf :—

“D r. V an H els in g, y ou m ay d o w hat y ou w ill. I f e el t h at i n s a y in g t h is I a m doin g w hat m y d ear o ne w ould h av e a p pro ved . I s h all n ot tr o uble y ou w ith

questio ns t ill t h e t im e c o m es.”

The o ld P ro fe sso r s to od u p a s h e s a id s o le m nly :—

“A nd y ou a re r ig ht. T here w ill b e p ain f o r u s a ll; b ut i t w ill n ot b e a ll p ain ,

nor w ill t h is p ain b e t h e l a st. W e a n d y ou t o o— you m ost o f a ll, m y d ear b oy—

will h av e to p ass th ro ugh th e b itte r w ate r b efo re w e re ach th e s w eet. B ut w e

must b e b ra v e o f h eart a n d u nse lf is h , a n d d o o ur d uty , a n d a ll w ill b e w ell! ”

I s le p t o n a s o fa i n A rth ur’s r o om t h at n ig ht. V an H els in g d id n ot g o t o b ed

at a ll. H e w en t t o a n d f ro , a s i f p atr o llin g t h e h ouse , a n d w as n ev er o ut o f s ig ht

of th e r o om w here L ucy la y in h er c o ff in , s tr e w n w ith th e w ild g arlic f lo w ers ,

whic h s e n t, th ro ugh th e o dour o f lily a n d ro se , a h eav y, o verp ow erin g s m ell

in to t h e n ig ht.

Min a H ark er’s J o urn al.

22 S ep te m ber.— In t h e t r a in t o E xete r. J o nath an s le ep in g.

It s e em s o nly y este rd ay th at th e la st e n tr y w as m ad e, a n d y et h ow m uch

betw een th en , in W hitb y a n d a ll th e w orld b efo re m e, J o nath an a w ay a n d n o

new s o f h im ; a n d n ow , m arrie d to Jo nath an , Jo nath an a so lic ito r, a p artn er,

ric h , m aste r o f h is b usin ess, M r. H aw kin s d ead a n d b urie d , a n d J o nath an w ith

an oth er a tta ck t h at m ay h arm h im . S om e d ay h e m ay a sk m e a b out i t. D ow n i t

all g oes. I a m r u sty i n m y s h orth an d— se e w hat u nex pecte d p ro sp erity d oes f o r

us— so i t m ay b e a s w ell t o f re sh en i t u p a g ain w ith a n e x erc is e a n yhow ....

The s e rv ic e w as v ery s im ple a n d v ery s o le m n. T here w ere o nly o urs e lv es

an d th e s e rv an ts th ere , o ne o r tw o o ld f rie n ds o f h is f ro m E xete r, h is L ondon

ag en t, an d a g en tle m an re p re se n tin g S ir Jo hn P ax to n, th e P re sid en t o f th e

In co rp ora te d L aw S ocie ty . J o nath an a n d I s to od h an d in h an d, a n d w e f e lt th at

our b est a n d d eare st f rie n d w as g one f ro m u s....

We cam e back to to w n quie tly , ta k in g a ’b us to H yde Park C orn er.

Jo nath an t h ought i t w ould i n te re st m e t o g o i n to t h e R ow f o r a w hile , s o w e s a t

dow n; b ut th ere w ere v ery fe w p eo ple th ere , an d it w as sa d -lo okin g an d

deso la te to s e e s o m an y e m pty c h air s . It m ad e u s th in k o f th e e m pty c h air a t

hom e; s o w e g ot u p a n d w alk ed d ow n P ic cad illy . J o nath an w as h old in g m e b y

th e a rm , th e w ay h e u se d to in o ld d ay s b efo re I w en t to s c h ool. I f e lt it v ery

im pro per, f o r y ou c an ’t g o o n f o r s o m e y ears te ach in g e tiq uette a n d d eco ru m

to o th er g ir ls w ith out th e p ed an tr y o f it b itin g in to y ours e lf a b it; b ut it w as

Jo nath an , a n d h e w as m y h usb an d, a n d w e d id n’t k now a n ybody w ho s a w u s

—an d w e d id n’t c are if th ey d id — so o n w e w alk ed . I w as lo okin g a t a v ery

beau tif u l g ir l, in a b ig c art- w heel h at, s ittin g in a v ic to ria o uts id e G uilia n o’s ,

when I f e lt J o nath an c lu tc h m y a rm s o t ig ht t h at h e h urt m e, a n d h e s a id u nder

his b re ath : “ M y G od!” I a m a lw ay s a n xio us a b out Jo nath an , fo r I fe ar th at so m e n erv ous f it m ay u pse t h im a g ain ; s o I tu rn ed to h im q uic k ly , a n d a sk ed

him w hat i t w as t h at d is tu rb ed h im .

He w as v ery p ale , a n d h is e y es s e em ed b ulg in g o ut a s, h alf in te rro r a n d

half in a m azem en t, h e g azed a t a ta ll, th in m an , w ith a b eak y n ose a n d b la ck

mousta ch e a n d p oin te d b eard , w ho w as a ls o o bse rv in g th e p re tty g ir l. H e w as

lo okin g a t h er s o h ard t h at h e d id n ot s e e e ith er o f u s, a n d s o I h ad a g ood v ie w

of h im . H is f a ce w as n ot a g ood f a ce; it w as h ard , a n d c ru el, a n d s e n su al, a n d

his b ig w hite te eth , th at lo oked a ll th e w hite r b ecau se h is lip s w ere so re d ,

were p oin te d l ik e a n a n im al’s . J o nath an k ep t s ta rin g a t h im , t ill I w as a fra id h e

would n otic e. I fe are d h e m ig ht ta k e it ill, h e lo oked so fie rc e a n d n asty . I

ask ed Jo nath an w hy h e w as d is tu rb ed , a n d h e a n sw ere d , e v id en tly th in kin g

th at I k new a s m uch a b out i t a s h e d id : “ D o y ou s e e w ho i t i s ? ”

“N o, d ear,” I s a id ; “ I d on’t k now h im ; w ho is it? ” H is a n sw er s e em ed to

sh ock a n d th rill m e, fo r it w as s a id a s if h e d id n ot k now th at it w as to m e,

Min a, t o w hom h e w as s p eak in g:—

“It i s t h e m an h im se lf !”

The p oor d ear w as e v id en tly te rrif ie d a t s o m eth in g— very g re atly te rrif ie d ;

I d o b elie v e th at if h e h ad n ot h ad m e to le an o n a n d to s u pport h im h e w ould

hav e s u nk d ow n. H e k ep t s ta rin g; a m an c am e o ut o f th e s h op w ith a s m all

parc el, a n d g av e i t t o t h e l a d y, w ho t h en d ro ve o ff . T he d ark m an k ep t h is e y es

fix ed o n h er, a n d w hen th e c arria g e m oved u p P ic cad illy h e fo llo w ed in th e

sa m e d ir e ctio n, a n d h aile d a h an so m . Jo nath an k ep t lo okin g a fte r h im , a n d

sa id , a s i f t o h im se lf :—

“I b elie v e it is th e C ount, b ut h e h as g ro w n y oung. M y G od, if th is b e s o !

Oh, m y G od! m y G od! If I o nly k new ! if I o nly k new !” H e w as d is tr e ssin g

him se lf s o m uch th at I fe are d to k eep h is m in d o n th e s u bje ct b y a sk in g h im

an y q uestio ns, s o I r e m ain ed s ile n t. I d re w h im a w ay q uie tly , a n d h e, h old in g

my a rm , c am e e asily . W e w alk ed a l ittle f u rth er, a n d t h en w en t i n a n d s a t f o r a

while in th e G re en P ark . It w as a hot day fo r au tu m n, an d th ere w as a

co m fo rta b le se at in a sh ad y p la ce. A fte r a fe w m in ute s’ sta rin g a t n oth in g,

Jo nath an ’s e y es c lo se d , a n d h e w en t q uie tly in to a s le ep , w ith h is h ead o n m y

sh ould er. I th ought it w as th e b est th in g fo r h im , s o d id n ot d is tu rb h im . In

ab out t w en ty m in ute s h e w oke u p, a n d s a id t o m e q uite c h eerfu lly :—

“W hy, M in a, h av e I b een a sle ep ! O h, d o fo rg iv e m e fo r b ein g so ru de.

Com e, a n d w e’ll h av e a c u p o f t e a s o m ew here .” H e h ad e v id en tly f o rg otte n a ll

ab out th e d ark s tr a n ger, a s in h is illn ess h e h ad f o rg otte n a ll th at th is e p is o de

had r e m in ded h im o f. I d on’t lik e th is la p sin g in to f o rg etf u ln ess; it m ay m ak e

or c o ntin ue s o m e in ju ry to th e b ra in . I m ust n ot a sk h im , fo r fe ar I s h all d o

more h arm th an g ood; b ut I m ust so m eh ow le arn th e fa cts o f h is jo urn ey

ab ro ad . T he t im e i s c o m e, I f e ar, w hen I m ust o pen t h at p arc el, a n d k now w hat is w ritte n . O h, J o nath an , y ou w ill, I k now , f o rg iv e m e if I d o w ro ng, b ut it is

fo r y our o w n d ear s a k e.

Late r.— A s a d h om e-c o m in g in e v ery w ay — th e h ouse e m pty o f th e d ear

so ul w ho w as so g ood to u s; Jo nath an still p ale an d d iz zy u nder a slig ht

re la p se o f h is m ala d y; a n d n ow a t e le g ra m f ro m V an H els in g, w hoev er h e m ay

be:—

“Y ou w ill b e g rie v ed to h ear th at M rs . W este n ra d ie d fiv e d ay s a g o, a n d

th at L ucy d ie d t h e d ay b efo re y este rd ay. T hey w ere b oth b urie d t o -d ay.”

Oh, w hat a w ealth o f s o rro w in a fe w w ord s! P oor M rs . W este n ra ! p oor

Lucy ! G one, g one, n ev er to r e tu rn to u s! A nd p oor, p oor A rth ur, to h av e lo st

su ch s w eetn ess o ut o f h is l if e ! G od h elp u s a ll t o b ear o ur t r o uble s.

Dr. S ew ard ’s D ia ry .

22 S ep te m ber.— It is a ll o ver. A rth ur h as g one b ack to R in g, a n d h as ta k en

Quin cey M orris w ith h im . W hat a f in e f e llo w i s Q uin cey ! I b elie v e i n m y h eart

of h earts t h at h e s u ff e re d a s m uch a b out L ucy ’s d eath a s a n y o f u s; b ut h e b ore

him se lf th ro ugh it lik e a m ora l V ik in g. If A m eric a c an g o o n b re ed in g m en

lik e th at, s h e w ill b e a p ow er in th e w orld in deed . V an H els in g is ly in g d ow n,

hav in g a r e st p re p ara to ry to h is jo urn ey. H e g oes o ver to A m ste rd am to -n ig ht,

but sa y s he re tu rn s to -m orro w nig ht; th at he only w an ts to m ak e so m e

arra n gem en ts w hic h c an o nly b e m ad e p ers o nally . H e is to s to p w ith m e th en ,

if h e c an ; h e s a y s h e h as w ork to d o in L ondon w hic h m ay ta k e h im s o m e

tim e. P oor o ld f e llo w ! I f e ar th at th e s tr a in o f th e p ast w eek h as b ro ken d ow n

ev en h is ir o n s tr e n gth . A ll th e tim e o f th e b uria l h e w as, I c o uld s e e, p uttin g

so m e te rrib le re str a in t o n h im se lf . W hen it w as a ll o ver, w e w ere sta n din g

besid e A rth ur, w ho, p oor fe llo w , w as sp eak in g o f h is p art in th e o pera tio n

where h is b lo od h ad b een tr a n sfu se d to h is L ucy ’s v ein s; I co uld se e V an

Hels in g’s f a ce g ro w w hite a n d p urp le b y tu rn s. A rth ur w as s a y in g th at h e f e lt

sin ce th en a s if th ey tw o h ad b een r e ally m arrie d a n d th at s h e w as h is w if e in

th e s ig ht o f G od. N one o f u s s a id a w ord o f th e o th er o pera tio ns, a n d n one o f

us e v er s h all. A rth ur a n d Q uin cey w en t a w ay to geth er to th e s ta tio n, a n d V an

Hels in g a n d I c am e o n h ere . T he m om en t w e w ere a lo ne in th e c arria g e h e

gav e w ay to a re g ula r fit o f h yste ric s. H e h as d en ie d to m e s in ce th at it w as

hyste ric s, a n d in sis te d th at it w as o nly h is se n se o f h um our a sse rtin g its e lf

under v ery te rrib le c o nditio ns. H e la u ghed till h e c rie d , a n d I h ad to d ra w

dow n t h e b lin ds l e st a n y o ne s h ould s e e u s a n d m is ju dge; a n d t h en h e c rie d , t ill

he l a u ghed a g ain ; a n d l a u ghed a n d c rie d t o geth er, j u st a s a w om an d oes. I t r ie d

to b e s te rn w ith h im , a s o ne is to a w om an u nder th e c ir c u m sta n ces; b ut it h ad

no eff e ct. M en an d w om en are so dif f e re n t in m an if e sta tio ns of nerv ous

str e n gth o r w eak ness! T hen w hen h is f a ce g re w g ra v e a n d s te rn a g ain I a sk ed

him w hy his m ir th , an d w hy at su ch a tim e. H is re p ly w as in a w ay ch ara cte ris tic o f h im , f o r it w as lo gic al a n d f o rc efu l a n d m yste rio us. H e s a id :

—

“A h, y ou d on’t c o m pre h en d, frie n d J o hn. D o n ot th in k th at I a m n ot s a d ,

th ough I la u gh. S ee, I h av e c rie d e v en w hen th e la u gh d id c h oke m e. B ut n o

more t h in k t h at I a m a ll s o rry w hen I c ry , f o r t h e l a u gh h e c o m e j u st t h e s a m e.

Keep i t a lw ay s w ith y ou t h at l a u ghte r w ho k nock a t y our d oor a n d s a y, ‘ M ay I

co m e in ?’ is n ot th e tr u e la u ghte r. N o! h e is a k in g, a n d h e c o m e w hen a n d

how h e lik e. H e a sk n o p ers o n; h e c h oose n o tim e o f s u ita b ility . H e s a y, ‘ I a m

here .’ B eh old , in e x am ple I g rie v e m y h eart o ut f o r th at s o s w eet y oung g ir l; I

giv e m y b lo od f o r h er, t h ough I a m o ld a n d w orn ; I g iv e m y t im e, m y s k ill, m y

sle ep ; I le t m y o th er s u ff e re rs w an t th at s o s h e m ay h av e a ll. A nd y et I c an

la u gh a t h er v ery g ra v e— la u gh w hen th e c la y fro m th e s p ad e o f th e s e x to n

dro p u pon h er c o ff in a n d s a y ‘T hud! th ud!’ to m y h eart, till it s e n d b ack th e

blo od f ro m m y c h eek . M y h eart b le ed f o r th at p oor b oy— th at d ear b oy, s o o f

th e a g e o f m in e o w n b oy h ad I b een s o b le sse d th at h e liv e, a n d w ith h is h air

an d e y es t h e s a m e. T here , y ou k now n ow w hy I l o ve h im s o . A nd y et w hen h e

sa y t h in gs t h at t o uch m y h usb an d-h eart t o t h e q uic k , a n d m ak e m y f a th er- h eart

yearn to h im a s to n o o th er m an — not e v en to y ou, frie n d Jo hn, fo r w e a re

more l e v el i n e x perie n ces t h an f a th er a n d s o n— yet e v en a t s u ch m om en t K in g

Lau gh h e c o m e t o m e a n d s h out a n d b ello w i n m y e ar, ‘ H ere I a m ! h ere I a m !’

till th e b lo od c o m e d an ce b ack a n d b rin g s o m e o f th e s u nsh in e th at h e c arry

with h im to m y c h eek . O h, frie n d J o hn, it is a s tr a n ge w orld , a s a d w orld , a

world fu ll o f m is e rie s, an d w oes, an d tr o uble s; an d y et w hen K in g L au gh

co m e h e m ak e th em a ll d an ce to th e tu ne h e p la y. B le ed in g h earts , a n d d ry

bones o f t h e c h urc h yard , a n d t e ars t h at b urn a s t h ey f a ll— all d an ce t o geth er t o

th e m usic th at h e m ak e w ith th at sm ile le ss m outh o f h im . A nd b elie v e m e,

frie n d J o hn, th at h e is g ood to c o m e, a n d k in d. A h, w e m en a n d w om en a re

lik e r o pes d ra w n t ig ht w ith s tr a in t h at p ull u s d if f e re n t w ay s. T hen t e ars c o m e;

an d, lik e th e ra in o n th e ro pes, th ey b ra ce u s u p, u ntil p erh ap s th e str a in

beco m e to o g re at, a n d w e b re ak . B ut K in g L au gh h e c o m e lik e th e s u nsh in e,

an d h e e ase o ff th e s tr a in a g ain ; a n d w e b ear to g o o n w ith o ur la b our, w hat it

may b e.”

I d id n ot lik e to w ound h im b y p re te n din g n ot to s e e h is id ea; b ut, a s I d id

not y et u nders ta n d th e c au se o f h is la u ghte r, I a sk ed h im . A s h e a n sw ere d m e

his f a ce g re w s te rn , a n d h e s a id i n q uite a d if f e re n t t o ne:—

“O h, it w as th e g rim ir o ny o f it a ll— th is so lo vely la d y g arla n ded w ith

flo w ers , th at lo oked s o fa ir a s lif e , till o ne b y o ne w e w ondere d if s h e w ere

tr u ly d ead ; sh e la id in th at so fin e m arb le h ouse in th at lo nely c h urc h yard ,

where r e st s o m an y o f h er k in , la id th ere w ith th e m oth er w ho lo ved h er, a n d

whom s h e lo ved ; a n d th at s a cre d b ell g oin g ‘ T oll! to ll! to ll! ’ s o s a d a n d s lo w ;

an d th ose h oly m en , w ith th e w hite g arm en ts o f th e a n gel, p re te n din g to r e ad books, a n d y et a ll th e tim e th eir e y es n ev er o n th e p ag e; a n d a ll o f u s w ith th e

bow ed h ead . A nd a ll f o r w hat? S he i s d ead ; s o ! I s i t n ot? ”

“W ell, f o r th e lif e o f m e, P ro fe sso r,” I s a id , “ I c an ’t s e e a n yth in g to la u gh

at in a ll th at. W hy, y our e x pla n atio n m ak es it a h ard er p uzzle th an b efo re . B ut

ev en if th e b uria l se rv ic e w as c o m ic , w hat a b out p oor A rt a n d h is tr o uble ?

Why, h is h eart w as s im ply b re ak in g.”

“Ju st s o . S aid h e n ot t h at t h e t r a n sfu sio n o f h is b lo od t o h er v ein s h ad m ad e

her t r u ly h is b rid e?”

“Y es, a n d i t w as a s w eet a n d c o m fo rtin g i d ea f o r h im .”

“Q uite so . B ut th ere w as a d if f ic u lty , frie n d Jo hn. If so th at, th en w hat

ab out th e o th ers ? H o, h o! T hen th is s o s w eet m aid is a p oly an dris t, a n d m e,

with m y p oor w if e d ead to m e, b ut a liv e b y C hurc h ’s la w , th ough n o w its , a ll

gone— ev en I , w ho a m f a ith fu l h usb an d t o t h is n ow -n o-w if e , a m b ig am is t.”

“I d on’t s e e w here t h e j o ke c o m es i n t h ere e ith er!” I s a id ; a n d I d id n ot f e el

partic u la rly p le ase d w ith h im f o r s a y in g s u ch th in gs. H e la id h is h an d o n m y

arm , a n d s a id :—

“F rie n d J o hn, f o rg iv e m e if I p ain . I s h ow ed n ot m y f e elin g to o th ers w hen

it w ould w ound, b ut o nly t o y ou, m y o ld f rie n d, w hom I c an t r u st. I f y ou c o uld

hav e lo oked in to m y v ery h eart th en w hen I w an t to la u gh; if y ou c o uld h av e

done s o w hen th e la u gh a rriv ed ; if y ou c o uld d o s o n ow , w hen K in g L au gh

hav e p ack u p h is c ro w n, a n d a ll th at is to h im — fo r h e g o fa r, fa r a w ay fro m

me, a n d f o r a lo ng, lo ng tim e— may be y ou w ould p erh ap s p ity m e th e m ost o f

all.”

I w as t o uch ed b y t h e t e n dern ess o f h is t o ne, a n d a sk ed w hy.

“B ecau se I k now !”

And n ow w e a re a ll s c atte re d ; a n d f o r m an y a lo ng d ay lo nelin ess w ill s it

over o ur r o ofs w ith b ro odin g w in gs. L ucy lie s in th e to m b o f h er k in , a lo rd ly

death -h ouse i n a l o nely c h urc h yard , a w ay f ro m t e em in g L ondon; w here t h e a ir

is f re sh , a n d th e s u n r is e s o ver H am pste ad H ill, a n d w here w ild f lo w ers g ro w

of t h eir o w n a cco rd .

So I c an f in is h t h is d ia ry ; a n d G od o nly k now s i f I s h all e v er b eg in a n oth er.

If I d o, o r if I e v en o pen th is a g ain , it w ill b e to d eal w ith d if f e re n t p eo ple a n d

dif f e re n t th em es; f o r h ere a t th e e n d, w here th e r o m an ce o f m y lif e is to ld , e re

I g o b ack t o t a k e u p t h e t h re ad o f m y l if e -w ork , I s a y s a d ly a n d w ith out h ope,

“F IN IS .”

“T he W estm in ste r G azette ,” 2 5 S ep te m ber.

A H AM PST EA D M YST ER Y. The n eig hbourh ood o f H am pste ad is ju st a t p re se n t e x erc is e d w ith a s e rie s

of e v en ts w hic h s e em to ru n o n lin es p ara lle l to th ose o f w hat w as k now n to

th e w rite rs of head lin es as “T he K en sin gto n H orro r,” or “T he Sta b bin g

Wom an ,” o r “ T he W om an i n B la ck .” D urin g t h e p ast t w o o r t h re e d ay s s e v era l

case s h av e o ccu rre d o f y oung c h ild re n str a y in g fro m h om e o r n eg le ctin g to

re tu rn f ro m t h eir p la y in g o n t h e H eath . I n a ll t h ese c ase s t h e c h ild re n w ere t o o

young to giv e an y pro perly in te llig ib le acco unt of th em se lv es, but th e

co nse n su s o f th eir e x cu se s is th at th ey h ad b een w ith a “ b lo ofe r la d y.” It h as

alw ay s b een la te in th e e v en in g w hen th ey h av e b een m is se d , a n d o n tw o

occasio ns th e ch ild re n hav e not been fo und until early in th e fo llo w in g

morn in g. I t is g en era lly s u ppose d in th e n eig hbourh ood th at, a s th e f ir s t c h ild

mis se d g av e a s h is r e aso n f o r b ein g a w ay th at a “ b lo ofe r la d y” h ad a sk ed h im

to c o m e f o r a w alk , t h e o th ers h ad p ic k ed u p t h e p hra se a n d u se d i t a s o ccasio n

se rv ed . T his is th e m ore n atu ra l a s th e fa v ourite g am e o f th e little o nes a t

pre se n t is lu rin g e ach o th er a w ay b y w ile s. A c o rre sp onden t w rite s u s th at to

se e so m e o f th e tin y to ts p re te n din g to b e th e “ b lo ofe r la d y” is su pre m ely

fu nny. S om e o f o ur c aric atu ris ts m ig ht, h e s a y s, ta k e a le sso n in th e ir o ny o f

gro te sq ue b y c o m parin g th e re ality a n d th e p ic tu re . It is o nly in a cco rd an ce

with g en era l p rin cip le s o f h um an n atu re th at th e “ b lo ofe r la d y” s h ould b e th e

popula r rô le a t th ese a l fre sc o p erfo rm an ces. O ur c o rre sp onden t n aïv ely s a y s

th at e v en E lle n T erry c o uld n ot b e s o w in nin gly a ttr a ctiv e a s s o m e o f th ese

gru bby-fa ced l ittle c h ild re n p re te n d— an d e v en i m ag in e t h em se lv es— to b e.

There is , h ow ev er, p ossib ly a s e rio us s id e to th e q uestio n, f o r s o m e o f th e

ch ild re n , in deed a ll w ho h av e b een m is se d a t n ig ht, h av e b een s lig htly to rn o r

wounded in th e th ro at. T he w ounds s e em s u ch a s m ig ht b e m ad e b y a r a t o r a

sm all d og, a n d a lth ough o f n ot m uch im porta n ce in div id ually , w ould te n d to

sh ow th at w hate v er a n im al in flic ts th em h as a s y ste m o r m eth od o f its o w n.

The p olic e o f th e d iv is io n h av e b een in str u cte d to k eep a s h arp lo ok-o ut fo r

str a y in g ch ild re n , esp ecia lly w hen very young, in an d aro und H am pste ad

Heath , a n d f o r a n y s tr a y d og w hic h m ay b e a b out.

“T he W estm in ste r G azette ,” 2 5 S ep te m ber.

Extr a S pecia l.

TH E H AM PST EA D H ORRO R.

ANOTH ER C H IL D I N JU RED .

The “ B lo ofe r L ad y.”

We h av e ju st re ceiv ed in te llig en ce th at a n oth er c h ild , m is se d la st n ig ht,

was o nly d is c o vere d la te in th e m orn in g u nder a fu rz e b ush a t th e S hoote r’s

Hill sid e o f H am pste ad H eath , w hic h is , p erh ap s, le ss fre q uen te d th an th e

oth er p arts . It h as th e s a m e tin y w ound in th e th ro at a s h as b een n otic ed in oth er c ase s. It w as te rrib ly w eak , a n d lo oked q uite e m acia te d . It to o, w hen

partia lly re sto re d , h ad th e c o m mon sto ry to te ll o f b ein g lu re d a w ay b y th e

“b lo ofe r l a d y.”

CH APT ER X IV

MIN A H ARK ER ’S J O URNAL

23 S ep te m ber.— Jo nath an is b ette r a fte r a b ad n ig ht. I a m s o g la d th at h e

has p le n ty o f w ork t o d o, f o r t h at k eep s h is m in d o ff t h e t e rrib le t h in gs; a n d o h,

I a m r e jo ic ed th at h e is n ot n ow w eig hed d ow n w ith th e r e sp onsib ility o f h is

new p ositio n. I k new h e w ould b e t r u e t o h im se lf , a n d n ow h ow p ro ud I a m t o

se e m y J o nath an r is in g to th e h eig ht o f h is a d van cem en t a n d k eep in g p ace in

all w ay s w ith th e d utie s th at c o m e u pon h im . H e w ill b e a w ay a ll d ay till la te ,

fo r h e s a id h e c o uld n ot lu nch a t h om e. M y h ouse h old w ork is d one, s o I s h all

ta k e h is f o re ig n j o urn al, a n d l o ck m yse lf u p i n m y r o om a n d r e ad i t....

24 S ep te m ber.— I h ad n’t t h e h eart t o w rite l a st n ig ht; t h at t e rrib le r e co rd o f

Jo nath an ’s u pse t m e s o . P oor d ear! H ow h e m ust h av e s u ff e re d , w heth er it b e

tr u e o r o nly im ag in atio n. I w onder if th ere is a n y tr u th in it a t a ll. D id h e g et

his b ra in f e v er, a n d th en w rite a ll th ose te rrib le th in gs, o r h ad h e s o m e c au se

fo r it a ll? I su ppose I sh all n ev er k now , fo r I d are n ot o pen th e su bje ct to

him .... A nd y et th at m an w e s a w y este rd ay ! H e s e em ed q uite c erta in o f h im ....

Poor f e llo w ! I s u ppose it w as th e f u nera l u pse t h im a n d s e n t h is m in d b ack o n

so m e tr a in o f th ought.... H e b elie v es it a ll h im se lf . I re m em ber h ow o n o ur

wed din g-d ay h e s a id : “ U nle ss s o m e s o le m n d uty c o m e u pon m e to g o b ack to

th e b itte r h ours , a sle ep o r a w ak e, m ad o r s a n e.” T here s e em s to b e th ro ugh it

all s o m e t h re ad o f c o ntin uity .... T hat f e arfu l C ount w as c o m in g t o L ondon.... I f

it s h ould b e, a n d h e c am e to L ondon, w ith h is te em in g m illio ns.... T here m ay

be a so le m n d uty ; a n d if it c o m e w e m ust n ot sh rin k fro m it.... I sh all b e

pre p are d . I s h all g et m y t y pew rite r t h is v ery h our a n d b eg in t r a n sc rib in g. T hen

we s h all b e r e ad y f o r o th er e y es i f r e q uir e d . A nd i f i t b e w an te d ; t h en , p erh ap s,

if I a m re ad y, p oor J o nath an m ay n ot b e u pse t, fo r I c an s p eak fo r h im a n d

nev er le t h im b e tr o uble d o r w orrie d w ith it a t a ll. I f e v er J o nath an q uite g ets

over th e n erv ousn ess h e m ay w an t to te ll m e o f it all, an d I can ask h im

questio ns a n d f in d o ut t h in gs, a n d s e e h ow I m ay c o m fo rt h im .

Lette r, V an H els in g t o M rs . H ark er.

“2 4 S ep te m ber.

(C onfid en ce)

“D ear M ad am ,— “I p ra y y ou t o p ard on m y w ritin g, i n t h at I a m s o f a r f rie n d a s t h at I s e n t t o

you sa d new s of M is s L ucy W este n ra ’s death . B y th e kin dness of L ord

Godalm in g, I a m e m pow ere d to re ad h er le tte rs a n d p ap ers , fo r I a m d eep ly

co ncern ed a b out c erta in m atte rs v ita lly im porta n t. I n th em I f in d s o m e le tte rs

fro m y ou, w hic h s h ow h ow g re at f rie n ds y ou w ere a n d h ow y ou lo ve h er. O h,

Mad am M in a, b y t h at l o ve, I i m plo re y ou, h elp m e. I t i s f o r o th ers ’ g ood t h at I

ask — to r e d re ss g re at w ro ng, a n d to lif t m uch a n d te rrib le tr o uble s— th at m ay

be m ore g re at t h an y ou c an k now . M ay i t b e t h at I s e e y ou? Y ou c an t r u st m e. I

am frie n d o f D r. Jo hn S ew ard a n d o f L ord G odalm in g (th at w as A rth ur o f

Mis s L ucy ). I m ust k eep it p riv ate fo r th e p re se n t fro m a ll. I s h ould c o m e to

Exete r t o s e e y ou a t o nce i f y ou t e ll m e I a m p riv ile g e t o c o m e, a n d w here a n d

when . I im plo re y our p ard on, m ad am . I h av e re ad y our le tte rs to p oor L ucy,

an d k now h ow g ood y ou a re a n d h ow y our h usb an d s u ff e r; s o I p ra y y ou, if it

may b e, e n lig hte n h im n ot, le st it m ay h arm . A gain y our p ard on, a n d f o rg iv e

me.

“V an H els in g.”

Tele g ra m , M rs . H ark er t o V an H els in g.

“2 5 S ep te m ber.— Com e to -d ay b y q uarte r- p ast te n tr a in if y ou c an c atc h it.

Can s e e y ou a n y t im e y ou c all.

“W ilh elm in a H ark er.”

MIN A H ARK ER ’S J O URN AL.

25 S ep te m ber.— I c an not h elp fe elin g te rrib ly e x cite d a s th e tim e d ra w s

near f o r th e v is it o f D r. V an H els in g, f o r s o m eh ow I e x pect th at it w ill th ro w

so m e l ig ht u pon J o nath an ’s s a d e x perie n ce; a n d a s h e a tte n ded p oor d ear L ucy

in h er la st illn ess, h e can te ll m e all ab out h er. T hat is th e re aso n o f h is

co m in g; it is c o ncern in g L ucy a n d h er s le ep -w alk in g, a n d n ot a b out J o nath an .

Then I s h all n ev er k now t h e r e al t r u th n ow ! H ow s illy I a m . T hat a w fu l j o urn al

gets h old o f m y im ag in atio n a n d tin ges e v ery th in g w ith s o m eth in g o f its o w n

co lo ur. O f c o urs e it is a b out L ucy. T hat h ab it c am e b ack to th e p oor d ear, a n d

th at a w fu l n ig ht o n th e c lif f m ust h av e m ad e h er ill. I h ad a lm ost f o rg otte n in

my o w n a ff a ir s h ow ill sh e w as a fte rw ard s. S he m ust h av e to ld h im o f h er

sle ep -w alk in g a d ven tu re o n th e c lif f , a n d th at I k new a ll a b out it; a n d n ow h e

wan ts m e to te ll h im w hat s h e k now s, s o th at h e m ay u nders ta n d. I h ope I d id

rig ht in n ot sa y in g a n yth in g o f it to M rs . W este n ra ; I sh ould n ev er fo rg iv e

myse lf if a n y a ct o f m in e, w ere it e v en a n eg ativ e o ne, b ro ught h arm o n p oor

dear L ucy. I h ope, t o o, D r. V an H els in g w ill n ot b la m e m e; I h av e h ad s o m uch

tr o uble a n d a n xie ty o f l a te t h at I f e el I c an not b ear m ore j u st a t p re se n t.

I s u ppose a c ry d oes u s a ll g ood a t t im es— cle ars t h e a ir a s o th er r a in d oes.

Perh ap s it w as r e ad in g th e jo urn al y este rd ay th at u pse t m e, a n d th en J o nath an wen t a w ay t h is m orn in g t o s ta y a w ay f ro m m e a w hole d ay a n d n ig ht, t h e f ir s t

tim e w e h av e b een p arte d s in ce o ur m arria g e. I d o h ope th e d ear fe llo w w ill

ta k e care o f h im se lf , an d th at n oth in g w ill o ccu r to u pse t h im . It is tw o

o’c lo ck , an d th e docto r w ill be here so on now . I sh all sa y noth in g of

Jo nath an ’s jo urn al u nle ss h e a sk s m e. I a m s o g la d I h av e ty pe-w ritte n o ut m y

ow n jo urn al, s o th at, in c ase h e a sk s a b out L ucy, I c an h an d it to h im ; it w ill

sa v e m uch q uestio nin g.

Late r.— He h as c o m e a n d g one. O h, w hat a s tr a n ge m eetin g, a n d h ow it a ll

mak es m y h ead w hir l r o und! I f e el lik e o ne in a d re am . C an it b e a ll p ossib le ,

or e v en a p art o f it? If I h ad n ot re ad J o nath an ’s jo urn al fir s t, I s h ould n ev er

hav e a ccep te d e v en a p ossib ility . P oor, p oor, d ear J o nath an ! H ow h e m ust h av e

su ff e re d . P le ase th e g ood G od, a ll th is m ay n ot u pse t h im a g ain . I s h all tr y to

sa v e h im f ro m it; b ut it m ay b e e v en a c o nso la tio n a n d a h elp to h im — te rrib le

th ough it b e a n d a w fu l in its c o nse q uen ces— to k now f o r c erta in th at h is e y es

an d e ars a n d b ra in d id n ot d eceiv e h im , a n d th at it is a ll tr u e. I t m ay b e th at it

is th e d oubt w hic h h au nts h im ; th at w hen th e d oubt is re m oved , n o m atte r

whic h — wak in g o r d re am in g— may p ro ve th e tr u th , h e w ill b e m ore s a tis fie d

an d b ette r a b le t o b ear t h e s h ock . D r. V an H els in g m ust b e a g ood m an a s w ell

as a c le v er o ne if h e is A rth ur’s f rie n d a n d D r. S ew ard ’s , a n d if th ey b ro ught

him a ll th e w ay f ro m H olla n d to lo ok a fte r L ucy. I f e el f ro m h av in g s e en h im

th at h e is g ood a n d k in d a n d o f a n oble n atu re . W hen h e c o m es to -m orro w I

sh all a sk h im a b out J o nath an ; a n d t h en , p le ase G od, a ll t h is s o rro w a n d a n xie ty

may le ad to a g ood e n d. I u se d to th in k I w ould lik e to p ra ctis e in te rv ie w in g;

Jo nath an ’s f rie n d o n “ T he E xete r N ew s” t o ld h im t h at m em ory w as e v ery th in g

in s u ch w ork — th at y ou m ust b e a b le to p ut d ow n e x actly a lm ost e v ery w ord

sp oken , ev en if y ou h ad to re fin e so m e o f it afte rw ard s. H ere w as a ra re

in te rv ie w ; I s h all t r y t o r e co rd i t v erb atim .

It w as h alf -p ast tw o o ’c lo ck w hen th e k nock c am e. I to ok m y c o ura g e à

deu x m ain s an d w aite d . In a fe w m in ute s M ary open ed th e door, an d

an nounced “ D r. V an H els in g.”

I ro se a n d b ow ed , a n d h e c am e to w ard s m e; a m an o f m ed iu m w eig ht,

str o ngly b uilt, w ith h is s h ould ers s e t b ack o ver a b ro ad , d eep c h est a n d a n eck

well b ala n ced o n th e tr u nk a s th e h ead is o n th e n eck . T he p ois e o f th e h ead

str ik es o ne a t o nce a s i n dic ativ e o f t h ought a n d p ow er; t h e h ead i s n oble , w ell-

siz ed , b ro ad , a n d la rg e b eh in d th e e ars . T he f a ce, c le an -s h av en , s h ow s a h ard ,

sq uare c h in , a l a rg e, r e so lu te , m obile m outh , a g ood-s iz ed n ose , r a th er s tr a ig ht,

but w ith q uic k , s e n sitiv e n ostr ils , t h at s e em t o b ro ad en a s t h e b ig , b ush y b ro w s

co m e d ow n a n d th e m outh tig hte n s. T he f o re h ead is b ro ad a n d f in e, r is in g a t

fir s t a lm ost s tr a ig ht a n d th en s lo pin g b ack a b ove tw o b um ps o r rid ges w id e

ap art; s u ch a f o re h ead th at th e r e d dis h h air c an not p ossib ly tu m ble o ver it, b ut

fa lls n atu ra lly b ack a n d to th e s id es. B ig , d ark b lu e e y es a re s e t w id ely a p art, an d a re q uic k a n d t e n der o r s te rn w ith t h e m an ’s m oods. H e s a id t o m e:—

“M rs . H ark er, i s i t n ot? ” I b ow ed a sse n t.

“T hat w as M is s M in a M urra y ?” A gain I a sse n te d .

“It i s M in a M urra y t h at I c am e t o s e e t h at w as f rie n d o f t h at p oor d ear c h ild

Lucy W este n ra . M ad am M in a, i t i s o n a cco unt o f t h e d ead I c o m e.”

“S ir ,” I s a id , “ y ou c o uld h av e n o b ette r c la im o n m e th an th at y ou w ere a

frie n d a n d h elp er o f L ucy W este n ra .” A nd I h eld o ut m y h an d. H e to ok it a n d

sa id t e n derly :—

“O h, M ad am M in a, I k new th at th e frie n d o f th at p oor lily g ir l m ust b e

good, b ut I h ad y et to le arn — —” H e f in is h ed h is s p eech w ith a c o urtly b ow . I

ask ed h im w hat i t w as t h at h e w an te d t o s e e m e a b out, s o h e a t o nce b eg an :—

“I h av e re ad y our le tte rs to M is s L ucy. F org iv e m e, b ut I h ad to b eg in to

in quir e s o m ew here , a n d th ere w as n one to a sk . I k now th at y ou w ere w ith h er

at W hitb y. S he s o m etim es k ep t a d ia ry — you n eed n ot lo ok s u rp ris e d , M ad am

Min a; i t w as b eg un a fte r y ou h ad l e ft, a n d w as i n i m ita tio n o f y ou— an d i n t h at

dia ry s h e tr a ces b y in fe re n ce c erta in th in gs to a s le ep -w alk in g in w hic h s h e

puts d ow n th at y ou s a v ed h er. I n g re at p erp le x ity th en I c o m e to y ou, a n d a sk

you o ut o f y our s o m uch k in dness t o t e ll m e a ll o f i t t h at y ou c an r e m em ber.”

“I c an t e ll y ou, I t h in k, D r. V an H els in g, a ll a b out i t.”

“A h, th en y ou h av e g ood m em ory f o r f a cts , f o r d eta ils ? I t is n ot a lw ay s s o

with y oung l a d ie s.”

“N o, d octo r, b ut I w ro te it a ll d ow n a t th e tim e. I c an s h ow it to y ou if y ou

lik e.”

“O h, M ad am M in a, I w ill b e g ra te fu l; y ou w ill d o m e m uch fa v our.” I

co uld n ot r e sis t t h e t e m pta tio n o f m ystif y in g h im a b it— I s u ppose i t i s s o m e o f

th e ta ste o f th e o rig in al a p ple th at re m ain s s till in o ur m outh s— so I h an ded

him t h e s h orth an d d ia ry . H e t o ok i t w ith a g ra te fu l b ow , a n d s a id :—

“M ay I r e ad i t? ”

“If y ou w is h ,” I a n sw ere d a s d em ure ly a s I c o uld . H e o pen ed it, a n d f o r a n

in sta n t h is f a ce f e ll. T hen h e s to od u p a n d b ow ed .

“O h, y ou s o c le v er w om an !” h e s a id . “ I k new l o ng t h at M r. J o nath an w as a

man o f m uch t h an kfu ln ess; b ut s e e, h is w if e h av e a ll t h e g ood t h in gs. A nd w ill

you n ot s o m uch h onour m e a n d s o h elp m e a s t o r e ad i t f o r m e? A la s! I k now

not th e sh orth an d.” B y th is tim e m y little jo ke w as o ver, a n d I w as a lm ost

ash am ed ; s o I to ok t h e ty pew ritte n c o py f ro m m y w ork bask et a n d h an ded i t t o

him . “F org iv e m e,” I s a id : “ I c o uld n ot h elp it; b ut I h ad b een th in kin g th at it

was o f d ear L ucy th at y ou w is h ed to a sk , a n d s o th at y ou m ig ht n ot h av e tim e

to w ait— not o n m y a cco unt, b ut b ecau se I k now y our t im e m ust b e p re cio us—

I h av e w ritte n i t o ut o n t h e t y pew rite r f o r y ou.”

He to ok it a n d h is e y es g lis te n ed . “ Y ou a re s o g ood,” h e s a id . “ A nd m ay I

re ad i t n ow ? I m ay w an t t o a sk y ou s o m e t h in gs w hen I h av e r e ad .”

“B y a ll m ean s,” I s a id , “ re ad it o ver w hils t I o rd er lu nch ; a n d th en y ou c an

ask m e q uestio ns w hils t w e e at.” H e b ow ed a n d s e ttle d h im se lf in a c h air w ith

his b ack to th e lig ht, a n d b ecam e a b so rb ed in th e p ap ers , w hils t I w en t to s e e

afte r lu nch c h ie fly in o rd er th at h e m ig ht n ot b e d is tu rb ed . W hen I c am e b ack ,

I f o und h im w alk in g h urrie d ly u p a n d d ow n th e r o om , h is f a ce a ll a b la ze w ith

ex cite m en t. H e r u sh ed u p t o m e a n d t o ok m e b y b oth h an ds.

“O h, M ad am M in a,” h e sa id , “ h ow c an I sa y w hat I o w e to y ou? T his

pap er is a s s u nsh in e. I t o pen s th e g ate to m e. I a m d aze, I a m d azzle , w ith s o

much lig ht, a n d y et c lo uds r o ll in b eh in d th e lig ht e v ery tim e. B ut th at y ou d o

not, c an not, c o m pre h en d. O h, b ut I a m g ra te fu l to y ou, y ou s o c le v er w om an .

Mad am ”— he s a id th is v ery s o le m nly — “if e v er A bra h am V an H els in g c an d o

an yth in g f o r y ou o r y ours , I tr u st y ou w ill le t m e k now . I t w ill b e p le asu re a n d

delig ht if I m ay s e rv e y ou a s a f rie n d; a s a f rie n d, b ut a ll I h av e e v er le arn ed ,

all I c an e v er d o, s h all b e f o r y ou a n d th ose y ou lo ve. T here a re d ark nesse s in

lif e , a n d th ere a re lig hts ; y ou a re o ne o f th e lig hts . Y ou w ill h av e h ap py lif e

an d g ood l if e , a n d y our h usb an d w ill b e b le sse d i n y ou.”

“B ut, d octo r, y ou p ra is e m e t o o m uch , a n d— an d y ou d o n ot k now m e.”

“N ot k now y ou— I, w ho a m o ld , a n d w ho h av e s tu die d a ll m y l if e m en a n d

wom en ; I , w ho h av e m ad e m y s p ecia lty th e b ra in a n d a ll th at b elo ngs to h im

an d a ll th at fo llo w fro m h im ! A nd I h av e re ad y our d ia ry th at y ou h av e so

goodly w ritte n f o r m e, a n d w hic h b re ath es o ut tr u th in e v ery lin e. I , w ho h av e

re ad y our s o s w eet le tte r to p oor L ucy o f y our m arria g e a n d y our tr u st, n ot

know y ou! O h, M ad am M in a, g ood w om en te ll a ll th eir liv es, a n d b y d ay a n d

by h our a n d b y m in ute , su ch th in gs th at a n gels c an re ad ; a n d w e m en w ho

wis h to k now h av e in u s so m eth in g o f a n gels ’ e y es. Y our h usb an d is n oble

natu re , a n d y ou a re n oble to o, f o r y ou tr u st, a n d tr u st c an not b e w here th ere is

mean n atu re . A nd y our h usb an d— te ll m e o f h im . I s h e q uite w ell? I s a ll th at

fe v er g one, a n d is h e s tr o ng a n d h earty ?” I s a w h ere a n o pen in g to a sk h im

ab out J o nath an , s o I s a id :—

“H e w as a lm ost r e co vere d , b ut h e h as b een g re atly u pse t b y M r. H aw kin s’s

death .” H e i n te rru pte d :—

“O h, y es, I k now , I k now . I h av e r e ad y our l a st t w o l e tte rs .” I w en t o n:—

“I s u ppose th is u pse t h im , f o r w hen w e w ere in to w n o n T hurs d ay la st h e had a s o rt o f s h ock .”

“A s h ock , a n d a fte r b ra in f e v er s o s o on! T hat w as n ot g ood. W hat k in d o f a

sh ock w as i t? ”

“H e th ought h e s a w s o m e o ne w ho r e calle d s o m eth in g te rrib le , s o m eth in g

whic h le d to h is b ra in f e v er.” A nd h ere th e w hole th in g s e em ed to o verw helm

me in a ru sh . T he p ity fo r Jo nath an , th e h orro r w hic h h e e x perie n ced , th e

whole fe arfu l m yste ry o f h is d ia ry , a n d th e fe ar th at h as b een b ro odin g o ver

me e v er s in ce, a ll c am e in a tu m ult. I s u ppose I w as h yste ric al, fo r I th re w

myse lf o n m y k nees a n d h eld u p m y h an ds to h im , a n d im plo re d h im to m ak e

my h usb an d w ell a g ain . H e to ok m y h an ds a n d r a is e d m e u p, a n d m ad e m e s it

on th e s o fa , a n d s a t b y m e; h e h eld m y h an d in h is , a n d s a id to m e w ith , o h,

su ch i n fin ite s w eetn ess:—

“M y l if e i s a b arre n a n d l o nely o ne, a n d s o f u ll o f w ork t h at I h av e n ot h ad

much tim e fo r frie n dsh ip s; b ut sin ce I h av e b een su m moned to h ere b y m y

frie n d J o hn S ew ard I h av e k now n s o m an y g ood p eo ple a n d s e en s u ch n obility

th at I fe el m ore th an e v er— an d it h as g ro w n w ith m y a d van cin g y ears — th e

lo nelin ess o f m y lif e . B elie v e, m e, th en , th at I c o m e h ere fu ll o f re sp ect fo r

you, a n d y ou h av e g iv en m e h ope— hope, n ot i n w hat I a m s e ek in g o f, b ut t h at

th ere a re g ood w om en s till l e ft t o m ak e l if e h ap py— good w om en , w hose l iv es

an d w hose tr u th s m ay m ak e g ood le sso n fo r th e c h ild re n th at a re to b e. I a m

gla d , g la d , th at I m ay h ere b e o f s o m e u se to y ou; f o r if y our h usb an d s u ff e r,

he s u ff e r w ith in th e ra n ge o f m y s tu dy a n d e x perie n ce. I p ro m is e y ou th at I

will g la d ly d o a ll f o r h im t h at I c an — all t o m ak e h is l if e s tr o ng a n d m an ly , a n d

your lif e a h ap py o ne. N ow y ou m ust e at. Y ou a re o verw ro ught a n d p erh ap s

over- a n xio us. H usb an d J o nath an w ould n ot lik e to s e e y ou s o p ale ; a n d w hat

he lik e n ot w here h e lo ve, is n ot to h is g ood. T here fo re f o r h is s a k e y ou m ust

eat a n d s m ile . Y ou h av e t o ld m e a ll a b out L ucy, a n d s o n ow w e s h all n ot s p eak

of it, le st it d is tr e ss. I s h all s ta y in E xete r to -n ig ht, fo r I w an t to th in k m uch

over w hat y ou h av e t o ld m e, a n d w hen I h av e t h ought I w ill a sk y ou q uestio ns,

if I m ay. A nd th en , to o, y ou w ill te ll m e o f h usb an d J o nath an ’s tr o uble s o f a r

as y ou c an , b ut n ot y et. Y ou m ust e at n ow ; a fte rw ard s y ou s h all t e ll m e a ll.”

Afte r l u nch , w hen w e w en t b ack t o t h e d ra w in g-ro om , h e s a id t o m e:—

“A nd n ow te ll m e a ll a b out h im .” W hen it c am e to s p eak in g to th is g re at

le arn ed m an , I b eg an t o f e ar t h at h e w ould t h in k m e a w eak f o ol, a n d J o nath an

a m ad m an — th at j o urn al i s a ll s o s tr a n ge— an d I h esita te d t o g o o n. B ut h e w as

so s w eet a n d k in d, a n d h e h ad p ro m is e d t o h elp , a n d I t r u ste d h im , s o I s a id :—

“D r. V an H els in g, w hat I h av e to te ll y ou is so q ueer th at y ou m ust n ot

la u gh a t m e o r a t m y h usb an d. I h av e b een s in ce y este rd ay i n a s o rt o f f e v er o f

doubt; y ou m ust b e k in d to m e, a n d n ot th in k m e f o olis h th at I h av e e v en h alf

belie v ed s o m e v ery s tr a n ge t h in gs.” H e r e assu re d m e b y h is m an ner a s w ell a s his w ord s w hen h e s a id :—

“O h, m y d ear, if y ou o nly k now h ow s tr a n ge is t h e m atte r r e g ard in g w hic h

I a m h ere , it is y ou w ho w ould la u gh. I h av e le arn ed n ot to th in k little o f a n y

one’s b elie f, n o m atte r h ow s tr a n ge it b e. I h av e tr ie d to k eep a n o pen m in d;

an d it is n ot th e o rd in ary th in gs o f lif e th at c o uld c lo se it, b ut th e str a n ge

th in gs, t h e e x tr a o rd in ary t h in gs, t h e t h in gs t h at m ak e o ne d oubt i f t h ey b e m ad

or s a n e.”

“T han k y ou, th an k y ou, a th ousa n d tim es! Y ou h av e ta k en a w eig ht o ff m y

min d. I f y ou w ill le t m e, I s h all g iv e y ou a p ap er to r e ad . I t is lo ng, b ut I h av e

ty pew ritte n it o ut. I t w ill te ll y ou m y tr o uble a n d J o nath an ’s . I t is th e c o py o f

his jo urn al w hen a b ro ad , a n d a ll th at h ap pen ed . I d are n ot s a y a n yth in g o f it;

you w ill r e ad f o r y ours e lf a n d ju dge. A nd th en w hen I s e e y ou, p erh ap s, y ou

will b e v ery k in d a n d t e ll m e w hat y ou t h in k.”

“I p ro m is e ,” h e s a id a s I g av e h im th e p ap ers ; “ I s h all in th e m orn in g, s o

so on a s I c an , c o m e t o s e e y ou a n d y our h usb an d, i f I m ay.”

“Jo nath an w ill b e h ere a t h alf -p ast e le v en , a n d y ou m ust c o m e to lu nch

with u s a n d se e h im th en ; y ou c o uld c atc h th e q uic k 3 :3 4 tr a in , w hic h w ill

le av e y ou a t P ad din gto n b efo re e ig ht.” H e w as s u rp ris e d a t m y k now le d ge o f

th e tr a in s o ff -h an d, b ut h e d oes n ot k now th at I h av e m ad e u p a ll th e tr a in s to

an d f ro m E xete r, s o t h at I m ay h elp J o nath an i n c ase h e i s i n a h urry .

So h e to ok th e p ap ers w ith h im a n d w en t a w ay, a n d I s it h ere th in kin g—

th in kin g I d on’t k now w hat.

Lette r ( b y h an d), V an H els in g t o M rs . H ark er.

“2 5 S ep te m ber, 6 o ’c lo ck .

“D ear M ad am M in a,—

“I h av e re ad y our h usb an d’s s o w onderfu l d ia ry . Y ou m ay s le ep w ith out

doubt. S tr a n ge a n d t e rrib le a s i t i s , i t i s t r u e! I w ill p le d ge m y l if e o n i t. I t m ay

be w ors e fo r o th ers ; b ut fo r h im a n d y ou th ere is n o d re ad . H e is a n oble

fe llo w ; a n d le t m e te ll y ou f ro m e x perie n ce o f m en , th at o ne w ho w ould d o a s

he d id in g oin g d ow n th at w all a n d to th at r o om — ay, a n d g oin g a s e co nd tim e

—is n ot o ne to b e in ju re d in p erm an en ce b y a s h ock . H is b ra in a n d h is h eart

are a ll rig ht; th is I s w ear, b efo re I h av e e v en s e en h im ; s o b e a t re st. I s h all

hav e m uch to a sk h im o f o th er th in gs. I a m b le sse d th at to -d ay I c o m e to s e e

you, f o r I h av e le arn a ll a t o nce s o m uch th at a g ain I a m d azzle — dazzle m ore

th an e v er, a n d I m ust t h in k.

“Y ours t h e m ost f a ith fu l,

“A bra h am V an H els in g.” Lette r, M rs . H ark er t o V an H els in g.

“2 5 S ep te m ber, 6 :3 0 p . m .

“M y d ear D r. V an H els in g,—

“A t h ousa n d t h an ks f o r y our k in d l e tte r, w hic h h as t a k en a g re at w eig ht o ff

my m in d. A nd y et, i f i t b e t r u e, w hat t e rrib le t h in gs t h ere a re i n t h e w orld , a n d

what a n a w fu l th in g if th at m an , th at m onste r, b e re ally in L ondon! I fe ar to

th in k. I h av e th is m om en t, w hils t w ritin g, h ad a w ir e fro m J o nath an , s a y in g

th at h e le av es b y th e 6 :2 5 to -n ig ht f ro m L au ncesto n a n d w ill b e h ere a t 1 0:1 8,

so th at I s h all h av e n o fe ar to -n ig ht. W ill y ou, th ere fo re , in ste ad o f lu nch in g

with u s, p le ase c o m e to b re ak fa st a t e ig ht o ’c lo ck , if th is b e n ot to o e arly f o r

you? Y ou c an g et a w ay, if y ou a re in a h urry , b y th e 1 0:3 0 tr a in , w hic h w ill

brin g y ou t o P ad din gto n b y 2 :3 5. D o n ot a n sw er t h is , a s I s h all t a k e i t t h at, i f I

do n ot h ear, y ou w ill c o m e t o b re ak fa st.

“B elie v e m e,

“Y our f a ith fu l a n d g ra te fu l f rie n d,

“M in a H ark er.”

Jo nath an H ark er’s J o urn al.

26 S ep te m ber.— I th ought n ev er to w rite in th is d ia ry a g ain , b ut th e tim e

has c o m e. W hen I g ot h om e la st n ig ht M in a h ad s u pper re ad y, a n d w hen w e

had s u pped s h e t o ld m e o f V an H els in g’s v is it, a n d o f h er h av in g g iv en h im t h e

tw o d ia rie s co pie d o ut, an d o f h ow an xio us sh e h as b een ab out m e. S he

sh ow ed m e in th e d octo r’s le tte r th at a ll I w ro te d ow n w as tr u e. It s e em s to

hav e m ad e a n ew m an o f m e. It w as th e d oubt a s to th e re ality o f th e w hole

th in g th at k nock ed m e o ver. I fe lt im pote n t, a n d in th e d ark , a n d d is tr u stf u l.

But, n ow th at I k now , I a m n ot a fra id , e v en o f th e C ount. H e h as s u cceed ed

afte r a ll, th en , in h is d esig n in g ettin g to L ondon, a n d it w as h e I s a w . H e h as

got y ounger, a n d h ow ? V an H els in g is th e m an to u nm ask h im a n d h unt h im

out, if h e is a n yth in g lik e w hat M in a s a y s. W e s a t la te , a n d ta lk ed it a ll o ver.

Min a is d re ssin g, a n d I s h all c all a t th e h ote l in a f e w m in ute s a n d b rin g h im

over....

He w as, I th in k, s u rp ris e d to s e e m e. W hen I c am e in to th e r o om w here h e

was, a n d in tr o duced m yse lf , h e to ok m e b y th e s h ould er, a n d tu rn ed m y fa ce

ro und t o t h e l ig ht, a n d s a id , a fte r a s h arp s c ru tin y:—

“B ut M ad am M in a to ld m e y ou w ere ill, th at y ou h ad h ad a s h ock .” I t w as

so fu nny to h ear m y w if e c alle d “ M ad am M in a” b y th is k in dly , s tr o ng-fa ced

old m an . I s m ile d , a n d s a id :—

“I w as i ll, I h av e h ad a s h ock ; b ut y ou h av e c u re d m e a lr e ad y.” “A nd h ow ?”

“B y y our l e tte r t o M in a l a st n ig ht. I w as i n d oubt, a n d t h en e v ery th in g t o ok

a h ue o f u nre ality , a n d I d id n ot k now w hat to tr u st, e v en th e e v id en ce o f m y

ow n s e n se s. N ot k now in g w hat t o t r u st, I d id n ot k now w hat t o d o; a n d s o h ad

only to k eep o n w ork in g in w hat h ad h ith erto b een th e g ro ove o f m y lif e . T he

gro ove c ease d to a v ail m e, a n d I m is tr u ste d m yse lf . D octo r, y ou d on’t k now

what i t i s t o d oubt e v ery th in g, e v en y ours e lf . N o, y ou d on’t; y ou c o uld n’t w ith

ey eb ro w s l ik e y ours .” H e s e em ed p le ase d , a n d l a u ghed a s h e s a id :—

“S o! Y ou a re p hysio gnom is t. I le arn m ore h ere w ith e ach h our. I a m w ith

so m uch p le asu re c o m in g to y ou to b re ak fa st; a n d, o h, sir , y ou w ill p ard on

pra is e fro m a n o ld m an , b ut y ou a re b le sse d in y our w if e .” I w ould lis te n to

him g o o n p ra is in g M in a f o r a d ay, s o I s im ply n odded a n d s to od s ile n t.

“S he is o ne o f G od’s w om en , f a sh io ned b y H is o w n h an d to s h ow u s m en

an d o th er w om en th at th ere is a h eav en w here w e c an e n te r, a n d th at its lig ht

can b e h ere o n e arth . S o tr u e, s o s w eet, s o n oble , s o little a n e g ois t— an d th at,

le t m e te ll y ou, is m uch in th is a g e, s o s c ep tic al a n d s e lf is h . A nd y ou, s ir — I

hav e r e ad a ll t h e l e tte rs t o p oor M is s L ucy, a n d s o m e o f t h em s p eak o f y ou, s o

I k now y ou s in ce s o m e d ay s f ro m th e k now in g o f o th ers ; b ut I h av e s e en y our

tr u e s e lf s in ce l a st n ig ht. Y ou w ill g iv e m e y our h an d, w ill y ou n ot? A nd l e t u s

be f rie n ds f o r a ll o ur l iv es.”

We s h ook h an ds, a n d h e w as s o e arn est a n d s o k in d th at it m ad e m e q uite

ch oky.

“A nd n ow ,” h e s a id , “ m ay I a sk y ou fo r s o m e m ore h elp ? I h av e a g re at

ta sk to d o, a n d a t th e b eg in nin g it is to k now . Y ou c an h elp m e h ere . C an y ou

te ll m e w hat w en t b efo re y our g oin g t o T ra n sy lv an ia ? L ate r o n I m ay a sk m ore

help , a n d o f a d if f e re n t k in d; b ut a t f ir s t t h is w ill d o.”

“L ook h ere , s ir ,” I s a id , “ d oes w hat y ou h av e t o d o c o ncern t h e C ount? ”

“It d oes,” h e s a id s o le m nly .

“T hen I a m w ith y ou h eart a n d s o ul. A s y ou g o b y t h e 1 0:3 0 t r a in , y ou w ill

not h av e tim e to r e ad th em ; b ut I s h all g et th e b undle o f p ap ers . Y ou c an ta k e

th em w ith y ou a n d r e ad t h em i n t h e t r a in .”

Afte r b re ak fa st I s a w h im t o t h e s ta tio n. W hen w e w ere p artin g h e s a id :—

“P erh ap s y ou w ill c o m e to to w n if I s e n d to y ou, a n d ta k e M ad am M in a

to o.”

“W e s h all b oth c o m e w hen y ou w ill,” I s a id .

I h ad g ot h im th e m orn in g p ap ers a n d th e L ondon p ap ers o f th e p re v io us

nig ht, a n d w hile w e w ere ta lk in g a t th e c arria g e w in dow , w aitin g f o r th e tr a in to sta rt, he w as tu rn in g th em over. H is ey es su dden ly se em ed to catc h

so m eth in g in o ne o f th em , “T he W estm in ste r G azette ”— I k new it b y th e

co lo ur— an d h e g re w q uite w hite . H e re ad so m eth in g in te n tly , g ro an in g to

him se lf : “M ein G ott! M ein G ott! S o so on! so so on!” I do not th in k he

re m em bere d m e at th e m om en t. Ju st th en th e w his tle b le w , an d th e tr a in

moved o ff . T his r e calle d h im to h im se lf , a n d h e le an ed o ut o f th e w in dow a n d

wav ed h is h an d, c allin g o ut: “ L ove to M ad am M in a; I s h all w rite s o s o on a s

ev er I c an .”

Dr. S ew ard ’s D ia ry .

26 S ep te m ber.— Tru ly th ere is n o s u ch th in g a s f in ality . N ot a w eek s in ce I

sa id “ F in is ,” a n d y et h ere I a m s ta rtin g f re sh a g ain , o r r a th er g oin g o n w ith t h e

sa m e re co rd . U ntil th is a fte rn oon I h ad n o c au se to th in k o f w hat is d one.

Ren fie ld h ad b eco m e, to a ll in te n ts , a s s a n e a s h e e v er w as. H e w as a lr e ad y

well a h ead w ith h is f ly b usin ess ; a n d h e h ad j u st s ta rte d i n t h e s p id er l in e a ls o ;

so h e h ad n ot b een o f a n y tr o uble to m e. I h ad a le tte r f ro m A rth ur, w ritte n o n

Sunday, a n d f ro m it I g ath er th at h e is b earin g u p w onderfu lly w ell. Q uin cey

Morris is w ith h im , a n d th at is m uch o f a h elp , fo r h e h im se lf is a b ubblin g

well o f g ood s p ir its . Q uin cey w ro te m e a lin e to o, a n d fro m h im I h ear th at

Arth ur is b eg in nin g to re co ver s o m eth in g o f h is o ld b uoyan cy ; s o a s to th em

all m y m in d is a t r e st. A s f o r m yse lf , I w as s e ttlin g d ow n to m y w ork w ith th e

en th usia sm w hic h I u se d t o h av e f o r i t, s o t h at I m ig ht f a ir ly h av e s a id t h at t h e

wound w hic h p oor L ucy le ft o n m e w as b eco m in g c ic atr is e d . E very th in g is ,

how ev er, n ow r e o pen ed ; a n d w hat is to b e th e e n d G od o nly k now s. I h av e a n

id ea t h at V an H els in g t h in ks h e k now s, t o o, b ut h e w ill o nly l e t o ut e n ough a t a

tim e t o w het c u rio sity . H e w en t t o E xete r y este rd ay, a n d s ta y ed th ere a ll n ig ht.

To-d ay h e c am e b ack , a n d a lm ost b ounded in to th e ro om a t a b out h alf -p ast

fiv e o ’c lo ck , a n d t h ru st l a st n ig ht’s “ W estm in ste r G azette ” i n to m y h an d.

“W hat d o y ou th in k o f th at? ” h e a sk ed a s h e sto od b ack a n d fo ld ed h is

arm s.

I lo oked o ver th e p ap er, fo r I re ally d id n ot k now w hat h e m ean t; b ut h e

to ok it fro m m e a n d p oin te d o ut a p ara g ra p h a b out c h ild re n b ein g d eco yed

aw ay a t H am pste ad . I t d id n ot c o nvey m uch to m e, u ntil I r e ach ed a p assa g e

where it d esc rib ed sm all p unctu re d w ounds o n th eir th ro ats . A n id ea str u ck

me, a n d I l o oked u p. “ W ell? ” h e s a id .

“It i s l ik e p oor L ucy ’s .”

“A nd w hat d o y ou m ak e o f i t? ”

“S im ply th at th ere is s o m e c au se in c o m mon. W hate v er it w as th at in ju re d

her h as i n ju re d t h em .” I d id n ot q uite u nders ta n d h is a n sw er:—

“T hat i s t r u e i n dir e ctly , b ut n ot d ir e ctly .” “H ow d o y ou m ean , P ro fe sso r? ” I a sk ed . I w as a little in clin ed to ta k e h is

se rio usn ess lig htly — fo r, a fte r a ll, f o ur d ay s o f r e st a n d f re ed om f ro m b urn in g,

harro w in g a n xie ty d oes h elp to r e sto re o ne’s s p ir its — but w hen I s a w h is f a ce,

it s o bere d m e. N ev er, e v en i n t h e m id st o f o ur d esp air a b out p oor L ucy, h ad h e

lo oked m ore s te rn .

“T ell m e!” I s a id . “ I c an h azard n o o pin io n. I d o n ot k now w hat to th in k,

an d I h av e n o d ata o n w hic h t o f o und a c o nje ctu re .”

“D o y ou m ean to te ll m e, frie n d Jo hn, th at y ou h av e n o su sp ic io n a s to

what p oor L ucy d ie d o f; n ot a fte r a ll t h e h in ts g iv en , n ot o nly b y e v en ts , b ut b y

me?”

“O f n erv ous p ro str a tio n f o llo w in g o n g re at l o ss o r w aste o f b lo od.”

“A nd h ow t h e b lo od l o st o r w aste ?” I s h ook m y h ead . H e s te p ped o ver a n d

sa t d ow n b esid e m e, a n d w en t o n:—

“Y ou a re c le v er m an , frie n d J o hn; y ou re aso n w ell, a n d y our w it is b old ;

but y ou a re to o p re ju dic ed . Y ou d o n ot le t y our e y es s e e n or y our e ars h ear,

an d th at w hic h is o uts id e y our d aily lif e is n ot o f a cco unt to y ou. D o y ou n ot

th in k th at th ere a re th in gs w hic h y ou c an not u nders ta n d, a n d y et w hic h a re ;

th at s o m e p eo ple s e e th in gs th at o th ers c an not? B ut th ere a re th in gs o ld a n d

new w hic h m ust n ot b e c o nte m pla te b y m en ’s e y es, b ecau se th ey k now — or

th in k th ey k now — so m e th in gs w hic h o th er m en h av e to ld th em . A h, it is th e

fa u lt o f o ur s c ie n ce th at it w an ts to e x pla in a ll; a n d if it e x pla in n ot, th en it

sa y s th ere is n oth in g to ex pla in . B ut y et w e se e aro und u s ev ery d ay th e

gro w th o f n ew b elie fs , w hic h th in k t h em se lv es n ew ; a n d w hic h a re y et b ut t h e

old , w hic h p re te n d to b e y oung— lik e th e fin e la d ie s a t th e o pera . I s u ppose

now y ou d o n ot b elie v e in c o rp ore al tr a n sfe re n ce. N o? N or in m ate ria lis a tio n.

No? N or in a str a l b odie s. N o? N or in th e re ad in g o f th ought. N o? N or in

hypnotis m — —”

“Y es,” I s a id . “ C harc o t h as p ro ved th at p re tty w ell.” H e s m ile d a s h e w en t

on: “ T hen y ou a re s a tis fie d a s to it. Y es? A nd o f c o urs e th en y ou u nders ta n d

how it a ct, a n d c an fo llo w th e m in d o f th e g re at C harc o t— ala s th at h e is n o

more !— in to th e v ery s o ul o f th e p atie n t th at h e in flu en ce. N o? T hen , frie n d

Jo hn, a m I to ta k e it th at y ou s im ply a ccep t f a ct, a n d a re s a tis fie d to le t f ro m

pre m is e to c o nclu sio n b e a b la n k? N o? T hen te ll m e— fo r I a m s tu den t o f th e

bra in — how y ou a ccep t th e h ypnotis m a n d r e je ct th e th ought r e ad in g. L et m e

te ll y ou, m y frie n d, th at th ere are th in gs d one to -d ay in ele ctr ic al sc ie n ce

whic h w ould h av e b een d eem ed u nholy b y th e v ery m en w ho d is c o vere d

ele ctr ic ity — who w ould th em se lv es n ot so lo ng b efo re h av e b een b urn ed a s

wiz ard s. T here a re a lw ay s m yste rie s in lif e . W hy w as it th at M eth use la h liv ed

nin e h undre d y ears , a n d ‘O ld P arr ’ o ne h undre d a n d s ix ty -n in e, a n d y et th at

poor L ucy, w ith fo ur m en ’s b lo od in h er p oor v ein s, c o uld n ot liv e e v en o ne day ? F or, h ad s h e l iv e o ne m ore d ay, w e c o uld h av e s a v e h er. D o y ou k now a ll

th e m yste ry o f lif e a n d d eath ? D o y ou k now th e a lto geth er o f c o m para tiv e

an ato m y a n d c an s a y w here fo re th e q ualitie s o f b ru te s a re in s o m e m en , a n d

not in o th ers ? C an y ou te ll m e w hy, w hen o th er s p id ers d ie s m all a n d s o on,

th at o ne g re at s p id er liv ed f o r c en tu rie s in th e to w er o f th e o ld S pan is h c h urc h

an d g re w a n d g re w , t ill, o n d esc en din g, h e c o uld d rin k t h e o il o f a ll t h e c h urc h

la m ps? C an y ou te ll m e w hy in th e P am pas, a y a n d e ls e w here , th ere a re b ats

th at c o m e a t n ig ht a n d o pen th e v ein s o f c attle a n d h ors e s a n d s u ck d ry th eir

vein s; h ow in s o m e is la n ds o f th e W este rn s e as th ere a re b ats w hic h h an g o n

th e tr e es a ll d ay, a n d th ose w ho h av e s e en d esc rib e a s lik e g ia n t n uts o r p ods,

an d th at w hen th e s a ilo rs s le ep o n th e d eck , b ecau se th at it is h ot, f lit d ow n o n

th em , a n d th en — an d th en in th e m orn in g a re f o und d ead m en , w hite a s e v en

Mis s L ucy w as? ”

“G ood G od, P ro fe sso r!” I s a id , s ta rtin g u p. “ D o y ou m ean to te ll m e th at

Lucy w as b itte n b y s u ch a b at; a n d th at s u ch a th in g is h ere in L ondon in th e

nin ete en th c en tu ry ?” H e w av ed h is h an d f o r s ile n ce, a n d w en t o n:—

“C an y ou t e ll m e w hy t h e t o rto is e l iv es m ore l o ng t h an g en era tio ns o f m en ;

why th e e le p han t g oes o n a n d o n till h e h av e se en d ynastie s; a n d w hy th e

parro t n ev er d ie o nly o f b ite o f c at o r d og o r o th er c o m pla in t? C an y ou t e ll m e

why m en b elie v e in a ll a g es a n d p la ces th at th ere a re s o m e fe w w ho liv e o n

alw ay s if th ey b e p erm it; th at th ere a re m en a n d w om en w ho c an not d ie ? W e

all k now — becau se sc ie n ce h as v ouch ed fo r th e fa ct— th at th ere h av e b een

to ad s s h ut u p in ro ck s fo r th ousa n ds o f y ears , s h ut in o ne s o s m all h ole th at

only h old h im s in ce th e y outh o f th e w orld . C an y ou te ll m e h ow th e In dia n

fa k ir c an m ak e h im se lf to d ie a n d h av e b een b urie d , a n d h is g ra v e s e ale d a n d

co rn s o w ed o n i t, a n d t h e c o rn r e ap ed a n d b e c u t a n d s o w n a n d r e ap ed a n d c u t

ag ain , a n d th en m en c o m e a n d ta k e a w ay th e u nbro ken s e al a n d th at th ere lie

th e I n dia n f a k ir , n ot d ead , b ut th at r is e u p a n d w alk a m ongst th em a s b efo re ?”

Here I in te rru pte d h im . I w as g ettin g b ew ild ere d ; h e s o c ro w ded o n m y m in d

his lis t of natu re ’s eccen tr ic itie s an d possib le im possib ilitie s th at m y

im ag in atio n w as g ettin g f ir e d . I h ad a d im id ea th at h e w as te ach in g m e s o m e

le sso n, a s lo ng a g o h e u se d to d o in h is s tu dy a t A m ste rd am ; b ut h e u se d th en

to te ll m e th e th in g, s o th at I c o uld h av e th e o bje ct o f th ought in m in d a ll th e

tim e. B ut n ow I w as w ith out t h is h elp , y et I w an te d t o f o llo w h im , s o I s a id :—

“P ro fe sso r, le t m e b e y our p et s tu den t a g ain . T ell m e th e th esis , s o th at I

may a p ply y our k now le d ge a s y ou g o o n. A t p re se n t I a m g oin g in m y m in d

fro m p oin t to p oin t a s a m ad m an , a n d n ot a s a n e o ne, f o llo w s a n id ea. I f e el

lik e a n ovic e lu m berin g th ro ugh a b og in a m is t, ju m pin g f ro m o ne tu sso ck to

an oth er in th e m ere b lin d eff o rt to m ove o n w ith out k now in g w here I am

goin g.”

“T hat is g ood im ag e,” h e s a id . “ W ell, I s h all te ll y ou. M y th esis is th is : I wan t y ou t o b elie v e.”

“T o b elie v e w hat? ”

“T o b elie v e in th in gs th at y ou c an not. L et m e illu str a te . I h eard o nce o f a n

Am eric an w ho so d efin ed fa ith : ‘th at fa cu lty w hic h en ab le s u s to b elie v e

th in gs w hic h w e k now t o b e u ntr u e.’ F or o ne, I f o llo w t h at m an . H e m ean t t h at

we s h all h av e a n o pen m in d, a n d n ot le t a little b it o f tr u th c h eck th e r u sh o f a

big tr u th , lik e a s m all ro ck d oes a ra ilw ay tr u ck . W e g et th e s m all tr u th fir s t.

Good! W e k eep h im , a n d w e v alu e h im ; b ut a ll th e s a m e w e m ust n ot le t h im

th in k h im se lf a ll t h e t r u th i n t h e u niv ers e .”

“T hen you w an t m e not to le t so m e pre v io us co nvic tio n in ju re th e

re cep tiv ity o f m y m in d w ith re g ard to so m e str a n ge m atte r. D o I re ad y our

le sso n a rig ht? ”

“A h, y ou a re m y fa v ourite p upil s till. It is w orth to te ach y ou. N ow th at

you a re w illin g to u nders ta n d, y ou h av e ta k en t h e f ir s t s te p to u nders ta n d. Y ou

th in k th en th at th ose s o s m all h ole s in th e c h ild re n ’s th ro ats w ere m ad e b y th e

sa m e t h at m ad e t h e h ole i n M is s L ucy ?”

“I s u ppose s o .” H e s to od u p a n d s a id s o le m nly :—

“T hen y ou a re w ro ng. O h, w ould it w ere s o ! b ut a la s! n o. I t is w ors e , f a r,

fa r w ors e .”

“In G od’s n am e, P ro fe sso r V an H els in g, w hat d o y ou m ean ?” I c rie d .

He th re w h im se lf w ith a d esp air in g g estu re in to a c h air , a n d p la ced h is

elb ow s o n t h e t a b le , c o verin g h is f a ce w ith h is h an ds a s h e s p oke:—

“T hey w ere m ad e b y M is s L ucy !”

CH APT ER X V

DR. S E W ARD’S D IA RY — co n tin ued .

F or

a w hile s h eer a n ger m aste re d m e; it w as a s if h e h ad d urin g h er lif e

str u ck L ucy o n t h e f a ce. I s m ote t h e t a b le h ard a n d r o se u p a s I s a id t o h im :—

“D r. V an H els in g, a re y ou m ad ?” H e r a is e d h is h ead a n d l o oked a t m e, a n d

so m eh ow th e te n dern ess o f h is fa ce c alm ed m e a t o nce. “ W ould I w ere !” h e

sa id . “ M ad ness w ere e asy t o b ear c o m pare d w ith t r u th l ik e t h is . O h, m y f rie n d,

why, th in k y ou, d id I g o s o f a r r o und, w hy ta k e s o lo ng to te ll y ou s o s im ple a

th in g? W as it b ecau se I h ate y ou an d h av e h ate d y ou all m y lif e ? W as it

becau se I w is h ed to g iv e y ou p ain ? W as it th at I w an te d , n ow s o la te , r e v en ge fo r t h at t im e w hen y ou s a v ed m y l if e , a n d f ro m a f e arfu l d eath ? A h n o!”

“F org iv e m e,” s a id I . H e w en t o n:—

“M y f rie n d, i t w as b ecau se I w is h ed t o b e g en tle i n t h e b re ak in g t o y ou, f o r

I k now y ou h av e lo ved th at s o s w eet la d y. B ut e v en y et I d o n ot e x pect y ou to

belie v e. It is s o h ard to a ccep t a t o nce a n y a b str a ct tr u th , th at w e m ay d oubt

su ch to b e p ossib le w hen w e h av e a lw ay s b elie v ed th e ‘n o’ o f it; it is m ore

hard s till t o a ccep t s o s a d a c o ncre te t r u th , a n d o f s u ch a o ne a s M is s L ucy. T o-

nig ht I g o t o p ro ve i t. D are y ou c o m e w ith m e?”

This sta g gere d m e. A m an d oes n ot lik e to p ro ve su ch a tr u th ; B yro n

ex cep te d f ro m t h e c ate g ory , j e alo usy .

“A nd p ro ve t h e v ery t r u th h e m ost a b horre d .”

He s a w m y h esita tio n, a n d s p oke:—

“T he lo gic is s im ple , n o m ad m an ’s lo gic th is tim e, ju m pin g fro m tu sso ck

to tu sso ck in a m is ty b og. I f it b e n ot tr u e, th en p ro of w ill b e r e lie f; a t w ors t it

will n ot h arm . I f it b e tr u e! A h, th ere is th e d re ad ; y et v ery d re ad s h ould h elp

my c au se , fo r in it is s o m e n eed o f b elie f. C om e, I te ll y ou w hat I p ro pose :

fir s t, th at w e g o o ff n ow a n d s e e th at c h ild in th e h osp ita l. D r. V in cen t, o f th e

North H osp ita l, w here t h e p ap ers s a y t h e c h ild i s , i s f rie n d o f m in e, a n d I t h in k

of y ours s in ce y ou w ere in c la ss a t A m ste rd am . H e w ill le t tw o s c ie n tis ts s e e

his c ase , if h e w ill n ot le t tw o f rie n ds. W e s h all te ll h im n oth in g, b ut o nly th at

we w is h t o l e arn . A nd t h en — —”

“A nd th en ?” H e to ok a k ey f ro m h is p ock et a n d h eld it u p. “ A nd th en w e

sp en d th e n ig ht, y ou a n d I , in th e c h urc h yard w here L ucy lie s. T his is th e k ey

th at lo ck th e to m b. I h ad it f ro m th e c o ff in -m an to g iv e to A rth ur.” M y h eart

sa n k w ith in m e, f o r I f e lt th at th ere w as s o m e f e arfu l o rd eal b efo re u s. I c o uld

do n oth in g, h ow ev er, s o I p lu ck ed u p w hat h eart I c o uld a n d s a id th at w e h ad

bette r h aste n , a s t h e a fte rn oon w as p assin g....

We fo und th e c h ild a w ak e. It h ad h ad a s le ep a n d ta k en s o m e fo od, a n d

alto geth er w as g oin g o n w ell. D r. V in cen t to ok th e b an dag e fro m its th ro at,

an d s h ow ed u s th e p unctu re s. T here w as n o m is ta k in g th e s im ila rity to th ose

whic h h ad b een o n L ucy ’s th ro at. T hey w ere sm alle r, a n d th e e d ges lo oked

fre sh er; th at w as a ll. W e a sk ed V in cen t to w hat h e a ttr ib ute d th em , a n d h e

re p lie d th at it m ust h av e b een a b ite o f s o m e a n im al, p erh ap s a r a t; b ut, f o r h is

ow n p art, h e w as in clin ed to th in k th at it w as o ne o f th e b ats w hic h a re so

num ero us o n t h e n orth ern h eig hts o f L ondon. “ O ut o f s o m an y h arm le ss o nes,”

he sa id , “th ere m ay be so m e w ild sp ecim en fro m th e S outh of a m ore

malig nan t s p ecie s. S om e s a ilo r m ay h av e b ro ught o ne h om e, a n d it m an ag ed

to e sc ap e; o r e v en fro m th e Z oölo gic al G ard en s a y oung o ne m ay h av e g ot

lo ose , o r o ne b e b re d th ere f ro m a v am pir e . T hese th in gs d o o ccu r, y ou k now . Only te n day s ag o a w olf got out, an d w as, I belie v e, tr a ced up in th is

dir e ctio n. F or a w eek a fte r, th e c h ild re n w ere p la y in g n oth in g b ut R ed R id in g

Hood o n t h e H eath a n d i n e v ery a lle y i n t h e p la ce u ntil t h is ‘ b lo ofe r l a d y’ s c are

cam e a lo ng, sin ce w hen it h as b een q uite a g ala -tim e w ith th em . E ven th is

poor l ittle m ite , w hen h e w oke u p t o -d ay, a sk ed t h e n urs e i f h e m ig ht g o a w ay.

When s h e a sk ed h im w hy h e w an te d to g o, h e s a id h e w an te d to p la y w ith th e

‘b lo ofe r l a d y.’ ”

“I h ope,” s a id V an H els in g, “ th at w hen y ou a re s e n din g t h e c h ild h om e y ou

will c au tio n its p are n ts to k eep s tr ic t w atc h o ver it. T hese f a n cie s to s tr a y a re

most d an gero us; a n d if th e c h ild w ere to re m ain o ut a n oth er n ig ht, it w ould

pro bab ly b e f a ta l. B ut in a n y c ase I s u ppose y ou w ill n ot le t it a w ay f o r s o m e

day s? ”

“C erta in ly n ot, n ot f o r a w eek a t l e ast; l o nger i f t h e w ound i s n ot h eale d .”

Our v is it to th e h osp ita l to ok m ore tim e th an w e h ad r e ck oned o n, a n d th e

su n h ad d ip ped b efo re w e c am e o ut. W hen V an H els in g s a w h ow d ark it w as,

he s a id :—

“T here is n o h urry . It is m ore la te th an I th ought. C om e, le t u s se ek

so m ew here t h at w e m ay e at, a n d t h en w e s h all g o o n o ur w ay.”

We d in ed a t “ Ja ck S tr a w ’s C astle ” a lo ng w ith a little c ro w d o f b ic y clis ts

an d o th ers w ho w ere g en ia lly n ois y . A bout te n o ’c lo ck w e sta rte d fro m th e

in n. I t w as th en v ery d ark , a n d th e s c atte re d la m ps m ad e th e d ark ness g re ate r

when w e w ere once outs id e th eir in div id ual ra d iu s. The Pro fe sso r had

ev id en tly n ote d th e r o ad w e w ere to g o, f o r h e w en t o n u nhesita tin gly ; b ut, a s

fo r m e, I w as i n q uite a m ix up a s t o l o cality . A s w e w en t f u rth er, w e m et f e w er

an d f e w er p eo ple , till a t la st w e w ere s o m ew hat s u rp ris e d w hen w e m et e v en

th e p atr o l o f h ors e p olic e g oin g t h eir u su al s u burb an r o und. A t l a st w e r e ach ed

th e w all o f th e c h urc h yard , w hic h w e c lim bed o ver. W ith s o m e little d if f ic u lty

—fo r it w as v ery d ark , a n d th e w hole p la ce se em ed so str a n ge to u s— we

fo und t h e W este n ra t o m b. T he P ro fe sso r t o ok t h e k ey, o pen ed t h e c re ak y d oor,

an d s ta n din g b ack , p olite ly , b ut q uite u nco nsc io usly , m otio ned m e to p re ced e

him . T here w as a d elic io us ir o ny in th e o ff e r, in th e co urtlin ess o f g iv in g

pre fe re n ce o n s u ch a g hastly o ccasio n. M y c o m pan io n fo llo w ed m e q uic k ly ,

an d c au tio usly d re w t h e d oor t o , a fte r c are fu lly a sc erta in in g t h at t h e l o ck w as a

fa llin g, a n d n ot a s p rin g, o ne. I n th e la tte r c ase w e s h ould h av e b een in a b ad

plig ht. T hen h e f u m ble d in h is b ag , a n d ta k in g o ut a m atc h box a n d a p ie ce o f

can dle , pro ceed ed to m ak e a lig ht. T he to m b in th e day -tim e, an d w hen

wre ath ed w ith f re sh f lo w ers , h ad lo oked g rim a n d g ru eso m e e n ough; b ut n ow ,

so m e d ay s afte rw ard s, w hen th e flo w ers h ung la n k an d d ead , th eir w hite s

tu rn in g to r u st a n d th eir g re en s to b ro w ns; w hen th e s p id er a n d th e b eetle h ad

re su m ed th eir a ccu sto m ed d om in an ce; w hen tim e-d is c o lo ure d s to ne, a n d d ust- en cru ste d m orta r, a n d r u sty , d an k i r o n, a n d t a rn is h ed b ra ss, a n d c lo uded s ilv er-

pla tin g gav e back th e fe eb le glim mer of a can dle , th e eff e ct w as m ore

mis e ra b le a n d s o rd id th an c o uld h av e b een im ag in ed . It c o nvey ed ir re sis tib ly

th e i d ea t h at l if e — an im al l if e — was n ot t h e o nly t h in g w hic h c o uld p ass a w ay.

Van H els in g w en t a b out h is w ork s y ste m atic ally . H old in g h is c an dle s o t h at

he c o uld re ad th e c o ff in p la te s, a n d s o h old in g it th at th e s p erm d ro pped in

white p atc h es w hic h c o ngeale d a s th ey to uch ed th e m eta l, h e m ad e a ssu ra n ce

of L ucy ’s c o ff in . A noth er s e arc h i n h is b ag , a n d h e t o ok o ut a t u rn sc re w .

“W hat a re y ou g oin g t o d o?” I a sk ed .

“T o o pen th e c o ff in . Y ou s h all y et b e c o nvin ced .” S tr a ig htw ay h e b eg an

ta k in g o ut th e s c re w s, a n d f in ally lif te d o ff th e lid , s h ow in g th e c asin g o f le ad

ben eath . T he s ig ht w as a lm ost to o m uch fo r m e. It s e em ed to b e a s m uch a n

aff ro nt to th e d ead a s it w ould h av e b een to h av e s tr ip ped o ff h er c lo th in g in

her s le ep w hils t liv in g; I a ctu ally to ok h old o f h is h an d to s to p h im . H e o nly

sa id : “ Y ou s h all s e e,” a n d a g ain f u m blin g in h is b ag , to ok o ut a tin y f re t- s a w .

Str ik in g th e tu rn sc re w th ro ugh th e le ad w ith a sw if t d ow nw ard sta b , w hic h

mad e m e w in ce, h e m ad e a s m all h ole , w hic h w as, h ow ev er, b ig e n ough to

ad m it th e p oin t o f th e s a w . I h ad e x pecte d a ru sh o f g as fro m th e w eek -o ld

co rp se . W e d octo rs , w ho h av e h ad to stu dy o ur d an gers , h av e to b eco m e

accu sto m ed to su ch th in gs, an d I dre w back to w ard s th e door. B ut th e

Pro fe sso r n ev er s to pped f o r a m om en t; h e s a w ed d ow n a c o uple o f f e et a lo ng

one s id e o f th e le ad c o ff in , a n d th en a cro ss, a n d d ow n th e o th er s id e. T ak in g

th e e d ge o f t h e l o ose f la n ge, h e b en t i t b ack t o w ard s t h e f o ot o f t h e c o ff in , a n d

hold in g u p t h e c an dle i n to t h e a p ertu re , m otio ned t o m e t o l o ok.

I d re w n ear a n d l o oked . T he c o ff in w as e m pty .

It w as c erta in ly a s u rp ris e to m e, a n d g av e m e a c o nsid era b le s h ock , b ut

Van H els in g w as u nm oved . H e w as n ow m ore s u re th an e v er o f h is g ro und,

an d so em bold en ed to p ro ceed in h is ta sk . “A re y ou sa tis fie d n ow , frie n d

Jo hn?” h e a sk ed .

I f e lt a ll th e d ogged a rg um en ta tiv en ess o f m y n atu re a w ak e w ith in m e a s I

an sw ere d h im :—

“I a m s a tis fie d th at L ucy ’s b ody is n ot in th at c o ff in ; b ut th at o nly p ro ves

one t h in g.”

“A nd w hat i s t h at, f rie n d J o hn?”

“T hat i t i s n ot t h ere .”

“T hat i s g ood l o gic ,” h e s a id , “ so f a r a s i t g oes. B ut h ow d o y ou— how c an

you— acco unt f o r i t n ot b ein g t h ere ?”

“P erh ap s a b ody-s n atc h er,” I s u ggeste d . “ S om e o f th e u nderta k er’s p eo ple may h av e s to le n i t.” I f e lt t h at I w as s p eak in g f o lly , a n d y et i t w as t h e o nly r e al

cau se w hic h I c o uld s u ggest. T he P ro fe sso r s ig hed . “ A h w ell! ” h e s a id , “ w e

must h av e m ore p ro of. C om e w ith m e.”

He p ut o n th e c o ff in -lid a g ain , g ath ere d u p a ll h is th in gs a n d p la ced th em

in t h e b ag , b le w o ut t h e l ig ht, a n d p la ced t h e c an dle a ls o i n t h e b ag . W e o pen ed

th e d oor, a n d w en t o ut. B eh in d u s h e c lo se d t h e d oor a n d l o ck ed i t. H e h an ded

me t h e k ey, s a y in g: “ W ill y ou k eep i t? Y ou h ad b ette r b e a ssu re d .” I l a u ghed —

it w as n ot a v ery c h eerfu l la u gh, I a m b ound to s a y — as I m otio ned h im to

keep it. “ A k ey is n oth in g,” I s a id ; “ th ere m ay b e d uplic ate s; a n d a n yhow it is

not d if f ic u lt t o p ic k a l o ck o f t h at k in d.” H e s a id n oth in g, b ut p ut t h e k ey i n h is

pock et. T hen h e to ld m e to w atc h a t o ne sid e o f th e c h urc h yard w hils t h e

would w atc h a t th e o th er. I to ok u p m y p la ce b eh in d a y ew -tr e e, a n d I s a w h is

dark fig ure m ove u ntil th e in te rv en in g h ead sto nes a n d tr e es h id it fro m m y

sig ht.

It w as a lo nely v ig il. J u st a fte r I h ad ta k en m y p la ce I h eard a d is ta n t c lo ck

str ik e tw elv e, a n d in tim e c am e o ne a n d tw o. I w as c h ille d a n d u nnerv ed , a n d

an gry w ith th e P ro fe sso r f o r ta k in g m e o n s u ch a n e rra n d a n d w ith m yse lf f o r

co m in g. I w as to o c o ld a n d to o s le ep y to b e k een ly o bse rv an t, a n d n ot s le ep y

en ough t o b etr a y m y t r u st s o a lto geth er I h ad a d re ary , m is e ra b le t im e.

Sudden ly , a s I tu rn ed r o und, I th ought I s a w s o m eth in g lik e a w hite s tr e ak ,

movin g b etw een t w o d ark y ew -tr e es a t t h e s id e o f t h e c h urc h yard f a rth est f ro m

th e t o m b; a t t h e s a m e t im e a d ark m ass m oved f ro m t h e P ro fe sso r’s s id e o f t h e

gro und, a n d h urrie d ly w en t to w ard s it. T hen I to o m oved ; b ut I h ad to g o

ro und h ead sto nes a n d ra ile d -o ff to m bs, a n d I s tu m ble d o ver g ra v es. T he s k y

was o verc ast, a n d so m ew here fa r o ff a n e arly c o ck c re w . A little w ay o ff ,

bey ond a lin e o f sc atte re d ju nip er- tr e es, w hic h m ark ed th e p ath w ay to th e

ch urc h , a w hite , d im f ig ure f litte d i n t h e d ir e ctio n o f t h e t o m b. T he t o m b i ts e lf

was h id den b y tr e es, a n d I c o uld n ot s e e w here th e f ig ure d is a p peare d . I h eard

th e ru stle o f a ctu al m ovem en t w here I h ad fir s t se en th e w hite fig ure , a n d

co m in g o ver, fo und th e P ro fe sso r h old in g in h is a rm s a tin y c h ild . W hen h e

sa w m e h e h eld i t o ut t o m e, a n d s a id :—

“A re y ou s a tis fie d n ow ?”

“N o,” I s a id , i n a w ay t h at I f e lt w as a g gre ssiv e.

“D o y ou n ot s e e t h e c h ild ?”

“Y es, i t i s a c h ild , b ut w ho b ro ught i t h ere ? A nd i s i t w ounded ?” I a sk ed .

“W e s h all s e e,” s a id th e P ro fe sso r, a n d w ith o ne im puls e w e to ok o ur w ay

out o f t h e c h urc h yard , h e c arry in g t h e s le ep in g c h ild .

When w e h ad g ot s o m e l ittle d is ta n ce a w ay, w e w en t i n to a c lu m p o f t r e es, an d s tr u ck a m atc h , a n d l o oked a t t h e c h ild ’s t h ro at. I t w as w ith out a s c ra tc h o r

sc ar o f a n y k in d.

“W as I r ig ht? ” I a sk ed t r iu m phan tly .

“W e w ere j u st i n t im e,” s a id t h e P ro fe sso r t h an kfu lly .

We h ad n ow t o d ecid e w hat w e w ere t o d o w ith t h e c h ild , a n d s o c o nsu lte d

ab out it. I f w e w ere to ta k e it to a p olic e-s ta tio n w e s h ould h av e to g iv e s o m e

acco unt o f o ur m ovem en ts d urin g th e n ig ht; a t le ast, w e s h ould h av e h ad to

mak e s o m e s ta te m en t a s to h ow w e h ad c o m e to f in d th e c h ild . S o f in ally w e

decid ed th at w e w ould ta k e it to th e H eath , a n d w hen w e h eard a p olic em an

co m in g, w ould le av e it w here h e c o uld n ot f a il to f in d it; w e w ould th en s e ek

our w ay h om e as q uic k ly as w e co uld . A ll fe ll o ut w ell. A t th e ed ge o f

Ham pste ad H eath w e h eard a p olic em an ’s h eav y tr a m p, a n d la y in g th e c h ild

on th e p ath w ay, w e w aite d an d w atc h ed u ntil h e sa w it as h e fla sh ed h is

la n te rn to a n d fro . W e h eard h is e x cla m atio n o f a sto nis h m en t, a n d th en w e

wen t a w ay s ile n tly . B y g ood c h an ce w e g ot a c ab n ear th e “ S pan ia rd s,” a n d

dro ve t o t o w n.

I c an not s le ep , s o I m ak e t h is e n tr y . B ut I m ust t r y t o g et a f e w h ours ’ s le ep ,

as V an H els in g is to c all f o r m e a t n oon. H e in sis ts th at I s h all g o w ith h im o n

an oth er e x ped itio n.

27 S ep te m ber.— It w as tw o o ’c lo ck b efo re w e f o und a s u ita b le o pportu nity

fo r o ur atte m pt. T he fu nera l h eld at n oon w as all co m ple te d , an d th e la st

str a g gle rs o f th e m ourn ers h ad ta k en th em se lv es la zily a w ay, w hen , lo okin g

care fu lly f ro m b eh in d a c lu m p o f a ld er- tr e es, w e s a w th e s e x to n lo ck th e g ate

afte r h im . W e k new th en th at w e w ere s a fe till m orn in g d id w e d esir e it; b ut

th e P ro fe sso r to ld m e th at w e sh ould n ot w an t m ore th an a n h our a t m ost.

Again I fe lt th at h orrid s e n se o f th e re ality o f th in gs, in w hic h a n y e ff o rt o f

im ag in atio n s e em ed o ut o f p la ce; a n d I r e alis e d d is tin ctly th e p erils o f th e la w

whic h w e w ere in cu rrin g in o ur u nhallo w ed w ork . B esid es, I f e lt it w as a ll s o

use le ss. O utr a g eo us a s it w as to o pen a le ad en c o ff in , to s e e if a w om an d ead

nearly a w eek w ere r e ally d ead , it n ow s e em ed th e h eig ht o f f o lly to o pen th e

to m b a g ain , w hen w e k new , fro m th e e v id en ce o f o ur o w n e y esig ht, th at th e

co ff in w as e m pty . I s h ru gged m y s h ould ers , h ow ev er, a n d r e ste d s ile n t, f o r V an

Hels in g h ad a w ay o f g oin g o n h is o w n r o ad , n o m atte r w ho r e m onstr a te d . H e

to ok t h e k ey, o pen ed t h e v au lt, a n d a g ain c o urte o usly m otio ned m e t o p re ced e.

The p la ce w as n ot s o g ru eso m e a s la st n ig ht, b ut o h, h ow u nutte ra b ly m ean -

lo okin g w hen th e s u nsh in e s tr e am ed in . V an H els in g w alk ed o ver to L ucy ’s

co ff in , a n d I f o llo w ed . H e b en t o ver a n d a g ain f o rc ed b ack th e le ad en f la n ge;

an d t h en a s h ock o f s u rp ris e a n d d is m ay s h ot t h ro ugh m e.

There la y L ucy, se em in gly ju st a s w e h ad se en h er th e n ig ht b efo re h er

fu nera l. S he w as, if p ossib le , m ore ra d ia n tly b eau tif u l th an e v er; a n d I c o uld not b elie v e th at s h e w as d ead . T he lip s w ere r e d , n ay r e d der th an b efo re ; a n d

on t h e c h eek s w as a d elic ate b lo om .

“Is t h is a j u ggle ?” I s a id t o h im .

“A re y ou c o nvin ced n ow ?” s a id th e P ro fe sso r in r e sp onse , a n d a s h e s p oke

he p ut o ver h is h an d, a n d i n a w ay t h at m ad e m e s h udder, p ulle d b ack t h e d ead

lip s a n d s h ow ed t h e w hite t e eth .

“S ee,” h e w en t o n, “ se e, th ey a re e v en s h arp er th an b efo re . W ith th is a n d

th is ” — an d h e to uch ed o ne o f th e c an in e te eth a n d th at b elo w it— “th e little

ch ild re n can b e b itte n . A re y ou o f b elie f n ow , frie n d Jo hn?” O nce m ore ,

arg um en ta tiv e hostility woke with in m e. I co uld not accep t su ch an

overw helm in g id ea a s h e s u ggeste d ; s o , w ith a n a tte m pt to a rg ue o f w hic h I

was e v en a t t h e m om en t a sh am ed , I s a id :—

“S he m ay h av e b een p la ced h ere s in ce l a st n ig ht.”

“In deed ? T hat i s s o , a n d b y w hom ?”

“I d o n ot k now . S om e o ne h as d one i t.”

“A nd y et s h e h as b een d ead o ne w eek . M ost p eo ple s i n t h at t im e w ould n ot

lo ok s o .” I h ad n o a n sw er f o r th is , s o w as s ile n t. V an H els in g d id n ot s e em to

notic e m y s ile n ce; a t a n y r a te , h e s h ow ed n eith er c h ag rin n or tr iu m ph. H e w as

lo okin g i n te n tly a t t h e f a ce o f t h e d ead w om an , r a is in g t h e e y elid s a n d l o okin g

at th e e y es, a n d o nce m ore o pen in g th e lip s a n d e x am in in g th e te eth . T hen h e

tu rn ed t o m e a n d s a id :—

“H ere , th ere is o ne th in g w hic h is d if f e re n t f ro m a ll r e co rd ed ; h ere is s o m e

dual lif e th at is n ot a s th e c o m mon. S he w as b itte n b y th e v am pir e w hen s h e

was in a tr a n ce, s le ep -w alk in g— oh, y ou s ta rt; y ou d o n ot k now th at, frie n d

Jo hn, b ut y ou s h all k now it a ll la te r— an d in tr a n ce c o uld h e b est c o m e to ta k e

more b lo od. I n tr a n ce s h e d ie d , a n d in tr a n ce s h e is U n-D ead , to o. S o it is th at

sh e d if f e r fro m a ll o th er. U su ally w hen th e U n-D ead s le ep a t h om e”— as h e

sp oke h e m ad e a co m pre h en siv e sw eep o f h is arm to d esig nate w hat to a

vam pir e w as “ h om e”— “th eir fa ce s h ow w hat th ey a re , b ut th is s o s w eet th at

was w hen s h e n ot U n-D ead s h e g o b ack to th e n oth in gs o f th e c o m mon d ead .

There is n o m alig n th ere , s e e, a n d s o it m ak e h ard th at I m ust k ill h er in h er

sle ep .” T his tu rn ed m y b lo od c o ld , a n d it b eg an to d aw n u pon m e th at I w as

accep tin g V an H els in g’s th eo rie s; b ut if s h e w ere r e ally d ead , w hat w as th ere

of te rro r in th e id ea o f k illin g h er? H e lo oked u p a t m e, a n d e v id en tly s a w th e

ch an ge i n m y f a ce, f o r h e s a id a lm ost j o yously :—

“A h, y ou b elie v e n ow ?”

I a n sw ere d : “ D o n ot p re ss m e to o h ard a ll a t o nce. I a m w illin g to a ccep t.

How w ill y ou d o t h is b lo ody w ork ?” “I s h all c u t o ff h er h ead a n d f ill h er m outh w ith g arlic , a n d I s h all d riv e a

sta k e th ro ugh h er b ody.” It m ad e m e sh udder to th in k o f so m utila tin g th e

body o f th e w om an w hom I h ad lo ved . A nd y et th e f e elin g w as n ot s o s tr o ng

as I h ad e x pecte d . I w as, in f a ct, b eg in nin g to s h udder a t th e p re se n ce o f th is

bein g, th is U n-D ead , a s V an H els in g c alle d it, a n d to lo ath e it. Is it p ossib le

th at l o ve i s a ll s u bje ctiv e, o r a ll o bje ctiv e?

I w aite d a c o nsid era b le tim e fo r V an H els in g to b eg in , b ut h e s to od a s if

wra p ped in th ought. P re se n tly h e c lo se d th e c atc h o f h is b ag w ith a s n ap , a n d

sa id :—

“I h av e b een th in kin g, a n d h av e m ad e u p m y m in d a s to w hat is b est. I f I

did s im ply f o llo w m y in clin in g I w ould d o n ow , a t th is m om en t, w hat is to b e

done; b ut th ere a re o th er th in gs to fo llo w , a n d th in gs th at a re th ousa n d tim es

more d if f ic u lt in th at th em w e d o n ot k now . T his is s im ple . S he h av e y et n o

lif e t a k en , t h ough t h at i s o f t im e; a n d t o a ct n ow w ould b e t o t a k e d an ger f ro m

her f o r e v er. B ut th en w e m ay h av e to w an t A rth ur, a n d h ow s h all w e te ll h im

of th is ? I f y ou, w ho s a w th e w ounds o n L ucy ’s th ro at, a n d s a w th e w ounds s o

sim ila r o n th e c h ild ’s a t th e h osp ita l; if y ou, w ho s a w th e c o ff in e m pty la st

nig ht a n d f u ll t o -d ay w ith a w om an w ho h av e n ot c h an ge o nly t o b e m ore r o se

an d m ore b eau tif u l in a w hole w eek , a fte r s h e d ie — if y ou k now o f th is a n d

know o f th e w hite fig ure la st n ig ht th at b ro ught th e c h ild to th e c h urc h yard ,

an d y et o f y our o w n se n se s y ou d id n ot b elie v e, h ow , th en , can I ex pect

Arth ur, w ho k now n one o f th ose th in gs, to b elie v e? H e d oubte d m e w hen I

to ok h im fro m h er k is s w hen sh e w as d yin g. I k now h e h as fo rg iv en m e

becau se in s o m e m is ta k en id ea I h av e d one th in gs th at p re v en t h im s a y g ood-

bye as h e o ught; an d h e m ay th in k th at in so m e m ore m is ta k en id ea th is

wom an w as b urie d a liv e; a n d t h at i n m ost m is ta k e o f a ll w e h av e k ille d h er. H e

will th en a rg ue b ack th at it is w e, m is ta k en o nes, th at h av e k ille d h er b y o ur

id eas; a n d s o h e w ill b e m uch u nhap py a lw ay s. Y et h e n ev er c an b e s u re ; a n d

th at is th e w ors t o f a ll. A nd h e w ill s o m etim es th in k th at s h e h e lo ved w as

burie d a liv e, a n d t h at w ill p ain t h is d re am s w ith h orro rs o f w hat s h e m ust h av e

su ff e re d ; a n d a g ain , h e w ill t h in k t h at w e m ay b e r ig ht, a n d t h at h is s o b elo ved

was, a fte r a ll, a n U n-D ead . N o! I to ld h im o nce, a n d s in ce th en I le arn m uch .

Now , s in ce I k now i t i s a ll t r u e, a h undre d t h ousa n d t im es m ore d o I k now t h at

he m ust p ass th ro ugh th e b itte r w ate rs to re ach th e sw eet. H e, p oor fe llo w ,

must h av e o ne h our t h at w ill m ak e t h e v ery f a ce o f h eav en g ro w b la ck t o h im ;

th en w e c an a ct f o r g ood a ll r o und a n d s e n d h im p eace. M y m in d is m ad e u p.

Let u s g o. Y ou re tu rn h om e fo r to -n ig ht to y our a sy lu m , a n d s e e th at a ll b e

well. A s fo r m e, I s h all s p en d th e n ig ht h ere in th is c h urc h yard in m y o w n

way. T o-m orro w n ig ht y ou w ill c o m e t o m e t o t h e B erk ele y H ote l a t t e n o f t h e

clo ck . I s h all s e n d f o r A rth ur to c o m e to o, a n d a ls o th at s o f in e y oung m an o f

Am eric a th at g av e h is b lo od. L ate r w e s h all a ll h av e w ork to d o. I c o m e w ith

you s o f a r a s P ic cad illy a n d th ere d in e, f o r I m ust b e b ack h ere b efo re th e s u n se t.”

So w e lo ck ed th e to m b an d cam e aw ay, an d g ot o ver th e w all o f th e

ch urc h yard , w hic h w as n ot m uch o f a t a sk , a n d d ro ve b ack t o P ic cad illy .

Note le ft b y V an H els in g in h is p ortm an te au , B erk ele y H ote l d ir e cte d to

Jo hn S ew ard , M . D .

(N ot d eliv ere d .)

“2 7 S ep te m ber.

“F rie n d J o hn,—

“I w rite th is in c ase a n yth in g s h ould h ap pen . I g o a lo ne to w atc h in th at

ch urc h yard . It p le ase s m e th at th e U n-D ead , M is s L ucy, sh all n ot le av e to -

nig ht, t h at s o o n t h e m orro w n ig ht s h e m ay b e m ore e ag er. T here fo re I s h all f ix

so m e t h in gs s h e l ik e n ot— garlic a n d a c ru cif ix — an d s o s e al u p t h e d oor o f t h e

to m b. S he is y oung a s U n-D ead , a n d w ill h eed . M ore o ver, th ese a re o nly to

pre v en t h er c o m in g o ut; t h ey m ay n ot p re v ail o n h er w an tin g t o g et i n ; f o r t h en

th e U n-D ead is desp era te , an d m ust fin d th e lin e of le ast re sis ta n ce,

whats o ev er it m ay b e. I s h all b e a t h an d a ll th e n ig ht f ro m s u nse t till a fte r th e

su nris e , a n d if th ere b e a u ght th at m ay b e le arn ed I s h all le arn it. F or M is s

Lucy o r fro m h er, I h av e n o fe ar; b ut th at o th er to w hom is th ere th at s h e is

Un-D ead , h e h av e n ow th e p ow er to se ek h er to m b a n d fin d sh elte r. H e is

cu nnin g, a s I k now f ro m M r. J o n ath an a n d f ro m t h e w ay t h at a ll a lo ng h e h av e

fo ole d u s w hen h e p la y ed w ith u s fo r M is s L ucy ’s lif e , a n d w e lo st; a n d in

man y w ay s th e U n-D ead a re s tr o ng. H e h av e a lw ay s th e s tr e n gth in h is h an d

of tw en ty m en ; e v en w e f o ur w ho g av e o ur s tr e n gth to M is s L ucy it a ls o is a ll

to h im . B esid es, h e c an s u m mon h is w olf a n d I k now n ot w hat. S o if it b e th at

he c o m e t h ith er o n t h is n ig ht h e s h all f in d m e; b ut n one o th er s h all— until i t b e

to o la te . B ut it m ay b e th at h e w ill n ot a tte m pt th e p la ce. T here is n o re aso n

why h e s h ould ; h is h untin g g ro und is m ore fu ll o f g am e th an th e c h urc h yard

where t h e U n-D ead w om an s le ep , a n d t h e o ne o ld m an w atc h .

“T here fo re I w rite th is in c ase .... T ak e th e p ap ers th at a re w ith th is , th e

dia rie s o f H ark er a n d th e re st, a n d re ad th em , a n d th en fin d th is g re at U n-

Dead , a n d c u t o ff h is h ead a n d b urn h is h eart o r d riv e a s ta k e th ro ugh it, s o

th at t h e w orld m ay r e st f ro m h im .

“If i t b e s o , f a re w ell.

“V an H els in g.”

Dr. S ew ard ’s D ia ry .

28 S ep te m ber.— It is w onderfu l w hat a g ood n ig ht’s s le ep w ill d o f o r o ne.

Yeste rd ay I w as a lm ost w illin g to a ccep t V an H els in g’s m onstr o us id eas; b ut

now th ey s e em to s ta rt o ut lu rid b efo re m e a s o utr a g es o n c o m mon s e n se . I hav e n o d oubt th at h e b elie v es it a ll. I w onder if h is m in d c an h av e b eco m e in

an y w ay u nhin ged . S ure ly t h ere m ust b e s o m e r a tio nal e x pla n atio n o f a ll t h ese

myste rio us th in gs. Is it p ossib le th at th e P ro fe sso r c an h av e d one it h im se lf ?

He is s o a b norm ally c le v er th at if h e w en t o ff h is h ead h e w ould c arry o ut h is

in te n t w ith r e g ard t o s o m e f ix ed i d ea i n a w onderfu l w ay. I a m l o ath t o t h in k i t,

an d in deed it w ould b e a lm ost a s g re at a m arv el a s th e o th er to f in d th at V an

Hels in g w as m ad ; b ut a n yhow I sh all w atc h h im c are fu lly . I m ay g et so m e

lig ht o n t h e m yste ry .

29 S ep te m ber, m orn in g..... L ast n ig ht, a t a little b efo re te n o ’c lo ck , A rth ur

an d Q uin cey c am e i n to V an H els in g’s r o om ; h e t o ld u s a ll t h at h e w an te d u s t o

do, b ut e sp ecia lly a d dre ssin g h im se lf t o A rth ur, a s i f a ll o ur w ills w ere c en tr e d

in h is . H e b eg an b y s a y in g th at h e h oped w e w ould a ll c o m e w ith h im to o,

“fo r,” h e sa id , “ th ere is a g ra v e d uty to b e d one th ere . Y ou w ere d oubtle ss

su rp ris e d a t m y l e tte r? ” T his q uery w as d ir e ctly a d dre sse d t o L ord G odalm in g.

“I w as. I t r a th er u pse t m e f o r a b it. T here h as b een s o m uch t r o uble a ro und

my h ouse o f l a te t h at I c o uld d o w ith out a n y m ore . I h av e b een c u rio us, t o o, a s

to w hat y ou m ean . Q uin cey a n d I ta lk ed it o ver; b ut th e m ore w e ta lk ed , th e

more p uzzle d w e g ot, till n ow I c an s a y f o r m yse lf th at I ’m a b out u p a tr e e a s

to a n y m ean in g a b out a n yth in g.”

“M e t o o,” s a id Q uin cey M orris l a co nic ally .

“O h,” s a id th e P ro fe sso r, “ th en y ou a re n eare r th e b eg in nin g, b oth o f y ou,

th an f rie n d J o hn h ere , w ho h as to g o a lo ng w ay b ack b efo re h e c an e v en g et

so f a r a s t o b eg in .”

It w as e v id en t th at h e re co gnis e d m y re tu rn to m y o ld d oubtin g fra m e o f

min d w ith out m y s a y in g a w ord . T hen , tu rn in g to th e o th er tw o, h e s a id w ith

in te n se g ra v ity :—

“I w an t y our p erm is sio n to d o w hat I th in k g ood th is n ig ht. It is , I k now ,

much t o a sk ; a n d w hen y ou k now w hat i t i s I p ro pose t o d o y ou w ill k now , a n d

only t h en , h ow m uch . T here fo re m ay I a sk t h at y ou p ro m is e m e i n t h e d ark , s o

th at a fte rw ard s, th ough y ou m ay b e a n gry w ith m e fo r a tim e— I m ust n ot

dis g uis e fro m m yse lf th e p ossib ility th at s u ch m ay b e— you s h all n ot b la m e

yours e lv es f o r a n yth in g.”

“T hat’s f ra n k a n yhow ,” b ro ke in Q uin cey. “ I’ll a n sw er f o r th e P ro fe sso r. I

don’t q uite s e e h is d rif t, b ut I s w ear h e’s h onest; a n d th at’s g ood e n ough fo r

me.”

“I th an k y ou, sir ,” sa id V an H els in g p ro udly . “I h av e d one m yse lf th e

honour o f c o untin g y ou o ne tr u stin g frie n d, a n d s u ch e n dors e m en t is d ear to

me.” H e h eld o ut a h an d, w hic h Q uin cey t o ok. Then A rth ur s p oke o ut:—

“D r. V an H els in g, I d on’t q uite lik e to ‘ b uy a p ig in a p oke,’ a s th ey s a y in

Sco tla n d, a n d i f i t b e a n yth in g i n w hic h m y h onour a s a g en tle m an o r m y f a ith

as a C hris tia n is c o ncern ed , I c an not m ak e s u ch a p ro m is e . I f y ou c an a ssu re

me th at w hat y ou in te n d d oes n ot v io la te e ith er o f th ese tw o, th en I g iv e m y

co nse n t a t o nce; th ough fo r th e lif e o f m e, I c an not u nders ta n d w hat y ou a re

driv in g a t.”

“I a ccep t y our li m ita tio n,” s a id V an H els in g, “ an d a ll I a sk o f y ou is th at if

you fe el it n ecessa ry to c o ndem n a n y a ct o f m in e, y ou w ill fir s t c o nsid er it

well a n d b e s a tis fie d t h at i t d oes n ot v io la te y our r e se rv atio ns.”

“A gre ed !” s a id A rth ur; “ th at is o nly f a ir. A nd n ow th at th e p ourp arle rs a re

over, m ay I a sk w hat i t i s w e a re t o d o?”

“I w an t y ou to c o m e w ith m e, a n d to c o m e in s e cre t, to th e c h urc h yard a t

Kin gste ad .”

Arth ur’s f a ce f e ll a s h e s a id i n a n a m azed s o rt o f w ay :—

“W here p oor L ucy i s b urie d ?” T he P ro fe sso r b ow ed . A rth ur w en t o n: “ A nd

when t h ere ?”

“T o e n te r t h e t o m b!” A rth ur s to od u p.

“P ro fe sso r, a re y ou in e arn est; o r it is s o m e m onstr o us jo ke? P ard on m e, I

se e th at y ou a re in e arn est.” H e s a t d ow n a g ain , b ut I c o uld s e e th at h e s a t

fir m ly a n d p ro udly , a s o ne w ho is o n h is d ig nity . T here w as s ile n ce u ntil h e

ask ed a g ain :—

“A nd w hen i n t h e t o m b?”

“T o o pen t h e c o ff in .”

“T his is to o m uch !” h e sa id , an grily ris in g ag ain . “I am w illin g to b e

patie n t in a ll th in gs th at a re re aso nab le ; b ut in th is — th is d ese cra tio n o f th e

gra v e— of o ne w ho— —” H e fa ir ly c h oked w ith in dig natio n. T he P ro fe sso r

lo oked p ity in gly a t h im .

“If I c o uld s p are y ou o ne p an g, m y p oor frie n d,” h e s a id , “ G od k now s I

would . B ut t h is n ig ht o ur f e et m ust t r e ad i n t h orn y p ath s; o r l a te r, a n d f o r e v er,

th e f e et y ou l o ve m ust w alk i n p ath s o f f la m e!”

Arth ur l o oked u p w ith s e t w hite f a ce a n d s a id :—

“T ak e c are , s ir , t a k e c are !”

“W ould it n ot b e w ell to h ear w hat I h av e to s a y ?” s a id V an H els in g. “ A nd

th en y ou w ill a t l e ast k now t h e l im it o f m y p urp ose . S hall I g o o n?” “T hat’s f a ir e n ough,” b ro ke i n M orris .

Afte r a p au se V an H els in g w en t o n, e v id en tly w ith a n e ff o rt:—

“M is s L ucy is d ead ; is it n ot s o ? Y es! T hen th ere c an b e n o w ro ng to h er.

But i f s h e b e n ot d ead — —”

Arth ur j u m ped t o h is f e et.

“G ood G od!” h e c rie d . “ W hat d o y ou m ean ? H as th ere b een a n y m is ta k e;

has s h e b een b urie d a liv e?” H e g ro an ed in a n guis h th at n ot e v en h ope c o uld

so fte n .

“I d id n ot s a y s h e w as a liv e, m y c h ild ; I d id n ot th in k it. I g o n o fu rth er

th an t o s a y t h at s h e m ig ht b e U n-D ead .”

“U n-D ead ! N ot a liv e! W hat d o y ou m ean ? I s th is a ll a n ig htm are , o r w hat

is i t? ”

“T here a re m yste rie s w hic h m en c an o nly g uess a t, w hic h a g e b y a g e th ey

may s o lv e o nly in p art. B elie v e m e, w e a re n ow o n th e v erg e o f o ne. B ut I

hav e n ot d one. M ay I c u t o ff t h e h ead o f d ead M is s L ucy ?”

“H eav en s a n d e arth , n o!” c rie d A rth ur in a s to rm o f p assio n. “ N ot f o r th e

wid e w orld w ill I c o nse n t t o a n y m utila tio n o f h er d ead b ody. D r. V an H els in g,

you tr y m e to o fa r. W hat h av e I d one to y ou th at y ou s h ould to rtu re m e s o ?

What d id th at p oor, s w eet g ir l d o th at y ou s h ould w an t to c ast s u ch d is h onour

on h er g ra v e? A re y ou m ad th at s p eak s u ch th in gs, o r a m I m ad to lis te n to

th em ? D on’t d are to th in k m ore o f su ch a d ese cra tio n; I sh all n ot g iv e m y

co nse n t to a n yth in g y ou d o. I h av e a d uty to d o in p ro te ctin g h er g ra v e fro m

outr a g e; a n d, b y G od, I s h all d o i t! ”

Van H els in g r o se u p f ro m w here h e h ad a ll th e tim e b een s e ate d , a n d s a id ,

gra v ely a n d s te rn ly :—

“M y L ord G odalm in g, I , to o, h av e a d uty to d o, a d uty to o th ers , a d uty to

you, a d uty to th e d ead ; a n d, b y G od, I s h all d o it! A ll I a sk y ou n ow is th at

you c o m e w ith m e, t h at y ou l o ok a n d l is te n ; a n d i f w hen l a te r I m ak e t h e s a m e

re q uest y ou d o n ot b e m ore e ag er f o r i ts f u lf ilm en t e v en t h an I a m , t h en — th en

I s h all d o m y d uty , w hate v er it m ay s e em to m e. A nd th en , to f o llo w o f y our

Lord sh ip ’s w is h es I s h all h old m yse lf a t y our d is p osa l to r e n der a n a cco unt to

you, w hen a n d w here y ou w ill.” H is v oic e b ro ke a l ittle , a n d h e w en t o n w ith a

voic e f u ll o f p ity :—

“B ut, I b ese ech y ou, d o n ot g o f o rth i n a n ger w ith m e. I n a l o ng l if e o f a cts

whic h w ere o fte n n ot p le asa n t t o d o, a n d w hic h s o m etim es d id w rin g m y h eart,

I h av e n ev er h ad s o h eav y a t a sk a s n ow . B elie v e m e t h at i f t h e t im e c o m es f o r

you to c h an ge y our m in d to w ard s m e, o ne lo ok f ro m y ou w ill w ip e a w ay a ll

th is s o s a d h our, f o r I w ould d o w hat a m an c an to s a v e y ou f ro m s o rro w . J u st th in k. F or w hy sh ould I g iv e m yse lf so m uch o f la b our an d so m uch o f

so rro w ? I h av e c o m e h ere f ro m m y o w n la n d to d o w hat I c an o f g ood; a t th e

fir s t t o p le ase m y f rie n d J o hn, a n d t h en t o h elp a s w eet y oung l a d y, w hom , t o o,

I c am e t o l o ve. F or h er— I a m a sh am ed t o s a y s o m uch , b ut I s a y i t i n k in dness

—I g av e w hat y ou g av e; th e b lo od o f m y v ein s; I g av e it, I , w ho w as n ot, lik e

you, h er lo ver, b ut o nly h er p hy sic ia n a n d h er f rie n d. I g av e to h er m y n ig hts

an d d ay s— befo re d eath , a fte r d eath ; a n d if m y d eath c an d o h er g ood e v en

now , w hen s h e i s t h e d ead U n-D ead , s h e s h all h av e i t f re ely .” H e s a id t h is w ith

a v ery g ra v e, s w eet p rid e, a n d A rth ur w as m uch a ff e cte d b y i t. H e t o ok t h e o ld

man ’s h an d a n d s a id i n a b ro ken v oic e:—

“O h, i t i s h ard t o t h in k o f i t, a n d I c an not u nders ta n d; b ut a t l e ast I s h all g o

with y ou a n d w ait.”

CH APT ER X VI

DR. S E W ARD’S D IA RY — co n tin ued

I t w as ju st a quarte r befo re tw elv e o’c lo ck w hen w e got in to th e

ch urc h yard o ver th e lo w w all. T he n ig ht w as d ark w ith o ccasio nal g le am s o f

moonlig ht b etw een th e r e n ts o f th e h eav y c lo uds th at s c u dded a cro ss th e s k y.

We a ll k ep t s o m eh ow c lo se to geth er, w ith V an H els in g s lig htly in f ro nt a s h e

le d th e w ay. W hen w e h ad c o m e c lo se to th e to m b I lo oked w ell a t A rth ur, f o r

I f e are d t h at t h e p ro xim ity t o a p la ce l a d en w ith s o s o rro w fu l a m em ory w ould

upse t h im ; b ut h e b ore h im se lf w ell. I to ok it th at th e v ery m yste ry o f th e

pro ceed in g w as in so m e w ay a co unte ra cta n t to his grie f. T he P ro fe sso r

unlo ck ed th e d oor, an d se ein g a n atu ra l h esita tio n am ongst u s fo r v ario us

re aso ns, s o lv ed t h e d if f ic u lty b y e n te rin g f ir s t h im se lf . T he r e st o f u s f o llo w ed ,

an d h e c lo se d th e d oor. H e th en lit a d ark la n te rn a n d p oin te d to th e c o ff in .

Arth ur s te p ped f o rw ard h esita tin gly ; V an H els in g s a id t o m e:—

“Y ou w ere w ith m e h ere y este rd ay. W as th e b ody o f M is s L ucy in th at

co ff in ?”

“It w as.” T he P ro fe sso r t u rn ed t o t h e r e st s a y in g:—

“Y ou h ear; a n d y et t h ere i s n o o ne w ho d oes n ot b elie v e w ith m e.” H e t o ok

his s c re w driv er a n d a g ain t o ok o ff t h e l id o f t h e c o ff in . A rth ur l o oked o n, v ery

pale b ut s ile n t; w hen th e lid w as re m oved h e s te p ped fo rw ard . H e e v id en tly

did n ot k now th at th ere w as a le ad en c o ff in , o r, a t a n y r a te , h ad n ot th ought o f

it. W hen h e s a w t h e r e n t i n t h e l e ad , t h e b lo od r u sh ed t o h is f a ce f o r a n i n sta n t,

but a s q uic k ly f e ll a w ay a g ain , s o th at h e r e m ain ed o f a g hastly w hite n ess; h e

was s till s ile n t. V an H els in g f o rc ed b ack th e le ad en f la n ge, a n d w e a ll lo oked in a n d r e co ile d .

The c o ff in w as e m pty !

For se v era l m in ute s n o o ne sp oke a w ord . T he sile n ce w as b ro ken b y

Quin cey M orris :—

“P ro fe sso r, I a n sw ere d fo r y ou. Y our w ord is a ll I w an t. I w ould n’t a sk

su ch a th in g o rd in arily — I w ould n’t s o d is h onour y ou a s to im ply a d oubt; b ut

th is is a m yste ry th at g oes b ey ond an y h onour o r d is h onour. Is th is y our

doin g?”

“I sw ear to y ou b y all th at I h old sa cre d th at I h av e n ot re m oved n or

to uch ed h er. W hat h ap pen ed w as th is : T w o n ig hts a g o m y f rie n d S ew ard a n d I

cam e h ere — with g ood p urp ose , b elie v e m e. I o pen ed th at c o ff in , w hic h w as

th en se ale d u p, a n d w e fo und it, a s n ow , e m pty . W e th en w aite d , a n d sa w

so m eth in g w hite c o m e th ro ugh th e tr e es. T he n ex t d ay w e c am e h ere in d ay -

tim e, a n d s h e l a y t h ere . D id s h e n ot, f rie n d J o hn?”

“Y es.”

“T hat n ig ht w e w ere ju st in tim e. O ne m ore s o s m all c h ild w as m is sin g,

an d w e fin d it, th an k G od, u nharm ed a m ongst th e g ra v es. Y este rd ay I c am e

here b efo re s u ndow n, f o r a t s u ndow n t h e U n-D ead c an m ove. I w aite d h ere a ll

th e n ig ht till th e s u n r o se , b ut I s a w n oth in g. I t w as m ost p ro bab le th at it w as

becau se I h ad la id o ver th e c la m ps o f th ose d oors g arlic , w hic h th e U n-D ead

can not b ear, a n d o th er t h in gs w hic h t h ey s h un. L ast n ig ht t h ere w as n o e x odus,

so t o -n ig ht b efo re t h e s u ndow n I t o ok a w ay m y g arlic a n d o th er t h in gs. A nd s o

it is w e f in d th is c o ff in e m pty . B ut b ear w ith m e. S o f a r th ere is m uch th at is

str a n ge. W ait y ou w ith m e o uts id e, u nse en an d u nheard , an d th in gs m uch

str a n ger a re y et t o b e. S o”— here h e s h ut t h e d ark s lid e o f h is l a n te rn — “n ow t o

th e o uts id e.” H e o pen ed t h e d oor, a n d w e f ile d o ut, h e c o m in g l a st a n d l o ck in g

th e d oor b eh in d h im .

Oh! b ut it se em ed fre sh a n d p ure in th e n ig ht a ir a fte r th e te rro r o f th at

vau lt. H ow s w eet it w as to s e e th e c lo uds r a ce b y, a n d th e p assin g g le am s o f

th e m oonlig ht b etw een th e sc u ddin g clo uds cro ssin g an d p assin g— lik e th e

gla d ness a n d s o rro w o f a m an ’s lif e ; h ow s w eet it w as to b re ath e th e f re sh a ir ,

th at h ad n o t a in t o f d eath a n d d ecay ; h ow h um an is in g t o s e e t h e r e d l ig htin g o f

th e s k y b ey ond th e h ill, a n d to h ear f a r a w ay th e m uff le d r o ar th at m ark s th e

lif e o f a g re at c ity . E ach in h is o w n w ay w as s o le m n a n d o verc o m e. A rth ur

was s ile n t, a n d w as, I c o uld s e e, s tr iv in g to g ra sp th e p urp ose a n d th e in ner

mean in g o f t h e m yste ry . I w as m yse lf t o le ra b ly p atie n t, a n d h alf i n clin ed a g ain

to t h ro w a sid e d oubt a n d t o a ccep t V an H els in g’s c o nclu sio ns. Q uin cey M orris

was p hle g m atic in th e w ay o f a m an w ho a ccep ts a ll th in gs, a n d a ccep ts th em

in th e s p ir it o f c o ol b ra v ery , w ith h azard o f a ll h e h as to s ta k e. N ot b ein g a b le to s m oke, h e c u t h im se lf a g ood-s iz ed p lu g o f to bacco a n d b eg an to c h ew . A s

to V an H els in g, h e w as e m plo yed in a d efin ite w ay. F ir s t h e to ok f ro m h is b ag

a m ass o f w hat lo oked lik e th in , w afe r- lik e b is c u it, w hic h w as c are fu lly r o lle d

up in a w hite n ap kin ; n ex t h e to ok o ut a d ouble -h an dfu l o f s o m e w hitis h s tu ff ,

lik e d ough o r p utty . H e c ru m ble d t h e w afe r u p f in e a n d w ork ed i t i n to t h e m ass

betw een h is h an ds. T his h e th en to ok, a n d r o llin g it in to th in s tr ip s, b eg an to

la y th em in to th e c re v ic es b etw een th e d oor a n d its s e ttin g in th e to m b. I w as

so m ew hat p uzzle d a t th is , a n d b ein g c lo se , a sk ed h im w hat it w as th at h e w as

doin g. A rth ur an d Q uin cey d re w n ear als o , as th ey to o w ere cu rio us. H e

an sw ere d :—

“I a m c lo sin g t h e t o m b, s o t h at t h e U n-D ead m ay n ot e n te r.”

“A nd is th at stu ff y ou h av e p ut th ere g oin g to d o it? ” ask ed Q uin cey.

“G re at S co tt! I s t h is a g am e?”

“It i s .”

“W hat i s t h at w hic h y ou a re u sin g?” T his t im e th e q uestio n w as b y A rth ur.

Van H els in g r e v ere n tly l if te d h is h at a s h e a n sw ere d :—

“T he H ost. I b ro ught it f ro m A m ste rd am . I h av e a n I n dulg en ce.” I t w as a n

an sw er th at a p palle d th e m ost s c ep tic al o f u s, a n d w e f e lt in div id ually th at in

th e p re se n ce o f s u ch e arn est p urp ose a s t h e P ro fe sso r’s , a p urp ose w hic h c o uld

th us u se th e to h im m ost sa cre d o f th in gs, it w as im possib le to d is tr u st. In

re sp ectf u l s ile n ce w e to ok th e p la ces a ssig ned to u s c lo se r o und th e to m b, b ut

hid den fro m th e s ig ht o f a n y o ne a p pro ach in g. I p itie d th e o th ers , e sp ecia lly

Arth ur. I h ad m yse lf b een a p pre n tic ed b y m y fo rm er v is its to th is w atc h in g

horro r; a n d y et I, w ho h ad u p to a n h our a g o re p udia te d th e p ro ofs , fe lt m y

heart sin k w ith in m e. N ev er did to m bs lo ok so ghastly w hite ; nev er did

cy pre ss, o r y ew , o r ju nip er s o s e em th e e m bodim en t o f f u nere al g lo om ; n ev er

did tr e e o r g ra ss w av e o r ru stle so o m in ously ; n ev er d id b ough cre ak so

myste rio usly ; a n d n ev er d id th e f a r- a w ay h ow lin g o f d ogs s e n d s u ch a w oefu l

pre sa g e t h ro ugh t h e n ig ht.

There w as a lo ng s p ell o f s ile n ce, a b ig , a ch in g v oid , a n d th en fro m th e

Pro fe sso r a k een “ S -s -s -s !” H e p oin te d ; a n d f a r d ow n th e a v en ue o f y ew s w e

sa w a w hite f ig ure a d van ce— a d im w hite f ig ure , w hic h h eld s o m eth in g d ark a t

its b re ast. T he f ig ure s to pped , a n d a t th e m om en t a r a y o f m oonlig ht f e ll u pon

th e m asse s o f d riv in g c lo uds a n d s h ow ed i n s ta rtlin g p ro m in en ce a d ark -h air e d

wom an , d re sse d i n t h e c ere m en ts o f t h e g ra v e. W e c o uld n ot s e e t h e f a ce, f o r i t

was b en t d ow n o ver w hat w e s a w to b e a f a ir - h air e d c h ild . T here w as a p au se

an d a s h arp little c ry , s u ch a s a c h ild g iv es in s le ep , o r a d og a s it lie s b efo re

th e fir e a n d d re am s. W e w ere sta rtin g fo rw ard , b ut th e P ro fe sso r’s w arn in g

han d, s e en b y u s a s h e s to od b eh in d a y ew -tr e e, k ep t u s b ack ; a n d th en a s w e

lo oked th e w hite f ig ure m oved f o rw ard s a g ain . I t w as n ow n ear e n ough f o r u s to s e e c le arly , a n d t h e m oonlig ht s till h eld . M y o w n h eart g re w c o ld a s i c e, a n d

I co uld hear th e gasp of A rth ur, as w e re co gnis e d th e fe atu re s of L ucy

Weste n ra . L ucy W este n ra , b ut y et h ow c h an ged . T he s w eetn ess w as tu rn ed to

ad am an tin e, h eartle ss c ru elty , a n d th e p urity to v olu ptu ous w an to nness. V an

Hels in g s te p ped o ut, a n d, o bed ie n t t o h is g estu re , w e a ll a d van ced t o o; t h e f o ur

of u s ra n ged in a lin e b efo re th e d oor o f th e to m b. V an H els in g ra is e d h is

la n te rn a n d d re w th e s lid e; b y th e c o ncen tr a te d lig ht th at fe ll o n L ucy ’s fa ce

we c o uld s e e th at th e lip s w ere c rim so n w ith f re sh b lo od, a n d th at th e s tr e am

had t r ic k le d o ver h er c h in a n d s ta in ed t h e p urity o f h er l a w n d eath -ro be.

We s h uddere d w ith h orro r. I c o uld s e e b y t h e t r e m ulo us l ig ht t h at e v en V an

Hels in g’s ir o n n erv e h ad f a ile d . A rth ur w as n ex t to m e, a n d if I h ad n ot s e iz ed

his a rm a n d h eld h im u p, h e w ould h av e f a lle n .

When L ucy — I c all th e th in g th at w as b efo re u s L ucy b ecau se it b ore h er

sh ap e— sa w u s s h e d re w b ack w ith a n a n gry s n arl, s u ch a s a c at g iv es w hen

ta k en u naw are s; t h en h er e y es r a n ged o ver u s. L ucy ’s e y es i n f o rm a n d c o lo ur;

but L ucy ’s e y es u ncle an a n d fu ll o f h ell- fir e , in ste ad o f th e p ure , g en tle o rb s

we knew . A t th at m om en t th e re m nan t of m y lo ve passe d in to hate an d

lo ath in g; h ad s h e th en to b e k ille d , I c o uld h av e d one it w ith s a v ag e d elig ht.

As sh e lo oked , her ey es bla zed w ith unholy lig ht, an d th e fa ce becam e

wre ath ed w ith a v olu ptu ous s m ile . O h, G od, h ow i t m ad e m e s h udder t o s e e i t!

With a c are le ss m otio n, s h e flu ng to th e g ro und, c allo us a s a d ev il, th e c h ild

th at u p t o n ow s h e h ad c lu tc h ed s tr e n uously t o h er b re ast, g ro w lin g o ver i t a s a

dog g ro w ls o ver a b one. T he c h ild g av e a s h arp c ry , a n d la y th ere m oan in g.

There w as a c o ld -b lo oded ness in th e a ct w hic h w ru ng a g ro an fro m A rth ur;

when s h e a d van ced to h im w ith o uts tr e tc h ed a rm s a n d a w an to n s m ile h e f e ll

back a n d h id h is f a ce i n h is h an ds.

She still ad van ced , h ow ev er, an d w ith a la n guoro us, v olu ptu ous g ra ce,

sa id :—

“C om e to m e, A rth ur. L eav e th ese o th ers a n d c o m e to m e. M y a rm s a re

hungry f o r y ou. C om e, a n d w e c an r e st t o geth er. C om e, m y h usb an d, c o m e!”

There w as so m eth in g d ia b olic a lly sw eet in h er to nes— so m eth in g o f th e

tin glin g o f g la ss w hen s tr u ck — whic h r a n g th ro ugh th e b ra in s e v en o f u s w ho

heard th e w ord s a d dre sse d to a n oth er. A s f o r A rth ur, h e s e em ed u nder a s p ell;

movin g h is h an ds f ro m h is f a ce, h e o pen ed w id e h is a rm s. S he w as l e ap in g f o r

th em , w hen V an H els in g sp ra n g fo rw ard an d h eld b etw een th em h is little

gold en c ru cif ix . S he r e co ile d f ro m it, a n d, w ith a s u dden ly d is to rte d f a ce, f u ll

of r a g e, d ash ed p ast h im a s i f t o e n te r t h e t o m b.

When w ith in a f o ot o r t w o o f t h e d oor, h ow ev er, s h e s to pped , a s i f a rre ste d

by so m e ir re sis tib le fo rc e. T hen sh e tu rn ed , a n d h er fa ce w as sh ow n in th e

cle ar b urs t o f m oonlig ht a n d b y th e la m p, w hic h h ad n ow n o q uiv er f ro m V an Hels in g’s ir o n n erv es. N ev er d id I se e su ch b aff le d m alic e o n a fa ce; an d

nev er, I tr u st, sh all su ch e v er b e se en a g ain b y m orta l e y es. T he b eau tif u l

co lo ur b ecam e liv id , th e ey es se em ed to th ro w o ut sp ark s o f h ell- fir e , th e

bro w s w ere w rin kle d as th ough th e fo ld s of th e fle sh w ere th e co ils of

Med usa ’s s n ak es, a n d t h e l o vely , b lo od-s ta in ed m outh g re w t o a n o pen s q uare ,

as i n t h e p assio n m ask s o f t h e G re ek s a n d J a p an ese . I f e v er a f a ce m ean t d eath

—if l o oks c o uld k ill— we s a w i t a t t h at m om en t.

And so fo r fu ll h alf a m in ute , w hic h se em ed a n e te rn ity , sh e re m ain ed

betw een th e lif te d c ru cif ix a n d th e s a cre d c lo sin g o f h er m ean s o f e n tr y . V an

Hels in g b ro ke t h e s ile n ce b y a sk in g A rth ur:—

“A nsw er m e, o h m y f rie n d! A m I t o p ro ceed i n m y w ork ?”

Arth ur th re w h im se lf o n h is k nees, a n d h id h is fa ce in h is h an ds, a s h e

an sw ere d :—

“D o a s y ou w ill, frie n d; d o a s y ou w ill. T here c an b e n o h orro r lik e th is

ev er a n y m ore ;” a n d h e g ro an ed i n s p ir it. Q uin cey a n d I s im ulta n eo usly m oved

to w ard s h im , a n d to ok h is a rm s. W e c o uld h ear th e c lic k o f th e c lo sin g la n te rn

as V an H els in g h eld it d ow n; c o m in g c lo se to th e to m b, h e b eg an to re m ove

fro m t h e c h in ks s o m e o f t h e s a cre d e m ble m w hic h h e h ad p la ced t h ere . W e a ll

lo oked o n i n h orrif ie d a m azem en t a s w e s a w , w hen h e s to od b ack , t h e w om an ,

with a c o rp ore al b ody a s r e al a t th at m om en t a s o ur o w n, p ass in th ro ugh th e

in te rs tic e w here s c arc e a k nif e -b la d e c o uld h av e g one. W e a ll f e lt a g la d s e n se

of r e lie f w hen w e s a w t h e P ro fe sso r c alm ly r e sto rin g t h e s tr in gs o f p utty t o t h e

ed ges o f t h e d oor.

When t h is w as d one, h e l if te d t h e c h ild a n d s a id :

“C om e n ow , m y frie n ds; w e c an d o n o m ore till to -m orro w . T here is a

fu nera l a t n oon, s o h ere w e s h all a ll c o m e b efo re l o ng a fte r t h at. T he f rie n ds o f

th e d ead w ill a ll b e g one b y tw o, a n d w hen th e s e x to n lo ck th e g ate w e s h all

re m ain . T hen th ere is m ore to d o; b ut n ot lik e th is o f to -n ig ht. A s f o r th is little

one, h e is n ot m uch h arm , a n d b y to -m orro w n ig ht h e s h all b e w ell. W e s h all

le av e h im w here th e p olic e w ill fin d h im , a s o n th e o th er n ig ht; a n d th en to

hom e.” C om in g c lo se t o A rth ur, h e s a id :—

“M y frie n d A rth ur, y ou h av e h ad a so re tr ia l; b ut a fte r, w hen y ou lo ok

back , y ou w ill s e e h ow it w as n ecessa ry . Y ou a re n ow in th e b itte r w ate rs , m y

ch ild . B y th is tim e to -m orro w y ou w ill, p le ase G od, h av e p asse d th em , a n d

hav e d ru nk o f th e s w eet w ate rs ; s o d o n ot m ourn o verm uch . T ill th en I s h all

not a sk y ou t o f o rg iv e m e.”

Arth ur a n d Q uin cey c am e h om e w ith m e, a n d w e tr ie d to c h eer e ach o th er

on t h e w ay. W e h ad l e ft t h e c h ild i n s a fe ty , a n d w ere t ir e d ; s o w e a ll s le p t w ith

more o r l e ss r e ality o f s le ep . 29 S ep te m ber, n ig ht.— A little b efo re tw elv e o ’c lo ck w e th re e— Arth ur,

Quin cey M orris , a n d m yse lf — calle d fo r th e P ro fe sso r. It w as o dd to n otic e

th at b y c o m mon c o nse n t w e h ad a ll p ut o n b la ck c lo th es. O f c o urs e , A rth ur

wore b la ck , f o r h e w as i n d eep m ourn in g, b ut t h e r e st o f u s w ore i t b y i n stin ct.

We g ot to th e c h urc h yard b y h alf -p ast o ne, a n d s tr o lle d a b out, k eep in g o ut o f

off ic ia l o bse rv atio n, s o th at w hen th e g ra v ed ig gers h ad c o m ple te d th eir ta sk

an d th e s e x to n u nder th e b elie f th at e v ery o ne h ad g one, h ad lo ck ed th e g ate ,

we h ad th e p la ce a ll to o urs e lv es. V an H els in g, in ste ad o f h is little b la ck b ag ,

had w ith h im a lo ng le ath er o ne, so m eth in g lik e a cric k etin g b ag ; it w as

man if e stly o f f a ir w eig ht.

When w e w ere a lo ne a n d h ad h eard th e la st o f th e f o ots te p s d ie o ut u p th e

ro ad , w e s ile n tly , a n d a s if b y o rd ere d in te n tio n, f o llo w ed th e P ro fe sso r to th e

to m b. H e u nlo ck ed th e d oor, a n d w e e n te re d , c lo sin g it b eh in d u s. T hen h e

to ok f ro m h is b ag th e la n te rn , w hic h h e lit, a n d a ls o tw o w ax c an dle s, w hic h ,

when lig hte d , h e s tu ck , b y m eltin g th eir o w n e n ds, o n o th er c o ff in s, s o th at

th ey m ig ht g iv e lig ht s u ff ic ie n t to w ork b y. W hen h e a g ain lif te d th e lid o ff

Lucy ’s c o ff in w e a ll lo oked — Arth ur tr e m blin g lik e a n a sp en — an d s a w th at

th e b ody la y th ere in a ll its d eath -b eau ty . B ut th ere w as n o lo ve in m y o w n

heart, n oth in g b ut lo ath in g fo r th e fo ul T hin g w hic h h ad ta k en L ucy ’s s h ap e

with out h er so ul. I co uld se e ev en A rth ur’s fa ce g ro w h ard as h e lo oked .

Pre se n tly h e s a id t o V an H els in g:—

“Is t h is r e ally L ucy ’s b ody, o r o nly a d em on i n h er s h ap e?”

“It is h er b ody, a n d y et n ot it. B ut w ait a w hile , a n d y ou a ll s e e h er a s s h e

was, a n d i s .”

She s e em ed l ik e a n ig htm are o f L ucy a s s h e l a y t h ere ; t h e p oin te d t e eth , t h e

blo odsta in ed , volu ptu ous m outh — whic h it m ad e one sh udder to se e— th e

whole c arn al a n d u nsp ir itu al a p peara n ce, s e em in g lik e a d ev ilis h m ock ery o f

Lucy ’s s w eet p urity . V an H els in g, w ith h is u su al m eth odic aln ess, b eg an t a k in g

th e v ario us c o nte n ts f ro m h is b ag a n d p la cin g t h em r e ad y f o r u se . F ir s t h e t o ok

out a so ld erin g ir o n a n d so m e p lu m bin g so ld er, a n d th en a sm all o il- la m p,

whic h g av e o ut, w hen lit in a c o rn er o f th e to m b, g as w hic h b urn ed a t fie rc e

heat w ith a b lu e fla m e; th en h is o pera tin g k niv es, w hic h h e p la ced to h an d;

an d la st a r o und w ooden s ta k e, s o m e tw o a n d a h alf o r th re e in ch es th ic k a n d

ab out th re e f e et lo ng. O ne e n d o f it w as h ard en ed b y c h arrin g in th e f ir e , a n d

was s h arp en ed to a f in e p oin t. W ith th is s ta k e c am e a h eav y h am mer, s u ch a s

in h ouse h old s is u se d in th e co al- c ella r fo r b re ak in g th e lu m ps. T o m e, a

docto r’s p re p ara tio ns f o r w ork o f a n y k in d a re s tim ula tin g a n d b ra cin g, b ut t h e

eff e ct o f th ese th in gs o n b oth A rth ur a n d Q uin cey w as to c au se th em a s o rt o f

co nste rn atio n. T hey b oth , h ow ev er, k ep t th eir c o ura g e, a n d re m ain ed sile n t

an d q uie t. When a ll w as r e ad y, V an H els in g s a id :—

“B efo re w e d o an yth in g, le t m e te ll y ou th is ; it is o ut o f th e lo re an d

ex perie n ce o f t h e a n cie n ts a n d o f a ll t h ose w ho h av e s tu die d t h e p ow ers o f t h e

Un-D ead . W hen th ey b eco m e s u ch , th ere c o m es w ith th e c h an ge th e c u rs e o f

im morta lity ; t h ey c an not d ie , b ut m ust g o o n a g e a fte r a g e a d din g n ew v ic tim s

an d m ultip ly in g th e e v ils o f th e w orld ; f o r a ll th at d ie f ro m th e p re y in g o f th e

Un-D ead b eco m es th em se lv es U n-D ead , a n d p re y o n th eir k in d. A nd s o th e

cir c le g oes o n e v er w id en in g, lik e a s th e rip ple s fro m a s to ne th ro w n in th e

wate r. F rie n d A rth ur, if y ou h ad m et th at k is s w hic h y ou k now o f b efo re p oor

Lucy d ie ; o r a g ain , la st n ig ht w hen y ou o pen y our a rm s to h er, y ou w ould in

tim e, w hen y ou h ad d ie d , h av e b eco m e n osfe ra tu , a s th ey c all it in E aste rn

Euro pe, a n d w ould a ll tim e m ak e m ore o f th ose U n-D ead s th at s o h av e f ill u s

with h orro r. T he c are er o f th is s o u nhap py d ear la d y is b ut ju st b eg un. T hose

ch ild re n w hose b lo od s h e s u ck a re n ot a s y et s o m uch t h e w ors e ; b ut i f s h e l iv e

on, U n-D ead , m ore a n d m ore th ey lo se th eir b lo od a n d b y h er p ow er o ver

th em t h ey c o m e t o h er; a n d s o s h e d ra w t h eir b lo od w ith t h at s o w ic k ed m outh .

But if s h e d ie in tr u th , th en a ll c ease ; th e tin y w ounds o f th e th ro ats d is a p pear,

an d th ey g o b ack to th eir p la y s u nknow in g e v er o f w hat h as b een . B ut o f th e

most b le sse d o f a ll, w hen t h is n ow U n-D ead b e m ad e t o r e st a s t r u e d ead , t h en

th e s o ul o f t h e p oor l a d y w hom w e l o ve s h all a g ain b e f re e. I n ste ad o f w ork in g

wic k ed ness b y n ig ht a n d g ro w in g m ore d eb ase d in th e a ssim ila tin g o f it b y

day, s h e s h all ta k e h er p la ce w ith th e o th er A ngels . S o th at, m y f rie n d, it w ill

be a b le sse d h an d f o r h er th at s h all s tr ik e th e b lo w th at s e ts h er f re e. T o th is I

am w illin g; b ut is th ere n one a m ongst u s w ho h as a b ette r r ig ht? W ill it b e n o

jo y to th in k o f h ere afte r in th e s ile n ce o f th e n ig ht w hen s le ep is n ot: ‘ It w as

my h an d th at s e n t h er to th e s ta rs ; it w as th e h an d o f h im th at lo ved h er b est;

th e h an d th at o f all sh e w ould h ers e lf h av e ch ose n , h ad it b een to h er to

ch oose ?’ T ell m e i f t h ere b e s u ch a o ne a m ongst u s? ”

We a ll lo oked a t A rth ur. H e s a w , to o, w hat w e a ll d id , th e in fin ite k in dness

whic h s u ggeste d t h at h is s h ould b e t h e h an d w hic h w ould r e sto re L ucy t o u s a s

a h oly , an d n ot an u nholy , m em ory ; h e ste p ped fo rw ard an d sa id b ra v ely ,

th ough h is h an d t r e m ble d , a n d h is f a ce w as a s p ale a s s n ow :—

“M y tr u e f rie n d, f ro m th e b otto m o f m y b ro ken h eart I th an k y ou. T ell m e

what I am to d o, an d I sh all n ot fa lte r!” V an H els in g la id a h an d o n h is

sh ould er, a n d s a id :—

“B ra v e la d ! A m om en t’s c o ura g e, a n d it is d one. T his s ta k e m ust b e d riv en

th ro ugh h er. I t w ill b e a f e arfu l o rd eal— be n ot d eceiv ed in th at— but it w ill b e

only a s h ort tim e, a n d y ou w ill th en re jo ic e m ore th an y our p ain w as g re at;

fro m t h is g rim t o m b y ou w ill e m erg e a s t h ough y ou t r e ad o n a ir. B ut y ou m ust

not fa lte r w hen o nce y ou h av e b eg un. O nly th in k th at w e, y our tr u e frie n ds,

are r o und y ou, a n d t h at w e p ra y f o r y ou a ll t h e t im e.” “G o o n,” s a id A rth ur h oars e ly . “ T ell m e w hat I a m t o d o.”

“T ak e th is s ta k e in y our le ft h an d, r e ad y to p la ce th e p oin t o ver th e h eart,

an d t h e h am mer i n y our r ig ht. T hen w hen w e b eg in o ur p ra y er f o r t h e d ead — I

sh all re ad h im , I h av e h ere th e b ook, a n d th e o th ers sh all fo llo w — str ik e in

God’s n am e, th at s o a ll m ay b e w ell w ith th e d ead th at w e lo ve a n d th at th e

Un-D ead p ass a w ay.”

Arth ur to ok th e s ta k e a n d th e h am mer, a n d w hen o nce h is m in d w as s e t o n

actio n h is h an ds n ev er tr e m ble d n or e v en q uiv ere d . V an H els in g o pen ed h is

mis sa l a n d b eg an to re ad , a n d Q uin cey a n d I fo llo w ed a s w ell a s w e c o uld .

Arth ur p la ced th e p oin t o ver th e h eart, a n d a s I lo oked I c o uld s e e its d in t in

th e w hite f le sh . T hen h e s tr u ck w ith a ll h is m ig ht.

The T hin g in th e c o ff in w rith ed ; a n d a h id eo us, b lo od-c u rd lin g sc re ech

cam e fro m th e o pen ed re d lip s. T he b ody s h ook a n d q uiv ere d a n d tw is te d in

wild c o nto rtio ns; th e s h arp w hite te eth c h am ped to geth er till th e lip s w ere c u t,

an d th e m outh w as s m eare d w ith a c rim so n fo am . B ut A rth ur n ev er fa lte re d .

He lo oked lik e a f ig ure o f T hor a s h is u ntr e m blin g a rm r o se a n d f e ll, d riv in g

deep er a n d d eep er th e m erc y -b earin g s ta k e, w hils t th e b lo od f ro m th e p ie rc ed

heart w elle d a n d s p urte d u p a ro und it. H is f a ce w as s e t, a n d h ig h d uty s e em ed

to s h in e t h ro ugh i t; t h e s ig ht o f i t g av e u s c o ura g e s o t h at o ur v oic es s e em ed t o

rin g t h ro ugh t h e l ittle v au lt.

And t h en t h e w rith in g a n d q uiv erin g o f t h e b ody b ecam e l e ss, a n d t h e t e eth

se em ed to c h am p, a n d th e f a ce to q uiv er. F in ally it la y s till. T he te rrib le ta sk

was o ver.

The h am mer f e ll f ro m A rth ur’s h an d. H e r e ele d a n d w ould h av e f a lle n h ad

we n ot c au ght h im . T he g re at d ro ps o f s w eat s p ra n g f ro m h is f o re h ead , a n d h is

bre ath c am e in b ro ken g asp s. I t h ad in deed b een a n a w fu l s tr a in o n h im ; a n d

had h e n ot b een f o rc ed t o h is t a sk b y m ore t h an h um an c o nsid era tio ns h e c o uld

nev er h av e g one th ro ugh w ith it. F or a f e w m in ute s w e w ere s o ta k en u p w ith

him t h at w e d id n ot l o ok t o w ard s t h e c o ff in . W hen w e d id , h ow ev er, a m urm ur

of s ta rtle d s u rp ris e ra n fro m o ne to th e o th er o f u s. W e g azed s o e ag erly th at

Arth ur r o se , f o r h e h ad b een s e ate d o n th e g ro und, a n d c am e a n d lo oked to o;

an d th en a g la d , s tr a n ge lig ht b ro ke o ver h is f a ce a n d d is p elle d a lto geth er th e

glo om o f h orro r t h at l a y u pon i t.

There , in th e c o ff in la y n o lo nger th e fo ul T hin g th at w e h ad s o d re ad ed

an d g ro w n to h ate th at th e w ork o f h er d estr u ctio n w as y ie ld ed a s a p riv ile g e

to th e o ne b est e n title d to it, b ut L ucy a s w e h ad s e en h er in h er lif e , w ith h er

fa ce o f u neq ualle d s w eetn ess a n d p urity . T ru e th at th ere w ere th ere , a s w e h ad

se en t h em i n l if e , t h e t r a ces o f c are a n d p ain a n d w aste ; b ut t h ese w ere a ll d ear

to u s, f o r th ey m ark ed h er tr u th to w hat w e k new . O ne a n d a ll w e f e lt th at th e

holy c alm th at la y lik e s u nsh in e o ver th e w aste d fa ce a n d fo rm w as o nly a n earth ly t o ken a n d s y m bol o f t h e c alm t h at w as t o r e ig n f o r e v er.

Van H els in g c am e a n d la id h is h an d o n A rth ur’s s h ould er, a n d s a id to h im :

—

“A nd n ow , A rth ur m y f rie n d, d ear l a d , a m I n ot f o rg iv en ?”

The re actio n o f th e te rrib le s tr a in c am e a s h e to ok th e o ld m an ’s h an d in

his , a n d r a is in g i t t o h is l ip s, p re sse d i t, a n d s a id :—

“F org iv en ! G od b le ss y ou th at y ou h av e g iv en m y d ear o ne h er s o ul a g ain ,

an d m e p eace.” H e p ut h is h an ds o n th e P ro fe sso r’s s h ould er, a n d la y in g h is

head o n h is b re ast, c rie d f o r a w hile s ile n tly , w hils t w e s to od u nm ovin g. W hen

he r a is e d h is h ead V an H els in g s a id t o h im :—

“A nd n ow , m y c h ild , y ou m ay k is s h er. K is s h er d ead lip s if y ou w ill, a s

sh e w ould h av e y ou t o , i f f o r h er t o c h oose . F or s h e i s n ot a g rin nin g d ev il n ow

—not a n y m ore a f o ul T hin g f o r a ll e te rn ity . N o lo nger s h e is th e d ev il’s U n-

Dead . S he i s G od’s t r u e d ead , w hose s o ul i s w ith H im !”

Arth ur b en t a n d k is se d h er, a n d th en w e s e n t h im a n d Q uin cey o ut o f th e

to m b; t h e P ro fe sso r a n d I s a w ed t h e t o p o ff t h e s ta k e, l e av in g t h e p oin t o f i t i n

th e b ody. T hen w e cu t o ff th e h ead an d fille d th e m outh w ith g arlic . W e

so ld ere d u p th e le ad en c o ff in , s c re w ed o n th e c o ff in -lid , a n d g ath erin g u p o ur

belo ngin gs, c am e a w ay. W hen th e P ro fe sso r lo ck ed th e d oor h e g av e th e k ey

to A rth ur.

Outs id e t h e a ir w as s w eet, t h e s u n s h one, a n d t h e b ir d s s a n g, a n d i t s e em ed

as if a ll n atu re w ere tu ned to a d if f e re n t p itc h . T here w as g la d ness a n d m ir th

an d p eace e v ery w here , f o r w e w ere a t r e st o urs e lv es o n o ne a cco unt, a n d w e

were g la d , t h ough i t w as w ith a t e m pere d j o y.

Befo re w e m oved a w ay V an H els in g s a id :—

“N ow , m y f rie n ds, o ne s te p o f o ur w ork i s d one, o ne t h e m ost h arro w in g t o

ours e lv es. B ut t h ere r e m ain s a g re ate r t a sk : t o f in d o ut t h e a u th or o f a ll t h is o ur

so rro w a n d t o s ta m p h im o ut. I h av e c lu es w hic h w e c an f o llo w ; b ut i t i s a l o ng

ta sk , a n d a d if f ic u lt, a n d th ere is d an ger in it, a n d p ain . S hall y ou n ot a ll h elp

me? W e h av e le arn ed to b elie v e, a ll o f u s— is it n ot s o ? A nd s in ce s o , d o w e

not s e e o ur d uty ? Y es! A nd d o w e n ot p ro m is e t o g o o n t o t h e b itte r e n d?”

Each in tu rn , w e to ok h is h an d, a n d th e p ro m is e w as m ad e. T hen s a id th e

Pro fe sso r a s w e m oved o ff :—

“T w o n ig hts h en ce y ou s h all m eet w ith m e a n d d in e to geth er a t s e v en o f

th e c lo ck w ith f rie n d J o hn. I s h all e n tr e at t w o o th ers , t w o t h at y ou k now n ot a s

yet; a n d I s h all b e re ad y to a ll o ur w ork s h ow a n d o ur p la n s u nfo ld . F rie n d

Jo hn, y ou c o m e w ith m e h om e, f o r I h av e m uch to c o nsu lt a b out, a n d y ou c an

help m e. T o-n ig ht I le av e fo r A m ste rd am , b ut sh all re tu rn to -m orro w n ig ht. And t h en b eg in s o ur g re at q uest. B ut f ir s t I s h all h av e m uch t o s a y, s o t h at y ou

may k now w hat i s t o d o a n d t o d re ad . T hen o ur p ro m is e s h all b e m ad e t o e ach

oth er a n ew ; f o r th ere is a te rrib le ta sk b efo re u s, a n d o nce o ur f e et a re o n th e

plo ughsh are w e m ust n ot d ra w b ack .”

CH APT ER X VII

DR. S E W ARD’S D IA RY — co n tin ued

W hen

w e a rriv ed a t th e B erk ele y H ote l, V an H els in g fo und a te le g ra m

waitin g f o r h im :—

“A m co m in g u p b y tr a in . Jo nath an at W hitb y. Im porta n t n ew s.— Min a

Hark er.”

The P ro fe sso r w as d elig hte d . “ A h, th at w onderfu l M ad am M in a,” h e s a id ,

“p earl am ong w om en ! S he arriv e, b ut I can not sta y. S he m ust g o to y our

house , f rie n d J o hn. Y ou m ust m eet h er a t th e s ta tio n. T ele g ra p h h er e n r o ute ,

so t h at s h e m ay b e p re p are d .”

When th e w ir e w as d esp atc h ed h e h ad a c u p o f te a; o ver it h e to ld m e o f a

dia ry k ep t b y J o nath an H ark er w hen a b ro ad , a n d g av e m e a ty pew ritte n c o py

of it, a s a ls o o f M rs . H ark er’s d ia ry a t W hitb y. “ T ak e th ese ,” h e sa id , “ an d

stu dy th em w ell. W hen I h av e r e tu rn ed y ou w ill b e m aste r o f a ll th e f a cts , a n d

we c an th en b ette r e n te r o n o ur in quis itio n. K eep th em sa fe , fo r th ere is in

th em m uch o f tr e asu re . Y ou w ill n eed a ll y our fa ith , e v en y ou w ho h av e h ad

su ch a n e x perie n ce a s th at o f to -d ay. W hat is h ere to ld ,” h e la id h is h an d

heav ily an d gra v ely on th e pack et of pap ers as he sp oke, “m ay be th e

beg in nin g o f th e e n d to y ou a n d m e a n d m an y a n oth er; o r it m ay s o und th e

knell o f th e U n-D ead w ho w alk th e e arth . R ead a ll, I p ra y y ou, w ith th e o pen

min d; a n d if y ou c an a d d in a n y w ay to th e s to ry h ere to ld d o s o , f o r it is a ll-

im porta n t. Y ou h av e k ep t d ia ry o f a ll t h ese s o s tr a n ge t h in gs; i s i t n ot s o ? Y es!

Then w e s h all g o th ro ugh a ll th ese to geth er w hen w e m eet.” H e th en m ad e

re ad y f o r h is d ep artu re , a n d s h ortly a fte r d ro ve o ff to L iv erp ool S tr e et. I to ok

my w ay to P ad d in gto n, w here I a rriv ed a b out f if te en m in ute s b efo re th e tr a in

cam e i n .

The cro w d m elte d aw ay, afte r th e bustlin g fa sh io n co m mon to arriv al

pla tf o rm s; a n d I w as b eg in nin g to fe el u neasy , le st I m ig ht m is s m y g uest,

when a s w eet- fa ced , d ain ty -lo okin g g ir l s te p ped u p to m e, a n d, a fte r a q uic k

gla n ce, s a id : “ D r. S ew ard , i s i t n ot? ”

“A nd y ou a re M rs . H ark er!” I a n sw ere d a t o nce; w here u pon s h e h eld o ut

her h an d. “I k new y ou f ro m t h e d esc rip tio n o f p oor d ear L ucy ; b ut— —” S he s to pped

su dden ly , a n d a q uic k b lu sh o vers p re ad h er f a ce.

The b lu sh th at r o se to m y o w n c h eek s s o m eh ow s e t u s b oth a t e ase , f o r it

was a ta cit a n sw er to h er o w n. I g ot h er lu ggag e, w hic h in clu ded a ty pew rite r,

an d w e to ok th e U nderg ro und to F en ch urc h S tr e et, a fte r I h ad s e n t a w ir e to

my h ouse k eep er t o h av e a s ittin g-ro om a n d b ed ro om p re p are d a t o nce f o r M rs .

Hark er.

In d ue tim e w e a rriv ed . S he k new , o f c o urs e , th at th e p la ce w as a lu natic

asy lu m , b ut I c o uld se e th at sh e w as u nab le to re p re ss a sh udder w hen w e

en te re d .

She to ld m e th at, if s h e m ig ht, s h e w ould c o m e p re se n tly to m y s tu dy, a s

sh e h ad m uch to s a y. S o h ere I a m f in is h in g m y e n tr y in m y p honogra p h d ia ry

whils t I a w ait h er. A s y et I h av e n ot h ad th e c h an ce o f lo okin g a t th e p ap ers

whic h V an H els in g le ft w ith m e, th ough th ey lie o pen b efo re m e. I m ust g et

her in te re ste d in so m eth in g, so th at I m ay h av e an o pportu nity o f re ad in g

th em . S he d oes n ot k now h ow p re cio us tim e is , o r w hat a ta sk w e h av e in

han d. I m ust b e c are fu l n ot t o f rig hte n h er. H ere s h e i s !

Min a H ark er’s J o urn al.

29 S ep te m ber.— Afte r I h ad tid ie d m yse lf , I w en t d ow n to D r. S ew ard ’s

stu dy. A t th e d oor I p au se d a m om en t, f o r I th ought I h eard h im ta lk in g w ith

so m e o ne. A s, h ow ev er, h e h ad p re sse d m e to b e q uic k , I k nock ed a t th e d oor,

an d o n h is c allin g o ut, “ C om e i n ,” I e n te re d .

To m y in te n se s u rp ris e , th ere w as n o o ne w ith h im . H e w as q uite a lo ne,

an d o n t h e t a b le o pposite h im w as w hat I k new a t o nce f ro m t h e d esc rip tio n t o

be a p honogra p h. I h ad n ev er s e en o ne, a n d w as m uch i n te re ste d .

“I h ope I d id n ot k eep y ou w aitin g,” I s a id ; “ b ut I s ta y ed a t th e d oor a s I

heard y ou t a lk in g, a n d t h ought t h ere w as s o m e o ne w ith y ou.”

“O h,” h e r e p lie d w ith a s m ile , “ I w as o nly e n te rin g m y d ia ry .”

“Y our d ia ry ?” I a sk ed h im i n s u rp ris e .

“Y es,” h e a n sw ere d . “ I k eep i t i n t h is .” A s h e s p oke h e l a id h is h an d o n t h e

phonogra p h. I f e lt q uite e x cite d o ver i t, a n d b lu rte d o ut:—

“W hy, t h is b eats e v en s h orth an d! M ay I h ear i t s a y s o m eth in g?”

“C erta in ly ,” h e re p lie d w ith a la crity , a n d sto od u p to p ut it in tr a in fo r

sp eak in g. T hen h e p au se d , a n d a t r o uble d l o ok o vers p re ad h is f a ce.

“T he f a ct is ,” h e b eg an a w kw ard ly , “ I o nly k eep m y d ia ry in it; a n d a s it is

en tir e ly — alm ost en tir e ly — ab out m y case s, it m ay b e aw kw ard — th at is , I

mean — —” H e s to pped , a n d I t r ie d t o h elp h im o ut o f h is e m barra ssm en t:— “Y ou h elp ed to a tte n d d ear L ucy a t th e e n d. L et m e h ear h ow s h e d ie d ; f o r

all t h at I k now o f h er, I s h all b e v ery g ra te fu l. S he w as v ery , v ery d ear t o m e.”

To m y s u rp ris e , h e a n sw ere d , w ith a h orro rs tr u ck l o ok i n h is f a ce:—

“T ell y ou o f h er d eath ? N ot f o r t h e w id e w orld !”

“W hy n ot? ” I a sk ed , f o r s o m e g ra v e, te rrib le f e elin g w as c o m in g o ver m e.

Again h e p au se d , a n d I c o uld s e e th at h e w as tr y in g to in ven t a n e x cu se . A t

le n gth h e s ta m mere d o ut:—

“Y ou s e e, I d o n ot k now h ow to p ic k o ut a n y p artic u la r p art o f th e d ia ry .”

Even w hile h e w as sp eak in g an id ea d aw ned u pon h im , an d h e sa id w ith

unco nsc io us s im plic ity , in a d if f e re n t v oic e, a n d w ith th e n aïv eté o f a c h ild :

“T hat’s q uite tr u e, u pon m y h onour. H onest I n dia n !” I c o uld n ot b ut s m ile , a t

whic h h e g rim aced . “ I g av e m yse lf a w ay th at tim e!” h e sa id . “ B ut d o y ou

know t h at, a lth ough I h av e k ep t t h e d ia ry f o r m onth s p ast, i t n ev er o nce s tr u ck

me h ow I w as g oin g to f in d a n y p artic u la r p art o f it in c ase I w an te d to lo ok it

up?” B y th is tim e m y m in d w as m ad e u p th at th e d ia ry o f a d octo r w ho

atte n ded L ucy m ig ht h av e s o m eth in g to a d d to th e s u m o f o ur k now le d ge o f

th at t e rrib le B ein g, a n d I s a id b old ly :—

“T hen , D r. S ew ard , y ou h ad b ette r le t m e co py it o ut fo r y ou o n m y

ty pew rite r.” H e g re w t o a p ositiv ely d eath ly p allo r a s h e s a id :—

“N o! n o! n o! F or a ll t h e w orld , I w ould n’t l e t y ou k now t h at t e rrib le s to ry !”

Then it w as te rrib le ; m y in tu itio n w as r ig ht! F or a m om en t I th ought, a n d

as m y e y es ra n ged th e ro om , u nco nsc io usly lo okin g fo r so m eth in g o r so m e

opportu nity t o a id m e, t h ey l it o n a g re at b atc h o f t y pew ritin g o n t h e t a b le . H is

ey es cau ght th e lo ok in m in e, an d, w ith out his th in kin g, fo llo w ed th eir

dir e ctio n. A s t h ey s a w t h e p arc el h e r e alis e d m y m ean in g.

“Y ou d o n ot k now m e,” I s a id . “ W hen y ou h av e re ad th ose p ap ers — my

ow n d ia ry a n d m y h usb an d’s a ls o , w hic h I h av e ty ped — you w ill k now m e

bette r. I h av e n ot fa lte re d in g iv in g e v ery th ought o f m y o w n h eart in th is

cau se ; b ut, o f c o urs e , y ou d o n ot k now m e— yet; a n d I m ust n ot e x pect y ou to

tr u st m e s o f a r.”

He i s c erta in ly a m an o f n oble n atu re ; p oor d ear L ucy w as r ig ht a b out h im .

He sto od u p a n d o pen ed a la rg e d ra w er, in w hic h w ere a rra n ged in o rd er a

num ber o f h ollo w c y lin ders o f m eta l c o vere d w ith d ark w ax , a n d s a id :—

“Y ou a re q uite r ig ht. I d id n ot tr u st y ou b ecau se I d id n ot k now y ou. B ut I

know y ou n ow ; a n d l e t m e s a y t h at I s h ould h av e k now n y ou l o ng a g o. I k now

th at L ucy to ld y ou o f m e; sh e to ld m e o f y ou to o. M ay I m ak e th e o nly

ato nem en t in m y p ow er? T ak e th e c y lin ders a n d h ear th em — th e fir s t h alf -

dozen o f th em a re p ers o nal to m e, a n d th ey w ill n ot h orrif y y ou; th en y ou w ill know m e b ette r. D in ner w ill b y th en b e re ad y. In th e m ean tim e I s h all re ad

over s o m e o f th ese d ocu m en ts , a n d s h all b e b ette r a b le to u nders ta n d c erta in

th in gs.” H e c arrie d t h e p honogra p h h im se lf u p t o m y s ittin g-ro om a n d a d ju ste d

it f o r m e. N ow I s h all le arn s o m eth in g p le asa n t, I a m s u re ; f o r it w ill te ll m e

th e o th er s id e o f a t r u e l o ve e p is o de o f w hic h I k now o ne s id e a lr e ad y....

Dr. S ew ard ’s D ia ry .

29 S ep te m ber.— I w as so ab so rb ed in th at w onderfu l d ia ry o f Jo nath an

Hark er a n d th at o th er o f h is w if e th at I le t th e tim e ru n o n w ith out th in kin g.

Mrs . H ark er w as n ot d ow n w hen th e m aid c am e to a n nounce d in ner, s o I s a id :

“S he i s p ossib ly t ir e d ; l e t d in ner w ait a n h our,” a n d I w en t o n w ith m y w ork . I

had ju st fin is h ed M rs . H ark er’s d ia ry , w hen s h e c am e in . S he lo oked s w eetly

pre tty , b ut v ery sa d , a n d h er e y es w ere flu sh ed w ith c ry in g. T his so m eh ow

moved m e m uch . O f la te I h av e h ad c au se f o r te ars , G od k now s! b ut th e r e lie f

of th em w as d en ie d m e; a n d n ow th e sig ht o f th ose sw eet e y es, b rig hte n ed

with r e cen t t e ars , w en t s tr a ig ht t o m y h eart. S o I s a id a s g en tly a s I c o uld :—

“I g re atly f e ar I h av e d is tr e sse d y ou.”

“O h, n o, n ot d is tr e sse d m e,” s h e re p lie d , “ b ut I h av e b een m ore to uch ed

th an I c an s a y b y y our g rie f. T hat i s a w onderfu l m ach in e, b ut i t i s c ru elly t r u e.

It t o ld m e, i n i ts v ery t o nes, t h e a n guis h o f y our h eart. I t w as l ik e a s o ul c ry in g

out to A lm ig hty G od. N o o ne m ust h ear th em s p oken e v er a g ain ! S ee, I h av e

tr ie d to b e u se fu l. I h av e c o pie d o ut th e w ord s o n m y ty pew rite r, a n d n one

oth er n eed n ow h ear y our h eart b eat, a s I d id .”

“N o o ne n eed e v er k now , s h all e v er k now ,” I s a id in a lo w v oic e. S he la id

her h an d o n m in e a n d s a id v ery g ra v ely :—

“A h, b ut t h ey m ust! ”

“M ust! B ut w hy?” I a sk ed .

“B ecau se it is a p art o f th e te rrib le s to ry , a p art o f p oor d ear L ucy ’s d eath

an d a ll t h at l e d t o i t; b ecau se i n t h e s tr u ggle w hic h w e h av e b efo re u s t o r id t h e

earth o f th is te rrib le m onste r w e m ust h av e a ll th e k now le d ge a n d a ll th e h elp

whic h w e c an g et. I th in k th at th e c y lin ders w hic h y ou g av e m e c o nta in ed

more t h an y ou i n te n ded m e t o k now ; b ut I c an s e e t h at t h ere a re i n y our r e co rd

man y l ig hts t o t h is d ark m yste ry . Y ou w ill l e t m e h elp , w ill y ou n ot? I k now a ll

up to a c erta in p oin t; a n d I s e e a lr e ad y, th ough y our d ia ry o nly to ok m e to 7

Sep te m ber, h ow p oor L ucy w as b ese t, a n d h ow h er te rrib le d oom w as b ein g

wro ught o ut. J o nath an a n d I h av e b een w ork in g d ay a n d n ig ht s in ce P ro fe sso r

Van H els in g s a w u s. H e is g one to W hitb y to g et m ore in fo rm atio n, a n d h e

will b e h ere to -m orro w to h elp u s. W e n eed h av e n o se cre ts am ongst u s;

work in g to geth er a n d w ith a b so lu te tr u st, w e c an su re ly b e str o nger th an if

so m e o f u s w ere i n t h e d ark .” S he l o oked a t m e s o a p pealin gly , a n d a t t h e s a m e tim e m an if e ste d s u ch c o ura g e a n d re so lu tio n in h er b earin g, th at I g av e in a t

once to h er w is h es. “ Y ou sh all,” I sa id , “ d o a s y ou lik e in th e m atte r. G od

fo rg iv e m e if I d o w ro ng! T here a re te rrib le th in gs y et to le arn o f; b ut if y ou

hav e s o f a r t r a v elle d o n t h e r o ad t o p oor L ucy ’s d eath , y ou w ill n ot b e c o nte n t,

I k now , to re m ain in th e d ark . N ay, th e e n d— th e v ery e n d— may g iv e y ou a

gle am o f p eace. C om e, th ere is d in ner. W e m ust k eep o ne a n oth er s tr o ng fo r

what i s b efo re u s; w e h av e a c ru el a n d d re ad fu l t a sk . W hen y ou h av e e ate n y ou

sh all le arn th e re st, a n d I sh all a n sw er a n y q uestio ns y ou a sk — if th ere b e

an yth in g w hic h y ou d o n ot u nders ta n d, t h ough i t w as a p pare n t t o u s w ho w ere

pre se n t.”

Min a H ark er’s J o urn al.

29 S ep te m ber.— Afte r d in ner I cam e w ith D r. S ew ard to h is stu dy. H e

bro ught b ack th e p honogra p h fro m m y ro om , a n d I to ok m y ty pew rite r. H e

pla ced m e i n a c o m fo rta b le c h air , a n d a rra n ged t h e p honogra p h s o th at I c o uld

to uch it w ith out g ettin g u p, a n d s h ow ed m e h ow to s to p it in c ase I s h ould

wan t to p au se . T hen h e v ery th oughtf u lly to ok a c h air , w ith h is b ack to m e, s o

th at I m ig ht b e a s f re e a s p ossib le , a n d b eg an t o r e ad . I p ut t h e f o rk ed m eta l t o

my e ars a n d l is te n ed .

When th e te rrib le s to ry o f L ucy ’s d eath , a n d— an d a ll th at fo llo w ed , w as

done, I la y b ack in m y c h air p ow erle ss. F ortu nate ly I a m n ot o f a fa in tin g

dis p ositio n. W hen D r. Sew ard sa w m e he ju m ped up w ith a horrif ie d

ex cla m atio n, an d h urrie d ly ta k in g a case -b ottle fro m a cu pboard , g av e m e

so m e b ra n dy, w hic h i n a f e w m in ute s s o m ew hat r e sto re d m e. M y b ra in w as a ll

in a w hir l, a n d o nly th at th ere c am e th ro ugh a ll th e m ultitu de o f h orro rs , th e

holy r a y o f lig ht th at m y d ear, d ear L ucy w as a t la st a t p eace, I d o n ot th in k I

co uld h av e b orn e it w ith out m ak in g a s c en e. I t is a ll s o w ild , a n d m yste rio us,

an d s tr a n ge th at if I h ad n ot k now n J o nath an ’s e x perie n ce in T ra n sy lv an ia I

co uld n ot h av e b elie v ed . A s it w as, I d id n’t k now w hat to b elie v e, a n d s o g ot

out o f m y d if f ic u lty b y a tte n din g to s o m eth in g e ls e . I to ok th e c o ver o ff m y

ty pew rite r, a n d s a id t o D r. S ew ard :—

“L et m e w rite t h is a ll o ut n ow . W e m ust b e r e ad y f o r D r. V an H els in g w hen

he c o m es. I h av e s e n t a te le g ra m to J o nath an to c o m e o n h ere w hen h e a rriv es

in L ondon f ro m W hitb y. I n th is m atte r d ate s a re e v ery th in g, a n d I th in k th at if

we g et a ll o ur m ate ria l r e ad y, a n d h av e e v ery ite m p ut in c h ro nolo gic al o rd er,

we s h all h av e d one m uch . Y ou te ll m e th at L ord G odalm in g a n d M r. M orris

are c o m in g to o. L et u s b e a b le to te ll h im w hen th ey c o m e.” H e a cco rd in gly

se t th e phonogra p h at a slo w pace, an d I beg an to ty pew rite fro m th e

beg in nin g o f t h e s e v en th c y lin der. I u se d m an if o ld , a n d s o t o ok t h re e c o pie s o f

th e d ia ry , ju st a s I h ad d one w ith a ll th e re st. It w as la te w hen I g ot th ro ugh,

but D r. S ew ard w en t a b out h is w ork o f g oin g h is r o und o f th e p atie n ts ; w hen

he h ad f in is h ed h e c am e b ack a n d s a t n ear m e, r e ad in g, s o th at I d id n ot f e el to o lo nely w hils t I w ork ed . H ow g ood a n d th oughtf u l h e is ; th e w orld s e em s

fu ll of good m en — ev en if th ere are m onste rs in it. B efo re I le ft him I

re m em bere d w hat J o nath an p ut in h is d ia ry o f th e P ro fe sso r’s p ertu rb atio n a t

re ad in g s o m eth in g in a n e v en in g p ap er a t th e s ta tio n a t E xete r; s o , s e ein g th at

Dr. S ew ard k eep s h is n ew sp ap ers , I b orro w ed th e file s o f “ T he W estm in ste r

Gazette ” a n d “ T he P all M all G azette ,” a n d t o ok t h em t o m y r o om . I r e m em ber

how m uch “ T he D aily gra p h” a n d “ T he W hitb y G azette ,” o f w hic h I h ad m ad e

cu ttin gs, h elp ed u s to u nders ta n d th e te rrib le e v en ts a t W hitb y w hen C ount

Dra cu la la n ded , so I sh all lo ok th ro ugh th e e v en in g p ap ers sin ce th en , a n d

perh ap s I s h all g et s o m e n ew lig ht. I a m n ot s le ep y, a n d th e w ork w ill h elp to

keep m e q uie t.

Dr. S ew ard ’s D ia ry .

30 S ep te m ber.— Mr. H ark er a rriv ed a t n in e o ’c lo ck . H e h ad g ot h is w if e ’s

wir e ju st b efo re s ta rtin g. H e is u nco m monly c le v er, if o ne c an ju dge f ro m h is

fa ce, a n d fu ll o f e n erg y. If th is jo urn al b e tr u e— an d ju dgin g b y o ne’s o w n

wonderfu l e x perie n ces, i t m ust b e— he i s a ls o a m an o f g re at n erv e. T hat g oin g

dow n to th e v au lt a se co nd tim e w as a re m ark ab le p ie ce o f d arin g. A fte r

re ad in g h is a cco unt o f i t I w as p re p are d t o m eet a g ood s p ecim en o f m an hood,

but h ard ly t h e q uie t, b usin ess-lik e g en tle m an w ho c am e h ere t o -d ay.

Late r.— Afte r lu nch H ark er a n d h is w if e w en t b ack to th eir o w n r o om , a n d

as I p asse d a w hile a g o I h eard th e c lic k o f th e ty pew rite r. T hey a re h ard a t it.

Mrs . H ark er s a y s th at th ey a re k nittin g to geth er in c h ro nolo gic al o rd er e v ery

sc ra p o f e v id en ce th ey h av e. H ark er h as g ot th e le tte rs b etw een th e c o nsig nee

of th e b oxes a t W hitb y a n d th e c arrie rs in L ondon w ho to ok c h arg e o f th em .

He is n ow r e ad in g h is w if e ’s ty pesc rip t o f m y d ia ry . I w onder w hat th ey m ak e

out o f i t. H ere i t i s ....

Str a n ge th at it n ev er str u ck m e th at th e v ery n ex t h ouse m ig ht b e th e

Count’s h id in g-p la ce! G oodness k now s th at w e h ad e n ough c lu es fro m th e

co nduct o f th e p atie n t R en fie ld ! T he b undle o f le tte rs r e la tin g to th e p urc h ase

of th e h ouse w ere w ith th e ty pesc rip t. O h, if w e h ad o nly h ad th em e arlie r w e

mig ht h av e s a v ed p oor L ucy ! S to p; th at w ay m ad ness lie s! H ark er h as g one

back , a n d is a g ain c o lla tin g h is m ate ria l. H e s a y s th at b y d in ner- tim e th ey w ill

be a b le to s h ow a w hole c o nnecte d n arra tiv e. H e th in ks th at in th e m ean tim e I

sh ould s e e R en fie ld , a s h ith erto h e h as b een a s o rt o f in dex to th e c o m in g a n d

goin g o f t h e C ount. I h ard ly s e e t h is y et, b ut w hen I g et a t t h e d ate s I s u ppose I

sh all. W hat a g ood th in g th at M rs . H ark er p ut m y c y lin ders in to ty pe! W e

nev er c o uld h av e f o und t h e d ate s o th erw is e ....

I f o und R en fie ld s ittin g p la cid ly i n h is r o om w ith h is h an ds f o ld ed , s m ilin g

ben ig nly . A t th e m om en t h e s e em ed a s s a n e a s a n y o ne I e v er s a w . I s a t d ow n

an d ta lk ed w ith h im o n a lo t o f s u bje cts , a ll o f w hic h h e tr e ate d n atu ra lly . H e th en , of his ow n acco rd , sp oke of goin g hom e, a su bje ct he has nev er

men tio ned to m y k now le d ge d urin g h is s o jo urn h ere . In fa ct, h e s p oke q uite

co nfid en tly o f g ettin g h is d is c h arg e a t o nce. I b elie v e th at, h ad I n ot h ad th e

ch at w ith H ark er a n d re ad th e le tte rs a n d th e d ate s o f h is o utb urs ts , I s h ould

hav e b een p re p are d to s ig n f o r h im a fte r a b rie f tim e o f o bse rv atio n. A s it is , I

am d ark ly s u sp ic io us. A ll th ose o utb re ak s w ere in s o m e w ay lin ked w ith th e

pro xim ity o f th e C ount. W hat th en d oes th is a b so lu te c o nte n t m ean ? C an it b e

th at h is in stin ct is s a tis fie d a s to th e v am pir e ’s u ltim ate tr iu m ph? S ta y ; h e is

him se lf z o öphag ous, a n d in h is w ild ra v in gs o uts id e th e c h ap el d oor o f th e

dese rte d h ouse h e a lw ay s s p oke o f “ m aste r.” T his a ll s e em s c o nfir m atio n o f

our i d ea. H ow ev er, a fte r a w hile I c am e a w ay ; m y f rie n d i s j u st a l ittle t o o s a n e

at p re se n t to m ak e it sa fe to p ro be h im to o d eep w ith q uestio ns. H e m ig ht

beg in to th in k, a n d th en — ! S o I c am e a w ay. I m is tr u st th ese q uie t m oods o f

his ; s o I h av e g iv en t h e a tte n dan t a h in t t o l o ok c lo se ly a fte r h im , a n d t o h av e a

str a it- w ais tc o at r e ad y i n c ase o f n eed .

Jo nath an H ark er’s J o urn al.

29 S ep te m ber, in tr a in to L ondon.— When I re ceiv ed M r. B illin gto n’s

co urte o us m essa g e th at h e w ould g iv e m e an y in fo rm atio n in h is p ow er I

th ought i t b est t o g o d ow n t o W hitb y a n d m ak e, o n t h e s p ot, s u ch i n quir ie s a s I

wan te d . It w as n ow m y o bje ct to tr a ce th at h orrid c arg o o f th e C ount’s to its

pla ce i n L ondon. L ate r, w e m ay b e a b le t o d eal w ith i t. B illin gto n j u nio r, a n ic e

la d , m et m e a t th e s ta tio n, a n d b ro ught m e to h is fa th er’s h ouse , w here th ey

had d ecid ed t h at I m ust s ta y t h e n ig ht. T hey a re h osp ita b le , w ith t r u e Y ork sh ir e

hosp ita lity : g iv e a g uest e v ery th in g, a n d l e av e h im f re e t o d o a s h e l ik es. T hey

all k new th at I w as b usy , a n d th at m y s ta y w as s h ort, a n d M r. B illin gto n h ad

re ad y i n h is o ff ic e a ll th e p ap ers c o ncern in g t h e c o nsig nm en t o f b oxes. I t g av e

me alm ost a tu rn to se e ag ain o ne o f th e le tte rs w hic h I h ad se en o n th e

Count’s ta b le b efo re I k new o f h is d ia b olic al p la n s. E very th in g h ad b een

care fu lly th ought o ut, a n d d one s y ste m atic ally a n d w ith p re cis io n. H e s e em ed

to h av e b een p re p are d f o r e v ery o bsta cle w hic h m ig ht b e p la ced b y a ccid en t i n

th e w ay o f h is in te n tio ns b ein g c arrie d o ut. T o u se a n A m eric an is m , h e h ad

“ta k en n o ch an ces,” an d th e ab so lu te accu ra cy w ith w hic h h is in str u ctio ns

were f u lf ille d , w as s im ply th e lo gic al r e su lt o f h is c are . I s a w th e in voic e, a n d

to ok n ote o f it: “ F if ty c ase s o f c o m mon e arth , to b e u se d fo r e x perim en ta l

purp ose s.” A ls o th e c o py o f le tte r to C arte r P ate rs o n, a n d th eir r e p ly ; o f b oth

of th ese I g ot c o pie s. T his w as a ll th e in fo rm atio n M r. B illin gto n c o uld g iv e

me, s o I w en t d ow n to th e p ort a n d s a w th e c o astg uard s, th e C usto m s o ff ic ers

an d th e h arb our- m aste r. T hey h ad a ll s o m eth in g to s a y o f th e s tr a n ge e n tr y o f

th e s h ip , w hic h is a lr e ad y ta k in g its p la ce in lo cal tr a d itio n; b ut n o o ne c o uld

ad d to th e s im ple d esc rip tio n “ F if ty c ase s o f c o m mon e arth .” I th en s a w th e

sta tio n-m aste r, w ho k in dly p ut m e in c o m munic atio n w ith th e m en w ho h ad

actu ally re ceiv ed th e b oxes. T heir ta lly w as e x act w ith th e lis t, a n d th ey h ad noth in g to a d d e x cep t th at th e b oxes w ere “ m ain a n d m orta l h eav y,” a n d th at

sh if tin g th em w as d ry w ork . O ne o f th em a d ded th at it w as h ard lin es th at

th ere w asn ’t a n y g en tle m an “ su ch -lik e a s y ours e lf , s q uir e ,” to s h ow s o m e s o rt

of a p pre cia tio n o f th eir e ff o rts in a liq uid f o rm ; a n oth er p ut in a r id er th at th e

th ir s t th en g en era te d w as s u ch th at e v en th e tim e w hic h h ad e la p se d h ad n ot

co m ple te ly a lla y ed it. N eed le ss to a d d, I to ok c are b efo re le av in g to lif t, fo r

ev er a n d a d eq uate ly , t h is s o urc e o f r e p ro ach .

30 S ep te m ber.— The s ta tio n-m aste r w as g ood e n ough to g iv e m e a lin e to

his o ld c o m pan io n th e s ta tio n-m aste r a t K in g’s C ro ss, s o th at w hen I a rriv ed

th ere in th e m orn in g I w as a b le to a sk h im a b out th e a rriv al o f th e b oxes. H e,

to o, p ut m e a t o nce in c o m munic atio n w ith th e p ro per o ff ic ia ls , a n d I s a w th at

th eir t a lly w as c o rre ct w ith t h e o rig in al i n voic e. T he o pportu nitie s o f a cq uir in g

an a b norm al th ir s t h ad b een h ere lim ite d ; a n oble u se o f th em h ad , h ow ev er,

been m ad e, a n d a g ain I w as c o m pelle d to d eal w ith th e re su lt in a n e x p ost

fa cto m an ner.

Fro m t h en ce I w en t o n t o C arte r P ate rs o n’s c en tr a l o ff ic e, w here I m et w ith

th e u tm ost c o urte sy . T hey lo oked u p th e tr a n sa ctio n in th eir d ay -b ook a n d

le tte r- b ook, an d at o nce te le p honed to th eir K in g’s C ro ss o ff ic e fo r m ore

deta ils . B y g ood f o rtu ne, t h e m en w ho d id t h e te am in g w ere w aitin g f o r w ork ,

an d th e o ff ic ia l a t o nce s e n t th em o ver, s e n din g a ls o b y o ne o f th em th e w ay -

bill a n d a ll t h e p ap ers c o nnecte d w ith t h e d eliv ery o f t h e b oxes a t C arfa x . H ere

ag ain I fo und th e ta lly ag re ein g ex actly ; th e carrie rs ’ m en w ere ab le to

su pple m en t th e p au city o f th e w ritte n w ord s w ith a f e w d eta ils . T hese w ere , I

sh ortly f o und, c o nnecte d a lm ost s o le ly w ith t h e d usty n atu re o f t h e jo b, a n d o f

th e co nse q uen t th ir s t en gen dere d in th e opera to rs . O n m y aff o rd in g an

opportu nity , th ro ugh th e m ed iu m o f th e c u rre n cy o f th e r e alm , o f th e a lla y in g,

at a l a te r p erio d, t h is b en efic ia l e v il, o ne o f t h e m en r e m ark ed :—

“T hat ’ e re ’ o use , g uv’n or, i s t h e r u m mie st I e v er w as i n . B ly m e! b ut i t a in ’t

been t o uch ed s e n ce a h undre d y ears . T here w as d ust t h at t h ic k i n t h e p la ce t h at

you m ig ht h av e s le p ’ o n it w ith out ’ u rtin ’ o f y er b ones; a n ’ th e p la ce w as th at

neg le cte d t h at y er m ig ht ’ a v e s m elle d o le J e ru sa le m i n i t. B ut t h e o le c h ap el—

th at to ok th e c ik e, th at d id ! M e a n d m y m ate , w e th ort w e w ould n’t n ev er g it

out q uic k e n ough. L or’, I w ould n’t t a k e l e ss n or a q uid a m om en t t o s ta y t h ere

arte r d ark .”

Hav in g b een in th e h ouse , I c o uld w ell b elie v e h im ; b ut if h e k new w hat I

know , h e w ould , I t h in k, h av e r a is e d h is t e rm s.

Of o ne t h in g I a m n ow s a tis fie d : t h at a ll t h e b oxes w hic h a rriv ed a t W hitb y

fro m V arn a in th e D em ete r w ere s a fe ly d ep osite d in th e o ld c h ap el a t C arfa x .

There s h ould b e f if ty o f th em th ere , u nle ss a n y h av e s in ce b een r e m oved — as

fro m D r. S ew ard ’s d ia ry I f e ar. I s h all tr y to s e e th e c arte r w ho to ok a w ay th e b oxes fro m C arfa x w hen

Ren fie ld a tta ck ed t h em . B y f o llo w in g u p t h is c lu e w e m ay l e arn a g ood d eal.

Late r.— Min a a n d I h av e w ork ed a ll d ay, a n d w e h av e p ut a ll th e p ap ers

in to o rd er.

Min a H ark er’s J o urn al

30 S ep te m ber.— I a m s o g la d th at I h ard ly k now h ow to c o nta in m yse lf . I t

is , I s u ppose , th e re actio n fro m th e h au ntin g fe ar w hic h I h av e h ad : th at th is

te rrib le a ff a ir a n d th e re o pen in g o f h is o ld w ound m ig ht a ct d etr im en ta lly o n

Jo nath an . I s a w h im l e av e f o r W hitb y w ith a s b ra v e a f a ce a s I c o uld , b ut I w as

sic k w ith ap pre h en sio n. T he eff o rt h as, h ow ev er, d one h im g ood. H e w as

nev er so re so lu te , n ev er so str o ng, n ev er so fu ll o f v olc an ic en erg y, as at

pre se n t. I t is ju st a s th at d ear, g ood P ro fe sso r V an H els in g s a id : h e is tr u e g rit,

an d h e im pro ves u nder s tr a in th at w ould k ill a w eak er n atu re . H e c am e b ack

fu ll o f l if e a n d h ope a n d d ete rm in atio n; w e h av e g ot e v ery th in g i n o rd er f o r t o -

nig ht. I f e el m yse lf q uite w ild w ith e x cite m en t. I s u ppose o ne o ught t o p ity a n y

th in g s o h unte d a s is th e C ount. T hat is ju st it: th is T hin g is n ot h um an — not

ev en b east. T o re ad D r. S ew ard ’s acco unt o f p oor L ucy ’s d eath , an d w hat

fo llo w ed , i s e n ough t o d ry u p t h e s p rin gs o f p ity i n o ne’s h eart.

Late r.— Lord G odalm in g a n d M r. M orris a rriv ed e arlie r th an w e e x pecte d .

Dr. S ew ard w as o ut o n b usin ess, a n d h ad ta k en J o nath an w ith h im , s o I h ad to

se e th em . It w as to m e a p ain fu l m eetin g, fo r it b ro ught b ack a ll p oor d ear

Lucy ’s h opes o f o nly a f e w m onth s a g o. O f c o urs e th ey h ad h eard L ucy s p eak

of m e, a n d it s e em ed th at D r. V an H els in g, to o, h as b een q uite “ b lo w in g m y

tr u m pet,” a s M r. M orris e x pre sse d it. P oor fe llo w s, n eith er o f th em is a w are

th at I k now a ll a b out th e p ro posa ls th ey m ad e to L ucy. T hey d id n ot q uite

know w hat to sa y or do, as th ey w ere ig nora n t of th e am ount of m y

know le d ge; s o th ey h ad to k eep o n n eu tr a l s u bje cts . H ow ev er, I th ought th e

matte r o ver, a n d c am e t o t h e c o nclu sio n t h at t h e b est t h in g I c o uld d o w ould b e

to p ost th em in a ff a ir s rig ht u p to d ate . I k new fro m D r. S ew ard ’s d ia ry th at

th ey h ad b een a t L ucy ’s d eath — her re al d eath — an d th at I n eed n ot fe ar to

betr a y a n y s e cre t b efo re th e tim e. S o I to ld th em , a s w ell a s I c o uld , th at I h ad

re ad a ll th e p ap ers a n d d ia rie s, a n d th at m y h usb an d a n d I , h av in g ty pew ritte n

th em , h ad ju st f in is h ed p uttin g th em in o rd er. I g av e th em e ach a c o py to r e ad

in t h e l ib ra ry . W hen L ord G odalm in g g ot h is a n d t u rn ed i t o ver— it d oes m ak e

a p re tty g ood p ile — he s a id :—

“D id y ou w rite a ll t h is , M rs . H ark er? ”

I n odded , a n d h e w en t o n:—

“I d on’t q uite s e e th e d rif t o f it; b ut y ou p eo ple a re a ll s o g ood a n d k in d,

an d h av e b een w ork in g s o e arn estly a n d s o e n erg etic ally , th at a ll I c an d o is to accep t y our id eas b lin dfo ld a n d tr y to h elp y ou. I h av e h ad o ne le sso n a lr e ad y

in a ccep tin g f a cts th at s h ould m ak e a m an h um ble to th e la st h our o f h is lif e .

Besid es, I know you lo ved m y poor L ucy — ” H ere he tu rn ed aw ay an d

co vere d h is f a ce w ith h is h an ds. I c o uld h ear t h e t e ars i n h is v oic e. M r. M orris ,

with in stin ctiv e d elic acy, ju st la id a h an d fo r a m om en t o n h is s h ould er, a n d

th en w alk ed q uie tly o ut o f th e r o om . I s u ppose th ere is s o m eth in g in w om an ’s

natu re t h at m ak es a m an f re e t o b re ak d ow n b efo re h er a n d e x pre ss h is f e elin gs

on th e te n der o r e m otio nal s id e w ith out f e elin g it d ero gato ry to h is m an hood;

fo r w hen L ord G odalm in g fo und h im se lf a lo ne w ith m e h e s a t d ow n o n th e

so fa a n d g av e w ay u tte rly a n d o pen ly . I sa t d ow n b esid e h im a n d to ok h is

han d. I h ope h e d id n’t th in k it f o rw ard o f m e, a n d th at if h e e v er th in ks o f it

afte rw ard s h e n ev er w ill h av e s u ch a th ought. T here I w ro ng h im ; I k now h e

nev er w ill— he is to o tr u e a g en tle m an . I s a id to h im , f o r I c o uld s e e th at h is

heart w as b re ak in g:—

“I l o ved d ear L ucy, a n d I k now w hat s h e w as t o y ou, a n d w hat y ou w ere t o

her. S he a n d I w ere lik e s is te rs ; a n d n ow s h e is g one, w ill y ou n ot le t m e b e

lik e a s is te r t o y ou i n y our t r o uble ? I k now w hat s o rro w s y ou h av e h ad , t h ough

I c an not m easu re th e d ep th o f th em . If sy m path y a n d p ity c an h elp in y our

aff lic tio n, w on’t y ou l e t m e b e o f s o m e l ittle s e rv ic e— fo r L ucy ’s s a k e?”

In a n in sta n t th e p oor d ear f e llo w w as o verw helm ed w ith g rie f. I t s e em ed

to m e t h at a ll t h at h e h ad o f l a te b een s u ff e rin g i n s ile n ce f o und a v en t a t o nce.

He g re w q uite h yste ric al, a n d r a is in g h is o pen h an ds, b eat h is p alm s to geth er

in a p erfe ct a g ony o f g rie f. H e s to od u p a n d t h en s a t d ow n a g ain , a n d t h e t e ars

ra in ed d ow n h is c h eek s. I fe lt a n in fin ite p ity fo r h im , a n d o pen ed m y a rm s

unth in kin gly . W ith a so b h e la id h is h ead o n m y sh ould er a n d c rie d lik e a

wearie d c h ild , w hils t h e s h ook w ith e m otio n.

We w om en h av e s o m eth in g o f th e m oth er in u s th at m ak es u s ris e a b ove

sm alle r m atte rs w hen th e m oth er- s p ir it is in voked ; I fe lt th is b ig so rro w in g

man ’s h ead re stin g o n m e, a s th ough it w ere th at o f th e b ab y th at s o m e d ay

may lie o n m y b oso m , a n d I s tr o ked h is h air a s th ough h e w ere m y o w n c h ild .

I n ev er t h ought a t t h e t im e h ow s tr a n ge i t a ll w as.

Afte r a little b it h is s o bs c ease d , a n d h e ra is e d h im se lf w ith a n a p olo gy,

th ough h e m ad e n o d is g uis e o f h is e m otio n. H e to ld m e th at fo r d ay s a n d

nig hts p ast— weary d ay s a n d s le ep le ss n ig hts — he h ad b een u nab le to s p eak

with a n y o ne, a s a m an m ust s p eak i n h is t im e o f s o rro w . T here w as n o w om an

whose s y m path y c o uld b e g iv en to h im , o r w ith w hom , o w in g to th e te rrib le

cir c u m sta n ce w ith w hic h h is s o rro w w as s u rro unded , h e c o uld s p eak f re ely . “ I

know n ow h ow I s u ff e re d ,” h e s a id , a s h e d rie d h is e y es, “ b ut I d o n ot k now

ev en y et— an d n one o th er c an e v er k now — how m uch y our s w eet s y m path y

has b een t o m e t o -d ay. I s h all k now b ette r i n t im e; a n d b elie v e m e t h at, t h ough

I a m n ot u ngra te fu l n ow , m y g ra titu de w ill g ro w w ith m y u nders ta n din g. Y ou will le t m e b e lik e a b ro th er, w ill y ou n ot, fo r a ll o ur liv es— fo r d ear L ucy ’s

sa k e?”

“F or d ear L ucy ’s s a k e,” I s a id a s w e c la sp ed h an ds. “ A y, a n d f o r y our o w n

sa k e,” h e ad ded , “fo r if a m an ’s este em an d g ra titu de are ev er w orth th e

win nin g, y ou h av e w on m in e to -d ay. If e v er th e fu tu re s h ould b rin g to y ou a

tim e w hen y ou n eed a m an ’s h elp , b elie v e m e, y ou w ill n ot c all in v ain . G od

gra n t th at n o s u ch tim e m ay e v er c o m e to y ou to b re ak th e s u nsh in e o f y our

lif e ; b ut if it s h ould e v er c o m e, p ro m is e m e th at y ou w ill le t m e k now .” H e

was s o e arn est, a n d h is s o rro w w as s o f re sh , th at I f e lt it w ould c o m fo rt h im ,

so I s a id :—

“I p ro m is e .”

As I c am e a lo ng t h e c o rrid or I s a w M r. M orris l o okin g o ut o f a w in dow . H e

tu rn ed a s h e h eard m y f o ots te p s. “ H ow is A rt? ” h e s a id . T hen n otic in g m y r e d

ey es, h e w en t o n: “ A h, I s e e y o u h av e b een c o m fo rtin g h im . P oor o ld f e llo w !

he n eed s it. N o o ne b ut a w om an c an h elp a m an w hen h e is in tr o uble o f th e

heart; a n d h e h ad n o o ne t o c o m fo rt h im .”

He b ore h is o w n tr o uble s o b ra v ely th at m y h eart b le d fo r h im . I s a w th e

man usc rip t in h is h an d, a n d I k new th at w hen h e r e ad it h e w ould r e alis e h ow

much I k new ; s o I s a id t o h im :—

“I w is h I c o uld c o m fo rt a ll w ho s u ff e r f ro m th e h eart. W ill y ou le t m e b e

your frie n d, a n d w ill y ou c o m e to m e fo r c o m fo rt if y ou n eed it? Y ou w ill

know , la te r o n, w hy I s p eak .” H e s a w th at I w as in e arn est, a n d s to opin g, to ok

my h an d, a n d r a is in g it to h is lip s, k is se d it. I t s e em ed b ut p oor c o m fo rt to s o

bra v e a n d u nse lf is h a s o ul, a n d im puls iv ely I b en t o ver a n d k is se d h im . T he

te ars r o se i n h is e y es, a n d t h ere w as a m om en ta ry c h okin g i n h is t h ro at; h e s a id

quite c alm ly :—

“L ittle g ir l, y ou w ill n ev er r e g re t t h at t r u e-h earte d k in dness, s o l o ng a s e v er

you l iv e!” T hen h e w en t i n to t h e s tu dy t o h is f rie n d.

“L ittle g ir l! ” — th e v ery w ord s h e h ad u se d to L ucy, a n d o h, b ut h e p ro ved

him se lf a f rie n d!

CH APT ER X VIII

DR. S E W ARD’S D IA RY

30 S ep te m ber.— I g ot h om e a t f iv e o ’c lo ck , a n d f o und th at G odalm in g a n d

Morris h ad n ot o nly arriv ed , b ut h ad alr e ad y stu die d th e tr a n sc rip t o f th e

vario us d ia rie s a n d l e tte rs w hic h H ark er a n d h is w onderfu l w if e h ad m ad e a n d arra n ged . H ark er h ad n ot y et re tu rn ed fro m h is v is it to th e c arrie rs ’ m en , o f

whom D r. H en nesse y h ad w ritte n t o m e. M rs . H ark er g av e u s a c u p o f t e a, a n d

I c an h onestly s a y t h at, f o r t h e f ir s t t im e s in ce I h av e l iv ed i n i t, t h is o ld h ouse

se em ed l ik e h om e. W hen w e h ad f in is h ed , M rs . H ark er s a id :—

“D r. S ew ard , m ay I a sk a f a v our? I w an t to s e e y our p atie n t, M r. R en fie ld .

Do le t m e s e e h im . W hat y ou h av e s a id o f h im in y our d ia ry in te re sts m e s o

much !” S he lo oked s o a p pealin g a n d s o p re tty th at I c o uld n ot r e fu se h er, a n d

th ere w as n o p ossib le re aso n w hy I sh ould ; so I to ok h er w ith m e. W hen I

wen t in to th e r o om , I to ld th e m an th at a la d y w ould lik e to s e e h im ; to w hic h

he s im ply a n sw ere d : “ W hy?”

“S he is g oin g th ro ugh th e h ouse , an d w an ts to se e ev ery o ne in it,” I

an sw ere d . “ O h, v ery w ell,” h e s a id ; “ le t h er c o m e in , b y a ll m ean s; b ut ju st

wait a m in ute till I tid y u p th e p la ce.” H is m eth od o f tid yin g w as p ecu lia r: h e

sim ply sw allo w ed a ll th e flie s a n d sp id ers in th e b oxes b efo re I c o uld sto p

him . I t w as q uite e v id en t th at h e f e are d , o r w as je alo us o f, s o m e in te rfe re n ce.

When h e h ad g ot th ro ugh h is d is g ustin g ta sk , h e s a id c h eerfu lly : “ L et th e la d y

co m e in ,” a n d s a t d ow n o n th e e d ge o f h is b ed w ith h is h ead d ow n, b ut w ith

his e y elid s ra is e d so th at h e c o uld se e h er a s sh e e n te re d . F or a m om en t I

th ought t h at h e m ig ht h av e s o m e h om ic id al i n te n t; I r e m em bere d h ow q uie t h e

had b een ju st b efo re h e a tta ck ed m e in m y o w n s tu dy, a n d I to ok c are to s ta n d

where I c o uld s e iz e h im a t o nce if h e a tte m pte d to m ak e a s p rin g a t h er. S he

cam e in to th e r o om w ith a n e asy g ra cefu ln ess w hic h w ould a t o nce c o m man d

th e re sp ect o f a n y lu natic — fo r e asin ess is o ne o f th e q ualitie s m ad p eo ple

most re sp ect. S he w alk ed o ver to h im , sm ilin g p le asa n tly , a n d h eld o ut h er

han d.

“G ood-e v en in g, M r. R en fie ld ,” sa id sh e. “ Y ou se e, I k now y ou, fo r D r.

Sew ard h as to ld m e o f y ou.” H e m ad e n o im med ia te re p ly , b ut e y ed h er a ll

over in te n tly w ith a se t fro w n o n h is fa ce. T his lo ok g av e w ay to o ne o f

wonder, w hic h m erg ed i n d oubt; t h en , t o m y i n te n se a sto nis h m en t, h e s a id :—

“Y ou’re n ot t h e g ir l t h e d octo r w an te d t o m arry , a re y ou? Y ou c an ’t b e, y ou

know , f o r s h e’s d ead .” M rs . H ark er s m ile d s w eetly a s s h e r e p lie d :—

“O h n o! I h av e a h usb an d o f m y o w n, t o w hom I w as m arrie d b efo re I e v er

sa w D r. S ew ard , o r h e m e. I a m M rs . H ark er.”

“T hen w hat a re y ou d oin g h ere ?”

“M y h usb an d a n d I a re s ta y in g o n a v is it w ith D r. S ew ard .”

“T hen d on’t s ta y.”

“B ut w hy n ot? ” I th ought th at th is sty le o f co nvers a tio n m ig ht n ot b e

ple asa n t t o M rs . H ark er, a n y m ore t h an i t w as t o m e, s o I j o in ed i n :— “H ow d id y ou k now I w an te d to m arry a n y o ne?” H is re p ly w as s im ply

co nte m ptu ous, g iv en in a p au se in w hic h h e tu rn ed h is e y es f ro m M rs . H ark er

to m e, i n sta n tly t u rn in g t h em b ack a g ain :—

“W hat a n a sin in e q uestio n!”

“I don’t se e th at at all, M r. R en fie ld ,” sa id M rs . H ark er, at once

ch am pio nin g m e. H e re p lie d to h er w ith a s m uch c o urte sy a n d re sp ect a s h e

had s h ow n c o nte m pt t o m e:—

“Y ou w ill, o f c o urs e , u nders ta n d, M rs . H ark er, t h at w hen a m an i s s o l o ved

an d h onoure d a s o ur h ost i s , e v ery th in g r e g ard in g h im i s o f i n te re st i n o ur l ittle

co m munity . D r. S ew ard i s l o ved n ot o nly b y h is h ouse h old a n d h is f rie n ds, b ut

ev en b y h is p atie n ts , w ho, b ein g s o m e o f th em h ard ly in m en ta l e q uilib riu m ,

are a p t to d is to rt c au se s a n d e ff e cts . S in ce I m yse lf h av e b een a n in m ate o f a

lu natic a sy lu m , I c an not b ut n otic e th at th e s o phis tic te n den cie s o f s o m e o f its

in m ate s le an to w ard s th e erro rs of non cau sa an d ig nora tio ele n ch i.” I

positiv ely o pen ed m y e y es a t th is n ew d ev elo pm en t. H ere w as m y o w n p et

lu natic — th e m ost p ro nounced o f h is ty pe th at I h ad e v er m et w ith — ta lk in g

ele m en ta l p hilo so phy, a n d w ith th e m an ner o f a p olis h ed g en tle m an . I w onder

if it w as M rs . H ark er’s pre se n ce w hic h had to uch ed so m e ch ord in his

mem ory . If th is new phase w as sp onta n eo us, or in an y w ay due to her

unco nsc io us i n flu en ce, s h e m ust h av e s o m e r a re g if t o r p ow er.

We c o ntin ued to ta lk fo r so m e tim e; a n d, se ein g th at h e w as se em in gly

quite re aso nab le , s h e v en tu re d , lo okin g a t m e q uestio nin gly a s s h e b eg an , to

le ad him to his fa v ourite to pic . I w as ag ain asto nis h ed , fo r he ad dre sse d

him se lf to th e q uestio n w ith th e im partia lity o f th e c o m ple te st s a n ity ; h e e v en

to ok h im se lf a s a n e x am ple w hen h e m en tio ned c erta in t h in gs.

“W hy, I m yse lf a m a n in sta n ce o f a m an w ho h ad a s tr a n ge b elie f. I n deed ,

it w as n o w onder th at m y f rie n ds w ere a la rm ed , a n d in sis te d o n m y b ein g p ut

under c o ntr o l. I u se d to f a n cy th at lif e w as a p ositiv e a n d p erp etu al e n tity , a n d

th at b y c o nsu m in g a m ultitu de o f l iv e t h in gs, n o m atte r h ow l o w i n t h e s c ale o f

cre atio n, o ne m ig ht in defin ite ly p ro lo ng lif e . A t tim es I h eld th e b elie f so

str o ngly th at I a ctu ally tr ie d to ta k e h um an lif e . T he d octo r h ere w ill b ear m e

out t h at o n o ne o ccasio n I t r ie d t o k ill h im f o r t h e p urp ose o f s tr e n gth en in g m y

vita l p ow ers b y th e a ssim ila tio n w ith m y o w n b ody o f h is lif e th ro ugh th e

med iu m o f h is b lo od— re ly in g, o f c o urs e , u pon th e S crip tu ra l p hra se , ‘ F or th e

blo od is th e lif e .’ T hough, in deed , th e ven dor of a certa in nostr u m has

vulg aris e d th e tr u is m to th e v ery p oin t o f c o nte m pt. I s n ’t th at tr u e, d octo r? ” I

nodded a sse n t, f o r I w as s o a m azed th at I h ard ly k new w hat to e ith er th in k o r

sa y ; it w as h ard to im ag in e th at I h ad s e en h im e at u p h is s p id ers a n d f lie s n ot

fiv e m in ute s b efo re . L ookin g a t m y w atc h , I s a w t h at I s h ould g o t o t h e s ta tio n

to m eet V an H els in g, s o I t o ld M rs . H ark er t h at i t w as t im e t o l e av e. S he c am e at o nce, a fte r s a y in g p le asa n tly to M r. R en fie ld : “ G ood-b ye, a n d I h ope I m ay

se e you ofte n , under au sp ic es ple asa n te r to yours e lf ,” to w hic h , to m y

asto nis h m en t, h e r e p lie d :—

“G ood-b ye, m y d ear. I p ra y G od I m ay n ev er s e e y our s w eet fa ce a g ain .

May H e b le ss a n d k eep y ou!”

When I w en t to th e s ta tio n to m eet V an H els in g I le ft th e b oys b eh in d m e.

Poor A rt s e em ed m ore c h eerfu l th an h e h as b een s in ce L ucy f ir s t to ok ill, a n d

Quin cey i s m ore l ik e h is o w n b rig ht s e lf t h an h e h as b een f o r m an y a l o ng d ay.

Van H els in g s te p ped f ro m th e c arria g e w ith th e e ag er n im ble n ess o f a b oy.

He s a w m e a t o nce, a n d r u sh ed u p t o m e, s a y in g:—

“A h, frie n d J o hn, h ow g oes a ll? W ell? S o! I h av e b een b usy , fo r I c o m e

here t o s ta y i f n eed b e. A ll a ff a ir s a re s e ttle d w ith m e, a n d I h av e m uch t o t e ll.

Mad am M in a is w ith y ou? Y es. A nd h er s o f in e h usb an d? A nd A rth ur a n d m y

frie n d Q uin cey, t h ey a re w ith y ou, t o o? G ood!”

As I d ro ve t o t h e h ouse I t o ld h im o f w hat h ad p asse d , a n d o f h ow m y o w n

dia ry h ad c o m e to b e o f s o m e u se th ro ugh M rs . H ark er’s s u ggestio n; a t w hic h

th e P ro fe sso r i n te rru pte d m e:—

“A h, th at w onderfu l M ad am M in a! S he h as m an ’s b ra in — a b ra in th at a

man s h ould h av e w ere h e m uch g if te d — an d a w om an ’s h eart. T he g ood G od

fa sh io ned her fo r a purp ose , belie v e m e, w hen H e m ad e th at so good

co m bin atio n. F rie n d J o hn, u p to n ow f o rtu ne h as m ad e th at w om an o f h elp to

us; a fte r to -n ig ht s h e m ust n ot h av e to d o w ith th is s o te rrib le a ff a ir. I t is n ot

good th at s h e ru n a ris k s o g re at. W e m en a re d ete rm in ed — nay, a re w e n ot

ple d ged ?— to d estr o y th is m onste r; b ut it is n o p art f o r a w om an . E ven if s h e

be n ot h arm ed , h er h eart m ay fa il h er in s o m uch a n d s o m an y h orro rs ; a n d

here afte r s h e m ay s u ff e r— both in w ak in g, f ro m h er n erv es, a n d in s le ep , f ro m

her d re am s. A nd, b esid es, s h e is y oung w om an a n d n ot s o lo ng m arrie d ; th ere

may b e o th er th in gs to th in k o f s o m e tim e, if n ot n ow . Y ou te ll m e s h e h as

wro te a ll, th en s h e m ust c o nsu lt w ith u s; b ut to -m orro w s h e s a y g ood-b ye to

th is w ork , a n d w e g o a lo ne.” I a g re ed h eartily w ith h im , a n d th en I to ld h im

what w e h ad fo und in h is a b se n ce: th at th e h ouse w hic h D ra cu la h ad b ought

was t h e v ery n ex t o ne t o m y o w n. H e w as a m azed , a n d a g re at c o ncern s e em ed

to c o m e o n h im . “ O h th at w e h ad k now n it b efo re !” h e sa id , “ fo r th en w e

mig ht h av e r e ach ed h im in tim e to s a v e p oor L ucy. H ow ev er, ‘ th e m ilk th at is

sp ilt c rie s n ot o ut a fte rw ard s,’ a s y ou s a y. W e s h all n ot th in k o f th at, b ut g o o n

our w ay to th e e n d.” T hen h e f e ll in to a s ile n ce th at la ste d till w e e n te re d m y

ow n g ate w ay. B efo re w e w en t t o p re p are f o r d in ner h e s a id t o M rs . H ark er:—

“I a m to ld , M ad am M in a, b y m y frie n d J o hn th at y ou a n d y our h usb an d

hav e p ut u p i n e x act o rd er a ll t h in gs t h at h av e b een , u p t o t h is m om en t.” “N ot u p to th is m om en t, P ro fe sso r,” s h e s a id im puls iv ely , “ b ut u p to th is

morn in g.”

“B ut w hy n ot u p to n ow ? W e h av e se en h ith erto h ow g ood lig ht a ll th e

little th in gs h av e m ad e. W e h av e to ld o ur s e cre ts , a n d y et n o o n e w ho h as to ld

is t h e w ors e f o r i t.”

Mrs . H ark er b eg an to b lu sh , a n d t a k in g a p ap er f ro m h er p ock ets , s h e s a id :

—

“D r. V an H els in g, w ill y ou r e ad th is , a n d te ll m e if it m ust g o in . I t is m y

re co rd of to -d ay. I to o hav e se en th e need of puttin g dow n at pre se n t

ev ery th in g, h ow ev er tr iv ia l; b ut th ere is little in th is e x cep t w hat is p ers o nal.

Must i t g o i n ?” T he P ro fe sso r r e ad i t o ver g ra v ely , a n d h an ded i t b ack , s a y in g:

—

“It n eed n ot g o in if y ou d o n ot w is h it; b ut I p ra y th at it m ay. It c an b ut

mak e y our h usb an d lo ve y ou th e m ore , a n d a ll u s, y our f rie n ds, m ore h onour

you— as w ell a s m ore e ste em a n d lo ve.” S he to ok it b ack w ith a n oth er b lu sh

an d a b rig ht s m ile .

And s o n ow , u p t o t h is v ery h our, a ll t h e r e co rd s w e h av e a re c o m ple te a n d

in o rd er. T he P ro fe sso r to ok a w ay o ne c o py to s tu dy a fte r d in ner, a n d b efo re

our m eetin g, w hic h is f ix ed f o r n in e o ’c lo ck . T he r e st o f u s h av e a lr e ad y r e ad

ev ery th in g; s o w hen w e m eet in th e s tu dy w e s h all a ll b e in fo rm ed a s to f a cts ,

an d c an a rra n ge o ur p la n o f b attle w ith t h is t e rrib le a n d m yste rio us e n em y.

Min a H ark er’s J o urn al.

30 S ep te m ber.— When w e m et in D r. S ew ard ’s stu dy tw o hours afte r

din ner, w hic h h ad b een at six o ’c lo ck , w e u nco nsc io usly fo rm ed a so rt o f

board o r co m mitte e. P ro fe sso r V an H els in g to ok th e h ead o f th e ta b le , to

whic h D r. S ew ard m otio ned h im a s h e c am e in to th e ro om . H e m ad e m e s it

nex t to h im o n h is r ig ht, a n d a sk ed m e to a ct a s s e cre ta ry ; J o nath an s a t n ex t to

me. O pposite u s w ere L ord G odalm in g, D r. S ew ard , a n d M r. M orris — Lord

Godalm in g bein g nex t th e P ro fe sso r, an d D r. S ew ard in th e cen tr e . T he

Pro fe sso r s a id :—

“I m ay, I s u ppose , ta k e it th at w e a re a ll a cq uain te d w ith th e f a cts th at a re

in t h ese p ap ers .” W e a ll e x pre sse d a sse n t, a n d h e w en t o n:—

“T hen it w ere , I th in k g ood th at I te ll y ou s o m eth in g o f th e k in d o f e n em y

with w hic h w e h av e to d eal. I s h all th en m ak e k now n to y ou s o m eth in g o f th e

his to ry o f t h is m an , w hic h h as b een a sc erta in ed f o r m e. S o w e t h en c an d is c u ss

how w e s h all a ct, a n d c an t a k e o ur m easu re a cco rd in g.

“T here a re s u ch b ein gs a s v am pir e s; s o m e o f u s h av e e v id en ce th at th ey

ex is t. E ven had w e not th e pro of of our ow n unhap py ex perie n ce, th e te ach in gs a n d th e re co rd s o f th e p ast g iv e p ro of e n ough fo r sa n e p eo ple s. I

ad m it th at a t th e f ir s t I w as s c ep tic . W ere it n ot th at th ro ugh lo ng y ears I h av e

tr a in m yse lf to k eep a n o pen m in d, I c o uld n ot h av e b elie v e u ntil s u ch tim e a s

th at f a ct th under o n m y e ar. ‘ S ee! s e e! I p ro ve; I p ro ve.’ A la s! H ad I k now n a t

th e f ir s t w hat n ow I k now — nay, h ad I e v en g uess a t h im — one s o p re cio us l if e

had b een s p are d t o m an y o f u s w ho d id l o ve h er. B ut t h at i s g one; a n d w e m ust

so w ork , t h at o th er p oor s o uls p eris h n ot, w hils t w e c an s a v e. T he n osfe ra tu d o

not d ie lik e th e b ee w hen h e stin g o nce. H e is o nly str o nger; an d b ein g

str o nger, h av e y et m ore p ow er t o w ork e v il. T his v am pir e w hic h i s a m ongst u s

is o f h im se lf s o s tr o ng in p ers o n a s tw en ty m en ; h e is o f c u nnin g m ore th an

morta l, fo r his cu nnin g be th e gro w th of ag es; he hav e still th e aid s of

necro m an cy, w hic h i s , a s h is e ty m olo gy i m ply , t h e d iv in atio n b y t h e d ead , a n d

all t h e d ead t h at h e c an c o m e n ig h t o a re f o r h im a t c o m man d; h e i s b ru te , a n d

more th an b ru te ; h e is d ev il in c allo us, a n d th e h eart o f h im is n ot; h e c an ,

with in lim ita tio ns, a p pear a t w ill w hen , a n d w here , a n d in a n y o f th e fo rm s

th at a re to h im ; h e c an , w ith in h is ra n ge, d ir e ct th e e le m en ts ; th e s to rm , th e

fo g, th e th under; h e c an c o m man d a ll th e m ean er th in gs: th e r a t, a n d th e o w l,

an d th e b at— th e m oth , a n d th e fo x, a n d th e w olf ; h e c an g ro w a n d b eco m e

sm all; a n d h e c an a t tim es v an is h a n d c o m e u nknow n. H ow th en a re w e to

beg in o ur str ik e to d estr o y h im ? H ow sh all w e fin d h is w here ; a n d h av in g

fo und i t, h ow c an w e d estr o y? M y f rie n ds, t h is i s m uch ; i t i s a t e rrib le t a sk t h at

we u nderta k e, a n d t h ere m ay b e c o nse q uen ce t o m ak e t h e b ra v e s h udder. F or i f

we fa il in th is o ur fig ht h e m ust s u re ly w in ; a n d th en w here e n d w e? L if e is

noth in gs; I h eed h im n ot. B ut t o f a il h ere , i s n ot m ere l if e o r d eath . I t i s t h at w e

beco m e a s h im ; t h at w e h en cefo rw ard b eco m e f o ul t h in gs o f t h e n ig ht l ik e h im

—with out h eart o r c o nsc ie n ce, p re y in g o n t h e b odie s a n d t h e s o uls o f t h ose w e

lo ve b est. T o u s f o r e v er a re t h e g ate s o f h eav en s h ut; f o r w ho s h all o pen t h em

to u s a g ain ? W e g o o n f o r a ll tim e a b horre d b y a ll; a b lo t o n th e f a ce o f G od’s

su nsh in e; a n a rro w in th e s id e o f H im w ho d ie d fo r m an . B ut w e a re fa ce to

fa ce w ith d uty ; a n d in s u ch c ase m ust w e s h rin k? F or m e, I s a y, n o; b ut th en I

am o ld , a n d l if e , w ith h is s u nsh in e, h is f a ir p la ces, h is s o ng o f b ir d s, h is m usic

an d h is l o ve, l ie f a r b eh in d. Y ou o th ers a re y oung. S om e h av e s e en s o rro w ; b ut

th ere a re f a ir d ay s y et i n s to re . W hat s a y y ou?”

Whils t h e w as sp eak in g, Jo nath an h ad ta k en m y h an d. I fe are d , o h so

much , t h at t h e a p pallin g n atu re o f o ur d an ger w as o verc o m in g h im w hen I s a w

his h an d s tr e tc h o ut; b ut it w as lif e to m e to f e el its to uch — so s tr o ng, s o s e lf -

re lia n t, s o r e so lu te . A b ra v e m an ’s h an d c an s p eak f o r its e lf ; it d oes n ot e v en

need a w om an ’s l o ve t o h ear i ts m usic .

When th e P ro fe sso r h ad d one sp eak in g m y h usb an d lo oked in m y e y es,

an d I i n h is ; t h ere w as n o n eed f o r s p eak in g b etw een u s.

“I a n sw er f o r M in a a n d m yse lf ,” h e s a id . “C ount m e i n , P ro fe sso r,” s a id M r. Q uin cey M orris , l a co nic ally a s u su al.

“I a m w ith y ou,” s a id L ord G odalm in g, “ fo r L ucy ’s s a k e, if fo r n o o th er

re aso n.”

Dr. S ew ard sim ply n odded . T he P ro fe sso r sto od u p a n d, a fte r la y in g h is

gold en c ru cif ix o n th e ta b le , h eld o ut h is h an d o n e ith er s id e. I to ok h is r ig ht

han d, a n d L ord G odalm in g h is le ft; J o nath an h eld m y rig ht w ith h is le ft a n d

str e tc h ed a cro ss to M r. M orris . S o a s w e a ll to ok h an ds o ur s o le m n c o m pact

was m ad e. I fe lt m y h eart ic y c o ld , b ut it d id n ot e v en o ccu r to m e to d ra w

back . W e re su m ed o ur p la ces, a n d D r. V an H els in g w en t o n w ith a so rt o f

ch eerfu ln ess w hic h s h ow ed t h at t h e s e rio us w ork h ad b eg un. I t w as t o b e t a k en

as g ra v ely , a n d i n a s b usin esslik e a w ay, a s a n y o th er t r a n sa ctio n o f l if e :—

“W ell, y ou k now w hat w e h av e to c o nte n d a g ain st; b ut w e, to o, a re n ot

with out s tr e n gth . W e h av e o n o ur s id e p ow er o f c o m bin atio n— a p ow er d en ie d

to th e v am pir e k in d; w e h av e s o urc es o f s c ie n ce; w e a re f re e to a ct a n d th in k;

an d th e h ours o f th e d ay a n d th e n ig ht a re o urs e q ually . I n fa ct, s o fa r a s o ur

pow ers e x te n d, t h ey a re u nfe tte re d , a n d w e a re f re e t o u se t h em . W e h av e s e lf -

dev otio n in a c au se , a n d a n e n d to a ch ie v e w hic h is n ot a s e lf is h o ne. T hese

th in gs a re m uch .

“N ow le t u s s e e h ow f a r th e g en era l p ow ers a rra y ed a g ain st u s a re r e str ic t,

an d h ow th e in div id ual c an not. In fin e, le t u s c o nsid er th e lim ita tio ns o f th e

vam pir e i n g en era l, a n d o f t h is o ne i n p artic u la r.

“A ll w e h av e to g o u pon a re tr a d itio ns a n d s u pers titio ns. T hese d o n ot a t

th e f ir s t a p pear m uch , w hen th e m atte r is o ne o f lif e a n d d eath — nay o f m ore

th an e ith er l if e o r d eath . Y et m ust w e b e s a tis fie d ; i n t h e f ir s t p la ce b ecau se w e

hav e t o b e— no o th er m ean s i s a t o ur c o ntr o l— an d s e co ndly , b ecau se , a fte r a ll,

th ese t h in gs— tr a d itio n a n d s u pers titio n— are e v ery th in g. D oes n ot t h e b elie f i n

vam pir e s re st fo r o th ers — th ough n ot, ala s! fo r u s— on th em ? A y ear ag o

whic h of us w ould hav e re ceiv ed su ch a possib ility , in th e m id st of our

sc ie n tif ic , sc ep tic al, m atte r- o f-fa ct nin ete en th cen tu ry ? W e ev en sc o ute d a

belie f th at w e sa w ju stif ie d under our very ey es. T ak e it, th en , th at th e

vam pir e , a n d th e b elie f in h is lim ita tio ns a n d h is c u re , r e st f o r th e m om en t o n

th e s a m e b ase . F or, le t m e te ll y ou, h e is k now n e v ery w here th at m en h av e

been . I n o ld G re ece, in o ld R om e; h e f lo uris h in G erm an y a ll o ver, in F ra n ce,

in In dia , e v en in th e C hern ose se ; a n d in C hin a, so fa r fro m u s in a ll w ay s,

th ere e v en i s h e, a n d t h e p eo ple s f e ar h im a t t h is d ay. H e h av e f o llo w t h e w ak e

of th e b ers e rk er Ic ela n der, th e d ev il- b eg otte n H un, th e S la v, th e S ax on, th e

Mag yar. S o fa r, th en , w e h av e a ll w e m ay a ct u pon; a n d le t m e te ll y ou th at

very m uch o f th e b elie fs a re ju stif ie d b y w hat w e h av e se en in o ur o w n so

unhap py e x perie n ce. T he v am pir e liv e o n, a n d c an not d ie b y m ere p assin g o f

th e tim e; h e c an flo uris h w hen th at h e c an fa tte n o n th e b lo od o f th e liv in g. Even m ore , w e h av e s e en a m ongst u s th at h e c an e v en g ro w y ounger; th at h is

vita l fa cu ltie s g ro w str e n uous, a n d se em a s th ough th ey re fre sh th em se lv es

when h is s p ecia l p ab ulu m i s p le n ty . B ut h e c an not f lo uris h w ith out t h is d ie t; h e

eat n ot a s o th ers . E ven frie n d Jo nath an , w ho liv ed w ith h im fo r w eek s, d id

nev er s e e h im to e at, n ev er! H e th ro w s n o s h ad ow ; h e m ak e in th e m ir ro r n o

re fle ct, a s a g ain J o nath an o bse rv e. H e h as th e s tr e n gth o f m an y o f h is h an d—

witn ess a g ain J o nath an w hen h e s h ut th e d oor a g ain st th e w olf s , a n d w hen h e

help h im fro m th e d ilig en ce to o. H e c an tr a n sfo rm h im se lf to w olf , a s w e

gath er f ro m t h e s h ip a rriv al i n W hitb y, w hen h e t e ar o pen t h e d og; h e c an b e a s

bat, a s M ad am M in a s a w h im o n th e w in dow a t W hitb y, a n d a s frie n d J o hn

sa w h im f ly f ro m t h is s o n ear h ouse , a n d a s m y f rie n d Q uin cey s a w h im a t t h e

win dow o f M is s L ucy. H e c an c o m e i n m is t w hic h h e c re ate — th at n oble s h ip ’s

cap ta in p ro ved h im o f t h is ; b ut, f ro m w hat w e k now , t h e d is ta n ce h e c an m ak e

th is m is t is lim ite d , a n d it c an o nly b e r o und h im se lf . H e c o m e o n m oonlig ht

ra y s a s e le m en ta l d ust— as a g ain Jo nath an sa w th ose sis te rs in th e c astle o f

Dra cu la . H e b eco m e s o s m all— we o urs e lv es s a w M is s L ucy, e re s h e w as a t

peace, s lip th ro ugh a h air b re ad th s p ace a t th e to m b d oor. H e c an , w hen o nce

he f in d h is w ay, c o m e o ut f ro m a n yth in g o r i n to a n yth in g, n o m atte r h ow c lo se

it b e b ound o r e v en fu se d u p w ith fir e — so ld er y ou c all it. H e c an s e e in th e

dark — no s m all p ow er th is , in a w orld w hic h is o ne h alf s h ut fro m th e lig ht.

Ah, b ut h ear m e t h ro ugh. H e c an d o a ll t h ese t h in gs, y et h e i s n ot f re e. N ay ; h e

is e v en m ore p ris o ner t h an t h e s la v e o f t h e g alle y, t h an t h e m ad m an i n h is c ell.

He c an not g o w here h e lis ts ; h e w ho is n ot o f n atu re h as y et to o bey s o m e o f

natu re ’s la w s— why w e k now n ot. H e m ay n ot e n te r a n yw here a t th e fir s t,

unle ss th ere b e so m e o ne o f th e h ouse h old w ho b id h im to co m e; th ough

afte rw ard s h e c an c o m e a s h e p le ase . H is p ow er c ease s, a s d oes t h at o f a ll e v il

th in gs, a t th e c o m in g o f th e d ay. O nly a t c erta in tim es c an h e h av e lim ite d

fre ed om . If h e b e n ot a t th e p la ce w hith er h e is b ound, h e c an o nly c h an ge

him se lf a t n oon o r a t e x act s u nris e o r s u nse t. T hese th in gs a re w e to ld , a n d in

th is r e co rd o f o urs w e h av e p ro of b y in fe re n ce. T hus, w here as h e c an d o a s h e

will w ith in h is lim it, w hen h e h av e h is e arth -h om e, h is c o ff in -h om e, h is h ell-

hom e, th e p la ce u nhallo w ed , a s w e sa w w hen h e w en t to th e g ra v e o f th e

su ic id e a t W hitb y; s till a t o th er tim e h e c an o nly c h an ge w hen th e tim e c o m e.

It is s a id , to o, th at h e c an o nly p ass r u nnin g w ate r a t th e s la ck o r th e f lo od o f

th e t id e. T hen t h ere a re t h in gs w hic h s o a ff lic t h im t h at h e h as n o p ow er, a s t h e

garlic th at w e k now o f; a n d a s f o r th in gs s a cre d , a s th is s y m bol, m y c ru cif ix ,

th at w as a m ongst u s e v en n ow w hen w e r e so lv e, to th em h e is n oth in g, b ut in

th eir p re se n ce h e ta k e h is p la ce fa r o ff an d sile n t w ith re sp ect. T here are

oth ers , to o, w hic h I s h all te ll y ou o f, le st in o ur s e ek in g w e m ay n eed th em .

The b ra n ch o f w ild ro se o n h is c o ff in k eep h im th at h e m ove n ot fro m it; a

sa cre d b ulle t fir e d in to th e c o ff in k ill h im s o th at h e b e tr u e d ead ; a n d a s fo r

th e s ta k e th ro ugh h im , w e k now a lr e ad y o f its p eace; o r th e c u t- o ff h ead th at giv eth r e st. W e h av e s e en i t w ith o ur e y es.

“T hus w hen w e fin d th e h ab ita tio n o f th is m an -th at- w as, w e c an c o nfin e

him t o h is c o ff in a n d d estr o y h im , i f w e o bey w hat w e k now . B ut h e i s c le v er. I

hav e a sk ed m y f rie n d A rm in iu s, o f B uda-P esth U niv ers ity , t o m ak e h is r e co rd ;

an d, fro m a ll th e m ean s th at a re , h e te ll m e o f w hat h e h as b een . H e m ust,

in deed , h av e b een th at V oiv ode D ra cu la w ho w on h is n am e a g ain st th e T urk ,

over t h e g re at r iv er o n t h e v ery f ro ntie r o f T urk ey -la n d. I f i t b e s o , t h en w as h e

no c o m mon m an ; f o r in th at tim e, a n d f o r c en tu rie s a fte r, h e w as s p oken o f a s

th e c le v ere st a n d th e m ost c u nnin g, a s w ell a s th e b ra v est o f th e s o ns o f th e

‘la n d b ey ond th e f o re st.’ T hat m ig hty b ra in a n d th at ir o n r e so lu tio n w en t w ith

him to h is g ra v e, a n d a re e v en n ow a rra y ed a g ain st u s. T he D ra cu la s w ere ,

sa y s A rm in iu s, a g re at a n d n oble r a ce, t h ough n ow a n d a g ain w ere s c io ns w ho

were h eld b y th eir co ev als to h av e h ad d ealin gs w ith th e E vil O ne. T hey

le arn ed h is se cre ts in th e S ch olo m an ce, am ongst th e m ounta in s o ver L ak e

Herm an sta d t, w here th e dev il cla im s th e te n th sc h ola r as his due. In th e

re co rd s a re s u ch w ord s a s ‘ s tr e g oic a’— witc h , ‘ o rd og,’ a n d ‘ p okol’ — Sata n a n d

hell; a n d i n o ne m an usc rip t th is v ery D ra cu la i s s p oken o f a s ‘ w am pyr,’ w hic h

we a ll u nders ta n d to o w ell. T here h av e b een fro m th e lo in s o f th is v ery o ne

gre at m en a n d g ood w om en , a n d th eir g ra v es m ak e sa cre d th e e arth w here

alo ne th is f o uln ess c an d w ell. F or it is n ot th e le ast o f its te rro rs th at th is e v il

th in g is ro ote d d eep in a ll g ood; in so il b arre n o f h oly m em orie s it c an not

re st.”

Whils t th ey w ere ta lk in g M r. M orris w as lo okin g s te ad ily a t th e w in dow ,

an d h e n ow g ot u p q uie tly , a n d w en t o ut o f th e r o om . T here w as a little p au se ,

an d t h en t h e P ro fe sso r w en t o n:—

“A nd n ow w e m ust s e ttle w hat w e d o. W e h av e h ere m uch d ata , a n d w e

must p ro ceed to la y o ut o ur c am paig n. W e k now f ro m th e in quir y o f J o nath an

th at fro m th e c astle to W hitb y c am e fif ty b oxes o f e arth , a ll o f w hic h w ere

deliv ere d a t C arfa x ; w e a ls o k now th at a t le ast s o m e o f th ese b oxes h av e b een

re m oved . I t s e em s to m e, th at o ur f ir s t s te p s h ould b e to a sc erta in w heth er a ll

th e re st re m ain in th e house bey ond th at w all w here w e lo ok to -d ay ; or

wheth er a n y m ore h av e b een r e m oved . I f t h e l a tte r, w e m ust t r a ce— —”

Here w e w ere in te rru pte d in a v ery s ta rtlin g w ay. O uts id e th e h ouse c am e

th e s o und o f a p is to l- s h ot; t h e g la ss o f t h e w in dow w as s h atte re d w ith a b ulle t,

whic h , ric o ch ettin g fro m th e to p o f th e e m bra su re , s tr u ck th e fa r w all o f th e

ro om . I a m a fra id I a m a t h eart a c o w ard , fo r I sh rie k ed o ut. T he m en a ll

ju m ped to th eir f e et; L ord G odalm in g f le w o ver to th e w in dow a n d th re w u p

th e s a sh . A s h e d id s o w e h eard M r. M orris ’s v oic e w ith out:—

“S orry ! I f e ar I h av e a la rm ed y ou. I s h all c o m e in a n d te ll y ou a b out it.” A

min ute l a te r h e c am e i n a n d s a id :— “It w as a n id io tic th in g o f m e to d o, a n d I a sk y our p ard on, M rs . H ark er,

most s in cere ly ; I f e ar I m ust h av e f rig hte n ed y ou te rrib ly . B ut th e f a ct is th at

whils t th e P ro fe sso r w as ta lk in g th ere c am e a b ig b at a n d s a t o n th e w in dow -

sill. I h av e g ot s u ch a h orro r o f th e d am ned b ru te s fro m re cen t e v en ts th at I

can not s ta n d th em , a n d I w en t o ut to h av e a s h ot, a s I h av e b een d oin g o f la te

of e v en in gs, w hen ev er I h av e s e en o ne. Y ou u se d to la u gh a t m e fo r it th en ,

Art.”

“D id y ou h it i t? ” a sk ed D r. V an H els in g.

“I d on’t k now ; I f a n cy n ot, f o r i t f le w a w ay i n to t h e w ood.” W ith out s a y in g

an y m ore h e t o ok h is s e at, a n d t h e P ro fe sso r b eg an t o r e su m e h is s ta te m en t:—

“W e m ust tr a ce e ach o f th ese b oxes; a n d w hen w e a re re ad y, w e m ust

eith er c ap tu re o r k ill th is m onste r in h is la ir ; o r w e m ust, s o to s p eak , s te rilis e

th e e arth , s o t h at n o m ore h e c an s e ek s a fe ty i n i t. T hus i n t h e e n d w e m ay f in d

him in h is f o rm o f m an b etw een th e h ours o f n oon a n d s u nse t, a n d s o e n gag e

with h im w hen h e i s a t h is m ost w eak .

“A nd n ow f o r y ou, M ad am M in a, t h is n ig ht i s t h e e n d u ntil a ll b e w ell. Y ou

are to o p re cio us to u s to h av e s u ch r is k . W hen w e p art to -n ig ht, y ou n o m ore

must q uestio n. W e s h all te ll y ou a ll in g ood tim e. W e a re m en a n d a re a b le to

bear; b ut y ou m ust b e o ur s ta r a n d o ur h ope, a n d w e s h all a ct a ll t h e m ore f re e

th at y ou a re n ot i n t h e d an ger, s u ch a s w e a re .”

All th e m en , e v en Jo nath an , se em ed re lie v ed ; b ut it d id n ot se em to m e

good th at th ey s h ould b ra v e d an ger a n d, p erh ap s, le sse n th eir s a fe ty — str e n gth

bein g t h e b est s a fe ty — th ro ugh c are o f m e; b ut t h eir m in ds w ere m ad e u p, a n d,

th ough it w as a b itte r p ill fo r m e to sw allo w , I c o uld sa y n oth in g, sa v e to

accep t t h eir c h iv alr o us c are o f m e.

Mr. M orris r e su m ed t h e d is c u ssio n:—

“A s th ere is n o tim e to lo se , I v ote w e h av e a lo ok a t h is h ouse r ig ht n ow .

Tim e is e v ery th in g w ith h im ; a n d s w if t a ctio n o n o ur p art m ay s a v e a n oth er

vic tim .”

I o w n th at m y h eart b eg an to fa il m e w hen th e tim e fo r a ctio n c am e so

clo se , b ut I d id n ot s a y a n yth in g, f o r I h ad a g re ate r f e ar th at if I a p peare d a s a

dra g o r a h in dra n ce to th eir w ork , th ey m ig ht ev en le av e m e o ut o f th eir

co unse ls a lto geth er. T hey h av e n ow g one o ff t o C arfa x , w ith m ean s t o g et i n to

th e h ouse .

Man lik e, th ey h ad to ld m e to g o to b ed a n d s le ep ; a s if a w om an c an s le ep

when th ose s h e lo ves a re in d an ger! I s h all lie d ow n a n d p re te n d to s le ep , le st

Jo nath an h av e a d ded a n xie ty a b out m e w hen h e r e tu rn s.

Dr. S ew ard ’s D ia ry . 1 O cto ber, 4 a . m .— Ju st a s w e w ere a b out to le av e th e h ouse , a n u rg en t

messa g e w as b ro ught t o m e f ro m R en fie ld t o k now i f I w ould s e e h im a t o nce,

as he had so m eth in g of th e utm ost im porta n ce to sa y to m e. I to ld th e

messe n ger to s a y th at I w ould a tte n d to h is w is h es in th e m orn in g; I w as b usy

ju st a t t h e m om en t. T he a tte n dan t a d ded :—

“H e s e em s v ery im portu nate , s ir. I h av e n ev er s e en h im s o e ag er. I d on’t

know b ut w hat, i f y ou d on’t s e e h im s o on, h e w ill h av e o ne o f h is v io le n t f its .”

I k new th e m an w ould n ot h av e s a id th is w ith out s o m e c au se , s o I s a id : “ A ll

rig ht; I ’ll g o n ow ”; a n d I a sk ed th e o th ers to w ait a f e w m in ute s f o r m e, a s I

had t o g o a n d s e e m y “ p atie n t.”

“T ak e m e w ith y ou, frie n d Jo hn,” sa id th e P ro fe sso r. “ H is c ase in y our

dia ry in te re st m e m uch , a n d it h ad b earin g, to o, n ow a n d a g ain o n o ur c ase . I

sh ould m uch l ik e t o s e e h im , a n d e sp ecia l w hen h is m in d i s d is tu rb ed .”

“M ay I c o m e a ls o ?” a sk ed L ord G odalm in g.

“M e t o o?” s a id Q uin cey M orris . “ M ay I c o m e?” s a id H ark er. I n odded , a n d

we a ll w en t d ow n t h e p assa g e t o geth er.

We f o und h im in a s ta te o f c o nsid era b le e x cite m en t, b ut f a r m ore r a tio nal

in h is sp eech a n d m an ner th an I h ad e v er se en h im . T here w as a n u nusu al

unders ta n din g o f h im se lf , w hic h w as u nlik e a n yth in g I h ad e v er m et w ith in a

lu natic ; a n d h e to ok it fo r g ra n te d th at h is re aso ns w ould p re v ail w ith o th ers

en tir e ly s a n e. W e a ll fo ur w en t in to th e ro om , b ut n one o f th e o th ers a t fir s t

sa id an yth in g. H is re q uest w as th at I w ould at o nce re le ase h im fro m th e

asy lu m a n d s e n d h im h om e. T his h e b ack ed u p w ith a rg um en ts r e g ard in g h is

co m ple te re co very , a n d a d duced h is o w n e x is tin g sa n ity . “ I a p peal to y our

frie n ds,” h e s a id , “ th ey w ill, p erh ap s, n ot m in d s ittin g i n j u dgm en t o n m y c ase .

By th e w ay, y ou h av e n ot in tr o duced m e.” I w as s o m uch a sto nis h ed , th at th e

oddness of in tr o ducin g a m ad m an in an asy lu m did not str ik e m e at th e

mom en t; a n d, b esid es, th ere w as a c erta in d ig nity in th e m an ’s m an ner, so

much o f th e h ab it o f e q uality , th at I a t o nce m ad e th e in tr o ductio n: “ L ord

Godalm in g; Pro fe sso r V an H els in g; M r. Q uin cey M orris , of Tex as; M r.

Ren fie ld .” H e s h ook h an ds w ith e ach o f t h em , s a y in g i n t u rn :—

“L ord G odalm in g, I had th e honour of se co ndin g your fa th er at th e

Win dham ; I g rie v e to k now , b y y our h old in g th e title , th at h e is n o m ore . H e

was a m an lo ved a n d h onoure d b y a ll w ho k new h im ; a n d in h is y outh w as, I

hav e h eard , th e in ven to r o f a b urn t ru m p unch , m uch p atr o nis e d o n D erb y

nig ht. M r. M orris , y ou s h ould b e p ro ud o f y our g re at s ta te . Its re cep tio n in to

th e U nio n w as a p re ced en t w hic h m ay h av e fa r- re ach in g eff e cts h ere afte r,

when th e P ole a n d th e T ro pic s m ay h old a llia n ce to th e S ta rs a n d S tr ip es. T he

pow er of T re aty m ay yet pro ve a vast en gin e of en la rg em en t, w hen th e

Monro e d octr in e ta k es its tr u e p la ce a s a p olitic al fa b le . W hat s h all a n y m an sa y of his ple asu re at m eetin g V an H els in g? S ir , I m ak e no ap olo gy fo r

dro ppin g all fo rm s of co nven tio nal pre fix . W hen an in div id ual has

re v olu tio nis e d th era p eu tic s b y h is d is c o very o f th e c o ntin uous e v olu tio n o f

bra in -m atte r, c o nven tio nal f o rm s a re u nfittin g, s in ce th ey w ould s e em to lim it

him to o ne o f a c la ss. Y ou, g en tle m en , w ho b y n atio nality , b y h ere d ity , o r b y

th e p osse ssio n o f n atu ra l g if ts , a re f itte d to h old y our r e sp ectiv e p la ces in th e

movin g w orld , I ta k e to w itn ess th at I a m a s s a n e a s a t le ast th e m ajo rity o f

men w ho a re in f u ll p osse ssio n o f th eir lib ertie s. A nd I a m s u re th at y ou, D r.

Sew ard , h um an ita ria n a n d m ed ic o -ju ris t a s w ell a s sc ie n tis t, w ill d eem it a

mora l d uty to d eal w ith m e as o ne to b e co nsid ere d as u nder ex cep tio nal

cir c u m sta n ces.” H e m ad e th is la st ap peal w ith a co urtly air o f co nvic tio n

whic h w as n ot w ith out i ts o w n c h arm .

I t h in k w e w ere a ll s ta g gere d . F or m y o w n p art, I w as u nder t h e c o nvic tio n,

desp ite m y k now le d ge o f th e m an ’s c h ara cte r a n d h is to ry , th at h is r e aso n h ad

been r e sto re d ; a n d I f e lt u nder a s tr o ng im puls e to te ll h im th at I w as s a tis fie d

as to h is s a n ity , a n d w ould s e e a b out th e n ecessa ry f o rm alitie s f o r h is r e le ase

in th e m orn in g. I th ought it b ette r to w ait, h ow ev er, b efo re m ak in g s o g ra v e a

sta te m en t, f o r o f o ld I k new t h e s u dden c h an ges t o w hic h t h is p artic u la r p atie n t

was lia b le . S o I c o nte n te d m yse lf w ith m ak in g a g en era l sta te m en t th at h e

ap peare d to b e im pro vin g v ery ra p id ly ; th at I w ould h av e a lo nger c h at w ith

him in th e m orn in g, a n d w ould th en s e e w hat I c o uld d o in th e d ir e ctio n o f

meetin g h is w is h es. T his d id n ot a t a ll s a tis fy h im , f o r h e s a id q uic k ly :—

“B ut I f e ar, D r. S ew ard , th at y ou h ard ly a p pre h en d m y w is h . I d esir e to g o

at once— here — now — th is very hour— th is very m om en t, if I m ay. T im e

pre sse s, an d in o ur im plie d ag re em en t w ith th e o ld sc y th em an it is o f th e

esse n ce of th e co ntr a ct. I am su re it is only necessa ry to put befo re so

ad m ir a b le a p ra ctitio ner a s D r. S ew ard s o s im ple , y et s o m om en to us a w is h , t o

en su re its f u lf ilm en t.” H e lo oked a t m e k een ly , a n d s e ein g th e n eg ativ e in m y

fa ce, tu rn ed to th e o th ers , an d sc ru tin is e d th em clo se ly . N ot m eetin g an y

su ff ic ie n t r e sp onse , h e w en t o n:—

“Is i t p ossib le t h at I h av e e rre d i n m y s u ppositio n?”

“Y ou h av e,” I s a id fra n kly , b ut a t th e s a m e tim e, a s I fe lt, b ru ta lly . T here

was a c o nsid era b le p au se , a n d t h en h e s a id s lo w ly :—

“T hen I s u ppose I m ust o nly s h if t m y g ro und o f re q uest. L et m e a sk fo r

th is c o ncessio n— boon, p riv ile g e, w hat y ou w ill. I a m c o nte n t to im plo re in

su ch a c ase , n ot o n p ers o nal g ro unds, b ut fo r th e s a k e o f o th ers . I a m n ot a t

lib erty to g iv e y ou th e w hole o f m y r e aso ns; b ut y ou m ay, I a ssu re y ou, ta k e it

fro m m e th at th ey a re g ood o nes, so und a n d u nse lf is h , a n d sp rin g fro m th e

hig hest s e n se o f d uty . C ould y ou lo ok, s ir , in to m y h eart, y ou w ould a p pro ve

to th e f u ll th e s e n tim en ts w hic h a n im ate m e. N ay, m ore , y ou w ould c o unt m e am ongst th e b est a n d tr u est o f y our f rie n ds.” A gain h e lo oked a t u s a ll k een ly .

I h ad a g ro w in g c o nvic tio n th at th is s u dden c h an ge o f h is e n tir e in te lle ctu al

meth od w as b ut y et a n oth er f o rm o r p hase o f h is m ad ness, a n d s o d ete rm in ed

to l e t h im g o o n a l ittle l o nger, k now in g f ro m e x perie n ce t h at h e w ould , l ik e a ll

lu natic s, g iv e h im se lf a w ay in th e e n d. V an H els in g w as g azin g a t h im w ith a

lo ok o f u tm ost in te n sity , h is b ush y e y eb ro w s a lm ost m eetin g w ith th e fix ed

co ncen tr a tio n o f h is lo ok. H e s a id to R en fie ld in a to ne w hic h d id n ot s u rp ris e

me a t th e tim e, b ut o nly w hen I th ought o f it a fte rw ard s— fo r it w as a s o f o ne

ad dre ssin g a n e q ual:—

“C an y ou n ot t e ll f ra n kly y our r e al r e aso n f o r w is h in g t o b e f re e t o -n ig ht? I

will u nderta k e th at if y ou w ill s a tis fy e v en m e— a s tr a n ger, w ith out p re ju dic e,

an d w ith th e h ab it o f k eep in g a n o pen m in d— Dr. S ew ard w ill g iv e y ou, a t h is

ow n r is k a n d o n h is o w n r e sp onsib ility , th e p riv ile g e y ou s e ek .” H e s h ook h is

head s a d ly , a n d w ith a lo ok o f p oig nan t r e g re t o n h is f a ce. T he P ro fe sso r w en t

on:—

“C om e, sir , b eth in k y ours e lf . Y ou cla im th e p riv ile g e o f re aso n in th e

hig hest deg re e, sin ce you se ek to im pre ss us with your co m ple te

re aso nab le n ess. Y ou d o th is , w hose s a n ity w e h av e r e aso n to d oubt, s in ce y ou

are n ot y et r e le ase d f ro m m ed ic al t r e atm en t f o r t h is v ery d efe ct. I f y ou w ill n ot

help u s i n o ur e ff o rt t o c h oose t h e w is e st c o urs e , h ow c an w e p erfo rm t h e d uty

whic h y ou y ours e lf p ut u pon u s? B e w is e , a n d h elp u s; a n d if w e c an w e s h all

aid y ou t o a ch ie v e y our w is h .” H e s till s h ook h is h ead a s h e s a id :—

“D r. V an H els in g, I h av e n oth in g to s a y. Y our a rg um en t is c o m ple te , a n d if

I w ere fre e to sp eak I sh ould n ot h esita te a m om en t; b ut I a m n ot m y o w n

maste r in th e m atte r. I can o nly ask y ou to tr u st m e. If I am re fu se d , th e

re sp onsib ility d oes n ot re st w ith m e.” I th ought it w as n ow tim e to e n d th e

sc en e, w hic h w as b eco m in g to o c o m ic ally g ra v e, s o I w en t to w ard s th e d oor,

sim ply s a y in g:—

“C om e, m y f rie n ds, w e h av e w ork t o d o. G ood-n ig ht.”

As, h ow ev er, I g ot n ear th e d oor, a n ew c h an ge c am e o ver th e p atie n t. H e

moved to w ard s m e s o q uic k ly th at f o r th e m om en t I f e are d th at h e w as a b out

to m ak e a n oth er h om ic id al a tta ck . M y f e ars , h ow ev er, w ere g ro undle ss, f o r h e

held u p h is tw o h an ds im plo rin gly , a n d m ad e h is p etitio n in a m ovin g m an ner.

As h e s a w th at th e v ery e x cess o f h is e m otio n w as m ilita tin g a g ain st h im , b y

re sto rin g u s m ore to o ur o ld re la tio ns, h e b ecam e s till m ore d em onstr a tiv e. I

gla n ced a t V an H els in g, a n d sa w m y c o nvic tio n re fle cte d in h is e y es; so I

becam e a little m ore fix ed in m y m an ner, if n ot m ore s te rn , a n d m otio ned to

him th at h is e ff o rts w ere u nav ailin g. I h ad p re v io usly s e en s o m eth in g o f th e

sa m e co nsta n tly gro w in g ex cite m en t in him w hen he had to m ak e so m e

re q uest o f w hic h a t th e tim e h e h ad th ought m uch , s u ch , f o r in sta n ce, a s w hen he w an te d a c at; a n d I w as p re p are d to s e e th e c o lla p se in to th e s a m e s u lle n

acq uie sc en ce o n th is o ccasio n. M y e x pecta tio n w as n ot r e alis e d , f o r, w hen h e

fo und th at h is ap peal w ould n ot b e su ccessfu l, h e g ot in to q uite a fra n tic

co nditio n. H e th re w h im se lf o n h is k nees, a n d h eld u p h is h an ds, w rin gin g

th em in p la in tiv e s u pplic atio n, a n d p oure d f o rth a to rre n t o f e n tr e aty , w ith th e

te ars r o llin g d ow n h is c h eek s, a n d h is w hole f a ce a n d f o rm e x pre ssiv e o f th e

deep est e m otio n:—

“L et m e e n tr e at y ou, D r. S ew ard , o h, le t m e im plo re y ou, to le t m e o ut o f

th is h ouse a t o nce. S en d m e a w ay h ow y ou w ill a n d w here y ou w ill; se n d

keep ers w ith m e w ith w hip s a n d c h ain s; le t th em ta k e m e in a s tr a it- w ais tc o at,

man acle d a n d le g -ir o ned , e v en to a g ao l; b ut le t m e g o o ut o f th is . Y ou d on’t

know w hat y ou d o b y k eep in g m e h ere . I a m s p eak in g f ro m th e d ep th s o f m y

heart— of m y v ery s o ul. Y ou d on’t k now w hom y ou w ro ng, o r h ow ; a n d I m ay

not te ll. W oe is m e! I m ay n ot te ll. B y a ll y ou h old s a cre d — by a ll y ou h old

dear— by y our lo ve th at is lo st— by y our h ope th at liv es— fo r th e s a k e o f th e

Alm ig hty , t a k e m e o ut o f t h is a n d s a v e m y s o ul f ro m g uilt! C an ’t y ou h ear m e,

man ? C an ’t y ou u nders ta n d? W ill y ou n ev er le arn ? D on’t y ou k now th at I a m

sa n e a n d e arn est n ow ; t h at I a m n o l u natic i n a m ad f it, b ut a s a n e m an f ig htin g

fo r h is s o ul? O h, h ear m e! h ear m e! L et m e g o! l e t m e g o! l e t m e g o!”

I th ought th at th e lo nger th is w en t o n th e w ild er h e w ould g et, a n d so

would b rin g o n a f it; s o I t o ok h im b y t h e h an d a n d r a is e d h im u p.

“C om e,” I sa id ste rn ly , “n o m ore of th is ; w e hav e had quite en ough

alr e ad y. G et t o y our b ed a n d t r y t o b eh av e m ore d is c re etly .”

He s u dden ly s to pped a n d l o oked a t m e i n te n tly f o r s e v era l m om en ts . T hen ,

with out a w ord , h e r o se a n d m ovin g o ver, s a t d ow n o n t h e s id e o f t h e b ed . T he

co lla p se h ad c o m e, a s o n f o rm er o ccasio n, j u st a s I h ad e x pecte d .

When I w as le av in g th e ro om , la st o f o ur p arty , h e s a id to m e in a q uie t,

well- b re d v oic e:—

“Y ou w ill, I tr u st, D r. S ew ard , d o m e th e ju stic e to b ear in m in d, la te r o n,

th at I d id w hat I c o uld t o c o nvin ce y ou t o -n ig ht.”

CH APT ER X IX

JO NAT H AN H ARK ER ’S J O URNAL

1 O cto ber, 5 a . m .— I w en t w ith th e p arty to th e s e arc h w ith a n e asy m in d,

fo r I th in k I n ev er s a w M in a s o a b so lu te ly s tr o ng a n d w ell. I a m s o g la d th at

sh e c o nse n te d to h old b ack a n d le t u s m en d o th e w ork . S om eh ow , it w as a dre ad to m e th at s h e w as in th is f e arfu l b usin ess a t a ll; b ut n ow th at h er w ork

is d one, a n d t h at i t i s d ue t o h er e n erg y a n d b ra in s a n d f o re sig ht t h at t h e w hole

sto ry i s p ut t o geth er i n s u ch a w ay t h at e v ery p oin t t e lls , s h e m ay w ell f e el t h at

her p art i s f in is h ed , a n d t h at s h e c an h en cefo rth l e av e t h e r e st t o u s. W e w ere , I

th in k, a ll a little u pse t b y th e s c en e w ith M r. R en fie ld . W hen w e c am e a w ay

fro m h is ro om w e w ere s ile n t till w e g ot b ack to th e s tu dy. T hen M r. M orris

sa id t o D r. S ew ard :—

“S ay, Ja ck , if th at m an w asn ’t a tte m ptin g a b lu ff , h e is a b out th e sa n est

lu natic I ev er sa w . I’m not su re , but I belie v e th at he had so m e se rio us

purp ose , a n d if h e h ad , it w as p re tty r o ugh o n h im n ot to g et a c h an ce.” L ord

Godalm in g a n d I w ere s ile n t, b ut D r. V an H els in g a d ded :—

“F rie n d J o hn, y ou k now m ore o f l u natic s t h an I d o, a n d I ’m g la d o f i t, f o r I

fe ar th at if it h ad b een to m e to d ecid e I w ould b efo re th at la st h yste ric al

outb urs t h av e g iv en h im f re e. B ut w e l iv e a n d l e arn , a n d i n o ur p re se n t t a sk w e

must t a k e n o c h an ce, a s m y f rie n d Q uin cey w ould s a y. A ll i s b est a s t h ey a re .”

Dr. S ew ard s e em ed t o a n sw er t h em b oth i n a d re am y k in d o f w ay :—

“I d on’t k now b ut th at I a g re e w ith y ou. I f th at m an h ad b een a n o rd in ary

lu natic I w ould h av e ta k en m y c h an ce o f tr u stin g h im ; b ut h e s e em s s o m ix ed

up w ith t h e C ount i n a n i n dex y k in d o f w ay t h at I a m a fra id o f d oin g a n yth in g

wro ng b y h elp in g h is fa d s. I c an ’t fo rg et h ow h e p ra y ed w ith a lm ost e q ual

fe rv our f o r a c at, a n d t h en t r ie d t o t e ar m y t h ro at o ut w ith h is t e eth . B esid es, h e

calle d th e C ount ‘ lo rd a n d m aste r,’ a n d h e m ay w an t to g et o ut to h elp h im in

so m e d ia b olic al w ay. T hat h orrid t h in g h as t h e w olv es a n d t h e r a ts a n d h is o w n

kin d to h elp h im , so I su ppose h e is n ’t ab ove tr y in g to u se a re sp ecta b le

lu natic . H e c erta in ly d id s e em e arn est, t h ough. I o nly h ope w e h av e d one w hat

is b est. T hese th in gs, in c o nju nctio n w ith th e w ild w ork w e h av e in h an d, h elp

to u nnerv e a m an .” T he P ro fe sso r ste p ped o ver, a n d la y in g h is h an d o n h is

sh ould er, s a id i n h is g ra v e, k in dly w ay :—

“F rie n d J o hn, h av e n o f e ar. W e a re tr y in g to d o o ur d uty in a v ery s a d a n d

te rrib le c ase ; w e c an o nly d o a s w e d eem b est. W hat e ls e h av e w e to h ope f o r,

ex cep t t h e p ity o f t h e g ood G od?” L ord G odalm in g h ad s lip ped a w ay f o r a f e w

min ute s, but now he re tu rn ed . H e held up a little silv er w his tle , as he

re m ark ed :—

“T hat o ld p la ce m ay b e f u ll o f r a ts , a n d if s o , I ’v e g ot a n a n tid ote o n c all.”

Hav in g p asse d th e w all, w e to ok o ur w ay to th e h ouse , ta k in g c are to k eep in

th e s h ad ow s o f th e tr e es o n th e la w n w hen th e m oonlig ht s h one o ut. W hen w e

got to th e p orc h th e P ro fe sso r o pen ed h is b ag a n d to ok o ut a lo t o f th in gs,

whic h h e l a id o n t h e s te p , s o rtin g t h em i n to f o ur l ittle g ro ups, e v id en tly o ne f o r

each . T hen h e s p oke:—

“M y frie n ds, w e a re g oin g in to a te rrib le d an ger, a n d w e n eed a rm s o f man y k in ds. O ur e n em y is n ot m ere ly sp ir itu al. R em em ber th at h e h as th e

str e n gth o f t w en ty m en , a n d t h at, t h ough o ur n eck s o r o ur w in dpip es a re o f t h e

co m mon k in d— an d t h ere fo re b re ak ab le o r c ru sh ab le — his a re n ot a m en ab le t o

mere s tr e n gth . A s tr o nger m an , o r a b ody o f m en m ore s tr o ng in a ll th an h im ,

can a t c erta in tim es h old h im ; b ut th ey c an not h urt h im a s w e c an b e h urt b y

him . W e m ust, th ere fo re , g uard o urs e lv es f ro m h is to uch . K eep th is n ear y our

heart” — as h e s p oke h e lif te d a little s ilv er c ru cif ix a n d h eld it o ut to m e, I

bein g n eare st to h im — “p ut th ese flo w ers ro und y our n eck ”— here h e h an ded

to m e a w re ath of w ith ere d garlic blo sso m s— “fo r oth er en em ie s m ore

mundan e, t h is r e v olv er a n d t h is k nif e ; a n d f o r a id i n a ll, t h ese s o s m all e le ctr ic

la m ps, w hic h y ou c an fa ste n to y our b re ast; a n d fo r a ll, a n d a b ove a ll a t th e

la st, t h is , w hic h w e m ust n ot d ese cra te n eed le ss.” T his w as a p ortio n o f S acre d

Wafe r, w hic h h e p ut in a n e n velo pe a n d h an ded to m e. E ach o f th e o th ers w as

sim ila rly e q uip ped . “ N ow ,” h e s a id , “ frie n d J o hn, w here a re t h e s k ele to n k ey s?

If s o th at w e c an o pen th e d oor, w e n eed n ot b re ak h ouse b y th e w in dow , a s

befo re a t M is s L ucy ’s .”

Dr. S ew ard tr ie d o ne o r tw o s k ele to n k ey s, h is m ech an ic al d ex te rity a s a

su rg eo n s ta n din g h im in g ood s te ad . P re se n tly h e g ot o ne to s u it; a fte r a little

pla y b ack a n d f o rw ard th e b olt y ie ld ed , a n d, w ith a r u sty c la n g, s h ot b ack . W e

pre sse d o n th e d oor, th e ru sty h in ges c re ak ed , a n d it slo w ly o pen ed . It w as

sta rtlin gly l ik e t h e i m ag e c o nvey ed t o m e i n D r. S ew ard ’s d ia ry o f t h e o pen in g

of M is s W este n ra ’s to m b; I fa n cy th at th e sa m e id ea se em ed to str ik e th e

oth ers , fo r w ith o ne a cco rd th ey s h ra n k b ack . T he P ro fe sso r w as th e fir s t to

move f o rw ard , a n d s te p ped i n to t h e o pen d oor.

“In m an us tu as, D om in e!” h e s a id , c ro ssin g h im se lf a s h e p asse d o ver th e

th re sh old . W e c lo se d th e d oor b eh in d u s, le st w hen w e sh ould h av e lit o ur

la m ps w e sh ould possib ly attr a ct atte n tio n fro m th e ro ad . T he P ro fe sso r

care fu lly t r ie d t h e l o ck , l e st w e m ig ht n ot b e a b le t o o pen i t f ro m w ith in s h ould

we b e in a h urry m ak in g o ur e x it. T hen w e a ll lit o ur la m ps a n d p ro ceed ed o n

our s e arc h .

The lig ht fro m th e tin y la m ps fe ll in a ll so rts o f o dd fo rm s, a s th e ra y s

cro sse d e ach o th er, o r th e o pacity o f o ur b odie s th re w g re at s h ad ow s. I c o uld

not fo r m y lif e get aw ay fro m th e fe elin g th at th ere w as so m e one els e

am ongst u s. I s u ppose it w as th e r e co lle ctio n, s o p ow erfu lly b ro ught h om e to

me b y th e g rim su rro undin gs, o f th at te rrib le e x perie n ce in T ra n sy lv an ia . I

th in k th e fe elin g w as co m mon to u s all, fo r I n otic ed th at th e o th ers k ep t

lo okin g o ver th eir s h ould ers a t e v ery s o und a n d e v ery n ew s h ad ow , ju st a s I

fe lt m yse lf d oin g.

The w hole p la ce w as th ic k w ith d ust. T he flo or w as se em in gly in ch es

deep , e x cep t w here th ere w ere r e cen t f o ots te p s, in w hic h o n h old in g d ow n m y

la m p I c o uld se e m ark s o f h obnails w here th e d ust w as c ra ck ed . T he w alls were flu ff y a n d h eav y w ith d ust, a n d in th e c o rn ers w ere m asse s o f s p id er’s

web s, w here o n th e d ust h ad g ath ere d till th ey lo oked lik e o ld ta tte re d r a g s a s

th e w eig ht h ad t o rn t h em p artly d ow n. O n a t a b le i n t h e h all w as a g re at b unch

of k ey s, w ith a tim e-y ello w ed la b el o n each . T hey h ad b een u se d se v era l

tim es, f o r o n th e ta b le w ere s e v era l s im ila r r e n ts in th e b la n ket o f d ust, s im ila r

to t h at e x pose d w hen t h e P ro fe sso r l if te d t h em . H e t u rn ed t o m e a n d s a id :—

“Y ou k now th is p la ce, Jo nath an . Y ou h av e co pie d m ap s o f it, an d y ou

know it a t le ast m ore th an w e d o. W hic h is th e w ay to th e c h ap el? ” I h ad a n

id ea o f its d ir e ctio n, th ough o n m y fo rm er v is it I h ad n ot b een a b le to g et

ad m is sio n to it; s o I le d th e w ay, a n d a fte r a f e w w ro ng tu rn in gs f o und m yse lf

opposite a lo w , a rc h ed o ak en d oor, r ib bed w ith ir o n b an ds. “ T his is th e s p ot,”

sa id th e P ro fe sso r a s h e tu rn ed h is la m p o n a s m all m ap o f th e h ouse , c o pie d

fro m th e file o f m y o rig in al c o rre sp onden ce re g ard in g th e p urc h ase . W ith a

little tr o uble w e fo und th e k ey o n th e b unch a n d o pen ed th e d oor. W e w ere

pre p are d fo r s o m e u nple asa n tn ess, fo r a s w e w ere o pen in g th e d oor a fa in t,

malo doro us air se em ed to ex hale th ro ugh th e gap s, but none of us ev er

ex pecte d s u ch a n o dour a s w e e n co unte re d . N one o f th e o th ers h ad m et th e

Count a t a ll a t c lo se q uarte rs , a n d w hen I h ad s e en h im h e w as e ith er in th e

fa stin g s ta g e o f h is e x is te n ce in h is r o om s o r, w hen h e w as g lo ate d w ith f re sh

blo od, in a ru in ed b uild in g o pen to th e a ir ; b ut h ere th e p la ce w as s m all a n d

clo se , a n d th e lo ng d is u se h ad m ad e th e a ir s ta g nan t a n d fo ul. T here w as a n

earth y s m ell, a s o f s o m e d ry m ia sm a, w hic h c am e th ro ugh th e f o ule r a ir. B ut

as to th e o dour its e lf , h ow sh all I d esc rib e it? It w as n ot a lo ne th at it w as

co m pose d o f all th e ills o f m orta lity an d w ith th e p ungen t, acrid sm ell o f

blo od, b ut it s e em ed a s th ough c o rru ptio n h ad b eco m e its e lf c o rru pt. F au gh! it

sic k en s m e t o t h in k o f i t. E very b re ath e x hale d b y t h at m onste r s e em ed t o h av e

clu ng t o t h e p la ce a n d i n te n sif ie d i ts l o ath so m en ess.

Under ord in ary cir c u m sta n ces su ch a ste n ch w ould hav e bro ught our

en te rp ris e to a n e n d; b ut th is w as n o o rd in ary c ase , a n d th e h ig h a n d te rrib le

purp ose in w hic h w e w ere in volv ed g av e u s a str e n gth w hic h ro se ab ove

mere ly p hysic al c o nsid era tio ns. A fte r th e in volu nta ry s h rin kin g c o nse q uen t o n

th e fir s t n au se o us w hif f , w e o ne a n d a ll se t a b out o ur w ork a s th ough th at

lo ath so m e p la ce w ere a g ard en o f r o se s.

We m ad e a n a ccu ra te e x am in atio n o f th e p la ce, th e P ro fe sso r s a y in g a s w e

beg an :—

“T he fir s t th in g is to s e e h ow m an y o f th e b oxes a re le ft; w e m ust th en

ex am in e e v ery h ole a n d c o rn er a n d c ra n ny a n d s e e if w e c an not g et s o m e c lu e

as t o w hat h as b eco m e o f t h e r e st.” A g la n ce w as s u ff ic ie n t t o s h ow h ow m an y

re m ain ed , fo r th e g re at e arth c h ests w ere b ulk y, a n d th ere w as n o m is ta k in g

th em . There w ere o nly tw en ty -n in e le ft o ut o f th e fif ty ! O nce I g ot a f rig ht, fo r,

se ein g L ord G odalm in g s u dden ly t u rn a n d l o ok o ut o f t h e v au lte d d oor i n to t h e

dark p assa g e b ey ond, I lo oked to o, a n d fo r a n in sta n t m y h eart sto od still.

Som ew here , lo okin g o ut fro m th e s h ad ow , I s e em ed to s e e th e h ig h lig hts o f

th e C ount’s e v il f a ce, t h e r id ge o f t h e n ose , t h e r e d e y es, t h e r e d l ip s, t h e a w fu l

pallo r. I t w as o nly f o r a m om en t, f o r, a s L ord G odalm in g s a id , “ I t h ought I s a w

a fa ce, b ut it w as o nly th e sh ad ow s,” a n d re su m ed h is in quir y , I tu rn ed m y

la m p in th e d ir e ctio n, a n d s te p ped in to th e p assa g e. T here w as n o s ig n o f a n y

one; a n d a s th ere w ere n o c o rn ers , n o d oors , n o a p ertu re o f a n y k in d, b ut o nly

th e s o lid w alls o f th e p assa g e, th ere c o uld b e n o h id in g-p la ce e v en f o r h im . I

to ok i t t h at f e ar h ad h elp ed i m ag in atio n, a n d s a id n oth in g.

A f e w m in ute s la te r I s a w M orris s te p s u dden ly b ack f ro m a c o rn er, w hic h

he w as ex am in in g. W e all fo llo w ed his m ovem en ts w ith our ey es, fo r

undoubte d ly s o m e n erv ousn ess w as g ro w in g o n u s, a n d w e s a w a w hole m ass

of p hosp hore sc en ce, w hic h t w in kle d l ik e s ta rs . W e a ll i n stin ctiv ely d re w b ack .

The w hole p la ce w as b eco m in g a liv e w ith r a ts .

For a m om en t o r tw o w e s to od a p palle d , a ll s a v e L ord G odalm in g, w ho

was se em in gly p re p are d fo r su ch a n e m erg en cy. R ush in g o ver to th e g re at

ir o n-b ound o ak en d oor, w hic h D r. S ew ard h ad d esc rib ed f ro m t h e o uts id e, a n d

whic h I h ad s e en m yse lf , h e tu rn ed th e k ey in th e lo ck , d re w th e h uge b olts ,

an d s w ung t h e d oor o pen . T hen , t a k in g h is l ittle s ilv er w his tle f ro m h is p ock et,

he b le w a lo w , s h rill c all. I t w as a n sw ere d f ro m b eh in d D r. S ew ard ’s h ouse b y

th e y elp in g o f d ogs, a n d a fte r a b out a m in ute t h re e t e rrie rs c am e d ash in g r o und

th e c o rn er o f th e h ouse . U nco nsc io usly w e h ad a ll m oved to w ard s th e d oor,

an d a s w e m oved I n otic ed th at th e d ust h ad b een m uch d is tu rb ed : th e b oxes

whic h h ad b een ta k en o ut h ad b een b ro ught th is w ay. B ut e v en in th e m in ute

th at h ad e la p se d th e n um ber o f th e r a ts h ad v astly in cre ase d . T hey s e em ed to

sw arm o ver th e p la ce a ll a t o nce, till th e la m plig ht, s h in in g o n th eir m ovin g

dark b odie s a n d g litte rin g, b ale fu l e y es, m ad e th e p la ce lo ok lik e a b an k o f

earth se t w ith fir e flie s. T he d ogs d ash ed o n, b ut a t th e th re sh old su dden ly

sto pped an d sn arle d , an d th en , sim ulta n eo usly lif tin g th eir n ose s, b eg an to

how l in m ost lu gubrio us f a sh io n. T he r a ts w ere m ultip ly in g in th ousa n ds, a n d

we m oved o ut.

Lord G odalm in g l if te d o ne o f t h e d ogs, a n d c arry in g h im i n , p la ced h im o n

th e flo or. T he in sta n t h is fe et to uch ed th e g ro und h e se em ed to re co ver h is

co ura g e, a n d r u sh ed a t h is n atu ra l e n em ie s. T hey f le d b efo re h im s o f a st th at

befo re h e h ad s h ak en th e lif e o ut o f a s c o re , th e o th er d ogs, w ho h ad b y n ow

been lif te d in th e s a m e m an ner, h ad b ut s m all p re y e re th e w hole m ass h ad

van is h ed .

With th eir g oin g it s e em ed a s if s o m e e v il p re se n ce h ad d ep arte d , fo r th e

dogs fris k ed ab out an d b ark ed m errily as th ey m ad e su dden d arts at th eir pro str a te f o es, a n d tu rn ed th em o ver a n d o ver a n d to sse d th em in th e a ir w ith

vic io us sh ak es. W e all se em ed to fin d o ur sp ir its ris e . W heth er it w as th e

purif y in g o f th e d ead ly a tm osp here b y th e o pen in g o f th e c h ap el d oor, o r th e

re lie f w hic h w e e x perie n ced b y f in din g o urs e lv es in th e o pen I k now n ot; b ut

most c erta in ly t h e s h ad ow o f d re ad s e em ed t o s lip f ro m u s l ik e a r o be, a n d t h e

occasio n o f o ur c o m in g lo st s o m eth in g o f its g rim s ig nif ic an ce, th ough w e d id

not s la ck en a w hit in o ur r e so lu tio n. W e c lo se d th e o ute r d oor a n d b arre d a n d

lo ck ed it, a n d b rin gin g th e d ogs w ith u s, b eg an o ur s e arc h o f th e h ouse . W e

fo und n oth in g th ro ughout ex cep t d ust in ex tr a o rd in ary p ro portio ns, an d all

unto uch ed s a v e fo r m y o w n fo ots te p s w hen I h ad m ad e m y fir s t v is it. N ev er

once d id th e d ogs ex hib it an y sy m pto m o f u neasin ess, an d ev en w hen w e

re tu rn ed to th e ch ap el th ey fris k ed ab out as th ough th ey h ad b een ra b bit-

huntin g i n a s u m mer w ood.

The m orn in g w as q uic k en in g in th e e ast w hen w e e m erg ed f ro m th e f ro nt.

Dr. V an H els in g h ad t a k en t h e k ey o f t h e h all- d oor f ro m t h e b unch , a n d l o ck ed

th e d oor in o rth odox fa sh io n, p uttin g th e k ey in to h is p ock et w hen h e h ad

done.

“S o fa r,” h e s a id , “ o ur n ig ht h as b een e m in en tly s u ccessfu l. N o h arm h as

co m e to u s s u ch a s I f e are d m ig ht b e a n d y et w e h av e a sc erta in ed h ow m an y

boxes a re m is sin g. M ore th an a ll d o I r e jo ic e th at th is , o ur f ir s t— an d p erh ap s

our m ost d if f ic u lt a n d d an gero us— ste p h as b een a cco m plis h ed w ith out th e

brin gin g th ere in to o ur m ost sw eet M ad am M in a o r tr o ublin g h er w ak in g o r

sle ep in g t h oughts w ith s ig hts a n d s o unds a n d s m ells o f h orro r w hic h s h e m ig ht

nev er fo rg et. O ne le sso n, to o, w e h av e le arn ed , if it b e a llo w ab le to a rg ue a

partic u la ri: th at th e b ru te b easts w hic h a re to th e C ount’s c o m man d a re y et

th em se lv es n ot a m en ab le to h is s p ir itu al p ow er; f o r lo ok, th ese r a ts th at w ould

co m e to h is c all, ju st a s fro m h is c astle to p h e s u m mon th e w olv es to y our

goin g a n d to th at p oor m oth er’s c ry , th ough th ey c o m e to h im , th ey r u n p ell-

mell f ro m th e s o little d ogs o f m y f rie n d A rth ur. W e h av e o th er m atte rs b efo re

us, o th er d an gers , o th er fe ars ; a n d th at m onste r— he h as n ot u se d h is p ow er

over th e b ru te w orld f o r th e o nly o r th e la st tim e to -n ig ht. S o b e it th at h e h as

gone e ls e w here . G ood! It h as g iv en u s o pportu nity to c ry ‘c h eck ’ in so m e

way s in th is c h ess g am e, w hic h w e p la y fo r th e s ta k e o f h um an s o uls . A nd

now le t u s g o h om e. T he d aw n is c lo se a t h an d, a n d w e h av e re aso n to b e

co nte n t w ith o ur fir s t n ig ht’s w ork . It m ay b e o rd ain ed th at w e h av e m an y

nig hts a n d d ay s to fo llo w , if fu ll o f p eril; b ut w e m ust g o o n, a n d fro m n o

dan ger s h all w e s h rin k.”

The h ouse w as s ile n t w hen w e g ot b ack , s a v e f o r s o m e p oor c re atu re w ho

was s c re am in g a w ay in o ne o f th e d is ta n t w ard s, a n d a lo w , m oan in g s o und

fro m R en fie ld ’s r o om . T he p oor w re tc h w as d oubtle ss to rtu rin g h im se lf , a fte r

th e m an ner o f t h e i n sa n e, w ith n eed le ss t h oughts o f p ain . I c am e tip to e in to o ur o w n ro om , a n d fo und M in a a sle ep , b re ath in g so

so ftly th at I h ad to p ut m y e ar d ow n to h ear it. S he lo oks p ale r th an u su al. I

hope th e m eetin g to -n ig ht h as n ot u pse t h er. I a m tr u ly th an kfu l th at s h e is to

be le ft o ut o f o ur f u tu re w ork , a n d e v en o f o ur d elib era tio ns. I t is to o g re at a

str a in fo r a w om an to b ear. I d id n ot th in k s o a t fir s t, b ut I k now b ette r n ow .

There fo re I am g la d th at it is se ttle d . T here m ay b e th in gs w hic h w ould

frig hte n h er to h ear; a n d y et to c o nceal th em f ro m h er m ig ht b e w ors e th an to

te ll h er if o nce s h e s u sp ecte d th at th ere w as a n y c o ncealm en t. H en cefo rth o ur

work i s t o b e a s e ale d b ook t o h er, t ill a t l e ast s u ch t im e a s w e c an t e ll h er t h at

all i s f in is h ed , a n d t h e e arth f re e f ro m a m onste r o f t h e n eth er w orld . I d are sa y

it w ill b e d if f ic u lt to b eg in to k eep s ile n ce a fte r s u ch c o nfid en ce a s o urs ; b ut I

must b e r e so lu te , a n d to -m orro w I s h all k eep d ark o ver to -n ig ht’s d oin gs, a n d

sh all r e fu se t o s p eak o f a n yth in g t h at h as h ap pen ed . I r e st o n t h e s o fa , s o a s n ot

to d is tu rb h er.

1 O cto ber, la te r.— I su ppose it w as natu ra l th at w e sh ould hav e all

overs le p t o urs e lv es, fo r th e d ay w as a b usy o ne, a n d th e n ig ht h ad n o re st a t

all. E ven M in a m ust h av e f e lt i ts e x hau stio n, f o r t h ough I s le p t t ill t h e s u n w as

hig h, I w as a w ak e b efo re h er, a n d h ad to c all tw o o r th re e tim es b efo re s h e

aw oke. In deed , s h e w as s o s o und a sle ep th at fo r a fe w s e co nds s h e d id n ot

re co gniz e m e, b ut lo oked a t m e w ith a s o rt o f b la n k te rro r, a s o ne lo oks w ho

has b een w ak ed o ut o f a b ad d re am . S he c o m pla in ed a l ittle o f b ein g t ir e d , a n d

I le t h er re st till la te r in th e d ay. W e n ow k now o f tw en ty -o ne b oxes h av in g

been r e m oved , a n d i f i t b e t h at s e v era l w ere t a k en i n a n y o f t h ese r e m ovals w e

may b e a b le to tr a ce th em a ll. S uch w ill, o f c o urs e , im men se ly s im plif y o ur

la b our, a n d th e so oner th e m atte r is a tte n ded to th e b ette r. I sh all lo ok u p

Thom as S nellin g t o -d ay.

Dr. S ew ard ’s D ia ry .

1 O cto ber.— It w as to w ard s n oon w hen I w as a w ak en ed b y th e P ro fe sso r

walk in g in to m y ro om . H e w as m ore jo lly a n d c h eerfu l th an u su al, a n d it is

quite e v id en t th at la st n ig ht’s w ork h as h elp ed to ta k e s o m e o f th e b ro odin g

weig ht o ff h is m in d. A fte r g oin g o ver th e a d ven tu re o f th e n ig ht h e s u dden ly

sa id :—

“Y our p atie n t in te re sts m e m uch . M ay it b e th at w ith y ou I v is it h im th is

morn in g? O r i f t h at y ou a re t o o o ccu py, I c an g o a lo ne i f i t m ay b e. I t i s a n ew

ex perie n ce t o m e t o f in d a l u natic w ho t a lk p hilo so phy, a n d r e aso n s o s o und.” I

had s o m e w ork to d o w hic h p re sse d , s o I to ld h im th at if h e w ould g o a lo ne I

would b e g la d , a s th en I s h ould n ot h av e to k eep h im w aitin g; s o I c alle d a n

atte n dan t a n d g av e h im t h e n ecessa ry i n str u ctio ns. B efo re t h e P ro fe sso r l e ft t h e

ro om I c au tio ned h im a g ain st g ettin g a n y fa ls e im pre ssio n fro m m y p atie n t.

“B ut,” h e a n sw ere d , “ I w an t h im to ta lk o f h im se lf a n d o f h is d elu sio n a s to

co nsu m in g liv e th in gs. H e sa id to M ad am M in a, a s I se e in y our d ia ry o f yeste rd ay, t h at h e h ad o nce h ad s u ch a b elie f. W hy d o y ou s m ile , f rie n d J o hn?”

“E xcu se m e,” I s a id , “ b ut th e a n sw er is h ere .” I la id m y h an d o n th e ty pe-

writte n m atte r. “ W hen o ur s a n e a n d le arn ed lu natic m ad e th at v ery s ta te m en t

of h ow h e u se d t o c o nsu m e l if e , h is m outh w as a ctu ally n au se o us w ith t h e f lie s

an d sp id ers w hic h h e h ad e ate n ju st b efo re M rs . H ark er e n te re d th e ro om .”

Van H els in g sm ile d in tu rn . “ G ood!” h e sa id . “ Y our m em ory is tr u e, frie n d

Jo hn. I s h ould h av e re m em bere d . A nd y et it is th is v ery o bliq uity o f th ought

an d m em ory w hic h m ak es m en ta l d is e ase s u ch a fa sc in atin g s tu dy. P erh ap s I

may g ain m ore k now le d ge o ut o f th e fo lly o f th is m ad m an th an I s h all fro m

th e te ach in g o f th e m ost w is e . W ho k now s? ” I w en t o n w ith m y w ork , a n d

befo re lo ng w as th ro ugh th at in h an d. It s e em ed th at th e tim e h ad b een v ery

sh ort i n deed , b ut t h ere w as V an H els in g b ack i n t h e s tu dy. “ D o I i n te rru pt? ” h e

ask ed p olite ly a s h e s to od a t t h e d oor.

“N ot a t a ll,” I a n sw ere d . “ C om e in . M y w ork is f in is h ed , a n d I a m f re e. I

can g o w ith y ou n ow , i f y ou l ik e.

“It i s n eed le ss; I h av e s e en h im !”

“W ell? ”

“I fe ar th at h e d oes n ot a p pra is e m e a t m uch . O ur in te rv ie w w as sh ort.

When I e n te re d h is ro om h e w as sittin g o n a sto ol in th e c en tr e , w ith h is

elb ow s o n h is k nees, a n d h is f a ce w as th e p ic tu re o f s u lle n d is c o nte n t. I s p oke

to h im a s c h eerfu lly a s I c o uld , a n d w ith s u ch a m easu re o f r e sp ect a s I c o uld

assu m e. H e m ad e n o re p ly w hate v er. “ D on’t y ou k now m e?” I a sk ed . H is

an sw er w as n ot r e assu rin g: “ I k now y ou w ell e n ough; y ou a re t h e o ld f o ol V an

Hels in g. I w is h you w ould ta k e yours e lf an d your id io tic bra in th eo rie s

so m ew here e ls e . D am n a ll th ic k -h ead ed D utc h m en !” N ot a w ord m ore w ould

he s a y, b ut s a t i n h is i m pla cab le s u lle n ness a s i n dif f e re n t t o m e a s t h ough I h ad

not b een in th e ro om a t a ll. T hus d ep arte d fo r th is tim e m y c h an ce o f m uch

le arn in g fro m th is s o c le v er lu natic ; s o I s h all g o, if I m ay, a n d c h eer m yse lf

with a fe w h ap py w ord s w ith th at s w eet s o ul M ad am M in a. F rie n d J o hn, it

does r e jo ic e m e u nsp eak ab le th at s h e is n o m ore to b e p ain ed , n o m ore to b e

worrie d w ith o ur te rrib le th in gs. T hough w e sh all m uch m is s h er h elp , it is

bette r s o .”

“I a g re e w ith y ou w ith a ll m y h eart,” I a n sw ere d e arn estly , fo r I d id n ot

wan t h im to w eak en in th is m atte r. “ M rs . H ark er is b ette r o ut o f it. T hin gs a re

quite b ad e n ough fo r u s, a ll m en o f th e w orld , a n d w ho h av e b een in m an y

tig ht p la ces in o ur tim e; b ut it is n o p la ce fo r a w om an , an d if sh e h ad

re m ain ed in to uch w ith th e a ff a ir , it w ould in tim e in fa llib ly h av e w re ck ed

her.”

So V an H els in g h as g one to c o nfe r w ith M rs . H ark er a n d H ark er; Q uin cey an d A rt a re a ll o ut f o llo w in g u p th e c lu es a s to th e e arth -b oxes. I s h all f in is h

my r o und o f w ork a n d w e s h all m eet t o -n ig ht.

Min a H ark er’s J o urn al.

1 O cto ber.— It is s tr a n ge to m e to b e k ep t in th e d ark a s I a m to -d ay ; a fte r

Jo nath an ’s fu ll co nfid en ce fo r so m an y y ears , to se e h im m an if e stly av oid

certa in m atte rs , a n d th ose th e m ost v ita l o f a ll. T his m orn in g I s le p t la te a fte r

th e f a tig ues o f y este rd ay, a n d th ough J o nath an w as l a te to o, h e w as t h e e arlie r.

He s p oke to m e b efo re h e w en t o ut, n ev er m ore s w eetly o r te n derly , b ut h e

nev er m en tio ned a w ord o f w hat h ad h ap pen ed in th e v is it to th e C ount’s

house . A nd y et h e m ust h av e k now n h ow te rrib ly a n xio us I w as. P oor d ear

fe llo w ! I s u ppose it m ust h av e d is tr e sse d h im e v en m ore th an it d id m e. T hey

all a g re ed th at it w as b est th at I s h ould n ot b e d ra w n fu rth er in to th is a w fu l

work , a n d I a cq uie sc ed . B ut to th in k th at h e k eep s a n yth in g fro m m e! A nd

now I a m c ry in g lik e a s illy fo ol, w hen I k now it c o m es fro m m y h usb an d’s

gre at l o ve a n d f ro m t h e g ood, g ood w is h es o f t h ose o th er s tr o ng m en .

That h as d one m e g ood. W ell, s o m e d ay J o nath an w ill te ll m e a ll; a n d le st

it s h ould e v er b e th at h e s h ould th in k f o r a m om en t th at I k ep t a n yth in g f ro m

him , I s till k eep m y jo urn al a s u su al. T hen if h e h as f e are d o f m y tr u st I s h all

sh ow it to h im , w ith e v ery th ought o f m y h eart p ut d ow n f o r h is d ear e y es to

re ad . I fe el s tr a n gely s a d a n d lo w -s p ir ite d to -d ay. I s u ppose it is th e re actio n

fro m t h e t e rrib le e x cite m en t.

Last n ig ht I w en t to b ed w hen th e m en h ad g one, s im ply b ecau se th ey to ld

me to . I d id n’t fe el sle ep y, a n d I d id fe el fu ll o f d ev ourin g a n xie ty . I k ep t

th in kin g o ver e v ery th in g th at h as b een e v er s in ce J o nath an c am e to s e e m e in

London, an d it all se em s lik e a horrib le tr a g ed y, w ith fa te pre ssin g on

re le n tle ssly to s o m e d estin ed e n d. E very th in g th at o ne d oes s e em s, n o m atte r

how r ig ht i t m ay b e, t o b rin g o n t h e v ery t h in g w hic h i s m ost t o b e d ep lo re d . I f

I h ad n’t g one to W hitb y, p erh ap s p oor d ear L ucy w ould b e w ith u s n ow . S he

had n’t t a k en t o v is itin g t h e c h urc h yard t ill I c am e, a n d i f s h e h ad n’t c o m e t h ere

in th e d ay -tim e w ith m e s h e w ould n’t h av e w alk ed th ere in h er s le ep ; a n d if

sh e h ad n’t g one t h ere a t n ig ht a n d a sle ep , t h at m onste r c o uld n’t h av e d estr o yed

her a s h e d id . O h, w hy d id I e v er g o to W hitb y? T here n ow , c ry in g a g ain ! I

wonder w hat h as c o m e o ver m e to -d ay. I m ust h id e it f ro m J o nath an , f o r if h e

knew th at I h ad b een c ry in g tw ic e in o ne m orn in g— I, w ho n ev er c rie d o n m y

ow n a cco unt, a n d w hom h e h as n ev er c au se d to s h ed a te ar— th e d ear f e llo w

would f re t h is h eart o ut. I s h all p ut a b old f a ce o n, a n d if I d o f e el w eep y, h e

sh all n ev er s e e it. I s u ppose it is o ne o f th e le sso ns th at w e p oor w om en h av e

to l e arn ....

I c an ’t q uite r e m em ber h ow I f e ll a sle ep la st n ig ht. I r e m em ber h earin g th e

su dden b ark in g o f th e d ogs a n d a lo t o f q ueer s o unds, lik e p ra y in g o n a v ery tu m ultu ous s c ale , fro m M r. R en fie ld ’s ro om , w hic h is s o m ew here u nder th is .

And t h en t h ere w as s ile n ce o ver e v ery th in g, s ile n ce s o p ro fo und t h at i t s ta rtle d

me, a n d I g ot u p a n d lo oked o ut o f th e w in dow . A ll w as d ark a n d s ile n t, th e

bla ck s h ad ow s th ro w n b y th e m oonlig ht s e em in g fu ll o f a s ile n t m yste ry o f

th eir o w n. N ot a th in g s e em ed to b e s tir rin g, b ut a ll to b e g rim a n d fix ed a s

death or fa te ; so th at a th in str e ak of w hite m is t, th at cre p t w ith alm ost

im perc ep tib le s lo w ness a cro ss th e g ra ss to w ard s th e h ouse , s e em ed to h av e a

se n tie n ce a n d a v ita lity o f its o w n. I th in k th at th e d ig re ssio n o f m y th oughts

must h av e d one m e g ood, fo r w hen I g ot b ack to b ed I fo und a le th arg y

cre ep in g o ver m e. I la y a w hile , b ut c o uld n ot q uite s le ep , s o I g ot o ut a n d

lo oked o ut o f th e w in dow a g ain . T he m is t w as s p re ad in g, a n d w as n ow c lo se

up to th e h ouse , s o th at I c o uld s e e it ly in g th ic k a g ain st th e w all, a s th ough it

were s te alin g u p to th e w in dow s. T he p oor m an w as m ore lo ud th an e v er, a n d

th ough I c o uld n ot d is tin guis h a w ord h e s a id , I c o uld in s o m e w ay r e co gnis e

in h is to nes s o m e p assio nate e n tr e aty o n h is p art. T hen th ere w as th e s o und o f

a str u ggle , a n d I k new th at th e a tte n dan ts w ere d ealin g w ith h im . I w as so

frig hte n ed th at I c re p t in to b ed , a n d p ulle d th e c lo th es o ver m y h ead , p uttin g

my f in gers in m y e ars . I w as n ot th en a b it s le ep y, a t le ast s o I th ought; b ut I

must h av e f a lle n a sle ep , f o r, e x cep t d re am s, I d o n ot r e m em ber a n yth in g u ntil

th e m orn in g, w hen J o nath an w oke m e. I th in k th at it to ok m e a n e ff o rt a n d a

little tim e to re alis e w here I w as, a n d th at it w as J o nath an w ho w as b en din g

over m e. M y d re am w as v ery p ecu lia r, a n d w as a lm ost ty pic al o f th e w ay th at

wak in g t h oughts b eco m e m erg ed i n , o r c o ntin ued i n , d re am s.

I th ought th at I w as a sle ep , a n d w aitin g f o r J o nath an to c o m e b ack . I w as

very a n xio us a b out h im , a n d I w as p ow erle ss to a ct; m y fe et, a n d m y h an ds,

an d m y b ra in w ere w eig hte d , s o th at n oth in g c o uld p ro ceed a t th e u su al p ace.

And s o I s le p t u neasily a n d th ought. T hen it b eg an to d aw n u pon m e th at th e

air w as h eav y, a n d d an k, a n d c o ld . I p ut b ack th e c lo th es fro m m y fa ce, a n d

fo und, t o m y s u rp ris e , t h at a ll w as d im a ro und. T he g aslig ht w hic h I h ad l e ft l it

fo r J o nath an , b ut t u rn ed d ow n, c am e o nly l ik e a t in y r e d s p ark t h ro ugh t h e f o g,

whic h h ad e v id en tly g ro w n t h ic k er a n d p oure d i n to t h e r o om . T hen i t o ccu rre d

to m e th at I h ad s h ut th e w in dow b efo re I h ad c o m e to b ed . I w ould h av e g ot

out t o m ak e c erta in o n t h e p oin t, b ut s o m e l e ad en l e th arg y s e em ed t o c h ain m y

lim bs a n d e v en m y w ill. I la y s till a n d e n dure d ; th at w as a ll. I c lo se d m y e y es,

but c o uld s till s e e th ro ugh m y e y elid s. ( It is w onderfu l w hat tr ic k s o ur d re am s

pla y u s, a n d h ow c o nven ie n tly w e c an im ag in e.) T he m is t g re w th ic k er a n d

th ic k er a n d I c o uld s e e n ow h ow it c am e in , f o r I c o uld s e e it lik e s m oke— or

with th e w hite e n erg y o f b oilin g w ate r— pourin g in , n ot th ro ugh th e w in dow ,

but t h ro ugh t h e j o in in gs o f t h e d oor. I t g ot t h ic k er a n d t h ic k er, t ill i t s e em ed a s

if i t b ecam e c o ncen tr a te d i n to a s o rt o f p illa r o f c lo ud i n t h e r o om , t h ro ugh t h e

to p o f w hic h I c o uld s e e th e lig ht o f th e g as s h in in g lik e a re d e y e. T hin gs

beg an to w hir l th ro ugh m y b ra in ju st a s th e c lo udy c o lu m n w as n ow w hir lin g in th e r o om , a n d th ro ugh it a ll c am e th e s c rip tu ra l w ord s “ a p illa r o f c lo ud b y

day a n d o f f ir e b y n ig ht.” W as it in deed s o m e s u ch s p ir itu al g uid an ce th at w as

co m in g to m e in m y s le ep ? B ut th e p illa r w as c o m pose d o f b oth th e d ay a n d

th e n ig ht- g uid in g, fo r th e fir e w as in th e re d e y e, w hic h a t th e th ought g ot a

new f a sc in atio n f o r m e; till, a s I lo oked , th e f ir e d iv id ed , a n d s e em ed to s h in e

on m e th ro ugh th e fo g lik e tw o re d e y es, su ch a s L ucy to ld m e o f in h er

mom en ta ry m en ta l w an derin g w hen , o n th e c lif f , th e d yin g s u nlig ht s tr u ck th e

win dow s o f S t. M ary ’s C hurc h . S udden ly th e h orro r b urs t u pon m e th at it w as

th us th at J o nath an h ad s e en th ose a w fu l w om en g ro w in g in to re ality th ro ugh

th e w hir lin g m is t in th e m oonlig ht, a n d in m y d re am I m ust h av e f a in te d , f o r

all b ecam e b la ck d ark ness. T he la st c o nsc io us e ff o rt w hic h im ag in atio n m ad e

was to s h ow m e a liv id w hite f a ce b en din g o ver m e o ut o f th e m is t. I m ust b e

care fu l o f s u ch d re am s, fo r th ey w ould u nse at o ne’s re aso n if th ere w ere to o

much of th em . I w ould get D r. V an H els in g or D r. S ew ard to pre sc rib e

so m eth in g f o r m e w hic h w ould m ak e m e s le ep , o nly th at I f e ar to a la rm th em .

Such a d re am a t t h e p re se n t t im e w ould b eco m e w oven i n to t h eir f e ars f o r m e.

To-n ig ht I s h all s tr iv e h ard to s le ep n atu ra lly . If I d o n ot, I s h all to -m orro w

nig ht g et th em to g iv e m e a d ose o f c h lo ra l; th at c an not h urt m e f o r o nce, a n d

it w ill g iv e m e a g ood n ig ht’s s le ep . L ast n ig ht tir e d m e m ore th an if I h ad n ot

sle p t a t a ll.

2 O cto ber 1 0 p . m .— Last n ig ht I s le p t, b ut d id n ot d re am . I m ust h av e s le p t

so undly , f o r I w as n ot w ak ed b y J o nath an c o m in g t o b ed ; b ut t h e s le ep h as n ot

re fre sh ed m e, f o r t o -d ay I f e el t e rrib ly w eak a n d s p ir itle ss. I s p en t a ll y este rd ay

tr y in g t o r e ad , o r l y in g d ow n d ozin g. I n t h e a fte rn oon M r. R en fie ld a sk ed i f h e

mig ht s e e m e. P oor m an , h e w as v ery g en tle , a n d w hen I c am e a w ay h e k is se d

my h an d a n d b ad e G od b le ss m e. S om e w ay it a ff e cte d m e m uch ; I a m c ry in g

when I th in k o f h im . T his is a n ew w eak ness, o f w hic h I m ust b e c are fu l.

Jo nath an w ould b e m is e ra b le if h e k new I h ad b een c ry in g. H e a n d th e o th ers

were o ut till d in ner- tim e, a n d th ey a ll c am e in tir e d . I d id w hat I c o uld to

brig hte n th em u p, a n d I s u ppose th at th e e ff o rt d id m e g ood, f o r I f o rg ot h ow

tir e d I w as. A fte r d in ner th ey se n t m e to b ed , an d all w en t o ff to sm oke

to geth er, a s th ey s a id , b ut I k new th at th ey w an te d to te ll e ach o th er o f w hat

had o ccu rre d to e ach d urin g th e d ay ; I c o uld s e e f ro m J o nath an ’s m an ner th at

he h ad s o m eth in g im porta n t to c o m munic ate . I w as n ot s o s le ep y a s I s h ould

hav e b een ; s o b efo re t h ey w en t I a sk ed D r. S ew ard t o g iv e m e a l ittle o pia te o f

so m e k in d, a s I h ad n ot s le p t w ell t h e n ig ht b efo re . H e v ery k in dly m ad e m e u p

a s le ep in g d ra u ght, w hic h h e g av e to m e, te llin g m e th at it w ould d o m e n o

harm , a s it w as v ery m ild .... I h av e ta k en it, a n d a m w aitin g f o r s le ep , w hic h

still k eep s a lo of. I h ope I h av e n ot d one w ro ng, f o r a s s le ep b eg in s t o f lir t w ith

me, a n ew f e ar c o m es: th at I m ay h av e b een f o olis h in th us d ep riv in g m yse lf

of t h e p ow er o f w ak in g. I m ig ht w an t i t. H ere c o m es s le ep . G ood-n ig ht.

CH APT ER X X

JO NAT H AN H ARK ER ’S J O URNAL

1 O cto ber, ev en in g.— I fo und T hom as S nellin g in h is h ouse at B eth nal

Gre en , b ut u nhap pily h e w as n ot in a c o nditio n to re m em ber a n yth in g. T he

very p ro sp ect o f b eer w hic h m y ex pecte d co m in g h ad o pen ed to h im h ad

pro ved to o m uch , an d h e h ad b eg un to o early o n h is ex pecte d d eb au ch . I

le arn ed , h ow ev er, f ro m h is w if e , w ho s e em ed a d ecen t, p oor s o ul, th at h e w as

only th e assis ta n t to S m olle t, w ho of th e tw o m ate s w as th e re sp onsib le

pers o n. S o o ff I d ro ve t o W alw orth , a n d f o und M r. J o se p h S m olle t a t h om e a n d

in h is s h ir ts le ev es, ta k in g a la te te a o ut o f a s a u cer. H e is a d ecen t, in te llig en t

fe llo w , d is tin ctly a g ood, re lia b le ty pe o f w ork m an , a n d w ith a h ead pie ce o f

his o w n. H e re m em bere d all ab out th e in cid en t o f th e b oxes, an d fro m a

wonderfu l d og’s -e are d n ote b ook, w hic h h e p ro duced fro m so m e m yste rio us

re cep ta cle a b out th e s e at o f h is tr o use rs , a n d w hic h h ad h ie ro gly phic al e n tr ie s

in th ic k , h alf -o blite ra te d p en cil, h e g av e m e th e d estin atio ns o f th e b oxes.

There w ere , h e s a id , s ix in th e c artlo ad w hic h h e to ok f ro m C arfa x a n d le ft a t

197, C hic k sa n d Str e et, M ile E nd N ew Tow n, an d an oth er six w hic h he

dep osite d a t Ja m aic a L an e, B erm ondse y. If th en th e C ount m ean t to sc atte r

th ese g hastly r e fu ges o f h is o ver L ondon, th ese p la ces w ere c h ose n a s t h e f ir s t

of d eliv ery , s o t h at l a te r h e m ig ht d is tr ib ute m ore f u lly . T he s y ste m atic m an ner

in w hic h th is w as d one m ad e m e th in k th at h e c o uld n ot m ean to c o nfin e

him se lf to tw o sid es o f L ondon. H e w as n ow fix ed o n th e fa r east o f th e

north ern s h ore , o n th e e ast o f th e s o uth ern s h ore , a n d o n th e s o uth . T he n orth

an d w est w ere s u re ly n ev er m ean t to b e le ft o ut o f h is d ia b olic al s c h em e— le t

alo ne th e C ity its e lf a n d th e v ery h eart o f fa sh io nab le L ondon in th e s o uth -

west a n d w est. I w en t b ack t o S m olle t, a n d a sk ed h im i f h e c o uld t e ll u s i f a n y

oth er b oxes h ad b een t a k en f ro m C arfa x .

He r e p lie d :—

“W ell, g uv’n or, y ou’v e t r e ate d m e w ery ’ a n ’s o m e”— I h ad g iv en h im h alf a

so vere ig n— “an ’ I ’ll te ll y er a ll I k now . I h eard a m an b y th e n am e o f B lo xam

sa y f o ur n ig hts a g o in th e ’ A re a n ’ ’ O unds, in P in ch er’s A lle y, a s ’ o w h e a n ’

his m ate ’ a d ’ a d a r a re d usty jo b in a o ld ’ o use a t P urfe ct. T here a in ’t a -m an y

su ch jo bs a s th is ’e re , a n ’ I’m th in kin ’ th at m ay be S am B lo xam c o uld te ll y e

su m mut.” I a sk ed if h e c o uld te ll m e w here to fin d h im . I to ld h im th at if h e

co uld g et m e th e a d dre ss it w ould b e w orth a n oth er h alf -s o vere ig n to h im . S o

he g ulp ed d ow n th e re st o f h is te a a n d s to od u p, s a y in g th at h e w as g oin g to

beg in t h e s e arc h t h en a n d t h ere . A t t h e d oor h e s to pped , a n d s a id :—

“L ook ’e re , g uv’n or, th ere a in ’t n o s e n se in m e a -k eep in ’ y ou ’e re . I m ay fin d S am s o on, o r I m ay n’t; b ut a n yhow h e a in ’t lik e to b e in a w ay to te ll y e

much to -n ig ht. S am is a r a re o ne w hen h e s ta rts o n th e b ooze. I f y ou c an g iv e

me a e n velo pe w ith a s ta m p o n i t, a n d p ut y er a d dre ss o n i t, I ’ll f in d o ut w here

Sam i s t o b e f o und a n d p ost i t y e t o -n ig ht. B ut y e’d b ette r b e u p a rte r ’ im s o on

in th e m orn in ’, o r m ay be y e w on’t k etc h ’im ; fo r S am g ets o ff m ain e arly ,

nev er m in d t h e b ooze t h e n ig ht a fo re .”

This w as a ll p ra ctic al, s o o ne o f th e c h ild re n w en t o ff w ith a p en ny to b uy

an e n velo pe a n d a sh eet o f p ap er, a n d to k eep th e c h an ge. W hen sh e c am e

back , I a d dre sse d th e e n velo pe a n d s ta m ped it, a n d w hen S m olle t h ad a g ain

fa ith fu lly p ro m is e d to p ost th e a d dre ss w hen fo und, I to ok m y w ay to h om e.

We’re o n th e tr a ck a n yhow . I a m tir e d to -n ig ht, a n d w an t s le ep . M in a is fa st

asle ep , a n d l o oks a l ittle t o o p ale ; h er e y es l o ok a s t h ough s h e h ad b een c ry in g.

Poor d ear, I ’v e n o d oubt i t f re ts h er t o b e k ep t i n t h e d ark , a n d i t m ay m ak e h er

doubly a n xio us a b out m e a n d th e o th ers . B ut it is b est a s it is . I t is b ette r to b e

dis a p poin te d a n d w orrie d in s u ch a w ay n ow th an to h av e h er n erv e b ro ken .

The d octo rs w ere q uite rig ht to in sis t o n h er b ein g k ep t o ut o f th is d re ad fu l

busin ess. I m ust b e f ir m , f o r o n m e t h is p artic u la r b urd en o f s ile n ce m ust r e st. I

sh all n ot e v er e n te r o n t h e s u bje ct w ith h er u nder a n y c ir c u m sta n ces. I n deed , i t

may n ot b e a h ard ta sk , a fte r a ll, fo r s h e h ers e lf h as b eco m e re tic en t o n th e

su bje ct, a n d h as n ot s p oken o f th e C ount o r h is d oin gs e v er s in ce w e to ld h er

of o ur d ecis io n.

2 O cto ber, e v en in g.— A l o ng a n d t r y in g a n d e x citin g d ay. B y t h e f ir s t p ost I

got m y d ir e cte d e n velo pe w ith a d ir ty s c ra p o f p ap er e n clo se d , o n w hic h w as

writte n w ith a c arp en te r’s p en cil i n a s p ra w lin g h an d:—

“S am B lo xam , K ork ra n s, 4 , P ote rs C ort, B arte l S tr e et, W alw orth . A rs k f o r

th e d ep ite .”

I g ot th e le tte r in b ed , a n d ro se w ith out w ak in g M in a. S he lo oked h eav y

an d s le ep y a n d p ale , a n d f a r f ro m w ell. I d ete rm in ed n ot to w ak e h er, b ut th at,

when I s h ould r e tu rn f ro m t h is n ew s e arc h , I w ould a rra n ge f o r h er g oin g b ack

to E xete r. I th in k s h e w ould b e h ap pie r in o ur o w n h om e, w ith h er d aily ta sk s

to in te re st h er, th an in b ein g h ere a m ongst u s a n d in ig nora n ce. I o nly s a w D r.

Sew ard fo r a m om en t, a n d to ld h im w here I w as o ff to , p ro m is in g to c o m e

back a n d te ll th e r e st s o s o on a s I s h ould h av e f o und o ut a n yth in g. I d ro ve to

Walw orth an d fo und, w ith so m e dif f ic u lty , Potte r’s C ourt. M r. Sm olle t’s

sp ellin g m is le d m e, a s I a sk ed fo r P ote r’s C ourt in ste ad o f P otte r’s C ourt.

How ev er, w hen I had fo und th e co urt, I had no dif f ic u lty in dis c o verin g

Corc o ra n ’s l o dgin g-h ouse . W hen I a sk ed t h e m an w ho c am e t o t h e d oor f o r t h e

“d ep ite ,” h e sh ook h is h ead , a n d sa id : “ I d unno ’im . T here a in ’t n o su ch a

pers o n ’ e re ; I n ev er ’ e ard o f ’ im in a ll m y b lo om in ’ d ay s. D on’t b elie v e th ere

ain ’t n obody o f th at k in d liv in ’ e re o r a n yw here s.” I to ok o ut S m olle t’s le tte r,

an d a s I r e ad it it s e em ed to m e th at th e le sso n o f th e s p ellin g o f th e n am e o f th e c o urt m ig ht g uid e m e. “ W hat a re y ou?” I a sk ed .

“I’m th e d ep ity ,” h e a n sw ere d . I s a w a t o nce th at I w as o n th e r ig ht tr a ck ;

phonetic sp ellin g h ad ag ain m is le d m e. A h alf -c ro w n tip p ut th e d ep uty ’s

know le d ge a t m y d is p osa l, a n d I le arn ed th at M r. B lo xam , w ho h ad s le p t o ff

th e re m ain s o f h is b eer o n th e p re v io us n ig ht a t C orc o ra n ’s , h ad le ft fo r h is

work a t P opla r a t fiv e o ’c lo ck th at m orn in g. H e c o uld n ot te ll m e w here th e

pla ce o f w ork w as s itu ate d , b ut h e h ad a v ag ue id ea th at it w as s o m e k in d o f a

“n ew -fa n gle d w are ’u s” ; a n d w ith th is s le n der c lu e I h ad to s ta rt f o r P opla r. I t

was tw elv e o ’c lo ck b efo re I g ot a n y s a tis fa cto ry h in t o f s u ch a b uild in g, a n d

th is I g ot a t a c o ff e e-s h op, w here so m e w ork m en w ere h av in g th eir d in ner.

One o f th ese s u ggeste d th at th ere w as b ein g e re cte d a t C ro ss A ngel S tr e et a

new “ co ld s to ra g e” b uild in g; a n d a s t h is s u ite d t h e c o nditio n o f a “ n ew -fa n gle d

ware ’u s,” I a t o nce d ro ve to it. A n in te rv ie w w ith a su rly g ate k eep er a n d a

su rlie r f o re m an , b oth o f w hom w ere a p pease d w ith th e c o in o f th e r e alm , p ut

me o n th e tr a ck o f B lo xam ; h e w as se n t fo r o n m y su ggestin g th at I w as

willin g t o p ay h is d ay ’s w ag es t o h is f o re m an f o r t h e p riv ile g e o f a sk in g h im a

fe w q uestio ns o n a p riv ate m atte r. H e w as a sm art en ough fe llo w , th ough

ro ugh o f s p eech a n d b earin g. W hen I h ad p ro m is e d to p ay f o r h is in fo rm atio n

an d g iv en h im a n e arn est, h e to ld m e th at h e h ad m ad e tw o jo urn ey s b etw een

Carfa x a n d a h ouse in P ic cad illy , a n d h ad ta k en fro m th is h ouse to th e la tte r

nin e g re at b oxes— “m ain h eav y o nes” — with a h ors e a n d c art h ir e d b y h im f o r

th is p urp ose . I ask ed h im if h e co uld te ll m e th e n um ber o f th e h ouse in

Pic cad illy , t o w hic h h e r e p lie d :—

“W ell, g uv’n or, I f o rg its t h e n um ber, b ut i t w as o nly a f e w d oors f ro m a b ig

white c h urc h o r s o m eth in k o f t h e k in d, n ot l o ng b uilt. I t w as a d usty o ld ’ o use ,

to o, t h ough n oth in ’ t o t h e d ustin ess o f t h e ’ o use w e t o oked t h e b lo om in ’ b oxes

fro m .”

“H ow d id y ou g et i n to t h e h ouse s i f t h ey w ere b oth e m pty ?”

“T here w as th e old party w hat en gag ed m e a-w aitin ’ in th e ’o use at

Purfle et. H e ’ e lp ed m e t o l if t t h e b oxes a n d p ut t h em i n t h e d ra y. C urs e m e, b ut

he w as th e str o ngest c h ap I e v er str u ck , a n ’ h im a o ld fe lle r, w ith a w hite

mousta ch e, o ne t h at t h in y ou w ould t h in k h e c o uld n’t t h ro w a s h ad der.”

How t h is p hra se t h rille d t h ro ugh m e!

“W hy, ’ e to ok u p ’ is e n d o ’ th e b oxes lik e th ey w as p ounds o f te a, a n d m e

a-p uff in ’ an ’ a-b lo w in ’ afo re I co uld up-e n d m in e an yhow — an ’ I’m no

ch ic k en , n eith er.”

“H ow d id y ou g et i n to t h e h ouse i n P ic cad illy ?” I a sk ed .

“H e w as t h ere t o o. H e m ust ’ a ’ s ta rte d o ff a n d g ot t h ere a fo re m e, f o r w hen

I r u ng o f t h e b ell h e k em a n ’ o pen ed t h e d oor ’ is se lf a n ’ ’ e lp ed m e t o c arry t h e boxes i n to t h e ’ a ll.”

“T he w hole n in e?” I a sk ed .

“Y us; t h ere w as f iv e i n t h e f ir s t l o ad a n ’ f o ur i n t h e s e co nd. I t w as m ain d ry

work , a n ’ I d on’t s o w ell r e m em ber ’ o w I g ot ’ o m e.” I i n te rru pte d h im :—

“W ere t h e b oxes l e ft i n t h e h all? ”

“Y us; it w as a b ig ’a ll, a n ’ th ere w as n oth in ’ e ls e in it.” I m ad e o ne m ore

atte m pt t o f u rth er m atte rs :—

“Y ou d id n’t h av e a n y k ey ?”

“N ev er u se d n o k ey n or n oth in k. T he o ld g en t, h e o pen ed th e d oor ’ is se lf

an ’ s h ut i t a g ain w hen I d ru v o ff . I d on’t r e m em ber t h e l a st t im e— but t h at w as

th e b eer.”

“A nd y ou c an ’t r e m em ber t h e n um ber o f t h e h ouse ?”

“N o, s ir. B ut y e n eed n’t h av e n o d if f ic u lty a b out th at. I t’s a ’ ig h ’ u n w ith a

sto ne f ro nt w ith a b ow o n it, a n ’ ’ ig h s te p s u p to th e d oor. I k now th em s te p s,

’a v in ’ ’ a d to c arry th e b oxes u p w ith th re e lo afe rs w hat c o m e r o und to e arn a

co pper. T he o ld g en t g iv e t h em s h illin ’s , a n ’ t h ey s e ein ’ t h ey g ot s o m uch , t h ey

wan te d m ore ; b ut ’e to ok o ne o f th em b y th e s h ould er a n d w as lik e to th ro w

’im d ow n t h e s te p s, t ill t h e l o t o f t h em w en t a w ay c u ssin ’.” I t h ought t h at w ith

th is d esc rip tio n I co uld fin d th e h ouse , so , h av in g p aid m y frie n d fo r h is

in fo rm atio n, I s ta rte d o ff f o r P ic cad illy . I h ad g ain ed a n ew p ain fu l e x perie n ce;

th e C ount c o uld , it w as e v id en t, h an dle th e e arth -b oxes h im se lf . If so , tim e

was p re cio us; f o r, n ow th at h e h ad a ch ie v ed a c erta in a m ount o f d is tr ib utio n,

he co uld , by ch oosin g his ow n tim e, co m ple te th e ta sk unobse rv ed . A t

Pic cad illy C ir c u s I d is c h arg ed m y cab , an d w alk ed w estw ard ; b ey ond th e

Ju nio r C onstitu tio nal I c am e a cro ss t h e h ouse d esc rib ed , a n d w as s a tis fie d t h at

th is w as t h e n ex t o f t h e l a ir s a rra n ged b y D ra cu la . T he h ouse l o oked a s t h ough

it h ad b een lo ng u nte n an te d . T he w in dow s w ere e n cru ste d w ith d ust, a n d th e

sh utte rs w ere u p. A ll th e fra m ew ork w as b la ck w ith tim e, a n d fro m th e ir o n

th e p ain t h ad m ostly s c ale d a w ay. It w as e v id en t th at u p to la te ly th ere h ad

been a la rg e notic e-b oard in fro nt of th e balc o ny; it had , how ev er, been

ro ughly t o rn a w ay, t h e u prig hts w hic h h ad s u pporte d i t s till r e m ain in g. B eh in d

th e r a ils o f th e b alc o ny I s a w th ere w ere s o m e lo ose b oard s, w hose r a w e d ges

lo oked w hite . I w ould h av e g iv en a g ood d eal to h av e b een a b le to se e th e

notic e-b oard in ta ct, as it w ould , perh ap s, hav e giv en so m e clu e to th e

ow ners h ip o f th e h ouse . I r e m em bere d m y e x perie n ce o f th e in vestig atio n a n d

purc h ase o f C arfa x , a n d I c o uld n ot b ut fe el th at if I c o uld fin d th e fo rm er

ow ner t h ere m ig ht b e s o m e m ean s d is c o vere d o f g ain in g a ccess t o t h e h ouse .

There w as a t p re se n t n oth in g to b e le arn ed fro m th e P ic cad illy s id e, a n d noth in g c o uld b e d one; s o I w en t r o und t o t h e b ack t o s e e i f a n yth in g c o uld b e

gath ere d f ro m th is q uarte r. T he m ew s w ere a ctiv e, th e P ic cad illy h ouse s b ein g

mostly in o ccu patio n. I a sk ed o ne o r tw o o f th e g ro om s a n d h elp ers w hom I

sa w a ro und i f t h ey c o uld t e ll m e a n yth in g a b out t h e e m pty h ouse . O ne o f t h em

sa id t h at h e h eard i t h ad l a te ly b een t a k en , b ut h e c o uld n’t s a y f ro m w hom . H e

to ld m e, h ow ev er, th at u p to v ery la te ly th ere h ad b een a n otic e-b oard o f “ F or

Sale ” u p, a n d th at p erh ap s M itc h ell, S ons, & C an dy, th e h ouse a g en ts , c o uld

te ll m e s o m eth in g, a s h e th ought h e r e m em bere d s e ein g th e n am e o f th at f ir m

on t h e b oard . I d id n ot w is h t o s e em t o o e ag er, o r t o l e t m y i n fo rm an t k now o r

guess to o m uch , s o , th an kin g h im in th e u su al m an ner, I s tr o lle d a w ay. I t w as

now g ro w in g d usk , a n d th e a u tu m n n ig ht w as c lo sin g in , s o I d id n ot lo se a n y

tim e. H av in g le arn ed th e a d dre ss o f M itc h ell, S ons, & C an dy f ro m a d ir e cto ry

at t h e B erk ele y, I w as s o on a t t h eir o ff ic e i n S ack ville S tr e et.

The gen tle m an w ho sa w m e w as partic u la rly su av e in m an ner, but

unco m munic ativ e i n e q ual p ro portio n. H av in g o nce t o ld m e t h at t h e P ic cad illy

house — whic h th ro ughout o ur in te rv ie w h e c alle d a “ m an sio n”— was s o ld , h e

co nsid ere d m y b usin ess a s c o nclu ded . W hen I a sk ed w ho h ad p urc h ase d it, h e

open ed h is e y es a t h ought w id er, a n d p au se d a f e w s e co nds b efo re r e p ly in g:—

“It i s s o ld , s ir.”

“P ard on m e,” I s a id , w ith e q ual p olite n ess, “ b ut I h av e a s p ecia l r e aso n f o r

wis h in g t o k now w ho p urc h ase d i t.”

Again h e p au se d l o nger, a n d r a is e d h is e y eb ro w s s till m ore . “ It i s s o ld , s ir ,”

was a g ain h is l a co nic r e p ly .

“S ure ly ,” I s a id , “ y ou d o n ot m in d l e ttin g m e k now s o m uch .”

“B ut I d o m in d,” h e a n sw ere d . “ T he a ff a ir s o f th eir c lie n ts a re a b so lu te ly

sa fe in th e h an ds o f M itc h ell, S ons, & C an dy.” T his w as m an if e stly a p rig o f

th e fir s t w ate r, a n d th ere w as n o u se a rg uin g w ith h im . I th ought I h ad b est

meet h im o n h is o w n g ro und, s o I s a id :—

“Y our clie n ts , sir , are h ap py in h av in g so re so lu te a g uard ia n o f th eir

co nfid en ce. I a m m yse lf a p ro fe ssio nal m an .” H ere I h an ded h im m y c ard . “ In

th is in sta n ce I am not pro m pte d by cu rio sity ; I act on th e part of L ord

Godalm in g, w ho w is h es to k now so m eth in g o f th e p ro perty w hic h w as, h e

unders to od, l a te ly f o r s a le .” T hese w ord s p ut a d if f e re n t c o m ple x io n o n a ff a ir s .

He s a id :—

“I w ould lik e to o blig e y ou if I c o uld , M r. H ark er, a n d e sp ecia lly w ould I

lik e to o blig e h is lo rd sh ip . W e o nce c arrie d o ut a s m all m atte r o f r e n tin g s o m e

ch am bers f o r h im w hen h e w as t h e H onoura b le A rth ur H olm wood. I f y ou w ill

le t m e h av e h is lo rd sh ip ’s a d dre ss I w ill c o nsu lt th e H ouse o n th e s u bje ct, a n d

will, i n a n y c ase , c o m munic ate w ith h is l o rd sh ip b y t o -n ig ht’s p ost. I t w ill b e a ple asu re if w e can so fa r dev ia te fro m our ru le s as to giv e th e re q uir e d

in fo rm atio n t o h is l o rd sh ip .”

I w an te d to s e cu re a f rie n d, a n d n ot to m ak e a n e n em y, s o I th an ked h im ,

gav e th e a d dre ss a t D r. S ew ard ’s a n d c am e a w ay. I t w as n ow d ark , a n d I w as

tir e d a n d h ungry . I g ot a c u p o f te a a t th e A ëra te d B re ad C om pan y a n d c am e

dow n t o P urfle et b y t h e n ex t t r a in .

I fo und a ll th e o th ers a t h om e. M in a w as lo okin g tir e d a n d p ale , b ut s h e

mad e a g alla n t e ff o rt to b e b rig ht a n d c h eerfu l, it w ru ng m y h eart to th in k th at

I h ad h ad t o k eep a n yth in g f ro m h er a n d s o c au se d h er i n quie tu de. T han k G od,

th is w ill b e th e la st n ig ht o f h er lo okin g o n a t o ur c o nfe re n ces, a n d f e elin g th e

stin g o f o ur n ot s h ow in g o ur c o nfid en ce. I t to ok a ll m y c o ura g e to h old to th e

wis e r e so lu tio n o f k eep in g h er o ut o f o ur g rim t a sk . S he s e em s s o m eh ow m ore

re co ncile d ; o r e ls e t h e v ery s u bje ct s e em s t o h av e b eco m e r e p ugnan t t o h er, f o r

when a n y a ccid en ta l a llu sio n is m ad e sh e a ctu ally sh udders . I a m g la d w e

mad e o ur re so lu tio n in tim e, as w ith su ch a fe elin g as th is , o ur g ro w in g

know le d ge w ould b e t o rtu re t o h er.

I c o uld n ot t e ll t h e o th ers o f t h e d ay ’s d is c o very t ill w e w ere a lo ne; s o a fte r

din ner— fo llo w ed by a little m usic to sa v e ap peara n ces ev en am ongst

ours e lv es— I to ok M in a to h er ro om a n d le ft h er to g o to b ed . T he d ear g ir l

was m ore a ff e ctio nate w ith m e t h an e v er, a n d c lu ng t o m e a s t h ough s h e w ould

deta in m e; b ut th ere w as m uch to b e ta lk ed o f a n d I c am e a w ay. T han k G od,

th e c easin g o f t e llin g t h in gs h as m ad e n o d if f e re n ce b etw een u s.

When I c am e d ow n a g ain I f o und th e o th ers a ll g ath ere d r o und th e f ir e in

th e s tu dy. I n th e tr a in I h ad w ritte n m y d ia ry s o f a r, a n d s im ply r e ad it o ff to

th em a s th e b est m ean s o f le ttin g th em g et a b re ast o f m y o w n in fo rm atio n;

when I h ad f in is h ed V an H els in g s a id :—

“T his h as b een a g re at d ay ’s w ork , frie n d J o nath an . D oubtle ss w e a re o n

th e t r a ck o f t h e m is sin g b oxes. I f w e f in d t h em a ll i n t h at h ouse , t h en o ur w ork

is n ear th e e n d. B ut if th ere b e s o m e m is sin g, w e m ust s e arc h u ntil w e fin d

th em . T hen sh all w e m ak e o ur fin al c o up, a n d h unt th e w re tc h to h is re al

death .” W e a ll s a t s ile n t a w hile a n d a ll a t o nce M r. M orris s p oke:—

“S ay ! h ow a re w e g oin g t o g et i n to t h at h ouse ?”

“W e g ot i n to t h e o th er,” a n sw ere d L ord G odalm in g q uic k ly .

“B ut, A rt, t h is i s d if f e re n t. W e b ro ke h ouse a t C arfa x , b ut w e h ad n ig ht a n d

a w alle d p ark to p ro te ct u s. It w ill b e a m ig hty d if f e re n t th in g to co m mit

burg la ry in P ic cad illy , e ith er b y d ay o r n ig ht. I c o nfe ss I d on’t s e e h ow w e a re

goin g t o g et i n u nle ss t h at a g en cy d uck c an f in d u s a k ey o f s o m e s o rt; p erh ap s

we sh all k now w hen y ou g et h is le tte r in th e m orn in g.” L ord G odalm in g’s

bro w s c o ntr a cte d , a n d h e s to od u p a n d w alk ed a b out th e r o om . B y-a n d-b y h e sto pped a n d s a id , t u rn in g f ro m o ne t o a n oth er o f u s:—

“Q uin cey ’s h ead is le v el. T his b urg la ry b usin ess is g ettin g s e rio us; w e g ot

off o nce a ll r ig ht; b ut w e h av e n ow a r a re j o b o n h an d— unle ss w e c an f in d t h e

Count’s k ey b ask et.”

As n oth in g c o uld w ell b e d one b efo re m orn in g, a n d a s it w ould b e a t le ast

ad vis a b le t o w ait t ill L ord G odalm in g s h ould h ear f ro m M itc h ell’s , w e d ecid ed

not to ta k e a n y a ctiv e s te p b efo re b re ak fa st tim e. F or a g ood w hile w e s a t a n d

sm oked , d is c u ssin g th e m atte r in its v ario us lig hts a n d b earin gs; I to ok th e

opportu nity o f b rin gin g th is d ia ry rig ht u p to th e m om en t. I a m v ery s le ep y

an d s h all g o t o b ed ....

Ju st a lin e. M in a s le ep s s o undly a n d h er b re ath in g is r e g ula r. H er f o re h ead

is p uck ere d u p in to little w rin kle s, a s th ough s h e th in ks e v en in h er s le ep . S he

is still to o p ale , b ut d oes n ot lo ok so h ag gard a s sh e d id th is m orn in g. T o-

morro w w ill, I h ope, m en d a ll th is ; s h e w ill b e h ers e lf a t h om e in E xete r. O h,

but I a m s le ep y!

Dr. S ew ard ’s D ia ry .

1 O cto ber.— I am p uzzle d afre sh ab out R en fie ld . H is m oods ch an ge so

ra p id ly th at I f in d it d if f ic u lt to k eep to uch o f th em , a n d a s th ey a lw ay s m ean

so m eth in g m ore th an h is o w n w ell- b ein g, th ey fo rm a m ore th an in te re stin g

stu dy. T his m orn in g, w hen I w en t to s e e h im a fte r h is r e p uls e o f V an H els in g,

his m an ner w as th at of a m an co m man din g destin y. H e w as, in fa ct,

co m man din g destin y— su bje ctiv ely . H e did not re ally care fo r an y of th e

th in gs of m ere earth ; he w as in th e clo uds an d lo oked dow n on all th e

weak nesse s an d w an ts o f u s p oor m orta ls . I th ought I w ould im pro ve th e

occasio n a n d l e arn s o m eth in g, s o I a sk ed h im :—

“W hat a b out th e flie s th ese tim es? ” H e s m ile d o n m e in q uite a s u perio r

so rt o f w ay — su ch a s m ile a s w ould h av e b eco m e th e f a ce o f M alv olio — as h e

an sw ere d m e:—

“T he f ly , m y d ear s ir , h as o ne s tr ik in g f e atu re ; its w in gs a re ty pic al o f th e

aëria l pow ers of th e psy ch ic fa cu ltie s. T he an cie n ts did w ell w hen th ey

ty pif ie d t h e s o ul a s a b utte rfly !”

I t h ought I w ould p ush h is a n alo gy t o i ts u tm ost l o gic ally , s o I s a id q uic k ly :

—

“O h, it is a s o ul y ou a re a fte r n ow , is it? ” H is m ad ness fo ile d h is re aso n,

an d a p uzzle d lo ok s p re ad o ver h is fa ce a s, s h ak in g h is h ead w ith a d ecis io n

whic h I h ad b ut s e ld om s e en i n h im , h e s a id :—

“O h, n o, o h n o! I w an t n o s o uls . L if e i s a ll I w an t.” H ere h e b rig hte n ed u p;

“I a m p re tty in dif f e re n t a b out it a t p re se n t. L if e is a ll r ig ht; I h av e a ll I w an t. You m ust g et a n ew p atie n t, d octo r, i f y ou w is h t o s tu dy z o öphag y!”

This p uzzle d m e a l ittle , s o I d re w h im o n:—

“T hen y ou c o m man d lif e ; y ou a re a g od, I s u ppose ?” H e s m ile d w ith a n

in eff a b ly b en ig n s u perio rity .

“O h n o! F ar b e it f ro m m e to a rro gate to m yse lf th e a ttr ib ute s o f th e D eity .

I a m n ot e v en c o ncern ed in H is e sp ecia lly s p ir itu al d oin gs. I f I m ay s ta te m y

in te lle ctu al positio n I am , so fa r as co ncern s th in gs pure ly te rre str ia l,

so m ew hat i n t h e p ositio n w hic h E noch o ccu pie d s p ir itu ally !” T his w as a p ose r

to m e. I c o uld n ot a t t h e m om en t r e call E noch ’s a p posite n ess; s o I h ad t o a sk a

sim ple q uestio n, th ough I fe lt th at b y s o d oin g I w as lo w erin g m yse lf in th e

ey es o f t h e l u natic :—

“A nd w hy w ith E noch ?”

“B ecau se h e w alk ed w ith G od.” I c o uld n ot s e e th e a n alo gy, b ut d id n ot

lik e t o a d m it i t; s o I h ark ed b ack t o w hat h e h ad d en ie d :—

“S o y ou d on’t c are a b out lif e a n d y ou d on’t w an t s o uls . W hy n ot? ” I p ut

my q uestio n q uic k ly a n d s o m ew hat s te rn ly , o n p urp ose to d is c o ncert h im . T he

eff o rt s u cceed ed ; f o r a n in sta n t h e u nco nsc io usly r e la p se d in to h is o ld s e rv ile

man ner, b en t l o w b efo re m e, a n d a ctu ally f a w ned u pon m e a s h e r e p lie d :—

“I d on’t w an t a n y s o uls , in deed , in deed ! I d on’t. I c o uld n’t u se th em if I

had th em ; th ey w ould b e n o m an ner o f u se to m e. I c o uld n’t e at th em o r— —”

He su dden ly sto pped a n d th e o ld c u nnin g lo ok sp re ad o ver h is fa ce, lik e a

win d-s w eep o n t h e s u rfa ce o f t h e w ate r. “ A nd d octo r, a s t o l if e , w hat i s i t a fte r

all? W hen y ou’v e g ot a ll y ou r e q uir e , a n d y ou k now th at y ou w ill n ev er w an t,

th at is a ll. I h av e f rie n ds— good f rie n ds— lik e y ou, D r. S ew ard ”; th is w as s a id

with a le er o f in ex pre ssib le c u nnin g. “ I k now th at I s h all n ev er la ck th e m ean s

of l if e !”

I th in k th at th ro ugh th e c lo udin ess o f h is in sa n ity h e s a w s o m e a n ta g onis m

in m e, fo r h e a t o nce fe ll b ack o n th e la st re fu ge o f su ch a s h e— a d ogged

sile n ce. A fte r a s h ort tim e I s a w th at f o r th e p re se n t it w as u se le ss to s p eak to

him . H e w as s u lk y, a n d s o I c am e a w ay.

Late r in th e d ay h e s e n t f o r m e. O rd in arily I w ould n ot h av e c o m e w ith out

sp ecia l r e aso n, b ut j u st a t p re se n t I a m s o i n te re ste d i n h im t h at I w ould g la d ly

mak e a n e ff o rt. B esid es, I a m g la d to h av e a n yth in g to h elp to p ass th e tim e.

Hark er is o ut, fo llo w in g u p c lu es; a n d s o a re L ord G odalm in g a n d Q uin cey.

Van H els in g s its in m y s tu dy p orin g o ver th e r e co rd p re p are d b y th e H ark ers ;

he s e em s to th in k th at b y a ccu ra te k now le d ge o f a ll d eta ils h e w ill lig ht u pon

so m e c lu e. H e d oes n ot w is h to b e d is tu rb ed in th e w ork , w ith out c au se . I

would h av e ta k en h im w ith m e to s e e th e p atie n t, o nly I th ought th at a fte r h is la st re p uls e h e m ig ht n ot c are to g o a g ain . T here w as a ls o a n oth er re aso n:

Ren fie ld m ig ht n ot s p eak s o f re ely b efo re a t h ir d p ers o n a s w hen h e a n d I w ere

alo ne.

I f o und h im s ittin g o ut i n t h e m id dle o f t h e f lo or o n h is s to ol, a p ose w hic h

is g en era lly in dic ativ e o f s o m e m en ta l e n erg y o n h is p art. W hen I c am e in , h e

sa id a t o nce, a s t h ough t h e q uestio n h ad b een w aitin g o n h is l ip s:—

“W hat a b out s o uls ? ” I t w as e v id en t th en th at m y s u rm is e h ad b een c o rre ct.

Unco nsc io us cere b ra tio n w as doin g its w ork , ev en w ith th e lu natic . I

dete rm in ed to h av e th e m atte r o ut. “ W hat a b out th em y ours e lf ? ” I a sk ed . H e

did n ot re p ly fo r a m om en t b ut lo oked a ll ro und h im , a n d u p a n d d ow n, a s

th ough h e e x pecte d t o f in d s o m e i n sp ir a tio n f o r a n a n sw er.

“I d on’t w an t a n y s o uls !” h e s a id in a fe eb le , a p olo getic w ay. T he m atte r

se em ed p re y in g o n h is m in d, a n d s o I d ete rm in ed to u se it— to “ b e c ru el o nly

to b e k in d.” S o I s a id :—

“Y ou l ik e l if e , a n d y ou w an t l if e ?”

“O h y es! b ut t h at i s a ll r ig ht; y ou n eed n’t w orry a b out t h at! ”

“B ut,” I a sk ed , “ h ow a re w e to g et th e lif e w ith out g ettin g th e s o ul a ls o ?”

This s e em ed t o p uzzle h im , s o I f o llo w ed i t u p:—

“A n ic e tim e y ou’ll h av e s o m e tim e w hen y ou’re f ly in g o ut th ere , w ith th e

so uls of th ousa n ds of flie s an d sp id ers an d bir d s an d cats buzzin g an d

tw itte rin g a n d m ia u in g a ll ro und y ou. Y ou’v e g ot th eir liv es, y ou k now , a n d

you m ust put up w ith th eir so uls !” Som eth in g se em ed to aff e ct his

im ag in atio n, f o r h e p ut h is f in gers t o h is e ars a n d s h ut h is e y es, s c re w in g t h em

up tig htly ju st a s a s m all b oy d oes w hen h is f a ce is b ein g s o ap ed . T here w as

so m eth in g p ath etic in it th at to uch ed m e; it als o g av e m e a le sso n, fo r it

se em ed th at b efo re m e w as a c h ild — only a c h ild , th ough th e fe atu re s w ere

worn , an d th e stu bble o n th e ja w s w as w hite . It w as ev id en t th at h e w as

underg oin g s o m e p ro cess o f m en ta l d is tu rb an ce, a n d, k now in g h ow h is p ast

moods h ad in te rp re te d th in gs s e em in gly f o re ig n to h im se lf , I th ought I w ould

en te r in to h is m in d a s w ell a s I c o uld a n d g o w ith h im . T he fir s t s te p w as to

re sto re c o nfid en ce, s o I a sk ed h im , s p eak in g p re tty lo ud s o th at h e w ould h ear

me t h ro ugh h is c lo se d e ars :—

“W ould y ou lik e s o m e s u gar to g et y our f lie s r o und a g ain ?” H e s e em ed to

wak e u p a ll a t o nce, a n d s h ook h is h ead . W ith a l a u gh h e r e p lie d :—

“N ot m uch ! f lie s a re p oor th in gs, a fte r a ll! ” A fte r a p au se h e a d ded , “ B ut I

don’t w an t t h eir s o uls b uzzin g r o und m e, a ll t h e s a m e.”

“O r s p id ers ? ” I w en t o n.

“B lo w s p id ers ! W hat’s th e u se o f s p id ers ? T here is n ’t a n yth in g in th em to eat o r” — he s to pped s u dden ly , a s t h ough r e m in ded o f a f o rb id den t o pic .

“S o, so !” I th ought to m yse lf , “ th is is th e se co nd tim e h e h as su dden ly

sto pped a t th e w ord ‘d rin k’; w hat d oes it m ean ?” R en fie ld se em ed h im se lf

aw are o f h av in g m ad e a la p se , fo r h e h urrie d o n, a s th ough to d is tr a ct m y

atte n tio n f ro m i t:—

“I d on’t ta k e a n y sto ck a t a ll in su ch m atte rs . ‘R ats a n d m ic e a n d su ch

sm all d eer,’ a s S hak esp eare h as it, ‘c h ic k en -fe ed o f th e la rd er’ th ey m ig ht b e

calle d . I ’m p ast a ll th at s o rt o f n onse n se . Y ou m ig ht a s w ell a sk a m an to e at

mole cu le s w ith a p air o f c h op-s tic k s, a s to tr y to in te re st m e a b out th e le sse r

carn iv ora , w hen I k now o f w hat i s b efo re m e.”

“I s e e,” I s a id . “ Y ou w an t b ig t h in gs t h at y ou c an m ak e y our t e eth m eet i n ?

How w ould y ou l ik e t o b re ak fa st o n e le p han t? ”

“W hat rid ic u lo us n onse n se y ou are ta lk in g!” H e w as g ettin g to o w id e

aw ak e, s o I th ought I w ould p re ss h im h ard . “ I w onder,” I s a id re fle ctiv ely ,

“w hat a n e le p han t’s s o ul i s l ik e!”

The e ff e ct I d esir e d w as o bta in ed , fo r h e a t o nce fe ll fro m h is h ig h-h ors e

an d b ecam e a c h ild a g ain .

“I d on’t w an t a n e le p han t’s so ul, o r a n y so ul a t a ll! ” h e sa id . F or a fe w

mom en ts h e s a t d esp onden tly . S udden ly h e ju m ped to h is fe et, w ith h is e y es

bla zin g a n d a ll th e s ig ns o f in te n se c ere b ra l e x cite m en t. “ T o h ell w ith y ou a n d

your s o uls !” h e s h oute d . “ W hy d o y ou p la g ue m e a b out s o uls ? H av en ’t I g ot

en ough t o w orry , a n d p ain , a n d d is tr a ct m e a lr e ad y, w ith out t h in kin g o f s o uls !”

He lo oked s o h ostile th at I th ought h e w as in fo r a n oth er h om ic id al fit, s o I

ble w m y w his tle . T he i n sta n t, h ow ev er, t h at I d id s o h e b ecam e c alm , a n d s a id

ap olo getic ally :—

“F org iv e m e, D octo r; I fo rg ot m yse lf . Y ou d o n ot n eed a n y h elp . I a m s o

worrie d i n m y m in d t h at I a m a p t t o b e i r rita b le . I f y ou o nly k new t h e p ro ble m

I h av e to fa ce, a n d th at I a m w ork in g o ut, y ou w ould p ity , a n d to le ra te , a n d

pard on m e. P ra y d o n ot p ut m e in a str a it- w ais tc o at. I w an t to th in k a n d I

can not t h in k f re ely w hen m y b ody i s c o nfin ed . I a m s u re y ou w ill u nders ta n d!”

He h ad e v id en tly s e lf -c o ntr o l; s o w hen th e a tte n dan ts c am e I to ld th em n ot to

min d, an d th ey w ith dre w . R en fie ld w atc h ed th em g o; w hen th e d oor w as

clo se d h e s a id , w ith c o nsid era b le d ig nity a n d s w eetn ess:—

“D r. S ew ard , y ou h av e b een v ery c o nsid era te to w ard s m e. B elie v e m e th at

I a m v ery , v ery g ra te fu l to y ou!” I th ought it w ell to le av e h im in th is m ood,

an d s o I c am e a w ay. T here is c e rta in ly s o m eth in g to p onder o ver in th is m an ’s

sta te . S ev era l p oin ts se em to m ak e w hat th e A m eric an in te rv ie w er c alls “ a

sto ry ,” i f o ne c o uld o nly g et t h em i n p ro per o rd er. H ere t h ey a re :— Will n ot m en tio n “ d rin kin g.”

Fears t h e t h ought o f b ein g b urd en ed w ith t h e “ so ul” o f a n yth in g.

Has n o d re ad o f w an tin g “ lif e ” i n t h e f u tu re .

Desp is e s th e m ean er fo rm s of lif e alto geth er, th ough he dre ad s bein g

hau nte d b y t h eir s o uls .

Logic ally a ll th ese th in gs p oin t o ne w ay ! h e h as a ssu ra n ce o f s o m e k in d

th at h e w ill a cq uir e s o m e h ig her lif e . H e d re ad s th e c o nse q uen ce— th e b urd en

of a s o ul. T hen i t i s a h um an l if e h e l o oks t o !

And t h e a ssu ra n ce— ?

Merc if u l G od! th e C ount h as b een to h im , a n d th ere is s o m e n ew s c h em e

of t e rro r a fo ot!

Late r.— I w en t a fte r m y r o und to V an H els in g a n d to ld h im m y s u sp ic io n.

He g re w v ery g ra v e; a n d, a fte r th in kin g th e m atte r o ver f o r a w hile a sk ed m e

to ta k e h im to R en fie ld . I d id s o . A s w e c am e to th e d oor w e h eard th e lu natic

with in s in gin g g aily , a s h e u se d to d o in th e tim e w hic h n ow s e em s s o lo ng

ag o. W hen w e e n te re d w e sa w w ith a m azem en t th at h e h ad sp re ad o ut h is

su gar a s o f o ld ; th e flie s, le th arg ic w ith th e a u tu m n, w ere b eg in nin g to b uzz

in to th e ro om . W e tr ie d to m ak e h im ta lk o f th e su bje ct o f o ur p re v io us

co nvers a tio n, b ut h e w ould n ot a tte n d. H e w en t o n w ith h is s in gin g, ju st a s

th ough w e h ad n ot b een p re se n t. H e h ad g ot a s c ra p o f p ap er a n d w as f o ld in g

it i n to a n ote -b ook. W e h ad t o c o m e a w ay a s i g nora n t a s w e w en t i n .

His i s a c u rio us c ase i n deed ; w e m ust w atc h h im t o -n ig ht.

Lette r, M itc h ell, S ons a n d C an dy t o L ord G odalm in g.

“1 O cto ber.

“M y L ord ,

“W e a re a t a ll tim es o nly to o h ap py to m eet y our w is h es. W e b eg , w ith

re g ard t o t h e d esir e o f y our L ord sh ip , e x pre sse d b y M r. H ark er o n y our b eh alf ,

to s u pply th e fo llo w in g in fo rm atio n c o ncern in g th e s a le a n d p urc h ase o f N o.

347, Pic cad illy . T he orig in al ven dors are th e ex ecu to rs of th e la te M r.

Arc h ib ald W in te r- S uff ie ld . T he p urc h ase r is a fo re ig n n oble m an , C ount d e

Ville , w ho e ff e cte d th e p urc h ase h im se lf p ay in g th e p urc h ase m oney in n ote s

‘o ver th e co unte r,’ if your L ord sh ip w ill pard on us usin g so vulg ar an

ex pre ssio n. B ey ond t h is w e k now n oth in g w hate v er o f h im .

“W e a re , m y L ord ,

“Y our L ord sh ip ’s h um ble s e rv an ts ,

“M itc h ell, S ons & C an dy.” Dr. S ew ard ’s D ia ry .

2 O cto ber.— I p la ced a m an i n t h e c o rrid or l a st n ig ht, a n d t o ld h im t o m ak e

an a ccu ra te n ote o f a n y s o und h e m ig ht h ear f ro m R en fie ld ’s r o om , a n d g av e

him in str u ctio ns th at if th ere sh ould b e a n yth in g s tr a n ge h e w as to c all m e.

Afte r d in ner, w hen w e h ad all g ath ere d ro und th e fir e in th e stu dy— Mrs .

Hark er h av in g g one to b ed — we d is c u sse d th e a tte m pts a n d d is c o verie s o f th e

day. H ark er w as th e o nly o ne w ho h ad a n y re su lt, a n d w e a re in g re at h opes

th at h is c lu e m ay b e a n i m porta n t o ne.

Befo re g oin g to b ed I w en t ro und to th e p atie n t’s ro om an d lo oked in

th ro ugh th e o bse rv atio n tr a p . H e w as s le ep in g s o undly , a n d h is h eart r o se a n d

fe ll w ith r e g ula r r e sp ir a tio n.

This m orn in g t h e m an o n d uty r e p orte d t o m e t h at a l ittle a fte r m id nig ht h e

was r e stle ss a n d k ep t s a y in g h is p ra y ers s o m ew hat lo udly . I a sk ed h im if th at

was a ll; h e re p lie d th at it w as a ll h e h eard . T here w as so m eth in g a b out h is

man ner s o s u sp ic io us th at I a sk ed h im p oin t b la n k if h e h ad b een a sle ep . H e

den ie d s le ep , b ut a d m itte d t o h av in g “ d ozed ” f o r a w hile . I t i s t o o b ad t h at m en

can not b e t r u ste d u nle ss t h ey a re w atc h ed .

To-d ay H ark er is o ut fo llo w in g u p h is clu e, an d A rt an d Q uin cey are

lo okin g afte r h ors e s. G odalm in g th in ks th at it w ill b e w ell to h av e h ors e s

alw ay s i n r e ad in ess, f o r w hen w e g et t h e i n fo rm atio n w hic h w e s e ek t h ere w ill

be n o tim e to lo se . W e m ust s te rilis e a ll th e im porte d e arth b etw een s u nris e

an d s u nse t; w e s h all th us c atc h th e C ount a t h is w eak est, a n d w ith out a r e fu ge

to f ly t o . V an H els in g i s o ff t o t h e B ritis h M use u m l o okin g u p s o m e a u th oritie s

on a n cie n t m ed ic in e. T he o ld p hysic ia n s to ok a cco unt o f th in gs w hic h th eir

fo llo w ers d o n ot a ccep t, a n d th e P ro fe sso r is s e arc h in g fo r w itc h a n d d em on

cu re s w hic h m ay b e u se fu l t o u s l a te r.

I s o m etim es th in k w e m ust b e a ll m ad a n d th at w e s h all w ak e to s a n ity in

str a it- w ais tc o ats .

Late r.— We h av e m et a g ain . W e s e em a t la st to b e o n th e tr a ck , a n d o ur

work o f to -m orro w m ay b e th e b eg in nin g o f th e e n d. I w onder if R en fie ld ’s

quie t h as a n yth in g to d o w ith th is . H is m oods h av e s o f o llo w ed th e d oin gs o f

th e C ount, t h at t h e c o m in g d estr u ctio n o f t h e m onste r m ay b e c arrie d t o h im i n

so m e s u btle w ay. I f w e c o uld o nly g et s o m e h in t a s t o w hat p asse d i n h is m in d,

betw een th e tim e o f m y a rg um en t w ith h im to -d ay a n d h is r e su m ptio n o f f ly -

catc h in g, it m ig ht a ff o rd u s a v alu ab le c lu e. H e is n ow s e em in gly q uie t fo r a

sp ell.... I s h e?— — T hat w ild y ell s e em ed t o c o m e f ro m h is r o om ....

The a tte n dan t c am e b urs tin g in to m y ro om a n d to ld m e th at R en fie ld h ad

so m eh ow m et w ith s o m e a ccid en t. H e h ad h eard h im y ell; a n d w hen h e w en t

to h im f o und h im l y in g o n h is f a ce o n t h e f lo or, a ll c o vere d w ith b lo od. I m ust go a t o nce....

CH APT ER X XI

DR. S E W ARD’S D IA RY

3 O cto ber.— Let m e p ut d ow n w ith e x actn ess a ll t h at h ap pen ed , a s w ell a s I

can r e m em ber it, s in ce la st I m ad e a n e n tr y . N ot a d eta il th at I c an r e call m ust

be f o rg otte n ; i n a ll c alm ness I m ust p ro ceed .

When I c am e to R en fie ld ’s r o om I f o und h im ly in g o n th e f lo or o n h is le ft

sid e i n a g litte rin g p ool o f b lo od. W hen I w en t t o m ove h im , i t b ecam e a t o nce

ap pare n t t h at h e h ad r e ceiv ed s o m e t e rrib le i n ju rie s; t h ere s e em ed n one o f t h at

unity o f p urp ose b etw een th e p arts o f th e b ody w hic h m ark s e v en le th arg ic

sa n ity . A s th e fa ce w as e x pose d I c o uld se e th at it w as h orrib ly b ru is e d , a s

th ough it h ad b een b eate n ag ain st th e flo or— in deed it w as fro m th e fa ce

wounds th at th e p ool o f b lo od o rig in ate d . T he a tte n dan t w ho w as k neelin g

besid e t h e b ody s a id t o m e a s w e t u rn ed h im o ver:—

“I th in k, s ir , h is b ack is b ro ken . S ee, b oth h is rig ht a rm a n d le g a n d th e

whole s id e o f h is f a ce a re p ara ly se d .” H ow s u ch a th in g c o uld h av e h ap pen ed

puzzle d th e a tte n dan t b ey ond m easu re . H e s e em ed q uite b ew ild ere d , a n d h is

bro w s w ere g ath ere d i n a s h e s a id :—

“I c an ’t u nders ta n d th e tw o th in gs. H e c o uld m ark h is fa ce lik e th at b y

beatin g h is o w n h ead o n th e flo or. I sa w a y oung w om an d o it o nce a t th e

Evers fie ld A sy lu m b efo re a n yone c o uld la y h an ds o n h er. A nd I s u ppose h e

mig ht h av e b ro ke h is n eck b y f a llin g o ut o f b ed , i f h e g ot i n a n a w kw ard k in k.

But f o r th e lif e o f m e I c an ’t im ag in e h ow th e tw o th in gs o ccu rre d . I f h is b ack

was b ro ke, h e c o uld n’t b eat h is h ead ; a n d if h is fa ce w as lik e th at b efo re th e

fa ll o ut o f b ed , t h ere w ould b e m ark s o f i t.” I s a id t o h im :—

“G o to D r. V an H els in g, a n d a sk h im to k in dly c o m e h ere a t o nce. I w an t

him w ith out a n i n sta n t’s d ela y.” T he m an r a n o ff , a n d w ith in a f e w m in ute s t h e

Pro fe sso r, in h is d re ssin g g ow n a n d s lip pers , a p peare d . W hen h e s a w R en fie ld

on th e g ro und, h e lo oked k een ly a t h im a m om en t, a n d th en tu rn ed to m e. I

th in k he re co gnis e d m y th ought in m y ey es, fo r he sa id very quie tly ,

man if e stly f o r t h e e ars o f t h e a tte n dan t:—

“A h, a sa d accid en t! H e w ill need very care fu l w atc h in g, an d m uch

atte n tio n. I s h all s ta y w ith y ou m yse lf ; b ut I s h all f ir s t d re ss m yse lf . I f y ou w ill

re m ain I s h all i n a f e w m in ute s j o in y ou.”

The p atie n t w as n ow b re ath in g s te rto ro usly a n d it w as e asy to s e e th at h e had su ff e re d so m e te rrib le in ju ry . V an H els in g re tu rn ed w ith ex tr a o rd in ary

cele rity , b earin g w ith h im a s u rg ic al c ase . H e h ad e v id en tly b een th in kin g a n d

had his m in d m ad e up; fo r, alm ost befo re he lo oked at th e patie n t, he

whis p ere d t o m e:—

“S en d th e a tte n dan t a w ay. W e m ust b e a lo ne w ith h im w hen h e b eco m es

co nsc io us, a fte r t h e o pera tio n.” S o I s a id :—

“I th in k th at w ill d o n ow , S im mons. W e h av e d one all th at w e can at

pre se n t. Y ou h ad b ette r g o y our r o und, a n d D r. V an H els in g w ill o pera te . L et

me k now i n sta n tly i f t h ere b e a n yth in g u nusu al a n yw here .”

The m an w ith dre w , a n d w e w en t in to a s tr ic t e x am in atio n o f th e p atie n t.

The w ounds of th e fa ce w as su perfic ia l; th e re al in ju ry w as a dep re sse d

fra ctu re o f th e s k ull, e x te n din g r ig ht u p th ro ugh th e m oto r a re a. T he P ro fe sso r

th ought a m om en t a n d s a id :—

“W e m ust r e d uce th e p re ssu re a n d g et b ack to n orm al c o nditio ns, a s f a r a s

can b e; t h e r a p id ity o f t h e s u ff u sio n s h ow s t h e t e rrib le n atu re o f h is i n ju ry . T he

whole m oto r are a se em s aff e cte d . T he su ff u sio n o f th e b ra in w ill in cre ase

quic k ly , so w e m ust tr e p hin e at o nce o r it m ay b e to o la te .” A s h e w as

sp eak in g th ere w as a s o ft ta p pin g a t th e d oor. I w en t o ver a n d o pen ed it a n d

fo und i n t h e c o rrid or w ith out, A rth ur a n d Q uin cey i n p aja m as a n d s lip pers : t h e

fo rm er s p oke:—

“I h eard y our m an c all u p D r. V an H els in g a n d t e ll h im o f a n a ccid en t. S o I

woke Q uin cey o r ra th er calle d fo r h im as h e w as n ot asle ep . T hin gs are

movin g to o q uic k ly an d to o str a n gely fo r so und sle ep fo r an y o f u s th ese

tim es. I ’v e b een t h in kin g t h at t o -m orro w n ig ht w ill n ot s e e t h in gs a s t h ey h av e

been . W e’ll h av e to lo ok b ack — an d f o rw ard a little m ore th an w e h av e d one.

May w e c o m e i n ?” I n odded , a n d h eld t h e d oor o pen t ill t h ey h ad e n te re d ; t h en

I c lo se d it a g ain . W hen Q uin cey s a w th e a ttitu de a n d s ta te o f th e p atie n t, a n d

note d t h e h orrib le p ool o n t h e f lo or, h e s a id s o ftly :—

“M y G od! w hat h as h ap pen ed t o h im ? P oor, p oor d ev il! ” I t o ld h im b rie fly ,

an d ad ded th at w e ex pecte d he w ould re co ver co nsc io usn ess afte r th e

opera tio n— fo r a s h ort t im e, a t a ll e v en ts . H e w en t a t o nce a n d s a t d ow n o n t h e

ed ge o f t h e b ed , w ith G odalm in g b esid e h im ; w e a ll w atc h ed i n p atie n ce.

“W e s h all w ait,” s a id V an H els in g, “ ju st lo ng e n ough to fix th e b est s p ot

fo r tr e p hin in g, s o th at w e m ay m ost q uic k ly a n d p erfe ctly re m ove th e b lo od

clo t; f o r i t i s e v id en t t h at t h e h æ m orrh ag e i s i n cre asin g.”

The m in ute s d urin g w hic h w e w aite d p asse d w ith f e arfu l s lo w ness. I h ad a

horrib le s in kin g in m y h eart, a n d fro m V an H els in g’s fa ce I g ath ere d th at h e

fe lt s o m e fe ar o r a p pre h en sio n a s to w hat w as to c o m e. I d re ad ed th e w ord s

th at R en fie ld m ig ht s p eak . I w as p ositiv ely a fra id to th in k; b ut th e c o nvic tio n of w hat w as c o m in g w as o n m e, a s I h av e re ad o f m en w ho h av e h eard th e

death -w atc h . T he p oor m an ’s b re ath in g c am e in u ncerta in g asp s. E ach in sta n t

he s e em ed a s t h ough h e w ould o pen h is e y es a n d s p eak ; b ut t h en w ould f o llo w

a pro lo nged ste rto ro us bre ath , an d he w ould re la p se in to a m ore fix ed

in se n sib ility . In ure d a s I w as to s ic k b ed s a n d d eath , th is s u sp en se g re w , a n d

gre w u pon m e. I c o uld a lm ost h ear t h e b eatin g o f m y o w n h eart; a n d t h e b lo od

su rg in g th ro ugh m y te m ple s s o unded lik e b lo w s fro m a h am mer. T he s ile n ce

fin ally b ecam e a g onis in g. I lo oked a t m y c o m pan io ns, o ne a fte r a n oth er, a n d

sa w fro m th eir flu sh ed fa ces a n d d am p b ro w s th at th ey w ere e n durin g e q ual

to rtu re . T here w as a n erv ous s u sp en se o ver u s a ll, a s th ough o verh ead s o m e

dre ad b ell w ould p eal o ut p ow erfu lly w hen w e s h ould l e ast e x pect i t.

At la st th ere c am e a tim e w hen it w as e v id en t th at th e p atie n t w as s in kin g

fa st; h e m ig ht d ie a t a n y m om en t. I lo oked u p a t th e P ro fe sso r a n d c au ght h is

ey es f ix ed o n m in e. H is f a ce w as s te rn ly s e t a s h e s p oke:—

“T here i s n o t im e t o l o se . H is w ord s m ay b e w orth m an y l iv es; I h av e b een

th in kin g s o , a s I s to od h ere . I t m ay b e t h ere i s a s o ul a t s ta k e! W e s h all o pera te

ju st a b ove t h e e ar.”

With out an oth er w ord h e m ad e th e o pera tio n. F or a fe w m om en ts th e

bre ath in g c o ntin ued to b e s te rto ro us. T hen th ere c am e a b re ath s o p ro lo nged

th at it se em ed as th ough it w ould te ar o pen h is ch est. S udden ly h is ey es

open ed , a n d b ecam e fix ed in a w ild , h elp le ss s ta re . T his w as c o ntin ued fo r a

fe w m om en ts ; th en it s o fte n ed in to a g la d s u rp ris e , a n d fro m th e lip s c am e a

sig h o f r e lie f. H e m oved c o nvuls iv ely , a n d a s h e d id s o , s a id :—

“I’ll b e q uie t, D octo r. T ell t h em t o t a k e o ff t h e s tr a it- w ais tc o at. I h av e h ad a

te rrib le d re am , a n d it h as le ft m e s o w eak th at I c an not m ove. W hat’s w ro ng

with m y fa ce? it fe els a ll s w olle n , a n d it s m arts d re ad fu lly .” H e tr ie d to tu rn

his h ead ; b ut e v en w ith th e e ff o rt h is e y es s e em ed to g ro w g la ssy a g ain s o I

gen tly p ut i t b ack . T hen V an H els in g s a id i n a q uie t g ra v e t o ne:—

“T ell us your dre am , M r. R en fie ld .” A s he heard th e voic e his fa ce

brig hte n ed , t h ro ugh i ts m utila tio n, a n d h e s a id :—

“T hat is D r. V an H els in g. H ow g ood it is o f y ou to b e h ere . G iv e m e s o m e

wate r, m y lip s a re d ry ; a n d I s h all tr y to te ll y ou. I d re am ed ”— he s to pped a n d

se em ed f a in tin g, I c alle d q uie tly to Q uin cey — “T he b ra n dy— it is in m y s tu dy

—quic k !” H e fle w a n d re tu rn ed w ith a g la ss, th e d ecan te r o f b ra n dy a n d a

cara fe of w ate r. W e m ois te n ed th e parc h ed lip s, an d th e patie n t quic k ly

re v iv ed . It s e em ed , h ow ev er, th at h is p oor in ju re d b ra in h ad b een w ork in g in

th e i n te rv al, f o r, w hen h e w as q uite c o nsc io us, h e l o oked a t m e p ie rc in gly w ith

an a g onis e d c o nfu sio n w hic h I s h all n ev er f o rg et, a n d s a id :—

“I m ust n ot d eceiv e m yse lf ; it w as n o d re am , b ut a ll a g rim r e ality .” T hen his e y es r o ved r o und th e r o om ; a s th ey c au ght s ig ht o f th e tw o f ig ure s s ittin g

patie n tly o n t h e e d ge o f t h e b ed h e w en t o n:—

“If I w ere n ot s u re a lr e ad y, I w ould k now fro m th em .” F or a n in sta n t h is

ey es clo se d — not w ith pain or sle ep but volu nta rily , as th ough he w ere

brin gin g a ll h is f a cu ltie s to b ear; w hen h e o pen ed th em h e s a id , h urrie d ly , a n d

with m ore e n erg y t h an h e h ad y et d is p la y ed :—

“Q uic k , D octo r, q uic k . I a m d yin g! I f e el t h at I h av e b ut a f e w m in ute s; a n d

th en I m ust g o b ack to d eath — or w ors e ! W et m y lip s w ith b ra n dy a g ain . I

hav e s o m eth in g th at I m ust s a y b efo re I d ie ; o r b efo re m y p oor c ru sh ed b ra in

die s a n yhow . T han k y ou! I t w as th at n ig ht a fte r y ou le ft m e, w hen I im plo re d

you t o l e t m e g o a w ay. I c o uld n’t s p eak t h en , f o r I f e lt m y t o ngue w as t ie d ; b ut

I w as a s sa n e th en , e x cep t in th at w ay, a s I a m n ow . I w as in a n a g ony o f

desp air f o r a lo ng tim e a fte r y ou le ft m e; it s e em ed h ours . T hen th ere c am e a

su dden p eace to m e. M y b ra in s e em ed to b eco m e c o ol a g ain , a n d I re alis e d

where I w as. I h eard th e d ogs b ark b eh in d o ur h ouse , b ut n ot w here H e w as!”

As h e s p oke, V an H els in g’s e y es n ev er b lin ked , b ut h is h an d c am e o ut a n d m et

min e a n d g rip ped it h ard . H e d id n ot, h ow ev er, b etr a y h im se lf ; h e n odded

slig htly a n d s a id : “ G o o n,” i n a l o w v oic e. R en fie ld p ro ceed ed :—

“H e c am e u p t o t h e w in dow i n t h e m is t, a s I h ad s e en h im o fte n b efo re ; b ut

he w as s o lid th en — not a g host, a n d h is e y es w ere fie rc e lik e a m an ’s w hen

an gry . H e w as l a u ghin g w ith h is r e d m outh ; t h e s h arp w hite t e eth g lin te d i n t h e

moonlig ht w hen h e tu rn ed to lo ok b ack o ver th e b elt o f tr e es, to w here th e

dogs w ere b ark in g. I w ould n’t a sk h im to c o m e in a t fir s t, th ough I k new h e

wan te d to — ju st a s h e h ad w an te d a ll a lo ng. T hen h e b eg an p ro m is in g m e

th in gs— not in w ord s b ut b y d oin g th em .” H e w as in te rru pte d b y a w ord f ro m

th e P ro fe sso r:—

“H ow ?”

“B y m ak in g th em h ap pen ; ju st a s h e u se d to s e n d in th e f lie s w hen th e s u n

was s h in in g. G re at b ig f a t o nes w ith s te el a n d s a p phir e o n t h eir w in gs; a n d b ig

moth s, in th e n ig ht, w ith s k ull a n d c ro ss-b ones o n th eir b ack s.” V an H els in g

nodded t o h im a s h e w his p ere d t o m e u nco nsc io usly :—

“T he A ch ero ntia A ite tr o pos o f th e S phin ges— what y ou c all th e ‘ D eath ’s -

head M oth ’? ” T he p atie n t w en t o n w ith out s to ppin g.

“T hen h e b eg an t o w his p er: ‘ R ats , r a ts , r a ts ! H undre d s, t h ousa n ds, m illio ns

of th em , a n d e v ery o ne a lif e ; a n d d ogs to e at th em , a n d c ats to o. A ll liv es! a ll

re d b lo od, w ith y ears o f lif e in it; a n d n ot m ere ly b uzzin g f lie s!’ I la u ghed a t

him , fo r I w an te d to se e w hat h e co uld d o. T hen th e d ogs h ow le d , aw ay

bey ond th e d ark tr e es in H is h o use . H e b eck oned m e to th e w in dow . I g ot u p

an d lo oked o ut, a n d H e r a is e d h is h an ds, a n d s e em ed to c all o ut w ith out u sin g an y w ord s. A d ark m ass s p re ad o ver th e g ra ss, c o m in g o n lik e th e s h ap e o f a

fla m e o f f ir e ; a n d t h en H e m oved t h e m is t t o t h e r ig ht a n d l e ft, a n d I c o uld s e e

th at th ere w ere th ousa n ds o f ra ts w ith th eir e y es b la zin g re d — lik e H is , o nly

sm alle r. H e h eld u p h is h an d, a n d t h ey a ll s to pped ; a n d I t h ought h e s e em ed t o

be sa y in g: ‘A ll th ese liv es w ill I g iv e y ou, a y, a n d m an y m ore a n d g re ate r,

th ro ugh c o untle ss a g es, i f y ou w ill f a ll d ow n a n d w ors h ip m e!’ A nd t h en a r e d

clo ud, lik e th e c o lo ur o f b lo od, s e em ed to c lo se o ver m y e y es; a n d b efo re I

knew w hat I w as d oin g, I f o und m yse lf o pen in g th e s a sh a n d s a y in g to H im :

‘C om e i n , L ord a n d M aste r!’ T he r a ts w ere a ll g one, b ut H e s lid i n to t h e r o om

th ro ugh th e sa sh , th ough it w as o nly o pen a n in ch w id e— ju st a s th e M oon

hers e lf h as o fte n c o m e in th ro ugh th e tin ie st c ra ck a n d h as s to od b efo re m e in

all h er s iz e a n d s p le n dour.”

His v oic e w as w eak er, s o I m ois te n ed h is lip s w ith th e b ra n dy a g ain , a n d

he c o ntin ued ; b ut i t s e em ed a s t h ough h is m em ory h ad g one o n w ork in g i n t h e

in te rv al f o r h is s to ry w as f u rth er a d van ced . I w as a b out t o c all h im b ack t o t h e

poin t, b ut V an H els in g w his p ere d t o m e: “ L et h im g o o n. D o n ot i n te rru pt h im ;

he c an not g o b ack , a n d m ay be c o uld n ot p ro ceed a t a ll if o nce h e lo st th e

th re ad o f h is t h ought.” H e p ro ceed ed :—

“A ll d ay I w aite d to h ear f ro m h im , b ut h e d id n ot s e n d m e a n yth in g, n ot

ev en a b lo w -fly , a n d w hen t h e m oon g ot u p I w as p re tty a n gry w ith h im . W hen

he s lid in th ro ugh th e w in dow , th ough it w as s h ut, a n d d id n ot e v en k nock , I

got m ad w ith h im . H e s n eere d a t m e, a n d h is w hite f a ce l o oked o ut o f t h e m is t

with h is re d e y es g le am in g, a n d h e w en t o n a s th ough h e o w ned th e w hole

pla ce, a n d I w as n o o ne. H e d id n’t e v en s m ell th e s a m e a s h e w en t b y m e. I

co uld n’t h old h im . I th ought th at, s o m eh ow , M rs . H ark er h ad c o m e in to th e

ro om .”

The tw o m en s ittin g o n th e b ed s to od u p a n d c am e o ver, s ta n din g b eh in d

him s o t h at h e c o uld n ot s e e t h em , b ut w here t h ey c o uld h ear b ette r. T hey w ere

both sile n t, b ut th e P ro fe sso r sta rte d a n d q uiv ere d ; h is fa ce, h ow ev er, g re w

grim mer a n d s te rn er s till. R en fie ld w en t o n w ith out n otic in g:—

“W hen M rs . H ark er c am e in to s e e m e th is a fte rn oon s h e w asn ’t th e s a m e;

it w as lik e te a a fte r th e te ap ot h ad b een w ate re d .” H ere w e a ll m oved , b ut n o

one s a id a w ord ; h e w en t o n:—

“I d id n’t k now th at sh e w as h ere till sh e sp oke; a n d sh e d id n’t lo ok th e

sa m e. I d on’t c are f o r th e p ale p eo ple ; I lik e th em w ith lo ts o f b lo od in th em ,

an d h ers h ad a ll s e em ed to h av e ru n o ut. I d id n’t th in k o f it a t th e tim e; b ut

when s h e w en t a w ay I b eg an to th in k, a n d it m ad e m e m ad to k now th at H e

had b een t a k in g t h e l if e o ut o f h er.” I c o uld f e el t h at t h e r e st q uiv ere d , a s I d id ,

but w e re m ain ed o th erw is e s till. “ S o w hen H e c am e to -n ig ht I w as re ad y fo r

Him . I s a w t h e m is t s te alin g i n , a n d I g ra b bed i t t ig ht. I h ad h eard t h at m ad m en hav e u nnatu ra l s tr e n gth ; a n d a s I k new I w as a m ad m an — at tim es a n yhow — I

re so lv ed t o u se m y p ow er. A y, a n d H e f e lt i t t o o, f o r H e h ad t o c o m e o ut o f t h e

mis t to s tr u ggle w ith m e. I h eld tig ht; a n d I th ought I w as g oin g to w in , f o r I

did n’t m ean H im t o t a k e a n y m ore o f h er l if e , t ill I s a w H is e y es. T hey b urn ed

in to m e, a n d m y s tr e n gth b ecam e l ik e w ate r. H e s lip ped t h ro ugh i t, a n d w hen I

tr ie d to c lin g to H im , H e ra is e d m e u p a n d flu ng m e d ow n. T here w as a re d

clo ud b efo re m e, a n d a n ois e lik e th under, a n d th e m is t s e em ed to s te al a w ay

under th e door.” H is voic e w as beco m in g fa in te r an d his bre ath m ore

ste rto ro us. V an H els in g s to od u p i n stin ctiv ely .

“W e k now th e w ors t n ow ,” h e s a id . “ H e is h ere , a n d w e k now h is p urp ose .

It m ay n ot b e to o la te . L et u s b e a rm ed — th e s a m e a s w e w ere th e o th er n ig ht,

but l o se n o t im e; t h ere i s n ot a n i n sta n t t o s p are .” T here w as n o n eed t o p ut o ur

fe ar, n ay o ur co nvic tio n, in to w ord s— we sh are d th em in co m mon. W e all

hurrie d a n d t o ok f ro m o ur r o om s t h e s a m e t h in gs t h at w e h ad w hen w e e n te re d

th e C ount’s h ouse . T he P ro fe sso r h ad h is r e ad y, a n d a s w e m et in th e c o rrid or

he p oin te d t o t h em s ig nif ic an tly a s h e s a id :—

“T hey n ev er l e av e m e; a n d t h ey s h all n ot t ill t h is u nhap py b usin ess i s o ver.

Be w is e a ls o , m y frie n ds. It is n o c o m mon e n em y th at w e d eal w ith . A la s!

ala s! th at th at d ear M ad am M in a s h ould s u ff e r!” H e s to pped ; h is v oic e w as

bre ak in g, a n d I d o n ot k now i f r a g e o r t e rro r p re d om in ate d i n m y o w n h eart.

Outs id e th e H ark ers ’ d oor w e p au se d . A rt a n d Q uin cey h eld b ack , a n d th e

la tte r s a id :—

“S hould w e d is tu rb h er? ”

“W e m ust,” s a id V an H els in g g rim ly . “ If t h e d oor b e l o ck ed , I s h all b re ak i t

in .”

“M ay i t n ot f rig hte n h er t e rrib ly ? I t i s u nusu al t o b re ak i n to a l a d y’s r o om !”

Van H els in g s a id s o le m nly , “ Y ou a re a lw ay s r ig ht; b ut t h is i s l if e a n d d eath .

All c h am bers a re a lik e t o t h e d octo r; a n d e v en w ere t h ey n ot t h ey a re a ll a s o ne

to m e to -n ig ht. F rie n d J o hn, w hen I tu rn th e h an dle , if th e d oor d oes n ot o pen ,

do y ou p ut y our s h ould er d ow n a n d s h ove; a n d y ou t o o, m y f rie n ds. N ow !”

He tu rn ed th e h an dle a s h e sp oke, b ut th e d oor d id n ot y ie ld . W e th re w

ours e lv es a g ain st it; w ith a c ra sh it b urs t o pen , a n d w e a lm ost fe ll h ead lo ng

in to th e ro om . T he P ro fe sso r d id a ctu ally fa ll, a n d I sa w a cro ss h im a s h e

gath ere d h im se lf u p f ro m h an ds a n d k nees. W hat I s a w a p palle d m e. I f e lt m y

hair ris e lik e b ris tle s o n th e b ack o f m y n eck , a n d m y h eart s e em ed to s ta n d

still.

The m oonlig ht w as s o b rig ht th at th ro ugh th e th ic k y ello w b lin d th e r o om

was lig ht e n ough to s e e. O n th e b ed b esid e th e w in dow la y J o nath an H ark er, his f a ce f lu sh ed a n d b re ath in g h eav ily a s th ough in a s tu por. K neelin g o n th e

near e d ge o f t h e b ed f a cin g o utw ard s w as t h e w hite -c la d f ig ure o f h is w if e . B y

her s id e s to od a ta ll, th in m an , c la d in b la ck . H is f a ce w as tu rn ed f ro m u s, b ut

th e in sta n t w e sa w w e a ll re co gnis e d th e C ount— in e v ery w ay, e v en to th e

sc ar o n h is fo re h ead . W ith h is le ft h an d h e h eld b oth M rs . H ark er’s h an ds,

keep in g t h em a w ay w ith h er a rm s a t f u ll t e n sio n; h is r ig ht h an d g rip ped h er b y

th e back of th e neck , fo rc in g her fa ce dow n on his boso m . H er w hite

nig htd re ss w as s m eare d w ith b lo od, a n d a t h in s tr e am t r ic k le d d ow n t h e m an ’s

bare b re ast w hic h w as s h ow n b y h is to rn -o pen d re ss. T he a ttitu de o f th e tw o

had a te rrib le re se m bla n ce to a c h ild fo rc in g a k itte n ’s n ose in to a s a u cer o f

milk to c o m pel it to d rin k. A s w e b urs t in to th e ro om , th e C ount tu rn ed h is

fa ce, a n d t h e h ellis h l o ok t h at I h ad h eard d esc rib ed s e em ed t o l e ap i n to i t. H is

ey es f la m ed r e d w ith d ev ilis h p assio n; th e g re at n ostr ils o f th e w hite a q uilin e

nose o pen ed w id e a n d q uiv ere d a t th e e d ge; a n d th e w hite s h arp te eth , b eh in d

th e fu ll lip s o f th e b lo od-d rip pin g m outh , c h am ped to geth er lik e th ose o f a

wild b east. W ith a w re n ch , w hic h th re w h is v ic tim b ack u pon th e b ed as

th ough h urle d f ro m a h eig ht, h e tu rn ed a n d s p ra n g a t u s. B ut b y th is tim e th e

Pro fe sso r h ad g ain ed h is fe et, an d w as h old in g to w ard s h im th e en velo pe

whic h c o nta in ed th e S acre d W afe r. T he C ount s u dden ly s to pped , ju st a s p oor

Lucy h ad d one o uts id e th e to m b, a n d c o w ere d b ack . F urth er a n d f u rth er b ack

he c o w ere d , a s w e, lif tin g o ur c ru cif ix es, a d van ced . T he m oonlig ht s u dden ly

fa ile d , a s a g re at b la ck c lo ud sa ile d a cro ss th e sk y; a n d w hen th e g aslig ht

sp ra n g u p u nder Q uin cey ’s m atc h , w e s a w n oth in g b ut a f a in t v ap our. T his , a s

we l o oked , t r a ile d u nder t h e d oor, w hic h w ith t h e r e co il f ro m i ts b urs tin g o pen ,

had s w ung b ack to its o ld p ositio n. V an H els in g, A rt, a n d I m oved f o rw ard to

Mrs . H ark er, w ho b y th is tim e h ad d ra w n h er b re ath a n d w ith it h ad g iv en a

sc re am s o w ild , s o e ar- p ie rc in g, s o d esp air in g th at it s e em s to m e n ow th at it

will rin g in m y ears till m y d yin g d ay. F or a fe w se co nds sh e la y in h er

help le ss a ttitu de a n d d is a rra y. H er fa ce w as g hastly , w ith a p allo r w hic h w as

accen tu ate d b y th e b lo od w hic h s m eare d h er lip s a n d c h eek s a n d c h in ; fro m

her th ro at tr ic k le d a th in s tr e am o f b lo od; h er e y es w ere m ad w ith te rro r. T hen

sh e p ut b efo re h er f a ce h er p oor c ru sh ed h an ds, w hic h b ore o n th eir w hite n ess

th e re d m ark o f th e C ount’s te rrib le g rip , a n d fro m b eh in d th em c am e a lo w

deso la te w ail w hic h m ad e th e te rrib le s c re am s e em o nly th e q uic k e x pre ssio n

of a n e n dle ss g rie f. V an H els in g s te p ped f o rw ard a n d d re w th e c o verle t g en tly

over h er b ody, w hils t A rt, a fte r lo okin g a t h er f a ce f o r a n in sta n t d esp air in gly ,

ra n o ut o f t h e r o om . V an H els in g w his p ere d t o m e:—

“Jo nath an i s i n a s tu por s u ch a s w e k now t h e V am pir e c an p ro duce. W e c an

do noth in g w ith poor M ad am M in a fo r a fe w m om en ts till sh e re co vers

hers e lf ; I m ust w ak e h im !” H e d ip ped th e e n d o f a to w el in c o ld w ate r a n d

with it b eg an to f lic k h im o n th e f a ce, h is w if e a ll th e w hile h old in g h er f a ce

betw een h er h an ds a n d so bbin g in a w ay th at w as h eart- b re ak in g to h ear. I ra is e d th e b lin d, a n d lo oked o ut o f th e w in dow . T here w as m uch m oonsh in e;

an d a s I lo oked I c o uld se e Q uin cey M orris ru n a cro ss th e la w n a n d h id e

him se lf in th e s h ad ow o f a g re at y ew -tr e e. I t p uzzle d m e to th in k w hy h e w as

doin g t h is ; b ut a t t h e i n sta n t I h eard H ark er’s q uic k e x cla m atio n a s h e w oke t o

partia l c o nsc io usn ess, a n d tu rn ed to th e b ed . O n h is f a ce, a s th ere m ig ht w ell

be, w as a lo ok o f w ild a m azem en t. H e s e em ed d azed fo r a fe w s e co nds, a n d

th en fu ll c o nsc io usn ess s e em ed to b urs t u pon h im a ll a t o nce, a n d h e s ta rte d

up. H is w if e w as a ro use d b y th e q uic k m ovem en t, a n d tu rn ed to h im w ith h er

arm s str e tc h ed o ut, a s th ough to e m bra ce h im ; in sta n tly , h ow ev er, sh e d re w

th em i n a g ain , a n d p uttin g h er e lb ow s t o geth er, h eld h er h an ds b efo re h er f a ce,

an d s h uddere d t ill t h e b ed b en eath h er s h ook.

“In G od’s n am e w hat d oes th is m ean ?” H ark er c rie d o ut. “ D r. S ew ard , D r.

Van H els in g, w hat is it? W hat h as h ap pen ed ? W hat is w ro ng? M in a, d ear,

what is it? W hat d oes th at b lo od m ean ? M y G od, m y G od! h as it c o m e to

th is !” an d, ra is in g h im se lf to h is k nees, h e b eat h is h an ds w ild ly to geth er.

“G ood G od h elp u s! h elp h er! o h, h elp h er!” W ith a q uic k m ovem en t h e

ju m ped f ro m b ed , a n d b eg an t o p ull o n h is c lo th es,— all t h e m an i n h im a w ak e

at th e n eed f o r in sta n t e x ertio n. “ W hat h as h ap pen ed ? T ell m e a ll a b out it! ” h e

crie d w ith out p au sin g. “D r. V an H els in g, y ou lo ve M in a, I k now . O h, d o

so m eth in g to s a v e h er. I t c an not h av e g one to o f a r y et. G uard h er w hile I lo ok

fo r h im !” H is w if e , th ro ugh h er te rro r a n d h orro r a n d d is tr e ss, s a w s o m e s u re

dan ger to h im : in sta n tly f o rg ettin g h er o w n g rie f, s h e s e iz ed h old o f h im a n d

crie d o ut:—

“N o! n o! Jo nath an , y ou m ust n ot le av e m e. I h av e su ff e re d e n ough to -

nig ht, G od k now s, w ith out th e d re ad o f h is h arm in g y ou. Y ou m ust s ta y w ith

me. S ta y w ith t h ese f rie n ds w ho w ill w atc h o ver y ou!” H er e x pre ssio n b ecam e

fra n tic a s s h e s p oke; a n d, h e y ie ld in g to h er, s h e p ulle d h im d ow n s ittin g o n

th e b ed s id e, a n d c lu ng t o h im f ie rc ely .

Van H els in g a n d I tr ie d to c alm th em b oth . T he P ro fe sso r h eld u p h is little

gold en c ru cif ix , a n d s a id w ith w onderfu l c alm ness:—

“D o n ot f e ar, m y d ear. W e a re h ere ; a n d w hils t th is is c lo se to y ou n o f o ul

th in g c an a p pro ach . Y ou a re s a fe f o r to -n ig ht; a n d w e m ust b e c alm a n d ta k e

co unse l to geth er.” S he s h uddere d a n d w as s ile n t, h old in g d ow n h er h ead o n

her h usb an d’s b re ast. W hen s h e r a is e d i t, h is w hite n ig ht- ro be w as s ta in ed w ith

blo od w here h er lip s h ad to uch ed , a n d w here th e th in o pen w ound in h er n eck

had s e n t fo rth d ro ps. T he in sta n t s h e s a w it s h e d re w b ack , w ith a lo w w ail,

an d w his p ere d , a m id st c h okin g s o bs:—

“U ncle an , u ncle an ! I m ust to uch h im o r k is s h im n o m ore . O h, th at it

sh ould b e th at it is I w ho a m n ow h is w ors t e n em y, a n d w hom h e m ay h av e

most c au se t o f e ar.” T o t h is h e s p oke o ut r e so lu te ly :— “N onse n se , M in a. I t i s a s h am e t o m e t o h ear s u ch a w ord . I w ould n ot h ear

it o f y ou; a n d I s h all n ot h ear it f ro m y ou. M ay G od ju dge m e b y m y d ese rts ,

an d p unis h m e w ith m ore b itte r s u ff e rin g th an e v en th is h our, if b y a n y a ct o r

will o f m in e a n yth in g e v er c o m e b etw een u s!” H e p ut o ut h is a rm s a n d f o ld ed

her to h is b re ast; a n d f o r a w hile s h e la y th ere s o bbin g. H e lo oked a t u s o ver

her b ow ed h ead , w ith e y es th at b lin ked d am ply a b ove h is q uiv erin g n ostr ils ;

his m outh w as s e t a s s te el. A fte r a w hile h er s o bs b ecam e le ss fre q uen t a n d

more f a in t, a n d th en h e s a id to m e, s p eak in g w ith a s tu die d c alm ness w hic h I

fe lt t r ie d h is n erv ous p ow er t o t h e u tm ost:—

“A nd n ow , D r. S ew ard , t e ll m e a ll a b out i t. T oo w ell I k now t h e b ro ad f a ct;

te ll m e all th at h as b een .” I to ld h im ex actly w hat h ad h ap pen ed , an d h e

lis te n ed w ith se em in g im passiv en ess; b ut h is n ostr ils tw itc h ed a n d h is e y es

bla zed a s I to ld h ow th e r u th le ss h an ds o f th e C ount h ad h eld h is w if e in th at

te rrib le a n d h orrid p ositio n, w ith h er m outh t o t h e o pen w ound i n h is b re ast. I t

in te re ste d m e, e v en a t th at m om en t, to s e e, th at, w hils t th e fa ce o f w hite s e t

passio n w ork ed c o nvuls iv ely o ver th e b ow ed h ead , th e h an ds te n derly a n d

lo vin gly str o ked th e ru ff le d hair. Ju st as I had fin is h ed , Q uin cey an d

Godalm in g k nock ed a t th e d oor. T hey e n te re d in o bed ie n ce to o ur s u m mons.

Van H els in g lo oked a t m e q uestio nin gly . I u nders to od h im to m ean if w e w ere

to ta k e a d van ta g e o f th eir c o m in g to d iv ert if p ossib le th e th oughts o f th e

unhap py husb an d an d w if e fro m each oth er an d fro m th em se lv es; so on

noddin g a cq uie sc en ce to h im h e a sk ed th em w hat th ey h ad s e en o r d one. T o

whic h L ord G odalm in g a n sw ere d :—

“I c o uld n ot s e e h im a n yw here in th e p assa g e, o r in a n y o f o ur ro om s. I

lo oked in th e stu dy b ut, th ough h e h ad b een th ere , h e h ad g one. H e h ad ,

how ev er— —” H e s to pped s u dden ly , lo okin g a t th e p oor d ro opin g fig ure o n

th e b ed . V an H els in g s a id g ra v ely :—

“G o o n, f rie n d A rth ur. W e w an t h ere n o m ore c o ncealm en ts . O ur h ope n ow

is i n k now in g a ll. T ell f re ely !” S o A rt w en t o n:—

“H e h ad b een th ere , a n d th ough it c o uld o nly h av e b een f o r a f e w s e co nds,

he m ad e ra re h ay o f th e p la ce. A ll th e m an usc rip t h ad b een b urn ed , a n d th e

blu e fla m es w ere flic k erin g a m ongst th e w hite a sh es; th e c y lin ders o f y our

phonogra p h to o w ere th ro w n o n th e f ir e , a n d th e w ax h ad h elp ed th e f la m es.”

Here I i n te rru pte d . “ T han k G od t h ere i s t h e o th er c o py i n t h e s a fe !” H is f a ce l it

fo r a m om en t, b ut f e ll a g ain a s h e w en t o n: “ I r a n d ow nsta ir s th en , b ut c o uld

se e n o s ig n o f h im . I l o oked i n to R en fie ld ’s r o om ; b ut t h ere w as n o t r a ce t h ere

ex cep t— —!” A gain h e p au se d . “ G o o n,” s a id H ark er h oars e ly ; s o h e b ow ed

his h ead a n d m ois te n in g h is lip s w ith h is to ngue, a d ded : “ ex cep t th at th e p oor

fe llo w is d ead .” M rs . H ark er r a is e d h er h ead , lo okin g f ro m o ne to th e o th er o f

us s h e s a id s o le m nly :— “G od’s w ill b e d one!” I co uld n ot b ut fe el th at A rt w as k eep in g b ack

so m eth in g; b ut, a s I to ok it th at it w as w ith a p urp ose , I sa id n oth in g. V an

Hels in g t u rn ed t o M orris a n d a sk ed :—

“A nd y ou, f rie n d Q uin cey, h av e y ou a n y t o t e ll? ”

“A little ,” h e a n sw ere d . “ It m ay b e m uch e v en tu ally , b ut a t p re se n t I c an ’t

sa y. I th ought it w ell to k now if p ossib le w here th e C ount w ould g o w hen h e

le ft th e h ouse . I d id n ot s e e h im ; b ut I s a w a b at r is e f ro m R en fie ld ’s w in dow ,

an d f la p w estw ard . I e x pecte d t o s e e h im i n s o m e s h ap e g o b ack t o C arfa x ; b ut

he e v id en tly s o ught s o m e o th er l a ir. H e w ill n ot b e b ack t o -n ig ht; f o r t h e s k y i s

re d den in g i n t h e e ast, a n d t h e d aw n i s c lo se . W e m ust w ork t o -m orro w !”

He s a id th e la tte r w ord s th ro ugh h is s h ut te eth . F or a s p ace o f p erh ap s a

co uple o f m in ute s th ere w as s ile n ce, a n d I c o uld fa n cy th at I c o uld h ear th e

so und o f o ur h earts b eatin g; th en V an H els in g sa id , p la cin g h is h an d v ery

te n derly o n M rs . H ark er’s h ead :—

“A nd n ow , M ad am M in a— poor, d ear, d ear M ad am M in a— te ll u s e x actly

what h ap pen ed . G od k now s th at I d o n ot w an t th at y ou b e p ain ed ; b ut it is

need th at w e k now a ll. F or n ow m ore th an e v er h as a ll w ork to b e d one q uic k

an d s h arp , a n d in d ead ly e arn est. T he d ay is c lo se to u s th at m ust e n d a ll, if it

may b e s o ; a n d n ow i s t h e c h an ce t h at w e m ay l iv e a n d l e arn .”

The p oor, d ear la d y s h iv ere d , a n d I c o uld s e e th e te n sio n o f h er n erv es a s

sh e c la sp ed h er h usb an d c lo se r to h er a n d b en t h er h ead lo w er a n d lo w er s till

on h is b re ast. T hen s h e r a is e d h er h ead p ro udly , a n d h eld o ut o ne h an d to V an

Hels in g w ho to ok it in h is , a n d, a fte r s to opin g a n d k is sin g it r e v ere n tly , h eld it

fa st. T he o th er h an d w as l o ck ed i n t h at o f h er h usb an d, w ho h eld h is o th er a rm

th ro w n ro und h er p ro te ctin gly . A fte r a p au se in w hic h sh e w as ev id en tly

ord erin g h er t h oughts , s h e b eg an :—

“I to ok th e s le ep in g d ra u ght w hic h y ou h ad s o k in dly g iv en m e, b ut f o r a

lo ng tim e it d id n ot a ct. I s e em ed to b eco m e m ore w ak efu l, a n d m yria d s o f

horrib le f a n cie s b eg an t o c ro w d i n u pon m y m in d— all o f t h em c o nnecte d w ith

death , an d vam pir e s; w ith blo od, an d pain , an d tr o uble .” H er husb an d

in volu nta rily g ro an ed a s sh e tu rn ed to h im a n d sa id lo vin gly : “ D o n ot fre t,

dear. Y ou m ust b e b ra v e a n d s tr o ng, a n d h elp m e th ro ugh th e h orrib le ta sk . I f

you o nly k new w hat a n e ff o rt it is to m e to te ll o f th is f e arfu l th in g a t a ll, y ou

would u nders ta n d h ow m uch I n eed y our h elp . W ell, I s a w I m ust tr y to h elp

th e m ed ic in e to its w ork w ith m y w ill, if it w as to d o m e a n y g ood, so I

re so lu te ly s e t m yse lf to s le ep . S ure e n ough s le ep m ust s o on h av e c o m e to m e,

fo r I r e m em ber n o m ore . J o nath an c o m in g in h ad n ot w ak ed m e, f o r h e la y b y

my s id e w hen n ex t I re m em ber. T here w as in th e ro om th e s a m e th in w hite

mis t th at I h ad b efo re n otic ed . B ut I f o rg et n ow if y ou k now o f th is ; y ou w ill

fin d it in m y d ia ry w hic h I s h all s h ow y ou la te r. I fe lt th e s a m e v ag ue te rro r whic h h ad c o m e t o m e b efo re a n d t h e s a m e s e n se o f s o m e p re se n ce. I t u rn ed t o

wak e J o nath an , b ut f o und t h at h e s le p t s o s o undly t h at i t s e em ed a s i f i t w as h e

who h ad ta k en th e s le ep in g d ra u ght, a n d n ot I. I tr ie d , b ut I c o uld n ot w ak e

him . T his c au se d m e a g re at f e ar, a n d I lo oked a ro und te rrif ie d . T hen in deed ,

my h eart s a n k w ith in m e: b esid e t h e b ed , a s i f h e h ad s te p ped o ut o f t h e m is t—

or ra th er as if th e m is t had tu rn ed in to his fig ure , fo r it had en tir e ly

dis a p peare d — sto od a ta ll, th in m an , a ll in b la ck . I k new h im a t o nce f ro m th e

desc rip tio n o f t h e o th ers . T he w ax en f a ce; t h e h ig h a q uilin e n ose , o n w hic h t h e

lig ht fe ll in a th in w hite lin e; th e p arte d re d lip s, w ith th e s h arp w hite te eth

sh ow in g b etw een ; a n d th e re d e y es th at I h ad s e em ed to s e e in th e s u nse t o n

th e w in dow s o f S t. M ary ’s C hurc h a t W hitb y. I k new , to o, th e r e d s c ar o n h is

fo re h ead w here J o nath an h ad s tr u ck h im . F or a n in sta n t m y h eart s to od s till,

an d I w ould h av e sc re am ed o ut, o nly th at I w as p ara ly se d . In th e p au se h e

sp oke i n a s o rt o f k een , c u ttin g w his p er, p oin tin g a s h e s p oke t o J o nath an :—

“ ‘S ile n ce! If y ou m ak e a s o und I s h all ta k e h im a n d d ash h is b ra in s o ut

befo re y our v ery e y es.’ I w as a p palle d a n d w as to o b ew ild ere d to d o o r s a y

an yth in g. W ith a m ock in g s m ile , h e p la ced o ne h an d u pon m y s h ould er a n d,

hold in g m e tig ht, b are d m y th ro at w ith th e o th er, s a y in g a s h e d id s o , ‘ F ir s t, a

little r e fre sh m en t to r e w ard m y e x ertio ns. Y ou m ay a s w ell b e q uie t; it is n ot

th e fir s t tim e, o r th e s e co nd, th at y our v ein s h av e a p pease d m y th ir s t! ’ I w as

bew ild ere d , a n d, s tr a n gely e n ough, I d id n ot w an t t o h in der h im . I s u ppose i t i s

a p art o f th e h orrib le c u rs e th at s u ch is , w hen h is to uch is o n h is v ic tim . A nd

oh, m y G od, m y G od, p ity m e! H e p la ced h is re ek in g lip s u pon m y th ro at! ”

Her h usb an d g ro an ed a g ain . S he c la sp ed h is h an d h ard er, a n d lo oked a t h im

pity in gly , a s i f h e w ere t h e i n ju re d o ne, a n d w en t o n:—

“I f e lt m y s tr e n gth f a d in g a w ay, a n d I w as in a h alf s w oon. H ow lo ng th is

horrib le th in g la ste d I k now n ot; b ut it se em ed th at a lo ng tim e m ust h av e

passe d b efo re h e to ok h is f o ul, a w fu l, s n eerin g m outh a w ay. I s a w it d rip w ith

th e f re sh b lo od!” T he r e m em bra n ce s e em ed f o r a w hile to o verp ow er h er, a n d

sh e d ro oped a n d w ould h av e s u nk d ow n b ut f o r h er h usb an d’s s u sta in in g a rm .

With a g re at e ff o rt s h e r e co vere d h ers e lf a n d w en t o n:—

“T hen h e s p oke to m e m ock in gly , ‘ A nd s o y ou, lik e t h e o th ers , w ould p la y

your b ra in s a g ain st m in e. Y ou w ould h elp th ese m en to h unt m e a n d f ru str a te

me in m y d esig ns! Y ou k now n ow , a n d th ey k now in p art a lr e ad y, a n d w ill

know in fu ll b efo re lo ng, w hat it is to c ro ss m y p ath . T hey s h ould h av e k ep t

th eir e n erg ie s fo r u se c lo se r to h om e. W hils t th ey p la y ed w its a g ain st m e—

ag ain st m e w ho c o m man ded n atio ns, a n d in tr ig ued fo r th em , a n d fo ught fo r

th em , h undre d s o f y ears b efo re th ey w ere b orn — I w as c o unte rm in in g th em .

And y ou, th eir b est b elo ved o ne, a re n ow to m e, fle sh o f m y fle sh ; b lo od o f

my b lo od; k in o f m y k in ; m y b ountif u l w in e-p re ss fo r a w hile ; a n d s h all b e

la te r o n m y c o m pan io n a n d m y h elp er. Y ou s h all b e a v en ged in tu rn ; fo r n ot one o f t h em b ut s h all m in is te r t o y our n eed s. B ut a s y et y ou a re t o b e p unis h ed

fo r w hat y ou h av e d one. Y ou h av e a id ed i n t h w artin g m e; n ow y ou s h all c o m e

to m y c all. W hen m y b ra in s a y s “ C om e!” t o y ou, y ou s h all c ro ss l a n d o r s e a t o

do m y b id din g; a n d to th at e n d th is !’ W ith th at h e p ulle d o pen h is s h ir t, a n d

with h is l o ng s h arp n ails o pen ed a v ein i n h is b re ast. W hen t h e b lo od b eg an t o

sp urt o ut, h e to ok m y h an ds in o ne o f h is , h old in g th em tig ht, a n d w ith th e

oth er se iz ed m y n eck a n d p re sse d m y m outh to th e w ound, so th at I m ust

eith er s u ff o cate o r s w allo w s o m e o f t h e— — O h m y G od! m y G od! w hat h av e

I d one? W hat h av e I d one to d ese rv e s u ch a f a te , I w ho h av e tr ie d to w alk in

meek ness a n d r ig hte o usn ess a ll m y d ay s. G od p ity m e! L ook d ow n o n a p oor

so ul i n w ors e t h an m orta l p eril; a n d i n m erc y p ity t h ose t o w hom s h e i s d ear!”

Then s h e b eg an t o r u b h er l ip s a s t h ough t o c le an se t h em f ro m p ollu tio n.

As s h e w as te llin g h er te rrib le s to ry , th e e aste rn s k y b eg an to q uic k en , a n d

ev ery th in g b ecam e m ore a n d m ore c le ar. H ark er w as s till a n d q uie t; b ut o ver

his f a ce, a s t h e a w fu l n arra tiv e w en t o n, c am e a g re y l o ok w hic h d eep en ed a n d

deep en ed in th e m orn in g lig ht, till w hen th e fir s t re d str e ak o f th e c o m in g

daw n s h ot u p, t h e f le sh s to od d ark ly o ut a g ain st t h e w hite n in g h air.

We h av e a rra n ged th at o ne o f u s is to s ta y w ith in c all o f th e u nhap py p air

till w e c an m eet t o geth er a n d a rra n ge a b out t a k in g a ctio n.

Of th is I a m s u re : th e s u n ris e s to -d ay o n n o m ore m is e ra b le h ouse in a ll

th e g re at r o und o f i ts d aily c o urs e .

CH APT ER X XII

JO NAT H AN H ARK ER ’S J O URNAL

3 O cto ber.— As I m ust d o s o m eth in g o r g o m ad , I w rite t h is d ia ry . I t i s n ow

six o ’c lo ck , a n d w e a re t o m eet i n t h e s tu dy i n h alf a n h our a n d t a k e s o m eth in g

to e at; f o r D r. V an H els in g a n d D r. S ew ard a re a g re ed th at if w e d o n ot e at w e

can not w ork o ur b est. O ur b est w ill b e, G od k now s, re q uir e d to -d ay. I m ust

keep w ritin g a t e v ery c h an ce, fo r I d are n ot s to p to th in k. A ll, b ig a n d little ,

must g o d ow n; p erh ap s a t th e e n d th e little th in gs m ay te ach u s m ost. T he

te ach in g, b ig o r l ittle , c o uld n ot h av e l a n ded M in a o r m e a n yw here w ors e t h an

we a re to -d ay. H ow ev er, w e m ust tr u st a n d h ope. P oor M in a to ld m e ju st n ow ,

with th e te ars r u nnin g d ow n h er d ear c h eek s, th at it is in tr o uble a n d tr ia l th at

our f a ith is te ste d — th at w e m ust k eep o n tr u stin g; a n d th at G od w ill a id u s u p

to t h e e n d. T he e n d! o h m y G od! w hat e n d?... T o w ork ! T o w ork !

When D r. V an H els in g a n d D r. S ew ard h ad c o m e b ack fro m s e ein g p oor

Ren fie ld , w e w en t g ra v ely in to w hat w as to b e d one. F ir s t, D r. S ew ard to ld u s th at w hen h e a n d D r. V an H els in g h ad g one d ow n to th e r o om b elo w th ey h ad

fo und R en fie ld ly in g o n th e flo or, a ll in a h eap . H is fa ce w as a ll b ru is e d a n d

cru sh ed i n , a n d t h e b ones o f t h e n eck w ere b ro ken .

Dr. S ew ard a sk ed th e a tte n dan t w ho w as o n d uty in th e p assa g e if h e h ad

heard a n yth in g. H e s a id th at h e h ad b een s ittin g d ow n— he c o nfe sse d to h alf

dozin g— when h e h eard lo ud v oic es in th e r o om , a n d th en R en fie ld h ad c alle d

out lo udly s e v era l tim es, “ G od! G od! G od!” a fte r th at th ere w as a s o und o f

fa llin g, a n d w hen h e e n te re d th e ro om h e fo und h im ly in g o n th e flo or, fa ce

dow n, ju st a s th e d octo rs h ad se en h im . V an H els in g a sk ed if h e h ad h eard

“v oic es” o r “ a v oic e,” a n d h e s a id h e c o uld n ot s a y ; th at a t f ir s t it h ad s e em ed

to h im a s if th ere w ere tw o, b ut a s th ere w as n o o ne in th e r o om it c o uld h av e

been o nly o ne. H e c o uld sw ear to it, if re q uir e d , th at th e w ord “ G od” w as

sp oken b y th e p atie n t. D r. S ew ard s a id to u s, w hen w e w ere a lo ne, th at h e d id

not w is h t o g o i n to t h e m atte r; t h e q uestio n o f a n i n quest h ad t o b e c o nsid ere d ,

an d it w ould n ev er d o to p ut f o rw ard th e tr u th , a s n o o ne w ould b elie v e it. A s

it w as, h e th ought th at o n th e a tte n dan t’s e v id en ce h e c o uld g iv e a c ertif ic ate

of d eath b y m is a d ven tu re in fa llin g fro m b ed . In case th e co ro ner sh ould

dem an d i t, t h ere w ould b e a f o rm al i n quest, n ecessa rily t o t h e s a m e r e su lt.

When th e q uestio n b eg an to b e d is c u sse d a s to w hat s h ould b e o ur n ex t

ste p , th e very fir s t th in g w e decid ed w as th at M in a sh ould be in fu ll

co nfid en ce; th at n oth in g o f a n y s o rt— no m atte r h ow p ain fu l— sh ould b e k ep t

fro m h er. S he h ers e lf a g re ed a s to its w is d om , a n d it w as p itif u l to s e e h er s o

bra v e a n d y et s o s o rro w fu l, a n d in s u ch a d ep th o f d esp air. “ T here m ust b e n o

co ncealm en t,” s h e s a id , “ A la s! w e h av e h ad to o m uch a lr e ad y. A nd b esid es

th ere i s n oth in g i n a ll t h e w orld t h at c an g iv e m e m ore p ain t h an I h av e a lr e ad y

en dure d — th an I s u ff e r n ow ! W hate v er m ay h ap pen , i t m ust b e o f n ew h ope o r

of n ew c o ura g e to m e!” V an H els in g w as lo okin g a t h er f ix ed ly a s s h e s p oke,

an d s a id , s u dden ly b ut q uie tly :—

“B ut d ear M ad am M in a, a re y ou n ot a fra id ; n ot f o r y ours e lf , b ut f o r o th ers

fro m y ours e lf , a fte r w hat h as h ap pen ed ?” H er f a ce g re w s e t i n i ts l in es, b ut h er

ey es s h one w ith t h e d ev otio n o f a m arty r a s s h e a n sw ere d :—

“A h n o! f o r m y m in d i s m ad e u p!”

“T o w hat? ” h e a sk ed g en tly , w hils t w e w ere a ll v ery s till; fo r e ach in o ur

ow n w ay w e h ad a s o rt o f v ag ue id ea o f w hat s h e m ean t. H er a n sw er c am e

with d ir e ct s im plic ity , a s t h ough s h e w ere s im ply s ta tin g a f a ct:—

“B ecau se if I fin d in m yse lf — an d I s h all w atc h k een ly fo r it— a s ig n o f

harm t o a n y t h at I l o ve, I s h all d ie !”

“Y ou w ould n ot k ill y ours e lf ? ” h e a sk ed , h oars e ly .

“I w ould ; i f t h ere w ere n o f rie n d w ho l o ved m e, w ho w ould s a v e m e s u ch a pain , a n d s o d esp era te a n e ff o rt! ” S he lo oked a t h im m ean in gly a s s h e s p oke.

He w as s ittin g d ow n; b ut n ow h e r o se a n d c am e c lo se to h er a n d p ut h is h an d

on h er h ead a s h e s a id s o le m nly :

“M y c h ild , t h ere i s s u ch a n o ne i f i t w ere f o r y our g ood. F or m yse lf I c o uld

hold i t i n m y a cco unt w ith G od t o f in d s u ch a n e u th an asia f o r y ou, e v en a t t h is

mom en t i f i t w ere b est. N ay, w ere i t s a fe ! B ut m y c h ild — —” F or a m om en t h e

se em ed c h oked , a n d a g re at s o b r o se i n h is t h ro at; h e g ulp ed i t d ow n a n d w en t

on:—

“T here a re h ere s o m e w ho w ould s ta n d b etw een y ou a n d d eath . Y ou m ust

not d ie . Y ou m ust n ot d ie b y a n y h an d; b ut le ast o f a ll b y y our o w n. U ntil th e

oth er, w ho h as f o ule d y our s w eet l if e , i s t r u e d ead y ou m ust n ot d ie ; f o r i f h e i s

still w ith th e q uic k U n-D ead , y our d eath w ould m ak e y ou e v en a s h e is . N o,

you m ust liv e! Y ou m ust s tr u ggle a n d s tr iv e to liv e, th ough d eath w ould s e em

a b oon u nsp eak ab le . Y ou m ust f ig ht D eath h im se lf , th ough h e c o m e to y ou in

pain o r in jo y; b y th e d ay, o r th e n ig ht; in s a fe ty o r in p eril! O n y our liv in g

so ul I c h arg e y ou th at y ou d o n ot d ie — nay, n or th in k o f d eath — till th is g re at

ev il b e p ast.” T he p oor d ear g re w w hite a s d eath , a n d s h ock a n d s h iv ere d , a s I

hav e s e en a q uic k sa n d s h ak e a n d s h iv er a t th e in co m in g o f th e tid e. W e w ere

all s ile n t; w e c o uld d o n oth in g. A t le n gth s h e g re w m ore c alm a n d tu rn in g to

him s a id , s w eetly , b ut o h! s o s o rro w fu lly , a s s h e h eld o ut h er h an d:—

“I p ro m is e y ou, m y d ear f rie n d, t h at i f G od w ill l e t m e l iv e, I s h all s tr iv e t o

do s o ; till, if it m ay b e in H is g ood tim e, th is h orro r m ay h av e p asse d a w ay

fro m m e.” S he w as so g ood a n d b ra v e th at w e a ll fe lt th at o ur h earts w ere

str e n gth en ed to w ork a n d e n dure fo r h er, a n d w e b eg an to d is c u ss w hat w e

were t o d o. I t o ld h er t h at s h e w as t o h av e a ll t h e p ap ers i n t h e s a fe , a n d a ll t h e

pap ers o r d ia rie s a n d p honogra p hs w e m ig ht h ere afte r u se ; a n d w as t o k eep t h e

re co rd a s s h e h ad d one b efo re . S he w as p le ase d w ith th e p ro sp ect o f a n yth in g

to d o— if “ p le ase d ” c o uld b e u se d i n c o nnectio n w ith s o g rim a n i n te re st.

As usu al V an H els in g had th ought ah ead of ev ery one els e , an d w as

pre p are d w ith a n e x act o rd erin g o f o ur w ork .

“It is p erh ap s w ell,” h e s a id , “ th at a t o ur m eetin g a fte r o ur v is it to C arfa x

we d ecid ed n ot to d o a n yth in g w ith th e e arth -b oxes th at la y th ere . H ad w e

done s o , th e C ount m ust h av e g uesse d o ur p urp ose , a n d w ould d oubtle ss h av e

ta k en m easu re s i n a d van ce t o f ru str a te s u ch a n e ff o rt w ith r e g ard t o t h e o th ers ;

but n ow h e d oes n ot k now o ur i n te n tio ns. N ay, m ore , i n a ll p ro bab ility , h e d oes

not k now th at s u ch a p ow er e x is ts to u s a s c an s te rilis e h is la ir s , s o th at h e

can not u se th em as o f o ld . W e are n ow so m uch fu rth er ad van ced in o ur

know le d ge a s to th eir d is p ositio n th at, w hen w e h av e e x am in ed th e h ouse in

Pic cad illy , w e m ay tr a ck th e v ery la st o f th em . T o-d ay, th en , is o urs ; a n d in it

re sts o ur h ope. T he s u n th at r o se o n o ur s o rro w th is m orn in g g uard s u s in its co urs e . U ntil it s e ts to -n ig ht, th at m onste r m ust re ta in w hate v er fo rm h e n ow

has. H e is c o nfin ed w ith in th e lim ita tio ns o f h is e arth ly e n velo pe. H e c an not

melt in to th in a ir n or d is a p pear th ro ugh c ra ck s o r c h in ks o r c ra n nie s. I f h e g o

th ro ugh a d oorw ay, h e m ust o pen th e d oor lik e a m orta l. A nd s o w e h av e th is

day to h unt o ut a ll h is la ir s a n d s te rilis e th em . S o w e s h all, if w e h av e n ot y et

catc h h im a n d d estr o y h im , d riv e h im t o b ay i n s o m e p la ce w here t h e c atc h in g

an d th e d estr o yin g s h all b e, in tim e, s u re .” H ere I s ta rte d u p fo r I c o uld n ot

co nta in m yse lf a t t h e t h ought t h at t h e m in ute s a n d s e co nds s o p re cio usly l a d en

with M in a’s lif e a n d h ap pin ess w ere fly in g fro m u s, sin ce w hils t w e ta lk ed

actio n w as im possib le . B ut V an H els in g h eld u p h is h an d w arn in gly . “ N ay,

frie n d J o nath an ,” h e s a id , “ in th is , th e q uic k est w ay h om e is th e lo ngest w ay,

so y our p ro verb s a y. W e s h all a ll a ct a n d a ct w ith d esp era te q uic k , w hen th e

tim e h as c o m e. B ut th in k, in a ll p ro bab le th e k ey o f th e situ atio n is in th at

house in P ic cad illy . T he C ount m ay h av e m an y h ouse s w hic h h e h as b ought.

Of th em h e w ill h av e d eed s o f p urc h ase , k ey s a n d o th er th in gs. H e w ill h av e

pap er th at h e w rite o n; h e w ill h av e h is b ook o f c h eq ues. T here a re m an y

belo ngin gs th at h e m ust h av e s o m ew here ; w hy n ot in th is p la ce s o c en tr a l, s o

quie t, w here h e c o m e a n d g o b y th e f ro nt o r th e b ack a t a ll h our, w hen in th e

very v ast o f th e tr a ff ic th ere is n one to n otic e. W e s h all g o th ere a n d s e arc h

th at h ouse ; an d w hen w e le arn w hat it h old s, th en w e d o w hat o ur frie n d

Arth ur c all, i n h is p hra se s o f h unt ‘ s to p t h e e arth s’ a n d s o w e r u n d ow n o ur o ld

fo x— so ? i s i t n ot? ”

“T hen l e t u s c o m e a t o nce,” I c rie d , “ w e a re w astin g t h e p re cio us, p re cio us

tim e!” T he P ro fe sso r d id n ot m ove, b ut s im ply s a id :—

“A nd h ow a re w e t o g et i n to t h at h ouse i n P ic cad illy ?”

“A ny w ay !” I c rie d . “ W e s h all b re ak i n i f n eed b e.”

“A nd y our p olic e; w here w ill t h ey b e, a n d w hat w ill t h ey s a y ?”

I w as s ta g gere d ; b ut I k new t h at i f h e w is h ed t o d ela y h e h ad a g ood r e aso n

fo r i t. S o I s a id , a s q uie tly a s I c o uld :—

“D on’t w ait m ore t h an n eed b e; y ou k now , I a m s u re , w hat t o rtu re I a m i n .”

“A h, m y c h ild , th at I d o; a n d in deed th ere is n o w is h o f m e to a d d to y our

an guis h . B ut ju st th in k, w hat c an w e d o, u ntil a ll th e w orld b e a t m ovem en t.

Then w ill c o m e o ur tim e. I h av e th ought a n d th ought, a n d it s e em s to m e th at

th e s im ple st w ay is th e b est o f a ll. N ow w e w is h to g et in to th e h ouse , b ut w e

hav e n o k ey ; i s i t n ot s o ?” I n odded .

“N ow s u ppose th at y ou w ere , in tr u th , th e o w ner o f th at h ouse , a n d c o uld

not s till g et it; a n d th in k th ere w as to y ou n o c o nsc ie n ce o f th e h ouse b re ak er,

what w ould y ou d o?” “I s h ould g et a r e sp ecta b le lo ck sm ith , a n d s e t h im to w ork to p ic k th e lo ck

fo r m e.”

“A nd y our p olic e, t h ey w ould i n te rfe re , w ould t h ey n ot? ”

“O h, n o! n ot i f t h ey k new t h e m an w as p ro perly e m plo yed .”

“T hen ,” h e lo oked a t m e a s k een ly a s h e s p oke, “ all th at is in d oubt is th e

co nsc ie n ce o f th e e m plo yer, a n d th e b elie f o f y our p olic em en a s to w heth er o r

no t h at e m plo yer h as a g ood c o nsc ie n ce o r a b ad o ne. Y our p olic e m ust i n deed

be z ealo us m en a n d c le v er— oh, so c le v er!— in re ad in g th e h eart, th at th ey

tr o uble t h em se lv es i n s u ch m atte r. N o, n o, m y f rie n d J o nath an , y ou g o t a k e t h e

lo ck o ff a h undre d e m pty h ouse in th is y our L ondon, o r o f a n y c ity in th e

world ; a n d if y ou d o it a s s u ch th in gs a re rig htly d one, a n d a t th e tim e s u ch

th in gs a re r ig htly d one, n o o ne w ill in te rfe re . I h av e r e ad o f a g en tle m an w ho

ow ned a s o f in e h ouse i n L ondon, a n d w hen h e w en t f o r m onth s o f s u m mer t o

Sw itz erla n d a n d lo ck u p h is h ouse , s o m e b urg la r c am e a n d b ro ke w in dow a t

back a n d g ot in . T hen h e w en t a n d m ad e o pen th e s h utte rs in fro nt a n d w alk

out a n d in th ro ugh th e d oor, b efo re th e v ery e y es o f th e p olic e. T hen h e h av e

an a u ctio n in th at h ouse , a n d a d vertis e it, a n d p ut u p b ig n otic e; a n d w hen th e

day c o m e h e s e ll o ff b y a g re at a u ctio neer a ll th e g oods o f th at o th er m an w ho

ow n th em . T hen h e g o to a b uild er, a n d h e se ll h im th at h ouse , m ak in g a n

ag re em en t th at h e p ull it d ow n a n d ta k e a ll a w ay w ith in a c erta in tim e. A nd

your p olic e a n d o th er a u th ority h elp h im a ll th ey c an . A nd w hen th at o w ner

co m e b ack f ro m h is h olid ay in S w itz erla n d h e f in d o nly a n e m pty h ole w here

his h ouse h ad b een . T his w as a ll d one e n r è g le ; a n d i n o ur w ork w e s h all b e e n

rè g le to o. W e s h all n ot g o s o e arly th at th e p olic em en w ho h av e th en little to

th in k o f, s h all d eem it s tr a n ge; b ut w e s h all g o a fte r te n o ’c lo ck , w hen th ere

are m an y a b out, a n d s u ch t h in gs w ould b e d one w ere w e i n deed o w ners o f t h e

house .”

I c o uld n ot b ut s e e h ow r ig ht h e w as a n d t h e t e rrib le d esp air o f M in a’s f a ce

becam e r e la x ed a th ought; th ere w as h ope in s u ch g ood c o unse l. V an H els in g

wen t o n:—

“W hen o nce w ith in t h at h ouse w e m ay f in d m ore c lu es; a t a n y r a te s o m e o f

us c an r e m ain th ere w hils t th e r e st f in d th e o th er p la ces w here th ere b e m ore

earth -b oxes— at B erm ondse y a n d M ile E nd.”

Lord G odalm in g s to od u p. “ I c an b e o f s o m e u se h ere ,” h e s a id . “ I s h all

wir e to m y p eo ple to h av e h ors e s an d carria g es w here th ey w ill b e m ost

co nven ie n t.”

“L ook h ere , o ld f e llo w ,” s a id M orris , “ it is a c ap ita l id ea to h av e a ll r e ad y

in c ase w e w an t to g o h ors e b ack in g; b ut d on’t y ou th in k th at o ne o f y our

sn ap py c arria g es w ith i ts h era ld ic a d orn m en ts i n a b yw ay o f W alw orth o r M ile End w ould a ttr a ct t o o m uch a tte n tio n f o r o ur p urp ose s? I t s e em s t o m e t h at w e

ought to ta k e c ab s w hen w e g o s o uth o r e ast; a n d e v en le av e th em s o m ew here

near t h e n eig hbourh ood w e a re g oin g t o .”

“F rie n d Q uin cey i s r ig ht! ” s a id t h e P ro fe sso r. “ H is h ead i s w hat y ou c all i n

pla n e w ith th e h oriz o n. I t is a d if f ic u lt th in g th at w e g o to d o, a n d w e d o n ot

wan t n o p eo ple s t o w atc h u s i f s o i t m ay.”

Min a to ok a g ro w in g in te re st in e v ery th in g a n d I w as re jo ic ed to s e e th at

th e ex ig en cy of aff a ir s w as help in g her to fo rg et fo r a tim e th e te rrib le

ex perie n ce o f th e n ig ht. S he w as v ery , v ery p ale — alm ost g hastly , a n d s o th in

th at h er lip s w ere d ra w n a w ay, s h ow in g h er te eth in s o m ew hat o f p ro m in en ce.

I d id n ot m en tio n t h is l a st, l e st i t s h ould g iv e h er n eed le ss p ain ; b ut i t m ad e m y

blo od ru n c o ld in m y v ein s to th in k o f w hat h ad o ccu rre d w ith p oor L ucy

when th e C ount h ad s u ck ed h er b lo od. A s y et th ere w as n o s ig n o f th e te eth

gro w in g s h arp er; b ut t h e t im e a s y et w as s h ort, a n d t h ere w as t im e f o r f e ar.

When w e c am e to th e d is c u ssio n o f th e s e q uen ce o f o ur e ff o rts a n d o f th e

dis p ositio n o f o ur fo rc es, th ere w ere n ew so urc es o f d oubt. It w as fin ally

ag re ed th at b efo re s ta rtin g fo r P ic cad illy w e s h ould d estr o y th e C ount’s la ir

clo se a t h an d. In c ase h e s h ould fin d it o ut to o s o on, w e s h ould th us b e s till

ah ead of him in our w ork of destr u ctio n; an d his pre se n ce in his pure ly

mate ria l s h ap e, a n d a t h is w eak est, m ig ht g iv e u s s o m e n ew c lu e.

As to th e d is p osa l o f fo rc es, it w as s u ggeste d b y th e P ro fe sso r th at, a fte r

our v is it to C arfa x , w e s h ould a ll e n te r th e h ouse in P ic cad illy ; th at th e tw o

docto rs a n d I s h ould r e m ain th ere , w hils t L ord G odalm in g a n d Q uin cey f o und

th e la ir s a t W alw orth a n d M ile E nd a n d d estr o yed th em . I t w as p ossib le , if n ot

lik ely , th e P ro fe sso r u rg ed , th at th e C ount m ig ht a p pear in P ic cad illy d urin g

th e d ay, a n d th at if s o w e m ig ht b e a b le to c o pe w ith h im th en a n d th ere . A t

an y ra te , w e m ig ht b e a b le to fo llo w h im in fo rc e. T o th is p la n I s tr e n uously

obje cte d , a n d s o fa r a s m y g oin g w as c o ncern ed , fo r I s a id th at I in te n ded to

sta y a n d p ro te ct M in a, I t h ought t h at m y m in d w as m ad e u p o n t h e s u bje ct; b ut

Min a w ould n ot lis te n to m y o bje ctio n. S he s a id th at th ere m ig ht b e s o m e la w

matte r in w hic h I c o uld b e u se fu l; th at a m ongst th e C ount’s p ap ers m ig ht b e

so m e c lu e w hic h I c o uld u nders ta n d o ut o f m y e x perie n ce i n T ra n sy lv an ia ; a n d

th at, a s it w as, a ll th e s tr e n gth w e c o uld m uste r w as r e q uir e d to c o pe w ith th e

Count’s e x tr a o rd in ary p ow er. I h ad t o g iv e i n , f o r M in a’s r e so lu tio n w as f ix ed ;

sh e s a id th at it w as th e la st h ope f o r h er th at w e s h ould a ll w ork to geth er. “ A s

fo r m e,” s h e s a id , “ I h av e n o f e ar. T hin gs h av e b een a s b ad a s t h ey c an b e; a n d

whate v er m ay h ap pen m ust h av e in it s o m e e le m en t o f h ope o r c o m fo rt. G o,

my h usb an d! G od c an , i f H e w is h es i t, g uard m e a s w ell a lo ne a s w ith a n y o ne

pre se n t.” S o I s ta rte d u p c ry in g o ut: “ T hen i n G od’s n am e l e t u s c o m e a t o nce,

fo r w e a re lo sin g tim e. T he C ount m ay c o m e to P ic cad illy e arlie r th an w e

th in k.” “N ot s o !” s a id V an H els in g, h old in g u p h is h an d.

“B ut w hy?” I a sk ed .

“D o you fo rg et,” he sa id , w ith actu ally a sm ile , “th at la st nig ht he

ban quete d h eav ily , a n d w ill s le ep l a te ?”

Did I fo rg et! sh all I ev er— can I ev er! C an an y o f u s ev er fo rg et th at

te rrib le sc en e! M in a str u ggle d h ard to k eep h er b ra v e c o unte n an ce; b ut th e

pain o verm aste re d h er a n d s h e p ut h er h an ds b efo re h er fa ce, a n d s h uddere d

whils t sh e m oan ed . V an H els in g had not in te n ded to re call her frig htf u l

ex perie n ce. H e h ad s im ply lo st s ig ht o f h er a n d h er p art in th e a ff a ir in h is

in te lle ctu al e ff o rt. W hen it str u ck h im w hat h e sa id , h e w as h orrif ie d a t h is

th oughtle ssn ess a n d tr ie d to c o m fo rt h er. “ O h, M ad am M in a,” h e s a id , “ d ear,

dear M ad am M in a, a la s! th at I o f a ll w ho s o re v ere n ce y ou s h ould h av e s a id

an yth in g s o f o rg etf u l. T hese s tu pid o ld l ip s o f m in e a n d t h is s tu pid o ld h ead d o

not d ese rv e s o ; b ut y ou w ill f o rg et i t, w ill y ou n ot? ” H e b en t l o w b esid e h er a s

he sp oke; sh e to ok his han d, an d lo okin g at him th ro ugh her te ars , sa id

hoars e ly :—

“N o, I s h all n ot f o rg et, f o r it is w ell th at I r e m em ber; a n d w ith it I h av e s o

much i n m em ory o f y ou t h at i s s w eet, t h at I t a k e i t a ll t o geth er. N ow , y ou m ust

all b e g oin g so on. B re ak fa st is re ad y, a n d w e m ust a ll e at th at w e m ay b e

str o ng.”

Bre ak fa st w as a str a n ge m eal to us all. W e tr ie d to be ch eerfu l an d

en co ura g e e ach o th er, a n d M in a w as th e b rig hte st a n d m ost c h eerfu l o f u s.

When i t w as o ver, V an H els in g s to od u p a n d s a id :—

“N ow , m y d ear frie n ds, w e g o fo rth to o ur te rrib le e n te rp ris e . A re w e a ll

arm ed , a s w e w ere o n th at n ig ht w hen f ir s t w e v is ite d o ur e n em y’s la ir ; a rm ed

ag ain st g hostly a s w ell a s c arn al a tta ck ?” W e a ll a ssu re d h im . “ T hen it is w ell.

Now , M ad am M in a, y ou a re in a n y c ase q uite s a fe h ere u ntil th e s u nse t; a n d

befo re th en w e s h all r e tu rn — if — — W e s h all r e tu rn ! B ut b efo re w e g o le t m e

se e y ou a rm ed a g ain st p ers o nal a tta ck . I h av e m yse lf , s in ce y ou c am e d ow n,

pre p are d y our c h am ber b y th e p la cin g o f th in gs o f w hic h w e k now , s o th at H e

may n ot e n te r. N ow l e t m e g uard y ours e lf . O n y our f o re h ead I t o uch t h is p ie ce

of S acre d W afe r i n t h e n am e o f t h e F ath er, t h e S on, a n d— —”

There w as a fe arfu l s c re am w hic h a lm ost fro ze o ur h earts to h ear. A s h e

had p la ced t h e W afe r o n M in a’s f o re h ead , i t h ad s e are d i t— had b urn ed i n to t h e

fle sh a s t h ough i t h ad b een a p ie ce o f w hite -h ot m eta l. M y p oor d arlin g’s b ra in

had to ld h er th e s ig nif ic an ce o f th e f a ct a s q uic k ly a s h er n erv es r e ceiv ed th e

pain o f i t; a n d t h e t w o s o o verw helm ed h er t h at h er o verw ro ught n atu re h ad i ts

voic e in th at d re ad fu l s c re am . B ut th e w ord s to h er th ought c am e q uic k ly ; th e

ech o o f th e sc re am h ad n ot c e ase d to rin g o n th e a ir w hen th ere c am e th e re actio n, a n d s h e s a n k o n h er k nees o n th e flo or in a n a g ony o f a b ase m en t.

Pullin g h er b eau tif u l h air o ver h er fa ce, a s th e le p er o f o ld h is m an tle , sh e

waile d o ut:—

“U ncle an ! U ncle an ! E ven th e A lm ig hty sh uns m y p ollu te d fle sh ! I m ust

bear th is m ark o f s h am e u pon m y f o re h ead u ntil th e J u dgm en t D ay.” T hey a ll

pau se d . I h ad th ro w n m yse lf b esid e h er in a n a g ony o f h elp le ss g rie f, a n d

puttin g m y a rm s a ro und h eld h er t ig ht. F or a f e w m in ute s o ur s o rro w fu l h earts

beat t o geth er, w hils t t h e f rie n ds a ro und u s t u rn ed a w ay t h eir e y es t h at r a n t e ars

sile n tly . T hen V an H els in g tu rn ed a n d s a id g ra v ely ; s o g ra v ely th at I c o uld n ot

help f e elin g th at h e w as in s o m e w ay in sp ir e d , a n d w as s ta tin g th in gs o uts id e

him se lf :—

“It m ay b e th at y ou m ay h av e to b ear th at m ark till G od h im se lf s e e f it, a s

He m ost s u re ly s h all, o n th e J u dgm en t D ay, to r e d re ss a ll w ro ngs o f th e e arth

an d o f H is c h ild re n th at H e h as p la ced th ere o n. A nd o h, M ad am M in a, m y

dear, m y d ear, m ay w e w ho lo ve y ou b e th ere to s e e, w hen th at re d s c ar, th e

sig n o f G od’s k now le d ge o f w hat h as b een , s h all p ass a w ay, a n d le av e y our

fo re h ead a s p ure a s t h e h eart w e k now . F or s o s u re ly a s w e l iv e, t h at s c ar s h all

pass a w ay w hen G od s e es r ig ht t o l if t t h e b urd en t h at i s h ard u pon u s. T ill t h en

we b ear o ur C ro ss, a s H is S on d id in o bed ie n ce to H is W ill. I t m ay b e th at w e

are ch ose n in str u m en ts of H is good ple asu re , an d th at w e asc en d to H is

bid din g as th at o th er th ro ugh str ip es an d sh am e; th ro ugh te ars an d b lo od;

th ro ugh d oubts a n d f e ars , a n d a ll th at m ak es th e d if f e re n ce b etw een G od a n d

man .”

There w as h ope in h is w ord s, a n d c o m fo rt; a n d th ey m ad e f o r r e sig natio n.

Min a a n d I b oth f e lt s o , a n d s im ulta n eo usly w e e ach t o ok o ne o f t h e o ld m an ’s

han ds a n d b en t o ver a n d k is se d it. T hen w ith out a w ord w e a ll k nelt d ow n

to geth er, an d, all h old in g h an ds, sw ore to b e tr u e to each o th er. W e m en

ple d ged o urs e lv es to r a is e th e v eil o f s o rro w f ro m th e h ead o f h er w hom , e ach

in h is o w n w ay, w e lo ved ; a n d w e p ra y ed f o r h elp a n d g uid an ce in th e te rrib le

ta sk w hic h l a y b efo re u s.

It w as t h en t im e t o s ta rt. S o I s a id f a re w ell t o M in a, a p artin g w hic h n eith er

of u s s h all f o rg et t o o ur d yin g d ay ; a n d w e s e t o ut.

To o ne th in g I h av e m ad e u p m y m in d: if w e f in d o ut th at M in a m ust b e a

vam pir e in th e e n d, th en s h e s h all n ot g o in to th at u nknow n a n d te rrib le la n d

alo ne. I s u ppose it is th us th at in o ld tim es o ne v am pir e m ean t m an y; ju st a s

th eir h id eo us b odie s c o uld o nly r e st i n s a cre d e arth , s o t h e h olie st l o ve w as t h e

re cru itin g s e rg ean t f o r t h eir g hastly r a n ks.

We e n te re d C arfa x w ith out tr o uble a n d f o und a ll th in gs th e s a m e a s o n th e

fir s t o ccasio n. I t w as h ard to b elie v e th at a m ongst s o p ro sa ic s u rro undin gs o f

neg le ct a n d d ust a n d d ecay th ere w as a n y g ro und f o r s u ch f e ar a s a lr e ad y w e knew . H ad n ot o ur m in ds b een m ad e u p, an d h ad th ere n ot b een te rrib le

mem orie s to s p ur u s o n, w e c o uld h ard ly h av e p ro ceed ed w ith o ur ta sk . W e

fo und n o p ap ers , o r a n y s ig n o f u se in th e h ouse ; a n d in th e o ld c h ap el th e

gre at b oxes lo oked ju st a s w e h ad s e en th em la st. D r. V an H els in g s a id to u s

so le m nly a s w e s to od b efo re t h em :—

“A nd n ow , m y frie n ds, w e h av e a d uty h ere to d o. W e m ust s te rilis e th is

earth , s o s a cre d o f h oly m em orie s, th at h e h as b ro ught f ro m a f a r d is ta n t la n d

fo r s u ch f e ll u se . H e h as c h ose n th is e arth b ecau se it h as b een h oly . T hus w e

defe at h im w ith h is o w n w eap on, fo r w e m ak e it m ore h oly still. It w as

sa n ctif ie d t o s u ch u se o f m an , n ow w e s a n ctif y i t t o G od.” A s h e s p oke h e t o ok

fro m h is b ag a s c re w driv er a n d a w re n ch , a n d v ery s o on th e to p o f o ne o f th e

case s w as th ro w n o pen . T he e arth s m elle d m usty a n d c lo se ; b ut w e d id n ot

so m eh ow s e em to m in d, fo r o ur a tte n tio n w as c o ncen tr a te d o n th e P ro fe sso r.

Tak in g fro m h is b ox a p ie ce o f th e S acre d W afe r h e la id it re v ere n tly o n th e

earth , a n d t h en s h uttin g d ow n t h e l id b eg an t o s c re w i t h om e, w e a id in g h im a s

he w ork ed .

One b y o ne w e tr e ate d in th e s a m e w ay e ach o f th e g re at b oxes, a n d le ft

th em a s w e h ad f o und th em to a ll a p peara n ce; b ut in e ach w as a p ortio n o f th e

Host.

When w e c lo se d t h e d oor b eh in d u s, t h e P ro fe sso r s a id s o le m nly :—

“S o m uch i s a lr e ad y d one. I f i t m ay b e t h at w ith a ll t h e o th ers w e c an b e s o

su ccessfu l, th en th e su nse t of th is ev en in g m ay sh in e on M ad am M in a’s

fo re h ead a ll w hite a s i v ory a n d w ith n o s ta in !”

As w e p asse d a cro ss th e la w n o n o ur w ay to th e s ta tio n to c atc h o ur tr a in

we c o uld s e e th e f ro nt o f th e a sy lu m . I lo oked e ag erly , a n d in th e w in dow o f

my o w n r o om s a w M in a. I w av ed m y h an d to h er, a n d n odded to te ll th at o ur

work th ere w as s u ccessfu lly a cco m plis h ed . S he n odded in re p ly to s h ow th at

sh e u nders to od. T he la st I s a w , s h e w as w av in g h er h an d in fa re w ell. It w as

with a h eav y h eart th at w e s o ught th e s ta tio n a n d ju st c au ght th e tr a in , w hic h

was s te am in g i n a s w e r e ach ed t h e p la tf o rm .

I h av e w ritte n t h is i n t h e t r a in .

Pic cad illy , 1 2:3 0 o ’c lo ck .— Ju st b efo re w e r e ach ed F en ch urc h S tr e et L ord

Godalm in g s a id t o m e:—

“Q uin cey a n d I w ill f in d a lo ck sm ith . Y ou h ad b ette r n ot c o m e w ith u s in

case th ere sh ould b e a n y d if f ic u lty ; fo r u nder th e c ir c u m sta n ces it w ould n’t

se em s o b ad f o r u s to b re ak in to a n e m pty h ouse . B ut y ou a re a s o lic ito r a n d

th e In co rp ora te d L aw S ocie ty m ig ht te ll y ou th at y ou sh ould h av e k now n

bette r.” I d em urre d a s to m y n ot sh arin g a n y d an ger e v en o f o diu m , b ut h e

wen t o n: “ B esid es, it w ill a ttr a ct le ss a tte n tio n if th ere a re n ot to o m an y o f u s. My title w ill m ak e it a ll r ig ht w ith th e lo ck sm ith , a n d w ith a n y p olic em an th at

may c o m e a lo ng. Y ou h ad b ette r g o w ith J a ck a n d t h e P ro fe sso r a n d s ta y i n t h e

Gre en P ark , so m ew here in sig ht o f th e h ouse ; a n d w hen y ou se e th e d oor

open ed a n d th e s m ith h as g one a w ay, d o y ou a ll c o m e a cro ss. W e s h all b e o n

th e l o okout f o r y ou, a n d s h all l e t y ou i n .”

“T he a d vic e is g ood!” s a id V an H els in g, s o w e s a id n o m ore . G odalm in g

an d M orris h urrie d o ff in a c ab , w e fo llo w in g in a n oth er. A t th e c o rn er o f

Arlin gto n S tr e et o ur c o ntin gen t g ot o ut a n d s tr o lle d in to th e G re en P ark . M y

heart b eat a s I sa w th e h ouse o n w hic h so m uch o f o ur h ope w as c en tr e d ,

lo om in g u p g rim a n d s ile n t in its d ese rte d c o nditio n a m ongst its m ore liv ely

an d sp ru ce-lo okin g n eig hbours . W e sa t d ow n o n a b en ch w ith in g ood v ie w ,

an d b eg an to s m oke c ig ars s o a s to a ttr a ct a s little a tte n tio n a s p ossib le . T he

min ute s s e em ed to p ass w ith le ad en fe et a s w e w aite d fo r th e c o m in g o f th e

oth ers .

At le n gth w e s a w a fo ur- w heele r d riv e u p. O ut o f it, in le is u re ly fa sh io n,

got L ord G odalm in g a n d M orris ; a n d d ow n f ro m t h e b ox d esc en ded a t h ic k -s e t

work in g m an w ith h is ru sh -w oven b ask et o f to ols . M orris p aid th e c ab m an ,

who t o uch ed h is h at a n d d ro ve a w ay. T ogeth er t h e t w o a sc en ded t h e s te p s, a n d

Lord G odalm in g p oin te d o ut w hat h e w an te d d one. T he w ork m an to ok o ff h is

co at le is u re ly a n d h ung it o n o ne o f th e s p ik es o f th e r a il, s a y in g s o m eth in g to

a polic em an who ju st th en sa u nte re d alo ng. The polic em an nodded

acq uie sc en ce, a n d th e m an k neelin g d ow n p la ced h is b ag b esid e h im . A fte r

se arc h in g th ro ugh it, h e to ok o ut a s e le ctio n o f to ols w hic h h e p ro duced to la y

besid e h im i n o rd erly f a sh io n. T hen h e s to od u p, l o oked i n to t h e k ey hole , b le w

in to it, a n d tu rn in g to h is e m plo yers , m ad e so m e re m ark . L ord G odalm in g

sm ile d , a n d th e m an lif te d a g ood-s iz ed b unch o f k ey s; s e le ctin g o ne o f th em ,

he b eg an to p ro be th e lo ck , a s if f e elin g h is w ay w ith it. A fte r f u m blin g a b out

fo r a b it h e tr ie d a s e co nd, a n d th en a th ir d . A ll a t o nce th e d oor o pen ed u nder

a s lig ht p ush f ro m h im , a n d h e a n d t h e t w o o th ers e n te re d t h e h all. W e s a t s till;

my o w n cig ar b urn t fu rio usly , b ut V an H els in g’s w en t co ld alto geth er. W e

waite d p atie n tly a s w e s a w th e w ork m an c o m e o ut a n d b rin g in h is b ag . T hen

he h eld t h e d oor p artly o pen , s te ad yin g i t w ith h is k nees, w hils t h e f itte d a k ey

to t h e l o ck . T his h e f in ally h an ded t o L ord G odalm in g, w ho t o ok o ut h is p urs e

an d g av e h im s o m eth in g. T he m an to uch ed h is h at, to ok h is b ag , p ut o n h is

co at a n d d ep arte d ; n ot a s o ul t o ok t h e s lig hte st n otic e o f t h e w hole t r a n sa ctio n.

When th e m an h ad f a ir ly g one, w e th re e c ro sse d th e s tr e et a n d k nock ed a t

th e d oor. It w as im med ia te ly o pen ed b y Q uin cey M orris , b esid e w hom s to od

Lord G odalm in g l ig htin g a c ig ar.

“T he p la ce s m ells s o v ile ly ,” s a id th e la tte r a s w e c am e in . It d id in deed

sm ell v ile ly — lik e t h e o ld c h ap el a t C arfa x — an d w ith o ur p re v io us e x perie n ce

it w as p la in to u s th at th e C ount h ad b een u sin g th e p la ce p re tty fre ely . W e moved to e x plo re th e h ouse , a ll k eep in g to geth er in c ase o f a tta ck ; fo r w e

knew w e h ad a str o ng a n d w ily e n em y to d eal w ith , a n d a s y et w e d id n ot

know w heth er t h e C ount m ig ht n ot b e in t h e h ouse . I n th e d in in g-ro om , w hic h

la y a t t h e b ack o f t h e h all, w e f o und e ig ht b oxes o f e arth . E ig ht b oxes o nly o ut

of th e n in e, w hic h w e s o ught! O ur w ork w as n ot o ver, a n d w ould n ev er b e

until w e s h ould h av e fo und th e m is sin g b ox. F ir s t w e o pen ed th e s h utte rs o f

th e w in dow w hic h lo oked o ut a cro ss a n arro w s to ne-fla g ged y ard a t th e b la n k

fa ce o f a s ta b le , p oin te d t o l o ok l ik e t h e f ro nt o f a m in ia tu re h ouse . T here w ere

no w in dow s in it, s o w e w ere n ot a fra id o f b ein g o ver- lo oked . W e d id n ot lo se

an y t im e i n e x am in in g t h e c h ests . W ith t h e t o ols w hic h w e h ad b ro ught w ith u s

we o pen ed th em , o ne b y o ne, a n d tr e ate d th em a s w e h ad tr e ate d th ose o th ers

in th e o ld c h ap el. I t w as e v id en t to u s th at th e C ount w as n ot a t p re se n t in th e

house , a n d w e p ro ceed ed t o s e arc h f o r a n y o f h is e ff e cts .

Afte r a c u rs o ry g la n ce a t th e r e st o f th e r o om s, f ro m b ase m en t to a ttic , w e

cam e to th e co nclu sio n th at th e din in g-ro om co nta in ed an y eff e cts w hic h

mig ht b elo ng to th e C ount; a n d s o w e p ro ceed ed to m in ute ly e x am in e th em .

They la y in a s o rt o f o rd erly d is o rd er o n th e g re at d in in g-ro om ta b le . T here

were title deed s of th e P ic cad illy house in a gre at bundle ; deed s of th e

purc h ase o f th e h ouse s a t M ile E nd a n d B erm ondse y ; n ote -p ap er, e n velo pes,

an d p en s a n d in k. A ll w ere c o vere d u p in th in w ra p pin g p ap er to k eep th em

fro m th e d ust. T here w ere a ls o a c lo th es b ru sh , a b ru sh a n d c o m b, a n d a ju g

an d b asin — th e la tte r c o nta in in g d ir ty w ate r w hic h w as re d den ed a s if w ith

blo od. L ast o f a ll w as a l ittle h eap o f k ey s o f a ll s o rts a n d s iz es, p ro bab ly t h ose

belo ngin g to th e o th er h ouse s. W hen w e h ad e x am in ed th is la st fin d, L ord

Godalm in g a n d Q uin cey M orris t a k in g a ccu ra te n ote s o f t h e v ario us a d dre sse s

of th e h ouse s in th e E ast a n d th e S outh , to ok w ith th em th e k ey s in a g re at

bunch , a n d s e t o ut t o d estr o y t h e b oxes i n t h ese p la ces. T he r e st o f u s a re , w ith

what p atie n ce w e c an , w aitin g t h eir r e tu rn — or t h e c o m in g o f t h e C ount.

CH APT ER X XIII

DR. S E W ARD’S D IA RY

3 O cto ber.— The tim e s e em ed te rrib le lo ng w hils t w e w ere w aitin g f o r th e

co m in g o f G odalm in g a n d Q uin cey M orris . T he P ro fe sso r tr ie d to k eep o ur

min ds a ctiv e b y u sin g t h em a ll t h e t im e. I c o uld s e e h is b en efic en t p urp ose , b y

th e s id e g la n ces w hic h h e th re w f ro m tim e to tim e a t H ark er. T he p oor f e llo w

is o verw helm ed in a m is e ry th at is a p pallin g to s e e. L ast n ig ht h e w as a f ra n k,

hap py-lo okin g m an , w ith s tr o ng, y outh fu l fa ce, fu ll o f e n erg y, a n d w ith d ark

bro w n h air. T o-d ay h e i s a d ra w n, h ag gard o ld m an , w hose w hite h air m atc h es well w ith th e h ollo w b urn in g ey es an d g rie f-w ritte n lin es o f h is fa ce. H is

en erg y is still in ta ct; in fa ct, h e is lik e a liv in g fla m e. T his m ay y et b e h is

sa lv atio n, f o r, i f a ll g o w ell, i t w ill t id e h im o ver t h e d esp air in g p erio d; h e w ill

th en , i n a k in d o f w ay, w ak e a g ain t o t h e r e alitie s o f l if e . P oor f e llo w , I t h ought

my o w n tr o uble w as b ad e n ough, b ut h is — —! T he P ro fe sso r k now s th is w ell

en ough, a n d i s d oin g h is b est t o k eep h is m in d a ctiv e. W hat h e h as b een s a y in g

was, under th e cir c u m sta n ces, of ab so rb in g in te re st. So w ell as I can

re m em ber, h ere i t i s :—

“I h av e s tu die d , o ver a n d o ver a g ain s in ce t h ey c am e i n to m y h an ds, a ll t h e

pap ers r e la tin g to th is m onste r; a n d th e m ore I h av e s tu die d , th e g re ate r s e em s

th e n ecessity to u tte rly sta m p h im o ut. A ll th ro ugh th ere are sig ns o f h is

ad van ce; n ot o nly o f h is p ow er, b ut o f h is k now le d ge o f it. A s I le arn ed f ro m

th e re se arc h es o f m y frie n d A rm in us o f B uda-P esth , h e w as in lif e a m ost

wonderfu l m an . Sold ie r, sta te sm an , an d alc h em is t— whic h la tte r w as th e

hig hest d ev elo pm en t o f th e s c ie n ce-k now le d ge o f h is tim e. H e h ad a m ig hty

bra in , a le arn in g b ey ond co m pare , an d a h eart th at k new n o fe ar an d n o

re m ors e . H e d are d e v en to a tte n d th e S ch olo m an ce, a n d th ere w as n o b ra n ch

of k now le d ge o f h is tim e th at h e d id n ot e ssa y. W ell, in h im th e b ra in p ow ers

su rv iv ed th e p hysic al d eath ; th ough it w ould s e em th at m em ory w as n ot a ll

co m ple te . I n s o m e f a cu ltie s o f m in d h e h as b een , a n d i s , o nly a c h ild ; b ut h e i s

gro w in g, a n d so m e th in gs th at w ere c h ild is h a t th e fir s t a re n ow o f m an ’s

sta tu re . H e is e x perim en tin g, a n d d oin g it w ell; a n d if it h ad n ot b een th at w e

hav e c ro sse d h is p ath h e w ould b e y et— he m ay b e y et i f w e f a il— th e f a th er o r

fu rth ere r o f a n ew o rd er o f b ein gs, w hose ro ad m ust le ad th ro ugh D eath , n ot

Lif e .”

Hark er g ro an ed a n d s a id , “ A nd th is is a ll a rra y ed a g ain st m y d arlin g! B ut

how i s h e e x perim en tin g? T he k now le d ge m ay h elp u s t o d efe at h im !”

“H e h as a ll a lo ng, sin ce h is c o m in g, b een tr y in g h is p ow er, slo w ly b ut

su re ly ; th at b ig c h ild -b ra in o f h is is w ork in g. W ell f o r u s, it is , a s y et, a c h ild -

bra in ; f o r h ad h e d are d , a t t h e f ir s t, t o a tte m pt c erta in t h in gs h e w ould l o ng a g o

hav e b een b ey ond o ur p ow er. H ow ev er, h e m ean s to s u cceed , a n d a m an w ho

has c en tu rie s b efo re h im c an a ff o rd to w ait a n d to g o s lo w . F estin a le n te m ay

well b e h is m otto .”

“I fa il to u nders ta n d,” s a id H ark er w earily . “ O h, d o b e m ore p la in to m e!

Perh ap s g rie f a n d t r o uble a re d ullin g m y b ra in .”

The P ro fe sso r l a id h is h an d t e n derly o n h is s h ould er a s h e s p oke:—

“A h, m y c h ild , I w ill b e p la in . D o y ou n ot s e e h ow , o f la te , th is m onste r

has b een c re ep in g in to k now le d ge e x perim en ta lly . H ow h e h as b een m ak in g

use o f th e z o öphag ous p atie n t to e ff e ct h is e n tr y in to f rie n d J o hn’s h om e; f o r

your V am pir e , th ough in a ll a fte rw ard s h e c an c o m e w hen a n d h ow h e w ill, must a t th e f ir s t m ak e e n tr y o nly w hen a sk ed th ere to b y a n in m ate . B ut th ese

are n ot h is m ost im porta n t e x perim en ts . D o w e n ot se e h ow a t th e fir s t a ll

th ese s o g re at b oxes w ere m oved b y o th ers . H e k new n ot t h en b ut t h at m ust b e

so . B ut a ll th e tim e th at s o g re at c h ild -b ra in o f h is w as g ro w in g, a n d h e b eg an

to c o nsid er w heth er h e m ig ht n ot h im se lf m ove th e b ox. S o h e b eg an to h elp ;

an d th en , w hen h e f o und th at th is b e a ll- rig ht, h e tr y to m ove th em a ll a lo ne.

And s o h e p ro gre ss, a n d h e s c atte r th ese g ra v es o f h im ; a n d n one b ut h e k now

where th ey a re h id den . H e m ay h av e in te n d to b ury th em d eep in th e g ro und.

So th at h e o nly u se th em in th e n ig ht, o r a t s u ch tim e a s h e c an c h an ge h is

fo rm , th ey d o h im e q ual w ell; a n d n one m ay k now th ese a re h is h id in g-p la ce!

But, m y ch ild , d o n ot d esp air ; th is k now le d ge co m e to h im ju st to o la te !

Alr e ad y a ll o f h is la ir s b ut o ne b e s te rilis e a s fo r h im ; a n d b efo re th e s u nse t

th is s h all b e s o . T hen h e h av e n o p la ce w here h e c an m ove a n d h id e. I d ela y ed

th is m orn in g t h at s o w e m ig ht b e s u re . I s t h ere n ot m ore a t s ta k e f o r u s t h an f o r

him ? T hen w hy w e n ot b e e v en m ore c are fu l th an h im ? B y m y c lo ck it is o ne

hour a n d a lr e ad y, if a ll b e w ell, f rie n d A rth ur a n d Q uin cey a re o n th eir w ay to

us. T o-d ay is o ur d ay, a n d w e m ust g o s u re , if s lo w , a n d lo se n o c h an ce. S ee!

th ere a re f iv e o f u s w hen t h ose a b se n t o nes r e tu rn .”

Whils t h e w as s p eak in g w e w ere s ta rtle d b y a k nock a t th e h all d oor, th e

double p ostm an ’s k nock o f th e te le g ra p h b oy. W e a ll m oved o ut to th e h all

with o ne im puls e , a n d V an H els in g, h old in g u p h is h an d to u s to k eep s ile n ce,

ste p ped to th e door an d open ed it. T he boy han ded in a desp atc h . T he

Pro fe sso r c lo se d th e d oor a g ain , a n d, a fte r lo okin g a t th e d ir e ctio n, o pen ed it

an d r e ad a lo ud.

“L ook o ut f o r D . H e h as ju st n ow , 1 2:4 5, c o m e f ro m C arfa x h urrie d ly a n d

haste n ed to w ard s th e S outh . H e s e em s to b e g oin g th e r o und a n d m ay w an t to

se e y ou: M in a.”

There w as a p au se , b ro ken b y J o nath an H ark er’s v oic e:—

“N ow , G od b e th an ked , w e s h all s o on m eet! ” V an H els in g tu rn ed to h im

quic k ly a n d s a id :—

“G od w ill a ct in H is o w n w ay a n d tim e. D o n ot f e ar, a n d d o n ot r e jo ic e a s

yet; f o r w hat w e w is h f o r a t t h e m om en t m ay b e o ur u ndoin gs.”

“I c are f o r n oth in g n ow ,” h e a n sw ere d h otly , “ ex cep t to w ip e o ut th is b ru te

fro m t h e f a ce o f c re atio n. I w ould s e ll m y s o ul t o d o i t! ”

“O h, h ush , h ush , m y c h ild !” sa id V an H els in g. “ G od d oes n ot p urc h ase

so uls i n t h is w is e ; a n d t h e D ev il, t h ough h e m ay p urc h ase , d oes n ot k eep f a ith .

But G od is m erc if u l a n d ju st, a n d k now s y our p ain a n d y our d ev otio n to th at

dear M ad am M in a. T hin k y ou, h ow h er p ain w ould b e d ouble d , d id s h e b ut

hear y our w ild w ord s. D o n ot f e ar a n y o f u s, w e a re a ll d ev ote d to th is c au se , an d to -d ay sh all se e th e en d. T he tim e is co m in g fo r actio n; to -d ay th is

Vam pir e is lim it to th e p ow ers o f m an , a n d till s u nse t h e m ay n ot c h an ge. It

will ta k e h im tim e to a rriv e h ere — se e, it is tw en ty m in ute s p ast o ne— an d

th ere a re y et so m e tim es b efo re h e c an h ith er c o m e, b e h e n ev er so q uic k .

What w e m ust h ope f o r i s t h at m y L ord A rth ur a n d Q uin cey a rriv e f ir s t.”

About h alf a n h our a fte r w e h ad re ceiv ed M rs . H ark er’s te le g ra m , th ere

cam e a q uie t, re so lu te k nock a t th e h all d oor. It w as ju st a n o rd in ary k nock ,

su ch a s i s g iv en h ourly b y t h ousa n ds o f g en tle m en , b ut i t m ad e t h e P ro fe sso r’s

heart a n d m in e b eat lo udly . W e lo oked a t e ach o th er, a n d to geth er m oved o ut

in to th e h all; w e e ach h eld r e ad y to u se o ur v ario us a rm am en ts — th e s p ir itu al

in t h e l e ft h an d, t h e m orta l i n t h e r ig ht. V an H els in g p ulle d b ack t h e l a tc h , a n d,

hold in g th e d oor h alf o pen , s to od b ack , h av in g b oth h an ds re ad y fo r a ctio n.

The g la d ness o f o ur h earts m ust h av e s h ow n u pon o ur f a ces w hen o n th e s te p ,

clo se to th e d oor, w e s a w L ord G odalm in g a n d Q uin cey M orris . T hey c am e

quic k ly in a n d c lo se d th e d oor b eh in d th em , th e f o rm er s a y in g, a s th ey m oved

alo ng t h e h all:—

“It is a ll r ig ht. W e f o und b oth p la ces; s ix b oxes in e ach a n d w e d estr o yed

th em a ll! ”

“D estr o yed ?” a sk ed t h e P ro fe sso r.

“F or h im !” W e w ere s ile n t f o r a m in ute , a n d t h en Q uin cey s a id :—

“T here ’s n oth in g to d o b ut to w ait h ere . I f, h ow ev er, h e d oesn ’t tu rn u p b y

fiv e o ’c lo ck , w e m ust s ta rt o ff ; f o r i t w on’t d o t o l e av e M rs . H ark er a lo ne a fte r

su nse t.”

“H e w ill be here befo re lo ng now ,” sa id V an H els in g, w ho had been

co nsu ltin g h is p ock et- b ook. “ N ota b en e, in M ad am ’s te le g ra m h e w en t s o uth

fro m C arfa x , th at m ean s h e w en t to c ro ss th e r iv er, a n d h e c o uld o nly d o s o a t

sla ck o f tid e, w hic h sh ould b e so m eth in g b efo re o ne o ’c lo ck . T hat h e w en t

so uth h as a m ean in g fo r u s. H e is a s y et o nly s u sp ic io us; a n d h e w en t fro m

Carfa x f ir s t to th e p la ce w here h e w ould s u sp ect in te rfe re n ce le ast. Y ou m ust

hav e b een a t B erm ondse y o nly a s h ort tim e b efo re h im . T hat h e is n ot h ere

alr e ad y s h ow s t h at h e w en t t o M ile E nd n ex t. T his t o ok h im s o m e t im e; f o r h e

would th en h av e to b e c arrie d o ver th e riv er in so m e w ay. B elie v e m e, m y

frie n ds, w e s h all n ot h av e lo ng to w ait n ow . W e s h ould h av e r e ad y s o m e p la n

of a tta ck , s o th at w e m ay th ro w a w ay n o c h an ce. H ush , th ere is n o tim e n ow .

Hav e a ll y our a rm s! B e r e ad y!” H e h eld u p a w arn in g h an d a s h e s p oke, f o r w e

all c o uld h ear a k ey s o ftly i n se rte d i n t h e l o ck o f t h e h all d oor.

I co uld not but ad m ir e , ev en at su ch a m om en t, th e w ay in w hic h a

dom in an t sp ir it a sse rte d its e lf . In a ll o ur h untin g p artie s a n d a d ven tu re s in

dif f e re n t p arts o f th e w orld , Q uin cey M orris h ad alw ay s b een th e o ne to arra n ge th e p la n o f a ctio n, a n d A rth ur a n d I h ad b een a ccu sto m ed to o bey h im

im plic itly . N ow , t h e o ld h ab it s e em ed t o b e r e n ew ed i n stin ctiv ely . W ith a s w if t

gla n ce a ro und th e ro om , h e a t o nce la id o ut o ur p la n o f a tta ck , a n d, w ith out

sp eak in g a w ord , w ith a g estu re , p la ced u s each in p ositio n. V an H els in g,

Hark er, an d I w ere ju st b eh in d th e d oor, so th at w hen it w as o pen ed th e

Pro fe sso r c o uld g uard it w hils t w e tw o s te p ped b etw een th e in co m er a n d th e

door. G odalm in g b eh in d a n d Q uin cey in f ro nt s to od ju st o ut o f s ig ht r e ad y to

move in f ro nt o f th e w in dow . W e w aite d in a s u sp en se th at m ad e th e s e co nds

pass w ith n ig htm are s lo w ness. T he s lo w , c are fu l s te p s c am e a lo ng t h e h all; t h e

Count w as e v id en tly p re p are d f o r s o m e s u rp ris e — at l e ast h e f e are d i t.

Sudden ly w ith a s in gle b ound h e l e ap ed in to t h e r o om , w in nin g a w ay p ast

us b efo re a n y o f u s c o uld ra is e a h an d to s ta y h im . T here w as s o m eth in g s o

pan th er- lik e i n t h e m ovem en t— so m eth in g s o u nhum an , t h at i t s e em ed t o s o ber

us a ll f ro m th e s h ock o f h is c o m in g. T he f ir s t to a ct w as H ark er, w ho, w ith a

quic k m ovem en t, th re w h im se lf b efo re th e d oor le ad in g in to th e ro om in th e

fro nt o f t h e h ouse . A s t h e C ount s a w u s, a h orrib le s o rt o f s n arl p asse d o ver h is

fa ce, sh ow in g th e e y e-te eth lo ng a n d p oin te d ; b ut th e e v il sm ile a s q uic k ly

passe d in to a c o ld s ta re o f lio n-lik e d is d ain . H is e x pre ssio n a g ain c h an ged a s,

with a s in gle i m puls e , w e a ll a d van ced u pon h im . I t w as a p ity t h at w e h ad n ot

so m e b ette r o rg an is e d p la n o f a tta ck , f o r e v en a t th e m om en t I w ondere d w hat

we w ere to d o. I d id n ot m yse lf k now w heth er o ur le th al w eap ons w ould a v ail

us a n yth in g. H ark er e v id en tly m ean t to tr y th e m atte r, fo r h e h ad re ad y h is

gre at K ukri k nif e a n d m ad e a fie rc e a n d s u dden c u t a t h im . T he b lo w w as a

pow erfu l o ne; o nly th e d ia b olic al q uic k ness o f th e C ount’s le ap b ack sa v ed

him . A s e co nd le ss a n d th e tr e n ch an t b la d e h ad s h orn e th ro ugh h is h eart. A s it

was, th e p oin t ju st c u t th e c lo th o f h is c o at, m ak in g a w id e g ap w hen ce a

bundle o f b an k-n ote s a n d a str e am o f g old fe ll o ut. T he e x pre ssio n o f th e

Count’s fa ce w as s o h ellis h , th at fo r a m om en t I fe are d fo r H ark er, th ough I

sa w h im th ro w th e te rrib le k nif e a lo ft a g ain f o r a n oth er s tr o ke. I n stin ctiv ely I

moved fo rw ard w ith a p ro te ctiv e im puls e , h old in g th e C ru cif ix a n d W afe r in

my le ft h an d. I fe lt a m ig hty p ow er fly a lo ng m y a rm ; a n d it w as w ith out

su rp ris e th at I s a w th e m onste r c o w er b ack b efo re a s im ila r m ovem en t m ad e

sp onta n eo usly b y each o ne o f u s. It w ould b e im possib le to d esc rib e th e

ex pre ssio n o f h ate a n d b aff le d m alig nity — of a n ger a n d h ellis h ra g e— whic h

cam e o ver th e C ount’s fa ce. H is w ax en h ue b ecam e g re en is h -y ello w b y th e

co ntr a st o f h is b urn in g e y es, a n d th e re d s c ar o n th e fo re h ead s h ow ed o n th e

pallid s k in lik e a p alp ita tin g w ound. T he n ex t in sta n t, w ith a s in uous d iv e h e

sw ep t u nder H ark er’s a rm , e re h is b lo w c o uld f a ll, a n d, g ra sp in g a h an dfu l o f

th e m oney fro m th e flo or, dash ed acro ss th e ro om , th re w him se lf at th e

win dow . A m id th e c ra sh a n d g litte r o f th e fa llin g g la ss, h e tu m ble d in to th e

fla g ged a re a b elo w . T hro ugh th e s o und o f th e s h iv erin g g la ss I c o uld h ear th e

“tin g” o f t h e g old , a s s o m e o f t h e s o vere ig ns f e ll o n t h e f la g gin g. We ra n o ver a n d s a w h im s p rin g u nhurt fro m th e g ro und. H e, ru sh in g u p

th e s te p s, c ro sse d th e f la g ged y ard , a n d p ush ed o pen th e s ta b le d oor. T here h e

tu rn ed a n d s p oke t o u s:—

“Y ou th in k to b aff le m e, y ou— with y our p ale f a ces a ll in a r o w , lik e s h eep

in a b utc h er’s . Y ou s h all b e s o rry y et, e ach o ne o f y ou! Y ou t h in k y ou h av e l e ft

me w ith out a p la ce t o r e st; b ut I h av e m ore . M y r e v en ge i s j u st b eg un! I s p re ad

it o ver c en tu rie s, a n d tim e is o n m y s id e. Y our g ir ls th at y ou a ll lo ve a re m in e

alr e ad y; a n d th ro ugh th em y ou a n d o th ers s h all y et b e m in e— my c re atu re s, to

do m y b id din g an d to b e m y ja ck als w hen I w an t to fe ed . B ah !” W ith a

co nte m ptu ous sn eer, h e p asse d q uic k ly th ro ugh th e d oor, a n d w e h eard th e

ru sty b olt c re ak a s h e f a ste n ed it b eh in d h im . A d oor b ey ond o pen ed a n d s h ut.

The fir s t of us to sp eak w as th e P ro fe sso r, as, re alis in g th e dif f ic u lty of

fo llo w in g h im t h ro ugh t h e s ta b le , w e m oved t o w ard t h e h all.

“W e h av e le arn t s o m eth in g— much ! N otw ith sta n din g h is b ra v e w ord s, h e

fe ars u s; h e f e ar t im e, h e f e ar w an t! F or i f n ot, w hy h e h urry s o ? H is v ery t o ne

betr a y h im , o r m y e ars d eceiv e. W hy ta k e th at m oney ? Y ou f o llo w q uic k . Y ou

are h unte rs o f w ild b east, an d u nders ta n d it so . F or m e, I m ak e su re th at

noth in g h ere m ay b e o f u se t o h im , i f s o t h at h e r e tu rn .” A s h e s p oke h e p ut t h e

money r e m ain in g in to h is p ock et; to ok th e title -d eed s in th e b undle a s H ark er

had le ft th em , a n d s w ep t th e re m ain in g th in gs in to th e o pen fir e p la ce, w here

he s e t f ir e t o t h em w ith a m atc h .

Godalm in g an d M orris had ru sh ed out in to th e yard , an d H ark er had

lo w ere d h im se lf fro m th e w in dow to fo llo w th e C ount. H e h ad , h ow ev er,

bolte d th e s ta b le d oor; a n d b y th e tim e th ey h ad fo rc ed it o pen th ere w as n o

sig n o f h im . V an H els in g a n d I tr ie d to m ak e in quir y a t th e b ack o f th e h ouse ;

but t h e m ew s w as d ese rte d a n d n o o ne h ad s e en h im d ep art.

It w as n ow la te in th e a fte rn oon, a n d su nse t w as n ot fa r o ff . W e h ad to

re co gnis e th at our gam e w as up; w ith heav y hearts w e ag re ed w ith th e

Pro fe sso r w hen h e s a id :—

“L et u s g o b ack to M ad am M in a— poor, p oor d ear M ad am M in a. A ll w e

can d o ju st n ow is d one; a n d w e c an th ere , a t le ast, p ro te ct h er. B ut w e n eed

not d esp air. T here is b ut o ne m ore e arth -b ox, a n d w e m ust tr y to f in d it; w hen

th at is d one a ll m ay y et b e w ell.” I c o uld s e e th at h e s p oke a s b ra v ely a s h e

co uld to c o m fo rt H ark er. T he p oor fe llo w w as q uite b ro ken d ow n; n ow a n d

ag ain h e g av e a lo w g ro an w hic h h e c o uld n ot s u ppre ss— he w as th in kin g o f

his w if e .

With s a d h earts w e c am e b ack to m y h ouse , w here w e f o und M rs . H ark er

waitin g us, w ith an ap peara n ce of ch eerfu ln ess w hic h did honour to her

bra v ery a n d u nse lf is h ness. W hen s h e s a w o ur fa ces, h er o w n b ecam e a s p ale

as d eath : fo r a s e co nd o r tw o h er e y es w ere c lo se d a s if s h e w ere in s e cre t pra y er; a n d t h en s h e s a id c h eerfu lly :—

“I c an n ev er th an k y ou a ll e n ough. O h, m y p oor d arlin g!” A s s h e s p oke,

sh e to ok h er h usb an d’s g re y h ead in h er h an ds a n d k is se d it— “L ay y our p oor

head h ere a n d re st it. A ll w ill y et b e w ell, d ear! G od w ill p ro te ct u s if H e s o

will it in H is g ood in te n t.” T he p oor fe llo w g ro an ed . T here w as n o p la ce fo r

word s i n h is s u blim e m is e ry .

We h ad a s o rt o f p erfu ncto ry s u pper to geth er, a n d I th in k it c h eere d u s a ll

up s o m ew hat. I t w as, p erh ap s, th e m ere a n im al h eat o f f o od to h ungry p eo ple

—fo r none of us had eate n an yth in g sin ce bre ak fa st— or th e se n se of

co m pan io nsh ip m ay h av e h elp ed u s; b ut a n yhow w e w ere a ll le ss m is e ra b le ,

an d s a w th e m orro w a s n ot a lto geth er w ith out h ope. T ru e to o ur p ro m is e , w e

to ld M rs . H ark er e v ery th in g w hic h h ad p asse d ; a n d a lth ough s h e g re w s n ow y

white a t tim es w hen d an ger h ad s e em ed to th re ate n h er h usb an d, a n d re d a t

oth ers w hen h is d ev otio n to h er w as m an if e ste d , s h e lis te n ed b ra v ely a n d w ith

calm ness. W hen w e c am e t o t h e p art w here H ark er h ad r u sh ed a t t h e C ount s o

re ck le ssly , sh e c lu ng to h er h usb an d’s a rm , a n d h eld it tig ht a s th ough h er

clin gin g c o uld p ro te ct h im f ro m a n y h arm th at m ig ht c o m e. S he s a id n oth in g,

how ev er, t ill t h e n arra tio n w as a ll d one, a n d m atte rs h ad b een b ro ught r ig ht u p

to th e p re se n t tim e. T hen w ith out le ttin g g o h er h usb an d’s h an d s h e s to od u p

am ongst u s a n d sp oke. O h, th at I c o uld g iv e a n y id ea o f th e sc en e; o f th at

sw eet, s w eet, g ood, g ood w om an in a ll th e ra d ia n t b eau ty o f h er y outh a n d

an im atio n, w ith t h e r e d s c ar o n h er f o re h ead , o f w hic h s h e w as c o nsc io us, a n d

whic h w e s a w w ith g rin din g o f o ur te eth — re m em berin g w hen ce a n d h ow it

cam e; h er lo vin g k in dness a g ain st o ur g rim h ate ; h er te n der fa ith a g ain st a ll

our f e ars a n d d oubtin g; a n d w e, k now in g t h at s o f a r a s s y m bols w en t, s h e w ith

all h er g oodness a n d p urity a n d f a ith , w as o utc ast f ro m G od.

“Jo nath an ,” s h e s a id , a n d t h e w ord s o unded l ik e m usic o n h er l ip s i t w as s o

fu ll o f l o ve a n d t e n dern ess, “ Jo nath an d ear, a n d y ou a ll m y t r u e, t r u e f rie n ds, I

wan t y ou t o b ear s o m eth in g i n m in d t h ro ugh a ll t h is d re ad fu l t im e. I k now t h at

you m ust fig ht— th at y ou m ust d estr o y e v en a s y ou d estr o yed th e fa ls e L ucy

so th at th e tr u e L ucy m ig ht liv e h ere afte r; b ut it is n ot a w ork o f h ate . T hat

poor s o ul w ho h as w ro ught a ll th is m is e ry is th e s a d dest c ase o f a ll. J u st th in k

what w ill b e h is j o y w hen h e, t o o, i s d estr o yed i n h is w ors e r p art t h at h is b ette r

part m ay h av e s p ir itu al im morta lity . Y ou m ust b e p itif u l to h im , to o, th ough it

may n ot h old y our h an ds f ro m h is d estr u ctio n.”

As s h e s p oke I c o uld s e e h er h usb an d’s f a ce d ark en a n d d ra w to geth er, a s

th ough th e p assio n in h im w ere s h riv ellin g h is b ein g to its c o re . I n stin ctiv ely

th e c la sp o n h is w if e ’s h an d g re w c lo se r, till h is k nuck le s lo oked w hite . S he

did n ot f lin ch f ro m th e p ain w hic h I k new s h e m ust h av e s u ff e re d , b ut lo oked

at h im w ith e y es t h at w ere m ore a p pealin g t h an e v er. A s s h e s to pped s p eak in g

he l e ap ed t o h is f e et, a lm ost t e arin g h is h an d f ro m h ers a s h e s p oke:— “M ay G od g iv e h im in to m y h an d ju st fo r lo ng e n ough to d estr o y th at

earth ly lif e o f h im w hic h w e a re a im in g a t. I f b ey ond it I c o uld s e n d h is s o ul

fo r e v er a n d e v er t o b urn in g h ell I w ould d o i t! ”

“O h, h ush ! o h, h ush ! in th e n am e o f th e g ood G od. D on’t s a y s u ch th in gs,

Jo nath an , m y h usb an d; o r y ou w ill c ru sh m e w ith f e ar a n d h orro r. J u st th in k,

my d ear— I h av e b een th in kin g a ll th is lo ng, lo ng d ay o f it— th at ... p erh ap s ...

so m e d ay ... I, to o, m ay n eed s u ch p ity ; a n d th at s o m e o th er lik e y ou— an d

with eq ual cau se fo r an ger— may den y it to m e! O h, m y husb an d! m y

husb an d, in deed I w ould h av e sp are d y ou su ch a th ought h ad th ere b een

an oth er w ay ; b ut I p ra y th at G od m ay n ot h av e tr e asu re d y our w ild w ord s,

ex cep t a s th e h eart- b ro ken w ail o f a v ery lo vin g a n d s o re ly s tr ic k en m an . O h,

God, l e t t h ese p oor w hite h air s g o i n e v id en ce o f w hat h e h as s u ff e re d , w ho a ll

his l if e h as d one n o w ro ng, a n d o n w hom s o m an y s o rro w s h av e c o m e.”

We m en w ere a ll in te ars n ow . T here w as n o r e sis tin g th em , a n d w e w ep t

open ly . S he w ep t, to o, to se e th at h er sw eete r c o unse ls h ad p re v aile d . H er

husb an d f lu ng h im se lf o n h is k nees b esid e h er, a n d p uttin g h is a rm s r o und h er,

hid h is f a ce i n t h e f o ld s o f h er d re ss. V an H els in g b eck oned t o u s a n d w e s to le

out o f t h e r o om , l e av in g t h e t w o l o vin g h earts a lo ne w ith t h eir G od.

Befo re th ey r e tir e d th e P ro fe sso r f ix ed u p th e r o om a g ain st a n y c o m in g o f

th e V am pir e , a n d a ssu re d M rs . H ark er t h at s h e m ig ht r e st i n p eace. S he t r ie d t o

sc h ool h ers e lf to th e b elie f, a n d, m an if e stly fo r h er h usb an d’s sa k e, tr ie d to

se em co nte n t. It w as a bra v e str u ggle ; an d w as, I th in k an d belie v e, not

with out i ts r e w ard . V an H els in g h ad p la ced a t h an d a b ell w hic h e ith er o f t h em

was to so und in case o f an y em erg en cy. W hen th ey h ad re tir e d , Q uin cey,

Godalm in g, a n d I a rra n ged th at w e s h ould s it u p, d iv id in g th e n ig ht b etw een

us, a n d w atc h o ver th e s a fe ty o f th e p oor s tr ic k en la d y. T he f ir s t w atc h f a lls to

Quin cey, s o t h e r e st o f u s s h all b e o ff t o b ed a s s o on a s w e c an . G odalm in g h as

alr e ad y tu rn ed in , fo r h is is th e s e co nd w atc h . N ow th at m y w ork is d one I,

to o, s h all g o t o b ed .

Jo nath an H ark er’s J o urn al.

3-4 O cto ber, clo se to m id nig ht.— I th ought y este rd ay w ould n ev er en d.

There w as o ver m e a y earn in g fo r s le ep , in s o m e s o rt o f b lin d b elie f th at to

wak e w ould b e to f in d th in gs c h an ged , a n d th at a n y c h an ge m ust n ow b e f o r

th e b ette r. B efo re w e p arte d , w e d is c u sse d w hat o ur n ex t s te p w as to b e, b ut

we c o uld a rriv e a t n o re su lt. A ll w e k new w as th at o ne e arth -b ox re m ain ed ,

an d th at th e C ount a lo ne k new w here it w as. If h e c h oose s to lie h id den , h e

may b aff le u s fo r y ears ; a n d in th e m ean tim e!— th e th ought is to o h orrib le , I

dare n ot t h in k o f i t e v en n ow . T his I k now : t h at i f e v er t h ere w as a w om an w ho

was a ll p erfe ctio n, th at o ne is m y p oor w ro nged d arlin g. I lo ve h er a th ousa n d

tim es m ore fo r h er s w eet p ity o f la st n ig ht, a p ity th at m ad e m y o w n h ate o f th e m onste r s e em d esp ic ab le . S ure ly G od w ill n ot p erm it th e w orld to b e th e

poore r b y th e lo ss o f s u ch a c re atu re . T his is h ope to m e. W e a re a ll d rif tin g

re efw ard s n ow , a n d f a ith i s o ur o nly a n ch or. T han k G od! M in a i s s le ep in g, a n d

sle ep in g w ith out d re am s. I fe ar w hat h er d re am s m ig ht b e lik e, w ith su ch

te rrib le m em orie s to g ro und th em in . S he h as n ot b een so c alm , w ith in m y

se ein g, s in ce th e s u nse t. T hen , f o r a w hile , th ere c am e o ver h er f a ce a r e p ose

whic h w as lik e s p rin g a fte r th e b la sts o f M arc h . I th ought a t th e tim e th at it

was th e s o ftn ess o f th e r e d s u nse t o n h er f a ce, b ut s o m eh ow n ow I th in k it h as

a d eep er m ean in g. I am n ot sle ep y m yse lf , th ough I am w eary — weary to

death . H ow ev er, I m ust tr y to s le ep ; fo r th ere is to -m orro w to th in k o f, a n d

th ere i s n o r e st f o r m e u ntil....

Late r.— I m ust h av e fa lle n a sle ep , fo r I w as a w ak ed b y M in a, w ho w as

sittin g u p i n b ed , w ith a s ta rtle d l o ok o n h er f a ce. I c o uld s e e e asily , f o r w e d id

not le av e th e ro om in d ark ness; sh e h ad p la ced a w arn in g h an d o ver m y

mouth , a n d n ow s h e w his p ere d i n m y e ar:—

“H ush ! th ere is s o m eo ne in th e c o rrid or!” I g ot u p s o ftly , a n d c ro ssin g th e

ro om , g en tly o pen ed t h e d oor.

Ju st o uts id e, str e tc h ed o n a m attr e ss, la y M r. M orris , w id e aw ak e. H e

ra is e d a w arn in g h an d f o r s ile n ce a s h e w his p ere d t o m e:—

“H ush ! g o b ack to b ed ; it is a ll r ig ht. O ne o f u s w ill b e h ere a ll n ig ht. W e

don’t m ean t o t a k e a n y c h an ces!”

His lo ok a n d g estu re fo rb ad e d is c u ssio n, s o I c am e b ack a n d to ld M in a.

She s ig hed a n d p ositiv ely a s h ad ow o f a s m ile s to le o ver h er p oor, p ale f a ce a s

sh e p ut h er a rm s r o und m e a n d s a id s o ftly :—

“O h, th an k G od f o r g ood b ra v e m en !” W ith a s ig h s h e s a n k b ack a g ain to

sle ep . I w rite t h is n ow a s I a m n ot s le ep y, t h ough I m ust t r y a g ain .

4 O cto ber, m orn in g.— Once ag ain durin g th e nig ht I w as w ak en ed by

Min a. T his tim e w e h ad a ll h ad a g ood s le ep , f o r th e g re y o f th e c o m in g d aw n

was m ak in g th e w in dow s in to sh arp o blo ngs, a n d th e g as fla m e w as lik e a

sp eck r a th er t h an a d is c o f l ig ht. S he s a id t o m e h urrie d ly :—

“G o, c all t h e P ro fe sso r. I w an t t o s e e h im a t o nce.”

“W hy?” I a sk ed .

“I h av e a n id ea. I su ppose it m ust h av e c o m e in th e n ig ht, a n d m atu re d

with out m y k now in g it. H e m ust h ypnotis e m e b efo re th e d aw n, a n d th en I

sh all b e a b le to s p eak . G o q uic k , d eare st; th e tim e is g ettin g c lo se .” I w en t to

th e d oor. D r. S ew ard w as r e stin g o n th e m attr e ss, a n d, s e ein g m e, h e s p ra n g to

his f e et.

“Is a n yth in g w ro ng?” h e a sk ed , i n a la rm . “N o,” I r e p lie d ; “ b ut M in a w an ts t o s e e D r. V an H els in g a t o nce.”

“I w ill g o,” h e s a id , a n d h urrie d i n to t h e P ro fe sso r’s r o om .

In tw o o r th re e m in ute s la te r V an H els in g w as in th e r o om in h is d re ssin g-

gow n, a n d M r. M orris a n d L ord G odalm in g w ere w ith D r. S ew ard a t th e d oor

ask in g q uestio ns. W hen th e P ro fe sso r sa w M in a a sm ile — a p ositiv e sm ile

ouste d t h e a n xie ty o f h is f a ce; h e r u bbed h is h an ds a s h e s a id :—

“O h, m y d ear M ad am M in a, th is is in deed a c h an ge. S ee! f rie n d J o nath an ,

we h av e g ot o ur d ear M ad am M in a, a s o f o ld , b ack t o u s t o -d ay !” T hen t u rn in g

to h er, h e s a id , c h eerfu lly : “ A nd w hat a m I d o f o r y ou? F or a t t h is h our y ou d o

not w an t m e f o r n oth in gs.”

“I w an t y ou to h ypnotis e m e!” s h e s a id . “ D o it b efo re th e d aw n, f o r I f e el

th at th en I can sp eak , an d sp eak fre ely . B e q uic k , fo r th e tim e is sh ort! ”

With out a w ord h e m otio ned h er t o s it u p i n b ed .

Lookin g f ix ed ly a t h er, h e c o m men ced t o m ak e p asse s i n f ro nt o f h er, f ro m

over t h e t o p o f h er h ead d ow nw ard , w ith e ach h an d i n t u rn . M in a g azed a t h im

fix ed ly f o r a f e w m in ute s, d urin g w hic h m y o w n h eart b eat l ik e a t r ip h am mer,

fo r I f e lt th at s o m e c ris is w as a t h an d. G ra d ually h er e y es c lo se d , a n d s h e s a t,

sto ck s till; o nly b y th e g en tle h eav in g o f h er b oso m c o uld o ne k now th at s h e

was a liv e. T he P ro fe sso r m ad e a fe w m ore p asse s a n d th en sto pped , a n d I

co uld s e e t h at h is f o re h ead w as c o vere d w ith g re at b ead s o f p ers p ir a tio n. M in a

open ed h er e y es; b ut s h e d id n ot s e em t h e s a m e w om an . T here w as a f a r- a w ay

lo ok in h er e y es, a n d h er v oic e h ad a s a d d re am in ess w hic h w as n ew to m e.

Rais in g h is h an d to im pose s ile n ce, th e P ro fe sso r m otio ned to m e to b rin g th e

oth ers i n . T hey c am e o n t ip -to e, c lo sin g t h e d oor b eh in d t h em , a n d s to od a t t h e

fo ot o f th e b ed , lo okin g o n. M in a a p peare d n ot to s e e th em . T he s tilln ess w as

bro ken b y V an H els in g’s v oic e s p eak in g in a lo w le v el to ne w hic h w ould n ot

bre ak t h e c u rre n t o f h er t h oughts :—

“W here a re y ou?” T he a n sw er c am e i n a n eu tr a l w ay :—

“I d o n ot k now . S le ep h as n o p la ce i t c an c all i ts o w n.” F or s e v era l m in ute s

th ere w as sile n ce. M in a sa t rig id , an d th e P ro fe sso r sto od sta rin g at her

fix ed ly ; th e r e st o f u s h ard ly d are d to b re ath e. T he r o om w as g ro w in g lig hte r;

with out ta k in g h is e y es fro m M in a’s fa ce, D r. V an H els in g m otio ned m e to

pull u p th e b lin d. I d id s o , a n d th e d ay s e em ed ju st u pon u s. A r e d s tr e ak s h ot

up, a n d a r o sy lig ht s e em ed to d if f u se its e lf th ro ugh th e r o om . O n th e in sta n t

th e P ro fe sso r s p oke a g ain :—

“W here a re y ou n ow ?” T he a n sw er c am e d re am ily , b ut w ith in te n tio n; it

were a s t h ough s h e w ere i n te rp re tin g s o m eth in g. I h av e h eard h er u se t h e s a m e

to ne w hen r e ad in g h er s h orth an d n ote s. “I d o n ot k now . I t i s a ll s tr a n ge t o m e!”

“W hat d o y ou s e e?”

“I c an s e e n oth in g; i t i s a ll d ark .”

“W hat d o y ou h ear? ” I c o uld d ete ct th e str a in in th e P ro fe sso r’s p atie n t

voic e.

“T he la p pin g o f w ate r. It is g urg lin g b y, a n d little w av es le ap . I c an h ear

th em o n t h e o uts id e.”

“T hen y ou a re o n a sh ip ?” W e a ll lo oked a t e ach o th er, tr y in g to g le an

so m eth in g e ach fro m th e o th er. W e w ere a fra id to th in k. T he a n sw er c am e

quic k :—

“O h, y es!”

“W hat e ls e d o y ou h ear? ”

“T he so und o f m en sta m pin g o verh ead as th ey ru n ab out. T here is th e

cre ak in g o f a c h ain , a n d th e lo ud tin kle a s th e c h eck o f th e c ap sta n fa lls in to

th e r a ch et.”

“W hat a re y ou d oin g?”

“I a m s till— oh, s o s till. I t i s l ik e d eath !” T he v oic e f a d ed a w ay i n to a d eep

bre ath a s o f o ne s le ep in g, a n d t h e o pen e y es c lo se d a g ain .

By th is tim e th e s u n h ad r is e n , a n d w e w ere a ll in th e f u ll lig ht o f d ay. D r.

Van H els in g p la ced h is h an ds o n M in a’s s h ould ers , a n d la id h er h ead d ow n

so ftly o n h er p illo w . S he l a y l ik e a s le ep in g c h ild f o r a f e w m om en ts , a n d t h en ,

with a l o ng s ig h, a w oke a n d s ta re d i n w onder t o s e e u s a ll a ro und h er. “ H av e I

been t a lk in g i n m y s le ep ?” w as a ll s h e s a id . S he s e em ed , h ow ev er, t o k now t h e

situ atio n w ith out t e llin g, t h ough s h e w as e ag er t o k now w hat s h e h ad t o ld . T he

Pro fe sso r r e p eate d t h e c o nvers a tio n, a n d s h e s a id :—

“T hen t h ere i s n ot a m om en t t o l o se : i t m ay n ot b e y et t o o l a te !” M r. M orris

an d L ord G odalm in g s ta rte d f o r th e d oor b ut th e P ro fe sso r’s c alm v oic e c alle d

th em b ack :—

“S ta y, m y f rie n ds. T hat s h ip , w here v er it w as, w as w eig hin g a n ch or w hils t

sh e s p oke. T here a re m an y s h ip s w eig hin g a n ch or a t th e m om en t in y our s o

gre at P ort o f L ondon. W hic h o f th em is it th at y ou s e ek ? G od b e th an ked th at

we h av e o nce a g ain a c lu e, th ough w hith er it m ay le ad u s w e k now n ot. W e

hav e b een b lin d s o m ew hat; b lin d a fte r th e m an ner o f m en , s in ce w hen w e c an

lo ok b ack w e s e e w hat w e m ig ht h av e s e en lo okin g fo rw ard if w e h ad b een

ab le to s e e w hat w e m ig ht h av e s e en ! A la s, b ut th at s e n te n ce is a p uddle ; is it

not? W e c an k now n ow w hat w as in th e C ount’s m in d, w hen h e se iz e th at

money, th ough J o nath an ’s s o fie rc e k nif e p ut h im in th e d an ger th at e v en h e dre ad . H e m ean t e sc ap e. H ear m e, E SC A PE ! H e s a w th at w ith b ut o ne e arth -

box le ft, a n d a p ack o f m en f o llo w in g lik e d ogs a fte r a f o x, th is L ondon w as

no p la ce f o r h im . H e h av e t a k e h is l a st e arth -b ox o n b oard a s h ip , a n d h e l e av e

th e l a n d. H e t h in k t o e sc ap e, b ut n o! w e f o llo w h im . T ally H o! a s f rie n d A rth ur

would s a y w hen h e p ut o n h is r e d f ro ck ! O ur o ld f o x is w ily ; o h! s o w ily , a n d

we m ust f o llo w w ith w ile . I , t o o, a m w ily a n d I t h in k h is m in d i n a l ittle w hile .

In m ean tim e w e m ay r e st a n d in p eace, f o r th ere a re w ate rs b etw een u s w hic h

he d o n ot w an t to p ass, a n d w hic h h e c o uld n ot if h e w ould — unle ss th e s h ip

were to to uch th e la n d, a n d th en o nly a t f u ll o r s la ck tid e. S ee, a n d th e s u n is

ju st r o se , a n d a ll d ay to s u nse t is to u s. L et u s ta k e b ath , a n d d re ss, a n d h av e

bre ak fa st w hic h w e a ll n eed , a n d w hic h w e c an e at c o m fo rta b ly s in ce h e b e

not i n t h e s a m e l a n d w ith u s.” M in a l o oked a t h im a p pealin gly a s s h e a sk ed :—

“B ut w hy n eed w e s e ek h im f u rth er, w hen h e is g one a w ay f ro m u s? ” H e

to ok h er h an d a n d p atte d i t a s h e r e p lie d :—

“A sk m e n oth in gs as y et. W hen w e h av e b re ak fa st, th en I an sw er all

questio ns.” H e w ould s a y n o m ore , a n d w e s e p ara te d t o d re ss.

Afte r b re ak fa st M in a r e p eate d h er q uestio n. H e lo oked a t h er g ra v ely f o r a

min ute a n d t h en s a id s o rro w fu lly :—

“B ecau se m y d ear, d ear M ad am M in a, n ow m ore th an e v er m ust w e fin d

him e v en i f w e h av e t o f o llo w h im t o t h e j a w s o f H ell! ” S he g re w p ale r a s s h e

ask ed f a in tly :—

“W hy?”

“B ecau se ,” h e a n sw ere d s o le m nly , “ h e c an liv e fo r c en tu rie s, a n d y ou a re

but m orta l w om an . T im e is n ow to b e d re ad ed — sin ce o nce h e p ut th at m ark

upon y our t h ro at.”

I w as j u st i n t im e t o c atc h h er a s s h e f e ll f o rw ard i n a f a in t.

CH APT ER X XIV

DR. S E W ARD’S P H ONO GRAPH D IA RY, S P O KEN B Y V A N H ELSIN G

T his

t o J o nath an H ark er.

You a re to sta y w ith y our d ear M ad am M in a. W e sh all g o to m ak e o ur

se arc h — if I can call it so , fo r it is n ot se arc h b ut k now in g, an d w e se ek

co nfir m atio n o nly . B ut d o y ou s ta y a n d ta k e c are o f h er to -d ay. T his is y our

best a n d m ost h olie st o ff ic e. T his d ay n oth in g c an fin d h im h ere . L et m e te ll

you th at s o y ou w ill k now w hat w e fo ur k now a lr e ad y, fo r I h av e te ll th em . He, our en em y, hav e gone aw ay ; he hav e gone back to his C astle in

Tra n sy lv an ia . I k now it s o w ell, a s if a g re at h an d o f f ir e w ro te it o n th e w all.

He h av e p re p are f o r t h is i n s o m e w ay, a n d t h at l a st e arth -b ox w as r e ad y t o s h ip

so m ew here s. F or th is h e to ok th e m oney ; f o r th is h e h urry a t th e la st, le st w e

catc h h im b efo re t h e s u n g o d ow n. I t w as h is l a st h ope, s a v e t h at h e m ig ht h id e

in th e to m b th at h e th in k p oor M is s L ucy, b ein g a s h e th ought lik e h im , k eep

open t o h im . B ut t h ere w as n ot o f t im e. W hen t h at f a il h e m ak e s tr a ig ht f o r h is

la st r e so urc e— his la st e arth -w ork I m ig ht s a y d id I w is h d ouble e n te n te . H e is

cle v er, o h, s o c le v er! h e k now th at h is g am e h ere w as f in is h ; a n d s o h e d ecid e

he g o b ack h om e. H e f in d s h ip g oin g b y t h e r o ute h e c am e, a n d h e g o i n i t. W e

go o ff n ow t o f in d w hat s h ip , a n d w hith er b ound; w hen w e h av e d is c o ver t h at,

we co m e b ack an d te ll y ou all. T hen w e w ill co m fo rt y ou an d p oor d ear

Mad am M in a w ith n ew h ope. F or it w ill b e h ope w hen y ou th in k it o ver: th at

all is n ot lo st. T his v ery c re atu re th at w e p urs u e, h e ta k e h undre d s o f y ears to

get s o f a r a s L ondon; a n d y et i n o ne d ay, w hen w e k now o f t h e d is p osa l o f h im

we d riv e h im o ut. H e is fin ite , th ough h e is p ow erfu l to d o m uch h arm a n d

su ff e rs n ot a s w e d o. B ut w e a re s tr o ng, e ach in o ur p urp ose ; a n d w e a re a ll

more s tr o ng to geth er. T ak e h eart a fre sh , d ear h usb an d o f M ad am M in a. T his

battle is b ut b eg un, a n d in th e e n d w e s h all w in — so s u re a s th at G od s its o n

hig h t o w atc h o ver H is c h ild re n . T here fo re b e o f m uch c o m fo rt t ill w e r e tu rn .

Van H els in g.

Jo nath an H ark er’s J o urn al.

4 O cto ber.— When I re ad to M in a, Van H els in g’s m essa g e in th e

phonogra p h, th e p oor g ir l b rig hte n ed u p c o nsid era b ly . A lr e ad y th e c erta in ty

th at th e C ount is o ut o f th e c o untr y h as g iv en h er c o m fo rt; a n d c o m fo rt is

str e n gth to h er. F or m y o w n p art, n ow th at h is h orrib le d an ger is n ot fa ce to

fa ce w ith u s, i t s e em s a lm ost i m possib le t o b elie v e i n i t. E ven m y o w n t e rrib le

ex perie n ces in C astle D ra cu la s e em lik e a lo ng-fo rg otte n d re am . H ere in th e

cris p a u tu m n a ir i n t h e b rig ht s u nlig ht— —

Ala s! h ow c an I d is b elie v e! I n th e m id st o f m y th ought m y e y e f e ll o n th e

re d s c ar o n m y p oor d arlin g’s w hite f o re h ead . W hils t t h at l a sts , t h ere c an b e n o

dis b elie f. A nd a fte rw ard s th e v ery m em ory o f it w ill k eep fa ith c ry sta l c le ar.

Min a a n d I fe ar to b e id le , so w e h av e b een o ver a ll th e d ia rie s a g ain a n d

ag ain . S om eh ow , a lth ough t h e r e ality s e em s g re ate r e ach t im e, t h e p ain a n d t h e

fe ar s e em le ss. T here is s o m eth in g o f a g uid in g p urp ose m an if e st th ro ughout,

whic h is co m fo rtin g. M in a sa y s th at perh ap s w e are th e in str u m en ts of

ultim ate g ood. It m ay b e! I sh all tr y to th in k a s sh e d oes. W e h av e n ev er

sp oken to each o th er y et o f th e fu tu re . It is b ette r to w ait till w e se e th e

Pro fe sso r a n d t h e o th ers a fte r t h eir i n vestig atio ns.

The d ay i s r u nnin g b y m ore q uic k ly t h an I e v er t h ought a d ay c o uld r u n f o r me a g ain . I t i s n ow t h re e o ’c lo ck .

Min a H ark er’s J o urn al.

5 O cto ber, 5 p. m .— Our m eetin g fo r re p ort. Pre se n t: Pro fe sso r V an

Hels in g, L ord G odalm in g, D r. S ew ard , M r. Q uin cey M orris , J o nath an H ark er,

Min a H ark er.

Dr. V an H els in g desc rib ed w hat ste p s w ere ta k en durin g th e day to

dis c o ver o n w hat b oat a n d w hith er b ound C ount D ra cu la m ad e h is e sc ap e:—

“A s I k new th at h e w an te d to g et b ack to T ra n sy lv an ia , I f e lt s u re th at h e

must g o b y th e D an ube m outh ; o r b y s o m ew here in th e B la ck S ea, s in ce b y

th at w ay h e c o m e. I t w as a d re ary b la n k t h at w as b efo re u s. O m ne i g notu m p ro

mag nif ic o ; a n d s o w ith h eav y h earts w e s ta rt to f in d w hat s h ip s le av e f o r th e

Bla ck S ea la st n ig ht. H e w as in s a ilin g s h ip , s in ce M ad am M in a te ll o f s a ils

bein g s e t. T hese n ot s o im porta n t a s to g o in y our lis t o f th e s h ip pin g in th e

Tim es, an d so w e g o, b y su ggestio n o f L ord G odalm in g, to y our L lo yd’s ,

where a re n ote o f a ll s h ip s t h at s a il, h ow ev er s o s m all. T here w e f in d t h at o nly

one B la ck -S ea-b ound s h ip g o o ut w ith th e tid e. S he is th e C zarin a C ath erin e,

an d s h e s a il f ro m D oolittle ’s W harf f o r V arn a, a n d t h en ce o n t o o th er p arts a n d

up t h e D an ube. ‘ S oh!’ s a id I , ‘ th is i s t h e s h ip w here o n i s t h e C ount.’ S o o ff w e

go t o D oolittle ’s W harf, a n d t h ere w e f in d a m an i n a n o ff ic e o f w ood s o s m all

th at t h e m an l o ok b ig ger t h an t h e o ff ic e. F ro m h im w e i n quir e o f t h e g oin gs o f

th e C zarin a C ath erin e. H e s w ear m uch , a n d h e r e d f a ce a n d lo ud o f v oic e, b ut

he g ood f e llo w a ll th e s a m e; a n d w hen Q uin cey g iv e h im s o m eth in g f ro m h is

pock et w hic h c ra ck le a s h e ro ll it u p, a n d p ut it in a s o s m all b ag w hic h h e

hav e h id d eep in h is c lo th in g, h e s till b ette r f e llo w a n d h um ble s e rv an t to u s.

He c o m e w ith u s, a n d a sk m an y m en w ho a re ro ugh a n d h ot; th ese b e b ette r

fe llo w s t o o w hen t h ey h av e b een n o m ore t h ir s ty . T hey s a y m uch o f b lo od a n d

blo om , a n d o f o th ers w hic h I c o m pre h en d n ot, t h ough I g uess w hat t h ey m ean ;

but n ev erth ele ss t h ey t e ll u s a ll t h in gs w hic h w e w an t t o k now .

“T hey m ak e k now n to u s a m ong th em , h ow la st a fte rn oon a t a b out fiv e

o’c lo ck c o m es a m an s o h urry . A ta ll m an , th in a n d p ale , w ith h ig h n ose a n d

te eth so w hite , a n d e y es th at se em to b e b urn in g. T hat h e b e a ll in b la ck ,

ex cep t th at h e h av e a h at o f str a w w hic h su it n ot h im o r th e tim e. T hat h e

sc atte r h is m oney in m ak in g q uic k in quir y a s to w hat s h ip s a ils f o r th e B la ck

Sea a n d f o r w here . S om e to ok h im to th e o ff ic e a n d th en to th e s h ip , w here h e

will n ot g o a b oard b ut h alt a t s h ore e n d o f g an g-p la n k, a n d a sk t h at t h e c ap ta in

co m e to h im . T he cap ta in co m e, w hen to ld th at h e w ill b e p ay w ell; an d

th ough h e s w ear m uch a t th e f ir s t h e a g re e to te rm . T hen th e th in m an g o a n d

so m e o ne te ll h im w here h ors e a n d c art c an b e h ir e d . H e g o th ere a n d s o on h e

co m e a g ain , h im se lf d riv in g c art o n w hic h a g re at b ox; th is h e h im se lf lif t

dow n, th ough it ta k e s e v era l to p ut it o n tr u ck f o r th e s h ip . H e g iv e m uch ta lk to c ap ta in a s t o h ow a n d w here h is b ox i s t o b e p la ce; b ut t h e c ap ta in l ik e i t n ot

an d s w ear a t h im i n m an y t o ngues, a n d t e ll h im t h at i f h e l ik e h e c an c o m e a n d

se e w here it s h all b e. B ut h e s a y ‘n o’; th at h e c o m e n ot y et, fo r th at h e h av e

much t o d o. W here u pon t h e c ap ta in t e ll h im t h at h e h ad b ette r b e q uic k — with

blo od— fo r t h at h is s h ip w ill l e av e t h e p la ce— of b lo od— befo re t h e t u rn o f t h e

tid e— with b lo od. T hen th e th in m an s m ile a n d s a y th at o f c o urs e h e m ust g o

when h e th in k fit; b ut h e w ill b e s u rp ris e if h e g o q uite s o s o on. T he c ap ta in

sw ear a g ain , p oly glo t, a n d th e th in m an m ak e h im b ow , a n d th an k h im , a n d

sa y th at h e w ill s o fa r in tr u de o n h is k in dness a s to c o m e a b oard b efo re th e

sa ilin g. F in al t h e c ap ta in , m ore r e d t h an e v er, a n d i n m ore t o ngues t e ll h im t h at

he d oesn ’t w an t n o F re n ch m en — with b lo om u pon t h em a n d a ls o w ith b lo od—

in h is s h ip — with b lo od o n h er a ls o . A nd s o , a fte r a sk in g w here t h ere m ig ht b e

clo se a t h an d a s h ip w here h e m ig ht p urc h ase s h ip f o rm s, h e d ep arte d .

“N o o ne k new w here h e w en t ‘o r b lo om in ’ w ell c are d ,’ a s th ey s a id , fo r

th ey had so m eth in g els e to th in k of— well w ith blo od ag ain ; fo r it so on

becam e ap pare n t to all th at th e C zarin a C ath erin e w ould not sa il as w as

ex pecte d . A th in m is t b eg an to c re ep u p f ro m th e r iv er, a n d it g re w , a n d g re w ;

till s o on a d en se f o g e n velo ped th e s h ip a n d a ll a ro und h er. T he c ap ta in s w ore

poly glo t— very p oly glo t— poly glo t w ith b lo om an d b lo od; b ut h e co uld d o

noth in g. T he w ate r r o se a n d r o se ; a n d h e b eg an to f e ar th at h e w ould lo se th e

tid e a lto geth er. H e w as i n n o f rie n dly m ood, w hen j u st a t f u ll t id e, t h e t h in m an

cam e u p th e g an g-p la n k ag ain an d ask ed to se e w here h is b ox h ad b een

sto w ed . T hen th e c ap ta in r e p lie d th at h e w is h ed th at h e a n d h is b ox— old a n d

with m uch b lo om a n d b lo od— were i n h ell. B ut t h e t h in m an d id n ot b e o ff e n d,

an d w en t d ow n w ith th e m ate a n d s a w w here it w as p la ce, a n d c am e u p a n d

sto od a w hile o n d eck in fo g. H e m ust h av e c o m e o ff b y h im se lf , fo r n one

notic e h im . In deed th ey th ought n ot o f h im ; fo r so on th e fo g b eg in to m elt

aw ay, a n d a ll w as c le ar a g ain . M y frie n ds o f th e th ir s t a n d th e la n guag e th at

was of blo om an d blo od la u ghed , as th ey to ld how th e cap ta in ’s sw ears

ex ceed ed e v en h is u su al p oly glo t, a n d w as m ore th an e v er f u ll o f p ic tu re sq ue,

when o n q uestio nin g o th er m arin ers w ho w ere o n m ovem en t u p a n d d ow n o n

th e r iv er t h at h our, h e f o und t h at f e w o f t h em h ad s e en a n y o f f o g a t a ll, e x cep t

where it la y r o und th e w harf. H ow ev er, th e s h ip w en t o ut o n th e e b b tid e; a n d

was d oubtle ss b y m orn in g fa r d ow n th e riv er m outh . S he w as b y th en , w hen

th ey t o ld u s, w ell o ut t o s e a.

“A nd s o , m y d ear M ad am M in a, i t i s t h at w e h av e t o r e st f o r a t im e, f o r o ur

en em y is o n th e s e a, w ith th e f o g a t h is c o m man d, o n h is w ay to th e D an ube

mouth . T o s a il a s h ip ta k es tim e, g o s h e n ev er s o q uic k ; a n d w hen w e s ta rt w e

go o n la n d m ore q uic k , a n d w e m eet h im th ere . O ur b est h ope is to c o m e o n

him w hen in th e b ox b etw een su nris e a n d su nse t; fo r th en h e c an m ak e n o

str u ggle , a n d w e m ay d eal w ith h im a s w e s h ould . T here a re d ay s fo r u s, in

whic h w e c an m ak e re ad y o ur p la n . W e k now a ll a b out w here h e g o; fo r w e hav e s e en th e o w ner o f th e s h ip , w ho h av e s h ow n u s in voic es a n d a ll p ap ers

th at c an b e. T he b ox w e s e ek is to b e la n ded in V arn a, a n d to b e g iv en to a n

ag en t, o ne R is tic s w ho w ill th ere p re se n t h is c re d en tia ls ; a n d s o o ur m erc h an t

frie n d w ill h av e d one h is p art. W hen h e a sk if th ere b e a n y w ro ng, f o r th at s o ,

he c an te le g ra p h a n d h av e in quir y m ad e a t V arn a, w e s a y ‘ n o’; f o r w hat is to

be d one is n ot f o r p olic e o r o f th e c u sto m s. I t m ust b e d one b y u s a lo ne a n d in

our o w n w ay.”

When D r. V an H els in g h ad d one s p eak in g, I a sk ed h im if h e w ere c erta in

th at th e C ount h ad r e m ain ed o n b oard th e s h ip . H e r e p lie d : “ W e h av e th e b est

pro of o f t h at: y our o w n e v id en ce, w hen i n t h e h ypnotic t r a n ce t h is m orn in g.” I

ask ed h im a g ain if it w ere r e ally n ecessa ry th at th ey s h ould p urs u e th e C ount,

fo r o h! I d re ad J o nath an l e av in g m e, a n d I k now t h at h e w ould s u re ly g o i f t h e

oth ers w en t. H e a n sw ere d in g ro w in g p assio n, a t f ir s t q uie tly . A s h e w en t o n,

how ev er, h e g re w m ore a n gry a n d m ore f o rc efu l, till in th e e n d w e c o uld n ot

but s e e w here in w as a t l e ast s o m e o f t h at p ers o nal d om in an ce w hic h m ad e h im

so l o ng a m aste r a m ongst m en :—

“Y es, i t i s n ecessa ry — necessa ry — necessa ry ! F or y our s a k e i n t h e f ir s t, a n d

th en fo r th e s a k e o f h um an ity . T his m onste r h as d one m uch h arm a lr e ad y, in

th e n arro w s c o pe w here h e f in d h im se lf , a n d in th e s h ort tim e w hen a s y et h e

was o nly a s a b ody g ro pin g h is s o s m all m easu re i n d ark ness a n d n ot k now in g.

All t h is h av e I t o ld t h ese o th ers ; y ou, m y d ear M ad am M in a, w ill l e arn i t i n t h e

phonogra p h o f m y frie n d J o hn, o r in th at o f y our h usb an d. I h av e to ld th em

how th e m easu re o f le av in g h is o w n b arre n la n d— barre n o f p eo ple s— an d

co m in g to a n ew la n d w here lif e o f m an te em s till th ey a re lik e th e m ultitu de

of s ta n din g c o rn , w as t h e w ork o f c en tu rie s. W ere a n oth er o f t h e U n-D ead , l ik e

him , to tr y to d o w hat h e h as d one, p erh ap s n ot a ll th e c en tu rie s o f th e w orld

th at h av e b een , o r th at w ill b e, c o uld a id h im . W ith th is o ne, a ll th e f o rc es o f

natu re th at a re o ccu lt a n d d eep a n d s tr o ng m ust h av e w ork ed to geth er in s o m e

wondro us w ay. T he v ery p la ce, w here h e h av e b een a liv e, U n-D ead fo r a ll

th ese cen tu rie s, is fu ll o f str a n gen ess o f th e g eo lo gic an d ch em ic al w orld .

There a re d eep c av ern s a n d f is su re s t h at r e ach n one k now w hith er. T here h av e

been v olc an oes, so m e o f w hose o pen in gs still se n d o ut w ate rs o f str a n ge

pro pertie s, a n d g ase s th at k ill o r m ak e to v iv if y . D oubtle ss, th ere is s o m eth in g

mag netic o r e le ctr ic in so m e o f th ese c o m bin atio ns o f o ccu lt fo rc es w hic h

work f o r p hysic al lif e in s tr a n ge w ay ; a n d in h im se lf w ere f ro m th e f ir s t s o m e

gre at q ualitie s. I n a h ard a n d w arlik e tim e h e w as c ele b ra te th at h e h av e m ore

ir o n n erv e, m ore s u btle b ra in , m ore b ra v er h eart, th an a n y m an . I n h im s o m e

vita l p rin cip le h av e in s tr a n ge w ay fo und th eir u tm ost; a n d a s h is b ody k eep

str o ng an d gro w an d th riv e, so his bra in gro w to o. A ll th is w ith out th at

dia b olic a id w hic h i s s u re ly t o h im ; f o r i t h av e t o y ie ld t o t h e p ow ers t h at c o m e

fro m , a n d a re , s y m bolic o f g ood. A nd n ow th is is w hat h e is to u s. H e h av e

in fe ct y ou— oh, f o rg iv e m e, m y d ear, t h at I m ust s a y s u ch ; b ut i t i s f o r g ood o f you th at I s p eak . H e in fe ct y ou in s u ch w is e , th at e v en if h e d o n o m ore , y ou

hav e o nly to liv e— to liv e in y o ur o w n o ld , s w eet w ay ; a n d s o in tim e, d eath ,

whic h i s o f m an ’s c o m mon l o t a n d w ith G od’s s a n ctio n, s h all m ak e y ou l ik e t o

him . T his m ust n ot b e! W e h av e s w orn to geth er th at it m ust n ot. T hus a re w e

min is te rs o f G od’s o w n w is h : th at th e w orld , a n d m en f o r w hom H is S on d ie ,

will n ot b e g iv en o ver to m onste rs , w hose v ery e x is te n ce w ould d efa m e H im .

He h av e a llo w ed u s to re d eem o ne so ul a lr e ad y, a n d w e g o o ut a s th e o ld

knig hts o f th e C ro ss to re d eem m ore . L ik e th em w e s h all tr a v el to w ard s th e

su nris e ; a n d l ik e t h em , i f w e f a ll, w e f a ll i n g ood c au se .” H e p au se d a n d I s a id :

—

“B ut w ill n ot th e C ount ta k e h is re b uff w is e ly ? S in ce h e h as b een d riv en

fro m E ngla n d, w ill h e n ot a v oid it, a s a tig er d oes th e v illa g e fro m w hic h h e

has b een h unte d ?”

“A ha!” h e s a id , “ y our s im ile o f th e tig er g ood, fo r m e, a n d I s h all a d opt

him . Y our m an -e ate r, a s th ey o f I n dia c all th e tig er w ho h as o nce ta ste d b lo od

of th e h um an , c are n o m ore f o r th e o th er p re y, b ut p ro w l u nceasin g till h e g et

him . T his th at w e h unt fro m o ur v illa g e is a tig er, to o, a m an -e ate r, a n d h e

nev er c ease to p ro w l. N ay, in h im se lf h e is n ot o ne to re tir e a n d s ta y a fa r. In

his lif e , h is liv in g lif e , h e g o o ver th e T urk ey f ro ntie r a n d a tta ck h is e n em y o n

his o w n g ro und; h e b e b eate n b ack , b ut d id h e s ta y ? N o! H e c o m e a g ain , a n d

ag ain , a n d a g ain . L ook a t h is p ers is te n ce a n d e n dura n ce. W ith th e c h ild -b ra in

th at w as t o h im h e h av e l o ng s in ce c o nceiv e t h e i d ea o f c o m in g t o a g re at c ity .

What d oes h e d o? H e f in d o ut th e p la ce o f a ll th e w orld m ost o f p ro m is e f o r

him . T hen h e d elib era te ly s e t h im se lf d ow n to p re p are f o r th e ta sk . H e f in d in

patie n ce ju st h ow is h is str e n gth , an d w hat are h is p ow ers . H e stu dy n ew

to ngues. H e le arn n ew s o cia l lif e ; n ew e n vir o nm en t o f o ld w ay s, th e p olitic ,

th e l a w , t h e f in an ce, t h e s c ie n ce, t h e h ab it o f a n ew l a n d a n d a n ew p eo ple w ho

hav e c o m e t o b e s in ce h e w as. H is g lim pse t h at h e h av e h ad , w het h is a p petite

only a n d e n keen h is d esir e . N ay, it h elp h im to g ro w a s to h is b ra in ; f o r it a ll

pro ve to h im h ow r ig ht h e w as a t th e f ir s t in h is s u rm is e s. H e h av e d one th is

alo ne; a ll a lo ne! f ro m a r u in to m b in a f o rg otte n la n d. W hat m ore m ay h e n ot

do w hen th e g re ate r w orld o f th ought is o pen to h im . H e th at c an sm ile a t

death , a s w e k now h im ; w ho c an f lo uris h in th e m id st o f d is e ase s th at k ill o ff

whole p eo ple s. O h, if s u ch a n o ne w as to c o m e f ro m G od, a n d n ot th e D ev il,

what a fo rc e fo r g ood m ig ht h e n ot b e in th is o ld w orld o f o urs . B ut w e a re

ple d ged to s e t th e w orld f re e. O ur to il m ust b e in s ile n ce, a n d o ur e ff o rts a ll in

se cre t; f o r in th is e n lig hte n ed a g e, w hen m en b elie v e n ot e v en w hat th ey s e e,

th e d oubtin g o f w is e m en w ould b e h is g re ate st s tr e n gth . I t w ould b e a t o nce

his s h eath a n d h is a rm our, a n d h is w eap ons t o d estr o y u s, h is e n em ie s, w ho a re

willin g t o p eril e v en o ur o w n s o uls f o r t h e s a fe ty o f o ne w e l o ve— fo r t h e g ood

of m an kin d, a n d f o r t h e h onour a n d g lo ry o f G od.” Afte r a g en era l d is c u ssio n it w as d ete rm in ed th at fo r to -n ig ht n oth in g b e

defin ite ly s e ttle d ; th at w e s h ould a ll s le ep o n th e f a cts , a n d tr y to th in k o ut th e

pro per c o nclu sio ns. T o-m orro w , a t b re ak fa st, w e a re to m eet a g ain , a n d, a fte r

mak in g our co nclu sio ns know n to one an oth er, w e sh all decid e on so m e

defin ite c au se o f a ctio n.

**

I fe el a w onderfu l peace an d re st to -n ig ht. It is as if so m e hau ntin g

pre se n ce w ere r e m oved f ro m m e. P erh ap s ...

My s u rm is e w as n ot f in is h ed , c o uld n ot b e; f o r I c au ght s ig ht in th e m ir ro r

of t h e r e d m ark u pon m y f o re h ead ; a n d I k new t h at I w as s till u ncle an .

Dr. S ew ard ’s D ia ry .

5 O cto ber.— We a ll r o se e arly , a n d I t h in k t h at s le ep d id m uch f o r e ach a n d

all o f u s. W hen w e m et a t e arly b re ak fa st th ere w as m ore g en era l c h eerfu ln ess

th an a n y o f u s h ad e v er e x pecte d t o e x perie n ce a g ain .

It is re ally w onderfu l h ow m uch re silie n ce th ere is in h um an n atu re . L et

an y o bstr u ctin g c au se , n o m atte r w hat, b e r e m oved i n a n y w ay — ev en b y d eath

—an d w e f ly b ack to f ir s t p rin cip le s o f h ope a n d e n jo ym en t. M ore th an o nce

as w e s a t a ro und th e ta b le , m y e y es o pen ed in w onder w heth er th e w hole o f

th e p ast d ay s h ad n ot b een a d re am . I t w as o nly w hen I c au ght s ig ht o f th e r e d

blo tc h o n M rs . H ark er’s f o re h ead t h at I w as b ro ught b ack t o r e ality . E ven n ow ,

when I a m g ra v ely r e v olv in g th e m atte r, it is a lm ost im possib le to r e alis e th at

th e c au se o f a ll o ur tr o uble is s till e x is te n t. E ven M rs . H ark er s e em s to lo se

sig ht o f h er t r o uble f o r w hole s p ells ; i t i s o nly n ow a n d a g ain , w hen s o m eth in g

re calls i t t o h er m in d, t h at s h e t h in ks o f h er t e rrib le s c ar. W e a re t o m eet h ere i n

my s tu dy in h alf a n h our a n d d ecid e o n o ur c o urs e o f a ctio n. I s e e o nly o ne

im med ia te d if f ic u lty , I k now i t b y i n stin ct r a th er t h an r e aso n: w e s h all a ll h av e

to sp eak fra n kly ; an d yet I fe ar th at in so m e m yste rio us w ay poor M rs .

Hark er’s to ngue is tie d . I k now th at s h e fo rm s c o nclu sio ns o f h er o w n, a n d

fro m a ll t h at h as b een I c an g uess h ow b rillia n t a n d h ow t r u e t h ey m ust b e; b ut

sh e w ill n ot, o r c an not, g iv e th em u tte ra n ce. I h av e m en tio ned th is to V an

Hels in g, a n d h e a n d I a re to ta lk it o ver w hen w e a re a lo ne. I s u ppose it is

so m e o f th at h orrid p ois o n w hic h h as g ot in to h er v ein s b eg in nin g to w ork .

The C ount h ad h is o w n p urp ose s w hen h e g av e h er w hat V an H els in g c alle d

“th e V am pir e ’s b ap tis m o f b lo od.” W ell, th ere m ay b e a p ois o n th at d is tils

its e lf o ut o f g ood th in gs; in an ag e w hen th e ex is te n ce o f p to m ain es is a

myste ry w e sh ould n ot w onder a t a n yth in g! O ne th in g I k now : th at if m y

in stin ct b e tr u e re g ard in g p oor M rs . H ark er’s s ile n ces, th en th ere is a te rrib le

dif f ic u lty — an u nknow n d an ger— in th e w ork b efo re u s. T he s a m e p ow er th at

co m pels h er s ile n ce m ay c o m pel h er s p eech . I d are n ot th in k f u rth er; f o r s o I

sh ould i n m y t h oughts d is h onour a n oble w om an ! Van H els in g is c o m in g to m y s tu dy a little b efo re th e o th ers . I s h all tr y to

open t h e s u bje ct w ith h im .

Late r.— When th e P ro fe sso r c am e in , w e ta lk ed o ver th e s ta te o f th in gs. I

co uld s e e th at h e h ad s o m eth in g o n h is m in d w hic h h e w an te d to s a y, b ut f e lt

so m e h esita n cy a b out b ro ach in g th e su bje ct. A fte r b eatin g a b out th e b ush a

little , h e s a id s u dden ly :—

“F rie n d J o hn, th ere is s o m eth in g th at y ou a n d I m ust ta lk o f a lo ne, ju st a t

th e fir s t at an y ra te . Late r, w e m ay hav e to ta k e th e oth ers in to our

co nfid en ce”; t h en h e s to pped , s o I w aite d ; h e w en t o n:—

“M ad am M in a, o ur p oor, d ear M ad am M in a is c h an gin g.” A c o ld s h iv er

ra n th ro ugh m e to f in d m y w ors t f e ars th us e n dors e d . V an H els in g c o ntin ued :

—

“W ith th e sa d ex perie n ce o f M is s L ucy, w e m ust th is tim e b e w arn ed

befo re t h in gs g o t o o f a r. O ur t a sk i s n ow i n r e ality m ore d if f ic u lt t h an e v er, a n d

th is n ew tr o uble m ak es ev ery h our o f th e d ir e st im porta n ce. I can se e th e

ch ara cte ris tic s o f th e v am pir e c o m in g in h er fa ce. It is n ow b ut v ery , v ery

slig ht; b ut it is to b e s e en if w e h av e e y es to n otic e w ith out to p re ju dge. H er

te eth a re s o m e s h arp er, a n d a t tim es h er e y es a re m ore h ard . B ut th ese a re n ot

all, th ere is to h er th e s ile n ce n ow o fte n ; a s s o it w as w ith M is s L ucy. S he d id

not s p eak , e v en w hen s h e w ro te t h at w hic h s h e w is h ed t o b e k now n l a te r. N ow

my f e ar i s t h is . I f i t b e t h at s h e c an , b y o ur h ypnotic t r a n ce, t e ll w hat t h e C ount

se e a n d h ear, is it n ot m ore tr u e th at h e w ho h av e h ypnotis e h er f ir s t, a n d w ho

hav e d rin k o f h er v ery b lo od a n d m ak e h er d rin k o f h is , sh ould , if h e w ill,

co m pel her m in d to dis c lo se to him th at w hic h sh e know ?” I nodded

acq uie sc en ce; h e w en t o n:—

“T hen , w hat w e m ust d o is to p re v en t th is ; w e m ust k eep h er ig nora n t o f

our in te n t, a n d s o s h e c an not te ll w hat s h e k now n ot. T his is a p ain fu l ta sk !

Oh, s o p ain fu l th at it h eart- b re ak m e to th in k o f; b ut it m ust b e. W hen to -d ay

we m eet, I m ust te ll h er th at fo r re aso n w hic h w e w ill n ot to s p eak s h e m ust

not m ore b e o f o ur co uncil, b ut b e sim ply g uard ed b y u s.” H e w ip ed h is

fo re h ead , w hic h h ad b ro ken o ut in p ro fu se p ers p ir a tio n a t th e th ought o f th e

pain w hic h h e m ig ht h av e to in flic t u pon th e p oor s o ul a lr e ad y s o to rtu re d . I

knew th at it w ould b e s o m e s o rt o f c o m fo rt to h im if I to ld h im th at I a ls o h ad

co m e to th e s a m e c o nclu sio n; fo r a t a n y ra te it w ould ta k e a w ay th e p ain o f

doubt. I t o ld h im , a n d t h e e ff e ct w as a s I e x pecte d .

It is n ow c lo se to th e tim e o f o ur g en era l g ath erin g. V an H els in g h as g one

aw ay to p re p are f o r th e m eetin g, a n d h is p ain fu l p art o f it. I r e ally b elie v e h is

purp ose i s t o b e a b le t o p ra y a lo ne.

Late r.— At th e very outs e t of our m eetin g a gre at pers o nal re lie f w as ex perie n ced b y b oth V an H els in g a n d m yse lf . M rs . H ark er h ad s e n t a m essa g e

by h er h usb an d to s a y th at s h e w ould n ot jo in u s a t p re se n t, a s s h e th ought it

bette r t h at w e s h ould b e f re e t o d is c u ss o ur m ovem en ts w ith out h er p re se n ce t o

em barra ss u s. T he P ro fe sso r a n d I lo oked a t e ach o th er fo r a n in sta n t, a n d

so m eh ow w e b oth s e em ed re lie v ed . F or m y o w n p art, I th ought th at if M rs .

Hark er re alis e d th e d an ger h ers e lf , it w as m uch p ain a s w ell a s m uch d an ger

av erte d . U nder th e cir c u m sta n ces w e ag re ed , by a questio nin g lo ok an d

an sw er, w ith fin ger o n lip , to p re se rv e sile n ce in o ur su sp ic io ns, u ntil w e

sh ould h av e b een a b le to c o nfe r a lo ne a g ain . W e w en t a t o nce in to o ur P la n o f

Cam paig n. V an H els in g r o ughly p ut t h e f a cts b efo re u s f ir s t:—

“T he C zarin a C ath erin e l e ft t h e T ham es y este rd ay m orn in g. I t w ill t a k e h er

at th e q uic k est s p eed s h e h as e v er m ad e a t le ast th re e w eek s to re ach V arn a;

but w e c an tr a v el o verla n d to th e s a m e p la ce in th re e d ay s. N ow , if w e a llo w

fo r tw o d ay s le ss fo r th e s h ip ’s v oyag e, o w in g to s u ch w eath er in flu en ces a s

we k now th at th e C ount c an b rin g to b ear; a n d if w e a llo w a w hole d ay a n d

nig ht f o r a n y d ela y s w hic h m ay o ccu r to u s, th en w e h av e a m arg in o f n early

tw o w eek s. T hus, in o rd er to b e q uite sa fe , w e m ust le av e h ere o n 1 7th a t

la te st. T hen w e s h all a t a n y r a te b e in V arn a a d ay b efo re th e s h ip a rriv es, a n d

ab le to m ak e s u ch p re p ara tio ns a s m ay b e n ecessa ry . O f c o urs e w e s h all a ll g o

arm ed — arm ed a g ain st e v il t h in gs, s p ir itu al a s w ell a s p hysic al.” H ere Q uin cey

Morris a d ded :—

“I u nders ta n d t h at t h e C ount c o m es f ro m a w olf c o untr y , a n d i t m ay b e t h at

he sh all get th ere befo re us. I pro pose th at w e ad d W in ch este rs to our

arm am en t. I h av e a k in d o f b elie f i n a W in ch este r w hen t h ere i s a n y t r o uble o f

th at so rt a ro und. D o y ou re m em ber, A rt, w hen w e h ad th e p ack a fte r u s a t

Tobols k ? W hat w ould n’t w e h av e g iv en t h en f o r a r e p eate r a p ie ce!”

“G ood!” sa id V an H els in g, “W in ch este rs it sh all b e. Q uin cey ’s h ead is

le v el at all tim es, but m ost so w hen th ere is to hunt, m eta p hor be m ore

dis h onour t o s c ie n ce t h an w olv es b e o f d an ger t o m an . I n t h e m ean tim e w e c an

do n oth in g h ere ; a n d a s I th in k th at V arn a is n ot f a m ilia r to a n y o f u s, w hy n ot

go t h ere m ore s o on? I t i s a s l o ng t o w ait h ere a s t h ere . T o-n ig ht a n d t o -m orro w

we c an g et r e ad y, a n d t h en , i f a ll b e w ell, w e f o ur c an s e t o ut o n o ur j o urn ey.”

“W e f o ur? ” s a id H ark er i n te rro gativ ely , l o okin g f ro m o ne t o a n oth er o f u s.

“O f c o urs e !” a n sw ere d th e P ro fe sso r q uic k ly , “ y ou m ust re m ain to ta k e

care o f y our s o s w eet w if e !” H ark er w as s ile n t fo r a w hile a n d th en s a id in a

hollo w v oic e:—

“L et u s t a lk o f t h at p art o f i t i n t h e m orn in g. I w an t t o c o nsu lt w ith M in a.” I

th ought t h at n ow w as t h e t im e f o r V an H els in g t o w arn h im n ot t o d is c lo se o ur

pla n s to h er; b ut h e to ok n o n otic e. I lo oked a t h im s ig nif ic an tly a n d c o ughed .

For a n sw er h e p ut h is f in ger o n h is l ip s a n d t u rn ed a w ay. Jo nath an H ark er’s J o urn al.

5 O cto ber, a fte rn oon.— For so m e tim e a fte r o ur m eetin g th is m orn in g I

co uld n ot th in k. T he n ew p hase s o f th in gs le av e m y m in d in a s ta te o f w onder

whic h a llo w s n o r o om f o r a ctiv e t h ought. M in a’s d ete rm in atio n n ot t o t a k e a n y

part i n t h e d is c u ssio n s e t m e t h in kin g; a n d a s I c o uld n ot a rg ue t h e m atte r w ith

her, I c o uld o nly g uess. I a m a s f a r a s e v er f ro m a s o lu tio n n ow . T he w ay th e

oth ers re ceiv ed it, to o, p uzzle d m e; th e la st tim e w e ta lk ed o f th e s u bje ct w e

ag re ed th at th ere w as to b e n o m ore c o ncealm en t o f a n yth in g a m ongst u s.

Min a is sle ep in g n ow , calm ly an d sw eetly lik e a little ch ild . H er lip s are

cu rv ed an d her fa ce beam s w ith hap pin ess. T han k G od, th ere are su ch

mom en ts s till f o r h er.

Late r.— How s tr a n ge it a ll is . I s a t w atc h in g M in a’s h ap py s le ep , a n d c am e

as n ear to b ein g h ap py m yse lf a s I su ppose I sh all e v er b e. A s th e e v en in g

dre w o n, a n d t h e e arth t o ok i ts s h ad ow s f ro m t h e s u n s in kin g l o w er, t h e s ile n ce

of th e r o om g re w m ore a n d m ore s o le m n to m e. A ll a t o nce M in a o pen ed h er

ey es, a n d l o okin g a t m e t e n derly , s a id :—

“Jo nath an , I w an t y ou t o p ro m is e m e s o m eth in g o n y our w ord o f h onour. A

pro m is e m ad e to m e, b ut m ad e h olily in G od’s h earin g, a n d n ot to b e b ro ken

th ough I sh ould g o d ow n o n m y k nees an d im plo re y ou w ith b itte r te ars .

Quic k , y ou m ust m ak e i t t o m e a t o nce.”

“M in a,” I s a id , “ a p ro m is e lik e th at, I c an not m ak e a t o nce. I m ay h av e n o

rig ht t o m ak e i t.”

“B ut, d ear o ne,” s h e s a id , w ith s u ch s p ir itu al in te n sity th at h er e y es w ere

lik e p ole s ta rs , “ it is I w ho w is h it; a n d it is n ot fo r m yse lf . Y ou c an a sk D r.

Van H els in g if I a m n ot rig ht; if h e d is a g re es y ou m ay d o a s y ou w ill. N ay,

more , i f y ou a ll a g re e, l a te r, y ou a re a b so lv ed f ro m t h e p ro m is e .”

“I p ro m is e !” I s a id , a n d f o r a m om en t s h e l o oked s u pre m ely h ap py; t h ough

to m e a ll h ap pin ess fo r h er w as d en ie d b y th e re d s c ar o n h er fo re h ead . S he

sa id :—

“P ro m is e m e th at y ou w ill n ot te ll m e a n yth in g o f th e p la n s f o rm ed f o r th e

cam paig n a g ain st th e C ount. N ot b y w ord , o r in fe re n ce, o r im plic atio n; n ot a t

an y tim e w hils t th is re m ain s to m e!” a n d s h e s o le m nly p oin te d to th e s c ar. I

sa w t h at s h e w as i n e arn est, a n d s a id s o le m nly :—

“I p ro m is e !” a n d a s I s a id it I fe lt th at fro m th at in sta n t a d oor h ad b een

sh ut b etw een u s.

Late r, m id nig ht.— Min a h as b een b rig ht a n d c h eerfu l a ll th e e v en in g. S o

much s o th at a ll th e r e st s e em ed to ta k e c o ura g e, a s if in fe cte d s o m ew hat w ith

her g aie ty ; a s a r e su lt e v en I m yse lf f e lt a s if th e p all o f g lo om w hic h w eig hs us d ow n w ere s o m ew hat lif te d . W e a ll r e tir e d e arly . M in a is n ow s le ep in g lik e

a little c h ild ; it is a w onderfu l th in g th at h er f a cu lty o f s le ep r e m ain s to h er in

th e m id st o f h er te rrib le tr o uble . T han k G od fo r it, fo r th en a t le ast s h e c an

fo rg et h er c are . P erh ap s h er e x am ple m ay a ff e ct m e a s h er g aie ty d id to -n ig ht.

I s h all t r y i t. O h! f o r a d re am le ss s le ep .

6 O cto ber, m orn in g.— Anoth er su rp ris e . M in a w oke m e e arly , a b out th e

sa m e tim e a s y este rd ay, a n d a sk ed m e to b rin g D r. V an H els in g. I th ought th at

it w as an oth er o ccasio n fo r h ypnotis m , an d w ith out q uestio n w en t fo r th e

Pro fe sso r. H e h ad e v id en tly e x pecte d s o m e s u ch c all, f o r I f o und h im d re sse d

in h is r o om . H is d oor w as a ja r, s o t h at h e c o uld h ear t h e o pen in g o f t h e d oor o f

our r o om . H e c am e a t o nce; a s h e p asse d in to th e r o om , h e a sk ed M in a if th e

oth ers m ig ht c o m e, t o o.

“N o,” s h e s a id q uite s im ply , “ it w ill n ot b e n ecessa ry . Y ou c an te ll th em

ju st a s w ell. I m ust g o w ith y ou o n y our j o urn ey.”

Dr. V an H els in g w as a s s ta rtle d a s I w as. A fte r a m om en t’s p au se h e a sk ed :

—

“B ut w hy?”

“Y ou m ust ta k e m e w ith y ou. I a m s a fe r w ith y ou, a n d y ou s h all b e s a fe r,

to o.”

“B ut w hy, d ear M ad am M in a? Y ou k now th at y our s a fe ty is o ur s o le m nest

duty . W e g o in to d an ger, to w hic h y ou a re , o r m ay b e, m ore lia b le th an a n y o f

us fro m — fro m cir c u m sta n ces— th in gs th at hav e been .” He pau se d ,

em barra sse d .

As s h e r e p lie d , s h e r a is e d h er f in ger a n d p oin te d t o h er f o re h ead :—

“I k now . T hat is w hy I m ust g o. I can te ll y ou n ow , w hils t th e su n is

co m in g u p; I m ay n ot b e a b le a g ain . I k now th at w hen th e C ount w ills m e I

must g o. I k now th at if h e te lls m e to c o m e in s e cre t, I m ust c o m e b y w ile ; b y

an y d ev ic e to h oodw in k— ev en J o nath an .” G od s a w th e lo ok th at s h e tu rn ed

on m e a s sh e sp oke, a n d if th ere b e in deed a R eco rd in g A ngel th at lo ok is

note d t o h er e v erla stin g h onour. I c o uld o nly c la sp h er h an d. I c o uld n ot s p eak ;

my e m otio n w as t o o g re at f o r e v en t h e r e lie f o f t e ars . S he w en t o n:—

“Y ou m en a re b ra v e a n d s tr o ng. Y ou a re s tr o ng in y our n um bers , fo r y ou

can d efy th at w hic h w ould b re ak d ow n th e h um an e n dura n ce o f o ne w ho h ad

to g uard a lo ne. B esid es, I m ay b e o f s e rv ic e, s in ce y ou c an h ypnotis e m e a n d

so le arn th at w hic h e v en I m yse lf d o n ot k now .” D r. V an H els in g s a id v ery

gra v ely :—

“M ad am M in a, y ou a re , a s a lw ay s, m ost w is e . Y ou s h all w ith u s c o m e; a n d

to geth er w e s h all d o t h at w hic h w e g o f o rth t o a ch ie v e.” W hen h e h ad s p oken , Min a’s lo ng s p ell o f s ile n ce m ad e m e lo ok a t h er. S he h ad f a lle n b ack o n h er

pillo w a sle ep ; s h e d id n ot e v en w ak e w hen I h ad p ulle d u p th e b lin d a n d le t in

th e s u nlig ht w hic h flo oded th e ro om . V an H els in g m otio ned to m e to c o m e

with h im q uie tly . W e w en t to h is r o om , a n d w ith in a m in ute L ord G odalm in g,

Dr. S ew ard , a n d M r. M orris w ere w ith u s a ls o . H e to ld th em w hat M in a h ad

sa id , a n d w en t o n:—

“In t h e m orn in g w e s h all l e av e f o r V arn a. W e h av e n ow t o d eal w ith a n ew

fa cto r: M ad am M in a. O h, b ut h er s o ul i s t r u e. I t i s t o h er a n a g ony t o t e ll u s s o

much a s s h e h as d one; b ut it is m ost r ig ht, a n d w e a re w arn ed in tim e. T here

must b e n o c h an ce l o st, a n d i n V arn a w e m ust b e r e ad y t o a ct t h e i n sta n t w hen

th at s h ip a rriv es.”

“W hat s h all w e d o e x actly ?” a sk ed M r. M orris la co nic ally . T he P ro fe sso r

pau se d b efo re r e p ly in g:—

“W e s h all a t th e fir s t b oard th at s h ip ; th en , w hen w e h av e id en tif ie d th e

box, w e s h all p la ce a b ra n ch o f th e w ild ro se o n it. T his w e s h all fa ste n , fo r

when it is th ere n one c an e m erg e; so a t le ast sa y s th e su pers titio n. A nd to

su pers titio n m ust w e tr u st a t th e fir s t; it w as m an ’s fa ith in th e e arly , a n d it

hav e its ro ot in fa ith s till. T hen , w hen w e g et th e o pportu nity th at w e s e ek ,

when n one a re n ear t o s e e, w e s h all o pen t h e b ox, a n d— an d a ll w ill b e w ell.”

“I s h all n ot w ait f o r a n y o pportu nity ,” s a id M orris . “ W hen I s e e th e b ox I

sh all o pen it an d d estr o y th e m onste r, th ough th ere w ere a th ousa n d m en

lo okin g o n, a n d if I a m to b e w ip ed o ut f o r it th e n ex t m om en t! ” I g ra sp ed h is

han d i n stin ctiv ely a n d f o und i t a s f ir m a s a p ie ce o f s te el. I t h in k h e u nders to od

my l o ok; I h ope h e d id .

“G ood b oy,” s a id D r. V an H els in g. “ B ra v e b oy. Q uin cey is a ll m an . G od

ble ss h im fo r it. M y c h ild , b elie v e m e n one o f u s s h all la g b eh in d o r p au se

fro m a n y f e ar. I d o b ut s a y w hat w e m ay d o— what w e m ust d o. B ut, in deed ,

in deed w e c an not s a y w hat w e s h all d o. T here a re s o m an y th in gs w hic h m ay

hap pen , a n d th eir w ay s a n d th eir e n ds a re s o v ario us th at u ntil th e m om en t w e

may n ot s a y. W e s h all a ll b e a rm ed , i n a ll w ay s; a n d w hen t h e t im e f o r t h e e n d

has c o m e, o ur e ff o rt s h all n ot b e la ck . N ow le t u s to -d ay p ut a ll o ur a ff a ir s in

ord er. L et a ll th in gs w hic h to uch o n o th ers d ear to u s, a n d w ho o n u s d ep en d,

be c o m ple te ; f o r n one o f u s c an t e ll w hat, o r w hen , o r h ow , t h e e n d m ay b e. A s

fo r m e, m y o w n a ff a ir s a re r e g ula te ; a n d a s I h av e n oth in g e ls e t o d o, I s h all g o

mak e a rra n gem en ts f o r th e tr a v el. I s h all h av e a ll tic k ets a n d s o f o rth f o r o ur

jo urn ey.”

There w as n oth in g f u rth er to b e s a id , a n d w e p arte d . I s h all n ow s e ttle u p

all m y a ff a ir s o f e arth , a n d b e r e ad y f o r w hate v er m ay c o m e....

Late r.— It is all d one; m y w ill is m ad e, an d all co m ple te . M in a if sh e su rv iv e i s m y s o le h eir. I f i t s h ould n ot b e s o , t h en t h e o th ers w ho h av e b een s o

good t o u s s h all h av e r e m ain der.

It is n ow d ra w in g to w ard s th e s u nse t; M in a’s u neasin ess c alls m y a tte n tio n

to it. I a m s u re th at th ere is s o m eth in g o n h er m in d w hic h th e tim e o f e x act

su nse t w ill re v eal. T hese o ccasio ns a re b eco m in g h arro w in g tim es fo r u s a ll,

fo r each su nris e an d su nse t o pen s u p so m e n ew d an ger— so m e n ew p ain ,

whic h , h ow ev er, m ay in G od’s w ill b e m ean s to a g ood e n d. I w rite a ll th ese

th in gs in th e d ia ry s in ce m y d arlin g m ust n ot h ear th em n ow ; b ut if it m ay b e

th at s h e c an s e e t h em a g ain , t h ey s h all b e r e ad y.

She i s c allin g t o m e.

CH APT ER X XV

DR. S E W ARD’S D IA RY

11 O cto ber, E ven in g.— Jo nath an H ark er h as a sk ed m e to n ote th is , a s h e

sa y s h e i s h ard ly e q ual t o t h e t a sk , a n d h e w an ts a n e x act r e co rd k ep t.

I th in k th at n one o f u s w ere su rp ris e d w hen w e w ere a sk ed to se e M rs .

Hark er a little b efo re th e tim e o f s u nse t. W e h av e o f la te c o m e to u nders ta n d

th at s u nris e a n d s u nse t a re to h er tim es o f p ecu lia r f re ed om ; w hen h er o ld s e lf

can b e m an if e st w ith out a n y c o ntr o llin g fo rc e s u bduin g o r re str a in in g h er, o r

in citin g h er to a ctio n. T his m ood o r c o nditio n b eg in s s o m e h alf h our o r m ore

befo re a ctu al s u nris e o r s u nse t, a n d l a sts t ill e ith er t h e s u n i s h ig h, o r w hils t t h e

clo uds a re s till a g lo w w ith th e r a y s s tr e am in g a b ove th e h oriz o n. A t f ir s t th ere

is a so rt o f n eg ativ e c o nditio n, a s if so m e tie w ere lo ose n ed , a n d th en th e

ab so lu te fre ed om q uic k ly fo llo w s; w hen , h ow ev er, th e fre ed om cease s th e

ch an ge-b ack o r re la p se c o m es q uic k ly , p re ced ed o nly b y a sp ell o f w arn in g

sile n ce.

To-n ig ht, w hen w e m et, s h e w as s o m ew hat c o nstr a in ed , a n d b ore a ll th e

sig ns o f a n in te rn al str u ggle . I p ut it d ow n m yse lf to h er m ak in g a v io le n t

eff o rt a t th e e arlie st in sta n t sh e c o uld d o so . A v ery fe w m in ute s, h ow ev er,

gav e h er c o m ple te c o ntr o l o f h ers e lf ; t h en , m otio nin g h er h usb an d t o s it b esid e

her o n th e s o fa w here s h e w as h alf re clin in g, s h e m ad e th e re st o f u s b rin g

ch air s u p c lo se . T ak in g h er h usb an d’s h an d i n h ers b eg an :—

“W e a re a ll h ere to geth er in fre ed om , fo r p erh ap s th e la st tim e! I k now ,

dear; I k now th at y ou w ill a lw ay s b e w ith m e to th e e n d.” T his w as to h er

husb an d w hose han d had , as w e co uld se e, tig hte n ed upon hers . “In th e

morn in g w e g o o ut u pon o ur ta sk , a n d G od a lo ne k now s w hat m ay b e in s to re

fo r a n y o f u s. Y ou a re g oin g to b e s o g ood to m e a s to ta k e m e w ith y ou. I know th at a ll th at b ra v e e arn est m en c an d o fo r a p oor w eak w om an , w hose

so ul p erh ap s is lo st— no, n o, n ot y et, b ut is a t a n y r a te a t s ta k e— you w ill d o.

But y ou m ust re m em ber th at I a m n ot a s y ou a re . T here is a p ois o n in m y

blo od, in m y so ul, w hic h m ay d estr o y m e; w hic h m ust d estr o y m e, u nle ss

so m e re lie f c o m es to u s. O h, m y frie n ds, y ou k now a s w ell a s I d o, th at m y

so ul is a t s ta k e; a n d th ough I k now th ere is o ne w ay o ut f o r m e, y ou m ust n ot

an d I m ust n ot t a k e i t! ” S he l o oked a p pealin gly t o u s a ll i n t u rn , b eg in nin g a n d

en din g w ith h er h usb an d.

“W hat is th at w ay ?” a sk ed V an H els in g in a h oars e v oic e. “ W hat is th at

way, w hic h w e m ust n ot— may n ot— ta k e?”

“T hat I m ay d ie n ow , e ith er b y m y o w n h an d o r th at o f a n oth er, b efo re th e

gre ate r e v il is e n tir e ly w ro ught. I k now , a n d y ou k now , th at w ere I o nce d ead

you c o uld a n d w ould s e t fre e m y im morta l s p ir it, e v en a s y ou d id m y p oor

Lucy ’s . W ere d eath , o r th e f e ar o f d eath , th e o nly th in g th at s to od in th e w ay I

would n ot s h rin k to d ie h ere , n ow , a m id st th e f rie n ds w ho lo ve m e. B ut d eath

is n ot a ll. I c an not b elie v e t h at t o d ie i n s u ch a c ase , w hen t h ere i s h ope b efo re

us a n d a b itte r ta sk to b e d one, is G od’s w ill. T here fo re , I , o n m y p art, g iv e u p

here th e c erta in ty o f e te rn al re st, a n d g o o ut in to th e d ark w here m ay b e th e

bla ck est th in gs th at th e w orld o r th e n eth er w orld h old s!” W e w ere a ll s ile n t,

fo r w e k new in stin ctiv ely th at th is w as o nly a p re lu de. T he f a ces o f th e o th ers

were s e t a n d H ark er’s g re w a sh en g re y ; p erh ap s h e g uesse d b ette r th an a n y o f

us w hat w as c o m in g. S he c o ntin ued :—

“T his i s w hat I c an g iv e i n to t h e h otc h -p ot.” I c o uld n ot b ut n ote t h e q uain t

le g al p hra se w hic h s h e u se d in s u ch a p la ce, a n d w ith a ll s e rio usn ess. “ W hat

will e ach o f y ou g iv e? Y our liv es I k now ,” s h e w en t o n q uic k ly , “ th at is e asy

fo r b ra v e m en . Y our liv es a re G od’s , a n d y ou c an g iv e th em b ack to H im ; b ut

what w ill y ou g iv e to m e?” S he lo oked ag ain q uestio nin gly , b ut th is tim e

av oid ed h er h usb an d’s fa ce. Q uin cey s e em ed to u nders ta n d; h e n odded , a n d

her f a ce lit u p. “ T hen I s h all te ll y ou p la in ly w hat I w an t, f o r th ere m ust b e n o

doubtf u l m atte r i n t h is c o nnectio n b etw een u s n ow . Y ou m ust p ro m is e m e, o ne

an d a ll— ev en y ou, m y b elo ved h usb an d— th at, s h ould t h e t im e c o m e, y ou w ill

kill m e.”

“W hat i s t h at t im e?” T he v oic e w as Q uin cey ’s , b ut i t w as l o w a n d s tr a in ed .

“W hen y ou s h all b e c o nvin ced th at I a m s o c h an ged th at it is b ette r th at I

die th at I m ay liv e. W hen I a m th us d ead in th e f le sh , th en y ou w ill, w ith out a

mom en t’s d ela y, d riv e a s ta k e t h ro ugh m e a n d c u t o ff m y h ead ; o r d o w hate v er

els e m ay b e w an tin g t o g iv e m e r e st! ”

Quin cey w as th e f ir s t to r is e a fte r th e p au se . H e k nelt d ow n b efo re h er a n d

ta k in g h er h an d i n h is s a id s o le m nly :— “I’m o nly a ro ugh fe llo w , w ho h asn ’t, p erh ap s, liv ed a s a m an s h ould to

win s u ch a d is tin ctio n, b ut I s w ear to y ou b y a ll th at I h old s a cre d a n d d ear

th at, s h ould th e tim e e v er c o m e, I s h all n ot f lin ch f ro m th e d uty th at y ou h av e

se t u s. A nd I p ro m is e y ou, to o, th at I s h all m ak e a ll c erta in , fo r if I a m o nly

doubtf u l I s h all t a k e i t t h at t h e t im e h as c o m e!”

“M y tr u e frie n d!” w as a ll sh e c o uld sa y a m id h er fa st- fa llin g te ars , a s,

ben din g o ver, s h e k is se d h is h an d.

“I s w ear t h e s a m e, m y d ear M ad am M in a!” s a id V an H els in g.

“A nd I !” s a id L ord G odalm in g, e ach o f t h em i n t u rn k neelin g t o h er t o t a k e

th e o ath . I fo llo w ed , m yse lf . T hen h er h usb an d tu rn ed to h er w an -e y ed a n d

with a g re en is h p allo r w hic h su bdued th e sn ow y w hite n ess o f h is h air , a n d

ask ed :—

“A nd m ust I , t o o, m ak e s u ch a p ro m is e , o h, m y w if e ?”

“Y ou to o, m y d eare st,” s h e s a id , w ith in fin ite y earn in g o f p ity in h er v oic e

an d e y es. “ Y ou m ust n ot s h rin k. Y ou a re n eare st a n d d eare st a n d a ll th e w orld

to m e; o ur s o uls a re k nit in to o ne, fo r a ll lif e a n d a ll tim e. T hin k, d ear, th at

th ere h av e b een tim es w hen b ra v e m en h av e k ille d th eir w iv es an d th eir

wom en kin d, to k eep th em fro m fa llin g in to th e h an ds o f th e e n em y. T heir

han ds d id n ot f a lte r a n y t h e m ore b ecau se t h ose t h at t h ey l o ved i m plo re d t h em

to s la y th em . I t is m en ’s d uty to w ard s th ose w hom th ey lo ve, in s u ch tim es o f

so re t r ia l! A nd o h, m y d ear, i f i t i s t o b e t h at I m ust m eet d eath a t a n y h an d, l e t

it b e at th e h an d o f h im th at lo ves m e b est. D r. V an H els in g, I h av e n ot

fo rg otte n y our m erc y in p oor L ucy ’s c ase to h im w ho lo ved ”— sh e sto pped

with a fly in g b lu sh , a n d c h an ged h er p hra se — “to h im w ho h ad b est rig ht to

giv e h er p eace. I f th at tim e s h all c o m e a g ain , I lo ok to y ou to m ak e it a h ap py

mem ory o f m y h usb an d’s lif e th at it w as h is lo vin g h an d w hic h s e t m e fre e

fro m t h e a w fu l t h ra ll u pon m e.”

“A gain I s w ear!” c am e t h e P ro fe sso r’s r e so nan t v oic e. M rs . H ark er s m ile d ,

positiv ely s m ile d , a s w ith a s ig h o f r e lie f s h e l e an ed b ack a n d s a id :—

“A nd n ow o ne w ord o f w arn in g, a w arn in g w hic h y ou m ust n ev er f o rg et:

th is tim e, if it e v er c o m e, m ay c o m e q uic k ly a n d u nex pecte d ly , a n d in s u ch

case y ou m ust lo se n o tim e in u sin g y our o pportu nity . A t s u ch a tim e I m yse lf

mig ht b e— nay ! if th e tim e e v er c o m es, s h all b e— le ag ued w ith y our e n em y

ag ain st y ou.”

“O ne m ore re q uest;” s h e b ecam e v ery s o le m n a s s h e s a id th is , “ it is n ot

vita l a n d n ecessa ry l ik e t h e o th er, b ut I w an t y ou t o d o o ne t h in g f o r m e, i f y ou

will.” W e a ll a cq uie sc ed , b ut n o o ne s p oke; t h ere w as n o n eed t o s p eak :—

“I w an t y ou to re ad th e B uria l S erv ic e.” S he w as in te rru pte d b y a d eep gro an f ro m h er h usb an d; t a k in g h is h an d i n h ers , s h e h eld i t o ver h er h eart, a n d

co ntin ued : “ Y ou m ust r e ad i t o ver m e s o m e d ay. W hate v er m ay b e t h e i s su e o f

all th is f e arfu l s ta te o f th in gs, it w ill b e a s w eet th ought to a ll o r s o m e o f u s.

You, m y d eare st, w ill I h ope re ad it, fo r th en it w ill b e in y our v oic e in m y

mem ory f o r e v er— co m e w hat m ay !”

“B ut o h, m y d ear o ne,” h e p le ad ed , “ d eath i s a fa r o ff f ro m y ou.”

“N ay,” s h e s a id , h old in g u p a w arn in g h an d. “ I a m d eep er in d eath a t th is

mom en t t h an i f t h e w eig ht o f a n e arth ly g ra v e l a y h eav y u pon m e!”

“O h, m y w if e , m ust I r e ad i t? ” h e s a id , b efo re h e b eg an .

“It w ould c o m fo rt m e, m y h usb an d!” w as a ll s h e s a id ; a n d h e b eg an t o r e ad

when s h e h ad g ot t h e b ook r e ad y.

“H ow c an I — how c o uld a n y o ne— te ll o f th at s tr a n ge s c en e, its s o le m nity ,

its g lo om , its sa d ness, its h orro r; a n d, w ith al, its sw eetn ess. E ven a sc ep tic ,

who can se e noth in g but a tr a v esty of bitte r tr u th in an yth in g holy or

em otio nal, w ould h av e b een m elte d t o t h e h eart h ad h e s e en t h at l ittle g ro up o f

lo vin g a n d d ev ote d f rie n ds k neelin g r o und t h at s tr ic k en a n d s o rro w in g l a d y; o r

heard th e te n der p assio n o f h er h usb an d’s v oic e, a s in to nes s o b ro ken w ith

em otio n th at o fte n h e h ad to p au se , h e re ad th e s im ple a n d b eau tif u l s e rv ic e

fro m t h e B uria l o f t h e D ead . I — I c an not g o o n— word s— an d— v-v oic e— f-fa il

m-m e!”

She w as rig ht in h er in stin ct. S tr a n ge as it all w as, b iz arre as it m ay

here afte r s e em e v en t o u s w ho f e lt i ts p ote n t i n flu en ce a t t h e t im e, i t c o m fo rte d

us m uch ; a n d th e s ile n ce, w hic h s h ow ed M rs . H ark er’s c o m in g re la p se fro m

her fre ed om o f s o ul, d id n ot s e em s o fu ll o f d esp air to a n y o f u s a s w e h ad

dre ad ed .

Jo nath an H ark er’s J o urn al.

15 O cto ber, V arn a.— We l e ft C harin g C ro ss o n t h e m orn in g o f t h e 1 2th , g ot

to P aris th e sa m e n ig ht, an d to ok th e p la ces se cu re d fo r u s in th e O rie n t

Expre ss. W e tr a v elle d n ig ht a n d d ay, a rriv in g h ere a t a b out f iv e o ’c lo ck . L ord

Godalm in g w en t to th e C onsu la te to s e e if a n y te le g ra m h ad a rriv ed f o r h im ,

whils t th e re st o f u s c am e o n to th is h ote l— “th e O dessu s.” T he jo urn ey m ay

hav e h ad i n cid en ts ; I w as, h ow ev er, t o o e ag er t o g et o n, t o c are f o r t h em . U ntil

th e C zarin a C ath erin e co m es in to p ort th ere w ill b e n o in te re st fo r m e in

an yth in g in th e w id e w orld . T han k G od! M in a is w ell, a n d lo oks to b e g ettin g

str o nger; h er c o lo ur is c o m in g b ack . S he s le ep s a g re at d eal; th ro ughout th e

jo urn ey s h e s le p t n early a ll th e tim e. B efo re s u nris e a n d s u nse t, h ow ev er, s h e

is v ery w ak efu l an d ale rt; an d it h as b eco m e a h ab it fo r V an H els in g to

hypnotis e h er a t s u ch tim es. A t fir s t, s o m e e ff o rt w as n eed ed , a n d h e h ad to

mak e m an y p asse s; b ut n ow , s h e s e em s to y ie ld a t o nce, a s if b y h ab it, a n d sc arc ely a n y a ctio n is n eed ed . H e se em s to h av e p ow er a t th ese p artic u la r

mom en ts to s im ply w ill, a n d h er th oughts o bey h im . H e a lw ay s a sk s h er w hat

sh e c an s e e a n d h ear. S he a n sw ers t o t h e f ir s t:—

“N oth in g; a ll i s d ark .” A nd t o t h e s e co nd:—

“I c an h ear th e w av es la p pin g a g ain st th e s h ip , a n d th e w ate r ru sh in g b y.

Can vas a n d c o rd ag e s tr a in a n d m asts a n d y ard s c re ak . T he w in d i s h ig h— I c an

hear i t i n t h e s h ro uds, a n d t h e b ow t h ro w s b ack t h e f o am .” I t i s e v id en t t h at t h e

Czarin a C ath erin e is still at se a, haste n in g on her w ay to V arn a. L ord

Godalm in g h as ju st re tu rn ed . H e h ad fo ur te le g ra m s, o ne e ach d ay s in ce w e

sta rte d , a n d a ll to th e sa m e e ff e ct: th at th e C zarin a C ath erin e h ad n ot b een

re p orte d to L lo yd’s fro m a n yw here . H e h ad a rra n ged b efo re le av in g L ondon

th at h is a g en t sh ould se n d h im e v ery d ay a te le g ra m sa y in g if th e sh ip h ad

been r e p orte d . H e w as t o h av e a m essa g e e v en i f s h e w ere n ot r e p orte d , s o t h at

he m ig ht b e s u re t h at t h ere w as a w atc h b ein g k ep t a t t h e o th er e n d o f t h e w ir e .

We h ad d in ner a n d w en t to b ed e arly . T o-m orro w w e a re to s e e th e V ic e-

Consu l, a n d to a rra n ge, if w e c an , a b out g ettin g o n b oard th e s h ip a s s o on a s

sh e arriv es. V an H els in g sa y s th at o ur ch an ce w ill b e to g et o n th e b oat

betw een su nris e a n d su nse t. T he C ount, e v en if h e ta k es th e fo rm o f a b at,

can not c ro ss th e ru nnin g w ate r o f h is o w n v olitio n, a n d s o c an not le av e th e

sh ip . A s h e d are n ot ch an ge to m an ’s fo rm w ith out su sp ic io n— whic h h e

ev id en tly w is h es to a v oid — he m ust r e m ain in th e b ox. I f, th en , w e c an c o m e

on b oard a fte r s u nris e , h e is a t o ur m erc y ; f o r w e c an o pen th e b ox a n d m ak e

su re o f h im , a s w e d id o f p oor L ucy, b efo re h e w ak es. W hat m erc y h e s h all g et

fro m u s w ill n ot c o unt f o r m uch . W e t h in k t h at w e s h all n ot h av e m uch t r o uble

with o ff ic ia ls o r t h e s e am en . T han k G od! t h is i s t h e c o untr y w here b rib ery c an

do a n yth in g, a n d w e a re w ell s u pplie d w ith m oney. W e h av e o nly t o m ak e s u re

th at th e sh ip c an not c o m e in to p ort b etw een su nse t a n d su nris e w ith out o ur

bein g w arn ed , a n d w e s h all b e s a fe . J u dge M oney bag w ill s e ttle th is c ase , I

th in k!

16 O cto ber.— Min a’s re p ort still th e sa m e: la p pin g w av es an d ru sh in g

wate r, d ark ness a n d f a v ourin g w in ds. W e a re e v id en tly i n g ood t im e, a n d w hen

we h ear o f th e C zarin a C ath erin e w e sh all b e re ad y. A s sh e m ust p ass th e

Dard an elle s w e a re s u re t o h av e s o m e r e p ort.

17 O cto ber.— Every th in g is p re tty w ell f ix ed n ow , I th in k, to w elc o m e th e

Count o n h is r e tu rn f ro m h is to ur. G odalm in g to ld th e s h ip pers th at h e f a n cie d

th at th e b ox s e n t a b oard m ig ht c o nta in s o m eth in g s to le n f ro m a f rie n d o f h is ,

an d g ot a h alf c o nse n t th at h e m ig ht o pen it a t h is o w n r is k . T he o w ner g av e

him a p ap er t e llin g t h e C ap ta in t o g iv e h im e v ery f a cility i n d oin g w hate v er h e

ch ose o n b oard th e s h ip , a n d a ls o a s im ila r a u th oris a tio n to h is a g en t a t V arn a.

We h av e s e en th e a g en t, w ho w as m uch im pre sse d w ith G odalm in g’s k in dly man ner to h im , a n d w e a re a ll sa tis fie d th at w hate v er h e c an d o to a id o ur

wis h es w ill b e d one. W e h av e a lr e ad y a rra n ged w hat to d o in c ase w e g et th e

box o pen . I f th e C ount is th ere , V an H els in g a n d S ew ard w ill c u t o ff h is h ead

at o nce a n d d riv e a s ta k e th ro ugh h is h eart. M orris a n d G odalm in g a n d I s h all

pre v en t in te rfe re n ce, e v en if w e h av e to u se th e a rm s w hic h w e sh all h av e

re ad y. T he P ro fe sso r s a y s th at if w e c an s o tr e at th e C ount’s b ody, it w ill s o on

afte r f a ll i n to d ust. I n s u ch c ase t h ere w ould b e n o e v id en ce a g ain st u s, i n c ase

an y su sp ic io n o f m urd er w ere a ro use d . B ut e v en if it w ere n ot, w e sh ould

sta n d o r f a ll b y o ur a ct, a n d p erh ap s s o m e d ay t h is v ery s c rip t m ay b e e v id en ce

to c o m e b etw een s o m e o f u s a n d a r o pe. F or m yse lf , I s h ould ta k e th e c h an ce

only to o th an kfu lly if it w ere to c o m e. W e m ean to le av e n o s to ne u ntu rn ed to

carry o ut o ur i n te n t. W e h av e a rra n ged w ith c erta in o ff ic ia ls t h at t h e i n sta n t t h e

Czarin a C ath erin e i s s e en , w e a re t o b e i n fo rm ed b y a s p ecia l m esse n ger.

24 O cto ber.— A w hole w eek o f w aitin g. D aily t e le g ra m s t o G odalm in g, b ut

only t h e s a m e s to ry : “ N ot y et r e p orte d .” M in a’s m orn in g a n d e v en in g h ypnotic

an sw er i s u nvarie d : l a p pin g w av es, r u sh in g w ate r, a n d c re ak in g m asts .

Tele g ra m , O cto ber 2 4th .

Rufu s S m ith , L lo yd’s , L ondon, t o L ord G odalm in g, c are o f H . B . M .

Vic e-C onsu l, V arn a.

“C zarin a C ath erin e r e p orte d t h is m orn in g f ro m D ard an elle s.”

Dr. S ew ard ’s D ia ry .

25 O cto ber.— How I m is s m y p honogra p h! T o w rite d ia ry w ith a p en is

ir k so m e t o m e; b ut V an H els in g s a y s I m ust. W e w ere a ll w ild w ith e x cite m en t

yeste rd ay w hen G odalm in g g ot h is te le g ra m fro m L lo yd’s . I k now n ow w hat

men fe el in b attle w hen th e c all to a ctio n is h eard . M rs . H ark er, a lo ne o f o ur

party , d id n ot s h ow a n y s ig ns o f e m otio n. A fte r a ll, it is n ot s tr a n ge th at s h e

did n ot; f o r w e to ok s p ecia l c are n ot to le t h er k now a n yth in g a b out it, a n d w e

all t r ie d n ot t o s h ow a n y e x cite m en t w hen w e w ere i n h er p re se n ce. I n o ld d ay s

sh e w ould , I a m su re , h av e n otic ed , n o m atte r h ow w e m ig ht h av e tr ie d to

co nceal it; b ut in th is w ay s h e is g re atly c h an ged d urin g th e p ast th re e w eek s.

The le th arg y g ro w s u pon h er, a n d th ough s h e s e em s s tr o ng a n d w ell, a n d is

gettin g b ack s o m e o f h er c o lo ur, V an H els in g a n d I a re n ot s a tis fie d . W e t a lk o f

her o fte n ; w e h av e n ot, h ow ev er, s a id a w ord t o t h e o th ers . I t w ould b re ak p oor

Hark er’s h eart— certa in ly h is n erv e— if h e k new th at w e h ad e v en a s u sp ic io n

on th e su bje ct. V an H els in g e x am in es, h e te lls m e, h er te eth v ery c are fu lly ,

whils t s h e is in th e h ypnotic c o nditio n, f o r h e s a y s th at s o lo ng a s th ey d o n ot

beg in to s h arp en th ere is n o a ctiv e d an ger o f a c h an ge in h er. If th is c h an ge

sh ould c o m e, it w ould b e n ecessa ry to ta k e s te p s!... W e b oth k now w hat th ose

ste p s w ould h av e to b e, th ough w e d o n ot m en tio n o ur th oughts to e ach o th er. We sh ould neith er of us sh rin k fro m th e ta sk — aw fu l th ough it be to

co nte m pla te . “E uth an asia ” is an ex celle n t an d a co m fo rtin g w ord ! I am

gra te fu l t o w hoev er i n ven te d i t.

It is o nly a b out 2 4 h ours ’ s a il f ro m th e D ard an elle s to h ere , a t th e r a te th e

Czarin a C ath erin e h as c o m e fro m L ondon. S he s h ould th ere fo re a rriv e s o m e

tim e in th e m orn in g; b ut a s s h e c an not p ossib ly g et in b efo re th en , w e a re a ll

ab out t o r e tir e e arly . W e s h all g et u p a t o ne o ’c lo ck , s o a s t o b e r e ad y.

25 O cto ber, N oon.— No new s yet of th e sh ip ’s arriv al. M rs . H ark er’s

hypnotic re p ort th is m orn in g w as th e s a m e a s u su al, s o it is p ossib le th at w e

may g et n ew s a t a n y m om en t. W e m en a re a ll in a f e v er o f e x cite m en t, e x cep t

Hark er, w ho is c alm ; h is h an ds a re c o ld a s ic e, a n d a n h our a g o I fo und h im

whettin g th e e d ge o f th e g re at G hoork a k nif e w hic h h e n ow a lw ay s c arrie s

with h im . It w ill b e a b ad lo okout fo r th e C ount if th e e d ge o f th at “ K ukri”

ev er t o uch es h is t h ro at, d riv en b y t h at s te rn , i c e-c o ld h an d!

Van H els in g a n d I w ere a little a la rm ed a b out M rs . H ark er to -d ay. A bout

noon s h e g ot in to a s o rt o f le th arg y w hic h w e d id n ot lik e; a lth ough w e k ep t

sile n ce to th e o th ers , w e w ere n eith er o f u s h ap py a b out it. S he h ad b een

re stle ss a ll th e m orn in g, so th at w e w ere a t fir s t g la d to k now th at sh e w as

sle ep in g. W hen , how ev er, her husb an d m en tio ned casu ally th at sh e w as

sle ep in g s o s o undly t h at h e c o uld n ot w ak e h er, w e w en t t o h er r o om t o s e e f o r

ours e lv es. S he w as b re ath in g n atu ra lly a n d lo oked s o w ell a n d p eacefu l th at

we a g re ed th at th e s le ep w as b ette r fo r h er th an a n yth in g e ls e . P oor g ir l, s h e

has s o m uch to fo rg et th at it is n o w onder th at s le ep , if it b rin gs o bliv io n to

her, d oes h er g ood.

Late r.— Our o pin io n w as ju stif ie d , fo r w hen afte r a re fre sh in g sle ep o f

so m e h ours s h e w oke u p, s h e s e em ed b rig hte r a n d b ette r t h an s h e h ad b een f o r

day s. A t s u nse t s h e m ad e t h e u su al h ypnotic r e p ort. W here v er h e m ay b e i n t h e

Bla ck S ea, t h e C ount i s h urry in g t o h is d estin atio n. T o h is d oom , I t r u st!

26 O cto ber.— Anoth er d ay a n d n o tid in gs o f th e C zarin a C ath erin e. S he

ought to b e h ere b y n ow . T hat s h e is s till jo urn ey in g s o m ew here is a p pare n t,

fo r M rs . H ark er’s h ypnotic re p ort a t s u nris e w as s till th e s a m e. It is p ossib le

th at th e v esse l m ay b e ly in g b y, a t tim es, f o r f o g; s o m e o f th e s te am ers w hic h

cam e in la st e v en in g re p orte d p atc h es o f fo g b oth to n orth a n d s o uth o f th e

port. W e m ust c o ntin ue o ur w atc h in g, a s th e s h ip m ay n ow b e s ig nalle d a n y

mom en t.

27 O cto ber, N oon.— Most str a n ge; n o n ew s y et o f th e sh ip w e w ait fo r.

Mrs . H ark er r e p orte d l a st n ig ht a n d t h is m orn in g a s u su al: “ la p pin g w av es a n d

ru sh in g w ate r,” th ough sh e ad ded th at “th e w av es w ere very fa in t.” T he

te le g ra m s f ro m L ondon h av e b een th e s a m e: “ n o f u rth er r e p ort.” V an H els in g

is t e rrib ly a n xio us, a n d t o ld m e j u st n ow t h at h e f e ars t h e C ount i s e sc ap in g u s. He a d ded s ig nif ic an tly :—

“I d id n ot lik e th at le th arg y o f M ad am M in a’s . S ouls a n d m em orie s c an d o

str a n ge th in gs d urin g tr a n ce.” I w as a b out to a sk h im m ore , b ut H ark er ju st

th en c am e i n , a n d h e h eld u p a w arn in g h an d. W e m ust t r y t o -n ig ht a t s u nse t t o

mak e h er s p eak m ore f u lly w hen i n h er h ypnotic s ta te .

28 O cto ber.— Tele g ra m . R ufu s S m ith , L ondon, t o L ord G odalm in g, c are H .

B. M . V ic e C onsu l, V arn a.

“C zarin a C ath erin e r e p orte d e n te rin g G ala tz a t o ne o ’c lo ck t o -d ay.”

Dr. S ew ard ’s D ia ry .

28 O cto ber.— When th e te le g ra m c am e a n nouncin g th e a rriv al in G ala tz I

do n ot th in k it w as s u ch a s h ock to a n y o f u s a s m ig ht h av e b een e x pecte d .

Tru e, w e d id n ot k now w hen ce, o r h ow , o r w hen , th e b olt w ould c o m e; b ut I

th in k w e all ex pecte d th at so m eth in g str a n ge w ould h ap pen . T he d ela y o f

arriv al a t V arn a m ad e u s in div id ually s a tis fie d th at th in gs w ould n ot b e ju st a s

we h ad ex pecte d ; w e o nly w aite d to le arn w here th e ch an ge w ould o ccu r.

None th e le ss, h ow ev er, w as it a s u rp ris e . I s u ppose th at n atu re w ork s o n s u ch

a h opefu l b asis th at w e b elie v e a g ain st o urs e lv es th at th in gs w ill b e a s th ey

ought to b e, n ot a s w e s h ould k now th at th ey w ill b e. T ra n sc en den ta lis m is a

beaco n to th e a n gels , e v en if it b e a w ill- o ’-th e-w is p to m an . It w as a n o dd

ex perie n ce a n d w e a ll to ok it d if f e re n tly . V an H els in g r a is e d h is h an d o ver h is

head f o r a m om en t, a s th ough in r e m onstr a n ce w ith th e A lm ig hty ; b ut h e s a id

not a w ord , a n d in a fe w se co nds sto od u p w ith h is fa ce ste rn ly se t. L ord

Godalm in g gre w very pale , an d sa t bre ath in g heav ily . I w as m yse lf half

stu nned a n d lo oked in w onder a t o ne a fte r a n oth er. Q uin cey M orris tig hte n ed

his b elt w ith t h at q uic k m ovem en t w hic h I k new s o w ell; i n o ur o ld w an derin g

day s i t m ean t “ actio n.” M rs . H ark er g re w g hastly w hite , s o t h at t h e s c ar o n h er

fo re h ead s e em ed to b urn , b ut s h e fo ld ed h er h an ds m eek ly a n d lo oked u p in

pra y er. H ark er s m ile d — actu ally s m ile d — th e d ark , b itte r s m ile o f o ne w ho is

with out h ope; b ut a t th e s a m e tim e h is a ctio n b elie d h is w ord s, fo r h is h an ds

in stin ctiv ely s o ught th e h ilt o f th e g re at K ukri k nif e a n d re ste d th ere . “ W hen

does t h e n ex t t r a in s ta rt f o r G ala tz ?” s a id V an H els in g t o u s g en era lly .

“A t 6 :3 0 to -m orro w m orn in g!” W e a ll s ta rte d , fo r th e a n sw er c am e fro m

Mrs . H ark er.

“H ow o n e arth d o y ou k now ?” s a id A rt.

“Y ou fo rg et— or p erh ap s y ou d o n ot k now , th ough J o nath an d oes a n d s o

does D r. V an H els in g— th at I a m th e tr a in fie n d. A t h om e in E xete r I a lw ay s

use d to m ak e u p th e tim e-ta b le s, s o a s to b e h elp fu l to m y h usb an d. I f o und it

so u se fu l so m etim es, th at I a lw ay s m ak e a stu dy o f th e tim e-ta b le s n ow . I

knew th at if an yth in g w ere to ta k e u s to C astle D ra cu la w e sh ould g o b y Gala tz , o r a t a n y r a te th ro ugh B uch are st, s o I le arn ed th e tim es v ery c are fu lly .

Unhap pily th ere a re n ot m an y to le arn , a s th e o nly tr a in to -m orro w le av es a s I

sa y.”

“W onderfu l w om an !” m urm ure d t h e P ro fe sso r.

“C an ’t w e g et a s p ecia l? ” a sk ed L ord G odalm in g. V an H els in g s h ook h is

head : “ I f e ar n ot. T his l a n d i s v ery d if f e re n t f ro m y ours o r m in e; e v en i f w e d id

hav e a sp ecia l, it w ould p ro bab ly n ot arriv e as so on as o ur re g ula r tr a in .

More o ver, w e h av e s o m eth in g t o p re p are . W e m ust t h in k. N ow l e t u s o rg an iz e.

You, frie n d A rth ur, g o to th e tr a in a n d g et th e tic k ets a n d a rra n ge th at a ll b e

re ad y f o r u s to g o in th e m orn in g. D o y ou, f rie n d J o nath an , g o to th e a g en t o f

th e s h ip a n d g et f ro m h im l e tte rs t o t h e a g en t i n G ala tz , w ith a u th ority t o m ak e

se arc h th e s h ip ju st a s it w as h ere . M orris Q uin cey, y ou s e e th e V ic e-C onsu l,

an d g et h is a id w ith h is fe llo w in G ala tz a n d a ll h e c an d o to m ak e o ur w ay

sm ooth , s o th at n o tim es b e lo st w hen o ver th e D an ube. J o hn w ill s ta y w ith

Mad am M in a a n d m e, a n d w e s h all c o nsu lt. F or s o i f t im e b e l o ng y ou m ay b e

dela y ed ; a n d it w ill n ot m atte r w hen th e s u n s e t, s in ce I a m h ere w ith M ad am

to m ak e r e p ort.”

“A nd I ,” s a id M rs . H ark er b rig htly , a n d m ore lik e h er o ld s e lf th an s h e h ad

been f o r m an y a lo ng d ay, “ sh all tr y to b e o f u se in a ll w ay s, a n d s h all th in k

an d w rite fo r y ou a s I u se d to d o. S om eth in g is sh if tin g fro m m e in so m e

str a n ge w ay, a n d I f e el f re er th an I h av e b een o f la te !” T he th re e y ounger m en

lo oked h ap pie r a t t h e m om en t a s t h ey s e em ed t o r e alis e t h e s ig nif ic an ce o f h er

word s; b ut V an H els in g a n d I, tu rn in g to e ach o th er, m et e ach a g ra v e a n d

tr o uble d g la n ce. W e s a id n oth in g a t t h e t im e, h ow ev er.

When th e th re e m en h ad g one o ut to th eir ta sk s V an H els in g a sk ed M rs .

Hark er to lo ok u p th e c o py o f th e d ia rie s a n d fin d h im th e p art o f H ark er’s

jo urn al a t th e C astle . S he w en t a w ay to g et it; w hen th e d oor w as s h ut u pon

her h e s a id t o m e:—

“W e m ean t h e s a m e! s p eak o ut! ”

“T here is s o m e c h an ge. I t is a h ope th at m ak es m e s ic k , f o r it m ay d eceiv e

us.”

“Q uite s o . D o y ou k now w hy I a sk ed h er t o g et t h e m an usc rip t? ”

“N o!” s a id I , “ u nle ss i t w as t o g et a n o pportu nity o f s e ein g m e a lo ne.”

“Y ou a re in p art rig ht, frie n d Jo hn, b ut o nly in p art. I w an t to te ll y ou

so m eth in g. A nd o h, m y frie n d, I a m ta k in g a g re at— a te rrib le — ris k ; b ut I

belie v e it is rig ht. In th e m om en t w hen M ad am M in a s a id th ose w ord s th at

arre st b oth o ur u nders ta n din g, a n i n sp ir a tio n c am e t o m e. I n t h e t r a n ce o f t h re e

day s a g o th e C ount s e n t h er h is s p ir it to r e ad h er m in d; o r m ore lik e h e to ok her t o s e e h im i n h is e arth -b ox i n t h e s h ip w ith w ate r r u sh in g, j u st a s i t g o f re e

at r is e a n d s e t o f s u n. H e le arn th en th at w e a re h ere ; f o r s h e h av e m ore to te ll

in h er o pen lif e w ith e y es to s e e a n d e ars to h ear th an h e, s h ut, a s h e is , in h is

co ff in -b ox. N ow h e m ak e h is m ost e ff o rt to e sc ap e u s. A t p re se n t h e w an t h er

not.

“H e is s u re w ith h is s o g re at k now le d ge th at s h e w ill c o m e a t h is c all; b ut

he c u t h er o ff — ta k e h er, a s h e c an d o, o ut o f h is o w n p ow er, th at s o s h e c o m e

not to h im . A h! th ere I h av e h ope th at o ur m an -b ra in s th at h av e b een o f m an

so lo ng a n d th at h av e n ot lo st th e g ra ce o f G od, w ill c o m e h ig her th an h is

ch ild -b ra in th at lie in h is to m b f o r c en tu rie s, th at g ro w n ot y et to o ur s ta tu re ,

an d th at d o o nly w ork s e lf is h a n d th ere fo re s m all. H ere c o m es M ad am M in a;

not a w ord to h er o f h er tr a n ce! S he k now it n ot; a n d it w ould o verw helm h er

an d m ak e d esp air ju st w hen w e w an t a ll h er h ope, a ll h er c o ura g e; w hen m ost

we w an t a ll h er g re at b ra in w hic h is tr a in ed lik e m an ’s b ra in , b ut is o f s w eet

wom an a n d h av e a s p ecia l p ow er w hic h t h e C ount g iv e h er, a n d w hic h h e m ay

not ta k e a w ay a lto geth er— th ough h e th in k n ot so . H ush ! le t m e sp eak , a n d

you s h all le arn . O h, J o hn, m y f rie n d, w e a re in a w fu l s tr a its . I f e ar, a s I n ev er

fe are d b efo re . W e c an o nly t r u st t h e g ood G od. S ile n ce! h ere s h e c o m es!”

I th ought th at th e P ro fe sso r w as g oin g to b re ak d ow n a n d h av e h yste ric s,

ju st a s h e h ad w hen L ucy d ie d , b ut w ith a g re at e ff o rt h e c o ntr o lle d h im se lf

an d w as a t p erfe ct n erv ous p ois e w hen M rs . H ark er tr ip ped in to th e ro om ,

brig ht a n d h ap py-lo okin g a n d, i n t h e d oin g o f w ork , s e em in gly f o rg etf u l o f h er

mis e ry . A s s h e c am e in , s h e h an ded a n um ber o f s h eets o f ty pew ritin g to V an

Hels in g. H e lo oked o ver th em g ra v ely , h is fa ce b rig hte n in g u p a s h e re ad .

Then h old in g t h e p ag es b etw een h is f in ger a n d t h um b h e s a id :—

“F rie n d J o hn, to y ou w ith s o m uch o f e x perie n ce a lr e ad y— an d y ou, to o,

dear M ad am M in a, th at a re y oung— here is a le sso n: d o n ot f e ar e v er to th in k.

A h alf -th ought h as b een b uzzin g o fte n in m y b ra in , b ut I f e ar to le t h im lo ose

his w in gs. H ere n ow , w ith m ore k now le d ge, I g o b ack to w here th at h alf -

th ought c o m e f ro m a n d I f in d t h at h e b e n o h alf -th ought a t a ll; t h at b e a w hole

th ought, th ough s o y oung th at h e is n ot y et s tr o ng to u se h is little w in gs. N ay,

lik e th e “ U gly D uck ” o f m y f rie n d H an s A nders e n , h e b e n o d uck -th ought a t

all, b ut a b ig s w an -th ought th at s a il n obly o n b ig w in gs, w hen th e tim e c o m e

fo r h im t o t r y t h em . S ee I r e ad h ere w hat J o nath an h av e w ritte n :—

“T hat o th er o f h is ra ce w ho, in a la te r a g e, a g ain a n d a g ain , b ro ught h is

fo rc es o ver T he G re at R iv er i n to T urk ey L an d; w ho, w hen h e w as b eate n b ack ,

cam e ag 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

blo ody fie ld w here 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

alo ne c o uld u ltim ate ly t r iu m ph.”

“W hat d oes th is te ll u s? N ot m uch ? n o! T he C ount’s c h ild -th ought se e noth in g; th ere fo re h e s p eak s o fre e. Y our m an -th ought s e e n oth in g; m y m an -

th ought se e n oth in g, till ju st n ow . N o! B ut th ere c o m es a n oth er w ord fro m

so m e o ne w ho s p eak w ith out t h ought b ecau se s h e, t o o, k now n ot w hat i t m ean

—what it m ig ht m ean . Ju st as th ere are ele m en ts w hic h re st, y et w hen in

natu re ’s c o urs e th ey m ove o n th eir w ay a n d th ey to uch — th en p ouf! a n d th ere

co m es a f la sh o f lig ht, h eav en w id e, th at b lin d a n d k ill a n d d estr o y s o m e; b ut

th at s h ow u p a ll e arth b elo w f o r le ag ues a n d le ag ues. I s it n ot s o ? W ell, I s h all

ex pla in . T o b eg in , h av e y ou e v er stu dy th e p hilo so phy o f c rim e? ‘Y es’ a n d

‘N o.’ Y ou, J o hn, y es; fo r it is a s tu dy o f in sa n ity . Y ou, n o, M ad am M in a; fo r

crim e t o uch y ou n ot— not b ut o nce. S till, y our m in d w ork s t r u e, a n d a rg ues n ot

a partic u la ri ad univ ers a le . T here is th is pecu lia rity in crim in als . It is so

co nsta n t, in a ll c o untr ie s a n d a t a ll tim es, th at e v en p olic e, w ho k now n ot

much fro m p hilo so phy, c o m e to k now it e m pir ic ally , th at it is . T hat is to b e

em pir ic . T he c rim in al a lw ay s w ork a t o ne c rim e— th at i s t h e t r u e c rim in al w ho

se em s p re d estin ate t o c rim e, a n d w ho w ill o f n one o th er. T his c rim in al h as n ot

fu ll m an -b ra in . H e is c le v er a n d c u nnin g a n d re so urc efu l; b ut h e b e n ot o f

man -s ta tu re a s to b ra in . H e b e o f c h ild -b ra in in m uch . N ow th is c rim in al o f

ours is p re d estin ate to c rim e a ls o ; h e, to o, h av e c h ild -b ra in , a n d it is o f th e

ch ild to d o w hat h e h av e d one. T he little b ir d , th e little fis h , th e little a n im al

le arn n ot b y p rin cip le , b ut e m pir ic ally ; a n d w hen h e le arn to d o, th en th ere is

to h im th e g ro und to s ta rt fro m to d o m ore . ‘D os p ou s to ,’ s a id A rc h im ed es.

‘G iv e m e a f u lc ru m , a n d I s h all m ove th e w orld !’ T o d o o nce, is th e f u lc ru m

where b y c h ild -b ra in b eco m e m an -b ra in ; a n d u ntil h e h av e th e p urp ose to d o

more , h e co ntin ue to d o th e sa m e ag ain ev ery tim e, ju st as h e h av e d one

befo re ! O h, m y d ear, I se e th at y our e y es a re o pen ed , a n d th at to y ou th e

lig htn in g f la sh s h ow a ll th e le ag ues,” f o r M rs . H ark er b eg an to c la p h er h an ds

an d h er e y es s p ark le d . H e w en t o n:—

“N ow y ou s h all s p eak . T ell u s tw o d ry m en o f s c ie n ce w hat y ou s e e w ith

th ose so b rig ht e y es.” H e to ok h er h an d a n d h eld it w hils t sh e sp oke. H is

fin ger an d th um b clo se d on her puls e , as I th ought in stin ctiv ely an d

unco nsc io usly , a s s h e s p oke:—

“T he C ount is a crim in al an d o f crim in al ty pe. N ord au an d L om bro so

would so c la ssif y h im , a n d q uâ c rim in al h e is o f im perfe ctly fo rm ed m in d.

Thus, i n a d if f ic u lty h e h as t o s e ek r e so urc e i n h ab it. H is p ast i s a c lu e, a n d t h e

one p ag e o f it th at w e k now — an d th at fro m h is o w n lip s— te lls th at o nce

befo re , w hen i n w hat M r. M orris w ould c all a ‘ tig ht p la ce,’ h e w en t b ack t o h is

ow n c o untr y f ro m th e la n d h e h ad tr ie d to in vad e, a n d th en ce, w ith out lo sin g

purp ose , p re p are d h im se lf f o r a n ew e ff o rt. H e c am e a g ain b ette r e q uip ped f o r

his w ork ; a n d w on. S o h e c am e to L ondon to in vad e a n ew la n d. H e w as

beate n , a n d w hen a ll h ope o f s u ccess w as lo st, a n d h is e x is te n ce in d an ger, h e

fle d b ack o ver th e s e a to h is h om e; ju st a s f o rm erly h e h ad f le d b ack o ver th e

Dan ube f ro m T urk ey L an d.” “G ood, g ood! o h, y ou s o c le v er la d y!” s a id V an H els in g, e n th usia stic ally ,

as h e s to oped a n d k is se d h er h an d. A m om en t l a te r h e s a id t o m e, a s c alm ly a s

th ough w e h ad b een h av in g a s ic k -ro om c o nsu lta tio n:—

“S ev en ty -tw o o nly ; a n d i n a ll t h is e x cite m en t. I h av e h ope.” T urn in g t o h er

ag ain , h e s a id w ith k een e x pecta tio n:—

“B ut g o o n. G o o n! t h ere i s m ore t o t e ll i f y ou w ill. B e n ot a fra id ; J o hn a n d

I k now . I d o in a n y c ase , a n d s h all te ll y ou if y ou a re rig ht. S peak , w ith out

fe ar!”

“I w ill t r y t o ; b ut y ou w ill f o rg iv e m e i f I s e em e g otis tic al.”

“N ay ! f e ar n ot, y ou m ust b e e g otis t, f o r i t i s o f y ou t h at w e t h in k.”

“T hen , a s h e is c rim in al h e is s e lf is h ; a n d a s h is in te lle ct is s m all a n d h is

actio n is base d on se lf is h ness, he co nfin es him se lf to one purp ose . T hat

purp ose i s r e m ors e le ss. A s h e f le d b ack o ver t h e D an ube, l e av in g h is f o rc es t o

be c u t to p ie ces, s o n ow h e is in te n t o n b ein g s a fe , c are le ss o f a ll. S o h is o w n

se lf is h ness f re es m y s o ul s o m ew hat f ro m t h e t e rrib le p ow er w hic h h e a cq uir e d

over m e o n th at d re ad fu l n ig ht. I f e lt it! O h, I f e lt it! T han k G od, f o r H is g re at

merc y ! M y s o ul is fre er th an it h as b een s in ce th at a w fu l h our; a n d a ll th at

hau nts m e is a fe ar le st in so m e tr a n ce o r d re am h e m ay h av e u se d m y

know le d ge f o r h is e n ds.” T he P ro fe sso r s to od u p:—

“H e h as s o u se d y our m in d; a n d b y it h e h as le ft u s h ere in V arn a, w hils t

th e s h ip th at c arrie d h im ru sh ed th ro ugh e n velo pin g fo g u p to G ala tz , w here ,

doubtle ss, h e h ad m ad e p re p ara tio n fo r e sc ap in g fro m u s. B ut h is c h ild -m in d

only s a w s o fa r; a n d it m ay b e th at, a s e v er is in G od’s P ro vid en ce, th e v ery

th in g th at th e e v il- d oer m ost r e ck oned o n f o r h is s e lf is h g ood, tu rn s o ut to b e

his c h ie fe st h arm . T he h unte r is ta k en in h is o w n s n are , a s th e g re at P sa lm is t

sa y s. F or n ow t h at h e t h in k h e i s f re e f ro m e v ery t r a ce o f u s a ll, a n d t h at h e h as

esc ap ed u s w ith s o m an y h ours t o h im , t h en h is s e lf is h c h ild -b ra in w ill w his p er

him to sle ep . H e th in k, to o, th at a s h e c u t h im se lf o ff fro m k now in g y our

min d, th ere c an b e n o k now le d ge o f h im to y ou; th ere is w here h e fa il! T hat

te rrib le b ap tis m o f b lo od w hic h h e g iv e y ou m ak es y ou fre e to g o to h im in

sp ir it, a s y ou h av e a s y et d one i n y our t im es o f f re ed om , w hen t h e s u n r is e a n d

se t. A t s u ch tim es y ou g o b y m y v olitio n a n d n ot b y h is ; a n d th is p ow er to

good o f y ou a n d o th ers , a s y ou h av e w on fro m y our s u ff e rin g a t h is h an ds.

This is n ow a ll th e m ore p re cio us th at h e k now it n ot, a n d to g uard h im se lf

hav e e v en c u t h im se lf o ff f ro m h is k now le d ge o f o ur w here . W e, h ow ev er, a re

not s e lf is h , a n d w e b elie v e th at G od is w ith u s th ro ugh a ll th is b la ck ness, a n d

th ese m an y d ark h ours . W e s h all f o llo w h im ; a n d w e s h all n ot f lin ch ; e v en if

we p eril o urs e lv es t h at w e b eco m e l ik e h im . F rie n d J o hn, t h is h as b een a g re at

hour; a n d it h av e d one m uch to a d van ce u s o n o ur w ay. Y ou m ust b e s c rib e

an d w rite h im a ll d ow n, s o t h at w hen t h e o th ers r e tu rn f ro m t h eir w ork y ou c an giv e i t t o t h em ; t h en t h ey s h all k now a s w e d o.”

And s o I h av e w ritte n it w hils t w e w ait th eir re tu rn , a n d M rs . H ark er h as

writte n w ith h er t y pew rite r a ll s in ce s h e b ro ught t h e M S. t o u s.

CH APT ER X XVI

DR. S E W ARD’S D IA RY

29 O cto ber.— This is w ritte n in th e tr a in f ro m V arn a to G ala tz . L ast n ig ht

we a ll a sse m ble d a little b efo re th e tim e o f s u nse t. E ach o f u s h ad d one h is

work a s w ell a s h e c o uld ; s o fa r a s th ought, a n d e n deav our, a n d o pportu nity

go, w e a re p re p are d f o r th e w hole o f o ur jo urn ey, a n d f o r o ur w ork w hen w e

get to G ala tz . W hen th e u su al tim e c am e r o und M rs . H ark er p re p are d h ers e lf

fo r h er h ypnotic e ff o rt; a n d a fte r a l o nger a n d m ore s e rio us e ff o rt o n t h e p art o f

Van H els in g t h an h as b een u su ally n ecessa ry , s h e s a n k i n to t h e t r a n ce. U su ally

sh e s p eak s o n a h in t; b ut th is tim e th e P ro fe sso r h ad to a sk h er q uestio ns, a n d

to ask th em p re tty re so lu te ly , b efo re w e co uld le arn an yth in g; at la st h er

an sw er c am e:—

“I c an se e n oth in g; w e a re still; th ere a re n o w av es la p pin g, b ut o nly a

ste ad y sw ir l o f w ate r so ftly ru nnin g ag ain st th e h aw se r. I can h ear m en ’s

voic es c allin g, n ear a n d f a r, a n d th e r o ll a n d c re ak o f o ars in th e r o w lo ck s. A

gun is fir e d s o m ew here ; th e e ch o o f it s e em s fa r a w ay. T here is tr a m pin g o f

fe et o verh ead , a n d r o pes a n d c h ain s a re d ra g ged a lo ng. W hat i s t h is ? T here i s a

gle am o f l ig ht; I c an f e el t h e a ir b lo w in g u pon m e.”

Here s h e s to pped . S he h ad r is e n , a s if im puls iv ely , f ro m w here s h e la y o n

th e s o fa , a n d r a is e d b oth h er h an ds, p alm s u pw ard s, a s if lif tin g a w eig ht. V an

Hels in g a n d I lo oked a t e ach o th er w ith u nders ta n din g. Q uin cey ra is e d h is

ey eb ro w s s lig htly a n d l o oked a t h er i n te n tly , w hils t H ark er’s h an d i n stin ctiv ely

clo se d r o und th e h ilt o f h is K ukri. T here w as a lo ng p au se . W e a ll k new th at

th e tim e w hen s h e c o uld s p eak w as p assin g; b ut w e f e lt th at it w as u se le ss to

sa y a n yth in g. S udden ly s h e s a t u p, a n d, a s s h e o pen ed h er e y es, s a id s w eetly :

—

“W ould n one o f y ou lik e a c u p o f te a? Y ou m ust a ll b e s o tir e d !” W e c o uld

only m ak e h er h ap py, a n d s o a cq uie sc ed . S he b ustle d o ff to g et te a; w hen s h e

had g one V an H els in g s a id :—

“Y ou s e e, m y f rie n ds. H e i s c lo se t o l a n d: h e h as l e ft h is e arth -c h est. B ut h e

has y et t o g et o n s h ore . I n t h e n ig ht h e m ay l ie h id den s o m ew here ; b ut i f h e b e

not c arrie d o n s h ore , o r if th e s h ip d o n ot to uch it, h e c an not a ch ie v e th e la n d.

In s u ch c ase h e c an , if it b e in th e n ig ht, c h an ge h is f o rm a n d c an ju m p o r f ly on s h ore , a s h e d id a t W hitb y. B ut if th e d ay c o m e b efo re h e g et o n s h ore ,

th en , u nle ss h e b e c arrie d h e c an not e sc ap e. A nd if h e b e c arrie d , th en th e

cu sto m s m en m ay d is c o ver w hat th e b ox c o nta in . T hus, in fin e, if h e e sc ap e

not o n s h ore to -n ig ht, o r b efo re d aw n, th ere w ill b e th e w hole d ay lo st to h im .

We m ay t h en a rriv e i n t im e; f o r i f h e e sc ap e n ot a t n ig ht w e s h all c o m e o n h im

in d ay tim e, b oxed u p a n d a t o ur m erc y ; f o r h e d are n ot b e h is tr u e s e lf , a w ak e

an d v is ib le , l e st h e b e d is c o vere d .”

There w as n o m ore to b e s a id , s o w e w aite d in p atie n ce u ntil th e d aw n; a t

whic h t im e w e m ig ht l e arn m ore f ro m M rs . H ark er.

Early t h is m orn in g w e lis te n ed , w ith b re ath le ss a n xie ty , f o r h er r e sp onse i n

her tr a n ce. T he h ypnotic sta g e w as e v en lo nger in c o m in g th an b efo re ; a n d

when it c am e th e tim e r e m ain in g u ntil f u ll s u nris e w as s o s h ort th at w e b eg an

to d esp air. V an H els in g s e em ed to th ro w h is w hole s o ul in to th e e ff o rt; a t la st,

in o bed ie n ce t o h is w ill s h e m ad e r e p ly :—

“A ll is d ark . I h ear la p pin g w ate r, le v el w ith m e, a n d s o m e c re ak in g a s o f

wood o n w ood.” S he p au se d , a n d th e re d s u n s h ot u p. W e m ust w ait till to -

nig ht.

And so it is th at w e are tr a v ellin g to w ard s G ala tz in an ag ony of

ex pecta tio n. W e a re d ue to a rriv e b etw een tw o a n d th re e in th e m orn in g; b ut

alr e ad y, a t B uch are st, w e a re th re e h ours la te , s o w e c an not p ossib ly g et in till

well a fte r s u n-u p. T hus w e s h all h av e tw o m ore h ypnotic m essa g es f ro m M rs .

Hark er; e ith er o r b oth m ay p ossib ly t h ro w m ore l ig ht o n w hat i s h ap pen in g.

Late r.— Sunse t h as c o m e a n d g one. F ortu nate ly it c am e a t a tim e w hen

th ere w as n o d is tr a ctio n; fo r h ad it o ccu rre d w hils t w e w ere a t a s ta tio n, w e

mig ht n ot h av e s e cu re d th e n ecessa ry c alm a n d is o la tio n. M rs . H ark er y ie ld ed

to th e h ypnotic in flu en ce e v en le ss r e ad ily th an th is m orn in g. I a m in f e ar th at

her p ow er o f r e ad in g t h e C ount’s s e n sa tio ns m ay d ie a w ay, j u st w hen w e w an t

it m ost. I t s e em s to m e th at h er im ag in atio n is b eg in nin g to w ork . W hils t s h e

has b een i n t h e t r a n ce h ith erto s h e h as c o nfin ed h ers e lf t o t h e s im ple st o f f a cts .

If th is g oes o n it m ay u ltim ate ly m is le ad u s. If I th ought th at th e C ount’s

pow er o ver h er w ould d ie a w ay e q ually w ith h er p ow er o f k now le d ge i t w ould

be a h ap py t h ought; b ut I a m a fra id t h at i t m ay n ot b e s o . W hen s h e d id s p eak ,

her w ord s w ere e n ig m atic al:—

“S om eth in g is g oin g o ut; I c an f e el it p ass m e lik e a c o ld w in d. I c an h ear,

fa r o ff , c o nfu se d s o unds— as o f m en ta lk in g in s tr a n ge to ngues, f ie rc e-fa llin g

wate r, a n d t h e h ow lin g o f w olv es.” S he s to pped a n d a s h udder r a n t h ro ugh h er,

in cre asin g in in te n sity f o r a f e w s e co nds, till, a t th e e n d, s h e s h ook a s th ough

in a p als y . S he sa id n o m ore , e v en in a n sw er to th e P ro fe sso r’s im pera tiv e

questio nin g. W hen sh e w oke fro m th e tr a n ce, sh e w as c o ld , a n d e x hau ste d ,

an d l a n guid ; b ut h er m in d w as a ll a le rt. S he c o uld n ot r e m em ber a n yth in g, b ut ask ed w hat s h e h ad s a id ; w hen s h e w as to ld , s h e p ondere d o ver it d eep ly f o r a

lo ng t im e a n d i n s ile n ce.

30 O cto ber, 7 a . m .— We a re n ear G ala tz n ow , a n d I m ay n ot h av e tim e to

write la te r. S unris e th is m orn in g w as a n xio usly lo oked f o r b y u s a ll. K now in g

of th e in cre asin g d if f ic u lty o f p ro cu rin g th e h ypnotic tr a n ce, V an H els in g

beg an h is p asse s e arlie r th an u su al. T hey p ro duced n o e ff e ct, h ow ev er, u ntil

th e r e g ula r tim e, w hen s h e y ie ld ed w ith a s till g re ate r d if f ic u lty , o nly a m in ute

befo re th e s u n r o se . T he P ro fe sso r lo st n o tim e in h is q uestio nin g; h er a n sw er

cam e w ith e q ual q uic k ness:—

“A ll is d ark . I h ear w ate r s w ir lin g b y, le v el w ith m y e ars , a n d th e c re ak in g

of w ood o n w ood. C attle lo w f a r o ff . T here is a n oth er s o und, a q ueer o ne lik e

——” S he s to pped a n d g re w w hite , a n d w hite r s till.

“G o o n; g o o n! S peak , I c o m man d y ou!” s a id V an H els in g in a n a g onis e d

voic e. A t th e s a m e tim e th ere w as d esp air in h is e y es, fo r th e ris e n s u n w as

re d den in g ev en M rs . H ark er’s p ale fa ce. S he o pen ed h er ey es, an d w e all

sta rte d a s s h e s a id , s w eetly a n d s e em in gly w ith t h e u tm ost u nco ncern :—

“O h, Pro fe sso r, w hy ask m e to do w hat you know I can ’t? I don’t

re m em ber a n yth in g.” T hen , s e ein g th e lo ok o f a m azem en t o n o ur fa ces, s h e

sa id , t u rn in g f ro m o ne t o t h e o th er w ith a t r o uble d l o ok:—

“W hat h av e I sa id ? W hat h av e I d one? I k now n oth in g, o nly th at I w as

ly in g h ere , h alf a sle ep , a n d h eard y ou s a y g o o n! s p eak , I c o m man d y ou!’ It

se em ed s o f u nny t o h ear y ou o rd er m e a b out, a s i f I w ere a b ad c h ild !”

“O h, M ad am M in a,” h e s a id , s a d ly , “ it i s p ro of, i f p ro of b e n eed ed , o f h ow

I lo ve a n d h onour y ou, w hen a w ord f o r y our g ood, s p oken m ore e arn est th an

ev er, c an s e em s o s tr a n ge b ecau se i t i s t o o rd er h er w hom I a m p ro ud t o o bey !”

The w his tle s a re so undin g; w e a re n earin g G ala tz . W e a re o n fir e w ith

an xie ty a n d e ag ern ess.

Min a H ark er’s J o urn al.

30 O cto ber.— Mr. M orris to ok m e to th e h ote l w here o ur ro om s h ad b een

ord ere d b y t e le g ra p h, h e b ein g t h e o ne w ho c o uld b est b e s p are d , s in ce h e d oes

not s p eak a n y f o re ig n la n guag e. T he f o rc es w ere d is tr ib ute d m uch a s th ey h ad

been a t V arn a, e x cep t th at L ord G odalm in g w en t to th e V ic e-C onsu l, a s h is

ra n k m ig ht s e rv e a s a n im med ia te g uara n te e o f s o m e s o rt to th e o ff ic ia l, w e

bein g in e x tr e m e h urry . Jo nath an a n d th e tw o d octo rs w en t to th e sh ip pin g

ag en t t o l e arn p artic u la rs o f t h e a rriv al o f t h e C zarin a C ath erin e.

Late r.— Lord G odalm in g h as re tu rn ed . T he C onsu l is a w ay, a n d th e V ic e-

Consu l s ic k ; s o th e r o utin e w ork h as b een a tte n ded to b y a c le rk . H e w as v ery

oblig in g, a n d o ff e re d t o d o a n yth in g i n h is p ow er. Jo nath an H ark er’s J o urn al.

30 O cto ber.— At n in e o ’c lo ck D r. V an H els in g, D r. S ew ard , a n d I c alle d o n

Messrs . M ack en zie & S te in koff , th e a g en ts o f th e L ondon fir m o f H ap good.

They had re ceiv ed a w ir e fro m L ondon, in an sw er to L ord G odalm in g’s

te le g ra p hed r e q uest, a sk in g u s to s h ow th em a n y c iv ility in th eir p ow er. T hey

were m ore th an k in d a n d c o urte o us, a n d to ok u s a t o nce o n b oard th e C zarin a

Cath erin e, w hic h la y a t a n ch or o ut in th e riv er h arb our. T here w e sa w th e

Cap ta in , D onels o n b y n am e, w ho to ld u s o f h is v oyag e. H e s a id th at in a ll h is

lif e h e h ad n ev er h ad s o f a v oura b le a r u n.

“M an !” h e sa id , “ b ut it m ad e u s a fe ard , fo r w e e x peck it th at w e sh ould

hav e to p ay f o r it w i’ s o m e r a re p ie ce o ’ ill lu ck , s o a s to k eep u p th e a v era g e.

It’s n o c an ny to ru n fra e L ondon to th e B la ck S ea w i’ a w in d a h in t y e, a s

th ough t h e D eil h im se lf w ere b la w in ’ o n y er s a il f o r h is a in p urp ose . A n’ a ’ t h e

tim e w e c o uld n o sp eer a th in g. G in w e w ere n ig h a sh ip , o r a p ort, o r a

head la n d, a f o g f e ll o n u s a n d tr a v elle d w i’ u s, till w hen a fte r it h ad lif te d a n d

we lo oked o ut, th e d eil a th in g c o uld w e s e e. W e r a n b y G ib ra lta r w i’ o ot b ein ’

ab le to s ig nal; a n ’ till w e c am e to th e D ard an elle s a n d h ad to w ait to g et o ur

perm it to p ass, w e n ev er w ere w ith in h ail o ’ a u ght. A t f ir s t I in clin ed to s la ck

off s a il a n d b eat a b out till th e fo g w as lif te d ; b ut w hile s, I th och t th at if th e

Deil w as m in ded to g et u s in to th e B la ck S ea q uic k , h e w as lik e to d o it

wheth er w e w ould o r n o. If w e h ad a q uic k v oyag e it w ould b e n o to o ur

mis c re d it w i’ th e o w ners , o r n o h urt to o ur tr a ff ic ; a n ’ th e O ld M on w ho h ad

se rv ed h is a in p urp ose w ad b e d ecen tly g ra te fu l to u s fo r n o h in derin ’ h im .”

This m ix tu re of sim plic ity an d cu nnin g, of su pers titio n an d co m merc ia l

re aso nin g, a ro use d V an H els in g, w ho s a id :—

“M in e f rie n d, th at D ev il is m ore c le v er th an h e is th ought b y s o m e; a n d h e

know w hen h e m eet h is m atc h !” T he sk ip per w as n ot d is p le ase d w ith th e

co m plim en t, a n d w en t o n:—

“W hen w e g ot p ast th e B osp horu s th e m en b eg an to g ru m ble ; so m e o ’

th em , th e R oum an ia n s, cam e an d ask ed m e to h eav e o verb oard a b ig b ox

whic h h ad b een p ut o n b oard b y a q ueer lo okin ’ o ld m an ju st b efo re w e h ad

sta rte d f ra e L ondon. I h ad s e en th em s p eer a t th e f e llo w , a n d p ut o ut th eir tw a

fin gers w hen th ey sa w him , to guard ag ain st th e ev il ey e. M an ! but th e

su pers te etio n o f fo re ig ners is p air fe ctly rid eecu lo us! I se n t th em a b oot th eir

busin ess p re tty q uic k ; b ut a s ju st a fte r a f o g c lo se d in o n u s I f e lt a w ee b it a s

th ey d id a n en t s o m eth in g, t h ough I w ould n’t s a y i t w as a g in t h e b ig b ox. W ell,

on w e w en t, a n d a s t h e f o g d id n’t l e t u p f o r f iv e d ay s I j o ost l e t t h e w in d c arry

us; fo r if th e D eil w an te d to g et so m ew here s— well, h e w ould fe tc h it u p

a’re et. A n’ i f h e d id n’t, w ell, w e’d k eep a s h arp l o okout a n yhow . S ure e n eu ch ,

we h ad a fa ir w ay a n d d eep w ate r a ll th e tim e; a n d tw o d ay s a g o, w hen th e

morn in ’ su n cam e th ro ugh th e fo g, w e fo und ours e lv es ju st in th e riv er opposite G ala tz . T he R oum an ia n s w ere w ild , a n d w an te d m e r ig ht o r w ro ng t o

ta k e o ut th e b ox a n d f lin g it in th e r iv er. I h ad to a rg y w i’ th em a b oot it w i’ a

han dsp ik e; a n ’ w hen t h e l a st o ’ t h em r o se o ff t h e d eck w i’ h is h ead i n h is h an d,

I h ad c o nvin ced t h em t h at, e v il e y e o r n o e v il e y e, t h e p ro perty a n d t h e t r u st o f

my o w ners w ere b ette r in m y h an ds th an in th e r iv er D an ube. T hey h ad , m in d

ye, t a k en t h e b ox o n t h e d eck r e ad y t o f lin g i n , a n d a s i t w as m ark ed G ala tz v ia

Varn a, I th och t I’d le t it lie till w e d is c h arg ed in th e p ort an ’ g et rid o ’t

alth eg ith er. W e d id n’t d o m uch c le arin ’ th at d ay, a n ’ h ad to r e m ain th e n ic h t a t

an ch or; b ut in th e m orn in ’, b ra w a n ’ a ir ly , a n h our b efo re s u n-u p, a m an c am e

ab oard w i’ a n o rd er, w ritte n to h im f ro m E ngla n d, to r e ceiv e a b ox m ark ed f o r

one C ount D ra cu la . S ure e n eu ch t h e m atte r w as o ne r e ad y t o h is h an d. H e h ad

his p ap ers a ’ r e et, a n ’ g la d I w as t o b e r id o ’ t h e d am ’ t h in g, f o r I w as b eg in nin ’

mase l’ to fe el u neasy a t it. If th e D eil d id h av e a n y lu ggag e a b oord th e s h ip ,

I’m t h in kin ’ i t w as n an e i th er t h an t h at s a m e!”

“W hat w as th e n am e o f th e m an w ho to ok it? ” a sk ed D r. V an H els in g w ith

re str a in ed e ag ern ess.

“I’ll b e te llin ’ y e q uic k !” h e a n sw ere d , a n d, ste p pin g d ow n to h is c ab in ,

pro duced a r e ceip t s ig ned “ Im man uel H ild esh eim .” B urg en -s tr a sse 1 6 w as th e

ad dre ss. W e fo und o ut th at th is w as a ll th e C ap ta in k new ; s o w ith th an ks w e

cam e a w ay.

We f o und H ild esh eim i n h is o ff ic e, a H eb re w o f r a th er t h e A delp hi T heatr e

ty pe, w ith a n ose lik e a sh eep , a n d a fe z. H is a rg um en ts w ere p oin te d w ith

sp ecie — we d oin g th e p unctu atio n— an d w ith a little b arg ain in g h e to ld u s

what h e k new . T his tu rn ed o ut to b e s im ple b ut im porta n t. H e h ad r e ceiv ed a

le tte r fro m M r. d e V ille o f L ondon, te llin g h im to re ceiv e, if p ossib le b efo re

su nris e so a s to a v oid c u sto m s, a b ox w hic h w ould a rriv e a t G ala tz in th e

Czarin a C ath erin e. T his h e w as to g iv e in c h arg e to a c erta in P etr o f S kin sk y,

who d ealt w ith t h e S lo vak s w ho t r a d ed d ow n t h e r iv er t o t h e p ort. H e h ad b een

paid fo r h is w ork b y a n E nglis h b an k n ote , w hic h h ad b een d uly c ash ed fo r

gold a t th e D an ube In te rn atio nal B an k. W hen S kin sk y h ad c o m e to h im , h e

had ta k en h im to th e s h ip a n d h an ded o ver th e b ox, s o a s to s a v e p orte ra g e.

That w as a ll h e k new .

We th en so ught fo r S kin sk y, b ut w ere u nab le to fin d h im . O ne o f h is

neig hbours , w ho d id n ot s e em t o b ear h im a n y a ff e ctio n, s a id t h at h e h ad g one

aw ay tw o d ay s b efo re , n o o ne k new w hith er. T his w as c o rro bora te d b y h is

la n dlo rd , w ho h ad re ceiv ed b y m esse n ger th e k ey o f th e h ouse to geth er w ith

th e r e n t d ue, in E nglis h m oney. T his h ad b een b etw een te n a n d e le v en o ’c lo ck

la st n ig ht. W e w ere a t a s ta n dstill a g ain .

Whils t w e w ere ta lk in g o ne c am e r u nnin g a n d b re ath le ssly g asp ed o ut th at

th e b ody o f S kin sk y h ad b een fo und in sid e th e w all o f th e c h urc h yard o f S t. Pete r, a n d th at th e th ro at h ad b een to rn o pen a s if b y s o m e w ild a n im al. T hose

we h ad b een s p eak in g w ith ra n o ff to s e e th e h orro r, th e w om en c ry in g o ut

“T his is th e w ork o f a S lo vak !” W e h urrie d a w ay le st w e s h ould h av e b een in

so m e w ay d ra w n i n to t h e a ff a ir , a n d s o d eta in ed .

As w e c am e h om e w e c o uld a rriv e a t n o d efin ite c o nclu sio n. W e w ere a ll

co nvin ced t h at t h e b ox w as o n i ts w ay, b y w ate r, t o s o m ew here ; b ut w here t h at

mig ht b e w e w ould h av e to d is c o ver. W ith h eav y h earts w e c am e h om e to th e

hote l t o M in a.

When w e m et to geth er, th e fir s t th in g w as to c o nsu lt a s to ta k in g M in a

ag ain in to o ur c o nfid en ce. T hin gs a re g ettin g d esp era te , a n d it is a t le ast a

ch an ce, th ough a h azard ous o ne. A s a p re lim in ary s te p , I w as re le ase d fro m

my p ro m is e t o h er.

Min a H ark er’s J o urn al.

30 O cto ber, e v en in g.— They w ere s o tir e d a n d w orn o ut a n d d is p ir ite d th at

th ere w as n oth in g to b e d one till th ey h ad s o m e r e st; s o I a sk ed th em a ll to lie

dow n f o r h alf a n h our w hils t I s h ould e n te r e v ery th in g u p t o t h e m om en t. I f e el

so g ra te fu l to th e m an w ho in ven te d th e “ T ra v elle r’s ” ty pew rit e r, a n d to M r.

Morris fo r g ettin g th is o ne fo r m e. I s h ould h av e fe lt q uite ; a str a y d oin g th e

work i f I h ad t o w rite w ith a p en ....

It is a ll d one; p oor d ear, d ear J o nath an , w hat h e m ust h av e s u ff e re d , w hat

must h e b e s u ff e rin g n ow . H e lie s o n th e s o fa h ard ly s e em in g to b re ath e, a n d

his w hole b ody a p pears in c o lla p se . H is b ro w s a re k nit; h is f a ce is d ra w n w ith

pain . P oor f e llo w , m ay be h e is th in kin g, a n d I c an s e e h is f a ce a ll w rin kle d u p

with th e c o ncen tr a tio n o f h is th oughts . O h! if I c o uld o nly h elp a t a ll.... I s h all

do w hat I c an .

I h av e a sk ed D r. V an H els in g, a n d h e h as g ot m e a ll th e p ap ers th at I h av e

not yet se en .... W hils t th ey are re stin g, I sh all go over all care fu lly , an d

perh ap s I m ay a rriv e a t s o m e c o nclu sio n. I s h all tr y to f o llo w th e P ro fe sso r’s

ex am ple , a n d t h in k w ith out p re ju dic e o n t h e f a cts b efo re m e....

I d o b elie v e th at u nder G od’s p ro vid en ce I h av e m ad e a d is c o very . I s h all

get t h e m ap s a n d l o ok o ver t h em ....

I a m m ore th an e v er s u re th at I a m r ig ht. M y n ew c o nclu sio n is r e ad y, s o I

sh all g et o ur p arty to geth er a n d re ad it. T hey c an ju dge it; it is w ell to b e

accu ra te , a n d e v ery m in ute i s p re cio us.

Min a H ark er’s M em ora n dum .

(E nte re d i n h er J o urn al.)

Gro und o f in quir y .— Count D ra cu la ’s p ro ble m is to g et b ack to h is o w n

pla ce. (a ) H e m ust b e b ro ught b ack b y so m e o ne. T his is e v id en t; fo r h ad h e

pow er t o m ove h im se lf a s h e w is h ed h e c o uld g o e ith er a s m an , o r w olf , o r b at,

or i n s o m e o th er w ay. H e e v id en tly f e ars d is c o very o r i n te rfe re n ce, i n t h e s ta te

of h elp le ssn ess in w hic h h e m ust b e— co nfin ed a s h e is b etw een d aw n a n d

su nse t i n h is w ooden b ox.

(b ) H ow is h e to b e ta k en ?— Here a p ro cess o f e x clu sio ns m ay h elp u s. B y

ro ad , b y r a il, b y w ate r?

1. B y R oad .— There a re e n dle ss d if f ic u ltie s, e sp ecia lly i n l e av in g t h e c ity .

(x ) T here a re p eo ple ; a n d p eo ple a re c u rio us, a n d in vestig ate . A h in t, a

su rm is e , a d oubt a s t o w hat m ig ht b e i n t h e b ox, w ould d estr o y h im .

(y ) T here a re , o r t h ere m ay b e, c u sto m s a n d o ctr o i o ff ic ers t o p ass.

(z ) H is p urs u ers m ig ht fo llo w . T his is h is h ig hest fe ar; a n d in o rd er to

pre v en t h is b ein g b etr a y ed h e h as r e p elle d , s o f a r a s h e c an , e v en h is v ic tim —

me!

2. B y R ail.— There i s n o o ne i n c h arg e o f t h e b ox. I t w ould h av e t o t a k e i ts

ch an ce o f b ein g d ela y ed ; a n d d ela y w ould b e f a ta l, w ith e n em ie s o n th e tr a ck .

Tru e, h e m ig ht e sc ap e a t n ig ht; b ut w hat w ould h e b e, if le ft in a s tr a n ge p la ce

with n o r e fu ge th at h e c o uld f ly to ? T his is n ot w hat h e in te n ds; a n d h e d oes

not m ean t o r is k i t.

3. B y W ate r.— Here is th e s a fe st w ay, in o ne r e sp ect, b ut w ith m ost d an ger

in a n oth er. O n t h e w ate r h e i s p ow erle ss e x cep t a t n ig ht; e v en t h en h e c an o nly

su m mon fo g a n d s to rm a n d s n ow a n d h is w olv es. B ut w ere h e w re ck ed , th e

liv in g w ate r w ould e n gulf h im , h elp le ss; a n d h e w ould in deed b e lo st. H e

co uld h av e th e v esse l d riv e to la n d; b ut if it w ere u nfrie n dly la n d, w here in h e

was n ot f re e t o m ove, h is p ositio n w ould s till b e d esp era te .

We k now f ro m th e r e co rd th at h e w as o n th e w ate r; s o w hat w e h av e to d o

is t o a sc erta in w hat w ate r.

The f ir s t th in g is to r e alis e e x actly w hat h e h as d one a s y et; w e m ay, th en ,

get a l ig ht o n w hat h is l a te r t a sk i s t o b e.

Fir s tly .— We m ust d if f e re n tia te b etw een w hat h e d id in L ondon a s p art o f

his g en era l p la n o f actio n, w hen h e w as p re sse d fo r m om en ts an d h ad to

arra n ge a s b est h e c o uld .

Seco ndly w e m ust s e e, a s w ell a s w e c an s u rm is e i t f ro m t h e f a cts w e k now

of, w hat h e h as d one h ere .

As t o t h e f ir s t, h e e v id en tly i n te n ded t o a rriv e a t G ala tz , a n d s e n t i n voic e t o

Varn a to d eceiv e u s le st w e s h ould a sc erta in h is m ean s o f e x it f ro m E ngla n d;

his im med ia te a n d s o le p urp ose th en w as to e sc ap e. T he p ro of o f th is , is th e le tte r o f in str u ctio ns s e n t to I m man uel H ild esh eim to c le ar a n d ta k e a w ay th e

box b efo re s u nris e . T here is a ls o th e in str u ctio n to P etr o f S kin sk y. T hese w e

must o nly g uess a t; b ut th ere m ust h av e b een s o m e le tte r o r m essa g e, s in ce

Skin sk y c am e t o H ild esh eim .

That, so fa r, h is p la n s w ere su ccessfu l w e k now . T he C zarin a C ath erin e

mad e a p hen om en ally q uic k jo urn ey — so m uch so th at C ap ta in D onels o n’s

su sp ic io ns w ere a ro use d ; b ut h is s u pers titio n u nite d w ith h is c an nin ess p la y ed

th e C ount’s g am e fo r h im , a n d h e ra n w ith h is fa v ourin g w in d th ro ugh fo gs

an d a ll till h e b ro ught u p b lin dfo ld a t G ala tz . T hat th e C ount’s a rra n gem en ts

were w ell m ad e, h as b een p ro ved . H ild esh eim c le are d t h e b ox, t o ok it o ff , a n d

gav e it to S kin sk y. S kin sk y to ok it— an d h ere w e lo se th e tr a il. W e o nly k now

th at th e b ox is s o m ew here o n th e w ate r, m ovin g a lo ng. T he c u sto m s a n d th e

octr o i, i f t h ere b e a n y, h av e b een a v oid ed .

Now w e c o m e to w hat th e C ount m ust h av e d one a fte r h is a rriv al— on

la n d, a t G ala tz .

The b ox w as g iv en to S kin sk y b efo re s u nris e . A t s u nris e th e C ount c o uld

ap pear in h is o w n f o rm . H ere , w e a sk w hy S kin sk y w as c h ose n a t a ll to a id in

th e w ork ? In m y h usb an d’s d ia ry , S kin sk y is m en tio ned a s d ealin g w ith th e

Slo vak s w ho tr a d e d ow n th e r iv er to th e p ort; a n d th e m an ’s r e m ark , th at th e

murd er w as t h e w ork o f a S lo vak , s h ow ed t h e g en era l f e elin g a g ain st h is c la ss.

The C ount w an te d i s o la tio n.

My s u rm is e is , th is : th at in L ondon th e C ount d ecid ed to g et b ack to h is

castle b y w ate r, a s th e m ost sa fe a n d se cre t w ay. H e w as b ro ught fro m th e

castle b y S zg an y, a n d p ro bab ly t h ey d eliv ere d t h eir c arg o t o S lo vak s w ho t o ok

th e b oxes to V arn a, fo r th ere th ey w ere s h ip ped fo r L ondon. T hus th e C ount

had k now le d ge o f th e p ers o ns w ho c o uld a rra n ge th is s e rv ic e. W hen th e b ox

was o n la n d, b efo re su nris e o r a fte r su nse t, h e c am e o ut fro m h is b ox, m et

Skin sk y a n d in str u cte d h im w hat to d o a s to a rra n gin g th e c arria g e o f th e b ox

up so m e riv er. W hen th is w as d one, a n d h e k new th at a ll w as in tr a in , h e

blo tte d o ut h is t r a ces, a s h e t h ought, b y m urd erin g h is a g en t.

I h av e ex am in ed th e m ap an d fin d th at th e riv er m ost su ita b le fo r th e

Slo vak s to h av e asc en ded is eith er th e P ru th o r th e S ere th . I re ad in th e

ty pesc rip t t h at i n m y t r a n ce I h eard c o w s l o w a n d w ate r s w ir lin g l e v el w ith m y

ears a n d t h e c re ak in g o f w ood. T he C ount i n h is b ox, t h en , w as o n a r iv er i n a n

open b oat— pro pelle d p ro bab ly e ith er b y o ars o r p ole s, f o r th e b an ks a re n ear

an d it is w ork in g a g ain st str e am . T here w ould b e n o su ch so und if flo atin g

dow n s tr e am .

Of c o urs e i t m ay n ot b e e ith er t h e S ere th o r t h e P ru th , b ut w e m ay p ossib ly

in vestig ate f u rth er. N ow o f th ese tw o, th e P ru th is th e m ore e asily n av ig ate d ,

but th e S ere th is , a t F undu, jo in ed b y th e B is tr itz a w hic h ru ns u p ro und th e Borg o P ass. T he l o op i t m ak es i s m an if e stly a s c lo se t o D ra cu la ’s c astle a s c an

be g ot b y w ate r.

Min a H ark er’s J o urn al— co ntin ued .

When I h ad d one re ad in g, J o nath an to ok m e in h is a rm s a n d k is se d m e.

The o th ers k ep t s h ak in g m e b y b oth h an ds, a n d D r. V an H els in g s a id :—

“O ur d ear M ad am M in a is o nce m ore o ur te ach er. H er e y es h av e b een

where w e w ere b lin ded . N ow w e a re o n t h e t r a ck o nce a g ain , a n d t h is t im e w e

may s u cceed . O ur e n em y is a t h is m ost h elp le ss; a n d if w e c an c o m e o n h im

by d ay, o n th e w ate r, o ur ta sk w ill b e o ver. H e h as a s ta rt, b ut h e is p ow erle ss

to h aste n , a s h e m ay n ot le av e h is b ox le st th ose w ho c arry h im m ay s u sp ect;

fo r t h em t o s u sp ect w ould b e t o p ro m pt t h em t o t h ro w h im i n t h e s tr e am w here

he p eris h . T his h e k now s, a n d w ill n ot. N ow m en , to o ur C ouncil o f W ar; f o r,

here a n d n ow , w e m ust p la n w hat e ach a n d a ll s h all d o.”

“I s h all g et a s te am l a u nch a n d f o llo w h im ,” s a id L ord G odalm in g.

“A nd I, h ors e s to fo llo w o n th e b an k le st b y c h an ce h e la n d,” sa id M r.

Morris .

“G ood!” s a id th e P ro fe sso r, “ b oth g ood. B ut n eith er m ust g o a lo ne. T here

must b e fo rc e to o verc o m e fo rc e if n eed b e; th e S lo vak is s tr o ng a n d ro ugh,

an d h e c arrie s r u de a rm s.” A ll t h e m en s m ile d , f o r a m ongst t h em t h ey c arrie d a

sm all a rs e n al. S aid M r. M orris :—

“I h av e b ro ught s o m e W in ch este rs ; th ey a re p re tty h an dy in a c ro w d, a n d

th ere m ay be w olv es. The C ount, if you re m em ber, to ok so m e oth er

pre cau tio ns; h e m ad e s o m e re q uis itio ns o n o th ers th at M rs . H ark er c o uld n ot

quite h ear o r u nders ta n d. W e m ust b e r e ad y a t a ll p oin ts .” D r. S ew ard s a id :—

“I th in k I h ad b ette r g o w ith Q uin cey. W e h av e b een a ccu sto m ed to h unt

to geth er, a n d w e tw o, w ell a rm ed , w ill b e a m atc h fo r w hate v er m ay c o m e

alo ng. Y ou m ust n ot b e a lo ne, A rt. It m ay b e n ecessa ry to fig ht th e S lo vak s,

an d a c h an ce th ru st— fo r I d on’t su ppose th ese fe llo w s c arry g uns— would

undo a ll o ur p la n s. T here m ust b e n o c h an ces, t h is t im e; w e s h all, n ot r e st u ntil

th e C ount’s h ead a n d b ody h av e b een s e p ara te d , a n d w e a re s u re t h at h e c an not

re -in carn ate .” H e l o oked a t J o nath an a s h e s p oke, a n d J o nath an l o oked a t m e. I

co uld s e e th at th e p oor d ear w as to rn a b out in h is m in d. O f c o urs e h e w an te d

to b e w ith m e; b ut th en th e b oat s e rv ic e w ould , m ost lik ely , b e th e o ne w hic h

would d estr o y th e ... th e ... th e ... V am pir e . (W hy d id I h esita te to w rite th e

word ?) H e w as s ile n t a w hile , a n d d urin g h is s ile n ce D r. V an H els in g s p oke:—

“F rie n d J o nath an , th is is to y ou fo r tw ic e re aso ns. F ir s t, b ecau se y ou a re

young a n d b ra v e a n d c an f ig ht, a n d a ll e n erg ie s m ay b e n eed ed a t t h e l a st; a n d

ag ain th at it is y our r ig ht to d estr o y h im — th at— whic h h as w ro ught s u ch w oe to y ou a n d y ours . B e n ot a fra id fo r M ad am M in a; s h e w ill b e m y c are , if I

may. I a m o ld . M y le g s a re n ot s o q uic k to r u n a s o nce; a n d I a m n ot u se d to

rid e s o lo ng o r to p urs u e a s n eed b e, o r to f ig ht w ith le th al w eap ons. B ut I c an

be o f o th er s e rv ic e; I c an f ig ht in o th er w ay. A nd I c an d ie , if n eed b e, a s w ell

as y ounger m en . N ow l e t m e s a y t h at w hat I w ould i s t h is : w hile y ou, m y L ord

Godalm in g a n d frie n d Jo nath an g o in y our so sw if t little ste am boat u p th e

riv er, a n d w hils t J o hn a n d Q uin cey g uard th e b an k w here p erc h an ce h e m ig ht

be l a n ded , I w ill t a k e M ad am M in a r ig ht i n to t h e h eart o f t h e e n em y’s c o untr y .

Whils t t h e o ld f o x i s t ie d i n h is b ox, f lo atin g o n t h e r u nnin g s tr e am w hen ce h e

can not e sc ap e to la n d— where h e d are s n ot r a is e th e lid o f h is c o ff in -b ox le st

his S lo vak c arrie rs s h ould i n f e ar l e av e h im t o p eris h — we s h all g o i n t h e t r a ck

where J o nath an w en t,— fro m B is tr itz o ver th e B org o, a n d f in d o ur w ay to th e

Castle o f D ra cu la . H ere , M ad am M in a’s h ypnotic p ow er w ill s u re ly h elp , a n d

we sh all fin d our w ay — all dark an d unknow n oth erw is e — afte r th e fir s t

su nris e w hen w e a re n ear th at fa te fu l p la ce. T here is m uch to b e d one, a n d

oth er p la ces to b e m ad e sa n ctif y , so th at th at n est o f v ip ers b e o blite ra te d .”

Here J o nath an i n te rru pte d h im h otly :—

“D o y ou m ean to s a y, P ro fe sso r V an H els in g, th at y ou w ould b rin g M in a,

in h er s a d c ase a n d t a in te d a s s h e i s w ith t h at d ev il’s i lln ess, r ig ht i n to t h e j a w s

of h is d eath -tr a p ? N ot fo r th e w orld ! N ot fo r H eav en o r H ell! ” H e b ecam e

alm ost s p eech le ss f o r a m in ute , a n d t h en w en t o n:—

“D o y ou k now w hat th e p la ce is ? H av e y ou s e en th at a w fu l d en o f h ellis h

in fa m y— with th e v ery m oonlig ht a liv e w ith g ris ly s h ap es, a n d e v ery s p eck o f

dust t h at w hir ls i n t h e w in d a d ev ourin g m onste r i n e m bry o? H av e y ou f e lt t h e

Vam pir e ’s lip s u pon y our th ro at? ” H ere h e tu rn ed to m e, a n d a s h is e y es lit o n

my fo re h ead h e th re w u p h is a rm s w ith a c ry : “ O h, m y G od, w hat h av e w e

done to h av e th is te rro r u pon u s!” a n d h e s a n k d ow n o n th e s o fa in a c o lla p se

of m is e ry . T he P ro fe sso r’s v oic e, a s h e sp oke in c le ar, sw eet to nes, w hic h

se em ed t o v ib ra te i n t h e a ir , c alm ed u s a ll:—

“O h, m y frie n d, it is b ecau se I w ould s a v e M ad am M in a fro m th at a w fu l

pla ce th at I w ould g o. G od f o rb id th at I s h ould ta k e h er in to th at p la ce. T here

is w ork — wild w ork — to b e d one th ere , th at h er e y es m ay n ot s e e. W e m en

here , a ll sa v e Jo nath an , h av e se en w ith th eir o w n e y es w hat is to b e d one

befo re th at p la ce c an b e p urif y . R em em ber th at w e a re in te rrib le s tr a its . I f th e

Count e sc ap e u s th is tim e— an d h e is s tr o ng a n d s u btle a n d c u nnin g— he m ay

ch oose t o s le ep h im f o r a c en tu ry , a n d t h en i n t im e o ur d ear o ne”— he t o ok m y

han d— “w ould c o m e to h im to k eep h im c o m pan y, a n d w ould b e a s th ose

oth ers th at y ou, Jo nath an , sa w . Y ou h av e to ld u s o f th eir g lo atin g lip s; y ou

heard th eir r ib ald la u gh a s th ey c lu tc h ed th e m ovin g b ag th at th e C ount th re w

to th em . Y ou sh udder; a n d w ell m ay it b e. F org iv e m e th at I m ak e y ou so

much p ain , b ut it is n ecessa ry . M y f rie n d, is it n ot a d ir e n eed f o r th e w hic h I am g iv in g, p ossib ly m y lif e ? If it w ere th at a n y o ne w en t in to th at p la ce to

sta y, i t i s I w ho w ould h av e t o g o t o k eep t h em c o m pan y.”

“D o a s y ou w ill,” s a id J o nath an , w ith a s o b th at s h ook h im a ll o ver, “ w e

are i n t h e h an ds o f G od!”

Late r.— Oh, it d id m e g ood to s e e th e w ay th at th ese b ra v e m en w ork ed .

How c an w om en h elp l o vin g m en w hen t h ey a re s o e arn est, a n d s o t r u e, a n d s o

bra v e! A nd, to o, it m ad e m e th in k o f th e w onderfu l p ow er o f m oney ! W hat

can it n ot d o w hen it is p ro perly a p plie d ; a n d w hat m ig ht it d o w hen b ase ly

use d . I f e lt s o th an kfu l th at L ord G odalm in g is r ic h , a n d th at b oth h e a n d M r.

Morris , w ho a ls o h as p le n ty o f m oney, a re w illin g to s p en d it s o f re ely . F or if

th ey d id n ot, o ur little e x ped itio n c o uld n ot s ta rt, e ith er s o p ro m ptly o r s o w ell

eq uip ped , a s it w ill w ith in a n oth er h our. It is n ot th re e h ours sin ce it w as

arra n ged w hat p art each o f u s w as to d o; an d n ow L ord G odalm in g an d

Jo nath an hav e a lo vely ste am la u nch , w ith ste am up re ad y to sta rt at a

mom en t’s n otic e. D r. S ew ard a n d M r. M orris h av e h alf a d ozen g ood h ors e s,

well a p poin te d . W e h av e a ll th e m ap s a n d a p plia n ces o f v ario us k in ds th at c an

be h ad . P ro fe sso r V an H els in g a n d I a re t o l e av e b y t h e 1 1 :4 0 t r a in t o -n ig ht f o r

Vere sti, w here w e a re to g et a c arria g e to d riv e to th e B org o P ass. W e a re

brin gin g a g ood d eal o f r e ad y m oney, a s w e a re to b uy a c arria g e a n d h ors e s.

We s h all d riv e o urs e lv es, f o r w e h av e n o o ne w hom w e c an t r u st i n t h e m atte r.

The P ro fe sso r k now s s o m eth in g o f a g re at m an y l a n guag es, s o w e s h all g et o n

all rig ht. W e h av e a ll g ot a rm s, e v en fo r m e a la rg e-b ore re v olv er; J o nath an

would n ot b e h ap py u nle ss I w as a rm ed lik e th e r e st. A la s! I c an not c arry o ne

arm th at th e re st d o; th e sc ar o n m y fo re h ead fo rb id s th at. D ear D r. V an

Hels in g c o m fo rts m e b y te llin g m e th at I a m fu lly a rm ed a s th ere m ay b e

wolv es; th e w eath er is g ettin g c o ld er e v ery h our, a n d th ere a re s n ow -flu rrie s

whic h c o m e a n d g o a s w arn in gs.

Late r.— It to ok a ll m y c o ura g e to sa y g ood-b ye to m y d arlin g. W e m ay

nev er m eet a g ain . C oura g e, M in a! th e P ro fe sso r is lo okin g a t y ou k een ly ; h is

lo ok i s a w arn in g. T here m ust b e n o t e ars n ow — unle ss i t m ay b e t h at G od w ill

le t t h em f a ll i n g la d ness.

Jo nath an H ark er’s J o urn al.

Octo ber 3 0. N ig ht.— I a m w ritin g th is in th e lig ht f ro m th e f u rn ace d oor o f

th e s te am la u nch : L ord G odalm in g is f ir in g u p. H e is a n e x perie n ced h an d a t

th e w ork , a s h e h as h ad fo r y ears a la u nch o f h is o w n o n th e T ham es, a n d

an oth er o n th e N orfo lk B ro ad s. R eg ard in g o ur p la n s, w e fin ally d ecid ed th at

Min a’s g uess w as c o rre ct, a n d t h at i f a n y w ate rw ay w as c h ose n f o r t h e C ount’s

esc ap e b ack to h is C astle , th e S ere th a n d th en th e B is tr itz a a t its ju nctio n,

would b e th e o ne. W e to ok it, th at s o m ew here a b out th e 4 7th d eg re e, n orth

la titu de, w ould b e th e p la ce c h ose n fo r th e c ro ssin g th e c o untr y b etw een th e riv er a n d th e C arp ath ia n s. W e h av e n o fe ar in ru nnin g a t g ood s p eed u p th e

riv er a t n ig ht; th ere is p le n ty o f w ate r, a n d th e b an ks a re w id e e n ough a p art to

mak e s te am in g, e v en in th e d ark , e asy e n ough. L ord G odalm in g te lls m e to

sle ep f o r a w hile , a s it is e n ough f o r th e p re se n t f o r o ne to b e o n w atc h . B ut I

can not s le ep — how c an I w ith t h e t e rrib le d an ger h an gin g o ver m y d arlin g, a n d

her g oin g o ut in to th at a w fu l p la ce.... M y o nly c o m fo rt is th at w e a re in th e

han ds o f G od. O nly f o r th at f a ith it w ould b e e asie r to d ie th an to liv e, a n d s o

be q uit o f a ll th e tr o uble . M r. M orris a n d D r. S ew ard w ere o ff o n th eir lo ng

rid e b efo re w e s ta rte d ; t h ey a re t o k eep u p t h e r ig ht b an k, f a r e n ough o ff t o g et

on h ig her la n ds w here th ey can se e a g ood str e tc h o f riv er an d av oid th e

fo llo w in g o f its c u rv es. T hey h av e, fo r th e fir s t s ta g es, tw o m en to rid e a n d

le ad th eir s p are h ors e s— fo ur in a ll, s o a s n ot to e x cite c u rio sity . W hen th ey

dis m is s th e m en , w hic h s h all b e s h ortly , th ey s h all th em se lv es lo ok a fte r th e

hors e s. It m ay b e n ecessa ry fo r u s to jo in fo rc es; if so th ey c an m ount o ur

whole p arty . O ne o f t h e s a d dle s h as a m ovab le h orn , a n d c an b e e asily a d ap te d

fo r M in a, i f r e q uir e d .

It i s a w ild a d ven tu re w e a re o n. H ere , a s w e a re r u sh in g a lo ng t h ro ugh t h e

dark ness, w ith t h e c o ld f ro m t h e r iv er s e em in g t o r is e u p a n d s tr ik e u s; w ith a ll

th e m yste rio us v oic es o f t h e n ig ht a ro und u s, i t a ll c o m es h om e. W e s e em t o b e

drif tin g in to u nknow n p la ces a n d u nknow n w ay s; in to a w hole w orld o f d ark

an d d re ad fu l t h in gs. G odalm in g i s s h uttin g t h e f u rn ace d oor....

31 O cto ber.— Still h urry in g a lo ng. T he d ay h as c o m e, a n d G odalm in g is

sle ep in g. I a m o n w atc h . T he m orn in g is b itte rly c o ld ; th e fu rn ace h eat is

gra te fu l, th ough w e h av e h eav y fu r c o ats . A s y et w e h av e p asse d o nly a fe w

open b oats , b ut n one o f th em h ad o n b oard a n y b ox o r p ack ag e o f a n yth in g

lik e th e s iz e o f th e o ne w e s e ek . T he m en w ere s c are d e v ery tim e w e tu rn ed

our e le ctr ic l a m p o n t h em , a n d f e ll o n t h eir k nees a n d p ra y ed .

1 N ovem ber, e v en in g.— No n ew s a ll d ay ; w e h av e fo und n oth in g o f th e

kin d w e s e ek . W e h av e n ow p asse d in to th e B is tr itz a; a n d if w e a re w ro ng in

our su rm is e o ur c h an ce is g one. W e h av e o ver- h au le d e v ery b oat, b ig a n d

little . E arly t h is m orn in g, o ne c re w t o ok u s f o r a G overn m en t b oat, a n d t r e ate d

us a cco rd in gly . W e s a w i n t h is a w ay o f s m ooth in g m atte rs , s o a t F undu, w here

th e B is tr itz a r u ns in to th e S ere th , w e g ot a R oum an ia n f la g w hic h w e n ow f ly

co nsp ic u ously . W ith e v ery b oat w hic h w e h av e o ver- h au le d sin ce th en th is

tr ic k h as s u cceed ed ; w e h av e h ad e v ery d efe re n ce s h ow n to u s, a n d n ot o nce

an y o bje ctio n to w hate v er w e c h ose to a sk o r d o. S om e o f th e S lo vak s te ll u s

th at a b ig b oat p asse d th em , g oin g a t m ore th an u su al sp eed a s sh e h ad a

double c re w o n b oard . T his w as b efo re th ey c am e to F undu, s o th ey c o uld n ot

te ll u s w heth er t h e b oat t u rn ed i n to t h e B is tr itz a o r c o ntin ued o n u p t h e S ere th .

At F undu w e c o uld n ot h ear o f a n y s u ch b oat, s o s h e m ust h av e p asse d t h ere i n

th e n ig ht. I a m f e elin g v ery s le ep y; th e c o ld is p erh ap s b eg in nin g to te ll u pon me, a n d n atu re m ust h av e r e st s o m e t im e. G odalm in g i n sis ts t h at h e s h all k eep

th e f ir s t w atc h . G od b le ss h im f o r a ll h is g oodness t o p oor d ear M in a a n d m e.

2 N ovem ber, m orn in g.— It is b ro ad d ay lig ht. T hat g ood fe llo w w ould n ot

wak e m e. H e s a y s it w ould h av e b een a s in to , f o r I s le p t p eacefu lly a n d w as

fo rg ettin g m y t r o uble . I t s e em s b ru ta lly s e lf is h t o m e t o h av e s le p t s o l o ng, a n d

le t h im w atc h a ll n ig ht; b ut h e w as q uite r ig ht. I a m a n ew m an th is m orn in g;

an d, a s I s it h ere a n d w atc h h im s le ep in g, I c an d o a ll t h at i s n ecessa ry b oth a s

to m in din g t h e e n gin e, s te erin g, a n d k eep in g w atc h . I c an f e el t h at m y s tr e n gth

an d e n erg y a re c o m in g b ack to m e. I w onder w here M in a is n ow , a n d V an

Hels in g. T hey s h ould h av e g ot to V ere sti a b out n oon o n W ed nesd ay. I t w ould

ta k e th em s o m e tim e to g et th e c arria g e a n d h ors e s; s o if th ey h ad s ta rte d a n d

tr a v elle d h ard , th ey w ould b e a b out n ow a t th e B org o P ass. G od g uid e a n d

help th em ! I a m a fra id to th in k w hat m ay h ap pen . I f w e c o uld o nly g o f a ste r!

but w e c an not; t h e e n gin es a re t h ro bbin g a n d d oin g t h eir u tm ost. I w onder h ow

Dr. S ew ard a n d M r. M orris a re g ettin g o n. T here s e em to b e e n dle ss s tr e am s

ru nnin g d ow n th e m ounta in s in to th is r iv er, b ut a s n one o f th em a re v ery la rg e

—at p re se n t, a t a ll e v en ts , th ough th ey a re te rrib le d oubtle ss in w in te r a n d

when th e s n ow m elts — th e h ors e m en m ay n ot h av e m et m uch o bstr u ctio n. I

hope th at b efo re w e g et to S tr a sb a w e m ay s e e th em ; fo r if b y th at tim e w e

hav e n ot o verta k en th e C ount, it m ay b e n ecessa ry to ta k e c o unse l to geth er

what t o d o n ex t.

Dr. S ew ard ’s D ia ry .

2 N ovem ber.— Thre e d ay s o n th e r o ad . N o n ew s, a n d n o tim e to w rite it if

th ere h ad b een , fo r ev ery m om en t is p re cio us. W e h av e h ad o nly th e re st

need fu l fo r th e hors e s; but w e are both bearin g it w onderfu lly . Those

ad ven tu ro us d ay s o f o urs a re tu rn in g u p u se fu l. W e m ust p ush o n; w e s h all

nev er f e el h ap py t ill w e g et t h e l a u nch i n s ig ht a g ain .

3 N ovem ber.— We heard at Fundu th at th e la u nch had gone up th e

Bis tr itz a. I w is h it w asn ’t s o c o ld . T here a re s ig ns o f s n ow c o m in g; a n d if it

fa lls h eav y it w ill sto p u s. In su ch case w e m ust g et a sle d ge an d g o o n,

Russia n f a sh io n.

4 N ovem ber.— To-d ay w e h eard o f th e la u nch h av in g b een d eta in ed b y a n

accid en t w hen tr y in g to f o rc e a w ay u p th e r a p id s. T he S lo vak b oats g et u p a ll

rig ht, b y a id o f a r o pe a n d s te erin g w ith k now le d ge. S om e w en t u p o nly a f e w

hours b efo re . G odalm in g is a n a m ate u r f itte r h im se lf , a n d e v id en tly it w as h e

who p ut th e la u nch in tr im a g ain . F in ally , th ey g ot u p th e r a p id s a ll r ig ht, w ith

lo cal h elp , a n d a re o ff o n th e c h ase a fre sh . I f e ar th at th e b oat is n ot a n y b ette r

fo r th e a ccid en t; th e p easa n tr y te ll u s th at a fte r sh e g ot u pon sm ooth w ate r

ag ain , s h e k ep t s to ppin g e v ery n ow a n d a g ain s o lo ng a s s h e w as in s ig ht. W e

must p ush o n h ard er t h an e v er; o ur h elp m ay b e w an te d s o on. Min a H ark er’s J o urn al.

31 O cto ber.— Arriv ed a t V ere sti a t n oon. T he P ro fe sso r te lls m e th at th is

morn in g a t d aw n h e c o uld h ard ly h ypnotis e m e a t a ll, a n d th at a ll I c o uld s a y

was: “ d ark a n d q uie t.” H e is o ff n ow b uyin g a c arria g e a n d h ors e s. H e s a y s

th at h e w ill la te r o n tr y to b uy a d ditio nal h ors e s, s o th at w e m ay b e a b le to

ch an ge th em o n th e w ay. W e h av e s o m eth in g m ore th an 7 0 m ile s b efo re u s.

The c o untr y is lo vely , a n d m ost in te re stin g; if o nly w e w ere u nder d if f e re n t

co nditio ns, h ow d elig htf u l it w ould b e to se e it a ll. If Jo nath an a n d I w ere

driv in g th ro ugh it a lo ne w hat a p le asu re it w ould b e. T o s to p a n d s e e p eo ple ,

an d le arn s o m eth in g o f th eir lif e , a n d to f ill o ur m in ds a n d m em orie s w ith a ll

th e c o lo ur a n d p ic tu re sq uen ess o f th e w hole w ild , b eau tif u l c o untr y a n d th e

quain t p eo ple ! B ut, a la s!—

Late r.— Dr. V an H els in g h as r e tu rn ed . H e h as g ot th e c arria g e a n d h ors e s;

we a re to h av e s o m e d in ner, a n d to s ta rt in a n h our. T he la n dla d y is p uttin g u s

up a h uge b ask et o f p ro vis io ns; it s e em s e n ough fo r a c o m pan y o f s o ld ie rs .

The P ro fe sso r en co ura g es h er, an d w his p ers to m e th at it m ay b e a w eek

befo re w e c an g et a n y g ood fo od a g ain . H e h as b een s h oppin g to o, a n d h as

se n t h om e s u ch a w onderfu l lo t o f f u r c o ats a n d w ra p s, a n d a ll s o rts o f w arm

th in gs. T here w ill n ot b e a n y c h an ce o f o ur b ein g c o ld .

We s h all s o on b e o ff . I a m a fra id to th in k w hat m ay h ap pen to u s. W e a re

tr u ly i n t h e h an ds o f G od. H e a lo ne k now s w hat m ay b e, a n d I p ra y H im , w ith

all th e str e n gth o f m y sa d an d h um ble so ul, th at H e w ill w atc h o ver m y

belo ved h usb an d; th at w hate v er m ay h ap pen , J o nath an m ay k now th at I lo ved

him an d h onoure d h im m ore th an I can sa y, an d th at m y la te st an d tr u est

th ought w ill b e a lw ay s f o r h im .

CH APT ER X XVII

MIN A H ARK ER ’S J O URNAL

1 N ovem ber.— All d ay lo ng w e h av e tr a v elle d , a n d a t a g ood s p eed . T he

hors e s s e em to k now th at th ey a re b ein g k in dly tr e ate d , f o r th ey g o w illin gly

th eir f u ll s ta g e a t b est s p eed . W e h av e n ow h ad s o m an y c h an ges a n d f in d th e

sa m e th in g s o c o nsta n tly th at w e a re e n co ura g ed to th in k th at th e jo urn ey w ill

be a n e asy o ne. D r. V an H els in g is la co nic ; h e te lls th e fa rm ers th at h e is

hurry in g to B is tr itz , a n d p ay s th em w ell to m ak e th e e x ch an ge o f h ors e s. W e

get h ot s o up, o r c o ff e e, o r te a; a n d o ff w e g o. It is a lo vely c o untr y ; fu ll o f

beau tie s o f a ll im ag in ab le k in ds, a n d th e p eo ple a re b ra v e, a n d str o ng, a n d

sim ple , a n d s e em f u ll o f n ic e q ualitie s. T hey a re v ery , v ery s u pers titio us. I n t h e fir s t h ouse w here w e s to pped , w hen t h e w om an w ho s e rv ed u s s a w t h e s c ar o n

my f o re h ead , s h e c ro sse d h ers e lf a n d p ut o ut tw o f in gers to w ard s m e, to k eep

off th e e v il e y e. I b elie v e th ey w en t to th e tr o uble o f p uttin g a n e x tr a a m ount

of g arlic in to o u r fo od; a n d I c an ’t a b id e g arlic . E ver s in ce th en I h av e ta k en

care n ot to ta k e o ff m y h at o r v eil, a n d s o h av e e sc ap ed th eir s u sp ic io ns. W e

are t r a v ellin g f a st, a n d a s w e h av e n o d riv er w ith u s t o c arry t a le s, w e g o a h ead

of s c an dal; b ut I d are sa y t h at f e ar o f t h e e v il e y e w ill f o llo w h ard b eh in d u s a ll

th e w ay. T he P ro fe sso r se em s tir e le ss; a ll d ay h e w ould n ot ta k e a n y re st,

th ough h e m ad e m e s le ep fo r a lo ng s p ell. A t s u nse t tim e h e h ypnotis e d m e,

an d h e s a y s th at I a n sw ere d a s u su al “ d ark ness, la p pin g w ate r a n d c re ak in g

wood”; s o o ur e n em y is s till o n th e r iv er. I a m a fra id to th in k o f J o nath an , b ut

so m eh ow I h av e n ow n o f e ar f o r h im , o r f o r m yse lf . I w rite t h is w hils t w e w ait

in a f a rm house f o r t h e h ors e s t o b e g ot r e ad y. D r. V an H els in g i s s le ep in g, P oor

dear, h e lo oks v ery tir e d a n d o ld a n d g re y, b ut h is m outh is s e t a s f ir m ly a s a

co nquero r’s ; e v en in h is s le ep h e is in stin ct w ith re so lu tio n. W hen w e h av e

well s ta rte d I m ust m ak e h im r e st w hils t I d riv e. I s h all te ll h im th at w e h av e

day s b efo re u s, a n d w e m ust n ot b re ak d ow n w hen m ost o f a ll h is s tr e n gth w ill

be n eed ed .... A ll i s r e ad y; w e a re o ff s h ortly .

2 N ovem ber, m orn in g.— I w as su ccessfu l, a n d w e to ok tu rn s d riv in g a ll

nig ht; n ow t h e d ay i s o n u s, b rig ht t h ough c o ld . T here i s a s tr a n ge h eav in ess i n

th e a ir — I s a y h eav in ess f o r w an t o f a b ette r w ord ; I m ean th at it o ppre sse s u s

both . It is v ery c o ld , a n d o nly o ur w arm fu rs k eep u s c o m fo rta b le . A t d aw n

Van H els in g h ypnotis e d m e; h e s a y s I a n sw ere d “ d ark ness, c re ak in g w ood a n d

ro arin g w ate r,” so th e riv er is c h an gin g a s th ey a sc en d. I d o h ope th at m y

darlin g w ill n ot r u n a n y c h an ce o f d an ger— more th an n eed b e; b ut w e a re in

God’s h an ds.

2 N ovem ber, n ig ht.— All d ay lo ng d riv in g. T he c o untr y g ets w ild er a s w e

go, a n d t h e g re at s p urs o f t h e C arp ath ia n s, w hic h a t V ere sti s e em ed s o f a r f ro m

us a n d s o l o w o n t h e h oriz o n, n ow s e em t o g ath er r o und u s a n d t o w er i n f ro nt.

We b oth se em in g ood sp ir its ; I th in k w e m ak e a n e ff o rt e ach to c h eer th e

oth er; in th e doin g so w e ch eer ours e lv es. D r. V an H els in g sa y s th at by

morn in g w e s h all re ach th e B org o P ass. T he h ouse s a re v ery fe w h ere n ow ,

an d th e P ro fe sso r s a y s th at th e la st h ors e w e g ot w ill h av e to g o o n w ith u s, a s

we m ay n ot b e a b le to c h an ge. H e g ot tw o in a d ditio n to th e tw o w e c h an ged ,

so th at n ow w e h av e a ru de fo ur- in -h an d. T he d ear h ors e s a re p atie n t a n d

good, a n d th ey g iv e u s n o tr o uble . W e a re n ot w orrie d w ith o th er tr a v elle rs ,

an d s o e v en I c an d riv e. W e s h all g et t o t h e P ass i n d ay lig ht; w e d o n ot w an t t o

arriv e b efo re . S o w e ta k e it e asy , a n d h av e e ach a lo ng r e st in tu rn . O h, w hat

will to -m orro w b rin g to u s? W e g o to s e ek th e p la ce w here m y p oor d arlin g

su ff e re d s o m uch . G od g ra n t th at w e m ay b e g uid ed a rig ht, a n d th at H e w ill

deig n to w atc h o ver m y h usb an d a n d th ose d ear to u s b oth , a n d w ho a re in

su ch d ead ly p eril. A s f o r m e, I a m n ot w orth y i n H is s ig ht. A la s! I a m u ncle an to H is e y es, a n d s h all b e u ntil H e m ay d eig n to le t m e s ta n d f o rth in H is s ig ht

as o ne o f t h ose w ho h av e n ot i n cu rre d H is w ra th .

Mem ora n dum b y A bra h am V an H els in g.

4 N ovem ber.— This to m y o ld an d tr u e frie n d Jo hn S ew ard , M .D ., o f

Purfle et, L ondon, i n c ase I m ay n ot s e e h im . I t m ay e x pla in . I t i s m orn in g, a n d

I w rite b y a fir e w hic h a ll th e n ig ht I h av e k ep t a liv e— Mad am M in a a id in g

me. It is c o ld , c o ld ; so c o ld th at th e g re y h eav y sk y is fu ll o f sn ow , w hic h

when i t f a lls w ill s e ttle f o r a ll w in te r a s t h e g ro und i s h ard en in g t o r e ceiv e i t. I t

se em s to h av e a ff e cte d M ad am M in a; s h e h as b een s o h eav y o f h ead a ll d ay

th at s h e w as n ot lik e h ers e lf . S he s le ep s, a n d s le ep s, a n d s le ep s! S he w ho is

usu al s o a le rt, h av e d one lite ra lly n oth in g a ll th e d ay ; s h e e v en h av e lo st h er

ap petite . S he m ak e n o e n tr y in to h er little d ia ry , s h e w ho w rite s o fa ith fu l a t

ev ery p au se . S om eth in g w his p er to m e th at a ll is n ot w ell. H ow ev er, to -n ig ht

sh e is m ore v if . H er lo ng s le ep a ll d ay h av e re fre sh a n d re sto re h er, fo r n ow

sh e is a ll s w eet a n d b rig ht a s e v er. A t s u nse t I tr y to h ypnotis e h er, b ut a la s!

with n o e ff e ct; t h e p ow er h as g ro w n l e ss a n d l e ss w ith e ach d ay, a n d t o -n ig ht i t

fa il m e alto geth er. W ell, G od’s w ill be done— whate v er it m ay be, an d

whith ers o ev er i t m ay l e ad !

Now to th e h is to ric al, f o r a s M ad am M in a w rite n ot in h er s te n ogra p hy, I

must, in m y cu m bro us old fa sh io n, th at so each day of us m ay not go

unre co rd ed .

We g ot t o t h e B org o P ass j u st a fte r s u nris e y este rd ay m orn in g. W hen I s a w

th e s ig ns o f th e d aw n I g ot r e ad y f o r th e h ypnotis m . W e s to pped o ur c arria g e,

an d g ot d ow n s o th at th ere m ig ht b e n o d is tu rb an ce. I m ad e a c o uch w ith f u rs ,

an d M ad am M in a, l y in g d ow n, y ie ld h ers e lf a s u su al, b ut m ore s lo w a n d m ore

sh ort tim e th an ev er, to th e hypnotic sle ep . A s befo re , cam e th e an sw er:

“d ark ness a n d th e s w ir lin g o f w ate r.” T hen s h e w oke, b rig ht a n d ra d ia n t a n d

we g o o n o ur w ay a n d s o on r e ach t h e P ass. A t t h is t im e a n d p la ce, s h e b eco m e

all o n fir e w ith z eal; s o m e n ew g uid in g p ow er b e in h er m an if e ste d , fo r s h e

poin t t o a r o ad a n d s a y :—

“T his i s t h e w ay.”

“H ow k now y ou i t? ” I a sk .

“O f c o urs e I k now it,” s h e a n sw er, a n d w ith a p au se , a d d: “ H av e n ot m y

Jo nath an t r a v elle d i t a n d w ro te o f h is t r a v el? ”

At fir s t I th in k so m ew hat str a n ge, b ut so on I se e th at th ere b e o nly o ne

su ch b y-ro ad . I t is u se d b ut little , a n d v ery d if f e re n t f ro m th e c o ach r o ad f ro m

th e B ukovin a t o B is tr itz , w hic h i s m ore w id e a n d h ard , a n d m ore o f u se .

So w e c am e d ow n th is r o ad ; w hen w e m eet o th er w ay s— not a lw ay s w ere we s u re th at th ey w ere ro ad s a t a ll, fo r th ey b e n eg le ct a n d lig ht s n ow h av e

fa lle n — th e h ors e s k now a n d th ey o nly . I g iv e r e in to th em , a n d th ey g o o n s o

patie n t. B y-a n d-b y w e fin d a ll th e th in gs w hic h Jo nath an h av e n ote in th at

wonderfu l d ia ry o f h im . T hen w e g o o n f o r lo ng, lo ng h ours a n d h ours . A t th e

fir s t, I te ll M ad am M in a to s le ep ; s h e tr y , a n d s h e s u cceed . S he s le ep a ll th e

tim e; till a t th e la st, I f e el m yse lf to s u sp ic io us g ro w , a n d a tte m pt to w ak e h er.

But s h e s le ep o n, a n d I m ay n ot w ak e h er t h ough I t r y . I d o n ot w is h t o t r y t o o

hard le st I h arm h er; f o r I k now th at s h e h av e s u ff e r m uch , a n d s le ep a t tim es

be a ll- in -a ll to h er. I th in k I d ro w se m yse lf , fo r a ll o f s u dden I fe el g uilt, a s

th ough I h av e d one so m eth in g; I fin d m yse lf b olt u p, w ith th e re in s in m y

han d, a n d t h e g ood h ors e s g o a lo ng j o g, j o g, j u st a s e v er. I l o ok d ow n a n d f in d

Mad am M in a s till s le ep . It is n ow n ot fa r o ff s u nse t tim e, a n d o ver th e s n ow

th e lig ht o f th e su n flo w in b ig y ello w flo od, so th at w e th ro w g re at lo ng

sh ad ow o n w here t h e m ounta in r is e s o s te ep . F or w e a re g oin g u p, a n d u p; a n d

all i s o h! s o w ild a n d r o ck y, a s t h ough i t w ere t h e e n d o f t h e w orld .

Then I a ro use M ad am M in a. T his tim e s h e w ak e w ith n ot m uch tr o uble ,

an d t h en I t r y t o p ut h er t o h ypnotic s le ep . B ut s h e s le ep n ot, b ein g a s t h ough I

were n ot. S till I tr y a n d tr y , till a ll a t o nce I f in d h er a n d m yse lf in d ark ; s o I

lo ok r o und, a n d f in d th at th e s u n h av e g one d ow n. M ad am M in a la u gh, a n d I

tu rn a n d lo ok a t h er. S he is n ow q uite a w ak e, a n d lo ok s o w ell a s I n ev er s a w

her sin ce th at n ig ht a t C arfa x w hen w e fir s t e n te r th e C ount’s h ouse . I a m

am aze, a n d n ot a t e ase th en ; b ut s h e is s o b rig ht a n d te n der a n d th oughtf u l f o r

me t h at I f o rg et a ll f e ar. I l ig ht a f ir e , f o r w e h av e b ro ught s u pply o f w ood w ith

us, a n d sh e p re p are fo od w hile I u ndo th e h ors e s a n d se t th em , te th ere d in

sh elte r, to f e ed . T hen w hen I r e tu rn to th e f ir e s h e h av e m y s u pper r e ad y. I g o

to h elp h er; b ut s h e s m ile , a n d te ll m e th at s h e h av e e at a lr e ad y— th at s h e w as

so h ungry th at s h e w ould n ot w ait. I lik e it n ot, a n d I h av e g ra v e d oubts ; b ut I

fe ar to a ff rig ht h er, a n d s o I a m s ile n t o f it. S he h elp m e a n d I e at a lo ne; a n d

th en w e w ra p i n f u r a n d l ie b esid e t h e f ir e , a n d I t e ll h er t o s le ep w hile I w atc h .

But p re se n tly I fo rg et a ll o f w atc h in g; a n d w hen I su dden re m em ber th at I

watc h , I f in d h er l y in g q uie t, b ut a w ak e, a n d l o okin g a t m e w ith s o b rig ht e y es.

Once, tw ic e m ore th e s a m e o ccu r, a n d I g et m uch s le ep till b efo re m orn in g.

When I w ak e I tr y to hypnotis e her; but ala s! th ough sh e sh ut her ey es

obed ie n t, s h e m ay n ot s le ep . T he s u n ris e u p, a n d u p, a n d u p; a n d th en s le ep

co m e to h er to o la te , b ut s o h eav y th at s h e w ill n ot w ak e. I h av e to lif t h er u p,

an d p la ce h er s le ep in g in th e c arria g e w hen I h av e h arn esse d th e h ors e s a n d

mad e a ll r e ad y. M ad am s till s le ep , a n d s h e lo ok in h er s le ep m ore h ealth y a n d

more r e d der th an b efo re . A nd I lik e it n ot. A nd I a m a fra id , a fra id , a fra id !— I

am a fra id o f a ll th in gs— ev en to th in k b ut I m ust g o o n m y w ay. T he s ta k e w e

pla y f o r i s l if e a n d d eath , o r m ore t h an t h ese , a n d w e m ust n ot f lin ch .

5 N ovem ber, m orn in g.— Let m e b e a ccu ra te in e v ery th in g, f o r th ough y ou

an d I h av e s e en s o m e s tr a n ge th in gs to geth er, y ou m ay a t th e f ir s t th in k th at I , Van H els in g, a m m ad — th at th e m an y h orro rs a n d th e s o lo ng s tr a in o n n erv es

has a t t h e l a st t u rn m y b ra in .

All y este rd ay w e tr a v el, e v er g ettin g c lo se r to th e m ounta in s, a n d m ovin g

in to a m ore an d m ore w ild an d dese rt la n d. T here are gre at, fro w nin g

pre cip ic es a n d m uch f a llin g w ate r, a n d N atu re s e em t o h av e h eld s o m etim e h er

carn iv al. M ad am M in a s till s le ep a n d s le ep ; a n d th ough I d id h av e h unger a n d

ap pease d it, I c o uld n ot w ak en h er— ev en fo r fo od. I b eg an to fe ar th at th e

fa ta l sp ell o f th e p la ce w as u pon h er, ta in te d as sh e is w ith th at V am pir e

bap tis m . “ W ell,” s a id I to m yse lf , “ if it b e th at s h e s le ep a ll th e d ay, it s h all

als o b e t h at I d o n ot s le ep a t n ig ht.” A s w e t r a v el o n t h e r o ugh r o ad , f o r a r o ad

of a n a n cie n t a n d im perfe ct k in d th ere w as, I h eld d ow n m y h ead a n d s le p t.

Again I w ak ed w ith a s e n se o f g uilt a n d o f tim e p asse d , a n d fo und M ad am

Min a s till s le ep in g, a n d th e s u n lo w d ow n. B ut a ll w as in deed c h an ged ; th e

fro w nin g m ounta in s s e em ed f u rth er a w ay, a n d w e w ere n ear t h e t o p o f a s te ep -

ris in g h ill, o n su m mit o f w hic h w as su ch a c astle a s Jo nath an te ll o f in h is

dia ry . A t o nce I e x ulte d a n d f e are d ; f o r n ow , f o r g ood o r i ll, t h e e n d w as n ear.

I w oke M ad am M in a, a n d a g ain t r ie d t o h ypnotis e h er; b ut a la s! u nav ailin g

till to o la te . T hen , e re th e g re at d ark c am e u pon u s— fo r e v en a fte r d ow n-s u n

th e h eav en s re fle cte d th e g one s u n o n th e s n ow , a n d a ll w as fo r a tim e in a

gre at tw ilig ht— I to ok o ut th e h ors e s a n d fe d th em in w hat sh elte r I c o uld .

Then I m ak e a fir e ; a n d n ear it I m ak e M ad am M in a, n ow a w ak e a n d m ore

ch arm in g th an e v er, s it c o m fo rta b le a m id h er ru gs. I g ot re ad y fo od: b ut s h e

would n ot e at, sim ply sa y in g th at sh e h ad n ot h unger. I d id n ot p re ss h er,

know in g h er u nav ailin gness. B ut I m yse lf e at, f o r I m ust n eed s n ow b e s tr o ng

fo r a ll. T hen , w ith t h e f e ar o n m e o f w hat m ig ht b e, I d re w a r in g s o b ig f o r h er

co m fo rt, r o und w here M ad am M in a s a t; a n d o ver t h e r in g I p asse d s o m e o f t h e

wafe r, a n d I b ro ke i t f in e s o t h at a ll w as w ell g uard ed . S he s a t s till a ll t h e t im e

—so s till a s o ne d ead ; a n d s h e g re w w hite r a n d e v er w hite r till th e s n ow w as

not m ore p ale ; a n d n o w ord s h e s a id . B ut w hen I d re w n ear, s h e c lu ng to m e,

an d I c o uld k now th at th e p oor s o ul s h ook h er f ro m h ead to f e et w ith a tr e m or

th at w as p ain to f e el. I s a id to h er p re se n tly , w hen s h e h ad g ro w n m ore q uie t:

—

“W ill y ou n ot c o m e o ver to th e f ir e ?” f o r I w is h ed to m ak e a te st o f w hat

sh e c o uld . S he r o se o bed ie n t, b ut w hen s h e h av e m ad e a s te p s h e s to pped , a n d

sto od a s o ne s tr ic k en .

“W hy n ot g o o n?” I a sk ed . S he sh ook h er h ead , a n d, c o m in g b ack , sa t

dow n in h er p la ce. T hen , lo okin g a t m e w ith o pen e y es, a s o f o ne w ak ed f ro m

sle ep , s h e s a id s im ply :—

“I c an not! ” a n d r e m ain ed s ile n t. I r e jo ic ed , f o r I k new th at w hat s h e c o uld

not, n one o f t h ose t h at w e d re ad ed c o uld . T hough t h ere m ig ht b e d an ger t o h er body, y et h er s o ul w as s a fe !

Pre se n tly th e h ors e s b eg an to s c re am , a n d to re a t th eir te th ers till I c am e to

th em a n d q uie te d th em . W hen th ey d id f e el m y h an ds o n th em , th ey w hin nie d

lo w a s in jo y, a n d lic k ed a t m y h an ds a n d w ere q uie t f o r a tim e. M an y tim es

th ro ugh th e n ig ht d id I c o m e to th em , till it a rriv e to th e c o ld h our w hen a ll

natu re is a t lo w est; a n d e v ery tim e m y c o m in g w as w ith q uie t o f th em . I n th e

co ld h our th e f ir e b eg an to d ie , a n d I w as a b out s te p pin g f o rth to r e p le n is h it,

fo r n ow th e s n ow c am e in f ly in g s w eep s a n d w ith it a c h ill m is t. E ven in th e

dark th ere w as a lig ht o f s o m e k in d, a s th ere e v er is o ver s n ow ; a n d it s e em ed

as th ough th e s n ow -flu rrie s a n d th e w re ath s o f m is t to ok s h ap e a s o f w om en

with tr a ilin g g arm en ts . A ll w as in d ead , g rim sile n ce o nly th at th e h ors e s

whin nie d a n d c o w ere d , a s if in te rro r o f th e w ors t. I b eg an to fe ar— horrib le

fe ars ; b ut th en c am e to m e th e s e n se o f s a fe ty in th at rin g w here in I s to od. I

beg an , to o, to th in k th at m y im ag in in gs w ere o f th e n ig ht, a n d th e g lo om , a n d

th e u nre st th at I h av e g one th ro ugh, a n d a ll th e te rrib le a n xie ty . It w as a s

th ough m y m em orie s o f a ll J o nath an ’s h orrid e x perie n ce w ere b efo olin g m e;

fo r th e s n ow f la k es a n d th e m is t b eg an to w heel a n d c ir c le r o und, till I c o uld

get a s t h ough a s h ad ow y g lim pse o f t h ose w om en t h at w ould h av e k is se d h im .

And t h en t h e h ors e s c o w ere d l o w er a n d l o w er, a n d m oan ed i n t e rro r a s m en d o

in p ain . E ven th e m ad ness o f f rig ht w as n ot to th em , s o th at th ey c o uld b re ak

aw ay. I f e are d f o r m y d ear M ad am M in a w hen th ese w eir d f ig ure s d re w n ear

an d c ir c le d r o und. I lo oked a t h er, b ut s h e s a t c alm , a n d s m ile d a t m e; w hen I

would h av e s te p ped t o t h e f ir e t o r e p le n is h i t, s h e c au ght m e a n d h eld m e b ack ,

an d w his p ere d , l ik e a v oic e t h at o ne h ears i n a d re am , s o l o w i t w as:—

“N o! N o! D o n ot g o w ith out. H ere y ou a re sa fe !” I tu rn ed to h er, a n d

lo okin g i n h er e y es, s a id :—

“B ut y ou? I t i s f o r y ou t h at I f e ar!” w here at s h e l a u ghed — a l a u gh, l o w a n d

unre al, a n d s a id :—

“F ear f o r m e! W hy f e ar f o r m e? N one s a fe r i n a ll t h e w orld f ro m t h em t h an

I a m ,” a n d a s I w ondere d a t t h e m ean in g o f h er w ord s, a p uff o f w in d m ad e t h e

fla m e l e ap u p, a n d I s e e t h e r e d s c ar o n h er f o re h ead . T hen , a la s! I k new . D id I

not, I w ould so on h av e le arn ed , fo r th e w heelin g fig ure s o f m is t a n d sn ow

cam e c lo se r, b ut k eep in g e v er w ith out th e H oly c ir c le . T hen th ey b eg an to

mate ria lis e t ill— if G od h av e n ot t a k e a w ay m y r e aso n, f o r I s a w i t t h ro ugh m y

ey es— th ere w ere befo re m e in actu al fle sh th e sa m e th re e w om en th at

Jo nath an s a w i n t h e r o om , w hen t h ey w ould h av e k is se d h is t h ro at. I k new t h e

sw ay in g r o und f o rm s, th e b rig ht h ard e y es, th e w hite te eth , th e r u ddy c o lo ur,

th e v olu ptu ous lip s. T hey s m ile d e v er a t p oor d ear M ad am M in a; a n d a s th eir

la u gh cam e th ro ugh th e sile n ce of th e nig ht, th ey tw in ed th eir arm s an d

poin te d to h er, a n d sa id in th ose so sw eet tin glin g to nes th at Jo nath an sa id

were o f t h e i n to le ra b le s w eetn ess o f t h e w ate r- g la sse s:— “C om e, sis te r. C om e to u s. C om e! C om e!” In fe ar I tu rn ed to m y p oor

Mad am M in a, a n d m y h eart w ith g la d ness l e ap t l ik e f la m e; f o r o h! t h e t e rro r i n

her s w eet e y es, th e r e p uls io n, th e h orro r, to ld a s to ry to m y h eart th at w as a ll

of h ope. G od b e th an ked sh e w as n ot, y et, o f th em . I se iz ed so m e o f th e

fir e w ood w hic h w as b y m e, a n d h old in g o ut s o m e o f th e W afe r, a d van ced o n

th em to w ard s th e fir e . T hey d re w b ack b efo re m e, an d la u ghed th eir lo w

horrid la u gh. I f e d th e f ir e , a n d f e are d th em n ot; f o r I k new th at w e w ere s a fe

with in o ur p ro te ctio ns. T hey c o uld n ot a p pro ach , m e, w hils t so a rm ed , n or

Mad am M in a w hils t s h e r e m ain ed w ith in th e r in g, w hic h s h e c o uld n ot le av e

no m ore t h an t h ey c o uld e n te r. T he h ors e s h ad c ease d t o m oan , a n d l a y s till o n

th e g ro und; th e s n ow fe ll o n th em s o ftly , a n d th ey g re w w hite r. I k new th at

th ere w as f o r t h e p oor b easts n o m ore o f t e rro r.

And so w e re m ain ed till th e re d o f th e d aw n to fa ll th ro ugh th e sn ow -

glo om . I w as d eso la te a n d a fra id , a n d fu ll o f w oe a n d te rro r; b ut w hen th at

beau tif u l su n b eg an to c lim b th e h oriz o n lif e w as to m e a g ain . A t th e fir s t

co m in g o f th e d aw n th e h orrid f ig ure s m elte d in th e w hir lin g m is t a n d s n ow ;

th e w re ath s o f tr a n sp are n t g lo om m oved a w ay to w ard s th e c astle , a n d w ere

lo st.

In stin ctiv ely , w ith t h e d aw n c o m in g, I t u rn ed t o M ad am M in a, i n te n din g t o

hypnotis e h er; b ut s h e la y in a d eep a n d s u dden s le ep , f ro m w hic h I c o uld n ot

wak e h er. I tr ie d to h ypnotis e th ro ugh h er s le ep , b ut s h e m ad e n o re sp onse ,

none a t a ll; a n d th e d ay b ro ke. I f e ar y et to s tir. I h av e m ad e m y f ir e a n d h av e

se en th e h ors e s, th ey a re a ll d ead . T o-d ay I h av e m uch to d o h ere , a n d I k eep

waitin g t ill t h e s u n i s u p h ig h; f o r t h ere m ay b e p la ces w here I m ust g o, w here

th at s u nlig ht, t h ough s n ow a n d m is t o bsc u re i t, w ill b e t o m e a s a fe ty .

I w ill s tr e n gth en m e w ith b re ak fa st, a n d th en I w ill to m y te rrib le w ork .

Mad am M in a s till s le ep s; a n d, G od b e t h an ked ! s h e i s c alm i n h er s le ep ....

Jo nath an H ark er’s J o urn al.

4 N ovem ber, ev en in g.— The accid en t to th e la u nch h as b een a te rrib le

th in g f o r u s. O nly f o r it w e s h ould h av e o verta k en th e b oat lo ng a g o; a n d b y

now m y d ear M in a w ould h av e b een fre e. I fe ar to th in k o f h er, o ff o n th e

wold s n ear t h at h orrid p la ce. W e h av e g ot h ors e s, a n d w e f o llo w o n t h e t r a ck . I

note th is w hils t G odalm in g is g ettin g re ad y. W e h av e o ur a rm s. T he S zg an y

must l o ok o ut i f t h ey m ean f ig ht. O h, i f o nly M orris a n d S ew ard w ere w ith u s.

We m ust o nly h ope! I f I w rite n o m ore G ood-b ye, M in a! G od b le ss a n d k eep

you.

Dr. S ew ard ’s D ia ry .

5 N ovem ber.— With th e daw n w e sa w th e body of S zg an y befo re us

dash in g a w ay fro m th e riv er w ith th eir le ite r- w ag on. T hey s u rro unded it in a clu ste r, a n d h urrie d a lo ng a s t h ough b ese t. T he s n ow i s f a llin g l ig htly a n d t h ere

is a str a n ge ex cite m en t in th e air. It m ay be our ow n fe elin gs, but th e

dep re ssio n is s tr a n ge. F ar o ff I h ear th e h ow lin g o f w olv es; th e s n ow b rin gs

th em d ow n f ro m t h e m ounta in s, a n d t h ere a re d an gers t o a ll o f u s, a n d f ro m a ll

sid es. T he h ors e s a re n early re ad y, a n d w e a re s o on o ff . W e rid e to d eath o f

so m e o ne. G od a lo ne k now s w ho, o r w here , o r w hat, o r w hen , o r h ow it m ay

be....

Dr. V an H els in g’s M em ora n dum .

5 N ovem ber, a fte rn oon.— I a m a t le ast s a n e. T han k G od f o r th at m erc y a t

all e v en ts , th ough th e p ro vin g it h as b een d re ad fu l. W hen I le ft M ad am M in a

sle ep in g w ith in th e H oly c ir c le , I to ok m y w ay to th e c astle . T he b la ck sm ith

ham mer w hic h I t o ok i n t h e c arria g e f ro m V ere sti w as u se fu l; t h ough t h e d oors

were a ll o pen I b ro ke th em o ff th e ru sty h in ges, le st so m e ill- in te n t o r ill-

ch an ce s h ould c lo se t h em , s o t h at b ein g e n te re d I m ig ht n ot g et o ut. J o nath an ’s

bitte r e x perie n ce s e rv ed m e h ere . B y m em ory o f h is d ia ry I f o und m y w ay to

th e o ld c h ap el, fo r I k new th at h ere m y w ork la y. T he a ir w as o ppre ssiv e; it

se em ed a s if th ere w as s o m e s u lp huro us f u m e, w hic h a t tim es m ad e m e d iz zy.

Eith er th ere w as a ro arin g in m y e ars o r I h eard a fa r o ff th e h ow l o f w olv es.

Then I b eth ought m e o f m y d ear M ad am M in a, a n d I w as in te rrib le p lig ht.

The d ile m ma h ad m e b etw een h is h orn s.

Her, I h ad n ot d are t o t a k e i n to t h is p la ce, b ut l e ft s a fe f ro m t h e V am pir e i n

th at H oly c ir c le ; a n d y et e v en th ere w ould b e th e w olf ! I re so lv e m e th at m y

work l a y h ere , a n d t h at a s t o t h e w olv es w e m ust s u bm it, i f i t w ere G od’s w ill.

At a n y ra te it w as o nly d eath a n d fre ed om b ey ond. S o d id I c h oose fo r h er.

Had i t b ut b een f o r m yse lf t h e c h oic e h ad b een e asy , t h e m aw o f t h e w olf w ere

bette r to r e st in th an th e g ra v e o f th e V am pir e ! S o I m ak e m y c h oic e to g o o n

with m y w ork .

I k new t h at t h ere w ere a t l e ast t h re e g ra v es t o f in d— gra v es t h at a re i n hab it;

so I s e arc h , a n d s e arc h , a n d I f in d o ne o f th em . S he la y in h er V am pir e s le ep ,

so f u ll o f lif e a n d v olu ptu ous b eau ty th at I s h udder a s th ough I h av e c o m e to

do m urd er. A h, I d oubt n ot th at in o ld tim e, w hen s u ch th in gs w ere , m an y a

man w ho s e t fo rth to d o s u ch a ta sk a s m in e, fo und a t th e la st h is h eart fa il

him , a n d t h en h is n erv e. S o h e d ela y, a n d d ela y, a n d d ela y, t ill t h e m ere b eau ty

an d t h e f a sc in atio n o f t h e w an to n U n-D ead h av e h ypnotis e h im ; a n d h e r e m ain

on a n d o n, till s u nse t c o m e, a n d th e V am pir e s le ep b e o ver. T hen th e b eau tif u l

ey es o f th e f a ir w om an o pen a n d lo ok lo ve, a n d th e v olu ptu ous m outh p re se n t

to a k is s— an d m an i s w eak . A nd t h ere r e m ain o ne m ore v ic tim i n t h e V am pir e

fo ld ; o ne m ore t o s w ell t h e g rim a n d g ris ly r a n ks o f t h e U n-D ead !...

There is s o m e f a sc in atio n, s u re ly , w hen I a m m oved b y th e m ere p re se n ce

of s u ch a n o ne, e v en l y in g a s s h e l a y i n a t o m b f re tte d w ith a g e a n d h eav y w ith th e d ust o f c en tu rie s, th ough th ere b e th at h orrid o dour s u ch a s th e la ir s o f th e

Count h av e h ad . Y es, I w as m oved — I, V an H els in g, w ith a ll m y p urp ose a n d

with m y m otiv e f o r h ate — I w as m oved to a y earn in g f o r d ela y w hic h s e em ed

to p ara ly se m y fa cu ltie s a n d to c lo g m y v ery s o ul. It m ay h av e b een th at th e

need o f n atu ra l s le ep , a n d th e s tr a n ge o ppre ssio n o f th e a ir w ere b eg in nin g to

overc o m e m e. C erta in i t w as t h at I w as l a p sin g i n to s le ep , t h e o pen -e y ed s le ep

of o ne w ho y ie ld s to a s w eet f a sc in atio n, w hen th ere c am e th ro ugh th e s n ow -

stille d a ir a lo ng, lo w w ail, s o fu ll o f w oe a n d p ity th at it w oke m e lik e th e

so und o f a c la rio n. F or i t w as t h e v oic e o f m y d ear M ad am M in a t h at I h eard .

Then I b ra ced m yse lf a g ain to m y h orrid ta sk , a n d fo und b y w re n ch in g

aw ay to m b-to ps o ne o th er o f th e s is te rs , th e o th er d ark o ne. I d are d n ot p au se

to lo ok o n h er a s I h ad o n h er sis te r, le st o nce m ore I sh ould b eg in to b e

en th ra ll; b ut I g o o n s e arc h in g u ntil, p re se n tly , I f in d in a h ig h g re at to m b a s if

mad e to o ne m uch b elo ved th at o th er fa ir sis te r w hic h , lik e Jo nath an I h ad

se en to g ath er h ers e lf o ut o f th e a to m s o f th e m is t. S he w as s o f a ir to lo ok o n,

so r a d ia n tly b eau tif u l, s o e x quis ite ly v olu ptu ous, th at th e v ery in stin ct o f m an

in m e, w hic h c alls s o m e o f m y s e x t o l o ve a n d t o p ro te ct o ne o f h ers , m ad e m y

head w hir l w ith n ew e m otio n. B ut G od b e th an ked , th at s o ul- w ail o f m y d ear

Mad am M in a h ad n ot d ie d o ut o f m y e ars ; a n d, b efo re th e sp ell c o uld b e

wro ught f u rth er u pon m e, I h ad n erv ed m yse lf t o m y w ild w ork . B y t h is t im e I

had s e arc h ed a ll t h e t o m bs i n t h e c h ap el, s o f a r a s I c o uld t e ll; a n d a s t h ere h ad

been o nly th re e o f th ese U n-D ead p han to m s a ro und u s in th e n ig ht, I to ok it

th at t h ere w ere n o m ore o f a ctiv e U n-D ead e x is te n t. T here w as o ne g re at t o m b

more lo rd ly th an a ll th e re st; h uge it w as, a n d n obly p ro portio ned . O n it w as

but o ne w ord

DRA CU LA .

This th en w as th e U n-D ead h om e o f th e K in g-V am pir e , to w hom s o m an y

more w ere d ue. Its e m ptin ess sp oke e lo quen t to m ak e c erta in w hat I k new .

Befo re I b eg an to r e sto re th ese w om en to th eir d ead s e lv es th ro ugh m y a w fu l

work , I l a id i n D ra cu la ’s t o m b s o m e o f t h e W afe r, a n d s o b an is h ed h im f ro m i t,

Un-D ead , f o r e v er.

Then b eg an m y te rrib le ta sk , a n d I d re ad ed it. H ad it b een b ut o ne, it h ad

been easy , co m para tiv e. B ut th re e! T o b eg in tw ic e m ore afte r I h ad b een

th ro ugh a d eed o f h orro r; f o r if it w as te rrib le w ith th e s w eet M is s L ucy, w hat

would it n ot b e w ith th ese s tr a n ge o nes w ho h ad s u rv iv ed th ro ugh c en tu rie s,

an d w ho h ad b een s tr e n gth en ed b y t h e p assin g o f t h e y ears ; w ho w ould , i f t h ey

co uld , h av e f o ught f o r t h eir f o ul l iv es....

Oh, m y frie n d Jo hn, b ut it w as b utc h er w ork ; h ad I n ot b een n erv ed b y

th oughts o f o th er d ead , a n d o f t h e l iv in g o ver w hom h ung s u ch a p all o f f e ar, I

co uld n ot h av e g one o n. I tr e m ble a n d tr e m ble e v en y et, th ough till a ll w as over, G od b e th an ked , m y n erv e d id s ta n d. H ad I n ot s e en th e re p ose in th e

fir s t p la ce, a n d th e g la d ness th at sto le o ver it ju st e re th e fin al d is so lu tio n

cam e, a s r e alis a tio n th at th e s o ul h ad b een w on, I c o uld n ot h av e g one f u rth er

with m y b utc h ery . I c o uld n ot h av e e n dure d th e h orrid s c re ech in g a s th e s ta k e

dro ve h om e; th e p lu ngin g o f w rith in g f o rm , a n d lip s o f b lo ody f o am . I s h ould

hav e f le d i n t e rro r a n d l e ft m y w ork u ndone. B ut i t i s o ver! A nd t h e p oor s o uls ,

I c an p ity th em n ow a n d w eep , a s I th in k o f th em p la cid e ach in h er f u ll s le ep

of d eath f o r a s h ort m om en t e re f a d in g. F or, f rie n d J o hn, h ard ly h ad m y k nif e

se v ere d th e h ead o f each , b efo re th e w hole b ody b eg an to m elt aw ay an d

cru m ble in to its n ativ e d ust, as th ough th e d eath th at sh ould h av e co m e

cen tu rie s a g one h ad a t la st a sse rt h im se lf a n d sa y a t o nce a n d lo ud “ I a m

here !”

Befo re I le ft th e c astle I so fix ed its e n tr a n ces th at n ev er m ore c an th e

Count e n te r t h ere U n-D ead .

When I s te p ped in to th e c ir c le w here M ad am M in a s le p t, s h e w oke fro m

her s le ep , a n d, s e ein g, m e, c rie d o ut i n p ain t h at I h ad e n dure d t o o m uch .

“C om e!” s h e s a id , “ co m e a w ay fro m th is a w fu l p la ce! L et u s g o to m eet

my h usb an d w ho is , I k now , c o m in g to w ard s u s.” S he w as lo okin g th in a n d

pale a n d w eak ; b ut h er e y es w ere p ure a n d g lo w ed w ith f e rv our. I w as g la d to

se e h er p ale n ess a n d h er illn ess, fo r m y m in d w as fu ll o f th e fre sh h orro r o f

th at r u ddy v am pir e s le ep .

And s o w ith tr u st a n d h ope, a n d y et fu ll o f fe ar, w e g o e astw ard to m eet

our f rie n ds— an d h im — whom M ad am M in a te ll m e th at s h e k now a re c o m in g

to m eet u s.

Min a H ark er’s J o urn al.

6 N ovem ber.— It w as la te in th e a fte rn oon w hen th e P ro fe sso r a n d I to ok

our w ay t o w ard s t h e e ast w hen ce I k new J o nath an w as c o m in g. W e d id n ot g o

fa st, th ough th e w ay w as s te ep ly d ow nhill, f o r w e h ad to ta k e h eav y r u gs a n d

wra p s w ith u s; w e d are d n ot f a ce th e p ossib ility o f b ein g le ft w ith out w arm th

in th e c o ld a n d th e s n ow . W e h ad to ta k e s o m e o f o ur p ro vis io ns, to o, f o r w e

were in a p erfe ct d eso la tio n, a n d, s o f a r a s w e c o uld s e e th ro ugh th e s n ow fa ll,

th ere w as n ot e v en th e s ig n o f h ab ita tio n. W hen w e h ad g one a b out a m ile , I

was tir e d w ith th e h eav y w alk in g a n d s a t d ow n to r e st. T hen w e lo oked b ack

an d s a w w here th e c le ar lin e o f D ra cu la ’s c astle c u t th e s k y; fo r w e w ere s o

deep u nder th e h ill w here o n it w as se t th at th e a n gle o f p ers p ectiv e o f th e

Carp ath ia n m ounta in s w as f a r b elo w i t. W e s a w i t i n a ll i ts g ra n deu r, p erc h ed a

th ousa n d f e et o n th e s u m mit o f a s h eer p re cip ic e, a n d w ith s e em in gly a g re at

gap b etw een it a n d th e s te ep o f th e a d ja cen t m ounta in o n a n y s id e. T here w as

so m eth in g w ild an d uncan ny ab out th e pla ce. W e co uld hear th e dis ta n t

how lin g o f w olv es. T hey w ere fa r o ff , b ut th e so und, e v en th ough c o m in g muff le d th ro ugh th e d ead en in g s n ow fa ll, w as fu ll o f te rro r. I k new fro m th e

way D r. V an H els in g w as se arc h in g a b out th at h e w as tr y in g to se ek so m e

str a te g ic p oin t, w here w e w ould b e le ss e x pose d in c ase o f a tta ck . T he r o ugh

ro ad w ay s till l e d d ow nw ard s; w e c o uld t r a ce i t t h ro ugh t h e d rif te d s n ow .

In a little w hile th e P ro fe sso r s ig nalle d to m e, s o I g ot u p a n d jo in ed h im .

He h ad fo und a w onderfu l sp ot, a so rt o f n atu ra l h ollo w in a ro ck , w ith a n

en tr a n ce lik e a d oorw ay b etw een tw o b ould ers . H e to ok m e b y th e h an d a n d

dre w m e in : “ S ee!” h e s a id , “ h ere y ou w ill b e in s h elte r; a n d if th e w olv es d o

co m e I c an m eet th em o ne b y o ne.” H e b ro ught in o ur f u rs , a n d m ad e a s n ug

nest fo r m e, a n d g ot o ut so m e p ro vis io ns a n d fo rc ed th em u pon m e. B ut I

co uld n ot e at; to e v en tr y to d o s o w as r e p uls iv e to m e, a n d, m uch a s I w ould

hav e lik ed to p le ase h im , I c o uld n ot b rin g m yse lf to th e a tte m pt. H e lo oked

very s a d , b ut d id n ot re p ro ach m e. T ak in g h is fie ld -g la sse s fro m th e c ase , h e

sto od o n th e to p o f th e ro ck , a n d b eg an to s e arc h th e h oriz o n. S udden ly h e

calle d o ut:—

“L ook! M ad am M in a, l o ok! l o ok!” I s p ra n g u p a n d s to od b esid e h im o n t h e

ro ck ; h e h an ded m e h is g la sse s a n d p oin te d . T he s n ow w as n ow f a llin g m ore

heav ily , a n d sw ir le d a b out fie rc ely , fo r a h ig h w in d w as b eg in nin g to b lo w .

How ev er, th ere w ere tim es w hen th ere w ere p au se s b etw een th e s n ow f lu rrie s

an d I c o uld se e a lo ng w ay ro und. F ro m th e h eig ht w here w e w ere it w as

possib le to s e e a g re at d is ta n ce; a n d f a r o ff , b ey ond th e w hite w aste o f s n ow , I

co uld s e e th e r iv er ly in g lik e a b la ck r ib bon in k in ks a n d c u rls a s it w ound its

way. S tr a ig ht i n f ro nt o f u s a n d n ot f a r o ff — in f a ct, s o n ear t h at I w ondere d w e

had n ot n otic ed b efo re — cam e a g ro up o f m ounte d m en h urry in g a lo ng. I n th e

mid st o f th em w as a c art, a lo ng le ite r- w ag on w hic h s w ep t f ro m s id e to s id e,

lik e a d og’s ta il w ag gin g, w ith each ste rn in eq uality o f th e ro ad . O utlin ed

ag ain st th e s n ow a s th ey w ere , I c o uld s e e fro m th e m en ’s c lo th es th at th ey

were p easa n ts o r g ypsie s o f s o m e k in d.

On th e c art w as a g re at s q uare c h est. M y h eart le ap ed a s I s a w it, f o r I f e lt

th at th e e n d w as c o m in g. T he e v en in g w as n ow d ra w in g c lo se , a n d w ell I

knew th at a t su nse t th e T hin g, w hic h w as till th en im pris o ned th ere , w ould

ta k e n ew f re ed om a n d c o uld in a n y o f m an y f o rm s e lu de a ll p urs u it. I n f e ar I

tu rn ed to th e P ro fe sso r; to m y c o nste rn atio n, h ow ev er, h e w as n ot th ere . A n

in sta n t la te r, I s a w h im b elo w m e. R ound th e r o ck h e h ad d ra w n a c ir c le , s u ch

as w e h ad fo und sh elte r in la st n ig ht. W hen h e h ad c o m ple te d it h e sto od

besid e m e a g ain , s a y in g:—

“A t le ast y ou s h all b e s a fe h ere f ro m h im !” H e to ok th e g la sse s f ro m m e,

an d a t th e n ex t lu ll o f th e s n ow s w ep t th e w hole s p ace b elo w u s. “ S ee,” h e

sa id , “ th ey c o m e q uic k ly ; th ey a re f lo ggin g th e h ors e s, a n d g allo pin g a s h ard

as t h ey c an .” H e p au se d a n d w en t o n i n a h ollo w v oic e:— “T hey a re r a cin g f o r th e s u nse t. W e m ay b e to o la te . G od’s w ill b e d one!”

Dow n c am e a n oth er b lin din g ru sh o f d riv in g s n ow , a n d th e w hole la n dsc ap e

was b lo tte d o ut. I t s o on p asse d , h ow ev er, a n d o nce m ore h is g la sse s w ere f ix ed

on t h e p la in . T hen c am e a s u dden c ry :—

“L ook! L ook! L ook! S ee, tw o h ors e m en fo llo w fa st, c o m in g u p fro m th e

so uth . It m ust b e Q uin cey a n d Jo hn. T ak e th e g la ss. L ook b efo re th e sn ow

blo ts it a ll o ut! ” I to ok it a n d lo oked . T he tw o m en m ig ht b e D r. S ew ard a n d

Mr. M orris . I k new a t a ll e v en ts th at n eith er o f th em w as Jo nath an . A t th e

sa m e tim e I k new th at J o nath an w as n ot f a r o ff ; lo okin g a ro und I s a w o n th e

north s id e o f t h e c o m in g p arty t w o o th er m en , r id in g a t b re ak -n eck s p eed . O ne

of th em I k new w as Jo nath an , a n d th e o th er I to ok, o f c o urs e , to b e L ord

Godalm in g. T hey, to o, w ere p urs u in g th e p arty w ith th e c art. W hen I to ld th e

Pro fe sso r h e s h oute d in g le e lik e a s c h oolb oy, a n d, a fte r lo okin g in te n tly till a

sn ow fa ll m ad e sig ht im possib le , h e la id h is W in ch este r rif le re ad y fo r u se

ag ain st t h e b ould er a t t h e o pen in g o f o ur s h elte r. “ T hey a re a ll c o nverg in g,” h e

sa id . “ W hen th e tim e c o m es w e s h all h av e g ypsie s o n a ll s id es.” I g ot o ut m y

re v olv er re ad y to h an d, fo r w hils t w e w ere s p eak in g th e h ow lin g o f w olv es

cam e lo uder a n d c lo se r. W hen th e sn ow sto rm a b ate d a m om en t w e lo oked

ag ain . I t w as s tr a n ge to s e e th e s n ow f a llin g in s u ch h eav y f la k es c lo se to u s,

an d b ey ond, th e s u n s h in in g m ore a n d m ore b rig htly a s it s a n k d ow n to w ard s

th e fa r m ounta in to ps. S w eep in g th e g la ss a ll a ro und u s I c o uld s e e h ere a n d

th ere d ots m ovin g sin gly an d in tw os an d th re es an d la rg er n um bers — th e

wolv es w ere g ath erin g f o r t h eir p re y.

Every in sta n t se em ed a n a g e w hils t w e w aite d . T he w in d c am e n ow in

fie rc e b urs ts , a n d t h e s n ow w as d riv en w ith f u ry a s i t s w ep t u pon u s i n c ir c lin g

ed die s. A t tim es w e c o uld n ot s e e a n a rm ’s le n gth b efo re u s; b ut a t o th ers , a s

th e h ollo w -s o undin g w in d s w ep t b y u s, i t s e em ed t o c le ar t h e a ir - s p ace a ro und

us s o th at w e c o uld s e e a fa r o ff . W e h ad o f la te b een s o a ccu sto m ed to w atc h

fo r s u nris e a n d s u nse t, th at w e k new w ith f a ir a ccu ra cy w hen it w ould b e; a n d

we k new th at b efo re lo ng th e s u n w ould s e t. I t w as h ard to b elie v e th at b y o ur

watc h es i t w as l e ss t h an a n h our t h at w e w aite d i n t h at r o ck y s h elte r b efo re t h e

vario us b odie s b eg an to c o nverg e c lo se u pon u s. T he w in d c am e n ow w ith

fie rc er a n d m ore b itte r s w eep s, a n d m ore s te ad ily f ro m th e n orth . I t s e em in gly

had d riv en t h e s n ow c lo uds f ro m u s, f o r, w ith o nly o ccasio nal b urs ts , t h e s n ow

fe ll. W e c o uld d is tin guis h c le arly th e in div id uals o f e ach p arty , th e p urs u ed

an d t h e p urs u ers . S tr a n gely e n ough t h ose p urs u ed d id n ot s e em t o r e alis e , o r a t

le ast to c are , th at th ey w ere p u rs u ed ; th ey se em ed , h ow ev er, to h aste n w ith

re d ouble d s p eed a s t h e s u n d ro pped l o w er a n d l o w er o n t h e m ounta in t o ps.

Clo se r a n d c lo se r th ey d re w . T he P ro fe sso r a n d I c ro uch ed d ow n b eh in d

our r o ck , a n d h eld o ur w eap ons r e ad y; I c o uld s e e th at h e w as d ete rm in ed th at

th ey s h ould n ot p ass. O ne a n d a ll w ere q uite u naw are o f o ur p re se n ce. All a t o nce tw o v oic es sh oute d o ut to : “ H alt! ” O ne w as m y Jo nath an ’s ,

ra is e d in a h ig h k ey o f p assio n; th e o th er M r. M orris ’ s tr o ng re so lu te to ne o f

quie t c o m man d. T he g ypsie s m ay n ot h av e k now n t h e l a n guag e, b ut t h ere w as

no m is ta k in g th e to ne, in whate v er to ngue th e word s were sp oken .

In stin ctiv ely th ey re in ed in , a n d a t th e in sta n t L ord G odalm in g a n d J o nath an

dash ed u p a t o ne s id e a n d D r. S ew ard a n d M r. M orris o n th e o th er. T he le ad er

of th e g ypsie s, a sp le n did -lo okin g fe llo w w ho sa t h is h ors e lik e a c en ta u r,

wav ed th em b ack , a n d in a f ie rc e v oic e g av e to h is c o m pan io ns s o m e w ord to

pro ceed . T hey la sh ed th e h ors e s w hic h sp ra n g fo rw ard ; b ut th e fo ur m en

ra is e d th eir W in ch este r rif le s, a n d in a n u nm is ta k ab le w ay c o m man ded th em

to s to p. A t th e s a m e m om en t D r. V an H els in g a n d I r o se b eh in d th e r o ck a n d

poin te d o ur w eap ons at th em . S eein g th at th ey w ere su rro unded th e m en

tig hte n ed th eir r e in s a n d d re w u p. T he le ad er tu rn ed to th em a n d g av e a w ord

at w hic h e v ery m an o f th e g ypsy p arty d re w w hat w eap on h e c arrie d , k nif e o r

pis to l, a n d h eld h im se lf i n r e ad in ess t o a tta ck . I s su e w as j o in ed i n a n i n sta n t.

The l e ad er, w ith a q uic k m ovem en t o f h is r e in , t h re w h is h ors e o ut i n f ro nt,

an d p oin tin g fir s t to th e s u n— now c lo se d ow n o n th e h ill to ps— an d th en to

th e c astle , s a id s o m eth in g w hic h I d id n ot u nders ta n d. F or a n sw er, a ll f o ur m en

of o ur p arty th re w t h em se lv es f ro m t h eir h ors e s a n d d ash ed t o w ard s th e c art. I

sh ould h av e fe lt te rrib le fe ar a t s e ein g J o nath an in s u ch d an ger, b ut th at th e

ard our o f b attle m ust h av e b een u pon m e a s w ell a s th e r e st o f th em ; I f e lt n o

fe ar, but only a w ild , su rg in g desir e to do so m eth in g. S eein g th e quic k

movem en t o f o ur p artie s, th e le ad er o f th e g ypsie s g av e a c o m man d; h is m en

in sta n tly f o rm ed r o und th e c art in a s o rt o f u ndis c ip lin ed e n deav our, e ach o ne

sh ould erin g a n d p ush in g t h e o th er i n h is e ag ern ess t o c arry o ut t h e o rd er.

In th e m id st o f th is I c o uld s e e th at J o nath an o n o ne s id e o f th e rin g o f

men , a n d Q uin cey o n th e o th er, w ere f o rc in g a w ay to th e c art; it w as e v id en t

th at th ey w ere b en t o n f in is h in g th eir ta sk b efo re th e s u n s h ould s e t. N oth in g

se em ed to s to p o r e v en to h in der th em . N eith er th e le v elle d w eap ons n or th e

fla sh in g k niv es o f th e g ypsie s in f ro nt, n or th e h ow lin g o f th e w olv es b eh in d,

ap peare d to ev en attr a ct th eir atte n tio n. Jo nath an ’s im petu osity , an d th e

man if e st s in gle n ess o f h is p urp ose , s e em ed to o vera w e th ose in f ro nt o f h im ;

in stin ctiv ely t h ey c o w ere d , a sid e a n d l e t h im p ass. I n a n i n sta n t h e h ad j u m ped

upon th e c art, a n d, w ith a s tr e n gth w hic h s e em ed in cre d ib le , ra is e d th e g re at

box, a n d flu ng it o ver th e w heel to th e g ro und. In th e m ean tim e, M r. M orris

had h ad t o u se f o rc e t o p ass t h ro ugh h is s id e o f t h e r in g o f S zg an y. A ll t h e t im e

I h ad b een b re ath le ssly w atc h in g J o nath an I h ad , w ith th e ta il o f m y e y e, s e en

him p re ssin g d esp era te ly f o rw ard , a n d h ad s e en t h e k niv es o f t h e g ypsie s f la sh

as h e w on a w ay th ro ugh th em , a n d th ey c u t a t h im . H e h ad p arrie d w ith h is

gre at b ow ie k nif e , a n d a t f ir s t I t h ought t h at h e t o o h ad c o m e t h ro ugh i n s a fe ty ;

but a s h e s p ra n g b esid e J o nath an , w ho h ad b y n ow ju m ped fro m th e c art, I

co uld se e th at w ith h is le ft h an d h e w as c lu tc h in g a t h is sid e, a n d th at th e blo od w as s p urtin g th ro ugh h is f in gers . H e d id n ot d ela y n otw ith sta n din g th is ,

fo r as Jo nath an , w ith desp era te en erg y, atta ck ed one en d of th e ch est,

atte m ptin g to p riz e o ff th e lid w ith h is g re at K ukri k nif e , h e a tta ck ed th e o th er

fra n tic ally w ith h is b ow ie . U nder t h e e ff o rts o f b oth m en t h e l id b eg an t o y ie ld ;

th e n ails d re w w ith a q uic k sc re ech in g so und, a n d th e to p o f th e b ox w as

th ro w n b ack .

By th is tim e th e g ypsie s, s e ein g th em se lv es c o vere d b y th e W in ch este rs ,

an d a t th e m erc y o f L ord G odalm in g a n d D r. S ew ard , h ad g iv en in a n d m ad e

no re sis ta n ce. T he su n w as alm ost dow n on th e m ounta in to ps, an d th e

sh ad ow s o f th e w hole g ro up fe ll lo ng u pon th e s n ow . I s a w th e C ount ly in g

with in t h e b ox u pon t h e e arth , s o m e o f w hic h t h e r u de f a llin g f ro m t h e c art h ad

sc atte re d o ver h im . H e w as d eath ly p ale , ju st lik e a w ax en im ag e, a n d th e r e d

ey es g la re d w ith t h e h orrib le v in dic tiv e l o ok w hic h I k new t o o w ell.

As I lo oked , th e e y es s a w th e s in kin g s u n, a n d th e lo ok o f h ate in th em

tu rn ed t o t r iu m ph.

But, o n th e in sta n t, c am e th e s w eep a n d fla sh o f J o nath an ’s g re at k nif e . I

sh rie k ed a s I s a w it s h ear th ro ugh th e th ro at; w hils t a t th e s a m e m om en t M r.

Morris ’s b ow ie k nif e p lu nged i n to t h e h eart.

It w as lik e a m ir a cle ; b ut b efo re o ur v ery e y es, a n d a lm ost in th e d ra w in g

of a b re ath , t h e w hole b ody c ru m ble i n to d ust a n d p asse d f ro m o ur s ig ht.

I sh all be gla d as lo ng as I liv e th at ev en in th at m om en t of fin al

dis so lu tio n, th ere w as in th e f a ce a lo ok o f p eace, s u ch a s I n ev er c o uld h av e

im ag in ed m ig ht h av e r e ste d t h ere .

The C astle o f D ra cu la n ow s to od o ut a g ain st th e r e d s k y, a n d e v ery s to ne

of i ts b ro ken b attle m en ts w as a rtic u la te d a g ain st t h e l ig ht o f t h e s e ttin g s u n.

The g ypsie s, ta k in g u s as in so m e w ay th e cau se o f th e ex tr a o rd in ary

dis a p peara n ce o f th e d ead m an , tu rn ed , w ith out a w ord , a n d ro de a w ay a s if

fo r th eir liv es. T hose w ho w ere u nm ounte d ju m ped u pon th e le ite r- w ag on a n d

sh oute d t o t h e h o rs e m en n ot t o d ese rt t h em . T he w olv es, w hic h h ad w ith dra w n

to a s a fe d is ta n ce, f o llo w ed i n t h eir w ak e, l e av in g u s a lo ne.

Mr. M orris , w ho h ad s u nk to th e g ro und, le an ed o n h is e lb ow , h old in g h is

han d p re sse d to h is s id e; th e b lo od s till g ush ed th ro ugh h is fin gers . I fle w to

him , fo r th e H oly c ir c le d id n ot n ow k eep m e b ack ; s o d id th e tw o d octo rs .

Jo nath an k nelt b eh in d h im a n d th e w ounded m an la id b ack h is h ead o n h is

sh ould er. W ith a s ig h h e to ok, w ith a f e eb le e ff o rt, m y h an d in th at o f h is o w n

whic h w as u nsta in ed . H e m ust h av e s e en th e a n guis h o f m y h eart in m y f a ce,

fo r h e s m ile d a t m e a n d s a id :—

“I a m o nly to o h ap py to h av e b een o f a n y se rv ic e! O h, G od!” h e c rie d su dden ly , s tr u gglin g u p to a s ittin g p ostu re a n d p oin tin g to m e, “ It w as w orth

fo r t h is t o d ie ! L ook! l o ok!”

The s u n w as n ow rig ht d ow n u pon th e m ounta in to p, a n d th e re d g le am s

fe ll u pon m y fa ce, s o th at it w as b ath ed in ro sy lig ht. W ith o ne im puls e th e

men sa n k o n th eir k nees a n d a d eep a n d e arn est “ A m en ” b ro ke fro m a ll a s

th eir e y es f o llo w ed t h e p oin tin g o f h is f in ger. T he d yin g m an s p oke:—

“N ow G od b e th an ked th at a ll h as n ot b een in v ain ! S ee! th e s n ow is n ot

more s ta in le ss t h an h er f o re h ead ! T he c u rs e h as p asse d a w ay !”

And, to o ur b itte r g rie f, w ith a sm ile a n d in sile n ce, h e d ie d , a g alla n t

gen tle m an .

NOTE

Sev en y ears a g o w e a ll w en t t h ro ugh t h e f la m es; a n d t h e h ap pin ess o f s o m e

of u s s in ce th en is , w e th in k, w ell w orth th e p ain w e e n dure d . It is a n a d ded

jo y t o M in a a n d t o m e t h at o ur b oy’s b ir th day i s t h e s a m e d ay a s t h at o n w hic h

Quin cey M orris d ie d . H is m oth er h old s, I k now , th e s e cre t b elie f th at s o m e o f

our b ra v e f rie n d’s s p ir it h as p asse d i n to h im . H is b undle o f n am es l in ks a ll o ur

little b an d o f m en t o geth er; b ut w e c all h im Q uin cey.

In th e s u m mer o f th is y ear w e m ad e a jo urn ey to T ra n sy lv an ia , a n d w en t

over th e o ld g ro und w hic h w as, an d is , to u s so fu ll o f v iv id an d te rrib le

mem orie s. It w as a lm ost im possib le to b elie v e th at th e th in gs w hic h w e h ad

se en w ith o ur o w n e y es a n d h eard w ith o ur o w n e ars w ere liv in g tr u th s. E very

tr a ce o f a ll th at h ad b een w as b lo tte d o ut. T he c astle s to od a s b efo re , re are d

hig h a b ove a w aste o f d eso la tio n.

When w e g ot h om e w e w ere ta lk in g o f th e o ld tim e— whic h w e c o uld a ll

lo ok b ack o n w ith out d esp air , fo r G odalm in g a n d S ew ard a re b oth h ap pily

marrie d . I to ok th e p ap ers fro m th e s a fe w here th ey h ad b een e v er s in ce o ur

re tu rn so lo ng ag o. W e w ere str u ck w ith th e fa ct, th at in all th e m ass o f

mate ria l of w hic h th e re co rd is co m pose d , th ere is hard ly one au th en tic

docu m en t; n oth in g b ut a m ass o f ty pew ritin g, e x cep t th e la te r n ote -b ooks o f

Min a an d S ew ard an d m yse lf , an d V an H els in g’s m em ora n dum . W e co uld

hard ly a sk a n y o ne, e v en d id w e w is h t o , t o a ccep t t h ese a s p ro ofs o f s o w ild a

sto ry . V an H els in g s u m med i t a ll u p a s h e s a id , w ith o ur b oy o n h is k nee:—

“W e w an t n o p ro ofs ; w e a sk n one to b elie v e u s! T his b oy w ill s o m e d ay

know w hat a b ra v e a n d g alla n t w om an h is m oth er is . A lr e ad y h e k now s h er

sw eetn ess a n d l o vin g c are ; l a te r o n h e w ill u nders ta n d h ow s o m e m en s o l o ved

her, t h at t h ey d id d are m uch f o r h er s a k e.”

Jo nath an H ark er.

TH E E N D

Have a similar question?

Continue to edit or attach image(s).

  • Fast and convenient

    Fast and convenient

    Simply post your question and get it answered by professional tutor within 30 minutes. It's as simple as that!

  • Any topic, any difficulty

    Any topic, any difficulty

    We've got thousands of tutors in different areas of study who are willing to help you with any kind of academic assignment, be it a math homework or an article.

  • 100% Satisfied Students

    100% Satisfied Students

    Join 3,4 million+ members who are already getting homework help from StudyDaddy!