DR SEWARD'S DIARY
11 October, Evening.--Jonathan
Harker has asked me to note this,
as he says he is hardly equal
to the task, and he wants an
exact record kept.
I think that none of us were
surprised when we were asked
to see Mrs. Harker a little before
the time of sunset. We have of
late come to understand that
sunrise and sunset are to her
times of peculiar freedom. When
her old self can be manifest
without any controlling force
subduing or restraining her,
or inciting her to action. This
mood or condition begins some
half hour or more before actual
sunrise or sunset, and lasts
till either the sun is high,
or whilst the clouds are still
aglow with the rays streaming
above the horizon. At first there
is a sort of negative condition,
as if some tie were loosened,
and then the absolute freedom
quickly follows. When, however,
the freedom ceases the change
back or relapse comes quickly,
preceeded only by a spell of
warning silence.
Tonight, when we met, she was
somewhat constrained, and bore
all the signs of an internal
struggle. I put it down myself
to her making a violent effort
at the earliest instant she could
do so.
A very few minutes, however,
gave her complete control of
herself. Then, motioning her
husband to sit beside her on
the sofa where she was half reclining,
she made the rest of us bring
chairs up close.
Taking her
husband's hand in hers, she
began, "We are all
here together in freedom, for
perhaps the last time! I know
that you will always be with
me to the end." This was to her
husband whose hand had, as we
could see, tightened upon her. "In
the morning we go out upon our
task, and God alone knows what
may be in store for any of us.
You are going to be so good to
me to take me with you. I know
that all that brave earnest men
can do for a poor weak woman,
whose soul perhaps is lost, no,
no, not yet, but is at any rate
at stake, you will do. But you
must remember that I am not as
you are. There is a poison in
my blood, in my soul, which may
destroy me, which must destroy
me, unless some relief comes
to us. Oh, my friends, you know
as well as I do, that my soul
is at stake. And though I know
there is one way out for me,
you must not and I must not take
it!" She looked appealingly to
us all in turn, beginning and
ending with her husband.
"What is that way?" asked Van
Helsing in a hoarse voice. "What
is that way, which we must not,
may not, take?"
"That I may
die now, either by my own hand
or that of another,
before the greater evil is entirely
wrought. I know, and you know,
that were I once dead you could
and would set free my immortal
spirit, even as you did my poor
Lucy's. Were death, or the fear
of death, the only thing that
stood in the way I would not
shrink to die here now, amidst
the friends who love me. But
death is not all. I cannot believe
that to die in such a case, when
there is hope before us and a
bitter task to be done, is God's
will. Therefore, I on my part,
give up here the certainty of
eternal rest, and go out into
the dark where may be the blackest
things that the world or the
nether world holds!"
We were all silent, for we
knew instinctively that this
was only a prelude. The faces
of the others were set, and Harker's
grew ashen grey. Perhaps, he
guessed better than any of us
what was coming.
She continued, "This is what
I can give into the hotchpot." I
could not but note the quaint
legal phrase which she used in
such a place, and with all seriousness. "What
will each of you give? Your lives
I know," she went on quickly, "that
is easy for brave men. Your lives
are God's, and you can give them
back to Him, but what will you
give to me?" She looked again
questionly, but this time avoided
her husband's face. Quincey seemed
to understand, he nodded, and
her face lit up. "Then I shall
tell you plainly what I want,
for there must be no doubtful
matter in this connection between
us now. You must promise me,
one and all, even you, my beloved
husband, that should the time
come, you will kill me."
"What is that time?" The
voice was Quincey's, but it
was low
and strained.
"When you shall
be convinced that I am so changed
that it
is better that I die that I may
live. When I am thus dead in
the flesh, then you will, without
a moment's delay, drive a stake
through me and cut off my head,
or do whatever else may be wanting
to give me rest!"
Quincey was
the first to rise after the
pause. He knelt down
before her and taking her hand
in his said solemnly, "I'm only
a rough fellow, who hasn't, perhaps,
lived as a man should to win
such a distinction, but I swear
to you by all that I hold sacred
and dear that, should the time
ever come, I shall not flinch
from the duty that you have set
us. And I promise you, too, that
I shall make all certain, for
if I am only doubtful I shall
take it that the time has come!"
"My true friend!" was
all she could say amid her
fastfalling
tears, as bending over, she kissed
his hand.
"I swear the same, my dear
Madam Mina!"said Van Helsing. "And
I!" said Lord Godalming, each
of them in turn kneeling to her
to take the oath. I followed,
myself.
Then her husband
turned to her wan-eyed and
with a greenish
pallor which subdued the snowy
whiteness of his hair, and asked, "And
must I, too, make such a promise,
oh, my wife?"
"You too, my dearest,"she said,
with infinite yearning of pity
in her voice and eyes. "You must
not shrink. You are nearest and
dearest and all the world to
me. Our souls are knit into one,
for all life and all time. Think,
dear, that there have been times
when brave men have killed their
wives and their womenkind, to
keep them from falling into the
hands of the enemy. Their hands
did not falter any the more because
those that they loved implored
them to slay them. It is men's
duty towards those whom they
love, in such times of sore trial!
And oh, my dear, if it is to
be that I must meet death at
any hand, let it be at the hand
of him that loves me best. Dr.
Van Helsing, I have not forgotten
your mercy in poor Lucy's case
to him who loved." She stopped
with a flying blush, and changed
her phrase, "to him who had best
right to give her peace. If that
time shall come again, I look
to you to make it a happy memory
of my husband's life that it
was his loving hand which set
me free from the awful thrall
upon me."
"Again I swear!" came
the Professor's resonant voice.
Mrs. Harker
smiled, positively smiled,
as with a sigh of relief
she leaned back and said, "And
now one word of warning, a warning
which you must never forget.
This time, if it ever come, may
come quickly and unexpectedly,
and in such case you must lose
no time in using your opportunity.
At such a time I myself might
be . . . nay! If the time ever
come, shall be, leagued with
your enemy against you.
"One more request," she became
very solemn as she said this, "it
is not vital and necessary like
the other, but I want you to
do one thing for me, if you will."
We all acquiesced, but no one
spoke. There was no need to speak.
"I want you to read the Burial
Service." She was interrupted
by a deep groan from her husband.
Taking his hand in hers, she
held it over her heart, and continued. "You
must read it over me some day.
Whatever may be the issue of
all this fearful state of things,
it will be a sweet thought to
all or some of us. You, my dearest,
will I hope read it, for then
it will be in your voice in my
memory forever, come what may!"
"But oh, my dear one," he pleaded, "death
is afar off from you."
"Nay," she said, holding up
a warning hand. "I am deeper
in death at this moment than
if the weight of an earthly grave
lay heavy upon me!"
"Oh, my wife, must I read it?"he
said, before he began.
"It would comfort me, my husband!" was
all she said, and he began to
read when she had got the book
ready.
How can I, how could anyone,
tell of that strange scene, its
solemnity, its gloom,its sadness,
its horror, and withal, its sweetness.
Even a sceptic, who can see nothing
but a travesty of bitter truth
in anything holy or emotional,
would have been melted to the
heart had he seen that little
group of loving and devoted friends
kneeling round that stricken
and sorrowing lady. Or heard
the tender passion of her husband's
voice, as in tones so broken
and emotional that often he had
to pause, he read the simple
and beautiful service from the
Burial of the Dead. I cannot
go on . . . words . . . and v-voices
. . . f-fail m-me!
She was right in her instinct.
Strange as it was, bizarre as
it may hereafter seem even to
us who felt its potent influence
at the time, it comforted us
much. And the silence, which
showed Mrs. Harker's coming relapse
from her freedom of soul, did
not seem so full of despair to
any of us as we had dreaded.
JONATHAN HARKER'S JOURNAL
15 October,
Varna.--We left Charing Cross
on the morning
of the 12th, got to Paris the
same night, and took the places
secured for us in the Orient
Express. We traveled night and
day, arriving here at about five
o'clock. Lord Godalming went
to the Consulate to see if any
telegram had arrived for him,
whilst the rest of us came on
to this hotel, "the Odessus." The
journey may have had incidents.
I was, however, too eager to
get on, to care for them. Until
the Czarina Catherine comes into
port there will be no interest
for me in anything in the wide
world. Thank God! Mina is well,
and looks to be getting stronger.
Her color is coming back. She
sleeps a great deal. Throughout
the journey she slept nearly
all the time. Before sunrise
and sunset, however, she is very
wakeful and alert. And it has
become a habit for Van Helsing
to hypnotize her at such times.
At first, some effort was needed,
and he had to make many passes.
But now, she seems to yield at
once, as if by habit, and scarcely
any action is needed. He seems
to have power at these particular
moments to simply will, and her
thoughts obey him. He always
asks her what she can see and
hear.
She answers
to the first, "Nothing,
all is dark."
And to the
second,"I can hear
the waves lapping against the
ship, and the water rushing by.
Canvas and cordage strain and
masts and yards creak. The wind
is high . . . I can hear it in
the shrouds, and the bow throws
back the foam."
It is evident that the Czarina
Catherine is still at sea, hastening
on her way to Varna. Lord Godalming
has just returned. He had four
telegrams, one each day since
we started, and all to the same
effect. That the Czarina Catherine
had not been reported to Lloyd's
from anywhere. He had arranged
before leaving London that his
agent should send him every day
a telegram saying if the ship
had been reported. He was to
have a message even if she were
not reported, so that he might
be sure that there was a watch
being kept at the other end of
the wire.
We had dinner and went to bed
early. Tomorrow we are to see
the Vice Consul, and to arrange,
if we can, about getting on board
the ship as soon as she arrives.
Van Helsing says that our chance
will be to get on the boat between
sunrise and sunset. The Count,
even if he takes the form of
a bat, cannot cross the running
water of his own volition, and
so cannot leave the ship. As
he dare not change to man's form
without suspicion, which he evidently
wishes to avoid, he must remain
in the box. If, then, we can
come on board after sunrise,
he is at our mercy, for we can
open the box and make sure of
him, as we did of poor Lucy,
before he wakes. What mercy he
shall get from us all will not
count for much. We think that
we shall not have much trouble
with officials or the seamen.
Thank God! This is the country
where bribery can do anything,
and we are well supplied with
money. We have only to make sure
that the ship cannot come into
port between sunset and sunrise
without our being warned, and
we shall be safe. Judge Moneybag
will settle this case, I think!
16 October.--Mina's report
still the same. Lapping waves
and rushing water, darkness and
favoring winds. We are evidently
in good time, and when we hear
of the Czarina Catherine we shall
be ready. As she must pass the
Dardanelles we are sure to have
some report.
17 October.--Everything is
pretty well fixed now, I think,
to welcome the Count on his return
from his tour. Godalming told
the shippers that he fancied
that the box sent aboard might
contain something stolen from
a friend of his, and got a half
consent that he might open it
at his own risk. The owner gave
him a paper telling the Captain
to give him every facility in
doing whatever he chose on board
the ship, and also a similar
authorization to his agent at
Varna. We have seen the agent,
who was much impressed with Godalming's
kindly manner to him, and we
are all satisfied that whatever
he can do to aid our wishes will
be done.
We have already arranged what
to do in case we get the box
open. If the Count is there,
Van Helsing and Seward will cut
off his head at once and drive
a stake through his heart. Morris
and Godalming and I shall prevent
interference, even if we have
to use the arms which we shall
have ready. The Professor says
that if we can so treat the Count's
body, it will soon after fall
into dust. In such case there
would be no evidence against
us, in case any suspicion of
murder were aroused. But even
if it were not, we should stand
or fall by our act, and perhaps
some day this very script may
be evidence to come between some
of us and a rope. For myself,
I should take the chance only
too thankfully if it were to
come. We mean to leave no stone
unturned to carry out our intent.
We have arranged with certain
officials that the instant the
Czarina Catherine is seen, we
are to be informed by a special
messenger.
24 October.--A
whole week of waiting. Daily
telegrams to Godalming,
but only the same story. "Not
yet reported." Mina's morning
and evening hypnotic answer is
unvaried. Lapping waves, rushing
water, and creaking masts.
TELEGRAM, OCTOBER 24TH RUFUS
SMITH, LLOYD'S, LONDON, TO LORD
GODALMING, CARE OF
H. B. M. VICE CONSUL, VARNA
"Czarina Catherine
reported this morning from
Dardanelles."
DR. SEWARD'S DIARY
25 October.--How
I miss my phonograph! To write
a diary
with a pen is irksome to me!
But Van Helsing says I must.
We were all wild with excitement
yesterday when Godalming got
his telegram from Lloyd's. I
know now what men feel in battle
when the call to action is heard.
Mrs.Harker, alone of our party,
did not show any signs of emotion.
After all, it is not strange
that she did not, for we took
special care not to let her know
anything about it, and we all
tried not to show any excitement
when we were in her presence.
In old days she would, I am sure,
have noticed, no matter how we
might have tried to conceal it.
But in this way she is greatly
changed during the past three
weeks. The lethargy grows upon
her, and though she seems strong
and well, and is getting back
some of her color, Van Helsing
and I are not satisfied. We talk
of her often. We have not, however,
said a word to the others. It
would break poor Harker's heart,
certainly his nerve, if he knew
that we had even a suspicion
on the subject. Van Helsing examines,
he tells me, her teeth very carefully,
whilst she is in the hypnotic
condition, for he says that so
long as they do not begin to
sharpen there is no active danger
of a change in her. If this change
should come, it would be necessary
to take steps! We both know what
those steps would have to be,
though we do not mention our
thoughts to each other. We should
neither of us shrink from the
task, awful though it be to contemplate. "Euthanasia" is
an excellent and a comforting
word! I am grateful to whoever
invented it.
It is only about 24 hours'
sail from the Dardanelles to
here, at the rate the Czarina
Catherine has come from London.
She should therefore arrive some
time in the morning, but as she
cannot possibly get in before
noon, we are all about to retire
early. We shall get up at one
o'clock, so as to be ready.
25 October,
Noon.--No news yet of the ship's
arrival. Mrs.
Harker's hypnotic report this
morning was the same as usual,
so it is possible that we may
get news at any moment. We men
are all in a fever of excitement,
except Harker, who is calm. His
hands are cold as ice, and an
hour ago I found him whetting
the edge of the great Ghoorka
knife which he now always carries
with him. It will be a bad lookout
for the Count if the edge of
that "Kukri" ever touches his
throat, driven by that stern,
ice-cold hand!
Van Helsing and I were a little
alarmed about Mrs. Harker today.
About noon she got into a sort
of lethargy which we did not
like. Although we kept silence
to the others, we were neither
of us happy about it. She had
been restless all the morning,
so that we were at first glad
to know that she was sleeping.
When, however, her husband mentioned
casually that she was sleeping
so soundly that he could not
wake her, we went to her room
to see for ourselves. She was
breathing naturally and looked
so well and peaceful that we
agreed that the sleep was better
for her than anything else. Poor
girl, she has so much to forget
that it is no wonder that sleep,
if it brings oblivion to her,
does her good.
Later.--Our opinion was justified,
for when after a refreshing sleep
of some hours she woke up, she
seemed brighter and better than
she had been for days. At sunset
she made the usual hypnotic report.
Wherever he may be in the Black
Sea, the Count is hurrying to
his destination. To his doom,
I trust!
26 October.--Another day and
no tidings of the Czarina Catherine.
She ought to be here by now.
That she is still journeying
somewhere is apparent, for Mrs.
Harker's hypnotic report at sunrise
was still the same. It is possible
that the vessel may be lying
by, at times, for fog. Some of
the steamers which came in last
evening reported patches of fog
both to north and south of the
port. We must continue our watching,
as the ship may now be signalled
any moment.
27 October,
Noon.--Most strange. No news
yet of the ship we wait
for. Mrs. Harker reported last
night and this morning as usual. "Lapping
waves and rushing water," though
she added that "the waves were
very faint." The telegrams from
London have been the same, "no
further report." Van Helsing
is terribly anxious, and told
me just now that he fears the
Count is escaping us.
He added significantly, "I
did not like that lethargy of
Madam Mina's. Souls and memories
can do strange things during
trance." I was about to as k
him more, but Harker just then
came in, and he held up a warning
hand. We must try tonight at
sunset to make her speak more
fully when in her hypnotic state.
28 October.--Telegram.
Rufus Smith, London, to Lord
Godalming,
care H. B. M. Vice Consul, Varna "Czarina
Catherine reported entering Galatz
at one o'clock today."
DR. SEWARD'S DIARY
28 October.--When the telegram
came announcing the arrival in
Galatz I do not think it was
such a shock to any of us as
might have been expected. True,
we did not know whence, or how,
or when, the bolt would come.
But I think we all expected that
something strange would happen.
The day of arrival at Varna made
us individually satisfied that
things would not be just as we
had expected. We only waited
to learn where the change would
occur. None the less, however,
it was a surprise. I suppose
that nature works on such a hopeful
basis that we believe against
ourselves that things will be
as they ought to be, not as we
should know that they will be.
Transcendentalism is a beacon
to the angels, even if it be
a will-o'-the-wisp to man. Van
Helsing raised his hand over
his head for a moment, as though
in remonstrance with the Almighty.
But he said not a word, and in
a few seconds stood up with his
face sternly set.
Lord Godalming
grew very pale, and sat breathing
heavily. I
was myself half stunned and looked
in wonder at one after another.
Quincey Morris tightened his
belt with that quick movement
which I knew so well. In our
old wandering days it meant "action." Mrs.
Harker grew ghastly white, so
that the scar on her forehead
seemed to burn, but she folded
her hands meekly and looked up
in prayer. Harker smiled, actually
smiled, the dark, bitter smile
of one who is without hope, but
at the same time his action belied
his words, for his hands instinctively
sought the hilt of the great
Kukri knife and rested there.
"When does the next train start
for Galatz?" said Van Helsing
to us generally.
"At 6:30 tomorrow morning!" We
all started, for the answer came
from Mrs. Harker.
"How on earth do you know?" said
Art.
"You forget,
or perhaps you do not know,
though Jonathan
does and so does Dr. Van Helsing,
that I am the train fiend. At
home in Exeter I always used
to make up the time tables, so
as to be helpful to my husband.
I found it so useful sometimes,
that I always make a study of
the time tables now. I knew that
if anything were to take us to
Castle Dracula we should go by
Galatz, or at any rate through
Bucharest, so I learned the times
very carefully. Unhappily there
are not many to learn, as the
only train tomorrow leaves as
I say."
"Wonderful woman!" murmured
the Professor.
"Can't we get a special?" asked
Lord Godalming.
Van Helsing
shook his head, "I
fear not. This land is very different
from yours or mine. Even if we
did have a special, it would
probably not arrive as soon as
our regular train. Moreover,
we have something to prepare.
We must think. Now let us organize.
You, friend Arthur, go to the
train and get the tickets and
arrange that all be ready for
us to go in the morning. Do you,
friend Jonathan, go to the agent
of the ship and get from him
letters to the agent in Galatz,
with authority to make a search
of the ship just as it was here.
Quincey Morris, you see the Vice
Consul, and get his aid with
his fellow in Galatz and all
he can do to make our way smooth,
so that no times be lost when
over the Danube. John will stay
with Madam Mina and me, and we
shall consult. For so if time
be long you may be delayed. And
it will not matter when the sun
set, since I am here with Madam
to make report."
"And I," said Mrs. Harker brightly,
and more like her old self than
she had been for many a long
day, "shall try to be of use
in all ways, and shall think
and write for you as I used to
do. Something is shifting from
me in some strange way, and I
feel freer than I have been of
late!"
The three younger men looked
happier at the moment as they
seemed to realize the significance
of her words. But Van Helsing
and I, turning to each other,
met each a grave and troubled
glance. We said nothing at the
time, however.
When the three men had gone
out to their tasks Van Helsing
asked Mrs. Harker to look up
the copy of the diaries and find
him the part of Harker's journal
at the Castle. She went away
to get it.
When the door
was shut upon her he said to
me, "We mean the
same! Speak out!"
"Here is some
change. It is a hope that makes
me sick, for
it may deceive us."
"Quite so.
Do you know why I asked her
to get the manuscript?"
"No!" said I, "unless
it was to get an opportunity
of seeing
me alone."
"You are in
part right, friend John, but
only in part. I want
to tell you something. And oh,
my friend, I am taking a great,
a terrible, risk. But I believe
it is right. In the moment when
Madam Mina said those words that
arrest both our understanding,
an inspiration came to me. In
the trance of three days ago
the Count sent her his spirit
to read her mind. Or more like
he took her to see him in his
earth box in the ship with water
rushing, just as it go free at
rise and set of sun. He learn
then that we are here, for she
have more to tell in her open
life with eyes to see ears to
hear than he, shut as he is,
in his coffin box. Now he make
his most effort to escape us.
At present he want her not.
"He is sure
with his so great knowledge
that she will come
at his call. But he cut her off,
take her, as he can do, out of
his own power, that so she come
not to him. Ah! There I have
hope that our man brains that
have been of man so long and
that have not lost the grace
of God, will come higher than
his child-brain that lie in his
tomb for centuries, that grow
not yet to our stature, and that
do only work selfish and therefore
small. Here comes Madam Mina.
Not a word to her of her trance!
She knows it not, and it would
overwhelm her and make despair
just when we want all her hope,
all her courage, when most we
want all her great brain which
is trained like man's brain,
but is of sweet woman and have
a special power which the Count
give her, and which he may not
take away altogether, though
he think not so. Hush! Let me
speak, and you shall learn. Oh,
John, my friend, we are in awful
straits. I fear, as I never feared
before. We can only trust the
good God. Silence! Here she comes!"
I thought that the Professor
was going to break down and have
hysterics, just as he had when
Lucy died, but with a great effort
he controlled himself and was
at perfect nervous poise when
Mrs. Harker tripped into the
room, bright and happy looking
and, in the doing of work, seemingly
forgetful of her misery. As she
came in, she handed a number
of sheets of typewriting to Van
Helsing. He looked over them
gravely, his face brightening
up as he read.
Then holding
the pages between his finger
and thumb he said, "Friend
John, to you with so much experience
already, and you too, dear Madam
Mina, that are young, here is
a lesson. Do not fear ever to
think. A half thought has been
buzzing often in my brain, but
I fear to let him loose his wings.
Here now, with more knowledge,
I go back to where that half
thought come from and I find
that he be no half thought at
all. That be a whole thought,
though so young that he is not
yet strong to use his little
wings. Nay, like the `Ugly Duck'
of my friend Hans Andersen, he
be no duck thought at all, but
a big swan thought that sail
nobly on big wings, when the
time come for him to try them.
See I read here what Jonathan
have written.
"That other
of his race who, in a later
age, again and again,
brought his forces over The Great
River into Turkey Land, who when
he was beaten back, came again,
and again, and again, though
he had to come alone from the
bloody field where his troops
were being slaughtered, since
he knew that he alone could ultimately
triumph.
"What does this tell us? Not
much? No! The Count's child thought
see nothing, therefore he speak
so free. Your man thought see
nothing. My man thought see nothing,
till just now. No! But there
comes another word from some
one who speak without thought
because she, too, know not what
it mean, what it might mean.
Just as there are elements which
rest, yet when in nature's course
they move on their way and they
touch, the pouf! And there comes
a flash of light, heaven wide,
that blind and kill and destroy
some. But that show up all earth
below for leagues and leagues.
Is it not so? Well, I shall explain.
To begin, hav e you ever study
the philosophy of crime? `Yes'
and `No.' You, John, yes, for
it is a study of insanity. You,
no, Madam Mina, for crime touch
you not, not but once. Still,
your mind works true, and argues
not a particulari ad universale.
There is this peculiarity in
criminals. It is so constant,
in all countries and at all times,
that even police, who know not
much from philosophy, come to
know it empirically, that it
is. That is to be empiric. The
criminal always work at one crime,
that is the true criminal who
seems predestinate to crime,
and who will of none other. This
criminal has not full man brain.
He is clever and cunning and
resourceful, but he be not of
man stature as to brain. He be
of child brain in much. Now this
criminal of ours is pre-destinate
to crime also. He, too, have
child brain, and it is of the
child to do what he have done.
The little bird, the little fish,
the little animal learn not by
principle, but empirically. And
when he learn to do, then there
is to him the ground to start
from to do more. `Dos pou sto,'
said Archimedes. `Give me a fulcrum,
and I shall move the world!'
To do once, is the fulcrum whereby
child brain become man brain.
And until he have the purpose
to do more, he continue to do
the same again every time, just
as he have done before! Oh, my
dear, I see that your eyes are
opened, and that to you the lightning
flash show all the leagues,"for
Mrs. Harker began to clap her
hands and her eyes sparkled.
He went on, "Now you shall
speak. Tell us two dry men of
science what you see with those
so bright eyes." He took her
hand and held it whilst he spoke.
His finger and thumb closed on
her pulse, as I thought instinctively
and unconsciously, as she spoke.
"The Count
is a criminal and of criminal
type. Nordau and
Lombroso would so classify him,
and qua criminal he is of an
imperfectly formed mind. Thus,
in a difficulty he has to seek
resource in habit. His past is
a clue, and the one page of it
that we know, and that from his
own lips, tells that once before,
when in what Mr. Morris would
call a`tight place,' he went
back to his own country from
the land he had tried to invade,
and thence, without losing purpose,
prepared himself for a new effort.
He came again better equipped
for his work, and won. So he
came to London to invade a new
land. He was beaten, and when
all hope of success was lost,
and his existence in danger,
he fled back over the sea to
his home. Just as formerly he
had fled back over the Danube
from Turkey Land."
"Good, good! Oh, you so clever
lady!" said Van Helsing, enthusiastically,
as he stooped and kissed her
hand. A moment later he said
to me, as calmly as though we
had been having a sick room consultation, "Seventy-two
only, and in all this excitement.
I have hope."
Turning to
her again, he said with keen
expectation, "But go
on. Go on! There is more to tell
if you will. Be not afraid. John
and I know. I do in any case,
and shall tell you if you are
right. Speak, without fear!"
"I will try
to. But you will forgive me
if I seem too egotistical."
"Nay! Fear
not, you must be egotist, for
it is of you that
we think."
"Then, as he
is criminal he is selfish.
And as his intellect
is small and his action is based
on selfishness, he confines himself
to one purpose. That purpose
is remorseless. As he fled back
over the Danube, leaving his
forces to be cut to pieces, so
now he is intent on being safe,
careless of all. So his own selfishness
frees my soul somewhat from the
terrible power which he acquired
over me on that dreadful night.
I felt it! Oh, I felt it! Thank
God, for His great mercy! My
soul is freer than it has been
since that awful hour. And all
that haunts me is a fear lest
in some trance or dream he may
have used my knowledge for his
ends."
The Professor
stood up, "He
has so used your mind, and by
it he has left us here in Varna,
whilst the ship that carried
him rushed through enveloping
fog up to Galatz, where, doubtless,
he had made preparation for escaping
from us. But his child mind only
saw so far. And it may be that
as ever is in God's Providence,
the very thing that the evil
doer most reckoned on for his
selfish good, turns out to be
his chiefest harm. The hunter
is taken in his own snare, as
the great Psalmist says. For
now that he think he is free
from every trace of us all, and
that he has escaped us with so
many hours to him, then his selfish
child brain will whisper him
to sleep. He think, too, that
as he cut himself off from knowing
your mind, there can be no knowledge
of him to you. There is where
he fail! That terrible baptism
of blood which he give you makes
you free to go to him in spirit,
as you have as yet done in your
times of freedom, when the sun
rise and set. At such times you
go by my volition and not by
his. And this power to good of
you and others, you have won
from your suffering at his hands.
This is now all more precious
that he know it not, and to guard
himself have even cut himself
off from his knowledge of our
where. We, however, are not selfish,
and we believe that God is with
us through all this blackness,
and these many dark hours. We
shall follow him, and we shall
not flinch. Even if we peril
ourselves that we become like
him. Friend John, this has been
a great hour, and it have done
much to advance us on our way.
You must be scribe and write
him all down, so that when the
others return from their work
you can give it to them, then
they shall know as we do."
And so I have written it whilst
we wait their return, and Mrs.
Harker has written with the typewriter
all since she brought the MS
to us. |