DR. SEWARD'S PHONOGRAPH DIARY
SPOKEN BY VAN HELSING
This to Jonathan Harker.
You are to stay with your dear
Madam Mina. We shall go to make
our search, if I can call it
so, for it is not search but
knowing, and we seek confirmation
only. But do you stay and take
care of her today. This is your
best and most holiest office.
This day nothing can find him
here.
Let me tell you that so you
will know what we four know already,
for I have tell them. He, our
enemy, have gone away. He have
gone back to his Castle in Transylvania.
I know it so well, as if a great
hand of fire wrote it on the
wall. He have prepare for this
in some way, and that last earth
box was ready to ship somewheres.
For this he took the money. For
this he hurry at the last, lest
we catch him before the sun go
down. It was his last hope, save
that he might hide in the tomb
that he think poor Miss Lucy,
being as he thought like him,
keep open to him. But there was
not of time. When that fail he
make straight for his last resource,
his last earthwork I might say
did I wish double entente. He
is clever, oh so clever! He know
that his game here was finish.
And so he decide he go back home.
He find ship going by the route
he came, and he go in it.
We go off now to find what
ship, and whither bound. When
we have discover that, we come
back and tell you all. Then we
will comfort you and poor Madam
Mina with new hope. For it will
be hope when you think it over,
that all is not lost. This very
creature that we pursue, he take
hundreds of years to get so far
as London. And yet in one day,
when we know of the disposal
of him we drive him out. He is
finite, though he is powerful
to do much harm and suffers not
as we do. But we are strong,
each in our purpose, and we are
all more strong together. Take
heart afresh, dear husband of
Madam Mina. This battle is but
begun and in the end we shall
win. So sure as that God sits
on high to watch over His children.
Therefore be of much comfort
till we return.
VAN HELSING.
JONATHAN HARKER'S JOURNAL
4 October.--When I read to
Mina, Van Helsing's message in
the phonograph, the poor girl
brightened up considerably. Already
the certainty that the Count
is out of the country has given
her comfort. And comfort is strength
to her. For my own part, now
that his horrible danger is not
face to face with us, it seems
almost impossible to believe
in it. Even my own terrible experiences
in Castle Dracula seem like a
long forgotten dream. Here in
the crisp autumn air in the bright
sunlight.
Alas! How can I disbelieve!
In the midst of my thought my
eye fell on the red scar on my
poor darling's white forehead.
Whilst that lasts, there can
be no disbelief. Mina and I fear
to be idle, so we have been over
all the diaries again and again.
Somehow, although the reality
seem greater each time, the pain
and the fear seem less. There
is something of a guiding purpose
manifest throughout, which is
comforting. Mina says that perhaps
we are the instruments of ultimate
good. It may be! I shall try
to think as she does. We have
never spoken to each other yet
of the future. It is better to
wait till we see the Professor
and the others after their investigations.
The day is running by more
quickly than I ever thought a
day could run for me again. It
is now three o'clock.
MINA HARKER'S JOURNAL
5 October, 5 p. m.--Our meeting
for report. Present: Professor
Van Helsing, Lord Godalming,
Dr. Seward, Mr. Quincey Morris,
Jonathan Harker, Mina Harker.
Dr. Van Helsing described what
steps were taken during the day
to discover on what boat and
whither bound Count Dracula made
his escape.
"As I knew
that he wanted to get back
to Transylvania, I felt
sure that he must go by the Danube
mouth, or by somewhere in the
Black Sea, since by that way
he come. It was a dreary blank
that was before us. Omme Ignotum
pro magnifico. And so with heavy
hearts we start to find what
ships leave for the Black Sea
last night. He was in sailing
ship, since Madam Mina tell of
sails being set. These not so
important as to go in your list
of the shipping in the Times,
and so we go, by suggestion of
Lord Godalming, to your Lloyd's,
where are note of all ships that
sail, however so small. There
we find that only one Black Sea
bound ship go out with the tide.
She is the Czarina Catherine,
and she sail from Doolittle's
Wharf for Varna, and thence to
other ports and up the Danube.
`So!' said I, `this is the ship
whereon is the Count.' So off
we go to Doolittle's Wharf, and
there we find a man in an office.
From him we inquire o f the goings
of the Czarina Catherine. He
swear much, and he red face and
loud of voice, but he good fellow
all the same. And when Quincey
give him something from his pocket
which crackle as he roll it up,
and put it in a so small bag
which he have hid deep in his
clothing, he still better fellow
and humble servant to us. He
come with us, and ask many men
who are rough and hot. These
be better fellows too when they
have been no more thirsty. They
say much of blood and bloom,
and of others which I comprehend
not, though I guess what they
mean. But nevertheless they tell
us all things which we want to
know.
"They make
known to us among them, how
last afternoon at about
five o'clock comes a man so hurry.
A tall man, thin and pale, with
high nose and teeth so white,
and eyes that seem to be burning.
That he be all in black, except
that he have a hat of straw which
suit not him or the time. That
he scatter his money in making
quick inquiry as to what ship
sails for the Black Sea and for
where. Some took him to the office
and then to the ship, where he
will not go aboard but halt at
shore end of gangplank, and ask
that the captain come to him.
The captain come, when told that
he will be pay well, and though
he swear much at the first he
agree to term. Then the thin
man go and some one tell him
where horse and cart can be hired.
He go there and soon he come
again, himself driving cart on
which a great box. This he himself
lift down, though it take several
to put it on truck for the ship.
He give much talk to captain
as to how and where his box is
to be place. But the captain
like it not and swear at him
in many tongues, and tell him
that if he like he can come and
see where it shall be. But he
say `no,' that he come not yet,
for that he have much to do.
Whereupon the captain tell him
that he had better be quick,
with blood, for that his ship
will leave the place, of blood,
before the turn of the tide,
with blood. Then the thin man
smile and say that of course
he must go when he think fit,
but he will be surprise if he
go quite so soon. The captain
swear again, polyglot, and the
thin man make him bow, and thank
him, and say that he will so
far intrude on his kindness as
to come aboard before the sailing.
Final the captain, more red than
ever, and in more tongues, tell
him that he doesn't want no Frenchmen,
with bloom upon them and also
with blood, in his ship, with
blood on her also. And so, after
asking where he might purchase
ship forms, he departed.
"No one knew
where he went `or bloomin'
well cared' as they
said, for they had something
else to think of, well with blood
again. For it soon became apparent
to all that the Czarina Catherine
would not sail as was expected.
A thin mist began to creep up
from the river, and it grew,
and grew. Till soon a dense fog
enveloped the ship and all around
her. The captain swore polyglot,
very polyglot, polyglot with
bloom and blood, but he could
do nothing. The water rose and
rose, and he began to fear that
he would lose the tide altogether.
He was in no friendly mood, when
just at full tide, the thin man
came up the gangplank again and
asked to see where his box had
been stowed. Then the captain
replied that he wished that he
and his box, old and with much
bloom and blood, were in hell.
But the thin man did not be offend,
and went down with the mate and
saw where it was place, and came
up and stood awhile on deck in
fog. He must have come off by
himself, for none notice him.
Indeed they thought not of him,
for soon the fog begin to melt
away, and all was clear again.
My friends of the thirst and
the language that was of bloom
and blood laughed, as they told
how the captain's swears exceeded
even his usual polyglot, and
was more than ever full of picturesque,
when on questioning other mariners
who were on movement up and down
the river that hour, he found
that few of them had seen any
of fog at all, except where it
lay round the wharf. However,
the ship went out on the ebb
tide, and was doubtless by morning
far down the river mouth. She
was then, when they told us,
well out to sea.
"And so, my
dear Madam Mina, it is that
we have to rest for
a time, for our enemy is on the
sea, with the fog at his command,
on his way to the Danube mouth.
To sail a ship takes time, go
she never so quick. And when
we start to go on land more quick,
and we meet him there. Our best
hope is to come on him when in
the box between sunrise and sunset.
For then he can make no struggle,
and we may deal with him as we
should. There are days for us,
in which we can make ready our
plan. We know all about where
he go. For we have seen the owner
of the ship, who have shown us
invoices and all papers that
can be. The box we seek is to
be landed in Varna, and to be
given to an agent, one Ristics
who will there present his credentials.
And so our merchant friend will
have done his part. When he ask
if there be any wrong, for that
so, he can telegraph and have
inquiry made at Varna, we say
`no,' for what is to be done
is not for police or of the customs.
It must be done by us alone and
in our own way."
When Dr. Van
Helsing had done speaking,
I asked him if he were
certain that the Count had remained
on board the ship. He replied, "We
have the best proof of that,
your own evidence, when in the
hypnotic trance this morning."
I asked him again if it were
really necessary that they should
pursue the Count, for oh! I dread
Jonathan leaving me, and I know
that he would surely go if the
others went. He answered in growing
passion, at first quietly. As
he went on, however, he grew
more angry and more forceful,
till in the end we could not
but see wherein was at least
some of that personal dominance
which made him so long a master
amongst men.
"Yes, it is
necessary, necessary, necessary!
For your sake in the
first, and then for the sake
of humanity. This monster has
done much harm already, in the
narrow scope where he find himself,
and in the short time when as
yet he was only as a body groping
his so small measure in darkness
and not knowing. All this have
I told these others. You, my
dear Madam Mina, will learn it
in the phonograph of my friend
John, or in that of your husband.
I have told them how the measure
of leaving his own barren land,
barren of peoples,and coming
to a new land where life of man
teems till they are like the
multitude of standing corn, was
the work of centuries. Were another
of the Undead, like him, to try
to do what he has done, perhaps
not all the centuries of the
world that have been, or that
will be, could aid him. With
this one, all the forces of nature
that are occult and deep and
strong must have worked together
in some wonderous way. The very
place, where he have been alive,
Undead for all these centuries,
is full of strangeness of the
geologic and chemical world.
There are deep caverns and fissures
that reach none know whither.
There have been volcanoes, some
of whose openings still send
out waters of strange properties,
and gases that kill or make to
vivify. Doubtless, there is something
magnetic or electric in some
of these combinations of occult
forces which work for physical
life in strange way, and in himself
were from the first some great
qualities. In a hard and warlike
time he was celebrate that he
have more iron nerve, more subtle
brain, more braver heart, than
any man. In him some vital principle
have in strange way found their
utmost. And as his body keep
strong and grow and thrive, so
his brain grow too. All this
without that diabolic aid which
is surely to him. For it have
to yield to the powers that come
from, and are, symbolic of good.
And now this is what he is to
us. He have infect you, oh forgive
me, my dear, that I must say
such, but it is for good of you
that I speak. He infect you in
such wise, that even if he do
no more, you have only to live,
to live in your own old, sweet
way, and so in time, death, which
is of man's common lot and with
God's sanction, shall make you
like to him. This must not be!
We have sworn together that it
must not. Thus are we ministers
of God's own wish. That the world,
and men for whom His Son die,
will not be given over to monsters,
whose very existence would defame
Him. He have allowed us to redeem
one soul already, and we go out
as the old knights of the Cross
to redeem more. Like them we
shall travel towards the sunrise.
And like them, if we fall, we
fall in good cause."
He paused and
I said, "But
will not the Count take his rebuff
wisely? Since he has been driven
from England, will he not avoid
it, as a tiger does the village
from which he has been hunted?"
"Aha!" he said, "your
simile of the tiger good, for
me, and
I shall adopt him. Your maneater,
as they of India call the tiger
who has once tasted blood of
the human, care no more for the
other prey, but prowl unceasing
till he get him. This that we
hunt from our village is a tiger,
too, a maneater, and he never
cease to prowl. Nay, in himself
he is not one to retire and stay
afar. In his life, his living
life, he go over the Turkey frontier
and attack his enemy on his own
ground. He be beaten back, but
did he stay? No! He come again,
and again, and again. Look at
his persistence and endurance.
With the child-brain that was
to him he have long since conceive
the idea of coming to a great
city. What does he do? He find
out the place of all the world
most of promise for him. Then
he deliberately set himself down
to prepare for the task. He find
in patience just how is his strength,
and what are his powers. He study
new tongues. He learn new social
life, new environment of old
ways, the politics, the law,
the finance, the science, the
habit of a new land and a new
people who have come to be since
he was. His glimpse that he have
had, whet his appetite only and
enkeen his desire. Nay, it help
him to grow as to his brain.
For it all prove to him how right
he was at the first in his surmises.
He have done this alone, all
alone! From a ruin tomb in a
forgotten land. What more may
he not do when the greater world
of thought is open to him. He
that can smile at death, as we
know him. Who can flourish in
the midst of diseases that kill
off whole peoples. Oh! If such
an one was to come from God,
and not the Devil, what a force
for good might he not be in this
old world of ours. But we are
pledged to set the world free.
Our toil must be in silence,
and our efforts all in secret.
For in this enlightened age,
when men believe not even what
they see, the doubting of wise
men would be his greatest strength.
It would be at once his sheath
and his armor, and his weapons
to destroy us, his enemies, who
are willing to peril even our
own souls for the safety of one
we love. For the good of mankind,
and for the honor and glory of
God."
After a general discussion
it was determined that for tonight
nothing be definitely settled.
That we should all sleep on the
facts, and try to think out the
proper conclusions. Tomorrow,
at breakfast, we are to meet
again, and after making our conclusions
known to one another, we shall
decide on some definite cause
of action . . .
I feel a wonderful peace and
rest tonight. It is as if some
haunting presence were removed
from me. Perhaps . . .
My surmise was not finished,
could not be, for I caught sight
in the mirror of the red mark
upon my forehead, and I knew
that I was still unclean.
DR. SEWARD'S DIARY
5 October.--We all arose early,
and I think that sleep did much
for each and all of us. When
we met at early breakfast there
was more general cheerfulness
than any of us had ever expected
to experience again.
It is really
wonderful how much resilience
there is in human
nature. Let any obstructing cause,
no matter what, be removed in
any way, even by death, and we
fly back to first principles
of hope and enjoyment. More than
once as we sat around the table,
my eyes opened in wonder whether
the whole of the past days had
not been a dream. It was only
when I caught sight of the red
blotch on Mrs. Harker's forehead
that I was brought back to reality.
Even now, when I am gravely revolving
the matter, it is almost impossible
to realize that the cause of
all our trouble is still existent.
Even Mrs. Harker seems to lose
sight of her trouble for whole
spells. It is only now and again,
when something recalls it to
her mind, that she thinks of
her terrible scar. We are to
meet here in my study in half
an hour and decide on our course
of action. I see only one immediate
difficulty, I know it by instinct
rather than reason. We shall
all have to speak frankly. And
yet I fear that in some mysterious
way poor Mrs. Harker's tongue
is tied. I know that she forms
conclusions of her own, and from
all that has been I can guess
how brilliant and how true they
must be. But she will not, or
cannot, give them utterance.
I have mentioned this to Van
Helsing, and he and I are to
talk it over when we are alone.
I suppose it is some of that
horrid poison which has got into
her veins beginning to work.
The Count had his own purposes
when he gave her what Van Helsing
called "the Vampire's baptism
of blood." Well, there may be
a poison that distills itself
out of good things. In an age
when the existence of ptomaines
is a mystery we should not wonder
at anything! One thing I know,
that if my instinct be true regarding
poor Mrs. Harker's silences,
then there is a terrible difficulty,
an unknown danger, in the work
before us. The same power that
compels her silence may compel
her speech. I dare not think
further, for so I should in my
thoughts dishonor a noble woman!
Later.--When
the Professor came in, we talked
over the state
of things. I could see that he
had something on his mind, which
he wanted to say, but felt some
hesitancy about broaching the
subject. After beating about
the bush a little, he said,"Friend
John, there is something that
you and I must talk of alone,
just at the first at any rate.
Later, we may have to take the
others into our confidence."
Then he stopped,
so I waited. He went on, "Madam
Mina, our poor, dear Madam
Mina is changing."
A cold shiver ran through me
to find my worst fears thus endorsed.
Van Helsing continued.
"With the sad
experience of Miss Lucy, we
must this time
be warned before things go too
far. Our task is now in reality
more difficult than ever, and
this new trouble makes every
hour of the direst importance.
I can see the characteristics
of the vampire coming in her
face. It is now but very, very
slight. But it is to be seen
if we have eyes to notice without
prejudge. Her teeth are sharper,
and at times her eyes are more
hard. But these are not all,
there is to her the silence now
often, as so it was with Miss
Lucy. She did not speak, even
when she wrote that which she
wished to be known later. Now
my fear is this. If it be that
she can, by our hypnotic trance,
tell what the Count see and hear,
is it not more true that he who
have hypnotize her first, and
who have drink of her very blood
and make her drink of his, should
if he will, compel her mind to
disclose to him that which she
know?"
I nodded acquiescence.
He went on, "Then, what we
must do is to prevent this.
We must keep
her ignorant of our intent, and
so she cannot tell what she know
not. This is a painful task!
Oh, so painful that it heartbreak
me to think of it, but it must
be. When today we meet, I must
tell her that for reason which
we will not to speak she must
not more be of our council, but
be simply guarded by us."
He wiped his forehead, which
had broken out in profuse perspiration
at the thought of the pain which
he might have to inflict upon
the poor soul already so tortured.
I knew that it would be some
sort of comfort to him if I told
him that I also had come to the
same conclusion. For at any rate
it would take away the pain of
doubt. I told him, and the effect
was as I expected.
It is now close to the time
of our general gathering. Van
Helsing has gone away to prepare
for the meeting, and his painful
part of it. I really believe
his purpose is to be able to
pray alone.
Later.--At the very outset
of our meeting a great personal
relief was experienced by both
Van Helsing and myself. Mrs.
Harker had sent a message by
her husband to say that she would
not join us at present, as she
thought it better that we should
be free to discuss our movements
without her presence to embarrass
us. The Professor and I looked
at each other for an instant,
and somehow we both seemed relieved.
For my own part, I thought that
if Mrs. Harker realized the danger
herself, it was much pain as
well as much danger averted.
Under the circumstances we agreed,
by a questioning look and answer,
with finger on lip, to preserve
silence in our suspicions, until
we should have been able to confer
alone again. We went at once
into our Plan of Campaign.
Van Helsing
roughly put the facts before
us first,"The Czarina
Catherine left the Thames yesterday
morning. It will take her at
the quickest speed she has ever
made at least three weeks to
reach Varna. But we can travel
overland to the same place in
three days. Now, if we allow
for two days less for the ship's
voyage, owing to such weather
influences as we know that the
Count can bring to bear, and
if we allow a whole day and night
for any delays which may occur
to us, then we have a margin
of nearly two weeks.
"Thus, in order
to be quite safe, we must leave
here on 17th
at latest. Then we shall at any
rate be in Varna a day before
the ship arrives, and able to
make such preparations as may
be necessary. Of course we shall
all go armed, armed against evil
things, spiritual as well as
physical."
Here Quincey
Morris added,"I
understand that the Count comes
from a wolf country, and it may
be that he shall get there before
us. I propose that we add Winchesters
to our armament. I have a kind
of belief in a Winchester when
there is any trouble of that
sort around. Do you remember,
Art, when we had the pack after
us at Tobolsk?What wouldn't we
have given then for a repeater
apiece!"
"Good!" said Van Helsing, "Winchesters
it shall be. Quincey's head is
level at times, but most so when
there is to hunt, metaphor be
more dishonor to science than
wolves be of danger to man. In
the meantime we can do nothing
here. And as I think that Varna
is not familiar to any of us,
why not go there more soon? It
is as long to wait here as there.
Tonight and tomorrow we can get
ready, and then if all be well,
we four can set out on our journey."
"We four?" said
Harker interrogatively, looking
from one to another of
us.
"Of course!" answered the Professor
quickly. "You must remain to
take care of your so sweet wife!"
Harker was
silent for awhile and then
said in a hollow voice, "Let
us talk of that part of it in
the morning. I want to consult
with Mina."
I thought that now was the
time for Van Helsing to warn
him not to disclose our plan
to her, but he took no notice.
I looked at him significantly
and coughed.For answer he put
his finger to his lips and turned
away.
JONATHAN HARKER'S JOURNAL
October, afternoon.--For some
time after our meeting this morning
I could not think. The new phases
of things leave my mind in a
state of wonder which allows
no room for active thought. Mina's
determination not to take any
part in the discussion set me
thinking. And as I could not
argue the matter with her, I
could only guess. I am as far
as ever from a solution now.
The way the others received it,
too puzzled me. The last time
we talked of the subject we agreed
that there was to be no more
concealment of anything amongst
us. Mina is sleeping now, calmly
and sweetly like a little child.
Her lips are curved and her face
beams with happiness. Thank God,
there are such moments still
for her.
Later.--How strange it all
is. I sat watching Mina's happy
sleep, and I came as near to
being happy myself as I suppose
I shall ever be. As the evening
drew on, and the earth took its
shadows from the sun sinking
lower, the silence of the room
grew more and more solemn to
me.
All at once
Mina opened her eyes, and looking
at me tenderly
said, "Jonathan, I want you to
promise me something on your
word of honor. A promise made
to me, but made holily in God's
hearing, and not to be broken
though I should go down on my
knees and implore you with bitter
tears. Quick, you must make it
to me at once."
"Mina," I said, "a
promise like that, I cannot
make at once.
I may have no right to make it."
"But, dear one," she said,
with such spiritual intensity
that her eyes were like pole
stars, "it is I who wish it.
And it is not for myself. You
can ask Dr. Van Helsing if I
am not right. If he disagrees
you may do as you will. Nay,
more if you all agree, later
you are absolved from the promise."
"I promise!"I
said, and for a moment she
looked supremely
happy. Though to me all happiness
for her was denied by the red
scar on her forehead.
She said, "Promise me that
you will not tell me anything
of the plans formed for the campaign
against the Count. Not by word,
or inference, or implication,
not at any time whilst this remains
to me!" And she solemnly pointed
to the scar. I saw that she was
in earnest, and said solemnly, "I
promise!" and as I said it I
felt that from that instant a
door had been shut between us.
Later, midnight.--Mina has
been bright and cheerful all
the evening. So much so that
all the rest seemed to take courage,
as if infected somewhat with
her gaiety. As a result even
I myself felt as if the pall
of gloom which weighs us down
were somewhat lifted. We all
retired early. Mina is now sleeping
like a little child. It is wonderful
thing that her faculty of sleep
remains to her in the midst of
her terrible trouble. Thank God
for it, for then at least she
can forget her care. Perhaps
her example may affect me as
her gaiety did tonight. I shall
try it. Oh! For a dreamless sleep.
6 October, morning.--Another
surprise. Mina woke me early,
about the same time as yesterday,
and asked me to bring Dr. Van
Helsing. I thought that it was
another occassion for hypnotism,
and without question went for
the Professor. He had evidently
expected some such call, for
I found him dressed in his room.
His door was ajar, so that he
could hear the opening of the
door of our room. He came at
once. As he passed into the room,
he asked Mina if the others might
come, too.
"No," she said quite simply, "it
will not be necessary. You can
tell them just as well. I must
go with you on your journey."
Dr. Van Helsing
was as startled as I was. After
a moment's pause
he asked, "But why?"
"You must take
me with you. I am safer with
you, and you
shall be safer, too."
"But why, dear Madam Mina?
You know that your safety is
our solemnest duty. We go into
danger, to which you are, or
may be, more liable than any
of us from . . . from circumstances
. . . things that have been." He
paused embarrassed.
As she replied,
she raised her finger and pointed
to her
forehead. "I know. That is why
I must go. I can tell you now,
whilst the sun is coming up.
I may not be able again. I know
that when the Count wills me
I must go. I know that if he
tells me to come in secret, I
must by wile. By any device to
hoodwink, even Jonathan." God
saw the look that she turned
on me as she spoke, and if there
be indeed a Recording Angel that
look is noted to her ever-lasting
honor. I could only clasp her
hand. I could not speak. My emotion
was too great for even the relief
of tears.
She went on. "You
men are brave and strong. You
are strong in
your numbers, for you can defy
that which would break down the
human endurance of one who had
to guard alone. Besides, I may
be of service, since you can
hypnotize me and so learn that
which even I myself do not know."
Dr. Van Helsing
said gravely, "Madam
Mina, you are, as always, most
wise. You shall with us come.
And together we shall do that
which we go forth to achieve."
When he had spoken, Mina's
long spell of silence made me
look at her. She had fallen back
on her pillow asleep. She did
not even wake when I had pulled
up the blind and let in the sunlight
which flooded the room. Van Helsing
motioned to me to come with him
quietly. We went to his room,
and within a minute Lord Godalming,
Dr. Seward, and Mr. Morris were
with us also.
He told them
what Mina had said, and went
on. "In the morning
we shall leave for Varna. We
have now to deal with a new factor,
Madam Mina. Oh, but her soul
is true. It is to her an agony
to tell us so much as she has
done. But it is most right, and
we are warned in time. There
must be no chance lost, and in
Varna we must be ready to act
the instant when that ship arrives."
"What shall we do exactly?"asked
Mr. Morris laconically.
The Professor
paused before replying, "We
shall at the first board that
ship. Then, when we
have identified the box, we shall
place a branch of the wild rose
on it. This we shall fasten,
for when it is there none can
emerge, so that at least says
the superstition. And to superstition
must we trust at the first. It
was man's faith in the early,
and it have its root in faith
still. Then, when we get the
opportunity that we seek, when
none are near to see, we shall
open the box, and . . . and all
will be well."
"I shall not wait for any opportunity," said
Morris. "When I see the box I
shall open it and destroy the
monster, though there were a
thousand men looking on, and
if I am to be wiped out for it
the next moment!" I grasped his
hand instinctively and found
it as firm as a piece of steel.
I think he understood my look.
I hope he did.
"Good boy," said Dr. Van Helsing. "Brave
boy. Quincey is all man. God
bless him for it. My child, believe
me none of us shall lag behind
or pause from any fear. I do
but say what we may do . . .
what we must do. But, indeed,
indeed we cannot say what we
may do. There are so many things
which may happen, and their ways
and their ends are so various
that until the moment we may
not say. We shall all be armed,
in all ways. And when the time
for the end has come, our effort
shall not be lack. Now let us
today put all our affairs in
order. Let all things which touch
on others dear to us, and who
on us depend, be complete. For
none of us can tell what, or
when, or how, the end may be.
As for me, my own affairs are
regulate, and as I have nothing
else to do, I shall go make arrangements
for the travel. I shall have
all tickets and so forth for
our journey."
There was nothing further to
be said, and we parted. I shall
now settle up all my affairs
of earth, and be ready for whatever
may come.
Later.--It is done. My will
is made, and all complete. Mina
if she survive is my sole heir.
If it should not be so, then
the others who have been so good
to us shall have remainder.
It is now drawing towards the
sunset. Mina's uneasiness calls
my attention to it. I am sure
that there is something on her
mind which the time of exact
sunset will reveal. These occasions
are becoming harrowing times
for us all. For each sunrise
and sunset opens up some new
danger, some new pain, which
however, may in God's will be
means to a good end. I write
all these things in the diary
since my darling must not hear
them now. But if it may be that
she can see them again, they
shall be ready. She is calling
to me. |