Chapter Twenty Five

CHAPTER 25


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, preceded
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 hotch-pot." 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 questioningly, 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 fast-falling 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 colour 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 favouring 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 colour, 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 ask 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, have 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 predestinate 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.


[Please take a moment and check out my free vampire story, The Vampire's Daughter.]