Dracula by Bram Stoker(15)

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 honour and glory of God.’
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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.
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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
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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 dishonour 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.
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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,
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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
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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 dishonour 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.’
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‘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
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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 honour. 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.’
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‘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
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occasion 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
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look that she turned on me as she spoke, and if there be
indeed a Recording Angel that look is noted to her everlasting
honour. 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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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‘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,
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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!’
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‘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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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.
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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
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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
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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, icecold
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
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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.
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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
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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.’
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‘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!’
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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
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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!’
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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.
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‘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
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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.
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‘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, ‘Seventytwo
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!’
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‘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
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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.’
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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.
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Chapter 26
DR. SEWARD’S DIARY
29 October.—This is written in the train from Varna to
Galatz. Last night we all assembled a little before the time
of sunset. Each of us had done his work as well as he
could, so far as thought, and endeavour, and opportunity
go, we are prepared for the whole of our journey, and for
our work when we get to Galatz. When the usual time
came round Mrs. Harker prepared herself for her hypnotic
effort, and after a longer and more serious effort on the
part of Van Helsing than has been usually necessary, she
sank into the trance. Usually she speaks on a hint, but this
time the Professor had to ask her questions, and to ask
them pretty resolutely, before we could learn anything. At
last her answer came.
‘I can see nothing. We are still. There are no waves
lapping, but only a steady swirl of water softly running
against the hawser. I can hear men’s voices calling, near
and far, and the roll and creak of oars in the rowlocks. A
gun is fired somewhere, the echo of it seems far away.
There is tramping of feet overhead, and ropes and chains
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are dragged along. What is this? There is a gleam of light. I
can feel the air blowing upon me.’
Here she stopped. She had risen, as if impulsively, from
where she lay on the sofa, and raised both her hands,
palms upwards, as if lifting a weight. Van Helsing and I
looked at each other with understanding. Quincey raised
his eyebrows slightly and looked at her intently, whilst
Harker’s hand instinctively closed round the hilt of his
Kukri. There was a long pause. We all knew that the time
when she could speak was passing, but we felt that it was
useless to say anything.
Suddenly she sat up, and as she opened her eyes said
sweetly, ‘Would none of you like a cup of tea? You must
all be so tired!’