第9章

CHAPTER15

DR。SEWARD\'SDIARY-cont。

Forawhilesheerangermasteredme。ItwasasifhehadduringherlifestruckLucyontheface。IsmotethetablehardandroseupasIsaidtohim，“Dr。VanHelsing，areyoumad？”

Heraisedhisheadandlookedatme，andsomehowthetendernessofhisfacecalmedmeatonce。“WouldIwere！”hesaid。

“Madnesswereeasytobearcomparedwithtruthlikethis。

Oh，myfriend，whey，thinkyou，didIgosofarround，whytakesolongtotellsosimpleathing？

WasitbecauseIhateyouandhavehatedyouallmylife？

WasitbecauseIwishedtogiveyoupain？WasitthatIwanted，nosolate，revengeforthattimewhenyousavedmylife，andfromafearfuldeath？Ahno！”

“Forgiveme，“saidI。

Hewenton，“Myfriend，itwasbecauseIwishedtobegentleinthebreakingtoyou，forIknowyouhavelovedthatsosweetlady。

ButevenyetIdonotexpectyoutobelieve。Itissohardtoacceptatonceanyabstracttruth，thatwemaydoubtsuchtobepossiblewhenwehavealwaysbelievedthe`no\'ofit。

Itismorehardstilltoacceptsosadaconcretetruth，andofsuchaoneasMissLucy。TonightIgotoproveit。

Dareyoucomewithme？”

Thisstaggeredme。Amandoesnotliketoprovesuchatruth，Byronexceptedfromthecatagory，jealousy。

“Andprovetheverytruthhemostabhorred。“

Hesawmyhesitation，andspoke，“Thelogicissimple，nomadman\'slogicthistime，jumpingfromtussocktotussockinamistybog。

Ifitnotbetrue，thenproofwillberelief。Atworstitwillnotharm。

Ifitbetrue！Ah，thereisthedread。Yeteverydreadshouldhelpmycause，forinitissomeneedofbelief。Come，ItellyouwhatIpropose。

First，thatwegooffnowandseethatchildinthehospital。Dr。Vincent，oftheNorthHospital，wherethepaperssaythechildis，isafriendofmine，andIthinkofyourssinceyouwereinclassatAmsterdam。

Hewilllettwoscientistsseehiscase，ifhewillnotlettwofriends。

Weshalltellhimnothing，butonlythatwewishtolearn。

Andthen……“

“Andthen？”

Hetookakeyfromhispocketandhelditup。“Andthenwespendthenight，youandI，inthechurchyardwhereLucylies。

Thisisthekeythatlockthetomb。IhaditfromthecoffinmantogivetoArthur。“

Myheartsankwithinme，forIfeltthattherewassomefearfulordealbeforeus。Icoulddonothing，however，soIpluckedupwhatheartIcouldandsaidthatwehadbetterhasten，astheafternoonwaspassing。

Wefoundthechildawake。Ithadhadasleepandtakensomefood，andaltogetherwasgoingonwell。Dr，Vincenttookthebandagefromitsthroat，andshowedusthepunctures。TherewasnomistakingthesimilaritytothosewhichhadbeenonLucy\'sthroat。

Theyweresmaller，andtheedgeslookedfresher，thatwasall。

WeaskedVincenttowhatheattributedthem，andherepliedthatitmusthavebeenabiteofsomeanimal，perhapsarat，butforhisownpart，hewasinclinedtothinkitwasoneofthebatswhicharesonumerousonthenorthernheightsofLondon。

“Outofsomanyharmlessones，“hesaid，“theremaybesomewildspecimenfromtheSouthofamoremalignantspecies。

Somesailormayhavebroughtonehome，anditmanagedtoescape，orevenfromtheZoologicalGardensayoungonemayhavegotloose，oronebebredtherefromavampire。

Thesethingsdooccur，you，know。Onlytendaysagoawolfgotout，andwas，Ibelieve，tracedupinthisdirection。

Foraweekafter，thechildrenwereplayingnothingbutRedRidingHoodontheHeathandineveryalleyintheplaceuntilthis`blooferlady\'scarecamealong，sincethenithasbeenquiteagalatimewiththem。Eventhispoorlittlemite，whenhewokeuptoday，askedthenurseifhemightgoaway。

Whensheaskedhimwhyhewantedtogo，hesaidhewantedtoplaywiththe`blooferlady\'。“

“Ihope，“saidVanHelsing，“thatwhenyouaresendingthechildhomeyouwillcautionitsparentstokeepstrictwatchoverit。

Thesefanciestostrayaremostdangerous，andifthechildweretoremainoutanothernight，itwouldprobablybefatal。

ButinanycaseIsupposeyouwillnotletitawayforsomedays？”

“Certainlynot，notforaweekatleast，longerifthewoundisnothealed。“

Ourvisittothehospitaltookmoretimethanwehadreckonedon，andthesunhaddippedbeforewecameout。

WhenVanHelsingsawhowdarkitwas，hesaid，“Thereisnothurry。ItismorelatethanIthought。

Come，letusseeksomewherethatwemayeat，andthenweshallgoonourway。“

Wedinedat`JackStraw\'sCastle\'alongwithalittlecrowdofbicyclistsandotherswhoweregeniallynoisy。Aboutteno\'clockwestartedfromtheinn。

Itwasthenverydark，andthescatteredlampsmadethedarknessgreaterwhenwewereonceoutsidetheirindividualradius。TheProfessorhadevidentlynotedtheroadweweretogo，forhewentonunhesitatingly，but，asforme，Iwasinquiteamixupastolocality。Aswewentfurther，wemetfewerandfewerpeople，tillatlastweweresomewhatsurprisedwhenwemeteventhepatrolofhorsepolicegoingtheirusualsuburbanround。

Atlastwereachedthewallofthechurchyard，whichweclimbedover。

Withsomelittledifficulty，foritwasverydark，andthewholeplaceseemedsostrangetous，wefoundtheWestenratomb。TheProfessortookthekey，openedthecreakydoor，andstandingback，politely，butquiteunconsciously，motionedmetoprecedehim。Therewasadeliciousironyintheoffer，inthecourtlinessofgivingpreferenceonsuchaghastlyoccasion。

Mycompanionfollowedmequickly，andcautiouslydrewthedoorto，aftercarefullyascertainingthatthelockwasafalling，andnotaspringone。Inthelattercaseweshouldhavebeeninabadplight。

Thenhefumbledinhisbag，andtakingoutamatchboxandapieceofcandle，proceededtomakealight。Thetombinthedaytime，andwhenwreathedwithfreshflowers，hadlookedgrimandgruesomeenough，butnow，somedaysafterwards，whentheflowershunglankanddead，theirwhitesturningtorustandtheirgreenstobrowns，whenthespiderandthebeetlehadresumedtheiraccustomeddominance，whenthetime-discoloredstone，anddust-encrustedmortar，andrusty，dankiron，andtarnishedbrass，andcloudedsilver-platinggavebackthefeebleglimmerofacandle，theeffectwasmoremiserableandsordidthancouldhavebeenimagined。

Itconveyedirresistiblytheideathatlife，animallife，wasnottheonlythingwhichcouldpassaway。

VanHelsingwentabouthisworksystematically。Holdinghiscandlesothathecouldreadthecoffinplates，andsoholdingitthatthespermdroppedinwhitepatcheswhichcongealedastheytouchedthemetal，hemadeassuranceofLucy\'scoffin。

Anothersearchinhisbag，andhetookoutaturnscrew。

“Whatareyougoingtodo？”Iasked。

“Toopenthecoffin。Youshallyetbeconvinced。“

Straightwayhebegantakingoutthescrews，andfinallyliftedoffthelid，showingthecasingofleadbeneath。Thesightwasalmosttoomuchforme。

Itseemedtobeasmuchanaffronttothedeadasitwouldhavebeentohavestrippedoffherclothinginhersleepwhilstliving。

Iactuallytookholdofhishandtostophim。

Heonlysaid，“Youshallsee，“andagainfumblinginhisbagtookoutatinyfretsaw。Strikingtheturnscrewthroughtheleadwithaswiftdownwardstab，whichmademewince，hemadeasmallhole，whichwas，however，bigenoughtoadmitthepointofthesaw。

Ihadexpectedarushofgasfromtheweek-oldcorpse。

Wedoctors，whohavehadtostudyourdangers，havetobecomeaccustomedtosuchthings，andIdrewbacktowardsthedoor。

ButtheProfessorneverstoppedforamoment。Hesaweddownacoupleoffeetalongonesideoftheleadcoffin，andthenacross，anddowntheotherside。Takingtheedgeofthelooseflange，hebentitbacktowardsthefootofthecoffin，andholdingupthecandleintotheaperture，motionedtometolook。

Idrewnearandlooked。Thecoffinwasempty。Itwascertainlyasurprisetome，andgavemeaconsiderableshock，butVanHelsingwasunmoved。

Hewasnowmoresurethaneverofhisground，andsoemboldenedtoproceedinhistask。“Areyousatisfiednow，friendJohn？”heasked。

IfeltallthedoggedargumentativenessofmynatureawakewithinmeasI

answeredhim，“IamsatisfiedthatLucy\'sbodyisnotinthatcoffin，butthatonlyprovesonething。“

“Andwhatisthat，friendJohn？”

“Thatitisnotthere。“

“Thatisgoodlogic，“hesaid，“sofarasitgoes。

Buthowdoyou，howcanyou，accountforitnotbeingthere？”

“Perhapsabody-snatcher，“Isuggested。“Someoftheundertaker\'speoplemayhavestolenit。“IfeltthatIwasspeakingfolly，andyetitwastheonlyrealcausewhichIcouldsuggest。

TheProfessorsighed。“Ahwell！”hesaid，“wemusthavemoreproof。

Comewithme。“

Heputonthecoffinlidagain，gatheredupallhisthingsandplacedtheminthebag，blewoutthelight，andplacedthecandlealsointhebag。

Weopenedthedoor，andwentout。Behindusheclosedthedoorandlockedit。Hehandedmethekey，saying，“Willyoukeepit？

Youhadbetterbeassured。“

Ilaughed，itwasnotaverycheerfullaugh，Iamboundtosay，asImotionedhimtokeepit。“Akeyisnothing，“Isaid，“theearemanyduplicates，andanyhowitisnotdifficulttopickalockofthiskind。“

Hesaidnothing，butputthekeyinhispocket。

Thenhetoldmetowatchatonesideofthechurchyardwhilsthewouldwatchattheother。

Itookupmyplacebehindayewtree，andIsawhisdarkfiguremoveuntiltheinterveningheadstonesandtreeshiditfrommysight。

Itwasalonelyvigil。JustafterIhadtakenmyplaceIheardadistantclockstriketwelve，andintimecameoneandtwo。

Iwaschilledandunnerved，andangrywiththeProfessorfortakingmeonsuchanerrandandwithmyselfforcoming。

Iwastoocoldandtoosleepytobekeenlyobservant，andnotsleepyenoughtobetraymytrust，soaltogetherI

hadadreary，miserabletime。

Suddenly，asIturnedround，IthoughtIsawsomethinglikeawhitestreak，movingbetweentwodarkyewtreesatthesideofthechurchyardfarthestfromthetomb。AtthesametimeadarkmassmovedfromtheProfessor\'ssideoftheground，andhurriedlywenttowardsit。ThenItoomoved，butIhadtogoroundheadstonesandrailed-offtombs，andIstumbledovergraves。

Theskywasovercast，andsomewherefaroffanearlycockcrew。

Alittlewaysoff，beyondalineofscatteredjunipertrees，whichmarkedthepathwaytothechurch，awhitedimfigureflittedinthedirectionofthetomb。Thetombitselfwashiddenbytrees，andIcouldnotseewherethefigurehaddisappeared。

IheardtherustleofactualmovementwhereIhadfirstseenthewhitefigure，andcomingover，foundtheProfessorholdinginhisarmsatinychild。Whenhesawmehehelditouttome，andsaid，“Areyousatisfiednow？”

“No，“Isaid，inawaythatIfeltwasaggressive。

“Doyounotseethechild？”

“Yes，itisachild，butwhobroughtithere？Andisitwounded？”

“Weshallsee，“saidtheProfessor，andwithoneimpulsewetookourwayoutofthechurchyard，hecarryingthesleepingchild。

Whenwehadgotsomelittledistanceaway，wewentintoaclumpoftrees，andstruckamatch，andlookedatthechild\'sthroat。

Itwaswithoutascratchorscarofanykind。

“WasIright？”Iaskedtriumphantly。

“Wewerejustintime，“saidtheProfessorthankfully。

Wehadnowtodecidewhatweweretodowiththechild，andsoconsultedaboutit。Ifweweretotakeittoapolicestationweshouldhavetogivesomeaccountofourmovementsduringthenight。

Atleast，weshouldhavehadtomakesomestatementastohowwehadcometofindthechild。SofinallywedecidedthatwewouldtakeittotheHeath，andwhenweheardapolicemancoming，wouldleaveitwherehecouldnotfailtofindit。Wewouldthenseekourwayhomeasquicklyaswecould。Allfelloutwell。

AttheedgeofHampsteadHeathweheardapoliceman\'sheavytramp，andlayingthechildonthepathway，wewaitedandwatcheduntilhesawitasheflashedhislanterntoandfro。Weheardhisexclamationofastonishment，andthenwewentawaysilently。

Bygoodchancewegotacabnearthe`Spainiards，\'anddrovetotown。

Icannotsleep，soImakethisentry。ButImusttrytogetafewhours\'sleep，asVanHelsingistocallformeatnoon。

HeinsiststhatIgowithhimonanotherexpedition。

27September——Itwastwoo\'clockbeforewefoundasuitableopportunityforourattempt。Thefuneralheldatnoonwasallcompleted，andthelaststragglersofthemournershadtakenthemselveslazilyaway，when，lookingcarefullyfrombehindaclumpofaldertrees，wesawthesextonlockthegateafterhim。

Weknewthatweweresafetillmorningdidwedesireit，buttheProfessortoldmethatweshouldnotwantmorethananhouratmost。

AgainIfeltthathorridsenseoftherealityofthings，inwhichanyeffortofimaginationseemedoutofplace，andIrealizeddistinctlytheperilsofthelawwhichwewereincurringinourunhallowedwork。

Besides，Ifeltitwasallsouseless。Outrageousasitwastoopenaleadencoffin，toseeifawomandeadnearlyaweekwerereallydead，itnowseemedtheheightoffollytoopenthetombagain，whenweknew，fromtheevidenceofourowneyesight，thatthecoffinwasempty。

Ishruggedmyshoulders，however，andrestedsilent，forVanHelsinghadawayofgoingonhisownroad，nomatterwhoremonstrated。

Hetookthekey，openedthevault，andagaincourteouslymotionedmetoprecede。Theplacewasnotsogruesomeaslastnight，butoh，howunutterablymeanlookingwhenthesunshinestreamedin。

VanHelsingwalkedovertoLucy\'scoffin，andIfollowed。

Hebentoverandagainforcedbacktheleadenflange，andashockofsurpriseanddismayshotthroughme。

TherelayLucy，seeminglyjustaswehadseenherthenightbeforeherfuneral。Shewas，ifpossible，moreradiantlybeautifulthanever，andIcouldnotbelievethatshewasdead。

Thelipswerered，nayredderthanbefore，andonthecheekswasadelicatebloom。

“Isthisajuggle？”Isaidtohim。

“Areyouconvincednow？”saidtheProfessor，inresponse，andashespokeheputoverhishand，andinawaythatmademeshudder，pulledbackthedeadlipsandshowedthewhiteteeth。

“See，“hewenton，“theyareevensharperthanbefore。

Withthisandthis，“andhetouchedoneofthecanineteethandthatbelowit，“thelittlechildrencanbebitten。

Areyouofbeliefnow，friendJohn？”

Oncemoreargumentativehostilitywokewithinme。Icouldnotacceptsuchanoverwhelmingideaashesuggested。So，withanattempttoargueofwhichIwasevenatthemomentashamed，Isaid，“Shemayhavebeenplacedheresincelastnight。“

“Indeed？Thatisso，andbywhom？”

“Idonotknow。Someonehasdoneit。“

“Andyetshehasbeendeadoneweek。Mostpeoplesinthattimewouldnotlookso。“

Ihadnoanswerforthis，sowassilent。VanHelsingdidnotseemtonoticemysilence。Atanyrate，heshowedneitherchagrinnortriumph。

Hewaslookingintentlyatthefaceofthedeadwoman，raisingtheeyelidsandlookingattheeyes，andoncemoreopeningthelipsandexaminingtheteeth。

Thenheturnedtomeandsaid，“Here，thereisonethingwhichisdifferentfromallrecorded。

Hereissomeduallifethatisnotasthecommon。Shewasbittenbythevampirewhenshewasinatrance，sleep-walking，oh，youstart。Youdonotknowthat，friendJohn，butyoushallknowitlater，andintrancecouldhebestcometotakemoreblood。

Intranceshedies，andintrancesheisUnDead，too。Soitisthatshedifferfromallother。UsuallywhentheUnDeadsleepathome，“ashespokehemadeacomprehensivesweepofhisarmtodesignatewhattoavampirewas`home\'，“theirfaceshowwhattheyare，butthissosweetthatwaswhenshenotUnDeadshegobacktothenothingsofthecommondead。

Thereisnomalignthere，see，andsoitmakehardthatImustkillherinhersleep。“

Thisturnedmybloodcold，anditbegantodawnuponmethatI

wasacceptingVanHelsing\'stheories。Butifshewerereallydead，whatwasthereofterrorintheideaofkillingher？

Helookedupatme，andevidentlysawthechangeinmyface，forhesaidalmostjoyously，“Ah，youbelievenow？”

Ianswered，“Donotpressmetoohardallatonce。Iamwillingtoaccept。

Howwillyoudothisbloodywork？”

“Ishallcutoffherheadandfillhermouthwithgarlic，andIshalldriveastakethroughherbody。“

ItmademeshuddertothinkofsomutilatingthebodyofthewomanwhomIhadloved。AndyetthefeelingwasnotsostrongasIhadexpected。

Iwas，infact，beginningtoshudderatthepresenceofthisbeing，thisUnDead，asVanHelsingcalledit，andtoloatheit。

Isitpossiblethatloveisallsubjective，orallobjective？

IwaitedaconsiderabletimeforVanHelsingtobegin，buthestoodasifwrappedinthought。Presentlyheclosedthecatchofhisbagwithasnap，andsaid，“Ihavebeenthinking，andhavemadeupmymindastowhatisbest。

IfIdidsimplyfollowmyincliningIwoulddonow，atthismoment，whatistobedone。Butthereareotherthingstofollow，andthingsthatarethousandtimesmoredifficultinthatthemwedonotknow。

Thisissimple。Shehaveyetnolifetaken，thoughthatisoftime，andtoactnowwouldbetotakedangerfromherforever。

ButthenwemayhavetowantArthur，andhowshallwetellhimofthis？

Ifyou，whosawthewoundsonLucy\'sthroat，andsawthewoundssosimilaronthechild\'satthehospital，ifyou，whosawthecoffinemptylastnightandfulltodaywithawomanwhohavenotchangeonlytobemoreroseandmorebeautifulinawholeweek，aftershedie，ifyouknowofthisandknowofthewhitefigurelastnightthatbroughtthechildtothechurchyard，andyetofyourownsensesyoudidnotbelieve，howthen，canIexpectArthur，whoknownoneofthosethings，tobelieve？

“HedoubtedmewhenItookhimfromherkisswhenshewasdying。

IknowhehasforgivenmebecauseinsomemistakenideaI

havedonethingsthatpreventhimsaygoodbyeasheought，andhemaythinkthatinsomemoremistakenideathiswomanwasburiedalive，andthatinmostmistakeofallwehavekilledher。

Hewillthenarguebackthatitiswe，mistakenones，thathavekilledherbyourideas，andsohewillbemuchunhappyalways。

Yethenevercanbesure，andthatistheworstofall。

Andhewillsometimesthinkthatshehelovedwasburiedalive，andthatwillpainthisdreamswithhorrorsofwhatshemusthavesuffered，andagain，hewillthinkthatwemayberight，andthathissobelovedwas，afterall，anUnDead。No！Itoldhimonce，andsincethenIlearnmuch。

Now，sinceIknowitisalltrue，ahundredthousandtimesmoredoIknowthathemustpassthroughthebitterwaterstoreachthesweet。He，poorfellow，musthaveonehourthatwillmaketheveryfaceofheavengrowblacktohim，thenwecanactforgoodallroundandsendhimpeace。

Mymindismadeup。Letusgo。Youreturnhomefortonighttoyourasylum，andseethatallbewell。Asforme，Ishallspendthenighthereinthischurchyardinmyownway。

TomorrownightyouwillcometometotheBerkeleyHotelattenoftheclock。IshallsendforArthurtocometoo，andalsothatsofineyoungmanofAmericathatgavehisblood。

Laterweshallallhaveworktodo。IcomewithyousofarasPiccadillyandtheredine，forImustbebackherebeforethesunset。“

Sowelockedthetombandcameaway，andgotoverthewallofthechurchyard，whichwasnotmuchofatask，anddrovebacktoPiccadilly。

NOTELEFTBYVANHELSINGINHISPORTMANTEAU，BERKELEYHOTELDIRECTEDTO

JOHNSEWARD，M。D。(NotDelivered)

27September“FriendJohn，“Iwritethisincaseanythingshouldhappen。Igoalonetowatchinthatchurchyard。ItpleasesmethattheUnDead，MissLucy，shallnotleavetonight，thatsoonthemorrownightshemaybemoreeager。ThereforeIshallfixsomethingsshelikenot，garlicandacrucifix，andsosealupthedoorofthetomb。

SheisyoungasUnDead，andwillheed。Moreover，theseareonlytopreventhercomingout。Theymaynotprevailonherwantingtogetin，forthentheUnDeadisdesperate，andmustfindthelineofleastresistance，whatsoeveritmaybe。

Ishallbeathandallthenightfromsunsettillaftersunrise，andiftherebeaughtthatmaybelearnedIshalllearnit。

ForMissLucyorfromher，Ihavenofear，butthatothertowhomistherethatsheisUnDead，hehavenotthepowertoseekhertombandfindshelter。Heiscunning，asIknowfromMr。JonathanandfromthewaythatallalonghehavefooleduswhenheplayedwithusforMissLucy\'slife，andwelost，andinmanywaystheUnDeadarestrong。

Hehavealwaysthestrengthinhishandoftwentymen，evenwefourwhogaveourstrengthtoMissLucyitalsoisalltohim。

Besides，hecansummonhiswolfandIknownotwhat。

Soifitbethathecamethitheronthisnightheshallfindme。

Butnoneothershall，untilitbetoolate。Butitmaybethathewillnotattempttheplace。Thereisnoreasonwhyheshould。

HishuntinggroundismorefullofgamethanthechurchyardwheretheUnDeadwomansleeps，andtheoneoldmanwatch。

“ThereforeIwritethisincase……Takethepapersthatarewiththis，thediariesofHarkerandtherest，andreadthem，andthenfindthisgreatUnDead，andcutoffhisheadandburnhisheartordriveastakethroughit，sothattheworldmayrestfromhim。

“Ifitbeso，farewell。

“VANHELSING。“

DR。SEWARD\'SDIARY

28September——Itiswonderfulwhatagoodnight\'ssleepwilldoforone。

YesterdayIwasalmostwillingtoacceptVanHelsing\'smonstrousideas，butnowtheyseemtostartoutluridbeforemeasoutragesoncommonsense。Ihavenodoubtthathebelievesitall。

Iwonderifhismindcanhavebecomeinanywayunhinged。Surelytheremustbesomerationalexplanationofallthesemysteriousthings。

IsitpossiblethattheProfessorcanhavedoneithimself？

Heissoabnormallycleverthatifhewentoffhisheadhewouldcarryouthisintentwithregardtosomefixedideainawonderfulway。

Iamloathetothinkit，andindeeditwouldbealmostasgreatamarvelastheothertofindthatVanHelsingwasmad，butanyhowIshallwatchhimcarefully。Imaygetsomelightonthemystery。

29September——Lastnight，atalittlebeforeteno\'clock，ArthurandQuinceycameintoVanHelsing\'sroom。

Hetoldusallwhathewantedustodo，butespeciallyaddressinghimselftoArthur，asifallourwillswerecenteredinhis。

Hebeganbysayingthathehopedwewouldallcomewithhimtoo，“for，“hesaid，“thereisagravedutytobedonethere。

Youweredoubtlesssurprisedatmyletter？”ThisquerywasdirectlyaddressedtoLordGodalming。

“Iwas。Itratherupsetmeforabit。TherehasbeensomuchtroublearoundmyhouseoflatethatIcoulddowithoutanymore。

Ihavebeencurious，too，astowhatyoumean。

“QuinceyandItalkeditover，butthemorewetalked，themorepuzzledwegot，tillnowIcansayformyselfthatI\'maboutupatreeastoanymeaningaboutanything。“

“Metoo，“saidQuinceyMorrislaconically。

“Oh，“saidtheProfessor，“thenyouarenearerthebeginning，bothofyou，thanfriendJohnhere，whohastogoalongwaybackbeforehecanevengetsofarastobegin。“

Itwasevidentthatherecognizedmyreturntomyolddoubtingframeofmindwithoutmysayingaword。Then，turningtotheothertwo，hesaidwithintensegravity，“IwantyourpermissiontodowhatIthinkgoodthisnight。

Itis，Iknow，muchtoask，andwhenyouknowwhatitisI

proposetodoyouwillknow，andonlythenhowmuch。

ThereforemayIaskthatyoupromisemeinthedark，sothatafterwards，thoughyoumaybeangrywithmeforatime，Imustnotdisguisefrommyselfthepossibilitythatsuchmaybe，youshallnotblameyourselvesforanything。“

“That\'sfrankanyhow，“brokeinQuincey。“I\'llanswerfortheProfessor。

Idon\'tquiteseehisdrift，butIswearhe\'shonest，andthat\'sgoodenoughforme。“

“Ithankyou，Sir，“saidVanHelsingproudly。“Ihavedonemyselfthehonorofcountingyouonetrustingfriend，andsuchendorsementisdeartome。“

Heheldoutahand，whichQuinceytook。

ThenArthurspokeout，“Dr。VanHelsing，Idon\'tquiteliketo`buyapiginapoke\'，astheysayinScotland，andifitbeanythinginwhichmyhonourasagentlemanormyfaithasaChristianisconcerned，Icannotmakesuchapromise。

Ifyoucanassuremethatwhatyouintenddoesnotviolateeitherofthesetwo，thenIgivemyconsentatonce，thoughforthelifeofme，Icannotunderstandwhatyouaredrivingat。“

“Iacceptyourlimitation，“saidVanHelsing，“andallIaskofyouisthatifyoufeelitnecessarytocondemnanyactofmine，youwillfirstconsideritwellandbesatisfiedthatitdoesnotviolateyourreservations。“

“Agreed！”saidArthur。“Thatisonlyfair。Andnowthatthepourparlersareover，mayIaskwhatitiswearetodo？”

“Iwantyoutocomewithme，andtocomeinsecret，tothechurchyardatKingstead。“

Arthur\'sfacefellashesaidinanamazedsortofway，“WherepoorLucyisburied？”

TheProfessorbowed。

Arthurwenton，“Andwhenthere？”

“Toenterthetomb！”

Arthurstoodup。“Professor，areyouinearnest，orisitsomemonstrousjoke？Pardonme，Iseethatyouareinearnest。“

Hesatdownagain，butIcouldseethathesatfirmlyandproudly，asonewhoisonhisdignity。Therewassilenceuntilheaskedagain，“Andwheninthetomb？”

“Toopenthecoffin。“

“Thisistoomuch！”hesaid，angrilyrisingagain。

“Iamwillingtobepatientinallthingsthatarereasonable，butinthis，thisdesecrationofthegrave，ofonewho……“Hefairlychokedwithindignation。

TheProfessorlookedpityinglyathim。“IfIcouldspareyouonepang，mypoorfriend，“hesaid，“GodknowsIwould。

Butthisnightourfeetmusttreadinthornypaths，orlater，andforever，thefeetyoulovemustwalkinpathsofflame！”

Arthurlookedupwithsetwhitefaceandsaid，“Takecare，sir，takecare！”

“WoulditnotbewelltohearwhatIhavetosay？”saidVanHelsing。

“Andthenyouwillatleastknowthelimitofmypurpose。

ShallIgoon？”

“That\'sfairenough，“brokeinMorris。

AfterapauseVanHelsingwenton，evidentlywithaneffort，“MissLucyisdead，isitnotso？Yes！Thentherecanbenowrongtoher。

Butifshebenotdead……“

Arthurjumpedtohisfeet，“GoodGod！”hecried。“Whatdoyoumean？

Hastherebeenanymistake，hasshebeenburiedalive？”

Hegroanedinanguishthatnotevenhopecouldsoften。

“Ididnotsayshewasalive，mychild。Ididnotthinkit。

IgonofurtherthantosaythatshemightbeUnDead。“

“UnDead！Notalive！Whatdoyoumean？Isthisallanightmare，orwhatisit？”

“Therearemysterieswhichmencanonlyguessat，whichagebyagetheymaysolveonlyinpart。Believeme，wearenowonthevergeofone。

ButIhavenotdone。MayIcutofftheheadofdeadMissLucy？”

“Heavensandearth，no！”criedArthurinastormofpassion。

“NotforthewideworldwillIconsenttoanymutilationofherdeadbody。Dr。VanHelsing，youtrymetoofar。

WhathaveIdonetoyouthatyoushouldtorturemeso？

Whatdidthatpoor，sweetgirldothatyoushouldwanttocastsuchdishonoronhergrave？Areyoumad，thatyouspeakofsuchthings，oramImadtolistentothem？Don\'tdarethinkmoreofsuchadesecration。Ishallnotgivemyconsenttoanythingyoudo。

Ihaveadutytodoinprotectinghergravefromoutrage，andbyGod，Ishalldoit！”

VanHelsingroseupfromwherehehadallthetimebeenseated，andsaid，gravelyandsternly，“MyLordGodalming，Itoo，haveadutytodo，adutytoothers，adutytoyou，adutytothedead，andbyGod，Ishalldoit！

AllIaskyounowisthatyoucomewithme，thatyoulookandlisten，andifwhenlaterImakethesamerequestyoudonotbemoreeagerforitsfulfillmenteventhanIam，then，Ishalldomyduty，whateveritmayseemtome。Andthen，tofollowyourLordship\'swishesIshallholdmyselfatyourdisposaltorenderanaccounttoyou，whenandwhereyouwill。“

Hisvoicebrokealittle，andhewentonwithavoicefullofpity。

“ButIbeseechyou，donotgoforthinangerwithme。Inalonglifeofactswhichwereoftennotpleasanttodo，andwhichsometimesdidwringmyheart，Ihaveneverhadsoheavyataskasnow。

Believemethatifthetimecomesforyoutochangeyourmindtowardsme，onelookfromyouwillwipeawayallthissosadhour，forIwoulddowhatamancantosaveyoufromsorrow。Justthink。

ForwhyshouldIgivemyselfsomuchlaborandsomuchofsorrow？

IhavecomeherefrommyownlandtodowhatIcanofgood，atthefirsttopleasemyfriendJohn，andthentohelpasweetyounglady，whomtoo，Icometolove。Forher，Iamashamedtosaysomuch，butIsayitinkindness，Igavewhatyougave，thebloodofmyveins。

Igaveit，Iwhowasnot，likeyou，herlover，butonlyherphysicianandherfriend。Igavehermynightsanddays，beforedeath，afterdeath，andifmydeathcandohergoodevennow，whensheisthedeadUnDead，sheshallhaveitfreely。“

Hesaidthiswithaverygrave，sweetpride，andArthurwasmuchaffectedbyit。

Hetooktheoldman\'shandandsaidinabrokenvoice，“Oh，itishardtothinkofit，andIcannotunderstand，butatleastIshallgowithyouandwait。“

CHAPTER16

DRSEWARD\'SDIARY-cont。

Itwasjustaquarterbeforetwelveo\'clockwhenwegotintothechurchyardoverthelowwall。Thenightwasdarkwithoccasionalgleamsofmoonlightbetweenthedentsoftheheavycloudsthatscuddedacrossthesky。

Weallkeptsomehowclosetogether，withVanHelsingslightlyinfrontasheledtheway。WhenwehadcomeclosetothetombIlookedwellatArthur，forIfearedtheproximitytoaplaceladenwithsosorrowfulamemorywouldupsethim，butheborehimselfwell。Itookitthattheverymysteryoftheproceedingwasinsomewayacounteractanttohisgrief。

TheProfessorunlockedthedoor，andseeinganaturalhesitationamongstusforvariousreasons，solvedthedifficultybyenteringfirsthimself。

Therestofusfollowed，andheclosedthedoor。Hethenlitadarklanternandpointedtoacoffin。Arthursteppedforwardhesitatingly。

VanHelsingsaidtome，“Youwerewithmehereyesterday。

WasthebodyofMissLucyinthatcoffin？”

“Itwas。“

TheProfessorturnedtotherestsaying，“Youhear，andyetthereisnoonewhodoesnotbelievewithme。\'

Hetookhisscrewdriverandagaintookoffthelidofthecoffin。

Arthurlookedon，verypalebutsilent。Whenthelidwasremovedhesteppedforward。Heevidentlydidnotknowthattherewasaleadencoffin，oratanyrate，hadnotthoughtofit。

Whenhesawtherentinthelead，thebloodrushedtohisfaceforaninstant，butasquicklyfellawayagain，sothatheremainedofaghastlywhiteness。Hewasstillsilent。

VanHelsingforcedbacktheleadenflange，andwealllookedinandrecoiled。

Thecoffinwasempty！

Forseveralminutesnoonespokeaword。ThesilencewasbrokenbyQuinceyMorris，“Professor，Iansweredforyou。

YourwordisallIwant。Iwouldn\'tasksuchathingordinarily，Iwouldn\'tsodishonoryouastoimplyadoubt，butthisisamysterythatgoesbeyondanyhonorordishonor。

Isthisyourdoing？”

“IsweartoyoubyallthatIholdsacredthatIhavenotremovedortouchedher。Whathappenedwasthis。

TwonightsagomyfriendSewardandIcamehere，withgoodpurpose，believeme。Iopenedthatcoffin，whichwasthensealedup，andwefounditasnow，empty。

Wethenwaited，andsawsomethingwhitecomethroughthetrees。

Thenextdaywecamehereindaytimeandshelaythere。

Didshenot，friendJohn？

“Yes。“

“Thatnightwewerejustintime。Onemoresosmallchildwasmissing，andwefindit，thankGod，unharmedamongstthegraves。

YesterdayIcameherebeforesundown，foratsundowntheUnDeadcanmove。

Iwaitedhereallnighttillthesunrose，butIsawnothing。

ItwasmostprobablethatitwasbecauseIhadlaidovertheclampsofthosedoorsgarlic，whichtheUnDeadcannotbear，andotherthingswhichtheyshun。Lastnighttherewasnoexodus，sotonightbeforethesundownItookawaymygarlicandotherthings。

Andsoitiswefindthiscoffinempty。Butbearwithme。

Sofarthereismuchthatisstrange。Waityouwithmeoutside，unseenandunheard，andthingsmuchstrangerareyettobe。

So，“hereheshutthedarkslideofhislantern，“nowtotheoutside。“

Heopenedthedoor，andwefiledout，hecominglastandlockingthedoorbehindhim。

Oh！Butitseemedfreshandpureinthenightairaftertheterrorofthatvault。Howsweetitwastoseethecloudsraceby，andthepassinggleamsofthemoonlightbetweenthescuddingcloudscrossingandpassing，likethegladnessandsorrowofaman\'slife。Howsweetitwastobreathethefreshair，thathadnotaintofdeathanddecay。

Howhumanizingtoseetheredlightingoftheskybeyondthehill，andtohearfarawaythemuffledroarthatmarksthelifeofagreatcity。Eachinhisownwaywassolemnandovercome。

Arthurwassilent，andwas，Icouldsee，strivingtograspthepurposeandtheinnermeaningofthemystery。

Iwasmyselftolerablypatient，andhalfinclinedagaintothrowasidedoubtandtoacceptVanHelsing\'sconclusions。

QuinceyMorriswasphlegmaticinthewayofamanwhoacceptsallthings，andacceptstheminthespiritofcoolbravery，withhazardofallhehasatstake。Notbeingabletosmoke，hecuthimselfagood-sizedplugoftobaccoandbegantochew。

AstoVanHelsing，hewasemployedinadefiniteway。

Firsthetookfromhisbagamassofwhatlookedlikethin，wafer-likebiscuit，whichwascarefullyrolledupinawhitenapkin。

Nexthetookoutadoublehandfulofsomewhitishstuff，likedoughorputty。Hecrumbledthewaferupfineandworkeditintothemassbetweenhishands。Thishethentook，androllingitintothinstrips，begantolaythemintothecrevicesbetweenthedooranditssettinginthetomb。

Iwassomewhatpuzzledatthis，andbeingclose，askedhimwhatitwasthathewasdoing。ArthurandQuinceydrewnearalso，astheytoowerecurious。

Heanswered，“IamclosingthetombsothattheUnDeadmaynotenter。“

“Andisthatstuffyouhavetheregoingtodoit？”

“ItIs。“

“Whatisthatwhichyouareusing？”ThistimethequestionwasbyArthur。

VanHelsingreverentlyliftedhishatasheanswered。

“TheHost。IbroughtitfromAmsterdam。IhaveanIndulgence。“

Itwasananswerthatappalledthemostscepticalofus，andwefeltindividuallythatinthepresenceofsuchearnestpurposeastheProfessor\'s，apurposewhichcouldthususethetohimmostsacredofthings，itwasimpossibletodistrust。

Inrespectfulsilencewetooktheplacesassignedtouscloseroundthetomb，buthiddenfromthesightofanyoneapproaching。Ipitiedtheothers，especiallyArthur。

Ihadmyselfbeenapprenticedbymyformervisitstothiswatchinghorror，andyetI，whohaduptoanhouragorepudiatedtheproofs，feltmyheartsinkwithinme。

Neverdidtombslooksoghastlywhite。Neverdidcypress，oryew，orjunipersoseemtheembodimentoffuneralgloom。

Neverdidtreeorgrasswaveorrustlesoominously。

Neverdidboughcreaksomysteriously，andneverdidthefar-awayhowlingofdogssendsuchawoefulpresagethroughthenight。

Therewasalongspellofsilence，big，aching，void，andthenfromtheProfessorakeen“S-s-s-s！”Hepointed，andfardowntheavenueofyewswesawawhitefigureadvance，adimwhitefigure，whichheldsomethingdarkatitsbreast。

Thefigurestopped，andatthemomentarayofmoonlightfelluponthemassesofdrivingclouds，andshowedinstartlingprominenceadark-hairedwoman，dressedinthecerementsofthegrave。Wecouldnotseetheface，foritwasbentdownoverwhatwesawtobeafair-hairedchild。

Therewasapauseandasharplittlecry，suchasachildgivesinsleep，oradogasitliesbeforethefireanddreams。

Wewerestartingforward，buttheProfessor\'swarninghand，seenbyusashestoodbehindayewtree，keptusback。

Andthenaswelookedthewhitefiguremovedforwardsagain。

Itwasnownearenoughforustoseeclearly，andthemoonlightstillheld。Myownheartgrewcoldasice，andIcouldhearthegaspofArthur，aswerecognizedthefeaturesofLucyWestenra。LucyWestenra，butyethowchanged。

Thesweetnesswasturnedtoadamantine，heartlesscruelty，andthepuritytovoluptuouswantonness。

VanHelsingsteppedout，andobedienttohisgesture，wealladvancedtoo。

Thefourofusrangedinalinebeforethedoorofthetomb。VanHelsingraisedhislanternanddrewtheslide。BytheconcentratedlightthatfellonLucy\'sfacewecouldseethatthelipswerecrimsonwithfreshblood，andthatthestreamhadtrickledoverherchinandstainedthepurityofherlawndeathrobe。

Weshudderedwithhorror。IcouldseebythetremulouslightthatevenVanHelsing\'sironnervehadfailed。

Arthurwasnexttome，andifIhadnotseizedhisarmandheldhimup，hewouldhavefallen。

WhenLucy，IcallthethingthatwasbeforeusLucybecauseitborehershape，sawusshedrewbackwithanangrysnarl，suchasacatgiveswhentakenunawares，thenhereyesrangedoverus。

Lucy\'seyesinformandcolor，butLucy\'seyesuncleanandfullofhellfire，insteadofthepure，gentleorbsweknew。

Atthatmomenttheremnantofmylovepassedintohateandloathing。

Hadshethentobekilled，Icouldhavedoneitwithsavagedelight。

Asshelooked，hereyesblazedwithunholylight，andthefacebecamewreathedwithavoluptuoussmile。Oh，God，howitmademeshuddertoseeit！Withacarelessmotion，sheflungtotheground，callousasadevil，thechildthatuptonowshehadclutchedstrenuouslytoherbreast，growlingoveritasadoggrowlsoverabone。

Thechildgaveasharpcry，andlaytheremoaning。Therewasacold-bloodednessintheactwhichwrungagroanfromArthur。

Whensheadvancedtohimwithoutstretchedarmsandawantonsmilehefellbackandhidhisfaceinhishands。

Shestilladvanced，however，andwithalanguorous，voluptuousgrace，said，“Cometome，Arthur。Leavetheseothersandcometome。

Myarmsarehungryforyou。Come，andwecanresttogether。

Come，myhusband，come！”

Therewassomethingdiabolicallysweetinhertones，somethingofthetinklingofglasswhenstruck，whichrangthroughthebrainsevenofuswhoheardthewordsaddressedtoanother。

AsforArthur，heseemedunderaspell，movinghishandsfromhisface，heopenedwidehisarms。Shewasleapingforthem，whenVanHelsingsprangforwardandheldbetweenthemhislittlegoldencrucifix。

Sherecoiledfromit，and，withasuddenlydistortedface，fullofrage，dashedpasthimasiftoenterthetomb。

Whenwithinafootortwoofthedoor，however，shestopped，asifarrestedbysomeirresistibleforce。Thensheturned，andherfacewasshownintheclearburstofmoonlightandbythelamp，whichhadnownoquiverfromVanHelsing\'snerves。

NeverdidIseesuchbaffledmaliceonaface，andnever，Itrust，shallsucheverbeseenagainbymortaleyes。

Thebeautifulcolorbecamelivid，theeyesseemedtothrowoutsparksofhellfire，thebrowswerewrinkledasthoughthefoldsoffleshwerethecoilsofMedusa\'ssnakes，andthelovely，blood-stainedmouthgrewtoanopensquare，asinthepassionmasksoftheGreeksandJapanese。

Ifeverafacemeantdeath，iflookscouldkill，wesawitatthatmoment。

Andsoforfullhalfaminute，whichseemedaneternity，seremainedbetweentheliftedcrucifixandthesacredclosingofhermeansofentry。

VanHelsingbrokethesilencebyaskingArthur，“Answerme，ohmyfriend！

AmItoproceedinmywork？”

“Doasyouwill，friend。Doasyouwill。Therecanbenohorrorlikethiseveranymore。“Andhegroanedinspirit。

QuinceyandIsimultaneouslymovedtowardshim，andtookhisarms。

WecouldheartheclickoftheclosinglanternasVanHelsinghelditdown。Comingclosetothetomb，hebegantoremovefromthechinkssomeofthesacredemblemwhichhehadplacedthere。

Wealllookedonwithhorrifiedamazementaswesaw，whenhestoodback，thewoman，withacorporealbodyasrealatthatmomentasourown，passthroughtheintersticewherescarceaknifebladecouldhavegone。

WeallfeltagladsenseofreliefwhenwesawtheProfessorcalmlyrestoringthestringsofputtytotheedgesofthedoor。

Whenthiswasdone，heliftedthechildandsaid，“Comenow，myfriends。

Wecandonomoretilltomorrow。Thereisafuneralatnoon，sohereweshallallcomebeforelongafterthat。Thefriendsofthedeadwillallbegonebytwo，andwhenthesextonlocksthegateweshallremain。

Thenthereismoretodo，butnotlikethisoftonight。Asforthislittleone，heisnotmuchharmed，andbytomorrownightheshallbewell。

Weshallleavehimwherethepolicewillfindhim，asontheothernight，andthentohome。“

ComingclosetoArthur，hesaid，“MyfriendArthur，youhavehadasoretrial，butafter，whenyoulookback，youwillseehowitwasnecessary。

Youarenowinthebitterwaters，mychild。Bythistimetomorrowyouwill，pleaseGod，havepassedthem，andhavedrunkofthesweetwaters。

Sodonotmournover-much。TillthenIshallnotaskyoutoforgiveme。“

ArthurandQuinceycamehomewithme，andwetriedtocheereachotherontheway。Wehadleftbehindthechildinsafety，andweretired。

Soweallsleptwithmoreorlessrealityofsleep。

29September，night——Alittlebeforetwelveo\'clockwethree，Arthur，QuinceyMorris，andmyself，calledfortheProfessor。

Itwasoddtonoticethatbycommonconsentwehadallputonblackclothes。Ofcourse，Arthurworeblack，forhewasindeepmourning，buttherestofusworeitbyinstinct。

Wegottothegraveyardbyhalf-pastone，andstrolledabout，keepingoutofofficialobservation，sothatwhenthegravediggershadcompletedtheirtaskandthesextonunderthebeliefthateveryonehadgone，hadlockedthegate，wehadtheplacealltoourselves。VanHelsing，insteadofhislittleblackbag，hadwithhimalongleatherone，somethinglikeacricketingbag。

Itwasmanifestlyoffairweight。

Whenwewerealoneandhadheardthelastofthefootstepsdieoutuptheroad，wesilently，andasifbyorderedintention，followedtheProfessortothetomb。

Heunlockedthedoor，andweentered，closingitbehindus。

Thenhetookfromhisbagthelantern，whichhelit，andalsotwowaxcandles，which，whenlighted，hestuckbymeltingtheirownends，onothercoffins，sothattheymightgivelightsufficienttoworkby。WhenheagainliftedthelidoffLucy\'scoffinwealllooked，Arthurtremblinglikeanaspen，andsawthatthecorpselaythereinallitsdeathbeauty。

Buttherewasnoloveinmyownheart，nothingbutloathingforthefoulThingwhichhadtakenLucy\'sshapewithouthersoul。

IcouldseeevenArthur\'sfacegrowhardashelooked。

PresentlyhesaidtoVanHelsing，“IsthisreallyLucy\'sbody，oronlyademoninhershape？”

“Itisherbody，andyetnotit。Butwaitawhile，andyoushallseeherasshewas，andis。“

SheseemedlikeanightmareofLucyasshelaythere，thepointedteeth，thebloodstained，voluptuousmouth，whichmadeoneshuddertosee，thewholecarnalandunspiritedappearance，seeminglikeadevilishmockeryofLucy\'ssweetpurity。

VanHelsing，withhisusualmethodicalness，begantakingthevariouscontentsfromhisbagandplacingthemreadyforuse。

Firsthetookoutasolderingironandsomeplumbingsolder，andthensmalloillamp，whichgaveout，whenlitinacornerofthetomb，gaswhichburnedatafierceheatwithablueflame，thenhisoperatingknives，whichheplacedtohand，andlastaroundwoodenstake，sometwoandahalforthreeinchesthickandaboutthreefeetlong。Oneendofitwashardenedbycharringinthefire，andwassharpenedtoafinepoint。

Withthisstakecameaheavyhammer，suchasinhouseholdsisusedinthecoalcellarforbreakingthelumps。Tome，adoctor\'spreperationsforworkofanykindarestimulatingandbracing，buttheeffectofthesethingsonbothArthurandQuinceywastocausethemasortofconsternation。

Theyboth，however，kepttheircourage，andremainedsilentandquiet。

Whenallwasready，VanHelsingsaid，“Beforewedoanything，letmetellyouthis。ItisoutoftheloreandexperienceoftheancientsandofallthosewhohavestudiedthepowersoftheUnDead。

Whentheybecomesuch，therecomeswiththechangethecurseofimmortality。Theycannotdie，butmustgoonageafterageaddingnewvictimsandmultiplyingtheevilsoftheworld。

ForallthatdiefromthepreyingoftheUndeadbecomethemselvesUndead，andpreyontheirkind。Andsothecirclegoesoneverwidening，likeastheripplesfromastonethrowninthewater。

FriendArthur，ifyouhadmetthatkisswhichyouknowofbeforepoorLucydie，oragain，lastnightwhenyouopenyourarmstoher，youwouldintime，whenyouhaddied，havebecomenosferatu，astheycallitinEasterneurope，andwouldforalltimemakemoreofthoseUn-Deadsthatsohavefilleduswithhorror。

Thecareerofthissounhappydearladyisbutjustbegun。

Thosechildrenwhosebloodshesuckedarenotasyetsomuchtheworse，butifsheliveson，UnDead，moreandmoretheylosetheirbloodandbyherpoweroverthemtheycometoher，andsoshedrawtheirbloodwiththatsowickedmouth。Butifshedieintruth，thenallcease。

Thetinywoundsofthethroatsdisappear，andtheygobacktotheirplayunknowingeverofwhathasbeen。Butofthemostblessedofall，whenthisnowUnDeadbemadetorestastruedead，thenthesoulofthepoorladywhomweloveshallagainbefree。

Insteadofworkingwickednessbynightandgrowingmoredebasedintheassimilatingofitbyday，sheshalltakeherplacewiththeotherAngels。Sothat，myfriend，itwillbeablessedhandforherthatshallstriketheblowthatsetsherfree。

TothisIamwilling，butistherenoneamongstuswhohasabetterright？

Willitbenojoytothinkofhereafterinthesilenceofthenightwhensleepisnot，`Itwasmyhandthatsenthertothestars。

Itwasthehandofhimthatlovedherbest，thehandthatofallshewouldherselfhavechosen，haditbeentohertochoose？\'

Tellmeiftherebesuchaoneamongstus？”

WealllookedatArthur。Hesawtoo，whatwealldid，theinfinitekindnesswhichsuggestedthathisshouldbethehandwhichwouldrestoreLucytousasaholy，andnotanunholy，memory。Hesteppedforwardandsaidbravely，thoughhishandtrembled，andhisfacewasaspaleassnow，“Mytruefriend，fromthebottomofmybrokenheartIthankyou。

TellmewhatIamtodo，andIshallnotfalter！”

VanHelsinglaidahandonhisshoulder，andsaid，“Bravelad！

Amoment\'scourage，anditisdone。Thisstakemustbedriventhroughher。

Itwellbeafearfulordeal，benotdeceivedinthat，butitwillbeonlyashorttime，andyouwillthenrejoicemorethanyourpainwasgreat。

Fromthisgrimtombyouwillemergeasthoughyoutreadonair。

Butyoumustnotfalterwhenonceyouhavebegun。Onlythinkthatwe，yourtruefriends，areroundyou，andthatweprayforyouallthetime。“

“Goon，“saidArthurhoarsely。“TellmewhatIamtodo。“

“Takethisstakeinyourlefthand，readytoplacetothepointovertheheart，andthehammerinyourright。

Thenwhenwebeginourprayerforthedead，Ishallreadhim，Ihaveherethebook，andtheothersshallfollow，strikeinGod\'sname，thatsoallmaybewellwiththedeadthatweloveandthattheUnDeadpassaway。“

Arthurtookthestakeandthehammer，andwhenoncehismindwassetonactionhishandsnevertremblednorevenquivered。

VanHelsingopenedhismissalandbegantoread，andQuinceyandIfollowedaswellaswecould。

Arthurplacedthepointovertheheart，andasIlookedIcouldseeitsdintinthewhiteflesh。Thenhestruckwithallhismight。

Thethinginthecoffinwrithed，andahideous，blood-curdlingscreechcamefromtheopenedredlips。

Thebodyshookandquiveredandtwistedinwildcontortions。

Thesharpwhitechampedtogethertillthelipswerecut，andthemouthwassmearedwithacrimsonfoam。ButArthurneverfaltered。

HelookedlikeafigureofThorashisuntremblingarmroseandfell，drivingdeeperanddeeperthemercy-bearingstake，whilstthebloodfromthepiercedheartwelledandspurteduparoundit。

Hisfacewasset，andhighdutyseemedtoshinethroughit。

Thesightofitgaveuscouragesothatourvoicesseemedtoringthroughthelittlevault。

Andthenthewrithingandquiveringofthebodybecameless，andtheteethseemedtochamp，andthefacetoquiver。

Finallyitlaystill。Theterribletaskwasover。

ThehammerfellfromArthur\'shand。Hereeledandwouldhavefallenhadwenotcaughthim。Thegreatdropsofsweatsprangfromhisforehead，andhisbreathcameinbrokengasps。

Ithadindeedbeenanawfulstrainonhim，andhadhenotbeenforcedtohistaskbymorethanhumanconsiderationshecouldneverhavegonethroughwithit。Forafewminutesweweresotakenupwithhimthatwedidnotlooktowardsthecoffin。

Whenwedid，however，amurmurofstartledsurpriseranfromonetotheotherofus。WegazedsoeagerlythatArthurrose，forhehadbeenseatedontheground，andcameandlookedtoo，andthenagladstrangelightbrokeoverhisfaceanddispelledaltogetherthegloomofhorrorthatlayuponit。

There，inthecoffinlaynolongerthefoulThingthatwehassodreadedandgrowntohatethattheworkofherdestructionwasyieldedasaprivilegetotheonebestentitledtoit，butLucyaswehadseenherinlife，withherfaceofunequalledsweetnessandpurity。Truethattherewerethere，aswehadseentheminlife，thetracesofcareandpainandwaste。