第12章

IsawatoncethatIwasontherighttrack。Phoneticspellinghadagainmisledme。Ahalfcrowntipputthedeputy\'sknowledgeatmydisposal，andIlearnedthatMr。Bloxam，whohadsleptofftheremainsofhisbeeronthepreviousnightatCorcoran\'s，hadleftforhisworkatPoplaratfiveo\'clockthatmorning。Hecouldnottellmewheretheplaceofworkwassituated，buthehadavagueideathatitwassomekindofa“new-fangledware\'us，“andwiththisslenderclueIhadtostartforPoplar。Itwastwelveo\'clockbeforeI

gotanysatisfactoryhintofsuchabuilding，andthisIgotatacoffeeshop，wheresomeworkmenwerehavingtheirdinner。

OneofthemsuggestedthattherewasbeingerectedatCrossAngelStreetanew“coldstorage“building，andasthissuitedtheconditionofa“new-fangledware\'us，“Iatoncedrovetoit。

Aninterviewwithasurlygatekeeperandasurlierforeman，bothofwhomwereappeasedwiththecoinoftherealm，putmeonthetrackofBloxam。HewassentforonmysuggestionthatIwaswillingtopayhisdayswagestohisforemanfortheprivilegeofaskinghimafewquestionsonaprivatematter。

Hewasasmartenoughfellow，thoughroughofspeechandbearing。

WhenIhadpromisedtopayforhisinformationandgivenhimanearnest，hetoldmethathehadmadetwojourneysbetweenCarfaxandahouseinPiccadilly，andhadtakenfromthishousetothelatterninegreatboxes，“mainheavyones，“

withahorseandcarthiredbyhimforthispurpose。

IaskedhimifhecouldtellmethenumberofthehouseinPiccadilly，towhichhereplied，“Well，guv\'nor，Iforgitsthenumber，butitwasonlyafewdoorfromabigwhitechurch，orsomethinkofthekind，notlongbuilt。

Itwasadustyold\'ouse，too，thoughnothin\'tothedustinessofthe\'ousewetookedthebloomin\'boxesfrom。“

“Howdidyougetinifbothhouseswereempty？”

“Therewastheoldpartywhatengagedmeawaitin\'inthe\'ouseatPurfleet。

He\'elpedmetolifttheboxesandputtheminthedray。Curseme，buthewasthestrongestchapIeverstruck，an\'himaoldfeller，withawhitemoustache，onethatthinyouwouldthinkhecouldn\'tthrowashadder。“

Howthisphrasethrilledthroughme！

“Why，\'etookup\'isendo\'theboxesliketheywaspoundsoftea，andmeapuffin\'an\'ablowin\'aforeIcouldupendmineanyhow，an\'

I\'mnochicken，neither。“

“HowdidyougetintothehouseinPiccadilly？”Iasked。

“Hewastheretoo。Hemust\'astartedoffandgotthereaforeme，forwhenIrungofthebellhekeman\'openedthedoor\'isselfan\'

\'elpedmecarrytheboxesintothe\'all。“

“Thewholenine？”Iasked。

“Yus，therewasfiveinthefirstloadan\'fourinthesecond。

Itwasmaindrywork，an\'Idon\'tsowellremember\'owIgot\'ome。“

Iinterruptedhim，“Weretheboxesleftinthehall？”

“Yus，itwasabig\'all，an\'therewasnothin\'elseinit。“

Imadeonemoreattempttofurthermatters。“Youdidn\'thaveanykey？”

“Neverusednokeynornothink。Theoldgent，heopenedthedoor\'isselfan\'shutitagainwhenIdruvoff。

Idon\'trememberthelasttime，butthatwasthebeer。“

“Andyoucan\'trememberthenumberofthehouse？”

“No，sir。Butyeneedn\'thavenodifficultyaboutthat。It\'sa\'igh\'unwithastonefrontwithabowonit，an\'\'ighstepsuptothedoor。

Iknowthemsteps，\'avin\'\'adtocarrytheboxesupwiththreeloaferswhatcomeroundtoearnacopper。Theoldgentgivethemshillin\'s，an\'

theyseein\'theygotsomuch，theywantedmore。But\'etookoneofthembytheshoulderandwasliketothrow\'imdownthesteps，tillthelotofthemwentawaycussin\'。“

IthoughtthatwiththisdescriptionIcouldfindthehouse，sohavingpaidmyfriendforhisinformation，IstartedoffforPiccadilly。

Ihadgainedanewpainfulexperience。TheCountcould，itwasevident，handletheearthboxeshimself。Ifso，timewasprecious，fornowthathehadachievedacertainamountofdistribution，hecould，bychoosinghisowntime，completethetaskunobserved。

AtPiccadillyCircusIdischargedmycab，andwalkedwestward。

BeyondtheJuniorConstitutionalIcameacrossthehousedescribedandwassatisfiedthatthiswasthenextofthelairsarrangedbyDracula。

Thehouselookedasthoughithadbeenlonguntenanted。

Thewindowswereencrustedwithdust，andtheshutterswereup。

Alltheframeworkwasblackwithtime，andfromtheironthepainthadmostlyscaledaway。Itwasevidentthatuptolatelytherehadbeenalargenoticeboardinfrontofthebalcony。

Ithad，however，beenroughlytornaway，theuprightswhichhadsupporteditstillremaining。BehindtherailsofthebalconyI

sawthereweresomelooseboards，whoserawedgeslookedwhite。

Iwouldhavegivenagooddealtohavebeenabletoseethenoticeboardintact，asitwould，perhaps，havegivensomecluetotheownershipofthehouse。IrememberedmyexperienceoftheinvestigationandpurchaseofCarfax，andIcouldnotbutfeelthatIcouldfindtheformerownertheremightbesomemeansdiscoveredofgainingaccesstothehouse。

TherewasatpresentnothingtobelearnedfromthePiccadillyside，andnothingcouldbedone，soIwentaroundtothebacktoseeifanythingcouldbegatheredfromthisquarter。Themewswereactive，thePiccadillyhousesbeingmostlyinoccupation。

IaskedoneortwoofthegroomsandhelperswhomIsawaroundiftheycouldtellmeanythingabouttheemptyhouse。

Oneofthemsaidthatheheardithadlatelybeentaken，buthecouldn\'tsayfromwhom。Hetoldme，however，thatuptoverylatelytherehadbeenanoticeboardof“ForSale“

up，andthatperhapsMitchell，Sons，&Candythehouseagentscouldtellmesomething，ashethoughtherememberedseeingthenameofthatfirmontheboard。Ididnotwishtoseemtooeager，ortoletmyinformantknoworguesstoomuch，sothankinghimintheusualmanner，Istrolledaway。

Itwasnowgrowingdusk，andtheautumnnightwasclosingin，soIdidnotloseanytime。HavinglearnedtheaddressofMitchell，Sons，&CandyfromadirectoryattheBerkeley，IwassoonattheirofficeinSackvilleStreet。

Thegentlemanwhosawmewasparticularlysuaveinmanner，butuncommunicativeinequalproportion。HavingoncetoldmethatthePiccadillyhouse，whichthroughoutourinterviewhecalleda“mansion，“wassold，heconsideredmybusinessasconcluded。

WhenIaskedwhohadpurchasedit，heopenedhiseyesathoughtwider，andpausedafewsecondsbeforereplying，“Itissold，sir。“

“Pardonme，“Isaid，withequalpoliteness，“butIhaveaspecialreasonforwishingtoknowwhopurchasedit。“

Againhepausedlonger，andraisedhiseyebrowsstillmore。

“Itissold，sir，“wasagainhislaconicreply。

“Surely，“Isaid，“youdonotmindlettingmeknowsomuch。“

“ButIdomind，“heanswered。“TheaffairsoftheirclientsareabsolutelysafeinthehandsofMitchell，Sons，&Candy。“

Thiswasmanifestlyaprigofthefirstwater，andtherewasnousearguingwithhim。IthoughtIhadbestmeethimonhisownground，soIsaid，“Yourclients，sir，arehappyinhavingsoresoluteaguardianoftheirconfidence。

Iammyselfaprofessionalman。“

HereIhandedhimmycard。“InthisinstanceIamnotpromptedbycuriosity，IactonthepartofLordGodalming，whowishestoknowsomethingofthepropertywhichwas，heunderstood，latelyforsale。“

Thesewordsputadifferentcomplexiononaffairs。

Hesaid，“IwouldliketoobligeyouifIcould，Mr。Harker，andespeciallywouldIliketoobligehislordship。

WeoncecarriedoutasmallmatterofrentingsomechambersforhimwhenhewastheHonorableArthurHolmwood。

Ifyouwillletmehavehislordship\'saddressIwillconsulttheHouseonthesubject，andwill，inanycase，communicatewithhislordshipbytonight\'spost。

Itwillbeapleasureifwecansofardeviatefromourrulesastogivetherequiredinformationtohislordship。“

Iwantedtosecureafriend，andnottomakeanenemy，soI

thankedhim，gavetheaddressatDr。Seward\'sandcameaway。

Itwasnowdark，andIwastiredandhungry。IgotacupofteaattheAeratedBreadCompanyandcamedowntoPurfleetbythenexttrain。

Ifoundalltheothersathome。Minawaslookingtiredandpale，butshemadeagallantefforttobebrightandcheerful。

ItwrungmyhearttothinkthatIhadhadtokeepanythingfromherandsocausedherinquietude。ThankGod，thiswillbethelastnightofherlookingonatourconferences，andfeelingthestingofournotshowingourconfidence。

Ittookallmycouragetoholdtothewiseresolutionofkeepingheroutofourgrimtask。Sheseemssomehowmorereconciled，orelsetheverysubjectseemstohavebecomerepugnanttoher，forwhenanyaccidentalallusionismadesheactuallyshudders。

Iamgladwemadeourresolutionintime，aswithsuchafeelingasthis，ourgrowingknowledgewouldbetorturetoher。

Icouldnottelltheothersoftheday\'sdiscoverytillwewerealone，soafterdinner，followedbyalittlemusictosaveappearancesevenamongstourselves，ItookMinatoherroomandlefthertogotobed。

Thedeargirlwasmoreaffectionatewithmethanever，andclungtomeasthoughshewoulddetainme，buttherewasmuchtobetalkedofandIcameaway。ThankGod，theceasingoftellingthingshasmadenodifferencebetweenus。

WhenIcamedownagainIfoundtheothersallgatheredroundthefireinthestudy。InthetrainIhadwrittenmydiarysofar，andsimplyreaditofftothemasthebestmeansoflettingthemgetabreastofmyowninformation。

WhenIhadfinishedVanHelsingsaid，“Thishasbeenagreatday\'swork，friendJonathan。Doubtlessweareonthetrackofthemissingboxes。

Ifwefindthemallinthathouse，thenourworkisneartheend。

Butiftherebesomemissing，wemustsearchuntilwefindthem。

Thenshallwemakeourfinalcoup，andhuntthewretchtohisrealdeath。“

WeallsatsilentawhileandallatonceMr。Morrisspoke，“Say！

Howarewegoingtogetintothathouse？”

“Wegotintotheother，“answeredLordGodalmingquickly。

“But，Art，thisisdifferent。WebrokehouseatCarfax，butwehadnightandawalledparktoprotectus。ItwillbeamightydifferentthingtocommitburglaryinPiccadilly，eitherbydayornight。

IconfessIdon\'tseehowwearegoingtogetinunlessthatagencyduckcanfindusakeyofsomesort。“

LordGodalming\'sbrowscontracted，andhestoodupandwalkedabouttheroom。

By-and-byhestoppedandsaid，turningfromonetoanotherofus，“Quincey\'sheadislevel。Thisburglarybusinessisgettingserious。

Wegotoffonceallright，butwehavenowararejobonhand。

UnlesswecanfindtheCount\'skeybasket。“

Asnothingcouldwellbedonebeforemorning，andasitwouldbeatleastadvisabletowaittillLordGodalmingshouldhearfromMitchell\'s，wedecidednottotakeanyactivestepbeforebreakfasttime。Foragoodwhilewesatandsmoked，discussingthematterinitsvariouslightsandbearings。

Itooktheopportunityofbringingthisdiaryrightuptothemoment。

Iamverysleepyandshallgotobed……

Justaline。Minasleepssoundlyandherbreathingisregular。Herforeheadispuckeredupintolittlewrinkles，asthoughshethinkseveninhersleep。

Sheisstilltoopale，butdoesnotlooksohaggardasshedidthismorning。

Tomorrowwill，Ihope，mendallthis。ShewillbeherselfathomeinExeter。

Oh，butIamsleepy！

DR。SEWARD\'SDIARY

1October——IampuzzledafreshaboutRenfield。

HismoodschangesorapidlythatIfinditdifficulttokeeptouchofthem，andastheyalwaysmeansomethingmorethanhisownwell-being，theyformamorethaninterestingstudy。

Thismorning，whenIwenttoseehimafterhisrepulseofVanHelsing，hismannerwasthatofamancommandingdestiny。

Hewas，infact，commandingdestiny，subjectively。

Hedidnotreallycareforanyofthethingsofmereearth，hewasinthecloudsandlookeddownonalltheweaknessesandwantsofuspoormortals。

IthoughtIwouldimprovetheoccasionandlearnsomething，soIaskedhim，“Whataboutthefliesthesetimes？”

Hesmiledonmeinquiteasuperiorsortofway，suchasmileaswouldhavebecomethefaceofMalvolio，asheansweredme，“Thefly，mydearsir，hasonestrikingfeature。It\'swingsaretypicaloftheaerialpowersofthepsychicfaculties。

Theancientsdidwellwhentheytypifiedthesoulasabutterfly！”

IthoughtIwouldpushhisanalogytoitsutmostlogically，soIsaidquickly，“Oh，itisasoulyouareafternow，isit？”

Hismadnessfoiledhisreason，andapuzzledlookspreadoverhisfaceas，shakinghisheadwithadecisionwhichIhadbutseldomseeninhim。

Hesaid，“Oh，no，ohno！Iwantnosouls。LifeisallIwant。“

Herehebrightenedup。“Iamprettyindifferentaboutitatpresent。

Lifeisallright。IhaveallIwant。Youmustgetanewpatient，doctor，ifyouwishtostudyzoophagy！”

Thispuzzledmealittle，soIdrewhimon。“Thenyoucommandlife。

Youareagod，Isuppose？”

Hesmiledwithanineffablybenignsuperiority。“Ohno！

FarbeitfrommetoarrogatetomyselftheattributesoftheDeity。

IamnotevenconcernedinHisespeciallyspiritualdoings。

IfImaystatemyintellectualpositionIam，sofarasconcernsthingspurelyterrestrial，somewhatinthepositionwhichEnochoccupiedspiritually！”

Thiswasaposertome。IcouldnotatthemomentrecallEnoch\'sappositeness，soIhadtoaskasimplequestion，thoughIfeltthatbysodoingIwasloweringmyselfintheeyesofthelunatic。

“AndwhywithEnoch？”

“BecausehewalkedwithGod。“

Icouldnotseetheanalogy，butdidnotliketoadmitit，soIharkedbacktowhathehaddenied。“Soyoudon\'tcareaboutlifeandyoudon\'twantsouls。Whynot？”

Iputmyquestionquicklyandsomewhatsternly，onpurposetodisconcerthim。

Theeffortsucceeded，foraninstantheunconsciouslyrelapsedintohisoldservilemanner，bentlowbeforeme，andactuallyfawneduponmeashereplied。“Idon\'twantanysouls，indeed，indeed！Idon\'t。I

couldn\'tusethemifIhadthem。Theywouldbenomannerofusetome。

Icouldn\'teatthemor……“

Hesuddenlystoppedandtheoldcunninglookspreadoverhisface，likeawindsweeponthesurfaceofthewater。

“Anddoctor，astolife，whatisitafterall？Whenyou\'vegotallyourequire，andyouknowthatyouwillneverwant，thatisall。Ihavefriends，goodfriends，likeyou，Dr。Seward。“Thiswassaidwithaleerofinexpressiblecunning。

“IknowthatIshallneverlackthemeansoflife！”

Ithinkthatthroughthecloudinessofhisinsanityhesawsomeantagonisminme，forheatoncefellbackonthelastrefugeofsuchashe，adoggedsilence。AfterashorttimeIsawthatforthepresentitwasuselesstospeaktohim。

Hewassulky，andsoIcameaway。

Laterinthedayhesentforme。OrdinarilyIwouldnothavecomewithoutspecialreason，butjustatpresentIamsointerestedinhimthatIwouldgladlymakeaneffort。

Besides，Iamgladtohaveanythingtohelppassthetime。

Harkerisout，followingupclues，andsoareLordGodalmingandQuincey。VanHelsingsitsinmystudyporingovertherecordpreparedbytheHarkers。Heseemstothinkthatbyaccurateknowledgeofalldetailshewilllightuponsomeclue。

Hedoesnotwishtobedisturbedinthework，withoutcause。

Iwouldhavetakenhimwithmetoseethepatient，onlyIthoughtthatafterhislastrepulsehemightnotcaretogoagain。

Therewasalsoanotherreason。RenfieldmightnotspeaksofreelybeforeathirdpersonaswhenheandIwerealone。

Ifoundhimsittinginthemiddleoftheflooronhisstool，aposewhichisgenerallyindicativeofsomementalenergyonhispart。

WhenIcamein，hesaidatonce，asthoughthequestionhadbeenwaitingonhislips。“Whataboutsouls？”

Itwasevidentthenthatmysurmisehadbeencorrect。

Unconsciouscerebrationwasdoingitswork，evenwiththelunatic。

Ideterminedtohavethematterout。

“Whataboutthemyourself？”Iasked。

Hedidnotreplyforamomentbutlookedallaroundhim，andupanddown，asthoughheexpectedtofindsomeinspirationforananswer。

“Idon\'twantanysouls！”Hesaidinafeeble，apologeticway。

Thematterseemedpreyingonhismind，andsoIdeterminedtouseit，to“becruelonlytobekind。“SoIsaid，“Youlikelife，andyouwantlife？”

“Ohyes！Butthatisallright。Youneedn\'tworryaboutthat！”

“But，“Iasked，“howarewetogetthelifewithoutgettingthesoulalso？”

Thisseemedtopuzzlehim，soIfolloweditup，“Anicetimeyou\'llhavesometimewhenyou\'reflyingouthere，withthesoulsofthousandsoffliesandspidersandbirdsandcatsbuzzingandtwitteringandmoaningallaroundyou。

You\'vegottheirlives，youknow，andyoumustputupwiththeirsouls！”

Somethingseemedtoaffecthisimagination，forheputhisfingerstohisearsandshuthiseyes，screwingthemuptightlyjustasasmallboydoeswhenhisfaceisbeingsoaped。

Therewassomethingpatheticinitthattouchedme。

Italsogavemealesson，foritseemedthatbeforemewasachild，onlyachild，thoughthefeatureswereworn，andthestubbleonthejawswaswhite。Itwasevidentthathewasundergoingsomeprocessofmentaldisturbance，andknowinghowhispastmoodshadinterpretedthingsseeminglyforeigntohimself，IthoughtIwouldenterintohismindaswellasIcouldandgowithhimThefirststepwastorestoreconfidence，soIaskedhim，speakingprettyloudsothathewouldhearmethroughhisclosedears，“Wouldyoulikesomesugartogetyourfliesaroundagain？”

Heseemedtowakeupallatonce，andshookhishead。

Withalaughhereplied，“Notmuch！Fliesarepoorthings，afterall！”Afterapauseheadded，“ButIdon\'twanttheirsoulsbuzzingroundme，allthesame。“

“Orspiders？”Iwenton。

“Blowspiders！What\'stheuseofspiders？Thereisn\'tanythinginthemtoeator……“Hestoppedsuddenlyasthoughremindedofaforbiddentopic。

“So，so！”Ithoughttomyself，“thisisthesecondtimehehassuddenlystoppedattheword`drink\'。Whatdoesitmean？”

Renfieldseemedhimselfawareofhavingmadealapse，forhehurriedon，asthoughtodistractmyattentionfromit，“Idon\'ttakeanystockatallinsuchmatters。

`Ratsandmiceandsuchsmalldeer，\'asShakespearehasit，`chickenfeedofthelarder\'theymightbecalled。

I\'mpastallthatsortofnonsense。Youmightaswellaskamantoeatmoleculeswithapairofchopsticks，astotrytointerestmeaboutthelesscarnivora，whenIknowofwhatisbeforeme。“

“Isee，“Isaid。“Youwantbigthingsthatyoucanmakeyourteethmeetin？

Howwouldyouliketobreakfastonanelephant？”

“Whatridiculousnonsenseyouaretalking？”Hewasgettingtoowideawake，soIthoughtIwouldpresshimhard。

“Iwonder，“Isaidreflectively，“whatanelephant\'ssoulislike！”

TheeffectIdesiredwasobtained，forheatoncefellfromhishigh-horseandbecameachildagain。

“Idon\'twantanelephant\'ssoul，oranysoulatall！”hesaid。

Forafewmomentshesatdespondently。Suddenlyhejumpedtohisfeet，withhiseyesblazingandallthesignsofintensecerebralexcitement。

“Tohellwithyouandyoursouls！”heshouted。“Whydoyouplaguemeaboutsouls？Haven\'tIgotenoughtoworry，andpain，todistractmealready，withoutthinkingofsouls？”

HelookedsohostilethatIthoughthewasinforanotherhomicidalfit，soIblewmywhistle。

Theinstant，however，thatIdidsohebecamecalm，andsaidapologetically，“Forgiveme，Doctor。Iforgotmyself。Youdonotneedanyhelp。

IamsoworriedinmymindthatIamapttobeirritable。IfyouonlyknewtheproblemIhavetoface，andthatIamworkingout，youwouldpity，andtolerate，andpardonme。Praydonotputmeinastraitwaistcoat。

IwanttothinkandIcannotthinkfreelywhenmybodyisconfined。

Iamsureyouwillunderstand！”

Hehadevidentlyself-control，sowhentheattendantscameItoldthemnottomind，andtheywithdrew。Renfieldwatchedthemgo。

Whenthedoorwasclosedhesaidwithconsiderabledignityandsweetness，“Dr。Seward，youhavebeenveryconsideratetowardsme。

BelievemethatIamvery，verygratefultoyou！”

Ithoughtitwelltoleavehiminthismood，andsoIcameaway。

Thereiscertainlysomethingtoponderoverinthisman\'sstate。

SeveralpointsseemtomakewhattheAmericaninterviewercalls“astory，“ifonecouldonlygettheminproperorder。

Heretheyare：

Willnotmention“drinking。“

Fearsthethoughtofbeingburdenedwiththe“soul“ofanything。

Hasnodreadofwanting“life“inthefuture。

Despisesthemeanerformsoflifealtogether，thoughhedreadsbeinghauntedbytheirsouls。

Logicallyallthesethingspointoneway！Hehasassuranceofsomekindthathewillacquiresomehigherlife。

Hedreadstheconsequence，theburdenofasoul。

Thenitisahumanlifehelooksto！

Andtheassurance……？

MercifulGod！TheCounthasbeentohim，andthereissomenewschemeofterrorafoot！

Later——IwentaftermyroundtoVanHelsingandtoldhimmysuspicion。Hegrewverygrave，andafterthinkingthematteroverforawhileaskedmetotakehimtoRenfield。Ididso。

Aswecametothedoorweheardthelunaticwithinsinginggaily，asheusedtodointhetimewhichnowseemssolongago。

Whenweenteredwesawwithamazementthathehadspreadouthissugarasofold。Theflies，lethargicwiththeautumn，werebeginningtobuzzintotheroom。Wetriedtomakehimtalkofthesubjectofourpreviousconversation，buthewouldnotattend。

Hewentonwithhissinging，justasthoughwehadnotbeenpresent。

Hehadgotascrapofpaperandwasfoldingitintoanotebook。

Wehadtocomeawayasignorantaswewentin。

Hisisacuriouscaseindeed。Wemustwatchhimtonight。

LETTER，MITCHELL，SONS&CANDYTOLORDGODALMING。

“1October。

“MyLord，“Weareatalltimesonlytoohappytomeetyourwishes。

Webeg，withregardtothedesireofyourLordship，expressedbyMr。Harkeronyourbehalf，tosupplythefollowinginformationconcerningthesaleandpurchaseofNo。347，Piccadilly。

TheoriginalvendorsaretheexecutorsofthelateMr。ArchibaldWinter-Suffield。Thepurchaserisaforeignnobleman，CountdeVille，whoeffectedthepurchasehimselfpayingthepurchasemoneyinnotes`overthecounter，\'ifyourLordshipwillpardonususingsovulgaranexpression。

Beyondthisweknownothingwhateverofhim。

“Weare，myLord，“YourLordship\'shumbleservants，“MITCHELL，SONS&CANDY。“

DR。SEWARD\'SDIARY

2October——Iplacedamaninthecorridorlastnight，andtoldhimtomakeanaccuratenoteofanysoundhemighthearfromRenfield\'sroom，andgavehiminstructionsthatifthereshouldbeanythingstrangehewastocallme。

Afterdinner，whenwehadallgatheredroundthefireinthestudy，Mrs。Harkerhavinggonetobed，wediscussedtheattemptsanddiscoveriesoftheday。Harkerwastheonlyonewhohadanyresult，andweareingreathopesthathiscluemaybeanimportantone。

BeforegoingtobedIwentroundtothepatient\'sroomandlookedinthroughtheobservationtrap。Hewassleepingsoundly，hisheartroseandfellwithregularrespiration。

Thismorningthemanondutyreportedtomethatalittleaftermidnighthewasrestlessandkeptsayinghisprayerssomewhatloudly。

Iaskedhimifthatwasall。Herepliedthatitwasallheheard。

Therewassomethingabouthismanner，sosuspiciousthatIaskedhimpointblankifhehadbeenasleep。

Hedeniedsleep，butadmittedtohaving“dozed“forawhile。

Itistoobadthatmencannotbetrustedunlesstheyarewatched。

TodayHarkerisoutfollowinguphisclue，andArtandQuinceyarelookingafterhorses。Godalmingthinksthatitwillbewelltohavehorsesalwaysinreadiness，forwhenwegettheinformationwhichweseektherewillbenotimetolose。

Wemuststerilizealltheimportedearthbetweensunriseandsunset。

WeshallthuscatchtheCountathisweakest，andwithoutarefugetoflyto。VanHelsingisofftotheBritishMuseumlookingupsomeauthoritiesonancientmedicine。

Theoldphysicianstookaccountofthingswhichtheirfollowersdonotaccept，andtheProfessorissearchingforwitchanddemoncureswhichmaybeusefultouslater。

Isometimesthinkwemustbeallmadandthatweshallwaketosanityinstraitwaistcoats。

Later——Wehavemetagain。Weseematlasttobeonthetrack，andourworkoftomorrowmaybethebeginningoftheend。

IwonderifRenfield\'squiethasanythingtodowiththis。

HismoodshavesofollowedthedoingsoftheCount，thatthecomingdestructionofthemonstermaybecarriedtohimsomesubtleway。

Ifwecouldonlygetsomehintastowhatpassedinhismind，betweenthetimeofmyargumentwithhimtodayandhisresumptionoffly-catching，itmightaffordusavaluableclue。

Heisnowseeminglyquietforaspell……Ishe？

Thatwildyellseemedtocomefromhisroom……

TheattendantcameburstingintomyroomandtoldmethatRenfieldhadsomehowmetwithsomeaccident。Hehadheardhimyell，andwhenhewenttohimfoundhimlyingonhisfaceonthefloor，allcoveredwithblood。

Imustgoatonce……

CHAPTER21

DR。SEWARD\'SDIARY

3October——Letmeputdownwithexactnessallthathappened，aswellasIcanremember，sincelastImadeanentry。

NotadetailthatIcanrecallmustbeforgotten。

InallcalmnessImustproceed。

WhenIcametoRenfield\'sroomIfoundhimlyingontheflooronhisleftsideinaglitteringpoolofblood。WhenIwenttomovehim，itbecameatonceapparentthathehadreceivedsometerribleinjuries。

Thereseemednoneoftheunityofpurposebetweenthepartsofthebodywhichmarksevenlethargicsanity。AsthefacewasexposedIcouldseethatitwashorriblybruised，asthoughithadbeenbeatenagainstthefloor。

Indeeditwasfromthefacewoundsthatthepoolofbloodoriginated。

Theattendantwhowaskneelingbesidethebodysaidtomeasweturnedhimover，“Ithink，sir，hisbackisbroken。See，bothhisrightarmandlegandthewholesideofhisfaceareparalysed。“

Howsuchathingcouldhavehappenedpuzzledtheattendantbeyondmeasure。Heseemedquitebewildered，andhisbrowsweregatheredinashesaid，“Ican\'tunderstandthetwothings。

Hecouldmarkhisfacelikethatbybeatinghisownheadonthefloor。

IsawayoungwomandoitonceattheEversfieldAsylumbeforeanyonecouldlayhandsonher。AndIsupposehemighthavebrokenhisneckbyfallingoutofbed，ifhegotinanawkwardkink。

ButforthelifeofmeIcan\'timaginehowthetwothingsoccurred。

Ifhisbackwasbroke，hecouldn\'tbeathishead，andifhisfacewaslikethatbeforethefalloutofbed，therewouldbemarksofit。“

Isaidtohim，“GotoDr。VanHelsing，andaskhimtokindlycomehereatonce。Iwanthimwithoutaninstant\'sdelay。“

Themanranoff，andwithinafewminutestheProfessor，inhisdressinggownandslippers，appeared。WhenhesawRenfieldontheground，helookedkeenlyathimamoment，andthenturnedtome。

Ithinkherecognizedmythoughtinmyeyes，forhesaidveryquietly，manifestlyfortheearsoftheattendant，“Ah，asadaccident！

Hewillneedverycarefulwatching，andmuchattention。

Ishallstaywithyoumyself，butIshallfirstdressmyself。

IfyouwillremainIshallinafewminutesjoinyou。“

Thepatientwasnowbreathingstertorouslyanditwaseasytoseethathehadsufferedsometerribleinjury。

VanHelsingreturnedwithextraordinarycelerity，bearingwithhimasurgicalcase。Hehadevidentlybeenthinkingandhadhismindmadeup，foralmostbeforehelookedatthepatient，hewhisperedtome，“Sendtheattendantaway。

Wemustbealonewithhimwhenhebecomesconscious，aftertheoperation。“

Isaid，“Ithinkthatwilldonow，Simmons。Wehavedoneallthatwecanatpresent。Youhadbettergoyourround，andDr。VanHelsingwilloperate。

Letmeknowinstantlyiftherebeanythingunusualanywhere。“

Themanwithdrew，andwewentintoastrictexaminationofthepatient。

Thewoundsofthefaceweresuperficial。Therealinjurywasadepressedfractureoftheskull，extendingrightupthroughthemotorarea。

TheProfessorthoughtamomentandsaid，“Wemustreducethepressureandgetbacktonormalconditions，asfarascanbe。

Therapidityofthesuffusionshowstheterriblenatureofhisinjury。Thewholemotorareaseemsaffected。

Thesuffusionofthebrainwillincreasequickly，sowemusttrephineatonceoritmaybetoolate。“

Ashewasspeakingtherewasasofttappingatthedoor。

Iwentoverandopeneditandfoundinthecorridorwithout，ArthurandQuinceyinpajamasandslippers，theformerspoke，“IheardyourmancallupDr。VanHelsingandtellhimofanaccident。

SoIwokeQuinceyorrathercalledforhimashewasnotasleep。

Thingsaremovingtooquicklyandtoostrangelyforsoundsleepforanyofusthesetimes。I\'vebeenthinkingthattomorrownightwillnotseethingsastheyhavebeen。

We\'llhavetolookback，andforwardalittlemorethanwehavedone。

Maywecomein？”

Inodded，andheldthedooropentilltheyhadentered，thenIcloseditagain。WhenQuinceysawtheattitudeandstateofthepatient，andnotedthehorriblepoolonthefloor，hesaidsoftly，“MyGod！

Whathashappenedtohim？Poor，poordevil！”

Itoldhimbriefly，andaddedthatweexpectedhewouldrecoverconsciousnessaftertheoperation，forashorttime，atallevents。

Hewentatonceandsatdownontheedgeofthebed，withGodalmingbesidehim。Weallwatchedinpatience。

“Weshallwait，“saidVanHelsing，“justlongenoughtofixthebestspotfortrephining，sothatwemaymostquicklyandperfectlyremovethebloodclot，foritisevidentthatthehaemorrhageisincreasing。“

Theminutesduringwhichwewaitedpassedwithfearfulslowness。

Ihadahorriblesinkinginmyheart，andfromVanHelsing\'sfaceIgatheredthathefeltsomefearorapprehensionastowhatwastocome。IdreadedthewordsRenfieldmightspeak。

Iwaspositivelyafraidtothink。Buttheconvictionofwhatwascomingwasonme，asIhavereadofmenwhohaveheardthedeathwatch。Thepoorman\'sbreathingcameinuncertaingasps。

Eachinstantheseemedasthoughhewouldopenhiseyesandspeak，butthenwouldfollowaprolongedstertorousbreath，andhewouldrelapseintoamorefixedinsensibility。InuredasIwastosickbedsanddeath，thissuspensegrewandgrewuponme。

Icouldalmosthearthebeatingofmyownheart，andthebloodsurgingthroughmytemplessoundedlikeblowsfromahammer。

Thesilencefinallybecameagonizing。Ilookedatmycompanions，oneafteranother，andsawfromtheirflushedfacesanddampbrowsthattheywereenduringequaltorture。

Therewasanervoussuspenseoverusall，asthoughoverheadsomedreadbellwouldpealoutpowerfullywhenweshouldleastexpectit。

Atlasttherecameatimewhenitwasevidentthatthepatientwassinkingfast。Hemightdieatanymoment。

IlookedupattheProfessorandcaughthiseyesfixedonmine。

Hisfacewassternlysetashespoke，“Thereisnotimetolose。

Hiswordsmaybeworthmanylives。Ihavebeenthinkingso，asIstoodhere。Itmaybethereisasoulatstake！

Weshalloperatejustabovetheear。“

Withoutanotherwordhemadetheoperation。Forafewmomentsthebreathingcontinuedtobestertorous。Thentherecameabreathsoprolongedthatitseemedasthoughitwouldtearopenhischest。

Suddenlyhiseyesopened，andbecamefixedinawild，helplessstare。

Thiswascontinuedforafewmoments，thenitwassoftenedintoagladsurprise，andfromhislipscameasighofrelief。

Hemovedconvulsively，andashedidso，said，“I\'llbequiet，Doctor。

Tellthemtotakeoffthestraitwaistcoat。Ihavehadaterribledream，andithasleftmesoweakthatIcannotmove。What\'swrongwithmyface？

Itfeelsallswollen，anditsmartsdreadfully。“

Hetriedtoturnhishead，butevenwiththeefforthiseyesseemedtogrowglassyagainsoIgentlyputitback。

ThenVanHelsingsaidinaquietgravetone，“Tellusyourdream，Mr。Renfield。“

Asheheardthevoicehisfacebrightened，throughitsmutilation，andhesaid，“ThatisDr。VanHelsing。Howgooditisofyoutobehere。

Givemesomewater，mylipsaredry，andIshalltrytotellyou。

Idreamed“……

Hestoppedandseemedfainting。IcalledquietlytoQuincey，“Thebrandy，itisinmystudy，quick！”Heflewandreturnedwithaglass，thedecanterofbrandyandacarafeofwater。

Wemoistenedtheparchedlips，andthepatientquicklyrevived。

Itseemed，however，thathispoorinjuredbrainhadbeenworkingintheinterval，forwhenhewasquiteconscious，helookedatmepiercinglywithanagonizedconfusionwhichIshallneverforget，andsaid，“Imustnotdeceivemyself。Itwasnodream，butallagrimreality。“Thenhiseyesrovedroundtheroom。

Astheycaughtsightofthetwofiguressittingpatientlyontheedgeofthebedhewenton，“IfIwerenotsurealready，Iwouldknowfromthem。“

Foraninstanthiseyesclosed，notwithpainorsleepbutvoluntarily，asthoughhewerebringingallhisfacultiestobear。

Whenheopenedthemhesaid，hurriedly，andwithmoreenergythanhehadyetdisplayed，“Quick，Doctor，quick，Iamdying！

IfeelthatIhavebutafewminutes，andthenImustgobacktodeath，orworse！Wetmylipswithbrandyagain。

IhavesomethingthatImustsaybeforeIdie。Orbeforemypoorcrushedbraindiesanyhow。Thankyou！Itwasthatnightafteryouleftme，whenIimploredyoutoletmegoaway。

Icouldn\'tspeakthen，forIfeltmytonguewastied。

ButIwasassanethen，exceptinthatway，asIamnow。

Iwasinanagonyofdespairforalongtimeafteryouleftme，itseemedhours。Thentherecameasuddenpeacetome。

Mybrainseemedtobecomecoolagain，andIrealizedwhereIwas。

Iheardthedogsbarkbehindourhouse，butnotwhereHewas！”

Ashespoke，VanHelsing\'seyesneverblinked，buthishandcameoutandmetmineandgrippedithard。Hedidnot，however，betrayhimself。

Henoddedslightlyandsaid，“Goon，“inalowvoice。

Renfieldproceeded。“Hecameuptothewindowinthemist，asIhadseenhimoftenbefore，buthewassolidthen，notaghost，andhiseyeswerefiercelikeaman\'swhenangry。

Hewaslaughingwithhisredmouth，thesharpwhiteteethglintedinthemoonlightwhenheturnedtolookbackoverthebeltoftrees，towherethedogswerebarking。

Iwouldn\'taskhimtocomeinatfirst，thoughIknewhewantedto，justashehadwantedallalong。Thenhebeganpromisingmethings，notinwordsbutbydoingthem。“

HewasinterruptedbyawordfromtheProfessor，“How？”

“Bymakingthemhappen。Justasheusedtosendintheflieswhenthesunwasshining。Greatbigfatoneswithsteelandsapphireontheirwings。

Andbigmoths，inthenight，withskullandcross-bonesontheirbacks。“

VanHelsingnoddedtohimashewhisperedtomeunconsciously，“TheAcherontiaAtroposoftheSphinges，whatyoucallthe`Death\'s-headMoth\'？”

Thepatientwentonwithoutstopping，“Thenhebegantowhisper。`Rats，rats，rats！Hundreds，thousands，millionsofthem，andeveryonealife。Anddogstoeatthem，andcatstoo。Alllives！

Allredblood，withyearsoflifeinit，andnotmerelybuzzingflies！\'

Ilaughedathim，forIwantedtoseewhathecoulddo。

Thenthedogshowled，awaybeyondthedarktreesinHishouse。

Hebeckonedmetothewindow。Igotupandlookedout，andHeraisedhishands，andseemedtocalloutwithoutusinganywords。

Adarkmassspreadoverthegrass，comingonliketheshapeofaflameoffire。AndthenHemovedthemisttotherightandleft，andIcouldseethattherewerethousandsofratswiththeireyesblazingred，likeHisonlysmaller。Hehelduphishand，andtheyallstopped，andIthoughtheseemedtobesaying，`AlltheseliveswillIgiveyou，ay，andmanymoreandgreater，throughcountlessages，ifyouwillfalldownandworshipme！\'

Andthenaredcloud，likethecolorofblood，seemedtocloseovermyeyes，andbeforeIknewwhatIwasdoing，IfoundmyselfopeningthesashandsayingtoHim，`Comein，LordandMaster！\'

Theratswereallgone，butHeslidintotheroomthroughthesash，thoughitwasonlyopenaninchwide，justastheMoonherselfhasoftencomeinthroughthetiniestcrackandhasstoodbeforemeinallhersizeandsplendor。“

Hisvoicewasweaker，soImoistenedhislipswiththebrandyagain，andhecontinued，butitseemedasthoughhismemoryhadgoneonworkingintheintervalforhisstorywasfurtheradvanced。

Iwasabouttocallhimbacktothepoint，butVanHelsingwhisperedtome，“Lethimgoon。Donotinterrupthim。

Hecannotgoback，andmaybecouldnotproceedatallifoncehelostthethreadofhisthought。“

Heproceeded，“AlldayIwaitedtohearfromhim，buthedidnotsendmeanything，notevenablowfly，andwhenthemoongotupIwasprettyangrywithhim。Whenhedidslideinthroughthewindow，thoughitwasshut，anddidnotevenknock，Igotmadwithhim。Hesneeredatme，andhiswhitefacelookedoutofthemistwithhisredeyesgleaming，andhewentonasthoughheownedthewholeplace，andIwasnoone。

Hedidn\'tevensmellthesameashewentbyme。Icouldn\'tholdhim。

Ithoughtthat，somehow，Mrs。Harkerhadcomeintotheroom。“

Thetwomensittingonthebedstoodupandcameover，standingbehindhimsothathecouldnotseethem，butwheretheycouldhearbetter。

Theywerebothsilent，buttheProfessorstartedandquivered。

Hisface，however，grewgrimmerandsternerstill。Renfieldwentonwithoutnoticing，“WhenMrs。Harkercameintoseemethisafternoonshewasn\'tthesame。Itwasliketeaaftertheteapothasbeenwatered。“

Hereweallmoved，butnoonesaidaword。

Hewenton，“Ididn\'tknowthatshewasheretillshespoke，andshedidn\'tlookthesame。Idon\'tcareforthepalepeople。

Ilikethemwithlotsofbloodinthem，andhersallseemedtohaverunout。Ididn\'tthinkofitatthetime，butwhenshewentawayIbegantothink，anditmadememadtoknowthatHehadbeentakingthelifeoutofher。“

Icouldfeelthattherestquivered，asIdid。Butweremainedotherwisestill。“SowhenHecametonightIwasreadyforHim。

Isawthemiststealingin，andIgrabbedittight。Ihadheardthatmadmenhaveunnaturalstrength。AndasIknewIwasamadman，attimesanyhow，Iresolvedtousemypower。Ay，andHefeltittoo，forHehadtocomeoutofthemisttostrugglewithme。

Iheldtight，andIthoughtIwasgoingtowin，forIdidn\'tmeanHimtotakeanymoreofherlife，tillIsawHiseyes。

Theyburnedintome，andmystrengthbecamelikewater。

Heslippedthroughit，andwhenItriedtoclingtoHim，Heraisedmeupandflungmedown。Therewasaredcloudbeforeme，andanoiselikethunder，andthemistseemedtostealawayunderthedoor。“

Hisvoicewasbecomingfainterandhisbreathmorestertorous。

VanHelsingstoodupinstinctively。

“Weknowtheworstnow，“hesaid。“Heishere，andweknowhispurpose。

Itmaynotbetoolate。Letusbearmed，thesameasweweretheothernight，butlosenotime，thereisnotaninstanttospare。“

Therewasnoneedtoputourfear，nayourconviction，intowords，wesharedthemincommon。WeallhurriedandtookfromourroomsthesamethingsthatwehadwhenweenteredtheCount\'shouse。

TheProfessorhadhisready，andaswemetinthecorridorhepointedtothemsignificantlyashesaid，“Theyneverleaveme，andtheyshallnottillthisunhappybusinessisover。

Bewisealso，myfriends。ItisnocommonenemythatwedealwithAlas！Alas！ThatdearMadamMinashouldsuffer！”

Hestopped，hisvoicewasbreaking，andIdonotknowifrageorterrorpredominatedinmyownheart。

OutsidetheHarkers\'doorwepaused。ArtandQuinceyheldback，andthelattersaid，“Shouldwedisturbher？”

“Wemust，“saidVanHelsinggrimly。“Ifthedoorbelocked，Ishallbreakitin。“

“Mayitnotfrightenherterribly？Itisunusualtobreakintoalady\'sroom！”

VanHelsingsaidsolemnly，“Youarealwaysright。

Butthisislifeanddeath。Allchambersarealiketothedoctor。

Andevenweretheynottheyareallasonetometonight。

FriendJohn，whenIturnthehandle，ifthedoordoesnotopen，doyouputyourshoulderdownandshove。Andyoutoo，myfriends。Now！”

Heturnedthehandleashespoke，butthedoordidnotyield。

Wethrewourselvesagainstit。Withacrashitburstopen，andwealmostfellheadlongintotheroom。TheProfessordidactuallyfall，andIsawacrosshimashegatheredhimselfupfromhandsandknees。WhatIsawappalledme。

Ifeltmyhairriselikebristlesonthebackofmyneck，andmyheartseemedtostandstill。

Themoonlightwassobrightthatthroughthethickyellowblindtheroomwaslightenoughtosee。OnthebedbesidethewindowlayJonathanHarker，hisfaceflushedandbreathingheavilyasthoughinastupor。

Kneelingonthenearedgeofthebedfacingoutwardswasthewhite-cladfigureofhiswife。Byhersidestoodatall，thinman，cladinblack。

Hisfacewasturnedfromus，buttheinstantwesawweallrecognizedtheCount，ineveryway，eventothescaronhisforehead。

WithhislefthandheheldbothMrs。Harker\'shands，keepingthemawaywithherarmsatfulltension。Hisrighthandgrippedherbythebackoftheneck，forcingherfacedownonhisbosom。

Herwhitenightdresswassmearedwithblood，andathinstreamtrickleddowntheman\'sbarechestwhichwasshownbyhistorn-opendress。

Theattitudeofthetwohadaterribleresemblancetoachildforcingakitten\'snoseintoasaucerofmilktocompelittodrink。

Asweburstintotheroom，theCountturnedhisface，andthehellishlookthatIhadhearddescribedseemedtoleapintoit。

Hiseyesflamedredwithdevilishpassion。Thegreatnostrilsofthewhiteaquilinenoseopenedwideandquiveredattheedge，andthewhitesharpteeth，behindthefulllipsoftheblooddrippingmouth，clampedtogetherlikethoseofawildbeast。

Withawrench，whichthrewhisvictimbackuponthebedasthoughhurledfromaheight，heturnedandsprangatus。

ButbythistimetheProfessorhadgainedhisfeet，andwasholdingtowardshimtheenvelopewhichcontainedtheSacredWafer。

TheCountsuddenlystopped，justaspoorLucyhaddoneoutsidethetomb，andcoweredback。Furtherandfurtherbackhecowered，aswe，liftingourcrucifixes，advanced。Themoonlightsuddenlyfailed，asagreatblackcloudsailedacrossthesky。AndwhenthegaslightsprangupunderQuincey\'smatch，wesawnothingbutafaintvapor。

This，aswelooked，trailedunderthedoor，whichwiththerecoilfromitsburstingopen，hadswungbacktoitsoldposition。

VanHelsing，Art，andImovedforwardtoMrs。Harker，whobythistimehaddrawnherbreathandwithithadgivenascreamsowild，soear-piercing，sodespairingthatitseemstomenowthatitwillringinmyearstillmydyingday。

Forafewsecondsshelayinherhelplessattitudeanddisarray。

Herfacewasghastly，withapallorwhichwasaccentuatedbythebloodwhichsmearedherlipsandcheeksandchin。Fromherthroattrickledathinstreamofblood。Hereyesweremadwithterror。

Thensheputbeforeherfaceherpoorcrushedhands，whichboreontheirwhitenesstheredmarkoftheCount\'sterriblegrip，andfrombehindthemcamealowdesolatewailwhichmadetheterriblescreamseemonlythequickexpressionofanendlessgrief。

VanHelsingsteppedforwardanddrewthecoverletgentlyoverherbody，whilstArt，afterlookingatherfaceforaninstantdespairingly，ranoutoftheroom。

VanHelsingwhisperedtome，“JonathanisinastuporsuchasweknowtheVampirecanproduce。WecandonothingwithpoorMadamMinaforafewmomentstillsherecoversherself。

Imustwakehim！”

Hedippedtheendofatowelincoldwaterandwithitbegantoflickhimontheface，hiswifeallthewhileholdingherfacebetweenherhandsandsobbinginawaythatwasheartbreakingtohear。Iraisedtheblind，andlookedoutofthewindow。

Therewasmuchmoonshine，andasIlookedIcouldseeQuinceyMorrisrunacrossthelawnandhidehimselfintheshadowofagreatyewtree。Itpuzzledmetothinkwhyhewasdoingthis。

ButattheinstantIheardHarker\'squickexclamationashewoketopartialconsciousness，andturnedtothebed。

Onhisface，astheremightwellbe，wasalookofwildamazement。

Heseemeddazedforafewseconds，andthenfullconsciousnessseemedtoburstuponhimallatonce，andhestartedup。

Hiswifewasarousedbythequickmovement，andturnedtohimwithherarmsstretchedout，asthoughtoembracehim。Instantly，however，shedrewtheminagain，andputtingherelbowstogether，heldherhandsbeforeherface，andshudderedtillthebedbeneathhershook。

“InGod\'snamewhatdoesthismean？”Harkercriedout。

“Dr。Seward，Dr。VanHelsing，whatisit？Whathashappened？

Whatiswrong？Mina，dearwhatisit？Whatdoesthatbloodmean？

MyGod，myGod！Hasitcometothis！”And，raisinghimselftohisknees，hebeathishandswildlytogether。“GoodGodhelpus！

Helpher！Oh，helpher！”

Withaquickmovementhejumpedfrombed，andbegantopullonhisclothes，allthemaninhimawakeattheneedforinstantexertion。

“Whathashappened？Tellmeallaboutit！”hecriedwithoutpausing。

“Dr。VanHelsingyouloveMina，Iknow。Oh，dosomethingtosaveher。

Itcannothavegonetoofaryet。GuardherwhileIlookforhim！”

Hiswife，throughherterrorandhorroranddistress，sawsomesuredangertohim。Instantlyforgettingherowngrief，sheseizedholdofhimandcriedout。

“No！No！Jonathan，youmustnotleaveme。Ihavesufferedenoughtonight，Godknows，withoutthedreadofhisharmingyou。Youmuststaywithme。

Staywiththesefriendswhowillwatchoveryou！”Herexpressionbecamefranticasshespoke。And，heyieldingtoher，shepulledhimdownsittingonthebedside，andclungtohimfiercely。

VanHelsingandItriedtocalmthemboth。TheProfessorhelduphisgoldencrucifix，andsaidwithwonderfulcalmness，“Donotfear，mydear。

Wearehere，andwhilstthisisclosetoyounofoulthingcanapproach。

Youaresafefortonight，andwemustbecalmandtakecounseltogether。“

Sheshudderedandwassilent，holdingdownherheadonherhusband\'sbreast。

Whensheraisedit，hiswhitenightrobewasstainedwithbloodwhereherlipshadtouched，andwherethethinopenwoundintheneckhadsentforthdrops。

Theinstantshesawitshedrewback，withalowwail，andwhispered，amidstchokingsobs。

“Unclean，unclean！Imusttouchhimorkisshimnomore。

Oh，thatitshouldbethatitisIwhoamnowhisworstenemy，andwhomhemayhavemostcausetofear。“

Tothishespokeoutresolutely，“Nonsense，Mina。Itisashametometohearsuchaword。Iwouldnothearitofyou。

AndIshallnothearitfromyou。MayGodjudgemebymydeserts，andpunishmewithmorebittersufferingthaneventhishour，ifbyanyactorwillofmineanythingevercomebetweenus！”

Heputouthisarmsandfoldedhertohisbreast。Andforawhileshelaytheresobbing。Helookedatusoverherbowedhead，witheyesthatblinkeddamplyabovehisquiveringnostrils。

Hismouthwassetassteel。