第13章

Afterawhilehersobsbecamelessfrequentandmorefaint，andthenhesaidtome，speakingwithastudiedcalmnesswhichIfelttriedhisnervouspowertotheutmost。

“Andnow，Dr。Seward，tellmeallaboutit。ToowellIknowthebroadfact。

Tellmeallthathasbeen。“

Itoldhimexactlywhathadhappenedandhelistenedwithseemingimpassiveness，buthisnostrilstwitchedandhiseyesblazedasItoldhowtheruthlesshandsoftheCounthadheldhiswifeinthatterribleandhorridposition，withhermouthtotheopenwoundinhisbreast。

Itinterestedme，evenatthatmoment，toseethatwhilstthefaceofwhitesetpassionworkedconvulsivelyoverthebowedhead，thehandstenderlyandlovinglystrokedtheruffledhair。

JustasIhadfinished，QuinceyandGodalmingknockedatthedoor。

Theyenteredinobediencetooursummons。VanHelsinglookedatmequestioningly。Iunderstoodhimtomeanifweweretotakeadvantageoftheircomingtodivertifpossiblethethoughtsoftheunhappyhusbandandwifefromeachotherandfromthemselves。

Soonnoddingacquiescencetohimheaskedthemwhattheyhadseenordone。TowhichLordGodalminganswered。

“Icouldnotseehimanywhereinthepassage，orinanyofourrooms。

Ilookedinthestudybut，thoughhehadbeenthere，hehadgone。

Hehad，however……“Hestoppedsuddenly，lookingatthepoordroopingfigureonthebed。

VanHelsingsaidgravely，“Goon，friendArthur。Wewantherenomoreconcealments。Ourhopenowisinknowingall。

Tellfreely！”

SoArtwenton，“Hehadbeenthere，andthoughitcouldonlyhavebeenforafewseconds，hemaderarehayoftheplace。Allthemanuscripthadbeenburned，andtheblueflameswereflickeringamongstthewhiteashes。

Thecylindersofyourphonographtoowerethrownonthefire，andthewaxhadhelpedtheflames。“

HereIinterrupted。“ThankGodthereistheothercopyinthesafe！”

Hisfacelitforamoment，butfellagainashewenton。

“Irandownstairsthen，butcouldseenosignofhim。

IlookedintoRenfield\'sroom，buttherewasnotracethereexcept……“Againhepaused。

“Goon，“saidHarkerhoarsely。Sohebowedhisheadandmoisteninghislipswithhistongue，added，“exceptthatthepoorfellowisdead。“

Mrs。Harkerraisedherhead，lookingfromonetotheotherofusshesaidsolemnly，“God\'swillbedone！”

IcouldnotbutfeelthatArtwaskeepingbacksomething。

But，asItookitthatitwaswithapurpose，Isaidnothing。

VanHelsingturnedtoMorrisandasked，“Andyou，friendQuincey，haveyouanytotell？”

“Alittle，“heanswered。“Itmaybemucheventually，butatpresentIcan\'tsay。IthoughtitwelltoknowifpossiblewheretheCountwouldgowhenheleftthehouse。

Ididnotseehim，butIsawabatrisefromRenfield\'swindow，andflapwestward。IexpectedtoseehiminsomeshapegobacktoCarfax，butheevidentlysoughtsomeotherlair。

Hewillnotbebacktonight，fortheskyisreddeningintheeast，andthedawnisclose。Wemustworktomorrow！”

Hesaidthelatterwordsthroughhisshutteeth。Foraspaceofperhapsacoupleofminutestherewassilence，andIcouldfancythatIcouldhearthesoundofourheartsbeating。

ThenVanHelsingsaid，placinghishandtenderlyonMrs。Harker\'shead，“Andnow，MadamMina，poordear，dear，MadamMina，tellusexactlywhathappened。GodknowsthatIdonotwantthatyoubepained，butitisneedthatweknowall。Fornowmorethaneverhasallworktobedonequickandsharp，andindeadlyearnest。

Thedayisclosetousthatmustendall，ifitmaybeso，andnowisthechancethatwemayliveandlearn。“

Thepoordearladyshivered，andIcouldseethetensionofhernervesassheclaspedherhusbandclosertoherandbentherheadlowerandlowerstillonhisbreast。Thensheraisedherheadproudly，andheldoutonehandtoVanHelsingwhotookitinhis，andafterstoopingandkissingitreverently，helditfast。

Theotherhandwaslockedinthatofherhusband，whoheldhisotherarmthrownroundherprotectingly。Afterapauseinwhichshewasevidentlyorderingherthoughts，shebegan。

“Itookthesleepingdraughtwhichyouhadsokindlygivenme，butforalongtimeitdidnotact。Iseemedtobecomemorewakeful，andmyriadsofhorriblefanciesbegantocrowdinuponmymind。

Allofthemconnectedwithdeath，andvampires，withblood，andpain，andtrouble。“Herhusbandinvoluntarilygroanedassheturnedtohimandsaidlovingly，“Donotfret，dear。

Youmustbebraveandstrong，andhelpmethroughthehorribletask。

Ifyouonlyknewwhataneffortitistometotellofthisfearfulthingatall，youwouldunderstandhowmuchIneedyourhelp。

Well，IsawImusttrytohelpthemedicinetoitsworkwithmywill，ifitwastodomeanygood，soIresolutelysetmyselftosleep。

Sureenoughsleepmustsoonhavecometome，forIremembernomore。

Jonathancominginhadnotwakedme，forhelaybymysidewhennextIremember。TherewasintheroomthesamethinwhitemistthatIhadbeforenoticed。ButIforgetnowifyouknowofthis。

YouwillfinditinmydiarywhichIshallshowyoulater。

Ifeltthesamevagueterrorwhichhadcometomebeforeandthesamesenseofsomepresence。IturnedtowakeJonathan，butfoundthathesleptsosoundlythatitseemedasifitwashewhohadtakenthesleepingdraught，andnotI。Itried，butIcouldnotwakehim。

Thiscausedmeagreatfear，andIlookedaroundterrified。

Thenindeed，myheartsankwithinme。Besidethebed，asifhehadsteppedoutofthemist，orratherasifthemisthadturnedintohisfigure，forithadentirelydisappeared，stoodatall，thinman，allinblack。Iknewhimatoncefromthedescriptionoftheothers。

Thewaxenface，thehighaquilinenose，onwhichthelightfellinathinwhiteline，thepartedredlips，withthesharpwhiteteethshowingbetween，andtheredeyesthatIhadseemedtoseeinthesunsetonthewindowsofSt。Mary\'sChurchatWitby。

Iknew，too，theredscaronhisforeheadwhereJonathanhadstruckhim。

Foraninstantmyheartstoodstill，andIwouldhavescreamedout，onlythatIwasparalyzed。Inthepausehespokeinasortofkeen，cuttingwhisper，pointingashespoketoJonathan。

“`Silence！IfyoumakeasoundIshalltakehimanddashhisbrainsoutbeforeyourveryeyes。\'Iwasappalledandwastoobewilderedtodoorsayanything。Withamockingsmile，heplacedonehanduponmyshoulderand，holdingmetight，baredmythroatwiththeother，sayingashedidso，`First，alittlerefreshmenttorewardmyexertions。

Youmayaswellbequiet。Itisnotthefirsttime，orthesecond，thatyourveinshaveappeasedmythirst！\'

Iwasbewildered，andstrangelyenough，Ididnotwanttohinderhim。

Isupposeitisapartofthehorriblecursethatsuchis，whenhistouchisonhisvictim。Andoh，myGod，myGod，pityme！Heplacedhisreekinglipsuponmythroat！”

Herhusbandgroanedagain。Sheclaspedhishandharder，andlookedathimpityingly，asifheweretheinjuredone，andwenton。

“Ifeltmystrengthfadingaway，andIwasinahalfswoon。

HowlongthishorriblethinglastedIknownot，butitseemedthatalongtimemusthavepassedbeforehetookhisfoul，awful，sneeringmouthaway。Isawitdripwiththefreshblood！”Theremembranceseemedforawhiletooverpowerher，andshedroopedandwouldhavesunkdownbutforherhusband\'ssustainingarm。

Withagreateffortsherecoveredherselfandwenton。

“Thenhespoketomemockingly，`Andsoyou，liketheothers，wouldplayyourbrainsagainstmine。Youwouldhelpthesementohuntmeandfrustratemeinmydesign！

Youknownow，andtheyknowinpartalready，andwillknowinfullbeforelong，whatitistocrossmypath。

Theyshouldhavekepttheirenergiesforuseclosertohome。

Whilsttheyplayedwitsagainstme，againstmewhocommandednations，andintriguedforthem，andfoughtforthem，hundredsofyearsbeforetheywereborn，Iwascounterminingthem。

Andyou，theirbestbelovedone，arenowtome，fleshofmyflesh，bloodofmyblood，kinofmykin，mybountifulwine-pressforawhile，andshallbelateronmycompanionandmyhelper。

Youshallbeavengedinturn，fornotoneofthembutshallministertoyourneeds。Butasyetyouaretobepunishedforwhatyouhavedone。Youhaveaidedinthwartingme。

Nowyoushallcometomycall。Whenmybrainsays“Come！”

toyou，youshallcrosslandorseatodomybidding。

Andtothatendthis！\'

Withthathepulledopenhisshirt，andwithhislongsharpnailsopenedaveininhisbreast。Whenthebloodbegantospurtout，hetookmyhandsinoneofhis，holdingthemtight，andwiththeotherseizedmyneckandpressedmymouthtothewound，sothatImusteithersuffocateorswallowsometothe……Oh，myGod！MyGod！

WhathaveIdone？WhathaveIdonetodeservesuchafate，Iwhohavetriedtowalkinmeeknessandrighteousnessallmydays。

Godpityme！Lookdownonapoorsoulinworsethanmortalperil。

Andinmercypitythosetowhomsheisdear！”Thenshebegantorubherlipsasthoughtocleansethemfrompollution。

Asshewastellingherterriblestory，theeasternskybegantoquicken，andeverythingbecamemoreandmoreclear。Harkerwasstillandquiet。

Butoverhisface，astheawfulnarrativewenton，cameagreylookwhichdeepenedanddeepenedinthemorninglight，tillwhenthefirstredstreakofthecomingdawnshotup，thefleshstooddarklyoutagainstthewhiteninghair。

Wehavearrangedthatoneofusistostaywithincalloftheunhappypairtillwecanmeettogetherandarrangeabouttakingaction。

OfthisIamsure。Thesunrisestodayonnomoremiserablehouseinallthegreatroundofitsdailycourse。

CHAPTER22

JONATHANHARKER\'SJOURNAL

3October——AsImustdosomethingorgomad，Iwritethisdiary。

Itisnowsixo\'clock，andwearetomeetinthestudyinhalfanhourandtakesomethingtoeat，forDr。VanHelsingandDr。Sewardareagreedthatifwedonoteatwecannotworkourbest。Ourbestwillbe，Godknows，requiredtoday。Imustkeepwritingateverychance，forIdarenotstoptothink。All，bigandlittle，mustgodown。

Perhapsattheendthelittlethingsmayteachusmost。

Theteaching，bigorlittle，couldnothavelandedMinaormeanywhereworsethanwearetoday。However，wemusttrustandhope。

PoorMinatoldmejustnow，withthetearsrunningdownherdearcheeks，thatitisintroubleandtrialthatourfaithistested。

Thatwemustkeepontrusting，andthatGodwillaidusuptotheend。

Theend！OhmyGod！Whatend？……Towork！Towork！

WhenDr。VanHelsingandDr。SewardhadcomebackfromseeingpoorRenfield，wewentgravelyintowhatwastobedone。First，Dr。SewardtoldusthatwhenheandDr。VanHelsinghadgonedowntotheroombelowtheyhadfoundRenfieldlyingonthefloor，allinaheap。Hisfacewasallbruisedandcrushedin，andthebonesoftheneckwerebroken。

Dr。Sewardaskedtheattendantwhowasondutyinthepassageifhehadheardanything。Hesaidthathehadbeensittingdown，heconfessedtohalfdozing，whenheheardloudvoicesintheroom，andthenRenfieldhadcalledoutloudlyseveraltimes，“God！God！God！”Afterthattherewasasoundoffalling，andwhenheenteredtheroomhefoundhimlyingonthefloor，facedown，justasthedoctorshadseenhim。

VanHelsingaskedifhehadheard“voices“or“avoice，“andhesaidhecouldnotsay。Thatatfirstithadseemedtohimasifthereweretwo，butastherewasnooneintheroomitcouldhavebeenonlyone。

Hecouldsweartoit，ifrequired，thattheword“God“wasspokenbythepatient。

Dr。Sewardsaidtous，whenwewerealone，thathedidnotwishtogointothematter。Thequestionofaninquesthadtobeconsidered，anditwouldneverdotoputforwardthetruth，asnoonewouldbelieveit。

Asitwas，hethoughtthatontheattendant\'sevidencehecouldgiveacertificateofdeathbymisadventureinfallingfrombed。

Incasethecoronershoulddemandit，therewouldbeaformalinquest，necessarilytothesameresult。

Whenthequestionbegantobediscussedastowhatshouldbeournextstep，theveryfirstthingwedecidedwasthatMinashouldbeinfullconfidence。

Thatnothingofanysort，nomatterhowpainful，shouldbekeptfromher。

Sheherselfagreedastoitswisdom，anditwaspitifultoseehersobraveandyetsosorrowful，andinsuchadepthofdespair。

“Theremustbenoconcealment，“shesaid。“Alas！Wehavehadtoomuchalready。AndbesidesthereisnothinginalltheworldthatcangivememorepainthanIhavealreadyendured，thanIsuffernow！

Whatevermayhappen，itmustbeofnewhopeorofnewcouragetome！”

VanHelsingwaslookingatherfixedlyasshespoke，andsaid，suddenlybutquietly，“ButdearMadamMina，areyounotafraid。

Notforyourself，butforothersfromyourself，afterwhathashappened？”

Herfacegrewsetinitslines，buthereyesshonewiththedevotionofamartyrassheanswered，“Ahno！

Formymindismadeup！”

“Towhat？”heaskedgently，whilstwewereallverystill，foreachinourownwaywehadasortofvagueideaofwhatshemeant。

Heranswercamewithdirectsimplicity，asthoughshewassimplystatingafact，“BecauseifIfindinmyself，andIshallwatchkeenlyforit，asignofharmtoanythatIlove，Ishalldie！”

“Youwouldnotkillyourself？”heasked，hoarsely。

“Iwould。Iftherewerenofriendwholovedme，whowouldsavemesuchapain，andsodesperateaneffort！”

Shelookedathimmeaninglyasshespoke。

Hewassittingdown，butnowheroseandcameclosetoherandputhishandonherheadashesaidsolemnly。

“Mychild，thereissuchanoneifitwereforyourgood。

FormyselfIcouldholditinmyaccountwithGodtofindsuchaneuthanasiaforyou，evenatthismomentifitwerebest。

Nay，wereitsafe！Butmychild……“

Foramomentheseemedchoked，andagreatsobroseinhisthroat。

Hegulpeditdownandwenton，“Thereareheresomewhowouldstandbetweenyouanddeath。Youmustnotdie。Youmustnotdiebyanyhand，butleastofallyourown。Untiltheother，whohasfouledyoursweetlife，istruedeadyoumustnotdie。

ForifheisstillwiththequickUndead，yourdeathwouldmakeyouevenasheis。No，youmustlive！Youmuststruggleandstrivetolive，thoughdeathwouldseemaboonunspeakable。

YoumustfightDeathhimself，thoughhecometoyouinpainorinjoy。Bytheday，orthenight，insafetyorinperil！

OnyourlivingsoulIchargeyouthatyoudonotdie。

Nay，northinkofdeath，tillthisgreatevilbepast。“

Thepoordeargrewwhiteasdeath，andshookandshivered，asIhaveseenaquicksandshakeandshiverattheincomingofthetide。Wewereallsilent。Wecoulddonothing。

Atlengthshegrewmorecalmandturningtohimsaidsweetly，butohsosorrowfully，assheheldoutherhand，“Ipromiseyou，mydearfriend，thatifGodwillletmelive，Ishallstrivetodoso。Till，ifitmaybeinHisgoodtime，thishorrormayhavepassedawayfromme。“

Shewassogoodandbravethatweallfeltthatourheartswerestrengthenedtoworkandendureforher，andwebegantodiscusswhatweweretodo。

Itoldherthatshewastohaveallthepapersinthesafe，andallthepapersordiariesandphonographswemighthereafteruse，andwastokeeptherecordasshehaddonebefore。Shewaspleasedwiththeprospectofanythingtodo，if“pleased“couldbeusedinconnectionwithsogrimaninterest。

AsusualVanHelsinghadthoughtaheadofeveryoneelse，andwaspreparedwithanexactorderingofourwork。

“Itisperhapswell，“hesaid，“thatatourmeetingafterourvisittoCarfaxwedecidednottodoanythingwiththeearthboxesthatlaythere。

Hadwedoneso，theCountmusthaveguessedourpurpose，andwoulddoubtlesshavetakenmeasuresinadvancetofrustratesuchaneffortwithregardtotheothers。Butnowhedoesnotknowourintentions。

Nay，more，inallprobability，hedoesnotknowthatsuchapowerexiststousascansterilizehislairs，sothathecannotusethemasofold。

“Wearenowsomuchfurtheradvancedinourknowledgeastotheirdispositionthat，whenwehaveexaminedthehouseinPiccadilly，wemaytracktheverylastofthem。Todaythen，isours，andinitrestsourhope。

Thesunthatroseonoursorrowthismorningguardsusinitscourse。

Untilitsetstonight，thatmonstermustretainwhateverformhenowhas。

Heisconfinedwithinthelimitationsofhisearthlyenvelope。Hecannotmeltintothinairnordisappearthroughcracksorchinksorcrannies。

Ifhegothroughadoorway，hemustopenthedoorlikeamortal。

Andsowehavethisdaytohuntoutallhislairsandsterilizethem。

Soweshall，ifwehavenotyetcatchhimanddestroyhim，drivehimtobayinsomeplacewherethecatchingandthedestroyingshallbe，intime，sure。“

HereIstartedupforIcouldnotcontainmyselfatthethoughtthattheminutesandsecondssopreciouslyladenwithMina\'slifeandhappinesswereflyingfromus，sincewhilstwetalkedactionwasimpossible。

ButVanHelsinghelduphishandwarningly。

“Nay，friendJonathan，“hesaid，“inthis，thequickestwayhomeisthelongestway，soyourproverbsay。Weshallallactandactwithdesperatequick，whenthetimehascome。

Butthink，inallprobablethekeyofthesituationisinthathouseinPiccadilly。TheCountmayhavemanyhouseswhichhehasbought。

Ofthemhewillhavedeedsofpurchase，keysandotherthings。

Hewillhavepaperthathewriteon。Hewillhavehisbookofcheques。

Therearemanybelongingsthathemusthavesomewhere。

Whynotinthisplacesocentral，soquiet，wherehecomeandgobythefrontorthebackatallhours，whenintheveryvastofthetrafficthereisnonetonotice。Weshallgothereandsearchthathouse。

Andwhenwelearnwhatitholds，thenwedowhatourfriendArthurcall，inhisphrasesofhunt`stoptheearths\'andsowerundownouroldfox，so？Isitnot？”

“Thenletuscomeatonce，“Icried，“wearewastingtheprecious，precioustime！”

TheProfessordidnotmove，butsimplysaid，“AndhowarewetogetintothathouseinPiccadilly？”

“Anyway！”Icried。“Weshallbreakinifneedbe。“

“Andyourpolice？Wherewilltheybe，andwhatwilltheysay？”

Iwasstaggered，butIknewthatifhewishedtodelayhehadagoodreasonforit。SoIsaid，asquietlyasIcould，“Don\'twaitmorethanneedbe。

Youknow，Iamsure，whattortureIamin。“

“Ah，mychild，thatIdo。Andindeedthereisnowishofmetoaddtoyouranguish。Butjustthink，whatcanwedo，untilalltheworldbeatmovement。Thenwillcomeourtime。

Ihavethoughtandthought，anditseemstomethatthesimplestwayisthebestofall。Nowwewishtogetintothehouse，butwehavenokey。Isitnotso？”Inodded。

“Nowsupposethatyouwere，intruth，theownerofthathouse，andcouldnotstillgetin。Andthinktherewastoyounoconscienceofthehousebreaker，whatwouldyoudo？”

“Ishouldgetarespectablelocksmith，andsethimtoworktopickthelockforme。“

“Andyourpolice，theywouldinterfere，wouldtheynot？”

“Ohno！Notiftheyknewthemanwasproperlyemployed。“

“Then，“helookedatmeaskeenlyashespoke，“allthatisindoubtistheconscienceoftheemployer，andthebeliefofyourpolicemenastowhetherornotthatemployerhasagoodconscienceorabadone。

Yourpolicemustindeedbezealousmenandclever，ohsoclever，inreadingtheheart，thattheytroublethemselvesinsuchmatter。

No，no，myfriendJonathan，yougotakethelockoffahundredemptyhousesinthisyourLondon，orofanycityintheworld，andifyoudoitassuchthingsarerightlydone，andatthetimesuchthingsarerightlydone，noonewillinterfere。

IhavereadofagentlemanwhoownedasofinehouseinLondon，andwhenhewentformonthsofsummertoSwitzerlandandlockuphishouse，someburglarcomeandbrokewindowatbackandgotin。

Thenhewentandmadeopentheshuttersinfrontandwalkoutandinthroughthedoor，beforetheveryeyesofthepolice。

Thenhehaveanauctioninthathouse，andadvertiseit，andputupbignotice。Andwhenthedaycomeheselloffbyagreatauctioneerallthegoodsofthatothermanwhoownthem。

Thenhegotoabuilder，andhesellhimthathouse，makinganagreementthathepullitdownandtakeallawaywithinacertaintime。

Andyourpoliceandotherauthorityhelphimalltheycan。

AndwhenthatownercomebackfromhisholidayinSwitzerlandhefindonlyanemptyholewherehishousehadbeen。

Thiswasalldoneenregle，andinourworkweshallbeenregletoo。

Weshallnotgosoearlythatthepolicemenwhohavethenlittletothinkof，shalldeemitstrange。Butweshallgoafterteno\'clock，whentherearemanyabout，andsuchthingswouldbedonewereweindeedownersofthehouse。“

IcouldnotbutseehowrighthewasandtheterribledespairofMina\'sfacebecamerelaxedinthought。

Therewashopeinsuchgoodcounsel。

VanHelsingwenton，“Whenoncewithinthathousewemayfindmoreclues。

Atanyratesomeofuscanremaintherewhilsttherestfindtheotherplaceswheretherebemoreearthboxes，atBermondseyandMileEnd。“

LordGodalmingstoodup。“Icanbeofsomeusehere，“hesaid。

“Ishallwiretomypeopletohavehorsesandcarriageswheretheywillbemostconvenient。“

“Lookhere，oldfellow，“saidMorris，“itisacapitalideatohaveallreadyincasewewanttogohorsebacking，butdon\'tyouthinkthatoneofyoursnappycarriageswithitsheraldicadornmentsinabywayofWalworthorMileEndwouldattracttoomuchattentionforourpurpose？

Itseemstomethatweoughttotakecabswhenwegosouthoreast。

Andevenleavethemsomewhereneartheneighborhoodwearegoingto。“

“FriendQuinceyisright！”saidtheProfessor。

“Hisheadiswhatyoucallinplanewiththehorizon。

Itisadifficultthingthatwegotodo，andwedonotwantnopeoplestowatchusifsoitmay。“

MinatookagrowinginterestineverythingandIwasrejoicedtoseethattheexigencyofaffairswashelpinghertoforgetforatimetheterribleexperienceofthenight。

Shewasvery，verypale，almostghastly，andsothinthatherlipsweredrawnaway，showingherteethinsomewhatofprominence。

Ididnotmentionthislast，lestitshouldgiveherneedlesspain，butitmademybloodruncoldinmyveinstothinkofwhathadoccurredwithpoorLucywhentheCounthadsuckedherblood。

Asyettherewasnosignoftheteethgrowingsharper，butthetimeasyetwasshort，andtherewastimeforfear。

Whenwecametothediscussionofthesequenceofoureffortsandofthedispositionofourforces，therewerenewsourcesofdoubt。

ItwasfinallyagreedthatbeforestartingforPiccadillyweshoulddestroytheCount\'slaircloseathand。Incaseheshouldfinditouttoosoon，weshouldthusbestillaheadofhiminourworkofdestruction。

Andhispresenceinhispurelymaterialshape，andathisweakest，mightgiveussomenewclue。

Astothedisposalofforces，itwassuggestedbytheProfessorthat，afterourvisittoCarfax，weshouldallenterthehouseinPiccadilly。ThatthetwodoctorsandI

shouldremainthere，whilstLordGodalmingandQuinceyfoundthelairsatWalworthandMileEndanddestroyedthem。

Itwaspossible，ifnotlikely，theProfessorurged，thattheCountmightappearinPiccadillyduringtheday，andthatifsowemightbeabletocopewithhimthenandthere。

Atanyrate，wemightbeabletofollowhiminforce。

TothisplanIstrenuouslyobjected，andsofarasmygoingwasconcerned，forIsaidthatIintendedtostayandprotectMina。

Ithoughtthatmymindwasmadeuponthesubject，butMinawouldnotlistentomyobjection。ShesaidthattheremightbesomelawmatterinwhichIcouldbeuseful。

ThatamongsttheCount\'spapersmightbesomecluewhichI

couldunderstandoutofmyexperienceinTransylvania。

Andthat，asitwas，allthestrengthwecouldmusterwasrequiredtocopewiththeCount\'sextraordinarypower。

Ihadtogivein，forMina\'sresolutionwasfixed。

Shesaidthatitwasthelasthopeforherthatweshouldallworktogether。

“Asforme，“shesaid，“Ihavenofear。Thingshavebeenasbadastheycanbe。Andwhatevermayhappenmusthaveinitsomeelementofhopeorcomfort。Go，myhusband！

Godcan，ifHewishesit，guardmeaswellaloneaswithanyonepresent。“

SoIstartedupcryingout，“TheninGod\'snameletuscomeatonce，forwearelosingtime。TheCountmaycometoPiccadillyearlierthanwethink。“

“Notso！”saidVanHelsing，holdinguphishand。

“Butwhy？”Iasked。

“Doyouforget，“hesaid，withactuallyasmile，“thatlastnighthebanquetedheavily，andwillsleeplate？”

DidIforget！ShallIever……canIever！Cananyofuseverforgetthatterriblescene！Minastruggledhardtokeepherbravecountenance，butthepainovermasteredherandsheputherhandsbeforeherface，andshudderedwhilstshemoaned。

VanHelsinghadnotintendedtorecallherfrightfulexperience。

Hehadsimplylostsightofherandherpartintheaffairinhisintellectualeffort。

Whenitstruckhimwhathesaid，hewashorrifiedathisthoughtlessnessandtriedtocomforther。

“Oh，MadamMina，“hesaid，“dear，dear，MadamMina，alas！

ThatIofallwhosoreverenceyoushouldhavesaidanythingsoforgetful。Thesestupidoldlipsofmineandthisstupidoldheaddonotdeserveso，butyouwillforgetit，willyounot？”

Hebentlowbesideherashespoke。

Shetookhishand，andlookingathimthroughhertears，saidhoarsely，“No，Ishallnotforget，foritiswellthatIremember。

AndwithitIhavesomuchinmemoryofyouthatissweet，thatItakeitalltogether。Now，youmustallbegoingsoon。

Breakfastisready，andwemustalleatthatwemaybestrong。“

Breakfastwasastrangemealtousall。Wetriedtobecheerfulandencourageeachother，andMinawasthebrightestandmostcheerfulofus。

Whenitwasover，VanHelsingstoodupandsaid，“Now，mydearfriends，wegoforthtoourterribleenterprise。Areweallarmed，aswewereonthatnightwhenfirstwevisitedourenemy\'slair。

Armedagainstghostlyaswellascarnalattack？”

Weallassuredhim。

“Thenitiswell。Now，MadamMina，youareinanycasequitesafehereuntilthesunset。Andbeforethenweshallreturn……if……Weshallreturn！Butbeforewegoletmeseeyouarmedagainstpersonalattack。Ihavemyself，sinceyoucamedown，preparedyourchamberbytheplacingofthingsofwhichweknow，sothatHemaynotenter。Nowletmeguardyourself。

OnyourforeheadItouchthispieceofSacredWaferinthenameoftheFather，theSon，and……

Therewasafearfulscreamwhichalmostfrozeourheartstohear。

AshehadplacedtheWaferonMina\'sforehead，ithadsearedit……hadburnedintothefleshasthoughithadbeenapieceofwhitehotmetal。

Mypoordarling\'sbrainhadtoldherthesignificanceofthefactasquicklyashernervesreceivedthepainofit，andthetwosooverwhelmedherthatheroverwroughtnaturehaditsvoiceinthatdreadfulscream。

Butthewordstoherthoughtcamequickly。Theechoofthescreamhadnotceasedtoringontheairwhentherecamethereaction，andshesankonherkneesonthefloorinanagonyofabasement。

Pullingherbeautifulhairoverherface，astheleperofoldhismantle，shewailedout。

“Unclean！Unclean！EventheAlmightyshunsmypollutedflesh！

ImustbearthismarkofshameuponmyforeheaduntiltheJudgementDay。“

Theyallpaused。Ihadthrownmyselfbesideherinanagonyofhelplessgrief，andputtingmyarmsaroundheldhertight。

Forafewminutesoursorrowfulheartsbeattogether，whilstthefriendsaroundusturnedawaytheireyesthatrantearssilently。ThenVanHelsingturnedandsaidgravely。

SogravelythatIcouldnothelpfeelingthathewasinsomewayinspired，andwasstatingthingsoutsidehimself。

“ItmaybethatyoumayhavetobearthatmarktillGodhimselfseefit，asHemostsurelyshall，ontheJudgementDay，toredressallwrongsoftheearthandofHischildrenthatHehasplacedthereon。Andoh，MadamMina，mydear，mydear，maywewholoveyoubetheretosee，whenthatredscar，thesignofGod\'sknowledgeofwhathasbeen，shallpassaway，andleaveyourforeheadaspureastheheartweknow。

Forsosurelyaswelive，thatscarshallpassawaywhenGodseesrighttolifttheburdenthatisharduponus。TillthenwebearourCross，asHisSondidinobediencetoHisWill。

ItmaybethatwearechoseninstrumentsofHisgoodpleasure，andthatweascendtoHisbiddingasthatotherthroughstripesandshame。Throughtearsandblood。Throughdoubtsandfear，andallthatmakesthedifferencebetweenGodandman。“

Therewashopeinhiswords，andcomfort。Andtheymadeforresignation。

MinaandIbothfeltso，andsimultaneouslyweeachtookoneoftheoldman\'shandsandbentoverandkissedit。Thenwithoutawordweallkneltdowntogether，andallholdinghands，sworetobetruetoeachother。

Wemenpledgedourselvestoraisetheveilofsorrowfromtheheadofherwhom，eachinhisownway，weloved。Andweprayedforhelpandguidanceintheterribletaskwhichlaybeforeus。Itwasthentimetostart。

SoIsaidfarewelltoMina，apartingwhichneitherofusshallforgettoourdyingday，andwesetout。

ToonethingIhavemadeupmymind。IfwefindoutthatMinamustbeavampireintheend，thensheshallnotgointothatunknownandterriblelandalone。Isupposeitisthusthatinoldtimesonevampiremeantmany。

Justastheirhideousbodiescouldonlyrestinsacredearth，sotheholiestlovewastherecruitingsergeantfortheirghastlyranks。

WeenteredCarfaxwithouttroubleandfoundallthingsthesameasonthefirstoccasion。Itwashardtobelievethatamongstsoprosaicsurroundingsofneglectanddustanddecaytherewasanygroundforsuchfearasalreadyweknew。

Hadnotourmindsbeenmadeup，andhadtherenotbeenterriblememoriestospuruson，wecouldhardlyhaveproceededwithourtask。

Wefoundnopapers，oranysignofuseinthehouse。

Andintheoldchapelthegreatboxeslookedjustaswehadseenthemlast。

Dr。VanHelsingsaidtoussolemnlyaswestoodbeforehim，“Andnow，myfriends，wehaveadutyheretodo。Wemuststerilizethisearth，sosacredofholymemories，thathehasbroughtfromafardistantlandforsuchfelluse。Hehaschosenthisearthbecauseithasbeenholy。

Thuswedefeathimwithhisownweapon，forwemakeitmoreholystill。

Itwassanctifiedtosuchuseofman，nowwesanctifyittoGod。“

Ashespokehetookfromhisbagascrewdriverandawrench，andverysoonthetopofoneofthecaseswasthrownopen。

Theearthsmelledmustyandclose，butwedidnotsomehowseemtomind，forourattentionwasconcentratedontheProfessor。

TakingfromhisboxapieceoftheScaredWaferhelaiditreverentlyontheearth，andthenshuttingdownthelidbegantoscrewithome，weaidinghimasheworked。

Onebyonewetreatedinthesamewayeachofthegreatboxes，andleftthemaswehadfoundthemtoallappearance。

ButineachwasaportionoftheHost。Whenweclosedthedoorbehindus，theProfessorsaidsolemnly，“Somuchisalreadydone。

Itmaybethatwithalltheotherswecanbesosuccessful，thenthesunsetofthiseveningmayshineofMadamMina\'sforeheadallwhiteasivoryandwithnostain！”

Aswepassedacrossthelawnonourwaytothestationtocatchourtrainwecouldseethefrontoftheasylum。

Ilookedeagerly，andinthewindowofmyownroomsawMina。

Iwavedmyhandtoher，andnoddedtotellthatourworktherewassuccessfullyaccomplished。Shenoddedinreplytoshowthatsheunderstood。ThelastIsaw，shewaswavingherhandinfarewell。

Itwaswithaheavyheartthatwesoughtthestationandjustcaughtthetrain，whichwassteaminginaswereachedtheplatform。

Ihavewrittenthisinthetrain。

Piccadilly，12：30o\'clock——JustbeforewereachedFenchurchStreetLordGodalmingsaidtome，“QuinceyandIwillfindalocksmith。

Youhadbetternotcomewithusincasethereshouldbeanydifficulty。

Forunderthecircumstancesitwouldn\'tseemsobadforustobreakintoanemptyhouse。ButyouareasolicitorandtheIncorporatedLawSocietymighttellyouthatyoushouldhaveknownbetter。“

Idemurredastomynotsharinganydangerevenofodium，buthewenton，“Besides，itwillattractlessattentioniftherearenottoomanyofus。

Mytitlewillmakeitallrightwiththelocksmith，andwithanypolicemanthatmaycomealong。YouhadbettergowithJackandtheProfessorandstayintheGreenPark。Somewhereinsightofthehouse，andwhenyouseethedooropenedandthesmithhasgoneaway，doyouallcomeacross。

Weshallbeonthelookoutforyou，andshallletyouin。“

“Theadviceisgood！”saidVanHelsing，sowesaidnomore。

GodalmingandMorrishurriedoffinacab，wefollowinginanother。

AtthecornerofArlingtonStreetourcontingentgotoutandstrolledintotheGreenPark。MyheartbeatasIsawthehouseonwhichsomuchofourhopewascentered，loomingupgrimandsilentinitsdesertedconditionamongstitsmorelivelyandspruce-lookingneighbors。

Wesatdownonabenchwithingoodview，andbegantosmokecigarssoastoattractaslittleattentionaspossible。

Theminutesseemedtopasswithleadenfeetaswewaitedforthecomingoftheothers。

Atlengthwesawafour-wheelerdriveup。Outofit，inleisurelyfashion，gotLordGodalmingandMorris。Anddownfromtheboxdescendedathick-setworkingmanwithhisrush-wovenbasketoftools。

Morrispaidthecabman，whotouchedhishatanddroveaway。

Togetherthetwoascendedthesteps，andLordGodalmingpointedoutwhathewanteddone。Theworkmantookoffhiscoatleisurelyandhungitononeofthespikesoftherail，sayingsomethingtoapolicemanwhojustthensaunteredalong。Thepolicemannoddedacquiescence，andthemankneelingdownplacedhisbagbesidehim。

Aftersearchingthroughit，hetookoutaselectionoftoolswhichheproceededtolaybesidehiminorderlyfashion。

Thenhestoodup，lookedinthekeyhole，blewintoit，andturningtohisemployers，madesomeremark。LordGodalmingsmiled，andthemanliftedagoodsizedbunchofkeys。Selectingoneofthem，hebegantoprobethelock，asiffeelinghiswaywithit。

Afterfumblingaboutforabithetriedasecond，andthenathird。

Allatoncethedooropenedunderaslightpushfromhim，andheandthetwoothersenteredthehall。Wesatstill。

Myowncigarburntfuriously，butVanHelsing\'swentcoldaltogether。

Wewaitedpatientlyaswesawtheworkmancomeoutandbringhisbag。

Thenheheldthedoorpartlyopen，steadyingitwithhisknees，whilsthefittedakeytothelock。ThishefinallyhandedtoLordGodalming，whotookouthispurseandgavehimsomething。

Themantouchedhishat，tookhisbag，putonhiscoatanddeparted。

Notasoultooktheslightestnoticeofthewholetransaction。

Whenthemanhadfairlygone，wethreecrossedthestreetandknockedatthedoor。ItwasimmediatelyopenedbyQuinceyMorris，besidewhomstoodLordGodalminglightingacigar。

“Theplacesmellssovilely，“saidthelatteraswecamein。

Itdidindeedsmellvilely。LiketheoldchapelatCarfax。

AndwithourpreviousexperienceitwasplaintousthattheCounthadbeenusingtheplaceprettyfreely。

Wemovedtoexplorethehouse，allkeepingtogetherincaseofattack，forweknewwehadastrongandwilyenemytodealwith，andasyetwedidnotknowwhethertheCountmightnotbeinthehouse。

Inthediningroom，whichlayatthebackofthehall，wefoundeightboxesofearth。Eightboxesonlyoutoftheninewhichwesought！

Ourworkwasnotover，andwouldneverbeuntilweshouldhavefoundthemissingbox。

Firstweopenedtheshuttersofthewindowwhichlookedoutacrossanarrowstoneflaggedyardattheblankfaceofastable，pointedtolooklikethefrontofaminiaturehouse。Therewerenowindowsinit，sowewerenotafraidofbeingoverlooked。

Wedidnotloseanytimeinexaminingthechests。Withthetoolswhichwehadbroughtwithusweopenedthem，onebyone，andtreatedthemaswehadtreatedthoseothersintheoldchapel。

ItwasevidenttousthattheCountwasnotatpresentinthehouse，andweproceededtosearchforanyofhiseffects。

Afteracursoryglanceattherestoftherooms，frombasementtoattic，wecametotheconclusionthatthediningroomcontainedanyeffectswhichmightbelongtotheCount。Andsoweproceededtominutelyexaminethem。

Theylayinasortoforderlydisorderonthegreatdiningroomtable。

ThereweretitledeedsofthePiccadillyhouseinagreatbundle，deedsofthepurchaseofthehousesatMileEndandBermondsey，notepaper，envelopes，andpensandink。Allwerecoveredupinthinwrappingpapertokeepthemfromthedust。Therewerealsoaclothesbrush，abrushandcomb，andajugandbasin。

Thelattercontainingdirtywaterwhichwasreddenedasifwithblood。

Lastofallwasalittleheapofkeysofallsortsandsizes，probablythosebelongingtotheotherhouses。

Whenwehadexaminedthislastfind，LordGodalmingandQuinceyMorristakingaccuratenotesofthevariousaddressesofthehousesintheEastandtheSouth，tookwiththemthekeysinagreatbunch，andsetouttodestroytheboxesintheseplaces。

Therestofusare，withwhatpatiencewecan，waitingtheirreturn，orthecomingoftheCount。

CHAPTER23

DR。SEWARD\'SDIARY

3October——ThetimeseemedteriblylongwhilstwewerewaitingforthecomingofGodalmingandQuinceyMorris。

TheProfessortriedtokeepourmindsactivebyusingthemallthetime。Icouldseehisbeneficentpurpose，bythesideglanceswhichhethrewfromtimetotimeatHarker。

Thepoorfellowisoverwhelmedinamiserythatisappallingtosee。

Lastnighthewasafrank，happy-lookingman，withstrong，youthfulface，fullofenergy，andwithdarkbrownhair。

Todayheisadrawn，haggardoldman，whosewhitehairmatcheswellwiththehollowburningeyesandgrief-writtenlinesofhisface。

Hisenergyisstillintact。Infact，heislikealivingflame。

Thismayyetbehissalvation，forifallgowell，itwilltidehimoverthedespairingperiod。Hewillthen，inakindofway，wakeagaintotherealitiesoflife。

Poorfellow，Ithoughtmyowntroublewasbadenough，buthis……！

TheProfessorknowsthiswellenough，andisdoinghisbesttokeephismindactive。Whathehasbeensayingwas，underthecircumstances，ofabsorbinginterest。SowellasIcanremember，hereitis：

“Ihavestudied，overandoveragainsincetheycameintomyhands，allthepapersrelatingtothismonster，andthemoreIhavestudied，thegreaterseemsthenecessitytoutterlystamphimout。

Allthroughtherearesignsofhisadvance。Notonlyofhispower，butofhisknowledgeofit。AsIlearnedfromtheresearchesofmyfriendArminiusofBuda-Pesth，hewasinlifeamostwonderfulman。

Soldier，statesman，andalchemist。Whichlatterwasthehighestdevelopmentofthescienceknowledgeofhistime。Hehadamightybrain，alearningbeyondcompare，andaheartthatknewnofearandnoremorse。

HedaredeventoattendtheScholomance，andtherewasnobranchofknowledgeofhistimethathedidnotessay。

“Well，inhimthebrainpowerssurvivedthephysicaldeath。

Thoughitwouldseemthatmemorywasnotallcomplete。

Insomefacultiesofmindhehasbeen，andis，onlyachild。

Butheisgrowing，andsomethingsthatwerechildishatthefirstarenowofman\'sstature。Heisexperimenting，anddoingitwell。

Andifithadnotbeenthatwehavecrossedhispathhewouldbeyet，hemaybeyetifwefail，thefatherorfurthererofaneworderofbeings，whoseroadmustleadthroughDeath，notLife。“

Harkergroanedandsaid，“Andthisisallarrayedagainstmydarling！

Buthowisheexperimenting？Theknowledgemayhelpustodefeathim！”

“Hehasallalong，sincehiscoming，beentryinghispower，slowlybutsurely。Thatbigchild-brainofhisisworking。

Wellforus，itisasyet，achild-brain。Forhadhedared，atthefirst，toattemptcertainthingshewouldlongagohavebeenbeyondourpower。However，hemeanstosucceed，andamanwhohascenturiesbeforehimcanaffordtowaitandtogoslow。

Festinalentemaywellbehismotto。“

“Ifailtounderstand，“saidHarkerwearily。“Oh，dobemoreplaintome！

Perhapsgriefandtroublearedullingmybrain。“

TheProfessorlaidhishandtenderlyonhisshoulderashespoke，“Ah，mychild，Iwillbeplain。Doyounotseehow，oflate，thismonsterhasbeencreepingintoknowledgeexperimentally。

HowhehasbeenmakinguseofthezoophagouspatienttoeffecthisentryintofriendJohn\'shome。ForyourVampire，thoughinallafterwardshecancomewhenandhowhewill，mustatthefirstmakeentryonlywhenaskedtheretobyaninmate。

Butthesearenothismostimportantexperiments。

Dowenotseehowatthefirstallthesesogreatboxesweremovedbyothers。Heknewnotthenbutthatmustbeso。

Butallthetimethatsogreatchild-brainofhiswasgrowing，andhebegantoconsiderwhetherhemightnothimselfmovethebox。Sohebegantohelp。Andthen，whenhefoundthatthisbeallright，hetrytomovethemallalone。

Andsoheprogress，andhescatterthesegravesofhim。

Andnonebutheknowwheretheyarehidden。

“Hemayhaveintendtoburythemdeepintheground。

Sothatonlyheusetheminthenight，oratsuchtimeashecanchangehisform，theydohimequalwell，andnonemayknowthesearehishidingplace！But，mychild，donotdespair，thisknowledgecametohimjusttoolate！

Alreadyallofhislairsbutonebesterilizeasforhim。

Andbeforethesunsetthisshallbeso。Thenhehavenoplacewherehecanmoveandhide。Idelayedthismorningthatsowemightbesure。Istherenotmoreatstakeforusthanforhim？

Thenwhynotbemorecarefulthanhim？Bymyclockitisonehourandalready，ifallbewell，friendArthurandQuinceyareontheirwaytous。Todayisourday，andwemustgosure，ifslow，andlosenochance。See！Therearefiveofuswhenthoseabsentonesreturn。“

Whilstwewerespeakingwewerestartledbyaknockatthehalldoor，thedoublepostman\'sknockofthetelegraphboy。Weallmovedouttothehallwithoneimpulse，andVanHelsing，holdinguphishandtoustokeepsilence，steppedtothedoorandopenedit。

Theboyhandedinadispatch。TheProfessorclosedthedooragain，andafterlookingatthedirection，openeditandreadaloud。

“LookoutforD。Hehasjustnow，12：45，comefromCarfaxhurriedlyandhastenedtowardstheSouth。Heseemstobegoingtheroundandmaywanttoseeyou：Mina。“

Therewasapause，brokenbyJonathanHarker\'svoice，“Now，Godbethanked，weshallsoonmeet！”

VanHelsingturnedtohimquicklyandsaid，“GodwillactinHisownwayandtime。Donotfear，anddonotrejoiceasyet。

Forwhatwewishforatthemomentmaybeourownundoings。“

“Icarefornothingnow，“heansweredhotly，“excepttowipeoutthisbrutefromthefaceofcreation。Iwouldsellmysoultodoit！”

“Oh，hush，hush，mychild！”saidVanHelsing。“Goddoesnotpurchasesoulsinthiswise，andtheDevil，thoughhemaypurchase，doesnotkeepfaith。

ButGodismercifulandjust，andknowsyourpainandyourdevotiontothatdearMadamMina。Thinkyou，howherpainwouldbedoubled，didshebuthearyourwildwords。Donotfearanyofus，wearealldevotedtothiscause，andtodayshallseetheend。Thetimeiscomingforaction。TodaythisVampireislimittothepowersofman，andtillsunsethemaynotchange。

Itwilltakehimtimetoarrivehere，seeitistwentyminutespastone，andthereareyetsometimesbeforehecanhithercome，beheneversoquick。

WhatwemusthopeforisthatmyLordArthurandQuinceyarrivefirst。“

AbouthalfanhourafterwehadreceivedMrs。Harker\'stelegram，therecameaquiet，resoluteknockatthehalldoor。

Itwasjustanordinaryknock，suchasisgivenhourlybythousandsofgentlemen，butitmadetheProfessor\'sheartandminebeatloudly。

Welookedateachother，andtogethermovedoutintothehall。

Weeachheldreadytouseourvariousarmaments，thespiritualinthelefthand，themortalintheright。

VanHelsingpulledbackthelatch，andholdingthedoorhalfopen，stoodback，havingbothhandsreadyforaction。Thegladnessofourheartsmusthaveshownuponourfaceswhenonthestep，closetothedoor，wesawLordGodalmingandQuinceyMorris。

Theycamequicklyinandclosedthedoorbehindthem，theformersaying，astheymovedalongthehall。

“Itisallright。Wefoundbothplaces。Sixboxesineachandwedestroyedthemall。“

“Destroyed？”askedtheProfessor。

“Forhim！”Weweresilentforaminute，andthenQuinceysaid，“There\'snothingtodobuttowaithere。If，however，hedoesn\'tturnupbyfiveo\'clock，wemuststartoff。

Foritwon\'tdotoleaveMrs。Harkeraloneaftersunset。“

“Hewillbeherebeforelongnow，\'saidVanHelsing，whohadbeenconsultinghispocketbook。“Notabene，inMadam\'stelegramhewentsouthfromCarfax。

Thatmeanshewenttocrosstheriver，andhecouldonlydosoatslackoftide，whichshouldbesomethingbeforeoneo\'clock。Thathewentsouthhasameaningforus。Heisasyetonlysuspicious，andhewentfromCarfaxfirsttotheplacewherehewouldsuspectinterferenceleast。

YoumusthavebeenatBermondseyonlyashorttimebeforehim。

ThatheisnotherealreadyshowsthathewenttoMileEndnext。

Thistookhimsometime，forhewouldthenhavetobecarriedovertheriverinsomeway。Believeme，myfriends，weshallnothavelongtowaitnow。

Weshouldhavereadysomeplanofattack，sothatwemaythrowawaynochance。Hush，thereisnotimenow。Haveallyourarms！Beready！”

Heheldupawarninghandashespoke，forweallcouldhearakeysoftlyinsertedinthelockofthehalldoor。

Icouldnotbutadmire，evenatsuchamoment，thewayinwhichadominantspiritasserteditself。Inallourhuntingpartiesandadventuresindifferentpartsoftheworld，QuinceyMorrishadalwaysbeentheonetoarrangetheplanofaction，andArthurandIhadbeenaccustomedtoobeyhimimplicitly。Now，theoldhabitseemedtoberenewedinstinctively。

Withaswiftglancearoundtheroom，heatoncelaidoutourplanofattack，andwithoutspeakingaword，withagesture，placeduseachinposition。

VanHelsing，Harker，andIwerejustbehindthedoor，sothatwhenitwasopenedtheProfessorcouldguarditwhilstwetwosteppedbetweentheincomerandthedoor。GodalmingbehindandQuinceyinfrontstoodjustoutofsightreadytomoveinfrontofthewindow。

Wewaitedinasuspensethatmadethesecondspasswithnightmareslowness。

Theslow，carefulstepscamealongthehall。TheCountwasevidentlypreparedforsomesurprise，atleasthefearedit。

Suddenlywithasingleboundheleapedintotheroom。

Winningawaypastusbeforeanyofuscouldraiseahandtostayhim。

Therewassomethingsopantherlikeinthemovement，somethingsounhuman，thatitseemedtosoberusallfromtheshockofhiscoming。

ThefirsttoactwasHarker，whowithaquickmovement，threwhimselfbeforethedoorleadingintotheroominthefrontofthehouse。

AstheCountsawus，ahorriblesortofsnarlpassedoverhisface，showingtheeyeteethlongandpointed。Buttheevilsmileasquicklypassedintoacoldstareoflion-likedisdain。Hisexpressionagainchangedas，withasingleimpulse，wealladvanceduponhim。

Itwasapitythatwehadnotsomebetterorganizedplanofattack，forevenatthemomentIwonderedwhatweweretodo。Ididnotmyselfknowwhetherourlethalweaponswouldavailusanything。

Harkerevidentlymeanttotrythematter，forhehadreadyhisgreatKukriknifeandmadeafierceandsuddencutathim。Theblowwasapowerfulone。

OnlythediabolicalquicknessoftheCount\'sleapbacksavedhim。

Asecondlessandthetrenchantbladehadshornthroughhiscoat，makingawidegapwhenceabundleofbanknotesandastreamofgoldfellout。

TheexpressionoftheCount\'sfacewassohellish，thatforamomentI

fearedforHarker，thoughIsawhimthrowtheterribleknifealoftagainforanotherstroke。InstinctivelyImovedforwardwithaprotectiveimpulse，holdingtheCrucifixandWaferinmylefthand。Ifeltamightypowerflyalongmyarm，anditwaswithoutsurprisethatIsawthemonstercowerbackbeforeasimilarmovementmadespontaneouslybyeachoneofus。Itwouldbeimpossibletodescribetheexpressionofhateandbaffledmalignity，ofangerandhellishrage，whichcameovertheCount\'sface。Hiswaxenhuebecamegreenish-yellowbythecontrastofhisburningeyes，andtheredscarontheforeheadshowedonthepallidskinlikeapalpitatingwound。

Thenextinstant，withasinuousdivehesweptunderHarker\'sarm，erehisblowcouldfall，andgraspingahandfulofthemoneyfromthefloor，dashedacrosstheroom，threwhimselfatthewindow。Amidthecrashandglitterofthefallingglass，hetumbledintotheflaggedareabelow。

ThroughthesoundoftheshiveringglassIcouldhearthe“ting“ofthegold，assomeofthesovereignsfellontheflagging。

Weranoverandsawhimspringunhurtfromtheground。He，rushingupthesteps，crossedtheflaggedyard，andpushedopenthestabledoor。

Thereheturnedandspoketous。

“Youthinktobaffleme，youwithyourpalefacesallinarow，likesheepinabutcher\'s。Youshallbesorryyet，eachoneofyou！

Youthinkyouhaveleftmewithoutaplacetorest，butIhavemore。

Myrevengeisjustbegun！Ispreaditovercenturies，andtimeisonmyside。Yourgirlsthatyouallloveareminealready。

Andthroughthemyouandothersshallyetbemine，mycreatures，todomybiddingandtobemyjackalswhenIwanttofeed。Bah！”

Withacontemptuoussneer，hepassedquicklythroughthedoor，andweheardtherustyboltcreakashefasteneditbehindhim。

Adoorbeyondopenedandshut。ThefirstofustospeakwastheProfessor。

Realizingthedifficultyoffollowinghimthroughthestable，wemovedtowardthehall。

“Wehavelearntsomething……much！Notwithstandinghisbravewords，hefearsus。Hefearstime，hefearswant！

Forifnot，whyhehurryso？Hisverytonebetrayhim，ormyearsdeceive。Whytakethatmoney？Youfollowquick。

Youarehuntersofthewildbeast，andunderstanditso。

Forme，Imakesurethatnothingheremaybeofusetohim，ifsothathereturns。“

Ashespokeheputthemoneyremaininginhispocket，tookthetitledeedsinthebundleasHarkerhadleftthem，andswepttheremainingthingsintotheopenfireplace，wherehesetfiretothemwithamatch。

GodalmingandMorrishadrushedoutintotheyard，andHarkerhadloweredhimselffromthewindowtofollowtheCount。

Hehad，however，boltedthestabledoor，andbythetimetheyhadforceditopentherewasnosignofhim。

VanHelsingandItriedtomakeinquiryatthebackofthehouse。

Butthemewswasdesertedandnoonehadseenhimdepart。

Itwasnowlateintheafternoon，andsunsetwasnotfaroff。

Wehadtorecognizethatourgamewasup。WithheavyheartsweagreedwiththeProfessorwhenhesaid，“LetusgobacktoMadamMina。

Poor，poordearMadamMina。Allwecandojustnowisdone，andwecanthere，atleast，protecther。Butweneednotdespair。

Thereisbutonemoreearthbox，andwemusttrytofindit。

Whenthatisdoneallmayyetbewell。“