significantly and coughed. For answer he put his finger to his lips
and turned away.
JONATHAN HARKER'S JOURNAL
October, afternoon.—For some time after our meeting this morning
I could not think. The new phases of things leave my mind in a
state of wonder which allows no room for active thought. Mina's
determination not to take any part in the discussion set me
thinking. And as I could not argue the matter with her, I could
only guess. I am as far as ever from a solution now. The way the
others received it, too puzzled me. The last time we talked of the
subject we agreed that there was to be no more concealment of
anything amongst us. Mina is sleeping now, calmly and sweetly like
a little child. Her lips are curved and her face beams with
happiness. Thank God, there are such moments still for her.
Later.—How strange it all is. I sat watching Mina's happy sleep,
and I came as near to being happy myself as I suppose I shall ever
be. As the evening drew on, and the earth took its shadows from the
sun sinking lower, the silence of the room grew more and more
solemn to me.
All at once Mina opened her eyes, and looking at me tenderly
said, "Jonathan, I want you to promise me something on your word of
honor. A promise made to me, but made holily in God's hearing, and
not to be broken though I should go down on my knees and implore
you with bitter tears. Quick, you must make it to me at once."
"Mina," I said, "a promise like that, I cannot make at once. I
may have no right to make it."
"But, dear one," she said, with such spiritual intensity that
her eyes were like pole stars, "it is I who wish it. And it is not
for myself. You can ask Dr. Van Helsing if I am not right. If he
disagrees you may do as you will. Nay, more if you all agree, later
you are absolved from the promise."
"I promise!" I said, and for a moment she looked supremely
happy. Though to me all happiness for her was denied by the red
scar on her forehead.
She said, "Promise me that you will not tell me anything of thescar on her forehead.
She said, "Promise me that you will not tell me anything of the
plans formed for the campaign against the Count. Not by word, or
inference, or implication, not at any time whilst this remains to
me!" And she solemnly pointed to the scar. I saw that she was in
earnest, and said solemnly, "I promise!" and as I said it I felt
that from that instant a door had been shut between us.
Later, midnight.—Mina has been bright and cheerful all the
evening. So much so that all the rest seemed to take courage, as if
infected somewhat with her gaiety. As a result even I myself felt
as if the pall of gloom which weighs us down were somewhat lifted.
We all retired early. Mina is now sleeping like a little child. It
is wonderful thing that her faculty of sleep remains to her in the
midst of her terrible trouble. Thank God for it, for then at least
she can forget her care. Perhaps her example may affect me as her
gaiety did tonight. I shall try it. Oh! For a dreamless sleep.
6 October, morning.—Another surprise. Mina woke me early, about
the same time as yesterday, and asked me to bring Dr. Van Helsing.
I thought that it was another occassion for hypnotism, and without
question went for the Professor. He had evidently expected some
such call, for I found him dressed in his room. His door was ajar,
so that he could hear the opening of the door of our room. He came
at once. As he passed into the room, he asked Mina if the others
might come, too.
"No," she said quite simply, "it will not be necessary. You can
tell them just as well. I must go with you on your journey."
Dr. Van Helsing was as startled as I was. After a moment's pause
he asked, "But why?"
"You must take me with you. I am safer with you, and you shall
be safer, too."
"But why, dear Madam Mina? You know that your safety is our
solemnest duty. We go into danger, to which you are, or may be,
more liable than any of us from … from circumstances …
things that have been." He paused embarrassed.
As she replied, she raised her finger and pointed to herAs she replied, she raised her finger and pointed to her
forehead. "I know. That is why I must go. I can tell you now,
whilst the sun is coming up. I may not be able again. I know that
when the Count wills me I must go. I know that if he tells me to
come in secret, I must by wile. By any device to hoodwink, even
Jonathan." God saw the look that she turned on me as she spoke, and
if there be indeed a Recording Angel that look is noted to her
ever-lasting honor. I could only clasp her hand. I could not speak.
My emotion was too great for even the relief of tears.
She went on. "You men are brave and strong. You are strong in
your numbers, for you can defy that which would break down the
human endurance of one who had to guard alone. Besides, I may be of
service, since you can hypnotize me and so learn that which even I
myself do not know."
Dr. Van Helsing said gravely, "Madam Mina, you are, as always,
most wise. You shall with us come. And together we shall do that
which we go forth to achieve."
When he had spoken, Mina's long spell of silence made me look at
her. She had fallen back on her pillow asleep. She did not even
wake when I had pulled up the blind and let in the sunlight which
flooded the room. Van Helsing motioned to me to come with him
quietly. We went to his room, and within a minute Lord Godalming,
Dr. Seward, and Mr. Morris were with us also.
He told them what Mina had said, and went on. "In the morning we
shall leave for Varna. We have now to deal with a new factor, Madam
Mina. Oh, but her soul is true. It is to her an agony to tell us so
much as she has done. But it is most right, and we are warned in
time. There must be no chance lost, and in Varna we must be ready
to act the instant when that ship arrives."
"What shall we do exactly?" asked Mr. Morris laconically.
The Professor paused before replying, "We shall at the first
board that ship. Then, when we have identified the box, we shall
place a branch of the wild rose on it. This we shall fasten, for


place a branch of the wild rose on it. This we shall fasten, for
when it is there none can emerge, so that at least says the
superstition. And to superstition must we trust at the first. It
was man's faith in the early, and it have its root in faith still.
Then, when we get the opportunity that we seek, when none are near
to see, we shall open the box, and … and all will be
well."
"I shall not wait for any opportunity," said Morris. "When I see
the box I shall open it and destroy the monster, though there were
a thousand men looking on, and if I am to be wiped out for it the
next moment!" I grasped his hand instinctively and found it as firm
as a piece of steel. I think he understood my look. I hope he
did.
"Good boy," said Dr. Van Helsing. "Brave boy. Quincey is all
man. God bless him for it. My child, believe me none of us shall
lag behind or pause from any fear. I do but say what we may
do … what we must do. But, indeed, indeed we cannot say what
we may do. There are so many things which may happen, and their
ways and their ends are so various that until the moment we may not
say. We shall all be armed, in all ways. And when the time for the
end has come, our effort shall not be lack. Now let us today put
all our affairs in order. Let all things which touch on others dear
to us, and who on us depend, be complete. For none of us can tell
what, or when, or how, the end may be. As for me, my own affairs
are regulate, and as I have nothing else to do, I shall go make
arrangements for the travel. I shall have all tickets and so forth
for our journey."
There was nothing further to be said, and we parted. I shall now
settle up all my affairs of earth, and be ready for whatever may
come.
Later.—It is done. My will is made, and all complete. Mina if
she survive is my sole heir. If it should not be so, then the
others who have been so good to us shall have remainder.
It is now drawing towards the sunset. Mina's uneasiness calls my
attention to it. I am sure that there is something on her mindattention to it. I am sure that there is something on her mind
which the time of exact sunset will reveal. These occasions are
becoming harrowing times for us all. For each sunrise and sunset
opens up some new danger, some new pain, which however, may in
God's will be means to a good end. I write all these things in the
diary since my darling must not hear them now. But if it may be
that she can see them again, they shall be ready. She is calling to
me.11 October, Evening.—Jonathan Harker has asked me to note this,
as he says he is hardly equal to the task, and he wants an exact
record kept.
I think that none of us were surprised when we were asked to see
Mrs. Harker a little before the time of sunset. We have of late
come to understand that sunrise and sunset are to her times of
peculiar freedom. When her old self can be manifest without any
controlling force subduing or restraining her, or inciting her to
action. This mood or condition begins some half hour or more before
actual sunrise or sunset, and lasts till either the sun is high, or
whilst the clouds are still aglow with the rays streaming above the
horizon. At first there is a sort of negative condition, as if some
tie were loosened, and then the absolute freedom quickly follows.
When, however, the freedom ceases the change back or relapse comes
quickly, preceeded only by a spell of warning silence.
Tonight, when we met, she was somewhat constrained, and bore all
the signs of an internal struggle. I put it down myself to her
making a violent effort at the earliest instant she could do
so.
A very few minutes, however, gave her complete control of
herself. Then, motioning her husband to sit beside her on the sofa
where she was half reclining, she made the rest of us bring chairs
up close.
Taking her husband's hand in hers, she began, "We are all here
together in freedom, for perhaps the last time! I know that you
will always be with me to the end." This was to her husband whose
hand had, as we could see, tightened upon her. "In the morning we
go out upon our task, and God alone knows what may be in store for
any of us. You are going to be so good to me to take me with you. I
know that all that brave earnest men can do for a poor weak woman,
whose soul perhaps is lost, no, no, not yet, but is at any rate at
stake, you will do. But you must remember that I am not as you are.
There is a poison in my blood, in my soul, which may destroy me,
which must destroy me, unless some relief comes to us. Oh, mywhich must destroy me, unless some relief comes to us. Oh, my
friends, you know as well as I do, that my soul is at stake. And
though I know there is one way out for me, you must not and I must
not take it!" She looked appealingly to us all in turn, beginning
and ending with her husband.
"What is that way?" asked Van Helsing in a hoarse voice. "What
is that way, which we must not, may not, take?"
"That I may die now, either by my own hand or that of another,
before the greater evil is entirely wrought. I know, and you know,
that were I once dead you could and would set free my immortal
spirit, even as you did my poor Lucy's. Were death, or the fear of
death, the only thing that stood in the way I would not shrink to
die here now, amidst the friends who love me. But death is not all.
I cannot believe that to die in such a case, when there is hope
before us and a bitter task to be done, is God's will. Therefore, I
on my part, give up here the certainty of eternal rest, and go out
into the dark where may be the blackest things that the world or
the nether world holds!"
We were all silent, for we knew instinctively that this was only
a prelude. The faces of the others were set, and Harker's grew
ashen grey. Perhaps, he guessed better than any of us what was
coming.
She continued, "This is what I can give into the hotchpot." I
could not but note the quaint legal phrase which she used in such a
place, and with all seriousness. "What will each of you give? Your
lives I know," she went on quickly, "that is easy for brave men.
Your lives are God's, and you can give them back to Him, but what
will you give to me?" She looked again questionly, but this time
avoided her husband's face. Quincey seemed to understand, he
nodded, and her face lit up. "Then I shall tell you plainly what I
want, for there must be no doubtful matter in this connection
between us now. You must promise me, one and all, even you, my
beloved husband, that should the time come, you will kill me."


beloved husband, that should the time come, you will kill me."
"What is that time?" The voice was Quincey's, but it was low and
strained.
"When you shall be convinced that I am so changed that it is
better that I die that I may live. When I am thus dead in the
flesh, then you will, without a moment's delay, drive a stake
through me and cut off my head, or do whatever else may be wanting
to give me rest!"
Quincey was the first to rise after the pause. He knelt down
before her and taking her hand in his said solemnly, "I'm only a
rough fellow, who hasn't, perhaps, lived as a man should to win
such a distinction, but I swear to you by all that I hold sacred
and dear that, should the time ever come, I shall not flinch from
the duty that you have set us. And I promise you, too, that I shall
make all certain, for if I am only doubtful I shall take it that
the time has come!"
"My true friend!" was all she could say amid her fastfalling
tears, as bending over, she kissed his hand.
"I swear the same, my dear Madam Mina!"said Van Helsing. "And
I!" said Lord Godalming, each of them in turn kneeling to her to
take the oath. I followed, myself.
Then her husband turned to her wan-eyed and with a greenish
pallor which subdued the snowy whiteness of his hair, and asked,
"And must I, too, make such a promise, oh, my wife?"
"You too, my dearest,"she said, with infinite yearning of pity
in her voice and eyes. "You must not shrink. You are nearest and
dearest and all the world to me. Our souls are knit into one, for
all life and all time. Think, dear, that there have been times when
brave men have killed their wives and their womenkind, to keep them
from falling into the hands of the enemy. Their hands did not
falter any the more because those that they loved implored them to
slay them. It is men's duty towards those whom they love, in such
times of sore trial! And oh, my dear, if it is to be that I must
meet death at any hand, let it be at the hand of him that loves me
best. Dr. Van Helsing, I have not forgotten your mercy in poorbest. Dr. Van Helsing, I have not forgotten your mercy in poor
Lucy's case to him who loved." She stopped with a flying blush, and
changed her phrase, "to him who had best right to give her peace.
If that time shall come again, I look to you to make it a happy
memory of my husband's life that it was his loving hand which set
me free from the awful thrall upon me."
"Again I swear!" came the Professor's resonant voice.
Mrs. Harker smiled, positively smiled, as with a sigh of relief
she leaned back and said, "And now one word of warning, a warning
which you must never forget. This time, if it ever come, may come
quickly and unexpectedly, and in such case you must lose no time in
using your opportunity. At such a time I myself might be …
nay! If the time ever come, shall be, leagued with your enemy
against you.
"One more request," she became very solemn as she said this, "it
is not vital and necessary like the other, but I want you to do one
thing for me, if you will."
We all acquiesced, but no one spoke. There was no need to
speak.
"I want you to read the Burial Service." She was interrupted by
a deep groan from her husband. Taking his hand in hers, she held it
over her heart, and continued. "You must read it over me some day.
Whatever may be the issue of all this fearful state of things, it
will be a sweet thought to all or some of us. You, my dearest, will
I hope read it, for then it will be in your voice in my memory
forever, come what may!"
"But oh, my dear one," he pleaded, "death is afar off from
you."
"Nay," she said, holding up a warning hand. "I am deeper in
death at this moment than if the weight of an earthly grave lay
heavy upon me!"
"Oh, my wife, must I read it?"he said, before he began.
"It would comfort me, my husband!" was all she said, and he
began to read when she had got the book ready.
How can I, how could anyone, tell of that strange scene, its
solemnity, its gloom,its sadness, its horror, and withal, its
sweetness. Even a sceptic, who can see nothing but a travesty ofsweetness. Even a sceptic, who can see nothing but a travesty of
bitter truth in anything holy or emotional, would have been melted
to the heart had he seen that little group of loving and devoted
friends kneeling round that stricken and sorrowing lady. Or heard
the tender passion of her husband's voice, as in tones so broken
and emotional that often he had to pause, he read the simple and
beautiful service from the Burial of the Dead. I cannot go
on … words … and v-voices … f-fail m-me!
She was right in her instinct. Strange as it was, bizarre as it
may hereafter seem even to us who felt its potent influence at the
time, it comforted us much. And the silence, which showed Mrs.
Harker's coming relapse from her freedom of soul, did not seem so
full of despair to any of us as we had dreaded.
JONATHAN HARKER'S JOURNAL
15 October, Varna.—We left Charing Cross on the morning of the
12th, got to Paris the same night, and took the places secured for
us in the Orient Express. We traveled night and day, arriving here
at about five o'clock. Lord Godalming went to the Consulate to see
if any telegram had arrived for him, whilst the rest of us came on
to this hotel, "the Odessus." The journey may have had incidents. I
was, however, too eager to get on, to care for them. Until the
Czarina Catherine comes into port there will be no interest for me
in anything in the wide world. Thank God! Mina is well, and looks
to be getting stronger. Her color is coming back. She sleeps a
great deal. Throughout the journey she slept nearly all the time.
Before sunrise and sunset, however, she is very wakeful and alert.
And it has become a habit for Van Helsing to hypnotize her at such
times. At first, some effort was needed, and he had to make many
passes. But now, she seems to yield at once, as if by habit, and
scarcely any action is needed. He seems to have power at these
particular moments to simply will, and her thoughts obey him. He
always asks her what she can see and hear.
She answers to the first, "Nothing, all is dark."


always asks her what she can see and hear.
She answers to the first, "Nothing, all is dark."
And to the second,"I can hear the waves lapping against the
ship, and the water rushing by. Canvas and cordage strain and masts
and yards creak. The wind is high … I can hear it in the
shrouds, and the bow throws back the foam."
It is evident that the Czarina Catherine is still at sea,
hastening on her way to Varna. Lord Godalming has just returned. He
had four telegrams, one each day since we started, and all to the
same effect. That the Czarina Catherine had not been reported to
Lloyd's from anywhere. He had arranged before leaving London that
his agent should send him every day a telegram saying if the ship
had been reported. He was to have a message even if she were not
reported, so that he might be sure that there was a watch being
kept at the other end of the wire.
We had dinner and went to bed early. Tomorrow we are to see the
Vice Consul, and to arrange, if we can, about getting on board the
ship as soon as she arrives. Van Helsing says that our chance will
be to get on the boat between sunrise and sunset. The Count, even
if he takes the form of a bat, cannot cross the running water of
his own volition, and so cannot leave the ship. As he dare not
change to man's form without suspicion, which he evidently wishes
to avoid, he must remain in the box. If, then, we can come on board
after sunrise, he is at our mercy, for we can open the box and make
sure of him, as we did of poor Lucy, before he wakes. What mercy he
shall get from us all will not count for much. We think that we
shall not have much trouble with officials or the seamen. Thank
God! This is the country where bribery can do anything, and we are
well supplied with money. We have only to make sure that the ship
cannot come into port between sunset and sunrise without our being
warned, and we shall be safe. Judge Moneybag will settle this case,
I think!
16 October.—Mina's report still the same. Lapping waves andI think!
16 October.—Mina's report still the same. Lapping waves and
rushing water, darkness and favoring winds. We are evidently in
good time, and when we hear of the Czarina Catherine we shall be
ready. As she must pass the Dardanelles we are sure to have some
report.
17 October.—Everything is pretty well fixed now, I think, to
welcome the Count on his return from his tour. Godalming told the
shippers that he fancied that the box sent aboard might contain
something stolen from a friend of his, and got a half consent that
he might open it at his own risk. The owner gave him a paper
telling the Captain to give him every facility in doing whatever he
chose on board the ship, and also a similar authorization to his
agent at Varna. We have seen the agent, who was much impressed with
Godalming's kindly manner to him, and we are all satisfied that
whatever he can do to aid our wishes will be done.
We have already arranged what to do in case we get the box open.
If the Count is there, Van Helsing and Seward will cut off his head
at once and drive a stake through his heart. Morris and Godalming
and I shall prevent interference, even if we have to use the arms
which we shall have ready. The Professor says that if we can so
treat the Count's body, it will soon after fall into dust. In such
case there would be no evidence against us, in case any suspicion
of murder were aroused. But even if it were not, we should stand or
fall by our act, and perhaps some day this very script may be
evidence to come between some of us and a rope. For myself, I
should take the chance only too thankfully if it were to come. We
mean to leave no stone unturned to carry out our intent. We have
arranged with certain officials that the instant the Czarina
Catherine is seen, we are to be informed by a special
messenger.
24 October.—A whole week of waiting. Daily telegrams to
Godalming, but only the same story. "Not yet reported." Mina's
morning and evening hypnotic answer is unvaried. Lapping waves,
rushing water, and creaking masts.morning and evening hypnotic answer is unvaried. Lapping waves,
rushing water, and creaking masts.
TELEGRAM, OCTOBER 24TH RUFUS SMITH, LLOYD'S, LONDON, TO LORD
GODALMING, CARE OF
H. B. M. VICE CONSUL, VARNA
"Czarina Catherine reported this morning from Dardanelles."
DR. SEWARD'S DIARY
25 October.—How I miss my phonograph! To write a diary with a
pen is irksome to me! But Van Helsing says I must. We were all wild
with excitement yesterday when Godalming got his telegram from
Lloyd's. I know now what men feel in battle when the call to action
is heard. Mrs.Harker, alone of our party, did not show any signs of
emotion. After all, it is not strange that she did not, for we took
special care not to let her know anything about it, and we all
tried not to show any excitement when we were in her presence. In
old days she would, I am sure, have noticed, no matter how we might
have tried to conceal it. But in this way she is greatly changed
during the past three weeks. The lethargy grows upon her, and
though she seems strong and well, and is getting back some of her
color, Van Helsing and I are not satisfied. We talk of her often.
We have not, however, said a word to the others. It would break
poor Harker's heart, certainly his nerve, if he knew that we had
even a suspicion on the subject. Van Helsing examines, he tells me,
her teeth very carefully, whilst she is in the hypnotic condition,
for he says that so long as they do not begin to sharpen there is
no active danger of a change in her. If this change should come, it
would be necessary to take steps! We both know what those steps
would have to be, though we do not mention our thoughts to each
other. We should neither of us shrink from the task, awful though
it be to contemplate. "Euthanasia" is an excellent and a comforting
word! I am grateful to whoever invented it.
It is only about 24 hours' sail from the Dardanelles to here, at
the rate the Czarina Catherine has come from London. She should
therefore arrive some time in the morning, but as she cannot


therefore arrive some time in the morning, but as she cannot
possibly get in before noon, we are all about to retire early. We
shall get up at one o'clock, so as to be ready.
25 October, Noon.—No news yet of the ship's arrival. Mrs.
Harker's hypnotic report this morning was the same as usual, so it
is possible that we may get news at any moment. We men are all in a
fever of excitement, except Harker, who is calm. His hands are cold
as ice, and an hour ago I found him whetting the edge of the great
Ghoorka knife which he now always carries with him. It will be a
bad lookout for the Count if the edge of that "Kukri" ever touches
his throat, driven by that stern, ice-cold hand!
Van Helsing and I were a little alarmed about Mrs. Harker today.
About noon she got into a sort of lethargy which we did not like.
Although we kept silence to the others, we were neither of us happy
about it. She had been restless all the morning, so that we were at
first glad to know that she was sleeping. When, however, her
husband mentioned casually that she was sleeping so soundly that he
could not wake her, we went to her room to see for ourselves. She
was breathing naturally and looked so well and peaceful that we
agreed that the sleep was better for her than anything else. Poor
girl, she has so much to forget that it is no wonder that sleep, if
it brings oblivion to her, does her good.
Later.—Our opinion was justified, for when after a refreshing
sleep of some hours she woke up, she seemed brighter and better
than she had been for days. At sunset she made the usual hypnotic
report. Wherever he may be in the Black Sea, the Count is hurrying
to his destination. To his doom, I trust!
26 October.—Another day and no tidings of the Czarina Catherine.
She ought to be here by now. That she is still journeying somewhere
is apparent, for Mrs. Harker's hypnotic report at sunrise was still
the same. It is possible that the vessel may be lying by, at times,
for fog. Some of the steamers which came in last evening reportedfor fog. Some of the steamers which came in last evening reported
patches of fog both to north and south of the port. We must
continue our watching, as the ship may now be signalled any
moment.
27 October, Noon.—Most strange. No news yet of the ship we wait
for. Mrs. Harker reported last night and this morning as usual.
"Lapping waves and rushing water," though she added that "the waves
were very faint." The telegrams from London have been the same, "no
further report." Van Helsing is terribly anxious, and told me just
now that he fears the Count is escaping us.
He added significantly, "I did not like that lethargy of Madam
Mina's. Souls and memories can do strange things during trance." I
was about to ask him more, but Harker just then came in, and he
held up a warning hand. We must try tonight at sunset to make her
speak more fully when in her hypnotic state.
28 October.—Telegram. Rufus Smith, London, to Lord Godalming,
care H. B. M. Vice Consul, Varna "Czarina Catherine reported
entering Galatz at one o'clock today."
DR. SEWARD'S DIARY
28 October.—When the telegram came announcing the arrival in
Galatz I do not think it was such a shock to any of us as might
have been expected. True, we did not know whence, or how, or when,
the bolt would come. But I think we all expected that something
strange would happen. The day of arrival at Varna made us
individually satisfied that things would not be just as we had
expected. We only waited to learn where the change would occur.
None the less, however, it was a surprise. I suppose that nature
works on such a hopeful basis that we believe against ourselves
that things will be as they ought to be, not as we should know that
they will be. Transcendentalism is a beacon to the angels, even if
it be a will-o'-the-wisp to man. Van Helsing raised his hand over
his head for a moment, as though in remonstrance with the Almighty.
But he said not a word, and in a few seconds stood up with his face
sternly set.
Lord Godalming grew very pale, and sat breathing heavily. I wassternly set.
Lord Godalming grew very pale, and sat breathing heavily. I was
myself half stunned and looked in wonder at one after another.
Quincey Morris tightened his belt with that quick movement which I
knew so well. In our old wandering days it meant "action." Mrs.
Harker grew ghastly white, so that the scar on her forehead seemed
to burn, but she folded her hands meekly and looked up in prayer.
Harker smiled, actually smiled, the dark, bitter smile of one who
is without hope, but at the same time his action belied his words,
for his hands instinctively sought the hilt of the great Kukri
knife and rested there.
"When does the next train start for Galatz?" said Van Helsing to
us generally.
"At 6:30 tomorrow morning!" We all started, for the answer came
from Mrs. Harker.
"How on earth do you know?" said Art.
"You forget, or perhaps you do not know, though Jonathan does
and so does Dr. Van Helsing, that I am the train fiend. At home in
Exeter I always used to make up the time tables, so as to be
helpful to my husband. I found it so useful sometimes, that I
always make a study of the time tables now. I knew that if anything
were to take us to Castle Dracula we should go by Galatz, or at any
rate through Bucharest, so I learned the times very carefully.
Unhappily there are not many to learn, as the only train tomorrow
leaves as I say."
"Wonderful woman!" murmured the Professor.
"Can't we get a special?" asked Lord Godalming.
Van Helsing shook his head, "I fear not. This land is very
different from yours or mine. Even if we did have a special, it
would probably not arrive as soon as our regular train. Moreover,
we have something to prepare. We must think. Now let us organize.
You, friend Arthur, go to the train and get the tickets and arrange
that all be ready for us to go in the morning. Do you, friend
Jonathan, go to the agent of the ship and get from him letters to
the agent in Galatz, with authority to make a search of the ship
just as it was here. Quincey Morris, you see the Vice Consul, and


just as it was here. Quincey Morris, you see the Vice Consul, and
get his aid with his fellow in Galatz and all he can do to make our
way smooth, so that no times be lost when over the Danube. John
will stay with Madam Mina and me, and we shall consult. For so if
time be long you may be delayed. And it will not matter when the
sun set, since I am here with Madam to make report."
"And I," said Mrs. Harker brightly, and more like her old self
than she had been for many a long day, "shall try to be of use in
all ways, and shall think and write for you as I used to do.
Something is shifting from me in some strange way, and I feel freer
than I have been of late!"
The three younger men looked happier at the moment as they
seemed to realize the significance of her words. But Van Helsing
and I, turning to each other, met each a grave and troubled glance.
We said nothing at the time, however.
When the three men had gone out to their tasks Van Helsing asked
Mrs. Harker to look up the copy of the diaries and find him the
part of Harker's journal at the Castle. She went away to get
it.
When the door was shut upon her he said to me, "We mean the
same! Speak out!"
"Here is some change. It is a hope that makes me sick, for it
may deceive us."
"Quite so. Do you know why I asked her to get the
manuscript?"
"No!" said I, "unless it was to get an opportunity of seeing me
alone."
"You are in part right, friend John, but only in part. I want to
tell you something. And oh, my friend, I am taking a great, a
terrible, risk. But I believe it is right. In the moment when Madam
Mina said those words that arrest both our understanding, an
inspiration came to me. In the trance of three days ago the Count
sent her his spirit to read her mind. Or more like he took her to
see him in his earth box in the ship with water rushing, just as it
go free at rise and set of sun. He learn then that we are here, for
she have more to tell in her open life with eyes to see ears to
hear than he, shut as he is, in his coffin box. Now he make hishear than he, shut as he is, in his coffin box. Now he make his
most effort to escape us. At present he want her not.
"He is sure with his so great knowledge that she will come at
his call. But he cut her off, take her, as he can do, out of his
own power, that so she come not to him. Ah! There I have hope that
our man brains that have been of man so long and that have not lost
the grace of God, will come higher than his child-brain that lie in
his tomb for centuries, that grow not yet to our stature, and that
do only work selfish and therefore small. Here comes Madam Mina.
Not a word to her of her trance! She knows it not, and it would
overwhelm her and make despair just when we want all her hope, all
her courage, when most we want all her great brain which is trained
like man's brain, but is of sweet woman and have a special power
which the Count give her, and which he may not take away
altogether, though he think not so. Hush! Let me speak, and you
shall learn. Oh, John, my friend, we are in awful straits. I fear,
as I never feared before. We can only trust the good God. Silence!
Here she comes!"
I thought that the Professor was going to break down and have
hysterics, just as he had when Lucy died, but with a great effort
he controlled himself and was at perfect nervous poise when Mrs.
Harker tripped into the room, bright and happy looking and, in the
doing of work, seemingly forgetful of her misery. As she came in,
she handed a number of sheets of typewriting to Van Helsing. He
looked over them gravely, his face brightening up as he read.
Then holding the pages between his finger and thumb he said,
"Friend John, to you with so much experience already, and you too,
dear Madam Mina, that are young, here is a lesson. Do not fear ever
to think. A half thought has been buzzing often in my brain, but I
fear to let him loose his wings. Here now, with more knowledge, I
go back to where that half thought come from and I find that he be
no half thought at all. That be a whole thought, though so youngno half thought at all. That be a whole thought, though so young
that he is not yet strong to use his little wings. Nay, like the
`Ugly Duck' of my friend Hans Andersen, he be no duck thought at
all, but a big swan thought that sail nobly on big wings, when the
time come for him to try them. See I read here what Jonathan have
written.
"That other of his race who, in a later age, again and again,
brought his forces over The Great River into Turkey Land, who when
he was beaten back, came again, and again, and again, though he had
to come alone from the bloody field where his troops were being
slaughtered, since he knew that he alone could ultimately
triumph.
"What does this tell us? Not much? No! The Count's child thought
see nothing, therefore he speak so free. Your man thought see
nothing. My man thought see nothing, till just now. No! But there
comes another word from some one who speak without thought because
she, too, know not what it mean, what it might mean. Just as there
are elements which rest, yet when in nature's course they move on
their way and they touch, the pouf! And there comes a flash of
light, heaven wide, that blind and kill and destroy some. But that
show up all earth below for leagues and leagues. Is it not so?
Well, I shall explain. To begin, have you ever study the philosophy
of crime? `Yes' and `No.' You, John, yes, for it is a study of
insanity. You, no, Madam Mina, for crime touch you not, not but
once. Still, your mind works true, and argues not a particulari ad
universale. There is this peculiarity in criminals. It is so
constant, in all countries and at all times, that even police, who
know not much from philosophy, come to know it empirically, that it
is. That is to be empiric. The criminal always work at one crime,
that is the true criminal who seems predestinate to crime, and who
will of none other. This criminal has not full man brain. He is
clever and cunning and resourceful, but he be not of man stature as
to brain. He be of child brain in much. Now this criminal of ours


to brain. He be of child brain in much. Now this criminal of ours
is pre-destinate to crime also. He, too, have child brain, and it
is of the child to do what he have done. The little bird, the
little fish, the little animal learn not by principle, but
empirically. And when he learn to do, then there is to him the
ground to start from to do more. `Dos pou sto,' said Archimedes.
`Give me a fulcrum, and I shall move the world!' To do once, is the
fulcrum whereby child brain become man brain. And until he have the
purpose to do more, he continue to do the same again every time,
just as he have done before! Oh, my dear, I see that your eyes are
opened, and that to you the lightning flash show all the
leagues,"for Mrs. Harker began to clap her hands and her eyes
sparkled.
He went on, "Now you shall speak. Tell us two dry men of science
what you see with those so bright eyes." He took her hand and held
it whilst he spoke. His finger and thumb closed on her pulse, as I
thought instinctively and unconsciously, as she spoke.
"The Count is a criminal and of criminal type. Nordau and
Lombroso would so classify him, and qua criminal he is of an
imperfectly formed mind. Thus, in a difficulty he has to seek
resource in habit. His past is a clue, and the one page of it that
we know, and that from his own lips, tells that once before, when
in what Mr. Morris would call a`tight place,' he went back to his
own country from the land he had tried to invade, and thence,
without losing purpose, prepared himself for a new effort. He came
again better equipped for his work, and won. So he came to London
to invade a new land. He was beaten, and when all hope of success
was lost, and his existence in danger, he fled back over the sea to
his home. Just as formerly he had fled back over the Danube from
Turkey Land."
"Good, good! Oh, you so clever lady!" said Van Helsing,
enthusiastically, as he stooped and kissed her hand. A moment later
he said to me, as calmly as though we had been having a sick roomhe said to me, as calmly as though we had been having a sick room
consultation, "Seventy-two only, and in all this excitement. I have
hope."
Turning to her again, he said with keen expectation, "But go on.
Go on! There is more to tell if you will. Be not afraid. John and I
know. I do in any case, and shall tell you if you are right. Speak,
without fear!"
"I will try to. But you will forgive me if I seem too
egotistical."
"Nay! Fear not, you must be egotist, for it is of you that we
think."
"Then, as he is criminal he is selfish. And as his intellect is
small and his action is based on selfishness, he confines himself
to one purpose. That purpose is remorseless. As he fled back over
the Danube, leaving his forces to be cut to pieces, so now he is
intent on being safe, careless of all. So his own selfishness frees
my soul somewhat from the terrible power which he acquired over me
on that dreadful night. I felt it! Oh, I felt it! Thank God, for
His great mercy! My soul is freer than it has been since that awful
hour. And all that haunts me is a fear lest in some trance or dream
he may have used my knowledge for his ends."
The Professor stood up, "He has so used your mind, and by it he
has left us here in Varna, whilst the ship that carried him rushed
through enveloping fog up to Galatz, where, doubtless, he had made
preparation for escaping from us. But his child mind only saw so
far. And it may be that as ever is in God's Providence, the very
thing that the evil doer most reckoned on for his selfish good,
turns out to be his chiefest harm. The hunter is taken in his own
snare, as the great Psalmist says. For now that he think he is free
from every trace of us all, and that he has escaped us with so many
hours to him, then his selfish child brain will whisper him to
sleep. He think, too, that as he cut himself off from knowing your
mind, there can be no knowledge of him to you. There is where he
fail! That terrible baptism of blood which he give you makes youfail! That terrible baptism of blood which he give you makes you
free to go to him in spirit, as you have as yet done in your times
of freedom, when the sun rise and set. At such times you go by my
volition and not by his. And this power to good of you and others,
you have won from your suffering at his hands. This is now all more
precious that he know it not, and to guard himself have even cut
himself off from his knowledge of our where. We, however, are not
selfish, and we believe that God is with us through all this
blackness, and these many dark hours. We shall follow him, and we
shall not flinch. Even if we peril ourselves that we become like
him. Friend John, this has been a great hour, and it have done much
to advance us on our way. You must be scribe and write him all
down, so that when the others return from their work you can give
it to them, then they shall know as we do."
And so I have written it whilst we wait their return, and Mrs.
Harker has written with the typewriter all since she brought the MS
to us.29 October.—This is written in the train from Varna to Galatz.
Last night we all assembled a little before the time of sunset.
Each of us had done his work as well as he could, so far as
thought, and endeavor, and opportunity go, we are prepared for the
whole of our journey, and for our work when we get to Galatz. When
the usual time came round Mrs. Harker prepared herself for her
hypnotic effort, and after a longer and more serious effort on the
part of Van Helsing than has been usually necessary, she sank into
the trance. Usually she speaks on a hint, but this time the
Professor had to ask her questions, and to ask them pretty
resolutely, before we could learn anything. At last her answer
came.
"I can see nothing. We are still. There are no waves lapping,
but only a steady swirl of water softly running against the hawser.
I can hear men's voices calling, near and far, and the roll and
creak of oars in the rowlocks. A gun is fired somewhere, the echo
of it seems far away. There is tramping of feet overhead, and ropes
and chains are dragged along. What is this? There is a gleam of
light. I can feel the air blowing upon me."
Here she stopped. She had risen, as if impulsively, from where
she lay on the sofa, and raised both her hands, palms upwards, as
if lifting a weight. Van Helsing and I looked at each other with
understanding. Quincey raised his eyebrows slightly and looked at
her intently, whilst Harker's hand instinctively closed round the
hilt of his Kukri. There was a long pause. We all knew that the
time when she could speak was passing, but we felt that it was
useless to say anything.
Suddenly she sat up, and as she opened her eyes said sweetly,
"Would none of you like a cup of tea? You must all be so
tired!"
We could only make her happy, and so acqueisced. She bustled off
to get tea. When she had gone Van Helsing said, "You see, my
friends. He is close to land. He has left his earth chest. But he
has yet to get on shore. In the night he may lie hidden somewhere,


has yet to get on shore. In the night he may lie hidden somewhere,
but if he be not carried on shore, or if the ship do not touch it,
he cannot achieve the land. In such case he can, if it be in the
night, change his form and jump or fly on shore, then, unless he be
carried he cannot escape. And if he be carried, then the customs
men may discover what the box contain. Thus, in fine, if he escape
not on shore tonight, or before dawn, there will be the whole day
lost to him. We may then arrive in time. For if he escape not at
night we shall come on him in daytime, boxed up and at our mercy.
For he dare not be his true self, awake and visible, lest he be
discovered."
There was no more to be said, so we waited in patience until the
dawn, at which time we might learn more from Mrs. Harker.
Early this morning we listened, with breathless anxiety, for her
response in her trance. The hypnotic stage was even longer in
coming than before, and when it came the time remaining until full
sunrise was so short that we began to despair. Van Helsing seemed
to throw his whole soul into the effort. At last, in obedience to
his will she made reply.
"All is dark. I hear lapping water, level with me, and some
creaking as of wood on wood." She paused, and the red sun shot up.
We must wait till tonight.
And so it is that we are travelling towards Galatz in an agony
of expectation. We are due to arrive between two and three in the
morning. But already, at Bucharest, we are three hours late, so we
cannot possibly get in till well after sunup. Thus we shall have
two more hypnotic messages from Mrs. Harker! Either or both may
possibly throw more light on what is happening.
Later.—Sunset has come and gone. Fortunately it came at a time
when there was no distraction. For had it occurred whilst we were
at a station, we might not have secured the necessary calm and
isolation. Mrs. Harker yielded to the hypnotic influence even less
readily than this morning. I am in fear that her power of readingreadily than this morning. I am in fear that her power of reading
the Count's sensations may die away, just when we want it most. It
seems to me that her imagination is beginning to work. Whilst she
has been in the trance hitherto she has confined herself to the
simplest of facts. If this goes on it may ultimately mislead us. If
I thought that the Count's power over her would die away equally
with her power of knowledge it would be a happy thought. But I am
afraid that it may not be so.
When she did speak, her words were enigmatical,"Something is
going out. I can feel it pass me like a cold wind. I can hear, far
off, confused sounds, as of men talking in strange tongues, fierce
falling water, and the howling of wolves." She stopped and a
shudder ran through her, increasing in intensity for a few seconds,
till at the end, she shook as though in a palsy. She said no more,
even in answer to the Professor's imperative questioning. When she
woke from the trance, she was cold, and exhausted, and languid, but
her mind was all alert. She could not remember anything, but asked
what she had said. When she was told, she pondered over it deeply
for a long time and in silence.
30 October, 7 a. m.—We are near Galatz now, and I may not have
time to write later. Sunrise this morning was anxiously looked for
by us all. Knowing of the increasing difficulty of procuring the
hypnotic trance, Van Helsing began his passes earlier than usual.
They produced no effect, however, until the regular time, when she
yielded with a still greater difficulty, only a minute before the
sun rose. The Professor lost no time in his questioning.
Her answer came with equal quickness, "All is dark. I hear water
swirling by, level with my ears, and the creaking of wood on wood.
Cattle low far off. There is another sound, a queer one like …
" She stopped and grew white, and whiter still.
"Go on, go on! Speak, I command you!" said Van Helsing in an
agonized voice. At the same time there was despair in his eyes, foragonized voice. At the same time there was despair in his eyes, for
the risen sun was reddening even Mrs. Harker's pale face. She
opened her eyes, and we all started as she said, sweetly and
seemingly with the utmost unconcern.
"Oh, Professor, why ask me to do what you know I can't? I don't
remember anything." Then, seeing the look of amazement on our
faces, she said, turning from one to the other with a troubled
look, "What have I said? What have I done? I know nothing, only
that I was lying here, half asleep, and heard you say `go on!
speak, I command you!' It seemed so funny to hear you order me
about, as if I were a bad child!"
"Oh, Madam Mina," he said, sadly, "it is proof, if proof be
needed, of how I love and honor you, when a word for your good,
spoken more earnest than ever, can seem so strange because it is to
order her whom I am proud to obey!"
The whistles are sounding. We are nearing Galatz. We are on fire
with anxiety and eagerness.
MINA HARKER'S JOURNAL
30 October.—Mr. Morris took me to the hotel where our rooms had
been ordered by telegraph, he being the one who could best be
spared, since he does not speak any foreign language. The forces
were distributed much as they had been at Varna, except that Lord
Godalming went to the Vice Consul, as his rank might serve as an
immediate guarantee of some sort to the official, we being in
extreme hurry. Jonathan and the two doctors went to the shipping
agent to learn particulars of the arrival of the Czarina
Catherine.
Later.—Lord Godalming has returned. The Consul is away, and the
Vice Consul sick. So the routine work has been attended to by a
clerk. He was very obliging, and offered to do anything in his
power.
JONATHAN HARKER'S JOURNAL
30 October.—At nine o'clock Dr. Van Helsing, Dr. Seward, and I
called on Messrs. Mackenzie & Steinkoff, the agents of the
London firm of Hapgood. They had received a wire from London, in
answer to Lord Godalming's telegraphed request, asking them to show
us any civility in their power. They were more than kind and


us any civility in their power. They were more than kind and
courteous, and took us at once on board the Czarina Catherine,
which lay at anchor out in the river harbor. There we saw the
Captain, Donelson by name, who told us of his voyage. He said that
in all his life he had never had so favorable a run.
"Man!" he said, "but it made us afeard, for we expect it that we
should have to pay for it wi' some rare piece o' ill luck, so as to
keep up the average. It's no canny to run frae London to the Black
Sea wi' a wind ahint ye, as though the Deil himself were blawin' on
yer sail for his ain purpose. An' a' the time we could no speer a
thing. Gin we were nigh a ship, or a port, or a headland, a fog
fell on us and travelled wi' us, till when after it had lifted and
we looked out, the deil a thing could we see. We ran by Gibraltar
wi' oot bein' able to signal. An' til we came to the Dardanelles
and had to wait to get our permit to pass, we never were within
hail o' aught. At first I inclined to slack off sail and beat about
till the fog was lifted. But whiles, I thocht that if the Deil was
minded to get us into the Black Sea quick, he was like to do it
whether we would or no. If we had a quick voyage it would be no to
our miscredit wi'the owners, or no hurt to our traffic, an' the Old
Mon who had served his ain purpose wad be decently grateful to us
for no hinderin' him."
This mixture of simplicity and cunning, of superstition and
commercial reasoning, aroused Van Helsing, who said,"Mine friend,
that Devil is more clever than he is thought by some, and he know
when he meet his match!"
The skipper was not displeased with the compliment, and went on,
"When we got past the Bosphorus the men began to grumble. Some o'
them, the Roumanians, came and asked me to heave overboard a big
box which had been put on board by a queer lookin' old man just
before we had started frae London. I had seen them speer at the
fellow, and put out their twa fingers when they saw him, to guardfellow, and put out their twa fingers when they saw him, to guard
them against the evil eye. Man! but the supersteetion of foreigners
is pairfectly rideeculous! I sent them aboot their business pretty
quick, but as just after a fog closed in on us I felt a wee bit as
they did anent something, though I wouldn't say it was again the
big box. Well, on we went, and as the fog didn't let up for five
days I joost let the wind carry us, for if the Deil wanted to get
somewheres, well, he would fetch it up a'reet. An' if he didn't,
well, we'd keep a sharp lookout anyhow. Sure eneuch, we had a fair
way and deep water all the time. And two days ago, when the mornin'
sun came through the fog, we found ourselves just in the river
opposite Galatz. The Roumanians were wild, and wanted me right or
wrong to take out the box and fling it in the river. I had to argy
wi' them aboot it wi' a handspike. An' when the last o' them rose
off the deck wi' his head in his hand, I had convinced them that,
evil eye or no evil eye, the property and the trust of my owners
were better in my hands than in the river Danube. They had, mind
ye, taken the box on the deck ready to fling in, and as it was
marked Galatz via Varna, I thocht I'd let it lie till we discharged
in the port an' get rid o't althegither. We didn't do much clearin'
that day, an' had to remain the nicht at anchor. But in the
mornin', braw an' airly, an hour before sunup, a man came aboard
wi' an order, written to him from England, to receive a box marked
for one Count Dracula. Sure eneuch the matter was one ready to his
hand. He had his papers a' reet, an' gla d I was to be rid o' the
dam' thing, for I was beginnin' masel' to feel uneasy at it. If the
Deil did have any luggage aboord the ship, I'm thinkin' it was nane
ither than that same!"
"What was the name of the man who took it?" asked Dr. Van
Helsing with restrained eagerness.
"I'll be tellin' ye quick!" he answered, and stepping down to
his cabin, produced a receipt signed "Immanuel Hildesheim."his cabin, produced a receipt signed "Immanuel Hildesheim."
Burgen-strasse 16 was the address. We found out that this was all
the Captain knew, so with thanks we came away.
We found Hildesheim in his office, a Hebrew of rather the
Adelphi Theatre type, with a nose like a sheep, and a fez. His
arguments were pointed with specie, we doing the punctuation, and
with a little bargaining he told us what he knew. This turned out
to be simple but important. He had received a letter from Mr. de
Ville of London, telling him to receive, if possible before sunrise
so as to avoid customs, a box which would arrive at Galatz in the
Czarina Catherine. This he was to give in charge to a certain
Petrof Skinsky, who dealt with the Slovaks who traded down the
river to the port. He had been paid for his work by an English bank
note, which had been duly cashed for gold at the Danube
International Bank. When Skinsky had come to him, he had taken him
to the ship and handed over the box, so as to save parterage. That
was all he knew.
We then sought for Skinsky, but were unable to find him. One of
his neighbors, who did not seem to bear him any affection, said
that he had gone away two days before,no one knew whither. This was
corroborated by his landlord, who had received by messenger the key
of the house together with the rent due, in English money. This had
been between ten and eleven o'clock last night. We were at a
standstill again.
Whilst we were talking one came running and breathlessly gasped
out that the body of Skinsky had been found inside the wall of the
churchyard of St. Peter, and that the throat had been torn open as
if by some wild animal. Those we had been speaking with ran off to
see the horror, the women crying out. "This is the work of a
Slovak!" We hurried away lest we should have been in some way drawn
into the affair, and so detained.
As we came home we could arrive at no definite conclusion. We
were all convinced that the box was on its way, by water, to


were all convinced that the box was on its way, by water, to
somewhere, but where that might be we would have to discover. With
heavy hearts we came home to the hotel to Mina.
When we met together, the first thing was to consult as to
taking Mina again into our confidence. Things are getting
desperate, and it is at least a chance, though a hazardous one. As
a preliminary step, I was released from my promise to her.
MINA HARKER'S JOURNAL
30 October, evening.—They were so tired and worn out and
dispirited that there was nothing to be done till they had some
rest, so I asked them all to lie down for half an hour whilst I
should enter everything up to the moment. I feel so grateful to the
man who invented the "Traveller's" typewriter, and to Mr. Morris
for getting this one for me. I should have felt quite astray doing
the work if I had to write with a pen …
It is all done. Poor dear, dear Jonathan, what he must have
suffered, what he must be suffering now. He lies on the sofa hardly
seeming to breathe, and his whole body appears in collapse. His
brows are knit. His face is drawn with pain. Poor fellow, maybe he
is thinking, and I can see his face all wrinkled up with the
concentration of his thoughts. Oh! if I could only help at all. I
shall do what I can.
I have asked Dr. Van Helsing, and he has got me all the papers
that I have not yet seen. Whilst they are resting, I shall go over
all carefully, and perhaps I may arrive at some conclusion. I shall
try to follow the Professor's example, and think without prejudice
on the facts before me …
I do believe that under God's providence I have made a
discovery. I shall get the maps and look over them.
I am more than ever sure that I am right. My new conclusion is
ready, so I shall get our party together and read it. They can
judge it. It is well to be accurate, and every minute is
precious.
MINA HARKER'S MEMORANDUM
(ENTERED IN HER JOURNAL)
Ground of inquiry.—Count Dracula's problem is to get back to his
own place.Ground of inquiry.—Count Dracula's problem is to get back to his
own place.
(a) He must be brought back by some one. This is evident. For
had he power to move himself as he wished he could go either as
man, or wolf, or bat, or in some other way. He evidently fears
discovery or interference, in the state of helplessness in which he
must be, confined as he is between dawn and sunset in his wooden
box.
(b) How is he to be taken?—Here a process of exclusions may help
us. By road, by rail, by water?
1. By Road.—There are endless difficulties, especially in
leaving the city.
(x) There are people. And people are curious, and investigate. A
hint, a surmise, a doubt as to what might be in the box, would
destroy him.
(y) There are, or there may be, customs and octroi officers to
pass.
(z) His pursuers might follow. This is his highest fear. And in
order to prevent his being betrayed he has repelled, so far as he
can, even his victim, me!
2. By Rail.—There is no one in charge of the box. It would have
to take its chance of being delayed, and delay would be fatal, with
enemies on the track. True, he might escape at night. But what
would he be, if left in a strange place with no refuge that he
could fly to? This is not what he intends, and he does not mean to
risk it.
3. By Water.—Here is the safest way, in one respect, but with
most danger in another. On the water he is powerless except at
night. Even then he can only summon fog and storm and snow and his
wolves. But were he wrecked, the living water would engulf him,
helpless, and he would indeed be lost. He could have the vessel
drive to land, but if it were unfriendly land, wherein he was not
free to move, his position would still be desperate.
We know from the record that he was on the water, so what we
have to do is to ascertain what water.
The first thing is to realize exactly what he has done as yet.
We may, then, get a light on what his task is to be.
Firstly.—We must differentiate between what he did in London asFirstly.—We must differentiate between what he did in London as
part of his general plan of action, when he was pressed for moments
and had to arrange as best he could.
Secondly we must see, as well as we can surmise it from the
facts we know of, what he has done here.
As to the first, he evidently intended to arrive at Galatz, and
sent invoice to Varna to deceive us lest we should ascertain his
means of exit from England. His immediate and sole purpose then was
to escape. The proof of this, is the letter of instructions sent to
Immanuel Hildesheim to clear and take away the box before sunrise.
There is also the instruction to Petrof Skinsky. These we must only
guess at, but there must have been some letter or message, since
Skinsky came to Hildesheim.
That, so far, his plans were successful we know. The Czarina
Catherine made a phenomenally quick journey. So much so that
Captain Donelson's suspicions were aroused. But his superstition
united with his canniness played the Count's game for him, and he
ran with his favoring wind through fogs and all till he brought up
blindfold at Galatz. That the Count's arrangements were well made,
has been proved. Hildesheim cleared the box, took it off, and gave
it to Skinsky. Skinsky took it, and here we lose the trail. We only
know that the box is somewhere on the water, moving along. The
customs and the octroi, if there be any, have been avoided.
Now we come to what the Count must have done after his arrival,
on land, at Galatz.
The box was given to Skinsky before sunrise. At sunrise the
Count could appear in his own form. Here, we ask why Skinsky was
chosen at all to aid in the work? In my husband's diary, Skinsky is
mentioned as dealing with the Slovaks who trade down the river to
the port. And the man's remark, that the murder was the work of a
Slovak, showed the general feeling against his class. The Count
wanted isolation.
My surmise is this, that in London the Count decided to get back
to his castle by water, as the most safe and secret way. He was


to his castle by water, as the most safe and secret way. He was
brought from the castle by Szgany, and probably they delivered
their cargo to Slovaks who took the boxes to Varna, for there they
were shipped to London. Thus the Count had knowledge of the persons
who could arrange this service. When the box was on land, before
sunrise or after sunset, he came out from his box, met Skinsky and
instructed him what to do as to arranging the carriage of the box
up some river. When this was done, and he knew that all was in
train, he blotted out his traces, as he thought, by murdering his
agent.
I have examined the map and find that the river most suitable
for the Slovaks to have ascended is either the Pruth or the Sereth.
I read in the typescript that in my trance I heard cows low and
water swirling level with my ears and the creaking of wood. The
Count in his box, then, was on a river in an open boat, propelled
probably either by oars or poles, for the banks are near and it is
working against stream. There would be no such if floating down
stream.
Of course it may not be either the Sereth or the Pruth, but we
may possibly investigate further. Now of these two, the Pruth is
the more easily navigated, but the Sereth is, at Fundu, joined by
the Bistritza which runs up round the Borgo Pass. The loop it makes
is manifestly as close to Dracula's castle as can be got by
water.
MINA HARKER'S JOURNAL—CONTINUED
When I had done reading, Jonathan took me in his arms and kissed
me. The others kept shaking me by both hands, and Dr. Van Helsing
said, "Our dear Madam Mina is once more our teacher. Her eyes have
been where we were blinded. Now we are on the track once again, and
this time we may succeed. Our enemy is at his most helpless. And if
we can come on him by day, on the water, our task will be over. He
has a start, but he is powerless to hasten, as he may not leave
this box lest those who carry him may suspect. For them to suspect
would be to prompt them to throw him in the stream where he perish.would be to prompt them to throw him in the stream where he perish.
This he knows, and will not. Now men, to our Council of War, for
here and now, we must plan what each and all shall do."
"I shall get a steam launch and follow him," said Lord
Godalming.
"And I, horses to follow on the bank lest by chance he land,"
said Mr. Morris.
"Good!" said the Professor, "both good. But neither must go
alone. There must be force to overcome force if need be. The Slovak
is strong and rough, and he carries rude arms." All the men smiled,
for amongst them they carried a small arsenal.
Said Mr. Morris, "I have brought some Winchesters. They are
pretty handy in a crowd, and there may be wolves. The Count, if you
remember, took some other precautions. He made some requisitions on
others that Mrs. Harker could not quite hear or understand. We must
be ready at all points."
Dr. Seward said, "I think I had better go with Quincey. We have
been accustomed to hunt together, and we two, well armed, will be a
match for whatever may come along. You must not be alone, Art. It
may be necessary to fight the Slovaks, and a chance thrust, for I
don't suppose these fellows carry guns, would undo all our plans.
There must be no chances, this time. We shall not rest until the
Count's head and body have been separated, and we are sure that he
cannot reincarnate."
He looked at Jonathan as he spoke, and Jonathan looked at me. I
could see that the poor dear was torn about in his mind. Of course
he wanted to be with me. But then the boat service would, most
likely, be the one which would destroy the … the …
Vampire. (Why did I hesitate to write the word?)
He was silent awhile, and during his silence Dr. Van Helsing
spoke, "Friend Jonathan, this is to you for twice reasons. First,
because you are young and brave and can fight, and all energies may
be needed at the last. And again that it is your right to destroy
him. That, which has wrought such woe to you and yours. Be not
afraid for Madam Mina. She will be my care, if I may. I am old. Myafraid for Madam Mina. She will be my care, if I may. I am old. My
legs are not so quick to run as once. And I am not used to ride so
long or to pursue as need be, or to fight with lethal weapons. But
I can be of other service. I can fight in other way. And I can die,
if need be, as well as younger men. Now let me say that what I
would is this. While you, my Lord Godalming and friend Jonathan go
in your so swift little steamboat up the river, and whilst John and
Quincey guard the bank where perchance he might be landed, I will
take Madam Mina right into the heart of the enemy's country. Whilst
the old fox is tied in his box, floating on the running stream
whence he cannot escape to land, where he dares not raise the lid
of his coffin box lest his Slovak carriers should in fear leave him
to perish, we shall go in the track where Jonathan went, from
Bistritz over the Borgo, and find our way to the Castle of Dracula.
Here, Madam Mina's hypnotic power will surely help, and we shall
find our way, all dark and unknown otherwise, after the first
sunrise when we are near that fateful place. There is much to be
done, and other places to be made sanctify, so that that nest of
vipers be obliterated."
Here Jonathan interrupted him hotly, "Do you mean to say,
Professor Van Helsing, that you would bring Mina, in her sad case
and tainted as she is with that devil's illness, right into the
jaws of his deathtrap? Not for the world! Not for Heaven or
Hell!"
He became almost speechless for a minute, and then went on, "Do
you know what the place is? Have you seen that awful den of hellish
infamy, with the very moonlight alive with grisly shapes, and ever
speck of dust that whirls in the wind a devouring monster in
embryo? Have you felt the Vampire's lips upon your throat?"
Here he turned to me, and as his eyes lit on my forehead he
threw up his arms with a cry, "Oh, my God, what have we done to
have this terror upon us?" and he sank down on the sofa in a
collapse of misery.


have this terror upon us?" and he sank down on the sofa in a
collapse of misery.
The Professor's voice, as he spoke in clear, sweet tones, which
seemed to vibrate in the air, calmed us all.
"Oh, my friend, it is because I would save Madam Mina from that
awful place that I would go. God forbid that I should take her into
that place. There is work, wild work, to be done before that place
can be purify. Remember that we are in terrible straits. If the
Count escape us this time, and he is strong and subtle and cunning,
he may choose to sleep him for a century, and then in time our dear
one," he took my hand, "would come to him to keep him company, and
would be as those others that you, Jonathan, saw. You have told us
of their gloating lips. You heard their ribald laugh as they
clutched the moving bag that the Count threw to them. You shudder,
and well may it be. Forgive me that I make you so much pain, but it
is necessary. My friend, is it not a dire need for that which I am
giving, possibly my life? If it, were that any one went into that
place to stay, it is I who would have to go to keep them
company."
"Do as you will," said Jonathan, with a sob that shook him all
over, "we are in the hands of God!"
Later.—Oh, it did me good to see the way that these brave men
worked. How can women help loving men when they are so earnest, and
so true, and so brave! And, too, it made me think of the wonderful
power of money! What can it not do when basely used. I felt so
thankful that Lord Godalming is rich, and both he and Mr. Morris,
who also has plenty of money, are willing to spend it so freely.
For if they did not, our little expedition could not start,either
so promptly or so well equipped, as it will within another hour. It
is not three hours since it was arranged what part each of us was
to do. And now Lord Godalming and Jonathan have a lovely steam
launch, with steam up ready to start at a moment's notice. Dr.
Seward and Mr. Morris have half a dozen good horses, wellSeward and Mr. Morris have half a dozen good horses, well
appointed. We have all the maps and appliances of various kinds
that can be had. Professor Van Helsing and I are to leave by the
11:40 train tonight for Veresti, where we are to get a carriage to
drive to the Borgo Pass. We are bringing a good deal of ready
money, as we are to buy a carriage and horses. We shall drive
ourselves, for we have no one whom we can trust in the matter. The
Professor knows something of a great many languages, so we shall
get on all right. We have all got arms, even for me a large bore
revolver. Jonathan would not be happy unless I was armed like the
rest. Alas! I cannot carry one arm that the rest do, the scar on my
forehead forbids that. Dear Dr. Van Helsing comforts me by telling
me that I am fully armed as there may be wolves. The weather is
getting colder every hour, and there are snow flurries which come
and go as warnings.
Later.—It took all my courage to say goodby to my darling. We
may never meet again. Courage, Mina! The Professor is looking at
you keenly. His look is a warning. There must be no tears now,
unless it may be that God will let them fall in gladness.
JONATHAN HARKER'S JOURNAL
30 October, night.—I am writing this in the light from the
furnace door of the steam launch. Lord Godalming is firing up. He
is an experienced hand at the work, as he has had for years a
launch of his own on the Thames, and another on the Norfolk Broads.
Regarding our plans, we finally decided that Mina's guess was
correct, and that if any waterway was chosen for the Count's escape
back to his Castle, the Sereth and then the Bistritza at its
junction, would be the one. We took it, that somewhere about the
47th degree, north latitude, would be the place chosen for crossing
the country between the river and the Carpathians. We have no fear
in running at good speed up the river at night. There is plenty of
water, and the banks are wide enough apart to make steaming, even
in the dark, easy enough. Lord Godalming tells me to sleep for ain the dark, easy enough. Lord Godalming tells me to sleep for a
while, as it is enough for the present for one to be on watch. But
I cannot sleep, how can I with the terrible danger hanging over my
darling, and her going out into that awful place …
My only comfort is that we are in the hands of God. Only for
that faith it would be easier to die than to live, and so be quit
of all the trouble. Mr. Morris and Dr. Seward were off on their
long ride before we started. They are to keep up the right bank,
far enough off to get on higher lands where they can see a good
stretch of river and avoid the following of its curves. They have,
for the first stages, two men to ride and lead their spare horses,
four in all, so as not to excite curiosity. When they dismiss the
men, which shall be shortly, they shall themselves look after the
horses. It may be necessary for us to join forces. If so they can
mount our whole party. One of the saddles has a moveable horn, and
can be easily adapted for Mina, if required.
It is a wild adventure we are on. Here, as we are rushing along
through the darkness, with the cold from the river seeming to rise
up and strike us, with all the mysterious voices of the night
around us, it all comes home. We seem to be drifting into unknown
places and unknown ways. Into a whole world of dark and dreadful
things. Godalming is shutting the furnace door …
31 October.—Still hurrying along. The day has come, and
Godalming is sleeping. I am on watch. The morning is bitterly cold,
the furnace heat is grateful, though we have heavy fur coats. As
yet we have passed only a few open boats, but none of them had on
board any box or package of anything like the size of the one we
seek. The men were scared every time we turned our electric lamp on
them, and fell on their knees and prayed.
1 November, evening.—No news all day. We have found nothing of
the kind we seek. We have now passed into the Bistritza, and if we
are wrong in our surmise our chance is gone. We have overhauled


are wrong in our surmise our chance is gone. We have overhauled
every boat, big and little. Early this morning, one crew took us
for a Government boat, and treated us accordingly. We saw in this a
way of smoothing matters, so at Fundu,where the Bistritza runs into
the Sereth, we got a Roumanian flag which we now fly conspicuously.
With every boat which we have over-hauled since then this trick has
succeeded. We have had every deference shown to us, and not once
any objection to whatever we chose to ask or do. Some of the
Slovaks tell us that a big boat passed them, going at more than
usual speed as she had a double crew on board. This was before they
came to Fundu, so they could not tell us whether the boat turned
into the Bistritza or continued on up the Sereth. At Fundu we could
not hear of any such boat, so she must have passed there in the
night. I am feeling very sleepy. The cold is perhaps beginning to
tell upon me, and nature must have rest some time. Godalming
insists that he shall keep the first watch. God bless him for all
his goodness to poor dear Mina and me.
2 November, morning.—It is broad daylight. That good fellow
would not wake me. He says it would have been a sin to, for I slept
peacefully and was forgetting my trouble. It seems brutally selfish
to me to have slept so long, and let him watch all night, but he
was quite right. I am a new man this morning. And, as I sit here
and watch him sleeping, I can do all that is necessary both as to
minding the engine, steering, and keeping watch. I can feel that my
strength and energy are coming back to me. I wonder where Mina is
now, and Van Helsing. They should have got to Veresti about noon on
Wednesday. It would take them some time to get the carriage and
horses. So if they had started and travelled hard, they would be
about now at the Borgo Pass. God guide and help them! I am afraid
to think what may happen. If we could only go faster. But we
cannot. The engines are throbbing and doing their utmost. I wondercannot. The engines are throbbing and doing their utmost. I wonder
how Dr. Seward and Mr. Morris are getting on. There seem to be
endless streams running down the mountains into this river, but as
none of them are very large, at present, at all events, though they
are doubtless terrible in winter and when the snow melts, the
horsemen may not have met much obstruction. I hope that before we
get to Strasba we may see them. For if by that time we have not
overtaken the Count, it may be necessary to take counsel together
what to do next.
DR. SEWARD'S DIARY
2 November.—Three days on the road. No news, and no time to
write it if there had been, for every moment is precious. We have
had only the rest needful for the horses. But we are both bearing
it wonderfully. Those adventurous days of ours are turning up
useful. We must push on. We shall never feel happy till we get the
launch in sight again.
3 Novenber.—We heard at Fundu that the launch had gone up the
Bistritza. I wish it wasn't so cold. There are signs of snow
coming. And if it falls heavy it will stop us. In such case we must
get a sledge and go on, Russian fashion.
4 Novenber.—Today we heard of the launch having been detained by
an accident when trying to force a way up the rapids. The Slovak
boats get up all right, by aid of a rope and steering with
knowledge. Some went up only a few hours before. Godalming is an
amateur fitter himself, and evidently it was he who put the launch
in trim again.
Finally, they got up the rapids all right, with local help, and
are off on the chase afresh. I fear that the boat is not any better
for the accident, the peasantry tell us that after she got upon
smooth water again, she kept stopping every now and again so long
as she was in sight. We must push on harder than ever. Our help may
be wanted soon.
MINA HARKER'S JOURNAL
31 October.—Arrived at Veresti at noon. The Professor tells me
that this morning at dawn he could hardly hypnotize me at all, and
that all I could say was, "dark and quiet." He is off now buying athat all I could say was, "dark and quiet." He is off now buying a
carriage and horses. He says that he will later on try to buy
additional horses, so that we may be able to change them on the
way. We have something more than 70 miles before us. The country is
lovely, and most interesting. If only we were under different
conditions, how delightful it would be to see it all. If Jonathan
and I were driving through it alone what a pleasure it would be. To
stop and see people, and learn something of their life, and to fill
our minds and memories with all the color and picturesqueness of
the whole wild, beautiful country and the quaint people! But,
alas!
Later.—Dr. Van Helsing has returned. He has got the carriage and
horses. We are to have some dinner, and to start in an hour. The
landlady is putting us up a huge basket of provisions. It seems
enough for a company of soldiers. The Professor encourages her, and
whispers to me that it may be a week before we can get any food
again. He has been shopping too, and has sent home such a wonderful
lot of fur coats and wraps, and all sorts of warm things. There
will not be any chance of our being cold.
We shall soon be off. I am afraid to think what may happen to
us. We are truly in the hands of God. He alone knows what may be,
and I pray Him, with all the strength of my sad and humble soul,
that He will watch over my beloved husband. That whatever may
happen, Jonathan may know that I loved him and honored him more
than I can say, and that my latest and truest thought will be
always for him.


1 November.—All day long we have travelled, and at a good speed.
The horses seem to know that they are being kindly treated, for
they go willingly their full stage at best speed. We have now had
so many changes and find the same thing so constantly that we are
encouraged to think that the journey will be an easy one. Dr. Van
Helsing is laconic, he tells the farmers that he is hurrying to
Bistritz, and pays them well to make the exchange of horses. We get
hot soup, or coffee, or tea, and off we go. It is a lovely country.
Full of beauties of all imaginable kinds, and the people are brave,
and strong, and simple, and seem full of nice qualities. They are
very, very superstitious. In the first house where we stopped, when
the woman who served us saw the scar on my forehead, she crossed
herself and put out two fingers towards me, to keep off the evil
eye. I believe they went to the trouble of putting an extra amount
of garlic into our food, and I can't abide garlic. Ever since then
I have taken care not to take off my hat or veil, and so have
escaped their suspicions. We are travelling fast, and as we have no
driver with us to carry tales, we go ahead of scandal. But I
daresay that fear of the evil eye will follow hard behind us all
the way. The Professor seems tireless. All day he would not take
any rest, though he made me sleep for a long spell. At sunset time
he hypnotized me, and he says I answered as usual,"darkness,
lapping water and creaking wood." So our enemy is still on the
river. I am afraid to think of Jonathan, but somehow I have now no
fear for him, or for myself. I write this whilst we wait in a
farmhouse for the horses to be ready. Dr. Van Helsing is sleeping.
Poor dear, he looks very tired and old and grey, but his mouth is
set as firmly as a conqueror's. Even in his sleep he is intense
with resolution. When we have well started I must make him rest
whilst I drive. I shall tell him that we have days before us, and
he must not break down when most of all his strength will behe must not break down when most of all his strength will be
needed … All is ready. We are off shortly.
2 November, morning.—I was successful, and we took turns driving
all night. Now the day is on us, bright though cold. There is a
strange heaviness in the air. I say heaviness for want of a better
word. I mean that it oppresses us both. It is very cold, and only
our warm furs keep us comfortable. At dawn Van Helsing hypnotized
me. He says I answered "darkness, creaking wood and roaring water,"
so the river is changing as they ascend. I do hope that my darling
will not run any chance of danger, more than need be, but we are in
God's hands.
2 November, night.—All day long driving. The country gets wilder
as we go, and the great spurs of the Carpathians, which at Veresti
seemed so far from us and so low on the horizon, now seem to gather
round us and tower in front. We both seem in good spirits. I think
we make an effort each to cheer the other, in the doing so we cheer
ourselves. Dr. Van Helsing says that by morning we shall reach the
Borgo Pass. The houses are very few here now, and the Professor
says that the last horse we got will have to go on with us, as we
may not be able to change. He got two in addition to the two we
changed, so that now we have a rude four-in-hand. The dear horses
are patient and good, and they give us no trouble. We are not
worried with other travellers, and so even I can drive. We shall
get to the Pass in daylight. We do not want to arrive before. So we
take it easy, and have each a long rest in turn. Oh, what will
tomorrow bring to us? We go to seek the place where my poor darling
suffered so much. God grant that we may be guided aright, and that
He will deign to watch over my husband and those dear to us both,
and who are in such deadly peril. As for me, I am not worthy in His
sight. Alas! I am unclean to His eyes, and shall be until He may
deign to let me stand forth in His sight as one of those who have
not incurred His wrath.
MEMORANDUM BY ABRAHAM VAN HELSINGnot incurred His wrath.
MEMORANDUM BY ABRAHAM VAN HELSING
4 November.—This to my old and true friend John Seward, M. D.,
of Purefleet, London, in case I may not see him. It may explain. It
is morning, and I write by a fire which all the night I have kept
alive, Madam Mina aiding me. It is cold, cold. So cold that the
grey heavy sky is full of snow, which when it falls will settle for
all winter as the ground is hardening to receive it. It seems to
have affected Madam Mina. She has been so heavy of head all day
that she was not like herself. She sleeps, and sleeps, and sleeps!
She who is usual so alert, have done literally nothing all the day.
She even have lost her appetite. She make no entry into her little
diary, she who write so faithful at every pause. Something whisper
to me that all is not well. However, tonight she is more vif. Her
long sleep all day have refresh and restore her, for now she is all
sweet and bright as ever. At sunset I try to hypnotize her, but
alas! with no effect. The power has grown less and less with each
day, and tonight it fail me altogether. Well, God's will be done,
whatever it may be, and whithersoever it may lead!
Now to the historical, for as Madam Mina write not in her
stenography, I must, in my cumbrous old fashion, that so each day
of us may not go unrecorded.
We got to the Borgo Pass just after sunrise yesterday morning.
When I saw the signs of the dawn I got ready for the hypnotism. We
stopped our carriage, and got down so that there might be no
disturbance. I made a couch with furs, and Madam Mina, lying down,
yield herself as usual, but more slow and more short time than
ever, to the hypnotic sleep. As before, came the answer, "darkness
and the swirling of water." Then she woke, bright and radiant and
we go on our way and soon reach the Pass. At this time and place,
she become all on fire with zeal. Some new guiding power be in her
manifested, for she point to a road and say, "This is the way."
"How know you it?" I ask.


manifested, for she point to a road and say, "This is the way."
"How know you it?" I ask.
"Of course I know it,' she answer, and with a pause, add, "Have
not my Jonathan travelled it and wrote of his travel?"
At first I think somewhat strange, but soon I see that there be
only one such byroad. It is used but little, and very different
from the coach road from the Bukovina to Bistritz, which is more
wide and hard, and more of use.
So we came down this road. When we meet other ways, not always
were we sure that they were roads at all, for they be neglect and
light snow have fallen, the horses know and they only. I give rein
to them, and they go on so patient. By and by we find all the
things which Jonathan have note in that wonderful diary of him.
Then we go on for long, long hours and hours. At the first, I tell
Madam Mina to sleep. She try, and she succeed. She sleep all the
time, till at the last, I feel myself to suspicious grow, and
attempt to wake her. But she sleep on, and I may not wake her
though I try. I do not wish to try too hard lest I harm her. For I
know that she have suffer much, and sleep at times be all-in-all to
her. I think I drowse myself, for all of sudden I feel guilt, as
though I have done something. I find myself bolt up, with the reins
in my hand, and the good horses go along jog, jog, just as ever. I
look down and find Madam Mina still asleep. It is now not far off
sunset time, and over the snow the light of the sun flow in big
yellow flood, so that we throw great long shadow on where the
mountain rise so steep. For we are going up, and up, and all is oh,
so wild and rocky, as though it were the end of the world.
Then I arouse Madam Mina. This time she wake with not much
trouble, and then I try to put her to hypnotic sleep. But she sleep
not, being as though I were not. Still I try and try, till all at
once I find her and myself in dark, so I look round, and find that
the sun have gone down. Madam Mina laugh, and I turn and look atthe sun have gone down. Madam Mina laugh, and I turn and look at
her. She is now quite awake, and look so well as I never saw her
since that night at Carfax when we first enter the Count's house. I
am amaze, and not at ease then. But she is so bright and tender and
thoughtful for me that I forget all fear. I light a fire, for we
have brought supply of wood with us, and she prepare food while I
undo the horses and set them, tethered in shelter, to feed. Then
when I return to the fire she have my supper ready. I go to help
her, but she smile, and tell me that she have eat already. That she
was so hungry that she would not wait. I like it not, and I have
grave doubts. But I fear to affright her, and so I am silent of it.
She help me and I eat alone, and then we wrap in fur and lie beside
the fire, and I tell her to sleep while I watch. But presently I
forget all of watching. And when I sudden remember that I watch, I
find her lying quiet, but awake, and looking at me with so bright
eyes. Once, twice more the same occur, and I get much sleep till
before morning. When I wake I try to hypnotize her, but alas!
Though she shut her eyes obedient, she may not sleep. The sun rise
up, and up, and up, and then sleep come to her too late, but so
heavy that she will not wake. I have to lift her up, and place her
sleeping in the carriage when I have harnessed the horses and made
all ready. Madam still sleep, and she look in her sleep more
healthy and more redder than before. And I like it not. And I am
afraid, afraid, afraid! I am afraid of all things, even to think
but I must go on my way. The stake we play for is life and death,
or more than these, and we must not flinch.
5 November, morning.—Let me be accurate in everything, for
though you and I have seen some strange things together, you may at
the first think that I, Van Helsing, am mad. That the many horrors
and the so long strain on nerves has at the last turn my brain.
All yesterday we travel, always getting closer to the mountains,All yesterday we travel, always getting closer to the mountains,
and moving into a more and more wild and desert land. There are
great, frowning precipices and much falling water, and Nature seem
to have held sometime her carnival. Madam Mina still sleep and
sleep. And though I did have hunger and appeased it, I could not
waken her, even for food. I began to fear that the fatal spell of
the place was upon her, tainted as she is with that Vampire
baptism. "Well," said I to myself, "if it be that she sleep all the
day, it shall also be that I do not sleep at night." As we travel
on the rough road, for a road of an ancient and imperfect kind
there was, I held down my head and slept.
Again I waked with a sense of guilt and of time passed, and
found Madam Mina still sleeping, and the sun low down. But all was
indeed changed. The frowning mountains seemed further away, and we
were near the top of a steep rising hill, on summit of which was
such a castle as Jonathan tell of in his diary. At once I exulted
and feared. For now, for good or ill, the end was near.
I woke Madam Mina, and again tried to hypnotize her, but alas!
unavailing till too late. Then, ere the great dark came upon us,
for even after down sun the heavens reflected the gone sun on the
snow, and all was for a time in a great twilight. I took out the
horses and fed them in what shelter I could. Then I make a fire,
and near it I make Madam Mina, now awake and more charming than
ever, sit comfortable amid her rugs. I got ready food, but she
would not eat, simply saying that she had not hunger. I did not
press her, knowing her unavailingness. But I myself eat, for I must
needs now be strong for all. Then, with the fear on me of what
might be, I drew a ring so big for her comfort, round where Madam
Mina sat. And over the ring I passed some of the wafer, and I broke
it fine so that all was well guarded. She sat still all the time,
so still as one dead. And she grew whiter and even whiter till the


so still as one dead. And she grew whiter and even whiter till the
snow was not more pale, and no word she said. But when I drew near,
she clung to me, and I could know that the poor soul shook her from
head to feet with a tremor that was pain to feel.
I said to her presently, when she had grown more quiet, "Will
you not come over to the fire?" for I wished to make a test of what
she could. She rose obedient, but when she have made a step she
stopped, and stood as one stricken.
"Why not go on?" I asked. She shook her head, and coming back,
sat down in her place. Then, looking at me with open eyes, as of
one waked from sleep, she said simply,"I cannot!" and remained
silent. I rejoiced, for I knew that what she could not, none of
those that we dreaded could. Though there might be danger to her
body, yet her soul was safe!
Presently the horses began to scream, and tore at their tethers
till I came to them and quieted them. When they did feel my hands
on them, they whinnied low as in joy,and licked at my hands and
were quiet for a time. Many times through the night did I come to
them, till it arrive to the cold hour when all nature is at lowest,
and every time my coming was with quiet of them. In the cold hour
the fire began to die, and I was about stepping forth to replenish
it, for now the snow came in flying sweeps and with it a chill
mist. Even in the dark there was a light of some kind, as there
ever is over snow, and it seemed as though the snow flurries and
the wreaths of mist took shape as of women with trailing garments.
All was in dead, grim silence only that the horses whinnied and
cowered, as if in terror of the worst. I began to fear, horrible
fears. But then came to me the sense of safety in that ring wherein
I stood. I began too, to think that my imaginings were of the
night, and the gloom, and the unrest that I have gone through, and
all the terrible anxiety. It was as though my memories of all
Jonathan's horrid experience were befooling me. For the snow flakesJonathan's horrid experience were befooling me. For the snow flakes
and the mist began to wheel and circle round, till I could get as
though a shadowy glimpse of those women that would have kissed him.
And then the horses cowered lower and lower, and moaned in terror
as men do in pain. Even the madness of fright was not to them, so
that they could break away. I feared for my dear Madam Mina when
these weird figures drew near and circled round. I looked at her,
but she sat calm, and smiled at me. When I would have stepped to
the fire to replenish it, she caught me and held me back, and
whispered, like a voice that one hears in a dream, so low it
was.
"No! No! Do not go without. Here you are safe!"
I turned to her, and looking in her eyes said, "But you? It is
for you that I fear!"
Whereat she laughed, a laugh low and unreal, and said, "Fear for
me! Why fear for me? None safer in all the world from them than I
am,"and as I wondered at the meaning of her words, a puff of wind
made the flame leap up, and I see the red scar on her forehead.
Then, alas! I knew. Did I not, I would soon have learned, for the
wheeling figures of mist and snow came closer, but keeping ever
without the Holy circle. Then they began to materialize till, if
God have not taken away my reason, for I saw it through my eyes.
There were before me in actual flesh the same three women that
Jonathan saw in the room, when they would have kissed his throat. I
knew the swaying round forms, the bright hard eyes, the white
teeth, the ruddy color, the voluptuous lips. They smiled ever at
poor dear Madam Mina. And as their laugh came through the silence
of the night, they twined their arms and pointed to her, and said
in those so sweet tingling tones that Jonathan said were of the
intolerable sweetness of the water glasses, "Come, sister. Come to
us. Come!"
In fear I turned to my poor Madam Mina, and my heart with
gladness leapt like flame. For oh! the terror in her sweet eyes,
the repulsion, the horror, told a story to my heart that was all ofthe repulsion, the horror, told a story to my heart that was all of
hope. God be thanked she was not, yet of them. I seized some of the
firewood which was by me, and holding out some of the Wafer,
advanced on them towards the fire. They drew back before me, and
laughed their low horrid laugh. I fed the fire, and feared them
not. For I knew that we were safe within the ring, which she could
not leave no more than they could enter. The horses had ceased to
moan, and lay still on the ground. The snow fell on them softly,
and they grew whiter. I knew that there was for the poor beasts no
more of terror.
And so we remained till the red of the dawn began to fall
through the snow gloom. I was desolate and afraid, and full of woe
and terror. But when that beautiful sun began to climb the horizon
life was to me again. At the first coming of the dawn the horrid
figures melted in the whirling mist and snow. The wreaths of
transparent gloom moved away towards the castle, and were lost.
Instinctively, with the dawn coming, I turned to Madam Mina,
intending to hypnotize her. But she lay in a deep and sudden sleep,
from which I could not wake her. I tried to hypnotize through her
sleep, but she made no response, none at all, and the day broke. I
fear yet to stir. I have made my fire and have seen the horses,
they are all dead. Today I have much to do here, and I keep waiting
till the sun is up high. For there may be places where I must go,
where that sunlight, though snow and mist obscure it, will be to me
a safety.
I will strengthen me with breakfast, and then I will do my
terrible work. Madam Mina still sleeps, and God be thanked! She is
calm in her sleep …
JONATHAN HARKER'S JOURNAL
4 November, evening.—The accident to the launch has been a
terrible thing for us. Only for it we should have overtaken the
boat long ago, and by now my dear Mina would have been free. I fear
to think of her, off on the wolds near that horrid place. We have
got horses, and we follow on the track. I note this whilst