The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1917-12-13
DRACULA,
THE VAMPIRE
By BRAN STOKER.

A T PiccadIIly Circus dis
n charged my cab, and walk
~ ed westward; beyond the
= Junior Constitutional ! came
across the house described. and was
satisfied that this was the next OF the
Iairs arranged by Dracula- The house
looked as though II had been long
untenanted. The windows were en-
crusted with dust, and the shutters
were up. All the framework was
black with time, and from the iron
the paint had mostly scaled away.
1t was evident that up to lately
there had been a. large notice board
in front of the balcony; IL had, how
ever, been roughly torn away the up
rights which had supported 1t still
remaining. Behind the rails OF the
balcony 1 saw there were some loose
boards, whose raw edges looked
white. I would have given q good
deal to have been able to see the no
tics board intact, as it would, per
haps, have given some clue to the
ownership OF the house. 1 remember
ed my experience Of the investigation
and purchase of Carfax. and l could
NOT but feel that II / could find the
former owner there might be some
means discovered of gaining access
to the house.
CARE INSPERTION FAILS
TO REVEAL ANYTHING.
There was at present nothing to be
learned from the Piccadilly side, and
nothing could be done; so went
round to the back to see IL anything
could be gathered from this quarter.
The news were active. the Piccadilly
houses being mostly in occupation.
asked one or two Of the grooms
and helpers whom I saw around II
they could tell me anything about the
empty house. One Of them said that
he heard It had lately been taken,but
he couldn't say from whom. He told
me, however, that up to very lately
there had been a notice board OF For
Sale" UP, and that perhaps Mitchell,
Sons e. Candy, the house agents, could
tell me something. as he thought he
remembered seeing the name Of that
arm ON the board.
/ did not wish to seem too eager,
or to let. my informant know or guess
too much, so, thanking him in the
usual manner, l strolled away. 1t
was now growing dusk, and the au-
tumn night was closing in, so 1 did
not lose any time. Having learned
the address of Mitchell. Sons & Candy
from a directory at the Berkeley, /
was soon at their office in Sackville
street
The gentleman who saw me was
particularly suave In manner, but I'M
communicative in equal proportion.
Having once told me that the Pic
cadilIy house-which throughout our
Interview he called a 'mansion"-
was sold. he considered my business
as concluded When asked who had
purchased 1t. he opened his eyes
thought wider, and paused a few sec
onds before replying:
at is sold. sir"
RUN UP AGAINST
STONE WALL IN AGENT.
pardon me-" I said, with equal
politeness. but I have a special rea-
son for wishing TO know who pur-
chased it."
Again he paused longer, and raised
his eyebrows still more. at is sold,
air." was again his Iaconic reply.
Surely" I said, you do not mind
letting me know 50 much"
But I do mind" he answered.
1.-THE affairs OF their clients are alb
solutely safe in the hands OF Mitch
ell, Sons & Candy" This was mani
testify a prig of the first water, and
there was no use arguing with him.
thought had best meet him on his
own ground. so l said:
Your clients, sir, are happy in hav-
ing so resolute a guardian OF their
confidence. am myself a profes-
Eional man" Here 1 handed him my
card. TN this instance 1 am not