Whenallwasover，IcouldseehowmuchArthurwasweakened。
Idressedthewoundandtookhisarmtobringhimaway，whenVanHelsingspokewithoutturninground，themanseemstohaveeyesinthebackofhishead，“Thebravelover，Ithink，deserveanotherkiss，whichheshallhavepresently。“
Andashehadnowfinishedhisoperation，headjustedthepillowtothepatient\'shead。Ashedidsothenarrowblackvelvetbandwhichsheseemsalwaystowearroundherthroat，buckledwithanolddiamondbucklewhichherloverhadgivenher，wasdraggedalittleup，andshowedaredmarkonherthroat。
Arthurdidnotnoticeit，butIcouldhearthedeephissofindrawnbreathwhichisoneofVanHelsing\'swaysofbetrayingemotion。
Hesaidnothingatthemoment，butturnedtome，saying，“Nowtakedownourbraveyounglover，givehimoftheportwine，andlethimliedownawhile。
Hemustthengohomeandrest，sleepmuchandeatmuch，thathemayberecruitedofwhathehassogiventohislove。Hemustnotstayhere。
Holdamoment！Imaytakeit，sir，thatyouareanxiousofresult。
Thenbringitwithyou，thatinallwaystheoperationissuccessful。
Youhavesavedherlifethistime，andyoucangohomeandresteasyinmindthatallthatcanbeis。Ishalltellherallwhensheiswell。
Sheshallloveyounonethelessforwhatyouhavedone。Goodbye。“
WhenArthurhadgoneIwentbacktotheroom。
Lucywassleepinggently，butherbreathingwasstronger。
Icouldseethecounterpanemoveasherbreastheaved。
BythebedsidesatVanHelsing，lookingatherintently。
Thevelvetbandagaincoveredtheredmark。IaskedtheProfessorinawhisper，“Whatdoyoumakeofthatmarkonherthroat？”
“Whatdoyoumakeofit？”
“Ihavenotexaminedityet，“Ianswered，andthenandthereproceededtoloosetheband。Justovertheexternaljugularveinthereweretwopunctures，notlarge，butnotwholesomelooking。
Therewasnosignofdisease，buttheedgeswerewhiteandwornlooking，asifbysometrituration。Itatonceoccurredtomethatthatthiswound，orwhateveritwas，mightbethemeansofthatmanifestlossofblood。
ButIabandonedtheideaassoonasitformed，forsuchathingcouldnotbe。
Thewholebedwouldhavebeendrenchedtoascarletwiththebloodwhichthegirlmusthavelosttoleavesuchapallorasshehadbeforethetransfusion。
“Well？”saidVanHelsing。
“Well，“saidI。“Icanmakenothingofit。“
TheProfessorstoodup。“ImustgobacktoAmsterdamtonight，“
hesaid“TherearebooksandthingstherewhichIwant。
Youmustremainhereallnight，andyoumustnotletyoursightpassfromher。“
“ShallIhaveanurse？”Iasked。
“Wearethebestnurses，youandI。Youkeepwatchallnight。
Seethatsheiswellfed，andthatnothingdisturbsher。
Youmustnotsleepallthenight。Lateronwecansleep，youandI。Ishallbebackassoonaspossible。
Andthenwemaybegin。“
“Maybegin？”Isaid。“Whatonearthdoyoumean？”
“Weshallsee！”heanswered，ashehurriedout。Hecamebackamomentlaterandputhisheadinsidethedoorandsaidwithawarningfingerheldup，“Remember，sheisyourcharge。Ifyouleaveher，andharmbefall，youshallnotsleepeasyhereafter！”
DR。SEWARD\'SDIARY——CONTINUED
8September——IsatupallnightwithLucy。Theopiateworkeditselfofftowardsdusk，andshewakednaturally。Shelookedadifferentbeingfromwhatshehadbeenbeforetheoperation。
Herspiritsevenweregood，andshewasfullofahappyvivacity，butI
couldseeevidencesoftheabsoluteprostrationwhichshehadundergone。
WhenItoldMrs。WestenrathatDr。VanHelsinghaddirectedthatIshouldsitupwithher，shealmostpooh-poohedtheidea，pointingoutherdaughter\'srenewedstrengthandexcellentspirits。
Iwasfirm，however，andmadepreparationsformylongvigil。
WhenhermaidhadpreparedherforthenightIcamein，havinginthemeantimehadsupper，andtookaseatbythebedside。
Shedidnotinanywaymakeobjection，butlookedatmegratefullywheneverIcaughthereye。Afteralongspellsheseemedsinkingofftosleep，butwithaneffortseemedtopullherselftogetherandshookitoff。
Itwasapparentthatshedidnotwanttosleep，soItackledthesubjectatonce。
“Youdonotwanttosleep？”
“No。Iamafraid。“
“Afraidtogotosleep！Whyso？Itistheboonweallcravefor。“
“Ah，notifyouwerelikeme，ifsleepwastoyouapresageofhorror！”
“Apresageofhorror！Whatonearthdoyoumean？”
“Idon\'tknow。Oh，Idon\'tknow。Andthatiswhatissoterrible。
Allthisweaknesscomestomeinsleep，untilIdreadtheverythought。“
“But，mydeargirl，youmaysleeptonight。Iamherewatchingyou，andIcanpromisethatnothingwillhappen。“
“Ah，Icantrustyou！”shesaid。
Iseizedtheopportunity，andsaid，“IpromisethatifIseeanyevidenceofbaddreamsIwillwakeyouatonce。“
“Youwill？Oh，willyoureally？Howgoodyouaretome。
ThenIwillsleep！”Andalmostatthewordshegaveadeepsighofrelief，andsankback，asleep。
AllnightlongIwatchedbyher。Sheneverstirred，butsleptonandoninadeep，tranquil，life-giving，health-givingsleep。
Herlipswereslightlyparted，andherbreastroseandfellwiththeregularityofapendulum。Therewasasmileonherface，anditwasevidentthatnobaddreamshadcometodisturbherpeaceofmind。
Intheearlymorninghermaidcame，andIleftherinhercareandtookmyselfbackhome，forIwasanxiousaboutmanythings。IsentashortwiretoVanHelsingandtoArthur，tellingthemoftheexcellentresultoftheoperation。
Myownwork，withitsmanifoldarrears，tookmealldaytoclearoff。
ItwasdarkwhenIwasabletoinquireaboutmyzoophagouspatient。
Thereportwasgood。Hehadbeenquitequietforthepastdayandnight。
AtelegramcamefromVanHelsingatAmsterdamwhilstIwasatdinner，suggestingthatIshouldbeatHillinghamtonight，asitmightbewelltobeathand，andstatingthathewasleavingbythenightmailandwouldjoinmeearlyinthemorning。
9September——IwasprettytiredandwornoutwhenIgottoHillingham。
FortwonightsIhadhardlyhadawinkofsleep，andmybrainwasbeginningtofeelthatnumbnesswhichmarkscerebralexhaustion。
Lucywasupandincheerfulspirits。Whensheshookhandswithmeshelookedsharplyinmyfaceandsaid，“Nosittinguptonightforyou。Youarewornout。
Iamquitewellagain。Indeed，Iam，andifthereistobeanysittingup，itisIwhowillsitupwithyou。“
Iwouldnotarguethepoint，butwentandhadmysupper。
Lucycamewithme，and，enlivenedbyhercharmingpresence，Imadeanexcellentmeal，andhadacoupleofglassesofthemorethanexcellentport。ThenLucytookmeupstairs，andshowedmearoomnextherown，whereacozyfirewasburning。
“Now，“shesaid。“Youmuststayhere。Ishallleavethisdooropenandmydoortoo。YoucanlieonthesofaforIknowthatnothingwouldinduceanyofyoudoctorstogotobedwhilstthereisapatientabovethehorizon。
IfIwantanythingIshallcallout，andyoucancometomeatonce。“
Icouldnotbutacquiesce，forIwasdogtired，andcouldnothavesatuphadItried。So，onherrenewingherpromisetocallmeifsheshouldwantanything，Ilayonthesofa，andforgotallabouteverything。
LUCYWESTENRA\'SDIARY
9September——Ifeelsohappytonight。Ihavebeensomiserablyweak，thattobeabletothinkandmoveaboutislikefeelingsunshineafteralongspellofeastwindoutofasteelsky。
SomehowArthurfeelsvery，veryclosetome。Iseemtofeelhispresencewarmaboutme。Isupposeitisthatsicknessandweaknessareselfishthingsandturnourinnereyesandsympathyonourselves，whilsthealthandstrengthgiveloverein，andinthoughtandfeelinghecanwanderwherehewills。
Iknowwheremythoughtsare。IfonlyArthurknew！
Mydear，mydear，yourearsmusttingleasyousleep，asminedowaking。Oh，theblissfulrestoflastnight！
HowIslept，withthatdear，goodDr。Sewardwatchingme。
AndtonightIshallnotfeartosleep，sinceheiscloseathandandwithincall。Thankeverybodyforbeingsogoodtome。
ThankGod！GoodnightArthur。
DR。SEWARD\'SDIARY
10September——IwasconsciousoftheProfessor\'shandonmyhead，andstartedawakeallinasecond。Thatisoneofthethingsthatwelearninanasylum，atanyrate。
“Andhowisourpatient？”
“Well，whenIlefther，orratherwhensheleftme，“Ianswered。
“Come，letussee，“hesaid。Andtogetherwewentintotheroom。
Theblindwasdown，andIwentovertoraiseitgently，whilstVanHelsingstepped，withhissoft，cat-liketread，overtothebed。
AsIraisedtheblind，andthemorningsunlightfloodedtheroom，IheardtheProfessor\'slowhissofinspiration，andknowingitsrarity，adeadlyfearshotthroughmyheart。
AsIpassedoverhemovedback，andhisexclamationofhorror，“GottinHimmel！”needednoenforcementfromhisagonizedface。
Heraisedhishandandpointedtothebed，andhisironfacewasdrawnandashenwhite。Ifeltmykneesbegintotremble。
Thereonthebed，seeminglyinaswoon，laypoorLucy，morehorriblywhiteandwan-lookingthanever。Eventhelipswerewhite，andthegumsseemedtohaveshrunkenbackfromtheteeth，aswesometimesseeinacorpseafteraprolongedillness。
VanHelsingraisedhisfoottostampinanger，buttheinstinctofhislifeandallthelongyearsofhabitstoodtohim，andheputitdownagainsoftly。
“Quick！”hesaid。“Bringthebrandy。“
Iflewtothediningroom，andreturnedwiththedecanter。
Hewettedthepoorwhitelipswithit，andtogetherwerubbedpalmandwristandheart。Hefeltherheart，andafterafewmomentsofagonizingsuspensesaid，“Itisnottoolate。Itbeats，thoughbutfeebly。Allourworkisundone。Wemustbeginagain。ThereisnoyoungArthurherenow。
Ihavetocallonyouyourselfthistime，friendJohn。“Ashespoke，hewasdippingintohisbag，andproducingtheinstrumentsoftransfusion。
Ihadtakenoffmycoatandrolledupmyshirtsleeve。Therewasnopossibilityofanopiatejustatpresent，andnoneedofone。
andso，withoutamoment\'sdelay，webegantheoperation。
Afteratime，itdidnotseemashorttimeeither，forthedrainingawayofone\'sblood，nomatterhowwillinglyitbegiven，isaterriblefeeling，VanHelsingheldupawarningfinger。
“Donotstir，“hesaid。“ButIfearthatwithgrowingstrengthshemaywake，andthatwouldmakedanger，oh，somuchdanger。
ButIshallprecautiontake。Ishallgivehypodermicinjectionofmorphia。“Heproceededthen，swiftlyanddeftly，tocarryouthisintent。
TheeffectonLucywasnotbad，forthefaintseemedtomergesubtlyintothenarcoticsleep。ItwaswithafeelingofpersonalpridethatIcouldseeafainttingeofcolorstealbackintothepallidcheeksandlips。
Nomanknows，tillheexperiencesit，whatitistofeelhisownlifeblooddrawnawayintotheveinsofthewomanheloves。
TheProfessorwatchedmecritically。“Thatwilldo，“
hesaid。“Already？”Iremonstrated。“YoutookagreatdealmorefromArt。“Towhichhesmiledasadsortofsmileashereplied，“Heisherlover，herfiance。Youhavework，muchworktodoforherandforothers，andthepresentwillsuffice。
Whenwestoppedtheoperation，heattendedtoLucy，whilstIapplieddigitalpressuretomyownincision。
Ilaiddown，whileIwaitedhisleisuretoattendtome，forI
feltfaintandalittlesick。Byandbyheboundupmywound，andsentmedownstairstogetaglassofwineformyself。
AsIwasleavingtheroom，hecameafterme，andhalfwhispered。
“Mind，nothingmustbesaidofthis。Ifouryounglovershouldturnupunexpected，asbefore，nowordtohim。
Itwouldatoncefrightenhimandenjealoushim，too。
Theremustbenone。So！”
WhenIcamebackhelookedatmecarefully，andthensaid，“Youarenotmuchtheworse。Gointotheroom，andlieonyoursofa，andrestawhile，thenhavemuchbreakfastandcomeheretome。“
Ifollowedouthisorders，forIknewhowrightandwisetheywere。
Ihaddonemypart，andnowmynextdutywastokeepupmystrength。
Ifeltveryweak，andintheweaknesslostsomethingoftheamazementatwhathadoccurred。Ifellasleeponthesofa，however，wonderingoverandoveragainhowLucyhadmadesucharetrogrademovement，andhowshecouldhavebeendrainedofsomuchbloodwithnosignanywheretoshowforit。
IthinkImusthavecontinuedmywonderinmydreams，for，sleepingandwakingmythoughtsalwayscamebacktothelittlepuncturesinherthroatandtheragged，exhaustedappearanceoftheiredges，tinythoughtheywere。
Lucysleptwellintotheday，andwhenshewokeshewasfairlywellandstrong，thoughnotnearlysomuchsoasthedaybefore。
WhenVanHelsinghadseenher，hewentoutforawalk，leavingmeincharge，withstrictinjunctionsthatIwasnottoleaveherforamoment。Icouldhearhisvoiceinthehall，askingthewaytothenearesttelegraphoffice。
Lucychattedwithmefreely，andseemedquiteunconsciousthatanythinghadhappened。Itriedtokeepheramusedandinterested。
Whenhermothercameuptoseeher，shedidnotseemtonoticeanychangewhatever，butsaidtomegratefully，“Weoweyousomuch，Dr。Seward，forallyouhavedone，butyoureallymustnowtakecarenottooverworkyourself。Youarelookingpaleyourself。
Youwantawifetonurseandlookafteryouabit，thatyoudo！”
Asshespoke，Lucyturnedcrimson，thoughitwasonlymomentarily，forherpoorwastedveinscouldnotstandforlonganunwonteddraintothehead。
Thereactioncameinexcessivepallorassheturnedimploringeyesonme。
Ismiledandnodded，andlaidmyfingeronmylips。Withasigh，shesankbackamidherpillows。
VanHelsingreturnedinacoupleofhours，andpresentlysaidtome。
“Nowyougohome，andeatmuchanddrinkenough。Makeyourselfstrong。
Istayheretonight，andIshallsitupwithlittlemissmyself。
YouandImustwatchthecase，andwemusthavenoneothertoknow。
Ihavegravereasons。No，donotaskthe。Thinkwhatyouwill。
Donotfeartothinkeventhemostnot-improbable。Goodnight。“
Inthehalltwoofthemaidscametome，andaskediftheyoreitherofthemmightnotsitupwithMissLucy。
Theyimploredmetoletthem，andwhenIsaiditwasDr。VanHelsing\'swishthateitherheorIshouldsitup，theyaskedmequitepiteouslytointercedewiththe`foreigngentleman\'。I
wasmuchtouchedbytheirkindness。PerhapsitisbecauseIamweakatpresent，andperhapsbecauseitwasonLucy\'saccount，thattheirdevotionwasmanifested。ForoverandoveragainhaveIseensimilarinstancesofwoman\'skindness。
Igotbackhereintimeforalatedinner，wentmyrounds，allwell，andsetthisdownwhilstwaitingforsleep。
Itiscoming。
11September——ThisafternoonIwentovertoHillingham。
FoundVanHelsinginexcellentspirits，andLucymuchbetter。
ShortlyafterIhadarrived，abigparcelfromabroadcamefortheProfessor。Heopeneditwithmuchimpressment，assumed，ofcourse，andshowedagreatbundleofwhiteflowers。
“Theseareforyou，MissLucy，“hesaid。
“Forme？Oh，Dr。VanHelsing！”
“Yes，mydear，butnotforyoutoplaywith。Thesearemedicines。“
HereLucymadeawryface。“Nay，buttheyarenottotakeinadecoctionorinnauseousform，soyouneednotsnubthatsocharmingnose，orIshallpointouttomyfriendArthurwhatwoeshemayhavetoendureinseeingsomuchbeautythathesolovessomuchdistort。
Aha，myprettymiss，thatbringthesonicenoseallstraightagain。
Thisismedicinal，butyoudonotknowhow。Iputhiminyourwindow，Imakeprettywreath，andhanghimroundyourneck，soyousleepwell。
Oh，yes！They，likethelotusflower，makeyourtroubleforgotten。
ItsmellsolikethewatersofLethe，andofthatfountainofyouththattheConquistadoressoughtforintheFloridas，andfindhimalltoolate。“
Whilsthewasspeaking，Lucyhadbeenexaminingtheflowersandsmellingthem。Nowshethrewthemdownsaying，withhalflaughter，andhalfdisgust，“Oh，Professor，Ibelieveyouareonlyputtingupajokeonme。
Why，theseflowersareonlycommongarlic。“
Tomysurprise，VanHelsingroseupandsaidwithallhissternness，hisironjawsetandhisbushyeyebrowsmeeting，“Notriflingwithme！Ineverjest！ThereisgrimpurposeinwhatIdo，andIwarnyouthatyoudonotthwartme。
Takecare，forthesakeofothersifnotforyourown。“
ThenseeingpoorLucyscared，asshemightwellbe，hewentonmoregently，“Oh，littlemiss，mydear，donotfearme。
Ionlydoforyourgood，butthereismuchvirtuetoyouinthosesocommonflowers。See，Iplacethemmyselfinyourroom。
Imakemyselfthewreaththatyouaretowear。Buthush！
Notellingtoothersthatmakesoinquisitivequestions。
Wemustobey，andsilenceisapartofobedience，andobedienceistobringyoustrongandwellintolovingarmsthatwaitforyou。
Nowsitstillawhile。Comewithme，friendJohn，andyoushallhelpmedecktheroomwithmygarlic，whichisallthewarfromHaarlem，wheremyfriendVanderpoolraiseherbinhisglasshousesalltheyear。Ihadtotelegraphyesterday，ortheywouldnothavebeenhere。“
Wewentintotheroom，takingtheflowerswithus。
TheProfessor\'sactionswerecertainlyoddandnottobefoundinanypharmacopeiathatIeverheardof。
Firsthefastenedupthewindowsandlatchedthemsecurely。
Next，takingahandfuloftheflowers，herubbedthemalloverthesashes，asthoughtoensurethateverywhiffofairthatmightgetinwouldbeladenwiththegarlicsmell。
Thenwiththewispherubbedalloverthejambofthedoor，above，below，andateachside，androundthefireplaceinthesameway。Itallseemedgrotesquetome，andpresentlyIsaid，“Well，Professor，Iknowyoualwayshaveareasonforwhatyoudo，butthiscertainlypuzzlesme。
Itiswellwehavenosceptichere，orhewouldsaythatyouwereworkingsomespelltokeepoutanevilspirit。“
“PerhapsIam！”HeansweredquietlyashebegantomakethewreathwhichLucywastowearroundherneck。
WethenwaitedwhilstLucymadehertoiletforthenight，andwhenshewasinbedhecameandhimselffixedthewreathofgarlicroundherneck。
Thelastwordshesaidtoherwere，“Takecareyoudonotdisturbit，andeveniftheroomfeelclose，donottonightopenthewindoworthedoor。“
“Ipromise，“saidLucy。“Andthankyoubothathousandtimesforallyourkindnesstome！Oh，whathaveIdonetobeblessedwithsuchfriends？”
Asweleftthehouseinmyfly，whichwaswaiting，VanHelsingsaid，“TonightIcansleepinpeace，andsleepIwant，twonightsoftravel，muchreadinginthedaybetween，andmuchanxietyonthedaytofollow，andanighttositup，withouttowink。Tomorrowinthemorningearlyyoucallforme，andwecometogethertoseeourprettymiss，somuchmorestrongformy`spell\'whichIhavework。Ho，ho！”
HeseemedsoconfidentthatI，rememberingmyownconfidencetwonightsbeforeandwiththebanefulresult，feltaweandvagueterror。
Itmusthavebeenmyweaknessthatmademehesitatetotellittomyfriend，butIfeltitallthemore，likeunshedtears。
CHAPTER11
LUCYWESTENRA\'SDIARY
12September——Howgoodtheyallaretome。IquitelovethatdearDr。VanHelsing。Iwonderwhyhewassoanxiousabouttheseflowers。
Hepositivelyfrightenedme，hewassofierce。Andyethemusthavebeenright，forIfeelcomfortfromthemalready。Somehow，Idonotdreadbeingalonetonight，andIcangotosleepwithoutfear。
Ishallnotmindanyflappingoutsidethewindow。Oh，theterriblestrugglethatIhavehadagainstsleepsooftenoflate，thepainofsleeplessness，orthepainofthefearofsleep，andwithsuchunknownhorrorsasithasforme！Howblessedaresomepeople，whoseliveshavenofears，nodreads，towhomsleepisablessingthatcomesnightly，andbringsnothingbutsweetdreams。Well，hereI
amtonight，hopingforsleep，andlyinglikeOpheliaintheplay，with`virgincrantsandmaidenstrewments。\'Ineverlikedgarlicbefore，buttonightitisdelightful！Thereispeaceinitssmell。
Ifeelsleepcomingalready。Goodnight，everybody。
DR。SEWARD\'SDIARY
13September——CalledattheBerkeleyandfoundVanHelsing，asusual，uptotime。Thecarriageorderedfromthehotelwaswaiting。
TheProfessortookhisbag，whichhealwaysbringswithhimnow。
Letallbeputdownexactly。VanHelsingandIarrivedatHillinghamateighto\'clock。Itwasalovelymorning。
Thebrightsunshineandallthefreshfeelingofearlyautumnseemedlikethecompletionofnature\'sannualwork。
Theleaveswereturningtoallkindsofbeautifulcolors，buthadnotyetbeguntodropfromthetrees。WhenweenteredwemetMrs。Westenracomingoutofthemorningroom。
Sheisalwaysanearlyriser。Shegreeteduswarmlyandsaid，“YouwillbegladtoknowthatLucyisbetter。Thedearchildisstillasleep。Ilookedintoherroomandsawher，butdidnotgoin，lestIshoulddisturbher。“TheProfessorsmiled，andlookedquitejubilant。Herubbedhishandstogether，andsaid，“Aha！IthoughtIhaddiagnosedthecase。
Mytreatmentisworking。“
Towhichshereplied，“Youmustnottakeallthecredittoyourself，doctor。
Lucy\'sstatethismorningisdueinparttome。“
“Howdoyoumean，ma\'am？”askedtheProfessor。
“Well，Iwasanxiousaboutthedearchildinthenight，andwentintoherroom。Shewassleepingsoundly，sosoundlythatevenmycomingdidnotwakeher。Buttheroomwasawfullystuffy。
Therewerealotofthosehorrible，strong-smellingflowersabouteverywhere，andshehadactuallyabunchofthemroundherneck。Ifearedthattheheavyodorwouldbetoomuchforthedearchildinherweakstate，soItookthemallawayandopenedabitofthewindowtoletinalittlefreshair。
Youwillbepleasedwithher，Iamsure。“
Shemovedoffintoherboudoir，wheresheusuallybreakfastedearly。Asshehadspoken，IwatchedtheProfessor\'sface，andsawitturnashengray。
Hehadbeenabletoretainhisself-commandwhilstthepoorladywaspresent，forheknewherstateandhowmischievousashockwouldbe。Heactuallysmiledonherasheheldopenthedoorforhertopassintoherroom。
Buttheinstantshehaddisappearedhepulledme，suddenlyandforcibly，intothediningroomandclosedthedoor。
Then，forthefirsttimeinmylife，IsawVanHelsingbreakdown。
Heraisedhishandsoverhisheadinasortofmutedespair，andthenbeathispalmstogetherinahelplessway。
Finallyhesatdownonachair，andputtinghishandsbeforehisface，begantosob，withloud，drysobsthatseemedtocomefromtheveryrackingofhisheart。
Thenheraisedhisarmsagain，asthoughappealingtothewholeuniverse。“God！God！God！”hesaid。“Whathavewedone，whathasthispoorthingdone，thatwearesosorebeset？
Istherefateamongstusstill，senddownfromthepaganworldofold，thatsuchthingsmustbe，andinsuchway？
Thispoormother，allunknowing，andallforthebestasshethink，doessuchthingasloseherdaughterbodyandsoul，andwemustnottellher，wemustnotevenwarnher，orshedie，thenbothdie。Oh，howwearebeset！Howareallthepowersofthedevilsagainstus！”
Suddenlyhejumpedtohisfeet。“Come，“hesaid。“come，wemustseeandact。
Devilsornodevils，orallthedevilsatonce，itmattersnot。
Wemustfighthimallthesame。“Hewenttothehalldoorforhisbag，andtogetherwewentuptoLucy\'sroom。
OnceagainIdrewuptheblind，whilstVanHelsingwenttowardsthebed。
Thistimehedidnotstartashelookedonthepoorfacewiththesameawful，waxenpallorasbefore。Heworealookofsternsadnessandinfinitepity。
“AsIexpected，“hemurmured，withthathissinginspirationofhiswhichmeantsomuch。Withoutawordhewentandlockedthedoor，andthenbegantosetoutonthelittletabletheinstrumentsforyetanotheroperationoftransfusionofblood。
Ihadlongagorecognizedthenecessity，andbeguntotakeoffmycoat，buthestoppedmewithawarninghand。
“No！”hesaid。“Todayyoumustoperate。Ishallprovide。
Youareweakenedalready。“Ashespokehetookoffhiscoatandrolleduphisshirtsleeve。
Againtheoperation。Againthenarcotic。Againsomereturnofcolortotheashycheeks，andtheregularbreathingofhealthysleep。
ThistimeIwatchedwhilstVanHelsingrecruitedhimselfandrested。
PresentlyhetookanopportunityoftellingMrs。WestenrathatshemustnotremoveanythingfromLucy\'sroomwithoutconsultinghim。
Thattheflowerswereofmedicinalvalue，andthatthebreathingoftheirodorwasapartofthesystemofcure。Thenhetookoverthecareofthecasehimself，sayingthathewouldwatchthisnightandthenext，andwouldsendmewordwhentocome。
AfteranotherhourLucywakedfromhersleep，freshandbrightandseeminglynotmuchtheworseforherterribleordeal。
Whatdoesitallmean？Iambeginningtowonderifmylonghabitoflifeamongsttheinsaneisbeginningtotelluponmyownbrain。
LUCYWESTENRA\'SDIARY
17September——Fourdaysandnightsofpeace。IamgettingsostrongagainthatIhardlyknowmyself。ItisasifIhadpassedthroughsomelongnightmare，andhadjustawakenedtoseethebeautifulsunshineandfeelthefreshairofthemorningaroundme。Ihaveadimhalfremembranceoflong，anxioustimesofwaitingandfearing，darknessinwhichtherewasnoteventhepainofhopetomakepresentdistressmorepoignant。
Andthenlongspellsofoblivion，andtherisingbacktolifeasadivercomingupthroughagreatpressofwater。Since，however，Dr。VanHelsinghasbeenwithme，allthisbaddreamingseemstohavepassedaway。
Thenoisesthatusedtofrightenmeoutofmywits，theflappingagainstthewindows，thedistantvoiceswhichseemedsoclosetome，theharshsoundsthatcamefromIknownotwhereandcommandedmetodoIknownotwhat，haveallceased。Igotobednowwithoutanyfearofsleep。
Idonoteventrytokeepawake。Ihavegrownquitefondofthegarlic，andaboxfularrivesformeeverydayfromHaarlem。TonightDr。VanHelsingisgoingaway，ashehastobeforadayinAmsterdam。
ButIneednotbewatched。Iamwellenoughtobeleftalone。
ThankGodforMother\'ssake，anddearArthur\'s，andforallourfriendswhohavebeensokind！Ishallnotevenfeelthechange，forlastnightDr。VanHelsingsleptinhischairalotofthetime。
IfoundhimasleeptwicewhenIawoke。ButIdidnotfeartogotosleepagain，althoughtheboughsorbatsorsomethingflappedalmostangrilyagainstthewindowpanes。
THEPALLMALLGAZETTE18September。
THEESCAPEDWOLFPERILOUSADVENTUREOFOURINTERVIEWER
INTERVIEWWITHTHEKEEPERINTHEZOOLOGICALGARDENS
Aftermanyinquiriesandalmostasmanyrefusals，andperpetuallyusingthewords`PALLMALLGAZETTE\'asasortoftalisman，ImanagedtofindthekeeperofthesectionoftheZoologicalGardensinwhichthewolddepartmentisincluded。ThomasBilderlivesinoneofthecottagesintheenclosurebehindtheelephanthouse，andwasjustsittingdowntohisteawhenIfoundhim。
Thomasandhiswifearehospitablefolk，elderly，andwithoutchildren，andifthespecimenIenjoyedoftheirhospitalitybeoftheaveragekind，theirlivesmustbeprettycomfortable。
Thekeeperwouldnotenteronwhathecalledbusinessuntilthesupperwasover，andwewereallsatisfied。
Thenwhenthetablewascleared，andhehadlithispipe，hesaid，“Now，Sir，youcangoonandarskmewhatyouwant。You\'llexcoosemerefoosin\'totalkofperfeshunalsubjuctsaforemeals。
IgivesthewolvesandthejackalsandthehyenasinalloursectiontheirteaaforeIbeginstoarskthemquestions。“
“Howdoyoumean，askthemquestions？”Iqueried，wishfultogethimintoatalkativehumor。
“`Ittin\'ofthemoverthe`eadwithapoleisoneway。
Scratchin\'oftheirearsinanother，whengentsasisflushwantsabitofashow-orftotheirgals。Idon\'tsomuchmindthefust，the`ittinofthepolepartaforeIchucksintheirdinner，butIwaitstillthey\'ve`adtheirsherryandkawffee，sotospeak，aforeItriesonwiththeearscratchin\'。Mindyou，“headdedphilosophically，“there\'sadealofthesamenatureinusasinthemtheeranimiles。
Here\'syoua-comin\'andarskin\'ofmequestionsaboutmybusiness，andIthatgrump-likethatonlyforyourbloomin\'
`arf-quidI\'d`a\'seenyoublowedfust`foreI\'danswer。
NotevenwhenyouarskedmesarcasticlikeifI\'dlikeyoutoarsktheSuperintendentifyoumightarskmequestions。
WithoutoffencedidItellyertogoto`ell？”
“Youdid。“
“An\'whenyousaidyou\'dreportmeforusin\'obscenelanguagethatwas`ittin\'
meoverthe`ead。Butthe`arf-quidmadethatallright。Iweren\'ta-goin\'
tofight，soIwaitedforthefood，anddidwithmy`owlasthewolvesandlionsandtigersdoes。But，lor\'loveyer`art，nowthattheold`oomanhasstuckachunkofhertea-cakeinme，an\'rinsedmeoutwithherbloomin\'
oldteapot，andI\'velithup，youmayscratchmyearsforallyou\'reworth，andwon\'tevengetagrowloutofme。Drivealongwithyourquestions。
Iknowwhatyera-comin\'at，that`ereescapedwolf。“
“Exactly。Iwantyoutogivemeyourviewofit。
Justtellmehowithappened，andwhenIknowthefactsI\'llgetyoutosaywhatyouconsiderwasthecauseofit，andhowyouthinkthewholeaffairwillend。“
“Allright，guv\'nor。This`ereisaboutthe`olestory。
That`erewolfwhatwecalledBersickerwasoneofthreegrayonesthatcamefromNorwaytoJamrach\'s，whichweboughtoffhimfouryearsago。
Hewasanicewell-behavedwolf，thatnevergavenotroubletotalkof。
I\'mmoresurprisedat`imforwantin\'togetoutnoranyotheranimileintheplace。But，there，youcan\'ttrustwolvesnomorenorwomen。“
“Don\'tyoumindhim，Sir！”brokeinMrs。Tom，withacheerylaugh。
“`E\'sgotmindin\'theanimilessolongthatblestifheain\'tlikeaoldwolf`isself！Butthereain\'tno`armin`im。“
“Well，Sir，itwasabouttwohoursafterfeedin\'
yesterdaywhenIfirsthearmydisturbance。Iwasmakin\'
upalitterinthemonkeyhouseforayoungpumawhichisill。
ButwhenIheardtheyelpin\'and`owlin\'Ikemawaystraight。
TherewasBersickera-tearin\'likeamadthingatthebarsasifhewantedtogetout。Therewasn\'tmuchpeopleaboutthatday，andcloseathandwasonlyoneman，atall，thinchap，witha`ooknoseandapointedbeard，withafewwhitehairsrunnin\'throughit。
Hehada`ard，coldlookandredeyes，andItookasortofmisliketohim，foritseemedasifitwas`imastheywashirritatedat。
He`adwhitekidgloveson`is`ands，andhepointedouttheanimilestomeandsays，`Keeper，thesewolvesseemupsetatsomething。\'
“`Maybeit\'syou，\'saysI，forIdidnotliketheairsashegive`isself。Hedidn\'tgetangry，asI`opedhewould，buthesmiledakindofinsolentsmile，withamouthfullofwhite，sharpteeth。
`Ohno，theywouldn\'tlikeme，\'`esays。
“`Owyes，theywould，\'saysI，a-imitatin\'ofhim。`Theyalwayslikeaboneortwotocleantheirteethonaboutteatime，whichyou`asabagful。\'
“Well，itwasaoddthing，butwhentheanimilesseeusa-talkin\'
theylaydown，andwhenIwentovertoBersickerheletmestrokehisearssameasever。Thattheremankemover，andblessedbutifhedidn\'tputinhishandandstroketheoldwolf\'searstoo！
“`Tykecare，\'saysI。`Bersickerisquick。\'
“`Nevermind，\'hesays。I\'musedto`em！\'
“`Areyouinthebusinessyourself？”Isays，tykingoffmy`at，foramanwhattradesinwolves，anceterer，isagoodfriendtokeepers。
“`Nom\'sayshe，`notexactlyinthebusiness，butI`avemadepetsofseveral。\'andwiththatheliftshis`atasperliteasalord，andwalksaway。OldBersickerkep\'a-lookin\'
arter`imtill`ewasoutofsight，andthenwentandlaydowninacornerandwouldn\'tcomehoutthe`olehevening。
Well，larstnight，sosoonasthemoonwashup，thewolveshereallbegana-`owling。Therewarn\'tnothingforthemto`owlat。
Therewarn\'tnoonenear，exceptsomeonethatwasevidentlya-callin\'
adogsomewheresoutbackofthegardingsintheParkroad。
OnceortwiceIwentouttoseethatallwasright，anditwas，andthenthe`owlingstopped。Justbeforetwelveo\'clockIjusttookalookroundaforeturnin\'in，an\'，bustme，butwhenIkemoppositetooldBersicker\'scageIseetherailsbrokenandtwistedaboutandthecageempty。
Andthat\'sallIknowforcerting。“
“Didanyoneelseseeanything？”
“Oneofourgard`nerswasa-comin\'`omeaboutthattimefroma`armony，whenheseesabiggraydogcomin\'outthroughthegarding`edges。Atleast，sohesays，butIdon\'tgivemuchforitmyself，forifhedid`eneversaidawordaboutittohismissiswhen`egot`ome，anditwasonlyaftertheescapeofthewolfwasmadeknown，andwehadbeenupallnighta-huntin\'
oftheParkforBersicker，thatherememberedseein\'anything。Myownbeliefwasthatthe`armony`adgotintohis`ead。“
“Now，Mr。Bilder，canyouaccountinanywayfortheescapeofthewolf？”
“Well，Sir，“hesaid，withasuspicioussortofmodesty，“IthinkIcan，butIdon\'tknowas`owyou\'dbesatisfiedwiththetheory。“
“CertainlyIshall。Ifamanlikeyou，whoknowstheanimalsfromexperience，can\'thazardagoodguessatanyrate，whoiseventotry？”
“wellthen，Sir，Iaccountsforitthisway。Itseemstomethat`erewolfescaped——simplybecausehewantedtogetout。“
FromtheheartywaythatbothThomasandhiswifelaughedatthejokeIcouldseethatithaddoneservicebefore，andthatthewholeexplanationwassimplyanelaboratesell。
Icouldn\'tcopeinbadinagewiththeworthyThomas，butIthoughtIknewasurerwaytohisheart，soIsaid，“Now，Mr。Bilder，we\'llconsiderthatfirsthalf-sovereignworkedoff，andthisbrotherofhisiswaitingtobeclaimedwhenyou\'vetoldmewhatyouthinkwillhappen。“
“Righty`are，Sir，“hesaidbriskly。“Ye`llexcooseme，Iknow，fora-chaffin\'ofye，buttheoldwomanherwinkedatme，whichwasasmuchastellingmetogoon。“
“Well，Inever！”saidtheoldlady。
“Myopinionisthis。That`erewolfisa`idin\'of，somewheres。
Thegard`nerwotdidn\'tremembersaidhewasa-gallopin\'
northwardfasterthanahorsecouldgo，butIdon\'tbelievehim，for，yersee，Sir，wolvesdon\'tgallopnomorenordogsdoes，theynotbein\'builtthatway。Wolvesisfinethingsinastorybook，andIdessaywhentheygetsinpacksanddoesbechivyin\'somethin\'that\'smoreafearedthantheyistheycanmakeadevilofanoiseandchopitup，whateveritis。
But，Lor\'blessyou，inreallifeawolfisonlyalowcreature，nothalfsocleverorboldasagooddog，andnothalfaquartersomuchfightin`im。Thisoneain\'tbeenusedtofightin\'
oreventoprovidin\'forhisself，andmorelikehe\'ssomewhereroundtheParka\'hidin\'an\'a\'shiverin\'of，andifhethinksatall，wonderin\'whereheistogethisbreakfastfrom。
Ormaybehe\'sgotdownsomeareaandisinacoalcellar。
Myeye，won\'tsomecookgetarumstartwhensheseeshisgreeneyesa-shinin\'atheroutofthedark！
Ifhecan\'tgetfoodhe\'sboundtolookforit，andmayhaphemaychancetolightonabutcher\'sshopintime。
Ifhedoesn\'t，andsomenursemaidgoesoutwalkin\'ororfwithasoldier，leavin\'ofthehinfantintheperambulator——
well，thenIshouldn\'tbesurprisedifthecensusisonebabbytheless。That\'sall。“
Iwashandinghimthehalf-sovereign，whensomethingcamebobbingupagainstthewindow，andMr。Bilder\'sfacedoubleditsnaturallengthwithsurprise。
“Godblessme！”hesaid。“Ifthereain\'toldBersickercomebackby`isself！”
Hewenttothedoorandopenedit，amostunnecessaryproceedingitseemedtome。Ihavealwaysthoughtthatawildanimalneverlookssowellaswhensomeobstacleofpronounceddurabilityisbetweenus。
Apersonalexperiencehasintensifiedratherthandiminishedthatidea。
Afterall，however，thereisnothinglikecustom，forneitherBildernorhiswifethoughtanymoreofthewolfthanIshouldofadog。
Theanimalitselfwasapeacefulandwell-behavedasthatfatherofallpicture-wolves，RedRidingHood\'squondamfriend，whilstmovingherconfidenceinmasquerade。
Thewholescenewasaunutterablemixtureofcomedyandpathos。
ThewickedwolfthatforahalfadayhadparalyzedLondonandsetallthechildrenintownshiveringintheirshoes，wasthereinasortofpenitentmood，andwasreceivedandpettedlikeasortofvulpineprodigalson。
OldBilderexaminedhimalloverwithmosttendersolicitude，andwhenhehadfinishedwithhispenitentsaid，“There，Iknewthepooroldchapwouldgetintosomekindoftrouble。
Didn\'tIsayitallalong？Here\'shisheadallcutandfullofbrokenglass。
`E\'sbeena-gettin\'oversomebloomin\'wallorother。It\'sashymethatpeopleareallowedtotoptheirwallswithbrokenbottles。
This`ere\'swhatcomesofit。Comealong，Bersicker。“
Hetookthewolfandlockedhimupinacage，withapieceofmeatthatsatisfied，inquantityatanyrate，theelementaryconditionsofthefattedcalf，andwentofftoreport。
Icameofftoo，toreporttheonlyexclusiveinformationthatisgiventodayregardingthestrangeescapadeattheZoo。
DR。SEWARD\'SDIARY
17September——Iwasengagedafterdinnerinmystudypostingupmybooks，which，throughpressofotherworkandthemanyvisitstoLucy，hadfallensadlyintoarrear。Suddenlythedoorwasburstopen，andinrushedmypatient，withhisfacedistortedwithpassion。
Iwasthunderstruck，forsuchathingasapatientgettingofhisownaccordintotheSuperintendent\'sstudyisalmostunknown。
Withoutaninstant\'snoticehemadestraightatme。
Hehadadinnerknifeinhishand，andasIsawhewasdangerous，Itriedtokeepthetablebetweenus。Hewastooquickandtoostrongforme，however，forbeforeIcouldgetmybalancehehadstruckatmeandcutmyleftwristratherseverely。
Beforehecouldstrikeagain，however，Igotinmyrighthandandhewassprawlingonhisbackonthefloor。
Mywristbledfreely，andquitealittlepooltrickledontothecarpet。Isawthatmyfriendwasnotintentonfurthereffort，andoccupiedmyselfbindingupmywrist，keepingawaryeyeontheprostratefigureallthetime。
Whentheattendantsrushedin，andweturnedourattentiontohim，hisemploymentpositivelysickenedme。Hewaslyingonhisbellyonthefloorlickingup，likeadog，thebloodwhichhadfallenfrommywoundedwrist。Hewaseasilysecured，andtomysurprise，wentwiththeattendantsquiteplacidly，simplyrepeatingoverandoveragain，“Thebloodisthelife！
Thebloodisthelife！”
Icannotaffordtolosebloodjustatpresent。Ihavelosttoomuchoflateformyphysicalgood，andthentheprolongedstrainofLucy\'sillnessanditshorriblephasesistellingonme。
Iamoverexcitedandweary，andIneedrest，rest，rest。
HappilyVanHelsinghasnotsummonedme，soIneednotforegomysleep。
TonightIcouldnotwelldowithoutit。
TELEGRAM，VANHELSING，ANTWERP，TOSEWARD，CARFAX
SenttoCarfax，Sussex，asnocountygiven，deliveredlatebytwenty-twohours。
17September——DonotfailtobeatHilllinghamtonight。
Ifnotwatchingallthetime，frequentlyvisitandseethatflowersareasplaced，veryimportant，donotfail。
Shallbewithyouassoonaspossibleafterarrival。
DR。SEWARD\'SDIARY
18September——JustofftraintoLondon。ThearrivalofVanHelsing\'stelegramfilledmewithdismay。Awholenightlost，andIknowbybitterexperiencewhatmayhappeninanight。
Ofcourseitispossiblethatallmaybewell，butwhatmayhavehappened？Surelythereissomehorribledoomhangingoverusthateverypossibleaccidentshouldthwartusinallwetrytodo。
Ishalltakethiscylinderwithme，andthenIcancompletemyentryonLucy\'sphonograph。
MEMORANDUMLEFTBYLUCYWESTENRA
17September，Night——Iwritethisandleaveittobeseen，sothatnoonemaybyanychancegetintotroublethroughme。
Thisisanexactrecordofwhattookplacetonight。
IfeelIamdyingofweakness，andhavebarelystrengthtowrite，butitmustbedoneifIdieinthedoing。
Iwenttobedasusual，takingcarethattheflowerswereplacedasDr。VanHelsingdirected，andsoonfellasleep。
Iwaswakedbytheflappingatthewindow，whichhadbegunafterthatsleep-walkingonthecliffatWhitbywhenMinasavedme，andwhichnowIknowsowell。Iwasnotafraid，butIdidwishthatDr。Sewardwasinthenextroom，asDr。VanHelsingsaidhewouldbe，sothatImighthavecalledhim。
Itriedtosleep，butIcouldnot。Thentherecametometheoldfearofsleep，andIdeterminedtokeepawake。
PerverselysleepwouldtrytocomethenwhenIdidnotwantit。
So，asIfearedtobealone，Iopenedmydoorandcalledout。
“Isthereanybodythere？”Therewasnoanswer。
Iwasafraidtowakemother，andsoclosedmydooragain。
ThenoutsideintheshrubberyIheardasortofhowllikeadog\'s，butmorefierceanddeeper。Iwenttothewindowandlookedout，butcouldseenothing，exceptabigbat，whichhadevidentlybeenbuffetingitswingsagainstthewindow。
SoIwentbacktobedagain，butdeterminednottogotosleep。
Presentlythedooropened，andmotherlookedin。SeeingbymymovingthatIwasnotasleep，shecameinandsatbyme。
Shesaidtomeevenmoresweetlyandsoftlythanherwont，“Iwasuneasyaboutyou，darling，andcameintoseethatyouwereallright。“
Ifearedshemightcatchcoldsittingthere，andaskedhertocomeinandsleepwithme，soshecameintobed，andlaydownbesideme。
Shedidnottakeoffherdressinggown，forshesaidshewouldonlystayawhileandthengobacktoherownbed。Asshelaythereinmyarms，andIinherstheflappingandbuffetingcametothewindowagain。
Shewasstartledandalittlefrightened，andcriedout，“Whatisthat？”
Itriedtopacifyher，andatlastsucceeded，andshelayquiet。
ButIcouldhearherpoordearheartstillbeatingterribly。
Afterawhiletherewasthehowlagainoutintheshrubbery，andshortlyaftertherewasacrashatthewindow，andalotofbrokenglasswashurledonthefloor。
Thewindowblindblewbackwiththewindthatrushedin，andintheapertureofthebrokenpanestherewastheheadofagreat，gauntgraywolf。
Mothercriedoutinafright，andstruggledupintoasittingposture，andclutchedwildlyatanythingthatwouldhelpher。
Amongstotherthings，sheclutchedthewreathofflowersthatDr。VanHelsinginsistedonmywearingroundmyneck，andtoreitawayfromme。Forasecondortwoshesatup，pointingatthewolf，andtherewasastrangeandhorriblegurglinginherthroat。
Thenshefellover，asifstruckwithlightning，andherheadhitmyforeheadandmademedizzyforamomentortwo。
Theroomandallroundseemedtospinround。Ikeptmyeyesfixedonthewindow，butthewolfdrewhisheadback，andawholemyriadoflittlespecksseemstocomeblowinginthroughthebrokenwindow，andwheelingandcirclingroundlikethepillarofdustthattravellersdescribewhenthereisasimooninthedesert。Itriedtostir，buttherewassomespelluponme，anddearMother\'spoorbody，whichseemedtogrowcoldalready，forherdearhearthadceasedtobeat，weighedmedown，andIrememberednomoreforawhile。
Thetimedidnotseemlong，butvery，veryawful，tillIrecoveredconsciousnessagain。Somewherenear，apassingbellwastolling。
Thedogsallroundtheneighborhoodwerehowling，andinourshrubbery，seeminglyjustoutside，anightingalewassinging。
Iwasdazedandstupidwithpainandterrorandweakness，butthesoundofthenightingaleseemedlikethevoiceofmydeadmothercomebacktocomfortme。Thesoundsseemedtohaveawakenedthemaids，too，forIcouldheartheirbarefeetpatteringoutsidemydoor。Icalledtothem，andtheycamein，andwhentheysawwhathadhappened，andwhatitwasthatlayovermeonthebed，theyscreamedout。Thewindrushedinthroughthebrokenwindow，andthedoorslammedto。
Theyliftedoffthebodyofmydearmother，andlaidher，coveredupwithasheet，onthebedafterIhadgotup。
TheywereallsofrightenedandnervousthatIdirectedthemtogotothediningroomandeachhaveaglassofwine。
Thedoorflewopenforaninstantandclosedagain。
Themaidsshrieked，andthenwentinabodytothediningroom，andIlaidwhatflowersIhadonmydearmother\'sbreast。
WhentheywerethereIrememberedwhatDr。VanHelsinghadtoldme，butIdidn\'tliketoremovethem，andbesides，Iwouldhavesomeoftheservantstositupwithmenow。
Iwassurprisedthatthemaidsdidnotcomeback。
Icalledthem，butgotnoanswer，soIwenttothediningroomtolookforthem。
MyheartsankwhenIsawwhathadhappened。Theyallfourlayhelplessonthefloor，breathingheavily。Thedecanterofsherrywasonthetablehalffull，buttherewasaqueer，acridsmellabout。Iwassuspicious，andexaminedthedecanter。
Itsmeltoflaudanum，andlookingonthesideboard，IfoundthatthebottlewhichMother\'sdoctorusesforher——
oh！diduse——wasempty。WhatamItodo？WhatamItodo？
IambackintheroomwithMother。Icannotleaveher，andI
amalone，saveforthesleepingservants，whomsomeonehasdrugged。
Alonewiththedead！Idarenotgoout，forIcanhearthelowhowlofthewolfthroughthebrokenwindow。
Theairseemsfullofspecks，floatingandcirclinginthedraughtfromthewindow，andthelightsburnblueanddim。
WhatamItodo？Godshieldmefromharmthisnight！
Ishallhidethispaperinmybreast，wheretheyshallfinditwhentheycometolaymeout。Mydearmothergone！
ItistimethatIgotoo。Goodbye，dearArthur，ifIshouldnotsurvivethisnight。Godkeepyou，dear，andGodhelpme！
CHAPTER12
DR。SEWARD\'SDIARY
18September——IdroveatoncetoHillinghamandarrivedearly。
Keepingmycabatthegate，Iwentuptheavenuealone。
Iknockedgentlyandrangasquietlyaspossible，forI
fearedtodisturbLucyorhermother，andhopedtoonlybringaservanttothedoor。Afterawhile，findingnoresponse，Iknockedandrangagain，stillnoanswer。Icursedthelazinessoftheservantsthattheyshouldlieabedatsuchanhour，foritwasnowteno\'clock，andsorangandknockedagain，butmoreimpatiently，butstillwithoutresponse。
HithertoIhadblamedonlytheservants，butnowaterriblefearbegantoassailme。Wasthisdesolationbutanotherlinkinthechainofdoomwhichseemeddrawingtightroundus？
WasitindeedahouseofdeathtowhichIhadcome，toolate？
Iknowthatminutes，evensecondsofdelay，mightmeanhoursofdangertoLucy，ifshehadhadagainoneofthosefrightfulrelapses，andIwentroundthehousetotryifIcouldfindbychanceanentryanywhere。
Icouldfindnomeansofingress。Everywindowanddoorwasfastenedandlocked，andIreturnedbaffledtotheporch。
AsIdidso，Iheardtherapidpit-patofaswiftlydrivenhorse\'sfeet。
Theystoppedatthegate，andafewsecondslaterImetVanHelsingrunninguptheavenue。Whenhesawme，hegaspedout，“Thenitwasyou，andjustarrived。Howisshe？Arewetoolate？