IsawatoncethatIwasontherighttrack。Phoneticspellinghadagainmisledme。Ahalfcrowntipputthedeputy\'sknowledgeatmydisposal，andIlearnedthatMr。Bloxam，whohadsleptofftheremainsofhisbeeronthepreviousnightatCorcoran\'s，hadleftforhisworkatPoplaratfiveo\'clockthatmorning。Hecouldnottellmewheretheplaceofworkwassituated，buthehadavagueideathatitwassomekindofa“new-fangledware\'us，“andwiththisslenderclueIhadtostartforPoplar。Itwastwelveo\'clockbeforeI
gotanysatisfactoryhintofsuchabuilding，andthisIgotatacoffeeshop，wheresomeworkmenwerehavingtheirdinner。
OneofthemsuggestedthattherewasbeingerectedatCrossAngelStreetanew“coldstorage“building，andasthissuitedtheconditionofa“new-fangledware\'us，“Iatoncedrovetoit。
Aninterviewwithasurlygatekeeperandasurlierforeman，bothofwhomwereappeasedwiththecoinoftherealm，putmeonthetrackofBloxam。HewassentforonmysuggestionthatIwaswillingtopayhisdayswagestohisforemanfortheprivilegeofaskinghimafewquestionsonaprivatematter。
Hewasasmartenoughfellow，thoughroughofspeechandbearing。
WhenIhadpromisedtopayforhisinformationandgivenhimanearnest，hetoldmethathehadmadetwojourneysbetweenCarfaxandahouseinPiccadilly，andhadtakenfromthishousetothelatterninegreatboxes，“mainheavyones，“
withahorseandcarthiredbyhimforthispurpose。
IaskedhimifhecouldtellmethenumberofthehouseinPiccadilly，towhichhereplied，“Well，guv\'nor，Iforgitsthenumber，butitwasonlyafewdoorfromabigwhitechurch，orsomethinkofthekind，notlongbuilt。
Itwasadustyold\'ouse，too，thoughnothin\'tothedustinessofthe\'ousewetookedthebloomin\'boxesfrom。“
“Howdidyougetinifbothhouseswereempty？”
“Therewastheoldpartywhatengagedmeawaitin\'inthe\'ouseatPurfleet。
He\'elpedmetolifttheboxesandputtheminthedray。Curseme，buthewasthestrongestchapIeverstruck，an\'himaoldfeller，withawhitemoustache，onethatthinyouwouldthinkhecouldn\'tthrowashadder。“
Howthisphrasethrilledthroughme！
“Why，\'etookup\'isendo\'theboxesliketheywaspoundsoftea，andmeapuffin\'an\'ablowin\'aforeIcouldupendmineanyhow，an\'
I\'mnochicken，neither。“
“HowdidyougetintothehouseinPiccadilly？”Iasked。
“Hewastheretoo。Hemust\'astartedoffandgotthereaforeme，forwhenIrungofthebellhekeman\'openedthedoor\'isselfan\'
\'elpedmecarrytheboxesintothe\'all。“
“Thewholenine？”Iasked。
“Yus，therewasfiveinthefirstloadan\'fourinthesecond。
Itwasmaindrywork，an\'Idon\'tsowellremember\'owIgot\'ome。“
Iinterruptedhim，“Weretheboxesleftinthehall？”
“Yus，itwasabig\'all，an\'therewasnothin\'elseinit。“
Imadeonemoreattempttofurthermatters。“Youdidn\'thaveanykey？”
“Neverusednokeynornothink。Theoldgent，heopenedthedoor\'isselfan\'shutitagainwhenIdruvoff。
Idon\'trememberthelasttime，butthatwasthebeer。“
“Andyoucan\'trememberthenumberofthehouse？”
“No，sir。Butyeneedn\'thavenodifficultyaboutthat。It\'sa\'igh\'unwithastonefrontwithabowonit，an\'\'ighstepsuptothedoor。
Iknowthemsteps，\'avin\'\'adtocarrytheboxesupwiththreeloaferswhatcomeroundtoearnacopper。Theoldgentgivethemshillin\'s，an\'
theyseein\'theygotsomuch，theywantedmore。But\'etookoneofthembytheshoulderandwasliketothrow\'imdownthesteps，tillthelotofthemwentawaycussin\'。“
IthoughtthatwiththisdescriptionIcouldfindthehouse，sohavingpaidmyfriendforhisinformation，IstartedoffforPiccadilly。
Ihadgainedanewpainfulexperience。TheCountcould，itwasevident，handletheearthboxeshimself。Ifso，timewasprecious，fornowthathehadachievedacertainamountofdistribution，hecould，bychoosinghisowntime，completethetaskunobserved。
AtPiccadillyCircusIdischargedmycab，andwalkedwestward。
BeyondtheJuniorConstitutionalIcameacrossthehousedescribedandwassatisfiedthatthiswasthenextofthelairsarrangedbyDracula。
Thehouselookedasthoughithadbeenlonguntenanted。
Thewindowswereencrustedwithdust，andtheshutterswereup。
Alltheframeworkwasblackwithtime，andfromtheironthepainthadmostlyscaledaway。Itwasevidentthatuptolatelytherehadbeenalargenoticeboardinfrontofthebalcony。
Ithad，however，beenroughlytornaway，theuprightswhichhadsupporteditstillremaining。BehindtherailsofthebalconyI
sawthereweresomelooseboards，whoserawedgeslookedwhite。
Iwouldhavegivenagooddealtohavebeenabletoseethenoticeboardintact，asitwould，perhaps，havegivensomecluetotheownershipofthehouse。IrememberedmyexperienceoftheinvestigationandpurchaseofCarfax，andIcouldnotbutfeelthatIcouldfindtheformerownertheremightbesomemeansdiscoveredofgainingaccesstothehouse。
TherewasatpresentnothingtobelearnedfromthePiccadillyside，andnothingcouldbedone，soIwentaroundtothebacktoseeifanythingcouldbegatheredfromthisquarter。Themewswereactive，thePiccadillyhousesbeingmostlyinoccupation。
IaskedoneortwoofthegroomsandhelperswhomIsawaroundiftheycouldtellmeanythingabouttheemptyhouse。
Oneofthemsaidthatheheardithadlatelybeentaken，buthecouldn\'tsayfromwhom。Hetoldme，however，thatuptoverylatelytherehadbeenanoticeboardof“ForSale“
up，andthatperhapsMitchell，Sons，&Candythehouseagentscouldtellmesomething，ashethoughtherememberedseeingthenameofthatfirmontheboard。Ididnotwishtoseemtooeager，ortoletmyinformantknoworguesstoomuch，sothankinghimintheusualmanner，Istrolledaway。
Itwasnowgrowingdusk，andtheautumnnightwasclosingin，soIdidnotloseanytime。HavinglearnedtheaddressofMitchell，Sons，&CandyfromadirectoryattheBerkeley，IwassoonattheirofficeinSackvilleStreet。
Thegentlemanwhosawmewasparticularlysuaveinmanner，butuncommunicativeinequalproportion。HavingoncetoldmethatthePiccadillyhouse，whichthroughoutourinterviewhecalleda“mansion，“wassold，heconsideredmybusinessasconcluded。
WhenIaskedwhohadpurchasedit，heopenedhiseyesathoughtwider，andpausedafewsecondsbeforereplying，“Itissold，sir。“
“Pardonme，“Isaid，withequalpoliteness，“butIhaveaspecialreasonforwishingtoknowwhopurchasedit。“
Againhepausedlonger，andraisedhiseyebrowsstillmore。
“Itissold，sir，“wasagainhislaconicreply。
“Surely，“Isaid，“youdonotmindlettingmeknowsomuch。“
“ButIdomind，“heanswered。“TheaffairsoftheirclientsareabsolutelysafeinthehandsofMitchell，Sons，&Candy。“
Thiswasmanifestlyaprigofthefirstwater，andtherewasnousearguingwithhim。IthoughtIhadbestmeethimonhisownground，soIsaid，“Yourclients，sir，arehappyinhavingsoresoluteaguardianoftheirconfidence。
Iammyselfaprofessionalman。“
HereIhandedhimmycard。“InthisinstanceIamnotpromptedbycuriosity，IactonthepartofLordGodalming，whowishestoknowsomethingofthepropertywhichwas，heunderstood，latelyforsale。“
Thesewordsputadifferentcomplexiononaffairs。
Hesaid，“IwouldliketoobligeyouifIcould，Mr。Harker，andespeciallywouldIliketoobligehislordship。
WeoncecarriedoutasmallmatterofrentingsomechambersforhimwhenhewastheHonorableArthurHolmwood。
Ifyouwillletmehavehislordship\'saddressIwillconsulttheHouseonthesubject，andwill，inanycase，communicatewithhislordshipbytonight\'spost。
Itwillbeapleasureifwecansofardeviatefromourrulesastogivetherequiredinformationtohislordship。“
Iwantedtosecureafriend，andnottomakeanenemy，soI
thankedhim，gavetheaddressatDr。Seward\'sandcameaway。
Itwasnowdark，andIwastiredandhungry。IgotacupofteaattheAeratedBreadCompanyandcamedowntoPurfleetbythenexttrain。
Ifoundalltheothersathome。Minawaslookingtiredandpale，butshemadeagallantefforttobebrightandcheerful。
ItwrungmyhearttothinkthatIhadhadtokeepanythingfromherandsocausedherinquietude。ThankGod，thiswillbethelastnightofherlookingonatourconferences，andfeelingthestingofournotshowingourconfidence。
Ittookallmycouragetoholdtothewiseresolutionofkeepingheroutofourgrimtask。Sheseemssomehowmorereconciled，orelsetheverysubjectseemstohavebecomerepugnanttoher，forwhenanyaccidentalallusionismadesheactuallyshudders。
Iamgladwemadeourresolutionintime，aswithsuchafeelingasthis，ourgrowingknowledgewouldbetorturetoher。
Icouldnottelltheothersoftheday\'sdiscoverytillwewerealone，soafterdinner，followedbyalittlemusictosaveappearancesevenamongstourselves，ItookMinatoherroomandlefthertogotobed。
Thedeargirlwasmoreaffectionatewithmethanever，andclungtomeasthoughshewoulddetainme，buttherewasmuchtobetalkedofandIcameaway。ThankGod，theceasingoftellingthingshasmadenodifferencebetweenus。
WhenIcamedownagainIfoundtheothersallgatheredroundthefireinthestudy。InthetrainIhadwrittenmydiarysofar，andsimplyreaditofftothemasthebestmeansoflettingthemgetabreastofmyowninformation。
WhenIhadfinishedVanHelsingsaid，“Thishasbeenagreatday\'swork，friendJonathan。Doubtlessweareonthetrackofthemissingboxes。
Ifwefindthemallinthathouse，thenourworkisneartheend。
Butiftherebesomemissing，wemustsearchuntilwefindthem。
Thenshallwemakeourfinalcoup，andhuntthewretchtohisrealdeath。“
WeallsatsilentawhileandallatonceMr。Morrisspoke，“Say！
Howarewegoingtogetintothathouse？”
“Wegotintotheother，“answeredLordGodalmingquickly。
“But，Art，thisisdifferent。WebrokehouseatCarfax，butwehadnightandawalledparktoprotectus。ItwillbeamightydifferentthingtocommitburglaryinPiccadilly，eitherbydayornight。
IconfessIdon\'tseehowwearegoingtogetinunlessthatagencyduckcanfindusakeyofsomesort。“
LordGodalming\'sbrowscontracted，andhestoodupandwalkedabouttheroom。
By-and-byhestoppedandsaid，turningfromonetoanotherofus，“Quincey\'sheadislevel。Thisburglarybusinessisgettingserious。
Wegotoffonceallright，butwehavenowararejobonhand。
UnlesswecanfindtheCount\'skeybasket。“
Asnothingcouldwellbedonebeforemorning，andasitwouldbeatleastadvisabletowaittillLordGodalmingshouldhearfromMitchell\'s，wedecidednottotakeanyactivestepbeforebreakfasttime。Foragoodwhilewesatandsmoked，discussingthematterinitsvariouslightsandbearings。
Itooktheopportunityofbringingthisdiaryrightuptothemoment。
Iamverysleepyandshallgotobed……
Justaline。Minasleepssoundlyandherbreathingisregular。Herforeheadispuckeredupintolittlewrinkles，asthoughshethinkseveninhersleep。
Sheisstilltoopale，butdoesnotlooksohaggardasshedidthismorning。
Tomorrowwill，Ihope，mendallthis。ShewillbeherselfathomeinExeter。
Oh，butIamsleepy！
DR。SEWARD\'SDIARY
1October——IampuzzledafreshaboutRenfield。
HismoodschangesorapidlythatIfinditdifficulttokeeptouchofthem，andastheyalwaysmeansomethingmorethanhisownwell-being，theyformamorethaninterestingstudy。
Thismorning，whenIwenttoseehimafterhisrepulseofVanHelsing，hismannerwasthatofamancommandingdestiny。
Hewas，infact，commandingdestiny，subjectively。
Hedidnotreallycareforanyofthethingsofmereearth，hewasinthecloudsandlookeddownonalltheweaknessesandwantsofuspoormortals。
IthoughtIwouldimprovetheoccasionandlearnsomething，soIaskedhim，“Whataboutthefliesthesetimes？”
Hesmiledonmeinquiteasuperiorsortofway，suchasmileaswouldhavebecomethefaceofMalvolio，asheansweredme，“Thefly，mydearsir，hasonestrikingfeature。It\'swingsaretypicaloftheaerialpowersofthepsychicfaculties。
Theancientsdidwellwhentheytypifiedthesoulasabutterfly！”
IthoughtIwouldpushhisanalogytoitsutmostlogically，soIsaidquickly，“Oh，itisasoulyouareafternow，isit？”
Hismadnessfoiledhisreason，andapuzzledlookspreadoverhisfaceas，shakinghisheadwithadecisionwhichIhadbutseldomseeninhim。
Hesaid，“Oh，no，ohno！Iwantnosouls。LifeisallIwant。“
Herehebrightenedup。“Iamprettyindifferentaboutitatpresent。
Lifeisallright。IhaveallIwant。Youmustgetanewpatient，doctor，ifyouwishtostudyzoophagy！”
Thispuzzledmealittle，soIdrewhimon。“Thenyoucommandlife。
Youareagod，Isuppose？”
Hesmiledwithanineffablybenignsuperiority。“Ohno！
FarbeitfrommetoarrogatetomyselftheattributesoftheDeity。
IamnotevenconcernedinHisespeciallyspiritualdoings。
IfImaystatemyintellectualpositionIam，sofarasconcernsthingspurelyterrestrial，somewhatinthepositionwhichEnochoccupiedspiritually！”
Thiswasaposertome。IcouldnotatthemomentrecallEnoch\'sappositeness，soIhadtoaskasimplequestion，thoughIfeltthatbysodoingIwasloweringmyselfintheeyesofthelunatic。
“AndwhywithEnoch？”
“BecausehewalkedwithGod。“
Icouldnotseetheanalogy，butdidnotliketoadmitit，soIharkedbacktowhathehaddenied。“Soyoudon\'tcareaboutlifeandyoudon\'twantsouls。Whynot？”
Iputmyquestionquicklyandsomewhatsternly，onpurposetodisconcerthim。
Theeffortsucceeded，foraninstantheunconsciouslyrelapsedintohisoldservilemanner，bentlowbeforeme，andactuallyfawneduponmeashereplied。“Idon\'twantanysouls，indeed，indeed！Idon\'t。I
couldn\'tusethemifIhadthem。Theywouldbenomannerofusetome。
Icouldn\'teatthemor……“
Hesuddenlystoppedandtheoldcunninglookspreadoverhisface，likeawindsweeponthesurfaceofthewater。
“Anddoctor，astolife，whatisitafterall？Whenyou\'vegotallyourequire，andyouknowthatyouwillneverwant，thatisall。Ihavefriends，goodfriends，likeyou，Dr。Seward。“Thiswassaidwithaleerofinexpressiblecunning。
“IknowthatIshallneverlackthemeansoflife！”
Ithinkthatthroughthecloudinessofhisinsanityhesawsomeantagonisminme，forheatoncefellbackonthelastrefugeofsuchashe，adoggedsilence。AfterashorttimeIsawthatforthepresentitwasuselesstospeaktohim。
Hewassulky，andsoIcameaway。
Laterinthedayhesentforme。OrdinarilyIwouldnothavecomewithoutspecialreason，butjustatpresentIamsointerestedinhimthatIwouldgladlymakeaneffort。
Besides，Iamgladtohaveanythingtohelppassthetime。
Harkerisout，followingupclues，andsoareLordGodalmingandQuincey。VanHelsingsitsinmystudyporingovertherecordpreparedbytheHarkers。Heseemstothinkthatbyaccurateknowledgeofalldetailshewilllightuponsomeclue。
Hedoesnotwishtobedisturbedinthework，withoutcause。
Iwouldhavetakenhimwithmetoseethepatient，onlyIthoughtthatafterhislastrepulsehemightnotcaretogoagain。
Therewasalsoanotherreason。RenfieldmightnotspeaksofreelybeforeathirdpersonaswhenheandIwerealone。
Ifoundhimsittinginthemiddleoftheflooronhisstool，aposewhichisgenerallyindicativeofsomementalenergyonhispart。
WhenIcamein，hesaidatonce，asthoughthequestionhadbeenwaitingonhislips。“Whataboutsouls？”
Itwasevidentthenthatmysurmisehadbeencorrect。
Unconsciouscerebrationwasdoingitswork，evenwiththelunatic。
Ideterminedtohavethematterout。
“Whataboutthemyourself？”Iasked。
Hedidnotreplyforamomentbutlookedallaroundhim，andupanddown，asthoughheexpectedtofindsomeinspirationforananswer。
“Idon\'twantanysouls！”Hesaidinafeeble，apologeticway。
Thematterseemedpreyingonhismind，andsoIdeterminedtouseit，to“becruelonlytobekind。“SoIsaid，“Youlikelife，andyouwantlife？”
“Ohyes！Butthatisallright。Youneedn\'tworryaboutthat！”
“But，“Iasked，“howarewetogetthelifewithoutgettingthesoulalso？”
Thisseemedtopuzzlehim，soIfolloweditup，“Anicetimeyou\'llhavesometimewhenyou\'reflyingouthere，withthesoulsofthousandsoffliesandspidersandbirdsandcatsbuzzingandtwitteringandmoaningallaroundyou。
You\'vegottheirlives，youknow，andyoumustputupwiththeirsouls！”
Somethingseemedtoaffecthisimagination，forheputhisfingerstohisearsandshuthiseyes，screwingthemuptightlyjustasasmallboydoeswhenhisfaceisbeingsoaped。
Therewassomethingpatheticinitthattouchedme。
Italsogavemealesson，foritseemedthatbeforemewasachild，onlyachild，thoughthefeatureswereworn，andthestubbleonthejawswaswhite。Itwasevidentthathewasundergoingsomeprocessofmentaldisturbance，andknowinghowhispastmoodshadinterpretedthingsseeminglyforeigntohimself，IthoughtIwouldenterintohismindaswellasIcouldandgowithhimThefirststepwastorestoreconfidence，soIaskedhim，speakingprettyloudsothathewouldhearmethroughhisclosedears，“Wouldyoulikesomesugartogetyourfliesaroundagain？”
Heseemedtowakeupallatonce，andshookhishead。
Withalaughhereplied，“Notmuch！Fliesarepoorthings，afterall！”Afterapauseheadded，“ButIdon\'twanttheirsoulsbuzzingroundme，allthesame。“
“Orspiders？”Iwenton。
“Blowspiders！What\'stheuseofspiders？Thereisn\'tanythinginthemtoeator……“Hestoppedsuddenlyasthoughremindedofaforbiddentopic。
“So，so！”Ithoughttomyself，“thisisthesecondtimehehassuddenlystoppedattheword`drink\'。Whatdoesitmean？”
Renfieldseemedhimselfawareofhavingmadealapse，forhehurriedon，asthoughtodistractmyattentionfromit，“Idon\'ttakeanystockatallinsuchmatters。
`Ratsandmiceandsuchsmalldeer，\'asShakespearehasit，`chickenfeedofthelarder\'theymightbecalled。
I\'mpastallthatsortofnonsense。Youmightaswellaskamantoeatmoleculeswithapairofchopsticks，astotrytointerestmeaboutthelesscarnivora，whenIknowofwhatisbeforeme。“
“Isee，“Isaid。“Youwantbigthingsthatyoucanmakeyourteethmeetin？
Howwouldyouliketobreakfastonanelephant？”
“Whatridiculousnonsenseyouaretalking？”Hewasgettingtoowideawake，soIthoughtIwouldpresshimhard。
“Iwonder，“Isaidreflectively，“whatanelephant\'ssoulislike！”
TheeffectIdesiredwasobtained，forheatoncefellfromhishigh-horseandbecameachildagain。
“Idon\'twantanelephant\'ssoul，oranysoulatall！”hesaid。
Forafewmomentshesatdespondently。Suddenlyhejumpedtohisfeet，withhiseyesblazingandallthesignsofintensecerebralexcitement。
“Tohellwithyouandyoursouls！”heshouted。“Whydoyouplaguemeaboutsouls？Haven\'tIgotenoughtoworry，andpain，todistractmealready，withoutthinkingofsouls？”
HelookedsohostilethatIthoughthewasinforanotherhomicidalfit，soIblewmywhistle。
Theinstant，however，thatIdidsohebecamecalm，andsaidapologetically，“Forgiveme，Doctor。Iforgotmyself。Youdonotneedanyhelp。
IamsoworriedinmymindthatIamapttobeirritable。IfyouonlyknewtheproblemIhavetoface，andthatIamworkingout，youwouldpity，andtolerate，andpardonme。Praydonotputmeinastraitwaistcoat。
IwanttothinkandIcannotthinkfreelywhenmybodyisconfined。
Iamsureyouwillunderstand！”
Hehadevidentlyself-control，sowhentheattendantscameItoldthemnottomind，andtheywithdrew。Renfieldwatchedthemgo。
Whenthedoorwasclosedhesaidwithconsiderabledignityandsweetness，“Dr。Seward，youhavebeenveryconsideratetowardsme。
BelievemethatIamvery，verygratefultoyou！”
Ithoughtitwelltoleavehiminthismood，andsoIcameaway。
Thereiscertainlysomethingtoponderoverinthisman\'sstate。
SeveralpointsseemtomakewhattheAmericaninterviewercalls“astory，“ifonecouldonlygettheminproperorder。
Heretheyare：
Willnotmention“drinking。“
Fearsthethoughtofbeingburdenedwiththe“soul“ofanything。
Hasnodreadofwanting“life“inthefuture。
Despisesthemeanerformsoflifealtogether，thoughhedreadsbeinghauntedbytheirsouls。
Logicallyallthesethingspointoneway！Hehasassuranceofsomekindthathewillacquiresomehigherlife。
Hedreadstheconsequence，theburdenofasoul。
Thenitisahumanlifehelooksto！
Andtheassurance……？
MercifulGod！TheCounthasbeentohim，andthereissomenewschemeofterrorafoot！
Later——IwentaftermyroundtoVanHelsingandtoldhimmysuspicion。Hegrewverygrave，andafterthinkingthematteroverforawhileaskedmetotakehimtoRenfield。Ididso。
Aswecametothedoorweheardthelunaticwithinsinginggaily，asheusedtodointhetimewhichnowseemssolongago。
Whenweenteredwesawwithamazementthathehadspreadouthissugarasofold。Theflies，lethargicwiththeautumn，werebeginningtobuzzintotheroom。Wetriedtomakehimtalkofthesubjectofourpreviousconversation，buthewouldnotattend。
Hewentonwithhissinging，justasthoughwehadnotbeenpresent。
Hehadgotascrapofpaperandwasfoldingitintoanotebook。
Wehadtocomeawayasignorantaswewentin。
Hisisacuriouscaseindeed。Wemustwatchhimtonight。
LETTER，MITCHELL，SONS&CANDYTOLORDGODALMING。
“1October。
“MyLord，“Weareatalltimesonlytoohappytomeetyourwishes。
Webeg，withregardtothedesireofyourLordship，expressedbyMr。Harkeronyourbehalf，tosupplythefollowinginformationconcerningthesaleandpurchaseofNo。347，Piccadilly。
TheoriginalvendorsaretheexecutorsofthelateMr。ArchibaldWinter-Suffield。Thepurchaserisaforeignnobleman，CountdeVille，whoeffectedthepurchasehimselfpayingthepurchasemoneyinnotes`overthecounter，\'ifyourLordshipwillpardonususingsovulgaranexpression。
Beyondthisweknownothingwhateverofhim。
“Weare，myLord，“YourLordship\'shumbleservants，“MITCHELL，SONS&CANDY。“
DR。SEWARD\'SDIARY
2October——Iplacedamaninthecorridorlastnight，andtoldhimtomakeanaccuratenoteofanysoundhemighthearfromRenfield\'sroom，andgavehiminstructionsthatifthereshouldbeanythingstrangehewastocallme。
Afterdinner，whenwehadallgatheredroundthefireinthestudy，Mrs。Harkerhavinggonetobed，wediscussedtheattemptsanddiscoveriesoftheday。Harkerwastheonlyonewhohadanyresult，andweareingreathopesthathiscluemaybeanimportantone。
BeforegoingtobedIwentroundtothepatient\'sroomandlookedinthroughtheobservationtrap。Hewassleepingsoundly，hisheartroseandfellwithregularrespiration。
Thismorningthemanondutyreportedtomethatalittleaftermidnighthewasrestlessandkeptsayinghisprayerssomewhatloudly。
Iaskedhimifthatwasall。Herepliedthatitwasallheheard。
Therewassomethingabouthismanner，sosuspiciousthatIaskedhimpointblankifhehadbeenasleep。
Hedeniedsleep，butadmittedtohaving“dozed“forawhile。
Itistoobadthatmencannotbetrustedunlesstheyarewatched。
TodayHarkerisoutfollowinguphisclue，andArtandQuinceyarelookingafterhorses。Godalmingthinksthatitwillbewelltohavehorsesalwaysinreadiness，forwhenwegettheinformationwhichweseektherewillbenotimetolose。
Wemuststerilizealltheimportedearthbetweensunriseandsunset。
WeshallthuscatchtheCountathisweakest，andwithoutarefugetoflyto。VanHelsingisofftotheBritishMuseumlookingupsomeauthoritiesonancientmedicine。
Theoldphysicianstookaccountofthingswhichtheirfollowersdonotaccept，andtheProfessorissearchingforwitchanddemoncureswhichmaybeusefultouslater。
Isometimesthinkwemustbeallmadandthatweshallwaketosanityinstraitwaistcoats。
Later——Wehavemetagain。Weseematlasttobeonthetrack，andourworkoftomorrowmaybethebeginningoftheend。
IwonderifRenfield\'squiethasanythingtodowiththis。
HismoodshavesofollowedthedoingsoftheCount，thatthecomingdestructionofthemonstermaybecarriedtohimsomesubtleway。
Ifwecouldonlygetsomehintastowhatpassedinhismind，betweenthetimeofmyargumentwithhimtodayandhisresumptionoffly-catching，itmightaffordusavaluableclue。
Heisnowseeminglyquietforaspell……Ishe？
Thatwildyellseemedtocomefromhisroom……
TheattendantcameburstingintomyroomandtoldmethatRenfieldhadsomehowmetwithsomeaccident。Hehadheardhimyell，andwhenhewenttohimfoundhimlyingonhisfaceonthefloor，allcoveredwithblood。
Imustgoatonce……
CHAPTER21
DR。SEWARD\'SDIARY
3October——Letmeputdownwithexactnessallthathappened，aswellasIcanremember，sincelastImadeanentry。
NotadetailthatIcanrecallmustbeforgotten。
InallcalmnessImustproceed。
WhenIcametoRenfield\'sroomIfoundhimlyingontheflooronhisleftsideinaglitteringpoolofblood。WhenIwenttomovehim，itbecameatonceapparentthathehadreceivedsometerribleinjuries。
Thereseemednoneoftheunityofpurposebetweenthepartsofthebodywhichmarksevenlethargicsanity。AsthefacewasexposedIcouldseethatitwashorriblybruised，asthoughithadbeenbeatenagainstthefloor。
Indeeditwasfromthefacewoundsthatthepoolofbloodoriginated。
Theattendantwhowaskneelingbesidethebodysaidtomeasweturnedhimover，“Ithink，sir，hisbackisbroken。See，bothhisrightarmandlegandthewholesideofhisfaceareparalysed。“
Howsuchathingcouldhavehappenedpuzzledtheattendantbeyondmeasure。Heseemedquitebewildered，andhisbrowsweregatheredinashesaid，“Ican\'tunderstandthetwothings。
Hecouldmarkhisfacelikethatbybeatinghisownheadonthefloor。
IsawayoungwomandoitonceattheEversfieldAsylumbeforeanyonecouldlayhandsonher。AndIsupposehemighthavebrokenhisneckbyfallingoutofbed，ifhegotinanawkwardkink。
ButforthelifeofmeIcan\'timaginehowthetwothingsoccurred。
Ifhisbackwasbroke，hecouldn\'tbeathishead，andifhisfacewaslikethatbeforethefalloutofbed，therewouldbemarksofit。“
Isaidtohim，“GotoDr。VanHelsing，andaskhimtokindlycomehereatonce。Iwanthimwithoutaninstant\'sdelay。“
Themanranoff，andwithinafewminutestheProfessor，inhisdressinggownandslippers，appeared。WhenhesawRenfieldontheground，helookedkeenlyathimamoment，andthenturnedtome。
Ithinkherecognizedmythoughtinmyeyes，forhesaidveryquietly，manifestlyfortheearsoftheattendant，“Ah，asadaccident！
Hewillneedverycarefulwatching，andmuchattention。
Ishallstaywithyoumyself，butIshallfirstdressmyself。
IfyouwillremainIshallinafewminutesjoinyou。“
Thepatientwasnowbreathingstertorouslyanditwaseasytoseethathehadsufferedsometerribleinjury。
VanHelsingreturnedwithextraordinarycelerity，bearingwithhimasurgicalcase。Hehadevidentlybeenthinkingandhadhismindmadeup，foralmostbeforehelookedatthepatient，hewhisperedtome，“Sendtheattendantaway。
Wemustbealonewithhimwhenhebecomesconscious，aftertheoperation。“
Isaid，“Ithinkthatwilldonow，Simmons。Wehavedoneallthatwecanatpresent。Youhadbettergoyourround，andDr。VanHelsingwilloperate。
Letmeknowinstantlyiftherebeanythingunusualanywhere。“
Themanwithdrew，andwewentintoastrictexaminationofthepatient。
Thewoundsofthefaceweresuperficial。Therealinjurywasadepressedfractureoftheskull，extendingrightupthroughthemotorarea。
TheProfessorthoughtamomentandsaid，“Wemustreducethepressureandgetbacktonormalconditions，asfarascanbe。
Therapidityofthesuffusionshowstheterriblenatureofhisinjury。Thewholemotorareaseemsaffected。
Thesuffusionofthebrainwillincreasequickly，sowemusttrephineatonceoritmaybetoolate。“
Ashewasspeakingtherewasasofttappingatthedoor。
Iwentoverandopeneditandfoundinthecorridorwithout，ArthurandQuinceyinpajamasandslippers，theformerspoke，“IheardyourmancallupDr。VanHelsingandtellhimofanaccident。
SoIwokeQuinceyorrathercalledforhimashewasnotasleep。
Thingsaremovingtooquicklyandtoostrangelyforsoundsleepforanyofusthesetimes。I\'vebeenthinkingthattomorrownightwillnotseethingsastheyhavebeen。
We\'llhavetolookback，andforwardalittlemorethanwehavedone。
Maywecomein？”
Inodded，andheldthedooropentilltheyhadentered，thenIcloseditagain。WhenQuinceysawtheattitudeandstateofthepatient，andnotedthehorriblepoolonthefloor，hesaidsoftly，“MyGod！
Whathashappenedtohim？Poor，poordevil！”
Itoldhimbriefly，andaddedthatweexpectedhewouldrecoverconsciousnessaftertheoperation，forashorttime，atallevents。
Hewentatonceandsatdownontheedgeofthebed，withGodalmingbesidehim。Weallwatchedinpatience。
“Weshallwait，“saidVanHelsing，“justlongenoughtofixthebestspotfortrephining，sothatwemaymostquicklyandperfectlyremovethebloodclot，foritisevidentthatthehaemorrhageisincreasing。“
Theminutesduringwhichwewaitedpassedwithfearfulslowness。
Ihadahorriblesinkinginmyheart，andfromVanHelsing\'sfaceIgatheredthathefeltsomefearorapprehensionastowhatwastocome。IdreadedthewordsRenfieldmightspeak。
Iwaspositivelyafraidtothink。Buttheconvictionofwhatwascomingwasonme，asIhavereadofmenwhohaveheardthedeathwatch。Thepoorman\'sbreathingcameinuncertaingasps。
Eachinstantheseemedasthoughhewouldopenhiseyesandspeak，butthenwouldfollowaprolongedstertorousbreath，andhewouldrelapseintoamorefixedinsensibility。InuredasIwastosickbedsanddeath，thissuspensegrewandgrewuponme。
Icouldalmosthearthebeatingofmyownheart，andthebloodsurgingthroughmytemplessoundedlikeblowsfromahammer。
Thesilencefinallybecameagonizing。Ilookedatmycompanions，oneafteranother，andsawfromtheirflushedfacesanddampbrowsthattheywereenduringequaltorture。
Therewasanervoussuspenseoverusall，asthoughoverheadsomedreadbellwouldpealoutpowerfullywhenweshouldleastexpectit。
Atlasttherecameatimewhenitwasevidentthatthepatientwassinkingfast。Hemightdieatanymoment。
IlookedupattheProfessorandcaughthiseyesfixedonmine。
Hisfacewassternlysetashespoke，“Thereisnotimetolose。
Hiswordsmaybeworthmanylives。Ihavebeenthinkingso，asIstoodhere。Itmaybethereisasoulatstake！
Weshalloperatejustabovetheear。“
Withoutanotherwordhemadetheoperation。Forafewmomentsthebreathingcontinuedtobestertorous。Thentherecameabreathsoprolongedthatitseemedasthoughitwouldtearopenhischest。
Suddenlyhiseyesopened，andbecamefixedinawild，helplessstare。
Thiswascontinuedforafewmoments，thenitwassoftenedintoagladsurprise，andfromhislipscameasighofrelief。
Hemovedconvulsively，andashedidso，said，“I\'llbequiet，Doctor。
Tellthemtotakeoffthestraitwaistcoat。Ihavehadaterribledream，andithasleftmesoweakthatIcannotmove。What\'swrongwithmyface？
Itfeelsallswollen，anditsmartsdreadfully。“
Hetriedtoturnhishead，butevenwiththeefforthiseyesseemedtogrowglassyagainsoIgentlyputitback。
ThenVanHelsingsaidinaquietgravetone，“Tellusyourdream，Mr。Renfield。“
Asheheardthevoicehisfacebrightened，throughitsmutilation，andhesaid，“ThatisDr。VanHelsing。Howgooditisofyoutobehere。
Givemesomewater，mylipsaredry，andIshalltrytotellyou。
Idreamed“……
Hestoppedandseemedfainting。IcalledquietlytoQuincey，“Thebrandy，itisinmystudy，quick！”Heflewandreturnedwithaglass，thedecanterofbrandyandacarafeofwater。
Wemoistenedtheparchedlips，andthepatientquicklyrevived。
Itseemed，however，thathispoorinjuredbrainhadbeenworkingintheinterval，forwhenhewasquiteconscious，helookedatmepiercinglywithanagonizedconfusionwhichIshallneverforget，andsaid，“Imustnotdeceivemyself。Itwasnodream，butallagrimreality。“Thenhiseyesrovedroundtheroom。
Astheycaughtsightofthetwofiguressittingpatientlyontheedgeofthebedhewenton，“IfIwerenotsurealready，Iwouldknowfromthem。“
Foraninstanthiseyesclosed，notwithpainorsleepbutvoluntarily，asthoughhewerebringingallhisfacultiestobear。
Whenheopenedthemhesaid，hurriedly，andwithmoreenergythanhehadyetdisplayed，“Quick，Doctor，quick，Iamdying！
IfeelthatIhavebutafewminutes，andthenImustgobacktodeath，orworse！Wetmylipswithbrandyagain。
IhavesomethingthatImustsaybeforeIdie。Orbeforemypoorcrushedbraindiesanyhow。Thankyou！Itwasthatnightafteryouleftme，whenIimploredyoutoletmegoaway。
Icouldn\'tspeakthen，forIfeltmytonguewastied。
ButIwasassanethen，exceptinthatway，asIamnow。
Iwasinanagonyofdespairforalongtimeafteryouleftme，itseemedhours。Thentherecameasuddenpeacetome。
Mybrainseemedtobecomecoolagain，andIrealizedwhereIwas。
Iheardthedogsbarkbehindourhouse，butnotwhereHewas！”
Ashespoke，VanHelsing\'seyesneverblinked，buthishandcameoutandmetmineandgrippedithard。Hedidnot，however，betrayhimself。
Henoddedslightlyandsaid，“Goon，“inalowvoice。
Renfieldproceeded。“Hecameuptothewindowinthemist，asIhadseenhimoftenbefore，buthewassolidthen，notaghost，andhiseyeswerefiercelikeaman\'swhenangry。
Hewaslaughingwithhisredmouth，thesharpwhiteteethglintedinthemoonlightwhenheturnedtolookbackoverthebeltoftrees，towherethedogswerebarking。
Iwouldn\'taskhimtocomeinatfirst，thoughIknewhewantedto，justashehadwantedallalong。Thenhebeganpromisingmethings，notinwordsbutbydoingthem。“
HewasinterruptedbyawordfromtheProfessor，“How？”
“Bymakingthemhappen。Justasheusedtosendintheflieswhenthesunwasshining。Greatbigfatoneswithsteelandsapphireontheirwings。
Andbigmoths，inthenight，withskullandcross-bonesontheirbacks。“
VanHelsingnoddedtohimashewhisperedtomeunconsciously，“TheAcherontiaAtroposoftheSphinges，whatyoucallthe`Death\'s-headMoth\'？”
Thepatientwentonwithoutstopping，“Thenhebegantowhisper。`Rats，rats，rats！Hundreds，thousands，millionsofthem，andeveryonealife。Anddogstoeatthem，andcatstoo。Alllives！
Allredblood，withyearsoflifeinit，andnotmerelybuzzingflies！\'
Ilaughedathim，forIwantedtoseewhathecoulddo。
Thenthedogshowled，awaybeyondthedarktreesinHishouse。
Hebeckonedmetothewindow。Igotupandlookedout，andHeraisedhishands，andseemedtocalloutwithoutusinganywords。
Adarkmassspreadoverthegrass，comingonliketheshapeofaflameoffire。AndthenHemovedthemisttotherightandleft，andIcouldseethattherewerethousandsofratswiththeireyesblazingred，likeHisonlysmaller。Hehelduphishand，andtheyallstopped，andIthoughtheseemedtobesaying，`AlltheseliveswillIgiveyou，ay，andmanymoreandgreater，throughcountlessages，ifyouwillfalldownandworshipme！\'
Andthenaredcloud，likethecolorofblood，seemedtocloseovermyeyes，andbeforeIknewwhatIwasdoing，IfoundmyselfopeningthesashandsayingtoHim，`Comein，LordandMaster！\'
Theratswereallgone，butHeslidintotheroomthroughthesash，thoughitwasonlyopenaninchwide，justastheMoonherselfhasoftencomeinthroughthetiniestcrackandhasstoodbeforemeinallhersizeandsplendor。“
Hisvoicewasweaker，soImoistenedhislipswiththebrandyagain，andhecontinued，butitseemedasthoughhismemoryhadgoneonworkingintheintervalforhisstorywasfurtheradvanced。
Iwasabouttocallhimbacktothepoint，butVanHelsingwhisperedtome，“Lethimgoon。Donotinterrupthim。
Hecannotgoback，andmaybecouldnotproceedatallifoncehelostthethreadofhisthought。“
Heproceeded，“AlldayIwaitedtohearfromhim，buthedidnotsendmeanything，notevenablowfly，andwhenthemoongotupIwasprettyangrywithhim。Whenhedidslideinthroughthewindow，thoughitwasshut，anddidnotevenknock，Igotmadwithhim。Hesneeredatme，andhiswhitefacelookedoutofthemistwithhisredeyesgleaming，andhewentonasthoughheownedthewholeplace，andIwasnoone。
Hedidn\'tevensmellthesameashewentbyme。Icouldn\'tholdhim。
Ithoughtthat，somehow，Mrs。Harkerhadcomeintotheroom。“
Thetwomensittingonthebedstoodupandcameover，standingbehindhimsothathecouldnotseethem，butwheretheycouldhearbetter。
Theywerebothsilent，buttheProfessorstartedandquivered。
Hisface，however，grewgrimmerandsternerstill。Renfieldwentonwithoutnoticing，“WhenMrs。Harkercameintoseemethisafternoonshewasn\'tthesame。Itwasliketeaaftertheteapothasbeenwatered。“
Hereweallmoved，butnoonesaidaword。
Hewenton，“Ididn\'tknowthatshewasheretillshespoke，andshedidn\'tlookthesame。Idon\'tcareforthepalepeople。
Ilikethemwithlotsofbloodinthem，andhersallseemedtohaverunout。Ididn\'tthinkofitatthetime，butwhenshewentawayIbegantothink，anditmadememadtoknowthatHehadbeentakingthelifeoutofher。“
Icouldfeelthattherestquivered，asIdid。Butweremainedotherwisestill。“SowhenHecametonightIwasreadyforHim。
Isawthemiststealingin，andIgrabbedittight。Ihadheardthatmadmenhaveunnaturalstrength。AndasIknewIwasamadman，attimesanyhow，Iresolvedtousemypower。Ay，andHefeltittoo，forHehadtocomeoutofthemisttostrugglewithme。
Iheldtight，andIthoughtIwasgoingtowin，forIdidn\'tmeanHimtotakeanymoreofherlife，tillIsawHiseyes。
Theyburnedintome，andmystrengthbecamelikewater。
Heslippedthroughit，andwhenItriedtoclingtoHim，Heraisedmeupandflungmedown。Therewasaredcloudbeforeme，andanoiselikethunder，andthemistseemedtostealawayunderthedoor。“
Hisvoicewasbecomingfainterandhisbreathmorestertorous。
VanHelsingstoodupinstinctively。
“Weknowtheworstnow，“hesaid。“Heishere，andweknowhispurpose。
Itmaynotbetoolate。Letusbearmed，thesameasweweretheothernight，butlosenotime，thereisnotaninstanttospare。“
Therewasnoneedtoputourfear，nayourconviction，intowords，wesharedthemincommon。WeallhurriedandtookfromourroomsthesamethingsthatwehadwhenweenteredtheCount\'shouse。
TheProfessorhadhisready，andaswemetinthecorridorhepointedtothemsignificantlyashesaid，“Theyneverleaveme，andtheyshallnottillthisunhappybusinessisover。
Bewisealso，myfriends。ItisnocommonenemythatwedealwithAlas！Alas！ThatdearMadamMinashouldsuffer！”
Hestopped，hisvoicewasbreaking，andIdonotknowifrageorterrorpredominatedinmyownheart。
OutsidetheHarkers\'doorwepaused。ArtandQuinceyheldback，andthelattersaid，“Shouldwedisturbher？”
“Wemust，“saidVanHelsinggrimly。“Ifthedoorbelocked，Ishallbreakitin。“
“Mayitnotfrightenherterribly？Itisunusualtobreakintoalady\'sroom！”
VanHelsingsaidsolemnly，“Youarealwaysright。
Butthisislifeanddeath。Allchambersarealiketothedoctor。
Andevenweretheynottheyareallasonetometonight。
FriendJohn，whenIturnthehandle，ifthedoordoesnotopen，doyouputyourshoulderdownandshove。Andyoutoo，myfriends。Now！”
Heturnedthehandleashespoke，butthedoordidnotyield。
Wethrewourselvesagainstit。Withacrashitburstopen，andwealmostfellheadlongintotheroom。TheProfessordidactuallyfall，andIsawacrosshimashegatheredhimselfupfromhandsandknees。WhatIsawappalledme。
Ifeltmyhairriselikebristlesonthebackofmyneck，andmyheartseemedtostandstill。
Themoonlightwassobrightthatthroughthethickyellowblindtheroomwaslightenoughtosee。OnthebedbesidethewindowlayJonathanHarker，hisfaceflushedandbreathingheavilyasthoughinastupor。
Kneelingonthenearedgeofthebedfacingoutwardswasthewhite-cladfigureofhiswife。Byhersidestoodatall，thinman，cladinblack。
Hisfacewasturnedfromus，buttheinstantwesawweallrecognizedtheCount，ineveryway，eventothescaronhisforehead。
WithhislefthandheheldbothMrs。Harker\'shands，keepingthemawaywithherarmsatfulltension。Hisrighthandgrippedherbythebackoftheneck，forcingherfacedownonhisbosom。
Herwhitenightdresswassmearedwithblood，andathinstreamtrickleddowntheman\'sbarechestwhichwasshownbyhistorn-opendress。
Theattitudeofthetwohadaterribleresemblancetoachildforcingakitten\'snoseintoasaucerofmilktocompelittodrink。
Asweburstintotheroom，theCountturnedhisface，andthehellishlookthatIhadhearddescribedseemedtoleapintoit。
Hiseyesflamedredwithdevilishpassion。Thegreatnostrilsofthewhiteaquilinenoseopenedwideandquiveredattheedge，andthewhitesharpteeth，behindthefulllipsoftheblooddrippingmouth，clampedtogetherlikethoseofawildbeast。
Withawrench，whichthrewhisvictimbackuponthebedasthoughhurledfromaheight，heturnedandsprangatus。
ButbythistimetheProfessorhadgainedhisfeet，andwasholdingtowardshimtheenvelopewhichcontainedtheSacredWafer。
TheCountsuddenlystopped，justaspoorLucyhaddoneoutsidethetomb，andcoweredback。Furtherandfurtherbackhecowered，aswe，liftingourcrucifixes，advanced。Themoonlightsuddenlyfailed，asagreatblackcloudsailedacrossthesky。AndwhenthegaslightsprangupunderQuincey\'smatch，wesawnothingbutafaintvapor。
This，aswelooked，trailedunderthedoor，whichwiththerecoilfromitsburstingopen，hadswungbacktoitsoldposition。
VanHelsing，Art，andImovedforwardtoMrs。Harker，whobythistimehaddrawnherbreathandwithithadgivenascreamsowild，soear-piercing，sodespairingthatitseemstomenowthatitwillringinmyearstillmydyingday。
Forafewsecondsshelayinherhelplessattitudeanddisarray。
Herfacewasghastly，withapallorwhichwasaccentuatedbythebloodwhichsmearedherlipsandcheeksandchin。Fromherthroattrickledathinstreamofblood。Hereyesweremadwithterror。
Thensheputbeforeherfaceherpoorcrushedhands，whichboreontheirwhitenesstheredmarkoftheCount\'sterriblegrip，andfrombehindthemcamealowdesolatewailwhichmadetheterriblescreamseemonlythequickexpressionofanendlessgrief。
VanHelsingsteppedforwardanddrewthecoverletgentlyoverherbody，whilstArt，afterlookingatherfaceforaninstantdespairingly，ranoutoftheroom。
VanHelsingwhisperedtome，“JonathanisinastuporsuchasweknowtheVampirecanproduce。WecandonothingwithpoorMadamMinaforafewmomentstillsherecoversherself。
Imustwakehim！”
Hedippedtheendofatowelincoldwaterandwithitbegantoflickhimontheface，hiswifeallthewhileholdingherfacebetweenherhandsandsobbinginawaythatwasheartbreakingtohear。Iraisedtheblind，andlookedoutofthewindow。
Therewasmuchmoonshine，andasIlookedIcouldseeQuinceyMorrisrunacrossthelawnandhidehimselfintheshadowofagreatyewtree。Itpuzzledmetothinkwhyhewasdoingthis。
ButattheinstantIheardHarker\'squickexclamationashewoketopartialconsciousness，andturnedtothebed。
Onhisface，astheremightwellbe，wasalookofwildamazement。
Heseemeddazedforafewseconds，andthenfullconsciousnessseemedtoburstuponhimallatonce，andhestartedup。
Hiswifewasarousedbythequickmovement，andturnedtohimwithherarmsstretchedout，asthoughtoembracehim。Instantly，however，shedrewtheminagain，andputtingherelbowstogether，heldherhandsbeforeherface，andshudderedtillthebedbeneathhershook。
“InGod\'snamewhatdoesthismean？”Harkercriedout。
“Dr。Seward，Dr。VanHelsing，whatisit？Whathashappened？
Whatiswrong？Mina，dearwhatisit？Whatdoesthatbloodmean？
MyGod，myGod！Hasitcometothis！”And，raisinghimselftohisknees，hebeathishandswildlytogether。“GoodGodhelpus！
Helpher！Oh，helpher！”
Withaquickmovementhejumpedfrombed，andbegantopullonhisclothes，allthemaninhimawakeattheneedforinstantexertion。
“Whathashappened？Tellmeallaboutit！”hecriedwithoutpausing。
“Dr。VanHelsingyouloveMina，Iknow。Oh，dosomethingtosaveher。
Itcannothavegonetoofaryet。GuardherwhileIlookforhim！”
Hiswife，throughherterrorandhorroranddistress，sawsomesuredangertohim。Instantlyforgettingherowngrief，sheseizedholdofhimandcriedout。
“No！No！Jonathan，youmustnotleaveme。Ihavesufferedenoughtonight，Godknows，withoutthedreadofhisharmingyou。Youmuststaywithme。
Staywiththesefriendswhowillwatchoveryou！”Herexpressionbecamefranticasshespoke。And，heyieldingtoher，shepulledhimdownsittingonthebedside，andclungtohimfiercely。
VanHelsingandItriedtocalmthemboth。TheProfessorhelduphisgoldencrucifix，andsaidwithwonderfulcalmness，“Donotfear，mydear。
Wearehere，andwhilstthisisclosetoyounofoulthingcanapproach。
Youaresafefortonight，andwemustbecalmandtakecounseltogether。“
Sheshudderedandwassilent，holdingdownherheadonherhusband\'sbreast。
Whensheraisedit，hiswhitenightrobewasstainedwithbloodwhereherlipshadtouched，andwherethethinopenwoundintheneckhadsentforthdrops。
Theinstantshesawitshedrewback，withalowwail，andwhispered，amidstchokingsobs。
“Unclean，unclean！Imusttouchhimorkisshimnomore。
Oh，thatitshouldbethatitisIwhoamnowhisworstenemy，andwhomhemayhavemostcausetofear。“
Tothishespokeoutresolutely，“Nonsense，Mina。Itisashametometohearsuchaword。Iwouldnothearitofyou。
AndIshallnothearitfromyou。MayGodjudgemebymydeserts，andpunishmewithmorebittersufferingthaneventhishour，ifbyanyactorwillofmineanythingevercomebetweenus！”
Heputouthisarmsandfoldedhertohisbreast。Andforawhileshelaytheresobbing。Helookedatusoverherbowedhead，witheyesthatblinkeddamplyabovehisquiveringnostrils。
Hismouthwassetassteel。