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。