CHAPTER XI.
/Lucy Westenra's Diary./
_12 September._--How good they all are to me! I quite love that dearDr. Van Helsing. I wonder why he was so anxious about these flowers. Hepositively frightened me, he was so fierce. And yet he must have beenright, for I feel comfort from them already. Somehow, I do not dreadbeing alone tonight, and I can go to sleep without fear. I shall notmind any flapping outside the window. Oh, the terrible struggle that Ihave had against sleep so often of late; the pain of the sleeplessness,or the pain of the fear of sleep, with such unknown horrors as it hasfor me! How blessed are some people, whose lives have no fears, nodreads; to whom sleep is a blessing that comes nightly, and bringsnothing but sweet dreams. Well, here I am to-night, hoping for sleep,and lying like Ophelia in the play, with "virgin crants and maidenstrewments." I never liked garlic before, but to-night it is delightful!There is peace in its smell; I feel sleep coming already. Good-nighteverybody.
_Dr. Seward's Diary._
_13 September._--Called at the Berkeley and found Van Helsing, asusual, up to time. The carriage ordered from the hotel was waiting. TheProfessor took his bag, which he always brings with him now.
Let all be put down exactly. Van Helsing and I arrived at Hillingham ateight o'clock. It was a lovely morning; the bright sunshine and all thefresh feeling of early autumn seemed like the completion of nature'sannual work. The leaves were turning to all kinds of beautiful colours,but had not yet begun to drop from the trees. When we entered we metMrs. Westenra coming out of the morning room. She is always an earlyriser. She greeted us warmly and said:--
"You will be glad to know that Lucy is better. The dear child is stillasleep. I looked into her room and saw her, but did not go in, lest Ishould disturb her." The Professor smiled, and looked quite jubilant. Herubbed his hands together, and said:--
"Aha! I thought I had diagnosed the case. My treatment is working," towhich she answered:--
"You must not take all the credit to yourself, doctor. Lucy's state thismorning is due in part to me."
"How do you mean, ma'am?" asked the Professor.
"Well, I was anxious about the dear child in the night, and went intoher room. She was sleeping soundly--so soundly that even my coming didnot wake her. But the room was awfully stuffy. There were a lot of thosehorrible, strong-smelling flowers about everywhere, and she had actuallya bunch of them round her neck. I feared that the heavy odour would betoo much for the dear child in her weak state, so I took them all awayand opened a bit of the window to let in a little fresh air. You will bepleased with her, I am sure."
She moved off into her boudoir, where she usually breakfasted early. Asshe had spoken, I watched the Professor's face, and saw it turn ashengrey. He had been able to retain his self-command whilst the poor ladywas present, for he knew her state and how mischievous a shock would be;he actually smiled on her as he held open the door for her to pass intoher room. But the instant she had disappeared he pulled me, suddenly andforcibly, into the dining-room and closed the door.
Then, for the first time in my life, I saw Van Helsing break down. Heraised his hands over his head in a sort of mute despair, and then beathis palms together in a helpless way; finally he sat down on a chair,and putting his hands before his face, began to sob, with loud, dry sobsthat seemed to come from the very racking of his heart. Then he raisedhis arms again, as though appealing to the whole universe. "God! God!God!" he said. "What have we done, what has this poor thing done, thatwe are so sore beset? Is there fate amongst us still, sent down from thepagan world of old, that such things must be, and in such a way? Thispoor mother, all unknowing, and all for the best as she think, does suchthing as lose her daughter body and soul; and we must not tell her, wemust not even warn her, or she die, and then both die. Oh, how we arebeset! How are all the powers of the devils against us!" Suddenly hejumped to his feet. "Come," he said, "come, we must see and act. Devilsor no devils, or all the devils at once, it matters not; we fight himall the same." He went to the hall-door for his bag; and together wewent up to Lucy's room.
Once again I drew up the blind, whilst Van Helsing went towards thebed. This time he did not start as he looked on the poor face with thesame awful, waxen pallor as before. He wore a look of stern sadness andinfinite pity.
"As I expected," he murmured, with that hissing inspiration of hiswhich meant so much. Without a word he went and locked the door, andthen began to set out on the little table the instruments for yetanother operation of transfusion of blood. I had long ago recognisedthe necessity, and begun to take off my coat, but he stopped me with awarning hand. "No!" he said. "To-day you must operate. I shall provide.You are weakened already." As he spoke he took off his coat and rolledup his shirt-sleeve.
Again the operation; again the narcotic; again some return of colour tothe ashy cheeks, and the regular breathing of healthy sleep. This time Iwatched whilst Van Helsing recruited himself and rested.
Presently he took an opportunity of telling Mrs. Westenra that she mustnot remove anything from Lucy's room without consulting him; that theflowers were of medicinal value, and that the breathing of their odourwas a part of the system of cure. Then he took over the care of the casehimself, saying that he would watch this night and the next and wouldsend me word when to come.
After another hour Lucy waked from her sleep, fresh and bright, andseemingly not much the worse from her terrible ordeal.
What does it all mean? I am beginning to wonder if my long habit of lifeamongst the insane is beginning to tell upon my own brain.
_Lucy Westenra's Diary._
_17 September._--Four days and nights of peace. I am getting so strongagain that I hardly know myself. It is as if I had passed throughsome long nightmare, and had just awakened to see the beautifulsunshine and feel the fresh air of the morning around me. I have a dimhalf-remembrance of long, anxious times of waiting and fearing; darknessin which there was not even the pain of hope to make present distressmore poignant; and then long spells of oblivion, and the rising backto life as a diver coming up through a great press of water. Since,however, Dr. Van Helsing has been with me, all this bad dreaming seemsto have passed away; the noises that used to frighten me out of mywits--the flapping against the windows, the distant voices which seemedso close to me, the harsh sounds that came from I know not where andcommanded me to do I know not what--have all ceased. I go to bed nowwithout any fear of sleep. I do not even try to keep awake. I have grownquite fond of the garlic, and a boxful arrives for me every day fromHaarlem. To-night Dr. Van Helsing is going away, as he has to be for aday in Amsterdam. But I need not be watched; I am well enough to be leftalone. Thank God for mother's sake, and dear Arthur's, and for all ourfriends who have been so kind! I shall not even feel the change, forlast night Dr. Van Helsing slept in his chair a lot of the time. I foundhim asleep twice when I awoke; but I did not fear to go to sleep again,although the boughs or bats or something flapped almost angrily againstthe window-panes.
"_The Pall Mall Gazette_," _18 September._
THE ESCAPED WOLF.
/Perilous Adventure of our Interviewer./
_Interview with the Keeper in the Zoological Gardens._
After many inquiries and almost as many refusals, and perpetually usingthe words _Pall Mall Gazette_ as a sort of talisman, I managed to findthe keeper of the section of the Zoological Gardens in which the wolfdepartment is included. Thomas Bilder lives in one of the cottagesin the enclosure behind the elephant-house, and was just sittingdown to his tea when I found him. Thomas and his wife are hospitablefolk, elderly, and without children, and if the specimen I enjoyed oftheir hospitality be of the average kind, their lives must be prettycomfortable. The keeper would not enter on what he called "business"until the supper was over, and we were all satisfied. Then when thetable was cleared, and he had lit his pipe, he said:--
"Now, sir, you can go on and arsk me what you want. You'll excoose merefoosin' to talk of perfeshunal subjects afore meals. I gives thewolves and the jacka
ls and the hyenas in all our section their tea aforeI begins to arsk them questions."
"How do you mean, ask them questions?" I queried, wishful to get himinto a talkative humour.
"'Ittin' of them over the 'ead with a pole is one way; scratchin'of their hears is another, when gents as is flush wants a bit of ashow-orf to their gals. I don't so much mind the fust--the 'ittin'with a pole afore I chucks in their dinner; but I waits till they've'ad their sherry and kawffee, so to speak, afore I tries on with theear-scratchin'. Mind you," he added philosophically, "there's a deal ofthe same nature in us as in them there animiles. Here's you a-comin' andarskin' of me questions about my business, and I that grumpy-like thatonly for your bloomin' arf-quid I'd 'a' seen you blowed fust 'fore I'danswer. Not even when you arsked me sarcastic-like if I'd like you toarsk the Superintendent if you might arsk me questions. Without offence,did I tell yer to go to 'ell?"
"You did."
"An' when you said you'd report me for usin' of obscene language, thatwas 'itten' me over the 'ead; but the 'arf-quid made that all right. Iweren't a-goin' to fight, so I waited for the food, and did with my 'owlas the wolves, and lions, and tigers does. But, Lor' love yer 'art, nowthat the old 'ooman has stuck a chunk of her tea-cake in me, an' rinsedme out with her bloomin' old teapot, and I've lit up, you may scratchmy ears for all you're worth, and won't get even a growl out of me.Drive along with your questions. I know what yer a-comin' at, that 'ereescaped wolf."
"Exactly. I want you to give me your view of it. Just tell me howit happened; and when I know the facts I'll get you to say what youconsider was the cause of it, and how you think the whole affair willend."
"All right, guv'nor. This 'ere is about the 'ole story. That 'ere wolfwhat we called Bersicker was one of three grey ones that came fromNorway to Jamrach's, which we bought off him four year ago. He was anice well-behaved wolf, that never gave no trouble to talk of. I'm moresurprised at 'im for wantin' to get out nor any other animile in theplace. But, there, you can't trust wolves no more nor women."
"Don't you mind him, sir!" broke in Mrs. Tom, with a cheery laugh. "'E'sgot mindin' the animiles so long that blest if he ain't like a old wolf'isself! But there ain't no 'arm in 'im."
"Well, sir, it was about two hours after feedin' yesterday when I firsthear any disturbance. I was makin' up a litter in the monkey-house fora young puma which is ill; but when I heard the yelpin' and 'owlin' Ikem away straight. There was Bersicker a-tearin' like a mad thing at thebars as if he wanted to get out. There wasn't much people about thatday, and close at hand was only one man, a tall, thin chap, with a 'ooknose and a pointed beard, with a few white hairs runnin' through it. Hehad a 'ard, cold look and red eyes, and I took a sort of mislike to him,for it seemed as if it was 'im as they was hirritated at. He 'ad whitekid gloves on 'is 'ands, and he pointed out the animiles to me and says:'Keeper, these wolves seem upset at something.'
"'Maybe it's you,' says I, for I did not like the airs as he give'isself. He didn't get angry, as I 'oped he would, but he smiled a kindof insolent smile, with a mouth full of white, sharp teeth. 'Oh no, theywouldn't like me,' 'e says.
"'Ow yes, they would,' says I, a-imitatin' of him. 'They always likea bone or two to clean their teeth on about tea-time, which you 'as abagful.'
"Well, it was a odd thing, but when the animiles see us a-talkin' theylay down, and when I went over to Bersicker he let me stroke his earssame as ever. That there man kem over, and blessed but if he didn't putin his hand and stroke the old wolf's ears too!
"'Tyke care,' says I. 'Bersicker is quick.'
"'Never mind,' he says. 'I'm used to 'em!'
"'Are you in the business yourself?' I says, tyking off my 'at, for aman what trades in wolves, anceterer, is a good friend to keepers.
"'No,' says he, 'not exactly in the business, but I 'ave made pets ofseveral.' And with that he lifts his 'at as perlite as a lord, and walksaway. Old Bersicker kep' a-lookin' arter 'im till 'e was out of sight,and then went and lay down in a corner, and wouldn't come hout the 'olehevening. Well, larst night, so soon as the moon was hup, the wolveshere all began a-'owling. There warn't nothing for them to 'owl at.There warn't no one near, except some one that was evidently a-callin' adog somewheres out back of the gardings in the Park road. Once or twiceI went out to see that all was right, and it was, and then the 'owlingstopped. Just before twelve o'clock I just took a look round aforeturnin' in, an', bust me, but when I kem opposite to old Bersicker'scage I see the rails broken and twisted about and the cage empty. Andthat's all I know for certing."
"Did any one else see anything?"
"One of our gard'ners was a-comin' 'ome about that time from a 'armony,when he sees a big grey dog comin' out through the gardin 'edges. Atleast, so he says; but I don't give much for it myself, for if he did'e never said a word about it to his missis when 'e got 'ome, and itwas only after the escape of the wolf was made known, and we had beenup all night a-huntin' of the Park for Bersicker, that he rememberedseein' anything. My own belief was that the 'armony 'ad got into his'ead."
"Now, Mr. Bilder, can you account in any way for the escape of thewolf?"
"Well, sir," he said, with a suspicious sort of modesty, "I think Ican; but I don't know as 'ow you'd be satisfied with the theory."
"Certainly I shall. If a man like you, who knows the animals fromexperience, can't hazard a good guess at any rate, who is even to try?"
"Well then, sir, I accounts for it this way; it seems to me that 'erewolf escaped--simply because he wanted to get out."
From the hearty way that both Thomas and his wife laughed at the jokeI could see that it had done service before, and that the wholeexplanation was simply an elaborate sell. I couldn't cope in badinagewith the worthy Thomas, but I thought I knew a surer way to his heart,so I said:--
"Now, Mr. Bilder, we'll consider that first half-sovereign worked off,and this brother of his is waiting to be claimed when you've told mewhat you think will happen."
"Right y'are, sir," he said briskly. "Ye'll excoose me, I know, fora-chaffin' of ye, but the old woman here winked at me, which was as muchas telling me to go on."
"Well, I never!" said the old lady.
"My opinion is this: that 'ere wolf is a-'idin' of, somewheres. Thegard'ner wot didn't remember said he was a-gallopin' northward fasterthan a horse could go; but I don't believe him, for, yer see, sir,wolves don't gallop no more than dogs does, they not bein' built thatway. Wolves is fine things in a story-book, and I dessay when they getsin packs and does be chivvin' somethin' that's more afeared than they isthey can make a devil of a noise and chop it up, whatever it is. But,Lor' bless you, in real life a wolf is only a low creature, not half soclever as a good dog; and not half a quarter so much fight in 'im. Thisone ain't been used to fightin' or even to providin' for hisself, andmore like he's somewhere round the Park a-'idin' an' a-shiverin' of,and, if he thinks at all, wonderin' where he is to get his breakfastfrom; or maybe he's got down some area and is in a coal-cellar. My eye,won't some cook get a rum start when she sees his green eyes a-shiningat her out of the dark! If he can't get food he's bound to look for it,and mayhap he may chance to light on a butcher's shop in time. If hedoesn't, and some nursemaid goes a-walkin' orf with a soldier, leavin'of the hinfant in the perambulator--well then I shouldn't be surprisedif the census is one babby the less. That's all."
I was handing him the half-sovereign, when something came bobbing upagainst the window, and Mr. Bilder's face doubled its natural lengthwith surprise.
"God bless me!" he said. "If there ain't old Bersicker come back by'isself!"
He went to the door and opened it; a most unnecessary proceeding itseemed to me. I have always thought that a wild animal never looks sowell as when some obstacle of pronounced durability is between us; apersonal experience has intensified rather than diminished that idea.
After all, however, there is nothing like custom, for neither Bildernor his wife thought any more of the wolf than I should of a dog. Theanimal itself was as p
eaceful and well-behaved as that father of allpicture-wolves--Red Riding Hood's quondam friend, whilst seeking herconfidence in masquerade.
The whole scene was an unutterable mixture of comedy and pathos. Thewicked wolf that for half a day had paralysed London and set all thechildren in the town shivering in their shoes, was there in a sortof penitent mood, and was received and petted like a sort of vulpineprodigal son. Old Bilder examined him all over with most tendersolicitude, and when he had finished with his penitent said:--
"There, I knew the poor old chap would get into some kind of trouble;didn't I say it all along? Here's his head all cut and full of brokenglass. 'E's been a-gettin' over some bloomin' wall or other. It's ashyme that people are allowed to top their walls with broken bottles.This 'ere's what comes of it. Come along, Bersicker."
He took the wolf and locked him up in a cage, with a piece of meat thatsatisfied, in quantity at any rate, the elementary conditions of thefatted calf, and went off to report.
I came off, too, to report the only exclusive information that is givento-day regarding the strange escapade at the Zoo.
_Dr. Seward's Diary._
_17 September._--I was engaged after dinner in my study posting upmy books, which, through press of other work and the many visits toLucy, had fallen sadly into arrear. Suddenly the door was burst open,and in rushed my patient, with his face distorted with passion. I wasthunder-struck, for such a thing as a patient getting of his own accordinto the Superintendent's study is almost unknown. Without an instant'spause he made straight at me. He had a dinner-knife in his hand, and, asI saw he was dangerous, I tried to keep the table between us. He was tooquick and too strong for me, however; for before I could get my balancehe had struck at me and cut my left wrist rather severely. Before hecould strike again, however, I got in my right, and he was sprawlingon his back on the floor. My wrist bled freely, and quite a littlepool trickled on to the carpet. I saw that my friend was not intent onfurther effort, and occupied myself binding up my wrist, keeping a waryeye on the prostrate figure all the time. When the attendants rushed in,and we turned our attention to him, his employment positively sickenedme. He was lying on his belly on the floor licking up, like a dog, theblood which had fallen from my wounded wrist. He was easily secured,and, to my surprise, went with the attendants quite placidly, simplyrepeating over and over again: "The blood is the life! the blood is thelife!"
I cannot afford to lose blood just at present: I have lost too muchof late for my physical good, and the then prolonged strain of Lucy'sillness and its horrible phases is telling on me. I am over-excited andweary, and I need rest, rest, rest. Happily Van Helsing has not summonedme, so I need not forego my sleep; to-night I could not well do withoutit.
_Telegram, Van Helsing, Antwerp, to Seward, Carfax._
(Sent to Carfax, Sussex, as no county given; delivered late bytwenty-two hours.)
"_17 September._--Do not fail to be at Hillingham to-night. If notwatching all the time, frequently visit to see that flowers are asplaced; very important; do not fail. Shall be with you as soon aspossible after arrival."
_Dr. Seward's Diary._
_18 September._--Just off for train to London. The arrival of VanHelsing's telegram filled me with dismay. A whole night lost, andI know by bitter experience what may happen in a night. Of courseit is possible that all may be well, but what _may_ have happened?Surely there is some horrible doom hanging over us that every possibleaccident should thwart us in all we try to do. I shall take thiscylinder with me, and then I can complete my entry on Lucy's phonograph.
_Memorandum left by Lucy Westenra._
_17 September. Night._--I write this and leave it to be seen, so thatno one may by chance get into any trouble through me. This is an exactrecord of what took place tonight. I feel I am dying of weakness, andhave barely strength to write, but it must be done if I die in thedoing.
I went to bed as usual, taking care that the flowers were placed as Dr.Van Helsing directed, and soon fell asleep.
I was waked by the flapping at the window, which had begun after thesleep-walking on the cliff at Whitby when Mina saved me, and which nowI know so well. I was not afraid, but I did wish that Dr. Seward was inthe next room--as Dr. Van Helsing said he would be--so that I might havecalled him. I tried to go to sleep, but could not. Then there came to methe old fear of sleep, and I determined to keep awake. Perversely sleepwould try to come when I did not want it; so, as I feared to be alone,I opened my door and called out: "Is there anybody there?" There was noanswer. I was afraid to wake mother, and so closed my door again. Thenoutside in the shrubbery I heard a sort of howl like a dog's, but morefierce and deeper. I went to the window and looked out, but could seenothing, except a big bat, which had evidently been buffeting its wingsagainst the window. So I went back to bed again, but determined not togo to sleep. Presently the door opened, and mother looked in; seeing bymy moving that I was not asleep, came in, and sat by me. She said to meeven more sweetly and softly than her wont:--
"I was uneasy about you, darling, and came in to see that you were allright."
I feared she might catch cold sitting there, and asked her to come inand sleep with me, so she came into bed, and lay down beside me; shedid not take off her dressing gown, for she said she would only stayawhile and then go back to her own bed. As she lay there in my arms,and I in hers, the flapping and buffeting came to the window again. Shewas startled and a little frightened, and cried out: "What is that?" Itried to pacify her, and at last succeeded, and she lay quiet; but Icould hear her poor dear heart still beating terribly. After a whilethere was the low howl again out in the shrubbery, and shortly afterthere was a crash at the window, and a lot of broken glass was hurledon the floor. The window blind blew back with the wind that rushed in,and in the aperture of the broken panes there was the head of a greatgaunt grey wolf. Mother cried out in a fright, and struggled up into asitting posture, and clutched wildly at anything that would help her.Amongst other things, she clutched the wreath of flowers that Dr. VanHelsing insisted on my wearing round my neck, and tore it away from me.For a second or two she sat up, pointing at the wolf, and there was astrange and horrible gurgling in her throat; then she fell over, as ifstruck with lightning, and her head hit my forehead and made me dizzyfor a moment or two. The room and all round seemed to spin round. Ikept my eyes fixed on the window, but the wolf drew his head back, anda whole myriad of little specks seemed to come blowing in through thebroken window, and wheeling and circling round like the pillar of dustthat travellers describe when there is a simoom in the desert. I triedto stir, but there was some spell upon me, and dear mother's poor body,which seemed to grow cold already--for her dear heart had ceased tobeat--weighed me down; and I remembered no more for a while.
The time did not seem long, but very, very awful, till I recoveredconsciousness again. Somewhere near, a passing bell was tolling; thedogs all round the neighbourhood were howling; and in our shrubbery,seemingly just outside, a nightingale was singing. I was dazed andstupid with pain and terror and weakness, but the sound of thenightingale seemed like the voice of my dead mother come back to comfortme. The sounds seemed to have awakened the maids, too, for I could heartheir bare feet pattering outside my door. I called to them, and theycame in, and when they saw what had happened, and what it was that layover me in the bed, they screamed out. The wind rushed in through thebroken window, and the door slammed to. They lifted off the body of mydear mother and laid her, covered up with a sheet, on the bed after Ihad got up. They were all so frightened and nervous that I directed themto go to the dining-room and have each a glass of wine. The door flewopen for an instant and closed again. The maids shrieked, and then wentin a body to the dining-room; and I laid what flowers I had on my dearmother's breast. When they were there I remembered what Dr. Van Helsinghad told me, but I didn't like to remove them, and, besides, I wouldhave some of the servants to sit up with me now. I was surprised thatthe maids did not come back. I called them, but got no answer, so I wentto the
dining-room to look for them.
My heart sank when I saw what had happened. They all four lay helplesson the floor, breathing heavily. The decanter of sherry was on the tablehalf full, but there was a queer, acrid smell about. I was suspicious,and examined the decanter. It smelt of laudanum, and looking on thesideboard, I found that the bottle which mother's doctor uses forher--oh! did use--was empty. What am I to do? What am I to do? I am backin the room with mother. I cannot leave her, and I am alone, save forthe sleeping servants, whom some one has drugged. Alone with the dead!I dare not go out, for I can hear the low howl of the wolf through thebroken window.
The air seems full of specks, floating and circling in the draught fromthe window, and the lights burn blue and dim. What am I to do? Godshield me from harm this night! I shall hide this paper in my breast,where they shall find it when they come to lay me out. My dear mothergone! It is time that I go too. Good-bye, dear Arthur, if I should notsurvive this night. God keep you, dear, and God help me!