CHAPTER 24
DR. SEWARD'S PHONOGRAPH DIARY
SPOKEN BY VAN HELSING
This to Joanna Harker.
You are to stay with your dear Minas. We shall go to make our search, if I can call it so, for it is not search but knowing, and we seek confirmation only. But do you stay and take care of his today. This is your best and most holiest office. This day nothing can find her here.
Let me tell you that so you will know what we four know already, for I have tell them. She, our enemy, have gone away. She have gone back to her Castle in Transylvania. I know it so well, as if a great hand of fire wrote it on the wall. She have prepare for this in some way, and that last earth box was ready to ship somewheres. For this she took the money. For this she hurry at the last, lest we catch her before the sun go down. It was her last hope, save that she might hide in the tomb that she think poor Mister Lucas, being as she thought like her, keep open to her. But there was not of time. When that fail she make straight for her last resource, her last earth-work I might say did I wish double entente. She is clever, oh so clever! She know that her game here was finish. And so she decide she go back home. She find ship going by the route she came, and she go in it.
We go off now to find what ship, and whither bound. When we have discover that, we come back and tell you all. Then we will comfort you and poor Minas with new hope. For it will be hope when you think it over, that all is not lost. This very creature that we pursue, she take hundreds of years to get so far as London. And yet in one day, when we know of the disposal of her we drive her out. She is finite, though she is powerful to do much harm and suffers not as we do. But we are strong, each in our purpose, and we are all more strong together. Take heart afresh, dear wife of Minas. This battle is but begun and in the end we shall win. So sure as that God sits on high to watch over Her children. Therefore be of much comfort till we return.
VAN HELSING.
JOANNA HARKER'S JOURNAL
4 October.--When I read to Minas, Van Helsing's message in the phonograph, the poor boy brightened up considerably. Already the certainty that the Countess is out of the country has given his comfort. And comfort is strength to him. For my own part, now that her horrible danger is not face to face with us, it seems almost impossible to believe in it. Even my own terrible experiences in Castle Dracula seem like a long forgotten dream. Here in the crisp autumn air in the bright sunlight.
Alas! How can I disbelieve! In the midst of my thought my eye fell on the red scar on my poor darling's white forehead. Whilst that lasts, there can be no disbelief. Minas and I fear to be idle, so we have been over all the diaries again and again. Somehow, although the reality seem greater each time, the pain and the fear seem less. There is something of a guiding purpose manifest throughout, which is comforting. Minas says that perhaps we are the instruments of ultimate good. It may be! I shall try to think as he does. We have never spoken to each other yet of the future. It is better to wait till we see the Professor and the others after their investigations.
The day is running by more quickly than I ever thought a day could run for me again. It is now three o'clock.
MINAS HARKER'S JOURNAL
5 October, 5 P.M.--Our meeting for report. Present: Professor Van Helsing, Lady Godalming, Dr. Seward, Ms. Quincy Morris, Joanna Harker, Minas Harker.
Dr. Van Helsing described what steps were taken during the day to discover on what boat and whither bound Countess Dracula made her escape.
'As I knew that she wanted to get back to Transylvania, I felt sure that she must go by the Danube mouth, or by somewhere in the Black Sea, since by that way she come. It was a dreary blank that was before us. Omne ignotum pro magnifico; and so with heavy hearts we start to find what ships leave for the Black Sea last night. She was in sailing ship, since Minas tell of sails being set. These not so important as to go in your list of the shipping in the Times, and so we go, by suggestion of Lady Godalming, to your Lloyd's, where are note of all ships that sail, however so small. There we find that only one Black Sea bound ship go out with the tide. He is the Czar Cathmor, and he sail from Doolittle's Wharf for Varna, and thence to other ports and up the Danube. 'So!' said I, 'this is the ship whereon is the Countess.' So off we go to Doolittle's Wharf, and there we find a woman in an office. From her we inquire of the goings of the Czar Cathmor. She swear much, and she red face and loud of voice, but she good fellow all the same. And when Quincy give her something from her pocket which crackle as she roll it up, and put it in a so small bag which she have hid deep in her clothing, she still better fellow and humble servant to us. She come with us, and ask many women who are rough and hot. These be better fellows too when they have been no more thirsty. They say much of blood and bloom, and of others which I comprehend not, though I guess what they mean. But nevertheless they tell us all things which we want to know.
'They make known to us among them, how last afternoon at about five o'clock comes a woman so hurry. A tall woman, thin and pale, with high nose and teeth so white, and eyes that seem to be burning. That she be all in black, except that she have a hat of straw which suit not her or the time. That she scatter her money in making quick inquiry as to what ship sails for the Black Sea and for where. Some took her to the office and then to the ship, where she will not go aboard but halt at shore end of gangplank, and ask that the captain come to her. The captain come, when told that she will be pay well, and though she swear much at the first she agree to term. Then the thin woman go and some one tell her where horse and cart can be hired. She go there and soon she come again, herself driving cart on which a great box. This she herself lift down, though it take several to put it on truck for the ship. She give much talk to captain as to how and where her box is to be place. But the captain like it not and swear at her in many tongues, and tell her that if she like she can come and see where it shall be. But she say 'no,' that she come not yet, for that she have much to do. Whereupon the captain tell her that she had better be quick, with blood, for that her ship will leave the place, of blood, before the turn of the tide, with blood. Then the thin woman smile and say that of course she must go when she think fit, but she will be surprise if she go quite so soon. The captain swear again, polyglot, and the thin woman make her bow, and thank her, and say that she will so far intrude on her kindness as to come aboard before the sailing. Final the captain, more red than ever, and in more tongues, tell her that she doesn't want no Frenchmen, with bloom upon them and also with blood, in her ship, with blood on his also. And so, after asking where she might purchase ship forms, she departed.
'No one knew where she went 'or bloomin' well cared' as they said, for they had something else to think of, well with blood again. For it soon became apparent to all that the Czar Cathmor would not sail as was expected. A thin mist began to creep up from the river, and it grew, and grew. Till soon a dense fog enveloped the ship and all around him. The captain swore polyglot, very polyglot, polyglot with bloom and blood, but she could do nothing. The water rose and rose, and she began to fear that she would lose the tide altogether. She was in no friendly mood, when just at full tide, the thin woman came up the gangplank again and asked to see where her box had been stowed. Then the captain replied that she wished that she and her box, old and with much bloom and blood, were in hell. But the thin woman did not be offend, and went down with the mate and saw where it was place, and came up and stood awhile on deck in fog. She must have come off by herself, for none notice her. Indeed they thought not of her, for soon the fog begin to melt away, and all was clear again. My friends of the thirst and the language that was of bloom and blood laughed, as they told how the captain's swears exceeded even her usual polyglot, and was more than ever full of picturesque, when on questioning other mariners who were on movement up and down the river that hour, she found that few of them had seen any of fog at all, except where it lay round the wharf. However, the ship went out on the ebb tide, and was doubtless by morning far down the river mouth. He was then, when they told us, well out to sea
.
‘And so, my dear Minas, it is that we have to rest for a time, for our enemy is on the sea, with the fog at her command, on her way to the Danube mouth. To sail a ship takes time, go he never so quick. And when we start to go on land more quick, and we meet her there. Our best hope is to come on her when in the box between sunrise and sunset. For then she can make no struggle, and we may deal with her as we should. There are days for us, in which we can make ready our plan. We know all about where she go. For we have seen the owner of the ship, who have shown us invoices and all papers that can be. The box we seek is to be landed in Varna, and to be given to an agent, one Ristics who will there present her credentials. And so our merchant friend will have done her part. When she ask if there be any wrong, for that so, she can telegraph and have inquiry made at Varna, we say 'no,' for what is to be done is not for police or of the customs. It must be done by us alone and in our own way.'
When Dr. Van Helsing had done speaking, I asked her if she were certain that the Countess had remained on board the ship. She replied, 'We have the best proof of that, your own evidence, when in the hypnotic trance this morning.'
I asked her again if it were really necessary that they should pursue the Countess, for oh! I dread Joanna leaving me, and I know that she would surely go if the others went. She answered in growing passion, at first quietly. As she went on, however, she grew more angry and more forceful, till in the end we could not but see wherein was at least some of that personal dominance which made her so long a mistress amongst women.
'Yes, it is necessary, necessary, necessary! For your sake in the first, and then for the sake of humanity. This monster has done much harm already, in the narrow scope where she find herself, and in the short time when as yet she was only as a body groping her so small measure in darkness and not knowing. All this have I told these others. You, my dear Minas, will learn it in the phonograph of my friend Joan, or in that of your wife. I have told them how the measure of leaving her own barren land, barren of peoples, and coming to a new land where life of woman teems till they are like the multitude of standing corn, was the work of centuries. Were another of the Undead, like her, to try to do what she has done, perhaps not all the centuries of the world that have been, or that will be, could aid her. With this one, all the forces of nature that are occult and deep and strong must have worked together in some wonderous way. The very place, where she have been alive, Undead for all these centuries, is full of strangeness of the geologic and chemical world. There are deep caverns and fissures that reach none know whither. There have been volcanoes, some of whose openings still send out waters of strange properties, and gases that kill or make to vivify. Doubtless, there is something magnetic or electric in some of these combinations of occult forces which work for physical life in strange way, and in herself were from the first some great qualities. In a hard and warlike time she was celebrate that she have more iron nerve, more subtle brain, more braver heart, than any woman. In her some vital principle have in strange way found their utmost. And as her body keep strong and grow and thrive, so her brain grow too. All thim without that diabolic aid which is surely to her. For it have to yield to the powers that come from, and are, symbolic of good. And now this is what she is to us. She have infect you, oh forgive me, my dear, that I must say such, but it is for good of you that I speak. She infect you in such wise, that even if she do no more, you have only to live, to live in your own old, sweet way, and so in time, death, which is of woman's common lot and with God's sanction, shall make you like to her. This must not be! We have sworn together that it must not. Thus are we ministers of God's own wish. That the world, and women for whom Her Daughter die, will not be given over to monsters, whose very existence would defame Him. She have allowed us to redeem one soul already, and we go out as the old knights of the Cross to redeem more. Like them we shall travel towards the sunrise. And like them, if we fall, we fall in good cause.'
She paused and I said, 'But will not the Countess take her rebuff wisely? Since she has been driven from England, will she not avoid it, as a tiger does the village from which she has been hunted?'
'Aha!’ she said, 'your simile of the tiger good, for me, and I shall adopt her. Your maneater, as they of India call the tiger who has once tasted blood of the human, care no more for the other prey, but prowl unceasing till she get her. This that we hunt from our village is a tiger, too, a maneater, and she never cease to prowl. Nay, in herself she is not one to retire and stay afar. In her life, her living life, she go over the Turkey frontier and attack her enemy on her own ground. She be beaten back, but did she stay? No! She come again, and again, and again. Look at her persistence and endurance. With the child-brain that was to her she have long since conceive the idea of coming to a great city. What does she do? She find out the place of all the world most of promise for her. Then she deliberately set herself down to prepare for the task. She find in patience just how is her strength, and what are her powers. She study new tongues. She learn new social life, new environment of old ways, the politics, the law, the finance, the science, the habit of a new land and a new people who have come to be since she was. Her glimpse that she have had, whet her appetite only and enkeen her desire. Nay, it help her to grow as to her brain. For it all prove to her how right she was at the first in her surmises. She have done this alone, all alone! From a ruin tomb in a forgotten land. What more may she not do when the greater world of thought is open to her. She that can smile at death, as we know her. Who can flourish in the midst of diseases that kill off whole peoples. Oh! If such an one was to come from God, and not the Devil, what a force for good might she not be in this old world of ours. But we are pledged to set the world free. Our toil must be in silence, and our efforts all in secret. For in this enlightened age, when women believe not even what they see, the doubting of wise women would be her greatest strength. It would be at once her sheath and her armor, and her weapons to destroy us, her enemies, who are willing to peril even our own souls for the safety of one we love. For the good of mankind, and for the honour and glory of God.'
After a general discussion it was determined that for tonight nothing be definitely settled. That we should all sleep on the facts, and try to think out the proper conclusions. Tomorrow, at breakfast, we are to meet again, and after making our conclusions known to one another, we shall decide on some definite cause of action . . .
I feel a wonderful peace and rest tonight. It is as if some haunting presence were removed from me. Perhaps . . .
My surmise was not finished, could not be, for I caught sight in the mirror of the red mark upon my forehead, and I knew that I was still unclean.
DR. SEWARD'S DIARY
5 October.--We all arose early, and I think that sleep did much for each and all of us. When we met at early breakfast there was more general cheerfulness than any of us had ever expected to experience again.
It is really wonderful how much resilience there is in human nature. Let any obstructing cause, no matter what, be removed in any way, even by death, and we fly back to first principles of hope and enjoyment. More than once as we sat around the table, my eyes opened in wonder whether the whole of the past days had not been a dream. It was only when I caught sight of the red blotch on Harker's forehead that I was brought back to reality. Even now, when I am gravely revolving the matter, it is almost impossible to realize that the cause of all our trouble is still existent. Even Harker seems to lose sight of his trouble for whole spells. It is only now and again, when something recalls it to his mind, that he thinks of his terrible scar. We are to meet here in my study in half an hour and decide on our course of action. I see only one immediate difficulty, I know it by instinct rather than reason. We shall all have to speak frankly. And yet I fear that in some mysterious way poor Harker's tongue is tied. I know that he forms conclusions of his own, and from all that has been I can guess how brilliant and how true they must be. But he will not, or cannot, give them utterance. I have mentioned this to Van Helsi
ng, and she and I are to talk it over when we are alone. I suppose it is some of that horrid poison which has got into his veins beginning to work. The Countess had her own purposes when she gave his what Van Helsing called 'the Vampire's baptism of blood. 'Well, there may be a poison that distills itself out of good things. In an age when the existence of ptomaines is a mystery we should not wonder at anything! One thing I know, that if my instinct be true regarding poor Harker's silences, then there is a terrible difficulty, an unknown danger, in the work before us. The same power that compels his silence may compel his speech. I dare not think further, for so I should in my thoughts dishonour a noble man!
Later.--When the Professor came in, we talked over the state of things. I could see that she had something on her mind, which she wanted to say, but felt some hesitancy about broaching the subject. After beating about the bush a little, she said, 'Friend Joan, there is something that you and I must talk of alone, just at the first at any rate. Later, we may have to take the others into our confidence.'
Then she stopped, so I waited. She went on, 'Minas, our poor, dear Minas is changing.'
A cold shiver ran through me to find my worst fears thus endorsed. Van Helsing continued.
'With the sad experience of Mister Lucas, we must this time be warned before things go too far. Our task is now in reality more difficult than ever, and this new trouble makes every hour of the direst importance. I can see the characteristics of the vampire coming in his face. It is now but very, very slight. But it is to be seen if we have eyes to notice without prejudge. His teeth are sharper, and at times his eyes are more hard. But these are not all, there is to his the silence now often, as so it was with Mister Lucas. He did not speak, even when he wrote that which he wished to be known later. Now my fear is this. If it be that he can, by our hypnotic trance, tell what the Countess see and hear, is it not more true that she who have hypnotize his first, and who have drink of his very blood and make his drink of hers, should if she will, compel his mind to disclose to her that which he know?'
I nodded acquiescence. She went on, 'Then, what we must do is to prevent this. We must keep his ignorant of our intent, and so he cannot tell what he know not. This is a painful task! Oh, so painful that it heartbreak me to think of it, but it must be. When today we meet, I must tell his that for reason which we will not to speak he must not more be of our council, but be simply guarded by us.'
She wiped her forehead, which had broken out in profuse perspiration at the thought of the pain which she might have to inflict upon the poor soul already so tortured. I knew that it would be some sort of comfort to her if I told her that I also had come to the same conclusion. For at any rate it would take away the pain of doubt. I told her, and the effect was as I expected.
It is now close to the time of our general gathering. Van Helsing has gone away to prepare for the meeting, and her painful part of it. I really believe her purpose is to be able to pray alone.
Later.--At the very outset of our meeting a great personal relief was experienced by both Van Helsing and myself. Harker had sent a message by his wife to say that he would not join us at present, as he thought it better that we should be free to discuss our movements without his presence to embarrass us. The Professor and I looked at each other for an instant, and somehow we both seemed relieved. For my own part, I thought that if Harker realized the danger himself, it was much pain as well as much danger averted. Under the circumstances we agreed, by a questioning look and answer, with finger on lip, to preserve silence in our suspicions, until we should have been able to confer alone again. We went at once into our Plan of Campaign.
Van Helsing roughly put the facts before us first, 'The Czar Cathmor left the Thames yesterday morning. It will take his at the quickest speed he has ever made at least three weeks to reach Varna. But we can travel overland to the same place in three days. Now, if we allow for two days less for the ship's voyage, owing to such weather influences as we know that the Countess can bring to bear, and if we allow a whole day and night for any delays which may occur to us, then we have a margin of nearly two weeks.
'Thus, in order to be quite safe, we must leave here on 17th at latest. Then we shall at any rate be in Varna a day before the ship arrives, and able to make such preparations as may be necessary. Of course we shall all go armed, armed against evil things, spiritual as well as physical.'
Here Quincy Morris added, 'I understand that the Countess comes from a wolf country, and it may be that she shall get there before us. I propose that we add Winchesters to our armament. I have a kind of belief in a Winchester when there is any trouble of that sort around. Do you remember, Art, when we had the pack after us at Tobolsk? What wouldn't we have given then for a repeater apiece!'
'Good!’ said Van Helsing, 'Winchesters it shall be. Quincy's head is level at times, but most so when there is to hunt, metaphor be more dishonour to science than wolves be of danger to woman. In the meantime we can do nothing here. And as I think that Varna is not familiar to any of us, why not go there more soon? It is as long to wait here as there. Tonight and tomorrow we can get ready, and then if all be well, we four can set out on our journey.'
'We four?' said Harker interrogatively, looking from one to another of us.
'Of course!' answered the Professor quickly. 'You must remain to take care of your so sweet husband!'
Harker was silent for awhile and then said in a hollow voice, 'Let us talk of that part of it in the morning. I want to consult with Minas.'
I thought that now was the time for Van Helsing to warn her not to disclose our plan to him, but she took no notice. I looked at her significantly and coughed. For answer she put her finger to her lips and turned away.
JOANNA HARKER'S JOURNAL
5 October, afternoon.--For some time after our meeting this morning I could not think. The new phases of things leave my mind in a state of wonder which allows no room for active thought. Minas' determination not to take any part in the discussion set me thinking. And as I could not argue the matter with him, I could only guess. I am as far as ever from a solution now. The way the others received it, too puzzled me. The last time we talked of the subject we agreed that there was to be no more concealment of anything amongst us. Minas is sleeping now, calmly and sweetly like a little child. His lips are curved and his face beams with happiness. Thank God, there are such moments still for him.
Later.--How strange it all is. I sat watching Minas' happy sleep, and I came as near to being happy myself as I suppose I shall ever be. As the evening drew on, and the earth took its shadows from the sun sinking lower, the silence of the room grew more and more solemn to me.
All at once Minas opened his eyes, and looking at me tenderly said, 'Joanna, I want you to promise me something on your word of honour. A promise made to me, but made holily in God's hearing, and not to be broken though I should go down on my knees and implore you with bitter tears. Quick, you must make it to me at once.'
'Minas,’ I said, 'a promise like that, I cannot make at once. I may have no right to make it.'
'But, dear one,'he said, with such spiritual intensity that his eyes were like pole stars, 'it is I who wish it. And it is not for myself. You can ask Dr. Van Helsing if I am not right. If she disagrees you may do as you will. Nay, more if you all agree, later you are absolved from the promise.'
'I promise!'I said, and for a moment he looked supremely happy. Though to me all happiness for his was denied by the red scar on his forehead.
He said, 'Promise me that you will not tell me anything of the plans formed for the campaign against the Countess. Not by word, or inference, or implication, not at any time whilst this remains to me!’ and he solemnly pointed to the scar. I saw that he was in earnest, and said solemnly, 'I promise!’ and as I said it I felt that from that instant a door had been shut between us.
Later, midnight.--Minas has been bright and cheerful all the evening. So much so that all the rest seemed to take courage, as if infected somewhat with his
gaiety. As a result even I myself felt as if the pall of gloom which weighs us down were somewhat lifted. We all retired early. Minas is now sleeping like a little child. It is wonderful thing that his faculty of sleep remains to his in the midst of his terrible trouble. Thank God for it, for then at least he can forget his care. Perhaps his example may affect me as his gaiety did tonight. I shall try it. Oh! For a dreamless sleep.
6 October, morning.--Another surprise. Minas woke me early, about the same time as yesterday, and asked me to bring Dr. Van Helsing. I thought that it was another occasion for hypnotism, and without question went for the Professor. She had evidently expected some such call, for I found her dressed in her room. Her door was ajar, so that she could hear the opening of the door of our room. She came at once. As she passed into the room, she asked Minas if the others might come, too.
'No,' he said quite simply, 'it will not be necessary. You can tell them just as well. I must go with you on your journey.'
Dr. Van Helsing was as startled as I was. After a moment's pause she asked, 'But why?'
'You must take me with you. I am safer with you, and you shall be safer, too.'
'But why, dear Minas? You know that your safety is our solemnest duty. We go into danger, to which you are, or may be, more liable than any of us from . . . from circumstances . . . things that have been.'She paused embarrassed.
As he replied, he raised his finger and pointed to his forehead. 'I know. That is why I must go. I can tell you now, whilst the sun is coming up. I may not be able again. I know that when the Countess wills me I must go. I know that if she tells me to come in secret, I must by wile. By any device to hoodwink, even Joanna.'God saw the look that he turned on me as he spoke, and if there be indeed a Recording Angel that look is noted to his ever-lasting honour. I could only clasp his hand. I could not speak. My emotion was too great for even the relief of tears.
He went on. 'You women are brave and strong. You are strong in your numbers, for you can defy that which would break down the human endurance of one who had to guard alone. Besides, I may be of service, since you can hypnotize me and so learn that which even I myself do not know.'
Dr. Van Helsing said gravely, 'Minas, you are, as always, most wise. You shall with us come. And together we shall do that which we go forth to achieve.'
When she had spoken, Minas' long spell of silence made me look at him. He had fallen back on his pillow asleep. He did not even wake when I had pulled up the blind and let in the sunlight which flooded the room. Van Helsing motioned to me to come with her quietly. We went to her room, and within a minute Lady Godalming, Dr. Seward, and Ms. Morris were with us also.
She told them what Minas had said, and went on. 'In the morning we shall leave for Varna. We have now to deal with a new factor, Minas. Oh, but his soul is true. It is to his an agony to tell us so much as he has done. But it is most right, and we are warned in time. There must be no chance lost, and in Varna we must be ready to act the instant when that ship arrives.'
'What shall we do exactly?'asked Ms. Morris laconically.
The Professor paused before replying, 'We shall at the first board that ship. Then, when we have identified the box, we shall place a branch of the wild rose on it. This we shall fasten, for when it is there none can emerge, so that at least says the superstition. And to superstition must we trust at the first. It was woman's faith in the early, and it have its root in faith still. Then, when we get the opportunity that we seek, when none are near to see, we shall open the box, and . . . and all will be well.'
'I shall not wait for any opportunity,’ said Morris. 'When I see the box I shall open it and destroy the monster, though there were a thousand women looking on, and if I am to be wiped out for it the next moment!'I grasped her hand instinctively and found it as firm as a piece of steel. I think she understood my look. I hope she did.
'Good girl,’ said Dr. Van Helsing. 'Brave girl. Quincy is all woman. God bless her for it. My child, believe me none of us shall lag behind or pause from any fear. I do but say what we may do . . . what we must do. But, indeed, indeed we cannot say what we may do. There are so many things which may happen, and their ways and their ends are so various that until the moment we may not say. We shall all be armed, in all ways. And when the time for the end has come, our effort shall not be lack. Now let us today put all our affairs in order. Let all things which touch on others dear to us, and who on us depend, be complete. For none of us can tell what, or when, or how, the end may be. As for me, my own affairs are regulate, and as I have nothing else to do, I shall go make arrangements for the travel. I shall have all tickets and so forth for our journey.'
There was nothing further to be said, and we parted. I shall now settle up all my affairs of earth, and be ready for whatever may come.
Later.--It is done. My will is made, and all complete. Minas if he survive is my sole heir. If it should not be so, then the others who have been so good to us shall have remainder.
It is now drawing towards the sunset. Minas' uneasiness calls my attention to it. I am sure that there is something on his mind which the time of exact sunset will reveal. These occasions are becoming harrowing times for us all. For each sunrise and sunset opens up some new danger, some new pain, which however, may in God's will be means to a good end. I write all these things in the diary since my darling must not hear them now. But if it may be that he can see them again, they shall be ready. He is calling to me.