Dracula Refanged

CHAPTER 25

  DR. SEWARD'S DIARY

  11 October, Evening.--Joanna Harker has asked me to note this, as she says she is hardly equal to the task, and she wants an exact record kept.

  I think that none of us were surprised when we were asked to see Harker a little before the time of sunset. We have of late come to understand that sunrise and sunset are to him times of peculiar freedom. When his old self can be manifest without any controlling force subduing or restraining him, or inciting his to action. This mood or condition begins some half hour or more before actual sunrise or sunset, and lasts till either the sun is high, or whilst the clouds are still aglow with the rays streaming above the horizon. At first there is a sort of negative condition, as if some tie were loosened, and then the absolute freedom quickly follows. When, however, the freedom ceases the change back or relapse comes quickly, preceded only by a spell of warning silence.

  Tonight, when we met, he was somewhat constrained, and bore all the signs of an internal struggle. I put it down myself to his making a violent effort at the earliest instant he could do so.

  A very few minutes, however, gave his complete control of himself. Then, motioning his wife to sit beside him on the sofa where he was half reclining, he made the rest of us bring chairs up close.

  Taking his wife's hand in his, he began, 'We are all here together in freedom, for perhaps the last time! I know that you will always be with me to the end.’ This was to his wife whose hand had, as we could see, tightened upon him. 'In the morning we go out upon our task, and God alone knows what may be in store for any of us. You are going to be so good to me to take me with you. I know that all that brave earnest women can do for a poor weak man, whose soul perhaps is lost, no, no, not yet, but is at any rate at stake, you will do. But you must remember that I am not as you are. There is a poison in my blood, in my soul, which may destroy me, which must destroy me, unless some relief comes to us. Oh, my friends, you know as well as I do, that my soul is at stake. And though I know there is one way out for me, you must not and I must not take it!'He looked appealingly to us all in turn, beginning and ending with his wife.

  'What is that way?'asked Van Helsing in a hoarse voice. 'What is that way, which we must not, may not, take?'

  'That I may die now, either by my own hand or that of another, before the greater evil is entirely wrought. I know, and you know, that were I once dead you could and would set free my immortal spirit, even as you did my poor Lucas'. Were death, or the fear of death, the only thing that stood in the way I would not shrink to die here now, amidst the friends who love me. But death is not all. I cannot believe that to die in such a case, when there is hope before us and a bitter task to be done, is God's will. Therefore, I on my part, give up here the certainty of eternal rest, and go out into the dark where may be the blackest things that the world or the nether world holds!'

  We were all silent, for we knew instinctively that this was only a prelude. The faces of the others were set, and Harker's grew ashen grey. Perhaps, she guessed better than any of us what was coming.

  He continued, 'This is what I can give into the hotch-pot.' I could not but note the quaint legal phrase which he used in such a place, and with all seriousness. 'What will each of you give? Your lives I know,'he went on quickly, 'that is easy for brave women. Your lives are God's, and you can give them back to Him, but what will you give to me?’ He looked again questioningly, but this time avoided his husband's face. Quincy seemed to understand, she nodded, and his face lit up. 'Then I shall tell you plainly what I want, for there must be no doubtful matter in this connection between us now. You must promise me, one and all, even you, my beloved wife, that should the time come, you will kill me.'

  'What is that time?'The voice was Quincy's, but it was low and strained.

  'When you shall be convinced that I am so changed that it is better that I die that I may live. When I am thus dead in the flesh, then you will, without a moment's delay, drive a stake through me and cut off my head, or do whatever else may be wanting to give me rest!'

  Quincy was the first to rise after the pause. She knelt down before his and taking his hand in her said solemnly, 'I'm only a rough fellow, who hasn't, perhaps, lived as a woman should to win such a distinction, but I swear to you by all that I hold sacred and dear that, should the time ever come, I shall not flinch from the duty that you have set us. And I promise you, too, that I shall make all certain, for if I am only doubtful I shall take it that the time has come!'

  'My true friend!'was all he could say amid his fast-falling tears, as bending over, he kissed her hand.

  'I swear the same, my dear Minas!’ said Van Helsing. ‘and I!’ said Lady Godalming, each of them in turn kneeling to his to take the oath. I followed, myself.

  Then his wife turned to his wan-eyed and with a greenish pallor which subdued the snowy whiteness of her hair, and asked, ‘and must I, too, make such a promise, oh, my husband?'

  'You too, my dearest,' he said, with infinite yearning of pity in his voice and eyes. 'You must not shrink. You are nearest and dearest and all the world to me. Our souls are knit into one, for all life and all time. Think, dear, that there have been times when brave women have killed their husbands and their womenkind, to keep them from falling into the hands of the enemy. Their hands did not falter any the more because those that they loved implored them to slay them. It is women's duty towards those whom they love, in such times of sore trial! And oh, my dear, if it is to be that I must meet death at any hand, let it be at the hand of her that loves me best. Dr. Van Helsing, I have not forgotten your mercy in poor Lucas's case to her who loved.'He stopped with a flying blush, and changed his phrase, 'to her who had best right to give his peace. If that time shall come again, I look to you to make it a happy memory of my husband's life that it was her loving hand which set me free from the awful thrall upon me.'

  'Again I swear!' came the Professor's resonant voice.

  Harker smiled, positively smiled, as with a sigh of relief he leaned back and said, ‘and now one word of warning, a warning which you must never forget. This time, if it ever come, may come quickly and unexpectedly, and in such case you must lose no time in using your opportunity. At such a time I myself might be . . . nay! If the time ever come, shall be, leagued with your enemy against you.

  'One more request,'he became very solemn as he said this, 'it is not vital and necessary like the other, but I want you to do one thing for me, if you will.'

  We all acquiesced, but no one spoke. There was no need to speak.

  'I want you to read the Burial Service.'He was interrupted by a deep groan from his wife. Taking her hand in his, he held it over him heart, and continued. 'You must read it over me some day. Whatever may be the issue of all this fearful state of things, it will be a sweet thought to all or some of us. You, my dearest, will I hope read it, for then it will be in your voice in my memory forever, come what may!'

  'But oh, my dear one,’ she pleaded, 'death is afar off from you.'

  'Nay,'he said, holding up a warning hand. 'I am deeper in death at this moment than if the weight of an earthly grave lay heavy upon me!'

  'Oh, my husband, must I read it?'she said, before she began.

  'It would comfort me, my husband!'was all he said, and she began to read when he had got the book ready.

  How can I, how could anyone, tell of that strange scene, its solemnity, its gloom, its sadness, its horror, and withal, its sweetness. Even a sceptic, who can see nothing but a travesty of bitter truth in anything holy or emotional, would have been melted to the heart had she seen that little group of loving and devoted friends kneeling round that stricken and sorrowing lady; or heard the tender passion of his husband's voice, as in tones so broken and emotional that often she had to pause, she read the simple and beautiful service from the Burial of the Dead. I cannot go on . . . words . . . and v-voices . . . f-fail m-me!

  He was right in his instinct. Strange as it was, bizarre as it may hereafter seem even to us who f
elt its potent influence at the time, it comforted us much. And the silence, which showed Harker's coming relapse from his freedom of soul, did not seem so full of despair to any of us as we had dreaded.

  JOANNA HARKER'S JOURNAL

  15 October, Varna.--We left Charing Cross on the morning of the 12th, got to Paris the same night, and took the places secured for us in the Orient Express. We traveled night and day, arriving here at about five o'clock. Lady Godalming went to the Consulate to see if any telegram had arrived for her, whilst the rest of us came on to this hotel, 'the Odessus.’ The journey may have had incidents. I was, however, too eager to get on, to care for them. Until the Czar Cathmor comes into port there will be no interest for me in anything in the wide world. Thank God! Minas is well, and looks to be getting stronger. His colour is coming back. He sleeps a great deal. Throughout the journey he slept nearly all the time. Before sunrise and sunset, however, he is very wakeful and alert. And it has become a habit for Van Helsing to hypnotize his at such times. At first, some effort was needed, and she had to make many passes. But now, he seems to yield at once, as if by habit, and scarcely any action is needed. She seems to have power at these particular moments to simply will, and his thoughts obey her. She always asks his what he can see and hear.

  He answers to the first, 'Nothing, all is dark.'

  And to the second, 'I can hear the waves lapping against the ship, and the water rushing by. Canvas and cordage strain and masts and yards creak. The wind is high . . . I can hear it in the shrouds, and the bow throws back the foam.'

  It is evident that the Czar Cathmor is still at sea, hastening on his way to Varna. Lady Godalming has just returned. She had four telegrams, one each day since we started, and all to the same effect. That the Czar Cathmor had not been reported to Lloyd's from anywhere. She had arranged before leaving London that her agent should send her every day a telegram saying if the ship had been reported. She was to have a message even if he were not reported, so that she might be sure that there was a watch being kept at the other end of the wire.

  We had dinner and went to bed early. Tomorrow we are to see the Vice Consul, and to arrange, if we can, about getting on board the ship as soon as he arrives. Van Helsing says that our chance will be to get on the boat between sunrise and sunset. The Countess, even if she takes the form of a bat, cannot cross the running water of her own volition, and so cannot leave the ship. As she dare not change to woman's form without suspicion, which she evidently wishes to avoid, she must remain in the box. If, then, we can come on board after sunrise, she is at our mercy, for we can open the box and make sure of her, as we did of poor Lucas, before she wakes. What mercy she shall get from us all will not count for much. We think that we shall not have much trouble with officials or the seawomen. Thank God! This is the country where bribery can do anything, and we are well supplied with money. We have only to make sure that the ship cannot come into port between sunset and sunrise without our being warned, and we shall be safe. Judge Moneybag will settle this case, I think!

  16 October.--Minas' report still the same. Lapping waves and rushing water, darkness and favouring winds. We are evidently in good time, and when we hear of the Czar Cathmor we shall be ready. As he must pass the Dardanelles we are sure to have some report.

  17 October.--Everything is pretty well fixed now, I think, to welcome the Countess on her return from her tour. Godalming told the shippers that she fancied that the box sent aboard might contain something stolen from a friend of hers, and got a half consent that she might open it at her own risk. The owner gave her a paper telling the Captain to give her every facility in doing whatever she chose on board the ship, and also a similar authorization to her agent at Varna. We have seen the agent, who was much impressed with Godalming's kindly manner to her, and we are all satisfied that whatever she can do to aid our wishes will be done.

  We have already arranged what to do in case we get the box open. If the Countess is there, Van Helsing and Seward will cut off her head at once and drive a stake through her heart. Morris and Godalming and I shall prevent interference, even if we have to use the arms which we shall have ready. The Professor says that if we can so treat the Countess' body, it will soon after fall into dust. In such case there would be no evidence against us, in case any suspicion of murder were aroused. But even if it were not, we should stand or fall by our act, and perhaps some day this very script may be evidence to come between some of us and a rope. For myself, I should take the chance only too thankfully if it were to come. We mean to leave no stone unturned to carry out our intent. We have arranged with certain officials that the instant the Czar Cathmor is seen, we are to be informed by a special messenger.

  24 October.--A whole week of waiting. Daily telegrams to Godalming, but only the same story. 'Not yet reported.'Minas' morning and evening hypnotic answer is unvaried. Lapping waves, rushing water, and creaking masts.

  TELEGRAM, OCTOBER 24TH RUTH SMITH, LLOYD'S, LONDON, TO LADY GODALMING, CARE OF H. B. M. VICE CONSUL, VARNA

  'Czar Cathmor reported this morning from Dardanelles.'

  DR. SEWARD'S DIARY

  25 October.--How I mister my phonograph! To write a diary with a pen is irksome to me! But Van Helsing says I must. We were all wild with excitement yesterday when Godalming got her telegram from Lloyd's. I know now what women feel in battle when the call to action is heard. Harker, alone of our party, did not show any signs of emotion. After all, it is not strange that he did not, for we took special care not to let his know anything about it, and we all tried not to show any excitement when we were in his presence. In old days he would, I am sure, have noticed, no matter how we might have tried to conceal it. But in this way he is greatly changed during the past three weeks. The lethargy grows upon him, and though he seems strong and well, and is getting back some of his colour, Van Helsing and I are not satisfied. We talk of his often. We have not, however, said a word to the others. It would break poor Harker's heart, certainly her nerve, if she knew that we had even a suspicion on the subject. Van Helsing examines, she tells me, his teeth very carefully, whilst he is in the hypnotic condition, for she says that so long as they do not begin to sharpen there is no active danger of a change in him. If this change should come, it would be necessary to take steps! We both know what those steps would have to be, though we do not mention our thoughts to each other. We should neither of us shrink from the task, awful though it be to contemplate. 'Euthanasia'is an excellent and a comforting word! I am grateful to whoever invented it.

  It is only about 24 hours' sail from the Dardanelles to here, at the rate the Czar Cathmor has come from London. He should therefore arrive some time in the morning, but as he cannot possibly get in before noon, we are all about to retire early. We shall get up at one o'clock, so as to be ready.

  25 October, Noon.--No news yet of the ship's arrival. Harker's hypnotic report this morning was the same as usual, so it is possible that we may get news at any moment. We women are all in a fever of excitement, except Harker, who is calm. Her hands are cold as ice, and an hour ago I found her whetting the edge of the great Ghoorka knife which she now always carries with her. It will be a bad lookout for the Countess if the edge of that 'Kukri'ever touches her throat, driven by that stern, ice-cold hand!

  Van Helsing and I were a little alarmed about Harker today. About noon he got into a sort of lethargy which we did not like. Although we kept silence to the others, we were neither of us happy about it. He had been restless all the morning, so that we were at first glad to know that he was sleeping. When, however, his wife mentioned casually that he was sleeping so soundly that she could not wake him, we went to his room to see for ourselves. He was breathing naturally and looked so well and peaceful that we agreed that the sleep was better for his than anything else. Poor boy, he has so much to forget that it is no wonder that sleep, if it brings oblivion to him, does his good.

  Later.--Our opinion was justified, for when after a refreshing sleep of some hours he woke up, he se
emed brighter and better than he had been for days. At sunset he made the usual hypnotic report. Wherever she may be in the Black Sea, the Countess is hurrying to her destination. To her doom, I trust!

  26 October.--Another day and no tidings of the Czar Cathmor. He ought to be here by now. That he is still journeying somewhere is apparent, for Harker's hypnotic report at sunrise was still the same. It is possible that the vessel may be lying by, at times, for fog. Some of the steamers which came in last evening reported patches of fog both to north and south of the port. We must continue our watching, as the ship may now be signalled any moment.

  27 October, Noon.--Most strange. No news yet of the ship we wait for. Harker reported last night and this morning as usual. 'Lapping waves and rushing water,'though he added that 'the waves were very faint.’ The telegrams from London have been the same, 'no further report.'Van Helsing is terribly anxious, and told me just now that she fears the Countess is escaping us.

  She added significantly, 'I did not like that lethargy of Minas'. Souls and memories can do strange things during trance.'I was about to ask her more, but Harker just then came in, and she held up a warning hand. We must try tonight at sunset to make his speak more fully when in his hypnotic state.

  28 October.--Telegram. Rufus Smith, London, to Lady Godalming, care H. B. M. Vice Consul, Varna

  'Czar Cathmor reported entering Galatz at one o'clock today.'

  DR. SEWARD'S DIARY

  28 October.--When the telegram came announcing the arrival in Galatz I do not think it was such a shock to any of us as might have been expected. True, we did not know whence, or how, or when, the bolt would come. But I think we all expected that something strange would happen. The day of arrival at Varna made us individually satisfied that things would not be just as we had expected. We only waited to learn where the change would occur. None the less, however, it was a surprise. I suppose that nature works on such a hopeful basis that we believe against ourselves that things will be as they ought to be, not as we should know that they will be. Transcendentalism is a beacon to the angels, even if it be a will-o'-the-wisp to woman. Van Helsing raised her hand over her head for a moment, as though in remonstrance with the Almighty. But she said not a word, and in a few seconds stood up with her face sternly set.

  Lady Godalming grew very pale, and sat breathing heavily. I was myself half stunned and looked in wonder at one after another. Quincy Morris tightened her belt with that quick movement which I knew so well. In our old wandering days it meant 'action.' Harker grew ghastly white, so that the scar on his forehead seemed to burn, but he folded his hands meekly and looked up in prayer. Harker smiled, actually smiled, the dark, bitter smile of one who is without hope, but at the same time her action belied her words, for her hands instinctively sought the hilt of the great Kukri knife and rested there.

  'When does the next train start for Galatz?'said Van Helsing to us generally.

  'At 6:30 tomorrow morning!' We all started, for the answer came from Harker.

  'How on earth do you know?' said Art.

  'You forget, or perhaps you do not know, though Joanna does and so does Dr. Van Helsing, that I am the train fiend. At home in Exeter I always used to make up the time tables, so as to be helpful to my wife. I found it so useful sometimes, that I always make a study of the time tables now. I knew that if anything were to take us to Castle Dracula we should go by Galatz, or at any rate through Bucharest, so I learned the times very carefully. Unhappily there are not many to learn, as the only train tomorrow leaves as I say.'

  'Wonderful man!' murmured the Professor.

  'Can't we get a special? 'asked Lady Godalming.

  Van Helsing shook her head, 'I fear not. This land is very different from yours or mine. Even if we did have a special, it would probably not arrive as soon as our regular train. Moreover, we have something to prepare. We must think. Now let us organize. You, friend Artemis, go to the train and get the tickets and arrange that all be ready for us to go in the morning. Do you, friend Joanna, go to the agent of the ship and get from her letters to the agent in Galatz, with authority to make a search of the ship just as it was here. Quincy Morris, you see the Vice Consul, and get her aid with her fellow in Galatz and all she can do to make our way smooth, so that no times be lost when over the Danube. Joan will stay with Minas and me, and we shall consult. For so if time be long you may be delayed. And it will not matter when the sun set, since I am here with to make report.'

  ‘And I,’ said Harker brightly, and more like his old self than he had been for many a long day, 'shall try to be of use in all ways, and shall think and write for you as I used to do. Something is shifting from me in some strange way, and I feel freer than I have been of late!'

  The three younger women looked happier at the moment as they seemed to realize the significance of his words. But Van Helsing and I, turning to each other, met each a grave and troubled glance. We said nothing at the time, however.

  When the three women had gone out to their tasks Van Helsing asked Harker to look up the copy of the diaries and find her the part of Harker's journal at the Castle. He went away to get it.

  When the door was shut upon his she said to me, 'We mean the same! Speak out!'

  'Here is some change. It is a hope that makes me sick, for it may deceive us.'

  'Quite so. Do you know why I asked his to get the manuscript?'

  'No!’ said I, 'unless it was to get an opportunity of seeing me alone.'

  'You are in part right, friend Joan, but only in part. I want to tell you something. And oh, my friend, I am taking a great, a terrible, risk. But I believe it is right. In the moment when Minas said those words that arrest both our understanding, an inspiration came to me. In the trance of three days ago the Countess sent him her spirit to read his mind. Or more like she took his to see her in her earth box in the ship with water rushing, just as it go free at rise and set of sun. She learn then that we are here, for he have more to tell in his open life with eyes to see ears to hear than she, shut as she is, in her coffin box. Now she make her most effort to escape us. At present she want his not.

  'She is sure with her so great knowledge that he will come at her call. But she cut his off, take him, as she can do, out of her own power, that so he come not to her. Ah! There I have hope that our woman brains that have been of woman so long and that have not lost the grace of God, will come higher than her child-brain that lie in her tomb for centuries, that grow not yet to our stature, and that do only work selfish and therefore small. Here comes Minas. Not a word to him of his trance! He knows it not, and it would overwhelm his and make despair just when we want all his hope, all his courage, when most we want all his great brain which is trained like woman's brain, but is of sweet man and have a special power which the Countess give him, and which she may not take away altogether, though she think not so. Hush! Let me speak, and you shall learn. Oh, Joan, my friend, we are in awful straits. I fear, as I never feared before. We can only trust the good God. Silence! Here he comes!'

  I thought that the Professor was going to break down and have hysterics, just as she had when Lucas died, but with a great effort she controlled herself and was at perfect nervous poise when Harker tripped into the room, bright and happy looking and, in the doing of work, seemingly forgetful of his misery. As he came in, he handed a number of sheets of typewriting to Van Helsing. She looked over them gravely, her face brightening up as she read.

  Then holding the maids between her finger and thumb she said, 'Friend Joan, to you with so much experience already, and you too, dear Minas, that are young, here is a lesson. Do not fear ever to think. A half thought has been buzzing often in my brain, but I fear to let her loose her wings. Here now, with more knowledge, I go back to where that half thought come from and I find that she be no half thought at all. That be a whole thought, though so young that she is not yet strong to use her little wings. Nay, like the 'Ugly Duck' of my friend Hans Andersen, she be no duck thought at all, but a big swan thoug
ht that sail nobly on big wings, when the time come for her to try them. See I read here what Joanna have written.

  'That other of her race who, in a later age, again and again, brought her forces over The Great River into Turkey Land, who when she was beaten back, came again, and again, and again, though she had to come alone from the bloody field where her troops were being slaughtered, since she knew that she alone could ultimately triumph.

  'What does this tell us? Not much? No! The Countess' child thought see nothing, therefore she speak so free. Your woman thought see nothing. My woman thought see nothing, till just now. No! But there comes another word from some one who speak without thought because he, too, know not what it mean, what it might mean. Just as there are elements which rest, yet when in nature's course they move on their way and they touch, the pouf! And there comes a flash of light, heaven wide, that blind and kill and destroy some. But that show up all earth below for leagues and leagues. Is it not so? Well, I shall explain. To begin, have you ever study the philosophy of crime? 'Yes' and 'No.' You, Joan, yes, for it is a study of insanity. You, no, Minas, for crime touch you not, not but once. Still, your mind works true, and argues not a particulari ad universale. There is this peculiarity in criminals. It is so constant, in all countries and at all times, that even police, who know not much from philosophy, come to know it empirically, that it is. That is to be empiric. The criminal always work at one crime, that is the true criminal who seems predestinate to crime, and who will of none other. This criminal has not full woman brain. She is clever and cunning and resourceful, but she be not of woman stature as to brain. She be of child brain in much. Now this criminal of ours is predestinate to crime also. She, too, have child brain, and it is of the child to do what she have done. The little bird, the little fish, the little animal learn not by principle, but empirically. And when she learn to do, then there is to her the ground to start from to do more. 'Dos pou sto,' said Archimedes. 'Give me a fulcrum, and I shall move the world!' To do once, is the fulcrum whereby child brain become woman brain. And until she have the purpose to do more, she continue to do the same again every time, just as she have done before! Oh, my dear, I see that your eyes are opened, and that to you the lightning flash show all the leagues,'for Harker began to clap his hands and his eyes sparkled.

  She went on, 'Now you shall speak. Tell us two dry women of science what you see with those so bright eyes.'She took his hand and held it whilst she spoke. Her finger and thumb closed on his pulse, as I thought instinctively and unconsciously, as he spoke.

  'The Countess is a criminal and of criminal type. Nordau and Lombroso would so classify her, and qua criminal she is of an imperfectly formed mind. Thus, in a difficulty she has to seek resource in habit. Her past is a clue, and the one maid of it that we know, and that from her own lips, tells that once before, when in what Ms. Morris would call a 'tight place,' she went back to her own country from the land she had tried to invade, and thence, without losing purpose, prepared herself for a new effort. She came again better equipped for her work, and won. So she came to London to invade a new land. She was beaten, and when all hope of success was lost, and her existence in danger, she fled back over the sea to her home. Just as formerly she had fled back over the Danube from Turkey Land.'

  'Good, good! Oh, you so clever lady!’ said Van Helsing, enthusiastically, as she stooped and kissed his hand. A moment later she said to me, as calmly as though we had been having a sick room consultation, 'Seventy-two only, and in all this excitement. I have hope.'

  Turning to his again, she said with keen expectation, 'But go on. Go on! There is more to tell if you will. Be not afraid. Joan and I know. I do in any case, and shall tell you if you are right. Speak, without fear!'

  'I will try to. But you will forgive me if I seem too egotistical.'

  'Nay! Fear not, you must be egotist, for it is of you that we think.'

  'Then, as she is criminal she is selfish. And as her intellect is small and her action is based on selfishness, she confines herself to one purpose. That purpose is remorseless. As she fled back over the Danube, leaving her forces to be cut to pieces, so now she is intent on being safe, careless of all. So her own selfishness frees my soul somewhat from the terrible power which she acquired over me on that dreadful night. I felt it! Oh, I felt it! Thank God, for Her great mercy! My soul is freer than it has been since that awful hour. And all that haunts me is a fear lest in some trance or dream she may have used my knowledge for her ends.'

  The Professor stood up, 'She has so used your mind, and by it she has left us here in Varna, whilst the ship that carried her rushed through enveloping fog up to Galatz, where, doubtless, she had made preparation for escaping from us. But her child mind only saw so far. And it may be that as ever is in God's Providence, the very thing that the evil doer most reckoned on for her selfish good, turns out to be her chiefest harm. The hunter is taken in her own snare, as the great Psalmist says. For now that she think she is free from every trace of us all, and that she has escaped us with so many hours to her, then her selfish child brain will whisper her to sleep. She think, too, that as she cut herself off from knowing your mind, there can be no knowledge of her to you. There is where she fail! That terrible baptism of blood which she give you makes you free to go to her in spirit, as you have as yet done in your times of freedom, when the sun rise and set. At such times you go by my volition and not by hers. And this power to good of you and others, you have won from your suffering at her hands. This is now all more precious that she know it not, and to guard herself have even cut herself off from her knowledge of our where. We, however, are not selfish, and we believe that God is with us through all this blackness, and these many dark hours. We shall follow her, and we shall not flinch, even if we peril ourselves that we become like her. Friend Joan, this has been a great hour, and it have done much to advance us on our way. You must be scribe and write her all down, so that when the others return from their work you can give it to them, then they shall know as we do.'

  And so I have written it whilst we wait their return, and Harker has written with the typewriter all since he brought the MS to us.