always asks her what she can see and hear.
She 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 Czarina Catherine is still at sea,
hastening on her way to Varna. Lord Godalming has just returned. He
had four telegrams, one each day since we started, and all to the
same effect. That the Czarina Catherine had not been reported to
Lloyd's from anywhere. He had arranged before leaving London that
his agent should send him every day a telegram saying if the ship
had been reported. He was to have a message even if she were not
reported, so that he 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 she arrives. Van Helsing says that our chance will
be to get on the boat between sunrise and sunset. The Count, even
if he takes the form of a bat, cannot cross the running water of
his own volition, and so cannot leave the ship. As he dare not
change to man's form without suspicion, which he evidently wishes
to avoid, he must remain in the box. If, then, we can come on board
after sunrise, he is at our mercy, for we can open the box and make
sure of him, as we did of poor Lucy, before he wakes. What mercy he
shall get from us all will not count for much. We think that we
shall not have much trouble with officials or the seamen. 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.—Mina's report still the same. Lapping waves andI think!
16 October.—Mina's report still the same. Lapping waves and
rushing water, darkness and favoring winds. We are evidently in
good time, and when we hear of the Czarina Catherine we shall be
ready. As she must pass the Dardanelles we are sure to have some
report.
17 October.—Everything is pretty well fixed now, I think, to
welcome the Count on his return from his tour. Godalming told the
shippers that he fancied that the box sent aboard might contain
something stolen from a friend of his, and got a half consent that
he might open it at his own risk. The owner gave him a paper
telling the Captain to give him every facility in doing whatever he
chose on board the ship, and also a similar authorization to his
agent at Varna. We have seen the agent, who was much impressed with
Godalming's kindly manner to him, and we are all satisfied that
whatever he 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 Count is there, Van Helsing and Seward will cut off his head
at once and drive a stake through his 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 Count's 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 Czarina
Catherine 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." Mina's
morning and evening hypnotic answer is unvaried. Lapping waves,
rushing water, and creaking masts.morning and evening hypnotic answer is unvaried. Lapping waves,
rushing water, and creaking masts.
TELEGRAM, OCTOBER 24TH RUFUS SMITH, LLOYD'S, LONDON, TO LORD
GODALMING, CARE OF
H. B. M. VICE CONSUL, VARNA
"Czarina Catherine reported this morning from Dardanelles."
DR. SEWARD'S DIARY
25 October.—How I miss 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 his telegram from
Lloyd's. I know now what men feel in battle when the call to action
is heard. Mrs.Harker, alone of our party, did not show any signs of
emotion. After all, it is not strange that she did not, for we took
special care not to let her know anything about it, and we all
tried not to show any excitement when we were in her presence. In
old days she would, I am sure, have noticed, no matter how we might
have tried to conceal it. But in this way she is greatly changed
during the past three weeks. The lethargy grows upon her, and
though she seems strong and well, and is getting back some of her
color, Van Helsing and I are not satisfied. We talk of her often.
We have not, however, said a word to the others. It would break
poor Harker's heart, certainly his nerve, if he knew that we had
even a suspicion on the subject. Van Helsing examines, he tells me,
her teeth very carefully, whilst she is in the hypnotic condition,
for he says that so long as they do not begin to sharpen there is
no active danger of a change in her. 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 Czarina Catherine has come from London. She should
therefore arrive some time in the morning, but as she cannot