therefore arrive some time in the morning, but as she 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. Mrs.
Harker's hypnotic report this morning was the same as usual, so it
is possible that we may get news at any moment. We men are all in a
fever of excitement, except Harker, who is calm. His hands are cold
as ice, and an hour ago I found him whetting the edge of the great
Ghoorka knife which he now always carries with him. It will be a
bad lookout for the Count if the edge of that "Kukri" ever touches
his throat, driven by that stern, ice-cold hand!
Van Helsing and I were a little alarmed about Mrs. Harker today.
About noon she 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. She had been restless all the morning, so that we were at
first glad to know that she was sleeping. When, however, her
husband mentioned casually that she was sleeping so soundly that he
could not wake her, we went to her room to see for ourselves. She
was breathing naturally and looked so well and peaceful that we
agreed that the sleep was better for her than anything else. Poor
girl, she has so much to forget that it is no wonder that sleep, if
it brings oblivion to her, does her good.
Later.—Our opinion was justified, for when after a refreshing
sleep of some hours she woke up, she seemed brighter and better
than she had been for days. At sunset she made the usual hypnotic
report. Wherever he may be in the Black Sea, the Count is hurrying
to his destination. To his doom, I trust!
26 October.—Another day and no tidings of the Czarina Catherine.
She ought to be here by now. That she is still journeying somewhere
is apparent, for Mrs. 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 reportedfor 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. Mrs. Harker reported last night and this morning as usual.
"Lapping waves and rushing water," though she 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 he fears the Count is escaping us.
He added significantly, "I did not like that lethargy of Madam
Mina's. Souls and memories can do strange things during trance." I
was about to ask him more, but Harker just then came in, and he
held up a warning hand. We must try tonight at sunset to make her
speak more fully when in her hypnotic state.
28 October.—Telegram. Rufus Smith, London, to Lord Godalming,
care H. B. M. Vice Consul, Varna "Czarina Catherine 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 man. Van Helsing raised his hand over
his head for a moment, as though in remonstrance with the Almighty.
But he said not a word, and in a few seconds stood up with his face
sternly set.
Lord Godalming grew very pale, and sat breathing heavily. I wassternly set.
Lord Godalming grew very pale, and sat breathing heavily. I was
myself half stunned and looked in wonder at one after another.
Quincey Morris tightened his belt with that quick movement which I
knew so well. In our old wandering days it meant "action." Mrs.
Harker grew ghastly white, so that the scar on her forehead seemed
to burn, but she folded her 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 his action belied his words,
for his 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 Mrs. Harker.
"How on earth do you know?" said Art.
"You forget, or perhaps you do not know, though Jonathan 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 husband. 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 woman!" murmured the Professor.
"Can't we get a special?" asked Lord Godalming.
Van Helsing shook his 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 Arthur, go to the train and get the tickets and arrange
that all be ready for us to go in the morning. Do you, friend
Jonathan, go to the agent of the ship and get from him letters to
the agent in Galatz, with authority to make a search of the ship
just as it was here. Quincey Morris, you see the Vice Consul, and