his intentions being carried out. To use an Americanism, he had
`taken no chances', and the absolute accuracy with which his
instructions were fulfilled was simply the logical result of his
care. I saw the invoice, and took note of it.`Fifty cases of common
earth, to be used for experimental purposes'. Also the copy of the
letter to Carter Paterson, and their reply. Of both these I got
copies. This was all the information Mr. Billington could give me,
so I went down to the port and saw the coastguards, the Customs
Officers and the harbor master, who kindly put me in communication
with the men who had actually received the boxes. Their tally was
exact with the list, and they had nothing to add to the simple
description `fifty cases of common earth', except that the boxes
were `main and mortal heavy', and that shifting them was dry work.
One of them added that it was hard lines that there wasn't any
gentleman `such like as like yourself, squire', to show some sort
of appreciation of their efforts in a liquid form. Another put in a
rider that the thirst then generated was such that even the time
which had elapsed had not completely allayed it. Needless to add, I
took care before leaving to lift, forever and adequately, this
source of reproach.
30 September.—The station master was good enough to give me a
line to his old companion the station master at King's Cross, so
that when I arrived there in the morning I was able to ask him
about the arrival of the boxes. He, too put me at once in
communication with the proper officials, and I saw that their tally
was correct with the original invoice. The opportunities of
acquiring an abnormal thirst had been here limited. A noble use of
them had, however, been made, and again I was compelled to deal
with the result in ex post facto manner.
From thence I went to Carter Paterson's central office, where I
met with the utmost courtesy. They looked up the transaction in
their day book and letter book, and at once telephoned to theirtheir day book and letter book, and at once telephoned to their
King's Cross office for more details. By good fortune, the men who
did the teaming were waiting for work, and the official at once
sent them over, sending also by one of them the way-bill and all
the papers connected with the delivery of the boxes at Carfax. Here
again I found the tally agreeing exactly. The carriers' men were
able to supplement the paucity of the written words with a few more
details. These were, I shortly found, connected almost solely with
the dusty nature of the job, and the consequent thirst engendered
in the operators. On my affording an opportunity, through the
medium of the currency of the realm, of the allaying, at a later
period, this beneficial evil, one of the men remarked,
"That `ere `ouse, guv'nor, is the rummiest I ever was in. Blyme!
But it ain't been touched sence a hundred years. There was dust
that thick in the place that you might have slep' on it without
`urtin' of yer bones. An' the place was that neglected that yer
might `ave smelled ole Jerusalem in it. But the old chapel, that
took the cike, that did!Me and my mate, we thort we wouldn't never
git out quick enough. Lor', I wouldn't take less nor a quid a
moment to stay there arter dark."
Having been in the house, I could well believe him, but if he
knew what I know, he would, I think have raised his terms.
Of one thing I am now satisfied. That all those boxes which
arrived at Whitby from Varna in the Demeter were safely deposited
in the old chapel at Carfax. There should be fifty of them there,
unless any have since been removed, as from Dr. Seward's diary I
fear.
Later.—Mina and I have worked all day, and we have put all the
papers into order.
MINA HARKER'S JOURNAL
30 September.—I am so glad that I hardly know how to contain
myself. It is, I suppose, the reaction from the haunting fear which
I have had, that this terrible affair and the reopening of his old
wound might act detrimentally on Jonathan. I saw him leave forwound might act detrimentally on Jonathan. I saw him leave for
Whitby with as brave a face as could, but I was sick with
apprehension. The effort has, however, done him good. He was never
so resolute, never so strong, never so full of volcanic energy, as
at present. It is just as that dear, good Professor Van Helsing
said, he is true grit, and he improves under strain that would kill
a weaker nature. He came back full of life and hope and
determination. We have got everything in order for tonight. I feel
myself quite wild with excitement. I suppose one ought to pity
anything so hunted as the Count. That is just it. This thing is not
human, not even a beast. To read Dr. Seward's account of poor
Lucy's death, and what followed, is enough to dry up the springs of
pity in one's heart.
Later.—Lord Godalming and Mr. Morris arrived earlier than we
expected. Dr. Seward was out on business, and had taken Jonathan
with him, so I had to see them. It was to me a painful meeting, for
it brought back all poor dear Lucy's hopes of only a few months
ago. Of course they had heard Lucy speak of me, and it seemed that
Dr. Van Helsing, too, had been quite `blowing my trumpet', as Mr.
Morris expressed it. Poor fellows, neither of them is aware that I
know all about the proposals they made to Lucy. They did not quite
know what to say or do, as they were ignorant of the amount of my
knowledge. So they had to keep on neutral subjects. However, I
thought the matter over, and came to the conclusion that the best
thing I could do would be to post them on affairs right up to date.
I knew from Dr. Seward's diary that they had been at Lucy's death,
her real death, and that I need not fear to betray any secret
before the time. So I told them, as well as I could, that I had
read all the papers and diaries, and that my husband and I, having
typewritten them, had just finished putting them in order. I gave
them each a copy to read in the library. When Lord Godalming got
his and turned it over, it does make a pretty good pile, he said,