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 Mrs. Harker's silences, then there is a terrible difficulty,
an unknown danger, in the work before us. The same power that
compels her silence may compel her speech. I dare not think
further, for so I should in my thoughts dishonor a noble woman!
Later.—When the Professor came in, we talked over the state of
things. I could see that he had something on his mind, which he
wanted to say, but felt some hesitancy about broaching the subject.
After beating about the bush a little, he said,"Friend John, 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 he stopped, so I waited. He went on, "Madam Mina, our poor,
dear Madam Mina is changing."
A cold shiver ran through me to find my worst fears thus
endorsed. Van Helsing continued.
"With the sad experience of Miss Lucy, 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 her face. It is now but very, very slight. But it is to
be seen if we have eyes to notice without prejudge. Her teeth are
sharper, and at times her eyes are more hard. But these are not
all, there is to her the silence now often, as so it was with Miss
Lucy. She did not speak, even when she wrote that which she wished
to be known later. Now my fear is this. If it be that she can, by
our hypnotic trance, tell what the Count see and hear, is it not
more true that he who have hypnotize her first, and who have drink
of her very blood and make her drink of his, should if he will,
compel her mind to disclose to him that which she know?"compel her mind to disclose to him that which she know?"
I nodded acquiescence. He went on, "Then, what we must do is to
prevent this. We must keep her ignorant of our intent, and so she
cannot tell what she 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 her that for reason which we will not to
speak she must not more be of our council, but be simply guarded by
us."
He wiped his forehead, which had broken out in profuse
perspiration at the thought of the pain which he might have to
inflict upon the poor soul already so tortured. I knew that it
would be some sort of comfort to him if I told him that I also had
come to the same conclusion. For at any rate it would take away the
pain of doubt. I told him, 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 his painful
part of it. I really believe his 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. Mrs. Harker had
sent a message by her husband to say that she would not join us at
present, as she thought it better that we should be free to discuss
our movements without her 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 Mrs. Harker
realized the danger herself, 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 Czarina
Catherine left the Thames yesterday morning. It will take her at
the quickest speed she has ever made at least three weeks to reachthe quickest speed she 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 Count 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 Quincey Morris added,"I understand that the Count comes
from a wolf country, and it may be that he 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. Quincey's
head is level at times, but most so when there is to hunt, metaphor
be more dishonor to science than wolves be of danger to man. 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 wife!"
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 Mina."
I thought that now was the time for Van Helsing to warn him not
to disclose our plan to her, but he took no notice. I looked at him
significantly and coughed. For answer he put his finger to his lips