Reading Help DRACULA by Bram Stoker Ch.13-27
forgive me if I do wrong! There are terrible things yet to learn of, `
` but if you have so far traveled on the road to poor Lucy's death, you `
` will not be content, I know, to remain in the dark. Nay, the end, the `
` very end, may give you a gleam of peace. Come, there is dinner. We `
` must keep one another strong for what is before us. We have a cruel `
` and dreadful task. When you have eaten you shall learn the rest, and `
` I shall answer any questions you ask, if there be anything which you `
` do not understand, though it was apparent to us who were present." `
` `
` `
` `
` MINA HARKER'S JOURNAL `
` `
` 29 September.--After dinner I came with Dr. Seward to his study. He `
` brought back the phonograph from my room, and I took a chair, and `
` arranged the phonograph so that I could touch it without getting up, `
` and showed me how to stop it in case I should want to pause. Then he `
` very thoughtfully took a chair, with his back to me, so that I might `
` be as free as possible, and began to read. I put the forked metal to `
` my ears and listened. `
` `
` When the terrible story of Lucy's death, and all that followed, was `
` done, I lay back in my chair powerless. Fortunately I am not of a `
` fainting disposition. When Dr. Seward saw me he jumped up with a `
` horrified exclamation, and hurriedly taking a case bottle from the `
` cupboard, gave me some brandy, which in a few minutes somewhat `
` restored me. My brain was all in a whirl, and only that there came `
` through all the multitude of horrors, the holy ray of light that my `
` dear Lucy was at last at peace, I do not think I could have borne it `
` without making a scene. It is all so wild and mysterious, and strange `
` that if I had not known Jonathan's experience in Transylvania I could `
` not have believed. As it was, I didn't know what to believe, and so `
` got out of my difficulty by attending to something else. I took the `
` cover off my typewriter, and said to Dr. Seward, `
` `
` "Let me write this all out now. We must be ready for Dr. Van Helsing `
` when he comes. I have sent a telegram to Jonathan to come on here `
` when he arrives in London from Whitby. In this matter dates are `
` everything, and I think that if we get all of our material ready, and `
` have every item put in chronological order, we shall have done much. `
` `
` "You tell me that Lord Godalming and Mr. Morris are coming too. Let `
` us be able to tell them when they come." `
` `
` He accordingly set the phonograph at a slow pace, and I began to `
` typewrite from the beginning of the seventeenth cylinder. I used `
` manifold, and so took three copies of the diary, just as I had done `
` with the rest. It was late when I got through, but Dr. Seward went `
` about his work of going his round of the patients. When he had `
` finished he came back and sat near me, reading, so that I did not feel `
` too lonely whilst I worked. How good and thoughtful he is. The world `
` seems full of good men, even if there are monsters in it. `
` `
` Before I left him I remembered what Jonathan put in his diary of the `
` Professor's perturbation at reading something in an evening paper at `
` the station at Exeter, so, seeing that Dr. Seward keeps his `
` newspapers, I borrowed the files of 'The Westminster Gazette' and 'The `
` Pall Mall Gazette' and took them to my room. I remember how much the `
` 'Dailygraph' and 'The Whitby Gazette', of which I had made cuttings, `
` had helped us to understand the terrible events at Whitby when Count `
` Dracula landed, so I shall look through the evening papers since then, `
` and perhaps I shall get some new light. I am not sleepy, and the work `
` will help to keep me quiet. `
` `
` `
` `
` `
` DR. SEWARD'S DIARY `
` `
` 30 September.--Mr. Harker arrived at nine o'clock. He got his wife's `
` wire just before starting. He is uncommonly clever, if one can judge `
` from his face, and full of energy. If this journal be true, and `
` judging by one's own wonderful experiences, it must be, he is also a `
` man of great nerve. That going down to the vault a second time was a `
` remarkable piece of daring. After reading his account of it I was `
` prepared to meet a good specimen of manhood, but hardly the quiet, `
` businesslike gentleman who came here today. `
` `
` `
` LATER.--After lunch Harker and his wife went back to their own room, `
` and as I passed a while ago I heard the click of the typewriter. They `
` are hard at it. Mrs. Harker says that they are knitting together in `
` chronological order every scrap of evidence they have. Harker has got `
` the letters between the consignee of the boxes at Whitby and the `
` carriers in London who took charge of them. He is now reading his `
` wife's transcript of my diary. I wonder what they make out of it. `
` Here it is . . . `
` `
` Strange that it never struck me that the very next house might be the `
` Count's hiding place! Goodness knows that we had enough clues from `
` the conduct of the patient Renfield! The bundle of letters relating `
` to the purchase of the house were with the transcript. Oh, if we had `
` only had them earlier we might have saved poor Lucy! Stop! That way `
` madness lies! Harker has gone back, and is again collecting material. `
` He says that by dinner time they will be able to show a whole `
` connected narrative. He thinks that in the meantime I should see `
` Renfield, as hitherto he has been a sort of index to the coming and `
` going of the Count. I hardly see this yet, but when I get at the `
` dates I suppose I shall. What a good thing that Mrs. Harker put my `
` cylinders into type! We never could have found the dates otherwise. `
` `
` I found Renfield sitting placidly in his room with his hands folded, `
` smiling benignly. At the moment he seemed as sane as any one I ever `
` saw. I sat down and talked with him on a lot of subjects, all of `
` which he treated naturally. He then, of his own accord, spoke of `
` going home, a subject he has never mentioned to my knowledge during `
` his sojourn here. In fact, he spoke quite confidently of getting his `
` discharge at once. I believe that, had I not had the chat with Harker `
` and read the letters and the dates of his outbursts, I should have `
` been prepared to sign for him after a brief time of observation. As `
` it is, I am darkly suspicious. All those out-breaks were in some way `
` linked with the proximity of the Count. What then does this absolute `
` content mean? Can it be that his instinct is satisfied as to the `
` vampire's ultimate triumph? Stay. He is himself zoophagous, and in `
` his wild ravings outside the chapel door of the deserted house he `
` always spoke of 'master'. This all seems confirmation of our idea. `
` However, after a while I came away. My friend is just a little too `
` sane at present to make it safe to probe him too deep with questions. `
` He might begin to think, and then . . . So I came away. I mistrust `
` these quiet moods of of his, so I have given the attendant a hint to `
` look closely after him, and to have a strait waistcoat ready in case `
` of need. `
` `
` `
` `
` `
` `
` JOHNATHAN HARKER'S JOURNAL `
` `
` 29 September, in train to London.--When I received Mr. Billington's `
` courteous message that he would give me any information in his power I `
` thought it best to go down to Whitby and make, on the spot, such `
` inquiries as I wanted. It was now my object to trace that horrid `
` cargo of the Count's to its place in London. Later, we may be able to `
` deal with it. Billington junior, a nice lad, met me at the station, `
` and brought me to his father's house, where they had decided that I `
` must spend the night. They are hospitable, with true Yorkshire `
` hospitality, give a guest everything and leave him to do as he likes. `
` They all knew that I was busy, and that my stay was short, and Mr. `
` Billington had ready in his office all the papers concerning the `
` consignment of boxes. It gave me almost a turn to see again one of `
` the letters which I had seen on the Count's table before I knew of his `
` diabolical plans. Everything had been carefully thought out, and done `
` systematically and with precision. He seemed to have been prepared `
` for every obstacle which might be placed by accident in the way of 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 harbour `
` 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 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. `
` `
`
` but if you have so far traveled on the road to poor Lucy's death, you `
` will not be content, I know, to remain in the dark. Nay, the end, the `
` very end, may give you a gleam of peace. Come, there is dinner. We `
` must keep one another strong for what is before us. We have a cruel `
` and dreadful task. When you have eaten you shall learn the rest, and `
` I shall answer any questions you ask, if there be anything which you `
` do not understand, though it was apparent to us who were present." `
` `
` `
` `
` MINA HARKER'S JOURNAL `
` `
` 29 September.--After dinner I came with Dr. Seward to his study. He `
` brought back the phonograph from my room, and I took a chair, and `
` arranged the phonograph so that I could touch it without getting up, `
` and showed me how to stop it in case I should want to pause. Then he `
` very thoughtfully took a chair, with his back to me, so that I might `
` be as free as possible, and began to read. I put the forked metal to `
` my ears and listened. `
` `
` When the terrible story of Lucy's death, and all that followed, was `
` done, I lay back in my chair powerless. Fortunately I am not of a `
` fainting disposition. When Dr. Seward saw me he jumped up with a `
` horrified exclamation, and hurriedly taking a case bottle from the `
` cupboard, gave me some brandy, which in a few minutes somewhat `
` restored me. My brain was all in a whirl, and only that there came `
` through all the multitude of horrors, the holy ray of light that my `
` dear Lucy was at last at peace, I do not think I could have borne it `
` without making a scene. It is all so wild and mysterious, and strange `
` that if I had not known Jonathan's experience in Transylvania I could `
` not have believed. As it was, I didn't know what to believe, and so `
` got out of my difficulty by attending to something else. I took the `
` cover off my typewriter, and said to Dr. Seward, `
` `
` "Let me write this all out now. We must be ready for Dr. Van Helsing `
` when he comes. I have sent a telegram to Jonathan to come on here `
` when he arrives in London from Whitby. In this matter dates are `
` everything, and I think that if we get all of our material ready, and `
` have every item put in chronological order, we shall have done much. `
` `
` "You tell me that Lord Godalming and Mr. Morris are coming too. Let `
` us be able to tell them when they come." `
` `
` He accordingly set the phonograph at a slow pace, and I began to `
` typewrite from the beginning of the seventeenth cylinder. I used `
` manifold, and so took three copies of the diary, just as I had done `
` with the rest. It was late when I got through, but Dr. Seward went `
` about his work of going his round of the patients. When he had `
` finished he came back and sat near me, reading, so that I did not feel `
` too lonely whilst I worked. How good and thoughtful he is. The world `
` seems full of good men, even if there are monsters in it. `
` `
` Before I left him I remembered what Jonathan put in his diary of the `
` Professor's perturbation at reading something in an evening paper at `
` the station at Exeter, so, seeing that Dr. Seward keeps his `
` newspapers, I borrowed the files of 'The Westminster Gazette' and 'The `
` Pall Mall Gazette' and took them to my room. I remember how much the `
` 'Dailygraph' and 'The Whitby Gazette', of which I had made cuttings, `
` had helped us to understand the terrible events at Whitby when Count `
` Dracula landed, so I shall look through the evening papers since then, `
` and perhaps I shall get some new light. I am not sleepy, and the work `
` will help to keep me quiet. `
` `
` `
` `
` `
` DR. SEWARD'S DIARY `
` `
` 30 September.--Mr. Harker arrived at nine o'clock. He got his wife's `
` wire just before starting. He is uncommonly clever, if one can judge `
` from his face, and full of energy. If this journal be true, and `
` judging by one's own wonderful experiences, it must be, he is also a `
` man of great nerve. That going down to the vault a second time was a `
` remarkable piece of daring. After reading his account of it I was `
` prepared to meet a good specimen of manhood, but hardly the quiet, `
` businesslike gentleman who came here today. `
` `
` `
` LATER.--After lunch Harker and his wife went back to their own room, `
` and as I passed a while ago I heard the click of the typewriter. They `
` are hard at it. Mrs. Harker says that they are knitting together in `
` chronological order every scrap of evidence they have. Harker has got `
` the letters between the consignee of the boxes at Whitby and the `
` carriers in London who took charge of them. He is now reading his `
` wife's transcript of my diary. I wonder what they make out of it. `
` Here it is . . . `
` `
` Strange that it never struck me that the very next house might be the `
` Count's hiding place! Goodness knows that we had enough clues from `
` the conduct of the patient Renfield! The bundle of letters relating `
` to the purchase of the house were with the transcript. Oh, if we had `
` only had them earlier we might have saved poor Lucy! Stop! That way `
` madness lies! Harker has gone back, and is again collecting material. `
` He says that by dinner time they will be able to show a whole `
` connected narrative. He thinks that in the meantime I should see `
` Renfield, as hitherto he has been a sort of index to the coming and `
` going of the Count. I hardly see this yet, but when I get at the `
` dates I suppose I shall. What a good thing that Mrs. Harker put my `
` cylinders into type! We never could have found the dates otherwise. `
` `
` I found Renfield sitting placidly in his room with his hands folded, `
` smiling benignly. At the moment he seemed as sane as any one I ever `
` saw. I sat down and talked with him on a lot of subjects, all of `
` which he treated naturally. He then, of his own accord, spoke of `
` going home, a subject he has never mentioned to my knowledge during `
` his sojourn here. In fact, he spoke quite confidently of getting his `
` discharge at once. I believe that, had I not had the chat with Harker `
` and read the letters and the dates of his outbursts, I should have `
` been prepared to sign for him after a brief time of observation. As `
` it is, I am darkly suspicious. All those out-breaks were in some way `
` linked with the proximity of the Count. What then does this absolute `
` content mean? Can it be that his instinct is satisfied as to the `
` vampire's ultimate triumph? Stay. He is himself zoophagous, and in `
` his wild ravings outside the chapel door of the deserted house he `
` always spoke of 'master'. This all seems confirmation of our idea. `
` However, after a while I came away. My friend is just a little too `
` sane at present to make it safe to probe him too deep with questions. `
` He might begin to think, and then . . . So I came away. I mistrust `
` these quiet moods of of his, so I have given the attendant a hint to `
` look closely after him, and to have a strait waistcoat ready in case `
` of need. `
` `
` `
` `
` `
` `
` JOHNATHAN HARKER'S JOURNAL `
` `
` 29 September, in train to London.--When I received Mr. Billington's `
` courteous message that he would give me any information in his power I `
` thought it best to go down to Whitby and make, on the spot, such `
` inquiries as I wanted. It was now my object to trace that horrid `
` cargo of the Count's to its place in London. Later, we may be able to `
` deal with it. Billington junior, a nice lad, met me at the station, `
` and brought me to his father's house, where they had decided that I `
` must spend the night. They are hospitable, with true Yorkshire `
` hospitality, give a guest everything and leave him to do as he likes. `
` They all knew that I was busy, and that my stay was short, and Mr. `
` Billington had ready in his office all the papers concerning the `
` consignment of boxes. It gave me almost a turn to see again one of `
` the letters which I had seen on the Count's table before I knew of his `
` diabolical plans. Everything had been carefully thought out, and done `
` systematically and with precision. He seemed to have been prepared `
` for every obstacle which might be placed by accident in the way of 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 harbour `
` 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 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. `
` `
`