Reading Help DRACULA by Bram Stoker Ch.13-27
the nose, the red eyes, the red lips, the awful pallor. It was only `
` for a moment, for, as Lord Godalming said, "I thought I saw a face, `
` but it was only the shadows," and resumed his inquiry, I turned my `
` lamp in the direction, and stepped into the passage. There was no `
` sign of anyone, and as there were no corners, no doors, no aperture of `
` any kind, but only the solid walls of the passage, there could be no `
` hiding place even for him. I took it that fear had helped `
` imagination, and said nothing. `
` `
` A few minutes later I saw Morris step suddenly back from a corner, `
` which he was examining. We all followed his movements with our eyes, `
` for undoubtedly some nervousness was growing on us, and we saw a whole `
` mass of phosphorescence, which twinkled like stars. We all `
` instinctively drew back. The whole place was becoming alive with `
` rats. `
` `
` For a moment or two we stood appalled, all save Lord Godalming, who `
` was seemingly prepared for such an emergency. Rushing over to the `
` great iron-bound oaken door, which Dr. Seward had described from the `
` outside, and which I had seen myself, he turned the key in the lock, `
` drew the huge bolts, and swung the door open. Then, taking his little `
` silver whistle from his pocket, he blew a low, shrill call. It was `
` answered from behind Dr. Seward's house by the yelping of dogs, and `
` after about a minute three terriers came dashing round the corner of `
` the house. Unconsciously we had all moved towards the door, and as we `
` moved I noticed that the dust had been much disturbed. The boxes `
` which had been taken out had been brought this way. But even in the `
` minute that had elapsed the number of the rats had vastly increased. `
` They seemed to swarm over the place all at once, till the lamplight, `
` shining on their moving dark bodies and glittering, baleful eyes, made `
` the place look like a bank of earth set with fireflies. The dogs `
` dashed on, but at the threshold suddenly stopped and snarled, and `
` then, simultaneously lifting their noses, began to howl in most `
` lugubrious fashion. The rats were multiplying in thousands, and we `
` moved out. `
` `
` Lord Godalming lifted one of the dogs, and carrying him in, placed him `
` on the floor. The instant his feet touched the ground he seemed to `
` recover his courage, and rushed at his natural enemies. They fled `
` before him so fast that before he had shaken the life out of a score, `
` the other dogs, who had by now been lifted in the same manner, had but `
` small prey ere the whole mass had vanished. `
` `
` With their going it seemed as if some evil presence had departed, for `
` the dogs frisked about and barked merrily as they made sudden darts at `
` their prostrate foes, and turned them over and over and tossed them in `
` the air with vicious shakes. We all seemed to find our spirits rise. `
` Whether it was the purifying of the deadly atmosphere by the opening `
` of the chapel door, or the relief which we experienced by finding `
` ourselves in the open I know not, but most certainly the shadow of `
` dread seemed to slip from us like a robe, and the occasion of our `
` coming lost something of its grim significance, though we did not `
` slacken a whit in our resolution. We closed the outer door and barred `
` and locked it, and bringing the dogs with us, began our search of the `
` house. We found nothing throughout except dust in extraordinary `
` proportions, and all untouched save for my own footsteps when I had `
` made my first visit. Never once did the dogs exhibit any symptom of `
` uneasiness, and even when we returned to the chapel they frisked about `
` as though they had been rabbit hunting in a summer wood. `
` `
` The morning was quickening in the east when we emerged from the front. `
` Dr. Van Helsing had taken the key of the hall door from the bunch, and `
` locked the door in orthodox fashion, putting the key into his pocket `
` when he had done. `
` `
` "So far," he said, "our night has been eminently successful. No harm `
` has come to us such as I feared might be and yet we have ascertained `
` how many boxes are missing. More than all do I rejoice that this, our `
` first, and perhaps our most difficult and dangerous, step has been `
` accomplished without the bringing thereinto our most sweet Madam Mina `
` or troubling her waking or sleeping thoughts with sights and sounds `
` and smells of horror which she might never forget. One lesson, too, `
` we have learned, if it be allowable to argue a particulari, that the `
` brute beasts which are to the Count's command are yet themselves not `
` amenable to his spiritual power, for look, these rats that would come `
` to his call, just as from his castle top he summon the wolves to your `
` going and to that poor mother's cry, though they come to him, they run `
` pell-mell from the so little dogs of my friend Arthur. We have other `
` matters before us, other dangers, other fears, and that monster . . . `
` He has not used his power over the brute world for the only or the `
` last time tonight. So be it that he has gone elsewhere. Good! It `
` has given us opportunity to cry 'check' in some ways in this chess `
` game, which we play for the stake of human souls. And now let us go `
` home. The dawn is close at hand, and we have reason to be content `
` with our first night's work. It may be ordained that we have many `
` nights and days to follow, if full of peril, but we must go on, and `
` from no danger shall we shrink." `
` `
` The house was silent when we got back, save for some poor creature who `
` was screaming away in one of the distant wards, and a low, moaning `
` sound from Renfield's room. The poor wretch was doubtless torturing `
` himself, after the manner of the insane, with needless thoughts of `
` pain. `
` `
` I came tiptoe into our own room, and found Mina asleep, breathing so `
` softly that I had to put my ear down to hear it. She looks paler than `
` usual. I hope the meeting tonight has not upset her. I am truly `
` thankful that she is to be left out of our future work, and even of `
` our deliberations. It is too great a strain for a woman to bear. I `
` did not think so at first, but I know better now. Therefore I am glad `
` that it is settled. There may be things which would frighten her to `
` hear, and yet to conceal them from her might be worse than to tell her `
` if once she suspected that there was any concealment. Henceforth our `
` work is to be a sealed book to her, till at least such time as we can `
` tell her that all is finished, and the earth free from a monster of `
` the nether world. I daresay it will be difficult to begin to keep `
` silence after such confidence as ours, but I must be resolute, and `
` tomorrow I shall keep dark over tonight's doings, and shall refuse to `
` speak of anything that has happened. I rest on the sofa, so as not to `
` disturb her. `
` `
` `
` 1 October, later.--I suppose it was natural that we should have all `
` overslept ourselves, for the day was a busy one, and the night had no `
` rest at all. Even Mina must have felt its exhaustion, for though I `
` slept till the sun was high, I was awake before her, and had to call `
` two or three times before she awoke. Indeed, she was so sound asleep `
` that for a few seconds she did not recognize me, but looked at me with `
` a sort of blank terror, as one looks who has been waked out of a bad `
` dream. She complained a little of being tired, and I let her rest `
` till later in the day. We now know of twenty-one boxes having been `
` removed, and if it be that several were taken in any of these removals `
` we may be able to trace them all. Such will, of course, immensely `
` simplify our labor, and the sooner the matter is attended to the `
` better. I shall look up Thomas Snelling today. `
` `
` `
` `
` DR. SEWARD'S DIARY `
` `
` 1 October.--It was towards noon when I was awakened by the Professor `
` walking into my room. He was more jolly and cheerful than usual, and `
` it is quite evident that last night's work has helped to take some of `
` the brooding weight off his mind. `
` `
` After going over the adventure of the night he suddenly said, "Your `
` patient interests me much. May it be that with you I visit him this `
` morning? Or if that you are too occupy, I can go alone if it may be. `
` It is a new experience to me to find a lunatic who talk philosophy, `
` and reason so sound." `
` `
` I had some work to do which pressed, so I told him that if he would go `
` alone I would be glad, as then I should not have to keep him waiting, `
` so I called an attendant and gave him the necessary instructions. `
` Before the Professor left the room I cautioned him against getting any `
` false impression from my patient. `
` `
` "But," he answered, "I want him to talk of himself and of his delusion `
` as to consuming live things. He said to Madam Mina, as I see in your `
` diary of yesterday, that he had once had such a belief. Why do you `
` smile, friend John?" `
` `
` "Excuse me," I said, "but the answer is here." I laid my hand on the `
` typewritten matter. "When our sane and learned lunatic made that very `
` statement of how he used to consume life, his mouth was actually `
` nauseous with the flies and spiders which he had eaten just before `
` Mrs. Harker entered the room." `
` `
` Van Helsing smiled in turn. "Good!" he said. "Your memory is true, `
` friend John. I should have remembered. And yet it is this very `
` obliquity of thought and memory which makes mental disease such a `
` fascinating study. Perhaps I may gain more knowledge out of the folly `
` of this madman than I shall from the teaching of the most wise. Who `
` knows?" `
` `
` I went on with my work, and before long was through that in hand. It `
` seemed that the time had been very short indeed, but there was Van `
` Helsing back in the study. `
` `
` "Do I interrupt?" he asked politely as he stood at the door. `
` `
` "Not at all," I answered. "Come in. My work is finished, and I am `
` free. I can go with you now, if you like." `
` `
` "It is needless, I have seen him!" `
` `
` "Well?" `
` `
` "I fear that he does not appraise me at much. Our interview was `
` short. When I entered his room he was sitting on a stool in the `
` centre, with his elbows on his knees, and his face was the picture of `
` sullen discontent. I spoke to him as cheerfully as I could, and with `
` such a measure of respect as I could assume. He made no reply `
` whatever. 'Don't you know me?' I asked. His answer was not `
` reassuring: 'I know you well enough; you are the old fool Van `
` Helsing. I wish you would take yourself and your idiotic brain `
` theories somewhere else. Damn all thick-headed Dutchmen!' Not a word `
` more would he say, but sat in his implacable sullenness as indifferent `
` to me as though I had not been in the room at all. Thus departed for `
` this time my chance of much learning from this so clever lunatic, so I `
` shall go, if I may, and cheer myself with a few happy words with that `
` sweet soul Madam Mina. Friend John, it does rejoice me unspeakable `
` that she is no more to be pained, no more to be worried with our `
` terrible things. Though we shall much miss her help, it is better `
` so." `
` `
` "I agree with you with all my heart," I answered earnestly, for I did `
` not want him to weaken in this matter. "Mrs. Harker is better out of `
` it. Things are quite bad enough for us, all men of the world, and who `
` have been in many tight places in our time, but it is no place for a `
` woman, and if she had remained in touch with the affair, it would in `
`
` for a moment, for, as Lord Godalming said, "I thought I saw a face, `
` but it was only the shadows," and resumed his inquiry, I turned my `
` lamp in the direction, and stepped into the passage. There was no `
` sign of anyone, and as there were no corners, no doors, no aperture of `
` any kind, but only the solid walls of the passage, there could be no `
` hiding place even for him. I took it that fear had helped `
` imagination, and said nothing. `
` `
` A few minutes later I saw Morris step suddenly back from a corner, `
` which he was examining. We all followed his movements with our eyes, `
` for undoubtedly some nervousness was growing on us, and we saw a whole `
` mass of phosphorescence, which twinkled like stars. We all `
` instinctively drew back. The whole place was becoming alive with `
` rats. `
` `
` For a moment or two we stood appalled, all save Lord Godalming, who `
` was seemingly prepared for such an emergency. Rushing over to the `
` great iron-bound oaken door, which Dr. Seward had described from the `
` outside, and which I had seen myself, he turned the key in the lock, `
` drew the huge bolts, and swung the door open. Then, taking his little `
` silver whistle from his pocket, he blew a low, shrill call. It was `
` answered from behind Dr. Seward's house by the yelping of dogs, and `
` after about a minute three terriers came dashing round the corner of `
` the house. Unconsciously we had all moved towards the door, and as we `
` moved I noticed that the dust had been much disturbed. The boxes `
` which had been taken out had been brought this way. But even in the `
` minute that had elapsed the number of the rats had vastly increased. `
` They seemed to swarm over the place all at once, till the lamplight, `
` shining on their moving dark bodies and glittering, baleful eyes, made `
` the place look like a bank of earth set with fireflies. The dogs `
` dashed on, but at the threshold suddenly stopped and snarled, and `
` then, simultaneously lifting their noses, began to howl in most `
` lugubrious fashion. The rats were multiplying in thousands, and we `
` moved out. `
` `
` Lord Godalming lifted one of the dogs, and carrying him in, placed him `
` on the floor. The instant his feet touched the ground he seemed to `
` recover his courage, and rushed at his natural enemies. They fled `
` before him so fast that before he had shaken the life out of a score, `
` the other dogs, who had by now been lifted in the same manner, had but `
` small prey ere the whole mass had vanished. `
` `
` With their going it seemed as if some evil presence had departed, for `
` the dogs frisked about and barked merrily as they made sudden darts at `
` their prostrate foes, and turned them over and over and tossed them in `
` the air with vicious shakes. We all seemed to find our spirits rise. `
` Whether it was the purifying of the deadly atmosphere by the opening `
` of the chapel door, or the relief which we experienced by finding `
` ourselves in the open I know not, but most certainly the shadow of `
` dread seemed to slip from us like a robe, and the occasion of our `
` coming lost something of its grim significance, though we did not `
` slacken a whit in our resolution. We closed the outer door and barred `
` and locked it, and bringing the dogs with us, began our search of the `
` house. We found nothing throughout except dust in extraordinary `
` proportions, and all untouched save for my own footsteps when I had `
` made my first visit. Never once did the dogs exhibit any symptom of `
` uneasiness, and even when we returned to the chapel they frisked about `
` as though they had been rabbit hunting in a summer wood. `
` `
` The morning was quickening in the east when we emerged from the front. `
` Dr. Van Helsing had taken the key of the hall door from the bunch, and `
` locked the door in orthodox fashion, putting the key into his pocket `
` when he had done. `
` `
` "So far," he said, "our night has been eminently successful. No harm `
` has come to us such as I feared might be and yet we have ascertained `
` how many boxes are missing. More than all do I rejoice that this, our `
` first, and perhaps our most difficult and dangerous, step has been `
` accomplished without the bringing thereinto our most sweet Madam Mina `
` or troubling her waking or sleeping thoughts with sights and sounds `
` and smells of horror which she might never forget. One lesson, too, `
` we have learned, if it be allowable to argue a particulari, that the `
` brute beasts which are to the Count's command are yet themselves not `
` amenable to his spiritual power, for look, these rats that would come `
` to his call, just as from his castle top he summon the wolves to your `
` going and to that poor mother's cry, though they come to him, they run `
` pell-mell from the so little dogs of my friend Arthur. We have other `
` matters before us, other dangers, other fears, and that monster . . . `
` He has not used his power over the brute world for the only or the `
` last time tonight. So be it that he has gone elsewhere. Good! It `
` has given us opportunity to cry 'check' in some ways in this chess `
` game, which we play for the stake of human souls. And now let us go `
` home. The dawn is close at hand, and we have reason to be content `
` with our first night's work. It may be ordained that we have many `
` nights and days to follow, if full of peril, but we must go on, and `
` from no danger shall we shrink." `
` `
` The house was silent when we got back, save for some poor creature who `
` was screaming away in one of the distant wards, and a low, moaning `
` sound from Renfield's room. The poor wretch was doubtless torturing `
` himself, after the manner of the insane, with needless thoughts of `
` pain. `
` `
` I came tiptoe into our own room, and found Mina asleep, breathing so `
` softly that I had to put my ear down to hear it. She looks paler than `
` usual. I hope the meeting tonight has not upset her. I am truly `
` thankful that she is to be left out of our future work, and even of `
` our deliberations. It is too great a strain for a woman to bear. I `
` did not think so at first, but I know better now. Therefore I am glad `
` that it is settled. There may be things which would frighten her to `
` hear, and yet to conceal them from her might be worse than to tell her `
` if once she suspected that there was any concealment. Henceforth our `
` work is to be a sealed book to her, till at least such time as we can `
` tell her that all is finished, and the earth free from a monster of `
` the nether world. I daresay it will be difficult to begin to keep `
` silence after such confidence as ours, but I must be resolute, and `
` tomorrow I shall keep dark over tonight's doings, and shall refuse to `
` speak of anything that has happened. I rest on the sofa, so as not to `
` disturb her. `
` `
` `
` 1 October, later.--I suppose it was natural that we should have all `
` overslept ourselves, for the day was a busy one, and the night had no `
` rest at all. Even Mina must have felt its exhaustion, for though I `
` slept till the sun was high, I was awake before her, and had to call `
` two or three times before she awoke. Indeed, she was so sound asleep `
` that for a few seconds she did not recognize me, but looked at me with `
` a sort of blank terror, as one looks who has been waked out of a bad `
` dream. She complained a little of being tired, and I let her rest `
` till later in the day. We now know of twenty-one boxes having been `
` removed, and if it be that several were taken in any of these removals `
` we may be able to trace them all. Such will, of course, immensely `
` simplify our labor, and the sooner the matter is attended to the `
` better. I shall look up Thomas Snelling today. `
` `
` `
` `
` DR. SEWARD'S DIARY `
` `
` 1 October.--It was towards noon when I was awakened by the Professor `
` walking into my room. He was more jolly and cheerful than usual, and `
` it is quite evident that last night's work has helped to take some of `
` the brooding weight off his mind. `
` `
` After going over the adventure of the night he suddenly said, "Your `
` patient interests me much. May it be that with you I visit him this `
` morning? Or if that you are too occupy, I can go alone if it may be. `
` It is a new experience to me to find a lunatic who talk philosophy, `
` and reason so sound." `
` `
` I had some work to do which pressed, so I told him that if he would go `
` alone I would be glad, as then I should not have to keep him waiting, `
` so I called an attendant and gave him the necessary instructions. `
` Before the Professor left the room I cautioned him against getting any `
` false impression from my patient. `
` `
` "But," he answered, "I want him to talk of himself and of his delusion `
` as to consuming live things. He said to Madam Mina, as I see in your `
` diary of yesterday, that he had once had such a belief. Why do you `
` smile, friend John?" `
` `
` "Excuse me," I said, "but the answer is here." I laid my hand on the `
` typewritten matter. "When our sane and learned lunatic made that very `
` statement of how he used to consume life, his mouth was actually `
` nauseous with the flies and spiders which he had eaten just before `
` Mrs. Harker entered the room." `
` `
` Van Helsing smiled in turn. "Good!" he said. "Your memory is true, `
` friend John. I should have remembered. And yet it is this very `
` obliquity of thought and memory which makes mental disease such a `
` fascinating study. Perhaps I may gain more knowledge out of the folly `
` of this madman than I shall from the teaching of the most wise. Who `
` knows?" `
` `
` I went on with my work, and before long was through that in hand. It `
` seemed that the time had been very short indeed, but there was Van `
` Helsing back in the study. `
` `
` "Do I interrupt?" he asked politely as he stood at the door. `
` `
` "Not at all," I answered. "Come in. My work is finished, and I am `
` free. I can go with you now, if you like." `
` `
` "It is needless, I have seen him!" `
` `
` "Well?" `
` `
` "I fear that he does not appraise me at much. Our interview was `
` short. When I entered his room he was sitting on a stool in the `
` centre, with his elbows on his knees, and his face was the picture of `
` sullen discontent. I spoke to him as cheerfully as I could, and with `
` such a measure of respect as I could assume. He made no reply `
` whatever. 'Don't you know me?' I asked. His answer was not `
` reassuring: 'I know you well enough; you are the old fool Van `
` Helsing. I wish you would take yourself and your idiotic brain `
` theories somewhere else. Damn all thick-headed Dutchmen!' Not a word `
` more would he say, but sat in his implacable sullenness as indifferent `
` to me as though I had not been in the room at all. Thus departed for `
` this time my chance of much learning from this so clever lunatic, so I `
` shall go, if I may, and cheer myself with a few happy words with that `
` sweet soul Madam Mina. Friend John, it does rejoice me unspeakable `
` that she is no more to be pained, no more to be worried with our `
` terrible things. Though we shall much miss her help, it is better `
` so." `
` `
` "I agree with you with all my heart," I answered earnestly, for I did `
` not want him to weaken in this matter. "Mrs. Harker is better out of `
` it. Things are quite bad enough for us, all men of the world, and who `
` have been in many tight places in our time, but it is no place for a `
` woman, and if she had remained in touch with the affair, it would in `
`