Reading Help DRACULA by Bram Stoker Ch.13-27
`
` "He may have intend to bury them deep in the ground. So that only he `
` use them in the night, or at such time as he can change his form, they `
` do him equal well, and none may know these are his hiding place! But, `
` my child, do not despair, this knowledge came to him just too late! `
` Already all of his lairs but one be sterilize as for him. And before `
` the sunset this shall be so. Then he have no place where he can move `
` and hide. I delayed this morning that so we might be sure. Is there `
` not more at stake for us than for him? Then why not be more careful `
` than him? By my clock it is one hour and already, if all be well, `
` friend Arthur and Quincey are on their way to us. Today is our day, `
` and we must go sure, if slow, and lose no chance. See! There are `
` five of us when those absent ones return." `
` `
` Whilst we were speaking we were startled by a knock at the hall door, `
` the double postman's knock of the telegraph boy. We all moved out to `
` the hall with one impulse, and Van Helsing, holding up his hand to us `
` to keep silence, stepped to the door and opened it. The boy handed in `
` a dispatch. The Professor closed the door again, and after looking at `
` the direction, opened it and read aloud. `
` `
` "Look out for D. He has just now, 12:45, come from Carfax `
` hurriedly and hastened towards the South. He seems to be `
` going the round and may want to see you: Mina." `
` `
` There was a pause, broken by Jonathan Harker's voice, "Now, God be `
` thanked, we shall soon meet!" `
` `
` Van Helsing turned to him quickly and said, "God will act in His own `
` way and time. Do not fear, and do not rejoice as yet. For what we `
` wish for at the moment may be our own undoings." `
` `
` "I care for nothing now," he answered hotly, "except to wipe out this `
` brute from the face of creation. I would sell my soul to do it!" `
` `
` "Oh, hush, hush, my child!" said Van Helsing. "God does not purchase `
` souls in this wise, and the Devil, though he may purchase, does not `
` keep faith. But God is merciful and just, and knows your pain and `
` your devotion to that dear Madam Mina. Think you, how her pain would `
` be doubled, did she but hear your wild words. Do not fear any of us, `
` we are all devoted to this cause, and today shall see the end. The `
` time is coming for action. Today this Vampire is limit to the powers `
` of man, and till sunset he may not change. It will take him time to `
` arrive here, see it is twenty minutes past one, and there are yet some `
` times before he can hither come, be he never so quick. What we must `
` hope for is that my Lord Arthur and Quincey arrive first." `
` `
` About half an hour after we had received Mrs. Harker's telegram, there `
` came a quiet, resolute knock at the hall door. It was just an `
` ordinary knock, such as is given hourly by thousands of gentlemen, but `
` it made the Professor's heart and mine beat loudly. We looked at each `
` other, and together moved out into the hall. We each held ready to `
` use our various armaments, the spiritual in the left hand, the mortal `
` in the right. Van Helsing pulled back the latch, and holding the door `
` half open, stood back, having both hands ready for action. The `
` gladness of our hearts must have shown upon our faces when on the `
` step, close to the door, we saw Lord Godalming and Quincey Morris. `
` They came quickly in and closed the door behind them, the former `
` saying, as they moved along the hall: `
` `
` "It is all right. We found both places. Six boxes in each and we `
` destroyed them all." `
` `
` "Destroyed?" asked the Professor. `
` `
` "For him!" We were silent for a minute, and then Quincey said, `
` "There's nothing to do but to wait here. If, however, he doesn't turn `
` up by five o'clock, we must start off. For it won't do to leave Mrs. `
` Harker alone after sunset." `
` `
` "He will be here before long now," said Van Helsing, who had been `
` consulting his pocketbook. "Nota bene, in Madam's telegram he went `
` south from Carfax. That means he went to cross the river, and he `
` could only do so at slack of tide, which should be something before `
` one o'clock. That he went south has a meaning for us. He is as yet `
` only suspicious, and he went from Carfax first to the place where he `
` would suspect interference least. You must have been at Bermondsey `
` only a short time before him. That he is not here already shows that `
` he went to Mile End next. This took him some time, for he would then `
` have to be carried over the river in some way. Believe me, my `
` friends, we shall not have long to wait now. We should have ready `
` some plan of attack, so that we may throw away no chance. Hush, there `
` is no time now. Have all your arms! Be ready!" He held up a warning `
` hand as he spoke, for we all could hear a key softly inserted in the `
` lock of the hall door. `
` `
` I could not but admire, even at such a moment, the way in which a `
` dominant spirit asserted itself. In all our hunting parties and `
` adventures in different parts of the world, Quincey Morris had always `
` been the one to arrange the plan of action, and Arthur and I had been `
` accustomed to obey him implicitly. Now, the old habit seemed to be `
` renewed instinctively. With a swift glance around the room, he at `
` once laid out our plan of attack, and without speaking a word, with a `
` gesture, placed us each in position. Van Helsing, Harker, and I were `
` just behind the door, so that when it was opened the Professor could `
` guard it whilst we two stepped between the incomer and the door. `
` Godalming behind and Quincey in front stood just out of sight ready to `
` move in front of the window. We waited in a suspense that made the `
` seconds pass with nightmare slowness. The slow, careful steps came `
` along the hall. The Count was evidently prepared for some surprise, `
` at least he feared it. `
` `
` Suddenly with a single bound he leaped into the room. Winning a way `
` past us before any of us could raise a hand to stay him. There was `
` something so pantherlike in the movement, something so unhuman, that `
` it seemed to sober us all from the shock of his coming. The first to `
` act was Harker, who with a quick movement, threw himself before the `
` door leading into the room in the front of the house. As the Count `
` saw us, a horrible sort of snarl passed over his face, showing the `
` eyeteeth long and pointed. But the evil smile as quickly passed into `
` a cold stare of lion-like disdain. His expression again changed as, `
` with a single impulse, we all advanced upon him. It was a pity that `
` we had not some better organized plan of attack, for even at the `
` moment I wondered what we were to do. I did not myself know whether `
` our lethal weapons would avail us anything. `
` `
` Harker evidently meant to try the matter, for he had ready his great `
` Kukri knife and made a fierce and sudden cut at him. The blow was a `
` powerful one; only the diabolical quickness of the Count's leap back `
` saved him. A second less and the trenchant blade had shorn through `
` his heart. As it was, the point just cut the cloth of his coat, `
` making a wide gap whence a bundle of bank notes and a stream `
` of gold fell out. The expression of the Count's face was so hellish, `
` that for a moment I feared for Harker, though I saw him throw the `
` terrible knife aloft again for another stroke. Instinctively I moved `
` forward with a protective impulse, holding the Crucifix and Wafer in `
` my left hand. I felt a mighty power fly along my arm, and it was `
` without surprise that I saw the monster cower back before a similar `
` movement made spontaneously by each one of us. It would be impossible `
` to describe the expression of hate and baffled malignity, of anger and `
` hellish rage, which came over the Count's face. His waxen hue became `
` greenish-yellow by the contrast of his burning eyes, and the red scar `
` on the forehead showed on the pallid skin like a palpitating wound. `
` The next instant, with a sinuous dive he swept under Harker's arm, ere `
` his blow could fall, and grasping a handful of the money from the `
` floor, dashed across the room, threw himself at the window. Amid the `
` crash and glitter of the falling glass, he tumbled into the flagged `
` area below. Through the sound of the shivering glass I could hear the `
` "ting" of the gold, as some of the sovereigns fell on the flagging. `
` `
` We ran over and saw him spring unhurt from the ground. He, rushing up `
` the steps, crossed the flagged yard, and pushed open the stable door. `
` There he turned and spoke to us. `
` `
` "You think to baffle me, you with your pale faces all in a row, like `
` sheep in a butcher's. You shall be sorry yet, each one of you! You `
` think you have left me without a place to rest, but I have more. My `
` revenge is just begun! I spread it over centuries, and time is on my `
` side. Your girls that you all love are mine already. And through `
` them you and others shall yet be mine, my creatures, to do my bidding `
` and to be my jackals when I want to feed. Bah!" `
` `
` With a contemptuous sneer, he passed quickly through the door, and we `
` heard the rusty bolt creak as he fastened it behind him. A door `
` beyond opened and shut. The first of us to speak was the Professor. `
` Realizing the difficulty of following him through the stable, we moved `
` toward the hall. `
` `
` "We have learnt something . . . much! Notwithstanding his brave words, `
` he fears us. He fears time, he fears want! For if not, why he hurry `
` so? His very tone betray him, or my ears deceive. Why take that `
` money? You follow quick. You are hunters of the wild beast, and `
` understand it so. For me, I make sure that nothing here may be of use `
` to him, if so that he returns." `
` `
` As he spoke he put the money remaining in his pocket, took the title `
` deeds in the bundle as Harker had left them, and swept the remaining `
` things into the open fireplace, where he set fire to them with a `
` match. `
` `
` Godalming and Morris had rushed out into the yard, and Harker had `
` lowered himself from the window to follow the Count. He had, however, `
` bolted the stable door, and by the time they had forced it open there `
` was no sign of him. Van Helsing and I tried to make inquiry at the `
` back of the house. But the mews was deserted and no one had seen him `
` depart. `
` `
` It was now late in the afternoon, and sunset was not far off. We had `
` to recognize that our game was up. With heavy hearts we agreed with `
` the Professor when he said, "Let us go back to Madam Mina. Poor, poor `
` dear Madam Mina. All we can do just now is done, and we can there, at `
` least, protect her. But we need not despair. There is but one more `
` earth box, and we must try to find it. When that is done all may yet `
` be well." `
` `
` I could see that he spoke as bravely as he could to comfort Harker. `
` The poor fellow was quite broken down, now and again he gave a low `
` groan which he could not suppress. He was thinking of his wife. `
` `
` With sad hearts we came back to my house, where we found Mrs. Harker `
` waiting us, with an appearance of cheerfulness which did honour to her `
` bravery and unselfishness. When she saw our faces, her own became as `
` pale as death. For a second or two her eyes were closed as if she `
` were in secret prayer. `
` `
` And then she said cheerfully, "I can never thank you all enough. Oh, `
` my poor darling!" `
` `
` As she spoke, she took her husband's grey head in her hands and kissed `
` it. `
` `
`
` "He may have intend to bury them deep in the ground. So that only he `
` use them in the night, or at such time as he can change his form, they `
` do him equal well, and none may know these are his hiding place! But, `
` my child, do not despair, this knowledge came to him just too late! `
` Already all of his lairs but one be sterilize as for him. And before `
` the sunset this shall be so. Then he have no place where he can move `
` and hide. I delayed this morning that so we might be sure. Is there `
` not more at stake for us than for him? Then why not be more careful `
` than him? By my clock it is one hour and already, if all be well, `
` friend Arthur and Quincey are on their way to us. Today is our day, `
` and we must go sure, if slow, and lose no chance. See! There are `
` five of us when those absent ones return." `
` `
` Whilst we were speaking we were startled by a knock at the hall door, `
` the double postman's knock of the telegraph boy. We all moved out to `
` the hall with one impulse, and Van Helsing, holding up his hand to us `
` to keep silence, stepped to the door and opened it. The boy handed in `
` a dispatch. The Professor closed the door again, and after looking at `
` the direction, opened it and read aloud. `
` `
` "Look out for D. He has just now, 12:45, come from Carfax `
` hurriedly and hastened towards the South. He seems to be `
` going the round and may want to see you: Mina." `
` `
` There was a pause, broken by Jonathan Harker's voice, "Now, God be `
` thanked, we shall soon meet!" `
` `
` Van Helsing turned to him quickly and said, "God will act in His own `
` way and time. Do not fear, and do not rejoice as yet. For what we `
` wish for at the moment may be our own undoings." `
` `
` "I care for nothing now," he answered hotly, "except to wipe out this `
` brute from the face of creation. I would sell my soul to do it!" `
` `
` "Oh, hush, hush, my child!" said Van Helsing. "God does not purchase `
` souls in this wise, and the Devil, though he may purchase, does not `
` keep faith. But God is merciful and just, and knows your pain and `
` your devotion to that dear Madam Mina. Think you, how her pain would `
` be doubled, did she but hear your wild words. Do not fear any of us, `
` we are all devoted to this cause, and today shall see the end. The `
` time is coming for action. Today this Vampire is limit to the powers `
` of man, and till sunset he may not change. It will take him time to `
` arrive here, see it is twenty minutes past one, and there are yet some `
` times before he can hither come, be he never so quick. What we must `
` hope for is that my Lord Arthur and Quincey arrive first." `
` `
` About half an hour after we had received Mrs. Harker's telegram, there `
` came a quiet, resolute knock at the hall door. It was just an `
` ordinary knock, such as is given hourly by thousands of gentlemen, but `
` it made the Professor's heart and mine beat loudly. We looked at each `
` other, and together moved out into the hall. We each held ready to `
` use our various armaments, the spiritual in the left hand, the mortal `
` in the right. Van Helsing pulled back the latch, and holding the door `
` half open, stood back, having both hands ready for action. The `
` gladness of our hearts must have shown upon our faces when on the `
` step, close to the door, we saw Lord Godalming and Quincey Morris. `
` They came quickly in and closed the door behind them, the former `
` saying, as they moved along the hall: `
` `
` "It is all right. We found both places. Six boxes in each and we `
` destroyed them all." `
` `
` "Destroyed?" asked the Professor. `
` `
` "For him!" We were silent for a minute, and then Quincey said, `
` "There's nothing to do but to wait here. If, however, he doesn't turn `
` up by five o'clock, we must start off. For it won't do to leave Mrs. `
` Harker alone after sunset." `
` `
` "He will be here before long now," said Van Helsing, who had been `
` consulting his pocketbook. "Nota bene, in Madam's telegram he went `
` south from Carfax. That means he went to cross the river, and he `
` could only do so at slack of tide, which should be something before `
` one o'clock. That he went south has a meaning for us. He is as yet `
` only suspicious, and he went from Carfax first to the place where he `
` would suspect interference least. You must have been at Bermondsey `
` only a short time before him. That he is not here already shows that `
` he went to Mile End next. This took him some time, for he would then `
` have to be carried over the river in some way. Believe me, my `
` friends, we shall not have long to wait now. We should have ready `
` some plan of attack, so that we may throw away no chance. Hush, there `
` is no time now. Have all your arms! Be ready!" He held up a warning `
` hand as he spoke, for we all could hear a key softly inserted in the `
` lock of the hall door. `
` `
` I could not but admire, even at such a moment, the way in which a `
` dominant spirit asserted itself. In all our hunting parties and `
` adventures in different parts of the world, Quincey Morris had always `
` been the one to arrange the plan of action, and Arthur and I had been `
` accustomed to obey him implicitly. Now, the old habit seemed to be `
` renewed instinctively. With a swift glance around the room, he at `
` once laid out our plan of attack, and without speaking a word, with a `
` gesture, placed us each in position. Van Helsing, Harker, and I were `
` just behind the door, so that when it was opened the Professor could `
` guard it whilst we two stepped between the incomer and the door. `
` Godalming behind and Quincey in front stood just out of sight ready to `
` move in front of the window. We waited in a suspense that made the `
` seconds pass with nightmare slowness. The slow, careful steps came `
` along the hall. The Count was evidently prepared for some surprise, `
` at least he feared it. `
` `
` Suddenly with a single bound he leaped into the room. Winning a way `
` past us before any of us could raise a hand to stay him. There was `
` something so pantherlike in the movement, something so unhuman, that `
` it seemed to sober us all from the shock of his coming. The first to `
` act was Harker, who with a quick movement, threw himself before the `
` door leading into the room in the front of the house. As the Count `
` saw us, a horrible sort of snarl passed over his face, showing the `
` eyeteeth long and pointed. But the evil smile as quickly passed into `
` a cold stare of lion-like disdain. His expression again changed as, `
` with a single impulse, we all advanced upon him. It was a pity that `
` we had not some better organized plan of attack, for even at the `
` moment I wondered what we were to do. I did not myself know whether `
` our lethal weapons would avail us anything. `
` `
` Harker evidently meant to try the matter, for he had ready his great `
` Kukri knife and made a fierce and sudden cut at him. The blow was a `
` powerful one; only the diabolical quickness of the Count's leap back `
` saved him. A second less and the trenchant blade had shorn through `
` his heart. As it was, the point just cut the cloth of his coat, `
` making a wide gap whence a bundle of bank notes and a stream `
` of gold fell out. The expression of the Count's face was so hellish, `
` that for a moment I feared for Harker, though I saw him throw the `
` terrible knife aloft again for another stroke. Instinctively I moved `
` forward with a protective impulse, holding the Crucifix and Wafer in `
` my left hand. I felt a mighty power fly along my arm, and it was `
` without surprise that I saw the monster cower back before a similar `
` movement made spontaneously by each one of us. It would be impossible `
` to describe the expression of hate and baffled malignity, of anger and `
` hellish rage, which came over the Count's face. His waxen hue became `
` greenish-yellow by the contrast of his burning eyes, and the red scar `
` on the forehead showed on the pallid skin like a palpitating wound. `
` The next instant, with a sinuous dive he swept under Harker's arm, ere `
` his blow could fall, and grasping a handful of the money from the `
` floor, dashed across the room, threw himself at the window. Amid the `
` crash and glitter of the falling glass, he tumbled into the flagged `
` area below. Through the sound of the shivering glass I could hear the `
` "ting" of the gold, as some of the sovereigns fell on the flagging. `
` `
` We ran over and saw him spring unhurt from the ground. He, rushing up `
` the steps, crossed the flagged yard, and pushed open the stable door. `
` There he turned and spoke to us. `
` `
` "You think to baffle me, you with your pale faces all in a row, like `
` sheep in a butcher's. You shall be sorry yet, each one of you! You `
` think you have left me without a place to rest, but I have more. My `
` revenge is just begun! I spread it over centuries, and time is on my `
` side. Your girls that you all love are mine already. And through `
` them you and others shall yet be mine, my creatures, to do my bidding `
` and to be my jackals when I want to feed. Bah!" `
` `
` With a contemptuous sneer, he passed quickly through the door, and we `
` heard the rusty bolt creak as he fastened it behind him. A door `
` beyond opened and shut. The first of us to speak was the Professor. `
` Realizing the difficulty of following him through the stable, we moved `
` toward the hall. `
` `
` "We have learnt something . . . much! Notwithstanding his brave words, `
` he fears us. He fears time, he fears want! For if not, why he hurry `
` so? His very tone betray him, or my ears deceive. Why take that `
` money? You follow quick. You are hunters of the wild beast, and `
` understand it so. For me, I make sure that nothing here may be of use `
` to him, if so that he returns." `
` `
` As he spoke he put the money remaining in his pocket, took the title `
` deeds in the bundle as Harker had left them, and swept the remaining `
` things into the open fireplace, where he set fire to them with a `
` match. `
` `
` Godalming and Morris had rushed out into the yard, and Harker had `
` lowered himself from the window to follow the Count. He had, however, `
` bolted the stable door, and by the time they had forced it open there `
` was no sign of him. Van Helsing and I tried to make inquiry at the `
` back of the house. But the mews was deserted and no one had seen him `
` depart. `
` `
` It was now late in the afternoon, and sunset was not far off. We had `
` to recognize that our game was up. With heavy hearts we agreed with `
` the Professor when he said, "Let us go back to Madam Mina. Poor, poor `
` dear Madam Mina. All we can do just now is done, and we can there, at `
` least, protect her. But we need not despair. There is but one more `
` earth box, and we must try to find it. When that is done all may yet `
` be well." `
` `
` I could see that he spoke as bravely as he could to comfort Harker. `
` The poor fellow was quite broken down, now and again he gave a low `
` groan which he could not suppress. He was thinking of his wife. `
` `
` With sad hearts we came back to my house, where we found Mrs. Harker `
` waiting us, with an appearance of cheerfulness which did honour to her `
` bravery and unselfishness. When she saw our faces, her own became as `
` pale as death. For a second or two her eyes were closed as if she `
` were in secret prayer. `
` `
` And then she said cheerfully, "I can never thank you all enough. Oh, `
` my poor darling!" `
` `
` As she spoke, she took her husband's grey head in her hands and kissed `
` it. `
` `
`