| Suddenly the door was burst open, and in rushed... 375 |
[Jan. 30th, 2010|02:32 am] |
Suddenly the door was burst open, and in rushed my patient, with his face distorted with passionI was thunderstruck, for such a thing as a patient getting of his own accord into the Superintendent's study is almost unknown
Without an instant's notice he made straight at meHe had a dinner knife in his hand, and as I saw he was dangerous, I tried to keep the table between usHe was too quick and too strong for me, however, for before I could get my balance he had struck at me and cut my left wrist rather severely
Before he could strike again, however, I got in my right hand and he was sprawling on his back on the floorMy wrist bled freely, and quite a little pool trickled on to the carpetI saw that my friend was not intent on further effort, and occupied myself binding up my wrist, keeping a wary eye on the prostrate figure all the timeWhen the attendants rushed in, and we turned our attention to him, his employment positively sickened meHe was lying on his belly on the floor licking up, like a dog, the blood which had fallen from my wounded wristHe was easily secured, and to my surprise, went with the attendants quite placidly, simply repeating over and over again, "The blood is the life! The blood is the life!"
I cannot afford to lose blood just at presentI have lost too much of late for my physical good, and then the prolonged strain of Lucy's illness and its horrible phases is telling on meI am over excited and weary, and I need rest, rest, restHappily Van Helsing has not summoned me, so I need not forego my sleepTonight I could not well do without it
TELEGRAM, VAN HELSING, ANTWERP, TO SEWARD, CARFAX
(Sent to Carfax, Sussex, as no county given, delivered late by twenty-two hours-Do not fail to be at Hilllingham tonightIf not watching all the time, frequently visit and see that flowers are as placed, very important, do not failShall be with you as soon as possible after arrivalSEWARD'S DIARY
18 September-Just off train to LondonThe arrival of Van Helsing's telegram filled me with dismayA whole night lost, and I know by bitter experience what may happen in a nightOf course it is possible that all may be well, but what may have happened? Surely there is some horrible doom hanging over us that every possible accident should thwart us in all we try to doI shall take this cylinder with me, and then I can complete my entry on Lucy's phonograph
MEMORANDUM LEFT BY LUCY WESTENRA
17 September, Night-I write this and leave it to be seen, so that no one may by any chance get into trouble through meThis is an exact record of what took place tonightI feel I am dying of weakness, and have barely strength to write, but it must be done if I die in the doing
I went to bed as usual, taking care that the flowers were placed as DrVan Helsing directed, and soon fell asleep
I was waked by the flapping at the window, which had begun after that sleep-walking on the cliff at Whitby when Mina saved me, and which now I know so wellI was not afraid, but I did wish that DrSeward was in the next room, as DrVan Helsing said he would be, so that I might have called himI tried to sleep, but I could notThen there came to me the old fear of sleep, and I determined to keep awakePerversely sleep would try to come then when I did not want itSo, as I feared to be alone, I opened my door and called out, "Is there anybody there?" There was no answerI was afraid to wake mother, and so closed my door |
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