| Harker grew ghastly white, so that the scar on... 750 |
[Jan. 30th, 2010|02:34 am] |
Harker grew ghastly white, so that the scar on her forehead seemed to burn, but she folded her hands meekly and looked up in prayerHarker smiled, actually smiled, the dark, bitter smile of one who is without hope, but at the same time his action belied his words, for his hands instinctively sought the hilt of the great Kukri knife and rested there
"When does the next train start for Galatz?" said Van Helsing to us generally
"At 6:30 tomorrow morning!" We all started, for the answer came from Mrs
"How on earth do you know?" said Art
"You forget, or perhaps you do not know, though Jonathan does and so does DrVan Helsing, that I am the train fiendAt home in Exeter I always used to make up the time tables, so as to be helpful to my husbandI found it so useful sometimes, that I always make a study of the time tables nowI knew that if anything were to take us to Castle Dracula we should go by Galatz, or at any rate through Bucharest, so I learned the times very carefullyUnhappily there are not many to learn, as the only train tomorrow leaves as I say
"Wonderful woman!" murmured the Professor
"Can't we get a special?" asked Lord Godalming
Van Helsing shook his head, "I fear notThis land is very different from yours or mineEven if we did have a special, it would probably not arrive as soon as our regular trainMoreover, we have something to prepareYou, friend Arthur, go to the train and get the tickets and arrange that all be ready for us to go in the morningDo you, friend Jonathan, go to the agent of the ship and get from him letters to the agent in Galatz, with authority to make a search of the ship just as it was hereQuincey Morris, you see the Vice Consul, and get his aid with his fellow in Galatz and all he can do to make our way smooth, so that no times be lost when over the DanubeJohn will stay with Madam Mina and me, and we shall consultFor so if time be long you may be delayedAnd it will not matter when the sun set, since I am here with Madam to make report
"And I," said MrsHarker brightly, and more like her old self than she had been for many a long day, "shall try to be of use in all ways, and shall think and write for you as I used to doSomething is shifting from me in some strange way, and I feel freer than I have been of late!"
The three younger men looked happier at the moment as they seemed to realize the significance of her wordsBut Van Helsing and I, turning to each other, met each a grave and troubled glanceWe said nothing at the time, however
When the three men had gone out to their tasks Van Helsing asked MrsHarker to look up the copy of the diaries and find him the part of Harker's journal at the CastleShe went away to get it
When the door was shut upon her he said to me, "We mean the same! Speak out!"
"Here is some changeIt is a hope that makes me sick, for it may deceive usDo you know why I asked her to get the manuscript?"
"No!" said I, "unless it was to get an opportunity of seeing me alone
"You are in part right, friend John, but only in partI want to tell you somethingAnd oh, my friend, I am taking a great, a terrible, riskBut I believe it is rightIn the moment when Madam Mina said those words that arrest both our understanding, an inspiration came to meIn the trance of three days ago the Count sent her his spirit to read her |
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