Jonathan Harker's Journal6 October, morning Another
surprise. Mina woke me early, about the same time as yesterday, and asked me to
bring Dr. Van Helsing. I thought that it was another occasion for hypnotism, and
without question went for the Professor. He had evidently expected some such call,
for I found him dressed in his room. His door was ajar, so that he could hear
the opening of the door of our room. He came at once. As he passed into the room,
he asked Mina if the others might come, too. "No," she said quite
simply, "it will not be necessary. You can tell them just as well. I must
go with you on your journey." Dr. Van Helsing was as startled as I
was. After a moment's pause he asked, "But why?" "You must
take me with you. I am safer with you, and you shall be safer, too." "But
why, dear Madam Mina? You know that your safety is our solemnest duty. We go into
danger, to which you are, or may be, more liable than any of us from . . . from
circumstances . . . things that have been." He paused embarrassed. As
she replied, she raised her finger and pointed to her forehead. "I know.
That is why I must go. I can tell you now, whilst the sun is coming up. I may
not be able again. I know that when the Count wills me I must go. I know that
if he tells me to come in secret, I must by wile. By any device to hoodwink, even
Jonathan." God saw the look that she turned on me as she spoke, and if there
be indeed a Recording Angel that look is noted to her ever-lasting honour. I could
only clasp her hand. I could not speak. My emotion was too great for even the
relief of tears. She went on. "You men are brave and strong. You are
strong in your numbers, for you can defy that which would break down the human
endurance of one who had to guard alone. Besides, I may be of service, since you
can hypnotize me and so learn that which even I myself do not know." Dr.
Van Helsing said gravely, "Madam Mina, you are, as always, most wise. You
shall with us come. And together we shall do that which we go forth to achieve." When
he had spoken, Mina's long spell of silence made me look at her. She had fallen
back on her pillow asleep. She did not even wake when I had pulled up the blind
and let in the sunlight which flooded the room. Van Helsing motioned to me to
come with him quietly. We went to his room, and within a minute Lord Godalming,
Dr. Seward, and Mr. Morris were with us also. He told them what Mina had
said, and went on. "In the morning we shall leave for Varna. We have now
to deal with a new factor, Madam Mina. Oh, but her soul is true. It is to her
an agony to tell us so much as she has done. But it is most right, and we are
warned in time. There must be no chance lost, and in Varna we must be ready to
act the instant when that ship arrives." "What shall we do exactly?"
asked Mr. Morris laconically. The Professor paused before replying, "We
shall at the first board that ship. Then, when we have identified the box, we
shall place a branch of the wild rose on it. This we shall fasten, for when it
is there none can emerge, so that at least says the superstition. And to superstition
must we trust at the first. It was man's faith in the early, and it have its root
in faith still. Then, when we get the opportunity that we seek, when none are
near to see, we shall open the box, and . . . and all will be well." "I
shall not wait for any opportunity," said Morris. "When I see the box
I shall open it and destroy the monster, though there were a thousand men looking
on, and if I am to be wiped out for it the next moment!" I grasped his hand
instinctively and found it as firm as a piece of steel. I think he understood
my look. I hope he did. "Good boy," said Dr. Van Helsing. "Brave
boy. Quincey is all man. God bless him for it. My child, believe me none of us
shall lag behind or pause from any fear. I do but say what we may do . . . what
we must do. But, indeed, indeed we cannot say what we may do. There are so many
things which may happen, and their ways and their ends are so various that until
the moment we may not say. We shall all be armed, in all ways. And when the time
for the end has come, our effort shall not be lack. Now let us today put all our
affairs in order. Let all things which touch on others dear to us, and who on
us depend, be complete. For none of us can tell what, or when, or how, the end
may be. As for me, my own affairs are regulate, and as I have nothing else to
do, I shall go make arrangements for the travel. I shall have all tickets and
so forth for our journey." There was nothing further to be said, and
we parted. I shall now settle up all my affairs of earth, and be ready for whatever
may come. Later.--It is done. My will is made, and all complete. Mina if
she survive is my sole heir. If it should not be so, then the others who have
been so good to us shall have remainder. It is now drawing towards the sunset.
Mina's uneasiness calls my attention to it. I am sure that there is something
on her mind which the time of exact sunset will reveal. These occasions are becoming
harrowing times for us all. For each sunrise and sunset opens up some new danger,
some new pain, which however, may in God's will be means to a good end. I write
all these things in the diary since my darling must not hear them now. But if
it may be that she can see them again, they shall be ready. She is calling to
me. |
