“When we got past the Bosphorus the men began to grumble;some o’ them, the Roumanians,came and asked me to heave overboard a big box which had been put on board by a queer lookin’ old man just before we had started frae London. I had seen them speer at the fellow, and put out their twa fingers when they saw him, to guard against the evil eye. Man!but the supersteetion of foreigners is pairfectly rideeculous!I sent them aboot their business pretty quick;but as just after a fog closed in on us I felt a wee bit as they did anent something, though I wouldn’t say it was agin the big box. Well, on we went, and as the fog didn’t let up for five days I joost let the wind carry us; for if the Deil wanted to get somewheres--well, he would fetch it up a’reet. An’ if he didn’t, well, we’d keep a sharp lookout anyhow. Sure eneuch, we had a fair way and deep water all the time; and two days ago, when the mornin’ sun came through the fog, we found ourselves just in the river opposite Galatz. The Roumanians were wild, and wanted me right or wrong to take out the box and fling it in the river. I had to argy wi’ them aboot it wi’ a handspike; an’ when the last o’ them rose off the deck wi’ his head in his hand, I had convinced them that, evil eye or no evil eye, the property and the trust of my owners were better in my hands than in the river Danube. They had, mind ye, taken the box on the deck ready to fling in, and as it was marked Galatz _via_ Varna, I thocht I’d let it lie till we discharged in the port an’ get rid o’t althegither. We didn’t do much clearin’ that day, an’ had to remain the nicht at anchor; but in the mornin’, braw an’ airly, an hour before sun-up, a man came aboard wi’ an order, written to him from England, to receive a box marked for one Count Dracula. Sure eneuch the matter was one ready to his hand. He had his papers a’ reet, an’ glad I was to be rid o’ the dam’ thing, for I was beginnin’ masel’ to feel uneasy at it. If the Deil did have any luggage aboord the ship, I’m thinkin’ it was nane ither than that same!”
“What was the name of the man who took it?” asked Dr. Van Helsing with restrained eagerness.
“I’ll be tellin’ ye quick!” he answered, and, stepping down to his cabin,produced a receipt signed “Immanuel Hildesheim.” Burgen-strasse 16 was the address.We found out that this was all the Captain knew;so with thanks we came away.
We found Hildesheim in his office,a Hebrew of rather the Adelphi Theatre type,with a nose like a sheep, and a fez.His arguments were pointed with specie--we doing the punctuation--and with a little bargaining he told us what he knew. This turned out to be simple but important. He had received a letter from Mr. de Ville of London, telling him to receive, if possible before sunrise so as to avoid customs, a box which would arrive at Galatz in the _Czarina Catherine_. This he was to give in charge to a certain Petrof Skinsky, who dealt with the Slovaks who traded down the river to the port. He had been paid for his work by an English bank note, which had been duly cashed for gold at the Danube International Bank. When Skinsky had come to him, he had taken him to the ship and handed over the box, so as to save porterage. That was all he knew.
We then sought for Skinsky, but were unable to find him.One of his neighbours,who did not seem to bear him any affection,said that he had gone away two days before,no one knew whither.This was corroborated by his landlord,who had received by messenger the key of the house together with the rent due,in English money. This had been between ten and eleven o’clock last night.We were at a standstill again.
Whilst we were talking one came running and breathlessly gasped out that the body of Skinsky had been found inside the wall of the churchyard of St. Peter, and that the throat had been torn open as if by some wild animal. Those we had been speaking with ran off to see the horror, the women crying out “This is the work of a Slovak!” We hurried away lest we should have been in some way drawn into the affair, and so detained.
As we came home we could arrive at no definite conclusion.We were all convinced that the box was on its way,by water, to somewhere;but where that might be we would have to discover.With heavy hearts we came home to the hotel to Mina.
When we met together,the first thing was to consult as to taking Mina again into our confidence.Things are getting desperate,and it is at least a chance, though a hazardous one.As a preliminary step,I was released from my promise to her.
_Mina Harker’s Journal._
_30 October, evening._--They were so tired and worn out and dispirited that there was nothing to be done till they had some rest; so I asked them all to lie down for half an hour whilst I should enter everything up to the moment. I feel so grateful to the man who invented the “Traveller’s” typewriter, and to Mr. Morris for getting this one for me. I should have felt quite astray doing the work if I had to write with a pen....
It is all done; poor dear, dear Jonathan,what he must have suffered,what must he be suffering now.He lies on the sofa hardly seeming to breathe,and his whole body appears in collapse.His brows are knit; his face is drawn with pain.Poor fellow, maybe he is thinking,and I can see his face all wrinkled up with the concentration of his thoughts. Oh!if I could only help at all.... I shall do what I can.
I have asked Dr. Van Helsing,and he has got me all the papers that I have not yet seen....Whilst they are resting, I shall go over all carefully,and perhaps I may arrive at some conclusion.I shall try to follow the Professor’s example,and think without prejudice on the facts before me....
* * * * *
I do believe that under God’s providence I have made a discovery.I shall get the maps and look over them....
* * * * *
I am more than ever sure that I am right.My new conclusion is ready,so I shall get our party together and read it.They can judge it; it is well to be accurate,and every minute is precious.
_Mina Harker’s Memorandum._
(Entered in her Journal.)
_Ground of inquiry._--Count Dracula’s problem is to get back to his own place.
(_a_) He must be _brought back_ by some one.This is evident; for had he power to move himself as he wished he could go either as man, or wolf, or bat, or in some other way. He evidently fears discovery or interference, in the state of helplessness in which he must be--confined as he is between dawn and sunset in his wooden box.
(_b_) _How is he to be taken?_--Here a process of exclusions may help us. By road, by rail, by water?
1. _By Road._--There are endless difficulties,especially in leaving the city.
(_x_) There are people; and people are curious,and investigate. A hint, a surmise,a doubt as to what might be in the box, would destroy him.
(_y_) There are, or there may be,customs and octroi officers to pass.
(_z_) His pursuers might follow.This is his highest fear;and in order to prevent his being betrayed he has repelled,so far as he can, even his victim--me!
2. _By Rail._--There is no one in charge of the box.It would have to take its chance of being delayed;and delay would be fatal, with enemies on the track.True, he might escape at night; but what would he be,if left in a strange place with no refuge that he could fly to?This is not what he intends;and he does not mean to risk it.
3. _By Water._--Here is the safest way, in one respect,but with most danger in another.On the water he is powerless except at night;even then he can only summon fog and storm and snow and his wolves.But were he wrecked, the living water would engulf him,helpless; and he would indeed be lost.He could have the vessel drive to land;but if it were unfriendly land,wherein he was not free to move,his position would still be desperate.