第137章

The Czarina Catherine made a phenomenally quick journey.

So much so that Captain Donelson's suspicions were aroused.

But his superstition united with his canniness played the Count's game for him, and he ran with his favoring wind through fogs and all till he brought up blindfold at Galatz.

That the Count's arrangements were well made, has been proved.

Hildesheim cleared the box, took it off, and gave it to Skinsky.

Skinsky took it, and here we lose the trail. We only know that the box is somewhere on the water, moving along.

The customs and the octroi, if there be any, have been avoided.

Now we come to what the Count must have done after his arrival, on land, at Galatz.

The box was given to Skinsky before sunrise.

At sunrise the Count could appear in his own form.

Here, we ask why Skinsky was chosen at all to aid in the work?

In my husband's diary, Skinsky is mentioned as dealing with the Slovaks who trade down the river to the port.

And the man's remark, that the murder was the work of a Slovak, showed the general feeling against his class.

The Count wanted isolation.

My surmise is this, that in London the Count decided to get back to his castle by water, as the most safe and secret way.

He was brought from the castle by Szgany, and probably they delivered their cargo to Slovaks who took the boxes to Varna, for there they were shipped to London. Thus the Count had knowledge of the persons who could arrange this service.

When the box was on land, before sunrise or after sunset, he came out from his box, met Skinsky and instructed him what to do as to arranging the carriage of the box up some river.

When this was done, and he knew that all was in train, he blotted out his traces, as he thought, by murdering his agent.

I have examined the map and find that the river most suitable for the Slovaks to have ascended is either the Pruth or the Sereth.

I read in the typescript that in my trance I heard cows low and water swirling level with my ears and the creaking of wood.

The Count in his box, then, was on a river in an open boat, propelled probably either by oars or poles, for the banks are near and it is working against stream. There would be no such if floating down stream.

Of course it may not be either the Sereth or the Pruth, but we may possibly investigate further. Now of these two, the Pruth is the more easily navigated, but the Sereth is, at Fundu, joined by the Bistritza which runs up round the Borgo Pass.

The loop it makes is manifestly as close to Dracula's castle as can be got by water.

MINA HARKER'S JOURNAL--CONTINUED

When I had done reading, Jonathan took me in his arms and kissed me.

The others kept shaking me by both hands, and Dr. Van Helsing said, "Our dear Madam Mina is once more our teacher. Her eyes have been where we were blinded. Now we are on the track once again, and this time we may succeed. Our enemy is at his most helpless.

And if we can come on him by day, on the water, our task will be over.

He has a start, but he is powerless to hasten, as he may not leave this box lest those who carry him may suspect. For them to suspect would be to prompt them to throw him in the stream where he perish.

This he knows, and will not. Now men, to our Council of War, for here and now, we must plan what each and all shall do."

"I shall get a steam launch and follow him," said Lord Godalming.

"And I, horses to follow on the bank lest by chance he land," said Mr. Morris.

"Good!" said the Professor, "both good. But neither must go alone. There must be force to overcome force if need be.

The Slovak is strong and rough, and he carries rude arms."

All the men smiled, for amongst them they carried a small arsenal.

Said Mr. Morris, "I have brought some Winchesters.

They are pretty handy in a crowd, and there may be wolves.

The Count, if you remember, took some other precautions.

He made some requisitions on others that Mrs. Harker could not quite hear or understand. We must be ready at all points."

Dr. Seward said, "I think I had better go with Quincey.

We have been accustomed to hunt together, and we two, well armed, will be a match for whatever may come along.

You must not be alone, Art. It may be necessary to fight the Slovaks, and a chance thrust, for I don't suppose these fellows carry guns, would undo all our plans. There must be no chances, this time.

We shall not rest until the Count's head and body have been separated, and we are sure that he cannot reincarnate."

He looked at Jonathan as he spoke, and Jonathan looked at me.

I could see that the poor dear was torn about in his mind.

Of course he wanted to be with me. But then the boat service would, most likely, be the one which would destroy the. . .the. . .Vampire. (Why did I hesitate to write the word?)

He was silent awhile, and during his silence Dr. Van Helsing spoke, "Friend Jonathan, this is to you for twice reasons.

First, because you are young and brave and can fight, and all energies may be needed at the last. And again that it is your right to destroy him. That, which has wrought such woe to you and yours.

Be not afraid for Madam Mina. She will be my care, if I may.

I am old. My legs are not so quick to run as once.

And I am not used to ride so long or to pursue as need be, or to fight with lethal weapons. But I can be of other service.

I can fight in other way. And I can die, if need be, as well as younger men. Now let me say that what I would is this.

While you, my Lord Godalming and friend Jonathan go in your so swift little steamboat up the river, and whilst John and Quincey guard the bank where perchance he might be landed, I will take Madam Mina right into the heart of the enemy's country.

Whilst the old fox is tied in his box, floating on the running stream whence he cannot escape to land, where he dares not raise the lid of his coffin box lest his Slovak carriers should in fear leave him to perish, we shall go in the track where Jonathan went, from Bistritz over the Borgo, and find our way to the Castle of Dracula. Here, Madam Mina's hypnotic power will surely help, and we shall find our way, all dark and unknown otherwise, after the first sunrise when we are near that fateful place.