Chapter 25

by Bram Stoker

　　DR SEWARD'S DIARY11 October, Evening.--Jonathan Harker has asked me to note this,as he says he is hardly equal to the task, and he wantsan exact record kept.I think that none of us were surprised when we were askedto see Mrs. Harker a little before the time of sunset.We have of late come to understand that sunrise and sunsetare to her times of peculiar freedom. When her old self can bemanifest without any controlling force subduing or restraining her,or inciting her to action. This mood or condition beginssome half hour or more before actual sunrise or sunset,and lasts till either the sun is high, or whilst the cloudsare still aglow with the rays streaming above the horizon.At first there is a sort of negative condition, as if some tiewere loosened, and then the absolute freedom quickly follows.When, however, the freedom ceases the change back or relapsecomes quickly, preceeded only by a spell of warning silence.Tonight, when we met, she was somewhat constrained, and boreall the signs of an internal struggle. I put it down myselfto her making a violent effort at the earliest instant shecould do so.A very few minutes, however, gave her complete control of herself.Then, motioning her husband to sit beside her on the sofa where shewas half reclining, she made the rest of us bring chairs up close.Taking her husband's hand in hers, she began, "We are allhere together in freedom, for perhaps the last time!I know that you will always be with me to the end."This was to her husband whose hand had, as we could see,tightened upon her. "In the morning we go out upon our task,and God alone knows what may be in store for any of us.You are going to be so good to me to take me with you.I know that all that brave earnest men can do for a poorweak woman, whose soul perhaps is lost, no, no, not yet,but is at any rate at stake, you will do. But you must rememberthat I am not as you are. There is a poison in my blood,in my soul, which may destroy me, which must destroy me,unless some relief comes to us. Oh, my friends, you know as wellas I do, that my soul is at stake. And though I know thereis one way out for me, you must not and I must not take it!"She looked appealingly to us all in turn, beginning and endingwith her husband."What is that way?" asked Van Helsing in a hoarse voice."What is that way, which we must not, may not, take?""That I may die now, either by my own hand or that of another,before the greater evil is entirely wrought. I know, and you know,that were I once dead you could and would set free my immortal spirit,even as you did my poor Lucy's. Were death, or the fear of death,the only thing that stood in the way I would not shrink to diehere now, amidst the friends who love me. But death is not all.I cannot believe that to die in such a case, when there ishope before us and a bitter task to be done, is God's will.Therefore, I on my part, give up here the certainty of eternal rest,and go out into the dark where may be the blackest things thatthe world or the nether world holds!"We were all silent, for we knew instinctively that this was only a prelude.The faces of the others were set, and Harker's grew ashen grey.Perhaps, he guessed better than any of us what was coming.She continued, "This is what I can give into the hotch-pot."I could not but note the quaint legal phrase which she used in sucha place, and with all seriousness. "What will each of you give?Your lives I know," she went on quickly, "that is easyfor brave men. Your lives are God's, and you can give themback to Him, but what will you give to me?" She lookedagain questionly, but this time avoided her husband's face.Quincey seemed to understand, he nodded, and her face lit up."Then I shall tell you plainly what I want, for there mustbe no doubtful matter in this connection between us now.You must promise me, one and all, even you, my beloved husband,that should the time come, you will kill me.""What is that time?" The voice was Quincey's, but it was low and strained."When you shall be convinced that I am so changed that it is better that Idie that I may live. When I am thus dead in the flesh, then you will,without a moment's delay, drive a stake through me and cut off my head,or do whatever else may be wanting to give me rest!"Quincey was the first to rise after the pause. He kneltdown before her and taking her hand in his said solemnly,"I'm only a rough fellow, who hasn't, perhaps, lived as a manshould to win such a distinction, but I swear to you by allthat I hold sacred and dear that, should the time ever come,I shall not flinch from the duty that you have set us.And I promise you, too, that I shall make all certain, for if Iam only doubtful I shall take it that the time has come!""My true friend!" was all she could say amid her fast-falling tears,as bending over, she kissed his hand."I swear the same, my dear Madam Mina!"said Van Helsing. "And I!"said Lord Godalming, each of them in turn kneeling to her to take the oath.I followed, myself.Then her husband turned to her wan-eyed and with a greenishpallor which subdued the snowy whiteness of his hair, and asked,"And must I, too, make such a promise, oh, my wife?""You too, my dearest," she said, with infinite yearningof pity in her voice and eyes. "You must not shrink.You are nearest and dearest and all the world to me.Our souls are knit into one, for all life and all time.Think, dear, that there have been times when bravemen have killed their wives and their womenkind,to keep them from falling into the hands of the enemy.Their hands did not falter any the more because those thatthey loved implored them to slay them. It is men's dutytowards those whom they love, in such times of sore trial!And oh, my dear, if it is to be that I must meet death atany hand, let it be at the hand of him that loves me best.Dr. Van Helsing, I have not forgotten your mercy in poor Lucy'scase to him who loved." She stopped with a flying blush,and changed her phrase, "to him who had best right to give her peace.If that time shall come again, I look to you to make ita happy memory of my husband's life that it was his lovinghand which set me free from the awful thrall upon me.""Again I swear!" came the Professor's resonant voice.Mrs. Harker smiled, positively smiled, as with a sighof relief she leaned back and said, "And now one wordof warning, a warning which you must never forget.This time, if it ever come, may come quickly and unexpectedly,and in such case you must lose no time in using your opportunity.At such a time I myself might be. . .nay! If the time ever come,shall be, leagued with your enemy against you."One more request," she became very solemn as she said this,"it is not vital and necessary like the other, but I want youto do one thing for me, if you will."We all acquiesced, but no one spoke. There was no need to speak."I want you to read the Burial Service." She was interrupted by adeep groan from her husband. Taking his hand in hers, she held itover her heart, and continued. "You must read it over me some day.Whatever may be the issue of all this fearful state of things,it will be a sweet thought to all or some of us. You, my dearest,will I hope read it, for then it will be in your voice in mymemory forever, come what may!""But oh, my dear one," he pleaded, "death is afar off from you.""Nay," she said, holding up a warning hand. "I am deeper in death at thismoment than if the weight of an earthly grave lay heavy upon me!""Oh, my wife, must I read it?" he said, before he began."It would comfort me, my husband!" was all she said, and he beganto read when she had got the book ready.How can I, how could anyone, tell of that strange scene, its solemnity,its gloom, its sadness, its horror, and withal, its sweetness.Even a sceptic, who can see nothing but a travesty of bittertruth in anything holy or emotional, would have been meltedto the heart had he seen that little group of loving and devotedfriends kneeling round that stricken and sorrowing lady.Or heard the tender passion of her husband's voice, as in tonesso broken and emotional that often he had to pause, he read the simpleand beautiful service from the Burial of the Dead. I cannot go on.. . words. . .and v-voices. . .f-fail m-me!She was right in her instinct. Strange as it was, bizarre as it mayhereafter seem even to us who felt its potent influence at the time,it comforted us much. And the silence, which showed Mrs. Harker'scoming relapse from her freedom of soul, did not seem so full of despairto any of us as we had dreaded.JONATHAN HARKER'S JOURNAL15 October, Varna.--We left Charing Cross on the morningof the 12th, got to Paris the same night, and took the placessecured for us in the Orient Express. We traveled nightand day, arriving here at about five o'clock. Lord Godalmingwent to the Consulate to see if any telegram had arrivedfor him, whilst the rest of us came on to this hotel,"the Odessus." The journey may have had incidents.I was, however, too eager to get on, to care for them.Until the Czarina Catherine comes into port there willbe no interest for me in anything in the wide world.Thank God! Mina is well, and looks to be getting stronger.Her color is coming back. She sleeps a great deal.Throughout the journey she slept nearly all the time.Before sunrise and sunset, however, she is very wakeful and alert.And it has become a habit for Van Helsing to hypnotizeher at such times. At first, some effort was needed,and he had to make many passes. But now, she seems to yieldat once, as if by habit, and scarcely any action is needed.He seems to have power at these particular moments to simply will,and her thoughts obey him. He always asks her what she cansee and hear.She answers to the first, "Nothing, all is dark."And to the second, "I can hear the waves lapping against the ship, and thewater rushing by. Canvas and cordage strain and masts and yards creak.The wind is high. . .I can hear it in the shrouds, and the bow throwsback the foam."It is evident that the Czarina Catherine is still at sea,hastening on her way to Varna. Lord Godalming has just returned.He had four telegrams, one each day since we started,and all to the same effect. That the Czarina Catherinehad not been reported to Lloyd's from anywhere.He had arranged before leaving London that his agent should sendhim every day a telegram saying if the ship had been reported.He was to have a message even if she were not reported,so that he might be sure that there was a watch being keptat the other end of the wire.We had dinner and went to bed early. Tomorrow we are to seethe Vice Consul, and to arrange, if we can, about getting on boardthe ship as soon as she arrives. Van Helsing says that ourchance will be to get on the boat between sunrise and sunset.The Count, even if he takes the form of a bat, cannot crossthe running water of his own volition, and so cannot leave the ship.As he dare not change to man's form without suspicion,which he evidently wishes to avoid, he must remain in the box.If, then, we can come on board after sunrise, he is atour mercy, for we can open the box and make sure of him,as we did of poor Lucy, before he wakes. What mercy he shallget from us all will not count for much. We think that weshall not have much trouble with officials or the seamen.Thank God! This is the country where bribery can do anything,and we are well supplied with money. We have only to makesure that the ship cannot come into port between sunsetand sunrise without our being warned, and we shall be safe.Judge Moneybag will settle this case, I think!16 October.--Mina's report still the same. Lapping waves and rushingwater, darkness and favoring winds. We are evidently in good time,and when we hear of the Czarina Catherine we shall be ready.As she must pass the Dardanelles we are sure to have some report.17 October.--Everything is pretty well fixed now, I think,to welcome the Count on his return from his tour.Godalming told the shippers that he fancied that the box sentaboard might contain something stolen from a friend of his,and got a half consent that he might open it at his own risk.The owner gave him a paper telling the Captain to give himevery facility in doing whatever he chose on board the ship,and also a similar authorization to his agent at Varna.We have seen the agent, who was much impressed with Godalming'skindly manner to him, and we are all satisfied that whateverhe can do to aid our wishes will be done.We have already arranged what to do in case we get the box open.If the Count is there, Van Helsing and Seward will cut offhis head at once and drive a stake through his heart.Morris and Godalming and I shall prevent interference,even if we have to use the arms which we shall have ready.The Professor says that if we can so treat the Count's body,it will soon after fall into dust. In such case there would be noevidence against us, in case any suspicion of murder were aroused.But even if it were not, we should stand or fall by our act,and perhaps some day this very script may be evidenceto come between some of us and a rope. For myself, I shouldtake the chance only too thankfully if it were to come.We mean to leave no stone unturned to carry out our intent.We have arranged with certain officials that the instantthe Czarina Catherine is seen, we are to be informed bya special messenger.24 October.--A whole week of waiting. Daily telegramsto Godalming, but only the same story. "Not yet reported."Mina's morning and evening hypnotic answer is unvaried.Lapping waves, rushing water, and creaking masts.TELEGRAM, OCTOBER 24TH RUFUS SMITH, LLOYD'S, LONDON, TO LORD GODALMING, CARE OFH. B. M. VICE CONSUL, VARNA"Czarina Catherine reported this morning from Dardanelles."DR. SEWARD'S DIARY25 October.--How I miss my phonograph! To write a diary with a penis irksome to me! But Van Helsing says I must. We were all wildwith excitement yesterday when Godalming got his telegram from Lloyd's.I know now what men feel in battle when the call to action is heard.Mrs. Harker, alone of our party, did not show any signs of emotion.After all, it is not strange that she did not, for we took special carenot to let her know anything about it, and we all tried not to showany excitement when we were in her presence. In old days she would,I am sure, have noticed, no matter how we might have tried to conceal it.But in this way she is greatly changed during the past three weeks.The lethargy grows upon her, and though she seems strong and well,and is getting back some of her color, Van Helsing and I are not satisfied.We talk of her often. We have not, however, said a word to the others.It would break poor Harker's heart, certainly his nerve, if he knew that wehad even a suspicion on the subject. Van Helsing examines, he tells me,her teeth very carefully, whilst she is in the hypnotic condition,for he says that so long as they do not begin to sharpen there isno active danger of a change in her. If this change should come,it would be necessary to take steps! We both know what those stepswould have to be, though we do not mention our thoughts to each other.We should neither of us shrink from the task, awful though it beto contemplate. "Euthanasia" is an excellent and a comforting word!I am grateful to whoever invented it.It is only about 24 hours' sail from the Dardanelles to here,at the rate the Czarina Catherine has come from London.She should therefore arrive some time in the morning, but as shecannot possibly get in before noon, we are all about to retire early.We shall get up at one o'clock, so as to be ready.25 October, Noon.--No news yet of the ship's arrival.Mrs. Harker's hypnotic report this morning was the same as usual,so it is possible that we may get news at any moment.We men are all in a fever of excitement, except Harker, who is calm.His hands are cold as ice, and an hour ago I found him whetting the edgeof the great Ghoorka knife which he now always carries with him.It will be a bad lookout for the Count if the edge of that "Kukri"ever touches his throat, driven by that stern, ice-cold hand!Van Helsing and I were a little alarmed about Mrs. Harker today.About noon she got into a sort of lethargy which we did not like.Although we kept silence to the others, we were neither of ushappy about it. She had been restless all the morning, so that wewere at first glad to know that she was sleeping. When, however,her husband mentioned casually that she was sleeping so soundlythat he could not wake her, we went to her room to see for ourselves.She was breathing naturally and looked so well and peaceful that weagreed that the sleep was better for her than anything else.Poor girl, she has so much to forget that it is no wonder that sleep,if it brings oblivion to her, does her good.Later.--Our opinion was justified, for when after a refreshing sleepof some hours she woke up, she seemed brighter and better than shehad been for days. At sunset she made the usual hypnotic report.Wherever he may be in the Black Sea, the Count is hurrying tohis destination. To his doom, I trust!26 October.--Another day and no tidings of the Czarina Catherine.She ought to be here by now. That she is still journeying somewhereis apparent, for Mrs. Harker's hypnotic report at sunrise was still the same.It is possible that the vessel may be lying by, at times, for fog.Some of the steamers which came in last evening reported patches of fogboth to north and south of the port. We must continue our watching,as the ship may now be signalled any moment.27 October, Noon.--Most strange. No news yet of the ship we wait for.Mrs. Harker reported last night and this morning as usual. "Lapping wavesand rushing water," though she added that "the waves were very faint."The telegrams from London have been the same, "no further report."Van Helsing is terribly anxious, and told me just now that he fearsthe Count is escaping us.He added significantly, "I did not like that lethargy of MadamMina's. Souls and memories can do strange things during trance."I was about to as k him more, but Harker just then came in,and he held up a warning hand. We must try tonight at sunsetto make her speak more fully when in her hypnotic state.28 October.--Telegram. Rufus Smith, London, to Lord Godalming,care H. B. M. Vice Consul, Varna"Czarina Catherine reported entering Galatz at one o'clock today."DR. SEWARD'S DIARY28 October.--When the telegram came announcing the arrival in Galatz Ido not think it was such a shock to any of us as might have been expected.True, we did not know whence, or how, or when, the bolt would come.But I think we all expected that something strange would happen.The day of arrival at Varna made us individually satisfied that thingswould not be just as we had expected. We only waited to learn wherethe change would occur. None the less, however, it was a surprise.I suppose that nature works on such a hopeful basis that we believeagainst ourselves that things will be as they ought to be, not as weshould know that they will be. Transcendentalism is a beacon to the angels,even if it be a will-o'-the-wisp to man. Van Helsing raised his handover his head for a moment, as though in remonstrance with the Almighty.But he said not a word, and in a few seconds stood up with hisface sternly set.Lord Godalming grew very pale, and sat breathing heavily.I was myself half stunned and looked in wonder at one after another.Quincey Morris tightened his belt with that quick movement which Iknew so well. In our old wandering days it meant "action."Mrs. Harker grew ghastly white, so that the scar on her forehead seemedto burn, but she folded her hands meekly and looked up in prayer.Harker smiled, actually smiled, the dark, bitter smile of one who iswithout hope, but at the same time his action belied his words,for his hands instinctively sought the hilt of the great Kukriknife and rested there."When does the next train start for Galatz?" said Van Helsingto us generally."At 6:30 tomorrow morning!" We all started, for the answer camefrom Mrs. Harker."How on earth do you know?" said Art."You forget, or perhaps you do not know, though Jonathan doesand so does Dr. Van Helsing, that I am the train fiend.At home in Exeter I always used to make up the time tables,so as to be helpful to my husband. I found it so useful sometimes,that I always make a study of the time tables now.I knew that if anything were to take us to Castle Draculawe should go by Galatz, or at any rate through Bucharest,so I learned the times very carefully. Unhappily there are notmany 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 not. This land is verydifferent from yours or mine. Even if we did have a special,it would probably not arrive as soon as our regular train.Moreover, we have something to prepare. We must think.Now let us organize. You, friend Arthur, go to the trainand get the tickets and arrange that all be ready for us to goin the morning. Do you, friend Jonathan, go to the agentof 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 here.Quincey Morris, you see the Vice Consul, and get his aidwith his fellow in Galatz and all he can do to make ourway smooth, so that no times be lost when over the Danube.John will stay with Madam Mina and me, and we shall consult.For so if time be long you may be delayed. And it will not matterwhen the sun set, since I am here with Madam to make report.""And I," said Mrs. Harker brightly, and more like her old selfthan she had been for many a long day, "shall try to be of usein all ways, and shall think and write for you as I used to do.Something is shifting from me in some strange way, and I feel freerthan I have been of late!"The three younger men looked happier at the moment as they seemedto realize the significance of her words. But Van Helsing and I,turning to each other, met each a grave and troubled glance.We said nothing at the time, however.When the three men had gone out to their tasks Van Helsingasked Mrs. Harker to look up the copy of the diariesand find him the part of Harker's journal at the Castle.She 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 change. It is a hope that makes me sick,for it may deceive us.""Quite so. Do 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 part.I want to tell you something. And oh, my friend, I am takinga great, a terrible, risk. But I believe it is right.In the moment when Madam Mina said those words that arrest bothour understanding, an inspiration came to me. In the tranceof three days ago the Count sent her his spirit to read her mind.Or more like he took her to see him in his earth box in the shipwith water rushing, just as it go free at rise and set of sun.He learn then that we are here, for she have more to tell in heropen life with eyes to see ears to hear than he, shut as he is,in his coffin box. Now he make his most effort to escape us.At present he want her not."He is sure with his so great knowledge that she will come at his call.But he cut her off, take her, as he can do, out of his own power,that so she come not to him. Ah! There I have hope that our man brainsthat have been of man so long and that have not lost the grace of God,will come higher than his child-brain that lie in his tomb for centuries,that grow not yet to our stature, and that do only work selfish andtherefore small. Here comes Madam Mina. Not a word to her of her trance!She knows it not, and it would overwhelm her and make despair just when wewant all her hope, all her courage, when most we want all her great brainwhich is trained like man's brain, but is of sweet woman and have a specialpower which the Count give her, and which he may not take away altogether,though he think not so. Hush! Let me speak, and you shall learn. Oh, John,my friend, we are in awful straits. I fear, as I never feared before.We can only trust the good God. Silence! Here she comes!"I thought that the Professor was going to break down and have hysterics,just as he had when Lucy died, but with a great effort he controlledhimself and was at perfect nervous poise when Mrs. Harker trippedinto the room, bright and happy looking and, in the doing of work,seemingly forgetful of her misery. As she came in, she handed a numberof sheets of typewriting to Van Helsing. He looked over them gravely,his face brightening up as he read.Then holding the pages between his finger and thumb he said,"Friend John, to you with so much experience already,and you too, dear Madam Mina, that are young, here is a lesson.Do not fear ever to think. A half thought has been buzzingoften in my brain, but I fear to let him loose his wings.Here now, with more knowledge, I go back to where that halfthought come from and I find that he be no half thought at all.That be a whole thought, though so young that he is not yetstrong to use his little wings. Nay, like the `Ugly Duck'of my friend Hans Andersen, he be no duck thought at all,but a big swan thought that sail nobly on big wings,when the time come for him to try them. See I read herewhat Jonathan have written."That other of his race who, in a later age, again and again,brought his forces over The Great River into Turkey Land,who when he was beaten back, came again, and again, and again,though he had to come alone from the bloody field where histroops were being slaughtered, since he knew that he alonecould ultimately triumph."What does this tell us? Not much? No! The Count'schild thought see nothing, therefore he speak so free.Your man thought see nothing. My man thought see nothing,till just now. No! But there comes another word from some onewho speak without thought because she, too, know not what it mean,what it might mean. Just as there are elements which rest,yet when in nature's course they move on their way and they touch,the pouf! And there comes a flash of light, heaven wide, that blindand kill and destroy some. But that show up all earth belowfor leagues and leagues. Is it not so? Well, I shall explain.To begin, hav e you ever study the philosophy of crime?`Yes' and `No.' You, John, yes, for it is a study of insanity.You, no, Madam Mina, for crime touch you not, not but once.Still, your mind works true, and argues not a particulariad universale. There is this peculiarity in criminals.It is so constant, in all countries and at all times,that even police, who know not much from philosophy, come toknow it empirically, that it is. That is to be empiric.The criminal always work at one crime, that is the true criminalwho seems predestinate to crime, and who will of none other.This criminal has not full man brain. He is clever and cunningand resourceful, but he be not of man stature as to brain.He be of child brain in much. Now this criminal of oursis predestinate to crime also. He, too, have child brain,and it is of the child to do what he have done. The little bird,the little fish, the little animal learn not by principle,but empirically. And when he learn to do, then there isto him the ground to start from to do more. `Dos pou sto,'said Archimedes. `Give me a fulcrum, and I shall move the world!'To do once, is the fulcrum whereby child brain become man brain.And until he have the purpose to do more, he continue to dothe same again every time, just as he have done before!Oh, my dear, I see that your eyes are opened, and that to youthe lightning flash show all the leagues, "for Mrs. Harkerbegan to clap her hands and her eyes sparkled.He went on, "Now you shall speak. Tell us two dry men of science what you seewith those so bright eyes." He took her hand and held it whilst he spoke.His finger and thumb closed on her pulse, as I thought instinctivelyand unconsciously, as she spoke."The Count is a criminal and of criminal type. Nordau and Lombroso wouldso classify him, and qua criminal he is of an imperfectly formed mind.Thus, in a difficulty he has to seek resource in habit. His past isa clue, and the one page of it that we know, and that from his own lips,tells that once before, when in what Mr. Morris would call a`tight place,'he went back to his own country from the land he had tried to invade,and thence, without losing purpose, prepared himself for a new effort.He came again better equipped for his work, and won. So he came to Londonto invade a new land. He was beaten, and when all hope of success was lost,and his existence in danger, he fled back over the sea to his home.Just as formerly he had fled back over the Danube from Turkey Land.""Good, good! Oh, you so clever lady!" said Van Helsing,enthusiastically, as he stooped and kissed her hand.A moment later he said to me, as calmly as though we hadbeen having a sick room consultation, "Seventy-two only,and in all this excitement. I have hope."Turning to her again, he said with keen expectation, "But go on.Go on! There is more to tell if you will. Be not afraid.John and I know. I do in any case, and shall tell you if youare right. Speak, without fear!""I will try to. But you will forgive me if I seem too egotistical.""Nay! Fear not, you must be egotist, for it is of you that we think.""Then, as he is criminal he is selfish. And as his intellectis small and his action is based on selfishness, he confineshimself to one purpose. That purpose is remorseless.As he fled back over the Danube, leaving his forces to be cutto pieces, so now he is intent on being safe, careless of all.So his own selfishness frees my soul somewhat from the terriblepower which he acquired over me on that dreadful night.I felt it! Oh, I felt it! Thank God, for His great mercy!My soul is freer than it has been since that awful hour.And all that haunts me is a fear lest in some trance or dreamhe may have used my knowledge for his ends."The Professor stood up, "He has so used your mind,and by it he has left us here in Varna, whilst the shipthat carried him rushed through enveloping fog up to Galatz,where, doubtless, he had made preparation for escaping from us.But his child mind only saw so far. And it may be that as everis in God's Providence, the very thing that the evil doer mostreckoned on for his selfish good, turns out to be his chiefest harm.The hunter is taken in his own snare, as the great Psalmist says.For now that he think he is free from every trace of us all,and that he has escaped us with so many hours to him,then his selfish child brain will whisper him to sleep.He think, too, that as he cut himself off from knowing your mind,there can be no knowledge of him to you. There is where he fail!That terrible baptism of blood which he give you makes you freeto go to him in spirit, as you have as yet done in your timesof freedom, when the sun rise and set. At such times you goby my volition and not by his. And this power to good of youand others, you have won from your suffering at his hands.This is now all more precious that he know it not, and to guardhimself have even cut himself off from his knowledge of our where.We, however, are not selfish, and we believe that God is withus through all this blackness, and these many dark hours.We shall follow him, and we shall not flinch. Even if we perilourselves that we become like him. Friend John, this has beena great hour, and it have done much to advance us on our way.You must be scribe and write him all down, so that whenthe others return from their work you can give it to them,then they shall know as we do."And so I have written it whilst we wait their return, and Mrs. Harkerhas written with the typewriter all since she brought the MS to us.