Atlas Nightshade

Day 26

"I could easily see that she is somewhat bloodless, but I could not see

the usual anæmic signs, and by a chance I was actually able to test the

quality of her blood, for in opening a window which was stiff a cord

gave way, and she cut her hand slightly with broken glass. It was a

slight matter in itself, but it gave me an evident chance, and I secured

a few drops of the blood and have analysed them. The qualitative

analysis gives a quite normal condition, and shows, I should infer, in

itself a vigorous state of health. In other physical matters I was quite

satisfied that there is no need for anxiety; but as there must be a

cause somewhere, I have come to the conclusion that it must be something

mental. She complains of difficulty in breathing satisfactorily at

times, and of heavy, lethargic sleep, with dreams that frighten her, but

regarding which she can remember nothing. She says that as a child she

used to walk in her sleep, and that when in Whitby the habit came back,

and that once she walked out in the night and went to East Cliff, where

Miss Murray found her; but she assures me that of late the habit has not

returned. I am in doubt, and so have done the best thing I know of; I

have written to my old friend and master, Professor Van Helsing, of

Amsterdam, who knows as much about obscure diseases as any one in the

world. I have asked him to come over, and as you told me that all things

were to be at your charge, I have mentioned to him who you are and your

relations to Miss Westenra. This, my dear fellow, is in obedience to

your wishes, for I am only too proud and happy to do anything I can for

her. Van Helsing would, I know, do anything for me for a personal

reason, so, no matter on what ground he comes, we must accept his

wishes. He is a seemingly arbitrary man, but this is because he knows

what he is talking about better than any one else. He is a philosopher

and a metaphysician, and one of the most advanced scientists of his day;

and he has, I believe, an absolutely open mind. This, with an iron

nerve, a temper of the ice-brook, an indomitable resolution,

self-command, and toleration exalted from virtues to blessings, and the

kindliest and truest heart that beats--these form his equipment for the

noble work that he is doing for mankind--work both in theory and

practice, for his views are as wide as his all-embracing sympathy. I

tell you these facts that you may know why I have such confidence in

him. I have asked him to come at once. I shall see Miss Westenra

to-morrow again. She is to meet me at the Stores, so that I may not

alarm her mother by too early a repetition of my call.

"Yours always,

"JOHN SEWARD."

_Letter, Abraham Van Helsing, M. D., D. Ph., D. Lit., etc., etc., to Dr.

Seward._

"_2 September._

"My good Friend,--

"When I have received your letter I am already coming to you. By good

fortune I can leave just at once, without wrong to any of those who have

trusted me. Were fortune other, then it were bad for those who have

trusted, for I come to my friend when he call me to aid those he holds

dear. Tell your friend that when that time you suck from my wound so

swiftly the poison of the gangrene from that knife that our other

friend, too nervous, let slip, you did more for him when he wants my

aids and you call for them than all his great fortune could do. But it

is pleasure added to do for him, your friend; it is to you that I come.

Have then rooms for me at the Great Eastern Hotel, so that I may be near

to hand, and please it so arrange that we may see the young lady not too

late on to-morrow, for it is likely that I may have to return here that

night. But if need be I shall come again in three days, and stay longer

if it must. Till then good-bye, my friend John.

"VAN HELSING."

_Letter, Dr. Seward to Hon. Arthur Holmwood._

"_3 September._

"My dear Art,--

"Van Helsing has come and gone. He came on with me to Hillingham, and

found that, by Lucy's discretion, her mother was lunching out, so that

we were alone with her. Van Helsing made a very careful examination of

the patient. He is to report to me, and I shall advise you, for of

course I was not present all the time. He is, I fear, much concerned,

but says he must think. When I told him of our friendship and how you

trust to me in the matter, he said: 'You must tell him all you think.

Tell him what I think, if you can guess it, if you will. Nay, I am not

jesting. This is no jest, but life and death, perhaps more.' I asked

what he meant by that, for he was very serious. This was when we had

come back to town, and he was having a cup of tea before starting on his

return to Amsterdam. He would not give me any further clue. You must not

be angry with me, Art, because his very reticence means that all his

brains are working for her good. He will speak plainly enough when the

time comes, be sure. So I told him I would simply write an account of

our visit, just as if I were doing a descriptive special article for

_The Daily Telegraph_. He seemed not to notice, but remarked that the

smuts in London were not quite so bad as they used to be when he was a

student here. I am to get his report to-morrow if he can possibly make

it. In any case I am to have a letter.

"Well, as to the visit. Lucy was more cheerful than on the day I first

saw her, and certainly looked better. She had lost something of the

ghastly look that so upset you, and her breathing was normal. She was

very sweet to the professor (as she always is), and tried to make him

feel at ease; though I could see that the poor girl was making a hard

struggle for it. I believe Van Helsing saw it, too, for I saw the quick

look under his bushy brows that I knew of old. Then he began to chat of

all things except ourselves and diseases and with such an infinite

geniality that I could see poor Lucy's pretense of animation merge into

reality. Then, without any seeming change, he brought the conversation

gently round to his visit, and suavely said:--

"'My dear young miss, I have the so great pleasure because you are so

much beloved. That is much, my dear, ever were there that which I do not

see. They told me you were down in the spirit, and that you were of a

ghastly pale. To them I say: "Pouf!"' And he snapped his fingers at me

and went on: 'But you and I shall show them how wrong they are. How can

he'--and he pointed at me with the same look and gesture as that with

which once he pointed me out to his class, on, or rather after, a

particular occasion which he never fails to remind me of--'know anything

of a young ladies? He has his madams to play with, and to bring them

back to happiness, and to those that love them. It is much to do, and,

oh, but there are rewards, in that we can bestow such happiness. But the

young ladies! He has no wife nor daughter, and the young do not tell

themselves to the young, but to the old, like me, who have known so many

sorrows and the causes of them. So, my dear, we will send him away to

smoke the cigarette in the garden, whiles you and I have little talk all

to ourselves.' I took the hint, and strolled about, and presently the

professor came to the window and called me in. He looked grave, but

said: 'I have made careful examination, but there is no functional

cause. With you I agree that there has been much blood lost; it has

been, but is not. But the conditions of her are in no way anæmic. I have

asked her to send me her maid, that I may ask just one or two question,

that so I may not chance to miss nothing. I know well what she will say.

And yet there is cause; there is always cause for everything. I must go

back home and think. You must send to me the telegram every day; and if

there be cause I shall come again. The disease--for not to be all well

is a disease--interest me, and the sweet young dear, she interest me

too. She charm me, and for her, if not for you or disease, I come.'

"As I tell you, he would not say a word more, even when we were alone.

And so now, Art, you know all I know. I shall keep stern watch. I trust

your poor father is rallying. It must be a terrible thing to you, my

dear old fellow, to be placed in such a position between two people who

are both so dear to you. I know your idea of duty to your father, and

you are right to stick to it; but, if need be, I shall send you word to

come at once to Lucy; so do not be over-anxious unless you hear from

me."