We have seen the agent, who was much impressed with Godalming's kindly manner to him, and we are all satisfied that whatever he can do to aid our wishes will be done
We have already arranged what to do in case we get the box openIf the Count is there, Van Helsing and Seward will cut off his head at once and drive a stake through his heartMorris and Godalming and I shall prevent interference, even if we have to use the arms which we shall have readyThe Professor says that if we can so treat the Count's body, it will soon after fall into dustIn such case there would be no evidence against us, in case any suspicion of murder were arousedBut even if it were not, we should stand or fall by our act, and perhaps some day this very script may be evidence to come between some of us and a ropeFor myself, I should take the chance only too thankfully if it were to comeWe mean to leave no stone unturned to carry out our intentWe have arranged with certain officials that the instant the Czarina Catherine is seen, we are to be informed by a special messenger-A whole week of waitingDaily telegrams to Godalming, but only the same story Mina's morning and evening hypnotic answer is unvariedLapping waves, rushing water, and creaking masts
TELEGRAM, OCTOBER 24TH RUFUS SMITH, LLOYD'S, LONDON, TO LORD GODALMING, CARE OF HVICE CONSUL, VARNA
"Czarina Catherine reported this morning from DardanellesSEWARD'S DIARY
25 October-How I miss my phonograph! To write a diary with a pen is irksome to me! But Van Helsing says I mustWe were all wild with excitement yesterday when Godalming got his telegram from Lloyd'sI know now what men feel in battle when the call to action is heardHarker, alone of our party, did not show any signs of emotionAfter all, it is not strange that she did not, for we took special care not to let her know anything about it, and we all tried not to show any excitement when we were in her presenceIn old days she would, I am sure, have noticed, no matter how we might have tried to conceal itBut in this way she is greatly changed during the past three weeksThe lethargy grows upon her, and though she seems strong and well, and is getting back some of her colour, Van Helsing and I are not satisfiedWe have not, however, said a word to the othersIt would break poor Harker's heart, certainly his nerve, if he knew that we had even a suspicion on the subjectVan 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 is no active danger of a change in herIf this change should come, it would be necessary to take steps! We both know what those steps would have to be, though we do not mention our thoughts to each otherWe should neither of us shrink from the task, awful though it be to 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 LondonShe should therefore arrive some time in the morning, but as she cannot possibly get in before noon, we are all about to retire earlyWe shall get up at one o'clock, so as to be ready
25 October, Noon-No news yet of the ship's arrivalHarker's hypnotic report this morning was the same as usual, so it is possible that we may get news at any momentWe men are all in a fever of excitement, except Harker, who is calmHis hands are cold as ice, and an hour ago I found him whetting the edge of the great Ghoorka knife which he now always carries with himIt 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
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