CHAPTER15
DR。SEWARD'SDIARY-cont。
Forawhilesheerangermasteredme。ItwasasifhehadduringherlifestruckLucyontheface。IsmotethetablehardandroseupasIsaidtohim，“Dr。VanHelsing，areyoumad？”
Heraisedhisheadandlookedatme，andsomehowthetendernessofhisfacecalmedmeatonce。“WouldIwere！”hesaid。
“Madnesswereeasytobearcomparedwithtruthlikethis。
Oh，myfriend，whey，thinkyou，didIgosofarround，whytakesolongtotellsosimpleathing？
WasitbecauseIhateyouandhavehatedyouallmylife？
WasitbecauseIwishedtogiveyoupain？WasitthatIwanted，nosolate，revengeforthattimewhenyousavedmylife，andfromafearfuldeath？Ahno！”
“Forgiveme，“saidI。
Hewenton，“Myfriend，itwasbecauseIwishedtobegentleinthebreakingtoyou，forIknowyouhavelovedthatsosweetlady。
ButevenyetIdonotexpectyoutobelieve。Itissohardtoacceptatonceanyabstracttruth，thatwemaydoubtsuchtobepossiblewhenwehavealwaysbelievedthe`no'ofit。
Itismorehardstilltoacceptsosadaconcretetruth，andofsuchaoneasMissLucy。TonightIgotoproveit。
Dareyoucomewithme？”
Thisstaggeredme。Amandoesnotliketoprovesuchatruth，Byronexceptedfromthecatagory，jealousy。
“Andprovetheverytruthhemostabhorred。“
Hesawmyhesitation，andspoke，“Thelogicissimple，nomadman'slogicthistime，jumpingfromtussocktotussockinamistybog。
Ifitnotbetrue，thenproofwillberelief。Atworstitwillnotharm。
Ifitbetrue！Ah，thereisthedread。Yeteverydreadshouldhelpmycause，forinitissomeneedofbelief。Come，ItellyouwhatIpropose。
First，thatwegooffnowandseethatchildinthehospital。Dr。Vincent，oftheNorthHospital，wherethepaperssaythechildis，isafriendofmine，andIthinkofyourssinceyouwereinclassatAmsterdam。
Hewilllettwoscientistsseehiscase，ifhewillnotlettwofriends。
Weshalltellhimnothing，butonlythatwewishtolearn。
Andthen……“
“Andthen？”
Hetookakeyfromhispocketandhelditup。“Andthenwespendthenight，youandI，inthechurchyardwhereLucylies。
Thisisthekeythatlockthetomb。IhaditfromthecoffinmantogivetoArthur。“
Myheartsankwithinme，forIfeltthattherewassomefearfulordealbeforeus。Icoulddonothing，however，soIpluckedupwhatheartIcouldandsaidthatwehadbetterhasten，astheafternoonwaspassing。
Wefoundthechildawake。Ithadhadasleepandtakensomefood，andaltogetherwasgoingonwell。Dr，Vincenttookthebandagefromitsthroat，andshowedusthepunctures。TherewasnomistakingthesimilaritytothosewhichhadbeenonLucy'sthroat。
Theyweresmaller，andtheedgeslookedfresher，thatwasall。
WeaskedVincenttowhatheattributedthem，andherepliedthatitmusthavebeenabiteofsomeanimal，perhapsarat，butforhisownpart，hewasinclinedtothinkitwasoneofthebatswhicharesonumerousonthenorthernheightsofLondon。
“Outofsomanyharmlessones，“hesaid，“theremaybesomewildspecimenfromtheSouthofamoremalignantspecies。
Somesailormayhavebroughtonehome，anditmanagedtoescape，orevenfromtheZoologicalGardensayoungonemayhavegotloose，oronebebredtherefromavampire。
Thesethingsdooccur，you，know。Onlytendaysagoawolfgotout，andwas，Ibelieve，tracedupinthisdirection。
Foraweekafter，thechildrenwereplayingnothingbutRedRidingHoodontheHeathandineveryalleyintheplaceuntilthis`blooferlady'scarecamealong，sincethenithasbeenquiteagalatimewiththem。Eventhispoorlittlemite，whenhewokeuptoday，askedthenurseifhemightgoaway。
Whensheaskedhimwhyhewantedtogo，hesaidhewantedtoplaywiththe`blooferlady'。“
“Ihope，“saidVanHelsing，“thatwhenyouaresendingthechildhomeyouwillcautionitsparentstokeepstrictwatchoverit。
Thesefanciestostrayaremostdangerous，andifthechildweretoremainoutanothernight，itwouldprobablybefatal。
ButinanycaseIsupposeyouwillnotletitawayforsomedays？”
“Certainlynot，notforaweekatleast，longerifthewoundisnothealed。“
Ourvisittothehospitaltookmoretimethanwehadreckonedon，andthesunhaddippedbeforewecameout。
WhenVanHelsingsawhowdarkitwas，hesaid，“Thereisnothurry。ItismorelatethanIthought。
Come，letusseeksomewherethatwemayeat，andthenweshallgoonourway。“
Wedinedat`JackStraw'sCastle'alongwithalittlecrowdofbicyclistsandotherswhoweregeniallynoisy。Aboutteno'clockwestartedfromtheinn。
Itwasthenverydark，andthescatteredlampsmadethedarknessgreaterwhenwewereonceoutsidetheirindividualradius。TheProfessorhadevidentlynotedtheroadweweretogo，forhewentonunhesitatingly，but，asforme，Iwasinquiteamixupastolocality。Aswewentfurther，wemetfewerandfewerpeople，tillatlastweweresomewhatsurprisedwhenwemeteventhepatrolofhorsepolicegoingtheirusualsuburbanround。
Atlastwereachedthewallofthechurchyard，whichweclimbedover。
Withsomelittledifficulty，foritwasverydark，andthewholeplaceseemedsostrangetous，wefoundtheWestenratomb。TheProfessortookthekey，openedthecreakydoor，andstandingback，politely，butquiteunconsciously，motionedmetoprecedehim。Therewasadeliciousironyintheoffer，inthecourtlinessofgivingpreferenceonsuchaghastlyoccasion。
Mycompanionfollowedmequickly，andcautiouslydrewthedoorto，aftercarefullyascertainingthatthelockwasafalling，andnotaspringone。Inthelattercaseweshouldhavebeeninabadplight。
Thenhefumbledinhisbag，andtakingoutamatchboxandapieceofcandle，proceededtomakealight。Thetombinthedaytime，andwhenwreathedwithfreshflowers，hadlookedgrimandgruesomeenough，butnow，somedaysafterwards，whentheflowershunglankanddead，theirwhitesturningtorustandtheirgreenstobrowns，whenthespiderandthebeetlehadresumedtheiraccustomeddominance，whenthetime-discoloredstone，anddust-encrustedmortar，andrusty，dankiron，andtarnishedbrass，andcloudedsilver-platinggavebackthefeebleglimmerofacandle，theeffectwasmoremiserableandsordidthancouldhavebeenimagined。
Itconveyedirresistiblytheideathatlife，animallife，wasnottheonlythingwhichcouldpassaway。
VanHelsingwentabouthisworksystematically。Holdinghiscandlesothathecouldreadthecoffinplates，andsoholdingitthatthespermdroppedinwhitepatcheswhichcongealedastheytouchedthemetal，hemadeassuranceofLucy'scoffin。
Anothersearchinhisbag，andhetookoutaturnscrew。
“Whatareyougoingtodo？”Iasked。
“Toopenthecoffin。Youshallyetbeconvinced。“
Straightwayhebegantakingoutthescrews，andfinallyliftedoffthelid，showingthecasingofleadbeneath。Thesightwasalmosttoomuchforme。
Itseemedtobeasmuchanaffronttothedeadasitwouldhavebeentohavestrippedoffherclothinginhersleepwhilstliving。
Iactuallytookholdofhishandtostophim。
Heonlysaid，“Youshallsee，“andagainfumblinginhisbagtookoutatinyfretsaw。Strikingtheturnscrewthroughtheleadwithaswiftdownwardstab，whichmademewince，hemadeasmallhole，whichwas，however，bigenoughtoadmitthepointofthesaw。
Ihadexpectedarushofgasfromtheweek-oldcorpse。
Wedoctors，whohavehadtostudyourdangers，havetobecomeaccustomedtosuchthings，andIdrewbacktowardsthedoor。
ButtheProfessorneverstoppedforamoment。Hesaweddownacoupleoffeetalongonesideoftheleadcoffin，andthenacross，anddowntheotherside。Takingtheedgeofthelooseflange，hebentitbacktowardsthefootofthecoffin，andholdingupthecandleintotheaperture，motionedtometolook。
Idrewnearandlooked。Thecoffinwasempty。Itwascertainlyasurprisetome，andgavemeaconsiderableshock，butVanHelsingwasunmoved。
Hewasnowmoresurethaneverofhisground，andsoemboldenedtoproceedinhistask。“Areyousatisfiednow，friendJohn？”heasked。
IfeltallthedoggedargumentativenessofmynatureawakewithinmeasI
answeredhim，“IamsatisfiedthatLucy'sbodyisnotinthatcoffin，butthatonlyprovesonething。“
“Andwhatisthat，friendJohn？”
“Thatitisnotthere。“
“Thatisgoodlogic，“hesaid，“sofarasitgoes。
Buthowdoyou，howcanyou，accountforitnotbeingthere？”
“Perhapsabody-snatcher，“Isuggested。“Someoftheundertaker'speoplemayhavestolenit。“IfeltthatIwasspeakingfolly，andyetitwastheonlyrealcausewhichIcouldsuggest。
TheProfessorsighed。“Ahwell！”hesaid，“wemusthavemoreproof。
Comewithme。“
Heputonthecoffinlidagain，gatheredupallhisthingsandplacedtheminthebag，blewoutthelight，andplacedthecandlealsointhebag。
Weopenedthedoor，andwentout。Behindusheclosedthedoorandlockedit。Hehandedmethekey，saying，“Willyoukeepit？
Youhadbetterbeassured。“
Ilaughed，itwasnotaverycheerfullaugh，Iamboundtosay，asImotionedhimtokeepit。“Akeyisnothing，“Isaid，“theearemanyduplicates，andanyhowitisnotdifficulttopickalockofthiskind。“
Hesaidnothing，butputthekeyinhispocket。
Thenhetoldmetowatchatonesideofthechurchyardwhilsthewouldwatchattheother。
Itookupmyplacebehindayewtree，andIsawhisdarkfiguremoveuntiltheinterveningheadstonesandtreeshiditfrommysight。
Itwasalonelyvigil。JustafterIhadtakenmyplaceIheardadistantclockstriketwelve，andintimecameoneandtwo。
Iwaschilledandunnerved，andangrywiththeProfessorfortakingmeonsuchanerrandandwithmyselfforcoming。
Iwastoocoldandtoosleepytobekeenlyobservant，andnotsleepyenoughtobetraymytrust，soaltogetherI
hadadreary，miserabletime。
Suddenly，asIturnedround，IthoughtIsawsomethinglikeawhitestreak，movingbetweentwodarkyewtreesatthesideofthechurchyardfarthestfromthetomb。AtthesametimeadarkmassmovedfromtheProfessor'ssideoftheground，andhurriedlywenttowardsit。ThenItoomoved，butIhadtogoroundheadstonesandrailed-offtombs，andIstumbledovergraves。
Theskywasovercast，andsomewherefaroffanearlycockcrew。
Alittlewaysoff，beyondalineofscatteredjunipertrees，whichmarkedthepathwaytothechurch，awhitedimfigureflittedinthedirectionofthetomb。Thetombitselfwashiddenbytrees，andIcouldnotseewherethefigurehaddisappeared。
IheardtherustleofactualmovementwhereIhadfirstseenthewhitefigure，andcomingover，foundtheProfessorholdinginhisarmsatinychild。Whenhesawmehehelditouttome，andsaid，“Areyousatisfiednow？”
“No，“Isaid，inawaythatIfeltwasaggressive。
“Doyounotseethechild？”
“Yes，itisachild，butwhobroughtithere？Andisitwounded？”
“Weshallsee，“saidtheProfessor，andwithoneimpulsewetookourwayoutofthechurchyard，hecarryingthesleepingchild。
Whenwehadgotsomelittledistanceaway，wewentintoaclumpoftrees，andstruckamatch，andlookedatthechild'sthroat。
Itwaswithoutascratchorscarofanykind。
“WasIright？”Iaskedtriumphantly。
“Wewerejustintime，“saidtheProfessorthankfully。
Wehadnowtodecidewhatweweretodowiththechild，andsoconsultedaboutit。Ifweweretotakeittoapolicestationweshouldhavetogivesomeaccountofourmovementsduringthenight。
Atleast，weshouldhavehadtomakesomestatementastohowwehadcometofindthechild。SofinallywedecidedthatwewouldtakeittotheHeath，andwhenweheardapolicemancoming，wouldleaveitwherehecouldnotfailtofindit。Wewouldthenseekourwayhomeasquicklyaswecould。Allfelloutwell。
AttheedgeofHampsteadHeathweheardapoliceman'sheavytramp，andlayingthechildonthepathway，wewaitedandwatcheduntilhesawitasheflashedhislanterntoandfro。Weheardhisexclamationofastonishment，andthenwewentawaysilently。
Bygoodchancewegotacabnearthe`Spainiards，'anddrovetotown。
Icannotsleep，soImakethisentry。ButImusttrytogetafewhours'sleep，asVanHelsingistocallformeatnoon。
HeinsiststhatIgowithhimonanotherexpedition。
27September——Itwastwoo'clockbeforewefoundasuitableopportunityforourattempt。Thefuneralheldatnoonwasallcompleted，andthelaststragglersofthemournershadtakenthemselveslazilyaway，when，lookingcarefullyfrombehindaclumpofaldertrees，wesawthesextonlockthegateafterhim。
Weknewthatweweresafetillmorningdidwedesireit，buttheProfessortoldmethatweshouldnotwantmorethananhouratmost。
AgainIfeltthathorridsenseoftherealityofthings，inwhichanyeffortofimaginationseemedoutofplace，andIrealizeddistinctlytheperilsofthelawwhichwewereincurringinourunhallowedwork。
Besides，Ifeltitwasallsouseless。Outrageousasitwastoopenaleadencoffin，toseeifawomandeadnearlyaweekwerereallydead，itnowseemedtheheightoffollytoopenthetombagain，whenweknew，fromtheevidenceofourowneyesight，thatthecoffinwasempty。
Ishruggedmyshoulders，however，andrestedsilent，forVanHelsinghadawayofgoingonhisownroad，nomatterwhoremonstrated。
Hetookthekey，openedthevault，andagaincourteouslymotionedmetoprecede。Theplacewasnotsogruesomeaslastnight，butoh，howunutterablymeanlookingwhenthesunshinestreamedin。
VanHelsingwalkedovertoLucy'scoffin，andIfollowed。
Hebentoverandagainforcedbacktheleadenflange，andashockofsurpriseanddismayshotthroughme。
TherelayLucy，seeminglyjustaswehadseenherthenightbeforeherfuneral。Shewas，ifpossible，moreradiantlybeautifulthanever，andIcouldnotbelievethatshewasdead。
Thelipswerered，nayredderthanbefore，andonthecheekswasadelicatebloom。
“Isthisajuggle？”Isaidtohim。
“Areyouconvincednow？”saidtheProfessor，inresponse，andashespokeheputoverhishand，andinawaythatmademeshudder，pulledbackthedeadlipsandshowedthewhiteteeth。
“See，“hewenton，“theyareevensharperthanbefore。
Withthisandthis，“andhetouchedoneofthecanineteethandthatbelowit，“thelittlechildrencanbebitten。
Areyouofbeliefnow，friendJohn？”
Oncemoreargumentativehostilitywokewithinme。Icouldnotacceptsuchanoverwhelmingideaashesuggested。So，withanattempttoargueofwhichIwasevenatthemomentashamed，Isaid，“Shemayhavebeenplacedheresincelastnight。“
“Indeed？Thatisso，andbywhom？”
“Idonotknow。Someonehasdoneit。“
“Andyetshehasbeendeadoneweek。Mostpeoplesinthattimewouldnotlookso。“
Ihadnoanswerforthis，sowassilent。VanHelsingdidnotseemtonoticemysilence。Atanyrate，heshowedneitherchagrinnortriumph。
Hewaslookingintentlyatthefaceofthedeadwoman，raisingtheeyelidsandlookingattheeyes，andoncemoreopeningthelipsandexaminingtheteeth。
Thenheturnedtomeandsaid，“Here，thereisonethingwhichisdifferentfromallrecorded。
Hereissomeduallifethatisnotasthecommon。Shewasbittenbythevampirewhenshewasinatrance，sleep-walking，oh，youstart。Youdonotknowthat，friendJohn，butyoushallknowitlater，andintrancecouldhebestcometotakemoreblood。
Intranceshedies，andintrancesheisUnDead，too。Soitisthatshedifferfromallother。UsuallywhentheUnDeadsleepathome，“ashespokehemadeacomprehensivesweepofhisarmtodesignatewhattoavampirewas`home'，“theirfaceshowwhattheyare，butthissosweetthatwaswhenshenotUnDeadshegobacktothenothingsofthecommondead。
Thereisnomalignthere，see，andsoitmakehardthatImustkillherinhersleep。“
Thisturnedmybloodcold，anditbegantodawnuponmethatI
wasacceptingVanHelsing'stheories。Butifshewerereallydead，whatwasthereofterrorintheideaofkillingher？
Helookedupatme，andevidentlysawthechangeinmyface，forhesaidalmostjoyously，“Ah，youbelievenow？”
Ianswered，“Donotpressmetoohardallatonce。Iamwillingtoaccept。
Howwillyoudothisbloodywork？”
“Ishallcutoffherheadandfillhermouthwithgarlic，andIshalldriveastakethroughherbody。“
ItmademeshuddertothinkofsomutilatingthebodyofthewomanwhomIhadloved。AndyetthefeelingwasnotsostrongasIhadexpected。
Iwas，infact，beginningtoshudderatthepresenceofthisbeing，thisUnDead，asVanHelsingcalledit，andtoloatheit。
Isitpossiblethatloveisallsubjective，orallobjective？
IwaitedaconsiderabletimeforVanHelsingtobegin，buthestoodasifwrappedinthought。Presentlyheclosedthecatchofhisbagwithasnap，andsaid，“Ihavebeenthinking，andhavemadeupmymindastowhatisbest。
IfIdidsimplyfollowmyincliningIwoulddonow，atthismoment，whatistobedone。Butthereareotherthingstofollow，andthingsthatarethousandtimesmoredifficultinthatthemwedonotknow。
Thisissimple。Shehaveyetnolifetaken，thoughthatisoftime，andtoactnowwouldbetotakedangerfromherforever。
ButthenwemayhavetowantArthur，andhowshallwetellhimofthis？
Ifyou，whosawthewoundsonLucy'sthroat，andsawthewoundssosimilaronthechild'satthehospital，ifyou，whosawthecoffinemptylastnightandfulltodaywithawomanwhohavenotchangeonlytobemoreroseandmorebeautifulinawholeweek，aftershedie，ifyouknowofthisandknowofthewhitefigurelastnightthatbroughtthechildtothechurchyard，andyetofyourownsensesyoudidnotbelieve，howthen，canIexpectArthur，whoknownoneofthosethings，tobelieve？
“HedoubtedmewhenItookhimfromherkisswhenshewasdying。
IknowhehasforgivenmebecauseinsomemistakenideaI
havedonethingsthatpreventhimsaygoodbyeasheought，andhemaythinkthatinsomemoremistakenideathiswomanwasburiedalive，andthatinmostmistakeofallwehavekilledher。
Hewillthenarguebackthatitiswe，mistakenones，thathavekilledherbyourideas，andsohewillbemuchunhappyalways。
Yethenevercanbesure，andthatistheworstofall。
Andhewillsometimesthinkthatshehelovedwasburiedalive，andthatwillpainthisdreamswithhorrorsofwhatshemusthavesuffered，andagain，hewillthinkthatwemayberight，andthathissobelovedwas，afterall，anUnDead。No！Itoldhimonce，andsincethenIlearnmuch。
Now，sinceIknowitisalltrue，ahundredthousandtimesmoredoIknowthathemustpassthroughthebitterwaterstoreachthesweet。He，poorfellow，musthaveonehourthatwillmaketheveryfaceofheavengrowblacktohim，thenwecanactforgoodallroundandsendhimpeace。
Mymindismadeup。Letusgo。Youreturnhomefortonighttoyourasylum，andseethatallbewell。Asforme，Ishallspendthenighthereinthischurchyardinmyownway。
TomorrownightyouwillcometometotheBerkeleyHotelattenoftheclock。IshallsendforArthurtocometoo，andalsothatsofineyoungmanofAmericathatgavehisblood。
Laterweshallallhaveworktodo。IcomewithyousofarasPiccadillyandtheredine，forImustbebackherebeforethesunset。“
Sowelockedthetombandcameaway，andgotoverthewallofthechurchyard，whichwasnotmuchofatask，anddrovebacktoPiccadilly。
NOTELEFTBYVANHELSINGINHISPORTMANTEAU，BERKELEYHOTELDIRECTEDTO
JOHNSEWARD，M。D。NotDelivered
27September“FriendJohn，“Iwritethisincaseanythingshouldhappen。Igoalonetowatchinthatchurchyard。ItpleasesmethattheUnDead，MissLucy，shallnotleavetonight，thatsoonthemorrownightshemaybemoreeager。ThereforeIshallfixsomethingsshelikenot，garlicandacrucifix，andsosealupthedoorofthetomb。
SheisyoungasUnDead，andwillheed。Moreover，theseareonlytopreventhercomingout。Theymaynotprevailonherwantingtogetin，forthentheUnDeadisdesperate，andmustfindthelineofleastresistance，whatsoeveritmaybe。
Ishallbeathandallthenightfromsunsettillaftersunrise，andiftherebeaughtthatmaybelearnedIshalllearnit。
ForMissLucyorfromher，Ihavenofear，butthatothertowhomistherethatsheisUnDead，hehavenotthepowertoseekhertombandfindshelter。Heiscunning，asIknowfromMr。JonathanandfromthewaythatallalonghehavefooleduswhenheplayedwithusforMissLucy'slife，andwelost，andinmanywaystheUnDeadarestrong。
Hehavealwaysthestrengthinhishandoftwentymen，evenwefourwhogaveourstrengthtoMissLucyitalsoisalltohim。
Besides，hecansummonhiswolfandIknownotwhat。
Soifitbethathecamethitheronthisnightheshallfindme。
Butnoneothershall，untilitbetoolate。Butitmaybethathewillnotattempttheplace。Thereisnoreasonwhyheshould。
HishuntinggroundismorefullofgamethanthechurchyardwheretheUnDeadwomansleeps，andtheoneoldmanwatch。
“ThereforeIwritethisincase……Takethepapersthatarewiththis，thediariesofHarkerandtherest，andreadthem，andthenfindthisgreatUnDead，andcutoffhisheadandburnhisheartordriveastakethroughit，sothattheworldmayrestfromhim。
“Ifitbeso，farewell。
“VANHELSING。“
DR。SEWARD'SDIARY
28September——Itiswonderfulwhatagoodnight'ssleepwilldoforone。
YesterdayIwasalmostwillingtoacceptVanHelsing'smonstrousideas，butnowtheyseemtostartoutluridbeforemeasoutragesoncommonsense。Ihavenodoubtthathebelievesitall。
Iwonderifhismindcanhavebecomeinanywayunhinged。Surelytheremustbesomerationalexplanationofallthesemysteriousthings。
IsitpossiblethattheProfessorcanhavedoneithimself？
Heissoabnormallycleverthatifhewentoffhisheadhewouldcarryouthisintentwithregardtosomefixedideainawonderfulway。
Iamloathetothinkit，andindeeditwouldbealmostasgreatamarvelastheothertofindthatVanHelsingwasmad，butanyhowIshallwatchhimcarefully。Imaygetsomelightonthemystery。
29September——Lastnight，atalittlebeforeteno'clock，ArthurandQuinceycameintoVanHelsing'sroom。
Hetoldusallwhathewantedustodo，butespeciallyaddressinghimselftoArthur，asifallourwillswerecenteredinhis。
Hebeganbysayingthathehopedwewouldallcomewithhimtoo，“for，“hesaid，“thereisagravedutytobedonethere。
Youweredoubtlesssurprisedatmyletter？”ThisquerywasdirectlyaddressedtoLordGodalming。
“Iwas。Itratherupsetmeforabit。TherehasbeensomuchtroublearoundmyhouseoflatethatIcoulddowithoutanymore。
Ihavebeencurious，too，astowhatyoumean。
“QuinceyandItalkeditover，butthemorewetalked，themorepuzzledwegot，tillnowIcansayformyselfthatI'maboutupatreeastoanymeaningaboutanything。“
“Metoo，“saidQuinceyMorrislaconically。
“Oh，“saidtheProfessor，“thenyouarenearerthebeginning，bothofyou，thanfriendJohnhere，whohastogoalongwaybackbeforehecanevengetsofarastobegin。“
Itwasevidentthatherecognizedmyreturntomyolddoubtingframeofmindwithoutmysayingaword。Then，turningtotheothertwo，hesaidwithintensegravity，“IwantyourpermissiontodowhatIthinkgoodthisnight。
Itis，Iknow，muchtoask，andwhenyouknowwhatitisI
proposetodoyouwillknow，andonlythenhowmuch。
ThereforemayIaskthatyoupromisemeinthedark，sothatafterwards，thoughyoumaybeangrywithmeforatime，Imustnotdisguisefrommyselfthepossibilitythatsuchmaybe，youshallnotblameyourselvesforanything。“
“That'sfrankanyhow，“brokeinQuincey。“I'llanswerfortheProfessor。
Idon'tquiteseehisdrift，butIswearhe'shonest，andthat'sgoodenoughforme。“
“Ithankyou，Sir，“saidVanHelsingproudly。“Ihavedonemyselfthehonorofcountingyouonetrustingfriend，andsuchendorsementisdeartome。“
Heheldoutahand，whichQuinceytook。
ThenArthurspokeout，“Dr。VanHelsing，Idon'tquiteliketo`buyapiginapoke'，astheysayinScotland，andifitbeanythinginwhichmyhonourasagentlemanormyfaithasaChristianisconcerned，Icannotmakesuchapromise。
Ifyoucanassuremethatwhatyouintenddoesnotviolateeitherofthesetwo，thenIgivemyconsentatonce，thoughforthelifeofme，Icannotunderstandwhatyouaredrivingat。“
“Iacceptyourlimitation，“saidVanHelsing，“andallIaskofyouisthatifyoufeelitnecessarytocondemnanyactofmine，youwillfirstconsideritwellandbesatisfiedthatitdoesnotviolateyourreservations。“
“Agreed！”saidArthur。“Thatisonlyfair。Andnowthatthepourparlersareover，mayIaskwhatitiswearetodo？”
“Iwantyoutocomewithme，andtocomeinsecret，tothechurchyardatKingstead。“
Arthur'sfacefellashesaidinanamazedsortofway，“WherepoorLucyisburied？”
TheProfessorbowed。
Arthurwenton，“Andwhenthere？”
“Toenterthetomb！”
Arthurstoodup。“Professor，areyouinearnest，orisitsomemonstrousjoke？Pardonme，Iseethatyouareinearnest。“
Hesatdownagain，butIcouldseethathesatfirmlyandproudly，asonewhoisonhisdignity。Therewassilenceuntilheaskedagain，“Andwheninthetomb？”
“Toopenthecoffin。“
“Thisistoomuch！”hesaid，angrilyrisingagain。
“Iamwillingtobepatientinallthingsthatarereasonable，butinthis，thisdesecrationofthegrave，ofonewho……“Hefairlychokedwithindignation。
TheProfessorlookedpityinglyathim。“IfIcouldspareyouonepang，mypoorfriend，“hesaid，“GodknowsIwould。
Butthisnightourfeetmusttreadinthornypaths，orlater，andforever，thefeetyoulovemustwalkinpathsofflame！”
Arthurlookedupwithsetwhitefaceandsaid，“Takecare，sir，takecare！”
“WoulditnotbewelltohearwhatIhavetosay？”saidVanHelsing。
“Andthenyouwillatleastknowthelimitofmypurpose。
ShallIgoon？”
“That'sfairenough，“brokeinMorris。
AfterapauseVanHelsingwenton，evidentlywithaneffort，“MissLucyisdead，isitnotso？Yes！Thentherecanbenowrongtoher。
Butifshebenotdead……“
Arthurjumpedtohisfeet，“GoodGod！”hecried。“Whatdoyoumean？
Hastherebeenanymistake，hasshebeenburiedalive？”
Hegroanedinanguishthatnotevenhopecouldsoften。
“Ididnotsayshewasalive，mychild。Ididnotthinkit。
IgonofurtherthantosaythatshemightbeUnDead。“
“UnDead！Notalive！Whatdoyoumean？Isthisallanightmare，orwhatisit？”
“Therearemysterieswhichmencanonlyguessat，whichagebyagetheymaysolveonlyinpart。Believeme，wearenowonthevergeofone。
ButIhavenotdone。MayIcutofftheheadofdeadMissLucy？”
“Heavensandearth，no！”criedArthurinastormofpassion。
“NotforthewideworldwillIconsenttoanymutilationofherdeadbody。Dr。VanHelsing，youtrymetoofar。
WhathaveIdonetoyouthatyoushouldtorturemeso？
Whatdidthatpoor，sweetgirldothatyoushouldwanttocastsuchdishonoronhergrave？Areyoumad，thatyouspeakofsuchthings，oramImadtolistentothem？Don'tdarethinkmoreofsuchadesecration。Ishallnotgivemyconsenttoanythingyoudo。
Ihaveadutytodoinprotectinghergravefromoutrage，andbyGod，Ishalldoit！”
VanHelsingroseupfromwherehehadallthetimebeenseated，andsaid，gravelyandsternly，“MyLordGodalming，Itoo，haveadutytodo，adutytoothers，adutytoyou，adutytothedead，andbyGod，Ishalldoit！
AllIaskyounowisthatyoucomewithme，thatyoulookandlisten，andifwhenlaterImakethesamerequestyoudonotbemoreeagerforitsfulfillmenteventhanIam，then，Ishalldomyduty，whateveritmayseemtome。Andthen，tofollowyourLordship'swishesIshallholdmyselfatyourdisposaltorenderanaccounttoyou，whenandwhereyouwill。“
Hisvoicebrokealittle，andhewentonwithavoicefullofpity。
“ButIbeseechyou，donotgoforthinangerwithme。Inalonglifeofactswhichwereoftennotpleasanttodo，andwhichsometimesdidwringmyheart，Ihaveneverhadsoheavyataskasnow。
Believemethatifthetimecomesforyoutochangeyourmindtowardsme，onelookfromyouwillwipeawayallthissosadhour，forIwoulddowhatamancantosaveyoufromsorrow。Justthink。
ForwhyshouldIgivemyselfsomuchlaborandsomuchofsorrow？
IhavecomeherefrommyownlandtodowhatIcanofgood，atthefirsttopleasemyfriendJohn，andthentohelpasweetyounglady，whomtoo，Icometolove。Forher，Iamashamedtosaysomuch，butIsayitinkindness，Igavewhatyougave，thebloodofmyveins。
Igaveit，Iwhowasnot，likeyou，herlover，butonlyherphysicianandherfriend。Igavehermynightsanddays，beforedeath，afterdeath，andifmydeathcandohergoodevennow，whensheisthedeadUnDead，sheshallhaveitfreely。“
Hesaidthiswithaverygrave，sweetpride，andArthurwasmuchaffectedbyit。
Hetooktheoldman'shandandsaidinabrokenvoice，“Oh，itishardtothinkofit，andIcannotunderstand，butatleastIshallgowithyouandwait。“
CHAPTER16
DRSEWARD'SDIARY-cont。
Itwasjustaquarterbeforetwelveo'clockwhenwegotintothechurchyardoverthelowwall。Thenightwasdarkwithoccasionalgleamsofmoonlightbetweenthedentsoftheheavycloudsthatscuddedacrossthesky。
Weallkeptsomehowclosetogether，withVanHelsingslightlyinfrontasheledtheway。WhenwehadcomeclosetothetombIlookedwellatArthur，forIfearedtheproximitytoaplaceladenwithsosorrowfulamemorywouldupsethim，butheborehimselfwell。Itookitthattheverymysteryoftheproceedingwasinsomewayacounteractanttohisgrief。
TheProfessorunlockedthedoor，andseeinganaturalhesitationamongstusforvariousreasons，solvedthedifficultybyenteringfirsthimself。
Therestofusfollowed，andheclosedthedoor。Hethenlitadarklanternandpointedtoacoffin。Arthursteppedforwardhesitatingly。
VanHelsingsaidtome，“Youwerewithmehereyesterday。
WasthebodyofMissLucyinthatcoffin？”
“Itwas。“
TheProfessorturnedtotherestsaying，“Youhear，andyetthereisnoonewhodoesnotbelievewithme。'
Hetookhisscrewdriverandagaintookoffthelidofthecoffin。
Arthurlookedon，verypalebutsilent。Whenthelidwasremovedhesteppedforward。Heevidentlydidnotknowthattherewasaleadencoffin，oratanyrate，hadnotthoughtofit。
Whenhesawtherentinthelead，thebloodrushedtohisfaceforaninstant，butasquicklyfellawayagain，sothatheremainedofaghastlywhiteness。Hewasstillsilent。
VanHelsingforcedbacktheleadenflange，andwealllookedinandrecoiled。
Thecoffinwasempty！
Forseveralminutesnoonespokeaword。ThesilencewasbrokenbyQuinceyMorris，“Professor，Iansweredforyou。
YourwordisallIwant。Iwouldn'tasksuchathingordinarily，Iwouldn'tsodishonoryouastoimplyadoubt，butthisisamysterythatgoesbeyondanyhonorordishonor。
Isthisyourdoing？”
“IsweartoyoubyallthatIholdsacredthatIhavenotremovedortouchedher。Whathappenedwasthis。
TwonightsagomyfriendSewardandIcamehere，withgoodpurpose，believeme。Iopenedthatcoffin，whichwasthensealedup，andwefounditasnow，empty。
Wethenwaited，andsawsomethingwhitecomethroughthetrees。
Thenextdaywecamehereindaytimeandshelaythere。
Didshenot，friendJohn？
“Yes。“
“Thatnightwewerejustintime。Onemoresosmallchildwasmissing，andwefindit，thankGod，unharmedamongstthegraves。
YesterdayIcameherebeforesundown，foratsundowntheUnDeadcanmove。
Iwaitedhereallnighttillthesunrose，butIsawnothing。
ItwasmostprobablethatitwasbecauseIhadlaidovertheclampsofthosedoorsgarlic，whichtheUnDeadcannotbear，andotherthingswhichtheyshun。Lastnighttherewasnoexodus，sotonightbeforethesundownItookawaymygarlicandotherthings。
Andsoitiswefindthiscoffinempty。Butbearwithme。
Sofarthereismuchthatisstrange。Waityouwithmeoutside，unseenandunheard，andthingsmuchstrangerareyettobe。
So，“hereheshutthedarkslideofhislantern，“nowtotheoutside。“
Heopenedthedoor，andwefiledout，hecominglastandlockingthedoorbehindhim。
Oh！Butitseemedfreshandpureinthenightairaftertheterrorofthatvault。Howsweetitwastoseethecloudsraceby，andthepassinggleamsofthemoonlightbetweenthescuddingcloudscrossingandpassing，likethegladnessandsorrowofaman'slife。Howsweetitwastobreathethefreshair，thathadnotaintofdeathanddecay。
Howhumanizingtoseetheredlightingoftheskybeyondthehill，andtohearfarawaythemuffledroarthatmarksthelifeofagreatcity。Eachinhisownwaywassolemnandovercome。
Arthurwassilent，andwas，Icouldsee，strivingtograspthepurposeandtheinnermeaningofthemystery。
Iwasmyselftolerablypatient，andhalfinclinedagaintothrowasidedoubtandtoacceptVanHelsing'sconclusions。
QuinceyMorriswasphlegmaticinthewayofamanwhoacceptsallthings，andacceptstheminthespiritofcoolbravery，withhazardofallhehasatstake。Notbeingabletosmoke，hecuthimselfagood-sizedplugoftobaccoandbegantochew。
AstoVanHelsing，hewasemployedinadefiniteway。
Firsthetookfromhisbagamassofwhatlookedlikethin，wafer-likebiscuit，whichwascarefullyrolledupinawhitenapkin。
Nexthetookoutadoublehandfulofsomewhitishstuff，likedoughorputty。Hecrumbledthewaferupfineandworkeditintothemassbetweenhishands。Thishethentook，androllingitintothinstrips，begantolaythemintothecrevicesbetweenthedooranditssettinginthetomb。
Iwassomewhatpuzzledatthis，andbeingclose，askedhimwhatitwasthathewasdoing。ArthurandQuinceydrewnearalso，astheytoowerecurious。
Heanswered，“IamclosingthetombsothattheUnDeadmaynotenter。“
“Andisthatstuffyouhavetheregoingtodoit？”
“ItIs。“
“Whatisthatwhichyouareusing？”ThistimethequestionwasbyArthur。
VanHelsingreverentlyliftedhishatasheanswered。
“TheHost。IbroughtitfromAmsterdam。IhaveanIndulgence。“
Itwasananswerthatappalledthemostscepticalofus，andwefeltindividuallythatinthepresenceofsuchearnestpurposeastheProfessor's，apurposewhichcouldthususethetohimmostsacredofthings，itwasimpossibletodistrust。
Inrespectfulsilencewetooktheplacesassignedtouscloseroundthetomb，buthiddenfromthesightofanyoneapproaching。Ipitiedtheothers，especiallyArthur。
Ihadmyselfbeenapprenticedbymyformervisitstothiswatchinghorror，andyetI，whohaduptoanhouragorepudiatedtheproofs，feltmyheartsinkwithinme。
Neverdidtombslooksoghastlywhite。Neverdidcypress，oryew，orjunipersoseemtheembodimentoffuneralgloom。
Neverdidtreeorgrasswaveorrustlesoominously。
Neverdidboughcreaksomysteriously，andneverdidthefar-awayhowlingofdogssendsuchawoefulpresagethroughthenight。
Therewasalongspellofsilence，big，aching，void，andthenfromtheProfessorakeen“S-s-s-s！”Hepointed，andfardowntheavenueofyewswesawawhitefigureadvance，adimwhitefigure，whichheldsomethingdarkatitsbreast。
Thefigurestopped，andatthemomentarayofmoonlightfelluponthemassesofdrivingclouds，andshowedinstartlingprominenceadark-hairedwoman，dressedinthecerementsofthegrave。Wecouldnotseetheface，foritwasbentdownoverwhatwesawtobeafair-hairedchild。
Therewasapauseandasharplittlecry，suchasachildgivesinsleep，oradogasitliesbeforethefireanddreams。
Wewerestartingforward，buttheProfessor'swarninghand，seenbyusashestoodbehindayewtree，keptusback。
Andthenaswelookedthewhitefiguremovedforwardsagain。
Itwasnownearenoughforustoseeclearly，andthemoonlightstillheld。Myownheartgrewcoldasice，andIcouldhearthegaspofArthur，aswerecognizedthefeaturesofLucyWestenra。LucyWestenra，butyethowchanged。
Thesweetnesswasturnedtoadamantine，heartlesscruelty，andthepuritytovoluptuouswantonness。
VanHelsingsteppedout，andobedienttohisgesture，wealladvancedtoo。
Thefourofusrangedinalinebeforethedoorofthetomb。VanHelsingraisedhislanternanddrewtheslide。BytheconcentratedlightthatfellonLucy'sfacewecouldseethatthelipswerecrimsonwithfreshblood，andthatthestreamhadtrickledoverherchinandstainedthepurityofherlawndeathrobe。
Weshudderedwithhorror。IcouldseebythetremulouslightthatevenVanHelsing'sironnervehadfailed。
Arthurwasnexttome，andifIhadnotseizedhisarmandheldhimup，hewouldhavefallen。
WhenLucy，IcallthethingthatwasbeforeusLucybecauseitborehershape，sawusshedrewbackwithanangrysnarl，suchasacatgiveswhentakenunawares，thenhereyesrangedoverus。
Lucy'seyesinformandcolor，butLucy'seyesuncleanandfullofhellfire，insteadofthepure，gentleorbsweknew。
Atthatmomenttheremnantofmylovepassedintohateandloathing。
Hadshethentobekilled，Icouldhavedoneitwithsavagedelight。
Asshelooked，hereyesblazedwithunholylight，andthefacebecamewreathedwithavoluptuoussmile。Oh，God，howitmademeshuddertoseeit！Withacarelessmotion，sheflungtotheground，callousasadevil，thechildthatuptonowshehadclutchedstrenuouslytoherbreast，growlingoveritasadoggrowlsoverabone。
Thechildgaveasharpcry，andlaytheremoaning。Therewasacold-bloodednessintheactwhichwrungagroanfromArthur。
Whensheadvancedtohimwithoutstretchedarmsandawantonsmilehefellbackandhidhisfaceinhishands。
Shestilladvanced，however，andwithalanguorous，voluptuousgrace，said，“Cometome，Arthur。Leavetheseothersandcometome。
Myarmsarehungryforyou。Come，andwecanresttogether。
Come，myhusband，come！”
Therewassomethingdiabolicallysweetinhertones，somethingofthetinklingofglasswhenstruck，whichrangthroughthebrainsevenofuswhoheardthewordsaddressedtoanother。
AsforArthur，heseemedunderaspell，movinghishandsfromhisface，heopenedwidehisarms。Shewasleapingforthem，whenVanHelsingsprangforwardandheldbetweenthemhislittlegoldencrucifix。
Sherecoiledfromit，and，withasuddenlydistortedface，fullofrage，dashedpasthimasiftoenterthetomb。
Whenwithinafootortwoofthedoor，however，shestopped，asifarrestedbysomeirresistibleforce。Thensheturned，andherfacewasshownintheclearburstofmoonlightandbythelamp，whichhadnownoquiverfromVanHelsing'snerves。
NeverdidIseesuchbaffledmaliceonaface，andnever，Itrust，shallsucheverbeseenagainbymortaleyes。
Thebeautifulcolorbecamelivid，theeyesseemedtothrowoutsparksofhellfire，thebrowswerewrinkledasthoughthefoldsoffleshwerethecoilsofMedusa'ssnakes，andthelovely，blood-stainedmouthgrewtoanopensquare，asinthepassionmasksoftheGreeksandJapanese。
Ifeverafacemeantdeath，iflookscouldkill，wesawitatthatmoment。
Andsoforfullhalfaminute，whichseemedaneternity，seremainedbetweentheliftedcrucifixandthesacredclosingofhermeansofentry。
VanHelsingbrokethesilencebyaskingArthur，“Answerme，ohmyfriend！
AmItoproceedinmywork？”
“Doasyouwill，friend。Doasyouwill。Therecanbenohorrorlikethiseveranymore。“Andhegroanedinspirit。
QuinceyandIsimultaneouslymovedtowardshim，andtookhisarms。
WecouldheartheclickoftheclosinglanternasVanHelsinghelditdown。Comingclosetothetomb，hebegantoremovefromthechinkssomeofthesacredemblemwhichhehadplacedthere。
Wealllookedonwithhorrifiedamazementaswesaw，whenhestoodback，thewoman，withacorporealbodyasrealatthatmomentasourown，passthroughtheintersticewherescarceaknifebladecouldhavegone。
WeallfeltagladsenseofreliefwhenwesawtheProfessorcalmlyrestoringthestringsofputtytotheedgesofthedoor。
Whenthiswasdone，heliftedthechildandsaid，“Comenow，myfriends。
Wecandonomoretilltomorrow。Thereisafuneralatnoon，sohereweshallallcomebeforelongafterthat。Thefriendsofthedeadwillallbegonebytwo，andwhenthesextonlocksthegateweshallremain。
Thenthereismoretodo，butnotlikethisoftonight。Asforthislittleone，heisnotmuchharmed，andbytomorrownightheshallbewell。
Weshallleavehimwherethepolicewillfindhim，asontheothernight，andthentohome。“
ComingclosetoArthur，hesaid，“MyfriendArthur，youhavehadasoretrial，butafter，whenyoulookback，youwillseehowitwasnecessary。
Youarenowinthebitterwaters，mychild。Bythistimetomorrowyouwill，pleaseGod，havepassedthem，andhavedrunkofthesweetwaters。
Sodonotmournover-much。TillthenIshallnotaskyoutoforgiveme。“
ArthurandQuinceycamehomewithme，andwetriedtocheereachotherontheway。Wehadleftbehindthechildinsafety，andweretired。
Soweallsleptwithmoreorlessrealityofsleep。
29September，night——Alittlebeforetwelveo'clockwethree，Arthur，QuinceyMorris，andmyself，calledfortheProfessor。
Itwasoddtonoticethatbycommonconsentwehadallputonblackclothes。Ofcourse，Arthurworeblack，forhewasindeepmourning，buttherestofusworeitbyinstinct。
Wegottothegraveyardbyhalf-pastone，andstrolledabout，keepingoutofofficialobservation，sothatwhenthegravediggershadcompletedtheirtaskandthesextonunderthebeliefthateveryonehadgone，hadlockedthegate，wehadtheplacealltoourselves。VanHelsing，insteadofhislittleblackbag，hadwithhimalongleatherone，somethinglikeacricketingbag。
Itwasmanifestlyoffairweight。
Whenwewerealoneandhadheardthelastofthefootstepsdieoutuptheroad，wesilently，andasifbyorderedintention，followedtheProfessortothetomb。
Heunlockedthedoor，andweentered，closingitbehindus。
Thenhetookfromhisbagthelantern，whichhelit，andalsotwowaxcandles，which，whenlighted，hestuckbymeltingtheirownends，onothercoffins，sothattheymightgivelightsufficienttoworkby。WhenheagainliftedthelidoffLucy'scoffinwealllooked，Arthurtremblinglikeanaspen，andsawthatthecorpselaythereinallitsdeathbeauty。
Buttherewasnoloveinmyownheart，nothingbutloathingforthefoulThingwhichhadtakenLucy'sshapewithouthersoul。
IcouldseeevenArthur'sfacegrowhardashelooked。
PresentlyhesaidtoVanHelsing，“IsthisreallyLucy'sbody，oronlyademoninhershape？”
“Itisherbody，andyetnotit。Butwaitawhile，andyoushallseeherasshewas，andis。“
SheseemedlikeanightmareofLucyasshelaythere，thepointedteeth，thebloodstained，voluptuousmouth，whichmadeoneshuddertosee，thewholecarnalandunspiritedappearance，seeminglikeadevilishmockeryofLucy'ssweetpurity。
VanHelsing，withhisusualmethodicalness，begantakingthevariouscontentsfromhisbagandplacingthemreadyforuse。
Firsthetookoutasolderingironandsomeplumbingsolder，andthensmalloillamp，whichgaveout，whenlitinacornerofthetomb，gaswhichburnedatafierceheatwithablueflame，thenhisoperatingknives，whichheplacedtohand，andlastaroundwoodenstake，sometwoandahalforthreeinchesthickandaboutthreefeetlong。Oneendofitwashardenedbycharringinthefire，andwassharpenedtoafinepoint。
Withthisstakecameaheavyhammer，suchasinhouseholdsisusedinthecoalcellarforbreakingthelumps。Tome，adoctor'spreperationsforworkofanykindarestimulatingandbracing，buttheeffectofthesethingsonbothArthurandQuinceywastocausethemasortofconsternation。
Theyboth，however，kepttheircourage，andremainedsilentandquiet。
Whenallwasready，VanHelsingsaid，“Beforewedoanything，letmetellyouthis。ItisoutoftheloreandexperienceoftheancientsandofallthosewhohavestudiedthepowersoftheUnDead。
Whentheybecomesuch，therecomeswiththechangethecurseofimmortality。Theycannotdie，butmustgoonageafterageaddingnewvictimsandmultiplyingtheevilsoftheworld。
ForallthatdiefromthepreyingoftheUndeadbecomethemselvesUndead，andpreyontheirkind。Andsothecirclegoesoneverwidening，likeastheripplesfromastonethrowninthewater。
FriendArthur，ifyouhadmetthatkisswhichyouknowofbeforepoorLucydie，oragain，lastnightwhenyouopenyourarmstoher，youwouldintime，whenyouhaddied，havebecomenosferatu，astheycallitinEasterneurope，andwouldforalltimemakemoreofthoseUn-Deadsthatsohavefilleduswithhorror。
Thecareerofthissounhappydearladyisbutjustbegun。
Thosechildrenwhosebloodshesuckedarenotasyetsomuchtheworse，butifsheliveson，UnDead，moreandmoretheylosetheirbloodandbyherpoweroverthemtheycometoher，andsoshedrawtheirbloodwiththatsowickedmouth。Butifshedieintruth，thenallcease。
Thetinywoundsofthethroatsdisappear，andtheygobacktotheirplayunknowingeverofwhathasbeen。Butofthemostblessedofall，whenthisnowUnDeadbemadetorestastruedead，thenthesoulofthepoorladywhomweloveshallagainbefree。
Insteadofworkingwickednessbynightandgrowingmoredebasedintheassimilatingofitbyday，sheshalltakeherplacewiththeotherAngels。Sothat，myfriend，itwillbeablessedhandforherthatshallstriketheblowthatsetsherfree。
TothisIamwilling，butistherenoneamongstuswhohasabetterright？
Willitbenojoytothinkofhereafterinthesilenceofthenightwhensleepisnot，`Itwasmyhandthatsenthertothestars。
Itwasthehandofhimthatlovedherbest，thehandthatofallshewouldherselfhavechosen，haditbeentohertochoose？'
Tellmeiftherebesuchaoneamongstus？”
WealllookedatArthur。Hesawtoo，whatwealldid，theinfinitekindnesswhichsuggestedthathisshouldbethehandwhichwouldrestoreLucytousasaholy，andnotanunholy，memory。Hesteppedforwardandsaidbravely，thoughhishandtrembled，andhisfacewasaspaleassnow，“Mytruefriend，fromthebottomofmybrokenheartIthankyou。
TellmewhatIamtodo，andIshallnotfalter！”
VanHelsinglaidahandonhisshoulder，andsaid，“Bravelad！
Amoment'scourage，anditisdone。Thisstakemustbedriventhroughher。
Itwellbeafearfulordeal，benotdeceivedinthat，butitwillbeonlyashorttime，andyouwillthenrejoicemorethanyourpainwasgreat。
Fromthisgrimtombyouwillemergeasthoughyoutreadonair。
Butyoumustnotfalterwhenonceyouhavebegun。Onlythinkthatwe，yourtruefriends，areroundyou，andthatweprayforyouallthetime。“
“Goon，“saidArthurhoarsely。“TellmewhatIamtodo。“
“Takethisstakeinyourlefthand，readytoplacetothepointovertheheart，andthehammerinyourright。
Thenwhenwebeginourprayerforthedead，Ishallreadhim，Ihaveherethebook，andtheothersshallfollow，strikeinGod'sname，thatsoallmaybewellwiththedeadthatweloveandthattheUnDeadpassaway。“
Arthurtookthestakeandthehammer，andwhenoncehismindwassetonactionhishandsnevertremblednorevenquivered。
VanHelsingopenedhismissalandbegantoread，andQuinceyandIfollowedaswellaswecould。
Arthurplacedthepointovertheheart，andasIlookedIcouldseeitsdintinthewhiteflesh。Thenhestruckwithallhismight。
Thethinginthecoffinwrithed，andahideous，blood-curdlingscreechcamefromtheopenedredlips。
Thebodyshookandquiveredandtwistedinwildcontortions。
Thesharpwhitechampedtogethertillthelipswerecut，andthemouthwassmearedwithacrimsonfoam。ButArthurneverfaltered。
HelookedlikeafigureofThorashisuntremblingarmroseandfell，drivingdeeperanddeeperthemercy-bearingstake，whilstthebloodfromthepiercedheartwelledandspurteduparoundit。
Hisfacewasset，andhighdutyseemedtoshinethroughit。
Thesightofitgaveuscouragesothatourvoicesseemedtoringthroughthelittlevault。
Andthenthewrithingandquiveringofthebodybecameless，andtheteethseemedtochamp，andthefacetoquiver。
Finallyitlaystill。Theterribletaskwasover。
ThehammerfellfromArthur'shand。Hereeledandwouldhavefallenhadwenotcaughthim。Thegreatdropsofsweatsprangfromhisforehead，andhisbreathcameinbrokengasps。
Ithadindeedbeenanawfulstrainonhim，andhadhenotbeenforcedtohistaskbymorethanhumanconsiderationshecouldneverhavegonethroughwithit。Forafewminutesweweresotakenupwithhimthatwedidnotlooktowardsthecoffin。
Whenwedid，however，amurmurofstartledsurpriseranfromonetotheotherofus。WegazedsoeagerlythatArthurrose，forhehadbeenseatedontheground，andcameandlookedtoo，andthenagladstrangelightbrokeoverhisfaceanddispelledaltogetherthegloomofhorrorthatlayuponit。
There，inthecoffinlaynolongerthefoulThingthatwehassodreadedandgrowntohatethattheworkofherdestructionwasyieldedasaprivilegetotheonebestentitledtoit，butLucyaswehadseenherinlife，withherfaceofunequalledsweetnessandpurity。Truethattherewerethere，aswehadseentheminlife，thetracesofcareandpainandwaste。