He believes it all himself.  I remember how on our wedding day he said “Unless some solemn duty come upon me to go back to the bitter hours, asleep or awake, mad or sane . . .”  There seems to be through it all some thread of continuity.  That fearful Count was coming to London.  If it should be, and he came to London, with its teeming millions . . .  There may be a solemn duty, and if it come we must not shrink from it.  I shall be prepared.  I shall get my typewriter this very hour and begin transcribing.  Then we shall be ready for other eyes if required.  And if it be wanted, then, perhaps, if I am ready, poor Jonathan may not be upset, for I can speak for him and never let him be troubled or worried with it at all.  If ever Jonathan quite gets over the nervousness he may want to tell me of it all, and I can ask him questions and find out things, and see how I may comfort him.

LETTER, VAN HELSING TO MRS. HARKER

24 September

(Confidence)

“Dear Madam,

“I pray you to pardon my writing, in that I am so far friend as that I sent to you sad news of Miss Lucy Westenra’s death.  By the kindness of Lord Godalming, I am empowered to read her letters and papers, for I am deeply concerned about certain matters vitally important.  In them I find some letters from you, which show how great friends you were and how you love her.  Oh, Madam Mina, by that love, I implore you, help me.  It is for others’ good that I ask, to redress great wrong, and to lift much and terrible troubles, that may be more great than you can know.  May it be that I see you?  You can trust me.  I am friend of Dr. John Seward and of Lord Godalming (that was Arthur of Miss Lucy).  I must keep it private for the present from all.  I should come to Exeter to see you at once if you tell me I am privilege to come, and where and when.  I implore your pardon, Madam.  I have read your letters to poor Lucy, and know how good you are and how your husband suffer.  So I pray you, if it may be, enlighten him not, least it may harm.  Again your pardon, and forgive me.

“Van Helsing”

TELEGRAM, MRS. HARKER TO VAN HELSING

25 September.—­Come today by quarter past ten train if you can catch it.  Can see you any time you call.  “Wilhelmina Harker”

MINA HARKER’S JOURNAL

25 September.—­I cannot help feeling terribly excited as the time draws near for the visit of Dr. Van Helsing, for somehow I expect that it will throw some light upon Jonathan’s sad experience, and as he attended poor dear Lucy in her last illness, he can tell me all about her.  That is the reason of his coming.  It is concerning Lucy and her sleep-walking, and not about Jonathan.  Then I shall never know the real truth now!  How silly