He had evidently self-control, so when the attendants came I told them not to mind, and they withdrew.  Renfield watched them go.  When the door was closed he said with considerable dignity and sweetness, “Dr. Seward, you have been very considerate towards me.  Believe me that I am very, very grateful to you!”

I thought it well to leave him in this mood, and so I came away.  There is certainly something to ponder over in this man’s state.  Several points seem to make what the American interviewer calls “a story,” if one could only get them in proper order.  Here they are: 

    Will not mention “drinking.”

    Fears the thought of being burdened with the “soul” of anything.

    Has no dread of wanting “life” in the future.

    Despises the meaner forms of life altogether, though he dreads
    being haunted by their souls.

    Logically all these things point one way!  He has assurance of
    some kind that he will acquire some higher life.

    He dreads the consequence, the burden of a soul.  Then it is a
    human life he looks to!

    And the assurance . . .?

Merciful God!  The Count has been to him, and there is some new scheme of terror afoot!

Later.—­I went after my round to Van Helsing and told him my suspicion.  He grew very grave, and after thinking the matter over for a while asked me to take him to Renfield.  I did so.  As we came to the door we heard the lunatic within singing gaily, as he used to do in the time which now seems so long ago.

When we entered we saw with amazement that he had spread out his sugar as of old.  The flies, lethargic with the autumn, were beginning to buzz into the room.  We tried to make him talk of the subject of our previous conversation, but he would not attend.  He went on with his singing, just as though we had not been present.  He had got a scrap of paper and was folding it into a notebook.  We had to come away as ignorant as we went in.

His is a curious case indeed.  We must watch him tonight.

LETTER, MITCHELL, SONS & CANDY TO LORD GODALMING.

“1 October.

“My Lord,

“We are at all times only too happy to meet your wishes.  We beg, with regard to the desire of your Lordship, expressed by Mr. Harker on your behalf, to supply the following information concerning the sale and purchase of No. 347, Piccadilly.  The original vendors are the executors of the late Mr. Archibald Winter-Suffield.  The purchaser is a foreign nobleman, Count de Ville, who effected the purchase himself paying the purchase money in notes ‘over the counter,’ if your Lordship will pardon us using so vulgar an expression.  Beyond this we know nothing whatever of him.

“We are, my Lord,

“Your Lordship’s humble servants,

“Mitchell, sons & Candy.”