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Dracula Chapter 14
Mina Harker writes in her journal that she has read Jonathan's journal, and is worried about his mental health. She decides to transcribe his notes on the typewriter in case anyone should ever have to read it.
The same day, she gets a letter from Van Helsing. He writes that he has read her letters to Lucy and needs her insight. He begs her to come to Exeter, and not to tell her husband so as not to worry him. She sends him a telegram telling him to come.
She writes in her journal the next day that she should not get her hopes up that he could help her with Jonathan's problem, though she wished he could. She later writes of what transpired between them.
He politely inquires about the sleepwalking incident, about which Lucy wrote. Mina tells him she has a journal herself, and gives him the shorthand copy as a joke. She then gives him the typewritten version, to his surprise, and lets him read it. He is amazed, and tells her how wonderful she is, having read her letters and diary and having seen her in person, and he pledges his friendship and offers his services.
In a fit of emotion, she begs him to help her husband. He gladly agrees to hear the story, and he suggests he return to speak with them both in the morning, taking Jonathan's journal with him to read. Mina has memorized the local train schedule to help Jonathan with his work, so she tells him when to return.
She receives an immediate letter from Van Helsing. He tells her that her husband is a brave man, and all he wrote is true. She writes back with deep gratitude.
Jonathan restarts his journal by telling of the meeting with Van Helsing. He begins by telling Van Helsing that he is already cured, as it was not the experience that was hurting him but the fact that he has been doubting his own sanity. Van Helsing removed that doubt.
The professor praises both Harkers and includes them on his ever-growing list of close friends.
He then asks for Jonathan's help in 'a great task,' with the warning that he will need more help later. Jonathan agrees, and gives him all the papers he has dealing with the Count, as well as the local newspapers. Van Helsing reads them as the train pulls away, and, upon seeing The Westminster Gazette, exclaims, "Mein Gott! Mein Gott! So soon! So soon!" Chapter 14, pg. 208
Dr. Seward also restarts his diary, sooner than he expected. He writes of Renfield, who is back to his old self, harvesting flies and spiders. He writes of Quincey and Arthur, both of whom are doing well. He then writes of yet another strange encounter with Van Helsing. The professor showed him the copy of The Westminster Gazette. Reading of the puncture wounds in the children's throats, he guesses that their wounds and Lucy's were made by the same thing.
Van Helsing challenges Seward's idea, saying he is partially correct. But why was there no sign of blood loss? Why did Lucy die?
Topic Tracking: Superstition 8
Van Helsing has to lead Seward to the truth, and at the end of his philosophical argument about what science, man and faith actually tell us, Seward can only guess that whatever injured the children, possibly a bat, also injured Lucy. Van Helsing says that the holes in the children were made by something else. "They were made by Miss Lucy!" Chapter 14, pg. 212
