Part II, Chapter 12 Summary

Robert continues his experimentation by exposing the germ of a living vampire to sunlight and to allyl sulphide, the essence of garlic. Sunlight kills the germ, but the chemical does not. He next tests the effect of the chemical on the blood of a non-living vampire, with the same results. Frustrated that he cannot explain the effects of garlic and stakes on vampires, Robert kicks the microscope to the floor. He feels useless and angry with himself for falling apart every time he cannot find answers. Methodically, Robert lists characteristics of vampires and classifies them under one of two causes: Bacillus and Unknown. When he finishes his list, all but a few items are in the unknown column.

Robert embarks on a binge of drinking and destruction, guzzling one drink after another and smashing his empty glasses. He thinks...