come a violent puff of wind, and the door to the winding stair blew to with
a shock that set the dust from the lintels flying. When I ran to push it open,
I found that it was hopelessly fast. I was again a prisoner, and the net of
doom was closing round me more closely.
As I write there is in the passage below a sound of many tramping feet and
the crash of weights being set down heavily, doubtless the boxes, with their
freight of earth. There was a sound of hammering. It is the box being nailed
down. Now I can hear the heavy feet tramping again along the hall, with with
many other idle feet coming behind them.
The door is shut, the chains rattle. There is a grinding of the key in the
lock. I can hear the key withdrawn, then another door opens and shuts. I hear
the creaking of lock and bolt.
Hark! In the courtyard and down the rocky way the roll of heavy wheels, the
crack of whips, and the chorus of the Szgany as they pass into the distance.
I am alone in the castle with those horrible women. Faugh! Mina is a woman,
and there is nought in common. They are devils of the Pit!
I shall not remain alone with them. I shall try to scale the castle wall
farther than I have yet attempted. I shall take some of the gold with me, lest
I want it later. I may find a way from this dreadful place.
And then away for home! Away to the quickest and nearest train! Away from
the cursed spot, from this cursed land, where the devil and his children still
walk with earthly feet!
At least God's mercy is better than that of those monsters, and the
precipice is steep and high. At its foot a man may sleep, as a man. Goodbye,
all. Mina!

LETTER FROM MISS MINA MURRAY TO MISS LUCY WESTENRA
9 May.