He took the wolf and locked him up in a cage, with a piece of meat that
satisfied, in quantity at any rate, the elementary conditions of the fatted
calf, and went off to report.
I came off too, to report the only exclusive information that is given today
regarding the strange escapade at the Zoo.
DR. SEWARD'S DIARY
17 September.--I was engaged after dinner in my study posting up my books,
which, through press of other work and the many visits to Lucy, had fallen
sadly into arrear. Suddenly the door was burst open, and in rushed my patient,
with his face distorted with passion. I was thunderstruck, for such a thing as
a patient getting of his own accord into the Superintendent's study is almost
unknown.
Without an instant's notice he made straight at me. He had a dinner knife in
his hand, and as I saw he was dangerous, I tried to keep the table between us.
He was too quick and too strong for me, however, for before I could get my
balance he had struck at me and cut my left wrist rather severely.
Before he could strike again, however, I got in my right hand and he was
sprawling on his back on the floor. My wrist bled freely, and quite a little
pool trickled on to the carpet. I saw that my friend was not intent on further
effort, and occupied myself binding up my wrist, keeping a wary eye on the
prostrate figure all the time. When the attendants rushed in, and we turned our
attention to him, his employment positively sickened me. He was lying on his
belly on the floor licking up, like a dog, the blood which had fallen from my
wounded wrist. He was easily secured, and to my surprise, went with the
attendants quite placidly, simply repeating over and over again, "The
blood is the life! The blood is the life!"
I cannot afford to lose blood just at present. I have lost too much of late
for my physical good, and then the prolonged strain of Lucy's illness and its
horrible phases is telling on me. I am over excited and weary, and I need rest,
rest, rest. Happily Van Helsing has not summoned me, so I need not forego my
sleep. Tonight I could not well do without it.
TELEGRAM, VAN HELSING, ANTWERP,
TO SEWARD, CARFAX
(Sent to Carfax, Sussex, as no county given,
delivered late by twenty-two hours.)
17 September.--Do not fail to be at Hilllingham tonight. If not watching all
the time, frequently visit and see that flowers are as placed, very important,
do not fail. Shall be with you as soon as possible after arrival.
DR. SEWARD'S DIARY
18 September.--Just off train to London.
The arrival of Van Helsing's telegram filled me with dismay. A whole night
lost, and I know by bitter experience what may happen in a night. Of course it
is possible that all may be well, but what may have happened? Surely there is
some horrible doom hanging over us that every possible accident should thwart
us in all we try to do. I shall take this cylinder with me, and then I can
complete my entry on Lucy's phonograph. MEMORANDUM LEFT BY LUCY WESTENRA
17 September, Night.--I write this and leave it to be seen, so that no one
may by any chance get into trouble through me. This is an exact record of what
took place tonight. I feel I am dying of weakness, and have barely strength to
write, but it must be done if I die in the doing.
I went to bed as usual, taking care that the flowers were placed as Dr. Van
Helsing directed, and soon fell asleep.
I was waked by the flapping at the window, which had begun
after that sleep-walking on the cliff at Whitby
when Mina saved me, and which now I know so well. I was not afraid, but I did
wish that Dr. Seward was in the next room, as Dr.