There is, however, possibly a serious side to the
question, for some of the children, indeed all who
have been missed at night, have been slightly torn
or wounded in the throat. The wounds seem such
as might be made by a rat or a small dog, and although
of not much importance individually, would tend to
show that whatever animal inflicts them has a system
or method of its own. The police of the division
have been instructed to keep a sharp lookout for straying
children, especially when very young, in and around
Hampstead Heath, and for any stray dog which may be
about.
THE WESTMINSTER GAZETTE, 25 SEPTEMBER EXTRA SPECIAL
THE HAMPSTEAD HORROR
ANOTHER CHILD INJURED
The “BLOOFER lady”
We have just received intelligence that another child,
missed last night, was only discovered late in the
morning under a furze bush at the Shooter’s
Hill side of Hampstead Heath, which is perhaps, less
frequented than the other parts. It has the
same tiny wound in the throat as has been noticed
in other cases. It was terribly weak, and looked
quite emaciated. It too, when partially restored,
had the common story to tell of being lured away by
the “bloofer lady”.
CHAPTER 14
MINA HARKER’S JOURNAL
23 September.—Jonathan is better after
a bad night. I am so glad that he has plenty
of work to do, for that keeps his mind off the terrible
things, and oh, I am rejoiced that he is not now weighed
down with the responsibility of his new position.
I knew he would be true to himself, and now how proud
I am to see my Jonathan rising to the height of his
advancement and keeping pace in all ways with the duties
that come upon him. He will be away all day till
late, for he said he could not lunch at home.
My household work is done, so I shall take his foreign
journal, and lock myself up in my room and read it.
24 September.—I hadn’t the heart
to write last night, that terrible record of Jonathan’s
upset me so. Poor dear! How he must have
suffered, whether it be true or only imagination.
I wonder if there is any truth in it at all.
Did he get his brain fever, and then write all those
terrible things, or had he some cause for it all?
I suppose I shall never know, for I dare not open
the subject to him. And yet that man we saw
yesterday! He seemed quite certain of him, poor
fellow! I suppose it was the funeral upset him
and sent his mind back on some train of thought.
