He had evidently self-control, so when the attendants
came I told them not to mind, and they withdrew.
Renfield watched them go. When the door was
closed he said with considerable dignity and sweetness,
“Dr. Seward, you have been very considerate
towards me. Believe me that I am very, very
grateful to you!”
I thought it well to leave him in this mood, and so
I came away. There is certainly something to
ponder over in this man’s state. Several
points seem to make what the American interviewer calls
“a story,” if one could only get them
in proper order. Here they are:
Will not mention “drinking.”
Fears the thought of being
burdened with the “soul” of anything.
Has no dread of wanting “life”
in the future.
Despises the meaner forms
of life altogether, though he dreads
being haunted by their souls.
Logically all these things
point one way! He has assurance of
some kind that he will acquire
some higher life.
He dreads the consequence,
the burden of a soul. Then it is a
human life he looks to!
And the assurance . . .?
Merciful God! The Count has been to him, and
there is some new scheme of terror afoot!
Later.—I went after my round to Van Helsing
and told him my suspicion. He grew very grave,
and after thinking the matter over for a while asked
me to take him to Renfield. I did so. As
we came to the door we heard the lunatic within singing
gaily, as he used to do in the time which now seems
so long ago.
When we entered we saw with amazement that he had
spread out his sugar as of old. The flies, lethargic
with the autumn, were beginning to buzz into the room.
We tried to make him talk of the subject of our previous
conversation, but he would not attend. He went
on with his singing, just as though we had not been
present. He had got a scrap of paper and was
folding it into a notebook. We had to come away
as ignorant as we went in.
His is a curious case indeed. We must watch
him tonight.
“1 October.
“My Lord,
“We are at all times only too happy to meet
your wishes. We beg, with regard to the desire
of your Lordship, expressed by Mr. Harker on your
behalf, to supply the following information concerning
the sale and purchase of No. 347, Piccadilly.
The original vendors are the executors of the late
Mr. Archibald Winter-Suffield. The purchaser
is a foreign nobleman, Count de Ville, who effected
the purchase himself paying the purchase money in
notes ‘over the counter,’ if your Lordship
will pardon us using so vulgar an expression.
Beyond this we know nothing whatever of him.
“We are, my Lord,
“Your Lordship’s humble servants,
“Mitchell, sons & Candy.”
