"stoker-dracula-168" - читать интересную книгу автора (Stoker Bram)

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
overexcited and weary, and I need rest, rest, rest. Happily Van
Helsing has not summoned me, so I need not forego my sleep; to-night 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 Hillingham to-night. 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 for 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.