ave heard the death watch. The poor man's
breathing came in uncertain gasps. Each instant he seemed as though
he would open his eyes and speak, but then would follow a prolonged
stertorous breath, and he would relapse into a more fixed
insensibility. Inured as I was to sick beds and death, this suspense
grew and grew upon me. I could almost hear the beating of my own
heart, and the blood surging through my temples sounded like blows
from a hammer. The silence finally became agonizing. I looked at my
companions, one after another, and saw from their flushed faces and
damp brows that they were enduring equal torture. There was a nervous
suspense over us all, as though overhead some dread bell would peal
out powerfully when we should least expect it.

At last there came a time when it was evident that the patient was
sinking fast. He might die at any moment. I looked up at the
Professor and caught his eyes fixed on mine. His face was sternly set
as he spoke, "There is no time to lose. His words may be worth many
lives. I have been thinking so, as I stood here. It may be there is
a soul at stake! We shall operate just above the ear."

Without another word he made the operation. For a few moments the
breathing continued to be stertorous. Then there came a breath so
prolonged that it seemed as though it would tear open his chest.
Suddenly his eyes opened, and became fixed in a wild, helpless stare.
This was continued for a few moments, then it was softened into a glad
surprise, and from his lips came a sigh of relief. He moved
convulsively, and as he did so, said, "I'll be quiet, Doctor. Tell
them to take off the strait waistcoat. I have had a terrible dream,
and it has left me so weak that I cannot move. What's wrong with my
face? It feels all swollen, and it smarts dreadfully."

He tried to turn his head, but even with the effort his eyes seemed to
grow glassy again so I gently put it back. Then Van Helsing said in a
quiet grave tone, "Tell us your dream, Mr. Renfield."

As he heard the voice his face brightened, through its mutilation, and
he said, "That is Dr. Van Helsing. How good it is of you to be here.
Give me some water, my lips are dry, and I shall try to tell you. I
dreamed . . ."

He stopped and seemed fainting. I called quietly to Quincey, "The
brandy, it is in my study, quick!" He flew and returned with a glass,
the decanter of brandy and a carafe of water. We moistened the
parch