beyond opened and shut. The first of us to speak was the Professor.
Realizing the difficulty of following him through the stable, we moved
toward the hall.

"We have learnt something . . . much! Notwithstanding his brave words,
he fears us. He fears time, he fears want! For if not, why he hurry
so? His very tone betray him, or my ears deceive. Why take that
money? You follow quick. You are hunters of the wild beast, and
understand it so. For me, I make sure that nothing here may be of use
to him, if so that he returns."

As he spoke he put the money remaining in his pocket, took the title
deeds in the bundle as Harker had left them, and swept the remaining
things into the open fireplace, where he set fire to them with a
match.

Godalming and Morris had rushed out into the yard, and Harker had
lowered himself from the window to follow the Count. He had, however,
bolted the stable door, and by the time they had forced it open there
was no sign of him. Van Helsing and I tried to make inquiry at the
back of the house. But the mews was deserted and no one had seen him
depart.

It was now late in the afternoon, and sunset was not far off. We had
to recognize that our game was up. With heavy hearts we agreed with
the Professor when he said, "Let us go back to Madam Mina. Poor, poor
dear Madam Mina. All we can do just now is done, and we can there, at
least, protect her. But we need not despair. There is but one more
earth box, and we must try to find it. When that is done all may yet
be well."

I could see that he spoke as bravely as he could to comfort Harker.
The poor fellow was quite broken down, now and again he gave a low
groan which he could not suppress. He was thinking of his wife.

With sad hearts we came back to my house, where we found Mrs. Harker
waiting us, with an appearance of cheerfulness which did honour to her
bravery and unselfishness. When she saw our faces, her own became as
pale as death. For a second or two her eyes were closed as if she
were in secret prayer.

And then she said cheerfully, "I can never thank you all enough. Oh,
my poor darling!"

As she spoke, she took her husband's grey head in her hands and kissed
it.

"Lay your poor head here and rest it. All will yet be well, dear! God
will protect us if He so will it in His good intent." The poor fellow
groaned. There was no place for words in his sublime misery.

We had a sort of perfunctory supper together