CHAPTER 28

I threw my arms around Jonathan the moment I saw him walk through the door with Mina. Mina was her usual cheerful, dark-blond self. The only difference in her that struck me was the fact that Mina wore a gold ring on her third finger. She was now Mina Harker, not Mina Murray.

Jonathan, in contrast to Mina, looked positively terrible. His fair hair now had streaks of white in it; he was thinner than when I had last seen him in Transylvania, and there were dark circles under his eyes. In short, he didn't look like the brother I had last seen a few months ago.

We followed Van Helsing into his hotel room where Arthur Holmwood, Jack Seward, and Quincy Morris were waiting. We took our seats around the table and were as silent as mice when Van Helsing began to speak.

"I shall now tell you of the kind of enemy with which we have to deal. This enemy, as we all know, is a vampire. He is the Undead, and as such, he cannot die. He grows stronger upon the blood of his victims, strong enough to do more evil. He can, within limitations, of course, appear at will when and where, and in any of the forms that are to him. Within his range, he can direct the elements: the storm, the fog, the thunder. He can also at times vanish and come unknown.

All that we have to go upon (in order to destroy this monster) are traditions and superstitions. These things do not appear to be much at first, but during a matter of life and death, traditions and superstitions are everything.

The vampire may not enter anywhere at first, unless someone of the household bids him to enter; afterwards he is able to come and go as he pleases. There are also things that afflict him so that he has no power, such as the garlic and the crucifix. "

Van Helsing paused for a moment to catch his breath, and then he went on. "We know from Jonathan's inquiry that from the castle to Whitby came fifty boxes of earth, all of which were delivered at Carfax; we also know that at least some of them have vanished. Our first step is to determine whether all the other boxes remain in the Carfax house, or whether any more have been removed. We must trace each of these boxes; and when we are ready, we must either capture or kill this evil being in his lair; or we must, so to speak, purify the earth so that he will not be able to seek safety in it any longer.

Thus in the end we may find him in his form of man between the hours of noon and sunset, and so deal with him when he is at his most weak."

Van Helsing now turned to Mina and me.

"Madam Mina, Miss Teresa," he said. "You two are too precious to us to have such risk. When we adjourn tonight, you no more must ask questions. In time, we shall tell you all. "

In an instant I had risen from my chair. "Why? Professor Van Helsing, I know I can't speak for Mina, my sister-in-law, but I've started this path with you and some of the other gentlemen in this room since Lucy- well, since Lucy. In these past few months I've seen and dealt with as much as any one man could be expected to endure. The mere fact that I am a woman should not matter to you."

Van Helsing held up a hand to calm me down. There was a trace of reluctance in his voice, which otherwise remained firm. "Miss Teresa, I have not forgotten how much help you were to us in the case of Miss Lucy. But this time it is different. Friend John, Quincy, Arthur, your brother Jonathan, and I are all men. We are able to bear, but you and Madam Mina must be our stars and hopes; we shall act all the more free that you are not in the danger, such as we are."

But I refused to back down. Drawing myself up to my full height- 5'3 inches- I said, "Professor, I am twenty-one years old. If I were male, I'd be considered a man. Now I'm not going to preach to you about gender differences and women's rights. What I am trying to say is that I (and Mina too, of course) should not be shielded from the danger merely because I happen to be a woman. When last I checked, we were all in this together, men and women. Instead of secrecy and division, we should be trusting one another and working together. As my confessor would quote, 'A house divided against itself shall fall.' "

Van Helsing had been listening to my speech (as had everyone else in the room), but he still shook his head. "You must understand, Miss Teresa, that I trust you (and Madam Mina as well) immensely. But you misunderstand me. I keep these things from you not because you are female, but only because I wish to spare you the fate of your friend Miss Lucy. Have I yet proven myself to be faulty in my judgment? "

I sighed and took a deep breath. "No."

"Then I think it wise that you continue to trust my judgement, ja?"

I was silent for a moment, considering him. As much as I knew my argument to be a good one, I could not expect to win against a group of five men (one of whom was my own brother) who would all agree on my remaining here with Mina. I then replied, "All right, I concede. But I still believe it to be a terrible mistake." These last few words I whispered silently to myself.

Van Helsing nodded and turned back to the others. "Very well, then. Tonight we take the house at Carfax!"