Page 637 - DRACULA

Dracula

(b) How is he to be taken?—Here a process of
exclusions may help us. By road, by rail, by water?
1. By Road.—There are endless difficulties, especially
in leaving the city.

(x) There are people. And people are curious, and
investigate. A hint, a surmise, a doubt as to what might be
in the box, would destroy him.
(y) There are, or there may be, customs and octroi
officers to pass.
(z) His pursuers might follow. This is his highest fear.
And in order to prevent his being betrayed he has repelled,
so far as he can, even his victim, me!
2. By Rail.—There is no one in charge of the box. It
would have to take its chance of being delayed, and delay
would be fatal, with enemies on the track. True, he might
escape at night. But what would he be, if left in a strange
place with no refuge that he could fly to? This is not what
he intends, and he does not mean to risk it.
3. By Water.—Here is the safest way, in one respect,
but with most danger in another. On the water he is
powerless except at night. Even then he can only summon
fog and storm and snow and his wolves. But were he
wrecked, the living water would engulf him, helpless, and
he would indeed be lost. He could have the vessel drive to

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