coroner. I have more than him to avoid. There may be papers more--such
as this.
As he spoke he took from his pocket-book the memorandum which had been
in Lucy s breast, and which she had torn in her sleep.
When you find anything of the solicitor who is for the late Mrs.
Westenra, seal all her papers, and write him to-night. For me, I watch
here in the room and in Miss Lucy s old room all night, and I myself
search for what may be. It is not well that her very thoughts go into
the hands of strangers.
I went on with my part of the work, and in another half hour had found
the name and address of Mrs. Westenra s solicitor and had written to
him. All the poor lady s papers were in order; explicit directions
regarding the place of burial were given. I had hardly sealed the
letter, when, to my surprise, Van Helsing walked into the room,
saying:--
Can I help you, friend John? I am free, and if I may, my service is to
you.
Have you got what you looked for? I asked, to which he replied:--
I did not look for any specific thing. I only hoped to find, and find I
have, all that there was--only some letters and a few memoranda, and a
diary new begun. But I have them here, and we shall for the present say
nothing of them. I shall see that poor lad to-morrow evening, and, with
his sanction, I shall use some.
When we had finished the work in hand, he said to me:--
And now, friend John, I think we may to bed. We want sleep, both you
and I, and rest to recuperate. To-morrow we shall have much to do, but
for the to-night there is no need of us. Alas!
Before turning in we went to look at poor Lucy. The undertaker had
certainly done his work well, for the room was turned into a small
_chapelle ardente_. There was a wilderness of beautiful white flowers,
and death was made as little repulsive as might be. The end of the
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