I have written the letters. Mina s is in shorthand, and I simply ask Mr.
Hawkins to communicate with her. To her I have explained my situation,
but without the horrors which I may only surmise. It would shock and
frighten her to death were I to expose my heart to her. Should the
letters not carry, then the Count shall not yet know my secret or the
extent of my knowledge....
* * * * *
I have given the letters; I threw them through the bars of my window
with a gold piece, and made what signs I could to have them posted. The
man who took them pressed them to his heart and bowed, and then put them
in his cap. I could do no more. I stole back to the study, and began to
read. As the Count did not come in, I have written here....
* * * * *
The Count has come. He sat down beside me, and said in his smoothest
voice as he opened two letters:--
The Szgany has given me these, of which, though I know not whence they
come, I shall, of course, take care. See! --he must have looked at
it-- one is from you, and to my friend Peter Hawkins; the other --here
he caught sight of the strange symbols as he opened the envelope, and
the dark look came into his face, and his eyes blazed wickedly-- the
other is a vile thing, an outrage upon friendship and hospitality! It is
not signed. Well! so it cannot matter to us. And he calmly held letter
and envelope in the flame of the lamp till they were consumed. Then he
went on:--
The letter to Hawkins--that I shall, of course, send on, since it is
yours. Your letters are sacred to me. Your pardon, my friend, that
unknowingly I did break the seal. Will you not cover it again? He held
out the letter to me, and with a courteous bow handed me a clean
envelope. I could only redirect it and hand it to him in silence. When
he went out of the room I could hear the key turn softly. A minute later
I went over and tried it, and the door was locked.
When, an hour or two after, the Count came quietly into the room, his
coming awakened me, for I had gone to sleep on the sofa. He was very
43