Mina Harker’s Memorandum

           Groundofinquiry.—CountDracula’sproblemistogetbacktohisownplace. 

           (a)Hemustbebroughtbackbysomeone. Thisisevident. Forhadhepowertomovehimselfashewishedhecouldgoeitherasman,orwolf,orbat,orinsomeotherway. Heevidentlyfearsdiscoveryorinterference,inthestateofhelplessnessinwhichhemustbe,confinedasheisbetweendawnandsunsetinhiswoodenbox. 

           (b)Howishetobetaken? —Hereaprocessofexclusionsmayhelpus. Byroad,byrail,bywater? 

           1.ByRoad.—Thereareendlessdifficulties,especiallyinleavingthecity. 

           (x)Therearepeople.Andpeoplearecurious,andinvestigate.Ahint,asurmise,adoubtastowhatmightbeinthebox,woulddestroyhim. 

           (y)Thereare,ortheremaybe,customsandoctroiofficerstopass. 

           (z)Hispursuersmightfollow. Thisishishighestfear. Andinordertopreventhisbeingbetrayedhehasrepelled,sofarashecan,evenhisvictim,me! 

           2.ByRail.—Thereisnooneinchargeofthebox. Itwouldhavetotakeitschanceofbeingdelayed,anddelaywouldbefatal,withenemiesonthetrack. True,hemightescapeatnight. Butwhatwouldhebe,ifleftinastrangeplacewithnorefugethathecouldflyto? Thisisnotwhatheintends,andhedoesnotmeantoriskit. 

           3.ByWater.—Hereisthesafestway,inonerespect,butwithmostdangerinanother. Onthewaterheispowerlessexceptatnight. Eventhenhecanonlysummonfogandstormandsnowandhiswolves. Butwerehewrecked,thelivingwaterwouldengulfhim,helpless,andhewouldindeedbelost.