The Classified Dossier: Sherlock Holmes and Count Dracula(10)
“Nonsense indeed,” the Count said, “for I tell you it is a pack of lies from beginning to end. However, the base fact that I found myself in opposition to Van Helsing and the others is, at least, true. As is, of course, the existence of vampires, though that bumbler Stoker has misunderstood our nature, particularly mine, most completely.”
“I have not read Stoker’s book,” Holmes said, “but since you refer to it as a pack of lies, perhaps you could give us a true summary of events? Before you explain why you need my help.”
Dracula frowned, but then nodded. “Harker did visit me, at my request, as Stoker describes, as part of a transaction when I purchased Carfax Estate.”
“Carfax?” I said. “The property on Purfleet Street?”
“The same,” Dracula said. “I believe it gave my enemy some amusement to make use of a property once belonging to me, but that is mere speculation.”
“Harker visited you as part of the purchase?” Holmes said.
“Yes, but I give you my word I neither threatened nor imprisoned him. I took care to hide my vampiric nature, of course, particularly my longevity, but in this I was not entirely successful. While in my home, he broke through several locked doors and then, unfortunately, had an encounter with my three sisters that could have proven fatal had I not intervened. This event so terrified him that he returned to London, where I soon followed.”
“You weren’t worried about the exposure Mr Harker’s story would bring?” Holmes asked.
“No,” Dracula answered. “You will find that most such stories are rarely listened to. I had several firms to handle my business and resolved to do no more such business with Harker or his employer, Mr Hawkins, and considered the matter resolved. Harker himself was unharmed, if frightened, and returned directly to London.
“I then booked passage on a Russian ship, the Demeter, from Varna to London, but the voyage was mundane and dull. The need to drag about coffins filled with earth is another fabrication of Stoker’s. I went as a regular passenger and the captain and crew arrived here unharmed. I played chess occasionally with the first mate, a man named Petrofsky. He asked few questions, spoke poor English, and played a very passable game, but I do not know any more about him. I cannot remember the captain’s name or any of the other crew members. They were all Russian, like their ship, as far as I know. The ship may still be in service.”
“It is not,” Holmes said. “The damage while landing was too severe and it was considered more expedient to decommission her.”
“Ah,” Dracula said. He seemed a trifle sad about the news, then continued his tale. “Here, in London, I made several social acquaintances, including one Lord Holmwood. This man was a friend of Harker’s, though I did not know that at the time. This is where I met Mina Murray, who later became my wife.”
“Mina herself was infected with disease?” Holmes asked. “She is, too, a vampire?”
“Of course,” Dracula said. “She would not have it any other way. Why should she suffer and die for no reason? Why should I wish her to?”
“Quite,” Holmes said, though his dry tone indicated it wasn’t so clear to his mind. He shifted topics. “Why Holmwood? It seems a curious coincidence.”
“It was no coincidence,” Dracula said. “I was not, however, pursuing Harker, as he was no longer of interest to me. But most of my social invitations came by way of my business connections and Harker, Hawkins, and Holmwood all moved in similar circles.”
“I understand,” Holmes said.
Dracula continued. “Mina. She had been engaged to, but never married, Jonathan Harker, as she had broken off the engagement shortly after his return.”
“Why?” Holmes asked.
“She found him much changed,” Dracula said. “His own unfortunate encounter at Castle Dracula and the recent death of Holmwood’s betrothed had unhinged him. At least, that is how she explained it to me. Mina is a strong-willed woman and follows her own heart in such matters.”
“How did Holmwood’s betrothed die?”
“It happened before my arrival, so I know only what Mina has told me, but Mina’s dear friend, Lucy Westenra, sickened and finally succumbed.”
“Succumbed to what?” I asked.
Dracula smiled. “I had no involvement with her death, but I will admit freely that it has long been my suspicion that some vampire was part of it as the illness showed all the characteristics of a vampire attack. Van Helsing, a well-regarded doctor, was brought in on the case and he clearly knew something of vampires, though he had a very mistaken idea that it was more a matter of religion than science. Vampirism is an astonishing condition, to be certain, with many elements that no doubt seem supernatural, but it is not the bargain with Christianity’s Satan that Van Helsing and Stoker seem to believe it is.
“Regardless, Van Helsing, Harker, Holmwood and two other men – Dr Seward and an American, Quincey Morris – confronted, then assaulted Mina and I, but I was able to extricate us without any loss of life. Unlike the novel, they did not pursue us out of London and I had thought that the end of the matter.”
“John…”
I started, turning towards the open window. Mary? That had been Mary’s voice. Could she be here, in London? She should be miles away, with the Forresters, out in the country. I still sat in my chair, but I could see her in my mind’s eye, standing out in the street, her blonde hair wet and uncovered, looking up towards our window. A wave of dizziness passed over me.