“If I could spare you one pang, my poor friend,” he said, “God knows I would. But this night our feet must tread in thorny paths; or later, and forever, the feet you love must walk in paths of flame!”

Arthur looked up with set white face and said:⁠—

“Take care, sir, take care!”

“Would it not be well to hear what I have to say?” said Van Helsing. “And then you will at least know the limit of my purpose. Shall I go on?”

“That’s fair enough,” broke in Morris.

After a pause Van Helsing went on, evidently with an effort:⁠—

“Miss Lucy is dead; is it not so? Yes! Then there can be no wrong to her. But if she be not dead⁠—”

Arthur jumped to his feet.