Chapter 24 Chapter Twenty-Three

On the street in front of the library ambulances, police cars and onlookers swarmed as the librarian's body was carried away. I stood there for a moment, horrified, unbelievable. Helen found me, looking pale but still calm, with her scarf tightly wrapped around her neck, I shuddered at the sight of that wound on her delicate neck. "Thank you for coming to my rescue. That man was a beast. You're so brave." I was surprised that her face could look so kind. "You're the one who's really brave, and he hurt you," I whispered. "Is he—?" "Yes," she said quietly.

Instinctively, we moved closer so that no one could hear us. "When he jumped at me, he bit me directly on the neck." For a moment, her lips seemed to tremble, as if she was about to cry, "He didn't suck a lot of blood—it was too late, and it didn't hurt too much." "But you—" I was half-doubtful and stammered. "I don't think there will be any infection," she said. "There wasn't much bleeding, and I stopped right away." I suddenly remembered what she told him about the map: "Why did you—" "I know what you want to ask," she interrupted hastily, her accent thickening, "but I really can't think of any other bait, but I want to see his reaction. I didn't mean to give him the map Or any other information, I assure you."

I looked at her suspiciously, "Didn't it mean?" "I swear," she said simply, "and besides,"—her mocking smile came again—"I'm not usually used to sharing things that I can use myself, are you?" I didn't press it any further, "His reaction was pretty funny, wasn't it?" "What are you going to do now?" she asked, her indifference seemed odd. I haven't quite figured it out yet, but the words are out: "Go to Istanbul. I believe there is at least one document there that Rossi has not found, and that document may mention the location of the tomb, perhaps Dracula's place in Sina. Goff Lake grave. I have something to ask you. When we left the church, you said your mother might know something about Rosie's search for Dracula. What do you mean by that?"

"I mean, when they met, he told her that the purpose of his trip to Romania was to study the legend of Dracula, and she also believed in this legend. I should ask her more about her own experience." "An anthropologist would ignore this, don't you write or call her?" I retorted.Now I believe we are comrades-in-arms again. She stares at me. "Oh, Westerners are so naive," she said at last. "Do you think she has a telephone? Do you think every letter I write to her won't be read?" I am speechless. "What literature are you looking for in a hurry, Holmes?" she asked. "Is it the bibliography, about the Dragon's Order? I saw that on the last page of his literature, it was the only one he didn't specify. documents. Is that what you were looking for?"

Of course, she guessed right.I felt the power of her wisdom. "Why do you want to know?" I countered. "For your research?" "Of course," she said gravely, "will you come to me when you come back?" I suddenly feel very tired. "Come back? I don't even know what I'm going to investigate, let alone when I'll be back. Maybe I'll be knocked down by a vampire somewhere in there." I was trying to be self-deprecating, and started to feel how unreal the whole thing was. I turn to Helen. "Miss Rossi," I said. "If you can promise not to make it public, I promise to contact you as soon as I get back. Is there anything else you want to tell me? Can you think of another way for me to contact your mother before I leave?"

"I can't contact her myself, unless I write a letter." She said flatly, "Also, she doesn't speak English. I'll go home and ask her about these things myself in two years." I sigh.Two years is too late to be possible. The thought of leaving this strange companion beside me—the only person besides me who knew the truth about Rosie’s disappearance—for days—hours, really—made me suddenly anxious.This farewell I am going alone to a country that I never even thought about going to, but I have to go.I hold out my hand. "Miss Rosie, thank you for being so tolerant of a benign lunatic these past few days. I'll let you know if I get back safely—I mean—if I bring your father back safely—"

Her gloved hand gestured something, and she looked straight at me defiantly: "I don't know what to do, but I think I'm going with you."