Dance of the Vampires Page #2

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Here.

lt`s a curtain.

There is a door behind it.

l have a funny feeling

we are being watched.

Oh, since you are here, my friend,

perhaps you could tell me--

So this is how one worms

one`s way into my castle.

-Well, to be precise, sir--

-Count Von Krolock.

``Professor Abronsius.

Kurnigsburg University.``

This alters everything.

l have had the opportunity

of reading your work:

The Bat, its Mysteries.

-No, really?

-Remarkable.

l must have a copy somewhere.

l would like you to inscribe it for me.

l-- Well, Your Excellency is too kind.

-So you lost your way?

-No. Actually, we were running after--

You were running after...?

A pteropus. Yes, we were

running after a pteropus.

Fancy that.

l thought bats fell into a deep sleep

throughout the winter months.

Not always, Your Excellency.

Nevertheless, that is what

l read in your book.

Precisely, so you can understand the

amazement of my assistant and myself.

We could not believe our eyes.

lsn`t that so, Alfred?

-No, we couldn`t. lt was like--

-Now, imagine, a chiroptera...

...flitting about in December? lncredible.

What`s more, it was as big as this.

Wasn`t it, Alfred?

-Like....

-Of course, the case is not unique.

ln my second volume,

actually at the printer`s...

...l site several analogous cases

supplied to me by reputable colleagues...

...such as Falkman at Munich,

Dr. Athener of Prague.

-Curious.

-Curious, yes, but in no way inexplicable.

l think we can look for the cause

in the purely mechanical need...

...to fight against the torpor

of hibernation...

...to restore circulation

by primary motion...

...to cause the vital limbs

to work without thinking.

This, in consequence,

makes them fly...

...without being aware of it.

Of course, l only refer

to the very rare species...

...not conforming

to the laws of hibernation.

Rather like sleepwalkers?

Yes.

Let us say, they fly in their sleep.

l had an aunt who was a sleepwalker.

At night she frequently

ran about on the battlements...

...without causing me any surprise,

because there was actual contact.

But the walking isn`t flying.

How is it possible to avoid

an obstacle when flying...

...while being simultaneously asleep?

Your Excellency is a very great authority.

The natural sciences

greatly interested me...

...when l was a young man.

My library.

lt`s at your disposal.

To fly in one`s sleep, you say.

How is it possible?

The rays.

-Rays?

-The rays.

Gentlemen, Koukol informs me

that your beds are prepared.

Your Excellency,

we have kept you up very late.

l`m a night bird.

l am not much good in the daytime.

Their little heads contain

a fantastic mechanism, sort of....

Anyway, this mechanism emits the rays,

the nature of which escapes me...

...but one thing is absolutely certain,

that these rays...

...come into contact with every obstacle

in the way and rebound off that obstacle...

...back into their little heads

and warn them.

That would explain why they

can fly in utter darkness.

Exactly!

Herbert, my son.

-Good evening.

-Good evening.

Good evening.

Here is your room.

And this one is for you.

-What?

-The rooms...

...communicate.

Good night, gentlemen.

The fellow is no fool, you know.

Did you hear how he held his own

on the subject of the bats?

Really sound arguments.

Not like those morons from Kurnigsburg.

-You see, my boy?

-Yeah.

Professor?

Aren`t we going to barricade?

No, l don`t think that

will be very good tactics.

l thought we were going to barricade.

No, the best thing is to sleep

with one eye open...

...or to take the watch in turns.

What is it? What is it?

What are you doing?

l`m going to bed.

What has come over you?

Go to your own bed.

-Alone?

-Go.

We can keep the door open.

At the slightest alarm...

...we call out.

Mr. Koukol, l`m not disturbing a soul here.

There`s plenty of room.

People can pass over here.

What are you doing?

Where are you taking me?

Mr. Koukol, please.

Mr. Koukol, what are you

doing to me, please?

l beg of you--

Look, l--

Please, it`s not comfortable here.

lt`s dirty here. Look, the day`s coming.

There`s too much light

here for me. Mr. Koukol....

So now you are satisfied?

What can you do with such people?

Hunchback swine.

What does it cost?

Does it cost him anything?

He should leave me in there.

Why does he bring me here?

Sarah.

Sarah.

He`s got a nerve.

-A nerve?

-Von Krolock, he`s brazen.

You remember last night?

``l am a night bird.

l am not much good in the daytime.``

-That`s what he said.

-Yeah? So what?

lt`s obvious.

During the daytime he rests, he reposes.

-Reposes?

-ln the crypt with his fellows.

Maybe there is no crypt in this castle.

Don`t be foolish. A castle without

a crypt is like a unicorn without a horn.

You`re not going to start arguing with me

like my colleagues from Kurnigsburg?

Oh, first-rate, this bed.

Did you sleep well?

l heard singing.

Well, that`s no reason

to look so worried.

l`m sure it was Sarah. Sarah, yes.

-And who is Sarah?

-Sarah, Shagal`s daughter.

Oh, yes, of course.

l must confess l rather enjoy luxury.

All these years running uphill...

...and down dale,

debating with morons.

Trying to convince a pack of fools.

Oh, and the expense,

perpetual expense.

l`m sure it was Sarah.

Do you know what that robber Shagal

charges us for board and lodging?

-Her father?

-Four dollars, my boy.

Yes, by Jupiter. Four a day.

Bed without breakfast. The ruffian.

-Do you feel in good shape, at least?

-Yes.

-We`ve got a lot on our plate.

-To find Sarah?

Now, keep calm. The crypt comes first.

-But what about Sarah?

-We mustn`t put the cart before the horse.

-What`s he up to?

-He`s woodworking.

But it`s a coffin.

-Footprints.

-She`s dead.

-Eureka!

-Dead. Dead.

Who is dead?

-Sarah.

-When?

-What ``when``?

-Sarah`s death.

Oh, my God.

-Where is she?

-l don`t know.

What are you driveling about? How can you

tell me she`s dead when you don`t know?

-The coffin, it`s for her.

-No, no, no, no. They are still working on it.

lf she were dead, she would already be in it

like one of them, screened from the light.

-She`s not dead?

-Work it out for yourself.

You may be sure they`ll make her

last as long as they can.

lt`s their idea of fun.

ln that case, who is the coffin for?

Oh, for her or....

Don`t look at him. Behave naturally.

Recite for me the 1 2 signs of the Zodiac.

Leo, Virgo...

...Gemini, Cancer, White Boar.

What are you talking about?

No panic.

This lout guards the crypt like a Cerberus.

We must think of a stratagem.

Just whistle as if nothing has happened

and let`s turn back.

Not so fast.

l`m stuck.

You`ll have to help me, my boy.

lmbecile!

l can`t get a grip.

You will have to operate on your own.

-Operate on my own?

-Yes.

What has to be done?

The stakes, my boy.

The stakes?

-These stakes?

-What other stakes could there be?

They must be driven in.

-By me?

-They`re not going to drive in on their own!

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