Dracula — Chapter 26: Chapter 26 | Spoiler-Free Reading

The group uses Mina's hypnotic trances to track Count Dracula's progress by river as he nears land in his box. They investigate in Galatz, learning from the captain of the Czarina Catherine and others that the box was passed to Petrof Skinsky who was later found murdered, then Mina analyzes all the facts and deduces the Count is being carried up the Sereth and Bistritza rivers toward his castle. The party divides: Godalming and Jonathan pursue by steam launch, Seward and Morris follow on horseback along the bank, while Van Helsing and Mina head overland by carriage through the Borgo Pass to the castle to purify it.

On stage

Dr. John Seward Records the hypnotic sessions and investigations in Galatz, joins the pursuit on horseback with Morris along the riverbank, and later notes their progress in his diary.

Mina Harker Undergoes hypnotic trances to reveal the Count's sensations, analyzes the situation and deduces his route by river, types up records, and travels overland with Van Helsing toward the castle.

Abraham Van Helsing Conducts Mina's hypnotic sessions with increasing difficulty, analyzes the Count's situation, leads the investigation in Galatz, and plans to travel with Mina overland to Dracula's castle to sanctify it.

Jonathan Harker Investigates the shipping agent and captain in Galatz, agrees to pursue the Count by steam launch with Godalming, expresses anguish at the plan to take Mina near the castle, and records events aboard the launch.

Quincey P. Morris Observes Mina's trance intently, volunteers to ride along the bank with Seward to pursue the Count, and helps prepare the expedition.

Arthur Holmwood Uses his rank to check with the Vice-Consul, pursues the Count by steam launch with Jonathan while operating the engine, and helps equip the expedition.

Count Dracula Travels by ship and then river in his earth-box, has his agent Skinsky murdered to cover tracks, and is deduced to be heading up the Sereth and Bistritza rivers.

Captain Donelson Describes the unnaturally fast foggy voyage from London and handing over the box to Hildesheim.

Immanuel Hildesheim Receives the box from the ship before sunrise and hands it to Skinsky for a fee.

Petrof Skinsky Receives the Count's box from Hildesheim and is later found with his throat torn out.

Main 11

Jonathan Harker

Also known as: Harker, I, mein Herr, the English Herr, the Herr Englishman, young Herr +23 más

Determined lawyer and Mina's husband, still traumatized by his experiences in Dracula's castle. Investigates the shipping agent and captain in Galatz, agrees to pursue the Count by steam launch with Godalming, expresses anguish at the plan to take Mina near the castle, and records events aboard the launch.

Mina Harker fiancéeCount Dracula client and hostCount Dracula host and clientMina Harker fiancéePeter Hawkins employer and friend +68 more

Chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26

Count Dracula

Also known as: Count, Dracula, my friend, my master the Count, my host, the Count +40 más

Vampiric nobleman fleeing back to his castle in a box, vulnerable during daylight. Travels by ship and then river in his earth-box, has his agent Skinsky murdered to cover tracks, and is deduced to be heading up the Sereth and Bistritza rivers.

Jonathan Harker guest and solicitorJonathan Harker guest and solicitorPeter Hawkins friend and business associateJonathan Harker prisoner and guestCount Dracula his own race +32 more

Chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, 13, 14, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 26

Mina Harker

Also known as: Mina, her, my faithful friend, Miss Mina Murray, I, Miss +30 más

Wife of Jonathan Harker, formerly Mina Murray; intelligent, resourceful, and still partially under Dracula's influence with a scar on her forehead. Undergoes hypnotic trances to reveal the Count's sensations, analyzes the situation and deduces his route by river, types up records, and travels overland with Van Helsing toward the castle.

Jonathan Harker fiancéJonathan Harker fiancéeJonathan Harker fiancéJonathan Harker fiancéLucy Westenra dearest friend +71 more

Chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26

Peter Hawkins

Also known as: Mr. Hawkins, my friend Peter Hawkins, my other friend Peter Hawkins, Mr. Peter Hawkins, employer, master +10 más

Jonathan's former employer whose death upset Jonathan. Mentioned as having recently died, contributing to Jonathan's shock.

Jonathan Harker employeeCount Dracula client and friendJonathan Harker employeeCount Dracula clientJonathan Harker employee +7 more

Chapters 2, 3, 4, 8, 12, 13, 14

Lucy Westenra

Also known as: a woman with dishevelled hair, the woman, Lucy, Miss Lucy Westenra, dearest Mina's friend, my pretty +26 más

Formerly sweet and pure young woman who has become a vampire with a voluptuous and cruel appearance. Now an Un-Dead predator who preys on children. Returns to the tomb as a white figure carrying a child, snarls at the men, tries to seduce Arthur, recoils from the crucifix and Host, and is staked to restore her soul.

Mina Harker dearest friendArthur Holmwood fiancéDr. John Seward rejected suitorQuincey P. Morris rejected suitorMina Harker friend +41 more

Chapters 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16

Arthur Holmwood

Also known as: Art, Arthur, Hon. Arthur Holmwood, Mr. Holmwood, the certain lady's fiancé, only son of Lord Godalming +19 más

Aristocratic friend of the group, formerly Arthur Holmwood, practical and wealthy. Uses his rank to check with the Vice-Consul, pursues the Count by steam launch with Jonathan while operating the engine, and helps equip the expedition.

Lucy Westenra fiancéeQuincey P. Morris close friendDr. John Seward close friendLucy Westenra fiancéeLucy Westenra fiancée +72 more

Chapters 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26

Dr. John Seward

Also known as: Dr. Seward, Jack Seward, number One, the lunatic-asylum man, I, the doctor +13 más

Calm and observant doctor who records events in his diary and participates in the pursuit. Records the hypnotic sessions and investigations in Galatz, joins the pursuit on horseback with Morris along the riverbank, and later notes their progress in his diary.

Lucy Westenra rejected love interestQuincey P. Morris close friendArthur Holmwood close friendR. M. Renfield patientR. M. Renfield patient +86 more

Chapters 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26

Quincey P. Morris

Also known as: Mr. Morris, Mr. Quincey P. Morris, number Two, the American from Texas, Art's friend, Quincey +11 más

Brave American adventurer and friend of the group, skilled hunter. Observes Mina's trance intently, volunteers to ride along the bank with Seward to pursue the Count, and helps prepare the expedition.

Lucy Westenra rejected love interest turned friendArthur Holmwood close friendDr. John Seward close friendDr. John Seward friendAbraham Van Helsing ally +57 more

Chapters 5, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26

R. M. Renfield

Also known as: Renfield, he, the patient, my friend, my poor mad friend, the man +18 más

Renfield is the insane patient under Dr. Seward's care who has been attacked. Is found dead on the floor with a crushed face and broken neck after calling out "God! God! God!"; his death is ruled misadventure to avoid an inquest.

Dr. John Seward doctor and observerDr. John Seward doctorDr. John Seward doctorPeter Hawkins object of worshipR. M. Renfield patient +23 more

Chapters 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22

Mrs. Westenra

Also known as: her mother, poor dear sweet lady, Mother, poor dear, the poor lady, Madame +6 más

Lucy's mother who died of heart issues shortly before her daughter. Her funeral is arranged and her will is executed, leaving her estate primarily to Arthur.

Lucy Westenra daughterMina Harker acquaintanceLucy Westenra daughterMina Harker confidanteLucy Westenra daughter +10 more

Chapters 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13

Abraham Van Helsing

Also known as: Professor Van Helsing, Van Helsing, my old friend and master, the professor, Professor, foreign gentleman +9 más

Dutch doctor and vampire expert, knowledgeable and resolute, with a fatherly affection for Mina. Conducts Mina's hypnotic sessions with increasing difficulty, analyzes the Count's situation, leads the investigation in Galatz, and plans to travel with Mina overland to Dracula's castle to sanctify it.

Dr. John Seward former student and friendLucy Westenra patientArthur Holmwood via proxyDr. John Seward former student and colleagueLucy Westenra patient +74 more

Chapters 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26

Secondary 20

Landlord

Also known as: Golden Krone Hotel landlord, elderly man, my landlord

Owner of the Golden Krone Hotel in Bistritz; reticent and frightened when questioned about Count Dracula. Receives instructions from Dracula to reserve a coach seat for Harker; refuses to speak about the Count or the castle and crosses himself.

Jonathan Harker guestCount Dracula correspondent

Chapter 1

Landlady

Also known as: cheery-looking elderly woman, elderly woman, his wife, old lady, Mrs. Tom, the old lady +1 más

Wife of Thomas Bilder, hospitable and cheery. Interjects during the interview to defend her husband and winks to encourage him to continue speaking.

Jonathan Harker guestCount Dracula source of her fearThomas Bilder husband

Chapters 1, 11

Strange driver

Also known as: Bistritz coach driver, coachman, driver, fellow-passenger's driver, tall man, the driver +1 más

Mysterious tall man with a long brown beard, black hat, bright red-tinged eyes, hard mouth, and sharp white teeth; serves Count Dracula. Arrives in a calèche with four black horses at the Borgo Pass; takes control of Harker, drives him through the pass while navigating wolves and blue flames with supernatural calm and strength.

Jonathan Harker passengerCount Dracula masterJonathan Harker passenger

Chapter 1

The three women

Also known as: fair woman, ladies, the fair girl, the other two, three young women, you yourselves +7 más

Vampiric female creatures serving the Count, seductive yet deadly, who prey on Harker and a child. Appear as phantom shapes in moonlight, lick their lips while waiting outside Harker's door, and are left alone with him at the end.

Count Dracula masterCount Dracula master

Chapters 3, 4

Samuel F. Billington

Also known as: Mr. S. F. Billington, the Whitby solicitor

Local solicitor who receives the cargo of earth boxes from the Demeter. Goes aboard the ship and formally takes possession of the consigned boxes.

Chapters 3, 7

The Szgany

Also known as: gipsies, gipsy, the hetman of the Szgany

A band of gypsies allied to the Count, superstitious and lawless, who camp at the castle and assist him. Receive and deliver Harker's letters to the Count, bring and load boxes onto wagons, and depart with the Count's earth-filled boxes.

Count Dracula master they serve

Chapter 4

Mr. Swales

Also known as: aud folks, my old friend, my old man, old man, the old fellow, poor old Mr. Swales +1 más

Deceased local man previously known to Lucy and Mina. Mentioned by Lucy in a playful reference to his sayings about the dead.

Mina Harker acquaintanceLucy Westenra acquaintance

Chapters 6, 7, 8

The Captain

Also known as: the Russian captain, the dead seaman, the dead steersman, the poor sea-captain

Brave and dutiful captain of the Demeter who remains at the helm despite losing his entire crew to a mysterious evil presence; he ties himself to the wheel with a crucifix to resist the entity. Steers the ship alone into Whitby harbor during the storm while already dead; his body is later given a hero's funeral with boats and burial in the churchyard.

Chapter 7

Sister Agatha

Also known as: our doctor (in reference to the hospital doctor), the good Sister, a good creature and a born nurse, the dear soul

Kindly nun and nurse caring for Jonathan in the hospital; she is discreet about patients' ravings and assists with the wedding. Provides care for Jonathan, refuses to repeat his delirious ravings, brings his belongings, and helps arrange the immediate wedding.

Jonathan Harker patientJonathan Harker patientMina Harker patient's fiancée then wife

Chapters 8, 9

Thomas Bilder

Also known as: Mr. Bilder, Tom, guv’nor, keeper

Keeper at the Zoological Gardens, elderly hospitable man experienced with wolves who speaks in dialect. Describes the escape of the wolf Bersicker to a reporter, examines the returned wolf, and locks it back in its cage.

Chapter 11

Bersicker

Also known as: old Bersicker, the escaped wolf, the wolf

Grey wolf from Norway kept at the London Zoo, previously well-behaved. Escapes its cage after interacting with a strange man, later returns with cuts on its head and is secured by Bilder.

Chapter 11

Mr. Marquand

Also known as: good fellow, solicitor

Genial lawyer from Wholeman, Sons, Marquand & Lidderdale handling the Westenra estate. Explains the will's details and praises the arrangements made.

Mrs. Westenra client

Chapter 13

Mary

Mina's servant who announces visitors. Announces Dr. Van Helsing's arrival at the Harkers' home.

Mina Harker employer

Chapter 14

The Child

Also known as: poor little mite, tiny child

Unidentified young victim bitten on the throat by Lucy in her vampire form. Is examined in the hospital with fresh puncture wounds, is found sleeping in the churchyard in Van Helsing's arms, is left on Hampstead Heath for police to find.

Lucy Westenra attacker

Chapter 15

Dr. Vincent

Friend of both Seward and Van Helsing, doctor at the North Hospital. Shows the child's throat wounds to them and speculates they were caused by a bat or rat, agrees to keep the child for at least a week.

Dr. John Seward former classmateAbraham Van Helsing friend

Chapter 15

Joseph Smollet

Also known as: Mr. Joseph Smollet, Smollet, guv’nor

Decent, intelligent, reliable workman and mate who assisted in moving Dracula's boxes and keeps detailed notes. Provides Harker with the initial box delivery addresses from his notebook and later sends the address for Sam Bloxam after receiving payment.

Jonathan Harker informant to

Chapter 20

Sam Bloxam

Also known as: Bloxam, Mr. Bloxam, Sam, the depite

Rough-speaking but smart workman who was hired by the Count to transport boxes from Carfax and Piccadilly. Describes to Harker the Count's strength, the Piccadilly house details, and the method of delivery while accepting payment for the information.

Jonathan Harker informant toCount Dracula former employer

Chapter 20

Captain Donelson

Also known as: Donelson, the Captain, the skipper

Scottish captain of the Czarina Catherine, superstitious yet practical. Describes the unnaturally fast foggy voyage from London and handing over the box to Hildesheim.

Count Dracula unwitting passenger whose box he transported

Chapter 26

Immanuel Hildesheim

Also known as: Hildesheim, Mr. Hildesheim

Businessman in Galatz who receives and forwards the Count's box. Receives the box from the ship before sunrise and hands it to Skinsky for a fee.

Count Dracula employer via letter from de VillePetrof Skinsky contact

Chapter 26

Petrof Skinsky

Also known as: Skinsky

Slovak dealer who handles river transport and is murdered after receiving the box. Receives the Count's box from Hildesheim and is later found with his throat torn out.

Count Dracula murdered agentImmanuel Hildesheim contact

Chapter 26