sh. The worry and the concern I had for Azmi, the crushing uncertainty torturing my poor husband, the mystery surrounding his diary, the maddening fear that has been brooding over me ever since, and a hellish doubt of “what if” all came in a tumult. I do not know how or why, but I found myself kneeling before Doctor Resuhî Bey, reaching for the hands of this white-haired, strong man who inspired feelings of respect, courage, strength, and trust. I was imploring to him to save Azmi. The doctor took my hands, raised me up, sat me down on a chair next to him, and said in a deep and soothing voice:
“My life has been barren and lonely. I have been so busy with other things that I have not had time for friendship. However, since I have been summoned to Istanbul by my student Afif, I have known so many good, honorable, and dear people. You are one of those people, my daughter. Rest easy; I will help you and your husband with all of my power and ability. Now, tell me about your husband!”
I had made my final decision; I would tell this old man everything. But I was afraid he would think that I was on the verge of insanity and assume my husband had gone completely mad. When I spoke of my concern, he said in an odd tone:
“Ah, my girl, do not let that worry you. If you only knew how strange is the matter that brought me here, you would laugh at me and call me crazy. But I know this world better than you, and I have learned not to laugh at anyone’s private lives or beliefs.”
I rose and handed him Azmi’s diary.
“Well then,” I said, “take this notebook; read it carefully from start to finish, even though it is a bit long, and tell me what you think!”
Resuhî Bey took the notebook, shook my hand with compassion, said simply, “I shall come tomorrow,” and went away.
Letter from Doctor Resuhî Bey to Güzin Hanim.
“25 September, evening.
“My dear daughter,
“I have read the diary. Strange and and terrible as it is, it is entirely true. Have no doubt. I will pledge my life on it. This situation may be horrible for others, but there is no danger for you. Your husband is a brave, tough, and daring Turkish man. I can tell you from experience that not even one person out of a hundred thousand would have been brave enough to climb down that cliff wall and enter the Count’s room. In particular, the fact that he had the nerve to go to the crypt for a second time is a testament to his courage and might. Do not worry, your husband’s mental health is sound. I can promise you this before I have even seen him. Knowing and meeting with you can only be the great God’s blessing to me. I have learned so much from you at once that I am dazzled and confused—more so than ever. I must think, I must think!
“Your eternal and always faithful friend,
“Doctor Resuhî”
Letter from Güzin Hanim to Doctor Resuhî Bey.
“25 September.
“Dear Doctor Bey;
“A thousand thanks for your letter.
“However, if all of it is true, please think, Doctor Bey; that horrible man is in our beautiful Istanbul at this moment! That accursed descendant of the Impaler Voivode of history… I do not know, but it may even be the man himself! The very same man! That bloody and horrible monster. Oh God. Great God! The bloodiest, most terrible and shudder-inspiring march across centuries in history! If you can come tomorrow morning, we can meet when Azmi is not at home.”
From Attorney Azmi Bey’s Diary.
26 September.—I thought never to write in this diary again. However, events compel me. Last night after supper, Güzin told me that Doctor Resuhî Bey had visited, and that he had read and confirmed everything in my journal. I saw his letter as well. Now I feel quite strong and recovered, and I realize that it was my self-doubt that was killing me. Yes, I have regained my courage and strength; I do not even fear the malevolent Count. So this sinister man is the doppelgänger descendant of that bloody Impaler Voivode. Oh… Perhaps he was finally able to come to Istanbul. So the man I saw was the Count himself! But I wonder how he has become younger. If what Güzin said is true, Doctor Resuhî Bey must be the man to hunt down and destroy this monster.
Evening.—Today I visited Doctor Resuhî Bey. Güzin is quite right, he really is an exceptional character. Pure, strong, kind, wise, and tolerant. He was very happy to see me well. “Güzin Hanim told me that you were very sick,” he said. I told him that his letter had cured me completely. We parted ways after setting a date to meet again.
From Doctor Afif’s Diary.
26 September.—Alas, everything has been thrown into chaos again. For the last two days I have worked in peace; Turan and Özdemir have been in Erenköy. But as I was sitting in my room, Resuhî Bey bounded through the door and thrust a Zaman newspaper in front of my face.
“Tell me, what do you make of this?” He crossed his arms and stood in front of me. A part of the newspaper had been marked with a red pen.
I read the article entitled “Mysterious Event.” At first I really did not know what he meant; but after reading the passage about the small wounds on children’s throats, I stopped and looked at the doctor. He said merely:
“Well?”
“Just like poor Sadan!”
“Yes, what do you make of that?”
“Simply that there is some cause in common. Whatever injured these children also injured Sadan!”
“That is true indirectly, but not directly.”