CHAPTER 6 - Mina Murray's Journal, part 10

I shook my head, and said that at present I feared it would not be possible, but that I would see about it.

His face fell, and I could see a warning of danger in it, for there was a sudden fierce, sidelong look which meant killing. The man is an undeveloped homicidal maniac. I shall test him with his present craving and see how it will work out, then I shall know more. 10 pm.--I have visited him again and found him sitting in a corner brooding.

When I came in he threw himself on his knees before me and implored me to let him have a cat, that his salvation depended upon it. I was firm, however, and told him that he could not have it, whereupon he went without a word, and sat down, gnawing his fingers, in the corner where I had found him.

I shall see him in the morning early. 20 July.--Visited Renfield very early, before attendant went his rounds.

Found him up and humming a tune. He was spreading out his sugar, which he had saved, in the window, and was manifestly beginning his fly catching again, and beginning it cheerfully and with a good grace. I looked around for his birds, and not seeing them, asked him where they were.

He replied, without turning round, that they had all flown away. There were a few feathers about the room and on his pillow a drop of blood. I said nothing, but went and told the keeper to report to me if there were anything odd about him during the day. 11 am.--The attendant has just been to see me to say that Renfield has been very sick and has disgorged a whole lot of feathers.

"My belief is, doctor," he said, "that he has eaten his birds, and that he just took and ate them raw! 11 pm.--I gave Renfield a strong opiate tonight, enough to make even him sleep, and took away his pocketbook to look at it.

The thought that has been buzzing about my brain lately is complete, and the theory proved.