"Well, yes, my friend, but it is neccessary that I should do this. When I go there I shall be all alone. My friend Harker Jonathan, no, excuse me. I fall into my country's custom of putting your patronymic first. I mean, my friend Jonathan Harker will not be by my side to correct and help me. He will be in Exeter, miles away, probably working at papers of the law with my other friend, Peter Hawkins. So I must learn these things!"

We went thoroughly into the business of the purchase of the house in Purfleet. I told him all the facts and got him to sign the necessary papers. Then I wrote a letter to go with the papers ready to post to Mr. Hawkins. Afterward Dracula began to ask me how I had come across so suitable a place. I read him the notes which I had made at the time. These are those notes, which I will now write down.

"At Purfleet, on a byroad, I found exactly the sort of place I was asked to look for. It had a dilapidated notice which said that the house was for sale. It was surrounded by a very old high wall, which was built of heavy stones, and it has not been repaired for many years. The closed gates are of heavy old oak and iron, all eaten with rust.