Dance of the Vampires Page #3

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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...

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