Then he opened the door of the octagonal room with a graceful bow. I entered my bedroom. As the old Turkish poets put it, I was in a sea of bewilderment. And I had delved into a vortex of curiosity. I was suspicious and frightened. I think things that I am afraid to admit even to myself. May God help me. Güzin, dear Güzin, do you see your poor Azmi in your dreams as you sleep this morning in our sweet Istanbul?
7 May.—Morning again. I have been very comfortable during the last twenty-four hours. I slept until late in the morning and woke of my own accord. When I had dressed, I went to the parlor where I had had supper, and there was a cold breakfast on the table and a hot coffeepot near the fireplace. There was a card on the table, upon which was written in German:
“I will not be in the castle for a while. Please do not wait for me.
“Signed, Count Dracula”
After reading the card I sat down to table and had a large breakfast. After I finished my meal, I looked for a bell to call a servant to clear the plates, but I could not find one. From what I have seen there are some strange deficiencies in the castle and in my room. These seem especially odd when compared with the evidences of great wealth. For example, the cutlery is of gold. It is so well-made that it is doubtless of great value. The curtains, carpets, and bed sheets are all fashioned from the heaviest and most costly fabric. Although they were made hundreds of years ago, they are yet undamaged. But in none of the rooms is there a single mirror! I could not even find a vanity mirror over my table, so I took out the small mirror in my shaving box so that I might shave and smarten myself up. Not only have I seen no servants inside the castle, but I have not heard any noise apart from the howling wolves. I ate my breakfast; to be honest I do not know if I should call it a breakfast or dinner, for it was about five or six o’clock when I had eaten. I looked around to find something to read, since I did not think it was appropriate to go about the castle without the Count’s permission. There was nothing resembling a book, paper, or ink; eventually, I found some kind of library when I opened the other door. I checked the door of the room opposite mine, but it was locked.
After I entered the library I was both surprised and overjoyed, as there were many, indeed an indescribable number, of Turkish books! Many shelves were full of them. The Count had certainly been to Istanbul, since he knew Turkish, so seeing some Turkish books here should not have come as a surprise. But they were so many and varied that I began to wonder if Count Dracula was an orientalist interested in the language, culture, and history of eastern nations, like Vambery. This was plausible. The reason he communicated with our bureau in Istanbul, sent a deed of trust to our director Rifat Bey, and purchased a house in Istanbul was to more closely conduct his research and observations. There were bound Turkish newspapers and magazines everywhere. Many of these were from twenty, thirty years ago.
As for the subjects of these Turkish books, there was a wide variety. There were books about history, geography, politics, law, many novels, and even a newly printed book on etiquette. Strangely, there were even trade registries and bound copies of the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce’s periodical. When I saw the journal of the Turkish Bar Association, I had the sweet sensation of seeing a close relative.
Whilst I was looking at these books, the door suddenly opened and Count Dracula entered. After greeting me cheerfully and asking how I was getting along, he said:
“I am glad you found the library, for there are many things that will interest you here.”
And then he put his hands on one of the Turkish history books:
“These are my sweet-voiced friends. I have spent my years with them. In particular, ever since I decided to visit Istanbul I have made good use of them. From them I learned the history and the beauty of Turkey. And I have even loved it. How I long to wander the crowded streets of Istanbul, the center of the world and its history, queen of the eastern world and a diamond among cities. But unfortunately all the Turkish I know I have taught myself from books. I trust to your friendship and your help with this.”
I answered with surprise:
“But Count, you speak Turkish very well! Indeed I thought you had been in Turkey for a long time.”
“Thank you for your compliment, Turk Effendi. But I recognize I have much to learn. Yes, I know the grammar and the words well. But I lack practice.”
I said again, “Count, you speak exceptionally well.”
He laughed.
“Yes, I do; hence I shall have no difficulty when I come to Istanbul. I can even manage much of my business myself. But Azmi Bey, this is not enough for me. I am one of the nobles of my country; I am a Boyar. Everyone here knows me; I am their master. They will respect me regardless. But this is not the case in a foreign country; there, nobody really cares about a stranger. If you make a mistake in grammar or in accent they will say, ‘Look at how this stranger speaks Turkish!’ and laugh at you to your face. I cannot bear that. I have been my own master for so long, I cannot accept the idea of someone else being master of me or laughing at me. Therefore you do not come here merely as the attorney of the business management director, Rifat Bey, but you shall also sit here and help me with my pronunciation errors in Turkish! You may roam this castle however you like, but I hope you will wish to stay away from closed or locked doors.”
And then we began to speak Turkish at the Count’s request. For a while I talked about the things I saw when I traveled here in the coach. He evaded some of my questions with skillful wordplay, and answered others in an easy manner:
“Azmi Bey, remember, you are in Transylvania, known as Erdel in your history. This place is nothing like your country. Its traditions and beliefs are different. According to local superstition, for example, on one night of the year—the night you came—it is believed that all demons and witches are set free; and blue flames are seen in places where treasure has been concealed. It is probable that there were some hidden treasures in the places you passed in my coach. For your armies fought many bloody battles with the Wallachians and Saxons here, and the people of Transylvania used to bury their valuables in remote places like this. But those with the courage to mark the locations of these blue flames may find them the next day.”
And then the Count said:
“Now, Azmi Bey, my friend, tell me about the house you procured in Istanbul.”
I arose from my seat, went to my room, and retrieved the necessary papers concerning the business. When I came back into the library, everything had been cleared; on the table was a large-scale block plan of Istanbul, printed by the Istanbul city council some time ago. The fact that the Count placed this much importance on everything was surprising. I began to describe in detail the purchased house, and to my great surprise I found that the Count knew the neighborhoods of Istanbul, particularly the one in which the mansion is situated, almost better than myself! Finally all the necessary facts were given, the Count signed some papers, and a letter was written to my director, Rifat Bey.
The mansion we procured for Count Dracula was in a neighborhood matching his stated requirements and of the type he requested. Count Dracula desired a building reminiscent of the Turkish spirit, with a large garden and in a quiet area. And he had written that no expense should be spared. Apparently he wished to live in a place known for its historical significance, full of old life and poetry, like the famous French writer and old Istanbul enthusiast Pierre Loti. The mansion we purchased was the remains of an old public building outside Eyüp and was, according to the locals, scheduled to be demolished. In a far corner of its garden there were such buildings as a stable, servants’ quarters, and a mausoleum.
The Count was very pleased with this description. Presently, with an excuse, Count Dracula left the library. As I looked at the Istanbul map in front of me, I observed some circles drawn in pencil around certain neighborhoods; one of those markings was just over the area of Eyüp where we purchased the mansion. In addition, there were circles around Bakirköy, Sisli, and Sariyer. Did this man want, or had he already bought, property in these areas as well?
After about half an hour, the Count returned.
“Ohhh,” he said, “you are still busy with the books, it seems. But this is too much work. Please come, they have informed me that your supper is ready.”
He took my arm and we went out. An excellent table was set in the parlor. Count Dracula again told me that he was not h
ungry and apologized for not joining me. I sat down to table alone; while I ate, he chatted and asked me questions. After dinner, although it felt very late I said nothing. Because I had gotten plenty of sleep, I did not feel tired.
Finally, the crow of a rooster was heard through the chill of the morning, and suddenly Count Dracula leapt from his chair and said: