Mark of the Vampire

I'm sorry, gentleman and lady,

but it will be best for you to stay here tonight.

Come now, my good man, you can't frighten us.

We've been over your foul roads before.

Please, you do not understand.

It is not the road. It is the darkness.

Here our doors are protected with bat thorns.

What is all this bat thorn business?

It keeps them out.

They're afraid of it, the demons of the castle.

Good evening. It's a lovely evening.

Well, Doctor, for one who is not afraid of the dark,

you have been pushing your horse pretty fast.

Well, you know horses.

Once they get started for home, there's no stopping them.

Oh, I admit I was a bit impatient...

I mean, hungry

for one of your wonderful meals.

Yes, the vampires are hungry, too, for their supper.

Oh, tut-tut, tut-tut.

Nonsense. Rubbish. Vampires. Nonsense.

I won't keep you waiting. I'll be right out for my supper.

He can "tut-tut" all he likes about vampires,

but I'd hate to be on a farm needing his help tonight.

What is all this about vampires?

Yes, and this castle.

That's where they live in their coffins.

And they come out at night and drink people's blood.

Silly superstition.

You would not laugh if you lived in these mountains.

Fancy, Ronnie, vampires in the 20th century.

Ripping. They'll never believe that at the club.

She says, "Please, do not mock.

Because if the vampires should hear you,

they would take their revenge on all of us."

Did you find out what was the matter?

Baron Otto is coming.

One minute.

I have something to say to you.

I'm the bearer of very sad tidings.

Last night, your master, Sir Karell, was murdered.

There's no cause for alarm.

Get up on your feet.

Police Inspector Neumann from Prague is upstairs now with the body.

He'll be down here shortly to question all of you.

Now, tell him the truth and nothing can happen to you.

That's all.

You can go back to your work.

In the University of Prague there are records,

documents that prove the existence of these creatures.

Dr. Doskil, I'm uninterested in your old wives' tales.

I'm trying to find the cause of Sir Karell's death.

But you have it right here.

These little wounds on his throat are the bite of the vampire.

Yes, you said.

I have seen such marks in these parts.

Sir Karell dismissed you at 9:15 last night.

Yes, Mr. Inspector, yes.

Then what were you doing down here this morning at 3:307?

I don't know. I couldn't sleep.

A bat was fluttering against my window,

and I felt something was wrong.

A bat made you feel that way?

Yes, sir. No, sir. I don't know.

And you,

why didn't you come to the castle at once when Jan telephoned?

Because Jan told me Sir Karell was already dead.

Does your medical license admit Jan

to certify to the death of your patients?

No, no. Of course not.

But it was night, and I realized there was nothing I could do.

Oh, I see. You're no moonflower.

You're a morning glory.

Now, if there's enough daylight to bring out the physician in you,

make a thorough examination of the body for the cause of death.

Real, not supernatural.

Here, Jan, give the doctor a hand.

Why, the idea.

I'll get your wrap, my dear. We'll step over to my place.

You've eaten nothing.

Oh, the very thought of food... I couldn't. I couldn't.

But, Irena, you must conserve your strength.

It's Fedor.

My dear, I'll tell him.

No. No, thanks.

Oh, where have you been?

I've been making enough noise to raise the dead.

Don't, Fedor. Don't.

Well, what's wrong, dear? What's happened?

Fedor, Father's... Father...

Oh, you poor darling!

This young man,

tell me something about him.

Who, Fedor?

Miss Borotyn's fiance, Mr. Vincente from Prague.

His family, wealthy?

Moderately. Why?

With Sir Karell out of the way.

Miss Borotyn will come into quite a bit of money.

Why, surely you can't suspect Fedor?

What are Miss Borotyn's immediate plans?

Why, naturally, she'll be moving next door to my place,

I being her guardian.

Oh. Her guardian.

Why, yes.

And being her guardian,

naturally, you'll be the sole executor of her estate.

Yes. Why, what's wrong?

I see. I'm under suspicion, too.

In such cases, everyone's under suspicion.

The idea of talking to me as though I were one of his common policemen.

"Old wives' tales."

"Look for the cause of death."

"Real, not supernatural.”

- What? What is it? - Look.

Well, Doctor, what have you found?

Inspector, the examination fully confirms my diagnosis.

Those marks are the only sign of violence.

Had Sir Karell been ailing of late?

No, on the contrary, he enjoyed good health,

except for a slightly sluggish heart.

- And you prescribed for that? - Naturally.

Well, I shall want an autopsy.

Of course, that will be done.

But I am positive. The cause of his death

is told by those little wounds.

Well, surely, Doctor, a man of your learning

does not believe in vampires?

Then how do you account for his body being drained dry of blood?

Yes, Mr. Coroner.

In the night, Farmer Narodni was found dead in the road.

Count Mora and his daughter were seen again near the castle.

Oh, piffle. Superstitious twaddle.

- Dr. Doskil. - Yes?

You've examined the body of this farmer, too?

I did. The corpse was drained of blood.

There were the same marks that I found on Sir Karell's throat.

And you have seen this Count Mora and his daughter?

No, sir.

When I saw them, they was in form of bats.

These poor deluded creatures believe

that vampires change themselves into bats

and back again into human forms.

- How versatile. - Really, Mr. Coroner!

"Poor deluded creatures." I... must protest.

I hold a degree from the medical faculty...

Sit down!

Do you want to make your township and this court ridiculous?

Forget your absurd old superstitions. This is 1934.

Ladies and gentlemen,

I think that under existing circumstances

the decision of this inquest must be

that Sir Karell Borotyn

met his death from cause or causes unknown.

Darling, they're doing all this for you. Doesn't it make you happy?

What... Why, dear, you're crying.

Boris, please drive on.

I'm sorry, dear.

I didn't mean to make you sad.

Forgive me, Fedor, for being so moody,

but seeing them all dancing

suddenly brought it all back.

How Father used to tell me that at my wedding feast

all the villagers and peasants for miles around would come,

and they'd sing and dance.

Fedor, he had it all planned.

Now he isn't here.

Darling, I'll always try to make you

as happy as your father wanted you to be.

The villagers and peasants would be quite satisfied

with wine of the country.

It is just what Sir Karell would have done.

Yes, sir, but for one thing.

What's that?

He would have had the wedding feast at the castle.

Come, Jan, do you think Miss Irena could bear to go back there?

After that dreadful tragedy?

I suppose not, sir.

But it's heartbreaking to see the place neglected,

rain and sleet entering through the broken windows.

I know how you feel.

Recheck your list.

Be sure we've got enough of everything.

But you must remember life goes on, my dear.

Your father wouldn't want these days, of all days,

to be clouded for you.

I know. I feel ashamed of the way

I acted with Fedor last night,

but it all seemed to sweep over me again.

Well, no more of that, young lady.

If I remember correctly, we have a wedding to prepare for.

Fedor!

Fedor, darling, what's the matter?

Annie, some water, quick!

What is it, Fedor? What happened to you?

I don't know. I can't remember.

I was running to the train

and then, by the castle, I fell.

I must have struck my head.

Oh, you poor dear. Here, drink this.