 terrible deaths. One else last night, five others before him, that's six within as many weeks, Inspector. Our friends, neighbors that we've known for years, drained of their life's blood, found dead in bed, lifeless skeletons of skin and bone. Vampires are at large, I tell you. I wish you forth from their graves in the dead of night to attack their victims and drink the blood from their veins. Boooo! Gotten him a breath, Schneider, don't jest. Ah, that blood-sucking legend belongs in the same category with werewolves and all other peasant superstitions. What's the bats, man? The bats. God, yes. Big ones, so. Oh, now we're switching to bats again. There was an epidemic of giant bats in Clangshloss in 1643. And at the same time, there was an outbreak of vampirism. What? Why, this record from the town archie? Prove it. Says it, not pros it. It is. And on this day was Von Hausmann hanged from a gibbet in the public square after being convicted on a proven charge of vampirism. And on this same day, there did occur the departure of the bats, thousands of horrible flying creatures which infested the town for weeks. And on the night of this same day, February 13, in the year of our lord, 1643, was there a stake driven through Von Hausmann's heart and his head cut off with a grave digger shovel. There. Well, all the records in the world can't make me believe in vampires. There are blood-sucking bats, yes, in South America, thousands of miles from here, but not in Clangshloss. But bats fly. They could fly here. You saw the bodies. All of them. Two wounds on the neck right at the jugular vein. Two wounds on the neck pierced and spread apart just as the two fang-like teeth had bitten through the flesh and right into the veins. And in every case, a blood clot, eight inches from the victim's neck, the mark of the feast, the devil's signature. Does that appear as a mark of a human being or a demon's? God save us, the devils. You ought to make a pretty fair meal for a vampire. But let's be consistent. Are these human vampires or bats? Vampires can take the shape of a human or a bat, just as they choose. Oh, they're magicians. Well, it doesn't make sense to me. The whole village is in terror. We live in closed houses, behind locked doors and bolted shutters, not daring to close our eyes. Fearful lest this unseen, silent death may find us in our sleep, for it is then that it strikes. Swiftly, silently, ghastly. My room is tightly closed. The windows are barred. Nailed down. Nothing can get in. Nothing. But they tell me vampires can go through stone walls like that. God save me. So they can. We've got to do something, I tell you. Grimesloss will become a deserted village. Well, you might catch all the bats and drown them in the river. Call, call. While you're hunting for vampires and chasing bats, I'm looking for a human being. A murderer, a thief. Well, then don't just about it. Do something. I'm trying to. Every hour, every day, every night, since this thing started. Do you hear it? Right after night, lying awake until dawn, waiting. For what? I don't know. That's what I thought. Good night, gentlemen. Don't let the vampires get you. Or kisses dynamite. Don't you like my kisses? Well, how's my mastermind this evening? Well, if you want the truth, not so good. The Burgamister and his grand council still stick to the vampire theory. Stick to it? They're quoting history to prove it. I think you and Dr. Von Neiman are the only sane people left in the village. And you? What about you? Me? Well, I'm beginning to think I'm seven different kinds of a fool. Murders are being done under my very nose. I must be as blind as the bats themselves. I can't find a single clue. Oh, but you will, Carl. You will. Well, I haven't. Oh, Rue! And here comes Diera Gosse to spread good cheer and hope. Just what I thought, slaving your life away in this awful place. It hasn't got that nice, clean, wholesome smell of a hospital. How are you, Carl? Well, quite well, thank you. Well, I'm not. This clammy old place is bound to give me periciditis, androciditis, neuritis. Well, anyway, rheumatism. Do you have some coffee? No, no, thank you, Froschnoppen. No, it's just as well. There's only two cups. Yeah, yeah. That'll take the chill out of your bone. Thank you. Speaking of chills, Froschnoppen, did you know the village is supposed to be infested with ghouls and vampires? Carl! Vampires! Morayas among fiends, demoniacal creatures with huge canine teeth who bite deeply into the necks of their victims to quaff and gorge on blood, warm human blood. There's no such thing as a vampire called Brett Snyder. I don't believe in it. You're just saying that to frighten me. And I just won't be frightened. I'm entirely too sensible to believe in such rubbish. I beg your pardon. Oh, so is you. I'm sorry if I frightened you. I said you frightened me. I'm not afraid of anything. Could you tell me where Dr. Von Neiman is? We dropped to the village to see Martha, the old Apple woman. Thank you. Is this what Dr. Halp describes? Yes, sir. She takes it in water. Well, continue giving it to her. Yes, sir. It's just typing in here. Open these windows. Yes, sir. Herman, open windows. They do. They do. Well, she'll sleep well now for us all. You know, it won't be necessary for you to stay here. A good night's sleep will work wonders for her. It was kind of you to conduct it. Oh. Martha has sold me Apple for many years. Always a good, ripe, juicy one. Martha, give me apples. I like. Shh. Oh, I'm so pained. Oh, I'm so pained. She wants a cross. Herman, get. Herman, get. Here, now. For Martha. Oh. She won't let it out of her sight. A terrible experience. To be attacked by a giant bez enough to shatter anyone's nerves. She talks about it all the time. How it flew in her face and tried to sink its teeth in her throat. No, no, no, no. That's no do. They soft like cat. They not bite Herman. She'll be all right. If she isn't, let me know. Thank you for coming, doctor. That's all right. Good night. Good night. Run along, Herman. You can see Martha tomorrow. Oh. Dr. Von Neemann. Ah, Kringdon, how are you? Much better. Thank you kindly, sir, since you prescribed for me. That's right. Good event, Herman. Good event. You shouldn't be falling on the streets. Dangerous. I'm afraid. Afraid? Afraid of what, Kringdon? The bats, sir. Big, giant bats with wings like an eagle. You saw this back, you say? I saw it swooping down the street. It came directly from my throat, sir. When was this, Kringdon? Last night when they came to take Von Elz. It was a big monstrous thing. I saw it leap across the alley and into a window. I ran just as fast as my legs could carry me. You said nothing about this? There's enough fear in the village already. Maybe I should. Maybe I should. I will. I'll tell the burgermeister. Yes, Kringdon. That's the thing to... No. Bats. Bats, good. They not hurt Herman. He plays with them. You, you'll no tell. No. No, no, no, no. Go to bed, Herman. Go on. Go on. Go to bed. You say he plays with bats? His garret is filled with them. He makes pets of them. That's odd. Very odd. Maybe, maybe he's it. Herman prowls around the streets all hours of the night. Just like an animal. Maybe he's the vampire. Don't sound any gossip about that, Kringdon. Heaven only knows where it might end. Good night. Good night, sir. No. Nice. There. What did I tell you? Perhaps there's something in what Kringdon says. Seems strange that a human being should want to play with bats. He is a human, I tell you. He's in league with the devil. Put it on. There. Thanks. Now go to sleep. You'll be all right in a few days with Dr. Sesto. Close the window. Close the window. I'm afraid of the vampire. He said leave them open. But I'd have them closed. You want the light? Leave the light. I'm afraid. I can't blame you for that either. I'll turn it down a little. Good night. If you want me, just pound on the floor. I'll hear you. All right. Good night. Good night, Martha. Oh. Here, Brett Schneider is here to see you. He's in the laboratory with Miss Burton. Oh, thank you. Good evening, Doctor. Good evening, Ruth. How are you, Carl? Well, I'd feel a lot better if I could find the solution to these murders. You don't believe in this vampire theory then? Of course not. Do you? There are many strange happenings, my boy. Many mysteries beyond the power of the human mind to comprehend. Have you a theory which might explain these deaths? Well, I'll be brief. I'll be pleased to discuss it with you, but not now. Not now. I have some very important work to do. Tomorrow then. Tomorrow? Yes, perhaps. We'll see. Well, this isn't so important, Miss Betty, that you can't let it go until tomorrow. All right. Thank you, Doctor. How about, Martha? Oh, nothing serious. Just a case of nerves. That's all. Good night. Good night, Doctor. Good night, Carl. I don't know, like all the rest. The vampire. Yes, yes, that's right. When I said I was going to tell you, his eyes glowed up, I closed the fire. His hand reached out towards me, as if he were going to sink it into my throat. And weigh this well. He never works and never begs, and yet he appears well-fed always. That's so he does. What does he live on, then? I'll wager to his kringens, says. And my wound was in Martha's room tonight when Hermann put a flower in your hand. Strange business, if you ask me. Mighty strange. I hate to be in your shoes, Tringen. Yes, after what happened tonight, I'd lock myself in my room and pray God to protect me from the devil. No trick, no trick! No trick, no trick. You make up a doctor? Are these two wounds similar to those found on the other bodies? Dr. Hoppe can answer that for you, sir. Yes, they were the same in every case. This is a strange condition, Carl. So strange that I doubt the evidence in my eyes. What was your conclusion, Hoppe? I diagnosed the wounds as having been made by needle-sharp teeth. Tentures are clean cut, penetrating into but not beyond the jugular vein. Do you mean to say that you also believe they could have been made by teeth? Frankly, I do. Ah, you see, Brett Schneider? What kind of teeth, doctor? An animal of some sort. It's hard to say. The fangs of a wolf, perhaps. A rare wolf. Could they have been made by, well, a bat, for instance? A certain species, yes. There are vampire bats. Dr. William Jamison, who explored many of the tributaries of the Upper Amazon, states that blood-sucking bats do exist. He further asserts that the victims often become blood drinkers themselves. Citing a case in which he saw a native, tortured to death in an actual by his tribe brothers, they swore he had become a human bat. And, states Jamison, he confessed it. Do you mean to say that such a thing as a human vampire is possible? Who can say? Historic records would have us believe that an evil soul, assuming there is such, can take any shape it pleases. So why not get into that of a human being? Eh, Carl? Why not? Have you any literature on the subject, doctor? Yes, I have many interesting volumes of my shows that my crew very enlightened. Glad to show them to you. I don't mind admitting that I'm up a tree. Stumped. Well, we'll see what could be done, my boy. No, no, no, Herman. This is no place for you. Go away, my boy. Go away. Good night, Sean. Good night, doctor. Good night, how? Good night, doctor. Good morning, Carl. Thank you, doctor. I'm sorry to have dragged you out of such an ungodly hour. Oh, that's all right. That's all right. Fleeing in the horror from the sight of death. There goes the vampire. Arrest him. Lock him up. Kill him! Has the entire village gone mad? Herman wouldn't harm a baby, and you know it. I've walked the streets of this village for over 40 years. But tonight's the end. He knows that I've totally plagued with bats. He knows that I saw him sneak into Martha's house all midnight. Perhaps he was taking her another flower, Kringham. The boy brought her on the ceiling while I was there. He killed her just like he did all the rest. And now he's going to kill me. Unless he's killed in a state different to his heart. I'm a doomed man. He'll kill me! He'll kill me! I'll do! Good morning, Mr. Bretchneider. What brings you to Klein Schlossowale? You? Fibber. I heard the doctor tell Georgiana he expected you. I knew there was something else. A barricader called, not a very convincing one. You don't mind me using your stethoscope, do you, doctor? But it's all for our schnappen. But what seems to be the ailment this morning? What's that? What seems to be the ailment this morning? Well, doctor, I am positive that I have valvular declege of the aorta. Or maybe it's the right ventricle. There is something wrong with my heart. I can hear it beat, thump, thump, thump, thump, just like the book says. I will say there is something wrong. What? Without a moon? You have a heart of stone. All right, then. Close your eyes. No. Oh, so, young lady. It's too early in the morning, Carl. Much too early. Oh, is it? Oh, there's that Gussie. She would show up just at a time like this. Oh. Gussie, what's the matter now? I have palpitation of the auricular, ventricular, and microvalves. Is the chord egg tendency? You mean your heart's beating? Of course it's beating. Dr. Van Neelan, he tried to assure me that I'm not able to go just like that. Did he piss-cry before, you dear? Yes. Monacid esters, salicylic acid. You mean salicylic acid, don't you? Well, salicylic acid, salicylic acid. Help me. Help me. My heart is much quieter. Dr. Van Neelan, go on, won't you? Yes, of course I will. Well, I'm not gone yet. You can't marry her, unless I say so. Don't forget that. After a while, what you need is what? What, dear? Quiet. And Gussie has a heart like a steam engine. Carl. You've cut yourself. See? Blood. No. No hurt in all you poor thing. Now, you wait right here, and I'll run in the house and get something for that finger. A subcutaneous wound like that might easily result in a tetanus infection. Tetan, tetan. Tetanus, rock jaw. Now, but you need to be afraid. The way you talk, I think you've got it already. Look, here's a nice juicy apple for you. Oh, this is it. Très soon as appréciant date a spritz une vampire dorm calomé in 1746. Let us suppose that these corpses do not actually stir from their tombs, but only the ghosts or spirits appear to the living. Wherefore, do these phantoms present themselves and what is it that energizes them? Is it actually the soul of the dead man which has not yet departed to its final destination? Now, how could a corpse buried under four or five feet of buried get out to do any such foolishness? I don't believe it. It's a fair question, Doctor. How could it? Well, according to accepted theory, the vampire dematerializes its body and reintegrates it outside the grave. It's a good explanation, if you can believe it. And while I'm standing here listening to all this rubbish, there's a poor man in the garden in danger of a tetanus infection. Now, what should I do for him, Doctor? Shall I apply a macrophone to get some gauze and some macrophone? Thank you, Doctor. I'll wait here. Difficult to believe, isn't it? It's impossible to believe. And yet, it would explain these deaths, wouldn't it? Pardon their intrusion, Dr. Von Neiman. But after what you saw last night, you'll be interested in this as well. But what happened? Gringon was found dead an hour ago with the two punctures in his neck and not a drop of blood in his body. And what's more, Herman Glaib has disappeared. What? Now are you convinced that we were right and you were wrong? I'd be proof enough for anybody. Gringon said Herman would get him, and he did. Well, Bretschleider? I appoint you my deputy. Organize a certain party and comb this countryside from one end to the other. Find Herman Glaib and bring him in, but don't harm him. Do you understand? What good will that do? He is a vampire. There's only one thing for us to do when we find him. Kill him and drive us take to his hide. Herman Glaib will be tried by a court of law. The charge against him is proven true. The law will decide what to do with him, not you. I'll get your men together and do as I tell you. That's the way to talk. I'm going into town for a little while, Doctor. Would you care to come along? Oh, I hardly believe so. As it'll be done until they find the boy. If you need me then, I'll... I'll let you know. I feel as though I was going to faint. There, Auntie, there's nothing here to be afraid of. Come along now and take care of that patient of yours. Oh, heavens, I forgot all about him. Oh... Oh, my heart. Poor Auntie. She's had every ailment in the book. And a lot that aren't, I'm afraid. Particularly a palpitation of the auricular, ventricular, tricuspid, and micro-valves, Doctor. Well, I had to tell her something to satisfy her. You mustn't do that. Now, where's that finger? You good like Martha. Martha. She give me apples. Herman like you. Are you Herman? Me, Herman. You give me apple? Herman give you nice, soft bat. I just found this in Amel's room. It belonged to my friend, Martha Mueller. Are you certain? I gave it to her myself. Martha died last night. I find her crucifix in Amel's room. Doesn't that mean Amel is the one Hair-Bretchnider is seeking? This amazed me, Georgiana. It rained the night Von Elst died. There was mud on Amel's shoes the next morning. Have you mentioned this to anyone? I intend to tell Hair-Bretchnider when he calls again. I can't believe it. Leave this with me. I want to talk to Amel before you say anything to anyone. The burgermeister should know at once. Yes, all in good time. Amel has been with me too long for us to jump at conclusions. Don't say anything until I tell you. And send Amel to me. Very well, Doctor. That's for the neuritis. The pepsin, that house and fabric is tougher than shoe leather. And sweet spay to the nighter. That'll help if you shouldn't do any harm. And the ginger. That'll warm us down. And now, a little pipe out of soda. Careful, Amel. Just tell you, Doctor, we simply couldn't make Georgiana hear the bell. That's quite all right, my dear. Georgiana's becoming careless. Very careless. Yes, I've noticed that too. In my opinion, she has Negana. That's sleeping sickness. You know the symptoms, Doctor. At first, I thought it was creeping paralysis. So I stuck a pin in her leg to see. And there was a splendid reaction of the reflex molliner. Why, Auntie, you're shocked. So was she. Won't you go me and some coffee? There are a few questions I'd like to ask you, Pa. About blood, and murders, and vampires, I suppose. Yes, I'm afraid so. Oh, so am I. Well, good night. If such a thing is possible, I'm going to bed. Won't you join us too, Flora Snapplin? Coffee at this hour of the night? No, thank you. I'm going to stick to my monastic vest or salic salad. Ask the Doctor, ask him. Good night. What's the news in the village, Carl? Have they located Helming yet? No, not at Trace Helming. I hate to think of that poor misfit being hunted down like a dog. You know, I simply can't bring myself to believe in that vampire theory. Yeah, will you pause? Good night. I know, Carl. Our Sena Karma judgment tells us that such things can't be, and yet, here, for instance, in this ponderous tome, are cited as thousand-and-one phobias and complexes that human beings are heir to. Some of them are strange, more untenable even than werewolves and vampires. Could I have some more, please? You drink entirely too much coffee. Not my one weakness. And also my excuse for tolerating Georgiana's laxity and other things. She does know how to make good coffee. Thank you. She brings it to me every night at exactly ten o'clock. And when I've drunk it all, then I know it's time to quit. Yes, and eat breakfast so you can have more coffee. Oh. You mustn't lie like that. You'll get yourself a tartar to cool it. I'm silly imagination. I mention that as well as yours. Words to her by angry ones. A petulant reprimand that I've been late with my coffee. What time is that? About two or three minutes after ten. She's been dead then, about 45 minutes. Bloodless like the rest. Passes all belief. Ruth's aunts saw Herman Glybe in the garden this morning. Could it be that he... The first one here? I was in my room reading. My door was open. I must have dozed off for a minute or so because I woke to hear Froschnoppen scream. You say your door was open? Yes, my room was very poorly ventilated. And you saw nothing? Hurt nothing unusual? Nothing. This crucifix. Belong to Martha. Can you positively identify this as belonging to Martha? Without a doubt. I saw it in her room the night she died. How in the world did it get here? Herman Glybe was in her room. He had that crucifix in his hands. And Herman was here today. Maybe here now for all we know. She's had a real shock this time, but she'll be all right. I'm putting her to bed. Leave her there. Don't let her out of this room. And don't you leave it either. What do you mean? It looks as if Herman Glybe is the killer after all. It's possible he may be hiding here in the castle. I hope it makes you think so. I'll tell you later. Stay in your room and keep your door locked. Don't worry about that. And I don't think there's any use for them searching for Herman. They should look for a dog, a human-faced dog. And if the doors and windows are all locked, there's nothing to be afraid of now. Who said I was afraid? I'm not a bit afraid. No, of course you're not afraid, but you must get some rest. Rest in this awful place? With dog-faced Herman's and human-faced bats and blood and murders and vampires? Find anything, Carl? There's an unbroken cowboy within that window. If Herman did it, he came through the door. He must have. And yet I don't understand how he could find his way up here without us hearing him. Yet Emil was asleep, and I was in the library. Yes, he could have done it. The facts all point to it. What was it, Emil? The Bergermeister. He has news for her Brett Snyder about Herman. Doctor, pardon the intrusion. I knew Carl was here, and I thought you wouldn't mind if I ran in to tell him the news. About Herman? Yes, he fell into the devil's well in the cave. He's dead? Dead does a doornail. This ends our troubles, Carl. The vampire's dead. I can feel it in my bones. Well, your bones may be wrong. What time did this happen? Quite early, about nine o'clock. The cave is nearly two hours from here. That's why we didn't hear it sooner. Well, it may interest you to know that there's been another death after your vampire died. Who? Doctor von Neymann's housekeeper. Right here in her own room. Mother of mercy! What are we going to do? Well, a natural death wouldn't kill a vampire, Carl. You know the accepted theory? A stake driven through the heart? Oh, yes, that's the theory, all right. But... but... But what? But they did. They drove a stake through his heart. Good God, are we living in the Middle Ages? It wasn't through my sanction, Carl. Masawa did it. He told me so himself. Well, that ends the vampire theory, as far as I'm concerned. Hermann Gleib died in the accepted fashion for killing a vampire. Oh, no, there's some human agency at work here, doctor. A madman who kills to satisfy some violent sadistic urge. Yes, you're right, Carl. I've been a fool, a superstitious fool. Did they leave his body in the cave? Yes. Yes, they did. Well, in view of what's happened, don't you think you owe him a decent burial? You're right. In view of what has happened, we do owe him that, Carl. I'll see to it at once, this very instant. And I'll make arrangements for Georgian as removal to the morgue. Good night, doctor. Pardon the intrusion. The night was done. Pardon the intrusion. And that's where I started weeks ago. There isn't a single theory that doesn't lead straight into a stone wall. I've gested about this vampire business because my better judgment told me it was a lot of nonsense. Then I reached the point where I was willing to accept even that. Because it seemed to satisfy the equation. All of us have been superstitious. I don't know which way to turn. Where to look? What to look for? Why should anyone want human blood? Why? Why? Calm yourself, Carl. Calm myself. Calm myself. With all these unsolved murders staring me in the face and no solution in sight, how much blood is there in the human body, doctor? About six liters, approximately. Can you think of any purpose for which that amount of blood might be used? No. Not even in transfusions. That's the point which stops me. There isn't any other use for human blood. Murders leave clues. And these atrocities are murders, doctor. Those simple fools in the village can believe what they like, but you and I are sane thinking people. And you know and I know, doctor, that these are murders. The last one was done here. In this very house, right under this roof. All right, I'll start here. I'm going over every foot of this place, both inside and out. Nobody, sane or insane, is clever enough to get away with murder without leaving a clue of some sort. And I'm going to find that clue. Now, come, Carl. You mustn't let your nerves run away with you. Here. These will help to give you a good night's sleep. There are any clues? They'll be here in the morning when your nerves are calm and your mind is clear. Take my advice and go home. Rest. I imagine a thousand demons were after me as I came down those stairs. Ruth, didn't I tell you to stay in your room? Yes, but I wanted the doctor to come up and quiet Andy. You know, it isn't her imagination this time. Of course, Ruth. I'll come right away. Take my advice, young man. Go home and go to bed. Good night, Carl. Good night, Rose. Good night, Carl. Good night, doctor. If his lights are on, you must wait, Emil. Wait until he has gone to bed. Handle him as you did the others, Emil. You are strong. Very strong. I'm waiting for you. Waiting for you to bring him to the laboratory. You. You're the one. What mad thing are you doing? Mad? Is one who has sold the secret of life to be considered mad? Life. Created in the laboratory. No mere crystalline growth, but tissue. Living, growing tissue. Life that moves, pulsates and demands food for its continued growth. Huh. You shudder in horror. So did I the first time. But what are a few lies they weighed in the balance against the achievement of biological science? Think of it. I have lifted the veil. I have created life. Rested the secret of life from life. The end for the lives of those who have gone before. I have created life. I'll tell Carl. Carl's name will be added to yours. And all of those who miss the cheap but will immortalize. I didn't take your sleeping tablets, doctor. He's the one who murdered them. Stay where you are. You'll have a chance to tell everything, doctor. Get her out of here. You stay here. For Neiman and Emil. Carl, she mustn't see them. Neiman, I must see them immediately. I guess you can't. He can't be disturbed. Oh, but I must see them. I simply must. That hydrous magnesium sulfate he gave me is affecting me more peculiarly. You'll pardon me. Hydrous magnesium sulfate. Well, that's epsom salts.