Episode 1334

Aired: Thursday August 5, 1971

At Stokes' house, Stokes is gathering some books together. He pours himself a sherry and takes a long thoughtful drink. Quentin enters, saying "Well, here I am. You said you had found something interesting. What is it?" Stokes answers "Now now, Mr. Collins! Such a rush! Please, have a sherry with me first." Quentin says that as much as he hates to refuse a drink, he must know what Stokes has discovered immediately. Stokes tells him that he may need to take that drink when he hears. Quentin raises an eyebrow.

After the titles, Stokes tells Quentin that he has done more research on the life of Count Petofi. Quentin asks what that has to do with Daphne, and Stokes tells him to sit down and be patient, "I will tell you in due time." Stokes goes on to explain how Petofi had amassed "tremendous power in the realm of the occult" and that he had "even gained power over the line between life and death." Quentin asks again what this has to do with Daphne, and Stokes continues "I believe Petofi had tapped into the fundamental forces of life and death, and could control them at will. There was a tract I discovered, from long ago, describing various rituals practiced by sorcerers similar to Petofi. One such ritual involved the reanimation of dead souls." Quentin reflects on "dead souls" for a moment, while Stokes continues. "When we traveled to New York, we found that the Daphne Harridge of the nineteenth century, the woman invoked under hypnosis by the Daphne we know now, bore a striking resemblance to the Daphne we know now." Quentin asks what Stokes is saying, and Stokes answers "I think you know perfectly well. I am theorizing that Petofi somehow brought Daphne Harridge Collins back to life."

Quentin tells Stokes he thinks "that's impossible." Stokes answers "Is it?" and goes on to give a quick re-cap of all the powers Petofi had as both sorcerer and vampire. He also says it would explain Daphne's lack of memory from before her arrival in Collinsport, her reaction under hypnosis, and "almost all other mystery surrounding her." Quentin asks what Stokes means by "almost" and Stokes answers that "the one remaining question is why. Why Daphne Harridge Collins?" Quentin answers that Petofi "seemed to be" targeting him, and since he is the namesake of "that Quentin Collins, it might explain the connection." Stokes answers "Perhaps, but it doesn't explain why Petofi would be targeting you in the first place." Quentin says that he has no idea why, but Stokes looks like he's thinking.

Quentin is getting ready to leave Stokes' house when he remembers to ask if Stokes has found out anything more about Harrison's relation to the New York branch of the family. Stokes says there is "nothing." Quentin wonders aloud to Stokes if Harrison is some "sort of impostor." Stokes replies "Didn't Mrs. Stoddard and Mr. Roger Collins feel he resembled their father? This would make him out to be quite a unique impostor." Quentin answers that there's still something about Harrison that "makes him uncomfortable." Stokes says he'll keep researching. Back at Collinwood, Daphne comes downstairs as Quentin returns. She gives him a welcoming kiss, but he seems afraid to tell her something. She asks him what Stokes had discovered about her, and Quentin dodges the question for a while until Daphne insists that he tell her. "I'm not afraid, Quentin. If you know anything about who I am, please tell me." Quentin makes a remark about a "silly old man with an insane theory," but after more pressure from Daphne, Quentin finally tells her what Stokes thinks. "Then he thinks I'm really dead," Daphne answers. Quentin takes her into his arms and insists "No, no, you are very much alive. And you're going to stay that way, no matter who you are." Daphne holds him and says that she hopes so, but begs Quentin not to let her go.

Daphne parts from Quentin to go upstairs to sleep as Harrison enters the room. Daphne says good night to him nervously and runs upstairs. Harrison asks Quentin if anything is wrong with Daphne, and Quentin answers that "it's nothing you can help with." Harrison offers his help anyway, and Quentin snaps back "Professor Stokes seems to think that Daphne may have a connection to one of your ancestors. One of the people from the New York branch of the Collins family. You're familiar with that branch of the family, aren't you?" Harrison laughs and says that he ought to be. Quentin walks to the wall and examines one of the two fencing foils on display. "And I understand you've been reading up a lot on this branch of the family as well," Quentin says. Harrison stands by Quentin and the foils and answers yes. "You're quite a curious fellow, Harrison," Quentin says handing him a fencing foil. "Here. Take this. I hate having an advantage over an unarmed man." Harrison takes the foil but says to Quentin "I don't know what you mean." Quentin takes the other foil from the wall and slaps at Harrison's foil before placing the point at his throat and demanding "You don't know what I mean, and I don't know who you are. Perhaps you'll give me an honest answer now. Who are you really, Mr. Harrison Collins?" Harrison gulps with the point of the foil at his throat.