VBScript Asc function not returning correct ASCII code for accented characters

I am trying to convert some characters to ASCII code using the VBScript Asc function but the accented characters are giving incorrect negative values.

Take a look at this example:

	response.write "Ascii a (small a): " & Asc("a") & "<br />"
	response.write "Ascii á (small a with acute): " & Asc("á") & "<br />"
	response.write "Ascii ä (small a with diaeresis): " & Asc("ä") & "<br />"

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The output is:

Ascii a (small a): 97
Ascii á (small a with acute): -15455
Ascii ä (small a with diaeresis): -15452

But I was expecting:

Ascii a (small a): 97
Ascii á (small a with acute): 225
Ascii ä (small a with diaeresis): 228

Am I missing something here and does the Asc function only work on non accented characters?