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platform to board the express for New York。 So quietly had their plans
been made that not a friend was at the train to bid them farewellthe
scientist felt that he could not bear the strain of attempting explanations at
this time。
But there were those there who recognized them； and one especially
who noted the lithe； trim figure and beautiful face of Virginia Maxon
though he did not know even the name of their possessor。 It was a tall
well built young man who nudged one of his younger companions as the
girl crossed the platform to enter her Pullman。
〃I say； Dexter；〃 he exclaimed； 〃who is that beauty？〃
The one addressed turned in the direction indicated by his friend。
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〃By jove！〃 he exclaimed。 〃Why it's Virginia Maxon and the
professor； her father。 Now where do you suppose they're going？〃
〃I don't knownow；〃 replied the first speaker； Townsend J。 Harper； Jr。；
in a half whisper； 〃but I'll bet you a new car that I find out。〃
A week later； with failing health and shattered nerves； Professor
Maxon sailed with his daughter for a long ocean voyage； which he hoped
would aid him in rapid recuperation； and permit him to forget the
nightmare memory of those three horrible days and nights in his
workshop。
He believed that he had reached an unalterable decision never again to
meddle with the mighty； awe inspiring secrets of creation； but with
returning health and balance he found himself viewing his recent triumph
with feelings of renewed hope and anticipation。
The morbid fears superinduced by the shock following the sudden
demise of the first creature of his experiments had given place to a
growing desire to further prosecute his labors until enduring success had
crowned his efforts with an achievement which he might exhibit with
pride to the scientific world。
His recent disastrous success had convinced him that neither Ithaca
nor any other abode of civilization was a safe place to continue his
experiments； but it was not until their cruising had brought them among
the multitudinous islands of the East Indies that the plan occurred to him
that he finally adopteda plan the outcome of which could he then have
foreseen would have sent him scurrying to the safety of his own country
with the daughter who was to bear the full brunt of the horrors it entailed。
They were steaming up the China Sea when the idea first suggested
itself； and as he sat idly during the long； hot days the thought grew upon
him； expanding into a thousand wonderful possibilities； until it became
crystalized into what was a little short of an obsession。
The result was that at Manila； much to Virginia's surprise； he
announced the abandonment of the balance of their purposed voyage；
taking immediate return passage to Singapore。 His daughter did not
question him as to the cause of this change in plans； for since those three
days that her father had kept himself locked in his workroom at home the
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THE MONSTER MEN
girl had noticed a subtle change in her parenta marked disinclination to
share with her his every confidence as had been his custom since the death
of her mother。
While it grieved her immeasurably she was both too proud and too
hurt to sue for a reestablishment of the old relations。 On all other topics
than his scientific work their interests were as mutual as formerly； but by
what seemed a manner of tacit agreement this subject was taboo。 And so
it was that they came to Singapore without the girl having the slightest
conception of her father's plans。
Here they spent nearly a month； during which time Professor Maxon
was daily engaged in interviewing officials； English residents and a
motley horde of Malays and Chinamen。
Virginia met socially several of the men with whom her father was
engaged but it was only at the last moment that one of them let drop a hint
of the purpose of the month's activity。 When Virginia was present the
conversation seemed always deftly guided from the subject of her father's
immediate future； and she was not long in discerning that it was in no
sense through accident that this was true。 Thereafter her wounded pride
made easy the task of those who seemed combined to keep her in
ignorance。
It was a Dr。 von Horn； who had been oftenest with her father； who
gave her the first intimation of what was forthcoming。 Afterward； in
recollecting the conversation； it seemed to Virginia that the young man
had been directed to break the news to her； that her father might be spared
the ordeal。 It was evident then that he expected opposition； but the girl
was too loyal to let von Horn know if she felt other than in harmony with
the proposal； and too proud to evince by surprise the fact that she was not
wholly conversant with its every detail。
〃You are glad to be leaving Singapore so soon？〃 he had asked；
although he knew that she had not been advised that an early departure
was planned。
〃I am rather looking forward to it；〃 replied Virginia。
〃And to a protracted residence on one of the Pamarung Islands？〃
continued von Horn。
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THE MONSTER MEN
〃Why not？〃 was her rather non…committal reply； though she had not
the remotest idea of their location。
Von Horn admired her nerve though he rather wished that she would
ask some questionsit was difficult making progress in this way。 How
could he explain the plans when she evinced not the slightest sign that she
was not already entirely conversant with them？
〃We doubt if the work will be completed under two or three years；〃
answered the doctor。 〃That will be a long time in which to be isolated
upon a savage little speck of land off the larger but no less savage Borneo。
Do you th