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.

"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 questions--it 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 think that your bravery is equal to the demands that
will be made upon it?"

Virginia laughed, nor was ther