you. You recall Number One whom the stranger killed as the thing
was bearing you away through the jungle? Can you imagine sleeping in
the same house with such a soulless thing? Eating your three meals a
day at the same table with it? And knowing all the time that in a few
short weeks at the most you were destined to be given to the thing as
its mate? Virginia, you must be mad to consider for a moment remaining
within reach of such a terrible peril.

"Come to Singapore with me--it will take but a few days--and then we
can return with some good medical man and a couple of Europeans, and
take your father away from the terrible creatures he has created. You
will be mine then and safe from the awful fate that now lies back there
in the camp awaiting you. We can take your father upon a long trip
where rest and quiet can have an opportunity to restore his enfeebled
mentality. Come, Virginia! Come with me now. We can go directly to
the Ithaca and safety. Say that you will come."

The girl shook her head.

"I do not love you, I am afraid, Doctor von Horn, or I should certainly
be moved by your appeal. If you wish to bring help for my father I
shall never cease to thank you if you will go to Singapore and fetch
it, but it is not necessary that I go. My place is here, near him."

In the darkness the girl did not see the change that came over the
man's face, but his next words revealed his altered attitude with
sufficient exactitude to thoroughly arouse her fears.

"Virginia," he said, "I love you, and I intend to have you. Nothing on
earth can prevent me. When you know me better you will return my love,
but now I must risk offending you that I may save you for myself from
the monstrous connection which your father contemplates for you. If
you will not come away from the island with me voluntarily I consider
it my duty to take you away by force."

"You would never do that, Doctor von Horn!" she exclaimed.

Von Horn had gone too far. He cursed himself inwardly for a fool. Why
the devil didn't that villain, Bududreen, come! He should have been
along to act his part half an hour before.

"No, Virginia," said the man, softly, after a moment's silence, "I
could not do that; though my judgment tells me that I should do it.
You shall remain here if you insist and I will be with you to serve and
protect both you and your father."

The words were fair, but the girl could not forget the ugly tone that
had tinged