ror as she realized that her rescuer was
quickly choking Dr. von Horn to death. With a little cry she sprang to
her feet and ran toward them, just as her father emerged from the
underbrush through which he had been struggling in the trail of the
agile Chinaman and von Horn. Placing her hand upon the great wrist of
the giant she tried to drag his fingers from von Horn's throat,
pleading meanwhile with both voice and eyes for the life of the man she
thought loved her.

Again Number Thirteen translated the intent without understanding the
words, and releasing von Horn permitted him to rise. With a bound he
was upon his feet and at the same instant brought his other gun from
his side and levelled it upon the man who had released him; but as his
finger tightened upon the trigger Virginia Maxon sprang between them
and grasping von Horn's wrist deflected the muzzle of the gun just as
the cartridge exploded. Simultaneously Professor Maxon sprang from his
grasp and hurled him back with the superhuman strength of a maniac.

"Fool!" he cried. "What would you do? Kill--," and then of a sudden
he realized his daughter's presence and the necessity for keeping the
origin of the young giant from her knowledge.

"I am surprised at you, Dr. von Horn," he continued in a more level
voice. "You must indeed have forgotten yourself to thus attack a
stranger upon our island until you know whether he be friend or foe.
Come! Escort my daughter to the camp, while I make the proper
apologies to this gentleman." As he saw that both Virginia and von
Horn hesitated, he repeated his command in a peremptory tone, adding;
"Quick, now; do as I bid you."

The moment had given von Horn an opportunity to regain his
self-control, and realizing as well as did his employer, but from
another motive, the necessity of keeping the truth from the girl, he
took her arm and led her gently from the scene. At Professor Maxon's
direction Sing accompanied them.

Now in Number Thirteen's brief career he had known no other authority
than Professor Maxon's, and so it was that when his master laid a hand
upon his wrist he remained beside him while another walked away with
the lovely creature he had thought his very own.

Until after dark the professor kept the young man hidden in the jungle,
and then, safe from detection, led him back to the laboratory.

5

TREASON

On their return to camp after her rescue Virginia talked a great deal
to von Horn