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they regained their feet； and seeing that no attention was being paid them；
cast a parting； terrified look at the mighty creature who had defeated them
with his bare hands； and slunk quickly out into the darkness of the
campong。
When they caught up with Rajah Muda Saffir near the beach； they
narrated a fearful tale of fifty terrible white men with whom they had
battled valiantly； killing many； before they had been compelled to retreat
in the face of terrific odds。 They swore that even then they had only
returned because the girl was not in the houseotherwise they should have
brought her to their beloved master as he had directed。
Now Muda Saffir believed nothing that they said； but he was well
pleased with the great treasure which had so unexpectedly fallen into his
hands； and he decided to make quite sure of that by transporting it to his
own land later he could return for the girl。 So the ten war prahus of the
Malay pulled quietly out of the little cove upon the east side of the island；
and bending their way toward the south circled its southern extremity and
bore away for Borneo。
In the bungalow within the north campong Sing and Number Thirteen
had lifted Professor Maxon to his bed； and the Chinaman was engaged in
bathing and bandaging the wound that had left the older man unconscious。
The white giant stood beside him watching his every move。 He was trying
to understand why sometimes men killed one another and again defended
and nursed。 He was curious as to the cause of his own sudden change in
sentiment toward Professor Maxon。 At last he gave the problem up as
beyond his powers of solution； and at Sing's command set about the task
of helping to nurse the man whom he considered the author of his
unhappiness and whom a few short minutes before he had come to kill。
As the two worked over the stricken man their ears were suddenly
assailed by a wild commotion from the direction of the workshop。 There
were sounds of battering upon wood； loud growls and roars； mingled with
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THE MONSTER MEN
weird shrieks and screams and the strange； uncanny gibbering of brainless
things。
Sing looked quickly up at his companion。
〃Whallee mallee？〃 he asked。
The giant did not answer。 An expression of pain crossed his features；
and he shudderedbut not from fear。
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THE MONSTER MEN
7 THE BULL WHIP
As von Horn and Virginia Maxon walked slowly beneath the dense
shadows of the jungle he again renewed his suit。 It would please him more
to have the girl accompany him voluntarily than to be compelled to take
her by force； but take her he would one way or another； and that； this very
night； for all the plans were made and already under way。
〃I cannot do it； Doctor von Horn；〃 she had said。 〃No matter how much
danger I may be in here I cannot desert my father on this lonely isle with
only savage lascars and the terrible monsters of his own creation
surrounding him。 Why； it would be little short of murder for us to do
such a thing。 I cannot see how you； his most trusted lieutenant； can even
give an instant's consideration to the idea。
〃And now that you insist that his mind is sorely affected； it is only an
added reason why I must remain with him to protect him so far as I am
able； from himself and his enemies。〃
Von Horn did not relish the insinuation in the accent which the girl put
upon the last word。
〃It is because I love you so； Virginia；〃 he hastened to urge in
extenuation of his suggested disloyalty。 〃I cannot see you sacrificed to his
horrible mania。 You do not realize the imminence of your peril。 Tomorrow
Number Thirteen was to have come to live beneath the same roof with 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 meit will take but a few daysand 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
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THE MONSTER MEN
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 serv