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white man from so rash an act； as he was going directly into the country of
the tribe of the two men he had killed； and there was little chance that he
ever would come out alive。
While they were still discussing von Horn's act； and wondering at his
intentions； a native on the verandah cried out in astonishment； pointing
down the river。 As they looked in the direction he indicated all saw a
graceful； white cutter gliding around a nearby turn。 At the oars were white
clad American sailors； and in the stern two officers in the uniform of the
United States navy。
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17 999 PRISCILLA
As the cutter touched the bank the entire party from the long…house；
whites and natives； were gathered on the shore to meet it。 At first the
officers held off as though fearing a hostile demonstration； but when they
saw the whites among the throng； a command was given to pull in； and a
moment later one of the officers stepped ashore。
〃I am Lieutenant May；〃 he said； 〃of the U。S。S。 New Mexico； flagship
of the Pacific Fleet。 Have I the honor to address Professor Maxon？〃
The scientist nodded。 〃I am delighted；〃 he said。
〃We have been to your island； Professor；〃 continued the officer； 〃and
judging from the evidences of hasty departure； and the corpses of several
natives there； I feared that some harm had befallen you。 We therefore
cruised along the Bornean coast making inquiries of the natives until at
last we found one who had heard a rumor of a party of whites being far in
the interior searching for a white girl who had been stolen from them by
pirates。
〃The farther up this river we have come the greater our assurance that
we were on the right trail； for scarcely a native we interrogated but had
seen or heard of some of your party。 Mixed with the truth they told us
were strange tales of terrible monsters led by a gigantic white man。〃
〃The imaginings of childish minds；〃 said the professor。 〃However；
why； my dear lieutenant； did you honor me by visiting my island？〃
The officer hesitated a moment before answering； his eyes running
about over the assembly as though in search of someone。
〃Well； Professor Maxon； to be quite frank；〃 he said at length； 〃we
learned at Singapore the personnel of your party； which included a former
naval officer whom we have been seeking for many years。 We came to
your island to arrest this man I refer to Doctor Carl von Horn。〃
When the lieutenant learned of the recent disappearance of the man he
sought； he expressed his determination to push on at once in pursuit； and
as Professor Maxon feared again to remain unprotected in the heart of the
Bornean wilderness his entire party was taken aboard the cutter。
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THE MONSTER MEN
A few miles up the river they came upon one of the Dyaks who had
accompanied von Horn； a few hours earlier。 The warrior sat smoking
beside a beached prahu。 When interrogated he explained that von Horn
and the balance of his crew had gone inland； leaving him to guard the boat。
He said that he thought he could guide them to the spot where the white
man might be found。
Professor Maxon and Sing accompanied one of the officers and a
dozen sailors in the wake of the Dyak guide。 Virginia and Bulan remained
in the cutter； as the latter was still too weak to attempt the hard march
through the jungle。 For an hour the party traversed the trail in the wake of
von Horn and his savage companions。 They had come almost to the spot
when their ears were assailed by the weird and blood curdling yells of
native warriors； and a moment later von Horn's escort dashed into view in
full retreat。
At sight of the white men they halted in relief； pointing back in the
direction they had come； and jabbering excitedly in their native tongue。
Warily the party advanced again behind these new guides； but when they
reached the spot they sought； the cause of the Dyaks' panic had fled；
warned； doubtless； by their trained ears of the approach of an enemy。
The sight that met the eyes of the searchers told all of the story that
they needed to know。 A hole had been excavated in the ground； partially
uncovering a heavy chest； and across this chest lay the headless body of
Doctor Carl von Horn。
Lieutenant May turned toward Professor Maxon with a questioning
look。
〃It is he；〃 said the scientist。
〃But the chest？〃 inquired the officer。
〃Mlaxon's tleasure；〃 spoke up Sing Lee。 〃Hornee him tly steal it for
long time。〃 〃Treasure！〃 ejaculated the professor。 〃Bududreen gave up
his life for this。 Rajah Muda Saffir fought and intrigued and murdered
for possession of it！ Poor； misguided von Horn has died for it； and left
his head to wither beneath the rafters of a Dyak long…house！ It is
incredible。〃
〃But； Professor Maxon；〃 said Lieutenant May； 〃men will suffer all
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these things and more for gold。〃
〃Gold！〃 cried the professor。 〃Why； man； that is a box of books on
biology and eugenics。〃
〃My God！〃 exclaimed May； 〃and von Horn was accredited to be one of
the shrewdest swindlers and adventurers in America！ But come； we may
as well return to the cuttermy men will carry the chest。〃
〃No！〃 exclaimed Professor Maxon with a vehemence the other could
not understand。 〃Let them bury it again where it lies。 It and what it
contains have been the cause of sufficient misery and suffering and crime。
Let it lie where it is in the heart of savage Borneo； and pray to God that no
man ever finds it； and that I shall forget forever that which is in it。〃
On the morning of the third day following the death of von Horn the
New Mexico steamed away from the coast of Borneo。 Upon her deck；
looking back toward the verdure clad hills； stood Virginia and Bulan。
〃Thank heaven；〃 exclaimed the girl fervently； 〃that we are leaving it
behind us forever。〃
〃Amen；〃 replied Bulan； 〃but yet； had it not