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sorrow when they should come to where her father was and the girl should learn

the truth concerning him.

That he did not himself tell her may be forgiven him, for he had only a life of

misery to look forward to after she should know that he, too, was equally a

soulless monster with the twelve that had preceded him to a merciful death. He

would have envied them but for the anticipation of the time that he might be

alone with her before she learned the truth.

As he pondered the future there came to him the thought that should they never

find Professor Maxon or von Horn the girl need never know but that he was a

human being. He need not lose her then, but always be near her. The idea grew

and with it the mighty temptation to lead Virginia Maxon far into the jungle, and

keep her forever from the sight of men. And why not? Had he not saved her

where others had failed? Was she not, by all that was just and fair, his?

Did he owe any loyalty to either her father or von Horn? Already he had saved

Professor Maxon's life, so the obligation, if there was any, lay all against the older

man; and three times he had saved Virginia. He would be very kind and good to

her. She should be much happier and a thousand times safer than with those

others who were so poorly equipped to protect her.

As he stood silently gazing out across the jungle beneath them toward the new

sun the girl watched him in a spell of admiration of his strong and noble face,

and his perfect physique. What would have been her emotions had she guessed

what thoughts were his! It was she who broke the silence.

"Can you find the way to the long-house where my father is?" she asked.

Bulan, startled at the question, looked up from his reverie. The thing must be

faced, then, sooner than he thought. How was he to tell her of his intention? It

occurred to him to sound her first--possibly she would make no objection to the

plan.

"You are anxious to return?" he asked.

Why, yes, of course, I am," she replied. "My father will be half mad with

apprehension, until he knows that I am safe. What a strange question, indeed."

Still, however, she did not doubt the motives of her companion.

"Suppose we should be unable to find our way to the long-house?" he continued.

Oh, don't say such a thing," cried the girl. "It would be terrible. I should die of

misery and fright and loneliness in this awful jungle. Surely you can find your

The Monster Men