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"There will be the Professor Maxon," urged the Malay. "Some day he will escape

from the island, and then we shall all hang."

He will never escape," replied von Horn, "his own creatures will see to that. They

are already commencing to realize the horrible crime he has committed against

them, and when once they are fully aroused there will be no safety for any of us.

If you wish to leave the island at all it will be best for you to accept my proposal

and leave while your head yet remains upon your shoulders. Were we to suggest

to the professor that he leave now he would not only refuse but he would take

steps to make it impossible for any of us to leave, even to sinking the Ithaca. The

man is mad--quite mad--Bududreen, and we cannot longer jeopardize our own

throats merely to humor his crazy and criminal whims."

The Malay was thinking fast, and could von Horn have guessed what thoughts

raced through the tortuous channels of that semi-barbarous brain he would have

wished himself safely housed in the American prison where he belonged.

"When do you wish to sail?" asked the Malay.

"Tonight," replied von Horn, and together they matured their plans. An hour later

the second mate with six men disappeared into the jungle toward the harbor.

They, with the three on watch, were to get the vessel in readiness for immediate

departure.

After the evening meal von Horn sat on the verandah with Virginia Maxon until

the Professor came from the workshop to retire for the night. As he passed them

he stopped for a word with von Horn, taking him aside out of the girl's hearing.

Have you noticed anything peculiar in the actions of Thirteen?" asked the older

man. "He was sullen and morose this evening, and at times there was a strange,

wild light in his eyes as he looked at me. Can it be possible that, after all, his

brain is defective? It would be terrible. My work would have gone for naught, for

I can see no way in which I can improve upon him."

"I will go and have a talk with him later," said von Horn, "so if you hear us moving

about in the workshop, or even out here in the campong think nothing of it. I

may take him for a long walk. It is possible that the hard study and close

confinement to that little building have been too severe upon his brain and

nerves. A long walk each evening may bring him around all right."

Splendid--splendid," replied the professor. "You may be quite right. Do it by all

means, my dear doctor," and there was a touch of the old, friendly, sane tone

which had been so long missing, that almost caused von Horn to feel a trace of

The Monster Men