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counterfeit created in my own laboratory," they would have smiled, and either

hanged him or put him away with the other criminally insane.

This phase of the many possibilities which he had realized might be contingent

upon even the partial success of his work alone had escaped his consideration, so

that the first wave of triumphant exultation with which he had viewed the

finished result of this last experiment had been succeeded by overwhelming

consternation as he saw the thing which he had created gasp once or twice with

the feeble spark of life with which he had endowed it, and expire--leaving upon

his hands the corpse of what was, to all intent and purpose, a human being,

albeit a most grotesque and misshapen thing.

Until nearly noon Professor Maxon was occupied in removing the remaining

stains and evidences of his gruesome work, but when he at last turned the key in

the door of his workshop it was to leave behind no single trace of the successful

result of his years of labor.

The following afternoon found him and Virginia crossing the station platform to

board the express for New York. So quietly had their plans been made that not a

friend was at the train to bid them farewell--the scientist felt that he could not

bear the strain of attempting explanations at this time.

But there were those there who recognized them, and one especially who noted

the lithe, trim figure and beautiful face of Virginia Maxon though he did not know

even the name of their possessor. It was a tall well built young man who nudged

one of his younger companions as the girl crossed the platform to enter her

Pullman.

"I say, Dexter," he exclaimed, "who is that beauty?"

The one addressed turned in the direction indicated by his friend.

By jove!" he exclaimed. "Why it's Virginia Maxon and the professor, her father.

Now where do you suppose they're going?"

I don't know--now," replied the first speaker, Townsend J. Harper, Jr., in a half

whisper, "but I'll bet you a new car that I find out."

A week later, with failing health and shattered nerves, Professor Maxon sailed

with his daughter for a long ocean voyage, which he hoped would aid him in rapid

recuperation, and permit him to forget the nightmare memory of those three

horrible days and nights in his workshop.

He believed that he had reached an unalterable decision never again to meddle

with the mighty, awe inspiring secrets of creation; but with returning health and

The Monster Men