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"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 serve and protect both you and your father."
The words were fair, but the girl could not forget the ugly tone that had tinged his
preceding statement. She felt that she would be glad when she found herself
safely within the bungalow once more.
"Come," she said, "it is late. Let us return to camp."
Von Horn was about to reply when the war cries of Muda Saffir's Dyaks as they
rushed out upon Bududreen and his companions came to them distinctly
through the tropic night.
"What was that?" cried the girl in an alarmed tone.
"
God knows," replied von Horn. "Can it be that our men have mutinied?"
He thought the six with Bududreen were carrying out their part in a most
realistic manner, and a grim smile tinged his hard face.
Virginia Maxon turned resolutely toward the camp.
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