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Thereafter her wounded pride made easy the task of those who seemed combined

to keep her in ignorance.

It was a Dr. von Horn, who had been oftenest with her father, who gave her the

first intimation of what was forthcoming. Afterward, in recollecting the

conversation, it seemed to Virginia that the young man had been directed to

break the news to her, that her father might be spared the ordeal. It was evident

then that he expected opposition, but the girl was too loyal to let von Horn know

if she felt other than in harmony with the proposal, and too proud to evince by

surprise the fact that she was not wholly conversant with its every detail.

"You are glad to be leaving Singapore so soon?" he had asked, although he knew

that she had not been advised that an early departure was planned.

"I am rather looking forward to it," replied Virginia.

"And to a protracted residence on one of the Pamarung Islands?" continued von

Horn.

"Why not?" was her rather non-committal reply, though she had not the remotest

idea of their location.

Von Horn admired her nerve though he rather wished that she would ask some

questions--it was difficult making progress in this way. How could he explain the

plans when she evinced not the slightest sign that she was not already entirely

conversant with them?

We doubt if the work will be completed under two or three years," answered the

doctor. "That will be a long time in which to be isolated upon a savage little speck

of land off the larger but no less savage Borneo. Do you think that your bravery

is equal to the demands that will be made upon it?"

Virginia laughed, nor was there the slightest tremor in its note.

"I am equal to whatever fate my father is equal to," she said, "nor do I think that a

life upon one of these beautiful little islands would be much of a hardship--

certainly not if it will help to promote the success of his scientific experiments."

She used the last words on a chance that she might have hit upon the true

reason for the contemplated isolation from civilization. They had served their

purpose too in deceiving von Horn who was now half convinced that Professor

Maxon must have divulged more of their plans to his daughter than he had led

the medical man to believe. Perceiving her advantage from the expression on the

young man's face, Virginia followed it up in an endeavor to elicit the details.

The Monster Men