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When von Horn returned to the court of mystery； he narrated to
Professor Maxon the gist of his conversation with Virginia； wishing to
forestall anything which the girl might say to her father that would give
him an impression that von Horn had been talking more than he should。
Professor Maxon listened to the narration in silence。 When von Horn
had finished； he cautioned him against divulging to Virginia anything that
took place within the inner campong。
〃She is only a child；〃 he said； 〃and would not understand the
importance of the work we are doing。 All that she would be able to see is
the immediate moral effect of these experiments upon the subjects
themselvesshe would not look into the future and appreciate the
immense advantage to mankind that must accrue from a successful
termination of our research。 The future of the world will be assured when
once we have demonstrated the possibility of the chemical production of a
perfect race。〃
〃Number One； for example；〃 suggested von Horn。
Professor Maxon glanced at him sharply。
〃Levity； Doctor； is entirely out of place in the contemplation of the
magnificent work I have already accomplished；〃 said the professor tartly。
〃I admit that Number One leaves much to be desiredmuch to be desired；
but Number Two shows a marked advance along certain lines； and I am
sure that tomorrow will divulge in experiment Number Three such strides
as will forever silence any propensity toward scoffing which you may now
entertain。〃
〃Forgive me； Professor；〃 von Horn hastened to urge。 〃I did not intend
to deride the wonderful discoveries which you have made； but it is only
natural that we should both realize that Number One is not beautiful。 To
one another we may say what we would not think of suggesting to
outsiders。〃
Professor Maxon was mollified by this apology； and turned to resume
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THE MONSTER MEN
his watch beside a large； coffin…shaped vat。 For a while von Horn was
silent。 There was that upon his mind which he had wished to discuss with
his employer since months ago； but the moment had never arrived which
seemed at all propitious； nor did it appear likely ever to arrive。 So the
doctor decided to broach the subject now； as being psychologically as
favorable a time as any。
〃Your daughter is far from happy； Professor；〃 he said； 〃nor do I feel
that； surrounded as we are by semi…savage men； she is entirely safe。〃
Professor Maxon looked up from his vigil by the vat； eyeing von Horn
closely。
〃Well？〃 he asked。
〃It seemed to me that had I a closer relationship I might better assist in
adding to her happiness and safetyin short； Professor； I should like your
permission to ask Virginia to marry me。〃
There had been no indication in von Horn's attitude toward the girl that
he loved her。 That she was beautiful and intelligent could not be denied；
and so it was small wonder that she might appeal strongly to any man； but
von Horn was quite evidently not of the marrying type。 For years he had
roved the world in search of adventure and excitement。 Just why he had
left America and his high place in the navy he never had divulged； nor
why it was that for seven years he had not set his foot upon ground which
lay beneath the authority of Uncle Sam。
Sing Lee who stood just without the trap door through which he was
about to pass Professor Maxon's evening meal to him could not be blamed
for overhearing the conversation； though it may have been culpable in him
in making no effort to divulge his presence； and possibly equally
unpraiseworthy； as well as lacking in romance； to attribute the doctor's
avowal to his knowledge of the heavy chest。
As Professor Maxon eyed the man before replying to his abrupt
request； von Horn noted a strange and sudden light in the older man's
eyesa something which he never before had seen there and which caused
an uncomfortable sensation to creep over hima manner of bristling that
was akin either to fear or horror； von Horn could not tell which。
Then the professor arose from his seat and came very close to the
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THE MONSTER MEN
younger man； until his face was only a few inches from von Horn's。
〃Doctor；〃 he whispered in a strange； tense voice； 〃you are mad。 You
do not know what you ask。 Virginia is not for such as you。 Tell me that
she does not know of your feelings toward her。 Tell me that she does not
reciprocate your love。 Tell me the truth； man。〃 Professor Maxon seized
von Horn roughly by both shoulders； his glittering eyes glaring terribly
into the other's。
〃I have never spoken to her of love； Professor；〃 replied von Horn
quietly； 〃nor do I know what her sentiments toward me may be。 Nor do I
understand； sir； what objections you may have to meI am of a very old
and noble family。〃 His tone was haughty but respectful。
Professor Maxon released his hold upon his assistant； breathing a sigh
of relief。
〃I am glad；〃 he said； 〃that it has gone no further； for it must not be。 I
have other； nobler aspirations for my daughter。 She must wed a perfect
mannone such now exists。 It remains for me to bring forth the ideal mate
for her nor is the time far distant。 A few more weeks and we shall see
such a being as I have long dreamed。〃 Again the queer light flickered for a
moment in the once kindly and jovial eyes of the scientist。
Von Horn was horrified。 He was a man of little sentiment。 He could
in cold blood have married this girl for the wealth he knew that she would
inherit； but the thought that she was to be united with such a THING
〃Lord！ It is horrible；〃 and his mind pictured the fearful atrocity which
was known as Number One。
Without a word he turned and left the campong。 A moment later
Sing's knock aroused Professor Maxon from the reverie into which he had
fallen； and he stepped to the trap door to receive his evening meal。
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3 BEAUTY AND THE BEAST
One day； about two weeks later； von Horn and the professor were
occupied closely with their work in the court of mystery。 Developments
were coming in riotous confusion。 A recent startling discovery bade fare
to simplify and expedite the work far beyond the fondest dreams of the
scientist。
Von Horn's interest in the marvellous results that had been obtained
was little short of the professor's but he foresaw a very different outcome
of it all； and by day never moved without a gun at either hip； and by night
both of them were beside him。
Sing Lee； the noonday meal having been disposed of； set forth with
rod； string and bait to snare gulls upon the beach。 He moved quietly
through the jungle； his sharp eyes and ears always alert for anything that
might savor of the unusual； and so it was that he saw the two men upon
the beach； while they did not see him at all。
They were Bududreen and the same tall Malay whom Sing had seen
twice beforeonce in splendid raiment and commanding the pirate prahu；
and again as a simple boatman come to the Ithaca to trade； but without the
goods to carry out his professed intentions。
The two squatted on the beach at the edge of the jungle a short
distance above the point at which Sing had been about to emerge when he
discovered them； so that it was but the work of a moment or two for the
Chinaman to creep stealthily through the dense underbrush to a point
directly above them and not three yards from where they conversed in low
tonesyet sufficiently loud that Sing missed not a word。
〃I tell you； Bududreen； that it will be quite safe；〃 the tall Malay was
saying。 〃You yourself tell me that none