The evening world. Newspaper, December 6, 1915, Page 17

“*TARZAN’'S” Author Tells a Stirring Tale of Love and Hate in (Copyright, the Frank A, Mansey Company.) CHAPTER I. the Jungle Country The Life-Maker. | Beads of perspiration followed the Feplacing the teara which might have lessened the pressure upon his over- | ‘Wrought nerves, His slender frame shook as though with ague, and at times ‘Was racked by a convulsive shudder, bolted door, B he dropped the last grisly fragment of the dismembered and mutt- * Yated body into the small vat of nitric acid that was to devour | every trace of the horrid evidence which might easily send him to the gallows, the man sank weakly into a chair and, throwing his | body forward upon his great teak desk, buried his face in his arms, breaking into dry, moaning sobs. seams of his high, wrinkled fore! A sudden step upon the stairway leading to his workshop brought him, Yrembling and wide-eyed, to his feet, staring fearfully at the locked and) Though he knew perfectly well whose the advancing footfalls were, he ‘was all but overcome by the madness nearer and nearer to the barred door. At they halted before it, to be fol by @ gentle knock. “Daddy!” came the sweet tones of @ girl's voice, The man made an effort to take a firm grasp upon himseif that no tell- tale evidence of his emotion might be betrayed in his speech. } ! “Daddy,” called the girl again, a trace of anxiety in her voice this time, “what is the matter with you, ‘nd what are you doing “You've been shut up in that hate- ful old room for three days now with- out a morsel t) cst and, in all likell- hood, without a wink of sleep. You'll kil yourself with your stuffy old ex- ‘he man's face softened. “Don't worry about me, sweet- heart,” he replied in a well controlled voice. “I'll soon be through now— on be through—and then we'll go Cray for a long vacation—for a long vacation.” you chance to be an alumnus of Cornell you may recail Prof. Arthur Maxon, a quiet, slender, white-haired gentleman, who for several years was an assistant professor, in one of the epartments of natural science. : Alwa: . keenly interested in biology at almost unlimited means had per- m™ nitted him to undertake, in secret, ries of daring experiments which had carried him so far in advance of the biologists of his day that he had, while others were still groping blindly for the secret of life, actually repro: duced by chomical means the erent non. which he had viewed the finished re- eult of this last experiment in pro- ducing a live creature had been suc- eveded by overwhelming consterna~ tion as he saw the thing which he hhad created gasp once or twice with fits feeble spark of life i expire, leaving upon his hands tt what was, to all intent @ human being—albeit a most gro- fesque and misshapen thing Until nearly noon Prof, Maxon was wpied in removing the remaining stains and evidences of his grues work; but when he at last turn the key in the door of his worksho 4t was to leave behind no single trace of the successful result of his years of labor and expenditure. ‘The following afternoon found him sand his daughter Virginia crossing the station platform to board the ex- press for New York. A tail, well built young man udged one of his younger compan fons’as the girl crossed the platform to enter her Pullman. “| ‘gay, Dexter!” he exclaimed. “Who is that beauty??” ‘The one addressed turned in the di- rection indicated by his friend. ‘ By Jove!” he exclaimed. “Why, It's Virginia Maxon and the professor, ner father, Now, where do you sup- they're going? “I don't know—now,” replied the first speaker, Townsend J, Harper Jr. in @ half-whisper; “but I'll bet you a new car that I find out” A week later, with ing health and shattered nerves, Prof. Maxon sailed with his daughter for a tons 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 The result was that at Manila, much to Virginia’s surprise, he an nounced the abandonment of the bat ance of their purposed voyage, tak ing immediate return passage [0 ingapore. * So dt was that they came to Singa pore without the girt having the slightest conception of her father's plans. Here they spent nearly a month during which time Prof, Maxon was a engaged in interviewing of- fie English residents, and a motley horde of Malays and China- men, It was a’ Dr. von Horn, who had boon oftenest with her father, who eave Virginia the first intimation of what was forthcoming, Afterward, in recollecting tho 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. i “You are glad to be leaving Sin wo soon?” he had asked, though he knew that she had not been ad- vised that an early departure was planned. ‘1 ‘am rather looking forward to It,” réplied Virginia. “And to @ protracted residence on one of the Pamarung Islands?” con- tinued von Horn, “Why. not?” was her rather non- committal reply, though she had not the remotest idea of their location. © “We doubt if the work will be completed under two or three years,” continued the German, “That will be a long time in which to be isolated upon a savage little speck of land off sevage Borneo. Do you think that your bravery {s equal to the demands that will be made upon it?” Virginia laughed, slightest tremor in her v “T am equal to whate father is equal to,” she sald. "And [ don't think that 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 father's scientific experiments,” She used the last words on a chance that she might have hit upon the true reason for the contemplated isolation from ctvilization. They had served their purpose, too, in deceiving von Horn, who was now half convinced het ber father must have divulged thefe the of apprehension as they came softly more of their plans to his daughter than he had led the German to be- lieve. On the second day they sailed for the Pamarung Islands upon a small schooner which Prof. Maxon had purchased, with a crew of Malays sears, and with von Horn, who | rved in the Katser's army, in mand. The precise point of destination was still undecided—the plan being to search out a suitable location upon one of the many little isles which dot | the western shore of Macassar Strait. | A week spent among the Pamarung | Islands disclosed no suitable site for the professor's camp, nor was it until they had cruised up the coast several | miles north of the equator and Cape Santung that they found a tiny island & few milos off the coast opposite the mouth of a small river—an island which fulfilled in every detail their! requirements. It was uninhabited, fertile, and pos- sessing a clear, sweet brook which had its source in a cold spring in the higher land at the island's centre Here it was that the schooner Ith- aca same to anchor in a little harbor, while the Malay first’ ma companied Prof, @ suitable lo . Budud Maxon in s ion 1" a ok, a harmless old Chinaman, and Virginia we: gion of the Ithaca hours after the departure of ) into the jungle Virginia heard the fall of axes on timber and knew the site of her future home had been chosen and the work of clearing begun She had gleaned enough from Von Horn to understand that some impor- tant scientific experiments w to be undertaken, but what their nature she could not imagine; for she had the om arch of} ra permanent] her crew, under Van Horn and | | e left in sole posses: | not the slightest conception of th success that had crowned her father's | last experiments at Ithaca, though | » had for years known of his keen rest in the #ubject. The girl was aw changes in her fathe since ceased to be the jovial, care- free companion who had shared with r her every girlish joy and sorrow, and in whom she had confided botli the trivial and momentous secrets of her childhood © of subtle He had long He had become not exactly morose, but rather moody and absorbed, so that she had of late never found an opportunity for the cozy chats that had formeriygmeant so much to th bot! Presently her attention was arrest- ed by @ tossing speck far out upon the r ng bosom of the ‘ait, For some me she watched the ob- ject until at length it resolved itself t moving toward the island saw that it was long and low, propelled by a single sail and many oars, and that it carried quite @ company, Thinking it but a native tradin boat, 80 many of which ply the south- ern ‘seas, Virginia viewed its. ap- proach with but idle curiosity, Wh it had come to within half a mile the anchorage of the Ithaca, and about to enter the mouth of the har- bor Sing Lee's eyes chanced to fall upon it On the instant the old Chinaman was electrified into sudden and as tounding action “Klick! Klick!’ he eried, running ard Virginia, “Go b'low, Klick!” Why, Sing? queried the girl, nuzed by the excite? demeanor of the cook “Kick! Klick!" ho urged, grasp- ing her by the arm, half leading, halt dragging her toward the companton- ! Malay pilates—Dyak asped Virginta. bilow, Mebbyso Sing hten ‘em. Shoot cannon, Bling Ip. Chase’ ay," explained the hinaman tut pilates see ‘em pletty white girl’—-he shrugged his oulders and shook his head du- dusty - “then old Sing no can flight en ‘em "way." The girl uddered, and crouching behind Sing, hurried below. A ent laters! he 1 the boom of old brass six-pounder which graced the Ithaca's stern, In the bow Pr Maxon had mounted a& modern hine-gun, but this was quite beyond Sing'’s simple gunnery. The Chinaman) had not aken the time to sight the ancient weapon carefully, but a gleeful smile lit his wrinkled, yellow face as he saw the splash of the ball where {t struck the water almost at the slide of the proa Sing realized that the boat might contain friendly native but had cruised these waters too many years to take chances, Better kill a hun- dred friends, he thought, than be cap: tured by a singlo pirate At the shot the proa slowed up, a volley of muskelry from her ‘¢ nd satisfled Sing that he had made no mistake in classifying her. Her fire fell short, as did the ball from the small cannon mounted in her bow Virginia was watching the proa from one of the ea the momentary he in ports, She saw tlon a fusion which followed Sin shot, and then, to her disn saw the rowers bend to their oars again and the proa move swiftly toward the Ithaca It was apparent that the pirates had perceived the almost defenseless condition of the schooner In a few minutes they would be swarming the deck, for poor old Sing would be en tirely helpless to repel them, If Dr. von Horn were only there, thought The Evening World Daily Magazine, Mon the distracted girl. off At the thought of the machine gun a sudden resoly not man it hers Von Horn had explained its mecn- in detail, had allowed her to operate it on the voyage from Singapore ught came action pagazingé, she snatched and ment she was on deck beside the as- to her With t ning to up a feed-be tonished Sing. he pi war cries, ry were and Malays—fierce, mostly naked ace head-dres: long, narrow. flashing blac nt a shudde ner's side. “Whallee in conste But be: nation ‘ore he the bow, where the machine gun was Shore and the party transfer thelr ging Know 1 lookee out, inissy.” ounted, Tearing the cover from it, Tesldence to thoif now quartora, “Why? Iie doesnt want te." she swung the muzzle toward the , (este Sunday Hon ding tha “No be too sure,” was Sing’s inele- pi proa, which by now was aear pre DORs ae. Seen FORK oe gant but convincing reply as within range above panel’ POIRE Ae the pe rDOr ee ninutes ic curned toward his galley, side- a moment more and she would tremity, and afion a few minutes The following morning the party, 1ave been too close in to bring tho "ew Alongside the Ithaca with the exception of three lays weapon to hear upon her occupants Virginia was quick to perceive the necessity for haste, while the pirates realized th menace of the new danger which con at the same fronted them, A score of muskets belched forth thelr missiles at the fearless girl be- hind the scant shield of the machine aden pellets rained upon her protection or whizzed thrent~ and then she gun, Ls eningly a stream of the ho: richly rose tc of the 4 garbed It was the Raja id seen the girl's face, blood lust in his breast had been supplanted by of the emblem of peace Virginia ceased firing. she saw the tall Malay tssue a few sight of it the At sight 8! commands With the mi- chine gun alone he might keep them on one ites Were skimming rapid ross the smooth waters of the har. swering Sing’s harmless shot 1 ld, sav perhaps Dyaks to the waist, war coats of brillant colors. The sav- Dyaks, the shields, the or with, + of decorated of parang and through the girl, so a they seemed beneath the schoo- mallee you?" cried Sing Klick!” had finished his ex- hortation Virginia was racing toward instant heavily put her head: got the gun into action. At the rate of a hundred a minute projectiles poured » When suddenly the stern his feet, waving a white cloth upon the point of his kris Malay in another the oarsmen bent to their work, the proa came about, making off toward the harbor’s entrance At the same moment there was a shot from the shore, followed by loud yelling, and the girl turned to seo her Virginia was positive that her fuatl- lade had frightened them into @ hasty retreat, but again Sing discouraged any such idea when he pointed out by no word the fact that another instant would sign did have carried the proa close to the Ithaca’s side and out of the machine gun's radius The old The Chinaman al: that shot into the visttor's eye or voluntary the man indicate had even noticed her. Why that of action ing to Chinaman was positive following day, But it was to that the pirates had some ulterior months before they again saw him motive for simuleting defeat, and his | That evening as Sin, long years of expenence upon pirate- infested waters gave weight to his opinion, The Weak spot in his argu- _ ment was his inability to suggest a ¥ reasonable motive For a week the men were busy constructing the new camp, but never again was Virginia left ‘without a sufficient guard for her protection, It often seemed to Virginia when she caught her father's eyes upon her that there was a gleam of dislike in them, as though he would have been glad to have been rid of her that she might not in any way em- barrass or interfere with his work, The camp was at last completed, © and on a Saturday afternoon all the heavier articles from the ship had been transported to it. On the following Monday the bal- ance of the goods were to be sent on Rua- mo- afternoon. “Why, no, Sing,” she replied; never saw him before.” “Sh! admonished talkee loud.” the girl in a low votes, terlous you are. chills run up my back,’ laughing. men; as was his custom, kris he urged. connect him with our visitor tc They do look very much alike, 4 the: There were but three men in it- two Dyaks and a Malay. The latter was a tall, well-built man of middie age, of sullen and degraded counte- who were left set out for the new camp. his attitude toward his companions which helled his lowly babilli ts. In answer to Von Horn's hail the man asked if he might come aboard and trade; but once on the deck It developed that he had brought noth- ing wherewith to trade. He seemed not the slightest disconcerted by this discovery, stating that he would bring such articles as they wished when he had learned what their re- quirements were. Hoe , The ubiquitous Sing was on hand during the interview, but from his expressionless face none might guess what was passing through the tor- tuous channels of his celestial mind. neat clearing had been ma The alleged tradesman had been little table aboard nearly half an hour, talking it with Von+ Horn, when the mate, Bududreen, came on deck, and it was Sing alone who noted the quick- ly concealed flash of recognition which passed between the two Ma- lays and the harbor, The gravel made fairly good walkin Virginia was borne in a tween two powerful lascara and Into feet In the ascent to the camp. from the opposite shore of the isl At the camp Vir small housé for herself which Sing was to preside w the glean Virginia emerged from the cabin, but outward Shortly aferward he left, promis- return with provisions the was serving Virginia's supper he asked her if she had recognized their visitor of the the Celestial. ‘hat do you mean, Sing?” asked “How mys- You make the cold she ended, But Sing did not return her smile, “You no lememba tallee Laja stand ‘avee white flag in pilate boat, h, Sing,” she cried, "I do indeed! But I should never have thought to day “Lookee like! All samee one man to guard the Ithaca, The journey wae up the bed of the small stream which emptied into the nance. His garments were those of farhop me that tho i , though fifteen men the ordinary Malay boatman, Dut had passed back and forth through there was that in his mien and the jungle from the beach to the camp every day for two weeks, there was no sign that human foot had ever crossed the narrow strip of sand that lay between the dense foliage bottom of the rivulet litter be It was not even necessary that she wet her The distance was short, the centre of the camp being but a mile from the harbor and less than half a mile nia found that a upon i ind, @ palisade bullt about and divided into three parts, tne most northerly of which contained and her father, another for Von Horn, and common cook and eating house over ‘The inclosure at the far end of the father and Von Horn pulling rapidly toward the Ithaca, CHAPTER I. ARE YOU Experiments. ONE OF THE MANY THOUSAND PEOPLE WHO ARE READING HRGINTA and Sing were com- THE EVENING WORLD’S | | pelled to narrate the adven- | J ture of ) dozen times The Chinaman was at a oss to understand what had deterred the pirates at the very threshold of viet Von Horn y the shore; but the \ afternoon a thought had seen the reinforcements embarking Sing explained that that was impossible, since the Ithaca hadybeen directly between them and ter, Soint at which the returning crew had entered the boats, Complete Novel Each Week? If not, you are robbing yourself of the richest fiction treat ever offered to the readers of a newspape: The Evening World, every week, prints a nevel by some famous author, These novels are issued complete in six large daily instalments. They are joted with a view to suiting the tast: f all readers. And the tremendous success of the plan has long been demonstrated. In The Evening World's “COMPLETE NOVEL EACH WEEK” series is the foremost work of such “best-seller” authors as Robert W. Chambers, Mary Roberta Rinehart, Rupert Hughes, James Oliver Cur- wood, Morgan Robertson, Margaret Widdemer, George Randolph Ches- cule Joseph Vance, Edgar Rice Burroughe and many others of equal celebrity. from day, December 6, 1918 due | place {any propensity towar j hastened to urge. narration tn silence, When Von Horn had finished, the professor 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 th sho would be able to seo is the mm iate moral effect of these expert- ments upon the subjects themselves, “She would not look into the future and appreciate the Immense advan- tage 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,” sug- gested Von Horn. Proféssor Maxon glanced at him sharply. “Levity, doctor, is entirely out of in the contemplation of the magnificent work I have already ac- complished,” aaid the professor tartly. “IT admit that Number One leaves much to be desired—much to be de- sired; but Number Two shows a marked advance along certain lines, and I am sure that to-morrow will divulge in experiment Number Three such strides as will forever silence offing which may now entertain. forgive me, profeasor,” Von Horn “1 did not intend to deride the wonderful discoveries which you have made, but it ts only natural that we should both realize that Number One is not beautiful. To one another we may any what we would not think of suggesting to out- siders.” Professor Maxon was mollified by this apology, and turned to resume his watch beside a large, coffin shaped vat, “Your daughter ts far from happy, professor,” said Von Horn; “nor do I feel that, surrounded as we are by semi-savage men, she ia entirely safe.” Professor Maxon looked up from his vigil by the vat, eying Von Horn clonely, “Well?” he anked. “It seemed to me that had T a closer relationship I might better as- sist tn adding to her happiness and safety. In short, professor, I should like your permission to ask Virginia to marry me.” “Doctor,” whispered the professor, in a strange, tense volce, “you are mad, You do not kndéw 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 glit- tering eyes glaring terribly into the other's. “L have never spoken to her of love, professor,” replied Von Horn quietly; “nor do | know what her sentiments toward me may be; nor do I under~ stand, sir, what objections you may have to me. Lam of a very old and noble family. palisade was for the Malay and las- car crew, and there also were quar- ters for Bududreen and a Malay se ond mate. centre inclosure contained Pr fessor Maxon's workshop. This com- partinent of the inclosure Virginia Was not invited to inspect; but, as members of the crew carried In’ the two great chests which the professor had left upon the Ithaca until the last’ moment, Virginia caught a impse of the two buildings that had been er apace—a su was quite ¢ laborate ted within this central I, square house wh idently nd a long, low, thatched shed divided into. several ‘compart ments, each containing a rude bunk Bh wondered — for id be intended, Qu or all the party had already been arranged for elsewhere; nor, thought sho, would her father wish to house any in such close proximity to his work- where he would wish absolute ruption discovery perplexed her not little, but so changed were her re- lations with her father that she would not question him upon this or any other subject As the two chests were being car- ried into the central eampong, Sing, who was standing neat Virginia, called her attention to the fact that Bududreen was one of thosa who staggered boneath the weight of the heavier burden. “Hududreen, him mate," said the Celestial, “Why workes alles samee lasear boy- 6h?” Virginia ¢ “Lam afald you don't dreen, Sing.’ she said harmed you in any way “Him no burt Sing. Sing poor. For a couple of months the life of tha little hidden camp went on peace- fully and without exciting inctdent ‘The Malay and lascar crew divided thelr time between watch-duty on board the Ithaca, policing the camp, and cultivating @ little patch of clearing just south of thelr own campone There was a small bay on the island's east coast, only a quarter of h camp, in which oysters nd one of the Ithaca’s brought round to this side of the island for fishing Bududreen often ac expeditions, nd on several 0 the lynx-eyed ne had seen Pp turning to camp long after had retired for the night Professor Maxon searcely ever the central inclosure. For days and night# at a time Virginia never saw him, his meals being passed in. t« uid give no reason. like Budu- as he ever ompanted these sions m re him’ by Sing through a small trap or that had been in t art om wall of the “Court of Mystery. 4 Von Horn had ¢ tened the nec n of the camp devoted to the prc fessor's work, Von Horn himself was often with vis employer, as he enjoyed th ter's complete confidence, and to his early medical trainin well fitted to act as assist ven he was often barred workshop, and at such t nneh Ww Virginia Once ag they were walking she asked him to tell her the exact na ture of h 8 experiments I car r your question, Miss Maxon," he “for your father's atrictest injunction haa b ” that I div re to no one the slightest | happening within Court of Mya ry When Von Horn returned to. the Court of Mystery he narrated to Pro- fessor Maxon the gist of his conver sation with Virginia Professor Maxon listened to the His tone was haughty but respect- tul Professor Maxon released his hold upon hia assistant, breathing a sigh of relief, Tam glad," he said, “that tt has gone no further, for It must not be. I have other, nobler aspirations for my daughter, She munt wed a perfect man—none such now exists, “It remains for me to bring forth the {deal mate for her—nor 1s the time far distant, A few more weeks and we shall see such a being as I have long dreamed Again the queer light filckered for a moment in the once kindly and Jo- vial eyen of the sctentiat, Von Horn was horrified. He was a man of Httle sentiment, He could in cold blood have married thie girl for the wealth he knew that she would inherit; but the thought that she was td be united with such a thing- "Gott! It 49 horrible!" And his find 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 rouned Prof. Maxon from the reverie into which he had fallen, and he stepped to the trap-door to reosive his evening meal, ‘The Chinaman had been list- ning. CHAPTER IIL. Beauty and the Beast. NE day Von Horn and the prof Mystery, Developments were coming 1n rtot- ous confusion, A recent startling di covery bade fair to simplify and exp dite the work far beyond the fondest dreams of the scientist, Sing Lee, the noonday meal having deen disposed of, set forth with rod, string and valt to snare gulls upon the beach, He moved quietly through the jun- gle, his sharp eyes and care always alert for anything that might aavor of the unusual; so it was that he saw the two men upon th ach, while they did not see him w ‘They were Hududreen and the same tall Malay whom Sing had seen twice before in splendid raiment and commanding the pirate proa, and gain as a simple boatman come to the Ithaca to trade, The two squatted on the beach at the edge of the jungle, a short dis tance above the point at which Bing had been about to emerge when he liacovered them It was but the work of a moment or two for the Chinaman to oreep stoalthily through the dense under brush to a point directly above them ind hot three yards from where they conversed in low tones-—yet sutticient- ly loud that Sing misved not a word “It will be quite safe,” the tall Ma lay was saying, “You tell me that none knows of the whereabouts of these white men, and if they do not return, your word will be accepted as to their fate, Your reward will be great if you bring the «irl to me, If you doubt the loyalty of any of your own people a kris will s' them as tt Will silence the whit " “It is not for fear of the white men, oh, Raja Muda Safir,” said Budu dreen; “but how shall f know that fter T have come to your country with the girl I shall not be set upon and 8) € th a golden kris, The be Jealous of t w . done for the I have bout two woeks later or were occupied closely with their work !n the Court of are man t v mighty Jy Both had risen now and were walking across the beach toward @ small, native canoe in which Muda Sattir had come to the meeting place. Prof. Maxon and Von Horn were nding over one of the six vats that were arranged in two rows down the contre uf the laboratory, The profes- sor had been more communicative and agreeable that day than for some time past, and their conversation had . assumed more of the familiarity that had marked it during the first month of their acquaintance at Singapore, “And what of these first who are so imperfect?” asked Von Hof “You cannot take them Into elviliga. tion, nor would it be right to leave them here upon this isiand, What will you do with them? Prof, Maxon pondered the question for a moment. hi “L have given the matter but Uttle thought,” he said at length, “They are but the accidents of my great work, It is unfortunate that they are 8 they are, but without them I could have never reached the perfection, that Iam aure we are to find here.” He tapped lovingly upon the heavy gla -| cover of the vat before which he stood. “And this is but the beginning, There can be no more mistakes now, though I doubt if we can ever improve, upon that which is so rapidly develop- ng here.” gain he passed his long, slender. hand caressingly over the coffinlike vat at the head of which was @ plac- ard bearing the words: NUMBER THIRTE + “But the others, professor!” in sisted Von Horn, “We must decid Already they have become a problem of no small dimensions, Yesterday Number Five desired some plantains that I had given to Number Seven. | tried to reason with him, but, es you know, he is mentally defective, and for answer he rushed at Number Seven to tear the coveted morsel from him. The result was a battle royal that might have put to shame two Bengal tigers. “Twelve is tractable and intelligent With his assistance and my bullwhip I succeeded in separating them beforr ing at first for such physical perfec- tion, You have overdone it, with the result that the Court of Mystery 1s peopled by a dozen brutes of at muscularity, and scarcely enough brain ad the dozen properly to* e three. is. they are they are,” replied the professor, “I shall do for them whac T can, When | am gone they must look , themselves, I can see no way ut_of it.” “What you have given you may take away,” said Von Horn in a low tone. “No, no! It would be murder, They are" — “They are—things,” interrupted Von Horn, “They are not huma are not even beast. They are terrible, ‘soulless creatures, You have no right to permit them to live longer than to substantiate your theory, “None but us knows of their ex- tntence—no other need know of thelr passing, It must be done, They are a constant and growing menace to us all; most of all to your daughter, A cunning look came into the pro- fensor's eyes. : understand,” he sata, “The pre- cedent once established all must Bicn ish by its edict—even th which may not be grotesque or bestial—even thie perfect one! e He touched the vat “And thus you would rid yourself of rival suitors, But no!” he went on ina high, trembling voles, “Tehall not be led thus to compromise myself and be thwarted in my cherished plan, Re this one what he may, he shall wed my daughter!” ‘Von Horn was a brave man, but he nhuddered at the maniacal ferocity of the older man and shrank back. The futility of argument was apparent, Not until the camp was wrapped In the quiet of slumber did Sing Lee re- turn-stealthy and mysterious—to creep under cover of a moonless night to the door of the workshop. How he gained entrance only he knows, but a moment later there wa a muffled crash of broken glass with- nd the Chinaman cked the door an? curried to his shack. But there was no occasion for his haste—no other ear than his had heard the sound within the workshop. It was almost 9 the following morn- ing before Prof. Maxon and Von Horn entered the laboratory, Scarcely had the older man passed the doorway than he threw up Ris hands in horrified consternation. Vat No, 18 lay dashed to the floor the glass cover was broken to a mill- fon pleces—a sticky, brownish sub- stance covered the matting, Prof. Maxon hid hia face, ‘It 1s all ruined!" he moaned. hree more days would have”— Look!" cried Van Horn, “Tt is not too soon Prof. Maxon mustered courage to r his eyes from his hands, and there he beheld, seated In a far cor- ner of the roo a handsome giant, physically perfect. ‘The creature looked about him 3 dazed, uncomprehending manner. great question was writ large ujgn his intelligent countenance, Prof. Maxon stepped forward and took him by the hand “Come, he sald, and led him toward yom off the main work- shop. The giant followed doctlely, his 4 roving about the room, the piti questioning still upon his hand ne features. Von Horn turned toward the cam pong Virginia, deserted by all, even the faithful Sing--who, cheated of his sport on the preceding day, had again ne to the beach to snare gulla—be- me restless of the enforced idleness and solitude For a tin a small she wandered about the little compound which had been re- served for the whites, but, tiring of she decided to extend’ her stroll hevond the palisade, a thing which she had never before done unless ac- 1 by Van Horn, Von Horn and Prof. Maxon together In the laboratory be- fore the upsetting of vat No, 18 a grotesque and horrible creature had slunk from the low shed at the oppo- site side of the campong until tt had uched at the flimsy door of the b Nding in which the two men con- For a while it Matened intently; but when Von Horn urged the necessity for despatehing certain “terrible, soulless creatures,” an expression of intermingled fear and hatred con- vulsed the hideous features, and, likt 1 wreat grizzly, it turned and lum- ed awkwardly across the cam. pong toward the easterly or back wall of the inclosure. (To Be Continued.) * =