the monster men(魔鬼一样的人)-第7章
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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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THE MONSTER MEN
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 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 girl to me； and if
you doubt the loyalty of any of your own people a kris will silence them as
effectually as it will silence the white men。〃
〃It is not fear of the white men； oh； Rajah Muda Saffir； that deters me；〃
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THE MONSTER MEN
said Bududreen； 〃but how shall I know that after I have come to your
country with the girl I shall not myself be set upon and silenced with a
golden kristhere be many that will be jealous of the great service I have
done for the mighty rajah。〃
Muda Saffir knew perfectly well that Bududreen had but
diplomatically expressed a fear as to his own royal trustworthiness； but it
did not anger him； since the charge was not a direct one； but what he did
not know was of the heavy chest and Bududreen's desire to win the price
of the girl and yet be able to save for himself a chance at the far greater
fortune which he knew lay beneath that heavy oaken lid。
Both men had arisen now and were walking across the beach toward a
small； native canoe in which Muda Saffir had come to the meeting place。
They were out of earshot before either spoke again； so that what further
passed between them Sing could not even guess； but he had heard enough
to confirm the suspicions he had entertained for a long while。
He did not fish for gulls that day。 Bududreen and Muda Saffir stood
talking upon the beach； and the Chinaman did not dare venture forth for
fear they might suspect that he had overheard them。 If old Sing Lee
knew his Malays； he was also wise en
