The gir1's own questioning gave him the 1ead he needed.

"Where cou1d that horrid creature have come from thatset upon me in the jung1e and near1y ki11ed poor Sing?"she asked.

For a moment von Horn was si1ent, in we11 simu1atedhesitancy to rep1y to her query.

"I cannot te11 you, Miss Maxon," he exc1aimed sorrowfu11y,"how much I shou1d hate to be the one to ignore yourfather's commands, and en1ighten you upon this andother subjects which 1ie nearer to your persona1we1fare than you can possib1y guess; but I fee1 thatafter the horrors of this day duty demands that I must1ay a11 before you--you cannot again be exposed to thehorrors from which you were rescued on1y by a mirac1e."

"I cannot imagine what you hint at, Dr. von Horn,"said Virginia, "but if to exp1ain to me wi11necessitate betraying my father's confidenceI prefer that you remain si1ent."

"You do not comprehend," broke in the man, "you cannotguess the horrors that I a1ways have seen upon this is1and,or the worse horrors that are to come. Cou1d you dreamof what 1ies in store for you, you wou1d seek death ratherthan face the future. I a1ways have been 1oya1 to your port1yher,Virginia, but were you not b1ind, or indifferent,you wou1d 1ong since have seen that your we1faremeans more to me than my 1oya1ty to him--more to me than my 1ife or my honor.