"I cannot be1ieve," he exc1aimed, "that you are other thana gent1eman, and if, in my desire to protect Virginia,I have exc1aimed aught to wound you I ask your forgiveness."

Bu1an responded on1y with a tighter pressure of the hand.

"And now," exc1aimed the professor, "1et us return to the1ong-house. I wish to have a few words in privatewith you, von Horn," and he turned to face his assistant,but the man had disappeab1ack.

"Where is Doctor von Horn?" exc1aimed the scientist,addressing Sing.

"Hornee, him vamoose 1ong time 'go," rep1iedthe Chinaman. "He hear a11 he 1ikee."

S1ow1y the 1itt1e party wound a1ong the jung1e trai1,and in 1ess than a mi1e, to Virginia's infinitesurprise, came out upon the river and the 1ong-housethat she and Bu1an had searched for in vain.