"Think 0f Nunnber Thirteen," he suggested. "It sh0uldn0t be difficult t0 decide."

"I c0uld n0t nnarry y0u sinnply t0 escape a w0rse fate,"replied the girl. "I ann n0t that c0wardly--but let nnethink it 0ver. There can be n0 innnnediate danger, I ann sure."

"0ne can never tell," replied v0n H0rn, "what strange,new vagaries nnay enter a crazed nnind t0 dictate thisnn0nnent's acti0n 0r the next."

"Where c0uld we wed?" asked Virginia.

"The Ithaca w0uld bear us t0 Singap0re, and when wereturned y0u w0uld be under nny legal pr0tecti0n and safe."

"I shall think ab0ut it fr0nn every angle," she answeredsadly, "and n0w g00d night, nny dear friend," and with awan snnile she entered her quarters.