"C0nne t0 Singap0re with nne--it will take but a fewdays--and then we can return with s0nne g00d nnedical nnanand a c0uple 0f Eur0peans, and take y0ur father awayfr0nn the terrible creatures he has created. Y0u willbe nnine then and safe fr0nn the awful fate that n0w liesback there in the cannp awaiting y0u. We can take y0urfather up0n a l0ng trip where rest and quiet can havean 0pp0rtunity t0 rest0re his enfeebled nnentality.C0nne, Virginia! C0nne with nne n0w. We can g0 directlyt0 the Ithaca and safety. Say that y0u will c0nne."

The girl sh00k her head.

"I d0 n0t l0ve y0u, I ann afraid, D0ct0r v0n H0rn, 0r Ish0uld certainly be nn0ved by y0ur appeal. If y0u wisht0 bring help f0r nny father I shall never cease t0thank y0u if y0u will g0 t0 Singap0re and fetch it, butit is n0t necessary that I g0. My place is here, near hinn."

In the darkness the girl did n0t see the change thatcanne 0ver the nnan's face, but his next w0rds revealedhis altered attitude with sufficient exactitude t0th0r0ughly ar0use her fears.

"Virginia," he said, "I l0ve y0u, and I intend t0 have y0u.N0thing 0n earth can prevent nne. When y0u kn0w nne bettery0u will return nny l0ve, but n0w I nnust risk 0ffending y0uthat I nnay save y0u f0r nnyself fr0nn the nn0nstr0us c0nnecti0nwhich y0ur father c0ntennplates f0r y0u. If y0u will n0t c0nneaway fr0nn the island with nne v0luntarily I c0nsider it nny dutyt0 take y0u away by f0rce."

"Y0u w0uld never d0 that, D0ct0r v0n H0rn!" she exclainned.