登陆注册
37288100000059

第59章

She tore the hem from her skirt, to bandage the bloody furrow that creased the man's temple.Professor Maxon stood silently by, watching the loving tenderness that marked each deft, little movement of her strong, brown hands.

The revelations of the past few minutes had shocked the old man into stupefied silence.It was difficult, almost impossible, for him to believe that Sing had spoken the truth and that this man was not one of the creatures of his own creation; yet from the bottom of his heart he prayed that it might prove the truth, for he saw that his daughter loved the man with a love that would be stayed by no obstacle or bound by no man-made law, or social custom.

The Chinaman's indictment of von Horn had come as an added blow to Professor Maxon, but it had brought its own supporting evidence in the flood of recollections it had induced in the professor's mind.Now he recalled a hundred chance incidents and conversations with his assistant that pointed squarely toward the man's disloyalty and villainy.He wondered that he had been so blind as not to have suspected his lieutenant long before.

Virginia had at last succeeded in adjusting her rude bandage and stopping the flow of blood.Bulan had risen weakly to his feet.The girl supported him upon one side, and Sing upon the other.Professor Maxon approached the little group.

"I do not know what to make of all that Sing has told us, he said."If you are not Number Thirteen who are you?

Where did you come from? It seems very strange indeed--impossible, in fact.However, if you will explain who you are, I shall be glad to--ah--consider--ah--permitting you to pay court to my daughter.""I do not know who I am," replied Bulan."I had always thought that I was only Number Thirteen, until Sing just spoke.Now I have a faint recollection of drifting for days upon the sea in an open boat--beyond that all is blank.I shall not force my attentions upon Virginia until I can prove my identity, and that my past is one which I can lay before her without shame --until then I shall not see her.""You shall do nothing of the kind," cried the girl.

"You love me, and I you.My father intended to force me to marry you while he still thought that you were a soulless thing.Now that it is quite apparent that you are a human being, and a gentleman, he hesitates, but I do not.As I have told you before, it makes no difference to me what you are.You have told me that you love me.You have demonstrated a love that is high, and noble, and self-sacrificing.More than that no girl needs to know.I am satisfied to be the wife of Bulan--if Bulan is satisfied to have the daughter of the man who has so cruelly wronged him."An arm went around the girl's shoulders and drew her close to the man she had glorified with her loyalty and her love.The other hand was stretched out toward Professor Maxon.

"Professor," said Bulan, "in the face of what Sing has told us, in the face of a disinterested comparison between myself and the miserable creatures of your experiments, is it not folly to suppose that I am one of them? Some day I shall recall my past, until that time shall prove my worthiness I shall not ask for Virginia's hand, and in this decision she must concur, for the truth might reveal some insurmountable obstacle to our marriage.In the meantime let us be friends, professor, for we are both actuated by the same desire--the welfare and happiness of your daughter."The old man stepped forward and took Bulan's hand.

The expression of doubt and worry had left his face.

"I cannot believe," he said, "that you are other than a gentleman, and if, in my desire to protect Virginia, I have said aught to wound you I ask your forgiveness."Bulan responded only with a tighter pressure of the hand.

"And now," said the professor, "let us return to the long-house.I wish to have a few words in private with you, von Horn," and he turned to face his assistant, but the man had disappeared.

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

"Hornee, him vamoose long time 'go," replied the Chinaman."He hear all he likee."Slowly the little party wound along the jungle trail, and in less than a mile, to Virginia's infinite surprise, came out upon the river and the long-house that she and Bulan had searched for in vain.

"And to think," she cried, "that all these awful days we have been almost within sound of your voices.

What strange freak of fate sent you to us today?""We had about given up hope," replied her father, "when Sing suggested to me that we cut across the highlands that separate this valley from the one adjoining it upon the northeast, where we should strike other tribes and from them glean some clue to your whereabouts in case your abductors had attempted to carry you back to the sea by another route.This seemed likely in view of the fact that we were assured by enemies of Muda Saffir that you were not in his possession, and that the river we were bound for would lead your captors most quickly out of the domains of that rascally Malay.

You may imagine our surprise, Virginia, when after proceeding for but a mile we discovered you."No sooner had the party entered the verandah of the long-house than Professor Maxon made inquiries for von Horn, only to learn that he had departed up stream in a prahu with several warriors whom he had engaged to accompany him on a "hunting expedition," having explained that the white girl had been found and was being brought to the long-house.

The chief further explained that he had done his best to dissuade the white man from so rash an act, as he was going directly into the country of the tribe of the two men he had killed, and there was little chance that he ever would come out alive.

While they were still discussing von Horn's act, and wondering at his intentions, a native on the verandah cried out in astonishment, pointing down the river.

As they looked in the direction he indicated all saw a graceful, white cutter gliding around a nearby turn.

At the oars were white clad American sailors, and in the stern two officers in the uniform of the United States navy.

同类推荐
  • 岁寒堂诗话

    岁寒堂诗话

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
  • 晦台元镜禅师语录

    晦台元镜禅师语录

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
  • Oldport Days

    Oldport Days

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
  • 诸儒论小学

    诸儒论小学

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
  • 药性赋

    药性赋

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
热门推荐
  • 我的世界之最强西游系统

    我的世界之最强西游系统

    啊…我不想死…在他睁开眼的时候,却发现自己在一个全部都是方块世界…喟喟小子,你没事吧?孙悟空说,唐艺一脸纳闷…这是怎么?
  • 贪恋红尘三千尺

    贪恋红尘三千尺

    本是青灯不归客,却因浊酒恋红尘。人有生老三千疾,唯有相思不可医。佛曰:缘来缘去,皆是天意;缘深缘浅,皆是宿命。她本是出家女,一心只想着远离凡尘逍遥自在。不曾想有朝一日唯一的一次下山随手救下一人竟是改变自己的一生。而她与他的相识,不过是为了印证,相识只是孽缘一场。
  • 天行

    天行

    号称“北辰骑神”的天才玩家以自创的“牧马冲锋流”战术击败了国服第一弓手北冥雪,被誉为天纵战榜第一骑士的他,却受到小人排挤,最终离开了效力已久的银狐俱乐部。是沉沦,还是再次崛起?恰逢其时,月恒集团第四款游戏“天行”正式上线,虚拟世界再起风云!
  • 穿越之做草包皇后人人宠

    穿越之做草包皇后人人宠

    二十一世纪的作家她,竟然穿越了!!!穿越了不要紧,可这和她想想的听到的怎么不一样?皇上的后宫不应该争宠吗?怎么个个都躲着?皇上的后宫不应该是为了争宠不择手段?怎么还和平相处呢?不管了,等她拿到休书,她就走。可这皇上也太帅了吧?不仅帅,还年轻,她决定了,不走了,她要当皇上最喜欢的人。嘿嘿,皇上,你逃不过我的手掌心的,你就乖乖从了我吧!
  • 释迦佛赞

    释迦佛赞

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
  • 天行

    天行

    号称“北辰骑神”的天才玩家以自创的“牧马冲锋流”战术击败了国服第一弓手北冥雪,被誉为天纵战榜第一骑士的他,却受到小人排挤,最终离开了效力已久的银狐俱乐部。是沉沦,还是再次崛起?恰逢其时,月恒集团第四款游戏“天行”正式上线,虚拟世界再起风云!
  • 说书人游记

    说书人游记

    最经典的江湖,最纯粹的武侠。心中有热血,时而沸腾,也有湖水,终归平静。这,是我想要的故事。
  • 海妖倾城

    海妖倾城

    逃脱族群的傲娇远古种族公主,遇上第一集团腹黑少爷。一次见义勇为,竟摇身变成未婚妻?青梅竹马挡道阻止,他竟离家出走只求和她远走高飞?当真正面对远古海妖规制,深爱着的人还会这么坚定吗?只要她才能说出:“你不喜欢我就让开,还有人排队呢”的豪言壮语!当玄幻风遇上总裁文,又是一种什么感觉?男主竟也不是人类!
  • 夏暖冬暖

    夏暖冬暖

    一个孤独的男孩何宇冬因为遇见那个散发光与热的女孩夏暖逐渐变得坚强,原以为会是一段唯美的爱情故事,但夏暖在经历了命运的打击之后销声匿迹,多年之后,再次相遇的两个人,还能否继续。缘起缘灭,缘深缘浅,遇见花半生运气遇见的女孩,就用后半生好好珍惜。
  • 天行

    天行

    号称“北辰骑神”的天才玩家以自创的“牧马冲锋流”战术击败了国服第一弓手北冥雪,被誉为天纵战榜第一骑士的他,却受到小人排挤,最终离开了效力已久的银狐俱乐部。是沉沦,还是再次崛起?恰逢其时,月恒集团第四款游戏“天行”正式上线,虚拟世界再起风云!