"I cannot answer your question, Miss Maxon," he said, finally, "for your father's strictest injunction has been that I divulge to no one the slightest happening within the court of mystery.Remember that I am in your father's employ, and that no matter what my personal convictions may be regarding the work he has been doing I may only act with loyalty to his lightest command while I remain upon his payroll.That you are here," he added, "is my excuse for continuing my connection with certain things of which my conscience does not approve."The girl glanced at him quickly.She did not fully understand the motive for his final avowal, and a sudden intuition kept her from questioning him.She had learned to look upon von Horn as a very pleasant companion and a good friend--she was not quite certain that she would care for any change in their relations, but his remark had sowed the seed of a new thought in her mind as he had intended that it should.
When von Horn returned to the court of mystery, he narrated to Professor Maxon the gist of his conversation with Virginia, wishing to forestall anything which the girl might say to her father that would give him an impression that von Horn had been talking more than he should.Professor Maxon listened to the narration in silence.When von Horn had finished, he cautioned him against divulging to Virginia anything that took place within the inner campong.
"She is only a child," he said, "and would not understand the importance of the work we are doing.
All that she would be able to see is the immediate moral effect of these experiments upon the subjects themselves--she would not look into the future and appreciate the immense advantage to mankind that must accrue from a successful termination of our research.
The future of the world will be assured when once we have demonstrated the possibility of the chemical production of a perfect race.""Number One, for example," suggested von Horn.
Professor Maxon glanced at him sharply.
"Levity, Doctor, is entirely out of place in the contemplation of the magnificent work I have already accomplished," said the professor tartly."I admit that Number One leaves much to be desired--much to be desired; but Number Two shows a marked advance along certain lines, and I am sure that tomorrow will divulge in experiment Number Three such strides as will forever silence any propensity toward scoffing which you may now entertain.""Forgive me, Professor," von Horn hastened to urge.
"I did not intend to deride the wonderful discoveries which you have made, but it is only natural that we should both realize that Number One is not beautiful.
To one another we may say what we would not think of suggesting to outsiders."Professor Maxon was mollified by this apology, and turned to resume his watch beside a large, coffin-shaped vat.For a while von Horn was silent.
There was that upon his mind which he had wished to discuss with his employer since months ago, but the moment had never arrived which seemed at all propitious, nor did it appear likely ever to arrive.So the doctor decided to broach the subject now, as being psychologically as favorable a time as any.
