They were steaming up the China Sea when the idea first

suggested itself, and as he sat idly during the long,

hot days the thought grew upon him, expanding into a

thousand wonderful possibilities, until it became

crystalized into what was a little short of an obsession.

The result was that at Manila, much to Virginia's

surprise, he announced the abandonment of the balance

of their purposed voyage, taking immediate return

passage to Singapore. His daughter did not question

him as to the cause of this change in plans, for since

those three days that her father had kept himself

locked in his workroom at home the girl had noticed a

subtle change in her parent--a marked disinclination to

share with her his every confidence as had been his

custom since the death of her mother.

While it grieved her immeasurably she was both too

proud and too hurt to sue for a reestablishment of the

old relations. On all other topics than his scientific

work their interests were as mutual as formerly, but by

what seemed a manner of tacit agreement this subject

was taboo. And so it was that they came to Singapore

without the girl having the slightest conception of her

father's plans.

Here they spent nearly a month, during which time

Professor Maxon was daily engaged in interviewing

officials, English residents and a motley horde of

Malays and Chinamen.

Virginia met socially several of the men with whom her

father was engaged but it was only at the last moment

that one of them let drop a hint of the purpose of the

month's activity. When Virginia was present the

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