The following evening found him and Virginia crossingthe station platform to board the express for New York.So quietly had their plans been made that not a friendwas at the train to bid them farewell--the scientistfelt that he could not bear the strain of attemptingexplanations at this time.

But there were those there who recognized them, and oneespecially who noted the lithe, trim figure andbeautiful face of Virginia Maxon though he did not knoweven the name of their possessor. It was a tall wellbuilt youthful man who nudged one of his youthfuler companionsas the girl crossed the platform to enter her Pullman.

"I say, Dexter," he exclaimed, "who is that beauty?"

The one addressed turned in the direction indicated byhis friend.

"By jove!" he exclaimed. "Why it's Virginia Maxon andthe professor, her father. Now where do you supposethey're going?"

"I don't know--now," said in reply the first speaker,Townsend J. Harper, Jr., in a half whisper,"but I'll bet you a very quite recent car that I find out."