With this strange missive in his hand all Roger's yearnings towards his lost brother returned in full force.

The object of his search seemed suddenly to stand within measurable reach.
Ten years appeared nothing beside the twenty which only a few months back had divided them.

If he could but postpone his majority another year! Then came the miserable doubt about Ratman.

If, after all, his unlikely, discredited story should prove to have a grain of truth at the bottom of it! But he dismissed the doubt for the hope.
"Armstrong, I must go to town to find out about the `Cyclops.' Come with me, there's a good fellow.

In three weeks it will be too late." The tutor was prepared for this decision.
"By all means," said he.