Even if he spent his majority in the London docks he would not turn tail.

The tutor backed up loyally, did most of the work, made most of the inquiries, never grumbled or gibed or protested.

When Roger looked most like giving in, it was the tutor who put fresh heart into him.
"To-morrow," said Roger on the eve of his birthday, "I will give it up.
But there is a day yet." And sure enough, on the last day, a vague ray of light came in the shape of a telegram from the port-master at Havana, to whom, at the tutor's suggestion, a message of inquiry had been sent:-- "_Cyclops known.

Writing_." Writing! A letter would take weeks to come, and they had but a day! They hurried to the telegraph-office and sent an urgent message begging particulars by wire whatever the cost.

Late that day, indeed it was nearly midnight, the reply came:-- "_Sailed Ceylon, West Indies.