"I--I was," gasped Robert. "Did he--he escape?"
The others looked around, but of course Vernon was nowhere to be seen.
"He must have escaped," said Mr. Pelham. "Frederic Vernon, you said. He was to be my room-mate."
A number of questions followed, and Robert told his tale, to which the others listened with close attention. Then a search was instituted for Frederic Vernon, but this was unsuccessful.
"He has left the ship," declared the captain. "It's not likely that he wanted to go to Australia."
It was not until some time later that Robert discovered the loss of his purse, watch, and the scarfpin, and then he was more angry than ever.
"Oh, if only I can lay hands on him," he thought. "I'll make him suffer for all his evil doings!"
CHAPTER XXV.
A FRIEND IN NEED.
The steamer was now ready to sail, and Robert went ashore with a number of others who had come aboard to see their friends off.