"There's Mr. Armitage and Rayburn," exclaimed Warkworth.
The Scoutmaster and the Tenderfoot were waiting at the edge of the quay. Judging by the expression upon his face, Mr. Armitage showed no concern over the obvious fact that the crew of the Olivette had returned without bringing with them the missing craft.
"Good evening, boys!" he exclaimed when the Mudlark came within easy hailing distance. "Any clues?"
"No, sir," replied the Patrol Leader despondently.
In present circumstances Stratton felt it a matter of impossibility conscientiously to carry out the Scout maxim, "Keep smiling". It simply couldn't be done. Dead tired with their long exertions, and dispirited at their utter failure to find a trace of the stolen Olivette, the crew could not raise as much as a suspicion of a smile.
"Buck up, you fellows," exclaimed Mr. Armitage, holding aloft a buff-coloured envelope. "I've just received a wire. The Olivette is safe and sound and in good hands!"
CHAPTER III
A Real Good Turn
"It's been a perfectly topping day," declared Patrol Leader "Rusty" Rivett, of the 5th Weymouth Troop. "The way you followed that trail, Phillips, was awfully good!"