"Then take charge of the bag. It's full of silver stuff, probably stolen from somewhere. If there's a reward offered for its recovery, the money's yours."
With many expressions of thanks the two coastguards rowed of with the booty, and before their boat reached the beach of Osmington Mills, a motor-boat was observed leaving Weymouth and heading for the Olivette.
It was the rescue party, consisting of the Scoutmaster of the 5th Weymouth Troop, the skipper and owner of the motor-boat, Dentibus Dent, and two other members of the Troop, who had not taken part in the day's operations.
"Well done, Rivett," exclaimed the Scoutmaster. "We'll take the Olivette in tow. Signal to the rest of the Troop to make their way back to the college. Can you two fellows manage the anchor by yourselves?"
An hour later the Olivette was safely moored close to the bridge in Weymouth Harbour. The Scoutmaster and the Patrol Leader proceeded at once to the Post Office, where they dispatched a telegram to the Milford Sea Scouts: "Yacht Olivette here in charge of 5th Weymouth Troop. Undamaged. Come for her at any time."
CHAPTER IV
Repayment
This was the reassuring message that Mr. Armitage read. It had a great effect upon the hitherto tired, jaded, and dispirited Sea Scouts. Smiles came back to their bronzed features, and the disappointing cruise in the Mudlark in search of the Olivette was almost forgotten.
"The police have been active too," said Mr. Armitage. "There's been a burglary at Hordle, and a quantity of valuable silver plate stolen. The theory is that the burglars found their way to Keyhaven and embarked on the Olivette with the swag. There's a reward of fifty pounds for the recovery of the missing property."