Into their boats the Scouts jumped, and once more the coasting trip was resumed. Without further incident the lads landed at the cove, hauled the boats up the slope, and returned to camp for dinner.
CHAPTER XVIII
HOT ON THE TRAIL
The more Atherton thought about one of the crew of the mysterious yacht the more he became convinced that the fellow was Sir Silas Gwinnear's assailant.
After dinner, seizing a favourable opportunity, the lad approached his Scoutmaster on the subject.
"You're falling a victim to the powers of suggestion, I'm afraid, Atherton," remarked Mr Buckley. "When you first mentioned the matter to me you said you thought he was the man. Now, after ruminating, you come to the conclusion that he must be the culprit. Such definite conclusions based upon flimsy suppositions are dangerous. Over and over again one reads of cases of persons being wrongly arrested owing to definite yet mistaken zeal on the part of an impressionable constable. Now, for example, what do you suggest would be the best course to adopt? Inform the police?"
"Yes, sir; my idea is that he should not be allowed to slip through our fingers, so to speak."
"And if the fellow gives a perfectly corroborated statement, and claims damages for illegal arrest, where would the funds of the troop go, eh? No, no, Atherton, we must get to work more cautiously. I am quite in agreement with you that the action of these two men on the yacht is suspicious, and that they ought to be kept under observation. All the same, I do not like the idea of so much night work. Before I took over for Mr Trematon, you had more than one restless night."
"If it has to be done, sir, it must be," replied Atherton earnestly. "The other fellows are of the same mind."