"Scouts, Sir Silas, do not accept rewards for services rendered: good turns, we call them."
"So I previously learned," said the baronet, smiling at Atherton. "All the same, if there is anything I can do . . . I suppose there is a limit of age for Scouts, Mr Buckley?"
"Once a Scout, always a Scout, sir."
"H'm. Well, perhaps I may be able to have a bit of my own way in the matter of showing my practical gratitude, Mr Buckley. Meanwhile, Scouts, I hope for the rest of your stay in Seal Island you will be able to conform to regular habits and enjoy yourselves far more than you have up to the present."
"We've had a rattling good time, sir," replied the "Wolves" and the "Otters" in a chorus that carried conviction.
"I'm glad to hear it," returned Sir Silas. "And, believe me, you have made me envious of the Scouts of Seal Island."
* * * *
Little more remains to be said. The "Otters" and the "Wolves" prolonged their stay on Seal Island for three whole weeks beyond the fortnight originally intended, the extension being due to the fact that the Scouts had to give evidence at Bodmin Assizes against the rascal known as Bill.
The fellow was proved to be one of the assailants of Sir Silas Gwinnear on Hungerford Bridge; and not only was he found guilty of being concerned in the robbery of the baronet's silver, but an additional charge, that of stealing a yacht from Avonmouth—the one the Scouts captured with a quantity of the booty on board—was proved against him.
His companion got off with six months' hard labour against Bill's seven years' penal servitude. Tassh, hopelessly insane, was taken to the county asylum.