"Ah, yes," he continued, with a smile. "I'm feeling absolutely top-hole, thank you, notwithstanding an unusual style of bathing in the Seine. Salvage? Hardly necessary to trouble you, sir; you've done quite enough for us as it is, but if you will buoy the spot, one of my barges will conduct the operations. If you will be good enough to give my mechanic and me a passage to Rouen?" Monsieur Raoul was little worse for his immersion, but the condition of the luckless mechanic gave rise to grave misgivings. Not only had he swallowed a liberal quantity of water: his knee had been hurt by coming in contact with the girder supporting the aerial propeller, while, to make matters worse, his master had been compelled to stun him in order to free himself from his dangerous clutch. The owner of the hydro-glisseur was greatly interested in the Sea Scouts and their craft. He plied the lads with innumerable questions, and complimented them upon their sound knowledge of seamanship. Very little escaped the notice of the mercurial Frenchman, and when he caught sight of the scars upon the _Olivette's_ bows he asked how the damage had been caused. "And this happened last night, then? It is just possible that I know who is the owner of the barge that caused the mischief." "He is a careless blighter, sir, whoever he is, to let a barge break adrift," declared Hepburn. "Yes," assented Monsieur de la Vole solemnly. "He is." CHAPTER XVIII Shore Quarters In spite of the delay occasioned by the rescue of the crew of the hydro-glisseur, the _Olivette's_ run up to Rouen was accomplished by four o'clock in the afternoon. The historic old town, viewed from the river, interested the lads beyond measure, while the sight of the transporter-bridge, a structure one hundred and seventy feet above the water, and supporting a travelling car that served as a ferry, appealed to their mechanical instincts. "Where do you propose going to for repairs?" asked Monsieur de la Voie. "We were recommended to the Chantier Declos," replied Mr. Armitage. The Frenchman smiled. "You could not have been better recommended," he remarked. "It happens that I keep my private boats in that yard. There it is: on your left hand just beyond that crane." The _Olivette_ was safely berthed, and the French mechanic, who was able to walk with assistance, was sent ashore. His condition excited a fair amount of sympathy and curiosity on the part of the workmen; but when Monsieur de la Voie jumped on to the quay his reception was exuberant. "One would think they were all touched," remarked Roche. The workpeople were crowding round and literally mobbing de la Voie, talking so quickly that the Sea Scouts were unable to understand a single sentence.