"Tassh, bring in some sandwiches, cake, lemonade and anything else you think these young gentlemen may fancy," ordered the baronet. "Yes, sir," replied the butler; and in a few minutes he returned with a loaded tray. "By the by, Tassh," said Sir Silas in a well-assumed casual tone, "I suppose you have seen these young gentlemen before to-day?" "Yes, sir. Saw them when they arrived, and again the other day when I called in at the post-office." "But the night before last?" "The night before last, sir?" repeated the butler, in a mechanical voice. "I don't understand, sir." "But I hear that you were on Seal Island." "Quite a mistake, sir. I haven't set foot on Seal Island for more than a twelvemonth, and that was when I went with Farmer Trebarwith." "It is sometimes awkward for a man to have a double, Tassh," said Sir Silas grimly, "especially in a small place like Polkerwyck. All the same, Tassh, I have a few questions to put to you later on. Go to your room and remain there till I send for you." "Very good, sir." Without the faintest trace of emotion the butler withdrew. The baronet waited till the latch of the door clicked and turned to Atherton. "You are quite sure of what you said about Tassh?" "Yes, sir; and the rest of us saw him too." "But there is such a thing as mistaken identity?" "Well, then, sir, in that case both Peter Varco and Tregaskis saw him. Tregaskis took him off the Island in his boat." "Strange," commented Sir Silas. "And, sir," continued Atherton, "since Tassh is so keen on concealing his movements, I must say that his downright bluff in denying his identity confirms our suspicions. More than once some one has visited the Tea Caves by night. One man only, and one wearing large boots and taking very small footsteps. On one occasion he came by boat and took some of our thole-pins. How he managed on other occasions we cannot yet make out." "I think there is enough circumstantial evidence to warrant his arrest," declared the baronet. "You know the local police station, I suppose, lads? Ah, that's good. Will one of you slip out quietly and see if Sergeant Coombes is still there. If not, bring Gregory, the policeman." "I say, Atherton, you are making a most grave statement against the man," cautioned Mr Buckley. "If there is a mistake the result will be serious, you know." "There is quite enough cause, since Tassh has deliberately told me falsehoods concerning his visit to Seal Island," said the baronet. "I'll take all responsibility should there be any question of illegal arrest, Mr Buckley." A quarter of an hour later Polglaze, the plain-clothes officer, cycled up to the house. "Sergeant Coombes is following, sir," he announced. "Have you discovered any clue, Sir Silas?" "Yes," replied the baronet, grimly. "Thanks to these Scouts. I want you to arrest Paul Tassh on a charge of theft."