did the boys return the horse because they were conscience-strickrn or because they were afraid?

The boys had returned the stolen horse to its rightful owner, John Byro out of respect for that man's presence of mind ad impeccable integrity. John Byro did not level any charges against Mourad and Aram, disregarding his suspicions and believing in the honesty of the boys' family. So as a mark of acknowledgment for this wonderful gesture, the boys took the horse to Byro's vineyard the following morning and put it in a barn. Their conscience led them to do so.