The boys and Mr. Swift were much interested in the experiences of the balloonist and asked him many questions, which he answered modestly.  Several hours passed and late that afternoon the party approached Shopton.

“Here we are!” exclaimed Mr. Swift, relief in his tones.  “Now to see of what I have been robbed and to get the police after the scoundrels!”

When the boat was nearing the dock Mr. Sharp, who had been silent for some time, suddenly turned to Tom and asked: 

“Ever invent an airship?”

“No,” replied the lad, somewhat surprised.  “I never did.”

“I have,” went on the balloonist.  “That is, I’ve invented part of it.  I’m stuck over some details.  Maybe you and I’ll finish it some day.  How about it?”

“Maybe,” assented Tom, who was occupied just then in making a good landing.  “I am interested in airships, but I never thought I could build one.”

“Easiest thing in the world,” went on Mr. Sharp, as if it was an everyday matter.  “You and I will get busy as soon as we clear up this robbery.”  He talked as though he had been a friend of the family for some time, for he had a genial, taking manner.

A little later Mr. Swift was excitedly questioning Garret Jackson concerning the robbery and making an examination of the electrical shop to discover what was missing.

“They’ve taken some parts of my gyroscope!” he exclaimed, “and some valuable tools and papers, as well as some unfinished work that will be difficult to replace.”

“Much of a loss?” asked Mr. Sharp with a business-like air.

“Well, not so large as regards money,” answered the inventor, “but they took things I can never replace, and I will miss them very much if I cannot get them back.”

“Then we’ll get them back!” snapped the balloonist, as if that was all there was to it.

The police were called up on the telephone and the facts given to them, as well as a description of the stolen things.  They promised to do what they could, but, in the light of past experiences, Tom and his father did not think this would be much.  There was little more that could be done that evening.  Ned Newton went to his home, and, after Mr. Swift had insisted in calling in his physician to look after Mr. Sharp’s burns the balloonist was given a room next to Tom’s.  Then the Swift household settled down.

“Well,” remarked Tom to his father, as he got ready for bed, “this sure has been an exciting day.”

“And my loss is a serious one,” added the inventor somewhat sadly.

“Don’t worry, dad,” begged his son.  “I’ll do my best to recover those things for you.”

Several days passed, but there was no clew to the thieves.  That they were the same ones who had stolen the turbine model there was little doubt, but they seemed to have covered their tracks well.  The police were at a loss, and, though Tom and Mr. Sharp cruised about the lake, they could get no trace of the men.  The balloonist had sent to Pratonia for his clothing and other baggage and was now installed in the Swift home, where he was invited to stay a week or two.