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," b