"Didn't drop from my parachute.Couldn't.Fire was one reason--- couldn't reach the parachute, and if I could have, guess it wouldn't have been safe.Parachute probably was burned too.But I'm done with hot- air balloons though I guess I said that before."The boys were much interested in the somewhat odd performer, and, on his part, he seemed to take quite a notion to Tom, who told him of several things that he had invented."Well," remarked Mr.Swift after a while, during which the boat had been moving slowly down the lake, "if we are not to go ashore for a doctor for you, Mr.Sharp, suppose we put on more speed and get to my home? I'm anxious about a robbery that occurred there," and he related some facts in the case.
"Speed her up!" exclaimed Mr.Sharp."Wish I could help you catch the scoundrels, but afraid I can't---hands too sore," and he looked at his burns.Then he told how he had made the ascension from the Pratonia fair grounds and how, when he was high in the air, he had discovered that the balloon was on fire.He described his sensations and told how he thought his time had surely come.Sparks from the hot air used to inflate it probably caused the blaze, he said.
"I've made a number of trips," he concluded, "hot air and gas bags, but this was the worst ever.It got on my nerves for a few minutes," he added coolly.
"I should think it would," agreed Tom as he speeded up the motor and sent the ARROW on her homeward way.
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 silentfor 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 surehas 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 thosethings 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.
One night when he was looking over some papers he had taken from his trunk the balloonist came over to where Tom was making a drawing of a new machine he was planning and said:
"Like to see my idea for an airship? Different from some.It's a dirigible balloon with an aeroplane front and rear to steer and balance it in big winds.It would be a winner, only for one thing.Maybe you can help me.""Maybe I can," agreed Tom, who was at once interested.
"We ought to be able to do something.Look at our names---Swift and Sharp---quick and penetrating---a good firm to build airships," and he laughed genially."Shall we do it?""I'm willing," agreed Tom, and the balloonist spread his plans out on the table, he and the young inventor soon being deep in a discussion of them.
