THE MYSTERY SOLVED
>From then on, for several days, the young inventor and his new friend lived in an atmosphere of airships.They talked them from morning until night, and even Mr.Swift, much as he was exercised over his loss, took part in the discussions.
In the meanwhile efforts had not ceased to locate the robbers and recover the stolen goods, but so far without success.
One afternoon, about two weeks after the thrilling rescue of John Sharp, Tom said to the balloonist:
"Wouldn't you like to come for a ride in the motor-boat? Maybe it will help us to solve the puzzle of the airship.We'll take a trip across and up the opposite shore.""Good idea," commented Mr.Sharp."Fine day for a sail.Come on.Blow the cobwebs from our brains."Mr.Swift declined an invitation to accompany them, as he said he would stay home and try to straighten out his affairs, which were somewhat muddled by the robbery.
Out over the blue waters of Lake Carlopa shot the ARROW.It was making only moderate speed, as Tom was in no hurry, and he knew his engine would last longer if not forced too frequently.They glided along, crossed the lake and were proceeding up the opposite shore when, as they turned out from a little bay and rounded a point of land, Mr.Sharp exclaimed:
"Look out, Tom, there's rowboat just ahead!""Oh, I'll pass well to one side of that," answered the young inventor, looking at the craft.As he did so, noting that there were four men in it, one of the occupants caught a glimpse of the ARROW.No sooner had he done so than he spoke to his companions, and they all turned to stare at Tom.At first the lad could scarcely believe his eyes, but as he looked more intently he uttered a cry.
"There they are!"
"Who?" inquired Mr.Sharp.
"Those men---the thieves!We must catch them!"Tom had spoken loudly, but even though the men in the rowboat did hear what he said, they would have realized without that that they were about to be pursued, for there was no mistaking the attitude of our hero.
Two of the thieves were at the oars, and, with one accord, they at once increased their speed.The boat swung about sharply and was headed for the shore, which they seemed to have come from only a short time previous, as the craft was not far out in the lake.
"No, you don't!" cried Tom."I see your game! You want to get to the woods, where you'll have a better chance to escape! If this isn't great luck, coming upon them this way!"It was the work of but a moment to speed up the engine and head the ARROW for the rowboat.The men were pulling frantically, but they had no chance.
"Get between them and the shore!" cried Mr.Sharp."You can head them off then." This was good advice and Tom followed it.The men, among whom the lad could recognize Happy Harry and Anson Morse, were all excited.Two of them stood up, as though to jump overboard, but their companions called to them to stop.
"If we only had a gun now, not to shoot at them but to intimidate them," murmured the balloonist, "maybe they'd stop.""Here's one," answered Tom, pointing to the seat locker, where he kept the shotgun Mr.Duncan had given him.In a moment Mr.Sharp had it out.
"Surrender!" he cried, pointing the weapon at the men in the small boat.
"Don't shoot! Don't fire on us! We'll give up!" cried Happy Harry, and the two with the oars ceased pulling.
"Don't take any chances," urged Mr.Sharp in a low voice."Keep between them and the shore.I'll cover them." Tom was steering from an auxiliary side wheel near the motor, and soon the ARROW had cut off the retreat of the men.They could not land and to row across the lake meant speedy capture.
"Well, what do you want of us?" growled Morse."What right haveyou got to interfere with us in this fashion?""The best of right," answered Tom."You'll find out when you're landed in jail.""You can't arrest us," sneered Happy Harry."You're not an officer and you haven't any warrant."Tom hadn't thought of that, and his chagrin showed in his face.Happy Harry was quick to see it.
"You'd better let us go," he threatened "We can have you arrested for bothering us.You haven't any right to stop us, Tom Swift.""Maybe he hasn't, but I have!" exclaimed John Sharp suddenly.
"You! Who are you?" demanded Featherton, alias Simpson, the man who had run the automobile that carried Tom away.
