e 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 have you
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.

"Me. I'm a special deputy sheriff for this county," answered the
balloonist simply. "Here's my badge," and, throwing back his coat, he
displayed it. "You see I got the appointment in order to have some
authority in the crowds that gather to watch me go up," he explained to
Tom, who plainly showed his astonishment. "I found it very useful to
be able to threaten arrest, but in this case I'll do more than
threaten. You are my prisoners," he went on to the men in the boat,
and he handled the shotgun as if he knew how to use it. "I'll take you
into custody on complaint of Mr. Swift for robbery. Now will you go
quietly or are you going to make a fuss?" and Mr. Sharp shut his jaw
grimly.

"Well, seeing as how you have the drop on us, I guess we'll have to do
as you say," admitted Happy Harry, alias Jim Burke. "But you can't
prove anything against us. We haven't any of Mr. Swift's property."

"Well, you know where it is then," retorted Tom quickly.

Under the restraining influence of the gun the men made no resistance.
While Mr. Sharp covered them, Tom towed their boat toward shore. Then,
while the young inventor held the gun, the balloonist tied the hands
and feet of the thieves in a most scientific manner, for what he did
not know about ropes and knots was not worth putting into a book.

"Now, I guess they'll stay quiet for a while," remarked Mr. Sharp as he
surveyed the crestfallen criminals. "I'll remain on guard here, Tom,
while you go notify the nearest constable and we'll take them to jail.
We bagged the whole lot as neatly as could be desired."

"No, you