"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.
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