"Yes," said Hal briefly; "I know."

He placed the papers in his pocket.

"Auf Wiedersehen," said the German officer, bowing Hal from his tent.

"Your orders are to put those papers into General Von Kluck's hands at the earliest possible moment."

"It shall be done," said Hal as he walked rapidly away.

"Great Scott!" he said to himself. "I am in luck. I wouldn't be surprised if these papers were orders concerning the movement which I overheard in the farmhouse."

Quickly he sought out a quiet spot, and broke the Imperial seal. It was even as he had expected--only more. For the papers contained the present troop positions, their expected movements and the number of men and how stationed.

Hal whistled softly to himself.

"Won't General French be surprised when he sees these?" he said softly. "Now to get back."

It was growing dusk, and as Hal walked along toward the outposts in the direction from which he had so recently come, he whistled blithely to himself. It was a mission well done, and the lad, although by no means egotistical, was well aware of it.

He pa.s.sed the farthest outpost of the camp unchallenged, and made off in the darkness. Then, still feeling safe in his German uniform, and more confident at having not been recognized during his stay in the German camp, he paid no heed to footsteps that were now approaching.

A lantern swung suddenly into his face by a newcomer caused him to start back in surprise. And even as he did so he made out that the pair who had accosted him were a man and woman.

And what is more he also recognized the woman. It was she whom he had so recently bound in the farmhouse. And her cry made it apparent that she had recognized him as well.

"It is he!" she exclaimed in a loud voice.

CHAPTER XXIV.

A COLD SWIM.

Before Hal could recover his composure, which had left him at being so suddenly accosted, the woman had thrown her arms around his neck, pinioning his hands to his side. He tried to shake himself loose without hurting the woman, but so tight was her grasp that he was unable to do so.

The man who was with her came to her a.s.sistance, dodging around the struggling pair with his revolver reversed, held ready to strike. But the woman herself prevented this, for he was unable to bring the b.u.t.t of the weapon down on the lad's head without the imminent risk of injuring the woman.

Hal contrived to keep the woman between the man and himself, until he had decided just what course to pursue. He had now freed his hands, and awaited an auspicious moment to spring upon his enemy.

It came at last. Suddenly hurling the woman violently from him, Hal leaped forward and, catching his opponent off his balance, struck out swiftly with his bare fist. There was a sharp "spat" and the man fell to the ground.

Hal turned to run, but found himself opposed by the woman, who pointed the revolver at his head. She held the weapon in a steady hand, and the lad realized that a miss at that close range was utterly impossible.

"Hands up!" commanded the woman.

Hal temporized.

"Now see here----" he began.

The woman interrupted.

"Hands up!" she commanded again.

This time Hal obeyed, for he knew by the hard ring in the woman's voice that she was not to be trifled with.

"About face," commanded his captor.

Hal did as ordered.

"Now," continued the woman, "you will march on ahead of me, and, remember, at the first false move I shall fire."

Without a word Hal turned and started away, the woman but a few paces behind him. But Hal was of no mind to be taken back to the German camp. He realized clearly what fate awaited him there.

His nimble wit was at work as he walked along, and he finally hit upon a plan. It was not without danger, but the lad figured he might just as well be shot then and there as to be put to death as a spy.

As he walked along he seemingly tripped over some unseen obstacle. In attempting to regain his balance he reeled backward. The woman by this time was right upon him.

Unable to tell whether he had really tripped or whether it was a ruse, she stood undecided a moment. That moment proved her undoing. For Hal, spinning on his heel, swept the revolver from her outstretched hand, and with a quick leap seized it himself.

"Now, madam," he said calmly. "I shall give you just thirty seconds to get away from here. If you have not put a considerable distance between us by the time the thirty seconds have expired, I shall be forced to use this weapon, much as I should dislike to shoot a lady. I am on important business and it brooks of no delay. Neither shall one life stand in the way."

The woman took one quick look at him, then turned and ran.

"I am glad she believed me," said Hal to himself. "I don't believe I could have brought myself to shoot."

He turned and walked back to the spot where he had placed one of his opponents hors de combat.

The latter was just struggling to his feet, and as Hal approached he sprang forward.

"What! haven't you had enough yet?" asked the lad in well simulated surprise. "Well, here's some more then."

He stepped quickly forward, and feinting with his left, drove his right fist squarely into the German's mouth. It was more than flesh and blood could stand, and once more the German toppled to the ground, where he remained, unconscious.

"Now to get back across the river," said Hal to himself. "Wonder if I can find a boat of some kind."

He walked slowly along the bank, keeping a keen eye out for any kind of a craft in which to make the trip. He could find none; but, from the direction of the great German camp, came the sound of excited voices and the trampling of many feet.

"Great Scott! Here they come," exclaimed Hal aloud. "I guess it's up to me to get away from here pretty quick."

Without a moment's hesitation he advanced to the water's edge and plunged into the stream. The water was icy cold, and Hal's breath was taken away by the suddenness of the shock.

He recovered himself in a moment, however, and struck out for the opposite sh.o.r.e. About half way across he became aware of voices on the sh.o.r.e immediately behind him.

"I don't believe there is anyone there," said a voice.

"The woman is a spy herself, that's my belief," said a second. "She has concocted this story as an excuse for her being abroad at this hour. I certainly don't believe there is a spy on this side of the river."