CHAPTER XXIV.
A COLD SWIM.
Before Hal could recover his composure, which had left him at being sosuddenly accosted, the woman had thrown her arms around his neck,pinioning his hands to his side. He tried to shake himself loosewithout hurting the woman, but so tight was her grasp that he wasunable to do so.
The man who was with her came to her assistance, dodging around thestruggling pair with his revolver reversed, held ready to strike. Butthe woman herself prevented this, for he was unable to bring the buttof the weapon down on the lad's head without the imminent risk ofinjuring the woman.
Hal contrived to keep the woman between the man and himself, until hehad 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, Halleaped forward and, catching his opponent off his balance, struck outswiftly with his bare fist. There was a sharp "spat" and the man fellto the ground.
Hal turned to run, but found himself opposed by the woman, who pointedthe revolver at his head. She held the weapon in a steady hand, andthe lad realized that a miss at that close range was utterlyimpossible.
"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'svoice 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 pacesbehind him. But Hal was of no mind to be taken back to the Germancamp. He realized clearly what fate awaited him there.
His nimble wit was at work as he walked along, and he finally hit upona plan. It was not without danger, but the lad figured he might justas 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. Inattempting to regain his balance he reeled backward. The woman by thistime 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 toget away from here. If you have not put a considerable distancebetween us by the time the thirty seconds have expired, I shall beforced to use this weapon, much as I should dislike to shoot a lady. Iam on important business and it brooks of no delay. Neither shall onelife 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 Icould have brought myself to shoot."
He turned and walked back to the spot where he had placed one of hisopponents hors de combat.
The latter was just struggling to his feet, and as Hal approached hesprang forward.
"What! haven't you had enough yet?" asked the lad in well simulatedsurprise. "Well, here's some more then."
He stepped quickly forward, and feinting with his left, drove hisright fist squarely into the German's mouth. It was more than fleshand 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 Ican find a boat of some kind."
He walked slowly along the bank, keeping a keen eye out for any kindof a craft in which to make the trip. He could find none; but, fromthe direction of the great German camp, came the sound of excitedvoices and the trampling of many feet.
"Great Scott! Here they come," exclaimed Hal aloud. "I guess it's upto me to get away from here pretty quick."
Without a moment's hesitation he advanced to the water's edge andplunged into the stream. The water was icy cold, and Hal's breath wastaken away by the suddenness of the shock.
He recovered himself in a moment, however, and struck out for theopposite shore. About half way across he became aware of voices on theshore 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. "Shehas concocted this story as an excuse for her being abroad at thishour. I certainly don't believe there is a spy on this side of theriver."
"Nor I; however, if he is in that water we can spot him with asearchlight. Turn yours on."
Hearing the words, Hal took a long breath and sank from sight. It waswell that he did so promptly, for a brilliant shaft of light flashedacross the water, making it as bright as day. The German swept it backand forth across the water. He could see no one.
"I told you so," he said. "There is no one out there. Come, let's getaway from here."
"Good," returned the other. "Come on."
Hal remained under the water just as long as he could and came to thesurface as the Germans turned to walk off, ready to take another quickbreath and dive again. But seeing no sign of the searchlight, herightly concluded that the Germans, who had been but half-hearted intheir search anyhow, had gone.
Treading water he listened intently for a few moments, and then madeout the sound of retreating footsteps.
"Well," he said to himself at last, "I guess they have gone. Now toget out of here as soon as I can. I'll be frozen if I don't hurry."
With quick strokes he continued his cold swim, and soon emerged uponthe farther shore. He made out the form of a dark figure some distanceaway, and hurried toward it, remarking to himself:
"Looks like a sentinel. I'll get a match from him and build a fire andget thawed out before I continue my journey."
He approached to within a few yards of the figure before his presencewas noted. Then the sentinel, for such he proved to be, hearingfootsteps behind him, turned suddenly and leveled his rifle at Hal.
"Halt!" he commanded.
"It's all right," said Hal. "I'm English."
"Come a little closer and let me look at you," said the sentinel, notlowering his weapon.
Hal did as commanded. Suddenly the sentinel made out the Germanuniform and his rifle leaped up again.
"So," he exclaimed. "You Dutchman! You thought you'd fool me, did you?You are my prisoner. One false move and you are a dead man."
"Don't be a chump," said Hal, his teeth chattering from cold. "I tellyou I'm English. Can't you tell that by my talk? What do you think Iam? A German?"
"Well," said the sentinel, "what do you think I would take you for inthat German uniform?"
Now Hal understood, and in spite of the cold he laughed.
"I don't blame you," he said. "I forgot all about this uniform. But Ican assure you I'm English. I've been over the river getting a littleinformation."
"Well," said the sentinel, by no means assured that Hal was what herepresented himself. "I'll let the colonel decide that point. Marchahead of me now, and mind, no tricks, unless you want a bullet in yourback."
"All right," said Hal shortly, "as long as you can't take my word forit, I suppose I shall have to go with you."
He walked along some little distance, the sentinel behind him withleveled rifle, before he came to the tent of the officer in charge ofwhat he now saw was a reconnoitering force.
"My name is Paine," he informed the colonel. "I have been across theriver within the German lines on a mission for General French. I haveaccomplished it and was returning when this sentinel accosted me. Ican show credentials," and he showed the officer a pass signed by thecommander-in-chief.
The officer shook hands with him.
"What can I do for you?" he asked.
"I must be back at the earliest possible moment," said Hal. "Have youa fast auto?"
&n
bsp; "Yes."
"Then I should be grateful if you would allow me to make use of it."
"It shall be done," said the officer. "Now you sit here by the firewhile I have it put in readiness. You are half frozen."
"Thanks," replied Hal. "I am. But I haven't very long to stay. Pleasehave the car ready as soon as possible. And if you can spare a driverI shall be glad of his services. I don't believe I could drive the carany great distance."
"You shall have him," agreed the officer, and left the tent. Halhuddled up close to the little fire.