ts 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 passed 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 assistance, 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 butt
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," co