“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 shore.  About half way across he became aware of voices on the shore 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.”

“Nor I; however, if he is in that water we can spot him with a searchlight.  Turn yours on.”

Hearing the words, Hal took a long breath and sank from sight.  It was well that he did so promptly, for a brilliant shaft of light flashed across the water, making it as bright as day.  The German swept it back and forth across the water.  He could see no one.

“I told you so,” he said.  “There is no one out there.  Come, let’s get away from here.”

“Good,” returned the other.  “Come on.”

Hal remained under the water just as long as he could and came to the surface as the Germans turned to walk off, ready to take another quick breath and dive again.  But seeing no sign of the searchlight, he rightly concluded that the Germans, who had been but half-hearted in their search anyhow, had gone.