Treading water he listened intently for a few moments, and then made out the sound of retreating footsteps.

“Well,” he said to himself at last, “I guess they have gone.  Now to get 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 upon the farther shore.  He made out the form of a dark figure some distance away, and hurried toward it, remarking to himself: 

“Looks like a sentinel.  I’ll get a match from him and build a fire and get thawed out before I continue my journey.”

He approached to within a few yards of the figure before his presence was noted.  Then the sentinel, for such he proved to be, hearing footsteps 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, not lowering his weapon.

Hal did as commanded.  Suddenly the sentinel made out the German uniform 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 tell you I’m English.  Can’t you tell that by my talk?  What do you think I am?  A German?”

“Well,” said the sentinel, “what do you think I would take you for in that 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 I can assure you I’m English.  I’ve been over the river getting a little information.”

“Well,” said the sentinel, by no means assured that Hal was what he represented himself.  “I’ll let the colonel decide that point.  March ahead of me now, and mind, no tricks, unless you want a bullet in your back.”

“All right,” said Hal shortly, “as long as you can’t take my word for it, I suppose I shall have to go with you.”

He walked along some little distance, the sentinel behind him with leveled rifle, before he came to the tent of the officer in charge of what he now saw was a reconnoitering force.

“My name is Paine,” he informed the colonel.  “I have been across the river within the German lines on a mission for General French.  I have accomplished it and was returning when this sentinel accosted me.  I can show credentials,” and he showed the officer a pass signed by the commander-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 you a fast auto?”

“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 fire while I have it put in readiness.  You are half frozen.”