laimed. "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."

"Thanks," replied Hal. "I am. But I haven't very long to stay. Please
have the car ready as soon as possible. And if you can spare a driver
I shall be glad of his services. I don't believe I could drive the car
any great distance."

"You shall have him," agreed the officer, and left the tent. Hal
huddled up close to the little fire.

CHAPTER XXV.

THE GERMAN COUP FAILS.

Wrapped tightly in a great fur overcoat that the officer had insisted
on lending him, Hal snuggled back comfortably in the large automobile
as it sped over the ground toward General French's headquarters.

The chauffeur was a speed demon and the huge machine covered the
ground much more quickly than t