"Do you feel equal to the swim over, Bart?" asked Frank. "Sure thing," replied Bart. "My head's dizzy yet, but with you and Billy to give me a hand, if necessary, I'll get through all right." As silently as so many otters they slipped into the water and struck out for the other side. The current was strong and the work was arduous, especially with the care they had to exercise lest any splash should be heard by the enemy. There was also the chance that one of the boats that were abroad might come in their direction. But aided by the pitch darkness that prevailed, they made the trip in safety and Bart had no need of calling on the aid of his comrades. As they drew near the other side a sentry hailed them. "Halt!" he cried. "Who goes there?" "That's Fred Anderson," murmured Billy, as he recognized the voice. "Friends!" called Frank. "Hello, Fred. It's Raymond, Waldon and Sheldon." There was a shout of delight, and Fred, accompanied by several other sentries, came running to the water's edge. "Glory, hallelujah!" shouted Fred, as eager hands pulled the Army Boys up on the bank. "So you pulled through after all. The whole regiment had given you up. Say, if they'd known you were coming every mother's son of them would have been down here to meet you and they'd have brought the band with them. Come along now, but I warn you in advance that all the fellows will shake your hands off." They still had their hands when their mates got through with them, but Fred had not over-estimated the royal welcome that awaited them. They had always been prime favorites with the boys of the old Thirty-seventh, and that afternoon's exploit made them more popular than ever. Their officers, too, were jubilant at their return. They were taken to headquarters, where the general thanked them and shook hands with each in turn. "I don't need any report from you," he smiled. "I heard that when the bridge went up. It was a brave deed, most gallantly done. I thank you in the name of the army. Your names will be cited to-morrow in the orders of the day and I shall personally bring the matter to the attention of General Pershing." CHAPTER XX A TRAITOR UNMASKED When Tom Bradford found himself racing toward the woods, the only thought in his mind was to put as great a distance as possible between himself and his would-be executioners. At every step he expected to hear a shout raised and see a crowd of pursuers rush from the house like a pack of wolves after their prey. The thought lent wings to his feet and he covered the distance in record time. And not until he was safe in the shelter of the friendly trees did he pause to draw breath and cast a glance toward the house. If his escape had been noticed, there was absolutely no sign of it. The landscape lay in serene and smiling beauty. Not a trace of life was to be seen about the house. It seemed scarcely possible that so much tragedy and so much peace could exist side by side.