"Yes," replied Hal firmly. "I was simply waiting for these. My horse is yonder," and he waved his hand. "Oh," continued the German. "Then perhaps you know that Von Kluck, Von Moltke and the Emperor himself had a brush with a bunch of British or French spies a while back. The Emperor was much put out. He believed that information of an expected coup had leaked out, so all generals were hurried back to their posts to see that everything was shipshape." "Yes," said Hal briefly; "I know." He placed the papers in his pocket. "Auf Wiedersehen," said the German officer, bowing Hal from his tent. "Your orders are to put those papers into General Von Kluck's hands at the earliest possible moment." "It shall be done," said Hal as he walked rapidly away. "Great Scott!" he said to himself. "I am in luck. I wouldn't be surprised if these papers were orders concerning the movement which I overheard in the farmhouse." Quickly he sought out a quiet spot, and broke the Imperial seal. It was even as he had expected--only more. For the papers contained the present troop positions, their expected movements and the number of men and how stationed. Hal whistled softly to himself. "Won't General French be surprised when he sees these?" he said softly. "Now to get back." It was growing dusk, and as Hal walked along toward the outposts 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.