than formerly.

"It was probably hanging on the wire," exclaimed Earl.

"Exactly," agreed Armande. "As soon as anyone touched the wire the
bell would ring. It warned the Germans and I must admit it was a
clever trick."

"It surely was," agreed Leon. "What happened then?"

"I jumped to my feet and started to run," exclaimed Armande. "I had
gone but a few steps however when they cut loose with their
rapid-firers. A second later I was down, shot through the leg. I
guess the Boches thought a whole regiment was making a surprise attack
on them. They certainly used enough ammunition to wipe out two
regiments."

"Funny no more bullets struck you, Armande," said Dubois. "How do you
account for that? Was their aim poor?"

"When I fell I rolled into a shell-hole," said the wounded man. "That
afforded me good protection from their bullets. After awhile, when
they discovered that they were not being attacked, they ceased firing
and I crawled back here. It was hard going I can tell you."

"I should think it might be," exclaimed Leon grimly. "I hope your
wound won't prove to be serious, Armande."

At this moment two of the Red Cross men arrived with a stretcher and
carried the wounded soldier away.

"Well," said Earl when they had gone, "I should say that Armande ought
to be pretty glad that he got nothing worse than a bullet in his leg.
I think he's lucky to be alive."

"I think so too," agreed Leon. "That was a great stunt for the Germans
to hang that bell on the wire like that, wasn't it?"

"It was indeed," said Dubois. "I know what we can do to them though."

CHAPTER X

A BALL OF TWINE

"What can we do to the Germans, Dubois?" asked Leon curiously.

"We can play a trick on them. What's the use in allowing them to have
all the fun?"

"But what do you intend to do?"

"I will show you presently. First of all I want a long piece of stout
twine. I shall need a whole ball of it I guess."

"What are you going to do with it?" demanded Leon.

"You will see very soon," said Dubois evasively. "I must get the twine
before we do anything else."

He made his way along the trench to the spot where the field telephone
had been installed and had a message sent back for the next courier who
came out to their position to bring with him a ball of strong string.

"I wish you'd tell us what your plans are," said Earl when Dubois had
rejoined him and his twin brother.

"You will know in good time,