a secret. But I think you'll soon have a chance to hear all the heavy
firing you want."

"I wonder what he meant?" asked Ned, of his chums, as the professor,
returning his "infernal" insect moving-picture machine to his quarters
went away with the officer.

"Maybe we're going to make a big attack," suggested Bob.

"Perhaps," assented Jerry. "I heard some rumors of it. Well, we'll
have to wait and see."

They did not have to wait long, for that day began preparations which,
to those who understood, indicated that a great attack was imminent.

Great stores of shell and ammunition were brought up under cover of
darkness to the firing line. Big guns were shifted in position and
well camouflaged. And there also arrived at the front where the Motor
Boys were stationed several batteries of those wonderful French
seventy-fives, those guns which did so much to win the war, the secret
of which the Germans tried in vain to learn.

It was after several days of hard work, during which they saw little
of Professor Snodgrass, that Bob, seeking out his chums one afternoon,
said:

"Guess what's up!"

"Can't," Ned replied.

"Go on! Tell us!" cried Jerry.

"We're going to have a lot of doughnuts and chocolate candy!" cried
Bob.

"Doughnuts!" shouted Jerry.

"Chocolate!" echoed Ned. "Where is it?"

"Safe," laughed Chunky. "I struck a Salvation Army man with an extra
supply and I took all he'd give me. They're hidden in the trench, near
where we go on duty, and to-night we'll have a feast!"

"Good for you, Chunky!" cried Jerry. "I always said you were all
right!"

"Same here!" added Ned.

And that night, when the three chums were about to go on duty in the
dismal trenches, Bob led them to a little place he had hollowed out
under a rock, and lined with boards. It was a hiding place known to
all three.

"We can stick the stuff in our pockets," he said, "and eat it when we
get hungry. Things are so upset, getting ready for a big offensive, I
guess, that maybe the rations won't come up on time. But we'll be
fixed, anyhow."

He opened the secret place, and then, as he reached his hand in and
drew it out empty, a queer look came over his face.

"What's the matter?" asked Jerry.

"It's gone!" faltered Bob.

Consternation showed on the faces of all three. Ned and Jerry made a
careful examination of the hiding place after Bob. There was no doubt
of it--the treasure was gone! And sweets were really a treasure to the
men