Still Private Ellis said little, but his eye was as clear and keen as ever; and still the periscope remained. “We must shell him out to-morrow,” I said, and went off. At half-past seven we had “stood down,” and I was messing with “B” Company, when I heard a voice at the top of the dug-out, and the servant who was waiting--Lewis, I think it was--said a sniper wanted to see me. “Tell him to come down.” Private Ellis appeared at the door. Not a muscle in his body or face moved, but his eyes were glowing and glittering. “Got him, sir,” was all he said. “What?” I cried. “Got that Boche in Aeroplane Trench? By Jove, tell us all about it.” And so to the accompaniment of a whiskey and Perrier he told us exactly what happened. It was not till well after “stand-to,” it appeared, that any change had occurred in Aeroplane Trench. Then the periscope had wobbled and disappeared below ground. Then there had been another long wait, and the outline of the sunken road had begun to get faint. Then slowly, very slowly, a pink forehead had appeared over the top, and as slowly disappeared. I wish I had been there to watch Ellis then. I can imagine him coolly, methodically sighting his rifle on the trench-edge, and waiting. “I had to wait another minute, sir; then it appeared again, the whole head this time. He thought it was too dark to be seen ... Oh, he won’t worry us any more, sir! I saw one of his arms go up, and I thought I could see him fall against the back of the trench. But it was getting so dark, I couldn’t have seen him five minutes later at all.” And if Ellis couldn’t, who could? * * * * * Next day, and for many days, there was no sniping from Aeroplane Trench. CHAPTER IX ON PATROL “Hullo, Bill!” from Will Todd, as he passed me going up 76 Street. “Hullo,” I answered, “where are you off to?” “Going on patrol,” was the reply. “Oh, by the way, you probably know something about this rotten sap opposite the Quarry. I’m going out to find out if it’s occupied at night or not.” “Opposite the Quarry?” said I. “Oh, yes, I know it. We get rather a good view of it from No. 1 Post.” “That post up on the right here? Yes, I was up there this afternoon, but you can’t see much from anywhere here. The worst of it is I was going with 52 Jones; only his leave has just come through. You see, I’ve never been out before. I’m trying a fellow called Edwards, but I don’t know him.” “If you can’t get Edwards,” I said suddenly, “I’ve a good mind to come out with you. Meet me at Trafalgar Square, and let me know.”