"No. But I felt something! Rat as big as a fox terrier. Ugh! he nipped me on the shoe. Dirty brute!" "Part of the gay and festive life we live," murmured Jimmy. "Well, it can't last forever, that's one consolation." Then he became silent--he and Roger. They waited in the trench for something to happen. And it did happen, but not in their immediate neighborhood. For suddenly, about half a mile down the trench to Jimmy's left, there was a brilliant burst of fire, and a moment later the sound of sharp firing from the German trenches was borne to the ears of the Khaki Boys. Instantly the traverses on both sides, and far up and down the line, were in tense activity. The waiting Sammies sprang to the firing step alongside of Roger and Jimmy, and, doubtless, in the German trenches the same scenes were taking place. The din was terrific, even though, so early in the conflict, the artillery had not yet come into play. But presently the big guns began to boom, and then it became evident that the attack of the Germans, for such it turned out to be, was against a sector some distance removed from where the Khaki Boys were on duty. They, with their companions, were held in reserve. They remained to guard the trench. After the exchange of a few shots with their unseen Hun adversaries, quiet once more settled down over that part of the lines. But a sharp engagement was going on to the left, and the next morning it was learned that the Boches had captured a number of Americans, having surprised them. It was not all clear gain, however, for several of the Huns were killed. And when Jimmy and his chums went off duty they heard disquieting rumors to the effect that the Germans must have had information about the weakness of the line that they attacked. For it was weak, and that was the reason the raid was so successfully made. "How did the Germans know it?" asked Roger. "Someone on our side gave the information," said Jimmy. "At least, that's what I heard." "You mean traitors?" gasped Bob. "It amounts to that--yes," was Jimmy's reply. CHAPTER XI THE SIGNALS "Say, where'd you hear all this?" demanded Roger. "Is it straight goods?" "Sure it is," answered Jimmy. "Talk of it all over. I got it from one of the orderlies at brigade headquarters." "Just what was it?" Bob asked. "Iss der German brutes by us goin' to come again?" asked Iggy. "If they do I hope they don't find us as unprepared as the bunch was last night," remarked Jimmy, gloomily enough. "It was a bad piece of business. But it wouldn't have happened if the Huns hadn't known some of the reserves had been pulled away from that sector." "Were they?" was Bob's question.