Suddenly a shot rang out in the sector near the three Motor Boys. They started, and Ned exclaimed:
“Can that be the signal for the attack?”
“No, it doesn’t begin until to-morrow,” said Jerry. “That’s one of our own men. Guess his rifle went off by accident.”
There was a little excitement, but what had caused it the boys could not learn at the time, as they must stay at their posts. But a little later, when their lieutenant came through the trench, Ned, saluting, asked:
“Did one of our sharpshooters get a Hun, Sir?”
“No,” was the answer. “It wasn’t that. Private Nixon was shot.”
“Noddy Nixon shot!” gasped Bob. “How?”
“S. I. W.,” was the terse reply of the officer, as he passed on.