Not very much to their delight, the Motor Boys learned that Noddy was to be quartered near them, and he was on duty in the trenches in the post adjoining theirs.
There came a period of fierce attacks on the part of the Huns, when they laid down such an artillery barrage that for three days it was impossible for any relief to come to the men in the trenches, and they had to live on what food they had when the firing began. They did not actually starve, but there was not any too much to eat, and there was a lack of hot things, which were much needed as it rained almost constantly.
By hard work Ned, Bob and Jerry had managed to get together some wood which they kept dry in a niche in the trench, lined with pieces of tin. The wood they used to make a little fire to warm their coffee. 115
Coming in from several hours of duty one rainy evening, the three chums were anticipating having something hot to drink made over their little fire of cached wood.
But when Bob, who by virtue of his appetite considered himself the cook, went to get the fuel, it was not there.
“Boys, the wood is gone!” he cried.
“Who took it?” demanded Jerry.
Ned inspected the place. He picked up a piece of damp paper, and in the light of his flash torch read the scrawled writing which said:
“Borrowed your wood. Give it back to you some day.
“Noddy Nixon.”