NOTiTTT PTiATTV SFMTWTWrY VftTlWlKV
The Adventures of a Demobilized
Officer Who Found Peace Dull
"PEACE INCREDIBLY TEDIOUS"
Demobilized officer, finding peace, incredibly tedious, would
ome diversion. Legitimate, if possible; but crime, if of a corn
lively humorous description, no objection. Excitement essen
wclcom
para
tial. Would be prepared to consider permanent job if suitalily im
pressed by applicant for his services. Reply at once, Box XW."
My dear Uor XlO. don't know whether your advertisement
was a joke; I suppose it must have been. But I read it this morn
ing, and it's just possible, XlO, just possible, you mean it. And
if you do. you're the man I want. I can offer you excitement and
probably crime. I'm up against it, XlO. For a girl I've bitten off
rather more than I can chew. I want help badly. Will you come
to the CarUon for tea tomorrow afternoon? I want to have a look
at you and sec if I think you are genuine. Wear a white flowed
in your buttonhole.
So advertises Capt. Hugh Drumtnond, D. S. O., late of Hti
Majesty's Royal Loamthlret. So answers Phyllis Denton And so
begins a truly stirring story. For Phyllis is sura up against it. Her
dear old- father is involved with a clever and powerful band of inter
national criminals, one of whom is bent on marrying her. Bull-Dog
Drummond befriend the girl. Then begin battle, murder and sudden
death quite comparable for thrills with Bull-Dog's war adventures
in No Man's Land. And don't forget the adorable Phyllis.
This engrossing story is by Cyril McNeile, who under the pen
name of "Sapper" has the whoe English-speaking world across the
Atlantic reading his books.
PROLOGUE
In tlio month of December, 1018,
mid on (lit? very (lay that a British
rnvnlry division marched Into Cologne,
with flngs Hying mid hands playing
as the conquerors of 11 beaten nation,
the manager of the Hotel Natlonule
In Berne received n letter. Its con
tents appeared to puzzle hltn some
what, for having road It twlco be
mil); the bell on bis desk to summon
his secretary. Almost Immediately
the door opened, and u young French
girl came Into the room.
"Monsieur rnng?"
"Have we ever had staying In the
hotel n man called le Comte de Guy?"
He leaned back In his fhulr and
looked at her through his rince-nez.
The secretary thought for a mo
ment and then shook her head. "Not
ms far as I enn remember," she said.
"Do wo know any thing about him?
Has he ever fed here, or taken a prl
vnte room?"
"Not1 that I know of."
The manager handed her the letter,
and watted In silence until she hud
read It.
"It seems on tho face- of It u pecu
liar request from nn unknown man,"
lie remarked ns she laid It down. "A
dinner of four cover; no expense to
bo spared. Wines- specllled and If
not In hotel to bo obtained. A prlvatu
room at half-past seven sharp. Guests
to ask for room X."
The secretary nodded In agreement.
"It can hardly bo n hoax," she re
marked after a short silence.
"No." Tho manager tapped his
teeth with his pen thoughtfully. "But
If by any chnnce It was, It would
prove an expensive one for us. I
wish I could think who this Comte de
Guy Is."
He took oft his pince-nez and laid
them on the desk In front of him.
"Send the maltro d'hotel to mo at
once,"
Whutcver moy have been the man
ager's misgivings, they were certainly
not shared by the head waiter as ho
left the office after receiving his In
structions. War and short rations
had not been conducive to any partic
ularly lucrative business In his
sphere; and the whole sound of the
proposed entertainment seemed to him
to contain considerable promise.
And so at about twenty minutes
past seven tho maltro d'hotel was
hovering around the hall-porter, the
manager was hovering round tho
maltro d'hotel, and the secretary was
Iioverlng around both. At tlve-and-twenty
minutes past the first guest
arrived. . . .
He was a peculiar-looking man, In
n big fur coat, reminding one Irre
sistibly of a codfish.
"I wish to be taken to Boom X."
The French secretary stiffened Invol
untarily as the maltro d'hotel stepped
obsequiously forward. Cosmopolitan
ns the hotel was, even now she could
never hear German njvokcn without an
inward shudder of dlguBt.
"A Bocbe." fche murmured In disgust.
Almost Immediately afterward the
necond and third members of the par
ty arrived. They did not come togeth
er, and what seemed peculiar to the
manager was that they were evidently
Mrangers to one another.
The leading one a tall gaunt man
with a ragged heard and a pair of
piercing eye nuked In a uasul and by
nn means an inaudible tone for Boom
IV. As he spoke a little fat man who
mh standing just behind him started
perceptibly, and shot a birdlike glance
at the speaker.
Then in execrable French ho too
fitiked for Boom X.
"He's not French." said the secre
tary excitedly to the manager. "That
last one wus another Boche."
The manager thoughtfully twirled
tils pince-nez between his lingers,
"Two Germans and iui American."
le looked a little apprehensive. "Let
LL-DOG DRUMMOND
us hope the dinner will appease every
body. Otherwise "
But whatever fears ho might have
entertained with regard to the furni
ture In Boom X, they were not des'
tlued to he uttered. Even as he spoke
the door again swung open, and a man
with n thick white scarf around his
neck, so pulled up as almost com
pletely to cover his face, came In. All
that the manager could swear to as
regards the newcomer's appearance
was n pair of deep-set, steel-gray eyes
which seemed to bore through him.
"You got my letter this morning?"
"M'slenr le Comte do Guy?" The
manager bowed deferentially and
rubbed tils hands together. "Every
thing Is ready, and three guests have
arrived."
"Good. I will go to the room at
once."
As he followed ils guide his eyes
swept round the lounge. Save for two
or three elderly women of doubtful
nationality, and a, man In the Ameri
can Bed Cross, the place wus desert
ed ; and as he passed through the
swing doors he turned to the head
waiter.
"Business good?" he asked.
No business decidedly was not
good. . The waiter was voluble. Busi
ness had never been so poor In the
memory of man. . . .But It Was to
bo hoped that tho dinner would bo to
Monsieur lo Comte's liking. . . .
Also the wines. ,
"If everything Is to my satisfaction
you will not regret lt,'i said the count
tersely. "But remember one thing.
After the coffoe has been brought In, I
do not wish to be disturbed under any
"M'sleur lo Comte de Guy?"
circumstances whatever." Tho head
waiter paused as he came to u door,
and the count repeated the last few
words. "Under no circumstances
whatever."
"Mais certalnement, . Monslour le
Comte. ... I, personally will see
to it. . . ."
As ho spoke ho flung open the door
mid the count entered. It cannot be
said that the atmosphere of the room
was congenial. The throe occupants
were regarding one another In hostile
silence, und as the count entered they,
with one accord, transferred their sus
picious glances to him.
For u moment he stood motionless,
while ho looked il each one In turn.
Then he stepped forward. . .
"Good evening, gentlemen" -he stIU
poke In French--"I am honored at
your presence." Ho turned to the
head waiter. "Let dinner be served In
five minutes exactly."
With n how the man left the room,
und the door closed.
"During that Ave minutes, gentle
men, I propose to Introduce myself to
you, and you to one another. The
business which I wish to discuss wo
will postpone, with your permission,
till nfter the coffee, whenwe shall be
undisturbed."
In silence the three guests waited
until lie unwound the thick wlUte muf
fler; then, with undisguised curiosity.
they studied their host. In appearance
he was striking. He had if short dark
heard,, and In prollle his face was aqui
line and stern. The eyes, which had
so Impressed the manager, seemed
now to bo a cold grey-blue; tho thick
brown hair, flecked slightly with grey,
was brushed back from a broad fore
heud. To even the most superficial ob
server the giver of the feast was a
man of power; a man capable of form
ing Instant decisions and of carrying
them through. . . .
And If so much was obvious to the
superficial observer, It was more than
obvious to the three men who stood by
the fire watching him. Each one of
them, as he watched the host, realized
that he was Jn the presence of a great
man. It was enough: great men do
pot send fool Invitations to dinner to
men of International repute. It mat
tered not what form his greatness took
there was money In greutness, big
money. And money was their life.
The count advanced first to the Am
erican.
"Mr. Hocking, I believe," he re
marked In English, holding out his
hand. "I am glad you managed to
come."
The American shook the proffered
hand, while the two Germans looked nt
him with sudden Interest. As the man
at the head of the great American cot
ton trust, worth more In millions than
he could count, he was entitled to
their respect. . . .
"That's me, Count," returned the mil
lionaire In his nasal twang. "I am In
terested to know to what I am Indebt
ed for this Invitation."
"All In good time, Mr. Hocking."
smiled tho host. "I have hoes that
the dinner will fill In that time satis
factorily."
Ho turned to the taller of the two
Germans, who without his coat seemed
more like a codfish than ever.
"Herr Stelnomann, Is It not?" This
time ho spoke In Gorman.
The man whose Interest In German
coal was hardly less well known than
Hocking's In cotton, bowed stiffly.
"And Herr Von Gratz?" The Count
turned to tho hist member of the par
ty and shook hands. Though less well
known than either rtf the other two In
the realms of International finance, von
Gratz's name In the steel trade of Con
tral Europe was one to conjure with.
"Well, gentlemen," said the Count,
"before we sit down to dinner, I may
perhaps be permitted to say a few
words of Introduction. The nntlons
of the world have recently been en
gaged In a performance of unrlvuled
stupidity. As far as one can tell that
performance Is now over. The last
thing I wish to do Is to discuss the
war except In so far as It concerns
our meeting here tonight. Mr. Hock
ing Is tin American, you two gentlemen
are Germans. I" the Count smiled
slightly "have no nationality. Or
rather, shall I say, I have every na
tionality. Completely cosmopolitan. .
. . Gentlemen, the war wns waged by
Idiots, and when Idiots get busy on a
largo scale, It is time for clever men to
step In. . . . That Is Uie ralson d'
etre for this llttlo dinner ... I
claim that wo four men nro sufficiently
International to bo able to disregard
any stupid and petty feelings about
this country and that country, and to
regard the world outlook nt the present
moment from one point of view and
one point of view only our own."
The gaunt American gave a hoarso
chuckle.
"It will bo my object after dinner,"
continued the Count, "to try and prove
to you that wo have a common point
of view. Until then shall we merely
concentrate on a pious hope that tho
Hotel Rationale will not poison us
with their food?"
The next moment the head waiter
opened the door, and the four men sat
down to dine.
it must be admitted that the average
hostess, desirous of making a dinner a
success, would luivo been filled with
secret dismay nt the general atmos
phere In tho room. The American, In
accumulating his millions, had also
accumulated a digestion of such nn ex
otic and tender character that dry
rusks and Vichy water were the limit
of his capacity.
Herr Stelnemann was of the common
order of Gorman, to whom food Is
sacred. He ate and drank enormously
and evidently considered that nothing
further was required of him.
Von Gratz did his best to keep his
end up, but as he was opparently In a
chronic condition of fear that tho
gaunt American would assault lilm
with violence, ho cannot ho said to
huvo contributed much to the gaiety of
the meal.
And so to tho host must bo given
the credit that tho dinner was u sue?
By CYRIL McNEILE
"SAPPER"
cess. Without appearing to monopo
lize the conversation he talked cease
lessly und brlllluntly. But to even the
most brilliant of conversationalists tho
strain of talking to n hypochondriacal
American and two Germans one
greedy nnd the other frightened Is
considerable; and the Count heaved nn
Inward sigh of relief when the coffee
had been handed round and the door
closed behind the waiter. From now
on the topic was the topic of money
the common bond of his three guests.
And yet, as he carefully cut the end
of his cigar, and realized that the eyes
of the other three were fixed on hltn
expectantly, he knew that the hardest
part of tho evening was In i front of
him. Big financiers, In common with
all other people, are fonder of having
money put Into their pockets than of
taking It out. And that was the very
thing the Count proposed they should
do In Inrge quantities. . . .
"Gentlemen," he remarked, when his
cigar was going to his satisfaction,
"w are all men of business. I wild
before dinner thnt I. considered we
wen sulllclently big to exclude any
small arbitrary national distinctions
from (fur minds. As men whoso Inter
ests are International, such things are
beneath us. I wish now to slightly
qualify that remark." He turned to
the Amorlcnn on his right, who with
eyes half closed was thoughtfully pick
ing his teeth. "At this stage, I ad
dress myself particularly to you."
"Go right ahead," drawled Mr. Hock
ing. -
"I do not wish to touch on the war
or Its result; but though the Central
Powers have been beaten by America
and France nnd England, I think I can
speak for you two gentlemen" he
bowed to the two Germans "when I
say that It' Is neither France nor Amer
ica with whom they desire another
round. Englnnd Is Germany's main
enemy; she always has been, she al
ways will bo. I have reason to be
lieve, Mr. Hocking, thnt you personally
do not love the English?"
"I guess I don't see what my private
feelings have to do with It. But If It's
of any Interest to the company you are
correct In your belief."
"Good." The Count nodded his head
as If satisfied. "I take It then that you
would not be nverse to seeiiij England
down and out."
"Wal," remarked the American,
"you can assume anything you feel
ilke. Let's go to the show-down."
Once again the Count nodded his
head; then he turned to the two Ger
mnns. "Now you two gentlemen must ad
mit that your plans have miscarried
somewhat. It was no part of your or
iginal programme that a British army
should occupy Cologne. . ."
"Tho war wns the act of u fool,"
unurled Herr Stelnemann. "In a few
years more of peace, we should have
beaten those swine. . . ."
"And now they have beiiten you."
The Count smiled slightly. "Let us
admit that the war wus the act of n
fool, If you like, but as men of busi
ness we can only dcnl with the result.
, . The result, gentlemen, as It
concerns us. ' Both you gentlemen are
sufllclently putrlotlc to resent the pres
ence of that army at Cologne, I liuve
no doubt. And you, Mr. Hocking, have
no love on personal grounds for the
English. . . . But I am not propos
ing to appeal to financiers of your rep
utation on such grounds as those to
support my scheme. ... It Is
enough that your personal predilec
tions run with and not agulnst what I
am about to put before you the de
feat of lCngland ... a defeat more
utter und complete than If she hud lost
the war. . . ."
His voice sank a little, and Instinct
ively his three -listeners drew closer.
"Don't think I am proposing this
through motives of revenge merely. We
are business men, nnd rovenge Is only
worth ifur while If It pays. This will
pay. There Is a force In Englnrid
which, If It can be harnessed and led
properly, will result In millions coming
to you. ... It Is present now In
every nation fettered, Inarticulate.
un-co-ordlnated. ... It Is partly tho
result of tho war the war that the
Idiots have waged. . . . Harness
that force, gentlemen, co-ordinate It,
and use It for your own ends. . . .
That Is my proposal. Not only will
you humble that cursed country to the
dirt, but you will taste of power such
as few men have tasted before. . . ."
Tho Count stood up, his eyes blazing.
"And I I will do It for you."
He resumed his seat, and his left
hand, slipping off the table, beat a
tattoo on his knee.
"This Is our opportunity the oppor
tunity of clever men. I have not got
the money necessary: you have." . . .
He leaned forwnrd In his chair, and
glanced at the Intent faces of his au
dience. Then ho began to speak. . . .
Ten minutes later he pushed buck
his chair.
"There Is my proposal, gentlemen,
In a nutshell. Unforeseen develop,
inents will doubtless occur; I have
spent my life overcoming the unexpect
ed. What Is your answer?"
Ho rose and stood with his hack
to them by the lire, and for severnl
minutes no one spoke. Each man was
busy with his own thoughts, and
Copyright by 0o. n. Do ran Oo.
showed It In his own particular way.
Comte de Guy stared unconcernedly at
the fire, as If Indifferent to the result
of their thoughts. In his attitude at
that moment he gave a true expression
to his attitude on life. Accustomed
to play with great stakes, he had Just
dealt the -ards for the most gigantic
gnmiile of his life. . . . What matter
to the three men, who were looking at
the liands he had given them, that only
a master criminal could have con
ceived such a game? The only ques
tion which occupied their minds wus
Whether he could enrry It through
And on that point they had only their
judgment of his personality to rely on
Suddenly the American removed the
toothpick from his mouth and
stretched out his legs.
"There Is a question which occurs to
me. Count, before I mnke up my mind
on the mutter. Are you disposed to be
n little more communicative about
yourself? If we ugree to come In on
"I Will Return In Ten Minutes. By
That Time You Will Have Decided
One Way or the Other."
this hand, It's going to cost big money.
The handling of that money Is with
you. Will who are you?"
Von Gratz nodded his head In agree
ment. Stelneinunii raised his eyes to
the Count's face as he turned and
faced them. . . .
"A very fair question, gentlemen,
nnd yet one which 1 regret I am unable
to answer. I would uot Insult your In
telligence by giving you the fictitious
address of n fictitious Count. Enough
that I nm a man whose livelihood lies
In other people's pockets. As you say,
Mr. Hocking, it Is going to cost big
money; but compared to the results
the costs will be a llea-blte. You will
have to trust me, even ns I shall have
to trust you. . . . You will have to trust
mo not to divert the money which you
give me us working expenses Into my
own pocket. ... I shall hnve to trust
you to pay me when the Job Is fin
ished. . . ."
"And that payment will be how
much?" Stelnemanii's guttural voice
broke the .silence.
"One million pounds sterling to be
split up between you In any proportion
you may decide, and to be paid within
one month of completion of my work.
After that the matter will pass Into
your liands . . . nnd may you leave that
cursed country groveling In the dir.
ty . . ." His eyes glowed with n fierce,
vindictive fury ; und then, as If replac
ing a mask which had slipped for u
moment, the Count wus once again
the suave, courteous host. He had
stated his terms frankly and without
haggling : stnted them as one big man
states them to another of the same kid
ney, to whom time Is money and Inde
cision or beating about the bush ana
thema.
"Perhaps, Count, you would be good
enough to leave us for a few minutes."
Von Gratz was speaking. "The deci
sion Is a big one, and . . ."
"Why, certainly, gentlemen." The
Count moved townrd tho door. "I will
return li ten minutes. By that time
you will have decided one way or tho
other."
Enter Bull-Dog Drummond
and Phyllis Benton.
(TO DE CONTINUED.)
Dream Has Various Meanings.
To dream of a silver mine denotes
trouble which will bo settled by the
courts. A gold mine, successful love
suit. Iron mine, health and happiness.
Copper mine, wealth, health and pros
perity. Lead mine, unprofitable em
ployment. Tin mine, slander. Zinc
mine, discovery of n friend's treach
ery. Coal nilne,brllllant future. Salt
mine, dishonor.
WOMEN WHO
CANNOT WORK
Read Mrs.Corley's Letter and
Benefit by Her Experience
Edmund, S.C. "I was run down with
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I was not able to do
any work and tried a
lot of medicine, but
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Ability to stand tho strain of work is
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but now our hearts ache for tho weak
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Waiting for rich relatives to die Is u
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Watch Cutlcura Improve Your Skin.
On rising nnd retiring gently smear
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Wash oft Ointment In five minutes
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Itching nnd red rough hands. Adv.
Everybody in the world depends
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To Insure gllstenlng-whlte table
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laundry. It never disappoints. At all
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A lot of so-called golden silence is
only painted.
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Physicians agree that kidney trouble
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loo often tte kidneys are neglected be
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Boards have helped thousands. Ask
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L. Ellison, Sr.,
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Gst Doan's at Afiy Score, 60c a Bos
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MISSOURI FOLKS TESTIFY
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if a 1 lerce s. Alter out
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"!' havo used tho
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"I always recommend Dr. Pierco'a
remediej!."-WM.E.REyNOLDS.Routol. .
Dr. Plerco's medicines contain no alco
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Bond 10 cents to Dr. Plerco's invalids'
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ago of any of his remedlos or write for
free conluidntlal.niedlcal advice.
All Run Down
Now Feels Fine
Eatonio Ended
His Troubles
"Eatonlc Is the only thing I havo
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An upset stomach may cause lots
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helps In such cases by removing tho
cause of tho misery, because It takes
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end gases nnd keeps tho digestive or
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' JffiFr yUtheyTire,Itcl
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I s--
JVM 1