| Bull-Dog Drummond The Adventures of a Demobilized Officer Who ; Found Peace Dull § by CYRIL McNEILE “SAPPER' ILLUSTRATIONS BY IRWIN MYERS Copyright by Geo. H. Doran Co. (Continued from last week.) SYNOPSIS. PROLOGUE.—In December, 1918, four men gathered fu a hotel in Berne and heard one of the quartet outline a plan to paralyze Great Britain and at the same time seize world power. The other three, Hocking, American, and Stelneman and Von Gratz, Germans, all millionaires, agree to the scheme, providing another man, Hiram Potts, an American, is taken in. The instigator of the plot gives his name as Comte de Guy, but when he leaves for England with his daughter he decides to use the name Carl Peterson. CHAPTER I. — Capt. Hugh (Bulldog) Drummond, a retired officer, advertises for work that will give him excitement, elgning “X10.” As a result he meets Phyllis Benton, a young woman who an- swered his ad. She tells him of strange murders and robberies of which she sus- pects a band headed by Carl Peterson and Henry Lakington of being the leaders. CHAPTER IL—Drummond decides to go to The Larches, Miss Benton's home. An attempt is made on the road to wreck his machine when another, occupied by Peterson, Lakington and a strange man, blocks the road. While dining with Phyl- Hs Benton and her father Drummond hears a terrible shriek at The Elms. Dur- ing the night Drummond leaves The Larches and explores The Elms. He dis- covers Lakington and Peterson using a thumbscrew on an American who signs & paper. Drummond rescues the Ameri- can after a struggle and takes him to his home. The man is Hiram C. Potts. CHAPTER IIL—Peterson visits Drum- mond the next day, departing with a threat to return later and recover Potts and also a torn paper which Drummond seized the night of the fight. With the ald of Peter Darrel, an old army friend, Drummond arranges to hide Potts, and substitute in his place one Mullings, a de- mobilized soldier, who is seized by Peter- son and his gang and taken to The Elms, along with Drummond. CHAPTER IV. — When Peterson dis- covers the hoax Drummond is escorted by Irma to a room where he is to stay for the night. During the night Drum- mond is exploring the house when he gets in ‘a strange room in which is a cobra. He escapes, but on the stairs has a fight in the dark. His opponent was strong above the average, but after a minute he was like a child in Hugh's grasp. He choked once or twice and muttered something; then Hugh slipped his right hand gently onto the man’s throat. His fingers moved slowly round, his thumb adjusted itself lov- ingly, and the man felt his head bein. forced back irresistibly. He gave one strangled cry, and then the pressure relaxed. . . . “One half-inch more, my gentle hu- morist,” Hugh whispered in his ear, “and your neck would have been broken. As it is, it will be very stiff for some days. Another time—don’t laugh. It’s dangerous.” Then, like a ghost, he vanished along the passage in the direction of his own room. THREE. At eight o'clock the next morning a burly looking ruffian brought in some hot water and a cup of tea. As he pulled up the blinds the light fell full on his battered, rugged face, and sud- denly Hugh sat up ir bed and stared at him. “Good Lordi” he cried, “aren’t you Jem Smith?” The man swurg round like a flash and glared at the bed. “Wot the ’ell ’as that got to do wiv you?’ he snarled, and then his face changed. “Why, strike me pink, if it ain't young Drummord.” Hugh grinned. “Right ir one, Jem. What In the name of fortune are you doing in this outfit? Given up the game?” “It give me up, when that cross-eyed son of a gun Young Baxter fought that cross down at 'Oxton. Gawd! if I could get the swine—just once again— s’'welp me. I'd—" Words failed the ex- bruiser; he could only mutter. Hugh smiled. “By the way, has any- one got a stiff neck in the house this morning?” “Stiff neck!” echoed the man. “Strike me pink if that ain’t funny— your asking, I mean. The bloke’s sit- ting up in ’is bed swearing awful Can’t move ’is ’ead at all.” “And who, might I ask, is the bloke?” said Drummond. “Why, Peterson, 0’ course. ’Oo else? Breakfast at nine.” The door closed behind him, and Hugh lit a cigarette thoughtfully. Most assuredly he was starting in style: Lakington’s jaw one night, Pet- erson’s neck the second, seemed a suffi- ciently energetic opening to the game for the veriest glutten. Then that cheerful optimism which was the en- vy of his friends asserted itself. “Supposin’ I'd killed 'em,” he mur- mured, aghast. “Just supposin’. Why, the bally show would have been over, snd I'd have had to advertise again.” Only Peterson was in the dining- room when Hugh came down. He had examined the stairs on his way, but he could see nothing unusual which would account for the thing which had whizzed past his head and ¢langed sul- Jenly against the wall. Nor was there any sign of the cobra by the curtained door; merely Peterson standing in a sunny room behind a bubbling coffee- machine. He turned politely toward his host, and paused in dismay. “Good heavens, Mr. Peterson, is your neck hurting you?” - “1t is,” answered Peterson grimly. “A nuisance, having a stiff neck. Makes every one laugh, and one gets no sympathy. Bad thing—laughter. . . At times, anyway.” “Curiosity is a great deal worse, Captain Drummond. It was touch and go whether I killed you last night.” “I think I might say the same,” re- turned Drummond. “Yes and no,” said Peterson, “From the moment you left the bottom of the stairs, I had your life in the palm of my hand. Had I chosen to take it, my young: friend, I should not’ have had this stiff neck.” Hugh returned to his breakfast un- concernedly. “Granted, laddie, granted. But had I not been of such a kindly and for- bearing nature, you wouldn't have had it, either.” son critically. “I'm inclined to think it’s a great pity I didn’t break your neck while I was about it.” Hugh sighed and drank some coffee. ing itself against the bars of a cage. “They've got it,” muttered Jem. “You seem to have a nice little crowd of pets about the house,” re- marked Drummond. putting a hand on the man’s arm as he was about to move off. “What was that docile creature we've just heard calling to tts young?” The ex-pugilist looked at him sul- lenly. “Never you mind, sir; it ain’t no business of yours. An’ if I was you, I wouldn't make it your business to find out.” A moment later he had disappeared into the bushes, and Drummond was left alone. Assuredly a cheerful heusehold, he reflected; just the spot for a rest-cure. Then he saw a figure on the lawn of the next house which banished everything else from his mind ; and opening the gate, he walked eagerly toward Phyllis Benton. FOUR. “I heard you were down here,” she said gravely, holding out her hand to He looked at Peter- ' “1 see that I shall have to do it some day, and probably Lakington’s as well. . .. By the way, how is our Henry? 1 trust his jaw is not unduly incon- ' veniencing him,” Peterson, with his coffee cup in his hand, was staring down the drive. “Your car is a little early, Captain ' Drummond,” he said at length. “How- ever, perhaps it can wait two or three minutes while we get matters perfect- ly clear. I should dislike you not knowing where you stand.” He turned round aad faced the soldier. “You have deliberately, against my &dvice, elected to fight me and the interests I represent. So be it. From now on the gloves are off. You embarked on this course from a spirit of adventure, at the instigation of the girl pext door, cerned over that drunken waster—her father. She asked you to help her— you agreed, and, amazing though it may seem, up to now you have scored a certain measure of success. I ad- mit it, and I admire you for it. I apologize now for having played the fool with you last night; you're the type of man whom one should kill out. right—or leave alone.” He set down his coffee cup and care- fully snipped the end off a cigar. “You are also the type of man who will continue on the path he has start ed. You are completely in the dark; you have no idea whatever what you sre up against,” He smiled grimly, and turned abruptly on Hugh. “You fool—you stupid young fool. Do you really imagine that you can beat me?” The soldier rose and stood in front or him. “I have a few remarks of my own to nmiake,” he answered, “and then we might consider the interview closed. 1 ask nothing better than that the gloves should be off—though with your filthy methods of fighting, anything you touch will get very dirty. As you say, I am completely in the dark as to your plans; but I have a pretty shrewd idea what I'm up against. Men who can employ a thumbscrew on a poor defenseless brute seem to me to be several degrees worse than an aborigi- nal cannibal, and therefore if I put ! you down as one of the lowest types of degraded criminal I shall not be very wide of the mark. There's no She, poor little fool, is cou- ' is the American now?” good you snarling at me, you swine; . it does everybody good to hear some ' home truths—and don’t forget it was you who pulled off the gloves.” Drummond lit a cigarette; then his merciless eyes fixed themselves again on Peterson. “There is only one thing more,” he continued. “You have kindly warned me of my danger; let me give you a word of advice in my turn. I'm going to fight you; if I can, I'm going to beat vou. Anything that may happen to me is part cf the game. anytking happens to Miss Benton dur- ing the course cf operations, then, as surely as there is a God above, Peter- son, I'll get at you somehow and mur- der you with my own hands.” For a few moments there was si- lence, and then with a short laugh Drummond turned away. “Shall we meet again soon?’ He paused at the door and looked back. Peterson was still standing by the table, his face expressionless. “Very soon, indeed, young man,” he said quietly. “Very soon indeed. . hd Hugh stepped out into the warm sunshine and spoke to his chauffeur. “ake her out into the main road, Jenkins,” he said, “and wait for me outside the entrance to the next house. I shan’t be long.” Then he strolled through the gar- den toward the little wicket-gate that led to The Larches. Phyllis! The thought of her was singing in his . heart to the exclusion of everything- else. Just a few minutes with her; just the touch of her hand, the faint smell of the scent she used—and then back to the game, He had almost reached the gate, when, with a sudden crashing in the undergrowth, Jem Smith blundered out into the path. His naturally ruddy face was white, and he stared round fearfully. “Gawd! sir,” he cried, “mind out. Ave yer seen it?” “Seen what, Jem?” asked Drum- mond. “That there brute. and if ’e meets a stranger—" left the sentence unfinished, and stood listening, From somewhere behind the house came a deep throated, sparling roar; then the clang of a padlock shooting home in ‘B's escaped; metal, followed by a series of heavy. thuds as if gome big animal was lurl- But if He. him. “I've been sick with anxiety ever since father told me he'd seen you.” Hugh imprisoned the little hand in his own huge ones, and smiled reas- | suringly. “Don’t worry, little girl,” he said. “Years ago I was told by an old gypsy that I should die in my bed of old age and excessive consumption of In- valid port. As a matter of fact, the cause of my visit was rather humorous. They abducted me in the middle of the night, with an ex-sol- dier of my old battalion, who was, I regret to state, sleeping off the effects of much indifferent liquor, in my reoms. They thought he was your Americas millionaire cove, and the wretched Mullings was too drunk te deny it. In fact, I don’t think they ever asked his opinion at all,” Hugh gripned reminiscently. “A [eathetic spectacle.” “Gh! bad splendid,” cried te girl a dttle breathlessly. “Tell me, where “Many miles out of London,” an- swered Hugh. “I think we'll leave it at that. The less you know, Miss Benton, at the moment—the better.” “Have you found out anything?” she demanded eagerly. Hugh shook his head. “Not a thing. Except that your neighbors are as pretty a bunch of “Oh! but Splendid,” Cried the Girl a Little Breathlessly. scoundrels as 1 ever want to meet.” “But you'll let me know if you do.” She laid a hand beseechingly on his arm. “You know what's at stake for me, don’t you? Father, and—oh! but you know.” “I know,” he answered gravely. “I know, old thing. I promise I'll let you know anything I find cut, And in the meantime I want you to keep an eye fixed on what goes on next door, and let me know anything of importance by letter to the Junior Sperts club.” He lit a cigarette thoughtfully. “I have an idea that they feel so absolutely confident in their own power that they are going to make the fatal mistake of underrating their opponents. We shall see,” He turned to her with a twinkle in his eye. “Anyway, our Mr. Lakington will see that you don’t come to any harm.” “The brute!” she cried, very low. “How I hate him!” Then with a sudden change of tone she looked up at Drummond. “I don’t know whether it's worth mentioning,” she sald slowly, “but yesterday afternoon four men came at different times to The Elms. They were the sort of type one sees tub-thumping in Hyde Park, all except one, who looked like a re- spectable workingman.” Hugh shook his head. “Don’t seem to help much, does it? Still, one never knows. Let me know anything like that in future at the club.” “Good morning, Miss Benton.” Peterson's voice behind them made Orummond swing round with a smoth- ered curse. “Our inestimable friend, Captajn Drummond, brought such a nice young fellow to see me last night, and then left him lying about the house this morning. I have sent him along to your. car,” .confinued Peter son suavely, “which I trust was the correct procedure. Or did you want to give him to me as 8 pet?” “From a rapid survey, Mr. Peterson, - 1 should think you have quite enough already,” said Hugh. “I trust you paid him the money you owe him.” “I will allot it to him in my will,” remarked Peterson. “If you do the same in yours, doubtless he will get it from one of us sooner or later. In the meantime, Miss Benton, is your father up?” : The girl frowned. “No—not yet.” “Then I will go and see him in bed. For the present, au revoir.” He walked toward the house, and they watched him go in silence. And it was as he opened the drawing-roora window that Hugh called after him: “Do you like the horse Elliman’s or the ordinary brand?’ he asked. “I'll send you a bottle for that stiff neck of yours.” Very deliberately Peterson turned round. “Don’t trouble, thank you, Captain Drummond. I have my own reme- dies, which are far more efficacious.” CHAPTER FIVE. in Which There Is Trouble at Goring. ONE. The car slowed up before the post- office and Hugh got out. There were one or two things he proposed to do in London before going to Goring, and {t struck him that a wire to Peter Darrell might allay that gentleman's uneas’ness if he was late in getting down. So new was he to the tortuous ways of crime, that the foolishness of the proceeding never entered his head; up to date in his life, if he had wished to send a wire he had sent one. And so it may be deemed a sheer fluke on his part, that a man dawdling by the counter aroused his suspicions. He was a perfectiy or- dinary man, chatting casually with the girl on the other side; but it chanced that, just as Hugh was hold- ing tle posteflice pencil up, and gaz- ing at itz so-called point with an air ef resigned anguish, the perfectly or- dinary man ceased chatting and looked at him. Hugh caught his eye for a fleeting second; then the con- versation continued. And as he turned to pull out the pad of forms, it struck him that the man had looked away i Just a trifle too quickly. . . . A grin spread slowly over his face, and after a moment’s hesitation he proceeded to compose a short wire. He wrote it in black letters for addi- tional clearness; he also pressed his hardest, as befitting a blunt pencil. Then with the form in his hand he ad- vanced to the counter, “How long will it take to deliver in London?” he asked the girl. The girl was.not helpful. It de- nended, he gathered, on a variety of circumstances, of which not the least ' was the perfectly ordinary man who talked so charmingly. “1 don't think I'l bother, then,” ' he said, thrusting the ‘wire into his pocket. “Good morning. . . J He walked to the door, and shortly afterward his car rolled down the street. With what the girl considered pecu- liar abruptness, the perfectly ordinary man concluded his conversation with her, and decided that he too would send a wire. And then, after a long and thoughtful pause at the writing- bench, she distinctly heard an unmis- takable “D—n.” Then he walked out, and she saw him no more. Moreover, it is to be regretted that the perfectly ordinary mun told a lie | a little later in the day, when giving his report to some one whose neck ap- ‘parently inconvenienced him greatly. But then a lie is frequently more tactful than the truth, and to have announced that the sole result of his morning's labors had been to decipher a wire addressed to The Elms, which contained the cryptic remark, “Stung again, stiff neck, stung again,” would pot have been tactful. So he lied, as has been stated, thereby showing : his wisdom. . . . But though Drummond chuckled to himself as the car rushed through the fresh morning air, once or twice a gleam that was not altogether amuse- i ment shone in his eyes. For four years he had played one game where , 00 mistakes were allowed; the little { incident of the postoffice had helped to bring to his mind the certainty i that he had now embarked on another where the conditions were much the same, That he had scored up to date was luck rather than good manage- ment, and he was far too shrewd not to realize it. Now he was marked, jand luck with a marked man cannot jhe tempted too far. Alone and practically unguarded he had challenged a gang of international criminals; a gang not only utterly un- scrupulous, but controlled by a mas- i ter mind. Of its power as yet he had no clear idea; of its size and imme- : diate object he had even less. Per- haps it was as well. Had he realized even dimly the immensity of the is- sues he was up against, had he had but an inkling of the magnitude of the plot conceived in the sinister brain of his host of the previous evening, then, cheery optimist though he was, even Hugh Drummond might have wavered. But he had no such inkling, and so the gleam in his eyes was but transitory, the chuckle that succeeded 11t more whole-hearted than before. Was it not sport in a land flowing with strikes and profiteers; sport such as his soul loved? : “I am afraid, Mullings,” he said 18 his car stopped in front of his club, “that the kindly gentleman with whom we spent last night has re- Judiated his obligations. He refuses to meet the bill I gave him for your services. Just wait here a moment.” He went inside, returning in a few moments with a folded check. “Round the corner, Mullings, and an obliging fellah in a black coat will 1 , shovel you out the necessary Brad- burys.” The man glanced at the check. “Fifty pounds, sir!” he gasped. “Why—it’s too much, sir. . . . 1... “The laborer, Mullings, is worthy of his hire. You have been of the very greatest assistance to me; and , Incidentally, it is more than likely that I may want you again. Now, where can I get hold of you?” “13 Green Street, ’Oxton, sir, ll al- ‘ways find me. And any time, sir, as vou wants me, I'd like to come just for the sport of the thing.” Hugh grinned. “Good lad. And it may be sooner than you think.” TWO. | Inside the Junior Sports club, Hugh Drummond was burying his nose in « large tankard of the ale for which that cheery pot-house was still fam- ous. A waiter was arranging ‘the first editions of the evening papers ,on a table, and Hugh beckoned to “him to bring one. Cricket, racing, the latest divorce case, and the latest ,strike—all the usual headings were there. And he was just putting down the paper, to again concentrate on his problem, when a paragraph caught bis eye. “STRANGE MURDER IN BELFAST “The man whose body was discov- ered in such peculiar circumstances near the docks has been identified a= Mr. James Granger, the confidential secretary to Mr. Hiram Potts, the American multi-millionaire, at present In this country. The unfortunate victim of this dastardly outrage—his head, as we yeported in our last night's issue, was nearly severed from his body—had apparently been sent over on business by Mr. Potts, and had arrived the preceding day. What “he was doing in the locality in whieh he was found is a mystery. «ya understand that Mr Puts, who has recently been indisposed, has 1. turned to the Carlton, and is greauv. upset at the sudden tragedy, “The police are confident that the will shortly obtain a clue, though th rough element in ‘the locality whe the murder was cormmitted presents great difficulties. It seems clear that the motive was robbery, as all tl. murdered man’s pockets were rifled But the most peculiar thing about th case is the extraordinary care taken hy the murderer to prevent the identifi cation of the body. Every article of clothing, even down to the murdered man’s socks, had had the name torn cut, and it was only through the crim- inal overlooking the tailor’s tab ins'de the inner breast-pocket of Mr. Grang: er's coat that the police were enabled to identify the body.” Drummond slid down the paper on lis knees. and stared a little dazedly at the club’s immortal founder. “Holy smoke! Iladdie.” he mur mured, “that man Peterson ought to te on the commiitee here. Verily, 1 l:elieve. he could galvanize the staff into some semblance of activity.” “Did you order anything. sir?” waiter paused beside him. “No,” murmured Drummond, “but I will rectify the omission. Another large tankard of ale.” The waiter departed, picked up the paper again. “We understand.” he murmured ‘gently to himself. “that Mr. Potts, who has recently been indisposed, has returned to. the Carlton. ‘Now that’s very interesting. . . . i | | 1 A ‘He lit a cigarette and lay back | (his chair. “I was under the impres- sion that Mr. Potts was safely tucked up in bed, consuming semolina pvel- ding, at Goring. Tt requires elucida- tion.” “1 beg your pardon, sir,” remarked the waiter, placing the beer on the (tztile beside him. “You needn't,” returned Hugh. “Up to date you have justified my fondest expectations. And as a further yroof of my good will, I would like you to get me a trunk call—2 X Goring.” A few minutes later he was in the telephone box. “Peter, I have seldom been so glad te hear your voice. Is all well? Good. Don’t mention any names. Our guest is there, is he? Gone on strike against more milk puddings, you say. Coax him, Peter. sturgeon, and he’ll think i's caviare. Have you seen the papers? There are interesting doings iu Belfast, which concern us rather intimately, T11 be down later, and we'll have a pow- wow.” He hung up the receiver stepped out of the box. “If, Algy,” he remarked to a man who was looking at the tape machine outside, “the paper says a blighter’s somewhere and you know le’s some- where else—what would you do?” “Up to date in such cases I have al- ways shot the editor.” murmured Algy Longworth, *Come and feed.” “You're so helpful, Algy. fect rock of strength. R job?” “What sort of a job?” demanded the nther suspiciously. “Oh! not work, dear old boy. D—n }, man—you know me better than that, surely!” “People are so funny nowadays,” returned Longworth gloomily. “What Ig this job?” (To be Continued..) and A per- Do you want Fifteen Millions for Roads. The State of Pennsylvania will bor- row $15,000,000 under the $50,000,000 road loan this summer, asking bids about July 1, and borrow $11,200,000 in 1922, according to a letter sent to the Legislature by Governor Sproul. The communication was under requie- ment of the bond act of 1919, which calls for a report to the General As- sembly. The State has already issued $23,800,000 in two series, one at 41 and the other at 4% per cent, interest. and Hugh : Make a noise like a | FOR AND ABOUT WOMEN. DAILY THOUGHT. The present is the living sum-total of the past.—Carlyle, . The Well Dressed Man.—True fash- ion came in when the fop went out, and took his waspish waist and mine- ing ways with him. The gilded idler who has nothing particularly to do, except particularly nothing, is a rare type in this country. Clothes are not the most important thing in life. Due attention to them refine a man and his manners, but to make a mountain out of the curve of a coat or the swerve of a lapel is witless. The old-time “beau,” if there be one left, is merely a minor person with a major opinion of himself. All that the average man needs is a sensible attitude toward dress—that it should be extreme only in its extremely good quality and its extremely good fit. So-called “ex- treme fashions” are usually no fash- ions at all, but merely fads, which ap- pear only to disappear. It may be a bit of a contradiction to show an over garment for summer, yet the long, loose coat of camel’s hair or polo cloth has become the ac- cepted wrap for traveling for chilly nights and for wear at many sports, particularly tennis, while resting and when one wishes to cool off without catching cold. This coat is often call- ed a “wait coat.” Tt is of a soft, deep- pile tan material with great patch pockets, smoked pearl buttons, an all- round belt, wide lapels and a low col- lar-gorge. The especial advantage of such a coat is that it is astonishingly light, yet gives abundant warmth when needed. Nowadays, a man’s belt is much more than just a circlet of leather. It | is both practical and prepossessing. The sport belt is narrower than the or- { dinary affair, measuring five-eighths { of an inch as against the usual one inch. The sport belt is the preference of athletic and university men. Leath- ers out of which belts are made are limited to these five—sheepskin, cow- hide, goatskin, hogskin, calfskin and sealskin, plain or embossed. Some tennis and golf players do not fancy the leather belt because it is not elastic and whipsaws the waist. They choose the brightly striped belt. This belt, two and one-half inches wide and of English inspiration, hooks in front with a buckle molded in the semblance of a snake; hence its name—the snake belt. It is an uncommon and pictur- esque article of which more should be worn, particularly since it is procur- able, upon special order, in club or “blazer” colors—vivid reds, blues, or- anges, purples and the like. There are so many fashions in sport shoes that no one fashion may be termed the thing. It is a matter of preference, rather than propriety. For “ye guid auld game” one sees chamois gloves with leather-taped wrists with golf sticks embroidered on the backs. Sometimes they have per- forated knuckles and the palm of the left glove is re-enforced with cape- | skin. Other golf gloves are fingerless ' and buttonless and have soft, creased | wrists. Angora wool and leather are , smartly combined in a new golf waist- coat. | It is curious that few really new , things are woven into the tapestry of | fashion. One of the oldest patterns in men’s scarfs is the polka-dot. Like good breeding, it survives every seec- , saw and somersault of style and de- notes an understanding of what is ‘sound and worth while in dress. Pol- ka-dot scarfings are notably smart this summer; they were last summer ' —they will be next summer. When the Prince of Wales visited the United States year before last he frequently wore a very low starched "collar. Youngsters, quick to discern this trend, adopted the style here and _ there, until it has now become quite general among collegians. The ex- , tremely narrow four-in-hand which accompanies this type of collar is ‘drawn up right-and-tight against the ' neckband. Such a cravat may be of i flat silk or it may be knitted in pat- terns like cross or bias stripes, heath- ' er mixtures and so on. | To be sure, a line of demarcation “must be drawn between fashions con- | fessedly for men in their teens and twenties and those for the staider thirties, forties and fifties. A Hobby Party for Dad.—Many women forget that their fathers, brother’s or husband’s friends should be entertained once in a while, just as , well as their own. So instead of fore- "ing him to entertain expensively at a hotel or his club, plan a stag supper | or dinner party for him. You are sure , to make it a success if you provide plenty and good food, and hubby brings out his best smokes. To give it a partyish touch, and help these big boys to start their fun, play up the hobby idea, for every man has ' one, no matter how he may try to hide it. For the centre of the table you ' could have a small hobby horse stand- ing on a bed of ferns and those rich, red carnations that men like so much. On his back could be strapped the box- es of smokes, with reins of leather colored ribbon or tape extending to each place and attached to a package of three cigars or cigarettes for each man. The fun will come in making the hobby place cards in which the man of the house will have to help. For the ' golf fiend a real golf ball on a tee of ' putty will mark the card. The fisher- man will have a toy fish, and written ‘under it: “The one that got away.” | The autoist’s place can be marked by a license number, or a sign “Trap ahead.” The man with the camera ‘will find his place designated by a ' snapshot of himself, and the slogan, | “I develop anything.” There will be ' a movie maniac among them, and for “him you might have a card with just , Charlie Chaplin's feet drawn on Jit. The man with a talkin machine ' might have a small record of black | cardboard with “I Hear You Calling | Me” on it, and slipped in a brown pa- ' per case. The man with a dog might be given a dog b.scuit, the walker a ' pedometer, and so on. | © Serve the best dinner menu on your list. A planked steak, and home- ' made cake or pie, with the ice cream. Or, if it is supper, arrange two plat- ters with cold cuts of meat, potato sal- ' ad, celery stuffed with pimento cheese, ' mixed with cream or butter; rings of ' peppers stuffed with cream cheese, hot Piscuit, coffee, doughnuts and ice cream. \ i 1 | 1 1 1