# Hugh Drummond — The Black Gang character guide > Hugh Drummond in The Black Gang by H. C. McNeile. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Hugh, young Drummond, Drummond, Bertie, dear Hugh, Even Drummond, Captain Drummond, Mr. Drummond, Mrs. Hugh **First appearance:** 0000-i-in-which-things-happen-near-barking-creek ## Snapshot A vast-handed ex-soldier who trades chop-house banter with clergymen while secretly running the Black Gang, and never lets his face betray a single card. ## Who they are Drummond moves through London as a genial clubman and friend of Scotland Yard, yet he is the elusive leader the papers blame for vigilante justice. His gift is performance: he can sit across from an enemy, discuss his own crimes as rumor, and offer another chop without a flicker. When Peterson strikes at Phyllis, that easy confidence hardens into something colder, and the book's central duel becomes personal. ## Relationships ### [Carl Peterson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_gang_se/characters/carl_peterson) _rivalry_ Carl Peterson is Hugh Drummond's arch-nemesis, a criminal mastermind constantly plotting against him. ### [Ted Jerningham](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_gang_se/characters/ted_jerningham) _friendship_ Ted is one of Hugh's closest friends and a loyal ally in his adventures. ### [Phyllis Benton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_gang_se/characters/phyllis_benton) _romantic_ Phyllis is Hugh's fiancée, and their relationship is loving and supportive. ### [Sir Bryan Johnstone](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_gang_se/characters/sir_bryan_johnstone) _professional_ Sir Bryan is Hugh's superior in the intelligence service, giving him orders and support. ### [Charles Latter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_gang_se/characters/charles_latter) _rivalry_ Charles Latter is a rival and antagonist to Hugh, often working against him. ### [Inspector McIver](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_gang_se/characters/inspector_mciver) _professional_ Inspector McIver is a police officer who collaborates with Hugh on cases. ### [Ginger Martin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_gang_se/characters/ginger_martin) _friendship_ Ginger is one of Hugh's loyal friends and a member of his gang. ### [Mr. William Atkinson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_gang_se/characters/mr_william_atkinson) _professional_ Mr. Atkinson is a colleague or contact of Hugh in his investigative work. ### [Yulowski](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_gang_se/characters/yulowski) _rivalry_ Yulowski is an enemy agent working with Carl Peterson against Hugh. ### [Algy Longworth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_gang_se/characters/algy_longworth) _friendship_ Algy is a close friend and companion of Hugh, often joining his escapades. ### [Delmorlick](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_gang_se/characters/delmorlick) _rivalry_ Delmorlick is an antagonist who opposes Hugh Drummond. ### [Count Zadowa](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_gang_se/characters/count_zadowa) _rivalry_ Count Zadowa is an enemy of Hugh, involved in criminal plots. ## In the story ### [I: In Which Things Happen Near Barking Creek](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_gang_se/chapters/i-in-which-things-happen-near-barking-creek) The masked leader, though not named, is implied to be Drummond, orchestrating the raid with a deep voice and commanding presence. ### [In Which Scotland Yard Sits Up and Takes Notice](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_gang_se/chapters/ii-in-which-scotland-yard-sits-up-and-takes-notice) Visits Sir Bryan and recounts finding a doped man in Piccadilly Circus, connecting to McIver's case. ### [In Which Hugh Drummond Composes a Letter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_gang_se/chapters/iii-in-which-hugh-drummond-composes-a-letter) Plans to infiltrate Lady Manton's house using a false letter, showing his cunning and determination. ### [In Which Count Zadowa Gets a Shock](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_gang_se/chapters/iv-in-which-count-zadowa-gets-a-shock) Disguised as a rough customer, he incapacitates the clerk and infiltrates the building, likely causing the Count's shock. ### [In Which Charles Latter, M.P., Goes Mad](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_gang_se/chapters/v-in-which-charles-latter-m-p-goes-mad) Reveals himself as the leader of the Black Gang and confronts Charles Latter, tying him up and staging a fake explosion to drive him mad. ### [VI: In Which an Effusion Is Sent to the Newspapers](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_gang_se/chapters/vi-in-which-an-effusion-is-sent-to-the-newspapers) Cheerfully meets McIver at the Regency club, offering cocktails and deflecting serious conversation. ### [In Which a Bomb Bursts at Unpleasantly Close Quarters](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_gang_se/chapters/vii-in-which-a-bomb-bursts-at-unpleasantly-close-quarters) Leads the Black Gang on a final coup, planning to break into a house in Hoxton. He is determined and confident, though he senses danger during the operation. ### [In Which the Bag of Nuts Is Found by Accident](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_gang_se/chapters/viii-in-which-the-bag-of-nuts-is-found-by-accident) Survives the bomb explosion, finds the bag of diamonds, and vows to avenge Ginger Martin's death. ### [X: In Which Hugh Drummond Makes a Discovery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_gang_se/chapters/x-in-which-hugh-drummond-makes-a-discovery) At the Ritz, he recognizes the disguised Carl Peterson by his finger-drumming habit, and becomes suspicious of the clergyman. ### [XI: In Which Hugh Drummond and the Reverend Theodosius Longmoor Take Lunch Together](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_gang_se/chapters/xi-in-which-hugh-drummond-and-the-reverend-theodosius-longmoor-take-lunch-together) Recognizes Peterson in disguise and engages in a verbal duel, revealing his awareness of Peterson's identity and the stolen diamonds. ### [In Which Count Zadowa Is Introduced to Alice in Wonderland](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_gang_se/chapters/xii-in-which-count-zadowa-is-introduced-to-alice-in-wonderland) Confronts Mr. Atkinson, recognizes him as the bomb-thrower, and flogs him before kicking him out of the house. ### [In Which Hugh Drummond and the Reverend Theodosius Have a Little Chat](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_gang_se/chapters/xiii-in-which-hugh-drummond-and-the-reverend-theodosius-have-a-little-chat) Discovers his wife's kidnapping and confronts Peterson, demanding her safe return. ### [In Which a Rolls-Royce Runs Amok](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_gang_se/chapters/xiv-in-which-a-rolls-royce-runs-amok) Drugged and paralyzed, he is taunted by Peterson and realizes he is trapped, with his life and Phyllis's safety at stake. ### [In Which Hugh Drummond Arrives at Maybrick Hall](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_gang_se/chapters/xv-in-which-hugh-drummond-arrives-at-maybrick-hall) Survives being thrown into a river, escapes, and arrives at Maybrick Hall to rescue Phyllis. ### [In Which Things Happen at Maybrick Hall](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_gang_se/chapters/xvi-in-which-things-happen-at-maybrick-hall) Leads Phyllis to safety, discovers the electrified fence, and uses guerrilla tactics to attack the pursuers, throwing them against the live wires. ### [In Which a Murderer Is Murdered at Maybrick Hall](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_gang_se/chapters/xvii-in-which-a-murderer-is-murdered-at-maybrick-hall) Captured and unarmed, he tries to gain time, hoping Peter Darrell will arrive. He nearly kills Peterson in a rage but is stopped by Phyllis. ### [In Which the Home Secretary Is Taught the Foxtrot](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_gang_se/chapters/xviii-in-which-the-home-secretary-is-taught-the-foxtrot) Revealed as the leader of the Black Gang; warned to disband but hints at future actions; appears at the ball in disguise. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_gang_se/characters/hugh_drummond - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_gang_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_gang_se/characters