William Tufnell Le Queux (2 July 1864 - 13 October 1927) was an Anglo-French journalist and writer. He was also a diplomat (honorary consul for San Marino), a traveller (in Europe, the Balkans and North Africa), a flying buff who officiated at the first British air meeting at Doncaster in 1909, and a wireless pioneer who broadcast music from his own station long before radio was generally available; his claims regarding his own abilities and exploits, however, were usually exaggerated.

A classic example of early "lost race" science-fiction.

A mystery set in fin de siecle London. An elderly man is murdered and suspicion falls on his young widow. But then things get very complicated and lies and clues abound...

A Mystery Thriller: "Really, it's the most extraordinary story of London life that I've ever heard," Phrida Shand declared, leaning forward in her chair, clasping her small white hands as, with her elbows upon the table-a-deux, she looked at me with her wondrous dark eyes across the bowl of red tulips between us.

Mr. Le Queux breaks all records for speed and thrills. And he tells you, too, about orosin, that newly discovered poison, a drop of which, on cigar or cigarette, renders the smoker unconscious. A gripping detective and mystery story. Every page presents a baffling situation, and all lead to the most unusual climax of the times.