William Le Queux, one of the most popular of present-day authors, was
born in London on July 2, 1864. He has followed many callings in his
time. After studying art in Paris, he made a tour on foot through
France and Germany. Then he drifted into journalism, attaching himself
to the Paris "Morning News." Later, he crossed to London, where he
joined the staff of the "Globe" in the Gallery of the House of Commons.
This was in 1888, and he continued to report Parliament till 1891, when
he was appointed a sub-editor on the "Globe." Along with his work as a
journalist he developed his faculty for fiction, and in 1893 resigned
his position on the press to take up novel-writing as a business. His
first book was "Guilty Bonds" published in 1890. Since that date he has
issued an average of three novels a year. One of Mr. Le Queux's
recreations is revolver practice, and that may account for the free use
of the "shooting iron" which distinguishes some of his romances.