Chapter II: Preface

In writing of these episodes in the career of a wanderer over the face of Europe, my object is to entertain and perhaps amuse many of my unknown friends and correspondents who, scattered over the world, have, from time to time, written me encouraging words of appreciation concerning my works of fiction. To them, I would reveal certain facts, some grave and some gay, which may be found of interest. To do so, I propose to take my reader behind the scenes of some particular phases of life with which he may be unfamiliar.

And let me say at the outset, these records of an eventful though perhaps erratic life contain nothing but fact. I have led, and still lead, a wandering life. My custom has ever been never to have even a _pied-à-terre_ in one place longer than a year, and even during that time to travel as much as possible. I may accurately call myself a cosmopolitan, since when my hat is on my roof is on.

But these modest reminiscences are mainly about other people, and, although I find myself compelled to use the first person singular much more often than I desire, I pen them with the fervent hope that they may be taken as a little arm-chair chat about modern men and modern matters, rather than essays in autobiography.

Nobody, I am sure, cares a jot when I cut my first tooth or where I learned to walk. No genealogical tree or tradition of race is necessary--though my unusual name means in Norman-French “the King’s head cook,” and I can trace my ancestors through centuries. But of what use is it in these democratic days, when duke’s son and cook’s son are on equality, and the “Red Flag” is sung in the House of Commons?

However, while thus casually mentioning my name, it may not be inappropriate to quote the following explanatory stanzas by a poet unknown to me:

It troubles each sex,
So I put it to you,
Is it William Le Quex
Or William Le Queux?

I give you the cue,
So no longer perplex,
It is William Le Queux,
Not William Le Quex.

And for those who want to know who I am, I cannot do better than refer them to the paragraph in that useful and entertaining annual, _Who’s Who_.

=LE QUEUX, William Tufnell=; novelist; traveller; Commander
of the Orders of St. Sava of Serbia; Danilo of Montenegro;
Crown of Italy; San Marino Order, etc. Consul of Republic of
San Marino, retired; _b._ London, 2nd July, 1864; _e.s._ of
William Le Queux of Châteauroux, Indre. _Educ._: privately
in London; Pegli, near Genoa. Studied art in the Quartier
Latin; made a tour through France, Germany, and Italy on
foot; became journalist and special correspondent of _The
Globe_, 1891; special foreign correspondent of _The Times_;
resigned to devote his time to novel writing, 1893. Secretary
to British diplomatic mission to San Marino. Has travelled in
Russia, Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, Siberia, the Areg region
of the Sahara Desert, Asia Minor, etc.; journeyed through
Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Albania on special Government
Mission, 1907; Arctic (with Harry de Windt), 1908; Sûdan,
1909. Correspondent of the _Daily Mail_ in various capitals,
and war correspondent in the first Balkan War. Collector of
mediæval manuscripts, codices, and monastic seals, of which
he possesses a large and valuable collection; has intimate
knowledge of the Secret Service of other Continental Powers;
consulted by the Government in such matters. Forecasted the
Great War in his book, _The Invasion_, 1910. Is a keen student
of criminology, and also well known in wireless research.
Is a qualified wireless engineer, and was the first to
broadcast concerts over Great Britain and Ireland from his
powerful radio station 2AZ at Guildford in 1920–21 in the
early days of radio-telephony. Writes and lectures on wireless
research, and on spies and spying. Member of the Institute of
Radio Engineers. Author of over 130 novels and many kinema
films. President of the Wireless Alliance, Vice-President of
the Radio Association. President of many wireless research
societies.

_Recreations_: Pistol practice; ski-ing in Switzerland; the
study of Egyptology, and wireless research. _Clubs_: Mürren
Ski-Club; Swiss Alpine Club; British Ski Association; Crimes
Club; Tatlers’ Club. _Address_: Devonshire Club, London.

And with these words I make my bow, and set forth facts that, without embellishment or distortion, may, I sincerely hope, prove entertaining.

At all events, I simply tell of things I know.

WILLIAM LE QUEUX.

DEVONSHIRE CLUB,
LONDON, S.W.