Fred M. White is best known the six "Doom of London" science-fiction stories, in which various catastrophes beset London. The First World War and his sons' war-time experiences influenced White's writing during and after this conflict. He became a pioneer of the spy story. Excerpt: "It was as if Martin Faber had come back from the dead-the ghastliness of the idea made Alice shudder. A sudden fear set her trembling from head to foot. She seemed to see the whole mystery laid bare as one sees things in a dream, only to lose sight of them again. Yet Martin Faber was in his grave. It was impossible in the circumstances."