Louis Joseph Vance was an early 20th century American novelist. "Michael Lanyard," also known as "The Lone Wolf" was featured in eight books and 24 films between 1917 and 1949, and also appeared in radio and television series. Michael Lanyard was a jewel thief who became a private detective. The story opens at an obscure location in Paris. There is a restaurant with many bedchambers on the upper floors. A young boy arrives at the age of 4. His memory of this time is dulled but he remembers being alone and not much else. This is the introduction of the Lone Wolf to the reader.