Herbert George Wells (21 September 1866 - 13 August 1946) was an English writer. Prolific in many genres, he wrote dozens of novels, short stories, and works of social commentary, history, satire, biography and autobiography. His work also included two books on recreational war games. Wells is now best remembered for his science fiction novels and is often called the "father of science fiction", along with Jules Verne and the publisher Hugo Gernsback.

THROUGH A WINDOW: After his legs were set, they carried Bailey into the study and put him on a couch before the open window. There he lay, alive - even a feverish man down to the loins, and below that a double-barrelled mummy swathed in white wrappings.