Written in 1919 by William J. (John) Locke (1863-1930), "The House of Baltazar" tells the life of John Baltazar, a genius mathematician, who finds himself falling for a woman other than his own lawful (albeit nasty) wife. Thus he takes drastic measures and leaves the country. No one hears from him for 20 years and it's assumed he's dead. After having spent 18 years in China, he returns under an assumed name to a remote farmhouse ...

William John Locke (20 March 1863 – 15 May 1930) was a British novelist, dramatist and playwright, best known for his short stories.