London: Ward, Lock, 1899. A first colonial edition, first printing published by Ward Lock in 1899.  Illustrated by Sidney Paget. 10 pages of advertisements in rear. All plates present as called for. The Colonial edition has a different front cover. Red cloth boards, title on front cover (It is a colonial edition) mentioning only L.T. Meade as author. The back cover states "This edition is issued for circulation in the Colonies and India only and must not be sold in or imported into the United Kingdom".

Condition: Very Good- Missing the front endpapers. The front cover has spottings. The spine is spotted with a 2 pound sticker. The text is very clean with a strong binding. Lightly rubbed at spine ends. End paper and title page browning. Front cover browned. Rear cover browned with minor book insect damage.

The Brotherhood Of The Seven Kings was adapted into a play by Robert Eustace and Max Elgin, and produced by South Shields in County Durham. Queen's Quorum says ". Marks the earliest appearance of a female felon in a series of short stories. In ten connected tales Madame Koluchy, as the guiding genius of a sinister secret society, as "the brain that has conceived and the body that has executed some of the most malignant designs against mankind that the history of the world has ever known," proves herself "the compleat criminal": kidnapper, blackmailer, bank robber, and murderer.although it should be noted that Madame Koluchy's attempts at murder were consistently foiled by a young scientist-detective named Norman Head." This is a series of linked short stories involving what may be the world's first female diabolical criminal mastermind, Madame Koluchy. Norman Head had as a young man met Madame Koluchy in Naples when he became involved in a secret criminal society known as the Brotherhood of the Seven Kings. When Head discovered the sinister nature of the society he determined to have no more to do with them. He has since been living as a virtual recluse, amusing himself with scientific experiments. Now their paths have crossed again, and Head realizes this will be a duel to the death. Madame Koluchy is also a scientist, and a doctor. Her miraculous cures having made her a celebrity while her charm and beauty have made her the darling of English society. With the aid of his friend Dufrayer Norman Head is determined to bring this woman to justice. Madame Koluchy uses her medical skills to gain the trust of her victims. They then find themselves the victims of blackmail, robbery, kidnapping or worse crimes.

Colonial editions were to prevent them being sold in the United Kingdom. The are very rare due to their scarcity caused by the harsh conditions in India, Australia and other British colonies.

Very rare Queen's Quorum book.