Packard (1877-1942) was a Canadian novelist born in Montreal and educated at McGill University and the University of Liege. As a young man he worked as a civil engineer for the Canadian Pacific Railway and his experiences working on the railroad provided inspiration for many of his stories. He also wrote a series of mystery novels featuring the character Jimmie Dale, a wealthy playboy by day who transforms into The Grey Seal at night, donning inconspicuous dark clothing and a black slouch hat and breaking into homes and businesses to crack their safes. Published in 1911, this is one of his earliest railroad novels.