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BORGO PRESS BOOKS BY JOHN RUSSELL FEARN
1,000-Year Voyage: A Science Fiction Novel
Anjani the Mighty: A Lost Race Novel (Anjani #2)
Black Maria, M.A.: A Classic Crime Novel (Black Maria #1)
The Crimson Rambler: A Crime Novel
Don’t Touch Me: A Crime Novel
Dynasty of the Small: Classic Science Fiction Stories
The Empty Coffins: A Mystery of Horror
The Fourth Door: A Mystery Novel
From Afar: A Science Fiction Mystery
Fugitive of Time: A Classic Science Fiction Novel
The G-Bomb: A Science Fiction Novel
The Genial Dinosaur (Herbert the Dinosaur #2)
The Gold of Akada: A Jungle Adventure Novel (Anjani #1)
Here and Now: A Science Fiction Novel
Into the Unknown: A Science Fiction Tale
Last Conflict: Classic Science Fiction Stories
Legacy from Sirius: A Classic Science Fiction Novel
The Man from Hell: Classic Science Fiction Stories
The Man Who Was Not: A Crime Novel
Manton’s World: A Classic Science Fiction Novel
Moon Magic: A Novel of Romance (as Elizabeth Rutland)
The Murdered Schoolgirl: A Classic Crime Novel (Black Maria #2)
One Remained Seated: A Classic Crime Novel (Black Maria #3)
One Way Out: A Crime Novel (with Philip Harbottle)
Pattern of Murder: A Classic Crime Novel
Reflected Glory: A Dr. Castle Classic Crime Novel
Robbery Without Violence: Two Science Fiction Crime Stories
Rule of the Brains: Classic Science Fiction Stories
Shattering Glass: A Crime Novel
The Silvered Cage: A Scientific Murder Mystery
Slaves of Ijax: A Science Fiction Novel
Something from Mercury: Classic Science Fiction Stories
The Space Warp: A Science Fiction Novel
A Thing of the Past (Herbert the Dinosaur #1)
Thy Arm Alone: A Classic Crime Novel (Black Maria #4)
The Time Trap: A Science Fiction Novel
Vision Sinister: A Scientific Detective Thriller
Voice of the Conqueror: A Classic Science Fiction Novel
What Happened to Hammond? A Scientific Mystery
Within That Room!: A Classic Crime Novel
THE GOLDEN AMAZON SAGA
1. World Beneath Ice
2. Lord of Atlantis
3. Triangle of Power
4. The Amethyst City
5. Daughter of the Amazon
6. Quorne Returns
7. The Central Intelligence
8. The Cosmic Crusaders
9. Parasite Planet
10. World Out of Step
11. The Shadow People
12. Kingpin Planet
13. World in Reverse
14. Dwellers in Darkness
15. World in Duplicate
16. Lords of Creation
17. Duel with Colossus
18. Standstill Planet
19. Ghost World
20. Earth Divided
21. Chameleon Planet (with Philip Harbottle)o
COPYRIGHT INFORMATION
Copyright © 1945 by John Russell Fearn
Copyright © 2008 by Philip Harbottle
Originally published under the title, Maria Marches On
Published by Wildside Press LLC
www.wildsidebooks.com
DEDICATION
To the memory of my cousin,
Flying-Officer “Rusty” Baker
CHAPTER ONE
Maria Black, M.A., rose to her feet from behind her massive desk as her two visitors entered. She was an impressive, strong-featured woman, gowned in black silk, with her black hair drawn into a bun at the back of her well-shaped head. From the way she stood, from the aura of mystery she emitted, it was perfectly clear that she alone was the ruler of the college.
“I am afraid,” she said, smiling, “that the porter gave me no names, merely referring to two people wishing to see me urgently.… Do come in, won’t you?”
She came from behind her desk, shook hands cordially, and nodded to two chairs. When the girl and her escort—a middle-aged man in high ranking military uniform—were seated, she returned to her seat and fingered the slender gold of her watch-chain as it glittered against her dress.
“I am afraid, Miss Black, that this visit is somewhat sudden,” the military man smiled. “I am Major Hasleigh, and this is my daughter, Frances.”
Maria’s keen blue eyes regarded her. She seemed young—perhaps sixteen—a pale-faced blonde with regular features and very wide grey eyes that appeared utterly innocent. Knowing girls, however, Maria Black reserved her judgment.
“Briefly,” Hasleigh went on, “I have had the misfortune to lose my wife and be ordered to join my unit abroad immediately. Formerly, while my wife lived, Frances here was able to have her education at a local day school. Now, however, the home is sold up and I have to depart—so I am in a pretty big predicament.
