Account Settled. John Russell Fearn
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Account Settled: A Science Fiction Murder Mystery
BORGO PRESS BOOKS BY JOHN RUSSELL FEARN
1,000-Year Voyage
Account Settled
Anjani the Mighty: A Lost Race Novel (Anjani #2)
Black Maria, M.A.: A Classic Crime Novel (Black Maria #1)
Bury the Hatchet
A Case for Brutus Lloyd
The Crimson Rambler: A Crime Novel
Death in Silhouette (Black Maria #5)
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
World Without Chance
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)
COPYRIGHT INFORMATION
Copyright © 1949 by John Russell Fearn
Copyright © 2005 by Philip Harbottle
Published by Wildside Press LLC
www.wildsidebooks.com
DEDICATION
To the Memory of Joseph Storm
CHAPTER ONE
“I never heard of him,” Emerson Drew said briefly, tossing the visiting card down on the shiny-topped desk. “What does he want? Anyway, I thought I told you to keep strangers away from me, Miss Kayne. What’s the good of me giving orders if you’re going to do just as you like?”
“It’s not exactly that, sir,” Janet Kayne interrupted, quite calmly. “This is different. At least, I think it is.… I believe you should see him.”
“Hmmm.…” Emerson Drew picked up the card again in a podgy, well-scrubbed hand and meditated. Janet Kayne waited, noting how the fat rolled on her employer’s neck as he moved his head. Then his sharp gray eyes fixed on her.
“What’s he got?”
“An invention of some kind—”
“Invention!” Drew jumped to his feet—short, broad and strong as a bull, his heavy jowls vibrating as he thumped the top of the desk. “How many times a day do we get inventors in this damned building, hey? Did you ever stop to add it up? All of them no good! In all London, why do they have to pick on me? Kick him out—or at any rate tell the commissionaire to do it. I won’t have anything to do with it!”
Janet Kayne sighed and picked up the card pensively.
“Then that’s a pity, Mr. Drew. You know, it’s his name that counts, far more than his invention—whatever it is. See what it says here? Rajek Quinton. That means something! He’s a Swiss, and at one time he was the head of a famous firm of watchmakers.”
“Oh? How do you know that?”
“I saw an announcement about it when he came to England.”
Emerson Drew raised his eyebrows. “So? Well, you’re a better-informed secretary than I realized, Miss Kayne. I still say I never heard of him, and I don’t suppose he’s got anything any better than the rest of these crazy inventors who think the Drew Combine is the gateway to El Dorado. But, anyway, show him in. Never know until you try.”
Janet Kayne nodded and went to the door. She was a thin, bony girl with high cheekbones and untroubled blue eyes. There were times when Emerson Drew wondered if anything would ever make her show emotion.
“Quinton,” he muttered, rubbing his flabby jaw. “Of all the damned silly names!” He heaved back into his chair and sat down heavily to wait. It was not long before the door opened and Janet Kayne announced the visitor. Then she retired.
Drew sat with his brows down contemplating the man. He was middle-aged, short, well but quietly dressed, his white hair brushed back firmly from a broad forehead. In one hand he carried his soft black hat and in the other a briefcase.
“Mr. Quinton.…” Drew rose, hand extended. “Glad to know you. Take a seat. Have a cigar?”
“Thank you, no. I’m a non-smoker.” Rajek Quinton had a well-modulated voice and spoke English perfectly. “And I’m glad you could see me.”
“See