Account Settled. John Russell Fearn

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


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