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. I felt I must leave her in good hands, and having heard excellent reports on Roseway College—and yourself, madam—I thought I would like to hand her into your care.”

      “I see,” Maria nodded thoughtfully.

      She decided that he was of very uncertain age, good-looking in a way, with a face so red that he lived up to the traditional cartoons of majors the world over. His thick grey hair set him at about fifty. He had a grey moustache, too—and yet somehow his features were curiously young. Altogether he was not easy to assess.

      “I’ll just fit into whatever regulations there are, Miss Black,” Frances said anxiously. “I know that it is an intrusion to burst in early in the summer term like this and expect to be enrolled but— Well, I just can’t be left alone! It was my idea really that I be sent here. I’ll not be any trouble, really!”

      “The military authorities are so ruthless,” the major sighed. “I have only about twelve hours in which to turn round.”

      “Quite,” Maria nodded. “I appreciate your position—and in these wartime days it behooves us to help each other as much as we can. I am willing for that reason to waive our usually strict rules. You would wish to domicile here right away, Frances?”

      The girl nodded eagerly.

      “Hmm.…” Maria took a syllabus from the desk drawer. “You may wish to study these terms and conditions, major, while I make inquiries as to vacancies—”

      He nodded and took the folded card from her. Turning to the house telephone Maria said