“Martian Avenger,” a 1939 short story written by John Russell Fearn

Thanks to Doc Mars of the amazing French website Mars & la Science Fiction, you can download and read British science fiction author John Russell Fearn’s short story “Martian Avenger” (pdf) as it was originally written under the pseudonym Polton Cross and published in the April 1939 issue of Amazing Stories magazine. Here are the opening lines:

       “MR. HALWORTHY is in the laboratory, Miss Crawford. Working late, I guess.”

Vera Crawford nodded her thanks as the old Institute janitor resumed his mop and pail. She strode on purposefully down the white enameled corridor, finally flung open the green door at the far end.

"Who the hell's opened that door?" demanded Halworthy's irate voice. "I don't want any cold air in here, and-- Why hello, Vera!"...

Love the beautiful interior artwork by Julian Krupa. Thanks, Doc Mars!