The events leading up to the recent publication of "BOB LAKE AND THE JUNGLE GODDESS" started several years before its publication. For those who lived these earlier adventures they were even more fantastic than what was reported in the best selling book. For Carol Hill it all began with...

"I want that assignment in Africa--with Bob Lake!" she announced, once into the publisher's large book-lined office. She looked at Henry Turner with hard determination in her eyes. She had insisted on this audience with her boss, determined to make a hard sell for this prime ticket to fame.

It was one of those places where few people made demands--but many had taken commands from the heavy, barrel chested man sitting behind the large oak desk. He owned the company and everybody who worked there. For some two years, now, she'd been working her way up to the point where it was possible to reach out for this kind of assignment.

Strangely enough the man had been more than willing to see her, though his chubby face revealed little as to what he was really thinking. Yet his eyes had swept over her as if wanting to make a feast of what he saw. Nothing more.

"I want it, and I'd be good at it!" she added when the silence met her opening statement. "With Bob Lake!"

It was almost a demand. Soon she would have second thoughts. But at that moment she was determined to get this quick ticket to fame. And proof she could make it big in a man's world.

Henry Turner's gray eyes studied the blonde in front of him. There was a hard calculating coldness in his gaze as it once again swept over trim body. And something which almost offered: and what are you willing to do for me to get this assignment? His voice was just edging on amusement as he said: "So?"

"I want it, Henry!" Carol announced again, mentally wishing, for this one time in her life, she wasn't a woman. Henry Turner had tried to bed her since the first day she'd started work at the Turner Publishing Company. Carol was a photographer, not a tramp. It was the only line she'd never crossed in getting ahead. She wouldn't sleep her way to the top--but the so-called glass ceiling against females wouldn't hold her back. Very early in life she'd decided to put everything aside, motherhood, marriage, in favor of making a real name for herself as a photographer.

"Well?" Carol demanded.

"You serious?" Henry Turner demanded. "I don't believe you!" But there was little conviction in his voice. He was playing a blunt game, and she was expected to play it out. He liked to manipulate.

"I'm deadly serious!" she told him. "I've always wanted to go to Africa. And shooting a Bob Lake book would be a pretty creative challenge!"

"That's no assignment for a woman." Turner retorted. There was only a hint of mockery in his voice.

"That's bull!" Carol pointed out, smiling, forcing herself to play into his game. Maybe he just wanted a hard sell. "And I'd do a bang up job. Just like in Miami!"

Henry wiped imaginary sweat from his forehead. Slowly standing, he stepped around the desk.

"Rita Bentley is backing the trip. You know her reputation."

"Sure. Doesn't everybody? Tab Queen of the Day & Night!"

"Some of that tabloid stuff is true."

"And the rest is garbage!" she counter. "And I know the rumors, too. Devours her men!"

They both laughed a bit stiffly.

"And very possessive! She savagely attack a woman who flirted with one of her boy-toys."