Pirates of Venus

When the author receives a letter saying a woman in white will come to him on the night of the thirteenth, he dismisses it as nonsense. A few days later, on the thirteenth, a woman appears through a closed door. She relays the ominous message of “he” awaits a reply. Aided by his secretary, the latter is found and a reply is sent. A few days later Carson Napier shows up at Tarzana, and tells his life story, including how he lived with his great grandfather John Carson. Carson Napier has an intent to fly to the planet of Mars. He plans on using gravity to aid him, but those around him know it is a suicide mission. Does he make it to Mars? Or does he suffer a crash landing elsewhere?