The Chinese Parrot (Charlie Chan Detective Series) — page 145: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

oe —— The gate was open, and Chan turned the car into the yard. "Guess I do," he sighed. "Now, with depressing reluctance, I must think of dinner. Recall, we watch and wait. And when we meet alone, the greatest care. No one must pierce my identity. Only this noon I could well have applied to myself resounding kick. That word unevitable too luxurious for poor old Ah Kim. In future I must pick over words like lettuce for salad. Good-bye and splendid luck." In the living-room a fire was already blazing in the huge fireplace. Madden sat at a broad, flat-topped desk, signing letters. He looked up as Bob Eden entered. "Hello," he said. "Have a pleasant afternoon?" "Quite," the boy replied. "I trust you had the same.” "I did not,” Madden answered. "Even here I can't get away from business. Been catching up with a three days' accumulation of mail. There you are, Martin,” he added, as the secretary entered. "I believe you'll have time to take them in to the post-office before dinner. And here are the telegrams—get them off, too. Take the little car— it'll make better speed over these roads." Thorn gathered up the letters, and with expert hands began folding them and placing them in envelopes. Madden rose, stretched, and came over to the fire. "Ah Kim brought you back?" he inquired. "He did," Bob Eden answered. "Knows how to drive a car all right?" persisted Madden. 145 comiicboeoe S CO