The Chinese Parrot (Charlie Chan Detective Series) — page 186: what you’re looking at

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

ee, "I suppose you want to know what happened," Eden began. "I met Louie Wong in town, at the Oasis Cafe. Mr. Holley pointed him out to me, and—" Madden waved a great hand. "Oh, save all that for some half-witted cop. Fine business, this is." He took to pacing the floor like a lion with the toothache. Eden dropped into a chair before the fire. Chan had gone out, and Thorn was sitting silently near by. Madden continued to pace. Bob Eden stared at the blazing logs. What sort of affair had he got into, anyhow? What desperate game was afoot here on Madden's ranch, far out on the lonely desert? He began to wish himself out of it, back in town where the lights were bright and there was no constant undercurrent of hatred and suspicion and mystery. He was still thinking in this vein when the clatter of a car sounded in the yard. Madden himself opened the door, and two of Eldorado's prominent citizens entered. "Come in, gentlemen," Madden said, amiable with an effort. "Had a little accident out here." One of the two, a lean man with a brown, weather- beaten face, stepped forward. "Howdy, Mr. Madden, I know you, but you don't know me. I'm Constable Brackett, and this is our coroner, Doctor Simms. A murder, you said on the phone." "Well," replied Madden, "I suppose you could call it that. But fortunately no one was hurt. No white man, I 186 comiicboeoe S CO