The Chinese Parrot (Charlie Chan Detective Series) — page 195: what you’re looking at

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

a "Oh, he's a big noisy bluff with a fatal facility for getting the wrong man. The sheriffs a regular fellow, with brains, but he may not come round. Let's stroll out and look over the ground where you left the car last night. I've got something to slip you, a telegram—from your father, I imagine.” As they went through the gate, the telegram changed hands. Holding it so it could not be seen from the house, Bob Eden read it through. "Well, dad says he's going to put up the bluff to Madden that's he's sending Draycott with the pearls tonight." "Draycott?" asked Holley. "He's a private detective dad uses in San Francisco. As good a name as any, I suppose. When Draycott fails to arrive, dad's going to be very much upset." The boy considered for a moment. "I guess it’s about the best he can do—but I hate all this deception. And I certainly don't like the job of keeping Madden cool. However, something may happen before then.” They examined the ground where Bob Eden had halted the car while he opened the gate the night before. The tracks of many cars passing in the road were evident— but no sign of any footsteps. "Even my footprints are gone," remarked Eden. "Do you suppose it was the wind, drifting the sand—" 195 comiicboeoe S CO