The Chinese Parrot (Charlie Chan Detective Series) — page 250: what you’re looking at

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

a —— "Nonsense," objected Holley "You think so, eh? Listen." Eden repeated the story Cherry had told. Chan and Holley heard him out in amazed silence. "And what are present whereabouts of old prospector?" inquired Chan when he had finished. "I know, Charlie," answered Eden. "That's the flaw in my armor. I let him go. He's on his way—over yonder. But I know where he's going and we can get hold of him when we need him. We've got other matters to look after first." "We certainly have," agreed Holley. "Madden! I can hardly believe it.” Chan considered. "Most peculiar case ever shoved on my attention,” he admitted. "It marches now, but look how it marches backwards. Mostly murder means dead body on the rug, and from clues surrounding, I must find who did it. Not so here. I sense something wrong, after long pause light breaks and I hear name of guilty man who killed. But who was killed? The reason, please? There is work to be done—much work." "You don't think,” suggested Eden, "that we ought to call in the sheriff—" "What then?" frowned Chan. "Captain Bliss arrives on extensive feet, committing blunder with every step. Sheriff faces strange situation, all unprepared. Madden 250 comiicboeoe S CO