The Chinese Parrot (Charlie Chan Detective Series) — page 323: what you’re looking at

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

a. "No, I will not accompany on that errand. Easy to see my presence brings embarrassed pause. I am hard to explain, like black eye." "Well, I shouldn't have called you that," smiled the boy. "Go alone to see this woman. Inquire all she knows about the dead man, Delaney." Eden sighed. "I'll do my best. But my once proud faith in myself is ebbing fast." At the stage door of the deserted theater Eden slipped a dollar into the hand of the doorman, and was permitted to step inside and examine the call-board. As he expected, the local addresses of the troupe were posted up, and he located Miss Fitzgerald at the Wynnwood Hotel. "You have aspect of experienced person," ventured Chan. Eden laughed. "Oh, I've known a few chorus-girls in my time. Regular man of the world, I am.” Chan took up his post on a bench in Pershing Square, while the boy went on alone to the Wynnwood Hotel. He sent up his name, and after a long wait in the cheap lobby, the actress joined him. She was at least thirty, probably more, but her eyes were young and sparkling. At sight of Bob Eden she adopted a rather coquettish manner. 323 comiicboeoe S CO