The Chinese Parrot (Charlie Chan Detective Series) — page 349: what you’re looking at

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

z= "A taxi from the station,” Holley returned. "I recognized the driver. There was some one in the back seat." "I know," said Eden. "Some one headed for Madden's ranch, perhaps." "Perhaps," agreed Holley. He turned off the main road into the perilous, half-obliterated highway that led to the long-abandoned mine. "Have to go slower, I'm afraid," he said. "Oh, hit it up," urged Eden. "You can't hurt old Horace Greeley." Holley again threw the throttle wide, and the front wheel on the left coming at that moment in violent contact with a rock, their heads nearly pierced the top of the car. "It's all wrong, Holley," remarked Eden with feeling. "What's all wrong?" "A pretty, charming girl like Paula Wendell running about alone in this desert country. Why in heaven's name doesn't somebody marry her and take her away.” "Not a chance," replied Holley. "She hasn't any use for marriage. 'The last resort of feeble minds’ is what she calls it.” "Is that so?" "Never coop her up in a kitchenette, she told me, after the life of freedom she's enjoyed.” "Then why did she go and get engaged to this guy?” 349 comiicboeoe S CO