The Chinese Parrot (Charlie Chan Detective Series) — page 39: what you’re looking at

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

oe ——— Bob Eden laughed. "I hope it doesn't go as far as that," he remarked. "I've got a life, too, and I'd like to hang on to it." "Won't you both stay to dinner?" suggested Sally Jordan. "Some other time, thanks,” Alexander Eden answered. "IT don't think it wise we should keep together tonight. Bob and I will go home—he has a bag to pack, I imagine. I don't intend to let him out of my sight until train time." "One last word," said Victor. "Don't be too squeamish when you get down on that ranch. If Madden's in danger, that's no affair of ours. Put those pearls in his hand and get his receipt. That's all.” Eden shook his head. "I don't like the look of this, Sally. I don't like this thing at all." "Don't worry, she smiled. "I have every confidence in Charlie—and in Bob." "Such popularity must be deserved," said Bob Eden. "I promise I'll do my best. Only I hope that lad in the overcoat doesn't decide to come down to the desert and warm up. Somehow, I'm not so sure I'd be a match for him—once he warmed up." 39 comiicboeoe S CO