The Chinese Parrot (Charlie Chan Detective Series) — page 6: what you’re looking at

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

———_ . = one the sole owner of the best-known jewelry store west of the Rockies. Arriving at the rear of the shop, he ascended a brief stairway to the luxurious suite of offices on the mezzanine floor where he spent his days. In the anteroom of the suite he encountered his secretary. "Ah, good morning, Miss Chase," he said. The girl answered with a smile. Eden's eye for beauty, developed by long experience in the jewel trade, had not failed him when he picked Miss Chase. She was an ash blonde with violet eyes; her manners were exquisite; so was her gown. Bob Eden, reluctant heir to the business, had been heard to remark that entering his father's office was like arriving for tea in a very exclusive drawing-room. Alexander Eden glanced at his watch. "In about ten minutes,” he announced, "I expect a caller—an old friend of mine—Madame Jordan, of Honolulu. When she arrives, show her in at once." "Yes, Mr. Eden,” replied the girl. He passed on into his own room, where he hung up his hat, coat and stick. On his broad, gleaming desk lay the morning mail; he glanced at it idly, but his mind was elsewhere. In a moment he strolled to one of the windows and stood there gazing at the facade of the building across the way. comiicboeoe S CO