The Chinese Parrot (Charlie Chan Detective Series) — page 60: what you’re looking at

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

a. "Back in an hour—God knows why. Will Holley." Smiling, Eden returned to the Desert Edge. "How about dinner?” he inquired. "Wonderin' about it myself,” admitted the old man. "We don't serve meals here. Lose a little less that way." "But there must be a restaurant—" "Sure there is. This is an up-to-date town.” He nodded over his shoulder. "Down beyond the bank—the Oasis Cafe.” Thanking him, Bob Eden departed. Behind unwashed windows he found the Oasis dispensing its dubious cheer. A long high counter and a soiled mirror running the length of it suggested that in other days this had been an oasis indeed. The boy climbed on to one of the perilously high stools. At his right, too close for comfort, sat a man in overalls and jumper, with a week's growth of beard on his lean hard face. At his left, equally close but somehow not so much in the way, was a trim girl in khaki riding breeches and blouse. A youth made up to resemble a motion-picture sheik demanded his order, and from a soiled menu he chose the Oasis Special—"steak and onions, French fries, bread and butter and coffee. Eighty cents." The sheik departed languidly. 60 comiicboeoe S CO