The Chinese Parrot (Charlie Chan Detective Series) — page 112: what you’re looking at

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

———— . = on "IT aim to be,” the girl answered, "and I've been on my own too long to take any nonsense from a mere secretary." Madden blustered in. "What is all this—" "Mr. Madden,” the girl said, rising and smiling with amazing sweetness, "I was sure you'd see me. I have here a letter you wrote me from San Francisco. You recall it, of course." Madden took the letter and glanced at it. "Yes, yes—of course. I'm very sorry, Miss Wendell, but since I wrote that certain matters have come up—I have a business deal on—" He glanced at Eden. "In short, it would be most inconvenient for me to have the ranch overrun with picture people at this time. I can't tell you how I regret it." The girl's smile vanished. "Very well," she said, "but it means a black mark against me with the company. The people I work for don't accept excuses—only results. I have told them everything was arranged." "Well, you were a little premature, weren't you?" "I don't see why. I had the word of P.J. Madden. I believed—foolishly, perhaps—the old rumor that the word of Madden was never broken.” The millionaire looked decidedly uncomfortable. "Well —I—er—of course I never break my word. When did you want to bring your people here?" 112 comiicboeoe S CO