The Chinese Parrot (Charlie Chan Detective Series) — page 17: what you’re looking at

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

———_— . = cn "It's all right, Alec,” Madame Jordan said. "I accept." "Very good," Eden sighed. "But you are getting a great bargain, Mr. Madden." "I always get a great bargain,” replied Madden. "Or I don't buy." He took out his check-book. "Twenty thousand now, as I agreed." For the first time the secretary spoke; his voice was thin and cold and disturbingly polite. "You say the pearls will arrive in six days?” "Six days or thereabouts," Madame Jordan answered. "Ah, yes." An ingratiating note crept in. "They are coming by—" "By a private messenger," said Eden sharply. He was taking a belated survey of Martin Thorn. A pale high forehead, pale green eyes that now and then popped disconcertingly, long, pale, grasping hands. Not the jolliest sort of playmate to have around, he reflected. "A private messenger,” he repeated firmly. "Of course," said Thorn. Madden had written the check and laid it on the jeweler's desk. "I was thinking, Chief— just a suggestion,” Thorn went on. "If Miss Evelyn is to return and spend the balance of the winter in Pasadena, she will want to wear the necklace there. We'll still be in that neighborhood six days from now, and it seems to " me— 17 comiicboeoe S CO