The Chinese Parrot (Charlie Chan Detective Series) — page 188: what you’re looking at

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

——— . =- on "All sounds mighty mysterious to me,” he admitted. "You say you think he was killed while you was openin’' the gate. What makes you think so?" "He was talking practically all the way out here," Eden replied. "Muttering to himself there in the back seat. I heard him when I got out to unfasten the gate." "What was he sayin'?" "He was talking in Chinese. I'm sorry, but I'm no sinologue.” "T ain't accused you of anything, have I?” "A sinologue is a man who understands the Chinese language," Bob Eden smiled. "Oh." The constable scratched his head. "This here secretary, now—" Thorn came forward. He had been in his room, he said, when he heard a disturbance in the yard, and went outside. Absolutely nothing to offer. Bob Eden's glance fell on the tear across the back of Thorn's coat. He looked at Charlie Chan, but the detective shook his head. Say nothing, his eyes directed. The constable turned to Madden. "Who else is on the place?” he wanted to know. "Nobody but Ah Kim here. He's all right." 188 comiicboeoe S CO