The Chinese Parrot (Charlie Chan Detective Series) — page 20: what you’re looking at

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

a, "Yes—that's what I mean. I worshipped you, but I—I was a bell-hop—you looked through me—you never saw me. A bit of furniture, that's all I was to you. Oh, I tell you, it hurt my pride—a deep wound, as I said. I swore I'd get on—I knew it, even then. I'd marry you. We can both smile at that now. It didn't work out—even some of my schemes never worked out. But today I own your pearls—they'll hang about my daughter's neck. It's the next best thing. I've bought you out. A deep wound in my pride, but healed at last." She looked at him, and shook her head. Once she might have resented this, but not now. "You're a strange man,” she said. "IT am what I am," he answered. "I had to tell you. Otherwise the triumph would not have been complete.” Eden came in. "Here you are, Mr. Madden. If you'll sign this—thank you." "You'll get a wire,” said Madden. "In New York, remember, and nowhere else. Good day." He turned to Madame Jordan and held out his hand. She took it, smiling. "Good-bye. I'm not looking through you now. I see you at last.” "And what do you see?" "A terribly vain man. But a likable one." "Thank you. I'll remember that. Good-bye.” 20 comiicboeoe S CO