The Chinese Parrot (Charlie Chan Detective Series) — page 204: what you’re looking at

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

————_— . =< on The luncheon over, Gamble rose and went to the door. For a moment he stood staring out across the blazing sand toward the cool white tops of the mountains, far away. "Magnificent," he commented. "I wonder, Mr. Madden, if you realize the true grandeur of this setting for your ranch house? The desert, the broad lonely desert, that has from time immemorial cast its weird spell on the souls of men. Some find it bleak and disquieting, but as for myself—" "Be here long?” cut in Madden. "Ah, that depends. I sincerely hope so. I want to see this country after the spring rains—the verbena and the primroses in bloom. The thought enchants me. What says the prophet Isaiah? 'And the desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose. And the parched ground shall become a pool, and the thirsty land springs of water.’ You know Isaiah, Mr. Madden?" "No, I don't. I know too many people now," responded Madden grimly. "I believe you said you were interested in the fauna round here, Professor?" Bob Eden remarked. Gamble looked at him quickly. "You give me my title," he said. "You are an observant young man. Yes, there are certain researches I intend to pursue—the tail of the kangaroo-rat, which attains here a phenomenal length. The maxillary arch in the short-nosed pocket-mouse, I 204 comiicboeoe S CO