The Chinese Parrot (Charlie Chan Detective Series) — page 208: what you’re looking at

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

a, "That's right—you don't know, do you? She's Madden's only child. A proud beauty, too—I met her in San Francisco. Well, it's no wonder Madden was perplexed, is 1t?” "Certainly not," agreed Chan. "Murderous ranch like this no place for refined young woman." Eden sighed. "Just one more complication,” he said. "Things move, but we don't seem to get anywhere.” "Once more," returned Chan, "I call to your attention that much unused virtue, patience. Aspect will be brighter here now. A woman's touch—" "This woman's touch means frost-bite," smiled Eden. "Charlie, I'll bet you a million—not even the desert will thaw out Evelyn Madden.” Chan departed to his duties in the cookhouse. Madden and Thorn drifted in after a time; Gamble, it appeared, had retired to his room. The long hot afternoon dragged by, baking hours of deathly calm during which the desert lived up to its reputation. Madden disappeared and presently his "noisome" snores filled the air. A good idea, Bob Eden decided. In a recumbent position on his bed, he found that time passed more swiftly. In fact, he didn't know it was passing. Toward evening he awoke, hot and muddled of mind, but a cold shower made him feel human again. At six o'clock he crossed the patio to the living-room. In the yard before the barn he saw Madden's big car 208 comiicboeoe S CO