The Chinese Parrot (Charlie Chan Detective Series) — page 278: what you’re looking at

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

zz "Then you haven't any idea on all this to set up against mine?" Holley asked. "No solitary one. Frankly speaking, I am completely in the dark." He glanced at the letter in his hand. "Or nearly so," he added. "We watch and wait, and maybe I clutch something soon." "That's all right," said Eden, "but I have a feeling we don't watch and wait much longer at Madden's ranch. Remember, I promised that Draycott would meet him today in Pasadena. He'll be back soon, asking how come?" "Unfortunate incident,” shrugged Chan. "Draycott and he have failed to connect. Many times that has happened when two strangers make appointment. It can happen again." Eden sighed. "I suppose so. But I hope P.J. Madden's feeling good-natured when he comes home from Pasadena tonight. There's a chance that he's toting Bill Hart's gun again, and I don't like the idea of lying behind a bed with nothing showing but my shoes. I haven't had a shine for a week." XVI. — "THE MOVIES ARE IN TOWN" The sun set behind far peaks of snow; the desert purpled under a sprinkling of stars. In the thermometer that 278 comiicboeoe S CO