The Chinese Parrot (Charlie Chan Detective Series) — page 301: what you’re looking at

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

————_— . = oe afternoon. He hammered loudly on the panel of the door. Madden leaped from the bed with startling suddenness, his eyes instantly wide and staring. He seemed like one expecting trouble. For a moment, Eden pitied the great man. Beyond all question Madden was caught in some inexplicable net; he was harassed and worn, but fighting still. Not a happy figure, for all his millions. "I'm awfully sorry to disturb you, sir," Eden said. "But the fact is I have a chance to ride over to Pasadena with some of the movie people, and I think I'd better go. Draycott hasn't called, and—" "Hush," said Madden sharply. He closed the door. "The matter of Draycott is between you and me. I suppose you wonder what it's all about, but I can't tell you— except to say that this fellow Gamble doesn't strike me as being what he pretends. And—" "Yes, sir," said Eden hopefully, as the millionaire paused. "Well, I won't go into that. You locate Draycott and tell him to come to Eldorado. Tell him to put up at the Desert Edge and keep his mouth shut. I'll get in touch with him shortly. Until I do he's to lie low. Is that understood?" "Perfectly, Mr. Madden. I'm sorry this thing has dragged out as it has—" 201 comiicboeoe S CO