The Chinese Parrot (Charlie Chan Detective Series) — page 310: what you’re looking at

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

a, "I'm not saying we did. I'm afraid I've said too much already." "You've been very kind," Eden replied. "I promise you won't regret it. Thank you very much." He and Bristol returned to the street. "Thanks for your help, Spike," Eden remarked. "I'm leaving you here." "Cast off like an old coat," complained Bristol. "How about lunch?" "Sorry. Some other time. I must run along now. The station's down here, isn't it? I leave you to your climate." "Sour grapes," returned Spike. "Don't go home and get lost in the fog. So long." From the eleven o'clock train a quite different Charlie Chan alighted. He was dressed as Eden had seen him in San Francisco. "Hello, Dapper Dan," the boy said. Chan smiled. "Feel respected again,” he explained. "Visited Barstow and rescued proper clothes. No cooking today, which makes life very pretty.” "Madden put up a fight when you left?” "How could he do so? I leave before his awakening, dropping quaintly worded note at door. No doubt now his heart is heavy, thinking I have deserted forever. Happy surprise for him when Ah Kim returns to home nest." 210 comiicboeoe S CO