The Chinese Parrot (Charlie Chan Detective Series) — page 63: what you’re looking at

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

———_ .: a: on She was still smiling. "Nonsense. I ought to pay for the steak. It wasn't your fault. One needs long practice to eat in the crowded arena of the Oasis.” He looked at her, his interest growing every minute. "You've had long practice?" he inquired. "Oh, yes. My work often brings me this way." "Your—er—your work?" "Yes. Since your steak seems to have introduced us, I may tell you I'm with the moving pictures.” Of course, thought Eden. The desert was filled with movie people these days. "Ah—have I ever seen you in the films?” he ventured. She shrugged. "You have not—and you never will. I'm not an actress. My job's much more interesting. I'm a location finder." Bob Eden's pot roast arrived, mercifully cut into small pieces by some blunt instrument behind the scenes. "A location finder. I ought to know what that is.” "You certainly ought to. It's just what it sounds like. I travel about hunting backgrounds. By the Vandeventer Trail to Pinon Flat, down to the Salton Sea or up to the Morongos—all the time trying to find something new, something the dear old public will mistake for Algeria, Araby, the South Seas." "Sounds mighty interesting.” 63 comiicboeoe S CO