The Chinese Parrot (Charlie Chan Detective Series) — page 77: what you’re looking at

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

————_— - = on Wong had been summoned from the Madden ranch by his relative in Chinatown. As he related all this out there on that lonesome desert, it began to take on a new and ominous aspect; the future loomed dark and thrilling. Had that great opening between the hills been, in reality, the gateway to adventure? Certainly it looked the part. "What do you think?" he finished. "Me?" said Holley. "I think I'm not going to get that interview." "You don't believe Madden is at the ranch?" "I certainly don't. Look at Paula's experience the other night. Why couldn't she see him? Why didn't he hear her at the door and come to find out what the row was about? Because he wasn't there. My lad, I'm glad you didn't venture out here alone. Particularly if you've brought the pearls as I presume you have." "Well, in a way, I've got them. About this Louie Wong? You know him, I suppose?" "Yes. And I saw him at the station the other morning. Look at tomorrow's Eldorado Times and you'll find the big story, under the personals. ‘Our respected fellow townsman, Mr. Louie Wong, went to San Francisco on business last Wednesday." "Wednesday, eh? What sort of lad is Louie?" "Why—he's just a Chinaman. Been in these parts a long time. For the past five years he's stayed at Madden's ranch the year round, as caretaker. I don't know a great 77 comiicboeoe S CO