The Chinese Parrot (Charlie Chan Detective Series) — page 9: what you’re looking at

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

a, valiantly she had battled with the years! "Alec—my dear old friend—" He took both her fragile hands in his. "Sally! I'm mighty glad to see you. Here." He drew a big leather chair close to his desk. "The post of honor for you. Always." Smiling, she sat down. Eden went to his accustomed place behind his desk. He took up a paper-knife and balanced it; for a man of his poise he appeared rather ill at ease. "Ah—er—how long have you been in town?” "Two weeks—I think—yes, two weeks last Monday.” "You're not living up to your promise, Sally. You didn't let me know." "But I've had such a gay round," she protested. "Victor is always so good to me.” "Ah, yes—Victor—he's well, I hope.” Eden looked away, out the window. "Fog's lifting, isn't it? A fine day, after all—" "Dear old Alec." She shook her head. "No good beating round the bush. Never did believe in it. Get down to business—that's my motto. It's as I told you the other day over the telephone. I've made up my mind to sell the Phillimore pearls." He nodded. "And why not? What good are they, anyhow?" comiicboeoe S CO