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肩書を与える: The Chinese Parrot Author: Earl Derr Biggers * A 事業／計画（する） Gutenberg of Australia eBook * eBook No.: 0200681h.html Language: English Date first 地位，任命するd: Sep 2002 Most 最近の update: July 2017 This eBook was produced by Colin Choat and Roy Glashan. 事業／計画（する） Gutenberg of Australia eBooks are created from printed 版s which are in the public domain in Australia, unless a copyright notice is 含むd. We do NOT keep any eBooks in 同意／服従 with a particular paper 版. Copyright 法律s are changing all over the world. Be sure to check the copyright 法律s for your country before downloading or redistributing this とじ込み／提出する. This eBook is made 利用できる at no cost and with almost no 制限s どれでも. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the 条件 of the 事業／計画（する） Gutenberg of Australia License which may be 見解（をとる）d online at gutenberg.逮捕する.au/licence.html To 接触する 事業／計画（する） Gutenberg of Australia go to http://gutenberg.逮捕する.au
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Alexander Eden stepped from the misty street into the 広大な／多数の／重要な, marble-中心存在d room where the 会社／堅い of Meek and Eden 申し込む／申し出d its wares. すぐに, behind showcases gorgeous with precious 石／投石するs or 有望な with silver, platinum and gold, forty resplendent clerks stood at attention. Their morning coats were impeccable, 欠如（する）ing the slightest 疑惑 of a wrinkle, and in the left lapel of each was a pink carnation, as fresh and perfect as though it had grown there.
Eden nodded affably to 権利 and left and went on his way, his heels clicking cheerily on the spotless tile 床に打ち倒す. He was a small man, gray-haired and immaculate, with a quick keen 注目する，もくろむ and the imperious manner that so 井戸／弁護士席 became his position. For the 一族／派閥 of Meek, having duly 相続するd the earth, had 放棄するd that 相続物件 and passed to the 広大な／多数の／重要な beyond, leaving Alexander Eden the 単独の owner of the best-known 宝石類 蓄える／店 west of the Rockies.
Arriving at the 後部 of the shop, he 上がるd a 簡潔な／要約する stairway to the luxurious 控訴 of offices on the mezzanine 床に打ち倒す where he spent his days. In the anteroom of the 控訴 he 遭遇（する）d his 長官.
"Ah, good morning, 行方不明になる Chase," he said.
The girl answered with a smile. Eden's 注目する，もくろむ for beauty, developed by long experience in the jewel 貿易（する）, had not failed him when he 選ぶd 行方不明になる Chase. She was an ash blonde with violet 注目する，もくろむs; her manners were exquisite; so was her gown. （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden, 気が進まない 相続人 to the 商売／仕事, had been heard to 発言／述べる that entering his father's office was like arriving for tea in a very 排除的 製図／抽選-room.
Alexander Eden ちらりと見ることd at his watch. "In about ten minutes," he 発表するd, "I 推定する／予想する a 報知係—an old friend of 地雷—Madame Jordan, of Honolulu. When she arrives, show her in at once."
"Yes, Mr. Eden," replied the girl.
He passed on into his own room, where he hung up his hat, coat and stick. On his 幅の広い, gleaming desk lay the morning mail; he ちらりと見ることd at it idly, but his mind was どこかよそで. In a moment he strolled to one of the windows and stood there gazing at the facade of the building across the way.
The day was not far 前進するd, and the 霧 that had 一面に覆う／毛布d San Francisco the night before still ぐずぐず残るd in the streets. 星／主役にするing into that dull gray もや, Eden saw a picture, a picture that was incongruously all color and light and life. His thoughts had traveled 支援する 負かす／撃墜する the long 回廊（地帯） of the years, and in that imagined scene outside the window, he himself moved, a わずかな／ほっそりした dark boy of seventeen.
Forty years ago—a night in Honolulu, the gay happy Honolulu of the 君主国. Behind a bank of ferns in one corner of the 広大な／多数の／重要な Phillimore living-room Berger's 禁止（する）d was playing, and over the polished 床に打ち倒す young Alec Eden and Sally Phillimore danced together. The boy つまずくd now and then, for the dance was a new-fangled one called the two-step, lately introduced into Hawaii by a young ensign from the Nipsic. But perhaps it was not 完全に his unfamiliarity with the two-step that muddled him, for he knew that in his 武器 he held the darling of the islands.
Some few are 好意d by fortune out of all 推論する／理由, and Sally Phillimore was one of these. Above and beyond her beauty, which would have been 十分な in itself, she seemed, in that simple Honolulu society, the heiress of all the ages. The Phillimore fortunes were at their 頂点（に達する）, Phillimore ships sailed the seven seas, on thousands of Phillimore acres the sugar-茎 ripened toward a 甘い, golden 収穫. Looking 負かす／撃墜する, Alec Eden saw hanging about the girl's white throat, a symbol of her place and wealth, the famous pearl necklace Marc Phillimore had brought home from London, and for which he had paid a price that made all Honolulu gasp.
Eden, of Meek and Eden, continued to 星／主役にする into the 霧. It was pleasant to relive that night in Hawaii, a night filled with 魔法 and the scent of exotic blossoms, to hear again the giddy laughter, the distant murmur of the surf, the soft croon of island music. Dimly he 解任するd Sally's blue 注目する，もくろむs 向こうずねing up at him. More vividly—for he was nearly sixty now, and a 商売／仕事 man—he saw again the big lustrous pearls that lay on her breast, 反映するing the light with a warm glow—
Oh, 井戸／弁護士席—he shrugged his shoulders. All that was forty years ago, and much had happened since. Sally's marriage to Fred Jordan, for example, and then, a few years later, the birth of her only child, of 勝利者. Eden smiled grimly. How ill-advised she had been when she 指名するd that foolish, wayward boy.
He went over to his desk and sat 負かす／撃墜する. No 疑問 it was some escapade of 勝利者's, he 反映するd, that was 責任がある the scene すぐに to be 制定するd here in this office on 地位，任命する Street. Yes, of course, that was it. 勝利者, lurking in the wings, was about to （犯罪の）一味 負かす／撃墜する the final curtain on the 演劇 of the Phillimore pearls.
He was 深い in his mail when, a few moments later, his 長官 opened the door and 発表するd: "Madame Jordan is calling."
Eden rose. Sally Jordan was coming toward him over the Chinese rug. Gay and sprightly as ever—how valiantly she had 戦う／戦いd with the years! "Alec—my dear old friend—"
He took both her 壊れやすい 手渡すs in his. "Sally! I'm mighty glad to see you. Here." He drew a big leather 議長，司会を務める の近くに to his desk. "The 地位，任命する of 栄誉（を受ける） for you. Always."
Smiling, she sat 負かす／撃墜する. Eden went to his accustomed place behind his desk. He took up a paper-knife and balanced it; for a man of his 宙に浮く he appeared rather ill at 緩和する. "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 約束, Sally. You didn't let me know."
"But I've had such a gay 一連の会議、交渉／完成する," she 抗議するd. "勝利者 is always so good to me."
"Ah, yes—勝利者—he's 井戸／弁護士席, I hope." Eden looked away, out the window. "霧's 解除するing, isn't it? A 罰金 day, after all—"
"Dear old Alec." She shook her 長，率いる. "No good （警官の）巡回区域，受持ち区域ing 一連の会議、交渉／完成する the bush. Never did believe in it. Get 負かす／撃墜する to 商売／仕事—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?"
"No, no," she 反対するd. "It's perfectly true—they're no good to me. I'm a 広大な／多数の／重要な 信奉者 in what's fitting—and those gorgeous pearls were meant for 青年. However, that's not the 推論する／理由 I'm selling. I'd hang on to them if I could. But I can't. I—I'm broke, Alec."
He looked out the window again.
"Sounds absurd, doesn't it?" she went on. "All the Phillimore ships—the Phillimore acres—消えるd into thin 空気／公表する. The big house on the beach—mortgaged to the hilt. You see—勝利者—he's made some unfortunate 投資s—"
"I see," said Eden softly.
"Oh, I know what you're thinking, Alec. 勝利者's a bad, bad boy. Foolish and careless and—and worse, perhaps. But he's all I've got, since Fred went. And I'm sticking by him."
"Like the good sport you are," he smiled. "No, I wasn't thinking unkindly of 勝利者, Sally. I—I have a son myself."
"許す me," she said. "I should have asked before. How's （頭が）ひょいと動く?"
"Why, he's all 権利, I guess. He may come in before you leave—if he happens to have had an 早期に breakfast."
"Is he with you in the 商売／仕事?"
Eden shrugged. "Not 正確に. （頭が）ひょいと動く's been out of college three years now. One of those years was spent in the South Seas, another in Europe, and the third—from what I can gather—in the card-room of his club. However, his career does seem to be worrying him a bit. The last I heard he was thinking of the newspaper game. He has friends on the papers." The jeweler waved his 手渡す about the office. "This sort of thing, Sally—this thing I've given my life to—it's a 広大な／多数の／重要な bore to （頭が）ひょいと動く."
"Poor Alec," said Sally Jordan softly. "The new 世代 is so hard to understand. But—it's my own troubles I （機の）カム to talk about. Broke, as I told you. Those pearls are all I have in the world."
"井戸／弁護士席—they're a good 取引，協定," Eden told her.
"Enough to help 勝利者 out of the 穴を開ける he's in. Enough for the few years left me, perhaps. Father paid ninety thousand for them. It was a fortune at that time—but today—"
"Today," Eden repeated. "You don't seem to realize, Sally. Like everything else, pearls have 大いに 高く評価する／（相場などが）上がるd since the 'eighties. Today that string is 価値（がある） three hundred thousand if it's 価値（がある） a cent."
She gasped. "Why, it can't be. Are you sure? You've never seen the necklace—"
"Ah—I was wondering if you'd remember," he chided. "I see you don't. Just before you （機の）カム in I was thinking 支援する—支援する to a night forty years ago, when I was visiting my uncle in the islands. Seventeen—that's all I was—but I （機の）カム to your dance, and you taught me the two-step. The pearls were about your throat. One of the memorable nights of my life."
"And of 地雷," she nodded. "I remember now. Father had just brought the necklace from London, and it was the first time I'd worn it. Forty years ago—ah, Alec, let's hurry 支援する to the 現在の. Memories—いつかs they 傷つける." She was silent for a moment. "Three hundred thousand, you say."
"I don't 保証（人） I can get that much," he told her. "I said the necklace was 価値（がある） it. But it isn't always 平易な to find a 買い手 who will 会合，会う your 条件. The man I have in mind—"
"Oh—you've 設立する some one—"
"井戸／弁護士席—yes—I have. But he 辞退するs to go above two hundred and twenty thousand. Of course, if you're in a hurry to sell—"
"I am," she answered. "Who is this Midas?"
"Madden," he said. "P.J. Madden."
"Not the big 塀で囲む Street man? The Plunger?"
"Yes. You know him?"
"Only through the newspapers. He's famous, of course, but I've never seen him."
Eden frowned. "That's curious," he said. "He appeared to know you. I had heard he was in town, and when you telephoned me the other day, I went at once to his hotel. He 認める he was on the 警戒／見張り for a string as a 現在の for his daughter, but he was pretty 冷淡な at first. However, when I について言及するd the Phillimore pearls, he laughed. 'Sally Phillimore's pearls,' he said. 'I'll take them.' 'Three hundred thousand,' I said. 'Two hundred and twenty and not a penny more,' he answered. And looked at me with those 注目する，もくろむs of his—同様に try to 取引 with this fellow here." He 示すd a small bronze Buddha on his desk.
Sally Jordan seemed puzzled. "But Alec—he couldn't know me. I don't understand. However, he's 申し込む／申し出ing a fortune, and I want it, 不正に. Please hurry and の近くに with him before he leaves town."
Again the door opened at the 長官's touch. "Mr. Madden, of New York," said the girl.
"Yes," said Eden. "We'll see him at once." He turned to his old friend. "I asked him to come here this morning and 会合，会う you. Now take my advice and don't be too eager. We may be able to 上げる him a bit, though I 疑問 it. He's a hard man, Sally, a hard man. The newspaper stories about him are only too true."
He broke off suddenly, for the hard man he spoke of stood upon his rug. P.J. himself, the 広大な／多数の／重要な Madden, the hero of a thousand 塀で囲む Street 戦う／戦いs, six feet and over and ぼんやり現れるing like a tower of granite in the gray 着せる／賦与するs he always 影響する／感情d. His 冷淡な blue 注目する，もくろむs swept the room like an 北極の 爆破.
"Ah, Mr. Madden, come in," said Eden, rising. Madden 前進するd さらに先に into the room, and after him （機の）カム a tall languid girl in expensive furs and a lean, 正確な-looking man in a dark blue 控訴.
"Madame Jordan, this is Mr. Madden, of whom we have just been speaking," Eden said.
"Madame Jordan," repeated Madden, 屈服するing わずかに. He had dealt so much in steel it had got somehow into his 発言する／表明する. "I've brought along my daughter Evelyn, and my 長官, ツバメ Thorn."
"Charmed, I'm sure," Eden answered. He stood for a moment gazing at this 利益／興味ing group that had 侵略するd his 静かな office—the famous financier, 冷静な／正味の, competent, conscious of his 力／強力にする, the slender haughty girl upon whom, it was 報告（する）／憶測d, Madden lavished all the affection of his later years, the thin 激しい 長官, subserviently in the background but for some 推論する／理由 not so ごくわずかの as he might have been. "Won't you all sit 負かす／撃墜する, please," the jeweler continued. He arranged 議長，司会を務めるs. Madden drew his の近くに to the desk; the 空気／公表する seemed 告発（する），告訴（する）／料金d with his presence; he dwarfed them all.
"No need of any preamble," said the millionaire. "We've come to see those pearls."
Eden started. "My dear sir—I'm afraid I gave you the wrong impression. The pearls are not in San Francisco at 現在の."
Madden 星／主役にするd at him. "But when you told me to come here and 会合，会う the owner—"
"I'm so sorry—I meant just that."
Sally Jordan helped him out. "You see, Mr. Madden, I had no 意向 of selling the necklace when I （機の）カム here from Honolulu. I was moved to that 決定／判定勝ち（する） by events after I reached here. But I have sent for it—"
The girl spoke. She had thrown 支援する the fur about her neck, and she was beautiful in her way, but 冷淡な and hard like her father—and just now, evidently, unutterably bored. "I thought of course the pearls were here," she said, "or I should not have come."
"井戸／弁護士席, it isn't going to 傷つける you," her father snapped. "Mrs. Jordan, you say you've sent for the necklace?"
"Yes. It will leave Honolulu tonight, if all goes 井戸／弁護士席. It should be here in six days."
"No good," said Madden. "My daughter's starting tonight for Denver. I go south in the morning, and in a week I 推定する／予想する to join her in Colorado and we'll travel east together. No good, you see."
"I will agree to 配達する the necklace anywhere you say," 示唆するd Eden.
"Yes—I guess you will." Madden considered. He turned to Madame Jordan. "This is the 同一の string of pearls you were wearing at the old Palace Hotel in 1889?" he asked.
She looked it him in surprise. "The same string," she answered.
"And even more beautiful than it was then, I'll wager," Eden smiled. "You know, Mr. Madden, there is an old superstition in the 宝石類 貿易（する） that pearls assume the personality of their wearer and become somber or 有望な, によれば the mood of the one they adorn. If that is true, this string has grown more lively through the years."
"Bunk," said Madden rudely. "Oh, excuse me—I don't mean that the lady isn't charming. But I have no sympathy with the silly superstitions of your 貿易（する）—or of any other 貿易（する）. 井戸／弁護士席, I'm a busy man. I'll take the string—at the price I 指名するd."
Eden shook his 長，率いる. "It's 価値（がある） at least three hundred thousand, as I told you."
"Not to me. Two hundred and twenty—twenty now to 貯蔵所d it and the balance within thirty days after the 配達／演説／出産 of the string. Take it or leave it."
He rose and 星／主役にするd 負かす／撃墜する at the jeweler. Eden was an adept at 取引ing, but somehow all his cunning left him as he 直面するd this Gibraltar of a man. He looked helplessly toward his old friend.
"It's all 権利, Alec," Madame Jordan said. "I 受託する."
"Very good," Eden sighed. "But you are getting a 広大な／多数の／重要な 取引, Mr. Madden."
"I always get a 広大な／多数の／重要な 取引," replied Madden. "Or I don't buy." He took out his check-調書をとる／予約する. "Twenty thousand now, as I agreed."
For the first time the 長官 spoke; his 発言する／表明する was thin and 冷淡な and disturbingly polite. "You say the pearls will arrive in six days?"
"Six days or thereabouts," Madame Jordan answered.
"Ah, yes." An ingratiating 公式文書，認める crept in. "They are coming by—"
"By a 私的な messenger," said Eden はっきりと. He was taking a belated 調査する of ツバメ Thorn. A pale high forehead, pale green 注目する，もくろむs that now and then popped disconcertingly, long, pale, しっかり掴むing 手渡すs. Not the jolliest sort of playmate to have around, he 反映するd. "A 私的な messenger," he repeated 堅固に.
"Of course," said Thorn. Madden had written the check and laid it on the jeweler's desk. "I was thinking, 長，指導者—just a suggestion," Thorn went on. "If 行方不明になる Evelyn is to return and spend the balance of the winter in Pasadena, she will want to wear the necklace there. We'll still be in that 近隣 six days from now, and it seems to me—"
"Who's buying this necklace?" 削減（する） in Madden. "I'm not going to have the thing carried 支援する and 前へ／外へ across the country. It's too risky in these days when every other man is a crook."
"But father," said the girl. "it's やめる true that I'd like to wear it this winter—"
She stopped. P.J. Madden's crimson 直面する had gone purple, and he was 投げ上げる／ボディチェックするing his 広大な／多数の／重要な 長，率いる. It was a quaint habit he had when …に反対するd, the newspapers said. "The necklace will be 配達するd to me in New York," he 発言／述べるd to Eden, ignoring his daughter and Thorn. "I'll be in the south for some time—got a place in Pasadena and a ranch on the 砂漠, four miles from Eldorado. 港／避難所't been 負かす／撃墜する there for やめる a while, and unless you look in on these 管理人s occasionally, they get slack. As soon as I'm 支援する in New York I'll wire you, and you can 配達する the necklace at my office. You'll have my check for the balance within thirty days."
"That's perfectly agreeable to me," Eden said. "If you'll wait just a moment I'll have a 法案 of sale drawn, 輪郭（を描く）ing the 条件. 商売／仕事 is 商売／仕事—as you of all men understand."
"Of course," nodded Madden. The jeweler went out.
Evelyn Madden rose. "I'll 会合，会う you downstairs, father. I want to look over their 在庫／株 of jade." She turned to Madame Jordan. "You know, one finds better jade in San Francisco than anywhere else."
"Yes, indeed," smiled the older woman. She rose and took the girl's 手渡すs. "Such a lovely throat, my dear—I was 説 just before you （機の）カム—the Phillimore pearls need 青年. 井戸／弁護士席, they're to have it at last. I hope you will wear them through many happy years."
"Why—why, thank you," said the girl, and went.
Madden ちらりと見ることd at his 長官. "Wait for me in the car," he ordered. Alone with Madame Jordan, he looked at her grimly. "You never saw me before, did you?" he 問い合わせd.
"I'm so sorry. Have I?"
"No—I suppose not. But I saw you. Oh, we're 井戸／弁護士席 along in years now, and it does no 害（を与える） to speak of these things. I want you to know it will be a 広大な／多数の／重要な satisfaction to me to own that necklace. A 深い 負傷させる and an old one is 傷をいやす／和解させるd this morning."
She 星／主役にするd at him. "I don't understand."
"No, of course you don't. But in the 'eighties you used to come from the islands with your family and stop at the Palace Hotel. And I—I was a bell-hop at that same hotel. I often saw you there—I saw you once when you were wearing that famous necklace. I thought you were the most beautiful girl in the world—oh, why not—we're both—er—"
"We're both old now," she said softly.
"Yes—that's what I mean. I worshipped you, but I—I was a bell-hop—you looked through me—you never saw me. A bit of furniture, that's all I was to you. Oh, I tell you, it 傷つける my pride—a 深い 負傷させる, as I said. I swore I'd get on—I knew it, even then. I'd marry you. We can both smile at that now. It didn't work out—even some of my 計画／陰謀s never worked out. But today I own your pearls—they'll hang about my daughter's neck. It's the next best thing. I've bought you out. A 深い 負傷させる in my pride, but 傷をいやす／和解させるd at last."
She looked at him, and shook her 長，率いる. Once she might have resented this, but not now. "You're a strange man," she said.
"I am what I am," he answered. "I had to tell you. さもなければ the 勝利 would not have been 完全にする."
Eden （機の）カム in. "Here you are, Mr. Madden. If you'll 調印する this—thank you."
"You'll get a wire," said Madden. "In New York, remember, and nowhere else. Good day." He turned to Madame Jordan and held out his 手渡す.
She took it, smiling. "Good-bye. I'm not looking through you now. I see you at last."
"And what do you see?"
"A terribly vain man. But a likable one."
"Thank you. I'll remember that. Good-bye."
He left them. Eden sank wearily into a 議長，司会を務める. "井戸／弁護士席, that's that. He rather wears one out. I 手配中の，お尋ね者 to stick for a higher 人物／姿／数字, but it looked hopeless. Somehow, I knew he always 勝利，勝つs."
"Yes," said Madame Jordan, "he always 勝利，勝つs."
"By the way, Sally, I didn't want you to tell that 長官 who was bringing the pearls. But you'd better tell me."
"Why, of course. Charlie's bringing them."
"Charlie?"
"探偵，刑事-Sergeant Chan, of the Honolulu police. Long ago, in the big house on the beach, he was our number-one boy."
"Chan. A Chinese?"
"Yes. Charlie left us to join the police 軍隊, and he's made a 罰金 記録，記録的な／記録する there. He's always 手配中の，お尋ね者 to come to the 本土／大陸, so I've had it all arranged—his leave of absence, his status as a 国民, everything. And he's coming with the pearls. Where could I have 設立する a better messenger? Why—I'd 信用 Charlie with my life—no, that isn't very precious any more. I'd 信用 him with the life of the one I loved dearest in the world."
"He's leaving tonight, you said."
"Yes—on the 大統領 Pierce. It's 予定 late next Thursday afternoon."
The door opened, and a good-looking young man stood on the threshold. His 直面する was lean and tanned, his manner 均衡を保った and 確信して, and his smile had just left 行方不明になる Chase day-dreaming in the outer office. "Oh, I'm sorry, dad—if you're busy. Why—look who's here!"
"（頭が）ひょいと動く," cried Madame Jordan. "You rascal—I was hoping to see you. How are you?"
"Just waking into glorious life," he told her. "How are you, and all the other young folks out your way?"
"罰金, thanks. By the way, you dawdled too long over breakfast. Just 行方不明になるd 会合 a very pretty girl."
"No, I didn't. Not if you mean Evelyn Madden. Saw her downstairs as I （機の）カム in—she was talking to one of those 追放するd grand dukes we 雇う to wait on the 顧客s. I didn't ぐずぐず残る—she's an old story now. Been seeing her everywhere I went for the past week."
"I thought her very charming," Madame Jordan said.
"But an iceberg," 反対するd the boy. "B-r-r—how the wintry 勝利，勝つd do blow in her 周辺. However, I guess she comes by it honestly. I passed the 広大な／多数の／重要な P.J. himself on the stairs."
"Nonsense. Have you ever tried that smile of yours on her?"
"In a way. Nothing special—just the old 貿易（する） smile. But look here—I'm on to you. You want to 利益／興味 me in the obsolete 会・原則 of marriage."
"It's what you need. It's what all young men need."
"What for?"
"As an incentive. Something to 刺激（する） you on to get the most out of life."
（頭が）ひょいと動く Eden laughed. "Listen, my dear. When the 霧 begins to drift in through the Gate, and the lights begin to twinkle on O'Farrell Street—井戸／弁護士席, I don't want to be 妨害するd by no incentive, lady. Besides, the girls aren't what they were when you were breaking hearts."
"Rot," she answered. "They're very much nicer. The young men are growing silly. Alec, I'll go along."
"I'll get in touch with you next Thursday," the 年上の Eden said. "By the way—I'm sorry it wasn't more, for your sake."
"It was an amazing lot," she replied. "I'm very happy." Her 注目する，もくろむs filled. "Dear dad—he's taking care of me still," she 追加するd, and went quickly out.
Eden turned to his son. "I 裁判官 you 港／避難所't taken a newspaper 職業 yet?"
"Not yet." The boy lighted a cigarette. "Of course, the editors are all after me. But I've been fighting them off."
"井戸／弁護士席, fight them off a little longer. I want you to be 解放する／自由な for the next two or three weeks. I've a little 職業 for you myself."
"Why of course, dad." He 投げ上げる／ボディチェックするd a match into a priceless Kang-Hsi vase. "What sort of 職業? What do I do?"
"First of all, you 会合，会う the 大統領 Pierce late next Thursday afternoon."
"Sounds 約束ing. I 推定する a young woman, ひどく 隠すd, comes 岸に—
"No. A Chinese comes 岸に."
"A what?"
"A Chinese 探偵，刑事 from Honolulu, carrying in his pocket a pearl necklace 価値（がある） over a ４半期/4分の1 of a million dollars."
（頭が）ひょいと動く Eden nodded. "Yes. And after that—"
"After that," said Alexander Eden thoughtfully, "who can say? That may be only the beginning."
At six o'clock on the に引き続いて Thursday evening, Alexander Eden drove to the Stewart Hotel. All day a February rain had spattered over the town, bringing an 早期に dusk. For a moment Eden stood in the doorway of the hotel, 星／主役にするing at the parade of bobbing umbrellas and at the lights along Geary Street, glowing a 薄暗い yellow in the dripping もや. In San Francisco age does not 事柄 much, and he felt like a boy again as he 棒 up in the elevator to Sally Jordan's 控訴.
She was waiting for him in the doorway of her sitting-room, lovely as a girl in a soft 粘着するing dinner gown of gray. Caste tells, 特に when one has reached the sixties, Eden thought as he took her 手渡す.
"Ah, Alec," she smiled. "Come in. You remember 勝利者."
勝利者 stepped 今後 熱望して, and Eden looked at him with 利益／興味. He had not seen Sally Jordan's son for some years and he 公式文書，認めるd that, at thirty-five, 勝利者 began to show the 緊張する of his giddy career as man about town. His brown 注目する，もくろむs were tired, as though they had looked at the 有望な lights too long, his 直面する a bit puffy, his waistline far too generous. But his attire was perfection; evidently his tailor had yet to hear of the failing Phillimore fortunes.
"Come in, come in," said 勝利者 gaily. His heart was light, for he saw important money in the 沖. "As I understand it, tonight's the night."
"And I'm glad it is," Sally Jordan 追加するd. "I shall be happy to get that necklace off my mind. Too 広大な／多数の／重要な a 重荷（を負わせる） at my age."
Eden sat 負かす／撃墜する. "（頭が）ひょいと動く's gone to the ドッキングする／減らす／ドックに入れる to 会合，会う the 大統領 Pierce," he 発言／述べるd. "I told him to come here at once with your Chinese friend."
"Ah, yes," said Sally Jordan.
"Have a cocktail," 示唆するd 勝利者.
"No, thanks," Eden replied. 突然の he rose and strode about the room.
Mrs. Jordan regarded him with 関心. "Has anything happened?" she 問い合わせd.
The jeweler returned to his 議長，司会を務める. "井戸／弁護士席, yes—something has happened," he 認める. "Something—井戸／弁護士席, something rather 半端物."
"About the necklace, you mean?" asked 勝利者 with 利益／興味.
"Yes," said Eden. He turned to Sally Jordan. "You remember what Madden told us, Sally? Almost his last words. 'New York, and nowhere else.'"
"Why, yes—I remember," she replied.
"井戸／弁護士席, he's changed his mind," frowned the jeweler. "Somehow, it doesn't seem like Madden. He called me up this morning from his ranch 負かす／撃墜する on the 砂漠, and he wants the necklace 配達するd there."
"On the 砂漠?" she repeated, amazed.
"正確に. 自然に, I was surprised. But his 指示／教授／教育s were emphatic, and you know the sort of man he is. One doesn't argue with him. I listened to what he had to say, and agreed. But after he had rung off, I got to thinking. What he had said that morning at my office, you know. I asked myself—was it really Madden talking? The 発言する／表明する had an authentic （犯罪の）一味—but even so—井戸／弁護士席, I 決定するd to take no chances."
"やめる 権利, too," nodded Sally Jordan.
"So I called him 支援する. I had a devil of a time finding his number, but I finally got it from a 商売／仕事 associate of his here in town. Eldorado 76. I asked for P.J. Madden and I got him. Oh, it was Madden 権利 enough."
"And what did he say?"
"He commended me for my 警告を与える, but his orders were even more emphatic than before. He said he had heard 確かな things that made him think it risky to take the necklace to New York at this time. He didn't explain what he meant by that. But he 追加するd that he'd come to the 結論 that the 砂漠 was an ideal place for a 処理／取引 of this sort. The last place in the world any one would come looking for a chance to steal a ４半期/4分の1 of a million dollar necklace. Of course he didn't say all that over the wire, but that was what I gathered."
"He's 絶対 権利, too," said 勝利者.
"井戸／弁護士席, yes—in a way, he is. I've spent a lot of time on the 砂漠 myself. In spite of the story writers, it's the most 法律-がまんするing place in America today. Nobody ever locks a door, or so much as thinks of thieves. Ask the 普通の／平均（する） rancher about police 保護, and he'll look surprised and murmur something about a 郡保安官 several hundred miles away. But for all that—"
Eden got up again and walked anxiously about the room. "For all that—or rather, for those very 推論する／理由s, I don't like the idea at all. Suppose somebody did want to play a crooked game—what a setting for it! Away out there on that ocean of sand, with only the Joshua trees for neighbors. Suppose I send （頭が）ひょいと動く 負かす／撃墜する there with your necklace, and he walks into a 罠（にかける）. Madden may not be at that lonely ranch. He may have gone east. He may even, by the time （頭が）ひょいと動く gets there, have gone west—as they said in the war. Lying out on the 砂漠, with a 弾丸 in him—"
勝利者 laughed derisively. "Look here, your imagination is running away with you," he cried.
Eden smiled. "Maybe it is," he 認める. "Begins to look as though I were growing old, eh, Sally?" He took out his watch. "But where's （頭が）ひょいと動く? せねばならない be here by now. If you don't mind, I'll use your telephone."
He called the ドッキングする／減らす／ドックに入れる, and （機の）カム away from the phone with a still more worried look. "The 大統領 Pierce got in a 十分な forty-five minutes ago," he 発表するd. "Half an hour should bring them here."
"Traffic's rather 厚い at this hour," 勝利者 reminded him.
"Yes—that's 権利, too," Eden agreed. "井戸／弁護士席, Sally, I've told you the 状況／情勢. What do you think?"
"What should she think?" 勝利者 削減（する） in. "Madden's bought the necklace and wants it 配達するd on the 砂漠. It isn't up to us to question his orders. If we do, he may get annoyed and call the whole 取引，協定 off. No, our 職業 is to 配達する the pearls, get his 領収書, and wait for his check." His puffy white 手渡すs twitched 熱望して.
Eden turned to his old friend. "Is that your opinion, Sally?"
"Why, yes, Alec," she said. "I fancy 勝利者 is 権利." She looked at her son proudly. Eden also looked at him, but with a vastly different 表現.
"Very good," he answered. "Then there is no time to be lost. Madden is in a 広大な／多数の／重要な hurry, as he wants to start for New York very soon. I shall send （頭が）ひょいと動く with the necklace at eleven o'clock tonight—but I 絶対 辞退する to send him alone."
"I'll go along," 勝利者 申し込む／申し出d.
Eden shook his 長，率いる. "No," he 反対するd, "I prefer a policeman, even though he does belong to a 軍隊 as far away as Honolulu. This Charlie Chan—do you think, Sally, that you could 説得する him to go with （頭が）ひょいと動く?"
She nodded. "I'm sure of it. Charlie would do anything for me."
"All 権利—that's settled. But where the devil are they? I tell you, I'm worried—"
The telephone interrupted him, and Madame Jordan went to answer it. "Oh—hello, Charlie," she said. "Come 権利 up. We're on the fourth 床に打ち倒す—number 492. Yes. Are you alone?" She hung up the receiver and turned 支援する into the room. "He says he is alone," she 発表するd.
"Alone," repeated Eden. "Why—I don't understand that—" He sank weakly into a 議長，司会を務める.
A moment later he looked up with 利益／興味 at the chubby little man his hostess and her son were 迎える／歓迎するing 温かく at the door. The 探偵，刑事 from Honolulu stepped さらに先に into the room, an undistinguished 人物／姿／数字 in his Western 着せる／賦与するs. He had 一連の会議、交渉／完成する fat cheeks, an ivory 肌, but the thing about him that caught Eden's attention was the 表現 in his 注目する，もくろむs, a look of keen brightness that made the pupils gleam like 黒人／ボイコット buttons in the yellow light.
"Alec," said Sally Jordan, "this is my old friend, Charlie Chan. Charlie—Mr. Eden."
Chan 屈服するd low. "栄誉（を受ける）s （人が）群がる の近くに on this 本土／大陸," he said. "First I am 行方不明になる Sally's old friend, and now I 会合，会う Mr. Eden."
Eden rose. "How do you do," he said.
"Have a good crossing, Charlie?" 勝利者 asked.
Chan shrugged. "All time big 太平洋の Ocean 苦しむ sharp 苦痛 負かす／撃墜する below, and 投げ上げる／ボディチェックする about to 証明する it. Maybe from sympathy, I am in same 直す／買収する，八百長をする."
Eden （機の）カム 今後. "容赦 me if I'm a little abrupt—but my son—he was to 会合，会う your ship—"
"So sorry," Chan said, regarding him 厳粛に. "The fault must indubitably be 地雷. Kindly overlook my stupidity, but there was no 会合 at ドッキングする／減らす／ドックに入れる."
"I can't understand it," Eden complained again.
"For some few minutes I ぐずぐず残る 一連の会議、交渉／完成する ギャング（団）-board," Chan continued. "No one 投機・賭けるs to approach out of 雨の night. Therefore I engage taxi and hurry to this 位置／汚点／見つけ出す."
"You've got the necklace?" 勝利者 需要・要求するd.
"Beyond any question," Chan replied. "Already I have procured room in this hotel, partly disrobing to 除去する same from money-belt about waist." He 投げ上げる／ボディチェックするd an innocent-looking string of beads 負かす／撃墜する upon the （米）棚上げする／（英）提議する. "Regard the Phillimore pearls at 旅行's end," he grinned. "And now a 広大な／多数の／重要な 重荷（を負わせる） 減少（する）s from my shoulders with a most delectable thud."
Eden, the jeweler, stepped 今後 and 解除するd the string in his 手渡すs. "Beautiful," he murmured, "beautiful. Sally, we should never have let Madden have them at the price. They're perfectly matched—I don't know that I ever saw—" He 星／主役にするd for a moment into the rosy glow of the pearls, then laid them again on the （米）棚上げする／（英）提議する. "But （頭が）ひょいと動く—where is （頭が）ひょいと動く?"
"Oh, he'll be along," 発言／述べるd 勝利者, taking up the necklace. "Just a 事例／患者 of 行方不明の each other."
"I am the 欠陥のある one," 主張するd Chan. "Shamed by my 失敗—"
"Maybe," said Eden. "But—now that you have the pearls, Sally, I'll tell you something else. I didn't want to worry you before. This afternoon at four o'clock some one called me—Madden again, he said. But something in his 発言する／表明する—anyhow, I was 用心深い. Pearls were coming on the 大統領 Pierce, were they? Yes. And the 指名する of the messenger? Why should I tell him that, I 問い合わせd. 井戸／弁護士席, he had just got 持つ／拘留する of some inside facts that made him feel the string was in danger, and he didn't want anything to happen. He was in a position to help in the 事柄. He 主張するd, so I finally said: 'Very good, Mr. Madden. Hang up your receiver and I'll call you 支援する in ten minutes with the （警察などへの）密告，告訴（状） you want.' There was a pause, then I heard him hang up. But I didn't phone the 砂漠. Instead I had that call traced, and I 設立する it （機の）カム from a 支払う／賃金-駅／配置する in a cigar 蓄える／店 at the corner of Sutter and Kearny Streets."
Eden paused. He saw Charlie Chan regarding him with 深い 利益／興味.
"Can you wonder I'm worried about （頭が）ひょいと動く?" the jeweler continued. "There's some funny 商売／仕事 going on, and I tell you I don't like it—"
A knock sounded on the door, and Eden himself opened it. His son stepped into the room, debonair and smiling. At sight of him, as so often happens in such a 状況／情勢, the anxious father's worry gave way to a 深い 激怒（する）.
"You're a hell of a 商売／仕事 man," he cried.
"Now, father—no compliments," laughed （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden. "And me wandering all over San Francisco in your service."
"I suppose so. That's about what you would be doing, when it was your 職業 to 会合，会う Mr. Chan at the ドッキングする／減らす／ドックに入れる."
"Just a moment, dad." （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden 除去するd a glistening rain coat. "Hello, 勝利者. Madame Jordan. And this, I imagine, is Mr. Chan."
"So sorry to 行方不明になる 会合 at ドッキングする／減らす／ドックに入れる," murmured Chan. "All my fault, I am sure—"
"Nonsense," cried the jeweler. "His fault, as usual. When, in heaven's 指名する, are you going to show a sense of 責任／義務?"
"Now, dad. And a sense of 責任／義務 is just what I've only this minute stopped showing nothing else but."
"Good lord—what language is that? You didn't 会合，会う Mr. Chan, did you?"
"井戸／弁護士席, in a way, I didn't—"
"In a way? In a way!"
"正確に. It's a long story, and I'll tell it if you'll stop interrupting with these unwarranted attacks on my character. I'll sit 負かす／撃墜する, if I may. I've been about a bit, and I'm tired."
He lighted a cigarette. "When I （機の）カム out of the club about five to go to the ドッキングする／減らす／ドックに入れる, there was nothing in sight but a 乱打するd old taxi that had seen better days. I jumped in. When I got 負かす／撃墜する on the Embarcadero I noticed that the driver was a pretty disreputable lad with a scar on one cheek and a cauliflower ear. He said he'd wait for me, and he said it with a lot of enthusiasm. I went into the pier-shed. There was the 大統領 Pierce out in the harbor, fumbling 一連の会議、交渉／完成する trying to ドッキングする／減らす／ドックに入れる. In a few minutes I noticed a man standing 近づく me—a thin chilly-looking lad with an overcoat, the collar up about his ears, and a pair of 黒人／ボイコット spectacles. I guess I'm psychic—he didn't look good to me. I couldn't tell, but somehow he seemed to be looking at me from 支援する of those smoked windows. I moved to the other 味方する of the shed. So did he. I went to the street. He followed. 井戸／弁護士席, I drifted 支援する to the ギャング（団）-plank, and old Chilly 法案 （機の）カム along."
（頭が）ひょいと動く Eden paused, smiling genially about him. "権利 then and there I （機の）カム to a quick 決定／判定勝ち（する）. I'm remarkable that way. I didn't have the pearls, but Mr. Chan did. Why tip off the world to Mr. Chan? So I just stood there 星／主役にするing hopefully at the （人が）群がる 上陸 from the old P.P. Presently I saw the man I took to be Mr. Chan come 負かす／撃墜する the plank, but I never stirred. I watched him while he looked about, then I saw him go out to the street. Still the mysterious gent behind the windows stuck closer than a 法案 collector. After everybody was 岸に, I went 支援する to my taxi and paid off the driver. 'Was you 推定する／予想するing somebody on the ship?' he asked. 'Yes,' I told him. 'I （機の）カム 負かす／撃墜する to 会合，会う the Dowager 皇后 of 中国, but they tell me she's dead.' He gave me a dirty look. As I hurried away the man with the 黒人／ボイコット glasses （機の）カム up. 'Taxi, Mister,' said Cauliflower Ear. And old Glasses got in. I had to meander through the rain all the way to the S.P. 駅／配置する before I could find another cab. Just as I drove away from the 駅／配置する along （機の）カム Cauliflower Ear in his splendid equipage. He followed along behind, 負かす／撃墜する Third, up Market to Powell, and finally to the St. Francis. I went in the 前線 door of the hotel and out the 味方する, on to 地位，任命する. And there was Cauliflower Ear and his fare, drifting by our 蓄える／店. As I went in the 前線 door of the club, my dear old friends drew up across the street. I escaped by way of the kitchen, and slipped over here. I fancy they're still in 前線 of the club—they loved me like a brother." He paused. "And that, dad, is the long but thrilling story of why I did not 会合，会う Mr. Chan."
Eden smiled. "By jove, you've got more brains than I thought. You were perfectly 権利. But look here, Sally—I like this いっそう少なく than ever. That necklace of yours isn't a 井戸／弁護士席-known string. It's been in Honolulu for years. 平易な as the devil to 配置する／処分する／したい気持ちにさせる of it, once it's stolen. If you'll take my advice, you'll certainly not send it off to the 砂漠—"
"Why not?" broke in 勝利者. "The 砂漠's the very place to send it. Certainly this town doesn't look any too good."
"Alec," said Sally Jordan, "we need the money. If Mr. Madden is 負かす／撃墜する at Eldorado, and asks for the necklace there, then let's send it to him すぐに and get his 領収書. After that—井戸／弁護士席, it's his 警戒／見張り. His worry. Certainly I want it off my 手渡すs as soon as may be."
Eden sighed. "All 権利. It's for you to decide. （頭が）ひょいと動く will take it at eleven, as we planned. 供給するd—井戸／弁護士席, 供給するd you make the 協定 you 約束d—供給するd he doesn't go alone." He looked toward Charlie Chan who was standing at the window watching, fascinated, the noisy life of Geary Street far below.
"Charlie," said Sally Jordan.
"Yes, 行方不明になる Sally." He turned, smiling, to 直面する her.
"What was that you said about the 重荷（を負わせる） dropping from your shoulders? The delectable thud?"
"Now vacation begins," he said. "All my life I have 制限のない yearning to 直面する the wonders of this 本土／大陸. Moment are now at 手渡す. Care-解放する／自由な and happy, not like crossing on ship. There all time pearls 残り／休憩（する） 激しい on stomach, most undigestible, like sour rice. Not so now."
Madame Jordan shook her 長，率いる. "I'm sorry, Charlie," she said. "I'm going to ask you to eat one more bowl of sour rice. For me—for auld lang syne."
"I do not やめる しっかり掴む meaning," he told her.
She 輪郭（を描く）d the 計画（する） to send him with （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden to the 砂漠. His 表現 did not change.
"I will go," he 約束d 厳粛に.
"Thank you, Charlie," said Sally Jordan softly.
"In my 青年," he continued, "I am house-boy in the Phillimore mansion. Still in my heart like old-time garden bloom memories of 親切 never to be repaid." He saw Sally Jordan's 注目する，もくろむs 有望な and 向こうずねing with 涙／ほころびs. "Life would be dreary waste," he finished, "if there was no thing called 忠義."
Very flowery, thought Alexander Eden. He sought to introduce a more practical 公式文書，認める. "All your expenses will be paid, of course. And that vacation is just 延期するd for a few days. You'd better carry the pearls—you have the belt, and besides, no one knows your 関係 with the 事件／事情／状勢. Thank heaven for that."
"I will carry them," Chan agreed. He took up the string from the （米）棚上げする／（英）提議する. "行方不明になる Sally, 投げ上げる／ボディチェックする all worry out of mind. When this young man and I 遭遇（する） proper person, pearls will be 配達するd. Until then, I guard them 井戸／弁護士席."
"I'm sure you will," smiled Madame Jordan.
"井戸／弁護士席, that's settled," said Eden. "Mr. Chan, you and my son will take the eleven o'clock フェリー（で運ぶ） to Richmond, which connects with the train to Barstow. There you'll have to change to another train for Eldorado, but you should reach Madden's ranch tomorrow evening. If he is there and everything seems in order—"
"Why should everything be in order?" broke in 勝利者. "If he's there—that's enough."
"井戸／弁護士席, of course, we don't want to take any undue 危険," Eden went on. "But you two will know what to do when you reach there. If Madden's at the ranch, give him the string and get his 領収書. That lets us out. Mr. Chan, we will 選ぶ you up here at ten-thirty. Until then, you are 解放する／自由な to follow your own inclination."
"現在の inclination," smiled Chan, "means tub filled with water, steaming hot. At ten-thirty in 入り口 hall of hotel I will be waiting, undigestible pearls on stomach, as before. Good-bye. Good-bye." He bobbed to each in turn and went out.
"I've been in the 商売／仕事 thirty-five years," said Eden, "but I never 雇うd a messenger やめる like him before."
"Dear Charlie," said Sally Jordan. "He'll 保護する those pearls with his life."
（頭が）ひょいと動く Eden laughed. "I hope it doesn't go as far as that," he 発言／述べるd. "I've got a life, too, and I'd like to hang on to it."
"Won't you both stay to dinner?" 示唆するd Sally Jordan.
"Some other time, thanks," Alexander Eden answered. "I don't think it wise we should keep together tonight. （頭が）ひょいと動く and I will go home—he has a 捕らえる、獲得する to pack, I imagine. I don't ーするつもりである to let him out of my sight until train time."
"One last word," said 勝利者. "Don't be too squeamish when you get 負かす／撃墜する on that ranch. If Madden's in danger, that's no 事件／事情／状勢 of ours. Put those pearls in his 手渡す and get his 領収書. That's all."
Eden shook his 長，率いる. "I don't like the look of this, Sally. I don't like this thing at all."
"Don't worry," she smiled. "I have every 信用／信任 in Charlie—and in （頭が）ひょいと動く."
"Such 人気 must be deserved," said （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden. "I 約束 I'll do my best. Only I hope that lad in the overcoat doesn't decide to come 負かす／撃墜する to the 砂漠 and warm up. Somehow, I'm not so sure I'd be a match for him—once he warmed up."
An hour later Charlie Chan 棒 負かす／撃墜する in the elevator to the 有望な ロビー of his hotel. A feeling of 激しい 責任／義務 again 重さを計るd upon him, for he had 回復するd to the money-belt about his bulging waist the pearls that alone remained of all the Phillimore fortune. After a quick ちらりと見ること about the ロビー, he went out into Geary Street.
The rain no longer fell and for a moment he stood on the 抑制（する）, a little, wistful, wide-注目する，もくろむd stranger, gazing at a world as new and strange to him as though he had wakened to find himself on 火星. The sidewalk was （人が）群がるd with theater-goers; taxis honked in the 狭くする street; at intervals sounded the flippant 警告 of cable-car bells, which is a tune heard only in San Francisco, a city with a 発言する／表明する and a gesture all its own.
Unexplored country to Charlie Chan, this 本土／大陸, and he was thrilled by the electric gaiety of the scene before him. Old-timers would have told him that what he saw was only a 薄暗い imitation of the night life of other days, but he had no memories of the past, and hence nothing to 嘆く／悼む. Seated on a stool at a lunch-反対する he ate his evening meal—a stool and a lunch-反対する, but it was adventure enough for one who had never known Billy Bogan's Louvre Cafe, on the 場所／位置 of which now stands the Bank of Italy—adventure enough for one who had no happy recollections of Delmonico's on O'Farrell Street or of the Odeon or the Pup or the 黒人／ボイコット Cat, 有望な 位置／汚点／見つけ出すs blotted out forever now. He partook heartily of the white man's cooking, and drank three cups of steaming tea.
A young man, from his 外見 perhaps a clerk, was eating a modest dinner at Chan's 味方する. After a few words 関心d with the sugar bowl, Chan 投機・賭けるd to 演説（する）／住所 him その上の.
"Please 容赦 the abrupt 前進する of a newcomer," he said. "For three hours I am 解放する／自由な to wander the damp but 利益／興味ing streets of your city. Kindly について言及する what I せねばならない see."
"Why—I don't know," said the young man, surprised. "Not much doing any more. San Francisco's not what it used to be."
"The Barbary Coast, maybe," 示唆するd Chan.
The young man snorted. "Gone forever. The Thalia, the Elko, the 中途の—say, they're just memories now. Spider Kelley is over in Arizona, 取引，協定ing in land. Yes, sir—all those old dance-halls are just garages today—or maybe ten cent flop-houses. But look here—this is New Year's Eve in Chinatown. However—" He laughed. "I guess I don't need to tell you that."
Chan nodded. "Ah yes—the twelfth of February. New Year's Eve."
Presently he was 支援する on the sidewalk, his keen 注目する，もくろむs sparkling with excitement. He thought of the somnolent thoroughfares of Honolulu by night—Honolulu, where every one goes home at six, and stays there. How different here in this 本土／大陸 city. The driver of a sightseeing bus approached him and also spoke of Chinatown. "Show you the old あへん dens and the fan-tan 共同のs," he 約束d, but after a closer look moved off and said no more of his spurious wares.
At a little after eight, the 探偵，刑事 from the islands left the friendly glow of Union Square and, drifting 負かす／撃墜する into the darker stretches of 地位，任命する Street, （機の）カム presently to 認める Avenue. A loiterer on the corner directed him to the left, and he strolled on. In a few moments he （機の）カム to a 列／漕ぐ／騒動 of shops 陳列する，発揮するing cheap Oriental goods for the tourist 注目する，もくろむ. His pace quickened; he passed the church on the crest of the hill and moved on 負かす／撃墜する into the real Chinatown.
Here a spirit of carnival filled the 空気／公表する. The facade of every 結社 House, 輪郭（を描く）d by hundreds of glowing incandescent lamps, shone in yellow splendor through the misty night. Throngs milled on the 狭くする sidewalks—white sightseers, dapper young Chinese lads in college-削減（する） 着せる／賦与するs 護衛するing slant-注目する，もくろむd flappers attired in their best, older Chinese shuffling along on felt-覆う？ feet, each 安全な・保証する in the knowledge that his 負債s were paid, his house scoured and scrubbed, the new year auspiciously begun.
At Washington Street Chan turned up the hill. Across the way ぼんやり現れるd an impressive building—four gaudy stories of light and 元気づける. Gilt letters in the transom over the door 布告するd it the home of the Chan Family Society. For a moment the 探偵，刑事 stood, family pride uppermost in his thoughts.
A moment later he was walking 負かす／撃墜する the 薄暗い, almost 砂漠d pavement of Waverly Place. A 有望な-注目する，もくろむd boy of his own race 申し込む／申し出d him a copy of the Chinese Daily Times. He bought it and moved on, his gaze 意図 on 薄暗い house numbers above darkened doorways.
Presently he 設立する the number he sought, and climbed a shadowy stair. At a 上陸 where crimson and gold-lettered （土地などの）細長い一片s of paper served as a 警告 to evil spirits, he paused and knocked loudly at a door. It was opened, and against the light from within stood the 人物／姿／数字 of a Chinese, tall, with a gray 不十分な 耐えるd and a loose-fitting, embroidered blouse of 黒人／ボイコット satin.
For a moment neither spoke. Then Chan smiled. "Good evening, illustrious Chan Kee Lim," he said in pure Cantonese. "Is it that you do not know your unworthy cousin from the islands?"
A light shone in the 狭くする 注目する，もくろむs of Kee Lim. "For a moment, no," he replied. "Since you come in the garb of a foreign devil, and knock on my door with the knuckles, as rude foreign devils do. A thousand welcomes. Deign to enter my contemptible house."
Still smiling, the little 探偵，刑事 went inside. The room was anything but contemptible, as he saw at once. It was rich with tapestries of Hang-chiu silk, the furniture was of teakwood, elaborately carved. Fresh flowers bloomed before the ancestral 神社, and everywhere were Chinese lilies, the pale, pungent sui-sin-fah, a symbol of the 夜明けing year. On the mantel, beside a tiny Buddha of Ningpo 支持を得ようと努めるd, an American alarm clock ticked noisily.
"Please sit in this wretched 議長，司会を務める," Kee Lim said. "You arrive 突然に as August rain. But I am happy to see you." He clapped his 手渡すs and a woman entered. "My wife, Chan So," the host explained. "Bring rice cakes, and my Dew of Roses ワイン," he ordered.
He sat 負かす／撃墜する opposite Charlie Chan, and regarded him across a teakwood （米）棚上げする／（英）提議する on which were sprays of fresh almond blossoms. "There was no news of your coming," he 発言／述べるd.
Chan shrugged. "No. It was better so. I come on a 使節団. On 商売／仕事," he 追加するd, in his best Rotary Club manner.
Kee Lim's 注目する，もくろむs 狭くするd. "Yes—I have heard of your 商売／仕事," he said.
The 探偵，刑事 was わずかに uncomfortable. "You do not 認可する?" he 投機・賭けるd.
"It is too much to say that I do not 認可する," Kee Lim returned. "But I do not やめる understand. The foreign devil police—what has a Chinese in ありふれた with them?"
Charlie smiled. "There are times, honorable cousin," he 認める, "when I do not やめる understand myself."
The reed curtains at the 後部 parted, and a girl （機の）カム into the room. Her 注目する，もくろむs were dark and 有望な; her 直面する pretty as a doll's. Tonight, in deference to the holiday, she wore the silken trousers and embroidered jacket of her people, but her hair was bobbed and her walk, her gestures, her whole manner all too 明白に copied from her American sisters. She carried a tray piled high with New Year delicacies.
"My daughter, Rose," Kee Lim 発表するd. "Behold, our famous cousin from Hawaii." He turned to Charlie then. "She, too, would be an American, insolent as the daughters of the foolish white men."
The girl laughed. "Why not? I was born here. I went to American grammar schools. And now I work American fashion."
"Work?" repeated Charlie, with 利益／興味.
"The Classics of Girlhood are forgotten," explained Kee Lim. "All day she sits in the Chinatown telephone 交流, shamelessly talking to a 塀で囲む of teakwood that flashes red and yellow 注目する，もくろむs."
"Is that so terrible?" asked the girl, with a laughing ちらりと見ること at her cousin.
"A most 利益／興味ing labor," surmised Charlie.
"I'll tell the world it is," answered the girl in English, and went out. A moment later she returned with a 乱打するd old ワイン jug. Into Swatow bowls she 注ぐd two hot libations—then, taking a seat on the far 味方する of the room, she gazed curiously at this 著名な 親族 from across the seas. Once she had read of his 偉業／利用するs in the San Francisco papers.
For an hour or more Chan sat, talking with his cousin of the distant days when they were children in 中国. Finally he ちらりと見ることd toward the mantel. "Does that clock speak the truth?" he asked.
Kee Lim shrugged. "It is a foreign devil clock," he said. "And therefore a 広大な／多数の／重要な liar."
Chan 協議するd his watch. "With the keenest 悔いる," he 発表するd, "I find I must walk my way. Tonight my 商売／仕事 carries me far from here—to the 砂漠 that lies in the south. I have had the presumption, honest and industrious cousin, to direct my wife to send to your house any letters of importance 演説（する）／住所d to me. Should a message arrive in my absence, you will be good enough to 持つ／拘留する it here を待つing my return. In a few days, at most, I will walk this way again. 一方／合間 I go beyond the reach of messengers."
The girl rose and （機の）カム 今後. "Even on the 砂漠," she said, "there are telephones."
Charlie looked at her with sudden 利益／興味. "On the 砂漠," he repeated.
"Most assuredly. Only two days ago I had a long distance call for a ranch 近づく Eldorado. A ranch 指名するd—but I do not remember."
"Perhaps—the ranch of Madden," said Chan hopefully.
She nodded. "Yes—that was the 指名する. It was a most unusual call."
"And it （機の）カム from Chinatown?"
"Of course. From the bowl shop of Wong Ching, in Jackson Street. He 願望（する）d to speak to his 親族, Louie Wong, 管理人 on Madden's Ranch. The number. Eldorado 76."
Chan dissembled his 切望, but his heart was （警官の）巡回区域，受持ち区域ing faster. He was of the foreign devil police now. "Perhaps you heard what was said?"
"Louie Wong must come to San Francisco at once. Much money and a 罰金 position を待つd him here—"
"Haie!" 削減（する） in Kee Lim. "It is not fitting that you 明らかにする／漏らす thus the secrets of your white devil profession. Even to one of the family of Chan."
"You are 権利, ever wise cousin," Charlie agreed. He turned to the girl. "You and I, little blossom, will 会合，会う again. Even though the 砂漠 has telephones, I am beyond reach there. Now, to my 広大な／多数の／重要な 悔いる, I must go."
Kee Lim followed him to the door. He stood there on the reed mat, 一打／打撃ing his thin 耐えるd and blinking. "別れの（言葉，会）, 著名な cousin. On that long 旅行 of yours upon which you now 始める，決める out—walk slowly."
"別れの（言葉，会）," Charlie answered. "All my good wishes for happiness in the new year." Suddenly he 設立する himself speaking English. "See you later," he called, and hurried 負かす／撃墜する the stairs.
Once in the street, however, he obeyed his cousin's parting （裁判所の）禁止（強制）命令, and walked slowly indeed. A startling bit of news, this, from Rose, the telephone 操作者. Louie Wong was 手配中の，お尋ね者 in San Francisco—手配中の，お尋ね者 by his 親族 Wong Ching, the bowl merchant. Why?
An old Chinese on a corner directed him to Jackson Street, and he climbed its 法外な sidewalk until he reached the shop of Wong Ching. The brightly lighted window was filled with Swatow cups and bowls, a rather beautiful 陳列する，発揮する, but evidently during this holiday season the place was not open for 商売／仕事, for the curtains on the door were drawn. Chan 動揺させるd the latch for a 十分な minute, but no one （機の）カム.
He crossed the street, and took up a 地位，任命する in a dark doorway opposite. Sooner or later his 召喚するs would be answered. On a 近づく-by balcony a Chinese orchestra was playing, the whanging flute, the shrill plink of the moon-kwan, the rasping cymbals and the 派手に宣伝するs filled the night with a blissful dissonance. Presently the musicians 中止するd, the din died away, and Chan heard only the click of American heels and the stealthy swish of felt slippers passing his hiding place.
In about ten minutes the door of Wong Ching's shop opened and a man （機の）カム out. He stood looking 慎重に up and 負かす／撃墜する the 薄暗い street. A thin man in an overcoat which was buttoned の近くに about him—a chilly-seeming man. His hat was low over his 注目する，もくろむs, and as a その上の means of deceit he wore dark spectacles. Charlie Chan permitted a faint flash of 利益／興味 to cross his chubby 直面する.
The chilly man walked briskly 負かす／撃墜する the hill, and stepping quickly from the doorway, Chan followed at a distance. They 現れるd into 認める Avenue; the dark-spectacled one turned to the 権利. Still Chan followed; this was child's play for him. One 封鎖する, two, three. They （機の）カム to a cheap hotel, the Killarney, on one of 認める Avenue's corners, and the man in the overcoat went inside.
ちらりと見ることing at his watch, Chan decided to let his quarry escape, and turned in the direction of Union Square. His mind was troubled. "This much even a fool could しっかり掴む," he thought. "We move toward a 罠（にかける）. But with 注目する，もくろむs open—with 注目する，もくろむs 熱心に open."
支援する in his tiny hotel room, he 回復するd to his 安価な スーツケース the few articles he had 以前 除去するd. Returning to the desk, he 設立する that his trunk had reached the hotel but had not yet been taken upstairs. He arranged for its 貯蔵 until his return, paid his 法案 and sitting 負かす／撃墜する in a 広大な／多数の／重要な leather 議長，司会を務める in the ロビー, with his スーツケース at his feet, he waited 根気よく.
At 正確に ten-thirty （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden stepped inside the door of the hotel and beckoned. に引き続いて the young man to the street, Chan saw a big リムジン drawn up to the 抑制（する）.
"Jump in, Mr. Chan," said the boy, taking his 捕らえる、獲得する. As the 探偵，刑事 entered the darkened 内部の, Alexander Eden 迎える／歓迎するd him from the gloom. "Tell Michael to 運動 slowly—I want to talk," called the older man to his son. （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden spoke to the chauffeur, then leaped into the car and it moved off 負かす／撃墜する Geary Street.
"Mr. Chan," said the jeweler in a low 発言する／表明する, "I am very much 乱すd."
"More events have taken place," 示唆するd Chan.
"Decidedly," Eden replied. "You were not in the room this afternoon when I spoke of a telephone call I had received from a 支払う／賃金-駅／配置する at Sutter and Kearny Streets." He repeated the 詳細（に述べる）s. "This evening I called into 協議 Al Draycott, 長，率いる of the 強風 探偵，刑事 機関, with which I have affiliations. I asked him to 調査／捜査する and, if possible, find that man in the overcoat （頭が）ひょいと動く saw at the ドッキングする／減らす／ドックに入れる. An hour ago he 報告（する）／憶測d that he had 位置を示すd our man with no 広大な／多数の／重要な difficulty. He has discovered him—"
"At the Killarney Hotel, perhaps, on 認める Avenue," 示唆するd Chan, dissembling a 深い 勝利.
"Good lord," gasped Eden. "You 設立する him, too. Why—that's amazing—"
"Amazing luck," said Chan. "Please 容赦 rude interruption. Will not occur again."
"井戸／弁護士席, Draycott 位置を示すd this fellow, and 報告（する）／憶測s that he is 不安定な Phil Maydorf, one of the Maydorf brothers, as 悪賢い a pair of crooks as ever left New York for their health. The fellow 苦しむs from malaria, I believe, but さもなければ he is in good form and, it seems, very much 利益／興味d in our little 事件／事情／状勢s. But Mr. Chan—your own story—how in the world did you find him too?"
Chan shrugged. "Successful 探偵，刑事," he said, "is plenty often man on whom luck turns smiling 直面する. This evening I bask in most 心暖まる grin." He told of his visit to Chan Kee Lim, of the telephone call to the 砂漠 from Wong's bowl shop, and of his seeing the man in the overcoat leaving the shop. "After that, simple 事柄 to hound him to hotel," he finished.
"井戸／弁護士席, I'm more 乱すd than ever," Eden said. "They have called the 管理人 away from Madden's ranch. Why? I tell you I don't like this 商売／仕事—"
"Nonsense, father," （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden 抗議するd. "It's rather 利益／興味ing."
"Not to me. I don't welcome the attention of these Maydorfs—and where, by the way, is the other one? They are not the modern type of crook—the moron brand that relies 完全に on a gun. They are men of brains—old-fashioned 無法者s who are regarded with 尊敬（する）・点 by the police whom they have fought for many years. I called Sally Jordan and tried to abandon the whole 訴訟／進行—but that son of hers. He's itching to get the money, and he's 勧めるing her to go ahead. So what can I do? If it was any one else I'd certainly 減少（する） out of the 取引，協定—but Sally Jordan—井戸／弁護士席, she's an old friend. And as you said this afternoon, Mr. Chan, there is such a thing as 忠義 in the world. But I tell you I'm sending you two 負かす／撃墜する there with the deepest 不本意."
"Don't you worry, dad. It's going to be 広大な／多数の／重要な fun, I'm sure. All my life I've 手配中の，お尋ね者 to be mixed up in a good exciting 殺人. As a 観客, of course."
"What are you talking about?" the father 需要・要求するd.
"Why, Mr. Chan here is a 探偵，刑事, isn't he? A 探偵，刑事 on a vacation. If you've ever read a mystery story you know that a 探偵，刑事 never 作品 so hard as when he's on a vacation. He's like the postman who goes for a long walk on his day off. Here we are, all 始める，決める. We've got our 有望な and 向こうずねing 示す, our millionaire—P.J. Madden, one of the most famous financiers in America. I tell you, poor P.J. is doomed. Ten to one Mr. Chan and I will walk into that ranch house and find him dead on the first rug we come to."
"This is no joking 事柄," Eden rebuked 厳しく. "Mr. Chan—you seem to be a man of かなりの ability. Have you anything to 示唆する?"
Charlie smiled in the dark car. "Flattery sounds 甘い to any ear," he 発言／述べるd. "I have, it is true, inclination for making humble suggestion."
"Then, for heaven's sake, make it," Eden said.
"Pray give the 未来 a thought. Young Mr. Eden and I walk 手渡す in 手渡す, like brothers, on to 砂漠 ranch. What will 観客 say? Aha, they bring pearls. If not, why come together for strength?"
"絶対 true," Eden agreed.
"Then why travel 味方する by 味方する?" Charlie continued. "It is my humble hint that Mr. （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden arrive alone at ranch. Answering all 調査s he says no, he does not carry pearls. So many dark clouds shade the scene, he is sent by honorable father to learn if all is 井戸／弁護士席. When he is sure of that, he will telegraph necklace be sent at once, please."
"A good idea," Eden said. "一方／合間—"
"At somewhat same hour," Chan went on, "there つまずく on to ranch 疲れた／うんざりした old Chinese, 捜し出すing 雇用. One whose 着せる／賦与するs are of a 著名な shabbiness, a wanderer over sand, a what you call—a 砂漠 ネズミ. Who would dream that on the stomach of such a one repose those 価値のある Phillimore pearls?"
"Say—that's 巨大な," cried （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden enthusiastically.
"Might be," 認める Chan. "Both you and old Chinese look carefully about. If all is 井戸／弁護士席, together you approach this Madden and を引き渡す necklace. Even then, others need not know."
"罰金," said the boy. "We'll separate when we board the train. If you're in 疑問 at any time, just keep your 注目する，もくろむ on me, and tag along. We're 予定 in Barstow tomorrow at one-fifteen, and there's a train to Eldorado at three-twenty, which arrives about six. I'm taking it, and you'd better do the same. One of my newspaper friends here has given me a letter to a fellow 指名するd Will Holley, who's editor of a little paper at Eldorado. I'm going to 招待する him to have dinner with me, then I'll 運動 out to Madden's. You, of course, will get out some other way. As somebody may be watching us, we won't speak on our 旅行. Friends once, but strangers now. That's the idea, isn't it?"
"正確に the notion," agreed Chan.
The car had stopped before the フェリー（で運ぶ） building. "I have your tickets here," Alexander Eden said, 手渡すing over a couple of envelopes. "You have lower 寝台／地位s, in the same car, but at different ends. You'll find a little money there for expenses, Mr. Chan. I may say that I think your 計画（する） is excellent—but for heaven's sake, be careful, both of you. （頭が）ひょいと動く, my boy—you're all I've got. I may have spoken 厳しく to you, but I—I—take care of yourself."
"Don't you worry, dad," （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden said. "Though you'll never believe it, I'm grown up. And I've got a good man with me."
"Mr. Chan," Eden said. "Good luck. And thank you a thousand times."
"Don't talk about it," smiled Charlie. "Happiest walk of postman's life is on his holiday. I will serve you 井戸／弁護士席. Good-bye."
He followed （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden through the gates and on to the ferryboat. A moment later they had slipped out upon the 黒人／ボイコット waters of the harbor. The rain was gone, the sky spattered with 星／主役にするs, but a 冷気／寒がらせる 勝利，勝つd blew through the Gate. Charlie stood alone by the rail; the dream of his life had come true; he knew the 広大な／多数の／重要な 本土／大陸 at last. The 炎上ing ball 頂上に the フェリー（で運ぶ） Building receded; the yellow lamps of the city marched up the hills and 負かす／撃墜する again. He thought of the tiny island that was his home, of the house on Punchbowl Hill where his wife and children 根気よく を待つd his return. Suddenly he was appalled at the distance he had come.
（頭が）ひょいと動く Eden joined him there in the dark, and waved his 手渡す toward the glow in the sky above 認める Avenue. "A big night in Chinatown," he said.
"Very large night," agreed Chan. "And why not? Tomorrow is the first day of the new year. Of the year 4869."
"広大な／多数の／重要な Scott," smiled Eden. "How time 飛行機で行くs. A Happy New Year to you."
"類似の one to you," said Chan.
The boat 骨折って進むd on. From the 刑務所，拘置所 island of Alcatraz a cruel, relentless サーチライト swept at intervals the inky waters. The 勝利，勝つd was bitter now.
"I'm going inside," shivered （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden. "This is goodbye, I guess."
"Better so," 認める Charlie. "When you are finally at Madden's ranch, look about for that 砂漠 ネズミ."
Alone, he continued to 星／主役にする at the lamps of the city, 冷淡な and distant now, like the 星／主役にするs.
"A 砂漠 ネズミ," he repeated softly, "with no 情愛深く feeling for a 罠（にかける）."
Dusk was 落ちるing in the 砂漠 town of Eldorado when, on Friday evening, （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden alighted from the train at a 駅／配置する that looked like a little red schoolhouse gone wrong. His 旅行 負かす／撃墜する from San Francisco to Barstow had been やめる without 出来事/事件. At that town, however, a rather disquieting thing had happened. He had lost all trace of Charlie Chan.
It was in the Barstow lunch-room that he had last seen the 探偵，刑事 from the islands, busy with a cup of steaming tea. The hour of three-twenty and the Eldorado train 存在 some distance off, he had gone for a stroll through the town. Returning about three, he had looked in vain for the little Chinese policeman. Alone he had boarded the train and now, as he 星／主役にするd up and 負かす／撃墜する the dreary 鉄道／強行採決する 跡をつけるs, he perceived that he had been the only 乗客 to alight at this unpromising 位置／汚点／見つけ出す.
Thinking of the fortune in "undigestible" pearls on the 探偵，刑事's person, he was ばく然と alarmed. Had Chan met with some unfortunate 事故? Or perhaps who could say? What did they really know about this Charlie Chan? Every man is said to have his price, and this was an 圧倒的な 誘惑 to put in the way of an underpaid 探偵，刑事 from Honolulu. But no—（頭が）ひょいと動く Eden 解任するd the look in Chan's 注目する，もくろむs when he had 約束d Sally Jordan to guard those pearls 井戸／弁護士席. The Jordans no 疑問 had good 推論する／理由 for their 約束 in an old friend. But suppose 不安定な Phil Maydorf was no longer in San Francisco—
Resolutely （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden put these thoughts aside and, 一連の会議、交渉／完成するing the 駅／配置する, entered a 狭くする （土地などの）細長い一片 of ground which was, rather pathetically, ーするつもりであるd for a park. February had done its worst, and up above the 冷気／寒がらせる evening 勝利，勝つd from the 砂漠 blew through the stark 支店s of Carolina poplars and cottonwoods. Crossing a gravel path almost hidden by a 集まり of yellow leaves, he stood on the 抑制（する） of the only pavement in Eldorado.
Against the background of 明らかにする brown hills, he saw 事実上 the entire town at a ちらりと見ること. Across the way a 列／漕ぐ／騒動 of scraggly buildings 布告するd yet another Main Street—a bank, a picture theater, the 位置／汚点／見つけ出す Cash 蓄える／店, the News Bureau, the 地位，任命する-office, and 非常に高い above the 残り／休憩（する）, a two-story building that 発表するd itself as the 砂漠 辛勝する／優位 Hotel. Eden crossed the street, and threading his way between dusty automobiles parked 長，率いる-on at the 抑制（する）, approached the door of the latter. On the 二塁打 seat of a shoe-向こうずねing stand two ranchers lolled at 緩和する, and 星／主役にするd at him with 穏やかな 利益／興味 as he went inside.
An electric lamp of modest candle-力／強力にする 燃やすd above the desk of the 砂漠 辛勝する／優位, and a kindly old man read a Los Angeles paper in its 薄暗い company.
"Good evening," said （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden.
"Evenin'," answered the old man.
"I wonder if I might leave this スーツケース in your check-room for a while?" the boy 問い合わせd.
"Check-room, hell," replied the old man. "Just throw her 負かす／撃墜する anywhere. Ain't lookin' fer a room, I suppose. Make you a special 率."
"No," said Eden. "I'm sorry."
"'Sall 権利," answered the proprietor. "Not many are."
"I'd like to find the office of the Eldorado Times," Eden 知らせるd him.
"一連の会議、交渉／完成する corner on First," murmured the old man, 深い in his pink newspaper again.
（頭が）ひょいと動く Eden went to the corner, and turned off. His feet at once left Eldorado's 独房監禁 sidewalk for soft crunching sand. He passed a few buildings even meaner than those on Main Street, a plumber's shop, a grocer's, and （機の）カム to a little yellow shack which bore on its window the fading legend: "The Eldorado Times. 職業 Printing Neatly Done." There was no light inside, and crossing a 狭くする, dilapidated porch, he saw a 掲示 on the door. 緊張するing his 注目する，もくろむs in the dusk, he read:
"支援する in an hour—God knows why.
Will Holley."
Smiling, Eden returned to the 砂漠 辛勝する／優位. "How about dinner?" he 問い合わせd.
"Wonderin' about it myself," 認める the old man. "We don't serve meals here. Lose a little いっそう少なく that way."
"But there must be a restaurant—"
"Sure there is. This is an up-to-date town." He nodded over his shoulder. "負かす／撃墜する beyond the bank—the Oasis Cafe."
Thanking him, （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden 出発／死d. Behind unwashed windows he 設立する the Oasis dispensing its 疑わしい 元気づける. A long high 反対する and a 国／地域d mirror running the length of it 示唆するd that in other days this had been an oasis indeed.
The boy climbed on to one of the perilously high stools. At his 権利, too の近くに for 慰安, sat a man in 全体にわたるs and jumper, with a week's growth of 耐えるd on his lean hard 直面する. At his left, 平等に の近くに but somehow not so much in the way, was a 削減する girl in khaki riding breeches and blouse.
A 青年 made up to 似ている a 動議-picture （イスラム圏での）首長 需要・要求するd his order, and from a 国／地域d menu he chose the Oasis Special—"steak and onions, French fries, bread and butter and coffee. Eighty cents." The （イスラム圏での）首長 出発／死d languidly.
を待つing the special, （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden ちらりと見ることd into the smoky mirror at the 直面する of the girl beside him. Not so bad, even in that 薄暗い reflection. Corn yellow hair curling from under the brim of a felt hat; a complexion that no beauty parlor had 起こる／始まるd. He held his left 肘 の近くに so that she might have more room for the 商売／仕事 that engrossed her.
His dinner arrived, a plenteous platter of food—but no plate. He ちらりと見ることd at his neighbors. Evidently plates were an affectation frowned upon in the Oasis. Taking up a （名声などを）汚すd knife and fork, he 押し進めるd aside the underbrush of onions and （機の）カム 直面する to 直面する with his steak.
First impressions are important, and （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden knew at once that this was no meek, complacent 対抗者 that 直面するd him. The steak looked 支援する at him with an 空気／公表する of 反抗 that was amply 正当化するd by what followed. After a few moments of 不成功の 戦う／戦いing, he 召喚するd the （イスラム圏での）首長. "How about a steel knife?" he 問い合わせd.
"Only got three and they're all in use," the waiter replied.
（頭が）ひょいと動く Eden 再開するd the 戦う／戦い, his 肘s held の近くに, his muscles swelling. With 始める，決める teeth and grim 直面する he bore 負かす／撃墜する and 削減（する） 深い. There was a terrific screech as his knife skidded along the platter, and to his horror he saw the steak rise from its bed of gravy and onions and 飛行機で行く from him. It traveled the grimy 反対する for a second, then dropped on to the 膝s of the girl and thence to the 床に打ち倒す.
Eden turned to 会合，会う her blue 注目する，もくろむs filled with laughter. "Oh, I'm so sorry," he said. "I thought it was a steak, and it seems to be a （競技場の）トラック一周 dog."
"And I hadn't any （競技場の）トラック一周," she cried. She looked 負かす／撃墜する at her riding breeches. "Can you ever 許す me? I might have caught it for you. It only goes to show—women should be womanly."
"I wouldn't have you any different," （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden 答える／応じるd gallantly. He turned to the （イスラム圏での）首長. "Bring me something a little いっそう少なく ferocious," he ordered.
"How about the マリファナ roast?" asked the 青年.
"井戸／弁護士席, how about it?" Eden repeated. "Fetch it along and I'll fight another 一連の会議、交渉／完成する. I （人命などを）奪う，主張する a foul on that one. And say—bring this young woman a napkin."
"A what? A napkin. We ain't got any. I'll bring her a towel."
"Oh, no—please don't," cried the girl. "I'm all 権利, really."
The （イスラム圏での）首長 出発／死d.
"Somehow," she 追加するd to Eden. "I think it wiser not to introduce an Oasis towel into this 事件／事情／状勢."
"You're probably 権利," he nodded. "I'll 支払う／賃金 for the 損失, of course."
She was still smiling. "Nonsense. I せねばならない 支払う／賃金 for the steak. It wasn't your fault. One needs long practice to eat in the （人が）群がるd 円形競技場 of the Oasis."
He looked at her, his 利益／興味 growing every minute. "You've had long practice?" he 問い合わせd.
"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 砂漠 was filled with movie people these days. "Ah—have I ever seen you in the films?" he 投機・賭けるd.
She shrugged. "You have not—and you never will. I'm not an actress. My 職業's much more 利益／興味ing. I'm a 場所 finder."
（頭が）ひょいと動く Eden's マリファナ roast arrived, mercifully 削減（する） into small pieces by some blunt 器具 behind the scenes. "A 場所 finder. I せねばならない know what that is."
"You certainly せねばならない. It's just what it sounds like. I travel about 追跡（する）ing backgrounds. By the Vandeventer 追跡する to Pinon Flat, 負かす／撃墜する 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 利益／興味ing."
"It is, indeed. 特に when one loves this country as I do."
"You were born here, perhaps?"
"Oh, no. I （機の）カム out with dad to Doctor Whitcomb's—it's five miles from here, just beyond the Madden ranch—some years ago. When—when dad left me I had to get a 職業, and—but look here, I'm telling you the story of my life."
"Why not?" asked Eden. "Women and children always confide in me. I've got such a fatherly 直面する. By the way, this coffee is terrible."
"Yes, isn't it?" she agreed. "What will you have for dessert? There are two 肉親，親類d of pie—Apple, and the other's out. Make your 選択."
"I've made it," he replied. "I'm taking the one that's out." He 需要・要求するd his check. "Now, if you'll let me 支払う／賃金 for your dinner—"
"Nothing of the sort," she 抗議するd.
"But after the way my steak attacked you."
"Forget it. I've an expense account, you know. If you say any more, I'll 支払う／賃金 your check."
Ignoring the jar of toothpicks hospitably 申し込む／申し出d by a friendly cashier, （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden followed her to the street. Night had fallen; the sidewalk was 砂漠d. On the 誤った 前線 of a long low building with 味方するs of corrugated tin, a sad little string of electric lights 布告するd that gaiety was 進行中で.
"Whither away?" （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden said. "The movies?"
"Heavens, no. I remember that one. It took ten years off my young life. Tell me, what are you doing here? People confide in me, too. Stranger, you don't belong."
"No, I'm afraid I don't," Eden 認める. "It's a 複雑にするd story but I'll （打撃，刑罰などを）与える it on you anyhow, some day. Just at 現在の I'm looking for the editor of the Eldorado Times. I've got a letter to him in my pocket."
"Will Holley?"
"Yes. You know him?"
"Everybody knows him. Come with me. He せねばならない be in his office now."
They turned 負かす／撃墜する First Street. （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden was pleasantly conscious of the わずかな／ほっそりした lithe 人物／姿／数字 walking at his 味方する. He had never before met a girl so modestly 確信して, so aware of life and unafraid of it. These 砂漠 towns were delightful.
A light was 燃やすing in the newspaper office, and under it a frail 人物／姿／数字 sat hunched over a typewriter. As they entered Will Holley rose, 除去するing a green shade from his 注目する，もくろむs. He was a thin tall man of thirty-five or so, with 未熟に gray hair and wistful 注目する，もくろむs.
"Hello, Paula," he said.
"Hello, Will. See what I 設立する at the Oasis Cafe."
Holley smiled. "You would find him," he said. "You're the only one I know who can discover anything 価値（がある） while in Eldorado. My boy, I don't know who you are, but run away before this 砂漠 gets you."
"I've a letter to you, Mr. Holley," Eden said. He took it from his pocket. "It's from an old friend of yours—Harry Fladgate."
"Harry Fladgate," repeated Holley softly. He read the letter through. "A 発言する／表明する from the past," he said. "The past when we were boys together on the old Sun, in New York. Say—that was a newspaper!" He was silent for a moment, 星／主役にするing out at the 砂漠 night. "Harry says you're here on 商売／仕事 of some sort," he 追加するd.
"Why, yes," Eden replied. "I'll tell you about it later. Just at 現在の I want to 雇う a car to take me out to the Madden ranch."
"You want to see P.J. himself?"
"Yes, just as soon as possible. He's out there, isn't he?"
Holley nodded. "Yes—he's supposed to be. However, I 港／避難所't seen him. It's 噂するd he （機の）カム by モーター the other day from Barstow. This young woman can tell you more about him than I can. By the way, have you two met each other, or are you just taking a stroll together in the moonlight?"
"井戸／弁護士席, the fact is—" smiled Eden. "行方不明になる—er—she just let a steak of 地雷 get away from her in the Oasis. I had to credit her with an error in the 内野, but she made a splendid try. However, as to 指名するs—and all that—"
"So I perceive," said Holley. "行方不明になる Paula Wendell, may I 現在の Mr. （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden. Let us not forget our 調書をとる／予約する of etiquette, even here in the devil's garden."
"Thanks, old man," 発言／述べるd Eden. "No one has ever done me a greater 親切. Now that we've been introduced, 行方不明になる Wendell, and I can speak to you at last, tell me—do you know Mr. Madden?"
"Not 正確に／まさに," she replied. "It isn't given such humble folk to know the 広大な／多数の／重要な Madden. But several years ago my company took some pictures at his ranch—he has rather a handsome house there, with a darling patio. The other day we got 持つ／拘留する of a script that 公正に／かなり 叫び声をあげるd for the Madden patio. I wrote him, asking 許可 to use his place, and he answered—from San Francisco—that he was coming 負かす／撃墜する and would be glad to 認める our request. His letter was really most 肉親，親類d."
The girl sat 負かす／撃墜する on the 辛勝する／優位 of Holley's typewriter （米）棚上げする／（英）提議する. "I got to Eldorado two nights ago, and drove out to Madden's at once. And—井戸／弁護士席, it was rather queer—what happened. Do you want to hear all this?"
"I certainly do," （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden 保証するd her.
"The gate was open, and I drove into the yard. The lights of my car flashed suddenly on the barn door, and I saw a bent old man with a 黒人／ボイコット 耐えるd and a pack on his 支援する—evidently old-time prospector such as one 会合，会うs occasionally, even today, in this 砂漠 country. It was his 表現 that startled me. He stood like a 脅すd rabbit in the スポットライト, then darted away. I knocked at the ranch house door. There was a long 延期する, then finally a man （機の）カム, a pale, excited-looking man—Madden's 長官, Thorn, he said he was. I give you my word—Will's heard this before—he was trembling all over. I told him my 商売／仕事 with Madden, and he was very rude. He 知らせるd me that I 前向きに／確かに could not see the 広大な／多数の／重要な P.J. 'Come 支援する in a week,' he said, over and over. I argued and pleaded—and he shut the door in my 直面する."
"You couldn't see Madden," repeated （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden slowly. "Anything else?"
"Not much. I drove 支援する to town. A short distance 負かす／撃墜する the road my lights 選ぶd up the little old prospector again. But when I got to where I thought he was, he'd disappeared utterly. I didn't 調査／捜査する—I just stepped on the gas. My love for the 砂漠 isn't so keen after dark."
（頭が）ひょいと動く Eden took out a cigarette. "I'm awfully 強いるd," he said. "Mr. Holley, I must get out to Madden's at once. If you'll direct me to a garage—"
"I'll do nothing of the sort," Holley replied. "An old flivver that answers to the 指名する of Horace Greeley happens to be の中で my 所有／入手s at the moment, and I'm going to 運動 you out."
"I couldn't think of taking you away from your work."
"Oh, don't joke like that. You're breaking my heart. My work! Here I am, trying to string one good day's work along over all eternity, and you drift in and start to kid me—"
"I'm sorry," said Eden. "Come to think of it, I did see your 掲示 on the door."
Holley shrugged. "I suppose that was just cheap cynicism. I try to steer （疑いを）晴らす of it. But いつかs—いつかs—"
They went together out of the office, and Holley locked the door. The 砂漠d, sad little street stretched off to nowhere in each direction. The editor waved his 手渡す at the somnolent picture.
"You'll find us all about out here," he said, "the 追放するs of the world. Of course, the 砂漠 is grand, and we love it—but once let a doctor say 'you can go' and you couldn't see us for the dust. I don't mind the daytime so much—the hot friendly day—but the nights—the 冷淡な lonely nights."
"Oh, it isn't so bad, Will," said the girl gently.
"Oh no, it isn't so bad," he 認める. "Not since the 無線で通信する—and the pictures. Night after night I sit over there in that movie theater, and いつかs, in a newsreel or perhaps in a feature, I see Fifth Avenue again, Fifth Avenue at Forty-second, with the モーターs, and the lions in 前線 of the library, and the women in furs. But I never see Park 列／漕ぐ／騒動." The three of them walked along in silence through the sand. "If you love me, Paula," 追加するd Will Holley softly, "there's a 場所 you'll find. A story about Park 列／漕ぐ／騒動, with the （人が）群がるs under the El, and the wagons 支援するd up to the 後部 door of the 地位，任命する-office, and Perry's 麻薬 蓄える／店 and the gold ドーム of the World. Give me a film of that, and I'll sit in the 立ち往生させる watching it over and over until these old 注目する，もくろむs go blind."
"I'd like to," said the girl. "But those （人が）群がるs under the Elevated wouldn't care for it. What they want is the 砂漠—the 幅の広い open spaces away from the roar of the town."
Holley nodded. "I know. It's a feeling that's spread over America these past few years like some dread 疫病／流行性の. I must 令状 an 編集（者）の about it. The French have a proverb that 述べるs it—'Wherever one is not, that is where the heart is.'"
The girl held out her 手渡す. "Mr. Eden, I'm leaving you here—leaving you for a happy night at the 砂漠 辛勝する／優位 Hotel."
"But I'll see you again," （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden said quickly. "I must."
"You surely will. I'm coming out to Madden's ranch tomorrow. I have that letter of his, and this time I'll see him—you bet I'll see him—if he's there."
"If he's there," repeated （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden thoughtfully. "Good night. But before you go—how do you like your steaks?"
"Rare," she laughed.
"Yes—I guess one was enough. However, I'm very 感謝する to that one."
"It was a lovely steak," she said. "Good night."
Will Holley led the way to an 老年の car parked before the hotel. "Jump in," he said. "It's only a short run."
"Just a moment—I must get my 捕らえる、獲得する," Eden replied. He entered the hotel and returned in a moment with his スーツケース, which he 投げ上げる／ボディチェックするd into the tonneau. "Horace Greeley's ready," Holley said. "Come west, young man."
Eden climbed in and the little car clattered 負かす／撃墜する Main Street. "This is mighty 肉親，親類d of you," the boy said.
"It's a lot of fun," Holley answered. "You know, I've been thinking. Old P.J. never gives an interview, but you can't tell—I might be able to 説得する him. These famous men いつかs let 負かす／撃墜する a little when they get out here. It would be a big feather in my cap. They'd hear of me on Park 列／漕ぐ／騒動 again."
"I'll do all I can to help," （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden 約束d.
"That's good of you," Holley answered. The faint yellow lights of Eldorado grew even fainter behind them. They 上がるd a rough road between two small hills—barren, unlovely piles of 不正に assorted 激しく揺するs. "井戸／弁護士席, I'm going to try it," the editor 追加するd. "But I hope I have more luck than the last time."
"Oh—then you've seen Madden before?" Eden asked with 利益／興味.
"Just once," Holley replied. "Twelve years ago, when I was a reporter in New York. I'd managed to get into a 賭事ing house on Forty-fourth Street, a few doors east of Delmonico's. It didn't have a very good 評判, that 共同の, but there was the 広大な／多数の／重要な P.J. Madden himself, all dolled up in evening 着せる／賦与するs, betting his を回避する. They said that after he'd 賭事d all day in 塀で囲む Street, he couldn't let it alone—hung 一連の会議、交渉／完成する the roulette wheels in that house every night."
"And you tried to interview him?"
"I did. I was a fool kid, with lots of 神経. He had a big 鉄道／強行採決する 合併 in the 空気／公表する at the time, and I decided to ask him about it. So I went up to him during a なぎ in the betting. I told him I was on a newspaper—and that was as far as I got. 'Get the hell out of here,' he roared. 'You know I never give interviews.'" Holley laughed. "That was my first and only 会合 with P.J. Madden. It wasn't a very propitious beginning, but what I started that night on Forty-fourth Street I'm going to try to finish out here tonight."
They reached the 最高の，を越す of the grade, the rocky hills dropped behind them, and they were in a mammoth doorway 主要な to a strange new world. Up まっただ中に the platinum 星／主役にするs a thin slice of moon 棒 high, and far below in that 不十分な light lay the 広大な／多数の／重要な gray 砂漠, lonely and mysterious.
Carefully Will Holley guided his car 負かす／撃墜する the 法外な, 激しく揺する-strewn grade. "Go 平易な, Horace," he murmured. Presently they were on the 床に打ち倒す of the 砂漠, the road but a pair of faint wheel 跡をつけるs まっただ中に the creosote 小衝突 and mesquite. Once their headlights caught a jack-rabbit, sitting 堅固に on the 権利 of way; the next instant he was gone forever.
（頭が）ひょいと動く Eden saw a 簡潔な／要約する stretch of palm trees 支援する of a barbed-wire 盗品故買者, and 負かす／撃墜する the 小道／航路 between the trees the glow of a lonely window.
"Alfalfa ranch," Will Holley explained.
"Why, in heaven's 指名する, do people live out here?" Eden asked.
"Some of them because they can't live anywhere else," the editor answered. "And at that—井戸／弁護士席, you know it isn't a bad place to ranch it. Apples, lemons, pears—"
"But how about water?"
"It's only a 砂漠 because not many people have taken the trouble to bore for water. Just go 負かす／撃墜する a ways, and you strike it. Some go 負かす／撃墜する a couple of hundred feet—Madden only had to go thirty 半端物. But that was Madden luck. He's 近づく the bed of an 地下組織の river."
They （機の）カム to another 盗品故買者; above it were painted 調印するs and 旗s ぱたぱたするing yellow in the moonlight.
"Don't tell me that's a subdivision," Eden said.
Holley laughed. "Date City," he 発表するd. "Here in California the subdivider, like the poor, is always with us. Date City where, if you believe all you're told, every 薄暗い is a baby dollar. No one lives there yet—but who knows? We're a growing community—see my 編集（者）の in last week's 問題／発行する."
The car 骨折って進むd on. It staggered a bit now, but Holley's 手渡すs were 会社／堅い on the wheel. Here and there a Joshua tree stretched out hungry 黒人／ボイコット 武器 as though to 掴む these 旅行者s by night, and over that gray waste a dismal 勝利，勝つd moaned 絶えず, 冷気／寒がらせる and keen and biting. （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden turned up the collar of his 最高の，を越す coat.
"I can't help thinking of that old song," he said. "You know—about the lad who 保証（人）d to love somebody 'until the sands of the 砂漠 grow 冷淡な.'"
"It wasn't much of a 約束," agreed Holley. "Either he was a 広大な／多数の／重要な kidder, or he'd never been on the 砂漠 at night. But look here—is this your first experience with this country? What 肉親，親類d of a Californian are you?"
"Golden Gate brand," smiled Eden. "Yes, it's true, I've never been 負かす／撃墜する here before. Something tells me I've 行方不明になるd a lot."
"You sure have. I hope you won't 急ぐ off in a hurry. By the way, how long do you 推定する／予想する to be here?"
"I don't know," replied Eden. He was silent for a moment; his friend at home had told him that Holley could be 信用d, but he really did not need that 保証／確信. One look into the editor's friendly gray 注目する，もくろむs was 十分な. "Holley, I may 同様に tell you why I've come," he continued. "But I rely on your discretion. This isn't an interview."
"控訴 yourself," Holley answered. "I can keep a secret if I have to. But tell me or not, just as you prefer."
"I prefer to tell you," Eden said. He recounted Madden's 購入（する） of the Phillimore pearls, his request for their 配達／演説／出産 in New York, and then his sudden 予期しない switch to the 砂漠. "That, in itself, was rather 乱すing," he 追加するd.
"半端物, yes," agreed Holley.
"But that wasn't all," （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden went on. Omitting only Charlie Chan's 関係 with the 事件／事情／状勢, he told the whole story—the telephone call from the cigar 蓄える／店 in San Francisco, the loving solicitude at the ドッキングする／減らす／ドックに入れる and after of the man with the dark glasses, the その後の 発見 that this was 不安定な Phil Maydorf, a guest at the Killarney Hotel, and last of all, the fact that Louie Wong had been 召喚するd from the Madden ranch by his 親族 in Chinatown. As he 関係のある all this out there on that lonesome 砂漠, it began to take on a new and ominous 面; the 未来 ぼんやり現れるd dark and thrilling. Had that 広大な／多数の／重要な 開始 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 列／漕ぐ／騒動 was about? Because he wasn't there. My lad, I'm glad you didn't 投機・賭ける out here alone. 特に if you've brought the pearls as I 推定する you have."
"井戸／弁護士席, in a way, I've got them. About this Louie Wong? You know him, I suppose?"
"Yes. And I saw him at the 駅／配置する the other morning. Look at tomorrow's Eldorado Times and you'll find the big story, under the personals. 'Our 尊敬（する）・点d fellow townsman, Mr. Louie Wong, went to San Francisco on 商売／仕事 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 一連の会議、交渉／完成する, as 管理人. I don't know a 広大な／多数の／重要な 取引，協定 about him. He's never talked much to any one 一連の会議、交渉／完成する here—except the parrot."
"The parrot? What parrot?"
"His only companion on the ranch. A little gray Australian bird that some sea captain gave Madden several years ago. Madden brought the bird—its 指名する is Tony—here to be company for the old 管理人. A rough party, Tony—used to hang out in a barroom on an Australian boat. Some of his language when he first （機の）カム was far from pretty. But they're clever, those Australian parrots. You know, from associating with Louie, this one has learned to speak Chinese."
"Amazing," said （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden.
"Oh, not so amazing as it sounds. A bird of that sort will repeat anything it hears. So Tony 動揺させるs along in two languages. A 正規の／正選手 linguist. The ranchers 一連の会議、交渉／完成する here call him the Chinese parrot." They had reached a little group of cottonwoods and pepper trees 避難所ing a handsome adobe ranch house—an oasis on the 明らかにする plain. "Here we are at Madden's," Holley said. "By the way—have you got a gun?"
"Why, no," （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden replied. "I didn't bring any. I thought that Charlie—"
"What's that?"
"No 事柄. I'm 非武装の."
"So am I. Walk softly, son. By the way, you might open that gate, if you will."
（頭が）ひょいと動く Eden got out and, unlatching the gate, swung it open. When Holley had steered Horace Greeley inside the yard, Eden shut the gate behind him. The editor brought his car to a stop twenty feet away, and alighted.
The ranch house was a one-story structure, eloquent of the old Spanish days in California before Iowa （機の）カム. Across the 前線 ran a long low veranda, the roof of which 避難所d four windows that were glowing 温かく in the 冷気／寒がらせる night. Holley and the boy crossed the tile 床に打ち倒す of the porch, and （機の）カム to a big 前線 door, strong and forbidding.
Eden knocked loudly. There was a long wait. Finally the door opened a scant foot, and a pale 直面する looked out. "What is it? What do you want?" 問い合わせd a querulous 発言する／表明する. From inside the room （機の）カム the gay lilt of a fox-trot.
"I want to see Mr. Madden," （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden said. "Mr. P.J. Madden."
"Who are you?"
"Never mind. I'll tell Madden who I am. Is he here?"
The door went shut a few インチs. "He's here, but he isn't seeing any one."
"He'll see me, Thorn," said Eden はっきりと. "You're Thorn, I take it. Please tell Madden that a messenger from 地位，任命する Street, San Francisco, is waiting."
The door swung 即時に open, and ツバメ Thorn was as 近づく to beaming as his 不十分な 直面する permitted.
"Oh, 容赦 me. Come in at once. We've been 推定する／予想するing you. Come in—ah—er—gentlemen." His 直面する clouded as he saw Holley. "Excuse me just a moment."
The 長官 disappeared through a door at the 後部, and left the two 報知係s standing in the 広大な／多数の／重要な living-room of the ranch house. To step from the 砂漠 into a room like this was a 発覚. Its 塀で囲むs were of パネル盤d oak; rare etchings hung upon them; there were softly shaded lamps standing by （米）棚上げする／（英）提議するs on which lay the 最新の magazines—even a 最近の 版 of a New York Sunday newspaper. At one end, in a 抱擁する fireplace, a pile of スピードを出す／記録につけるs was 炎ing, and in a distant corner a 無線で通信する ground out dance music from some far orchestra.
"Say, this is home, 甘い home," （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden 発言／述べるd. He nodded to the 塀で囲む at the opposite end of the room from the fireplace. "And speaking of 存在 非武装の—"
"That's Madden's collection of guns," Holley explained. "Wong showed it to me once. They're 負担d. If you have to 支援する away, go in that direction." He looked dubiously about. "You know, that sleek lad didn't say he was going for Madden."
"I know he didn't," Eden replied. He 熟考する／考慮するd the room thoughtfully. One 広大な／多数の／重要な question worried him—where was Charlie Chan?
They stood there, waiting. A tall clock at the 後部 of the room struck the hour of nine, slowly, deliberately. The 解雇する／砲火／射撃 sputtered; the metallic tinkle of jazz flowed on.
Suddenly the door through which Thorn had gone opened suddenly behind them, and they swung quickly about. In the doorway, standing like a tower of granite in the gray 着せる／賦与するs he always 影響する／感情d, was the man （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden had last seen on the stairs descending from his father's office, Madden, the 広大な／多数の／重要な financier—P.J. himself.
（頭が）ひょいと動く Eden's first reaction was one of 激しい 救済, as of a 重荷（を負わせる） dropping from his shoulders with a "most delectable thud." But almost すぐに after （機の）カム a feeling of 失望. He was young, and he craved excitement. Here was the big 砂漠 mystery 衝突，墜落ing about his ears, Madden alive and 井戸／弁護士席, and all their 恐れるs and premonitions 証明するing groundless. Just a tame 手渡すing over of the pearls—when Charlie （機の）カム—and then 支援する to the old rut again. He saw Will Holley smiling.
"Good evening, gentlemen," Madden was 説. "I'm very glad to see you. ツバメ," he 追加するd to his 長官, who had followed him in, "turn off that confounded ゆすり. An orchestra, gentlemen—an orchestra in the ballroom of a hotel in Denver. Who says the day of 奇蹟s is past?" Thorn silenced the jazz; it died with a gurgle of 抗議する. "Now," 問い合わせd Madden, "which of you comes from 地位，任命する Street?"
The boy stepped 今後. "I am （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden, Mr. Madden. Alexander Eden is my father. This is my friend, a neighbor of yours, Mr. Will Holley of the Eldorado Times. He very kindly drove me out here."
"Ah, yes." Madden's manner was genial. He shook 手渡すs. "Draw up to the 解雇する／砲火／射撃, both of you. Thorn—cigars, please." With his own celebrated 手渡すs he placed 議長，司会を務めるs before the fireplace.
"I'll sit 負かす／撃墜する just a moment," Holley said. "I'm not stopping. I realize that Mr. Eden has some 商売／仕事 with you, and I'll not intrude. But before I go, Mr. Madden—"
"Yes," said Madden はっきりと, biting the end from a cigar.
"I—I don't suppose you remember me," Holley continued.
Madden's big 手渡す 均衡を保った with the lighted match. "I never forget a 直面する. I've seen yours before. Was it in Eldorado?"
Holley shook his 長，率いる. "No—it was twelve years ago—on Forty-fourth Street, New York. At"—Madden was watching him closely—"at a 賭事ing house just east of Delmonico's. One winter's night—"
"Wait a minute," 削減（する） in the millionaire. "Some people say I'm getting old—but listen to this. You （機の）カム to me as a newspaper reporter, asking an interview. And I told you to get the hell out of there."
"Splendid," laughed Holley.
"Oh, the old memory isn't so bad, eh? I remember perfectly. I used to spend many evenings in that place—until I discovered the game was 直す／買収する，八百長をするd. Yes, I dropped a lot of spare change there. Why didn't you tell me it was a crooked 共同の?"
Holley shrugged. "井戸／弁護士席, your manner didn't encourage 信用／信任s. But what I'm getting at, Mr. Madden—I'm still in the newspaper game, and an interview from you—"
"I never give 'em," snapped the millionaire.
"I'm sorry," said Holley. "An old friend of 地雷 runs a news bureau in New York, and it would be a big 勝利 for me if I could wire him something from you. On the 財政上の 見通し, for example. The first interview from P.J. Madden."
"Impossible," answered Madden.
"I'm sorry to hear you say that, Mr. Madden," （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden 発言／述べるd. "Holley here has been very 肉親，親類d to me, and I was hoping with all my heart you would overlook your 支配する this once."
Madden leaned 支援する, and blew a （犯罪の）一味 of smoke toward the パネル盤d 天井. "井戸／弁護士席," he said, and his 発言する／表明する was somehow gentler, "you've taken a lot of trouble for me, Mr. Eden, and I'd like to 強いる you." He ガス／煙d to Holley. "Look here—nothing much, you know. Just a few words about 商売／仕事 prospects for the coming year."
"That would be 極端に 肉親，親類d of you, Mr. Madden."
"Oh, it's all 権利. I'm away out here, and I feel a bit 異なって about the newspapers than I do at home. I'll dictate something to Thorn—suppose you run out here tomorrow about noon."
"I certainly will," said Holley, rising. "You don't know what this means to me, sir. I must hurry 支援する to town." He shook 手渡すs with the millionaire, then with （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden. His 注目する，もくろむs as he looked at the latter said; "井戸／弁護士席, everything's all 権利, after all. I'm glad." He paused at the door. "Good-bye—until tomorrow," he 追加するd. Thorn let him out.
The door had barely の近くにd behind the editor when Madden leaned 今後 熱望して. His manner had changed; suddenly, like an electric shock, the boy felt the 軍隊 of this famous personality. "Now, Mr. Eden," he began briskly, "you've got the pearls, of course?"
Eden felt 極端に silly. All their 恐れるs seemed so futile here in this 有望な, home-like room. "井戸／弁護士席, as a 事柄 of fact—" he stammered.
A glass door at the 後部 of the room opened, and someone entered. Eden did not look 一連の会議、交渉／完成する; he waited. Presently the newcomer stepped between him and the 解雇する／砲火／射撃. He saw a plump little Chinese servant, with worn trousers and velvet slippers, and a loose jacket of Canton crepe. In his 武器 he carried a couple of スピードを出す／記録につけるs. "Maybe you wantee catch 'um moah fiah, hey, boss?" he said in a dull 発言する／表明する. His 直面する was やめる expressionless. He threw the スピードを出す／記録につけるs into the fireplace and as he ガス／煙d, gave （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden a quick look. His 注目する，もくろむs were momentarily sharp and 有望な—like 黒人／ボイコット buttons in the yellow light. The 注目する，もくろむs of Charlie Chan.
The little servant went noiselessly out. "The pearls," 主張するd Madden quickly. "What about the pearls?" ツバメ Thorn （機の）カム closer.
"I 港／避難所't got them," said （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden slowly.
"What! You didn't bring them?"
"I did not."
The 抱擁する red 直面する of Madden purpled suddenly, and he 投げ上げる／ボディチェックするd his 広大な／多数の／重要な 長，率いる—the old gesture of annoyance of which the newspapers often spoke. "In heaven's 指名する, what's the 事柄 with you fellows, anyhow?" he cried. "Those pearls are 地雷—I've bought them, 港／避難所't I? I've asked for them here—I want them."
"Call your servant." The words were on the tip of （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden's tongue. But something in that look Charlie Chan had given him moved him to hesitate. No, he must first have a word with the little 探偵，刑事.
"Your final 指示／教授／教育s to my father were that the pearls must be 配達するd in New York," he reminded Madden.
"井戸／弁護士席, what if they were? I can change my mind, can't I?"
"にもかかわらず, my father felt that the whole 事件／事情／状勢 called for 警告を与える. One or two things happened—"
"What things?"
Eden paused. Why go over all that? It would sound silly, perhaps—in any 事例／患者, was it wise to make a confidant of this 冷淡な, hard man who was glaring at him with such evident disgust? "It is enough to say, Mr. Madden, that my father 辞退するd to send that necklace 負かす／撃墜する here into what might be a 井戸／弁護士席-laid 罠（にかける）."
"Your father's a fool," cried Madden.
（頭が）ひょいと動く Eden rose, his 直面する 紅潮／摘発するd. "Very 井戸／弁護士席—if you want to call the 取引，協定 off—"
"No, no. I'm sorry. I spoke too quickly. I わびる. Sit 負かす／撃墜する." The boy 再開するd his 議長，司会を務める. "But I'm very much annoyed. So your father sent you here to reconnoiter?"
"He did. He felt something might have happened to you."
"Nothing ever happens to me unless I want it to," returned Madden, and the 発言／述べる had the （犯罪の）一味 of truth. "井戸／弁護士席 you're here now. You see everything's all 権利. What do you 提案する to do?"
"I shall call my father on the telephone in the morning, and tell him to send the string at once. If I may, I'd like to stay here until it comes."
Again Madden 投げ上げる／ボディチェックするd his 長，率いる. "延期する—延期する—I don't like it. I must hurry 支援する east. I'd planned to leave here for Pasadena 早期に in the morning, put the pearls in a 丸天井 there, and then take a train to New York."
"Ah," said Eden. "Then you never ーするつもりであるd to give that interview to Holley?"
Madden's 注目する，もくろむs 狭くするd. "What if I didn't? He's of no importance, is he?" Bruskly he stood up. "井戸／弁護士席, if you 港／避難所't got the pearls, you 港／避難所't got them. You can stay here, of course. But you're going to call your father in the morning—早期に—I 警告する you I won't stand for any more 延期する."
"I agree to that," replied Eden. "And now, if you don't mind—I've had a hard day—"
Madden went to the door, and called. Charlie Chan （機の）カム in.
"Ah Kim," said Madden, "this gentleman has the bedroom at the end of the 左翼. Over here." He pointed. "Take his スーツケース."
"Allight, boss," replied the newly christened Ah Kim. He 選ぶd up Eden's 捕らえる、獲得する.
"Good night," said Madden. "If you want anything, this boy will look after you. He's new here, but I guess he knows the ropes. You can reach your room from the patio. I 信用 you'll sleep 井戸／弁護士席."
"I know I shall," said Eden. "Thank you so much. Good night."
He crossed the patio behind the shuffling 人物／姿／数字 of the Chinese. Above, white and 冷静な／正味の, hung the 砂漠 星／主役にするs. The 勝利，勝つd blew keener than ever. As he entered the room 割り当てるd him he was glad to see that a 解雇する／砲火／射撃 had been laid. He stooped to light it.
"謙虚に begging 容赦," said Chan. "That are my work."
Eden ちらりと見ることd toward the の近くにd door. "What became of you? I lost you at Barstow."
"Thinking 深い about the 事柄," said Chan softly, "I decide not to を待つ train. On 自動車 トラックで運ぶ belonging to one of my countrymen, の中で many other vegetables, I ride out of Barstow. Much better I arrive on ranch in warm daylight. Not so shady look to it. I am Ah Kim, the cook. How fortunate I mastered that art in far-away 青年."
"You're darned good," laughed Eden.
Chan shrugged. "All my life," he complained, "I 熟考する／考慮する to speak 罰金 English words. Now I must strangle all such in my throat, lest 疑惑 rouse up. Not a happy 状況／情勢 for me."
"井戸／弁護士席, it won't last long," replied Eden. "Everything's all 権利, evidently."
Again Chan shrugged, and did not answer.
"It is all 権利, isn't it?" Eden asked with sudden 利益／興味.
"謙虚に 申し込む／申し出ing my own poor opinion," said Chan, "it are not so 権利 as I would be pleased to have it."
Eden 星／主役にするd at him. "Why—what have you 設立する out?"
"I have 設立する nothing whatever."
"井戸／弁護士席, then—"
"容赦 me," Chan broke in. "Maybe you know—Chinese are very psychic people. Can not say in （犯罪の）一味ing words what is wrong here. But 深い 負かす／撃墜する in heart—"
"Oh, forget that," 削減（する） in Eden. "We can't go by instinct now. We （機の）カム to 配達する a string of pearls to Madden, if he 証明するd to be here, and get his 領収書. He's here, and our course is simple. For my part, I'm not taking any chances. I'm going to give him those pearls now."
Chan looked 苦しめるd. "No, no, please! Speaking 謙虚に for myself—"
"Now, see here, Charlie—if I may call you that?"
"大いに 栄誉（を受ける）d, to be sure."
"Let's not be foolish, just because we're far from home on a 砂漠. Chinese may be psychic people, as you say. But I see myself trying to explain that to 勝利者 Jordan—and to dad. All we were to find out was whether Madden was here or not. He is. Please go to Madden at once and tell him I want to see him in his bedroom in twenty minutes. When I go in you wait outside his door, and when I call you—come. We'll を引き渡す our 重荷（を負わせる） then and there."
"An appalling mistake," 反対するd Chan.
"Why? Can you give me one 限定された 推論する／理由?"
"Not in words, which are difficult. But—"
"Then I'm very sorry, but I'll have to use my own judgment. I'll take the 十分な 責任／義務. Now, really, I think you'd better go—"
Reluctantly, Charlie went. （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden lighted a cigarette and sat 負かす／撃墜する before the 解雇する／砲火／射撃. Silence had の近くにd 負かす／撃墜する like a curtain of 霧 over the house, over the 砂漠, over the world. An uncanny silence that nothing, seemingly, would ever break.
Eden thought 深く，強烈に. What had Charlie Chan been talking about, anyhow? Rot and nonsense. They loved to dramatize things, these Chinese. Loved to dramatize themselves. Here was Chan playing a novel 役割, and his （民事の）告訴 against it was not sincere. He 手配中の，お尋ね者 to go on playing it, to 秘かに調査する around and imagine vain things. 井戸／弁護士席, that wasn't the American way. It wasn't （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden's way.
The boy looked at his watch. Ten minutes since Charlie had left him; in ten minutes more he would go to Madden's room and get those pearls off his 手渡すs forever. He rose and walked about. From his window opposite the patio he looked out across the 薄暗い gray 砂漠 to the 黒人／ボイコット 本体，大部分／ばら積みの of distant hills. Ye gods, what a country. Not for him, he thought. Rather street lamps 向こうずねing on the pavements, the clamor of cable-cars, （人が）群がるs, （人が）群がるs of people. 混乱 and—noise. Something terrible about this silence. This lonely silence—
A horrible cry 粉々にするd the night. （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden stood, frozen. Again the cry, and then a queer, choked 発言する／表明する: "Help! Help! 殺人!" The cry. "Help! Put 負かす／撃墜する that gun! Help! Help!"
（頭が）ひょいと動く Eden ran out into the patio. As he did so, he saw Thorn and Charlie Chan coming from the other 味方する. Madden—where was Madden? But again his 疑惑 証明するd incorrect—Madden 現れるd from the living-room and joined them.
Again （機の）カム the cry. And now （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden saw, on a perch ten feet away, the source of the weird 爆発. A little gray Australian parrot was hanging there uncertainly, screeching its を回避する.
"That damn bird," cried Madden 怒って. "I'm sorry, Mr. Eden—I forgot to tell you about him. It's only Tony, and he's had a wild past, as you may imagine."
The parrot stopped 叫び声をあげるing and blinked solemnly at the little group before him. "One at a time, gentlemen, please," he squawked.
Madden laughed. "That goes 支援する to his barroom days," he said. "選ぶd it up from some bartender, I suppose."
"One at a time, gentlemen, please."
"It's all 権利, Tony," Madden continued. "We're not lined up for drinks. And you keep 静かな. I hope you weren't unduly alarmed, Mr. Eden. There seems to have been a 殺人，大当り or two in those barrooms where Tony used to hang out. ツバメ,"—he turned to his 長官—"take him to the barn and lock him up."
Thorn （機の）カム 今後. （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden thought that the 長官's 直面する was even paler than usual in the moonlight. He held out his 手渡すs to the parrot. Did Eden imagine it, or were the 手渡すs really trembling? "Here, Tony," said Thorn. "Nice Tony. You come with me." Gingerly he unfastened the chain from Tony's 脚.
"You 手配中の，お尋ね者 to see me, didn't you?" Madden said. He led the way to his bedroom, and の近くにd the door behind them. "What is it? Have you got those pearls, after all?"
The door opened, and the Chinese shuffled into the room.
"What the devil do you want?" cried Madden.
"You allight, boss?"
"Of course, I'm all 権利. Get out of here."
"Tomallah," said Charlie Chan in his 役割 of Ah Kim, and a ちらりと見ること that was 十分な of meaning passed between him and （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden. "Tomallah nice day, you bet. See you tomallah, gentlemen."
He 出発／死d, leaving the door open. Eden saw him moving across the patio on silent feet. He was not waiting outside Madden's door.
"What was it you 手配中の，お尋ね者?" Madden 固執するd.
（頭が）ひょいと動く Eden thought quickly. "I 手配中の，お尋ね者 to see you alone for just a moment. This Thorn—you can 信用 him, can't you?"
Madden snorted. "You give me a 苦痛," he said. "Any one would think you were bringing me the Bank of England. Of course, Thorn's all 権利. He's been with me for fifteen years."
"I just 手配中の，お尋ね者 to be sure," Eden answered. "I'll get 持つ／拘留する of dad 早期に in the morning. Good night."
He returned to the patio. The 長官 was hurrying in from his unwelcome errand. "Good night, Mr. Thorn," Eden said.
"Oh—er—good night, Mr. Eden," answered the man. He passed furtively from sight.
支援する in his room, Eden began to undress. He was both puzzled and 乱すd. Was this adventure to be as tame as it looked? Still in his ears rang the unearthly 叫び声をあげる of the parrot. After all, had it been in a barroom that Tony 選ぶd up that hideous cry for help?
Forgetting the 約束 he had made to rise and telephone his father 早期に in the morning, （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden ぐずぐず残るd on in the pleasant company of his couch. The magnificent 砂漠 sunrise, famous wherever 調書をとる／予約するs are sold, （機の）カム and went without the 調印（する） of his 是認, and a 煙霧 of heat spread over the barren world. It was nine o'clock when he awoke from a most 満足な sleep and sat up in bed.
星／主役にするing about the room, he 徐々に 位置を示すd himself on the 地図／計画する of California. One by one the events of the night before （機の）カム 支援する to him. First of all the scene at the Oasis—that agile steak eluding him with diabolic cunning—the girl whose charming presence made the dreary cafe an oasis indeed. The ride over the 砂漠 with Will Holley, the 有望な and cheery living-room of the ranch house, the fox-trot from a Denver orchestra. Madden, leaning の近くに and breathing hard, 需要・要求するing the Phillimore pearls. Chan in his velvet slippers, whispering of psychic 恐れるs and dark premonitions. And then the shrill cry of the parrot out of the 砂漠 night.
Now, however, the 緊張した troubled feeling with which he had gone to bed was melting away in the yellow 日光 of the morning. The boy began to 嫌疑者，容疑者／疑う that he had made rather a fool of himself in listening to the little 探偵，刑事 from the islands. Chan was an Oriental, also a policeman. Such a combination was bound to look at almost any 状況／情勢 with a jaundiced 注目する，もくろむ. After all he, （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden, was here as the 代表者／国会議員 of Meek and Eden, and he must 行為／法令／行動する as he saw fit. Was Chan in 告発（する），告訴（する）／料金 of this 探検隊／遠征隊, or was he?
The door opened, and on the threshold stood Ah Kim, in the person of Charlie Chan.
"You come 'long, boss," said his confederate loudly. "You ac' lazy bimeby you no catch 'um bleckfast."
Having said which, Charlie gently の近くにd the door and （機の）カム in, grimacing as one who felt a keen distaste.
"Silly talk like that hard 商売／仕事 for me," he complained. "Chinese without accustomed dignity is like man without 着せる／賦与するs, naked, and ashamed. You enjoy long, restful sleep, I think."
Eden yawned. "Compared to me last night, 引き裂く 先頭 Winkle had insomnia."
"That's good. 謙虚に 示唆する you 涙／ほころび yourself out of that bed now. The 広大な／多数の／重要な Madden indulges in nervous fit on living-room rug."
Eden laughed. "苦しむing, is he? 井戸／弁護士席, we'll have to stop that." He 投げ上げる／ボディチェックするd aside the covers.
Chan was busy at the curtains. "好意 me by taking a look from windows," he 発言／述べるd. "On every 味方する 砂漠 stretches off like 床に打ち倒す of eternity. Plenty acres of unlimitable sand."
（頭が）ひょいと動く Eden ちらりと見ることd out. "Yes, it's the 砂漠, and there's plenty of it, that's a fact. But look here—we せねばならない talk 急速な／放蕩な while we have the chance. Last night you made a sudden change in our 計画（する）s."
"推定するing 大いに—yes."
"Why?"
Chan 星／主役にするd at him. "Why not? You yourself hear parrot 叫び声をあげる out of the dark. '殺人. Help. Help. Put 負かす／撃墜する gun.'"
Eden nodded. "I know. But that probably meant nothing."
Charlie Chan shrugged. "You understand parrot does not invent talk. 単に repeats what others have 発言／述べるd."
"Of course," Eden agreed. "And Tony was no 疑問 repeating something he heard in Australia, or on a boat. I happen to know that all Madden said of the bird's past was the truth. And I may 同様に tell you, Charlie, that looking at things in the 有望な light of the morning, I feel we 行為／法令／行動するd rather foolishly last night. I'm going to give those pearls to Madden before breakfast."
Chan was silent for a moment. "If I might 推定する again, I would speak a few hearty words in 賞賛する of patience. 青年, 容赦 me, is too hot around the 長，率いる. Take my advice, please, and wait."
"Wait. Wait for what?"
"Wait until I have snatched more conversation out of Tony. Tony very smart bird—he speaks Chinese. I am not so smart—but so do I."
"And what do you think Tony would tell you?"
"Tony might 明らかにする／漏らす just what is wrong on this ranch," 示唆するd Chan.
"I don't believe anything's wrong," 反対するd Eden.
Chan shook his 長，率いる. "Not very happy position for me," he said, "that I must argue with 有望な boy like you are."
"But listen, Charlie," Eden 抗議するd. "I 約束d to call my father this morning. And Madden isn't an 平易な man to 扱う."
"Hoo malimali," 答える／応じるd Chan.
"No 疑問 you're 権利," Eden said. "But I don't understand Chinese."
"You have made natural error," Chan answered. "容赦 me while I 訂正する you. That are not Chinese. It are Hawaiian talk. 井戸／弁護士席 known in islands—hoo malimali—make Madden feel good by a little 害のない deception. As my cousin Willie Chan, captain of All-Chinese baseball team, translate with his vulgarity, kid him along."
"Easier said than done," replied Eden.
"But you are clever boy. You could perfect it. Just a few hours, while I have talk with the smart Tony."
Eden considered. Paula Wendell was coming out this morning. Too bad to 急ぐ off without seeing her again. "Tell you what I'll do," he said. "I'll wait until two o'clock. But when the clock strikes two, if nothing has happened in the interval, we を引き渡す those pearls. Is that understood?"
"Maybe," nodded Chan.
"You mean maybe it's understood?"
"Not 正確に. I mean maybe we を引き渡す pearls." Eden looked into the stubborn 注目する，もくろむs of the Chinese, and felt rather helpless. "However," Chan 追加するd, "受託する my glowing thanks. You are pretty good. Now proceed toward the 哀れな breakfast I have 用意が出来ている."
"Tell Madden I'll be there very soon."
Chan grimaced. "With your 肉親，親類d 許可, I will alter that message わずかに, losing the word very. In memory of old times, there remains little I would not do for 行方不明になる Sally. My life, perhaps—but by the bones of my honorable ancestors, I will not say 'velly.'" He went out.
On his perch in the patio, opposite Eden's window, Tony was busy with his own breakfast. The boy saw Chan approach the bird, and pause. "Hoo la ma," cried the 探偵，刑事.
Tony looked up, and cocked his 長，率いる on one 味方する. "Hoo la ma," he replied, in a shrill, 厳しい 発言する／表明する.
Chan went nearer, and began to talk 速く in Chinese. Now and then he paused, and the bird replied amazingly with some phrase out of Chan's speech. It was, （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden 反映するd, as good as a show.
Suddenly from a door on the other 味方する of the patio the man Thorn 現れるd. His pale 直面する was clouded with 怒り／怒る.
"Here," he cried loudly. "What the devil are you doing?"
"Solly, boss," said the Chinese. "Tony nice litta fellah. Maybe I take 'um to cook house."
"You keep away from him," Thorn ordered. "Get me—keep away from that bird."
Chan shuffled off. For a long moment Thorn stood 星／主役にするing after him, 怒り／怒る and 逮捕 mingled in his look. As （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden turned away, he was 深い in thought. Was there something in Chan's 態度, after all?
He hurried into the bath, which lay between his room and the 空いている bedroom beyond. When he finally joined Madden, he thought he perceived the afterglow of that nervous fit still on the millionaire's 直面する.
"I'm sorry to be late," he わびるd. "But this 砂漠 空気／公表する—"
"I know," said Madden. "It's all 権利—we 港／避難所't lost any time. I've already put in that call for your father."
"Good idea," replied the boy, without any enthusiasm. "Called his office, I suppose?"
"自然に."
Suddenly Eden remembered. This was Saturday morning, and unless it was raining in San Francisco, Alexander Eden was by now 井戸／弁護士席 on his way to the ゴルフ links at Burlingame. There he would remain until late tonight at least—perhaps over Sunday. Oh, for a 有望な day in the north!
Thorn （機の）カム in, sedate and solemn in his blue serge 控訴, and looked with hungry 注目する，もくろむs toward the （米）棚上げする／（英）提議する standing before the 解雇する／砲火／射撃. They sat 負かす／撃墜する to the breakfast 用意が出来ている by the new servant, Ah Kim. A good breakfast it was, for Charlie Chan had not forgotten his 早期に training in the Phillimore 世帯. As it 進歩d, Madden mellowed a bit.
"I hope you weren't alarmed last night by Tony's screeching," he said presently.
"井戸／弁護士席—for a minute," 認める Eden. "Of course, as soon as I 設立する out the source of the ゆすり, I felt better."
Madden nodded. "Tony's a colorless little beast, but he's had a scarlet past," he 発言／述べるd.
"Like some of the 残り／休憩（する） of us," Eden 示唆するd.
Madden looked at him 熱心に. "The bird was given me by a sea captain in the Australian 貿易（する）. I brought him here to be company for my 管理人, Louie Wong."
"I thought your boy's 指名する was Ah Kim," said Eden, innocently.
"Oh—this one. This isn't Wong. Louie was called suddenly to San Francisco the other day. This Ah Kim just happened to drift in most opportunely yesterday. He's 単に a stop-gap until Louie comes 支援する."
"You're lucky," Eden 発言／述べるd. "Such good cooks as Ah Kim are rare."
"Oh, he'll do," Madden 認める. "When I come west to stay, I bring a staff with me. This is a rather 予期しない visit."
"Your real （警察，軍隊などの）本部 out here are in Pasadena, I believe?" Eden 問い合わせd.
"Yes—I've got a house there, on Orange Grove Avenue. I just keep this place for an 時折の week end—when my 喘息 脅すs. And it's good to get away from the 暴徒, now and then." The millionaire 押し進めるd 支援する from the （米）棚上げする／（英）提議する, and looked at his watch. "せねばならない hear from San Francisco any minute now," he 追加するd hopefully.
Eden ちらりと見ることd toward the telephone in a far corner. "Did you put the call in for my father, or just for the office?" he asked.
"Just for the office," Madden replied. "I 人物／姿／数字d that if he was out, we could leave a message."
Thorn （機の）カム 今後. "長，指導者, how about that interview for Holley?" he 問い合わせd.
"Oh, the devil!" Madden said. "Why did I let myself in for that?"
"I could bring the typewriter in here," began the 長官.
"No—we'll go to your room. Mr. Eden, if the telephone （犯罪の）一味s, please answer it."
The two went out. Ah Kim arrived on noiseless feet to （疑いを）晴らす away the breakfast. Eden lighted a cigarette, and dropped into a 議長，司会を務める before the 解雇する／砲火／射撃, which the 炎ing sun outside made rather superfluous.
Twenty minutes later, the telephone rang. Eden leaped to it, but before he reached the （米）棚上げする／（英）提議する where it stood, Madden was at his 味方する. He had hoped to be alone for this ordeal, and sighed wearily. At the other end of the wire he was relieved to hear the 冷静な／正味の, melodious 発言する／表明する of his father's 井戸／弁護士席-chosen 長官.
"Hello," he said. "This is （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden, at Madden's ranch 負かす／撃墜する on the 砂漠. And how are you this 有望な and 向こうずねing morning?"
"What makes you think it's a 有望な and 向こうずねing morning up here?" asked the girl.
Eden's heart sank. "Don't tell me it isn't. I'd be broken-hearted."
"Why?"
"Why! Because, while you're beautiful at any time, I like to think of you with the sunlight on your hair—"
Madden laid a 激しい 手渡す on his shoulder. "What the 炎s do you think you're doing—making a date with a chorus girl? Get 負かす／撃墜する to 商売／仕事."
"Excuse it, please," said Eden. "行方不明になる Chase, is my father there?"
"No. This is Saturday, you know. ゴルフ."
"Oh yes—of course. Then it is a nice day. 井戸／弁護士席, tell him to call me here if he comes in. Eldorado 76."
"Where is he?" 需要・要求するd Madden 熱望して.
"Out playing ゴルフ," the boy answered.
"Where? What links?"
（頭が）ひょいと動く sighed. "I suppose he's at Burlingame," he said over the wire.
Then—oh, excellent young woman, thought the boy—the 長官 answered: "Not today. He went with some friends to another links. He didn't say which."
"Thank you so much," Eden said. "Just leave the message on his desk, please." He hung up.
"Too bad," he 発言／述べるd cheerfully. "Gone off to play ゴルフ somewhere, and nobody knows where."
Madden swore. "The old simpleton. Why doesn't he …に出席する to his 商売／仕事—"
"Look here, Mr. Madden," Eden began.
"ゴルフ, ゴルフ, ゴルフ," 嵐／襲撃するd Madden. "It's 廃虚d more good men than whisky. I tell you, if I'd fooled 一連の会議、交渉／完成する on ゴルフ links, I wouldn't be where I am today. If your father had any sense—"
"I've heard about enough," said Eden, rising.
Madden's manner changed suddenly. "I'm sorry," he said. "But this is annoying, you must 収容する／認める. I 手配中の，お尋ね者 that necklace to start today."
"The day's young," Eden reminded him. "It may get off yet."
"I hope so," Madden frowned. "I'm not accustomed to this sort of dilly-dallying, I can tell you that."
His 広大な／多数の／重要な 長，率いる was 投げ上げる／ボディチェックするing 怒って as he went out. （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden looked after him, thoughtfully. Madden, master of many millions, was putting what seemed an undue 強調 on a little pearl necklace. The boy wondered. His father was getting on in years—he was far from the New York markets. Had he made some glaring mistake in setting a value on that necklace? Was it, perhaps, 価値（がある） a 広大な／多数の／重要な 取引，協定 more than he had asked, and was Madden ガス／煙ing to get 持つ／拘留する of it before the jeweler learned his error and perhaps called off the 取引，協定? Of course, Alexander Eden had given his word, but even so, Madden might 恐れる a slip-up.
The boy strolled idly out into the patio. The 冷気／寒がらせる night 勝利，勝つd had 消えるd and he saw the 砂漠 of song and story, baking under a relentless sun. In the sandy little yard of the ranch house, life was humming along. Plump chickens and haughty turkeys strutted 支援する of wire enclosures. He paused for a moment to 星／主役にする with 利益／興味 at a bed of strawberries, red and tempting. Up above, on the 明らかにする 支店s of the cottonwoods, he saw unmistakable buds, mute 約束 of a 感謝する shade not far away.
半端物 how things lived and grew, here in this desolate country. He took a turn about the grounds. In one corner was a 広大な／多数の／重要な 貯蔵所 half filled with water—a pleasant sight that must be on an August afternoon. Coming 支援する to the patio, he stopped to speak to Tony, who was sitting rather dejectedly on his perch.
"Hoo la ma," he said.
Tony perked up. "Sung kai yet bo," he 発言／述べるd.
"Yes, and a 広大な／多数の／重要な pity, too," replied Eden facetiously.
"Gee fung low hop," 追加するd Tony, somewhat feebly.
"Perhaps, but I heard different," said Eden, and moved on. He wondered what Chan was doing. Evidently the 探偵，刑事 thought it best to obey Thorn's 命令（する） that he keep away from the bird. This was not surprising, for the windows of the 長官's room looked out on Tony's perch.
支援する in the living-room, Eden took up a 調書をとる／予約する. At a few minutes before twelve he heard the asthmatic cough of Horace Greeley in the yard and rising, he 認める Will Holley. The editor was smiling and 警報.
"Hello," Eden said. "Madden's in there with Thorn, getting out the interview. Sit 負かす／撃墜する." He （機の）カム の近くに. "And please remember that I 港／避難所't brought those pearls. My 商売／仕事 with Madden is still unfinished."
Holley looked at him with sudden 利益／興味. "I get you. But I thought last night that everything was lovely. Do you mean—"
"Tell you later," interrupted Eden. "I may be in town this afternoon." He spoke in a louder トン. "I'm glad you （機の）カム along. I was finding the 砂漠 a bit flat when you flivvered in."
Holley smiled. "元気づける up. I've got something for you. A veritable storehouse of wit and 知恵." He 手渡すd over a paper. "This week's 問題／発行する of the Eldorado Times, damp from the 圧力（をかける）s. Read about Louie Wong's big trip to San Francisco. All the news that's fit to print."
Eden took the proffered paper—eight small pages of mingled news and 宣伝s. He sank into a 議長，司会を務める. "井戸／弁護士席," he said, "it seems that the Ladies' 援助（する） Supper last Tuesday night was 顕著に successful. Not only that, but the ladies 責任がある the 事件／事情／状勢 labored assiduously and deserve much credit."
"Yes, but the real excitement's inside," 発言／述べるd Holley. "On page three. There you'll learn that coyotes are getting pretty bad in the valley. A number of people are putting out 罠（にかける）s."
"Under those circumstances," Eden said, "how fortunate that Henry Gratton is caring for Mr. Dickey's chickens during the latter's absence in Los Angeles."
Holley rose, and 星／主役にするd for a moment 負かす／撃墜する at his tiny newspaper. "And once I worked with Mitchell on the New York Sun," he misquoted sadly. "Don't let Harry Fladgate see that, will you? When Harry knew me I was a newspaper man." He moved off across the room. "By the way, has Madden shown you his collection of 小火器?"
（頭が）ひょいと動く Eden rose, and followed. "Why no—he hasn't."
"It's rather 利益／興味ing. But dusty—say, I guess Louie was afraid to touch them. Nearly every one of these guns has a history. See—there's a typewritten card above each one. '現在のd to P.J. Madden by Til Taylor'—Taylor was one of the best 郡保安官s Oregon ever had. And here—look at this one—it's a beauty. Given to Madden by 法案 Tilghman. That gun, my boy, saw 活動／戦闘 on 前線 Street in the old Dodge City days."
"What's the one with all the notches?" Eden asked.
"Used to belong to Billy the Kid," said Holley. "Ask them about Billy over in New Mexico. And here's one Bat Masterson used to こども. But the 星／主役にする of the collection"—Holley's 注目する，もくろむs ran over the 塀で囲む—"the beauty of the lot—" He turned to Eden. "It isn't there," he said.
"There's a gun 行方不明の?" 問い合わせd Eden slowly.
"Seems to be. One of the first Colts made—a forty-five—it was 現在のd to Madden by 法案 Hart, who's 行う／開催する／段階d a lot of pictures 一連の会議、交渉／完成する here." He pointed to an open space on the 塀で囲む. "There's where it used to be," he 追加するd, and was moving away.
Eden caught his coat sleeve. "Wait a minute," he said in a low, 緊張した 発言する／表明する. "Let me get this. A gun 行方不明の. And the card's gone, too. You can see where the tacks held it in place."
"井戸／弁護士席, what's all the excitement—" began Holley surprised.
Eden ran his finger over the 塀で囲む. "There's no dust where that card should be. What does that mean? That 法案 Hart's gun has been 除去するd within the last few days."
"My boy," said Holley. "What are you talking about—"
"Hush," 警告するd Eden. The door opened and Madden, followed by Thorn, entered the room. For a moment the millionaire stood, regarding them intently.
"Good morning, Mr. Holley," he said. "I've got your interview here. You're wiring it to New York, you say?"
"Yes. I've queried my friend there about it this morning. I know he'll want it."
"井戸／弁護士席, it's nothing startling. I hope you'll について言及する in the course of it where you got it. That will help to soothe the feelings of the boys I've turned 負かす／撃墜する so often in New York. And you won't change what I've said?"
"Not a comma," smiled Holley. "I must hurry 支援する to town now. Thank you again, Mr. Madden."
"That's all 権利," said Madden. "Glad to help you out."
Eden followed Holley to the yard. Out of earshot of the house, the editor stopped.
"You seemed a little het up about that gun. What's doing?"
"Oh, nothing, I suppose," said Eden. "On the other 手渡す—"
"What?"
"井戸／弁護士席, Holley, it strikes me that something queer may have happened lately on this ranch."
Holley 星／主役にするd. "It doesn't sound possible. However, don't keep me in suspense."
"I've got to. It's a long story, and Madden mustn't see us getting too chummy. I'll come in this afternoon, as I 約束d."
Holley climbed into his car. "All 権利," he said. "I can wait, I guess. See you later, then."
Eden was sorry to watch Horace Greeley stagger 負かす／撃墜する the dusty road. Somehow the newspaper man brought a warm, human atmosphere to the ranch, an atmosphere that was needed there. But a moment later he was sorry no longer, for a little speck of brown in the distance became a smart roadster, and at its wheel he saw the girl of the Oasis, Paula Wendell.
He held open the gate, and with a cheery wave of her 手渡す the girl drove past him into the yard.
"Hello," he said, as she alighted. "I was beginning to 恐れる you weren't coming."
"I overslept," she explained. "Always do, in this 砂漠 country. Have you noticed the 空気／公表する? People who are in a position to know tell me it's like ワイン."
"Had a merry breakfast, I suppose?"
"I certainly did. At the Oasis."
"You poor child. That coffee."
"I didn't mind. Will Holley says that Madden's here."
"Madden? That's 権利—you do want to see Madden, don't you? 井戸／弁護士席, come along inside."
Thorn was alone in the living-room. He regarded the girl with a fishy 注目する，もくろむ. Not many men could have managed that, but Thorn was different.
"Thorn," said Eden. "Here's a young woman who wants to see Mr. Madden."
"I have a letter from him," the girl explained, "申し込む／申し出ing me the use of the ranch to take some pictures. You may remember—I was here Wednesday night."
"I remember," said Thorn sourly. "And I 悔いる very much that Mr Madden can not see you. He also asks me to say that unfortunately he must 身を引く the 許可 he gave you in his letter."
"I'll 受託する that word from no one but Mr. Madden himself," 再開するd the girl, and a steely light 炎上d suddenly in her 注目する，もくろむs.
"I repeat—he will not see you," 固執するd Thorn.
The girl sat 負かす／撃墜する. "Tell Mr. Madden his ranch is charming," she said. "Tell him I am seated in a 議長，司会を務める in his living-room and that I shall certainly continue to sit here until he comes and speaks to me himself."
Thorn hesitated a moment, glaring 怒って. Then he went out.
"I say—you're all 権利," Eden laughed.
"I 目的（とする） to be," the girl answered, "and I've been on my own too long to take any nonsense from a mere 長官."
Madden blustered in. "What is all this—"
"Mr. Madden," the girl said, rising and smiling with amazing sweetness, "I was sure you'd see me. I have here a letter you wrote me from San Francisco. You 解任する it, of course."
Madden took the letter and ちらりと見ることd at it. "Yes, yes—of course. I'm very sorry, 行方不明になる Wendell, but since I wrote that 確かな 事柄s have come up—I have a 商売／仕事 取引，協定 on—" He ちらりと見ることd at Eden. "In short, it would be most inconvenient for me to have the ranch 侵略（する）／超過（する） with picture people at this time. I can't tell you how I 悔いる it."
The girl's smile 消えるd. "Very 井戸／弁護士席," she said, "but it means a 黒人／ボイコット 示す against me with the company. The people I work for don't 受託する excuses—only results. I have told them everything was arranged."
"井戸／弁護士席, you were a little premature, weren't you?"
"I don't see why. I had the word of P.J. Madden. I believed—foolishly, perhaps—the old 噂する that the word of Madden was never broken."
The millionaire looked decidedly uncomfortable. "井戸／弁護士席—I—er—of course I never break my word. When did you want to bring your people here?"
"It's all arranged for Monday," said the girl.
"Out of the question," replied Madden. "But if you could 延期する it a few days—say, until Thursday." Once more he looked at Eden. "Our 商売／仕事 should be settled by Thursday," he 追加するd.
"Unquestionably," agreed Eden, glad to help.
"Very 井戸／弁護士席," said Madden. He looked at the girl, and his 注目する，もくろむs were kindly. He was no Thorn. "Make it Thursday, and the place is yours. I may not be here then myself, but I'll leave word to that 影響."
"Mr. Madden, you're a dear," she told him. "I knew I could rely on you."
With a disgusted look at his 雇用者's 支援する, Thorn went out.
"You bet you can," said Madden, smiling pleasantly. He was melting 急速な／放蕩な. "And the 記録，記録的な／記録する of P.J. Madden is 損なわれていない. His word is as good as his 社債—isn't that so?"
"If any one 疑問s it, let him ask me," replied the girl.
"It's nearly lunch time," Madden said. "You'll stay?"
"井戸／弁護士席—I—really, Mr. Madden—"
"Of course she'll stay," （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden broke in. "She's eating at a place in Eldorado called the Oasis, and if she doesn't stay, then she's just gone and lost her mind."
The girl laughed. "You're all so good to me," she said.
"Why not?" 問い合わせd Madden. "Then it's settled. We need some one like you around to brighten things up. Ah Kim," he 追加するd, as the Chinese entered, "another place for lunch. In about ten minutes, 行方不明になる Wendell."
He went out. The girl looked at （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden. "井戸／弁護士席, that's that. I knew it would be all 権利, if only he would see me."
"自然に," said Eden. "Everything in this world would be all 権利, if every man in it could only see you."
"Sounds like a compliment," she smiled.
"Meant to be," replied the boy. "But what makes it sound so cumbersome? I must 小衝突 up on my social chatter."
"Oh—then it was only chatter?"
"Please—don't look too closely at what I say. I may tell you I've got a lot on my mind just now. I'm trying to be a 商売／仕事 man, and it's some 緊張する."
"Then you're not a real 商売／仕事 man."
"Not a real anything. Just sort of drifting. You know, you made me think, last night."
"I'm proud of that."
"Now—don't spoof me. I got to thinking—here you are, 収入 your living—luxurious マリファナ roasts at the Oasis and all that—while I'm just father's little boy. I shouldn't be surprised if you 奮起させるd me to turn over a new leaf."
"Then I shan't have lived in vain." She nodded toward the far 味方する of the room. "What in the world is the meaning of that 兵器庫?"
"Oh—that's gentle old Madden's collection of 小火器. A hobby of his. Come on over and I'll teach you to call each one by 指名する."
Presently Madden and Thorn returned, and Ah Kim served a perfect lunch. At the （米）棚上げする／（英）提議する Thorn said nothing, but his 雇用者, under the （一定の）期間 of the girl's 有望な 注目する，もくろむs, talked volubly and 井戸／弁護士席. As they finished coffee, （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden suddenly awoke to the fact that the big clock 近づく the patio windows 示すd the hour as five minutes of two. At two o'clock! There was that 協定 with Chan regarding two o'clock. What were they to do? The impassive 直面する of the Oriental as he served lunch had told the boy nothing.
Madden was in the 中央 of a long story about his 早期に struggle toward wealth, when the Chinese （機の）カム suddenly into the room. He stood there, and though he did not speak, his manner 停止（させる）d the millionaire as 効果的に as a ピストル 発射.
"井戸／弁護士席, 井戸／弁護士席, what is it?" Madden 需要・要求するd.
"Death," said Ah Kim solemnly in his high-pitched 発言する／表明する. "Death unevitable end. No wolly. No solly."
"What in Sam Hill are you talking about?" Madden 問い合わせd. Thorn's pale green 注目する，もくろむs were popping.
"Poah litta Tony," went on Ah Kim.
"What about Tony?"
"Poah litta Tony enjoy happly noo yeah in Hadesland," finished Ah Kim.
Madden was 即時に on his feet, and led the way to the patio. On the 石／投石する 床に打ち倒す beneath his perch lay the lifeless 団体／死体 of the Chinese parrot.
The millionaire stooped and 選ぶd up the bird. "Why—poor old Tony," he said. "He's gone west. He's dead."
Eden's 注目する，もくろむs were on Thorn. For the first time since he met that gentleman he thought he （悪事，秘密などを）発見するd the ghost of a smile on the 長官's pale 直面する.
"井戸／弁護士席, Tony was old," continued Madden. "A very old boy. And as Ah Kim says, death is 必然的な—" He stopped, and looked 熱心に at the expressionless 直面する of the Chinese. "I've been 推定する／予想するing this," he 追加するd. "Tony hasn't seemed very 井戸／弁護士席 of late. Here, Ah Kim"—he 手渡すd over all that was mortal of Tony—"you take and bury him somewhere."
"I take sum," said Ah Kim, and did so.
In the big living-room the clock struck twice, loud and （疑いを）晴らす. Ah Kim, in the person of Charlie Chan, was moving slowly away, the bird in his 武器. He was muttering glibly in Chinese. Suddenly he looked 支援する over his shoulder.
"Hoo malimali," he said 明確に.
（頭が）ひょいと動く Eden remembered his Hawaiian.
The three men and the girl returned to the living-room, but Madden's flow of small talk was stilled, and the sparkle was gone from his 昼食 party.
"Poor Tony," the millionaire said when they had sat 負かす／撃墜する. "It's like the passing of an old friend. Five years ago he （機の）カム to me." He was silent for a long time, 星／主役にするing into space.
Presently the girl rose. "I really must be getting 支援する to town," she 発表するd. "It was thoughtful of you to 招待する me to lunch, Mr. Madden, and I 高く評価する／（相場などが）上がる it. I can count on Thursday, then?"
"Yes—if nothing new comes up. In that 事例／患者, where could I reach you?"
"I'll be at the 砂漠 辛勝する／優位—but nothing must come up. I'm relying on the word of P.J. Madden."
"Nothing will, I'm sure. Sorry you have to go."
（頭が）ひょいと動く Eden （機の）カム 今後. "I think I'll take a little fling at city life myself," he said. "If you don't mind, I'd like to ride into Eldorado with you."
"Delighted," she smiled. "But I'm not sure I can bring you 支援する."
"Oh no—I don't want you to. I'll walk 支援する."
"You needn't do that," said Madden. "It seems that Ah Kim can 運動 a flivver—a rather remarkable boy, Ah Kim." He was thoughtfully silent for a moment. "I'm sending him to town later in the afternoon for 供給（する）s. Our larder's rather low. He'll 選ぶ you up." The Chinese entered to （疑いを）晴らす away. "Ah Kim, you're to bring Mr. Eden 支援する with you this evening."
"Allight. I bring bling 'um," said Ah Kim, without 利益／興味.
"I'll 会合，会う you in 前線 of the hotel any time you say," 示唆するd Eden.
Ah Kim regarded him sourly. "Maybe flive 'clock," he said.
"罰金. At five then."
"You late, you no catch 'um lide," 警告するd the Chinese.
"I'll be there," the boy 約束d. He went to his room and got a cap. When he returned, Madden was waiting.
"In 事例／患者 your father calls this afternoon, I'll tell him you want that 事柄 急ぐd through," he said.
Eden's heart sank. He hadn't thought of that. Suppose his father returned to the office 突然に—but no, that was ありそうもない. And it wouldn't do to show alarm and change his 計画（する）s now.
"Surely," he 発言／述べるd carelessly. "If he isn't 満足させるd without a word from me, tell him to call again about six."
When he stepped into the yard, the girl was skillfully turning her car about. He officiated at the gate, and joined her in the sandy road.
The car moved off and Eden got his first unimpeded look at this queer world Holley had called the devil's garden. "Plenty acres of unlimitable sand," Chan had said, and that about summed it up. Far in the distance was a touch of beauty—a cobalt sky above snow-capped mountains. But どこかよそで he saw only 砂漠, a 広大な／多数の／重要な gray interminable 一面に覆う／毛布 spattered with creosote 小衝突. All the trees, all the bushes, were barbed and cruel and 脅迫的な—a biznaga, pointing like a finger of 軽蔑（する） toward the sky, an unkempt palo verde, the eternal Joshua trees, like charred stumps that had stood in the path of a 解雇する／砲火／射撃. Over this 広大な waste played 半端物 tricks of light and shade, and up above hung the sun, a living 炎上, merciless, ineffably pure, and somehow terrible.
"井戸／弁護士席, what do you think of it?" asked the girl.
Eden shrugged. "Hell's burnt out and left the embers," he 発言／述べるd.
She smiled. "The 砂漠 is an acquired taste," she explained. "No one likes it at first. I remember the night, long ago, when I got off the train at Eldorado with poor dad. A little girl from a Philadelphia 郊外—a place that was old and settled and civilized. And there I stood in the 中央 of this savage-looking world. My heart broke."
"Poor kid," said Eden. "But you like it now?"
"Yes—after a while—井戸／弁護士席, there's a sort of weird beauty in this sun-drenched country. You waken to it in the course of time. And in the spring, after the rains—I'd like to take you over 一連の会議、交渉／完成する Palm Springs then. The verbena is like a carpet of old rose, and the ugliest trees put 前へ／外へ the most delicate and lovely blossoms. And at any time of the year there's always the 砂漠 nights, with the pale 星／主役にするs 総計費, and the 空気／公表する 十分な of peace and 静める and 残り／休憩（する）."
"Oh, no 疑問 it's a 広大な／多数の／重要な place to 残り／休憩（する）," Eden agreed. "But as it happens, I wasn't very tired."
"Who knows?" she said. "Perhaps before we say goodbye I can 始める you into the Very 古代の Order of Lovers of the 砂漠. The 必要物／必要条件s for 会員の地位 are very strict. A 極度の慎重さを要する soul, a quick 注目する，もくろむ for beauty—oh, a very select group, you may be sure. No riff-raff on our rolls."
A 露骨な／あからさまの 調印する hung before them. "Stop! Have you bought your lot in Date City?" From the steps of a tiny real 広い地所 office a rather shabby young man leaped to life. He （機の）カム into the road and held up his 手渡す. Obligingly the girl stopped her car.
"Howdy, folks," said the young man. "Here's the big 適切な時期 of your life—don't pass it by. Let me show you a lot in Date City, the 未来 metropolis of the 砂漠."
（頭が）ひょいと動く Eden 星／主役にするd at the dreary landscape. "Not 利益／興味d," he said.
"Yeah. Think of the poor devils who once said that about the corner of Spring and Sixth, Los Angeles. Not 利益／興味d—and they could have bought it for a song. Look ahead. Can you picture this street ten years hence?"
"I think I can," Eden replied. "It looks just the way it does today."
"Blind!" rebuked the young man. "Blind! This won't be the 砂漠 forever. Look!" He pointed to a small lead 麻薬を吸う surrounded by a circle of 激しく揺するs and trying to 行為／法令／行動する like a fountain. From its 最高の，を越す gurgled an anemic stream. "What's that! Water, my boy, water, the pure, life-giving elixir, 噴出するing madly from the sandy 国／地域. What does that mean? I see a 広大な／多数の／重要な city rising on this 位置／汚点／見つけ出す, 超高層ビルs and movie palaces, land five thousand a 前線 foot—land you can buy today for a paltry two dollars."
"I'll take a dollar's 価値（がある）," 発言／述べるd Eden.
"I 控訴，上告 to the young lady," continued the real-広い地所 man. "If that （犯罪の）一味 on the third finger of her left 手渡す means anything, it means a wedding." Startled, （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden looked, and saw a big emerald 始める，決める in platinum. "You, 行方不明になる—you have 見通し. Suppose you two bought a lot today and held it for your—er—for 未来 世代s. Wealth, wealth untold—I'm 権利, ain't I, 行方不明になる?"
The girl looked away. "Perhaps you are," she 認める. "But you've made a mistake. This gentleman is not my fiance."
"Oh," said the 青年, deflating.
"I'm only a stranger, passing through," Eden told him.
The salesman pulled himself together for a new attack. "That's it—you're a stranger. You don't understand. You can't realize that Los Angeles looked like this once."
"It still does—to some people," 示唆するd （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden gently.
The young man gave him a hard look. "Oh—I get you," he said. "You're from San Francisco." He turned to the girl. "So this ain't your fiance, eh, lady? 井戸／弁護士席—hearty congratulations."
Eden laughed. "Sorry," he said.
"I'm sorry, too," returned the salesman. "Sorry for you, when I think of what you're passing up. However, you may see the light yet, and if you ever do, don't forget me. I'm here Saturdays and Sundays, and we have an office in Eldorado. 適切な時期's knocking, but of course if you're from Frisco, you're doing the same. Glad to have met you, anyhow."
They left him by his weak little fountain, a sad but 希望に満ちた 人物／姿／数字.
"Poor fellow," the girl 発言／述べるd, as she stepped on the gas. "The 開拓する has a hard time of it."
Eden did not speak for a moment. "I'm an 観察するing little chap, aren't I?" he said at last.
"What do you mean?"
"That （犯罪の）一味. I never noticed it. Engaged, I suppose?"
"It looks that way, doesn't it?"
"Don't tell me you're going to marry some movie actor who carries a vanity 事例／患者."
"You should know me better than that."
"I do, of course. But 述べる this lucky lad. What's he like?"
"He likes me."
"自然に." Eden lapsed into silence.
"Not angry, are you?" asked the girl.
"Not angry," he grinned, "but terribly, terribly 傷つける. I perceive you don't want to talk about the 事柄."
"井戸／弁護士席—some 出来事/事件s in my life I really should keep to myself. On such short 知識."
"As you wish," agreed Eden. The car sped on. "Lady," he said presently, "I've known this 砂漠 country, man and boy, going on twenty-four hours. And believe me when I tell you, 行方不明になる, it's a cruel land—a cruel land."
They climbed the road that lay between the two piles of brown 激しく揺する pretending to be mountains, and before them lay Eldorado, 密談する／（身体を）寄せ集めるd about the little red 駅／配置する. The town looked tiny and helpless and forlorn. As they alighted before the 砂漠 辛勝する／優位 Hotel, Eden said:
"When shall I see you again?"
"Thursday, perhaps."
"Nonsense. I shall probably be gone by then; I must see you soon."
"I'll be out your way in the morning. If you like, I'll 選ぶ you up."
"That's 肉親，親類d of you—but morning's a long way off," he said. "I'll think of you tonight, eating at the Oasis. Give my love to that steak, if you see it. Until tomorrow, then—and can't I buy you an alarm clock?"
"I shan't oversleep—much," she laughed. "Good-bye."
"Good-bye," answered Eden. "Thanks for the buggy ride."
He crossed the street to the 鉄道／強行採決する 駅／配置する, which was also the telegraph office. In the little cubby-穴を開ける 占領するd by the スパイ／執行官, Will Holley stood, a sheaf of copy paper in his 手渡す.
"Hello," he said. "Just getting that interview on the wire. Were you looking for me?"
"Yes, I was," Eden replied. "But first I want to send a wire of my own."
The スパイ／執行官, a husky 青年 with sandy hair, looked up. "Say, Mister, no can do. Mr. Holley here's tied up things forever."
Holley laughed. "That's all 権利. You can 削減（する） in with Mr. Eden's message, and then go 支援する."
Frowning, Eden considered the 言い回し of his rather difficult 電報電信. How to let his father know the 状況／情勢 without 明らかにする／漏らすing it to the world? Finally he wrote:
BUYER HERE, BUT CERTAIN CONDITIONS MAKE IT ADVISABLE WE TREAT HIM TO A LITTLE HOO MALIMALI. MRS. JORDAN WILL TRANSLATE. WHEN I TALK WITH YOU OVER TELEPHONE PROMISE TO SEND VALUABLE PACKAGE AT ONCE THEN FORGET IT. ANY CONFIDENTIAL MESSAGE FOR ME CARE WILL HOLLEY, ELDORADO TIMES. THEY HAVE NICE DESERT DOWN HERE BUT TOO FULL OF MYSTERY FOR FRANK AND OPEN YOUNG BUSINESS MAN LIKE YOUR LOVING SON. BOB.
He turned the yellow slip over to the worried telegrapher, with 指示／教授／教育s to send it to his father's office, and in duplicate to his house. "How much?" he asked.
After some fumbling with a 調書をとる／予約する, the スパイ／執行官 指名するd a sum, which Eden paid. He 追加するd a tip, upsetting the boy still その上の.
"Say, this is some day here," 発表するd the telegrapher. "Always 手配中の，お尋ね者 a little excitement in my life, but now it's come I guess I ain't ready for it. Yes, sir—I'll send it twice—I know—I get you—"
Holley gave the boy a few directions about the Madden interview, and returned with （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden to Main Street.
"Let's 減少（する） over to the office," the editor said. "Nobody there now, and I'm keen to know what's doing out at Madden's."
In the 明らかにする little home of the Eldorado Times, Eden took a 議長，司会を務める that was already partly filled with 交流s, の近くに to the editor's desk. Holley 除去するd his hat and 取って代わるd it with an 注目する，もくろむ-shade. He dropped 負かす／撃墜する beside his typewriter.
"My friend in New York grabbed at that story," he said. "It was good of Madden to let me have it. I understand they're going to 許す me to 調印する it, too—the 指名する of Will Holley 支援する in the big papers again. But look here—I was surprised by what you hinted out at the ranch this morning. It seemed to me last night that everything was O.K. You didn't say whether you had that necklace with you or not, but I gathered you had—"
"I 港／避難所't," 削減（する） in Eden.
"Oh—it's still in San Francisco?"
"No. My confederate has it."
"Your what?"
"Holley, I know that if Harry Fladgate says you're all 権利, you are. So I'm going the whole way in the 事柄 of 信用ing you."
"That's flattering—but 控訴 yourself."
"Something tells me we'll need your help," Eden 発言／述べるd. With a ちらりと見ること 一連の会議、交渉／完成する the 砂漠d office, he explained the real 身元 of the servant, Ah Kim.
Holley grinned. "井戸／弁護士席, that's amusing, isn't it? But go on. I get the impression that although you arrived at the ranch last night to find Madden there and everything, on the surface, serene, such was not the 事例／患者. What happened?"
"First of all, Charlie thought something was wrong. He sensed it. You know the Chinese are a very psychic race."
Holley laughed. "Is that so? Surely you didn't 落ちる for that guff. Oh, 容赦 me—I 推定する you had some better 推論する／理由 for 延期する?"
"I'll 収容する／認める it sounded like guff to me—at the start. I laughed at Chan and 用意が出来ている to を引き渡す the pearls at once. Suddenly out of the night （機の）カム the weirdest cry for help I ever 推定する／予想する to hear."
"What! Really? From whom?"
"From your friend, the Chinese parrot. From Tony."
"Oh—of course," said Holley. "I'd forgotten him. 井戸／弁護士席, that probably meant nothing."
"But a parrot doesn't invent," Eden reminded him. "It 単に repeats. I may have 行為／法令／行動するd like a fool, but I hesitated to produce those pearls." He went on to tell how, in the morning, he had agreed to wait until two o'clock while Chan had その上の talk with Tony, and ended with the death of the bird just after lunch. "And there the 事柄 残り／休憩（する）s," he finished.
"Are you asking my advice?" said Holley. "I hope you are, because I've 簡単に got to give it to you."
"Shoot," Eden replied.
Holley smiled at him in a fatherly way. "Don't think for a moment I wouldn't like to believe there's some big melodrama 進行中で at Madden's ranch. Heaven knows little enough happens 一連の会議、交渉／完成する here, and a thing like that would be manna from above. But as I look at it, my boy, you've let a jumpy Chinese lead you astray into a bad 事例／患者 of 神経s."
"Charlie's 絶対 sincere," 抗議するd Eden.
"No 疑問 of that," agreed Holley. "But he's an Oriental, and a 探偵，刑事, and he's 簡単に got to （悪事，秘密などを）発見する. There's nothing wrong at Madden's ranch. True, Tony lets out weird cries in the night—but he always has."
"You've heard him, then?"
"井戸／弁護士席, I never heard him say anything about help and 殺人, but when he first （機の）カム I was living out at Doctor Whitcomb's, and I used to hang 一連の会議、交渉／完成する the Madden ranch a good 取引，協定. Tony had some strange words in his small 長，率いる. He'd spent his days まっただ中に 暴力／激しさ and 罪，犯罪. It's nothing to wonder at that he 叫び声をあげるd as he did last night. The setting on the 砂漠, the dark, Charlie's psychic talk—all that 連合させるd to make a mountain out of a molehill, in your 注目する，もくろむs."
"And Tony's sudden death this noon?"
"Just as Madden said. Tony was as old as the hills—even a parrot doesn't live forever. A coincidence, yes—but I'm afraid your father won't be pleased with you, my boy. First thing you know P.J. Madden, who is hot and impetuous, will kick you out and call the 処理／取引 off. And I can see you 支援する home explaining that you didn't の近くに the 取引，協定 because a parrot on the place dropped dead. My boy, my boy—I 信用 your father is a gentle soul. さもなければ he's liable to 絶滅する you."
Eden considered. "How about that 行方不明の gun?"
Holley shrugged. "You can find something queer almost anywhere, if you look for it. The gun was gone—yes. What of it? Madden may have sold it, given it away, taken it to his room."
（頭が）ひょいと動く Eden leaned 支援する in his 議長，司会を務める. "I guess you're 権利, at that. Yes, the more I think about it, here in the 有望な light of afternoon, the more foolish I feel." Through a 味方する window he saw a flivver swing up before the grocery 蓄える／店 next door, and Charlie Chan alight. He went out on to the porch.
"Ah Kim," he called.
The plump little Chinese 探偵，刑事 approached and, without a word, entered the office.
"Charlie," said （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden, "this is a friend of 地雷, Mr. Will Holley. Holley, 会合，会う 探偵，刑事-Sergeant Chan, of the Honolulu Police."
At について言及する of his 指名する, Chan's 注目する，もくろむs 狭くするd. "How do you do," he said coldly.
"It's all 権利," Eden 保証するd him. "Mr. Holley can be 信用d—絶対. I've told him everything."
"I am far away in strange land," returned Chan. "Maybe I would choose to 信用 no one—but that, no 疑問, are my heathen churlishness. Mr. Holley will 容赦, I am sure."
"Don't worry," said Holley. "I give you my word. I'll tell no one."
Chan made no reply, in his mind, perhaps, the memory of other white men who had given their word.
"It doesn't 事柄, anyhow," Eden 発言／述べるd. "Charlie, I've come to the 決定／判定勝ち（する） that we're chasing ghosts. I've talked things over with Mr. Holley, and from what he says, I see that there's really nothing wrong out at the ranch. When we go 支援する this evening we'll を引き渡す those pearls and 長，率いる for home." Chan's 直面する fell. "元気づける up," 追加するd the boy. "You, yourself, must 収容する／認める that we've been 事実上の／代理 like a couple of old women."
An 表現 of 深く，強烈に 感情を害する／違反するd dignity appeared on the little 一連の会議、交渉／完成する 直面する. "Just one moment. 許す this old woman more nonsense. Some hours ago parrot 減少（する）s from perch into 広大な eternity. Dead, like Caesar."
"What of it?" said Eden wearily. "He died of old age. Don't let's argue about it, Charlie—"
"Who argues?" asked Chan. "I myself enjoy keen distaste for that pastime. Old woman though I am, I now を取り引きする facts—undubitable facts." He spread a white sheet of paper on Holley's desk, and 除去するing an envelope from his pocket, 注ぐd its contents on to the paper. "診察する," he directed. "What you see here are 部分的な／不平等な contents of food 水盤／入り江 beside the perch of Tony. Kindly tell me what you look at."
"Hemp seed," said Eden. "A parrot's natural food."
"Ah, yes," agreed Chan. "Seed of the hemp. But that other—the 罰金, grayish-white 砕く that seem so plentiful."
"By gad," cried Holley.
"No argument here," continued Chan. "Before 捜し出すing grocer I pause at 麻薬 emporium on corner. Wise man about 砕くs make most careful 実験（する） for me. And what does he say?"
"Arsenic," 示唆するd Holley.
"Arsenic, indeed. Much sold to ranchers hereabouts as ネズミ 殺し屋. Parrot 殺し屋, too."
Eden and Holley looked at each other in amazement.
"Poor Tony very sick before he go on long 旅行." Chan continued. "Very silent and very sick. In my time I am on 跡をつける of many 殺人s, but I must come to this peculiar 本土／大陸 to ferret out parrot 殺人. Ah, 井戸／弁護士席, all my life I hear about wonders on this 本土／大陸."
"They 毒（薬）d him," （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden cried. "Why?"
"Why not?" shrugged Chan. "Very true 噂する says 'dead men tell no tales'! Dead parrots are in same 直す／買収する，八百長をする, I think. Tony speaks Chinese like me. Tony and me never speak together again."
Eden put his 長，率いる in his 手渡すs. "井戸／弁護士席, I'm getting dizzy," he said. "What, in heaven's 指名する, is it all about?"
"反映する," 勧めるd Chan. "As I have said before, parrot not able to （罪などを）犯す 初めの 発言／述べるs. He repeats. When Tony cry out in night 'help, 殺人, put 負かす／撃墜する gun' even old woman might be 容赦d to think he repeats something recently heard. He repeats because words are 解任するd to him by—what?"
"Go on, Charlie," Eden said.
"解任するd by event, just 先行する cry. What event? I think 深い—how is this? 解任するd, maybe, by sudden flashing on of lights in bedroom 占領するd by ツバメ Thorn, the 長官."
"Charlie, what more do you know?" Eden asked.
"This morning I am about my old woman 義務s in bedroom of Thorn. I see on 塀で囲む stained 輪郭（を描く） same size and 形態／調整 as handsome picture of 砂漠 scene 近づく by. I 調査／捜査する. Picture has been moved, I 公式文書，認める, and not so long ago. Why was picture moved? I 解除する it in my 手渡すs and underneath I see little 穴を開ける that could only be made by 飛行機で行くing 弾丸."
Eden gasped. "A 弾丸?"
"正確に the fact. A 弾丸 embedded 深い in 塀で囲む. One 弾丸 that has gone astray and not 設立する 残り／休憩（する）ing place in 団体／死体 of that unhappy man Tony heard cry for help some 最近の night."
Again Eden and Holley looked at each other. "井戸／弁護士席," said the editor, "there was that gun, you know. 法案 Hart's gun—the one that's gone from the living-room. We must tell Mr. Chan about that."
Chan shrugged. "Spare yourself trouble," he advised. "Already last night I have 公式文書，認めるd empty locality 砂漠d by that 武器. I also 設立する this, in waste-basket." He took a small crumpled card from his pocket, a typewritten card which read: "現在のd to P.J. Madden by William S. Hart. September 29, 1923." Will Holley nodded and 手渡すd it 支援する. "All day," continued Chan, "I search for 行方不明の movie ピストル. Without success—so far."
Will Holley rose, and 温かく shook Chan's 手渡す. "Mr. Chan," he said, "許す me to go on 記録，記録的な／記録する here and now to the 影響 that you're all 権利." He turned to （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden. "Don't ever come to me for advice again. You follow Mr. Chan."
Eden nodded. "I think I will," he said.
"Think more 深く，強烈に," 示唆するd Chan. "To follow an old woman. Where is the 栄誉（を受ける） there?"
Eden laughed. "Oh, forget it, Charlie. I わびる with all my heart."
Chan beamed. "Thanks 温かく. Then all is settled. We do not を引き渡す pearls tonight, I think?"
"No, of course we don't," agreed Eden. "We're on the 追跡する of something—heaven knows what. It's all up to you, Charlie, 今後. I follow where you lead."
"You were number one prophet, after all," said Chan. "Postman on vacation goes for long walk. Here on 幅の広い 砂漠 I can not forget profession. We return to Madden's ranch and find what we shall find. Some might say, Madden is there, give him necklace. Our 義務 as splendid American 国民s does not 許す. If we 配達する necklace, we go away, truth is strangled, 有罪の escape. Necklace 取引，協定 落ちるs now into second place." He gathered up the 証拠 in the 事柄 of Tony and 回復するd it to his pocket "Poor Tony. Only this morning he tell me I talk too much. Now like にわか景気—boomerang, 発言／述べる returns and smites him. It is my 圧力（をかける）ing 義務 to 交渉する with food merchant. 会合，会う me in fifteen minutes before hotel door."
When he had gone out, Holley and Eden were silent for a moment. "井戸／弁護士席," said the editor at last, "I was wrong—all wrong. There's something doing out at Madden's ranch."
Eden nodded. "Sure there is. But what?"
"All day," continued Holley, "I've been wondering about that interview Madden gave me. For no 明らかな 推論する／理由, he broke one of the strictest 支配するs of his life. Why?"
"If you're asking me, save your breath," advised Eden.
"I'm not asking you—I've got my own 解答. 引用するing Charlie, I think 深い about 事柄—how is this? Madden knows that at any moment something may break and this thing that has happened at his ranch be spread all over the newspapers. Looking ahead, he sees he may need friends の中で the reporters. So he's come 負かす／撃墜する from his high horse at last. Am I 権利?"
"Oh, it sounds 論理（学）の," agreed Eden. "I'm glad something does. You know, I told dad before I left San Francisco that I was keen to get mixed up in a 殺人 mystery. But this—this is more than I 取引d for. No dead 団体／死体, no 武器, no 動機, no 殺人. Nothing. Why, we can't even 証明する anybody has been killed." He stood up. "井戸／弁護士席, I'd better be moving 支援する to the ranch. The ranch and—what? Whither am I drifting?"
"You stick to your Chinese pal," advised Holley. "The boy's good. Something tells me he'll see you through."
"I hope so," Eden replied.
"Keep your 注目する，もくろむs open," 追加するd Holley. "And take no chances. If you need help out there, don't forget Will Holley."
"You bet I won't," （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden answered. "So long. Maybe I'll see you tomorrow."
He went out and stood on the 抑制（する） before the 砂漠 辛勝する／優位 Hotel. It was Saturday evening, and Eldorado was （人が）群がるd with ranchers, lean, bronzed, work-stained men in khaki riding breeches and gaudy 板材-jack blouses—simple men to whom this was the city. Through the window of the 連合させるd barber shop and pool room he saw a group of them shaking dice. Others leaned against the trunks of the cottonwoods, talking of the roads, of 刈るs, of politics. （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden felt like a 訪問者 from 火星.
Presently Chan passed, swung 一連の会議、交渉／完成する in the street, and 停止（させる）d the little 小旅行するing car opposite the boy. As Eden climbed in, he saw the 探偵，刑事's keen 注目する，もくろむs 直す／買収する，八百長をするd on the hotel doorway. Seating himself, he followed Chan's gaze.
A man had 現れるd from the 砂漠 辛勝する／優位 Hotel—a man who looked strangely out of place の中で the 概略で-覆う？ ranchers. He wore an overcoat buttoned tightly about his throat, and a felt hat was low over his 注目する，もくろむs, which were hidden by dark spectacles.
"See who's here," said Eden.
"Yes, indeed," answered Chan, as they moved 負かす／撃墜する the street. "I think the Killarney Hotel has lost one very important guest. Their loss our 伸び（る）—maybe."
They left the all-too-簡潔な／要約する pavement of Main Street, and a look of satisfaction spread slowly over Charlie Chan's 直面する.
"Much work to do," he said. "深い mysteries to solve. How 甘い, though far from home, to feel myself in company of old friend."
Surprised, （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden looked at him. "An old friend," he repeated.
Chan smiled. "In garage on Punchbowl Hill lonesome car like this を待つs my return. With flivver shuddering beneath me I can think myself on familiar Honolulu streets again."
They climbed between the mountains, and before them lay the soft glory of a 砂漠 sunset. Ignoring the rough road, Chan threw the throttle wide.
"Wow, Charlie," cried Eden, as his 長，率いる nearly pierced the 最高の，を越す. "What's the idea?"
"容赦, please," said Chan, slowing a bit. "No good, I guess. For a minute I think maybe this little car can bounce the homesick feeling from my heart."
For a time the little brother of the car on Punchbowl Hill 骨折って進むd valiantly on, and neither the 探偵，刑事 nor （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden spoke. The yellow glare of the sun was 冷静な／正味のing on the gray livery of the 砂漠; the 影をつくる／尾行するs cast by the 時折の trees grew 刻々と longer. The far-off mountains purpled and the 勝利，勝つd bestirred itself.
"Charlie," said （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden. "What do you think of this country?"
"This 砂漠 land?" asked Charlie.
Eden nodded.
"Happy to have seen it. All my time I yearn to 遭遇（する） change. Certainly have 遭遇（する）d that here."
"Yes, I guess you have. Not much like Hawaii, is it?"
"I will say so. Hawaii 嘘（をつく） like handful of Phillimore pearls on heaving breast of ocean. Oahu little island with very wet 近隣 all about. Moisture hangs in 空気／公表する all time, rain called liquid 日光, breath of ocean pretty damp. Here I climb 一連の会議、交渉／完成する to other 味方する of picture. 空気／公表する is 乾燥した，日照りの like last year's newspaper."
"They tell me you can love this country if you try."
Chan shrugged. "For my part, I reserve my 成果／努力s in that line for other locality. Very much impressed by 砂漠, thank you, but will move on at earliest 適切な時期."
"Here, too," Eden laughed. "Comes the night, and I long for lights about me that are 有望な. A little restaurant on O'Farrell Street, a few good fellows, a 瓶／封じ込める of mineral water on the （米）棚上げする／（英）提議する. Human companionship, if it's not asking too much."
"Natural you feel that way," Chan agreed. "青年 is in your heart like a song. Because of you I am hoping we can soon leave Madden's ranch."
"井戸／弁護士席, what do you think? What are we going to do now?"
"Watch and wait. 青年, I am thinking, does not like that 商売／仕事. But it must be. Speaking 本人自身で for myself, I am not having one happy 罰金 time either. 行為／法令／行動する of cooking food not 正確に my idea of merry vacation."
"井戸／弁護士席, Charlie, I can stick it if you can," Eden said.
"Plenty 罰金 sport you are," Chan replied. "Problems that we 直面する are not without 利益／興味, for that 事柄. Most peculiar 状況／情勢. At home I am called to look at 罪，犯罪, （疑いを）晴らす-削減（する） like heathen idol's 直面する. Somebody killed, maybe. 手がかり（を与える）s are plenty, I 押し進める little car 負かす／撃墜する one path, I sway about, 捜し出すing another. Not so here. Starting 前へ／外へ to solve big mystery I must first ask myself, just what are this big mystery I am starting 前へ／外へ to solve?"
"You've said it," Eden laughed.
"Yet one big fact gleams （疑いを）晴らす like snow on distant mountain. On 最近の night, at Madden's ranch, unknown person was 殺人d. Who unknown was, why he was killed, and who officiated at the 殺人—these are simple little 事柄s remaining to be （疑いを）晴らすd."
"And what have we to go on?" Eden asked helplessly.
"A parrot's cry at night. The rude 除去 of that unhappy bird. A 弾丸 穴を開ける hiding 支援する of picture recently changed about. An 老年の ピストル gone from dusty 塀で囲む. All the more 栄誉（を受ける） for us if we unravel from such puny 手がかり（を与える）s."
"One thing I can't 人物／姿／数字 out—の中で others," said Eden. "What about Madden? Does he know? Or is that sly little Thorn pulling something off alone?"
"Important questions," Chan agreed. "In time we learn the answers, maybe. 一方／合間 best to make no friend of Madden. You have told him nothing about San Francisco, I hope. 不安定な Phil Maydorf and his queer 行為."
"No, oddly enough, I 港／避難所't. I was wondering whether I hadn't better, now that Maydorf has shown up in Eldorado."
"Why? Pearls are in no danger. Did I hear you say in newspaper office you would 大いに 栄誉（を受ける） by に引き続いて me?"
"You certainly did."
"Then, for Madden, more of the hoo malimali. Nothing to be 伸び（る）d by other course, much maybe lost. You tell him of Maydorf, and he might answer, 取引，協定 is off here, bring pearls to New York. What then? You go away, he goes away, I go away. Mystery of 最近の event at ranch house never solved."
"I guess you're 権利," said Eden. They sped on through the 集会 dusk, past the little office of the Date City 楽天主義者, 砂漠d now. "By the way," 追加するd the boy, "this thing you think has happened at the ranch—it may have occurred last Wednesday night?"
"You have 情愛深く feeling for Wednesday night?" asked Chan. "Why?"
簡潔に （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden 関係のある Paula Wendell's story of that night—Thorn's obvious excitement when he met her at the door, his 主張 that Madden could not speak to her, and most important of all, the little prospector with the 黒人／ボイコット 耐えるd whom the girl saw in the yard. Chan listened with 利益／興味.
"Now you talk," he commented. "Here is one 罰金 new 手がかり（を与える） for us. He may be most important, that 黒人／ボイコット-bearded one. A 砂漠 ネズミ, I think. The young woman goes much about this country? Am I 訂正する?"
"Yes, she does."
"She can 保持する secrets, maybe?"
"You bet—this girl can."
"Don't 信用 her. We talk all over place we may get sorry, after while. However, 投機・賭ける so far as to ask please that she keep her pretty 注目する，もくろむs open for that 黒人／ボイコット-bearded ネズミ. Who knows. Maybe he is 決定的な link in our chain." They were approaching the little oasis Madden had 始める，決める on the 砂漠's dusty 直面する. "Go in now," Chan continued, "and 行為／法令／行動する innocent like very new baby. When you talk with father over telephone, you will find he is 用意が出来ている. I have sent him telegraph."
"You have?" said Eden. "So did I. I sent him a couple of them."
"Then he is all 用意が出来ている. の中で other 事柄s, I 推定するd to remind him 発言する／表明する coming over wire is often しっかり掴むd by others in room 同様に as him who reclines at telephone."
"Say—that's a good idea. I guess you think of everything, Charlie."
The gate was open, and Chan turned the car into the yard. "Guess I do," he sighed. "Now, with depressing 不本意, I must think of dinner. 解任する, we watch and wait. And when we 会合，会う alone, the greatest care. No one must pierce my 身元. Only this noon I could 井戸／弁護士席 have 適用するd to myself resounding kick. That word unevitable too luxurious for poor old Ah Kim. In 未来 I must 選ぶ over words like lettuce for salad. Good-bye and splendid luck."
In the living-room a 解雇する／砲火／射撃 was already 炎ing in the 抱擁する fireplace. Madden sat at a 幅の広い, flat-topped desk, 調印 letters. He looked up as （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden entered.
"Hello," he said. "Have a pleasant afternoon?"
"やめる," the boy replied. "I 信用 you had the same."
"I did not," Madden answered. "Even here I can't get away from 商売／仕事. Been catching up with a three days' accumulation of mail. There you are, ツバメ," he 追加するd, as the 長官 entered. "I believe you'll have time to take them in to the 地位，任命する-office before dinner. And here are the 電報電信s—get them off, too. Take the little car—it'll make better 速度(を上げる） over these roads."
Thorn gathered up the letters, and with 専門家 手渡すs began 倍のing them and placing them in envelopes. Madden rose, stretched, and （機の）カム over to the 解雇する／砲火／射撃. "Ah Kim brought you 支援する?" he 問い合わせd.
"He did," （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden answered.
"Knows how to 運動 a car all 権利?" 固執するd Madden.
"Perfectly."
"An unusual boy, Ah Kim."
"Oh, not very," Eden said carelessly. "He told me he used to 運動 a vegetable トラックで運ぶ in Los Angeles. I got that much out of him, but that's about all."
"Silent, eh?"
Eden nodded. "Silent as a lawyer from Northampton, Massachusetts," he 発言／述べるd.
Madden laughed. "By the way," he said, as Thorn went out. "Your father didn't call."
"No? 井戸／弁護士席, he isn't likely to get home until evening. I'll try the house tonight, if you want me to."
"I wish you would," Madden said. "I don't want to seem inhospitable, my boy, but I'm very anxious to get away from here. 確かな 事柄s in the mail today—you understand—"
"Of course," （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden answered. "I'll do all I can to help."
"That's mighty good of you," Madden told him, and the boy felt a bit 有罪の. "I think I'll take a nap before dinner. I find, nowadays, it's a 広大な／多数の／重要な 援助（する） to digestion." The famous millionaire was more human than （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden had yet seen him. He stood looking 負かす／撃墜する at the boy, wistfully. "A 事柄 you can't しっかり掴む, just yet," he 追加するd. "You're so damned young—I envy you."
He went out, leaving （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden to a Los Angeles paper he had 選ぶd up in Eldorado. From time to time, as the boy read, the quaint little 人物／姿／数字 of Ah Kim passed noiselessly. He was setting the （米）棚上げする／（英）提議する for dinner.
An hour later, there on the lonely 砂漠, they again sat 負かす／撃墜する to Ah Kim's cooking. Very different from the restaurant of which （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden thought with longing, but if the company was far from lively, the food was excellent, for the Chinese had 交渉するd 井戸／弁護士席. When the servant （機の）カム in with coffee, Madden said:
"Light the 解雇する／砲火／射撃 in the patio, Ah Kim. We'll sit out there a while."
The Chinese went to 従う with this order, and Eden saw Madden regarding him expectantly. He smiled and rose.
"井戸／弁護士席, dad せねばならない be struggling in from his hard day on the links any minute now," he said. "I'll put in that call."
Madden leaped up. "Let me do it," he 示唆するd. "Just tell me the number."
The boy told him, and Madden spoke over the telephone in a 発言する／表明する to 命令（する） 尊敬（する）・点.
"By the way," he said, when he had finished, "last night you intimated that 確かな things happened in San Francisco—things that made your father 用心深い. What—if you don't mind telling me?"
（頭が）ひょいと動く Eden thought 速く. "Oh, it may all have been a 探偵，刑事's 麻薬を吸う dream. I'm inclined to think now that it was. You see—"
"探偵，刑事? What 探偵，刑事?"
"井戸／弁護士席, 自然に dad has a tie-up with さまざまな 私立探偵事務所s. An operative of one of them 報告（する）／憶測d that a famous crook had arrived in town and was showing an undue 利益／興味 in our 蓄える／店. Of course, it may have meant nothing—"
"A famous crook, eh? Who?"
Never a good liar, （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden hesitated. "I—I don't know that I remember the 指名する. English, I believe—the Liverpool Kid, or something like that," he invented lamely.
Madden shrugged. "井戸／弁護士席, if anything's 漏れるd out about those pearls, it （機の）カム from your 味方する of the 取引，協定," he said. "My daughter, Thorn and I have certainly been discretion itself. However, I'm inclined to think it's all a 麻薬を吸う dream, as you say."
"Probably is," agreed Eden.
"Come outside," the millionaire 招待するd. He led the way through the glass doors to the patio. There a 抱擁する 解雇する／砲火／射撃 roared in the outdoor fireplace, glowing red on the 石／投石する 床に打ち倒す and on wicker 議長，司会を務めるs. "Sit 負かす／撃墜する," 示唆するd Madden. "A cigar—no, you prefer your cigarette, eh?" He lighted up, and leaning 支援する in his 議長，司会を務める, 星／主役にするd at the dark roof above—the far-off roof of the sky. "I like it out here best," he went on. "A bit chilly, maybe, but you get の近くに to the 砂漠. Ever notice how white the 星／主役にするs are in this country?"
Eden looked at him with surprise. "Sure—I've noticed," he said. "But I never dreamed you had, old boy," he 追加するd to himself.
Inside, Thorn was busy at the 無線で通信する. A horrible medley of bedtime stories, violin 単独のs, and lectures on health and beauty drifted out to them. And then the shrill 発言する／表明する of a woman, 勧めるing sinners to repent.
"Get Denver," Madden called loudly.
"I'm trying, 長，指導者," answered Thorn.
"If I must listen to the confounded thing," Madden 追加するd to the boy, "I want what I hear to come from far away. Over the mountains and the plains—there's romance in that." The 無線で通信する swept suddenly into a きびきびした 禁止（する）d tune. "That's it," nodded Madden. "The orchestra at the Brown Palace in Denver—perhaps my girl is dancing to that very music at this moment. Poor kid—she'll wonder what's become of me. I 約束d to be there two days ago. Thorn!"
The 長官 appeared at the door. "Yes, 長，指導者?"
"Remind me to send Evelyn a wire in the morning."
"I'll do that, 長，指導者," said Thorn, and 消えるd.
"And the 禁止（する）d played on," 発言／述べるd Madden. "All the way from Denver, mile high まっただ中に the Rockies. I tell you, man's getting too clever. He's riding for a 落ちる. Probably a 調印する of age, Mr. Eden, but I find myself longing for the older, simpler days. When I was a boy on the farm, winter mornings, the little schoolhouse in the valley. That sled I 手配中の，お尋ね者—hard times, yes, but times that made men. Oh 井戸／弁護士席, I mustn't get started on that."
They listened on in silence, but presently a bedtime story brought a bellow of 激怒（する） from the millionaire and Thorn, getting his cue, shut off the machine.
Madden stirred restlessly in his 議長，司会を務める. "We 港／避難所't enough for 橋（渡しをする）," he 発言／述べるd. "How about a little poker to pass the time, my boy?"
"Why—that would be 罰金," Eden replied. "I'm afraid you're pretty 迅速な company for me, however."
"Oh, that's all 権利—we'll put a 限界 on it."
Madden was on his feet, eager for 活動／戦闘. "Come along."
They went into the living-room and の近くにd the doors. A few moments later the three of them sat about a big 一連の会議、交渉／完成する （米）棚上げする／（英）提議する under a brilliant light.
"Jacks or better," Madden said. "４半期/4分の1 限界, eh?"
"井戸／弁護士席—" replied Eden, dubiously.
He had good 推論する／理由 to be 疑わしい, for he was 即時に 急落（する），激減（する）d into the poker game of his life. He had played at college, and was even able to take care of himself in newspaper circles in San Francisco, but all that was child's play by comparison. Madden was no longer the man who noticed how white the 星／主役にするs were. He noticed how red, white and blue the 半導体素子s were, and he caressed them with loving 手渡すs. He was Madden, the plunger, the gambler with 鉄道／強行採決するs and steel mills and the fortunes of little nations abroad, the Madden who, after he had played all day in 塀で囲む Street, was wont to 捜し出す the roulette wheels on Forty-fourth Street at night.
"エースs," he cried. "Three of them. What have you got, Eden?"
"Apoplexy," 発言／述べるd Eden, 投げ上げる／ボディチェックするing aside his 手渡す. "権利 here and now I 申し込む／申し出 to sell my chances in this game for a 取り消すd postage stamp, or what have you?"
"Good experience for you," Madden replied. "ツバメ—it's your 取引，協定."
A knock sounded suddenly on the door, loud and （疑いを）晴らす. （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden felt a strange 沈むing of the heart. Out of the 砂漠 dark, out of the 広大な uninhabited wastes of the world, some one spoke and 需要・要求するd to come in.
"Who can that be?" Madden frowned.
"Police," 示唆するd Eden, hopefully. "The 共同の is pinched." No such luck, he 反映するd.
Thorn was 取引，協定ing, and Madden himself went to the door and swung it open. From where he sat Eden had a （疑いを）晴らす 見解（をとる） of the dark 砂漠—and of the man who stood in the light. A thin man in an overcoat, a man he had seen first in a San Francisco pier-shed, and later in 前線 of the 砂漠 辛勝する／優位 Hotel. 不安定な Phil Maydorf himself, but now without the dark glasses hiding his 注目する，もくろむs.
"Good evening," said Maydorf, and his 発言する／表明する, too, was thin and 冷淡な. "This is Mr. Madden's ranch, I believe?"
"I'm Madden. What can I do for you?"
"I'm looking for an old friend of 地雷—your 長官, ツバメ Thorn."
Thorn rose and （機の）カム 一連の会議、交渉／完成する the （米）棚上げする／（英）提議する. "Oh, hello," he said, with slight enthusiasm.
"You remember me, don't you?" said the thin man. "McCallum—Henry McCallum. I met you at a dinner in New York a year ago."
"Yes, of course," answered Thorn. "Come in, won't you? This is Mr. Madden."
"A 広大な／多数の／重要な 栄誉（を受ける）," said 不安定な Phil.
"And Mr. Eden, of San Francisco."
Eden rose, and 直面するd 不安定な Phil Maydorf. The man's 注目する，もくろむs without the glasses were barbed and cruel, like the 砂漠 foliage. For a long moment he 星／主役にするd insolently at the boy. Did he realize, Eden wondered, that his movements on the ドッキングする／減らす／ドックに入れる at San Francisco had not gone unnoticed? If he did, his 神経 was excellent.
"Glad to know you, Mr. Eden," he said.
"Mr. McCallum," returned the boy 厳粛に.
Maydorf turned again to Madden. "I hope I'm not intruding," he 発言／述べるd with a 病弱な smile. "Fact is, I'm stopping 負かす／撃墜する the road at Doctor Whitcomb's—bronchitis, that's my trouble. It's lonesome as the devil 一連の会議、交渉／完成する here, and when I heard Mr. Thorn was in the 近隣, I couldn't resist the 誘惑 to 減少（する） in."
"Glad you did," Madden said, but his トン belied the words.
"Don't let me interrupt your game," Maydorf went on. "Poker, eh? Is this a 私的な 捨てる, or can anybody get into it?"
"Take off your coat," Madden 答える／応じるd sourly, "and sit up. ツバメ, give the gentleman a stack of 半導体素子s."
"This is living again," said the newcomer, 受託するing briskly. "井戸／弁護士席, and how have you been, Thorn, old man?"
Thorn, with his usual 欠如（する） of warmth, 認める that he had been pretty good, and the game was 再開するd. If （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden had 恐れるd for his 即座の 未来 before, he now gave up all hope. Sitting in a poker game with 不安定な Phil—井戸／弁護士席, he was certainly traveling and seeing the world.
"Gimme four cards," said Mr. Maydorf, through his teeth.
If it had been a bitter, 残虐な struggle before, it now became a 戦う／戦い to the death. New talent had come in—more than talent, 肯定的な genius. Maydorf held the cards の近くに against his chest; his 直面する was carved in 石／投石する. As though he realized what he was up against, Madden grew 用心深い, but 決定するd. These two fought it out, while Thorn and the boy 追跡するd along, like noncombatants 伴う／関わるd in a 戦う／戦い of the 巨大（な）s.
Presently Ah Kim entered with スピードを出す／記録につけるs for the 解雇する／砲火／射撃, and if the amazing picture on which his keen 注目する，もくろむs lighted startled him, he gave no 調印する. Madden ordered him to bring highballs, and as he 始める，決める the glasses on the （米）棚上げする／（英）提議する, （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden 公式文書，認めるd with a secret thrill that the stomach of the 探偵，刑事 was いっそう少なく than twelve インチs from the long 有能な 手渡すs of 不安定な Phil. If the redoubtable Mr. Maydorf only knew—
But Maydorf's thoughts were どこかよそで than on the Phillimore pearls. "売買業者—one card," he 需要・要求するd.
The telephone rang out はっきりと in the room. （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden's heart 行方不明になるd a （警官の）巡回区域，受持ち区域. He had forgotten that—and now—After the long wait he was finally to speak with his father—while 不安定な Phil Maydorf sat only a few feet away! He saw Madden 星／主役にするing at him, and he rose.
"For me, I guess," he said carelessly. He 投げ上げる／ボディチェックするd his cards on the （米）棚上げする／（英）提議する. "I'm out of it, anyhow." Crossing the room to the telephone, he took 負かす／撃墜する the receiver. "Hello. Hello, dad. Is that you?"
"エースs and treys," said Maydorf. "All 地雷?" Madden laid 負かす／撃墜する a 手渡す without looking at his 対抗者's, and 不安定な Phil gathered in another マリファナ.
"Yes, dad—this is （頭が）ひょいと動く," Eden was 説. "I arrived all 権利—stopping with Mr. Madden for a few days. Just 手配中の，お尋ね者 you to know where I was. Yes—that's all. Everything. I may call you in the morning. Have a good game? Too bad. Good-bye!"
Madden was on his feet, his 直面する purple. "Wait a minute," he cried.
"Just 手配中の，お尋ね者 dad to know where I am," Eden said brightly. He dropped 支援する into his 議長，司会を務める. "Whose 取引，協定 is it, anyhow?"
Madden strangled a 宣告，判決 in his throat, and once more the game was on. Eden was chuckling inwardly. More 延期する—and not his fault this time. The joke was on P.J. Madden.
His third stack was melting 速く away, and he 反映するd with 逮捕 that the night was young, and time of no importance on the 砂漠 anyhow. "One more 手渡す and I 減少（する） out," he said 堅固に.
"One more 手渡す and we all 減少（する） out!" barked Madden. Something seemed to have annoyed him.
"Let's make it a good one, then," said Maydorf. "The 限界's off, gentlemen."
It was a good one, 突然に a contest between Maydorf and （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden. 製図／抽選 with the faint hope of 完全にするing two pairs, the boy was thrilled to 遭遇（する） four nines in his 手渡す. Perhaps he should have 公式文書，認めるd that Maydorf was 取引，協定ing, but he didn't—he bet ひどく, and was finally called. Laying 負かす／撃墜する his 手渡す, he saw an evil smile on 不安定な Phil's 直面する.
"Four queens," 発言／述べるd Maydorf, spreading them out with an 専門家 gesture. "Always was lucky with the ladies. I think you gentlemen 支払う／賃金 me."
They did. （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden 与える／捧げるd forty-seven dollars, reluctantly. All on the expense account, however, he 反映するd.
Mr. Maydorf was in a not unaccountable good humor. "A very pleasant evening," he 発言／述べるd, as he put on his overcoat. "I'll 減少（する） in again, if I may."
"Good night," snapped Madden.
Thorn took a flashlight from the desk. "I'll see you to the gate," he 発表するd. （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden smiled. A flashlight—with a 有望な moon 総計費.
"Mighty good of you," the 部外者 said. "Good night, gentlemen, and thank you very much." He was smiling grimly as he followed the 長官 out.
Madden snatched up a cigar, and savagely bit the end from it. "井戸／弁護士席?" he cried.
"井戸／弁護士席," said Eden calmly.
"You made a lot of 進歩 with your father, didn't you?"
The boy smiled. "What did you 推定する／予想する me to do? 流出／こぼす the whole thing in 前線 of that bird?"
"No—but you needn't have rung off so quick. I was going to get him out of the room. Now you can go over there and call your father again."
"Nothing of the sort," answered Eden. "He's gone to bed, and I won't 乱す him till morning."
Madden's 直面する purpled. "I 主張する. And my orders are usually obeyed."
"Is that so?" 発言／述べるd Eden. "井戸／弁護士席, this is one that won't be."
Madden glared at him. "You young—you—er—young—"
"I know," Eden said. "But this was all your fault. If you will 主張する on cluttering up the ranch with strangers, you must take the consequences."
"Who cluttered up the ranch?" Madden 需要・要求するd. "I didn't 招待する that poor fool here. Where the devil did Thorn 選ぶ him up, anyhow? You know, the 長官 of a man like me is always 包囲するd by a lot of four-flushers—tip hunters and the like. And Thorn's an idiot, いつかs." The 長官 entered and laid the flashlight on the desk. His 雇用者 regarded him with keen distaste. "井戸／弁護士席, your little playmate certainly queered things," he said.
Thorn shrugged. "I know. I'm sorry, 長，指導者. But I couldn't help it. You saw how he horned in."
"Your fault for knowing him. Who is he, anyhow?"
"Oh, he's a 仲買人, or something like that. I give you my word, 長，指導者, I never encouraged him. You know how those fellows are."
"井戸／弁護士席, you go out tomorrow and tie a can to him. Tell him I'm busy here and don't want any 訪問者s. Tell him for me that if he calls here again, I'll throw him out."
"All 権利. I'll go 負かす／撃墜する to the doctor's in the morning and let him know—in a 外交の way."
"外交の nothing," snorted Madden. "Don't waste 外交 on a man like that. I won't, if I see him again."
"井戸／弁護士席, gentlemen, I think I'll turn in," Eden 発言／述べるd.
"Good night," said Madden, and the boy went out.
In his bedroom he 設立する Ah Kim engaged in lighting the 解雇する／砲火／射撃. He の近くにd the door carefully behind him.
"井戸／弁護士席, Charlie, I've just been in a poker game."
"A fact already 公式文書，認めるd by me," smiled Chan.
"不安定な Phil has made a start on us, anyhow. He got forty-seven precious アイロンをかける men this 静かな evening."
"謙虚に 示唆する you be careful," advised Chan.
"謙虚に believe you're 権利," laughed Eden. "I was hoping you were in the 沖 when Thorn and our friend went to the gate."
"Indeed I was," 発言／述べるd Chan. "But moonlight so 猛烈な／残忍な, 近づく approach was not possible."
"井戸／弁護士席, I'm pretty sure of one thing, after tonight," Eden told him. "P.J. Madden never saw 不安定な Phil before. Either that, or he's the finest actor since Edwin Booth."
"Thorn, however—"
"Oh, Thorn knew him all 権利. But he wasn't the least bit glad to see him. You know, Thorn's whole manner 示唆するd to me that 不安定な Phil has something on him."
"That might be possible," agreed Chan. "特に come to think of my 最新の 発見."
"You've 設立する something new, Charlie? What?"
"This evening, when Thorn haste to town in little car and I hear noisome snores of Madden who sleep on bed, I make explicit search in 長官's room."
"Yes—go on—quick. We might be interrupted."
"Under mountain of white shirts in Thorn's bureau reposes—what? 行方不明の forty-five we call 法案 Hart's gun."
"Good work! Thorn—the little ネズミ—"
"Undubitably. Two 議会s of that gun are やめる unoccupied. 反映する on that."
"I'm 反映するing. Two empty 議会s."
"謙虚に 示唆する you sleep now, 集会 strength for what may be most excited tomorrow." The little 探偵，刑事 paused at the door. "Two 弾丸s gone who knows where," he said, in a low 発言する／表明する. "Answer is, we know where one went. Went crazy, 上陸 in 塀で囲む at 位置／汚点／見つけ出す now covered by 砂漠 picture."
"And the other?" said （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden thoughtfully.
"Other 攻撃する，衝突する 示す, I think. What 示す? We watch and wait, and maybe we discover. Good night, with plenty happy dreams."
On Sunday morning （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden rose at what was, for him, an amazingly 早期に hour. さまざまな factors conspired to induce this strange 現象—the 砂漠 sun, an 極端に 有能な 惑星, filling his room with light, the roosters of P.J. Madden, loudly 声の in the 夜明け. At eight o'clock he was standing in the ranch house yard, ready for whatever the day might bring 前へ／外へ.
Whatever it brought, the day was superb. Now the 砂漠 was at its best, the 冷気／寒がらせる of night still ぐずぐず残る in the 魔法 空気／公表する. He looked out over an opal sea, at changing colors of sand and cloud and mountaintop that shamed by their brilliance those glittering show-事例／患者s in the 宝石類 shop of Meek and Eden. Though it was the fashion of his age to pretend さもなければ, he was not oblivious to beauty, and he 始める，決める out for a stroll about the ranch with a feeling of awe in his heart.
Turning a 後部 corner of the barn, he （機の）カム 突然に upon a jarring picture. ツバメ Thorn was busy beside a basket, digging a 深い 穴を開ける in the sand. In his dark 着せる／賦与するs, with his pale 直面する glistening from his unaccustomed exertion, he looked not unlike some 目だつ mortician.
"Hello," said Eden. "Who are you burying this 罰金 morning?"
Thorn stopped. Beads of perspiration gleamed on his high white forehead.
"Somebody has to do it," he complained. "That new boy's too lazy. And if you let this 辞退する 蓄積する the place begins to look like a 砂漠d picnic grounds."
He nodded toward the basket, filled with old tin cans.
"手配中の，お尋ね者, 私的な 長官 to bury rubbish 支援する of barn," smiled Eden. "A new sidelight on your profession, Thorn. Good idea to get them out of the way, at that," he 追加するd, leaning over and taking up a can. "特に this one, which I perceive lately held arsenic."
"Arsenic?" repeated Thorn. He passed a dark coat sleeve across his brow. "Oh yes—we use a lot of that. ネズミs, you know."
"ネズミs," 発言／述べるd Eden, with an 半端物 inflection, 回復するing the can to its place.
Thorn emptied the contents of the basket into the 穴を開ける, and began to fill it in. Eden, playing 井戸／弁護士席 his 役割 of innocent bystander, watched him idly.
"There—that's better," said the 長官, smoothing the sand over the 最近の 穴掘り. "You know—I've always had a passion for neatness." He 選ぶd up the basket. "By the way," he 追加するd, "if you don't mind, I'd like to give you a little advice."
"Glad to have it," Eden replied, walking along beside him.
"I don't know how anxious you people are to sell that necklace. But I've been with the 長，指導者 fifteen years, and I can tell you he's not the sort of man you can keep waiting with impunity. The first thing you know, young man, that 取引，協定 for the pearls will be off."
"I'm doing my best," Eden told him. "Besides, Madden's getting a big 取引, and he must know it—if he stops to think—"
"Once P.J. Madden loses his temper," said Thorn, "he doesn't stop to think. I'm 警告 you, that's all."
"Mighty 肉親，親類d of you," answered Eden carelessly. Thorn dropped his spade and basket by the cookhouse, from which （機の）カム the pleasant odor of bacon on the 在庫／株s. Walking slowly, the 長官 moved on toward the patio. Ah Kim 現れるd from his work-room, his cheeks 紅潮／摘発するd from の近くに juxtaposition to a cook-stove.
"Hello, boss," he said. "You takee look-see at sunrise thisee mawnin'?"
"Up pretty 早期に, but not as 早期に as that," the boy replied. He saw the 長官 消える into the house. "Just been watching our dear friend Thorn bury some rubbish 支援する of the barn," he 追加するd. "の中で other items, a can that lately 含む／封じ込めるd arsenic."
Chan dropped the 役割 of Ah Kim. "Mr. Thorn plenty busy man," he said. "Maybe he get more busy as time goes by. One wrong 行為 leads on to other wrong 行為s, like unending chain. Chinese have 説 that 適用するs: 'He who rides on tiger can not dismount.'"
Madden appeared in the patio, 十分な of pep and 力／強力にする. "Hey, Eden," he called. "Your father's on the wire."
"Dad's up 早期に," 発言／述べるd Eden, hurrying to join him.
"I called him," said Madden. "I've had enough 延期する."
Reaching the telephone, （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden took up the receiver. "Hello, dad. I can talk 自由に this morning. I want to tell you everything's all 権利 負かす／撃墜する here. Mr. Madden? Yes—he's 罰金—standing 権利 beside me now. And he's in a 涙／ほころびing hurry for that necklace."
"Very 井戸／弁護士席—we'll get it to him at once," the 年上の Eden said. （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden sighed with 救済. His 電報電信 had arrived.
"Ask him to get it off today," Madden 命令（する）d.
"Mr. Madden wants to know if it can start today," the boy said.
"Impossible," replied the jeweler. "I 港／避難所't got it."
"Not today," （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden said to Madden. "He hasn't got—"
"I heard him," roared Madden. "Here—give me that phone. Look here, Eden—what do you mean you 港／避難所't got it?"
（頭が）ひょいと動く Eden could hear his father's replies. "Ah—Mr. Madden—how are you? The pearls were in a やめる disreputable 条件—I couldn't かもしれない let them go as they were. So I'm having them cleaned—they're with another 会社／堅い—"
"Just a minute, Eden," bellowed the millionaire. "I want to ask you something—can you understand the English language, or can't you? Keep still—I'll talk. I told you I 手配中の，お尋ね者 the pearls now—at once—pronto—what the devil language do you speak? I don't give a hang about having them cleaned. Good lord, I thought you understood."
"So sorry," 答える／応じるd （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden's gentle father. "I'll get them in the morning, and they'll start tomorrow night."
"Yeah—that means Tuesday evening at the ranch. Eden, you make me sick. I've a good mind to call the whole thing off—" Madden paused, and （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden held his breath. "However, if you 約束 the pearls will start tomorrow sure—"
"I give you my word," said the jeweler. "They will start tomorrow at the very 最新の."
"All 権利. I'll have to wait, I suppose. But this is the last time I 取引，協定 with you, my friend. I'll be on the 警戒／見張り for your man on Tuesday. Good-bye."
In a 非常に高い 激怒（する）, Madden hung up. His ill-humor continued through breakfast, and Eden's gay 試みる／企てるs at conversation fell on barren ground. After the meal was finished, Thorn took the little car and disappeared 負かす／撃墜する the road. （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden loafed expectantly about the 前線 yard.
Much sooner than he had dared to hope, his 徹夜 was ended. Paula Wendell, fresh and lovely as the California morning, drove up in her smart roadster and waited outside the barbed-wire 盗品故買者.
"Hello," she said. "Jump in. You 行為／法令／行動する as though you were glad to see me."
"Glad! Lady, you're a life-saver. Relations are sort of 緊張するd this morning at the old homestead. You'll find it hard to believe, but P.J. Madden doesn't love me."
She stepped on the gas. "The man's mad," she laughed.
"I'll say he's mad. Ever eat breakfast with a rattlesnake that's had bad news?"
"Not yet. The company at the Oasis is mixed, but not so mixed as that. 井戸／弁護士席, what do you think of the 見解（をとる） this morning? Ever see such coloring before?"
"Never. And it's not out of a 麻薬 蓄える／店, either."
"I'm talking about the 砂漠. Look at those snowcapped 頂点（に達する）s."
"Lovely. But if you don't mind, I prefer to look closer. No 疑問 he's told you you're beautiful."
"Who?"
"Wilbur, your fiance."
"His 指名する is Jack. Don't jump on a good man when he's 負かす／撃墜する."
"Of course he's a good man, or you wouldn't have 選ぶd him." They 骨折って進むd along the sandy road. "But even so—look here, lady. Listen to a man of the world. Marriage is the last 訴える手段／行楽地 of feeble minds."
"Think so?"
"I know it. Oh, I've given the 事柄 some thought. I've had to. There's my own 事例／患者. Now and then I've met a girl whose 注目する，もくろむs said, '井戸／弁護士席, I might.' But I've been 用心深い. 持つ／拘留する 急速な／放蕩な, my lad—that's my motto."
"And you've held 急速な／放蕩な?"
"You bet. Glad of it, too. I'm 解放する／自由な. I'm having a swell time. When evening comes, and the 空気／公表する's 十分な of zip and zowie, and the lights flicker 一連の会議、交渉／完成する Union Square, I just reach for my hat. And who says, in a gentle 患者 発言する／表明する, 'Where are you going, my dear? I'll go with you.'"
"Nobody."
"Not a living soul. It's grand. And you—your 事例／患者 is just like 地雷. Of course there are millions of girls who have nothing better to do than marriage. All 権利 for them. But you—why—you've got a wonderful 職業. The 砂漠, the hills, the canyons—and you're willing to give all that up for a gas-範囲 in the 後部 room of an apartment."
"Perhaps we can afford a maid."
"Lots of people can—but where to get one nowadays? I'm 警告 you—think it over 井戸／弁護士席. You're having a 広大な／多数の／重要な time now—that will end with marriage. Mending Wilbur's socks—"
"I tell you his 指名する is Jack."
"What of it? He'll be just as hard on the socks. I hate to think of a girl like you, tied 負かす／撃墜する somewhere—"
"There's a lot in what you say," Paula Wendell 認める.
"I've only scratched the surface," Eden 保証するd her.
The girl steered her car off the road through an open gate. Eden saw a 抱擁する, rambling ranch house surrounded by a group of tiny cottages. "Here we are at Doctor Whitcomb's," 発言／述べるd Paula Wendell. "Wonderful person, the doctor. I want you two to 会合，会う."
She led the way through a 審査する door into a large living-room, not so beautifully furnished as Madden's, but bespeaking even greater 慰安. A gray-haired woman was 激しく揺するing contentedly 近づく a window. Her 直面する was kindly, her 注目する，もくろむs 静める and 慰安ing. "Hello, Doctor," said the girl. "I've brought some one to call on you."
The woman rose, and her smile seemed to fill the room. "Hello, young man," she said, and took （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden's 手渡す.
"You—you're the doctor," he stammered.
"Sure am," the woman replied. "But you don't need me. You're all 権利."
"So are you," he answered. "I can see that."
"Fifty-five years old," returned the doctor, "but I can still get a kick out of that 肉親，親類d of talk from a nice young man. Sit 負かす／撃墜する. The place is yours. Where are you staying?"
"I'm 負かす／撃墜する the road, at Madden's."
"Oh yes—I heard he was here. Not much of a neighbor, this P.J. Madden. I've called on him occasionally, but he's never come to see me. Stand-offish—and that sort of thing doesn't go on the 砂漠. We're all friends here."
"You've been a friend to a good many," said Paula Wendell.
"Why not?" shrugged Doctor Whitcomb. "What's life for, if not to help one another? I've done my best—I only wish it had been more."
（頭が）ひょいと動く Eden felt suddenly humble in this woman's presence.
"Come on—I'll show you 一連の会議、交渉／完成する my place," 招待するd the doctor. "I've made the 砂漠 bloom—put that on my tombstone. You should have seen this 近隣 when I （機の）カム. Just a ライフル銃／探して盗む and a cat—that's all I had at first. And the cat wouldn't stay. My first house here I built with my own 手渡すs. Five miles to Eldorado—I walked in and 支援する every day. Mr. Ford hadn't been heard of then."
She led the way into the yard, in and out の中で the little cottages. Tired 直面するs brightened at her approach, 疲れた／うんざりした 注目する，もくろむs gleamed with sudden hope.
"They've come to her from all over the country," Paula Wendell said. "Broken-hearted, sick, discouraged. And she's given them new life—"
"Nonsense," cried the doctor. "I've just been friendly. It's a pretty hard world. 存在 friendly—that 作品 wonders."
In the doorway of one of the cottages they （機の）カム upon ツバメ Thorn, 深い in conversation with 不安定な Phil Maydorf. Even Maydorf mellowed during a few words with the doctor.
Finally, when they reluctantly left, Doctor Whitcomb followed them to the gate. "Come often," she said. "You will, won't you?"
"I hope to," answered （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden. He held her 広大な／多数の／重要な rough 手渡す a moment. "You know—I'm beginning to sense the beauty of the 砂漠," he 追加するd.
The doctor smiled. "The 砂漠 is old and 疲れた／うんざりした and wise," she said. "There's beauty in that, if you can see it. Not everybody can. The latch-string's always out at Doctor Whitcomb's. Remember, boy."
Paula Wendell swung the car about, and in silence they 長，率いるd home.
"I feel as though I'd been out to old Aunt Mary's," said Eden presently. "I sort of 推定する／予想するd her to give me a cookie when I left."
"She's a wonderful woman," said the girl softly. "I せねばならない know. It was the light in her window I saw my first night on the 砂漠. And the light in her 注目する，もくろむs—I shall never forget. All the 広大な／多数の／重要な people are not in the cities."
They 棒 on. About them the 砂漠 炎d stark and empty in the midday heat; a thin 煙霧 cloaked the distant dunes and the far-away slopes of the hills. （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden's mind returned to the strange problems that 直面するd him. "You've never asked me why I'm here," he 発言／述べるd.
"I know," the girl answered. "I felt that pretty soon you'd realize we're all friends on the 砂漠—and tell me."
"I want to—some day. Just at 現在の—井戸／弁護士席, I can't. But going 支援する to that night you first visited Madden's ranch—you felt that something was wrong there?"
"I did."
"井戸／弁護士席, I can tell you this much—you were probably 権利." She ちらりと見ることd at him quickly. "And it's my 職業 to find out if you were. That old prospector—I'd give a good 取引，協定 to 会合，会う him. Isn't there a chance that you may run across him again?"
"Just a chance," she replied.
"井戸／弁護士席, if you do, would you mind getting in touch with me at once. If it's not asking too much—"
"Not at all," she told him. "I'll be glad to. Of course, the old man may be （疑いを）晴らす over in Arizona by now. When I last saw him he was moving 急速な／放蕩な!"
"All the more 推論する／理由 for wanting to find him," Eden said. "I—I wish I could explain. It isn't that I don't 信用 you, you know. But—it's not altogether my secret."
She nodded. "I understand. I don't want to know."
"You grow more wonderful every minute," he told her.
The minutes passed. After a time the car 停止（させる）d before Madden's ranch, and （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden alighted. He stood looking into the girl's 注目する，もくろむs—somehow they were like the 注目する，もくろむs of Doctor Whitcomb—restful and 慰安ing and 肉親，親類d. He smiled.
"You know," he said, "I may 同様に 自白する it—I've been sort of disliking Wilbur. And now it comes to me suddenly—if I really mean all that about loving my freedom—then Wilbur has done me the greatest service possible. I ought not to dislike him any more. I せねばならない thank him from the 底（に届く） of my heart."
"What in the world are you talking about?"
"Don't you understand? I've just realized that I'm up against the big 誘惑 of my life. But I don't have to fight it. Wilbur has saved me. Good old Wilbur. Give him my love when next you 令状."
She threw her car into gear. "Don't you worry," she advised. "Even if there hadn't been a Wilbur, your freedom wouldn't have been in the slightest danger. I would have seen to that."
"Somehow, I don't care for that 発言／述べる," Eden said. "It せねばならない 安心させる me, but as a 事柄 of fact, I don't like it at all. 井戸／弁護士席, I 借りがある you for another buggy ride. Sorry to see you go—it looks like a dull Sunday out here. Would you mind if I drifted into town this afternoon?"
"I probably wouldn't even know it," said the girl. "Good-bye."
（頭が）ひょいと動く Eden's 予測 about Sunday 証明するd true—it was long and dull. At four in the afternoon he could stand it no longer. The 炎ing heat was dying, a restless 勝利，勝つd had risen, and with the 許可 of Madden, who was still ill-humored and evidently restless too, he took the little car and sped toward the excitement of Eldorado.
Not much 転換 there. In the window of the 砂漠 辛勝する／優位 Hotel the proprietor waded grimly through an interminable Sunday paper. Main Street was hot and 砂漠d. Leaving the car before the hotel, the boy went to Holley's office.
The editor （機の）カム to the door to 会合，会う him. "Hello," he said. "I was hoping you'd come along. 肉親，親類d of lonesome in the 広大な／多数の／重要な open spaces this afternoon. By the way, there's a 電報電信 here for you."
Eden took the yellow envelope and hurriedly tore it open. The message was from his father:
"I don't understand what it's all about but I am most 乱すd. For the 現在の I will follow your 指示／教授／教育s. I am 信用ing you two utterly but I must remind you that it would be most embarrassing for me if sale fell through. Jordans are eager to consummate 取引，協定 and 勝利者 脅すs to come 負かす／撃墜する there any moment. Keep me advised."
"Huh," said （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden. "That would be 罰金."
"What would?" asked Holley
"勝利者 脅すs to come—the son of the woman who owns the pearls. All we need here to 難破させる the 作品 is that amiable bonehead and his spats."
"What's new?" asked Holley, as they sat 負かす／撃墜する.
"Several things," （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden replied. "To start with the big 悲劇, I'm out forty-seven dollars." He told of the poker game. "In 新規加入, Mr. Thorn has been 観察するd burying a can that once held arsenic. その上に, Charlie has 設立する that 行方不明の ピストル in Thorn's bureau—with two 議会s empty."
Holley whistled. "Has he really? You know, I believe your friend Chan is going to put Thorn 支援する of the 妨げる／法廷，弁護士業s before he's through."
"Perhaps," 認める Eden. "Got a long way to go, though. You can't 罪人／有罪を宣告する a man of 殺人 without a 団体／死体 to show for it."
"Oh—Chan will dig that up."
Eden shrugged. "井戸／弁護士席, if he does, he can have all the credit. And do all the digging. Somehow, it's not the sort of thing that 控訴，上告s to me. I like excitement, but I like it nice and neat. Heard from your interview?"
"Yes. It's to be 解放（する）d in New York tomorrow." The tired 注目する，もくろむs of Will Holley brightened. "I was sitting here getting a thrill out of the idea when you （機の）カム in." He pointed to a big scrapbook on his desk. "Some of the stories I wrote on the old Sun," he explained. "Not bad, if I do say it myself."
（頭が）ひょいと動く Eden 選ぶd up the 調書をとる／予約する, and turned the pages with 利益／興味. "I've been thinking of getting a 職業 on a newspaper myself," he said.
Holley looked at him quickly. "Think twice," he advised. "You, with a good 商売／仕事 waiting for you—what has the newspaper game to 申し込む／申し出 you? 広大な／多数の／重要な while you're young, maybe—広大な／多数の／重要な even now when the old order is changing and the picture paper is making a monkey out of a grand profession. But when you're old—" He got up and laid a 手渡す on the boy's shoulder. "When you're old—and you're old at forty—then what? The copy desk, and some day the owner comes in, and sees a streak of gray in your hair, and he says, 'Throw that doddering fool out. I want young men here.' No, my boy—not the newspaper game. You and I must have a long talk."
They had it. It was five by the little clock on Holley's desk when the editor finally stood up, and の近くにd his scrapbook. "Come on," he said. "I'm taking you to the Oasis for dinner."
Eden went 喜んで. At one of the （米）棚上げする／（英）提議するs opposite the 狭くする 反対する, Paula Wendell sat alone.
"Hello," she 迎える／歓迎するd them. "Come over here. I felt in an expansive mood tonight—had to have the prestige of a （米）棚上げする／（英）提議する."
They sat 負かす／撃墜する opposite her. "Did you find the day as dull as you 推定する／予想するd?" 問い合わせd the girl of Eden.
"Very dull by contrast, after you left me," he answered.
"Try the chicken," she advised. "Born and raised 権利 here at home, and the 砂漠 女／おっせかい屋 is no weak sister. Not so bad, however."
They 受託するd her suggestion. When the generously filled platters were placed before them, （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden squared away.
"Take to the lifeboats," he said. "I'm about to carve, and when I carve, it's a 事例／患者 of women and children first."
Holley 星／主役にするd 負かす／撃墜する at his dinner. "Looks like the same old chicken," he sighed. "What wouldn't I give for a little home cooking."
"せねばならない get married," smiled the girl. "Am I 権利, Mr. Eden?"
Eden shrugged. "I've known several poor fellows who got married hoping to enjoy a bit of home cooking. Now they're 支援する in the restaurants, and the only difference is they've got the little woman along. 二塁打 the check and half the 楽しみ."
"Why all this cynicism?" asked Holley.
"Oh, Mr. Eden is very much …に反対するd to marriage," the girl said. "He was telling me today."
"Just trying to save her," Eden explained. "By the way, do you know this Wilbur who's won her innocent, 信用ing heart?"
"Wilbur?" asked Holley blankly.
"He will 固執する in calling Jack out of his 指名する," the girl said. "It's his disrespectful way of referring to my fiance."
Holley ちらりと見ることd at the （犯罪の）一味. "No, I don't know him," he 発表するd. "I certainly congratulate him, though."
"So do I," Eden returned. "On his 神経. However, I oughtn't to knock Wilbur. As I was 説 only this noon—"
"Never mind," put in the girl. "Wake up, Will. What are you thinking about?"
Holley started. "I was thinking of a dinner I had once at Mouquin's," he replied. "の近くにd up, now, I hear. Gone—like all the other old 目印s—the happy 駅／配置するs on the five o'clock cocktail 大勝する. You know, I wonder いつかs if I'd like New York today—"
He talked on of the old Manhattan he had known. In what seemed to （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden no time at all, the dinner hour had passed. As they were standing at the cashier's desk, the boy 公式文書，認めるd for the first time a stranger lighting a cigar 近づく by. He was, from his dress, no native—a small, studious-looking man with piercing 注目する，もくろむs.
"Good evening, neighbor," Holley said.
"How are you," answered the stranger.
"Come 負かす／撃墜する to look us over?" the editor asked, thinking of his next 問題／発行する.
"Dropped in for a call on the kangaroo-ネズミ," replied the man. "I understand there's a 地元の variety whose tail 対策 three ミリメートルs longer than any hitherto 記録，記録的な／記録するd."
"Oh," returned Holley. "One of those fellows, eh? We get them all—beetle men and バタフライ men, mouse and gopher men. 減少（する） 一連の会議、交渉／完成する to the office of the Times some day and we'll have a 雑談（する）."
"Delighted," said the little naturalist.
"井戸／弁護士席, look who's here," cried Holley suddenly. （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden turned, and saw entering the door of the Oasis a thin little Chinese who seemed as old as the 砂漠. His 直面する was the color of a beloved meerschaum 麻薬を吸う, his 注目する，もくろむs beady and 有望な. "Louie Wong," Holley explained. "支援する from San Francisco, eh, Louie?"
"Hello, boss," said Louie, in a high shrill 発言する／表明する. "My come 支援する."
"Didn't you like it up there?" Holley 固執するd.
"San Flancisco no good," answered Louie. "All time lain dlop on nose. My like 'um heah."
"Going 支援する to Madden's, eh?" Holley 問い合わせd. Louie nodded. "井戸／弁護士席, here's a bit of luck for you, Louie. Mr. Eden is going out to the ranch presently, and you can ride with him."
"Of course," assented Eden.
"Catch 'um hot tea. You wait jus' litta time, boss," said Louie, sitting up to the 反対する.
"We'll be 負かす／撃墜する in 前線 of the hotel," Holley told him. The three of them went out. The little naturalist followed, and slipped by them, disappearing in the night.
Neither Holley nor Eden spoke. When they reached the hotel they stopped.
"I'm leaving you now," Paula Wendell said. "I have some letters to 令状."
"Ah, yes," Eden 発言／述べるd. "井戸／弁護士席—don't forget. My love to Wilbur."
"These are 商売／仕事 letters," she answered, 厳しく. "Good night."
The girl went inside. "So Louie's 支援する," Eden said. "That makes a pretty 状況／情勢."
"What's the 事柄?" Holley said. "Louie may have a lot to tell."
"Perhaps. But when he shows up at his old 職業—what about Charlie? He'll be kicked out, and I'll be alone on the big scene. Somehow, I don't feel I know my lines."
"I never thought of that," replied the editor. "However, there's plenty of work for two boys out there when Madden's in 住居. I imagine he'll keep them both. And what a chance for Charlie to pump old Louie 乾燥した，日照りの. You and I could ask him questions from now until doomsday and never learn a thing. But Charlie—that's another 事柄."
They waited, and presently Louie Wong （機の）カム shuffling 負かす／撃墜する the street, a cheap little スーツケース in one 手渡す and a 十分な paper 捕らえる、獲得する in the other.
"What you got there, Louie?" Holley asked. He 診察するd the 捕らえる、獲得する. "気が狂って, eh?"
"Tony like 'um 白人指導者べったりの東洋人," the old man explained. "Pleasant foah Tony."
Eden and Holley looked at each other. "Louie," said the editor gently, "poor Tony's dead."
Any one who believes the Chinese 直面する is always expressionless should have seen Louie's then. A look of mingled 苦痛 and 怒り／怒る contorted it, and he burst at once into a flood of language that needed no 翻訳家. It was profane and terrifying.
"Poor old Louie," Holley said. "He's reviling the street, as they say in 中国."
"Do you suppose he knows?" asked Eden. "That Tony was 殺人d, I mean."
"Search me," answered Holley. "It certainly looks that way, doesn't it?" Still loudly 声の, Louie Wong climbed on to the 支援する seat of the flivver, and （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden took his place at the wheel. "Watch your step, boy," advised Holley. "See you soon. Good night."
（頭が）ひょいと動く Eden started the car, and with old Louie Wong 始める，決める out on the strangest ride of his life.
The moon had not yet risen; the 星／主役にするs, 病弱な and far-off and unfriendly, were devoid of light. They climbed between the mountains, and that mammoth doorway led seemingly to a 黒人／ボイコット and 脅すing inferno that Eden could sense but could not see. 負かす／撃墜する the rocky road and on to the sandy 床に打ち倒す of the 砂漠 they crept along; out of the dark beside the way gleamed little yellow 注目する，もくろむs, flashing hatefully for a moment, then 消えるing forever. Like the ugly ghosts of trees that had died the Joshuas writhed in agony, casting deformed, 控訴，上告ing 武器 aloft. And 絶えず as they 棒 on, muttered the weird 発言する／表明する of the old Chinese on the 支援する seat, 嘆く／悼むing the passing of his friend, the death of Tony.
（頭が）ひょいと動く Eden's 神経s were 安定した, but he was glad when the lights of Madden's ranch shone with a friendly glow ahead. He left the car in the road and went to open the gate. A 逸脱する twig was caught in the latch, but finally he got it open, and returning to the car, swung it into the yard. With a feeling of 深い 救済 he swept up before the barn. Charlie Chan was waiting in the glow of the headlights.
"Hello, Ah Kim," Eden called. "Got a little playmate for you in the 支援する seat. Louie Wong has come 支援する to his 砂漠." He leaped to the ground. All was silence in the 後部 of the car. "Come on, Louie," he cried. "Here we are."
He stopped, a sudden thrill of horror in his heart. In the 薄暗い light he saw that Louie had slipped to his 膝s, and that his 長，率いる hung limply over the door at the left.
"My God!" cried Eden.
"Wait," said Charlie Chan. "I get flashlight."
He went, while （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden stood 直す／買収する，八百長をするd and 脅すd in his 跡をつけるs. Quickly the efficient Charlie returned, and made a 迅速な examination with the light. （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden saw a gash in the 味方する of Louie's old coat—a gash that was 国境d with something wet and dark.
"Stabbed in the 味方する," said Charlie calmly. "Dead—like Tony."
"Dead—when?" gasped Eden. "In the minute I left the car at the gate. Why—it's impossible—"
Out of the 影をつくる／尾行するs （機の）カム ツバメ Thorn, his pale 直面する gleaming in the dusk. "What's all this?" he asked. "Why—it's Louie. What's happened to Louie?"
He bent over the door of the car, and the busy flashlight in the 手渡す of Charlie Chan shone for a moment on his 支援する. Across the dark coat was a long 涙／ほころび—a 涙／ほころび such as might have been made in the coat of one climbing hurriedly through a barbed-wire 盗品故買者.
"This is terrible," Thorn said. "Just a minute—I must get Mr. Madden."
He ran to the house, and （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden stood with Charlie Chan by the 団体／死体 of Louie Wong.
"Charlie," whispered the boy huskily, "you saw that 引き裂く in Thorn's coat?"
"Most certainly," answered Chan. "I 観察するd it. What did I 引用する to you this morning? Old 説 of Chinese. 'He who rides a tiger can not dismount.'"
In another moment Madden was with them there by the car, and they felt rather than saw a quivering, 抑えるd fury in every インチ of the millionaire's 抱擁する でっちあげる，人を罪に陥れる. With an 誓い he snatched the flashlight from the 手渡す of Charlie Chan and bent over the silent form in the 支援する of the flivver. The glow from the lamp illuminated faintly his big red 直面する, his searching 注目する，もくろむs, and （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden watched him with 利益／興味.
There in that dusty car lay the lifeless 形態／調整 of one who had served Madden faithfully for many years. Yet no 調印する either of compassion or 悔いる was 明らかな in the millionaire's 直面する—nothing save a 絶えず growing 怒り／怒る. Yes, （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden 反映するd, those who had 報告（する）／憶測d Madden 欠如（する）d a heart spoke nothing but the truth.
Madden straightened, and flashed the light into the pale 直面する of his 長官.
"罰金 商売／仕事!" he snarled.
"井戸／弁護士席, what are you 星／主役にするing at me for?" cried Thorn, his 発言する／表明する trembling.
"I'll 星／主役にする at you if I choose—though God knows I'm sick of the sight of your silly 直面する—"
"I've had about enough from you," 警告するd Thorn, and the （軽い）地震 in his 発言する／表明する was 激怒（する）. For a moment they regarded each other while （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden watched them, amazed. For the first time he realized that under the mask of their daily relations these two were anything but friends.
Suddenly Madden turned the light on Charlie Chan. "Look here, Ah Kim—this was Louie Wong—the boy you 取って代わるd here—savvy? You've got to stay on the ranch now—after I've gone, too—how about it?"
"I think I stay, boss."
"Good. You're the only bit of luck I've had since I （機の）カム to this accursed place. Bring Louie into the living-room—on the couch. I'll call Eldorado."
He stalked off through the patio to the house, and after a moment's hesitation Chan and the 長官 選ぶd up the frail 団体／死体 of Louie Wong. Slowly （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden followed that 半端物 行列. In the living-room, Madden was talking briskly on the telephone. Presently he hung up the receiver.
"Nothing to do but wait," he said. "There's a sort of constable in town—he'll be along pretty soon with the 検死官. Oh, it's 罰金 商売／仕事. They'll 侵略（する）／超過（する） the place—and I （機の）カム here for a 残り／休憩（する）."
"I suppose you want to know what happened," Eden began. "I met Louie Wong in town, at the Oasis Cafe. Mr. Holley pointed him out to me, and—"
Madden waved a 広大な／多数の／重要な 手渡す. "Oh, save all that for some half-witted 警官，（賞などを）獲得する. 罰金 商売／仕事, this is."
He took to pacing the 床に打ち倒す like a lion with the toothache. Eden dropped into a 議長，司会を務める before the 解雇する／砲火／射撃. Chan had gone out, and Thorn was sitting silently 近づく by. Madden continued to pace. （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden 星／主役にするd at the 炎ing スピードを出す／記録につけるs. What sort of 事件／事情／状勢 had he got into, anyhow? What desperate game was 進行中で here on Madden's ranch, far out on the lonely 砂漠? He began to wish himself out of it, 支援する in town where the lights were 有望な and there was no constant undercurrent of 憎悪 and 疑惑 and mystery.
He was still thinking in this vein when the clatter of a car sounded in the yard. Madden himself opened the door, and two of Eldorado's 目だつ 国民s entered.
"Come in, gentlemen," Madden said, amiable with an 成果／努力. "Had a little 事故 out here."
One of the two, a lean man with a brown, 天候-beaten 直面する, stepped 今後.
"Howdy, Mr. Madden, I know you, but you don't know me. I'm Constable Brackett, and this is our 検死官, Doctor Simms. A 殺人, you said on the phone."
"井戸／弁護士席," replied Madden, "I suppose you could call it that. But fortunately no one was 傷つける. No white man, I mean. Just my old Chink, Louie Wong." Ah Kim had entered in time to hear this speech, and his 注目する，もくろむs 炎d for a moment as they 残り／休憩（する）d on the callous 直面する of the millionaire.
"Louie?" said the constable. He went over to the couch. "Why, poor old Louie. 害のない as they come, he was. Can't 人物／姿／数字 who'd have anything against old Louie."
The 検死官, a きびきびした young man, also went to the couch and began an examination. Constable Brackett turned to Madden. "Now, we'll make just as little trouble as we can, Mr. Madden," he 約束d. Evidently he was much in awe of this 広大な／多数の／重要な man. "But I don't like this. It 反映するs on me. I got to ask a few questions. You see that, don't you?"
"Of course," answered Madden. "解雇する／砲火／射撃 away. I'm sorry, but I can't tell you a thing. I was in my room when my 長官"—he 示すd Thorn—"（機の）カム in and said that Mr. Eden here had just driven into the yard with the dead 団体／死体 of Louie in the car."
The constable turned with 利益／興味 to Eden. "Where'd you find him?" he 問い合わせd.
"He was perfectly all 権利 when I 選ぶd him up," Eden explained. He 開始する，打ち上げるd into his story—the 会合 with Louie at the Oasis, the ride across the 砂漠, the stop at the gate, and finally the gruesome 発見 in the yard. The constable shook his 長，率いる.
"All sounds mighty mysterious to me," he 認める. "You say you think he was killed while you was openin' the gate. What makes you think so?"
"He was talking 事実上 all the way out here," Eden replied. "Muttering to himself there in the 支援する seat. I heard him when I got out to unfasten the gate."
"What was he sayin'?"
"He was talking in Chinese. I'm sorry, but I'm no sinologue."
"I ain't （刑事）被告 you of anything, have I?"
"A sinologue is a man who understands the Chinese language," （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden smiled.
"Oh." The constable scratched his 長，率いる. "This here 長官, now—"
Thorn （機の）カム 今後. He had been in his room, he said, when he heard a 騒動 in the yard, and went outside. 絶対 nothing to 申し込む／申し出. （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden's ちらりと見ること fell on the 涙／ほころび across the 支援する of Thorn's coat. He looked at Charlie Chan, but the 探偵，刑事 shook his 長，率いる. Say nothing, his 注目する，もくろむs directed.
The constable turned to Madden. "Who else is on the place?" he 手配中の，お尋ね者 to know.
"Nobody but Ah Kim here. He's all 権利."
The officer shook his 長，率いる. "Can't always tell," he averred. "All these 結社 wars, you know." He raised his 発言する／表明する to a terrific bellow. "Come here, you," he cried.
Ah Kim, lately 探偵，刑事-Sergeant Chan of the Honolulu Police, （機の）カム with expressionless 直面する and stood before the constable. How often he had played the opposite 役割 in such a scene—played it far better than this 本土／大陸 officer ever would.
"Ever see this Louie Wong before?" 雷鳴d the constable.
"Me, boss? No, boss, I no see 'um."
"New 一連の会議、交渉／完成する here, ain't you?"
"Come las' Fliday, boss."
"Where did you work before this?"
"All place, boss. Big town, litta town."
"I mean where'd you work last?"
"Lailload, I think, boss. Santa Fe lailload. Lay sticks on ground."
"Ah—er—井戸／弁護士席, doggone." The constable had run out of questions. "Ain't had much practice at this sort of thing," he わびるd. "Been so busy confiscatin' licker these last few years I sort of lost the knack for police work. This is 郡保安官's stuff. I called him before we come out, an' he's sendin' Captain Bliss of the 殺人 Squad 負かす／撃墜する tomorrow mornin'. So we won't bother you no more tonight, Mr. Madden."
The 検死官 （機の）カム 今後. "We'll take the 団体／死体 in town, Mr. Madden," he said. "I'll have the 検死 in there, but I may want to bring my 賠審員s out here いつか tomorrow."
"Oh, sure," replied Madden. "Just …に出席する to anything that comes up, and send all the 法案s to me. Believe me, I'm sorry this thing has happened."
"So am I," said the constable. "Louie was a good old scout."
"Yes—and—井戸／弁護士席, I don't like it. It's annoying."
"All mighty mysterious to me," the constable 認める again. "My wife told me I never せねばならない take this 職業. 井戸／弁護士席, so long, Mr. Madden—広大な／多数の／重要な 楽しみ to 会合，会う a man like you."
When （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden retired to his room, Madden and Thorn were 直面するing each other on the hearth. Something in the 表現 of each made him wish he could overhear the scene about to be 制定するd in that room.
Ah Kim was waiting beside a crackling 解雇する／砲火／射撃. "I make 'um 燃やす, boss," he said. Eden の近くにd the door and sank into a 議長，司会を務める.
"Charlie, in heaven's 指名する, what's going on here?" he 問い合わせd helplessly.
Chan shrugged. "Plenty goes on," he said. "Two nights now gone since in this room I hint to you Chinese are psychic people. On your 直面する then I see 井戸／弁護士席-bred sneer."
"I わびる," Eden returned. "No sneering after this, even the 井戸／弁護士席-bred 肉親，親類d. But I'm certainly stumped. This thing tonight—"
"Most unfortunate, this thing tonight," said Chan thoughtfully. "謙虚に 示唆する you be very careful, or everything spoils. 地元の police come 強くたたくing on to scene, not dreaming in their slight brains that 殺人 of Louie are of no importance in the least."
"Not important, you say?"
"No, indeed, Not when compared to other 事柄s."
"井戸／弁護士席, it was pretty important to Louie, I guess," said Eden.
"Guess so, too. But 殺人 of Louie just like death of parrot—one more dark 行為 covering up very 黒人／ボイコット 行為 occurring here before we arrive on mysterious scene. Before parrot go, before Louie make 予期しない 出口, unknown person dies 叫び声をあげるing unanswered cries for help. Who? Maybe in time we learn."
"Then you think Louie was killed because he knew too much?"
"Just like Tony, yes. Poor Louie very foolish, does not stay in San Francisco when 召喚するd there. Comes with sad 失敗 支援する to 砂漠. Most 激しく unwelcome here. One thing puzzles me."
"Only one thing?" asked Eden.
"One at 現在の. Other puzzles put aside for moment. Louie goes on Wednesday morning, probably before 黒人／ボイコット 行為 was done. How then does he know? Did 行為／法令／行動する have echo in San Francisco? I am most sad not to have talk with him. But there are other paths to follow."
"I hope so," sighed （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden. "But I don't see them. This is too much for me."
"Plenty for me, too," agreed Chan. "Pretty quick I go home, lifelong yearning for travel forever quenched. Keep in mind, much better police do not find who killed Louie Wong. If they do, our fruit may be 選ぶd when not yet 熟した. We should 扱う 事例／患者. Officers of 法律 must be encouraged off of ranch at earliest possible time, having 設立する nothing."
"井戸／弁護士席, the constable was 平易な enough," smiled Eden.
"All looked plenty mysterious to him," answered Chan, smiling, too.
"I sympathized with him in that," Eden 認める. "But this Captain Bliss probably won't be so simple. You watch your step, Charlie, or they'll lock you up."
Chan nodded. "New experiences （人が）群がる の近くに on this 本土／大陸," he said. "探偵，刑事-Sergeant Chan a 殺人 嫌疑者，容疑者／疑う. Maybe I laugh at that, when I get home again. Just now, laugh won't come. A warm good night—"
"Wait a minute," interrupted Eden. "How about Tuesday afternoon? Madden's 推定する／予想するing the messenger with the pearls then, and somehow, I 港／避難所't a 立ち往生させる left in me."
Chan shrugged. "Two days yet. Stop the worry. Much may manage to occur before Tuesday afternoon." He went out softly.
Just as they finished breakfast on Monday morning, a knock sounded on the door of the ranch house, and Thorn 認める Will Holley.
"Oh," said Madden sourly. His manner had not 改善するd 夜通し. "So you're here again."
"自然に," replied Holley. "存在 a good newspaper man, I'm not overlooking the first 殺人 we've had 一連の会議、交渉／完成する here in years." He 手渡すd a newspaper to the millionaire. "By the way, here's a Los Angeles morning paper. Our interview is on the 前線 page."
Madden took it without much 利益／興味. Over his shoulder （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden caught a glimpse of the headlines:
ERA OF PROSPERITY DUE, SAYS FAMED MAGNATE
P.J. Madden, Interviewed on 砂漠 Ranch, 予報するs 商売／仕事 にわか景気
Madden ちらりと見ることd idly through the story. When he had finished, he said: "In the New York papers, I suppose?"
"Of course," Holley answered. "All over the country this morning. You and I are famous, Mr. Madden. But what's this about poor old Louie?"
"Don't ask me," frowned Madden. "Some fool bumped him off. Your friend Eden can tell you more than I can." He got up and strode from the room.
Eden and Holley 星／主役にするd at each other for a moment, then went together into the yard.
"Pretty raw stuff," 発言／述べるd Holley. "It makes me hot. Louie was a kindly old soul. Killed in the car, I understand."
Eden 関係のある what had happened. They moved さらに先に away from the house.
"井戸／弁護士席, who do you think?" Holley 問い合わせd.
"I think Thorn," Eden answered. "However, Charlie says Louie's passing was just a minor 出来事/事件, and it will be better all 一連の会議、交渉／完成する if his 殺害者 isn't 設立する just at 現在の. Of course he's 権利."
"Of course he is. And there isn't much danger they'll catch the 有罪の man, at that. The constable is a helpless old fellow."
"How about this Captain Bliss?"
"Oh, he's a big noisy bluff with a 致命的な 施設 for getting the wrong man. The 郡保安官's a 正規の／正選手 fellow, with brains, but he may not come 一連の会議、交渉／完成する. Let's stroll out and look over the ground where you left the car last night. I've got something to slip you, a 電報電信—from your father, I imagine."
As they went through the gate, the 電報電信 changed 手渡すs. 持つ／拘留するing it so it could not be seen from the house, （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden read it through.
"井戸／弁護士席, dad says he's going to put up the bluff to Madden that's he's sending Draycott with the pearls tonight."
"Draycott?" asked Holley.
"He's a 私立探偵 dad uses in San Francisco. As good a 指名する as any, I suppose. When Draycott fails to arrive, dad's going to be very much upset." The boy considered for a moment. "I guess it's about the best he can do—but I hate all this deception. And I certainly don't like the 職業 of keeping Madden 冷静な／正味の. However, something may happen before then."
They 診察するd the ground where （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden had 停止（させる）d the car while he opened the gate the night before. The 跡をつけるs of many cars passing in the road were evident—but no 調印する of any footsteps. "Even my 足跡s are gone," 発言／述べるd Eden. "Do you suppose it was the 勝利，勝つd, drifting the sand—"
Holley shrugged. "No," he said. "It was not. Somebody has been out here with a broom, my boy, and obliterated every trace of footsteps about that car."
Eden nodded. "You're 権利. Somebody—but who? Our old friend Thorn, of course."
They stepped aside as an automobile swung by them and entered Madden's yard.
"There's Bliss, now, with the constable," Holley 発言／述べるd. "井戸／弁護士席, they get no help from us, eh?"
"Not a bit," replied Eden. "Encourage them off the ranch at earliest possible moment. That's Charlie's suggestion."
They returned to the yard and waited. Inside the living-room they heard Thorn and Madden talking with the two officers. After a time, Bliss （機の）カム out, followed by the millionaire and Constable Brackett. He 迎える／歓迎するd Holley as an old friend, and the editor introduced （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden.
"Oh, yes, Mr. Eden," said the captain. "Want to talk to you. What's your 見解／翻訳／版 of this funny 商売／仕事?"
（頭が）ひょいと動く Eden looked at him with distaste. He was a big, flat-footed policeman of the usual type, and no 広大な／多数の／重要な 知能 shone in his 注目する，もくろむs. The boy gave him a carefully edited story of the night before.
"Humph," said Bliss. "Sounds queer to me."
"Yes?" smiled Eden. "To me, too. But it happens to be the truth."
"井戸／弁護士席, I'll have a look at the ground out there," 発言／述べるd Bliss.
"You'll find nothing," said Holley. "Except the 足跡s of this young man and myself. We've just been taking a squint around."
"Oh, you have, have you?" replied Bliss grimly. He strode through the gate, the constable tagging after him. After a perfunctory examination the two returned.
"This is sure some puzzle," said Constable Brackett.
"Is that so?" Bliss sneered. "井戸／弁護士席, get on to yourself. How about this Chink, Ah Kim? Had a good 職業 here, didn't he? Louie Wong comes 支援する. What does that mean? Ah Kim loses his 職業."
"Nonsense," 抗議するd Madden.
"Think so, do you?" 発言／述べるd Bliss. "井戸／弁護士席, I don't. I tell you I know these Chinks. They think nothing of sticking knives in each other. Nothing at all." Ah Kim 現れるd from around the 味方する of the house. "Hey, you," cried Captain Bliss. （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden began to worry.
Ah Kim （機の）カム up. "You want'um me, boss?"
"You bet I want you. Going to lock you up."
"Why foah, boss?"
"For knifing Louie Wong. You can't get away with that stuff 一連の会議、交渉／完成する here."
The Chinese regarded this 天然のまま practitioner of his own arts with a lifeless 注目する，もくろむ. "You crazy, boss," he said.
"Is that so?" Bliss's 直面する 常習的な. "I'll show you just how crazy I am. Better tell me the whole story now. It'll go a lot easier with you if you do."
"What stoahy, boss?"
"How you こそこそ動くd out and put a knife in Louie last night."
"Maybe you catch 'um knife, hey, boss?" asked Ah Kim, maliciously.
"Never mind about that!"
"Poah old Ah Kim's fingah prints on knife, hey, boss?"
"Oh, shut up," said Bliss.
"Maybe you takee look-see, find velvet slippah prints in sand, hey, boss?" Bliss glared at him in silence. "What I tell you—you crazy 警官，（賞などを）獲得する, hey, boss?"
Holley and Eden looked at each other with keen enjoyment. Madden broke in, "Oh, come now, Captain, you 港／避難所't got a thing against him, and you know it. You take my cook away from me without any 証拠, and I'll make you sweat for it."
"井戸／弁護士席—I—" Bliss hesitated. "I know he did it, and I'll 証明する it later." His 注目する，もくろむs lighted. "How'd you get into this country?" he 需要・要求するd.
"Melican 国民, boss. Boahn San Flancisco. Foahty-flive yeah old now."
"Born here, eh? Is that so? Then you've got your chock-gee, I suppose. Let me see it."
（頭が）ひょいと動く Eden's heart sank to his boots. Though many Chinese were without chock-gees, he knew that the 欠如（する） of one would be 十分な excuse for this stupid policeman to 逮捕（する） Chan at once. Another moment, and they'd all be done for—
"Come on," bellowed Bliss.
"What you say, boss?" parried Ah Kim.
"You know what I said. Your chock-gee—証明書—手渡す it over or by heaven I'll lock you up so quick—"
"Oh, boss—ce'tiflicate—allight, boss." And before Eden's startled gaze the Chinese took from his blouse a worn slip of paper about the size of a bank 公式文書，認める, and 手渡すd it to Bliss.
The Captain read it sourly and 手渡すd it 支援する. "All 権利—but I ain't through with you yet," he said.
"Thanks, boss," returned Ah Kim, brightening. "You plenty crazy, boss. Thasaw. Goo'by." And he shuffled away.
"I told you it looked terrible mysterious to me," commented the constable.
"Oh, for Pete's sake, shut up," cried Bliss. "Mr. Madden, I'll have to 収容する／認める I'm stumped for the time 存在. But that 条件 don't last long with me. I'll get to the 底（に届く） of this yet. You'll see me again."
"Run out any time," Madden 招待するd with 深い insincerity. "If I happen on anything, I'll call Constable Brackett."
Bliss and the constable got into their car and 棒 away. Madden returned to the house.
"Oh, excellent Chan," said Will Holley softly. "Where in Sam Hill did he get that chock-gee?"
"It looked as though we were done for," Eden 認める. "But good old Charlie thinks of everything."
Holley climbed into his car. "井戸／弁護士席, I guess Madden isn't going to 招待する me to lunch. I'll go along. You know, I'm keener than ever to get the answer to this puzzle. Louie was my friend. It's a rotten shame."
"I don't know where we're going, but we're on our way," Eden answered. "I'd feel pretty helpless if I didn't have Charlie with me."
"Oh, you've got a few brains, too." Holley 保証するd him.
"You're crazy, boss," Eden laughed, as the editor drove away.
Returning to his room, he 設立する Ah Kim calmly making the bed.
"Charlie, you're a peach," said the boy, の近くにing the door. "I thought we were sunk without 警告. Whose chock-gee did you have, anyhow?"
"Ah Kim's chock-gee, to be sure," smiled Chan.
"Who's Ah Kim?"
"Ah Kim humble vegetable merchant who 運動 me まっただ中に other garden トラックで運ぶ from Barstow to Eldorado. I make simple 協定 to rent chock-gee short while. Happy to 公式文書，認める long wear in pockets make photograph look like image of anybody. （機の）カム to me in 有望な flash Madden might ask for 身元確認，身分証明 証明書 before engaging me for honorable 仕事s. Madden did not do so, but thing fit in plenty neat all the same."
"It certainly did," Eden agreed. "You're a brick to do all this for the Jordans—and for dad. I hope they 支払う／賃金 you handsomely."
Chan shook his 長，率いる. "What you say in car riding to フェリー（で運ぶ）? Postman on holiday itches to try long stretch of road. All this sincere 楽しみ for me. When I untie knots and find answer that will be 罰金 reward." He 屈服するd and 出発／死d.
Some hours later, while they waited for lunch, （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden and Madden sat talking in the big living-room. The millionaire was 繰り返し言うing his 願望（する） to return east at the earliest possible moment. He was sitting 直面するing the door. Suddenly on his big red 直面する appeared a look of displeasure so 激しい it startled the boy. Turning about, Eden saw standing in the doorway the slight 人物／姿／数字 of a man, a stooped, studious-looking man who carried a スーツケース in one 手渡す. The little naturalist of the Oasis Cafe.
"Mr. Madden?" 問い合わせd the newcomer.
"I'm Madden," said the millionaire. "What is it?"
"Ah, yes." The stranger （機の）カム into the room, and 始める，決める 負かす／撃墜する his 捕らえる、獲得する. "My 指名する, sir, is 賭事, Thaddeus 賭事, and I am 熱心に 利益／興味d in 確かな fauna surrounding your 砂漠 home. I have here a letter from an old friend of yours, the 大統領，／社長 of a college that has received many benefactions at your 手渡すs. If you will be so 肉親，親類d as to look it over—"
He 申し込む／申し出d the letter and Madden took it, glaring at him in a most unfriendly manner. When the millionaire had read the 簡潔な／要約する epistle, he tore it into bits and, rising, 投げ上げる／ボディチェックするd them into the fireplace.
"You want to stop here a few days?" he said.
"It would be most convenient if I could," answered 賭事. "Of course, I should like to 支払う／賃金 for my accommodations—"
Madden waved his 手渡す. Ah Kim （機の）カム in, 長，率いるd for the 昼食 （米）棚上げする／（英）提議する. "Another place, Ah Kim," ordered Madden. "And show Mr. 賭事 to the room in the 左翼—the one next to Mr. Eden's."
"Very 肉親，親類d of you, I'm sure," 発言／述べるd 賭事 suavely. "I shall try to make as little trouble as may be. 昼食 impends, I take it. Not unwelcome, either. This—er—this 砂漠 空気／公表する, sir—er—I'll return in a moment."
He followed Ah Kim out. Madden glared after him, his 直面する purple. （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden realized that a new puzzle had arrived.
"The devil with him," cried Madden. "But I had to be polite. That letter." He shrugged. "Gad, I hope I get out of here soon."
（頭が）ひょいと動く Eden continued to wonder. Who was Mr. 賭事? What did he want at Madden's ranch?
Whatever Mr. 賭事's 使節団 at the ranch, （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden 反映するd during lunch, it was 明白に a 平和的な one. Seldom had he 遭遇（する）d a more 穏やかな-mannered little chap. All through the meal the newcomer talked volubly and 井戸／弁護士席, with the gentle, cultivated accent of a scholar. Madden was sour and unresponsive; evidently he still resented the 侵入占拠 of this stranger. Thorn as usual sat silent and aloof, a depressing 人物／姿／数字 in the 黒人／ボイコット 控訴 he had today donned to 取って代わる the one torn so mysteriously the night before. It fell to （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden to come to Mr. 賭事's 援助（する） and keep the conversation going.
The 昼食 over, 賭事 rose and went to the door. For a moment he stood 星／主役にするing out across the 炎ing sand toward the 冷静な／正味の white 最高の，を越すs of the mountains, far away.
"Magnificent," he commented. "I wonder, Mr. Madden, if you realize the true grandeur of this setting for your ranch house? The 砂漠, the 幅の広い lonely 砂漠, that has from time immemorial cast its weird （一定の）期間 on the souls of men. Some find it 荒涼とした and disquieting, but as for myself—"
"Be here long?" 削減（する） in Madden.
"Ah, that depends. I 心から hope so. I want to see this country after the spring rains—the verbena and the primroses in bloom. The thought enchants me. What says the prophet Isaiah? 'And the 砂漠 shall rejoice and blossom as the rose. And the parched ground shall become a pool, and the thirsty land springs of water.' You know Isaiah, Mr. Madden?"
"No, I don't. I know too many people now," 答える／応じるd Madden grimly.
"I believe you said you were 利益／興味d in the fauna 一連の会議、交渉／完成する here, Professor?" （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden 発言／述べるd.
賭事 looked at him quickly. "You give me my 肩書を与える," he said. "You are an observant young man. Yes, there are 確かな 研究s I ーするつもりである to 追求する—the tail of the kangaroo-ネズミ, which 達成するs here a phenomenal length. The maxillary arch in the short-nosed pocket-mouse, I understand, has also reached in this 近隣 an eccentric 開発."
The telephone rang, and Madden himself answered it. Listening carefully, （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden heard: "電報電信 for Mr. Madden." At this point the millionaire 圧力（をかける）d the receiver の近くに to his ear, and the 残り／休憩（する） of the message was an indistinct blur.
Eden was sorry for that, for he perceived that as Madden listened an 表現 of keen 苦しめる （機の）カム over his 直面する. When finally he put the receiver slowly 支援する on to its hook, he sat for a long time looking straight before him, 明白に very much perplexed.
"What do you grow here in this sandy 国／地域, Mr. Madden?" Professor 賭事 問い合わせd.
"Er—er—" Madden （機の）カム 徐々に 支援する to the scene. "What do I grow? A lot of things. You'd be surprised, and so would Isaiah." 賭事 was smiling at him in a kindly way, and the millionaire warmed a bit. "Come out, since you're 利益／興味d, and I'll show you 一連の会議、交渉／完成する."
"Very good of you, sir," replied 賭事, and meekly followed into the patio. Thorn rose and joined them. Quickly Eden went to the telephone and got Will Holley on the wire.
"Look here," he said in a low 発言する／表明する, "Madden has just taken a 電報電信 over the phone, and it seemed to worry him かなり. I couldn't make out what it was, but I'd like to know at once. Do you stand 井戸／弁護士席 enough with the 操作者 to find out—without rousing 疑惑, of course?"
"Sure," Holley replied. "That kid will tell me anything. Are you alone there? Can I call you 支援する in a few minutes?"
"I'm alone just now," Eden 答える／応じるd. "If I shouldn't be when you call 支援する, I'll pretend you want Madden and turn you over to him. You can 偽の something to say. But if you hurry, that may not be necessary. 速度(を上げる）, brother, 速度(を上げる）!"
As he turned away, Ah Kim （機の）カム in to gather up the 昼食 things.
"井戸／弁護士席, Charlie," Eden 発言／述べるd. "Another guest at our little hotel, eh?"
Chan shrugged. "Such news comes plenty quick to cookhouse," he said.
Eden smiled. "You're the one who 手配中の，お尋ね者 to watch and wait," he reminded the 探偵，刑事. "If you're 脅すd with housemaid's 膝, don't 非難する me."
"This 賭事," mused Chan. "Seems 害のない like May morning, I think."
"Oh, very. A Bible student. And it strikes me there's a fair 開始 for a good Bible student 一連の会議、交渉／完成する here."
"Undangerous and 穏やかな," continued Chan. "Yet hidden in his scant luggage is one pretty new ピストル 完全に 負担d."
"Going to shoot the tails off the ネズミs, most likely," Eden smiled. "Now, don't get 怪しげな of him, Charlie. He's probably just a tenderfoot who believes the movies and so （機の）カム to this wild country 武装した to defend himself. By the way, Madden just got a 電報電信 over the phone, and it was, 裁判官ing by 外見s, another bit of unwelcome news for our dear old friend. Holley's looking it up for me. If the telephone （犯罪の）一味s, go into the patio and be ready to tip me off in 事例／患者 any one is coming."
Silently Ah Kim 再開するd his work at the （米）棚上げする／（英）提議する. In a few moments, loud and （疑いを）晴らす, （機の）カム the （犯罪の）一味 of Holley on the wire. Running to the telephone, Eden put his を引き渡す the bell, muffling it. Chan stepped into the patio.
"Hello, Holley," said the boy softly. "Yes. Yes. O.K. Shoot. Um.... Say, that's 利益／興味ing, isn't it? Coming tonight, eh? Thanks, old man."
He hung up, and Charlie returned. "A bit of news," said Eden, rising. "That 電報電信 was from 行方不明になる Evelyn Madden. Got tired of waiting in Denver, I guess. The message was sent from Barstow. The lady arrives tonight at Eldorado on the six-forty. Looks as though I may have to give up my room and check out."
"行方不明になる Evelyn Madden?" repeated Chan.
"That's 権利—you don't know, do you? She's Madden's only child. A proud beauty, too—I met her in San Francisco. 井戸／弁護士席, it's no wonder Madden was perplexed, is it?"
"Certainly not," agreed Chan. "Murderous ranch like this no place for 精製するd young woman."
Eden sighed. "Just one more 複雑化," he said. "Things move, but we don't seem to get anywhere."
"Once more," returned Chan, "I call to your attention that much 未使用の virtue, patience. 面 will be brighter here now. A woman's touch—"
"This woman's touch means 霜-bite," smiled Eden. "Charlie, I'll bet you a million—not even the 砂漠 will 雪解け out Evelyn Madden."
Chan 出発／死d to his 義務s in the cookhouse. Madden and Thorn drifted in after a time; 賭事, it appeared, had retired to his room. The long hot afternoon dragged by, baking hours of deathly 静める during which the 砂漠 lived up to its 評判. Madden disappeared and presently his "noisome" snores filled the 空気／公表する. A good idea, （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden decided.
In a recumbent position on his bed, he 設立する that time passed more 速く. In fact, he didn't know it was passing. Toward evening he awoke, hot and muddled of mind, but a 冷淡な にわか雨 made him feel human again.
At six o'clock he crossed the patio to the living-room. In the yard before the barn he saw Madden's big car standing ready for 活動／戦闘, and remembered. The millionaire was no 疑問 about to 会合，会う his daughter in town, and the haughty Evelyn was not to be affronted with the flivver.
But when he reached the living-room, Eden saw that it was evidently Thorn who had been selected for the trip to Eldorado. The 長官 stood there in his 暗い／優うつな 着せる／賦与するs, a 黒人／ボイコット slouch hat accentuating the paleness of his 直面する. As Eden entered, what was 明白に a serious conversation between Thorn and the millionaire （機の）カム to a sudden 停止（させる）.
"Ah, good evening," said Eden. "Not leaving us, Mr. Thorn?"
"商売／仕事 in town," returned Thorn. "井戸／弁護士席, 長，指導者, I'll go along."
Again the telephone rang. Madden leaped to it. For a moment he listened and history repeated itself on his 直面する. "Bad news all the time," Eden thought.
Madden put his 広大な／多数の／重要な を引き渡す the mouthpiece, and spoke to his 長官. "It's that old bore 負かす／撃墜する the road, Doctor Whitcomb," he 発表するd, and Eden felt a flash of hot 憤慨 at this characterization. "She wants to see me this evening—says she has something very important to tell me."
"Say you're busy," 示唆するd Thorn.
"I'm sorry, Doctor," Madden began over the phone, "but I am very much 占領するd—"
He stopped, evidently interrupted by a flood of conversation. Again he put his を引き渡す the transmitter. "She 主張するs, confound it," he complained.
"井戸／弁護士席, you'll have to see her then," said Thorn.
"All 権利, Doctor," Madden capitulated. "Come about eight."
Thorn went out, and the big car roared off toward the road and Evelyn Madden's train. Mr. 賭事 entered, refreshed and ready with a few apt quotations. Eden amused himself with the 無線で通信する.
At the usual hour, much to Eden's surprise, they dined. Thorn's 議長，司会を務める was empty and there was, oddly enough, no place for Evelyn; nor did the millionaire make any 手はず／準備 regarding a room for his daughter. Strange, Eden thought.
After dinner, Madden led them to the patio. Again he had arranged for a 解雇する／砲火／射撃 out there, and the 炎 glowed red on the 石／投石する 床に打ち倒す, on the adobe 塀で囲むs of the house, and on the 近づく-by perch of Tony, now empty and forlorn.
"This is living," 発言／述べるd 賭事, when they had sat 負かす／撃墜する and he had lighted one of Madden's cigars. "The poor fools 閉じ込める／刑務所d up in cities—they don't know what they're 行方不明の. I could stay here forever."
His final 宣告，判決 made no 攻撃する，衝突する with the host, and silence fell. At a little past eight they heard the sound of a car entering the yard. Thorn and the girl, perhaps—but evidently Madden didn't think so, for he said:
"That's the doctor. Ah Kim!" The servant appeared. "Show the lady out here."
"井戸／弁護士席, she doesn't want to see me," 賭事 said, getting up. "I'll go in and find a 調書をとる／予約する."
Madden looked at （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden, but the boy remained where he was. "The doctor's a friend of 地雷," he explained.
"Is that so," growled Madden.
"Yes—I met her yesterday morning. A wonderful woman."
Doctor Whitcomb appeared. "井戸／弁護士席, Mr. Madden?" She shook 手渡すs. "It's a 広大な／多数の／重要な 楽しみ to have you with us again."
"Thanks," said Madden coolly. "You know Mr. Eden, I believe?"
"Oh, hello," smiled the woman. "Glad to see you. Not very pleased with you, however. You didn't 減少（する） in today."
"Rather busy," Eden replied. "Won't you sit 負かす／撃墜する, please."
He brought 今後 a 議長，司会を務める; it seemed that Madden needed a hint or two on 歓待. The guest sank into it. Madden, his manner very haughty and aloof, sat 負かす／撃墜する some distance away, and waited.
"Mr. Madden," said Doctor Whitcomb. "I'm sorry if I seem to intrude—I know that you are here to 残り／休憩（する）, and that you don't welcome 訪問者s. But this is not a social call. I （機の）カム here about—about this terrible thing that has happened on your place."
For a moment Madden did not reply. "You—mean—" he said slowly.
"I mean the 殺人 of poor Louie Wong," the woman answered.
"Oh." Was there 救済 in Madden's 発言する／表明する? "Yes—of course."
"Louie was my friend—he often （機の）カム to see me. I was so sorry, when I heard. And you—he served you faithfully, Mr. Madden. 自然に you're doing everything possible to run 負かす／撃墜する his 殺害者."
"Everything," replied Madden carelessly.
"Whether what I have to tell has any 関係 with the 殺人，大当り of Louie—that's for policemen to decide," went on the doctor. "You can 手渡す my story on to them—if you will."
"喜んで," replied Madden. "What is your story, Doctor?"
"On Saturday evening a man arrived at my place who said his 指名する was McCallum, Henry McCallum," began Doctor Whitcomb, "and that he （機の）カム from New York. He told me he 苦しむd from bronchitis, though I must say I saw no symptoms of it. He took one of my cabins and settled 負かす／撃墜する for a stay—so I thought."
"Yes," nodded Madden. "Go on."
"At dark Sunday night—a short time before the hour when poor Louie was killed—some one drove up in a big car before my place and blew the horn. One of my boys went out, and the stranger asked for McCallum. McCallum （機の）カム, talked with the man in the car for a moment, then got in and 棒 off with him—in this direction. That was the last I've seen of Mr. McCallum. He left a スーツケース filled with 着せる／賦与するs in his cabin, but he has not returned."
"And you think he killed Louie?" asked Madden, with a 公式文書，認める of polite incredulity in his 発言する／表明する.
"I don't think anything about it. How should I know? I 簡単に regard it as a 事柄 that should be called to the attention of the police. As you are much closer to the 調査 than I am, I'm asking you to tell them about it. They can come 負かす／撃墜する and 診察する McCallum's 所有物／資産／財産, if they wish."
"All 権利," said Madden, rising pointedly. "I'll tell them. Though if you're asking my opinion, I don't think—"
"Thank you," smiled the doctor. "I wasn't asking your opinion, Mr. Madden." She too stood. "Our interview, I see, is ended. I'm sorry if I've intruded—"
"Why, you didn't intrude," 抗議するd Madden. "That's all 権利. Maybe your （警察などへの）密告，告訴（状） is 価値のある. Who knows?"
"Very good of you to say so," returned the doctor, with gentle sarcasm. She ちらりと見ることd toward the parrot's perch. "How's Tony? He, at least, must 行方不明になる Louie a lot."
"Tony's dead," said Madden bruskly.
"What! Tony, too!" The doctor was silent for a moment. "A rather memorable visit, this one of yours," she said slowly. "Please give my regards to your daughter. She is not with you?"
"No," returned Madden. "She is not with me." That was all.
"A 広大な／多数の／重要な pity," Doctor Whitcomb replied. "I thought her a charming girl."
"Thank you," Madden said. "Just a moment. My boy will show you to your car."
"Don't trouble," put in （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden. "I'll …に出席する to that." He led the way through the 有望な living-room, past Mr. 賭事 深い in a 抱擁する 調書をとる／予約する. In the yard the doctor turned to him.
"What a man!" she said. "As hard as granite. I don't believe the death of Louie means a thing to him."
"Very little, I'm afraid," Eden agreed.
"井戸／弁護士席, I rely on you. If he doesn't repeat my story to the 郡保安官, you must."
The boy hesitated. "I'll tell you something—in 信用／信任," he said. "Everything possible is 存在 done to find the 殺害者 of Louie. Not by Madden—but by—others."
The doctor sat silent for a moment in the dark car under the dark, 星／主役にする-spangled sky. "I think I understand," she said softly. "With all my heart, I wish you luck, my boy."
Eden took her 手渡す. "If I shouldn't see you again, Doctor—I want you to know. Just 会合 you has been a 特権."
"I'll remember that," she answered. "Good night."
The boy watched her 支援する the car through the open gate. When he returned to the living-room, Madden and 賭事 were together there. "Confounded old busybody," Madden said.
"Wait a minute," Eden said hotly. "That woman with just her two 手渡すs has done more good in the world than you with all your money. And don't you forget it."
"Does that give her a license to butt into my 事件／事情／状勢s?" 需要・要求するd Madden.
その上の warm words were on the tip of the boy's tongue, but he 抑制するd himself. However, he 反映するd that he was about fed up with this arrogant, callous millionaire.
He looked toward the clock. A ４半期/4分の1 to nine, and still no 調印する of Thorn and Evelyn Madden. Was the girl's train late? Hardly likely.
Though he did not feel 特に welcome in the room, he waited on. He would see this 最新の 開発 through. At ten o'clock Mr. 賭事 rose, and commenting 好意的に on the 砂漠 空気／公表する, went to his room.
At five minutes past ten the roar of the big car in the yard broke the 激しい stillness. （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden sat 築く, his eager 注目する，もくろむs 逸脱するing from one door to another. Presently the glass doors 主要な to the patio opened. ツバメ Thorn （機の）カム in alone.
Without a word to his 長，指導者, the 長官 threw 負かす／撃墜する his hat and dropped wearily into a 議長，司会を務める. The silence became oppressive.
"Got your 商売／仕事 …に出席するd to, eh?" 示唆するd Eden cheerfully.
"Yes," said Thorn—no more. Eden rose.
"井戸／弁護士席, I guess I'll turn in," he said, and went to his room. As he entered he heard the splash of Mr. 賭事 in the bath that lay between his apartment and that 占領するd by the professor. His seclusion was ended. Have to be more careful in the 未来.
すぐに after his lights were on, Ah Kim appeared at the door. Eden, finger on lips, 示すd the bath. The Chinese nodded. They stepped to the far 味方する of the bedroom and spoke in low トンs.
"井戸／弁護士席, where's little Evelyn?" asked the boy.
Chan shrugged. "More mystery," he whispered.
"Just what has our friend Thorn been doing for the past four hours?" Eden wondered.
"Enjoying moonlit ride on 砂漠, I think," Chan returned. "When big car go out, I 公式文書，認める speedometer. Twelve thousand eight hundred and forty miles. Four miles necessary to travel to town, and four to return with. But when big car arrives home, speedometer 発表するs 静かに twelve thousand eight hundred and seventy-nine miles."
"Charlie, you think of everything," Eden said admiringly.
"Strange place this Thorn has been," Charlie 追加するd. "Much red clay on ground." He 展示（する）d a fragment of earth. "捨てるd off on accelerator," he explained. "Maybe you have seen such place 一連の会議、交渉／完成する here?"
"Nothing like it," replied Eden. "You don't suppose he's 害（を与える）d the gal—but no, Madden seems to be in on it, and she's his darling."
"Just one more little problem rising up," said Chan.
Eden nodded. "Lord, I 港／避難所't met so many problems since I gave up algebra. And by the way, tomorrow's Tuesday. The pearls are coming, hurrah, hurrah. At least, old P.J. thinks they are. He's going to be hard to 扱う tomorrow."
A faint knock sounded on the door to the patio, and Chan had just time to get to the fireplace and busy himself there when it was opened and Madden, oddly noiseless for him, entered.
"Why, hello—" began Eden.
"Hush!" said Madden. He looked toward the bathroom. "Go 平易な, will you. Ah Kim, get out of here."
"Allight, boss," said Ah Kim, and went.
Madden stepped to the bathroom door and listened. He tried it gently; it opened at his touch. He went in, locked the door 主要な into the room 占領するd by 賭事, and returned, shutting the door behind him.
"Now," he began, "I want to see you. Keep your 発言する／表明する 負かす／撃墜する. I've finally got 持つ／拘留する of your father on the telephone, and he tells me a man 指名するd Draycott will arrive with the pearls at Barstow tomorrow noon."
Eden's heart sank. "Ah—er—that せねばならない bring him here tomorrow night—"
Madden leaned の近くに, and spoke in a hoarse undertone. "Whatever happens," he said, "I don't want that fellow to come to the ranch."
Eden 星／主役にするd at him in amazement. "井戸／弁護士席, Mr. Madden, I'll be—"
"Hush! Leave my 指名する out of it."
"But after all our 準備—"
"I tell you I've changed my mind. I don't want the pearls brought to the ranch at all. I want you to go to Barstow tomorrow, 会合，会う this Draycott, and order him to go on to Pasadena. I'm going 負かす／撃墜する there on Wednesday. Tell him to 会合，会う me at the door of the Garfield 国家の Bank in Pasadena at noon, sharp, Wednesday. I'll take the pearls then—and I'll put them where they'll be 安全な."
（頭が）ひょいと動く Eden smiled. "All 権利," he agreed. "You're the boss."
"Good," said Madden. "I'll have Ah Kim 運動 you into town in the morning, and you can catch the Barstow train. But remember—this is between you and me. Not a word to anybody. Not to 賭事—of course. Not even to Thorn."
"I get you," Eden answered.
"罰金! Then it's 始める，決める. Good night."
Madden went softly out. For a long time Eden 星／主役にするd after him, more puzzled than ever.
"井戸／弁護士席, anyhow," he said at last, "it means another day of grace. For this 救済, much thanks."
A new day 夜明けd, and over the stunted, bizarre 形態／調整s of that land of 干ばつ the sun 再開するd its merciless 徹夜. （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden was 早期に abroad; it was getting to be a habit with him. Before breakfast was served he had a 十分な hour for reflection, and it could not be 否定するd that he had much upon which to 反映する. One by one he 解任するd the queer things that had happened since he （機の）カム to the ranch. 真っ先の in his thoughts was the problem of Evelyn Madden. Where was that haughty lady now? No morning もやs on the landscape here, but in his mind a 絶えず 増加するing 霧. If only something 限定された would occur, something they could understand.
After breakfast he rose from the （米）棚上げする／（英）提議する and lighted a cigarette. He knew that Madden was 熱望して waiting for him to speak.
"Mr. Madden," he said, "I find that I must go to Barstow this morning on rather important 商売／仕事. It's an 課税, I know. But if Ah Kim could 運動 me to town in time for the ten-fifteen train—"
Thorn's green 注目する，もくろむs popped with sudden 利益／興味. Madden looked at the boy with ill-隠すd 是認.
"Why, that's all 権利," he replied. "I'll be glad to arrange it for you. Ah Kim—you 運動 Mr. Eden in town in half an hour. Savvy?"
"All time moah 職業," complained Ah Kim. "Gettum up sunlise woik woik till sun him 減少（する）. You want 'um taxi driver why you no say so?"
"What's that?" cried Madden.
Ah Kim shrugged. "Allight, boss. I dlive 'um."
When, later on, Eden sat in the car beside the Chinese and the ranch was 井戸／弁護士席 behind them, Chan regarded him questioningly.
"Now you produce big mystery," he said. "Barstow on 商売／仕事 has somewhat 予期しない sound to me."
Eden laughed. "Orders from the big 長，指導者," he replied. "I'm to go 負かす／撃墜する there and 会合，会う Al Draycott—and the pearls."
For a moment Chan's 解放する／自由な 手渡す 残り／休憩（する）d on his waist and the "undigestible" 重荷（を負わせる） that still lay there.
"Madden changes fickle mind again?" he 問い合わせd.
"That's just what he's done." Eden 関係のある the 趣旨 of the millionaire's call on him the night before.
"What you know 関心ing that!" exclaimed Chan wonderingly.
"井戸／弁護士席, I know this much," Eden answered. "It gives us one more day for the good old hoo malimali. Outside of that, it's just another problem for us to puzzle over. By the way, I didn't tell you why Doctor Whitcomb （機の）カム to see us last night."
"No necessity," Chan replied. "I am loafing idle inside door の近くに by and hear it all."
"Oh, you were? Then you know it may have been 不安定な Phil, and not Thorn, who killed Louie?"
"不安定な Phil—or maybe stranger in car who 運動 up and call him into road. Must 収容する／認める that stranger 利益／興味s me very 深い. Who was he? Was it maybe him who carried news of Louie's approach out on to dreary 砂漠?"
"井戸／弁護士席, if you're starting to ask me questions," replied Eden, "then the big mystery is over and we may 同様に wash up and go home. For I 港／避難所't got an answer in me." Eldorado lay before them, its roofs gleaming under the morning sun. "By the way, let's 減少（する） in and see Holley. The train isn't 予定 yet—I suppose I'd better take it, somebody might be watching. In the interval, Holley may have news."
The editor was busy at his desk. "Hello, you're up and around pretty 早期に this morning," he said. He 押し進めるd aside his typewriter. "Just dashing off poor old Louie's obit. What's new out at Mystery Ranch?"
（頭が）ひょいと動く Eden told him of Doctor Whitcomb's call, also of Madden's 最新の switch regarding the pearls, and his own 切迫した wild goose chase to Barstow.
Holley smiled. "元気づける up—a little travel will broaden you," he 発言／述べるd. "What did you think of 行方不明になる Evelyn? But then, I believe you had met her before."
"Think of 行方不明になる Evelyn? What do you mean?" asked Eden, surprised.
"Why, she （機の）カム last night, didn't she?"
"Not so anybody could notice it. No 調印する of her at the ranch."
Holley rose and walked up and 負かす／撃墜する for a moment. "That's 半端物. That's very 半端物. She certainly arrived on the six-forty train."
"You're sure of that?" Eden asked.
"Of course I am. I saw her." Holley sat 負かす／撃墜する again. "I wasn't very much 占領するd last night—it was one of my 解放する／自由な nights—I have three hundred and sixty-five of them every year. So I strolled over to the 駅／配置する and met the six-forty. Thorn was there, too. A tall handsome girl got off the train, and I heard Thorn 演説（する）／住所 her as 行方不明になる Evelyn. 'How's dad?' she asked. 'Get in,' said Thorn, 'and I'll tell you about him. He wasn't able to come to 会合，会う you himself.' The girl entered the car, and they drove away. 自然に, I thought she was brightening your life long before this."
Eden shook his 長，率いる. "Funny 商売／仕事," he commented. "Thorn got 支援する to the ranch a little after ten, and when he （機の）カム he was alone. Charlie here discovered, with his usual acumen, that the car had traveled some thirty-nine miles."
"Also 粘着するing to accelerator, as though 捨てるd off from shoe of Thorn, small fragment of red clay," 追加するd Chan. "You are accustomed 一連の会議、交渉／完成する here, Mr. Holley. Maybe you can について言及する home of red clay."
"Not offhand," replied Holley. "There are several places—But say, this thing gets deeper and deeper. Oh—I was forgetting—there's a letter here for you, Eden."
He 手渡すd over a neat missive 演説（する）／住所d in an old-fashioned 手渡す. Eden 検査／視察するd it with 利益／興味. It was from Madame Jordan, a rather touching 控訴，上告 not to let the 取引，協定 for the pearls 落ちる through. He went 支援する and began to read it aloud. Mrs. Jordan could not understand. Madden was there, he had bought the pearls—why the 延期する? The loss of that money would be serious for her.
When he had finished, Eden looked accusingly at Chan, then tore the letter to bits and threw them into a wastepaper basket. "I'm about through," he said. "That woman is one of the dearest old souls that ever lived, and it strikes me we're 扱う／治療するing her shamefully. After all, what's happening out at Madden's ranch is 非，不，無 of our 商売／仕事. Our 義務 to Madame Jordan—"
"容赦 me," broke in Chan, "but coming to that, I have sense of 義務 most 激烈な／緊急の myself. 忠義 blooms in my heart forever—"
"井戸／弁護士席, and what do you think we せねばならない do?" 需要・要求するd Eden.
"Watch and wait."
"But good lord—we've done that. I was thinking about it this morning. One inexplicable event after another, and never anything 限定された, anything we can get our teeth into. Such a 明言する／公表する of 事件／事情／状勢s may go on forever. I tell you, I'm fed up."
"Patience," said Chan, "are a very lovely virtue. Through long centuries Chinese cultivate patience like 肉親，親類d gardener tending flowers. White men leap about 類似の to bug in 瓶／封じ込める. Which are better method, I 問い合わせ?"
"But listen, Charlie. All this stuff we've discovered out at the ranch—that's for the police."
"For stupid Captain Bliss, maybe. He with the feet of large extensiveness."
"I can't help the size of his feet. What's that got to do with it? No, sir—I can't see why we don't give Madden the pearls, get his 領収書, and then send for the 郡保安官 and tell him the whole story. After that, he can worry about who was killed at Madden's ranch."
"He would solve the problem," scoffed Chan. "広大な／多数の／重要な mind, no 疑問, like Captain Bliss. Your thought has, from me, nothing but hot 対立."
"井戸／弁護士席, but I'm considering Madame Jordan. I've got her 利益／興味s at heart."
Chan patted him on the 支援する. "Who can question that? You 罰金 young fellow, loyal and 肉親，親類d. But, listen now to older 長，率いるs. Mr. Holley, you have inclination to intrude your oar?"
"I certainly have," smiled Holley. "I'm all on the 味方する of Chan, Eden. It would be a pity to 減少（する） this thing now. The 郡保安官's a good sort, but all this would be too 深い for him. No, wait just a little while—"
"All 権利," sighed Eden. "I'll wait. 供給するd you tell me one thing. What are we waiting for?"
"Madden goes to Pasadena tomorrow," Chan 示唆するd. "No 疑問 Thorn will …を伴って, and we quench this 賭事 somehow. 広大な／多数の／重要な time for us. All our search at ranch up to now 迅速な and breathless, like man 追求するing trolley-car. Tomorrow we dig 深い."
"You can do it," replied Eden. "I'm not eager to dig for the sort of prize you want." He paused. "At that, I must 収容する／認める I'm pretty curious myself. Charlie, you're an old friend of the Jordans, and you can take the 責任／義務 for this 延期する."
"権利 here on shoulders," Chan agreed, "責任／義務 reclines. Same way necklace reposes on stomach. Seem to coddle there now, those Phillimore pearls, happy and content. 謙虚に 示唆する you take this aimless 旅行 to Barstow."
Eden looked at his watch. "I suppose I might 同様に. Bit of city life never did anybody any 害（を与える）. But I 警告する you that when I come 支援する, I want a little light. If any more dark, mysterious things happen at that ranch, I certainly will run 権利 out into the middle of the 砂漠 and 叫び声をあげる."
Taking the train 証明するd an excellent 計画（する）, for on the 駅／配置する 壇・綱領・公約 he met Paula Wendell, who evidently had the same idea. She was 削減する and charming in riding togs, and her 注目する，もくろむs sparkled with life.
"Hello," she said. "Where are you bound?"
"Going to Barstow, on 商売／仕事," Eden explained.
"Is it important?"
"自然に. Wouldn't squander my 広大な talents on any other 肉親，親類d."
A dinky little train wandered in, and they 設立する a seat together in one of its two cars.
"Sorry to hear you're needed in Barstow," 発言／述べるd the girl. "I'm getting off a few 駅／配置するs 負かす／撃墜する. Going to rent a horse and take a long ride up into Lonely Canyon. It wouldn't have been so lonely if you could have come along."
Eden smiled happily. Certainly one had few 適切な時期s to look into 注目する，もくろむs like hers. "What 駅／配置する do we get off at?" he 問い合わせd.
"We? I thought you said—"
"The truth isn't in me, these days. Barstow doesn't need my presence any more than you need a beauty doctor. Lonely Canyon, after today, will have to change its 指名する."
"Good," she answered. "We get off at Seven Palms. The old rancher who rents me a horse will find one for you, I'm sure."
"I'm not 正確に dressed for the 役割," 認める Eden. "But I 信用 it will be all the same to the horse."
The horse didn't appear to mind. His rather dejected manner 示唆するd that he had 推定する／予想するd something like this. They left the tiny 解決／入植地 known as Seven Palms and cantered off across the 砂漠.
"For to admire and for to see, for to behold this world so wide," said Eden. "Never realized how very wide it was until I （機の）カム 負かす／撃墜する here."
"Beginning to like the 砂漠?" the girl 問い合わせd.
"井戸／弁護士席, there's something about it," he 認める. "It grows on you, that's a fact. I don't know that I could put the feeling into words."
"I'm sure I can't," she answered. "Oh, I envy you, coming here for the first time. If only I could look at this country again with a fresh, disinterested 注目する，もくろむ. But it's just 場所 to me. I see all about me the cowboys, the cavalcades, the caballeros of Hollywood. 悲劇s and feats of daring, 救助（する）s and escapes. I tell you, these dunes and canyons have seen more movies than Will Hays."
"追跡（する）ing 場所s today?" Eden asked.
"Always 追跡（する）ing," she sighed. "They've just sent me a new script—as new as those mountains over there. All about the rough cowpuncher and the millionaire's dainty daughter from the East—you know."
"I certainly do. Girl's fed up on those society orgies, isn't she?"
"Who wouldn't be? However, the orgies are given in 十分な, with the swimming pool working overtime, as always. But that part doesn't 関心 me. It's after she comes out here, sort of hungering to 会合，会う a real man, that I must start worrying. Need I 追加する, she 会合，会うs him? Her horse runs away over the 砂漠, and 投げ上げる／ボディチェックするs her off まっただ中に the sagebrush. In the nick of time, the cowpuncher finds her. にもかかわらず their different 駅／配置するs, love blossoms here in the waste land. いつかs I'm almost glad that 地雷 is beginning to be an obsolete profession."
"Is it? How come?"
"Oh, the movies move. A few years 支援する the 場所 finder was a rather important person. Today most of this country has been 調査するd and charted, and every studio is equipped with big albums 十分な of pictures. So every time a new efficiency 専門家 comes along—which is about once a week—and starts lopping off 長，率いるs, it's the people in my line who are the first to go. In a little while we'll be as extinct as the dodo."
"You may be extinct," Eden answered. "But there the similarity between you and the dodo will stop 突然の."
The girl 停止（させる）d her horse. "Just a minute. I want to take a few pictures here. It looks to me like a bit of 砂漠 we 港／避難所't used yet. Just the sort of thing to thrill the shopgirls and the bookkeepers 支援する there where the East hangs out." When she had swung again into the saddle, she 追加するd: "It isn't strange they love it, those tired people in the cities. Each one thinks—oh, if only I could go there."
"Yes, and if they got here once, they'd die of loneliness the first night," （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden said. "Just pass out in agony moaning for the subway and the comics in the evening paper."
"I know they would," the girl replied. "But fortunately they'll never come."
They 棒 on, and the girl began to point out the さまざまな unfriendly-looking 工場／植物s of the 砂漠, 指名するing them one by one. Arrowweed, bitter-小衝突, mesquite, 砂漠 plantain, catclaw, thistle-下落する.
"That's a cholla," she 発表するd. "Another variety of cactus. There are seventeen thousand in all."
"All 権利," Eden replied. "I'll take your word for it. You needn't 指名する them." His 長，率いる was beginning to ache with all this learning.
Presently sumac and Canterbury bell 布告するd their nearness to the canyon, and they cantered out of the 砂漠 heat into the cathedral-like coolness of the hills. In and out over almost hidden 追跡するs the horses went. Wild plum glowed on the slopes, and far below under native palms a 狭くする stream tinkled invitingly.
Life seemed very simple and pleasant there in Lonely Canyon, and （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden felt suddenly の近くに indeed to this lively girl with the eager 注目する，もくろむs. All a 嘘（をつく） that there were （人が）群がるd cities. The world was new, unsullied and unspoiled, and they were alone in it.
They descended by way of a rather 背信の path and in the 避難所 of the palms that fringed the tiny stream, dismounted for a lunch which Paula Wendell （人命などを）奪う，主張するd to have 隠すd in her knapsack.
"Wonderfully restful here," （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden said.
"But you said the other day you weren't tired," the girl reminded him.
"井戸／弁護士席, I'm not. But somehow I like this anyhow. However, I guess it isn't all a 事柄 of 地理学. It's not so much the place you're in—it's who you're with. After which 高度に 初めの 発言／述べる, I 急いで to 追加する that I really can't eat a thing."
"You were 権利," she laughed. "The truth isn't in you. I know what you're thinking—I didn't bring enough for two. But these Oasis 挟むs are meant for ranchers, and one is my 限界. There are four of them—I must have had a premonition. We'll divide the milk 平等に."
"But look here, it's your lunch. I should have thought to get something at Seven Palms."
"There's a roast beef 挟む. Try that, and maybe you won't feel so talkative."
"井戸／弁護士席, I—am—gumph—"
"What did I tell you? Oh, the Oasis 目的（とする）s to fill. Milk?"
"Ashamed of myself," mumbled Eden. But he was easily 説得するd.
"You 港／避難所't eaten a thing," he said finally.
"Oh, yes I have. More than I usually do. I'm one of those dainty eaters."
"Good news for Wilbur," replied Eden. "The upkeep won't be high. Though if he has any sense, he'll know that whatever the upkeep on a girl like you, it will be 価値（がある） it."
"I sent him your love," said the girl.
"Is that so? 井戸／弁護士席, I'm sorry you did, in a way. I'm no hypocrite, and try as I may, I can't discover any lurking fondness for Wilbur. Oddly enough, the boy begins to annoy me."
"But you said—"
"I know. But isn't it just possible that I've overrated this freedom stuff? I'm young, and the young are often mistaken. Stop me if you've heard this one, but the more I see of you—"
"Stop. I've heard it."
"I'll bet you have. Many times."
"And my suggestion is that we get 支援する to 商売／仕事. If we don't that horse of yours is going to eat too much Bermuda grass."
Through the long afternoon, まっただ中に the hot yellow dunes, the 勝利，勝つd-blown 山のふもとの丘s of that sandy waste, they 棒 支援する to Seven Palms by a roundabout 大勝する. The sun was 沈むing, the rose and gold wonder of the skies 反映するd on snow and glistening sand, when finally they 長，率いるd for the village.
"If only I could find a novel setting for the final love scene," sighed the girl.
"Whose final love scene?"
"The cowpuncher's and the poor little rich girl's. So many times they've just wandered off into the sunset, 手渡す in 手渡す. Really need a little more kick in it than that."
Eden heard a clank as of a horse's hoofs on steel. His 開始する つまずくd, and he reined it in はっきりと.
"What in Sam Hill's that?" he asked.
"Oh—that! It's one of the half-buried rails of the old 支店 road—a memento of a dream that never （機の）カム true. Years ago they started to build a town over there under those cottonwoods, and the 鉄道／強行採決する laid 負かす／撃墜する fifteen miles of 跡をつける from the main line. A busy metropolis of the 砂漠—that's what they meant it to be—and there's just one little old 廃虚d house standing today. But that was the time of 広大な／多数の／重要な 期待s. They brought out （人が）群がるs of people, and sold six hundred lots one hectic afternoon."
"And the 鉄道／強行採決する?"
"Ran just one train—and stopped. All they had was an engine and two old street-cars brought 負かす／撃墜する from San Francisco. One of the cars has been 破壊するd and the 木材／素質 carried away, but the 難破させる of the other is still standing not far from here."
Presently they 機動力のある a 山の尾根, and （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden cried, "What do you know about that?"
There before them on the lonely 砂漠, partly buried in the drifting sand, stood the 残余 of a trolley-car. It was 攻撃するd rakishly to one 味方する, its windows were yellow with dust, but on the 前線, faintly decipherable still, was the legend "Market Street."
At that familiar sight, （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden felt a keen pang of nostalgia. He reined in his horse and sat 星／主役にするing at this symbol of the 砂漠's 勝利 over the proud 計画／陰謀s of man. Man had thought he could 征服する／打ち勝つ, he had come with his engines and his dreams, and now an old 乱打するd trolley stood alone as a 警告 and a 脅し.
"There's your setting," he said. "They 運動 out together and sit there on the steps, your lovers. What a background—a car that once trundled from Twin 頂点（に達する）s to the フェリー（で運ぶ）, standing lonely and forlorn まっただ中に the cactus 工場／植物s."
"罰金," the girl answered. "I'm going to 雇う you to help me after this."
They 棒 の近くに to the car and dismounted. The girl unlimbered her camera and held it 安定した. "Don't you want me in the picture?" Eden asked. "Just as a 見本 lover, you know."
"No 見本s needed," she laughed. The camera clicked. As it did so the two young people stood rooted to the 砂漠 in amazement. An old man had stepped suddenly from the 内部の of the car—a bent old man with a coal-黒人／ボイコット 耐えるd.
Eden's 注目する，もくろむs sought those of the girl. "Last Wednesday night at Madden's?" he 問い合わせd in a low 発言する／表明する.
She nodded. "The old prospector," she replied.
The 黒人／ボイコット-bearded one did not speak, but stood with a startled 空気／公表する on the 前線 壇・綱領・公約 of that lost trolley under the caption "Market Street."
（頭が）ひょいと動く Eden stepped 今後. "Good evening," he said. "I hope we 港／避難所't 乱すd you."
Moving with some difficulty, the old man descended from the 壇・綱領・公約 to the sandy 床に打ち倒す of the 砂漠. "How do," he said 厳粛に, shaking 手渡すs. He also shook 手渡すs with Paula Wendell. "How do, 行方不明になる. No, you didn't 乱す me 非，不，無. Just takin' my forty winks—I ain't so spry as I used to be."
"We happened to be passing—" Eden began.
"Ain't many pass this way," returned the old man. "Cherry's my 指名する—William I. Cherry. Make yourselves to home. Parlor 議長，司会を務めるs is 肉親，親類d o' 不十分な, 行方不明になる."
"Of course," said the girl.
"We'll stop a minute, if we may," 示唆するd Eden.
"It's comin' on supper time," the old man replied hospitably. "How about grub? There's a can o' beans, an' a mite o' bacon—"
"Couldn't think of it," Eden told him. "You're mighty 肉親，親類d, but we'll be 支援する in Seven Palms すぐに." Paula Wendell sat 負かす／撃墜する on the car steps, and Eden took a seat on the warm sand. The old man went to the 後部 of the trolley and returned with an empty soap-box. After an 不成功の 試みる／企てる to 説得する Eden to 受託する it as a 議長，司会を務める, he put it to that use himself.
"Pretty nice home you've 選ぶd out for yourself," Eden 発言／述べるd.
"Home?" The old man 調査するd the trolley-car 批判的に. "Home, boy? I ain't had no home these thirty years. 一時的な ４半期/4分の1s, you might say."
"Been here long?" asked Eden.
"Three, four days. Rheumatism's been actin' up. But I'm movin' on tomorrey."
"Moving on? Where?"
"Why—over yonder."
"Just where is that?" Eden smiled.
"Where it's allus been. Over yonder. Somewhere else."
"Just looking, eh?"
"Jest lookin'. You've 攻撃する，衝突する it. Goin' on over yonder an' jest lookin'." His tired old 注目する，もくろむs were on the mountaintops.
"What do you 推定する／予想する to find?" 問い合わせd Paula Wendell.
"Struck a vein o' 巡査 once, 行方不明になる," Mr. Cherry said. "But they got her away from me. Howsomever, I'm lookin' still."
"Been on the 砂漠 a long time?" Eden asked.
"Twenty, twenty-five years. One 砂漠 or another."
"And before that?"
"Prospected in West Australia from Hannans to Hall's Creek—through the 領土 into Queensland. Drove cattle from the 湾 country into New South むちの跡s. Then I worked in the stoke 穴を開ける on ocean liners."
"Born in Australia, eh?" Eden 示唆するd.
"Who—me?" Mr. Cherry shook his 長，率いる. "Born in South Africa—English 降下／家系. Been all up and 負かす／撃墜する the Congo an' Zambesi—all through British Central Africa."
"How in the world did you get to Australia?" Eden wondered.
"Oh, I don't know, boy. I was filibusterin' 負かす／撃墜する along the South American continent fer a while, an' then I drifted into a Mexican （選挙などの）運動をする. Seems like there was somethin' I 手配中の，お尋ね者 in Australia—anyhow, I got there. Jest the way I got here. It was over yonder, an' I went."
Eden shook his 長，率いる. "Ye gods, I'll bet you've seen a lot!"
"I guess I have, boy. Doctor over in Redlands was tellin' me t'other day—you need spectacles, he says. 'Hell, Doc,' I says, 'what fer? I've seen everything,' I says, and I come away."
Silence fell. （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden wasn't 正確に／まさに sure how to go about this 商売／仕事; he wished he had Chan at his 肘. But his 義務 was （疑いを）晴らす.
"You—er—you've been here for three or four days, you say?"
"'一区切り／（ボクシングなどの）試合 that, I reckon."
"Do you happen to 解任する where you were last Wednesday night?"
The old man's 注目する，もくろむs were keen enough as he ちらりと見ることd はっきりと at the boy. "What if I do?"
"I was only going to say that if you don't, I can refresh your memory. You were at Madden's ranch house, over 近づく Eldorado."
Slowly Mr. Cherry 除去するd his slouch hat. With gnarled bent fingers he 抽出するd a toothpick from the 禁止（する）d. He stuck it defiantly in his mouth. "Maybe I was. What then?"
"井戸／弁護士席—I'd like to have a little talk with you about that night."
Cherry 調査するd him closely. "You're a new one on me," he said. "An' I thought I knew every 郡保安官 an' 副 west o' the Rockies."
"Then you'll 収容する／認める something happened at Madden's that might 利益／興味 a 郡保安官?" returned Eden quickly.
"I ain't admittin' nothin'," answered the old prospector.
"You have （警察などへの）密告，告訴（状） regarding last Wednesday night at Madden's," Eden 固執するd. "決定的な （警察などへの）密告，告訴（状）. I must have it."
"Nothin' to say," replied Cherry stubbornly.
Eden took another tack. "Just what was your 商売／仕事 at Madden's ranch?"
Mr. Cherry rolled the 老年の toothpick in his mouth. "No 商売／仕事 at all. I jest dropped in. Been wanderin' the 砂漠 a long time, like I said, an' now an' ag'in I drifted in at Madden's. Me an' the old 管理人, Louie Wong, was friends. When I'd come along he'd 火刑／賭ける me to a bit o' grub, an' a bed in the barn. Sort o' company fer him, I was. He was lonesome-like at the ranch—only a Chink, but lonesome-like, same as if he'd been white."
"A kindly old soul, Louie," 示唆するd Eden.
"One o' the best, boy, en' that's no 嘘（をつく）."
Eden spoke slowly. "Louie Wong has been 殺人d," he said.
"What's that?"
"Stabbed in the 味方する last Sunday night 近づく the ranch gate. Stabbed—by some unknown person."
"Some dirty dog," said Mr. Cherry indignantly.
"That's just how I feel about it. I'm not a policeman, but I'm doing my best to find the 有罪の man. The thing you saw that night at the ranch, Mr. Cherry, no 疑問 has a decided 耐えるing on the 殺人，大当り of Louie. I need your help. Now, will you talk?"
Mr. Cherry 除去するd the toothpick from his mouth and, 持つ／拘留するing it before him, regarded it thoughtfully. "Yes," he said, "I will. I was hopin' to keep out o' this. 裁判官s an' 法廷，裁判所s an' all that トラックで運ぶ ain't fer me. I give 'em a wide 寝台／地位. But I'm a decent man, an' I ain't got nothin' to hide. I'll talk, but I don't hardly know how to begin."
"I'll help you," Eden answered, delighted. "The other night when you were at Madden's ranch perhaps you heard a man cry, 'Help! Help! 殺人! Put 負かす／撃墜する that gun. Help.' Something like that, eh?"
"I ain't got nothin' to hide. That's jest what I heard."
Eden's heart leaped. "And after that—you saw something—"
The old man nodded. "I saw plenty, boy. Louie Wong wasn't the first to be killed at Madden's ranch. I saw 殺人 done."
Eden gasped inwardly. He saw Paula Wendell's 注目する，もくろむs wide and startled. "Of course you did," he said. "Now go on and tell me all about it."
Mr. Cherry 回復するd the toothpick to its predestined place in his mouth, but it 干渉するd in no way with his speech.
"Life's funny," he began. "十分な o' queer 新たな展開s an' turns. I thought this was jest one more secret fer me an' the 砂漠 together. Nobody knows about you, I says. Nobody ain't goin' to question you. But I was wrong, I see, an' I might 同様に speak up. It's nothin' to me, one way or t'other, though I would like to keep out o' courtrooms—"
"井戸／弁護士席, maybe I can help you," Eden 示唆するd. "Go on. You say you saw 殺人—"
"Jest 持つ／拘留する yer horses, boy," Mr. Cherry advised. "As I was sayin', last Wednesday night after dark I drifts in at Madden's as usual. But the minute I comes into the yard, I see there's something doin' there. The boss has come. Lights in most o' the windows, an' a big car in the barn. Longside Louie's old flivver. Howsomever, I'm tired, an' I 人物／姿／数字s I'll jest wait 一連の会議、交渉／完成する fer Louie, keepin' out o' sight o' the big fellow. A little supper an' a bed, maybe, 肉親，親類 be 交渉するd without gettin' too 目だつ.
"So I puts my pack 負かす／撃墜する in the barn, an' steps over to the cookhouse. Louie ain't there. Jest as I'm comin' out o' the place, I hears a cry from the house—a man's 発言する／表明する, loud an' （疑いを）晴らす. 'Help.' he says. 'Put 負かす／撃墜する that gun. I know your game. Help. Help.' Jest as you said. 井戸／弁護士席, I ain't lookin' fer no trouble, an' I stands there a minute, uncertain. An' then the cry comes again, almost the same words—but not the man this time. It's Tony, the Chinese parrot, on his perch in the patio, an' from him the words is shrill an' piercin'—more terrible, somehow. An' then I hears a sharp 報告（する）／憶測—the gun is workin'. The ゆすり seems to come from a lighted room in one ell—a window is open. I creeps closer, an' there goes the gun ag'in. There's a sort of groan. It's 攻撃する，衝突する, sure enough. I goes up to the window an' looks in."
He paused. "Then what?" （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden asked breathlessly.
"井戸／弁護士席, it's a bedroom, an' he's standin' there with the smokin' gun in his 手渡す, lookin' 猛烈な／残忍な but 脅すd like. An' there's somebody on the 床に打ち倒す, t'other 味方する o' the bed—all I 肉親，親類 see is his shoes. He turns toward the window, the gun still in his 手渡す—"
"Who?" cried （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden. "Who was it with the gun in his 手渡す? You're talking about ツバメ Thorn?"
"Thorn? You mean that little sneakin' 長官? No—I ain't speakin' o' Thorn. I'm speakin' o' him—"
"Who?"
"The big boss. Madden. P.J. Madden himself."
There was a moment of 緊張した silence. "Good lord," gasped Eden. "Madden? You mean to say that Madden—Why, it's impossible. How did you know? Are you sure?"
"O' course I'm sure. I know Madden 井戸／弁護士席 enough. I seen him three years ago at the ranch. A big man, red-直面するd, thin gray hair—I couldn't make no mistake about Madden. There he was standin', the gun in his 手渡す, an' he looks toward the window. I ducks 支援する. An' at that minute this Thorn you're speakin' of—he comes tearin' into the room. 'What have you done now?' he says. 'I've killed him,' says Madden, 'that's what I've done.' 'You poor fool,' says Thorn. 'It wasn't necessary.' Madden throws 負かす／撃墜する the gun. 'Why not?' he wants to know. 'I was afraid of him.' Thorn sneers. 'You was always afraid o' him,' he says. 'You dirty coward. That time in New York—' Madden gives him a look. 'Shut up,' he says 'Shut up an' fergit it. I was afraid o' him an' I killed him. Now git busy an' think what we better do.'"
The old prospector paused, and regarded his wide-注目する，もくろむd audience. "井戸／弁護士席, mister," he continued. "An' 行方不明になる—I come away. What else was there to be done? It was no 事件／事情／状勢 o' 地雷, an' I wasn't hungerin' fer no courtroom an' all that. Jest slip away into the night, I tells myself, the good old night that's been yer friend these many years. Slip away an' let others worry. I runs to the barn an' gits my pack, an' when I comes out, a car is drivin' into the yard. I はうs through the 盗品故買者 an' moseys 負かす／撃墜する the road. I thought I was out o' it an' 安全な, an' how you got on to me is a mystery. But I'm decent, an' I ain't hidin' anything. That's my story—the truth, s'help me."
（頭が）ひょいと動く Eden rose and paced the sand. "Man alive," he said, "this is serious 商売／仕事."
"Think so?" 問い合わせd the old prospector.
"Think so! You know who Madden is, don't you? One of the biggest men in America—"
"Sure he is. And what does that mean? You'll never git him fer what he done. He'll slide out o' it some way—Self-弁護—"
"Oh, no, he won't. Not if you tell your story. You've got to go 支援する with me to Eldorado—"
"Wait a minute," 削減（する） in Cherry. "That's something I don't 目的（とする） to do—go an' stifle in no city. Leastways, not till it's 絶対 necessary. I've told my story, an' I'll tell it ag'in, any time I'm asked. But I ain't goin' 支援する to Eldorado—bank on that, boy."
"But listen—"
"Listen to me. How much more （警察などへの）密告，告訴（状） you got? Know who that man was, layin' behind the bed? 設立する his 団体／死体 yet?"
"No, we 港／避難所't, but—"
"I thought so. 井戸／弁護士席, you're jest startin' on this 職業. What's my word ag'in' the word o' P.J. Madden—an' no other 証拠 to show? You got to dig some up."
"井戸／弁護士席, perhaps you're 権利."
"Sure I am. I've done you a 好意—now you do one fer me. Take this here （警察などへの）密告，告訴（状） an' go 支援する an' make the most o' it. Leave me out 完全に if you 肉親，親類. If you can't—井戸／弁護士席, I'll keep in touch. Be 負かす／撃墜する 一連の会議、交渉／完成する Needles in about a week—goin' to make a stop there with my old friend, わずかな／ほっそりした Jones. Porter J. Jones, Real 広い地所—you 肉親，親類 git me there. I'm makin' you a fair proposition—don't you say so, 行方不明になる?"
The girl smiled at him. "Seems fair to me," she 認める.
"It's hardly によれば Hoyle," said Eden. "But you have been mighty 肉親，親類d. I don't want to see you stifle in a city—though I find it hard to believe you and I are talking about the same Eldorado. However, we're going to part friends, Mr. Cherry. I'll take your suggestion—I'll go 支援する with what you've told me—it's certainly very enlightening. And I'll keep you out of it—if I can."
The old man got painfully to his feet. "Shake," he said. "You're a white man, an' no mistake. I ain't tryin' to save Madden—I'll go on the stand if I have to. But with what I've told you, maybe you can land him without me figurin' in it."
"We'll have to go along," Eden told him. He laughed. "I don't care what the 調書をとる／予約する of etiquette says—Mr. Cherry, I'm very pleased to have met you."
"Same here," returned Cherry. "Like a talk now an' then with a good listener. An' the chance to look at a pretty gal—井戸／弁護士席, say, I don't need no specs to enjoy that."
They said good-bye, and left the lonely old man standing by the trolley-car there on the barren 砂漠. For a long moment they 棒 in silence.
"井戸／弁護士席," said Eden finally, "you've heard something, lady."
"I certainly have. Something I find it difficult to believe."
"Perhaps you won't find it so difficult if I go 支援する and tell you a few things. You've been drawn into the big mystery at Madden's at last, and there's no 推論する／理由 why you shouldn't know as much as I do about it. So I'm going to talk."
"I'm keen to hear," she 認める.
"自然に, after today. 井戸／弁護士席, I （機の）カム 負かす／撃墜する here to transact a bit of 商売／仕事 with P.J.—I needn't go into that, it has no particular 耐えるing. The first night I was on the ranch—" He proceeded to 詳細（に述べる） one by one the mysterious sequence of events that began with the 叫び声をあげる of the parrot from the dark. "Now you know. Some one had been killed, that was evident. Some one before Louie. But who? We don't know yet. And by whom? Today gave us that answer, anyhow."
"It seems incredible."
"You don't believe Cherry's story?" he 示唆するd.
"井戸／弁護士席—these old boys who wander the 砂漠 get queer いつかs. And there was that about his 注目する，もくろむs—the doctor at Redlands, you know—"
"I know. But all the same, I think Cherry told the truth. After a few days with Madden, I consider him 有能な of anything. He's a hard man, and if any one stood in his way—good night. Some poor devil stood there—but not for long. Who? We'll find out. We must."
"We?"
"Yes—you're in on this thing, too. Have to be, after this, whether you like it or not."
"I think I'm going to like it," Paula Wendell said.
They returned their tired horses to the stable at Seven Palms, and after a あらましの dinner at the 地元の hotel, caught the Eldorado train. When they alighted, Charlie and Will Holley were waiting.
"Hello," said the editor. "Why, hello, Paula—where you been? Eden, here's Ah Kim. Madden sent him in for you."
"Hello, gentlemen," cried Eden gaily. "Before Ah Kim and I 長，率いる for the ranch, we're all going over to the office of that grand old sheet, the Eldorado Times. I have something to impart."
When they reached the newspaper office—which Ah Kim entered with obvious 不本意—Eden の近くにd the door and 直面するd them. "井戸／弁護士席, folks," he 発表するd, "the clouds are breaking. I've finally got 持つ／拘留する of something 限定された. But before I go any その上の—行方不明になる Wendell, may I 現在の Ah Kim? So we いつかs call him, after our quaint fashion. In reality, you are now enjoying the priceless 適切な時期 of 会合 探偵，刑事-Sergeant Charlie Chan, of the Honolulu police."
Chan 屈服するd. "I'm so glad to know you, Sergeant," said the girl, and took up her favorite perch on Holley's typewriter （米）棚上げする／（英）提議する.
"Don't look at me like that, Charlie," laughed Eden. "You're breaking my heart. We can rely on 行方不明になる Wendell, 絶対. And you can't 凍結する her out any longer because she now knows more about your 事例／患者 than you do. As they say on the 行う／開催する／段階—won't you—sit 負かす／撃墜する?"
Puzzled and wondering, Chan and Will Holley 設立する 議長，司会を務めるs. "I said this morning I 手配中の，お尋ね者 a little light," Eden continued. "I've got it already—how's that for service? Aimless trip to Barstow, Charlie, 証明するd to be all 目的（とする）. 行方不明になる Wendell and I turned aside for a canter over the 砂漠, and we have met and interviewed that little 黒人／ボイコット-bearded one—our 砂漠 ネズミ."
"Boy—now you're talking," cried Holley.
Chan's 注目する，もくろむs lighted.
"Chinese are psychic people, Charlie," Eden went on. "I'll tell the world. You were 権利. Before we arrived at Madden's ranch, some one 行う／開催する／段階d a little 殺人 there. And I know who did it."
"Thorn," 示唆するd Holley.
"Thorn nothing! No piker like Thorn. No, gentlemen, it was the big 長，指導者—Madden himself—the 広大な／多数の／重要な P.J. Last Wednesday night at his ranch Madden killed a man. 追加する favorite pastimes of big millionaires."
"Nonsense," 反対するd Holley
"You think so, eh? Listen." Eden repeated the story Cherry had told.
Chan and Holley heard him out in amazed silence.
"And what are 現在の どの辺に of old prospector?" 問い合わせd Chan when he had finished.
"I know, Charlie," answered Eden. "That's the 欠陥 in my armor. I let him go. He's on his way—over yonder. But I know where he's going and we can get 持つ／拘留する of him when we need him. We've got other 事柄s to look after first."
"We certainly have," agreed Holley. "Madden! I can hardly believe it."
Chan considered. "Most peculiar 事例／患者 ever 押すd on my attention," he 認める. "It marches now, but look how it marches backwards. Mostly 殺人 means dead 団体／死体 on the rug, and from 手がかり（を与える）s surrounding, I must find who did it. Not so here. I sense something wrong, after long pause light breaks and I hear 指名する of 有罪の man who killed. But who was killed? The 推論する／理由, please? There is work to be done—much work."
"You don't think," 示唆するd Eden, "that we せねばならない call in the 郡保安官—"
"What then?" frowned Chan. "Captain Bliss arrives on 広範囲にわたる feet, committing 失敗 with every step. 郡保安官 直面するs strange 状況／情勢, all unprepared. Madden awes them with greatness, and escapes Scotch-解放する／自由な. 非，不，無 of the 郡保安官, please—unless maybe you lose 約束 in 探偵，刑事-Sergeant Chan."
"Never for a minute, Charlie," Eden answered. "Wipe out that suggestion. The 事例／患者 is yours."
Chan 屈服するd. "You're pretty good, thanks. Such a tipsy-turvy puzzle rouses professional pride. I will get to 底（に届く） of it or lose entire 直面する. Be good enough to watch me."
"I'll be watching," Eden answered. "井戸／弁護士席, shall we go along?"
In 前線 of the 砂漠 辛勝する／優位 Hotel （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden held out his 手渡す to the girl. "The end of a perfect day," he said. "Except for one thing."
"Yes? What thing?"
"Wilbur. I'm beginning to find the thought of him intolerable."
"Poor Jack. You're so hard on him. Good night—and—"
"And what?"
"Be careful, won't you? Out at the ranch, I mean."
"Always careful—on ranches—everywhere. Good night."
As they sped over the dark road to Madden's, Chan was thoughtfully silent. He and Eden parted in the yard. When the boy entered the patio, he saw Madden sitting alone, wrapped in an overcoat, before a dying 解雇する／砲火／射撃.
The millionaire leaped to his feet. "Hello," he said. "井戸／弁護士席?"
"井戸／弁護士席?" replied Eden. He had 完全に forgotten his 使節団 to Barstow.
"You saw Draycott?" Madden whispered.
"Oh!" The boy remembered with a start. More deception—would it ever end? "Tomorrow at the door of the bank in Pasadena," he said softly. "Noon sharp."
"Good," answered Madden. "I'll be off before you're up. Not turning in already?"
"I think I will," 答える／応じるd Eden. "I've had a busy day."
"Is that so?" said Madden carelessly, and strode into the living-room. （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden stood 星／主役にするing after the big 幅の広い shoulders, the 抱擁する でっちあげる，人を罪に陥れる of this powerful man. A man who seemed to have the world in his しっかり掴む, but who had killed because he was afraid.
As soon as he was fully awake the に引き続いて morning, （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden's active brain returned to the problem with which it had been 関心d when he dropped off to sleep. Madden had killed a man. 冷静な／正味の, 確信して and self-所有するd though he always seemed, the millionaire had lost his 長，率いる for once. Ignoring the possible 影響 of such an 行為／法令／行動する on his fame, his high position, he had with murderous 意図 pulled the 誘発する／引き起こす on the gun 法案 Hart had given him. His 苦境 must have been desperate indeed.
Whom had he killed? That was something yet to be discovered. Why had he done it? By his own 自白, because he was afraid. Madden, whose very 指名する struck terror to many and into whose presence lesser men （機の）カム with awe and trembling, had himself known the emotion of 恐れる. Ridiculous, but "you were always afraid of him," Thorn had said.
Some hidden door in the millionaire's past must be 設立する and opened. First of all, the 身元 of the man who had gone west last Wednesday night on this lonely ranch must be ascertained. 井戸／弁護士席, at least the mystery was beginning to （疑いを）晴らす, the long sequence of inexplicable, maddening events since they （機の）カム to the 砂漠 was broken for a moment by a 有形の bit of explanation. Here was a start, something into which they could get their teeth. From this they must 押し進める on to—what?
Chan was waiting in the patio when （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden （機の）カム out. His 直面する was decorated with a 幅の広い grin.
"Breakfast reposes on （米）棚上げする／（英）提議する," he 発表するd. "消費する it speedily. Before us stretches splendid day for 調査 with no 調査するing 注目する，もくろむs."
"What's that?" asked Eden. "Nobody here? How about 賭事?"
Chan led the way to the living-room, and held （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden's 議長，司会を務める. "Oh, 削減（する） that, Charlie," the boy said. "You're not Ah Kim today. Do you mean to say that 賭事 has also left us?"
Chan nodded. "賭事 develops keen yearning to visit Pasadena," he replied. "On which 旅行 he is welcome as one of his long-tailed ネズミs."
Eden quaffed his orange juice. "Madden didn't want him, eh?"
"Not much," Chan answered. "I rise before day breaks and 準備する breakfast, which are last night's orders. Madden and Thorn arrive, 小衝突ing 執拗な sleep out of 注目する，もくろむs. Suddenly enters this Professor 賭事, plentifully awake and singing happy 賞賛する for 砂漠 sunrise. 'You are up 早期に,' says Madden, growling like 不満な dog. 'Decided to take little 旅行 to Pasadena along with you,' 発表するs 賭事. Madden purples like distant hills when evening comes, but regards me and quenches his reply. When he and Thorn enter big car, behold Mr. 賭事 climbing into 後部 seat. If looks could assassinate Madden would then and there have （判決などを）下すd him extinct, but such are not the 事例／患者. Car rolls off on to sunny road with Professor 賭事 smiling pleasantly in 支援する. Welcome as long-tailed ネズミ but not going to worry about it, thank you."
Eden chuckled. "井戸／弁護士席, it's a good thing from our 見地, Charlie. I was wondering what we were going to do with 賭事 nosing 一連の会議、交渉／完成する. Big 負担 off our shoulders 権利 away."
"Very true," agreed Chan. "Alone here, we relax all over place and find what is to find. How you like oatmeal, boy? Not so lumpy, if I may be permitted the immodesty."
"Charlie, the world lost a 広大な／多数の／重要な chef when you became a policeman. But—the devil! Who's that 運動ing in?"
Chan went to the door. "No alarm necessary," he 発言／述べるd. "Only Mr. Holley."
The editor appeared. "Here I am, up with the lark and ready for 活動／戦闘," he 発表するd. "Want to be in on the big 追跡（する）, if you don't mind."
"Certainly don't," said Eden. "Glad to have you. We've had a bit of luck already." He explained about 賭事's 出発.
Holley nodded wisely. "Of course 賭事 went to Pasadena," he 発言／述べるd. "He's not going to let Madden out of his sight. You know, I've had some flashes of inspiration about this 事柄 out here."
"Good for you," replied Eden. "For instance—"
"Oh, just wait a while. I'll dazzle you with them at the proper moment. You see, I used to do a lot of police 報告（する）／憶測ing. Little 有望な 注目する，もくろむs, I was often called."
"Pretty 指名する," laughed Eden.
"Little 有望な 注目する，もくろむs is here to look about," Holley continued. "First of all, we せねばならない decide what we're looking for."
"I guess we know that, don't we?" Eden asked.
"Oh, in a general way, but let's be explicit. To go 支援する and start at the beginning—that's the proper method, isn't it, Chan?"
Charlie shrugged. "Always done—in 調書をとる／予約するs," he said. "In real life, not so much so."
Holley smiled. "That's 権利—鈍らせる my young enthusiasm. However, I am now going to 解任する a few facts. We needn't 強調する／ストレス the 味方する 問題／発行するs at 現在の—the pearls, the activities of 不安定な Phil in San Francisco, the 殺人 of Louie, the 見えなくなる of Madden's daughter—all these will be explained when we get the big answer. We are 関心d today 主として with the story of the old prospector."
"Who may have been lying, or mistaken," Eden 示唆するd.
"Yes—his tale seems unbelievable, I 収容する／認める. Without any 証拠 to 支援する it up, I wouldn't 支払う／賃金 much attention to it. However, we have that 証拠. Don't forget Tony's 情熱的な 発言／述べるs, and his その後の taking off. More important still, there is 法案 Hart's gun, with two empty 議会s. Also the 弾丸 穴を開ける in the 塀で囲む. What more do you want?"
"Oh, it seems to be 井戸／弁護士席 立証するd," Eden agreed.
"It is. No 疑問 about it—somebody was 発射 at this place Wednesday night. We thought at first Thorn was the 殺し屋, now we switch to Madden. Madden 誘惑するd somebody to Thorn's room, or cornered him there, and killed him. Why? Because he was afraid of him? We think hard about Wednesday night—and what do we want to know? We want to know—who was the third man?"
"The third man?" Eden repeated.
"正確に. Ignore the prospector—who was at the ranch? Madden and Thorn—yes. And one other. A man who, seeing his life in danger, called loudly for help. A man who, a moment later, lay on the 床に打ち倒す beyond the bed, and whose shoes alone were 明白な from where the prospector stood. Who was he? Where did he come from? When did he arrive? What was his 商売／仕事? Why was Madden afraid of him? These are the questions to which we must now 捜し出す answers. Am I 権利, Sergeant Chan?"
"Undubitably," Charlie replied. "And how shall we find those answers? By searching, perhaps. 謙虚に 示唆する we search."
"Every nook and corner of this ranch," agreed Holley. "We'll begin with Madden's desk. Some 逸脱する bit of correspondence may throw 予期しない light. It's locked, of course. But I've brought along a pocketful of old 重要なs—got them from a locksmith in town."
"You 行為／法令／行動する like number one 探偵，刑事," Chan 発言／述べるd.
"Thanks," answered Holley. He went over to the big flat-topped desk belonging to the millionaire and began to 実験 with さまざまな 重要なs. In a few moments he 設立する the proper one and all the drawers stood open.
"Splendid work," said Chan.
"Not much here, though," Holley 宣言するd. He 除去するd the papers from the 最高の，を越す left-手渡す drawer and laid them on the blotting pad. （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden lighted a cigarette and strolled away. Somehow this idea of 検査／視察するing Madden's mail did not 控訴，上告 to him.
The 代表者／国会議員s of the police and the 圧力（をかける）, however, were not so delicately minded. For more than half an hour Chan and the editor 熟考する／考慮するd the contents of Madden's desk. They 設立する nothing, save 害のない and 理解できる data of 商売／仕事 取引，協定s, not a 独房監禁 捨てる that could by the widest stretch of the imagination throw any light on the 身元 or meaning of the third man. Finally, perspiring and baffled, they gave up and the drawers were relocked.
"井戸／弁護士席," said Holley, "not so good, eh? 示す the desk off our 名簿（に載せる）／表（にあげる） and let's move on."
"With your 許可," Chan 発言／述べるd, "we divide the labors. For you gentlemen the inside of the house. I myself have 情愛深く feeling for outdoors." He disappeared.
One by one, Holley and Eden searched the rooms. In the bedroom 占領するd by the 長官 they saw for themselves the 弾丸 穴を開ける in the 塀で囲む. An 調査 of the bureau, however, 明らかにする／漏らすd the fact that 法案 Hart's ピストル was no longer there. This was their 単独の 発見 of any 利益／興味.
"We're up against it," 認める Holley, his cheerful manner 病弱なing. "Madden's a clever man, and he didn't leave a warm 追跡する, of course. But somehow—somewhere—"
They returned to the living-room. Chan, hot and puffing, appeared suddenly at the door. He dropped into a 議長，司会を務める.
"What luck, Charlie?" Eden 問い合わせd.
"非，不，無 whatever," 認める Chan gloomily. "激しい 失望 原因（となる）s my heart to 下落する. No gambler myself, but would have 申し込む／申し出d 抱擁する wager something buried on this ranch. When Madden, having 発射, 発言／述べるd, 'Shut up and forget. I was afraid and I killed. Now think quick what we had better do,' I would 推定する／予想する first thought is—burial. How else to 配置する／処分する／したい気持ちにさせる of dead? So just now I have 診察するd every インチ of ground, with highest hope. No good. If burial made, it was not here. I see by your 直面するs you have 類似の bafflement to 報告（する）／憶測."
"港／避難所't 設立する a thing," Eden replied.
Chan sighed. "I drag the 告示 前へ／外へ in 苦痛," he said. "But I now gaze solemnly at 石／投石する 塀で囲む."
They sat in helpless silence. "井戸／弁護士席, let's not give up yet," （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden 発言／述べるd. He leaned 支援する in his 議長，司会を務める and blew a （犯罪の）一味 of smoke toward the パネル盤d 天井. "By the way, has it ever occurred to you that there must be some sort of attic above this room?"
Chan was 即時に on his feet. "Clever suggestion," he cried. "Attic, yes, but how to 上がる?" He stood 星／主役にするing at the 天井 a moment, then went quickly to a large closet in the 後部 of the room. "Somewhat humiliated 状況／情勢 for me," he 発表するd. （人が）群がるing の近くに beside him in the 薄暗い closet, the other two looked aloft at an unmistakable 罠（にかける）-door.
（頭が）ひょいと動く Eden was selected for the climb, and with the 援助（する） of a stepladder Chan brought from the barn, he managed it easily. Holley and the 探偵，刑事 waited below. For a moment Eden stood in the attic, his 長，率いる bent low, cobwebs caressing his 直面する, while he sought to accustom his 注目する，もくろむs to the faint light.
"Nothing here, I'm afraid," he called. "Oh, yes, there is. Wait a minute."
They heard him walking gingerly above, and clouds of dust descended on their 長，率いるs. Presently he was lowering a bulky 反対する through the 狭くする 罠（にかける）—a 乱打するd old Gladstone 捕らえる、獲得する.
"Seems to be something in it," Eden 発表するd.
They took it with eager 手渡すs, and 始める，決める it on the desk in the sunny living-room. （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden joined them.
"By gad," the boy said, "not much dust on it, is there? Must have been put there recently. Holley, here's where your 重要なs come in handy."
It 証明するd a simple 事柄 for Holley to master the lock. The three men （人が）群がるd の近くに.
Chan 解除するd out a cheap 洗面所 事例／患者, with the usual articles—a 徹底的に捜す and 小衝突, かみそりs, shaving cream, tooth paste, then a few shirts, socks and handkerchiefs. He 診察するd the laundry 示す.
"D—thirty-four," he 発表するd.
"Meaning nothing," Eden said.
Chan was 解除するing a brown 控訴 of 着せる／賦与するs from the 底（に届く） of the 捕らえる、獲得する.
"Made to order by tailor in New York," he said, after an 査察 of the inner coat pocket. "指名する of purchaser, however, is blotted out by too much wearing." He took from the 味方する pockets a box of matches and a half-empty packet of 安価な cigarettes. "Finishing the coat," he 追加するd.
He turned his attention to the vest and luck smiled upon him. From the lower 権利-手渡す pocket he 除去するd an old-fashioned watch, 大（公）使館員d to a 激しい chain. The timepiece was silent; evidently it had been unwound for some time. Quickly he 調査するd open the 支援する 事例／患者, and a little grunt of satisfaction escaped him. He passed the watch to （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden.
"現在のd to Jerry Delaney by his Old Friend, Honest Jack McGuire," read Eden in a 発言する／表明する of 勝利. "And the date—August twenty-sixth, 1913."
"Jerry Delaney!" cried Holley. "By heaven, we're getting on now. The 指名する of the third man was Jerry Delaney."
"Yet to be 証明するd he was the third man," Chan 警告を与えるd. "This, however, may help."
He produced a 国／地域d bit of colored paper—a 乗客's 領収書 for a Pullman compartment. "Compartment B—car 198," he read. "Chicago to Barstow." He turned it over. "Date when used, February eighth, 現在の year."
（頭が）ひょいと動く Eden turned to a calendar. "広大な／多数の／重要な stuff," he cried. "Jerry Delaney left Chicago on February eighth—a week ago Sunday night. That got him into Barstow last Wednesday morning, February eleventh—the morning of the day he was killed. Some 探偵，刑事s, we are."
Chan was still busy with the vest. He brought 前へ／外へ a 重要な （犯罪の）一味 with a few 重要なs, then a worn newspaper clipping. The latter he 手渡すd to Eden.
"Read it, please?" he 示唆するd.
（頭が）ひょいと動く Eden read:
"Theater-goers of Los Angeles will be delighted to know that in the cast of One Night in June, the musical comedy 開始 at the Mason next Monday night, will be 行方不明になる Norma Fitzgerald. She has the 役割 of Marcia, which calls for a rich soprano 発言する／表明する, and her 広大な army of admirers hereabouts know in 前進する how 井戸／弁護士席 she will acquit herself in such a part. 行方不明になる Fitzgerald has been on the 行う／開催する／段階 twenty years—she went on as a mere child—and has appeared in such 生産／産物s as The Love Cure."
Eden paused. "There's a long 名簿（に載せる）／表（にあげる）." He 再開するd reading:
"Matinees of One Night in June will be on Wednesdays and Saturdays, and for this 約束／交戦 a special 規模 of prices has been 就任するd."
Eden put the clipping 負かす／撃墜する on the （米）棚上げする／（英）提議する. "井戸／弁護士席, that's one more fact about Jerry Delaney. He was 利益／興味d in a soprano. So many men are—but still, it may lead somewhere."
"Poor Jerry," said Holley, looking 負かす／撃墜する at the rather pitiful pile of the man's 所有／入手s. "He won't need a hair-小衝突, or a かみそり, or a gold watch where he's gone." He took up the watch and regarded it thoughtfully. "Honest Jack McGuire. I seem to have heard that 指名する somewhere."
Chan was 調査／捜査するing the trousers pockets. He turned them out one by one, but 設立する nothing.
"Search is now 完全にする," he 発表するd. "謙虚に 示唆する we put all 支援する as we 設立する it. We have made delightful 進歩."
"I'll say we have," cried Eden, with enthusiasm. "More 進歩 than I ever thought possible. Last night we knew only that Madden had killed a man. Today we know the 指名する of the man." He paused. "I don't suppose there can be any 疑問 about it?" he 問い合わせd.
"Hardly," Holley replied. "A man doesn't part with such personal 所有／入手s as a hair-小衝突 and a かみそり as long as he has any その上の use for them. If he's through with them, he's through with life. Poor devil!"
"Let's go over it all again before we put these things away," said Eden. "We've learned that the man Madden 恐れるd, the man he killed, was Jerry Delaney. What do we know of Delaney? He was not in very 豊富な circumstances, though he did have his 着せる／賦与するs made by a tailor. Not a smart tailor, 裁判官ing by the 演説（する）／住所. He smoked Corsican cigarettes. Honest Jack McGuire, whoever he may be, was an old friend of his, and thought so 高度に of him he gave Jerry a watch. What else? Delaney was 利益／興味d in an actress 指名するd Norma Fitzgerald. A week ago last Sunday he left Chicago at eight P.M.—the 限られた／立憲的な—for Barstow, riding in Compartment B, car 198. And that, I guess, about sums up what we know of Jerry Delaney."
Charlie Chan smiled. "Very good," he said. "A splendid 名簿（に載せる）／表（にあげる）, rich with 約束. But one fact you have 行方不明になるd 完全にする."
"What's that?" 問い合わせd Eden.
"One very 平易な fact," continued Chan. "Take this vest once on Jerry Delaney. 診察する の近くに—what do you discover?"
Carefully Eden looked over the vest, then with a puzzled 空気／公表する 手渡すd it to Holley, who did the same. Holley shook his 長，率いる.
"Nothing?" asked Chan, laughing silently. "Can it be you are not such able 探偵，刑事s as I thought? Here—place 手渡す in pocket—"
（頭が）ひょいと動く Eden thrust his fingers into the pocket 示すd by Chan. "It's chamois-lined," he said. "The watch pocket, that's all."
"True enough," answered Chan. "And on the left, I 推定する."
Eden looked foolish. "Oh," he 認める, "I get you. The watch pocket is on the 権利."
"And why," 固執するd Charlie. "With coat buttoned, 確かな man can not reach watch easily when it reposes at left. Therefore he 教えるs tailor, make pocket for watch on 権利, please." He began to 倍の up the 着せる／賦与するs in order to return them to the 捕らえる、獲得する. "One other fact we know about Jerry Delaney, and it may be used in tracing his movements the day he （機の）カム to this ranch. Jerry Delaney had peculiarity to be left-手渡すd."
"広大な／多数の／重要な Scott!" cried Holley suddenly. They turned to him. He had 選ぶd up the watch again and was 星／主役にするing at it. "Honest Jack McGuire—I remember now."
"You know this McGuire?" 問い合わせd Chan quickly.
"I met him, long ago," Holley replied. "The first night I brought Mr. Eden out here to the ranch, he asked me if I'd ever seen P.J. Madden before. I said that twelve years ago I saw Madden in a 賭事ing house on East Forty-fourth Street, New York, dolled up like a prince and betting his 長，率いる off. Madden himself remembered the occasion when I spoke to him about it."
"But McGuire?" Chan 手配中の，お尋ね者 to know.
"I 解任する now that the 指名する of the man who ran that 賭事ing house was Jack McGuire. Honest Jack, he had the 神経 to call himself. It was a queer 共同の—that was later 証明するd. But Jack McGuire was Delaney's old friend—he gave Jerry a watch as a 記念品 of their friendship. Gentlemen, this is 利益／興味ing. McGuire's 賭事ing house on Forty-fourth Street comes 支援する into the life of P.J. Madden."
When the 捕らえる、獲得する was 完全に repacked and again securely locked, （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden climbed with it to the dusty attic. He 再現するd, the 罠（にかける）-door was の近くにd and the stepladder 除去するd. The three men 直面するd one another, pleased with their morning's work.
"It's after twelve," said Holley. "I must hurry 支援する to town."
"About to make 深く心に感じた suggestion you remain at lunch," 発言／述べるd Chan.
Holley shook his 長，率いる. "That's 肉親，親類d of you, Charlie, but I wouldn't think of it. You must be about fed-up on this cooking proposition, and I won't spoil your first chance for a little vacation. You take my advice, and make Eden rustle his own grub today."
Chan nodded. "True enough that I was planning a modest repast," he returned. "Cooking 商売／仕事 begins to get tiresome like the company of a Japanese. However, fitting 罰 for a postman who walks another man's （警官の）巡回区域，受持ち区域. If Mr. Eden will 容赦, I relax to the extent of 挟むs and tea this noon."
"Sure," said Eden. "We'll dig up something together. Holley, you'd better change your mind."
"No," replied Holley. "I'm going to town and make a few 調査s. Just by way of 立証するing what we 設立する here today. If Jerry Delaney （機の）カム out here last Wednesday, he must have left some sort of 追跡する through the town. Some one may have seen him. Was he alone? I'll speak to the boys at the gas 駅／配置する, the hotel proprietor—"
"謙虚に 示唆する 最大の discretion," said Chan.
"Oh, I understand the need of that. But there's really no danger. Madden has no 関係 whatever with the life of the town. He won't hear of it. Just the same, I'll be discretion itself. 信用 me. I'll come out here again later in the day."
When he had gone, Chan and Eden ate a 冷淡な lunch in the cookhouse, and 再開するd their search. Nothing of any moment rewarded their 成果／努力s, however. At four that afternoon Holley drove into the yard. With him was a lean, sad-looking 青年 whom Eden 認めるd as the real-広い地所 salesman of Date City.
As they entered the room, Chan withdrew, leaving Eden to 迎える／歓迎する them. Holley introduced the 青年 as Mr. DeLisle.
"I've met DeLisle," smiled （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden. "He tried to sell me a corner lot on the 砂漠."
"Yeah," said Mr. DeLisle. "And some day, when the 部隊d Cigar 蓄える／店s and Woolworth are fighting for that stuff, you'll kick yourself up and 負かす／撃墜する every hill in Frisco. However, that's your funeral."
"I brought Mr. DeLisle along," explained Holley, "because I want you to hear the story he's just told me. About last Wednesday night."
"Mr. DeLisle understands that this is confidential—" began Eden.
"Oh, sure," said the young man. "Will's explained all that. You needn't worry. Madden and I ain't 正確に／まさに pals—not after the way he talked to me."
"You saw him last Wednesday night?" Eden 示唆するd.
"No, not that night. It was somebody else I saw then. I was out here at the 開発 until after dark, waiting for a prospect—he never showed up, the lowlife. Anyhow, along about seven o'clock, just as I was の近くにing up the office, a big sedan stopped out in 前線. I went out. There was a little guy 運動ing and another man in the 支援する seat. 'Good evening,' said the little fellow. 'Can you tell me, please, if we're on the road to Madden's ranch?' I said sure, to keep 権利 on straight. The man in the 支援する spoke up. 'How far is it?' he wants to know. 'Shut up, Jerry,' says the little guy. 'I'll …に出席する to this.' He 転換d the gears, and then he got 肉親，親類d of literary. 'And an 主要道路 shall be there and a way,' he says. 'Not any too 明確に defined, Isaiah.' And he drove off. Now why do you suppose he called me Isaiah?"
Eden smiled. "Did you get a good look at him?"
"Pretty good, considering the dark. A thin pale man with sort of grayish lips—no color in them at all. Talked 肉親，親類d of slow and 正確な—awful neat English, like he was a professor or something."
"And the man in the 支援する seat?"
"Couldn't see him very 井戸／弁護士席."
"Ah, yes. And when did you 会合，会う Madden?"
"I'll come to that. After I got home I began to think—Madden was out at the ranch, it seemed. And I got a big idea. Things ain't been going so 井戸／弁護士席 here lately—Florida's been nabbing all the 平易な—all the good prospects—and I said to myself, how about Madden? There's big money. Why not try and 利益／興味 Madden in Date City? Get him behind it. 価値（がある） a 発射 anyhow. So 有望な and 早期に Thursday morning, I （機の）カム out to the ranch."
"About what time?"
"Oh, it must have been a little after eight. I'm 十分な of pep at that hour of the day, and I knew I'd need it. I knocked at the 前線 door, but nobody answered. I tried it—it was locked. I （機の）カム around to the 支援する and the place was 砂漠d. Not a soul in sight."
"Nobody here," repeated Eden, wonderingly.
"Not a living thing but the chickens and the turkeys. And the Chinese parrot, Tony. He was sitting on his perch. 'Hello, Tony,' I said. 'You're a damn crook,' he answers. Now I ask you, is that any way to 迎える／歓迎する a hardworking, honest real-広い地所 man? Wait a minute—don't try to be funny."
"I won't," Eden laughed. "But Madden—"
"井戸／弁護士席, just then Madden drove into the yard with that 長官 of his. I knew the old man 権利 away from his pictures. He looked tired and ugly, and he needed a shave. 'What are you doing here?' he 手配中の，お尋ね者 to know. 'Mr. Madden,' I said, 'have you ever stopped to consider the 可能性s of this land 一連の会議、交渉／完成する here?' And I waltzed 権利 into my selling talk. But I didn't get far. He stopped me, and then he started. Say—the things he called me. I'm not used to that sort of thing—乱用 by an 専門家, and that's what it was. I saw his psychology was all wrong, so I walked out on him. That's the best way—when the old psychology ain't working."
"And that's all?" Eden 問い合わせd.
"That's my story, and I'll stick to it," replied Mr. DeLisle.
"I'm very much 強いるd," Eden said. "Of course, this is all between ourselves. And I may 追加する that if I ever do decide to buy a lot on the 砂漠—"
"You'll consider my stuff, won't you?"
"I certainly will. Just at 現在の, the 砂漠 doesn't look very good to me."
Mr. DeLisle leaned の近くに. "Whisper it not in Eldorado," he said. "I いつかs wish I was 支援する in good old Chi myself. If I ever 攻撃する，衝突する the 宙返り飛行 again, I'm going to nail myself 負かす／撃墜する there."
"If you'll wait outside a few minutes, DeLisle—" Holley began.
"I get you. I'll just mosey 負かす／撃墜する to the 開発 and see if the fountain's working. You can 選ぶ me up there."
The young man went out. Chan （機の）カム quickly from behind a 近づく-by door.
"Get all that Charlie?" Eden 問い合わせd.
"Yes, indeed. Most 利益／興味ing."
"We move 権利 on," said Holley. "Jerry Delaney （機の）カム out to the ranch about seven o'clock Wednesday night, and he didn't come alone. For the first time a fourth man enters the picture. Who? Sounded to me very much like Professor 賭事."
"No 疑問 about that," replied Eden. "He's an old friend of the prophet Isaiah's—he 認める it here Monday after lunch."
"罰金," commented Holley. "We begin to place Mr. 賭事. Here's another thing—some one drove up to the doctor's Sunday night and carried 不安定な Phil away. Couldn't that have been 賭事, too? What do you say, Charlie?"
Chan nodded. "Possible. That person knew of Louie's return. If we could only discover—"
"By George," Eden, cried. "賭事 was at the desk of the Oasis when Louie （機の）カム in. You remember, Holley?"
The editor smiled. "All fits in very neatly. 賭事 sped out here like some 悪意のある 見解／翻訳／版 of Paul 深い尊敬の念を抱く with the news of Louie's arrival. He and 不安定な Phil were at the gate when you drove up."
"But Thorn. That 涙／ほころび in Thorn's coat?"
"We must have been on the wrong 追跡する there. This new theory sounds too good. What else have we learned from DeLisle? After the misadventure with Delaney, Madden and Thorn were out all night. Where?"
Chan sighed. "Not such good news, that. 団体／死体 of Delaney was carried far from this 位置／汚点／見つけ出す."
"I'm afraid it was," 認める Holley. "We'll never find it without help from somebody who knows. There are a hundred lonely canyons 一連の会議、交渉／完成する here where poor Delaney could have been 投げ上げる／ボディチェックするd aside and nobody any the wiser. We'll have to go ahead and perfect our 事例／患者 without the 決定的な bit of 証拠—the 団体／死体 of Delaney. But there are a lot of people in on this, and before we get through, somebody is going to squeal."
Chan was sitting at Madden's desk, idly toying with the big blotting pad that lay on 最高の，を越す. Suddenly his 注目する，もくろむs lighted, and he began to separate the sheets of blotting paper.
"What is this?" he said.
They looked, and saw in the 探偵，刑事's pudgy 手渡す a large sheet of paper, partly filled with 令状ing. Chan perused the missive carefully, and 手渡すd it to Eden. The letter was written in a man's strong 手渡す. "It's 時代遅れの last Wednesday night," Eden 発言／述べるd to Holley. He read:
"DEAR EVELYN:
"I want you to know of 確かな 開発s here at the ranch. As I've told you before, ツバメ Thorn and I have been on very bad 条件 for the past year. This afternoon the big blow-off finally arrived, and I 解任するd him from my service. Tomorrow morning I'm going with him to Pasadena, and when we get there, we part for all time. Of course he knows a lot of things I wish he didn't—さもなければ I'd have scrapped him a year ago. He may make trouble, and I am 警告 you in 事例／患者 he shows up in Denver. I'm going to take this letter in town myself and mail it tonight, as I don't want Thorn to know anything about it—"
The letter stopped 突然の at that point.
"Better and better," said Holley. "Another sidelight on what happened here last Wednesday night. We can picture the scene for ourselves. Madden is sitting at his desk, 令状ing that letter to his daughter. The door opens—some one comes in. Say it's Delaney—Delaney, the man P.J.'s 恐れるd for years. Madden あわてて slips the letter between the leaves of the blotter. He gets to his feet, knowing that he's in for it now. A quarrel 続いて起こるs, and by the time it's over, they've got into Thorn's room somehow and Delaney is dead on the 床に打ち倒す. Then—the problem of what to do with the 団体／死体, not solved until morning. Madden comes 支援する to the ranch tired and worn, realizing that he can't 解任する Thorn now. He must make his peace with the 長官. Thorn knows too much. How about it, Charlie?"
"It has plenty logic," Chan 認める.
"I said this morning I had some ideas on this 事件／事情／状勢 out here," the editor continued, "and everything that has happened today has tended to 確認する them. I'm ready to spring my theory now—that is, if you care to listen."
"Shoot," said Eden.
"To me, it's all as （疑いを）晴らす as a 砂漠 sunrise," Holley went on. "Just let me go over it for you. 再建する it, as the French do. To begin with, Madden is afraid of Delaney. Why? Why is a rich man afraid of anybody? ゆすり，恐喝, of course. Delaney has something on him—maybe something that dates 支援する to that 賭事ing house in New York. Thorn can't be depended on—they've been 列／漕ぐ／騒動ing and he hates his 雇用者. Perhaps he has even gone so far as to link up with Delaney and his friends. Madden buys the pearls, and the ギャング（団） hears of it and decides to spring. What better place than way out here on the 砂漠? 不安定な Phil goes to San Francisco; Delaney and the professor come south. Louie, the faithful old retainer, is 誘惑するd away by 不安定な Phil. The 行う／開催する／段階 is 始める，決める. Delaney arrives with his 脅し. He 需要・要求するs the pearls, money, both. An argument follows, and in the end Delaney, the blackmailer, is killed by Madden. Am I 権利 so far?"
"Sounds plausible," Eden 認める.
"井戸／弁護士席, imagine what followed. When Madden killed Delaney, he probably thought Jerry had come alone. Now he discovers there are others in the ギャング（団）. They have not only the （警察などへの）密告，告訴（状） with which Delaney was 脅すing him, but they have something else on him too. 殺人! The pack is on him—he must buy them off. They clamor for money—and the pearls. They 軍隊 Madden to call up and order the Phillimore necklace sent 負かす／撃墜する here at once. When did he do that, Eden?"
"Last Thursday morning," Eden replied.
"See—what did I tell you? Last Thursday morning, when he got 支援する from his grisly midnight trip. They were on him then—they were ゆすり，恐喝ing him to the 限界. That's the answer to our puzzle. They're ゆすり，恐喝ing him now. At first Madden was just as eager as they were for the necklace—he 手配中の，お尋ね者 to settle the thing and get away. It isn't pleasant to ぐずぐず残る 一連の会議、交渉／完成する the 位置／汚点／見つけ出す where you've done 殺人. The past few days his courage has begun to return, he's temporizing, 捜し出すing a way out. I'm a little sorry for him, I really am." Holley paused. "井戸／弁護士席, that's my idea. What do you think, Charlie? Am I 権利?"
Chan sat turning Madden's unfinished letter slowly in his 手渡す.
"Sounds good," 認める the 探偵，刑事. "However, here and there 反対s arise."
"For example?" Holley 需要・要求するd.
"Madden is big man. Delaney and these others, nobody much. He could 発表する he killed blackmailer in self-弁護."
"So he could—if Thorn were friendly and would 支援する him up. But the 長官 is 敵意を持った and might 脅す to tell a different story. Besides, remember it isn't only the 殺人，大当り of Delaney they have against him. There's the （警察などへの）密告，告訴（状） Delaney has been 持つ／拘留するing over his 長，率いる."
Chan nodded. "So very true. One other fact, and then I 中止する my 残虐な faultfinding. Louie, long in 信用／信任 of Chinese parrot, is killed. Yet Louie 出発／死 for San Francisco on Wednesday morning, twelve hours before 悲劇の night. Is not his 殺人 then a useless gesturing?"
Holley considered. "井戸／弁護士席, that is a point. But he was Madden's friend, which was a pretty good 推論する／理由 for not wanting him here. They preferred their 犠牲者 alone and helpless. A rather weak explanation, perhaps. さもなければ I'm strong for my theory. You're not so keen on it."
Chan shook his 長，率いる. "For one 推論する／理由 only. Long experience has taught 致命的な consequence may follow if I get too （麻薬）常用者d to a theory. Then I try and see, can I make everything fit. I can, and first thing I know theory 爆発するs in my countenance with loud bang. Much better I have 設立する to keep mind 解放する／自由な and open."
"Then you 港／避難所't any idea on all this to 始める，決める up against 地雷?" Holley asked.
"No 独房監禁 one. 率直に speaking, I am 完全に in the dark." He ちらりと見ることd at the letter in his 手渡す. "Or nearly so," he 追加するd. "We watch and wait, and maybe I clutch something soon."
"That's all 権利," said Eden, "but I have a feeling we don't watch and wait much longer at Madden's ranch. Remember, I 約束d that Draycott would 会合，会う him today in Pasadena. He'll be 支援する soon, asking how come?"
"Unfortunate 出来事/事件," shrugged Chan. "Draycott and he have failed to connect. Many times that has happened when two strangers make 任命. It can happen again."
Eden sighed. "I suppose so. But I hope P.J. Madden's feeling good-natured when he comes home from Pasadena tonight. There's a chance that he's こどもing 法案 Hart's gun again, and I don't like the idea of lying behind a bed with nothing showing but my shoes. I 港／避難所't had a 向こうずね for a week."
The sun 始める，決める behind far 頂点（に達する）s of snow; the 砂漠 purpled under a ぱらぱら雨ing of 星／主役にするs. In the 温度計 that hung on a patio 塀で囲む the 水銀柱，温度計 began its quick relentless 落ちる, a sharp 勝利，勝つd swept over the desolate waste, and loneliness settled on the world.
"Warm food needed now," 発言／述べるd Chan. "With your 許可 I will open 非常に／多数の cans."
"Anything but the arsenic," Eden told him. He 出発／死d for the cookhouse.
Holley had long since gone, and （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden sat alone by the window, looking out at a 広大な silence. Lots of room left in America yet, he 反映するd. Did they think that, those throngs of people packed into subways at this hour, 捜し出すing （米）棚上げする／（英）提議するs in noisy restaurants, waiting at jammed corners for the traffic signal, climbing 疲れた／うんざりした and worn at last to the pigeon-穴を開けるs they called home? 肘 room on the 砂漠; room to 拡大する the chest. But a feeling of disquiet, too, a haunting 現実化 of one man's ridiculous unimportance in the 計画／陰謀 of things.
Chan entered with a tray on which the dishes were piled high. He 始める，決める 負かす／撃墜する on the （米）棚上げする／（英）提議する two steaming plates of soup.
"Deign to join me," he 示唆するd. "First course is now served with the 肉親，親類d 援助 of the can-opener."
"老年の in the tin, eh, Charlie?" smiled Eden, 製図／抽選 up. "井戸／弁護士席, I'll bet it's good, at that. You're a bit of a magician in the kitchen." They began to eat. "Charlie, I've been thinking," the boy continued. "I know now why I have this sense of 不安 on the 砂漠. It's because I feel so 非難するd small. Look at me, and then look out the window, and tell me where I get off to strut like a somebody through the world."
"Not bad feeling for the white man to experience," Chan 保証するd him. "Chinese has it all time. Chinese knows he is one minute 穀物 of sand on seashore of eternity. With what result? He is 静める and 静かな and humble. No 神経s, like hopping, skipping Caucasian. Life for him not so much ordeal."
"Yes, and he's happier, too," said Eden.
"Sure," replied Chan. He produced a platter of canned salmon. "All time in San Francisco I behold white men hot and excited. Life like a fever, always getting worse. What for? Where does it end? Same place as Chinese life, I think."
When they had finished Eden 試みる／企てるd to help with the dishes, but was politely 抑制するd. He sat 負かす／撃墜する and turned on the 無線で通信する. The strong 発言する／表明する of a leather-肺d announcer rang out in the 静かな room.
"Now, folks, we got a real 扱う／治療する for you this balmy, typical California evening. 行方不明になる Norma Fitzgerald, of the One Night in June company now playing at the Mason, is going to sing—er—what are you going to sing, Norma? Norma says wait and find out."
At について言及する of the girl's 指名する, （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden called to the 探偵，刑事, who entered and stood expectantly. "Hello, folks," （機の）カム 行方不明になる Fitzgerald's 迎える／歓迎するing. "I certainly am glad to be 支援する in good old L.A."
"Hello, Norma," Eden said, "never mind the songs. Two gentlemen out on the 砂漠 would like a word with you. Tell us about Jerry Delaney."
She couldn't have heard him, for she began to sing in a （疑いを）晴らす, beautiful soprano 発言する／表明する. Chan and the boy listened in silence.
"More of the white man's mysteries," Charlie 発言／述べるd when she had finished. "So 近づく to her, and yet so far away. Seems to me that we must visit this lady soon."
"Ah yes—but how?" 問い合わせd Eden.
"It will be arranged," Chan said, and 消えるd.
Eden tried a 調書をとる／予約する. An hour later he was interrupted by the peal of the telephone bell, and a cheery 発言する／表明する answered his hello.
"Still pining for the 有望な lights?"
"I sure am," he replied.
"井戸／弁護士席, the movies are in town," said Paula Wendell. "Come on in."
He hurried to his room. Chan had built a 解雇する／砲火／射撃 in the patio, and was sitting before it, the warm light flickering on his chubby impassive 直面する. When Eden returned with his hat, he paused beside the 探偵，刑事.
"Getting some new ideas?" he asked.
"About our puzzle?" Chan shook his 長，率いる. "No. At this moment I am far from Madden's ranch. I am in Honolulu where nights are soft and 甘い, not like chilly 砂漠 dark. Must 収容する／認める my heart is 重さを計るd a little with homesick qualms. I picture my humble house on Punchbowl Hill, where lanterns glow and my ten children are gathered 一連の会議、交渉／完成する."
"Ten!" cried Eden. "広大な／多数の／重要な Scott—you are a father."
"Very proud one," assented Chan. "You are going from here?"
"I'm running in town for a while. 行方不明になる Wendell called up—it seems the picture people have arrived. By the way, I just remembered—tomorrow is the day Madden 約束d they could come out here. I bet the old man's clean forgot it."
"Most likely. Better not to tell him, he might 辞退する 許可. I have 制限のない yearning to see movies in throes of 存在 born. Should I go home and 報告（する）／憶測 that experience to my eldest daughter, who is all time sunk in movie magazines, ancestor worship breaks out plenty strong at my house."
Eden laughed. "井戸／弁護士席 then, let's hope you get the chance. I'll be 支援する 早期に."
A few minutes later he was again in the flivver, under the platinum 星／主役にするs. He thought fleetingly of Louie Wong, buried now in the 荒涼とした little graveyard 支援する of Eldorado, but his mind turned quickly to happier things. With a lively feeling of 予期 he climbed between the twin hills at the gateway, and the yellow lights of the 砂漠 town were winking at him.
The moment he crossed the threshold of the 砂漠 辛勝する／優位 Hotel, he knew this was no ordinary night in Eldorado. From the parlor at the left （機の）カム the 緊張するs of giddy, inharmonious music, laughter, and a medley of 発言する／表明するs. Paula Wendell met him and led him in.
The stuffy little room, 時代遅れの by 激しい 使節団 furniture and bits of broken plaster hanging crazily from the 天井, was 新たにするing its 青年 in pleasant company. （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden met the movies in their hours of 緩和する, childlike, happy people, seemingly without a care in the world. A very pretty girl gave him a 手渡す which 解任するd his father's 宝石類 shop, and then 回復するd it to the ukulele she was playing. A tall young man 指定するd as Rannie, whose 着せる／賦与するs were perfection and whose collar and shirt shamed the blue of California's sky, desisted 簡潔に from his 拷問 of a saxophone.
"Hello, old-timer," he 発言／述べるd. "I hope you brought your harp." And 即時に ran amuck on the saxophone again.
A middle-老年の actor with a bronzed, rather hard 直面する was officiating at the piano. In a far corner a grand dame and an old man with snow-white hair sat apart from the （人が）群がる, and Eden dropped 負かす／撃墜する beside them.
"What was the 指名する?" asked the old man, his 手渡す behind his ear. "Ah, yes, I'm glad to 会合，会う any friend of Paula's. We're a little clamorous here tonight, Mr. Eden. It's like the 早期に days when I was trouping—how we used to skylark on 駅／配置する 壇・綱領・公約s! We were happy then—no movies. Eh, my dear?" he 追加するd to the woman.
She bent a bit. "Yes—but I never trouped much. Thank heaven I was usually able to steer （疑いを）晴らす of those terrible towns where Main Street is upstairs. Mr. Belasco rarely asked me to leave New York." She turned to Eden. "I was in Belasco companies fifteen years," she explained.
"Wonderful experience, no 疑問," the boy replied.
"Greatest school in the world," she said. "Mr. Belasco thought very 高度に of my work. I remember once at a dress rehearsal he told me he could never have put on the piece without me, and he gave me a big red apple. You know that was Mr. Belasco's way of—"
The din had momentarily stopped, and the 主要な man cried:
"苦しむing cats! She's telling him about the apple, and the poor guy only just got here. Go on, Fanny, spring the one about the time you played Portia. What Charlie Frohman said—as soon as he （機の）カム to, I mean."
"Humph," shrugged Fanny. "If you young people in this profession had a few traditions like us, the pictures wouldn't be such a joke. I thank my 星／主役にするs—"
"Hush, everybody," put in Paula Wendell. "Introducing 行方不明になる Diane Day on Hollywood's favorite 器具, the ukulele."
The girl she referred to smiled and, まっただ中に a sudden silence, 開始する，打ち上げるd into a London music-hall song. Like most of its genre, its 輸入する was not such as to recommend it for a church social, but she did it 井戸／弁護士席, with a 公式文書，認める of haunting sweetness in her 発言する／表明する. After another of the same sort she switched suddenly into Way 負かす／撃墜する upon the Swannee River and there were 涙／ほころびs in her 発言する／表明する now, a poignant sadness in the room. It was too solemn for Rannie.
"Mr. Eddie Boston at the piano, Mr. Randolph Renault 扱うing the saxophone," he shouted, "will now 申し込む／申し出 for your 是認 that touching ballad, So's Your Old 蜜柑. Let her go, Professor."
"Don't think they're always like this," Paula Wendell said to Eden above the ゆすり. "It's only when they have a hotel to themselves, as they usually have here."
They had it indeed to themselves, save for the lads of the village, who suddenly 設立する 圧力（をかける）ing 商売／仕事 in the ロビー, and passed and repassed the parlor door, open-mouthed with wonder.
The 是認 shown the instrumental duet was scant indeed, 予定, Mr. Renault 示唆するd, to professional jealousy.
"The next number on our very generous program," he 発表するd, "will follow すぐに. It's called Let's Talk about My Sweetie Now. On your 示す—Eddie."
"Nothing doing," cried the girl known as Diane. "I 港／避難所't had my Charleston lesson today, and it's getting late. Eddie—kindly 強いる."
Eddie 強いるd. In another moment every one save the two old people in the corner had leaped into 活動／戦闘. The でっちあげる，人を罪に陥れるd, autographed portraits that other film celebrities had bestowed on the proprietor of the 砂漠 辛勝する／優位 動揺させるd on the 塀で囲むs. The windows shook. Suddenly in the doorway appeared a bald man with a 暗い／優うつな 注目する，もくろむ.
"Good lord," he shouted. "How do you 推定する／予想する me to get my 残り／休憩（する）?"
"Hello, マイク," said Rannie. "What is it you want to 残り／休憩（する） from?"
"You direct a ギャング（団） like this for a while, and you'll know," replied マイク sourly. "It's ten o'clock. If you'll take my advice for once, you'll turn in. Everybody's to 報告（する）／憶測 in 衣装, here in the ロビー tomorrow morning at eight-thirty."
This news was 迎える／歓迎するd with a chorus of low moans. "Nine-thirty, you say?" Rannie 問い合わせd.
"Eight-thirty. You heard me. And anybody who's late 支払う／賃金s a good stiff 罰金. Now please go to bed and let decent people sleep."
"Decent people?" repeated Rannie softly, as the director 消えるd. "He's flattering himself again." But the party was over, and the company moved reluctantly up the stairs to the second 床に打ち倒す. Mr. Renault returned the saxophone to the desk.
"Say, landlord, there's a sour 公式文書，認める in this thing," he complained. "Have it 直す／買収する，八百長をするd before I come again."
"Sure will, Mr. Renault," 約束d the proprietor.
"Too 早期に for bed, no 事柄 what マイク says," 発言／述べるd Eden, 操縦するing Paula Wendell to the street. "Let's take a walk. Eldorado doesn't look much like Union Square, but night 空気／公表する is night 空気／公表する wherever you find it."
"Lucky for me it isn't Union Square," said the girl. "I wouldn't be tagging along, if it was."
"Is that so?"
They strolled 負かす／撃墜する Main Street, white and empty in the moonlight. In a lighted window of the 位置／汚点／見つけ出す Cash 蓄える／店 hung a brilliant patchwork quilt.
"To be raffled off by the ladies of the Orange Blossom Club for the 利益 of the 孤児s' Home," Eden read. "Think I'll take a chance on that tomorrow."
"Better not get mixed up with any Orange Blossom Club," 示唆するd Paula Wendell.
"Oh, I can take care of myself. And it's the 孤児s I'm thinking of, you know."
"That's your 肉親，親類d heart," she answered. They climbed a 狭くする sandy road. Yellow lamplight in the 前線 window of a bungalow was suddenly blotted out.
"Look at that moon," said Eden. "Like a slice of honeydew melon just off the ice."
"Fond of food, aren't you," 発言／述べるd the girl. "I'll always think of you 格闘するing with that steak."
"A man must eat. And if it hadn't been for the steak, we might never have met."
"What if we hadn't?" she asked.
"Pretty lonesome for me 負かす／撃墜する here in that event." They turned about in silence. "You know, I've been thinking," Eden continued. "We're bound to come to the end of things at the ranch presently. And I'll have to go 支援する—"
"支援する to your freedom. That will be nice."
"You bet it will. All the same, I don't want you to forget me after I've gone. I want to go on 存在 your—er—your friend. Or what have you?"
"Splendid. One always needs friends."
"令状 to me occasionally. I'll want to know how Wilbur is. You never can tell—is he careful crossing the streets?"
"Wilbur will always be 罰金, I'm sure." They stopped before the hotel. "Good night," said the girl.
"Just a minute. If there hadn't been a Wilbur—"
"But there was. Don't commit yourself. I'm afraid it's the moon, looking so much like a slice of melon—"
"It's not the moon. It's you."
The proprietor of the 砂漠 辛勝する／優位 （機の）カム to the door. 薄暗い lights 燃やすd in the 内部の of the hotel.
"Lord, 行方不明になる Wendell," he said. "I nearly locked you out."
"I'm coming," returned the girl. "See you at the ranch tomorrow, Mr. Eden."
"罰金," answered Eden. He nodded to the landlord, and the 前線 door of the hotel banged shut in his 直面する.
As he drove out across the lonely 砂漠, he began to wonder what he was going to say to the restless P.J. Madden when he reached the ranch. The millionaire would be home from Pasadena now; he had 推定する／予想するd to 会合，会う Draycott there. And Draycott was in San Francisco, little dreaming of the part his 指名する was playing in the 演劇 of the Phillimore pearls. P.J. would be furious, he would 需要・要求する an explanation.
But nothing like that happened. The ranch house was in 不明瞭 and only Ah Kim was in 証拠 about the place.
"Madden and others in bed now," explained the Chinese. "（機の）カム home tired and very much dusted and at once retired to rooms."
"井戸／弁護士席, I've got it on good 当局 that tomorrow is another day," replied Eden. "I'll turn in, too."
When he reached the breakfast （米）棚上げする／（英）提議する on Thursday morning, the three men were there before him. "Everything run off 滑らかに in Pasadena yesterday?" he 問い合わせd brightly.
Thorn and 賭事 星／主役にするd at him, and Madden frowned. "Yes, yes, of course," he said. He 追加するd a look which 明確に meant: "Shut up."
After breakfast Madden joined the boy in the yard. "Keep that 事柄 of Draycott to yourself," he ordered.
"You saw him, I suppose?" Eden 問い合わせd.
"I did not."
"What! Why, that's too bad. But not knowing each other I suppose—"
"No 調印する of anybody that looked like your man to me. You know, I'm beginning to wonder about you—"
"But Mr. Madden, I told him to be there."
"井戸／弁護士席, as a 事柄 of fact, I didn't care 特に. Things didn't work out as I 推定する／予想するd. I think now you'd better get 持つ／拘留する of him and tell him to come to Eldorado. Did he call you up?"
"He may have. I was in town last night. At any 率, he's sure to call soon."
"井戸／弁護士席, if he doesn't, you'd better go over to Pasadena and get 持つ／拘留する of him—"
A トラックで運ぶ filled with 動議-picture camera men, 支え（る）s, and actors in weird 衣装s stopped before the ranch. Two other cars followed. Some one alighted to open the gate.
"What's this?" cried Madden.
"This is Thursday," answered Eden. "Have you forgotten—"
"Forgot it 完全に," said Madden. "Thorn! Where's Thorn?"
The 長官 現れるd from the house. "It's the movies, 長，指導者. This was the day—"
"Damnation!" growled Madden. "井戸／弁護士席, we'll have to go through with it. ツバメ, you look after things." He went inside.
The movies were all 商売／仕事 this morning, in contrast to the careless gaiety of the night before. The cameras were 始める，決める up in the open end of the patio. The actors, in Spanish 衣装, stood ready. （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden went over to Paula Wendell.
"Good morning," she said. "I （機の）カム along in 事例／患者 Madden tried to renig on his 約束. You see, I know so much about him now—"
The director passed. "This will be O.K.," he 発言／述べるd to the girl.
"Pleased him for once," she smiled to Eden. "That せねばならない get into the papers."
The script was a story of old California, and presently they were grinding away at a big scene in the patio.
"No, no, no," wailed the director. "What ails you this morning, Rannie? You're 説 good-bye to the girl—you love her, love her, love her. You'll probably never see her again."
"The hell I won't," replied the actor. "Then the thing's a flop 権利 now."
"You know what I mean—you think you'll never see her again. Her father has just kicked you out of the house forever. A bit of a critic, the father. But come on—this is the big 別れの（言葉，会）. Your heart is broken. Broken, my boy—what are you grinning about?"
"Come on, Diane," said the actor. "I'm never going to see you again, and I'm supposed to be sorry about it. Ye gods, the things these script-writers imagine. However, here goes. My art's equal to anything."
Eden strolled over to where the white-haired patriarch and Eddie Boston were sitting together on a pile of 板材 beside the barn. 近づく at 手渡す, Ah Kim hovered, all 注目する，もくろむs for these queer antics of the white men.
Boston leaned 支援する and lighted a 麻薬を吸う. "Speaking of Madden," he 発言／述べるd, "makes me think of Jerry Delaney. Ever know Jerry, Pop?"
Startled, Eden moved nearer. The old man put his 手渡す behind his ear.
"Who's that?" he 問い合わせd.
"Delaney," shouted Boston. Chan also 辛勝する／優位d closer. "Jerry Delaney. There was one smooth 労働者 in his line, Pop. I hope I get a chance—I'm going to ask Madden if he remembers—"
A loud 激しい抗議 for Mr. Boston arose in the patio, and he laid 負かす／撃墜する his 麻薬を吸う and fled. Chan and （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden looked at each other.
The company worked 刻々と until the lunch hour arrived. Then, scattered about the yard and the patio, they busied themselves with the generous 挟むs of the Oasis and with coffee served from thermos 瓶／封じ込めるs. Suddenly Madden appeared in the doorway of the living-room. He was in a genial mood.
"Just a word of welcome," he said. "Make yourselves at home." He shook 手渡すs with the director and, moving about, spoke a few moments with each member of the company in turn. The girl 指名するd Diane held his attention for some time.
Presently he （機の）カム to Eddie Boston. Casually Eden managed it so that he was 近づく by during that interview.
"Boston's the 指名する," said the actor. His hard 直面する lighted. "I was hoping to 会合，会う you, Mr. Madden. I 手配中の，お尋ね者 to ask if you remember an old friend of 地雷—Jerry Delaney, of New York?"
Madden's 注目する，もくろむs 狭くするd, but the poker 直面する 勝利d.
"Delaney?" he repeated, vacantly.
"Yes—Jerry Delaney, who used to hang out at Jack McGuire's place on Forty-fourth Street," Boston 固執するd. "You know, he—"
"I don't 解任する him," said Madden. He was moving away. "I 会合，会う so many people."
"Maybe you don't want to 解任する him," said Boston, and there was an 半端物 公式文書，認める in his 発言する／表明する. "I can't say I 非難する you either, sir. No, I guess you wouldn't care much for Delaney. It was a 罪，犯罪 what he did to you—"
Madden looked anxiously about. "What do you know about Delaney?" he asked in a low トン.
"I know a lot about him," Boston replied. He （機の）カム の近くに, and （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden could barely distinguish the words. "I know all about Delaney, Mr. Madden."
For a moment they stood 星／主役にするing at each other.
"Come inside, Mr. Boston," Madden 示唆するd, and Eden watched them disappear through the door into the living-room.
Ah Kim （機の）カム into the patio with a tray on which were cigars and cigarettes, the 申し込む／申し出ing of the host. As he paused before the director, that gentleman looked at him 熱心に. "By gad, here's a type," he cried. "Say, John—how'd you like to 行為／法令／行動する in the pictures?"
"You clazy, boss," grinned Ah Kim.
"No, I'm not. We could use you in Hollywood."
"Him lookee like you make 'um big joke."
"Nothing of the 肉親，親類d. You think it over. Here." He wrote on a card. "You change your mind, you come and see me. Savvy?"
"Maybe nuddah day, boss. Plenty happly heah now." He moved along with his tray.
（頭が）ひょいと動く Eden sat 負かす／撃墜する beside Paula Wendell. He was, for all his outward 静める, in a very perturbed 明言する／公表する of mind.
"Look here," he began, "something has happened, and you can help us again." He explained about Jerry Delaney, and repeated the conversation he had just overheard between Madden and Eddie Boston. The girl's 注目する，もくろむs were wide. "It wouldn't do for Chan or me to make any 調査s," he 追加するd. "What sort of fellow is this Boston?"
"Rather unpleasant person," she said. "I've never liked him."
"井戸／弁護士席, suppose you ask him a few questions, the first chance you have. I 推定する that won't come until you get 支援する to town. Find out all he knows about Jerry Delaney, but do it in a way that won't rouse his 疑惑s, if you can."
"I'll certainly try," she answered. "I'm not very clever—"
"Who says you're not? You're mighty clever—and 肉親，親類d, too. Call me up as soon as you've talked with him, and I'll hurry in town."
The director was on his feet. "Come on—let's get this thing finished. Is everybody here? Eddie! Where's Eddie?"
Mr. Boston 現れるd from the living-room, his 直面する a mask, telling nothing. Not going to be an 平易な 事柄, （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden 反映するd, to pump Eddie Boston.
An hour later the movies 消えるd 負かす／撃墜する the road in a cloud of dust, with Paula Wendell's roadster 追跡するing. （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden sought out Charlie Chan. In the seclusion behind the cookhouse, he again went over Boston's surprising 発言／述べるs to Madden. The 探偵，刑事's little 黒人／ボイコット 注目する，もくろむs shone.
"We march again," he said. "Eddie Boston becomes with sudden flash our one best wager. He must be made to talk. But how?"
"Paula Wendell's going to have a try at it," Eden replied.
Chan nodded. "罰金 idea, I think. In presence of pretty girl, what man keeps silent? We pin our eager hopes on that."
An hour later （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden answered a （犯罪の）一味 on the telephone. Happily the living room was 砂漠d. Paula Wendell was on the wire.
"What luck?" asked the boy in a low 発言する／表明する.
"Not so good," she answered. "Eddie was in a terrific 急ぐ when we got 支援する to town. He packed his things, paid his 法案, and was running out of the hotel when I caught him. 'Listen, Eddie—I want to ask you—' I began, but that was as far as I got. He pointed to the 駅／配置する. 'Can't talk now, Paula,' he said. 'Catching the Los Angeles train.' And managed to swing 船内に it just as it was pulling out."
Eden was silent for a moment "That's 半端物. He'd 自然に have gone 支援する with the company, wouldn't he? By automobile?"
"Of course. He （機の）カム that way. 井戸／弁護士席, I'm awfully sorry, 長，指導者. I've fallen 負かす／撃墜する on the 職業. I guess there's nothing for me to do but turn in my 保護物，者 and nightstick—"
"Nothing of the sort. You did your best."
"But it wasn't good enough. I'm sorry. I'm 軍隊d to start for Hollywood in my car in about an hour. Shall you be here when I come 支援する?"
Eden sighed. "Me? It begins to look as though I'd be here forever."
"How terrible."
"What sort of speech is that?"
"For you, I mean."
"Oh! 井戸／弁護士席, thank you very much. I'll hope to see you soon."
He hung up and went into the yard. Ah Kim was loitering 近づく the cookhouse. Together they strolled into the barn.
"We pinned our eager hopes on empty 空気／公表する," said Eden. He repeated his conversation with Paula Wendell.
Chan nodded, unperturbed. "I would have made fat wager same would happen. Eddie Boston knows all about Delaney, and 収容する／認めるs the fact to Madden. What the use we try to see Boston then? Madden has seen him first."
（頭が）ひょいと動く Eden dropped 負かす／撃墜する on a 乱打するd old settee that had been 追放するd from the house. He put his 長，率いる in his 手渡すs.
"井戸／弁護士席, I'm discouraged," he 認める. "We're up against a 石／投石する 塀で囲む, Charlie."
"Many times in my life I find myself in that 正確な locality," returned the 探偵，刑事. "What happens? I 乱打する old 長，率いる until it feels sore, and then a splendid idea 攻撃する，非難するs me. I go around."
"What do you 示唆する?"
"可能性s of ranch now exhausted and drooping. We must look どこかよそで. 指名するs of three cities gallop into mind—Pasadena, Los Angeles, Hollywood."
"All very 罰金—but how to get there? By gad—I think I can manage it at that. Madden was 説 this morning I せねばならない go to Pasadena and look up Draycott. It seems that for some strange 推論する／理由 they didn't 会合，会う yesterday."
Chan smiled. "Did he 陳列する，発揮する peevish feeling as result?"
"No, oddly enough, he didn't. I don't think he 手配中の，お尋ね者 to 会合，会う Draycott, with the professor tagging along. Paula Wendell's going over that way すぐに in her car. If I hurry, I may be able to ride with her."
"Which, to my thinking, would be joyful traveling," agreed Chan. "急いで along. We have more talk when I 行為／法令／行動する part of taxi-driver and carry you to Eldorado."
（頭が）ひょいと動く Eden went at once to Madden's bedroom. The door was open and he saw the 抱擁する 人物／姿／数字 of the millionaire stretched on the bed, his snores 粉々にするing the 静める afternoon. He 大打撃を与えるd loudly on the パネル盤 of the door.
Madden leaped from the bed with startling suddenness, his 注目する，もくろむs 即時に wide and 星／主役にするing. He seemed like one 推定する／予想するing trouble. For a moment, Eden pitied the 広大な／多数の／重要な man. Beyond all question Madden was caught in some inexplicable 逮捕する; he was 悩ますd and worn, but fighting still. Not a happy 人物／姿／数字, for all his millions.
"I'm awfully sorry to 乱す 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 はっきりと. He の近くにd the door. "The 事柄 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 賭事 doesn't strike me as 存在 what he pretends. And—"
"Yes, sir," said Eden hopefully, as the millionaire paused.
"井戸／弁護士席, I won't go into that. You 位置を示す Draycott and tell him to come to Eldorado. Tell him to put up at the 砂漠 辛勝する／優位 and keep his mouth shut. I'll get in touch with him すぐに. Until I do he's to 嘘（をつく） low. Is that understood?"
"Perfectly, Mr. Madden. I'm sorry this thing has dragged out as it has—"
"Oh, that's all 権利. You go and tell Ah Kim I said he was to 運動 you to Eldorado—unless your movie friends are coming out here for you."
"No—I shall have to enlist Ah Kim again. Thank you, sir. I'll be 支援する soon."
"Good luck," answered Madden.
あわてて Eden threw a few things into his スーツケース, and waited in the yard for Ah Kim and the flivver. 賭事 appeared.
"Not leaving us, Mr. Eden?" he 問い合わせd in his 穏やかな way.
"No such luck—for you," the boy replied. "Just a short trip."
"On 商売／仕事, perhaps?" 固執するd the professor gently.
"Perhaps," smiled Eden, and the car with its Chinese chauffeur appearing at that moment, he leaped in.
Again he and Chan were abroad in the yellow glory of a 砂漠 sunset. "井戸／弁護士席, Charlie," Eden said, "I'm a little new at this 探偵，刑事 商売／仕事. What am I to do first?"
"投げ上げる／ボディチェックする all worry out of mind. I shall hover 一連の会議、交渉／完成する your 肘, doing 誘発する work."
"You? How are you going to get away?"
"平易な thing. Tomorrow morning I 発表する I take day off to visit sick brother in Los Angeles. Very 古代の 嘆願 of all Chinese servants. Madden will be angry, but he will not 嫌疑者，容疑者／疑う. Train leaves Eldorado at seven in the morning, going to Pasadena. I am 船内に, reaching there at eleven. You will, I hope, condescend to 会合，会う me at 駅／配置する?"
"With the greatest 楽しみ. We take Pasadena first, eh?"
"So I would 計画（する） it. We ascertain Madden's movements there on Wednesday. What happened at bank? Did he visit home? Then Hollywood, and maybe Eddie Boston. After that, we ask the lady soprano to desist from singing and talk a little time."
"All 権利, but we're going to be a 罰金 pair," Eden replied, "with no 当局 to question anybody. You may be a policeman in Honolulu, but that isn't likely to go very big in Southern California."
Chan shrugged. "Ways will open. Paths will （疑いを）晴らす."
"I hope so," the boy answered. "And here's another thing. Aren't we taking a big chance? Suppose Madden hears of our antics? Risky, isn't it?"
"Risky pretty good word for it," agreed Chan. "But we are desperate now. We take long 賭事s."
"I'll say we're desperate," sighed Eden. "Me, I'm getting desperater every minute. I may 同様に tell you that if we come 支援する from this trip with no 限定された light on things, I'll be 堅固に tempted to 解除する a big 重荷（を負わせる） from your stomach—and my mind."
"Patience very nice virtue," smiled Chan.
"井戸／弁護士席, you せねばならない know," Eden said. "You've got a bigger 供給（する） on 手渡す than any man I ever met."
When they reached the 砂漠 辛勝する／優位 Hotel, Eden was relieved to see Paula Wendell's car parked in 前線. They waited by the little roadster, and while they did so, Will Holley （機の）カム along. They told him of their 計画（する）s.
"I can help you a bit," said the editor. "Madden has a 管理人 at his Pasadena house—a 罰金 old chap 指名するd Peter Fogg. He's been 負かす／撃墜する here several times, and I know him rather 井戸／弁護士席." He wrote on a card. "Give him that, and tell him I sent you."
"Thanks," said Eden. "We'll need it, or I'm much mistaken."
Paula Wendell appeared.
"広大な／多数の／重要な news for you," Eden 発表するd. "I'm riding with you as far as Pasadena."
"罰金," she replied. "Jump in."
Eden climbed into the roadster. "See you boys later," he called, and the car started.
"You せねばならない get a 正規の／正選手 taxi, with a メーター," Eden 示唆するd.
"Nonsense. I'm glad to have you."
"Are you really?"
"Certainly am. Your 負わせる will help to keep the car on the road."
"Lady, you surely can flatter," he told her. "I'll 運動, if you like."
"No, thanks—I guess I'd better. I know the roads."
"You're always so efficient, you make me nervous," he commented.
"I wasn't so efficient when it （機の）カム to Eddie Boston. I'm sorry about that."
"Don't you worry. Eddie's a 堅い bird. Chan and I will try him presently."
"Where does the big mystery stand now?" asked the girl.
"It stands there leering at us," the boy replied. "Just as it always has." For a time they 推測するd on Madden's unexplained 殺人 of Delaney. 一方／合間 they were climbing between the hills, while the night gathered about them. Presently they dropped 負かす／撃墜する into a green fertile valley, fragrant with the scent of blossoms.
"Um," sighed Eden, breathing 深い. "Smells pretty. What is it?"
The girl ちらりと見ることd at him. "You poor, benighted soul. Orange blossoms."
"Oh! 井戸／弁護士席, 自然に I couldn't be 推定する／予想するd to know that."
"Of course not."
"The 非難するd man gets a rather pleasant whiff in his last moments, doesn't he? I suppose it 行為／法令／行動するs like ether—and when he comes to, he's married." A 無謀な driver raced toward them on the wrong 味方する of the road. "Look out!"
"I saw him coming," said the girl. "You're 安全な with me. How many times must I tell you that?"
They had dinner and a dance or two at an inn in Riverside, and all too soon, it seemed to Eden, arrived at Pasadena. The girl drove up before the Maryland Hotel, 用意が出来ている to 減少（する） him.
"But look here," he 抗議するd. "I'll see you 安全に to Hollywood, of course."
"No need of that," she smiled. "I'm like you. I can take care of myself."
"Is that so?"
"Want to see me tomorrow?"
"Always want to see you tomorrow. Chan and I are coming over your way. Where can we find you?"
She told him she would be at the picture studio at one o'clock, and with a gay good-bye, disappeared 負かす／撃墜する the brightly-lighted stretch of Colorado Street. Eden went in to a 静かな night at the hotel.
After breakfast in the morning he 解任するd that an old college friend 指名するd Spike Bristol was 報告（する）／憶測d in the class histories as living now in Pasadena. The telephone directory furnished Bristol's 演説（する）／住所, and Eden 始める，決める out to find him. His friend turned out to be one of the more decorative features of a 社債 office.
"社債 salesman, eh?" said Eden, when the greetings were over.
"Yes—it was either that or real 広い地所," replied Bristol. "I was 決めかねて for some time. Finally I 選ぶd this."
"Of course," laughed Eden. "As any class history 証明するs, gentlemen prefer 社債s. How are you getting on?"
"罰金. All my old friends are buying from me."
"Ah, now I know why you were so glad to see me."
"Sure was. We have some very pretty first mortgage sixes—"
"I'll bet you have—and you can keep them. I'm here on 商売／仕事, Spike—私的な 商売／仕事. Keep what I say under your hat."
"Never wear one," answered Spike brightly. "That's the beauty of this 気候—"
"You can't sell me the 気候, either. Spike, you know P.J. Madden, don't you?"
"井戸／弁護士席—we're not very chummy. He hasn't asked me to dinner. But of course all us big financiers are 熟知させるd. As for Madden, I did him a service only a couple of days ago."
"Elucidate."
"This is just between us. Madden （機の）カム in here Wednesday morning with a hundred and ten thousand dollars' 価値（がある） of negotiable 社債s—mostly Liberties—and we sold them for him the same day. Paid him in cash, too."
"正確に what I 手配中の，お尋ね者 to know. Spike, I'd like to talk with somebody at Madden's bank about his 活動／戦闘s there Wednesday."
"Who are you—Sherlock Holmes?"
"井戸／弁護士席—" Eden thought of Chan. "I am connected with the police, 一時的に." Spike whistled. "I may go so far as to say—and for heaven's sake keep it to yourself—that Madden is in trouble. At the 現在の moment I'm stopping at his ranch on the 砂漠, and I have every 推論する／理由 to believe he's 存在 ゆすり，恐喝d."
Spike looked at him. "What if he is? That せねばならない be his 商売／仕事."
"It せねばならない be, but it isn't. A 確かな 処理／取引 with my father is 伴う／関わるd. Do you know anybody at the Garfield Bank?"
"One of my best friends is cashier there. But you know these 銀行業者s—hard-boiled eggs. However, we'll have a try."
They went together to the marble 管区s of the Garfield Bank. Spike held a long and earnest conversation with his friend. Presently he called Eden over and introduced him.
"How do you do," said the 銀行業者. "You realize that what Spike here 示唆するs is やめる 不規律な. But if he vouches for you, I suppose—What is it you want to know?"
"Madden was here on Wednesday. Just what happened?"
"Yes, Mr. Madden （機の）カム in on Wednesday. We hadn't seen him for two years, and his coming 原因（となる）d やめる a 動かす. He visited the 安全な deposit 丸天井s and spent some time going through his box."
"Was he alone?"
"No, he wasn't," the 銀行業者 replied. "His 長官, Thorn, who is 井戸／弁護士席 known to us, was with him. Also a little, middle-老年の man whom I don't 解任する very 明確に."
"Ah, yes. He 診察するd his safety deposit box. Was that all?"
The 銀行業者 hesitated. "No. He had wired his office in New York to deposit a rather large sum of money to our credit with the 連邦の Reserve Bank—but I'd really rather not say any more."
"You paid over to him that large sum of money?"
"I'm not 説 we did. I'm afraid I've said too much already."
"You've been very 肉親，親類d," Eden replied. "I 約束 you won't 悔いる it. Thank you very much."
He and Bristol returned to the street. "Thanks for your help, Spike," Eden 発言／述べるd. "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 駅／配置する's 負かす／撃墜する here, isn't it? I leave you to your 気候."
"Sour grapes," returned Spike. "Don't go home and get lost in the 霧. So long."
From the eleven o'clock train a やめる different Charlie Chan alighted. He was dressed as Eden had seen him in San Francisco.
"Hello, Dapper Dan," the boy said.
Chan smiled. "Feel 尊敬（する）・点d again," he explained. "Visited Barstow and 救助（する）d proper 着せる／賦与するs. 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 公式文書，認める at door. No 疑問 now his heart is 激しい, thinking I have 砂漠d forever. Happy surprise for him when Ah Kim returns to home nest."
"井戸／弁護士席, Charlie, I've been busy," said Eden. He went over his activities of the morning. "When the old boy （機の）カム 支援する to the ranch the other night, he must have been oozing cash at every pore. I tell you, Holley's 権利. He's 存在 ゆすり，恐喝d."
"Seems that way," agreed Chan. "Here is another thought. Madden has killed a man, and 恐れるs 発見. He gets 抱擁する sum together so if necessity 誘発するs he can 逃げる with plenty cash until 事件／事情／状勢 blows 総計費. How is that?"
"By George—it's possible," 認める Eden.
"To be considered," replied Chan. "示唆する now we visit 管理人 at 地元の home."
A yellow taxi carried them to Orange Grove Avenue. Chan's 黒人／ボイコット 注目する，もくろむs sparkled as they drove through the cheerful handsome city. When they turned off under the shade of the pepper trees lining the favorite street of the millionaires, the 探偵，刑事 regarded the big houses with awe.
"Impressive sight for one born in thatched hut by 味方する of muddy river," he 発表するd. "Rich men here live like emperors. Does it bring content?"
"Charlie," said Eden, "I'm worried about this 管理人 商売／仕事. Suppose he 報告（する）／憶測s our call to Madden. We're sunk."
"Without 泡 showing. But what did I say—we 受託する long chance and hope for happy luck."
"Is it really necessary to see him?"
"Important to see everybody knowing Madden. This 管理人 may turn out useful find."
"What shall we say to him?"
"The thing that appears to be true. Madden in much trouble—ゆすり，恐喝. We are police on 追跡する of 罪，犯罪."
"罰金. And how can you 証明する that?"
"Quick flash of Honolulu badge, which I have pinned to vest. All police badges much alike, unless person has 疑惑 to read の近くに."
"井戸／弁護士席, you're the doctor, Charlie. I follow on."
The taxi 停止（させる）d before the largest house on the street—or in the world, it seemed. Chan and Eden walked up the 幅の広い driveway to find a man engaged in training roses on a pergola. He was a scholarly-looking man even in his 全体にわたるs, with keen 注目する，もくろむs and a pleasant smile.
"Mr. Fogg?" 問い合わせd Eden.
"That's my 指名する," the man said. （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden 申し込む／申し出d Holley's card, and Fogg's smile broadened.
"Glad to 会合，会う any friend of Holley's," he 発言／述べるd. "Come over to the 味方する veranda and sit 負かす／撃墜する. What can I do for you?"
"We're going to ask a few questions, Mr. Fogg," Eden began. "They may seem 半端物—you can answer them or not, as you prefer. In the first place, Mr. Madden was in Pasadena last Wednesday?"
"Why yes—of course he was."
"You saw him then?"
"For a few minutes—yes. He drove up to the door in that Requa car he uses out here. That was about six o'clock. I talked with him for a while, but he didn't get out of the car."
"What did he say?"
"Just asked me if everything was all 権利, and 追加するd that he might be 支援する すぐに for a 簡潔な／要約する stay here—with his daughter."
"With his daughter, eh?"
"Yes."
"Did you make any 調査s about the daughter?"
"Why, yes—the usual polite hope that she was 井戸／弁護士席. He said she was やめる 井戸／弁護士席, and anxious to get here."
"Was Madden alone in the car?"
"No. Thorn was with him—as always. And another man whom I had never seen before."
"They didn't go into the house?"
"No. I had the feeling Mr. Madden ーするつもりであるd to, but changed his mind."
（頭が）ひょいと動く Eden looked at Charlie Chan, "Mr. Fogg—did you notice anything about Madden's manner? Was he just as always?"
Fogg's brow wrinkled. "井戸／弁護士席, I got to thinking about it after he left. He did 行為／法令／行動する 極端に nervous and sort of—er—悩ますd."
"I'm going to tell you something, Mr. Fogg, and I rely 完全に on your discretion. You know that if we weren't all 権利, Will Holley would not have sent us. Mr. Madden is nervous—he is 悩ますd. We have every 推論する／理由 to believe that he is the 犠牲者 of a ギャング（団） of blackmailers. Mr. Chan—" Chan opened his coat for a 簡潔な／要約する second, and the celebrated California sun flashed on a silver badge.
Peter Fogg nodded. "I'm not surprised," he said 本気で. "But I'm sorry to hear it, just the same. I've always liked Madden. Not many people do—but he has certainly been a friend to me. As you may imagine, this work I'm doing here is hardly in my line. I was a lawyer 支援する east. Then my health broke, and I had to come out here. It was a 事例／患者 of taking anything I could get. Yes sir, Madden has been 肉親，親類d to me, and I'll help you any way I can."
"You say you're not surprised. Have you any 推論する／理由 for that 声明?"
"No particular 推論する／理由—but a man as famous as Madden—and as rich—井戸／弁護士席, it seems to me 必然的な."
For the first time Charlie Chan spoke. "One more question, sir. Is it possible you have idea why Mr. Madden should 恐れる a 確かな man. A man 指名するd—Jerry Delaney."
Fogg looked at him quickly, but did not speak.
"Jerry Delaney," repeated （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden. "You've heard that 指名する, Mr. Fogg?"
"I can tell you this," answered Fogg. "The 長，指導者 is rather friendly at times. Some years ago he had this house gone over and a 完全にする 始める，決める of 夜盗，押し込み強盗-alarms 任命する／導入するd. I met him in the hall while the men were busy at the windows. 'I guess that'll give us plenty of notice if anybody tries to break in,' he said. 'I imagine a big man like you has plenty of enemies, 長，指導者,' said I. He looked at me 肉親，親類d of funny. 'There's only one man in the world I'm afraid of, Fogg,' he answered. 'Just one.' I got sort of nervy. 'Who's that, 長，指導者?' I asked. 'His 指名する is Jerry Delaney,' he said. 'Remember that, if anything happens.' I told him I would. He was moving off. 'And why are you afraid of this Delaney, 長，指導者?' I asked him. It was a cheeky thing to say, and he didn't answer at first."
"But he did answer?" 示唆するd （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden.
"Yes. He looked at me for a minute, and he said: 'Jerry Delaney follows one of the queer professions, Fogg. And he's too damn good at it.' Then he walked away into the library, and I knew better than to ask him anything more."
A few moments later they left Peter Fogg standing on the neatly manicured lawn beside P.J. Madden's empty palace. In silence they 棒 負かす／撃墜する the avenue, then turned toward the more lively 商売／仕事 地区.
"井戸／弁護士席, what did we get out of that?" （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden 手配中の，お尋ね者 to know. "Not much, if you ask me."
Chan shrugged. "Trifles, mostly. But trifles いつかs blossom big. 探偵，刑事 商売／仕事 consist of one unsignificant 詳細（に述べる） placed beside other of the same. Then with sudden dazzle, light begins to 夜明け."
"Bring on your dazzle," said Eden. "We've learned that Madden visited his house here on Wednesday, but did not go inside. When questioned about his daughter, he replied that she was 井戸／弁護士席 and would be along soon. What else? A thing we knew before—that Madden was afraid of Delaney."
"Also that Delaney followed queer profession."
"What profession? Be more explicit."
Chan frowned. "If only I could 誇る 専門家 knowledge of 本土／大陸 ways. How about you? Please do a little 推測するing."
Eden shook his 長，率いる. "約束d my father I'd never 推測する. Just as 井戸／弁護士席, too, for in this 事例／患者 I'd get nowhere. My brain—if you'll 容赦 the について言及する of one more insignificant 詳細（に述べる）—is numb. Too many puzzles make Jack a dull boy."
The taxi landed them at the 駅／配置する whence hourly buses ran to Hollywood, and they were just in time to connect with the twelve o'clock run. 支援する up the hill and over the 橋（渡しをする） spanning the Arroyo they sped. A cheery world lay about them, tiny stucco bungalows 色合いd pink or green, or gleaming white, innumerable service 駅／配置するs. In time they （機の）カム to the 郊外s of the film city, where gaily colored mansions perched tipsily on miniature hills. Then 負かす／撃墜する a long street that seemed to stretch off into eternity, into the maelstrom of Hollywood's 商売／仕事 地区.
Expensive cars honked deliriously about the corner where they alighted, and on the sidewalk milled a busy throng, most of them living examples of what the 井戸／弁護士席-dressed man or woman will wear if not carefully watched. They crossed the street.
"Watch your step, Charlie," Eden advised. "You're in the 自動車 salesman's 楽園." He gazed curiously about him. "The most picturesque factory town in the world. Everything is here except the smoking chimneys."
Paula Wendell was waiting for them in the 歓迎会-room of the studio with which she was connected. "Come along," she said. "I'll take you to lunch at the cafeteria, and then perhaps you'd like to look around a bit."
Chan's 注目する，もくろむs sparkled as she led them across the lot and 負かす／撃墜する a street lined with the 誤った 前線s of imaginary dwellings. "My oldest girl would 交流 the 好意 of the gods to be on this 位置／汚点／見つけ出す with me," he 発言／述べるd. "I shall have much to relate when I return to Punchbowl Hill."
They lunched の中で the film players, grotesque in make-up and 半端物 衣装s. "No postman before," said Chan, over his chicken pie, "ever 遭遇（する）d such 利益／興味ing walk on his holiday. 容赦, please, if I eat with unashamed enjoyment and too much gusto. New experience for me to 遭遇（する） food I have not perspired over myself in person."
"They're taking a picture on 行う／開催する／段階 Twelve," the girl explained when lunch was finished. "It's against the 支配するs, but if you're not too boisterous I can get you in for a look."
They passed out of the dazzling 日光 into the 薄暗い 内部の of a 広大な／多数の／重要な building that looked like a 倉庫／問屋. Another moment, and they reached the 始める，決める, built to 代表する a smart foreign restaurant. Rich hangings were in the background, beautiful carpets on the 床に打ち倒す. Along the 塀で囲むs were many （米）棚上げする／（英）提議するs with pink-shaded lights, and a resplendent 長，率いる-waiter stood haughtily at the 入り口.
The sequence 存在 発射 at the moment 伴う／関わるd, evidently, the use of many extras, and a 抱擁する （人が）群がる stood about, waiting 根気よく. The 直面するs of most of them were 決定的な and alive, unforgettable. Here were people who had known life—and not too much happiness—in many 半端物 corners of the world. Nearly all the men were in uniform—a war picture, no 疑問. （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden heard snatches of French, German, Spanish; he saw in the 注目する，もくろむs about him a hundred stories more real and 悲劇の than any these people would ever 行為／法令／行動する on the silver 審査する.
"主要な men and women are 標準化するd, more or いっそう少なく," said Paula Wendell, "but the extras—they're different. If you talked with some of them, you'd be amazed. Brains and refinement—remarkable pasts—and on the 取引 反対する now at five dollars a day."
A call sounded, and the extras とじ込み／提出するd on to the 始める，決める and took their allotted 駅／配置するs at the さまざまな （米）棚上げする／（英）提議するs. Chan watched fascinated; evidently he could stay here forever. But （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden, sadly 欠如（する）ing in that lovely virtue, patience, became restless.
"This is all very 井戸／弁護士席," he said. "But we have work to do. How about Eddie Boston?"
"I have his 演説（する）／住所 for you," the girl replied. "I 疑問 whether you'll find him in at this hour, but you can try."
An old man appeared in the shadowy space behind the cameras. Eden 認めるd the 退役軍人 player who had been yesterday at Madden's ranch—the actor known as "Pop."
"Hello," cried Paula Wendell. "Maybe Pop can help you." She あられ／賞賛するd him. "Know where we can find Eddie Boston?" she 問い合わせd.
As Pop joined them, Charlie Chan stepped 支援する into a dark corner.
"Why—how are you, Mr. Eden?" the old man said. "You want to see Eddie Boston, you say?"
"I'd like to—yes."
"That's too bad. You won't find him in Hollywood."
"Why not? Where is he?"
"On his way to San Francisco by this time," Pop answered. "At least, that was where he was going when I saw him late last night."
"San Francisco? What's he going there for?" asked Eden, amazed.
"One grand 突発／発生, to hear him tell it. You know, it looks to me like Eddie's come into a bit of money."
"He has, has he?" Eden's 注目する，もくろむs 狭くするd.
"I met him on the street last night when we got in from the 砂漠. He'd come by train, and I asked him why. 'Had some 急ぐ 商売／仕事 to …に出席する to, Pop,' he says. 'I'm off to Frisco in the morning. Things are looking up. Now the picture's finished I 目的（とする） to take a little jaunt for my health.' Said he hadn't been in Frisco since the 'nineties and was hungry to see it again."
Eden nodded. "井戸／弁護士席, thank you very much." With Paula Wendell he moved toward the door, and Chan, his hat low over his 注目する，もくろむs, followed.
At the foot of the 滑走路 in the 有望な world outside, Eden paused. "That's that," he said. "One more 失望. Will we ever get to the end of this? 井戸／弁護士席, Charlie—Boston's （警官の）巡回区域，受持ち区域 it. Our bird has flown."
"Why not?" said Chan. "Madden 支払う／賃金s him to go, of course. Did Boston not say he knew all about Delaney?"
"Which must mean he knows Delaney's dead. But how could he? Was he on the 砂漠 that Wednesday night? Ye gods!" The boy put his 手渡す to his forehead. "You 港／避難所't any smelling salts, have you?" he 追加するd to Paula Wendell.
She laughed. "Never use 'em."
They moved out to the street.
"井戸／弁護士席, we must 押し進める on," said Eden. "The night is dark and we are far from home." He turned to the girl. "When do you go 支援する to Eldorado?"
"This afternoon," she replied. "I'm working on another script—one that calls for a ghost city this time."
"A ghost city?"
"Yes—you know. A 砂漠d 採掘 town. So it's me for the Petticoat 地雷 again."
"Where's that?"
"Up in the hills about seventeen miles from Eldorado. Petticoat 地雷 had three thousand 国民s ten years ago, but there's not a living soul there today. Just 廃虚s, like Pompeii. I'll have to show it to you—it's mighty 利益／興味ing."
"That's a 約束," Eden returned. "We'll see you 支援する on your dear old 砂漠."
"Warmest thanks for permitting の近くに 査察 of picture factory," Chan 発言／述べるd. "Always a glowing item on the scroll of memory."
"It was fun for me," answered the girl. "Sorry you must go."
On the trolley bound for Los Angeles, Eden turned to the Chinese. "Don't you ever get discouraged, Charlie?" he 問い合わせd.
"Not while work remains to do," the 探偵，刑事 replied. "This 行方不明になる Fitzgerald. Songbird, perhaps, but she will not have flown."
"You'd better talk with her—" Eden began.
But Chan shook his 長，率いる
"No, I will not …を伴って on that errand. 平易な to see my presence brings embarrassed pause. I am hard to explain, like 黒人／ボイコット 注目する，もくろむ."
"井戸／弁護士席, I shouldn't have called you that," smiled the boy.
"Go alone to see this woman. 問い合わせ all she knows about the dead man, Delaney."
Eden sighed. "I'll do my best. But my once proud 約束 in myself is ebbing 急速な／放蕩な."
At the 行う／開催する／段階 door of the 砂漠d theater Eden slipped a dollar into the 手渡す of the doorman, and was permitted to step inside and 診察する the call-board. As he 推定する／予想するd, the 地元の 演説（する）／住所s of the troupe were 地位，任命するd up, and he 位置を示すd 行方不明になる Fitzgerald at the Wynnwood Hotel.
"You have 面 of experienced person," 投機・賭けるd Chan.
Eden laughed. "Oh, I've known a few chorus-girls in my time. 正規の／正選手 man of the world, I am."
Chan took up his 地位，任命する on a （法廷の）裁判 in Pershing Square, while the boy went on alone to the Wynnwood Hotel. He sent up his 指名する, and after a long wait in the cheap ロビー, the actress joined him. She was at least thirty, probably more, but her 注目する，もくろむs were young and sparkling. At sight of （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden she 可決する・採択するd a rather coquettish manner.
"You Mr. Eden?" she said. "I'm glad to see you, though why I see you's a mystery to me."
"井戸／弁護士席, just so long as it's a pleasant mystery—" Eden smiled.
"I'll say it is—so far. You in the profession?"
"Not 正確に. First of all, I want to say that I heard you sing over the 無線で通信する the other night, and I was enchanted. You've a wonderful 発言する／表明する."
She beamed. "Say, I like to hear you talk like that. But I had a 冷淡な—I've had one ever since I struck this town. You せねばならない hear me when I'm going good."
"You were going good enough for me. With a 発言する／表明する like yours, you せねばならない be in grand オペラ."
"I know—that's what all my friends say. And it ain't that I 港／避難所't had the chance. But I love the theater. Been on the 行う／開催する／段階 since I was a teeny-weeny girl."
"Only yesterday, that must have been."
"Say, boy—you're good," she told him. "You don't happen to be scouting for the 主要都市の, do you?"
"No—I wish I were." Eden paused. "行方不明になる Fitzgerald, I'm an old pal of a friend of yours."
"Which friend? I've got so many."
"I bet you have. I'm speaking of Jerry Delaney. You know Jerry?"
"Do I? I've known him for years." She frowned suddenly. "Have you any news of Jerry?"
"No, I 港／避難所't," Eden answered. "That's why I've come to you. I'm terribly anxious to 位置を示す him, and I thought maybe you could help."
She was suddenly 用心深い. "Old pal of his, you say?"
"Sure. Used to work with him at Jack McGuire's place on Forty-fourth Street."
"Did you really?" The 警告を与える 消えるd. "井戸／弁護士席, you know just as much about Jerry's どの辺に as I do. Two weeks ago he wrote me from Chicago—I got it in Seattle. He was 肉親，親類d of mysterious. Said he hoped to see me out this way before long."
"He didn't tell you about the 取引，協定 he had on?"
"What 取引，協定?"
"井戸／弁護士席, if you don't know—Jerry was about to 選ぶ up a nice little bit of change."
"Is that so? I'm glad to hear it. Things ain't been any too jake with Jerry since those old days at McGuire's."
"That's true enough, I guess. By the way, did Jerry ever talk to you about the men he met at McGuire's? The swells. You know, we used to get some pretty big 貿易（する） there."
"No, he never talked about it much. Why?"
"I was wondering whether he ever について言及するd to you the 指名する of P.J. Madden."
She turned upon the boy a baby 星／主役にする, wide-注目する，もくろむd and innocent. "Who's P.J. Madden?" she 問い合わせd.
"Why, he's one of the biggest financiers in the country. If you ever read the papers—"
"But I don't. My work takes so much time. You've no idea the long hours I put in—"
"I can imagine it. But look here—the question is, where's Jerry now? I may say I'm worried about him."
"Worried? Why?"
"Oh—there's 危険 in Jerry's 商売／仕事, you know."
"I don't know anything of the sort. Why should there be?"
"We won't go into that. The fact remains that Jerry Delaney arrived at Barstow a week ago last Wednesday morning, and すぐに afterward he disappeared off the 直面する of the earth."
A startled look （機の）カム into the woman's 注目する，もくろむs. "You don't think he's had an—an 事故?"
"I'm very much afraid he has. You know the sort Jerry was. 無謀な—"
The woman was silent for a moment. "I know," she nodded. "Such a temper. These red-長，率いるd Irishmen—"
"正確に," said Eden, a little too soon.
The green 注目する，もくろむs of 行方不明になる Norma Fitzgerald 狭くするd.
"Knew Jerry at McGuire's, you say."
She stood up. "And since when has he had red hair?" Her friendly manner was gone. "I was thinking only last night—I saw a 警官，（賞などを）獲得する at the corner of Sixth and Hill—such a handsome boy. You certainly got 罰金-looking fellows on your 軍隊 out here."
"What are you talking about?" 需要・要求するd Eden.
"Go peddle your papers," advised 行方不明になる Fitzgerald. "If Jerry Delaney's in trouble, I don't 持つ／拘留する with it, but I'm not tipping anything off. A friend's a friend."
"You've got me all wrong," 抗議するd Eden.
"Oh, no, I 港／避難所't. I've got you all 権利—and you can find Jerry without any help from me. As a 事柄 of fact, I 港／避難所't any idea where he is, and that's the truth. Now run along."
Eden stood up. "Anyhow, I did enjoy your singing," he smiled.
"Yeah. Such nice 警官，（賞などを）獲得するs—and so gallant. 井戸／弁護士席, listen in any time—the 無線で通信する's open to all."
（頭が）ひょいと動く Eden went glumly 支援する to Pershing Square. He dropped 負かす／撃墜する on the （法廷の）裁判 beside Chan.
"Luck was poor," 発言／述べるd the 探偵，刑事. "I see it in your 直面する."
"You don't know the half of it," returned the boy. He 関係のある what had happened. "I certainly made a bloomer of it," he finished. "She called me a 警官，（賞などを）獲得する, but she flattered me. The 幼稚園 class of rookies would disown me."
"Stop the worry," advised Chan. "Woman a little too smart, that is all."
"That's enough," Eden answered. "After this, you officiate. As a 探偵，刑事, I'm a 広大な／多数の／重要な little jeweler."
They dined at a hotel, and took the five-thirty train to Barstow. As they sped on through the 集会 dusk, （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden looked at his companion.
"井戸／弁護士席, it's over, Charlie," he said. "The day from which we hoped for so much. And what have we 伸び（る）d? Nothing. Am I 権利?"
"Pretty の近くに to 権利," 認める Chan.
"I tell you, Charlie, we can't go on. Our position is hopeless. We'll have to go to the 郡保安官—"
"With what? 容赦 that I interrupt. But realize, please, that all our 証拠 is 煙霧のかかった, like flowers seen in a pool. Madden is big man, his word 法律 to many." The train paused at a 駅／配置する. "We go to 郡保安官 with queer talk—a dead parrot, tale of a 砂漠 ネズミ, half-blind and maybe crazy, スーツケース in attic filled with old 着せる／賦与するs. Can we 証明する famous man 有罪の of 殺人 on such foolish grounds? Where is 団体／死体? Few policemen alive who would not laugh at us—"
Chan broke off suddenly, and Eden followed his gaze. In the aisle of the car stood Captain Bliss of the 殺人 Squad, 星／主役にするing at them.
Eden's heart sank. The captain's little 注目する，もくろむs slowly took in every 詳細（に述べる） of Chan's attire, then were turned for a moment on the boy. Without a 調印する, he turned about and went 負かす／撃墜する the aisle and into the car behind.
"Good night!" said Eden.
Chan shrugged. "Fret no longer," he 発言／述べるd. "We need not go to 郡保安官—郡保安官 will come to us. Our time is 簡潔な／要約する at Madden's ranch. Poor old Ah Kim may yet be 逮捕（する）d for the 殺人 of Louie Wong."
They arrived at Barstow at half past ten, and （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden 発表するd his 意向 of stopping for the night at the 駅／配置する hotel. After a 簡潔な／要約する talk with the man at the ticket-window, Chan 再結合させるd him.
"I take room that neighbors the one 占領するd by you," he said. "Next train for Eldorado leaves at five o'clock in morning. I am on her when she goes. Much better you を待つ その後の train at eleven-ten. Not so good if we return to ranch like Siamese twins. Soon enough that 失敗ing Bliss will 明らかにする／漏らす our 関係."
"控訴 yourself, Charlie," returned Eden. "If you've got the strength of character to get up and take a five o'clock train, you'll have my best wishes. And those wishes, I may 追加する, will be 延長するd in my sleep."
Chan got his スーツケース from the 小包-room and they went upstairs. But Eden did not at once 準備する for bed. Instead he sat 負かす／撃墜する, his 長，率いる in his 手渡すs, and tried to think.
The door between the two rooms opened suddenly, and Chan stood on the threshold. He held in his 手渡す a luminous string of pearls.
"Just to 安心させる," he smiled. "The Phillimore fortune is still 安全な."
He laid the pearls on the （米）棚上げする／（英）提議する, under a brilliant light. （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden reached over, and thoughtfully ran them through his fingers.
"Lovely, aren't they?" he said. "Look here, Charlie—you and I must have a frank talk." Chan nodded. "Tell me, and tell me the truth—have you got the faintest 微光ing as to what's doing out at Madden's ranch?"
"One 最近の day," said Chan, "I thought—"
"Yes?"
"But I was wrong."
"正確に. I know it's a 堅い thing for a 探偵，刑事 to 収容する／認める, but you're 絶対 stumped, aren't you?"
"You have stumped feeling yourself, maybe—"
"All 権利—I'll answer the question for you. You are. You're up against it, and we can't go on. Tomorrow afternoon I come 支援する to the ranch. I'm supposed to have seen Draycott—more lies, more deception. I'm sick of it, and besides, something tells me it won't work any longer. No, Charlie—we're at the 無 hour. We've got to give up the pearls."
Chan's 直面する saddened. "Please do not say so," he pleaded. "At any moment—"
"I know—you want more time. Your professional pride is touched. I can understand, and I'm sorry."
"Just a few hours," 示唆するd Chan.
Eden looked for a long moment at the kindly 直面する of the Chinese. He shook his 長，率いる. "It's not only me—it's Bliss. Bliss will come 強くたたくing in presently. We're at the end of our rope. I'll make one last 譲歩—I'll give you until eight o'clock tomorrow night. That's 供給するd Bliss doesn't show up in the interval. Do you agree?"
"I must," said Chan.
"Very good. You'll have all day tomorrow. When I come 支援する, I won't bother with that bunk about Draycott. I'll 簡単に say: 'Mr. Madden, the pearls will be here at eight o'clock.' At that hour, if nothing has happened, we'll 手渡す them over and go. On our way home we'll put our story before the 郡保安官, and if he laughs at us, we've at least done our 義務." Eden sighed with 救済. He stood up. "Thank heaven, that's settled."
Gloomily Chan 選ぶd up the pearls. "Not happy position for me," he said, "that I must come to this 本土／大陸 and be sunk in bafflement." His 直面する brightened. "But another day. Much may happen."
Eden patted his 幅の広い 支援する. "Lord knows I wish you luck," he said. "Good night."
When Eden awakened to consciousness the に引き続いて morning, the sun was gleaming on the 跡をつけるs outside his window. He took the train for Eldorado and dropped in at Holley's office.
"Hello," said the editor. "支援する at last, eh? Your little pal is keener on the 職業 than you are. He went through here 早期に this morning."
"Oh, Chan's ambitious," Eden replied. "You saw him, did you?"
"Yes." Holley nodded toward a スーツケース in the corner. "He left his 正規の／正選手 着せる／賦与するs with me. 推定する／予想するs to put 'em on in a day or two, I gather."
"Probably going to wear them to 刑務所，拘置所," replied Eden glumly. "I suppose he told you about Bliss."
"He did. And I'm afraid it means trouble."
"I'm sure it does. As you probably know, we dug up very little 負かす／撃墜する the valley."
Holley nodded. "Yes—and what you did dig up was mostly in support of my ゆすり，恐喝 theory. Something has happened here, too, that goes to 確認する my 疑惑s."
"What's that?"
"Madden's New York office has arranged to send him another fifty thousand, through the bank here. I was just talking to the 大統領，／社長. He doesn't think he can produce all that in cash before tomorrow, and Madden has agreed to wait."
Eden considered. "No 疑問 your theory's the 権利 one. The old boy's 存在 ゆすり，恐喝d. Though Chan has made a rather good suggestion—he thinks Madden may be getting this money together—"
"I know—he told me. But that doesn't explain 不安定な Phil and the professor. No, I prefer my 見解／翻訳／版. Though I must 収容する／認める it's the most appalling puzzle—"
"I'll say it is," Eden replied. "And to my mind we've done all that's humanly possible to solve it. I'm 手渡すing over the pearls tonight. I 推定する Chan told you that?"
Holley nodded. "Yes—you're breaking his heart. But from your 見解（をとる）-point, you're 絶対 権利. There's a 限界 to everything, and you seem to have reached it. However, I'm praying something happens before tonight."
"So am I," said Eden. "If it doesn't, I don't see how I can bring myself to—but doggone it! There's Madame Jordan. It's nothing to her that Madden's killed a man."
"It's been a difficult position for you, my boy," Holley replied. "You've 扱うd it 井戸／弁護士席. I'll pray my hardest—and I did hear once of a newspaper man whose 祈りs were answered. But that was years ago."
Eden stood up. "I must get 支援する to the ranch. Seen Paula Wendell today?"
"Saw her at breakfast 負かす／撃墜する at the Oasis. She was on the point of starting for the Petticoat 地雷." Holley smiled. "But don't worry—I'll take you out to Madden's."
"No, you won't. I'll 雇う a car—"
"Forget it. Paper's off the 圧力（をかける） now, and I'm at an even looser end than usual. Come along."
Once more Horace Greeley carried them up the rough road between the hills. As they 動揺させるd 負かす／撃墜する to the 炎ing 床に打ち倒す of the 砂漠, the editor yawned.
"I didn't sleep much last night," he explained.
"Thinking about Jerry Delaney?" asked the boy.
Holley shook his 長，率いる. "No—something has happened—something that 関心s me alone. That interview with Madden has 奮起させるd my old friend in New York to 申し込む／申し出 me a 職業 there—a mighty good 職業. Yesterday afternoon I had a doctor in Eldorado look me over and he told me I could go."
"That's 広大な／多数の／重要な!" Eden cried. "I'm mighty happy for your sake."
An 半端物 look had come into Holley's 注目する，もくろむs. "Yes," he said, "the 刑務所，拘置所 door swings open, after all these years. I've dreamed of this moment, longed for it—and now—"
"What?"
"The 囚人 hesitates. He's 脅すd at the thought of leaving his nice 静かな 独房. New York! Not the old New York I knew. Could I 取り組む it again, and 勝利，勝つ? I wonder."
"Nonsense," Eden answered. "Of course you could."
A 決定するd look passed over Holley's 直面する. "I'll try it," he said. "I'll go. Why the devil should I throw my life away out here? Yes—I'll 取り組む Park 列／漕ぐ／騒動 again."
He left Eden at the ranch. The boy went at once to his room, and as soon as he had freshened up a bit, stepped into the patio. Ah Kim passed.
"Anything new?" whispered Eden.
"Thorn and 賭事 away all day in big car," the Chinese replied. "Nothing more." It was obvious he was still sunk in bafflement.
In the living-room Eden 設立する the millionaire sitting aimless and lonely. Madden perked up at the boy's arrival. "支援する 安全な, eh?" he said. "Did you find Draycott? You can speak out. We're alone here."
Eden dropped into a 議長，司会を務める. "It's all 始める，決める, sir. I'll give you the Phillimore pearls at eight o'clock tonight."
"Where?"
"Here at the ranch."
Madden frowned. "I'd rather it had been at Eldorado. You mean Draycott's coming here—"
"No, I don't. I'll have the pearls at eight o'clock, and I'll give them to you. If you want the 処理／取引 kept 私的な, that can be arranged."
"Good." Madden looked at him. "Maybe you've got them now?" he 示唆するd.
"No. But I'll have them at eight."
"井戸／弁護士席, I'm certainly glad to hear it," Madden replied. "But I want to tell you 権利 here that if you're 立ち往生させるing again—"
"What do you mean—立ち往生させるing?"
"You heard me. Do you think I'm a fool. Ever since you （機の）カム you've been 立ち往生させるing about that necklace. 港／避難所't you?"
Eden hesitated. The moment had come for a bit of frankness, it seemed. "I have," he 認める.
"Why?"
"Because, Mr. Madden, I thought there was something wrong here."
"Why did you think that?"
"Before I tell you—what made you change your mind in the first place? In San Francisco you 手配中の，お尋ね者 the necklace 配達するd in New York. Why did you switch to Southern California?"
"A simple 推論する／理由," Madden replied. "I thought up there that my daughter was going east with me. Her 計画（する）s are altered—she's going at once to Pasadena for the balance of the season. And I 提案する to put the necklace in safety deposit there for her use when she wants it."
"I met your daughter in San Francisco," Eden said. "She's a very charming girl."
Madden looked at him 熱心に. "You think so, do you?"
"I do. I 推定する she is still in Denver?"
For a moment Madden was silent, regarding him. "No," he 認める finally, "she is not in Denver now."
"Indeed. If you don't mind telling me—"
"She is in Los Angeles, visiting friends."
At this surprising （警察などへの）密告，告訴（状）, Eden's 注目する，もくろむs opened wide.
"How long has she been there?" he 問い合わせd.
"Since last Tuesday," Madden answered. "I think it was Tuesday—I got a wire 説 she was coming here. I didn't want her here, for 確かな 推論する／理由s, so I sent Thorn in to 会合，会う her, with 指示／教授／教育s to take her 支援する to Barstow and put her on the Los Angeles train."
Eden thought 急速な／放蕩な. Barstow was about the proper distance away to account for the mileage on the big car. But where was the red clay on 駅／配置する 壇・綱領・公約s hereabouts?
"You're 確かな she reached Los Angeles 安全に?" he asked.
"Of course. I saw her there on Wednesday. Now, I've answered all your questions. It's your turn. Why did you think something was wrong here?"
"What has become of 不安定な Phil Maydorf?" 反対するd Eden.
"Who?"
"不安定な Phil—the lad who called himself McCallum, and who won forty-seven dollars from me at poker here the other night?"
"You mean his 指名する was really Maydorf?" 問い合わせd Madden with 利益／興味.
"I certainly do. I had some experience with Maydorf in San Francisco."
"In what way?"
"He 行為／法令／行動するd as though he was trying to 別館 the Phillimore pearls."
Madden's 直面する was purple again. "Is that so? Would you mind telling me about it?"
"Not at all," replied Eden. He narrated Maydorf's activities at the pier, but failed to について言及する the 関係 with Louie Wong.
"Why didn't you tell me sooner?" 需要・要求するd Madden.
"Because I thought you knew it. I still think so."
"You're crazy."
"Maybe. We won't go into that. But when I saw Maydorf 負かす／撃墜する here, it was natural to 嫌疑者，容疑者／疑う something was wrong. I'm not 納得させるd yet that it isn't. Why not go 支援する to the 初めの 計画（する） and 配達する the pearls in New York?"
Madden shook his 長，率いる. "No. I've 始める，決める out to get them here, and I'll go through with it. Anybody will tell you I'm no quitter."
"Then at least tell me what the trouble is."
"There is no trouble," Madden replied. "At least, 非，不，無 that I can't 扱う myself. It's my own 事件／事情／状勢. I've bought the pearls and I want them. I give you my word that you'll be paid, which is all that need 関心 you."
"Mr. Madden," said the boy, "I'm not blind. You're in a jam of some sort, and I'd like to help you."
Madden turned, and his tired 悩ますd 直面する was ample proof of Eden's 声明. "I'll get out of it," he said. "I've got out of worse 穴を開けるs. I thank you for your 肉親，親類d 意向s, but don't you worry about me. At eight o'clock then—I'm relying on you. Now if you'll excuse me, I think I'll 嘘（をつく） 負かす／撃墜する. I 心配する a rather busy evening."
He went from the room, and （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden 星／主役にするd after him, perplexed and at sea. Had he gone too far with the millionaire—told him too much? And how about this news of Evelyn Madden? Could it be true? Was she really in Los Angeles? It sounded plausible enough, and her father's manner when he spoke of her seemed frankness itself.
Oh, 井戸／弁護士席—the heat on the 砂漠 was now a 有形の thing, wave on wave of filmy 煙霧. Eden was 疲れた／うんざりした with his many problems. He followed Madden's example, and slept the afternoon away.
When he rose, the sun was 沈むing and the 冷静な／正味の night coming on. He heard 賭事 in the bathroom. 賭事—who was 賭事? Why was he 許すd to remain on Madden's ranch?
In the patio, the boy had a few whispered words with Ah Kim, telling him the news about Evelyn Madden.
"Thorn and professor home now," the 探偵，刑事 said. "I notice mileage—thirty-nine, as before. And bits of red clay on 床に打ち倒す of cab."
Eden shook his 長，率いる. "Time is passing," he 発言／述べるd.
Chan shrugged. "If I could 逮捕（する） it, I would do so," he replied.
At the dinner （米）棚上げする／（英）提議する, Professor 賭事 was amiability personified.
"井戸／弁護士席, 井戸／弁護士席, Mr. Eden, we're glad to have you 支援する with us. Sorry to have you 行方不明になる any of this 砂漠 空気／公表する. Your 商売／仕事—if I may 推定する—your 商売／仕事 栄えるd?"
"Sure did," smiled Eden. "And how does yours go?"
The professor looked at him quickly. "I—er—I am happy to say I have had a most gratifying day. I 設立する the very ネズミ I was looking for."
"罰金 for you, but hard on the ネズミ," said Eden, and the dinner proceeded in silence.
When they rose from the （米）棚上げする／（英）提議する, Madden lighted a cigar and dropped into his favorite 議長，司会を務める before the 解雇する／砲火／射撃. 賭事 sat 負かす／撃墜する with a magazine beside a lamp. Eden took out a packet of cigarettes, lighted one, wandered about. Thorn also selected a magazine. The big clock struck the hour of seven, and then an 空気／公表する of almost intolerable 静かな settled over the room.
Eden paused at the 無線で通信する. "Never could see the sense of these things until I （機の）カム 負かす／撃墜する here," he explained to Madden. "I realize now there are times when even a lecture on the habits of the hookworm may seem enchanting. How about a bedtime story for the kiddies?"
He tuned in. Ah Kim entered and busied himself at the （米）棚上げする／（英）提議する. The sharp 発言する／表明する of an announcer in Los Angeles filled the room:
"—next number on our program—行方不明になる Norma Fitzgerald, who is appearing in the musical show at the Mason, will sing a couple of 選択s—"
Madden leaned 今後 and tapped the ash from his cigar. Thorn and 賭事 looked up with languid 利益／興味.
"Hello, folks," （機の）カム the 発言する／表明する of the woman （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden had talked with the day before. "Here I am again. And 権利 at the start I want to thank all you good friends for the 負担s and 負担s of letters I've had since I went on the 空気／公表する out here. I 設立する a lovely bunch at the studio tonight. I 港／避難所't had time to read them all, but I want to tell Sadie French, if she's listening in, that I was glad to know she's in Santa Monica, and I'll sure call her up. Another letter that brought me happiness was from my old pal, Jerry Delaney—"
Eden's heart stopped （警官の）巡回区域，受持ち区域ing. Madden leaned 今後, Thorn's mouth opened and stayed that way, and the 注目する，もくろむs of the professor 狭くするd. Ah Kim, at the （米）棚上げする／（英）提議する, worked without a sound.
"I've been a little worried about Jerry," the woman went on, "and it was 広大な／多数の／重要な to know that he's alive and 井戸／弁護士席. I'm looking 今後 to seeing him soon. Now I must go on with my program, because I'm 予定 at the theater in half an hour. I hope you good people will all come and see us, for we've certainly got a dandy little show, and—"
"Oh, shut the confounded thing off," said Madden. "Advertising, nine-tenths of these 無線で通信する programs. Makes me sick."
Norma Fitzgerald had burst into song, and （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden shut the confounded thing off. A long look passed between him and Ah Kim. A 発言する／表明する had come to the 砂漠, come over the 明らかにする brown hills and the dreary miles of sagebrush and sand—a 発言する／表明する that said Jerry Delaney was alive and 井戸／弁護士席. Alive and 井戸／弁護士席—and all their 罰金 theories （機の）カム 衝突，墜落ing 負かす／撃墜する.
The man Madden killed was not Jerry Delaney! Then whose was the 発言する／表明する calling for help that 悲劇の night at the ranch? Who uttered the cry that was heard and echoed by Tony, the Chinese parrot?
Ah Kim, carrying a 激しい tray of dishes, left the room. Madden leaned 支援する at 緩和する in his 議長，司会を務める, his 注目する，もくろむs の近くにd, and blew 厚い （犯罪の）一味s of smoke toward the 天井. The professor and Thorn 再開するd their placid reading, one on each 味方する of the lamp. A touching scene of 国内の peace.
But （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden did not 株 that peace. His heart was （警官の）巡回区域，受持ち区域ing 急速な／放蕩な—his mind was dazed. He rose and slipped 静かに outdoors. In the cookhouse Ah Kim was at the 沈む, busily washing dishes. To look at the impassive 直面する of the Chinese no one would have guessed that this was not his 正規の／正選手 雇用.
"Charlie," said Eden softly.
Chan あわてて 乾燥した，日照りのd his 手渡すs and （機の）カム to the door. "謙虚に begging 容赦, do not come in here." He led the way to the 影をつくる／尾行するs beside the barn. "What are trouble now?" he asked gently.
"Trouble!" said Eden. "You heard, didn't you? We've been on the wrong 跡をつける 完全に. Jerry Delaney is alive and 井戸／弁護士席."
"Most 利益／興味ing, to be sure," 認める Chan.
"利益／興味ing! Say—what are you made of, anyhow?" Chan's 静める was a bit 乱すing. "Our theory blows up 完全に, and you—"
"Old habit of theories," said Chan. "Not the first to 粉々にする in my countenance. 容赦 me if I fail to experience thrill like you."
"But what shall we do now?"
"What should we do? We を引き渡す pearls. You have made foolish 約束, which I heartily rebuked. Nothing to do but carry out."
"And go away without learning what happened here! I don't see how I can—"
"What is to be, will be. The words of the infinitely wise Kong Fu Tse—"
"But listen, Charlie—have you thought of this? Perhaps nothing happened. Maybe we've been on a 誤った 追跡する from the start—"
A little car （機の）カム 涙／ほころびing 負かす／撃墜する the road, and they heard it stop with a wild shriek of the ブレーキs before the ranch. They hurried 一連の会議、交渉／完成する the house. The moon was low and the scene in 半分-不明瞭. A familiar 人物／姿／数字 alighted and without pausing to open the gate, leaped over it. Eden ran 今後.
"Hello, Holley," he said.
Holley turned suddenly.
"Good lord—you 脅すd me. But you're the man I'm looking for." He was panting, 明白に excited.
"What's wrong?" Eden asked.
"I don't know. But I'm worried. Paula Wendell—"
Eden's heart sank. "What about Paula Wendell?"
"You 港／避難所't heard from her—or seen her?"
"No, of course not."
"井戸／弁護士席, she never （機の）カム 支援する from the Petticoat 地雷. It's only a short run up there, and she left just after breakfast. She should have been 支援する long ago. She 約束d to have dinner with me, and we were going to see the picture at the theater tonight. It's one she's 特に 利益／興味d in."
Eden was moving toward the road. "Come along—in heaven's 指名する—hurry—"
Chan stepped 今後. Something gleamed in his 手渡す. "My (a)自動的な／(n)自動拳銃," he explained. "I 救助（する）d it from スーツケース this morning. Take it with you—"
"I won't need that," said Eden. "Keep it. You may have use for it—"
"I 謙虚に beg of you—"
"Thanks, Charlie. I don't want it. All 権利, Holley—"
"The pearls," 示唆するd Chan.
"Oh, I'll be 支援する by eight. This is more important—"
As he climbed into the flivver by Holley's 味方する, Eden saw the 前線 door of the ranch house open, and the 抱擁する 人物／姿／数字 of Madden でっちあげる，人を罪に陥れるd in the doorway.
"Hey!" cried the millionaire.
"Hey yourself," muttered Eden. The editor was 支援 his car, and with amazing 速度(を上げる） he swung it 一連の会議、交渉／完成する. They were off 負かす／撃墜する the road, the throttle wide open.
"What could have happened?" Eden asked.
"I don't know. It's a dangerous place, that old 地雷. 軸s sunk all over—the mouths of some of them hidden by underbrush. 軸s several hundred feet 深い—"
"Faster," pleaded Eden.
"Going the 限界 now," Holley replied. "Madden seemed 利益／興味d in your 出発, didn't he? I take it you 港／避難所't given him the pearls."
"No. Something new broke tonight." Eden told of the 発言する／表明する over the 無線で通信する. "Ever strike you that we may have been cuckoo from the start? No one even わずかに 損失d at the ranch, after all?"
"やめる possible," the editor 認める.
"井戸／弁護士席, that can wait. It's Paula Wendell now."
Another car was coming toward them with 無謀な 速度(を上げる）. Holley swung out, and the two cars grazed in passing.
"Who was that?" wondered Eden.
"A taxi from the 駅／配置する," Holley returned. "I 認めるd the driver. There was some one in the 支援する seat."
"I know," said Eden. "Some one 長，率いるd for Madden's ranch, perhaps."
"Perhaps," agreed Holley. He turned off the main road into the perilous, half-obliterated 主要道路 that led to the long-abandoned 地雷. "Have to go slower, I'm afraid," he said.
"Oh, 攻撃する，衝突する it up," 勧めるd Eden. "You can't 傷つける old Horace Greeley." Holley again threw the throttle wide, and the 前線 wheel on the left coming at that moment in violent 接触する with a 激しく揺する, their 長，率いるs nearly pierced the 最高の，を越す of the car.
"It's all wrong, Holley," 発言／述べるd Eden with feeling.
"What's all wrong?"
"A pretty, charming girl like Paula Wendell running about alone in this 砂漠 country. Why in heaven's 指名する doesn't somebody marry her and take her away."
"Not a chance," replied Holley. "She hasn't any use for marriage. 'The last 訴える手段／行楽地 of feeble minds' is what she calls it."
"Is that so?"
"Never 閉じ込める／刑務所 her up in a kitchenette, she told me, after the life of freedom she's enjoyed."
"Then why did she go and get engaged to this guy?"
"What guy?"
"Wilbur—or whatever his 指名する is. The lad who gave her the （犯罪の）一味."
Holley laughed—then was silent for a minute. "I don't suppose she'll like it," he said at last, "but I'm going to tell you anyhow. It would be a pity if you didn't find out. That emerald is an old one that belonged to her mother. She's had it put in a more modern setting, and she wears it as a sort of 保護."
"保護?"
"Yes. So every mush-長，率いる she 会合，会うs won't pester her to marry him."
"Oh," said Eden. A long silence. "Is that the way she characterizes me?" asked the boy finally.
"How?"
"As a mush-長，率いる."
"Oh, no. She said you had the same ideas on marriage that she had. Refreshing to 会合，会う a sensible man like you, is the way she put it." Another long silence. "What's on your mind?" asked the editor.
"Plenty," said Eden grimly. "I suppose, at my age, it's still possible to make over a wasted life?"
"It せねばならない be," Holley 保証するd him.
"I've been 事実上の／代理 like a fool. Going to give good old dad the surprise of his life when I get home. Take over the 商売／仕事, like he's 手配中の，お尋ね者 me to, and work hard. So far, I 港／避難所't known what I 手配中の，お尋ね者. Been as weak and vacillating as a—a woman."
"Some simile," replied Holley. "I don't know that I ever heard a worse one. Show me the woman who doesn't know what she wants—and knowing, fails to go after it."
"Oh, 井戸／弁護士席—you get what I mean. How much さらに先に is it?"
"We're getting there. Five miles more."
"Gad—I hope nothing's happened to her."
They 動揺させるd on, closer and closer to the low hills, brick red under the rays of the slowly rising moon. The road entered a 狭くする canyon, it almost disappeared, but like a homing thing Horace Greeley followed it intuitively.
"Got a flashlight?" Eden 問い合わせd.
"Yes. Why?"
"Stop a minute, and let me have it. I've an idea."
He descended with the light, and carefully 診察するd the road ahead. "She's been along here," he 発表するd. "That's the tread of her tires—I'd know it anywhere—I changed one of them for her. She's—she's up there somewhere, too. The car has been this way but once."
He leaped 支援する beside Holley, and the flivver sped on, 一連の会議、交渉／完成する hairpin turns, and along the 辛勝する／優位 of a precipice. Presently it turned a final corner, and before them, nestled in the hills, was the ghost city of Petticoat 地雷.
（頭が）ひょいと動く Eden caught his breath. Under the friendly moon lay the 残余s of a town, here a chimney and there a 塀で囲む, street after street of houses 崩壊するd now to dust. Once the 地雷 had にわか景気d and the （人が）群がる had come, they had built their homes here where the 軸s sank 深い, silver had fallen in price and the （人が）群がる had gone, leaving Petticoat 地雷 to the most deadly 砲撃 of all, the 患者 silent 砲撃 of the empty years.
They 棒 負かす／撃墜する Main Street, weaving in and out の中で 黒人／ボイコット gaping 穴を開けるs that might have been made by bursting 爆撃するs. Between the 割れ目s of the sidewalks, thronged once on a Saturday night, grew patches of pale green basket grass. Of the "商売／仕事 封鎖するs" but two remained, and one of these was 名簿（に載せる）／表（にあげる）ing with the 勝利，勝つd.
"Cheery sight," 発言／述べるd Eden.
"The building that's on the 瀬戸際 of 倒れるing is the old Silver 星／主役にする Saloon," said Holley. "The other one—it never will 倒れる. They built it of 石／投石する—built it to stand—and they needed it, too, I guess. That's the old 刑務所，拘置所."
"The 刑務所，拘置所," Eden repeated.
Holley's 発言する／表明する grew 用心深い. "Is that a light in the Silver 星／主役にする?"
"Seems to be," Eden answered. "Look here—we're at rather a disadvantage—非武装の, you know. I'll just stow away in the tonneau, and appear when needed. The element of surprise may （不足などを）補う for our 欠如（する） of a 武器."
"Good idea," agreed Holley, and Eden climbed into the 後部 of the car and hid himself. They stopped before the Silver 星／主役にする. A tall man appeared suddenly in the doorway, and walked briskly up to the flivver.
"井戸／弁護士席, what do you want?" he asked, and （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden thrilled to hear again the thin high 発言する／表明する of 不安定な Phil Maydorf.
"Hello, stranger," said Holley. "This is a surprise. I thought old Petticoat was 砂漠d."
"Company's thinking of 開始 up the 地雷 soon," returned Maydorf. "I'm here to do a little assaying."
"Find anything?" 問い合わせd Holley casually.
"The silver's pretty 井戸／弁護士席 worked out. But there's 巡査 in those hills to the left. You're a long way off the main road."
"I know that. I'm looking for a young woman who （機の）カム up here this morning. Maybe you saw her."
"There hasn't been any one here for a week, except me."
"Really? 井戸／弁護士席, you may be mistaken. If you don't mind, I'll have a look 一連の会議、交渉／完成する—"
"And if I do mind?" snarled 不安定な Phil.
"Why should you—"
"I do. I'm alone here and I'm not taking any chances. You swing that car of yours around—"
"Now, wait a minute," said Holley. "Put away that gun. I come as a friend—"
"Yeah. 井戸／弁護士席, as a friend, you turn and （警官の）巡回区域，受持ち区域 it. Understand." He was の近くに to the car. "I tell you there's nobody here—"
He stopped as a 人物／姿／数字 rose suddenly from the tonneau and fell upon him. The gun 爆発するd, but harmlessly into the road, for （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden was 耐えるing 負かす／撃墜する upon it, hard.
For a 簡潔な／要約する moment, there on that 砂漠d street before the Silver 星／主役にする, the two struggled 猛烈に. 不安定な Phil was no longer young, but he 申し込む／申し出d a spirited 抵抗. However, it was not 長引かせるd, and by the time Holley had alighted, （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden was on 最高の，を越す and held Maydorf's 武器 in his 手渡す.
"Get up," the boy directed. "And lead the way. Give me your 重要なs. There's a brand new lock on that 刑務所，拘置所 door, and we have a yearning to see what's inside." 不安定な Phil rose to his feet and looked helplessly about. "Hurry!" cried Eden. "I've been longing to 会合，会う you again, and I don't feel any too gentle. There's that forty-seven dollars—to say nothing of all the trouble you put me to the night the 大統領 Pierce ドッキングする／減らす／ドックに入れるd in San Francisco."
"There's nothing in the 刑務所，拘置所," said Maydorf. "I 港／避難所't got the 重要な—"
"Go through him, Holley," 示唆するd the boy.
A quick search produced a bunch of 重要なs, and Eden, taking them, 手渡すd Holley the gun. "I give old 不安定な Phil into your keeping. If he tries to run, shoot him 負かす／撃墜する like a rabbit."
He took the flashlight from the car and, going over, 打ち明けるd the outer door of the 刑務所，拘置所. Stepping inside, he 設立する himself in what had once been a sort of office. The moonlight 注ぐing in from the street fell upon a dusty desk and 議長，司会を務める, an old 安全な, and a shelf with a few tattered 調書をとる／予約するs. On the desk lay a newspaper. He flashed his light on the date—only a week old.
At the 後部 were two 激しい doors, both with new locks. Searching の中で his 重要なs, he 打ち明けるd the one at the left. In a small, 独房-like room with high 閉めだした windows his flashlight 明らかにする／漏らすd the tall 人物／姿／数字 of a girl. With no 広大な／多数の／重要な surprise he 認めるd Evelyn Madden. She （機の）カム toward him 速く. "（頭が）ひょいと動く Eden!" she cried, and then, her old haughtiness gone, she burst into 涙／ほころびs.
"There—there," said Eden. "You're all 権利 now." Another girl appeared suddenly in the doorway—Paula Wendell, 有望な and smiling.
"Hello," she 発言／述べるd calmly. "I rather thought you'd come along."
"Thanks for the 広告," replied Eden. "Say, you might get 傷つける running about like this. What happened, anyhow?"
"Nothing much. I （機の）カム up to look 一連の会議、交渉／完成する and he"—she nodded to 不安定な Phil in the moonlit street—"told me I couldn't. I argued it with him, and ended up in here. He said I'd have to stay 夜通し. He was polite, but 会社／堅い."
"Lucky for him he was polite," 発言／述べるd Eden grimly. He took the arm of Evelyn Madden. "Come along," he said gently. "I guess we're through here—"
He stopped. Some one was 大打撃を与えるing on the inside of the second door. Amazed, the boy looked toward Paula Wendell.
She nodded. "打ち明ける it," she told him.
He unfastened the door and swinging it open, peered inside. In the 半分-不明瞭 he saw the 薄暗い 人物／姿／数字 of a man.
Eden gasped, and fell 支援する against the desk for support.
"Ghost city!" he cried. "井戸／弁護士席, that's what it is, all 権利."
If （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden had known the 身元 of the 乗客 in the taxi that he and Holley passed on their way to the 地雷, it is possible that, にもかかわらず his 関心 for Paula Wendell, he would have turned 支援する to Madden's ranch. But he drove on unknowing; nor did the 乗客, though he 星／主役にするd with 利益／興味 at the passing flivver, 認める Eden. The car from the Eldorado 駅／配置する went on its 任命するd way, and finally drew up before the ranch house.
The driver alighted and was fumbling with the gate, when his fare leaped to the ground.
"Never mind that," he said. "I'll leave you here. How much do I 借りがある you?" He was a plump little man, about thirty-five years old, attired in the 高さ of fashion and with a pompous manner. The driver 指名するd a sum and, 支払う／賃金ing him off, the 乗客 entered the yard. Walking importantly up to the 前線 door of the house, he knocked loudly.
Madden, talking with Thorn and 賭事 by the 解雇する／砲火／射撃, looked up in annoyance. "Now who the devil—" he began. Thorn went over and opened the door. The plump little man at once 押し進めるd his way inside.
"I'm looking for Mr. P.J. Madden," he 発表するd.
The millionaire rose. "All 権利—I'm Madden. What do you want?"
The stranger shook 手渡すs. "Glad to 会合，会う you, Mr. Madden. My 指名する is 勝利者 Jordan, and I'm one of the owners of those pearls you bought in San Francisco."
A delighted smile spread over Madden's 直面する. "Oh—I'm glad to see you," he said. "Mr. Eden told me you were coming—"
"How could he?" 需要・要求するd 勝利者. "He didn't know it himself."
"井戸／弁護士席, he didn't について言及する you. But he 知らせるd me the pearls would be here at eight o'clock—"
勝利者 星／主役にするd. "Be here at eight o'clock?" he repeated. "Say, just what has （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden been up to 負かす／撃墜する here, anyhow? The pearls left San Francisco a week ago, when Eden did."
"What!" Purple again in Madden's 直面する. "He had them all the time! Why, the young scoundrel! I'll break him in two for this. I'll wring his neck—" He stopped. "But he's gone. I just saw him 運動ing away."
"Really?" returned 勝利者. "井戸／弁護士席, that may not be so serious as it looks. When I say the pearls left San Francisco with Eden, I don't mean he was carrying them. Charlie had them."
"Charlie who?"
"Why, Charlie Chan, of the Honolulu Police. The man who brought them from Hawaii."
Madden was thoughtful. "Chan—a Chinaman?"
"Of course. He's here, too, isn't he? I understood he was."
A wicked light （機の）カム into Madden's 注目する，もくろむs. "Yes, he's here. You think he still has the pearls?"
"I'm sure he has. In a money-belt about his waist. Get him here and I'll order him to 手渡す them over at once."
"罰金—罰金!" chuckled Madden. "If you'll step into this room for a moment, Mr. Jordan, I'll call you presently."
"Yes, sir—of course," agreed 勝利者, who was always polite to the rich. Madden led him by the inside passage to his bedroom. When the millionaire returned, his spirits were high.
"Bit of luck, this is," he 発言／述べるd. "And to think that blooming cook—" He went to the door 主要な on to the patio, and called loudly, "Ah Kim!"
The Chinese shuffled in. He looked at Madden blankly. "Wha's matte, boss?" he 問い合わせd.
"I want to have a little talk with you." Madden's manner was genial, even kindly. "Where did you work before you （機の）カム here?"
"Get 'um woik all place, boss. Maybe lay sticks on gloun' foah lailload—"
"What town—what town did you work in last?"
"No got 'um town, boss. Jus' outdoahs no place, laying sticks—"
"You mean you were laying 関係 for the 鉄道／強行採決する on the 砂漠?"
"Yes, boss. You light now."
Madden leaned 支援する, and put his thumbs in the armholes of his vest. "Ah Kim—you're a damned liar," he said.
"Wha's matte, boss?"
"I'll show you what's the 事柄. I don't know what your game here has been, but it's all over now." Madden rose and stepped to the door. "Come in, sir," he called, and 勝利者 Jordan strode into the room. Chan's 注目する，もくろむs 狭くするd.
"Charlie, what is all this nonsense?" 需要・要求するd 勝利者. "What are you doing in that melodramatic outfit?"
Chan did not answer. Madden laughed. "All over, as I told you, Charlie—if that's your 指名する. This is Mr. Jordan, one of the owners of those pearls you're carrying in your money-belt."
Chan shrugged. "Mr. Jordan juggles truth," he replied, dropping his dialect with a sigh of 救済. "He has no （人命などを）奪う，主張する on pearls. They are 所有物／資産／財産 of his mother, to whom I give 約束 I would guard them with life."
"See here, Charlie," cried 勝利者 怒って, "don't tell me I 嘘（をつく）. I'm sick and tired of this 延期する 負かす／撃墜する here, and I've come with my mother's 当局 to put an end to it. If you don't believe me, read that."
He 手渡すd over a 簡潔な／要約する 公式文書，認める in Madame Jordan's old-fashioned script. Chan read it. "One only answer," he 発言／述べるd. "I must 解放（する） the pearls." He ちらりと見ることd toward the clock, ticking busily by the patio window. "Though I am much preferring to wait Mr. Eden's come 支援する—"
"Never mind Eden," said 勝利者. "Produce that necklace."
Chan 屈服するd and turning, fumbled for a moment at his waist. The Phillimore necklace was in his 手渡す.
Madden took it 熱望して. "At last," he said.
賭事 was 星／主役にするing over his shoulder. "Beautiful," murmured the professor.
"One minute," said Chan. "A 領収書, if you will be so 肉親，親類d."
Madden nodded, and sat at his desk. "I got one ready this afternoon. Just have to 調印する it." He laid the pearls on the blotter, and took a typewritten sheet from the 最高の，を越す drawer. Slowly he wrote his 指名する. "Mr. Jordan," he was 説, "I'm 深く，強烈に 感謝する to you for coming 負かす／撃墜する here and ending this. Now that it's settled, I'm leaving at once—" He 申し込む／申し出d the 領収書 to Chan.
A strange look had come into the usually impassive 注目する，もくろむs of Charlie Chan. He reached out toward the sheet of paper 申し込む／申し出d him, then with the 速度(を上げる） of a tiger, he snatched for the pearls. Madden snatched, too, but he was a little late. The necklace disappeared into Chan's voluminous sleeve.
"What's this?" bellowed Madden, on his feet. "Why, you crazy—"
"Hush," said Chan. "I will 保持する the pearls."
"You will, will you?" Madden whipped out a ピストル. "We'll see about that—"
There was a loud 報告（する）／憶測, and a flash of 解雇する／砲火／射撃—but it did not come from Madden's gun. It （機の）カム from the silken sleeve of Charlie Chan. Madden's 武器 clattered to the 床に打ち倒す, and there was 血 on his 手渡す.
"Do not stoop!" 警告するd Chan, and his 発言する／表明する was suddenly high and shrill. "Postman has been on such long walk, but now at last he has reached 旅行's end. Do not stoop, or I put 弾丸 in somewhat 価値のある 長，率いる!"
"Charlie—are you mad?" cried 勝利者.
"Not very," smiled Chan. "Kindly 好意 me by 支援 away, Mr. Madden." He 選ぶd up the ピストル from the 床に打ち倒す—法案 Hart's 現在の, it seemed to be. "Very nice gun, I use it now." Swinging Madden 一連の会議、交渉／完成する, he searched him, then placed a 議長，司会を務める in the 中心 of the room. "Be seated here, if you will so far condescend—" he said.
"The hell I will," cried Madden.
"Recline!" said Chan.
The 広大な／多数の／重要な Madden looked at him a second, then dropped sullenly 負かす／撃墜する upon the 議長，司会を務める. "Mr. 賭事," called Chan. He ran over the わずかな／ほっそりした person of the professor. "You have left pretty little 武器 in room. That is good. This will be your 議長，司会を務める. And not to forget Mr. Thorn, also 非武装の. Comfortable 議長，司会を務める for you, too." He 支援するd away, 直面するing them. "勝利者, I make humble suggestion that you 追加する yourself to group. You are plenty foolish boy, always. I remember—in Honolulu—" His トン 常習的な. "Sit quickly, or I 穴をあける you and 解除する big 負担 from mother's mind!"
He drew up a 議長，司会を務める between them and the 展示 of guns on the 塀で囲む. "I also will 投機・賭ける to recline," he 発表するd. He ちらりと見ることd at the clock. "Our wait may be a long one. Mr. Thorn, another suggestion occurs. Take handkerchief and 貯蔵所d up 負傷させるd 手渡す of 長，指導者."
Thorn produced a handkerchief and Madden held out his 手渡す. "What the devil are we waiting for?" snarled the millionaire.
"We を待つ come 支援する of Mr. （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden," replied Chan. "I am having much to impart when he arrives."
Thorn 完全にするd his 行為／法令／行動する of mercy, and slunk 支援する to his 議長，司会を務める. The tall clock by the patio windows ticked on. With the patience characteristic of his race Chan sat, 星／主役にするing at his 半端物 assortment of 捕虜s. Fifteen minutes passed, a half-hour, the minute 手渡す began its slow 前進する toward the hour of nine.
勝利者 Jordan 転換d uneasily in his 議長，司会を務める. Such disrespect to a man 価値（がある） millions! "You're （疑いを）晴らす out of your mind, Charlie," he 抗議するd.
"Maybe," 認める Chan. "We wait and see."
Presently a car 動揺させるd into the yard. Chan nodded. "Long wait nearly over," he 発表するd. "Now Mr. Eden comes."
His 表現 altered as a knock sounded on the door. It was 押し進めるd open and a man strode bruskly in. A stocky, red-直面するd, 決定するd man—Captain Bliss of the 殺人 Squad. After him （機の）カム another, a lean wiry individual in a two-quart hat. They stood amazed at the scene before them.
Madden leaped to his feet. "Captain Bliss. By gad, I'm delighted to see you. You're just in time."
"What's all this?" 問い合わせd the lean man.
"Mr. Madden," said Bliss, "I've brought along Harley Cox, 郡保安官 of the 郡. I guess you need us here."
"We sure do," replied Madden. "This Chinaman has gone crazy. Take that gun away from him and put him under 逮捕（する）."
The 郡保安官 stepped up to Charlie Chan. "Give me the 小火器, John," he ordered. "You know what that means—a Chinaman with a gun in California. 国外追放. Good lord—he's got two of them."
"郡保安官," said Charlie with dignity. "許す me the 栄誉（を受ける） that I introduce myself. I am 探偵，刑事-Sergeant Chan, of the Honolulu Police."
The 郡保安官 laughed. "You don't say. 井戸／弁護士席, I'm the Queen of Sheba. Are you going to give me that other gun, or do you want a 告発（する），告訴（する）／料金 of resisting an officer?"
"I do not resist," said Chan. He gave up his own 武器. "I only call to your attention I am fellow policeman, and I yearn to save you from an error you will have bitter 原因（となる） to 悔いる."
"I'll take the chance. Now, what's going on here?" The 郡保安官 turned to Madden. "We （機の）カム about that Louie Wong 殺人，大当り. Bliss saw this Chinaman on a train last night with the fellow 指名するd Eden, all dolled up in 正規の／正選手 着せる／賦与するs and as chummy as a brother."
"You're on the 権利 追跡する now, 郡保安官," Madden 保証するd him. "There's no 疑問 he killed Louie. And just at 現在の he has somewhere about him a string of pearls belonging to me. Please take them away from him."
"Sure, Mr. Madden," replied the 郡保安官. He 前進するd to make a search, but Chan forestalled him. He 手渡すd him the necklace.
"I give it to your keeping," he said. "You are officer of 法律 and responsible. …に出席する your step."
Cox regarded the pearls. "Some string, ain't it? Kinda pretty, Mr. Madden. You say it belongs to you?"
"It certainly does—"
"郡保安官," pleaded Charlie, with a ちらりと見ること at the clock, "if I may make humble suggestion, go slow. You will kick yourself 怒って over 広大な expanse of 砂漠 should you make 失敗 now."
"But if Mr. Madden says these pearls are his—"
"They are," said Madden. "I bought them from a jeweler 指名するd Eden in San Francisco ten days ago. They belonged to the mother of Mr. Jordan here."
"That's やめる 訂正する," 認める 勝利者.
"It's enough for me," 発言／述べるd the 郡保安官.
"I tell you I am of the Honolulu Police—" 抗議するd Chan.
"Maybe so, but do you think I'd take your word against that of a man like P.J. Madden? Mr. Madden, here are your pearls."
"One moment," cried Chan. "This Madden says he is the same who bought the necklace at San Francisco jeweler's. Ask him, please, 場所 of jeweler's 蓄える／店."
"On 地位，任命する Street," said Madden.
"What part 地位，任命する Street? Famous building across way. What building?"
"Officer," 反対するd Madden, "must I 服従させる／提出する to this from a Chinese cook? I 辞退する to answer. The pearls are 地雷—"
勝利者 Jordan's 注目する，もくろむs were open wide. "持つ／拘留する on," he said. "Let me in this. Mr. Madden, my mother told me of the time when you first saw her. You were 雇うd then—where—in what position?"
Madden's 直面する purpled. "That's my 事件／事情／状勢."
The 郡保安官 除去するd his ample hat and scratched his 長，率いる. "井戸／弁護士席, maybe I better keep this trinket for a minute," he 反映するd. "Look here, John—or—er—Sergeant Chan, if that's your 指名する—what the devil are you 運動ing at, anyhow?"
He turned suddenly at a cry from Madden. The man had 辛勝する／優位d his way to the array of guns on the 塀で囲む, and stood there now, with one of them in his 包帯d 手渡す.
"Come on," he cried, "I've had enough of this. Up with your 手渡すs—郡保安官, that means you! 賭事—get that necklace! Thorn—get the 捕らえる、獲得する in my room!"
With a magnificent 無視（する） for his own safety, Chan leaped upon him and 掴むd the arm 持つ／拘留するing the ピストル. He gave it a sharp 新たな展開, and the 武器 fell to the 床に打ち倒す.
"Only thing I am ever able to learn from Japanese," he said. "Captain Bliss, 証明する yourself real policeman by putting 手錠s on Thorn and the professor. If the 郡保安官 will so kindly return my personal (a)自動的な／(n)自動拳銃, which I 雇う as 探偵，刑事 in Hawaii, I will be 責任がある this Madden here."
"Sure, I'll return it," said Cox. "And I want to congratulate you. I don't know as I ever saw a finer 展示 of courage—"
Chan grinned. "容赦 me if I make slight 是正. One 最近の morning at 夜明け I have busy time 除去するing all cartridges from this splendid collection of old-time ピストルs on the 塀で囲む. Long dusty 職業, but I am glad I did it." He turned suddenly to the big man beside him. "Put up the 手渡すs, Delaney," he cried.
"Delaney?" repeated the 郡保安官.
"Undubitably," replied Chan. "You have questioned value of my speech against word of P.J. Madden. Happy to say that 状況／情勢 does not arise. This is not P.J. Madden. His 指名する is Jerry Delaney."
（頭が）ひょいと動く Eden had entered 静かに from the patio. "Good work, Charlie," he said. "You've got it now. But how in Sam Hill did you know?"
"Not long ago," answered Chan, "I shoot gun from his しっかり掴む. 観察する the 包帯 on his 手渡す, and 公式文書，認める it is the left. Once in this room I told you Delaney was left-手渡すd."
Through the open door behind Eden （機の）カム a 抱擁する, powerful, but 疲れた／うんざりした-looking man. One of his 武器 was in a sling, and his 直面する was pale beneath a ten days' growth of 耐えるd. But there was about him an 空気／公表する of 当局 and 宙に浮く; he ぼんやり現れるd like a tower of granite, though the gray 控訴 was sadly rumpled now. He 星／主役にするd grimly at Delaney.
"井戸／弁護士席, Jerry," he said, "you're pretty good. But they always told me you were—the men who ran across you at Jack McGuire's. Yes—very good, indeed. Standing in my house, wearing my 着せる／賦与するs, you look more like me than I do myself."
The Man at the door （機の）カム さらに先に into the room and looked inquiringly about him. His 注目する，もくろむs fell on Thorn.
"Hello, ツバメ," he said. "I 警告するd you it wouldn't work. Which of you gentlemen is the 郡保安官?"
Cox （機の）カム 今後. "権利 here, sir. I suppose you're P.J. Madden?"
Madden nodded. "I suppose so. I've always thought I was. We telephoned the constable from a ranch 負かす／撃墜する the road, and he told us you were here. So we've brought along another little item to 追加する to your collection." He 示すd the patio door, through which Holley （機の）カム at that moment 主要な 不安定な Phil by the arm. Maydorf's 手渡すs were tied behind him. Paula Wendell and Evelyn Madden also entered.
"You'd better 手錠 this newcomer to Delaney, 郡保安官," 示唆するd Madden. "And then I'll run over a little 名簿（に載せる）／表（にあげる） of 告発（する），告訴（する）／料金s against the （人が）群がる that I think will 持つ／拘留する them for a while."
"Sure, Mr. Madden," agreed the 郡保安官. As he stepped 今後, Chan 停止（させる）d him.
"Just one minute. You have string of pearls—"
"Oh, yes—that's 権利," replied the 郡保安官. He held out the Phillimore necklace. Chan took it and placed it in the 手渡す of P.J. Madden.
"Fully aware you 手配中の，お尋ね者 it in New York," he 発言／述べるd, "but you will 成し遂げる 広大な 親切 to 受託する it here. I have carried it to outside 限界 of 現在の endurance. 領収書 at your convenience, thank you."
Madden smiled. "All 権利, I'll take it." He put the necklace in his pocket. "You're Mr. Chan, I imagine. Mr. Eden was telling me about you on the way 負かす／撃墜する from the 地雷. I'm mighty glad you've been here."
"Happy to serve," 屈服するd Chan.
The 郡保安官 turned. "There you are, sir. The 告発（する），告訴（する）／料金, I guess, is 試みる／企てるd 窃盗—"
"And a lot of other things," Madden 追加するd, "含むing 強襲，強姦 with 意図 to kill." He 示すd his limp arm. "I'll run over my story as quickly as I can—but I'll do it sitting 負かす／撃墜する." He went to his desk. "I'm a little weak—I've been having a rough time of it. You know in a general way what has happened, but you don't know the background, the history, of this 事件／事情／状勢. I'll have to go 支援する—支援する to a 賭事ing house on Forty-fourth Street, New York. Are you familiar with New York gamblers and their ways, 郡保安官?"
"Been to New York just once," said the 郡保安官. "Didn't like it."
"No, I don't imagine you would," replied Madden. He looked about. "Where are my cigars? Ah—here. Thanks, Delaney—you left me a couple, didn't you? 井戸／弁護士席, 郡保安官, in order that you may understand what's been going on here, I must tell you about a favorite stunt of shady gamblers and 信用／信任 men in New York—a stunt that was 繁栄するing there twelve or fifteen years ago. It was a 井戸／弁護士席-known fact at the time that in the richly furnished houses where they lay in wait for 信用ing out-of-town suckers, 確かな members of the （犯罪の）一味 were 割り当てるd to impersonate 広範囲にわたって-known millionaires, such as Frank Gould, Cornelius Vanderbilt, Mr. Astor—myself. The greatest care was 演習d—photographs of these men were 熟考する／考慮するd; wherever possible they themselves were closely 観察するd in every feature of 高さ, build, carriage, dress. The way they 小衝突d their hair, the 肉親，親類d of glasses they wore, their peculiar mannerisms—no 詳細（に述べる） was too insignificant to escape attention. The ーするつもりであるd dupe must be utterly taken in, so he might feel that he was の中で the best people, and that the game was honest."
Madden paused a moment. "Of course, some of these impersonations were rather flimsy, but it was my bad luck that Mr. Delaney here, who had been an actor, was more or いっそう少なく of an artist. Starting with a rather superficial resemblance to me, he built up an impersonation that got better and better as time went on. I began to hear 噂するs that I was seen nightly at the 賭事ing house of one Jack McGuire, in Forty-fourth Street. I sent my 長官, ツバメ Thorn, to 調査／捜査する. He 報告（する）／憶測d that Delaney was making a good 職業 of it—not, of course, so good that he could deceive any one really の近くに to me, but good enough to fool people who knew me only from photographs. I put my lawyer on the 事柄, and he （機の）カム 支援する and said that Delaney had agreed to desist, on 脅し of 逮捕（する）.
"And I imagine he did 減少（する） it—in the 賭事ing houses. What happened afterward I can only conjecture, but I guess I can 攻撃する，衝突する it pretty の近くに. These two Maydorf boys, 不安定な Phil and"—he nodded at 賭事—"his brother who is known to the police as the professor, were the brains of the particular ギャング（団） at McGuire's. They must long ago have conceived the 計画（する） of having Delaney impersonate me some where, some time. They could do nothing without the 援助（する） of my 長官, Thorn, but they evidently 設立する him willing. Finally they 攻撃する，衝突する on the 砂漠 as the proper 地元の for the 企業. It was an excellent 選択. I come here rarely; 会合，会う few people when I do come. Once they could get me here alone, without my family, it was a simple 事柄. All they had to do was put me out of the way, and then P.J. Madden appears with his 長官, who is better known 地元で than he is—no one is going to dream of 尋問 his 身元, 特に as he looks just like his pictures."
Madden puffed thoughtfully on his cigar. "I've been 推定する／予想するing some such move for years. I 恐れるd no man in the world—except Delaney. The 可能性s of the 害（を与える） he might do me were enormous. Once I saw him in a restaurant, 熟考する／考慮するing me. 井戸／弁護士席—they had a long wait, but their 肉親，親類d is 患者. Two weeks ago I （機の）カム here with Thorn, and the minute I got here I sensed there was something in the 空気／公表する. A week ago last Wednesday night I was sitting here 令状ing a letter to my daughter Evelyn—it's probably still between the leaves of this blotter where I put it when I heard Thorn cry out はっきりと from his bedroom. 'Come quick, 長，指導者,' he called. He was typing letters for me, and I couldn't imagine what had happened. I rose and went to his room—and there he was, with an old gun of 地雷—a gun 法案 Hart had given me—in his 握りこぶし. 'Put up your 手渡すs,' he said. Some one entered from the patio. It was Delaney.
"'Now, don't get excited, 長，指導者,' said Thorn, and I saw the little ネズミ was in on the game. 'We're going to take you for a ride to a place where you can have a nice little 残り／休憩（する）. I'll go and pack a few things for you. Here, Jerry—you watch him.' And he 手渡すd Delaney the gun.
"There we stood, Delaney and I, and I saw that Jerry was nervous—the game was a little rich for his 血. Thorn was busy in my room. I began to call for help at the 最高の，を越す of my 発言する／表明する—why? Who would come? I didn't know, but a friend might hear—Louie might have got home—some one might be passing in the road. Delaney told me to shut up. His 手渡す trembled like a leaf. In the patio outside I heard an answering 発言する／表明する—but it was only Tony, the parrot. I knew 井戸／弁護士席 enough what was 進行中で, and I decided to take a chance. I started for Delaney; he 解雇する／砲火／射撃d and 行方不明になるd. He 解雇する／砲火／射撃d again, and I felt a sort of sting in my shoulder, and fell.
"I must have been unconscious for a second, but when I （機の）カム to, Thorn was in the room, and I heard Delaney say he'd killed me. In a minute, of course, they discovered I was alive, and my good friend Jerry was all for finishing the 職業. But Thorn wouldn't let him—he 主張するd on going through with the 初めの 計画（する）. He saved my life—I'll have to 収容する／認める it—the contemptible little 反逆者. Cowardice, I imagine, but he saved me. 井戸／弁護士席, they put me in a car, and drove me up to the 刑務所，拘置所 at Petticoat 地雷. In the morning they left—all except the professor, who had joined our happy party. He stayed behind, dressed my 負傷させる, fed me after a fashion. On Sunday afternoon he went away and （機の）カム 支援する late at night with 不安定な Phil. Monday morning the professor left, and 不安定な Phil was my jailer after that. Not so 肉親，親類d as his brother.
"What was going on at the ranch, you gentlemen know better than I do. On Tuesday my daughter wired that she was coming, and of course the game was up if she reached here. So Thorn met her in Eldorado, told her I was 負傷させるd and up at the 地雷, and took her there. 自然に, she 信用d him. Since then she has been there with me, and we'd be there now if Mr. Eden and Mr. Holley had not come up tonight, searching for this other young woman who had, unfortunately for her, つまずくd on the 事件／事情／状勢 早期に in the day."
Madden rose. "That's my story, 郡保安官. Do you wonder that I want to see this ギャング（団） behind the 妨げる／法廷，弁護士業s? I'll sleep better then."
"井戸／弁護士席, I reckon it's 平易な arranged," returned the 郡保安官. "I'll take 'em along and we can 直す／買収する，八百長をする the 令状s later. Guess I'll see 'em 安全な in the 刑務所，拘置所 at the 郡-seat—Eldorado can't 申し込む／申し出 'em all the 慰安s of a first-class 独房."
"One thing," said Madden. "Thorn, I heard you say the other night to Delaney, 'You were always afraid of him—that time in New York—' What did that mean? You tried this thing before?"
Thorn looked up with stricken 直面する, which had been hidden in his 手渡すs. "長，指導者, I'm sorry about this. I'll talk. We had it all 始める，決める to pull it once at the office in New York, when you were away on a 追跡（する）ing trip. But if you were afraid of Delaney, he was a lot more afraid of you. He got 冷淡な feet—支援するd out at the last minute—"
"And why wouldn't I 支援する out?" snarled Delaney. "I couldn't 信用 any of you. A bunch of yellow dogs—"
"Is that so?" cried 不安定な Phil. "Are you talking about me?"
"Sure I'm talking about you. I suppose you didn't try to 警官，（賞などを）獲得する the pearls in Frisco when we sent you up there to draw Louie Wong away? Oh, I know all about that—"
"Why wouldn't I try to 警官，（賞などを）獲得する them?" 需要・要求するd 不安定な Phil. "You been trying to 警官，（賞などを）獲得する them, 港／避難所't you? When you thought Draycott was bringing them, what did you try to pull? Oh, brother Henry's been on to you—"
"I sure have," put in the professor. "Trying to こそこそ動く off and 会合，会う Draycott alone. If you thought I wasn't wise, you must be a fool. But of course that's what you are—a poor fool that 令状s letters to actresses—"
"Shut up!" bellowed Delaney. "Who had a better 権利 to those pearls? What could you have done if it hadn't been for me? A lot of help you were—mooning 一連の会議、交渉／完成する with your tall talk. And you"—he turned 支援する to 不安定な Phil—"you pulled some brilliant stuff. Putting a knife in Louie Wong 権利 on the door-step—"
"Who put a knife in Louie Wong?" cried 不安定な Phil.
"You did," shouted Thorn. "I was with you and I saw you. I'll 断言する to that—"
"An 従犯者, eh?" grinned the 郡保安官. "By gad, just let this ギャング（団） loose at one another, and they'll hang themselves."
"Boys, boys," said the professor gently. "削減（する） it out. We'll never get anywhere that way. 郡保安官, we are ready—"
"One moment," said Charlie Chan. He disappeared 簡潔に, and returned with a small 黒人／ボイコット 捕らえる、獲得する, which he 始める，決める before Madden. "I have 楽しみ calling your attention to this," he 発表するd. "You will find inside 広大な （人が）群がるs of 通貨. Money from sale of 社債s, money sent from New York office. Pretty much 損なわれていない—but not やめる. I ask Delaney."
"It's all there," Delaney growled.
Chan shook his 長，率いる. "I grieve to 異なる even with rascal like you are. But there was Eddie Boston—"
"Yes," replied Delaney. "It's true—I gave Boston five thousand dollars. He 認めるd me the other day in the yard. Go after him and get it 支援する—the dirty crook!"
The 郡保安官 laughed. "Speaking of crooks," he said, "that sounds to me like your cue, boys. We'd better be getting along, Bliss. We can 断言する in a 副 or two in Eldorado. Mr. Madden, I'll see you tomorrow."
（頭が）ひょいと動く Eden went up to Delaney. "井戸／弁護士席, Jerry," he smiled, "I'm afraid this is good-bye. You've been my host 負かす／撃墜する here, and my mother told me I must always say I've had a very nice time—"
"Oh, go to the devil," said Delaney.
The 郡保安官 and Bliss herded their 捕虜s out into the 砂漠 night, and Eden went over to Paula Wendell.
"出口 the Delaney quartet," he 発言／述べるd. "I guess my 立ち往生させるing days at the ranch are ended. I'm taking the ten-thirty train to Barstow, and—"
"Better call up for a taxi," she 示唆するd.
"Not while you and the roadster are on the 職業. If you'll wait while I pack—I want a word with you anyhow. About Wilbur."
"One happy thought runs through my mind," Will Holley was 説. "I'm the author of a famous interview with you, Mr. Madden. One you never gave."
"Really?" replied Madden. "井戸／弁護士席, don't worry. I'll stand behind you."
"Thanks," answered the editor. "I wonder why they gave out that story," he mused.
"Simple to guess," said Chan. "They are wiring New York office money be sent, please. How better to 設立する fact Madden is at 砂漠 ranch than to 炎 same 前へ／外へ in newspapers. Printed word has （犯罪の）一味 of 納得させるing truth."
"I imagine you're 権利," nodded Holley. "By the way, Charlie, we thought we'd have a big surprise for you when we got 支援する from the 地雷. But you （警官の）巡回区域，受持ち区域 us to it, after all."
"By a hair's width," replied Chan. "Now that I have leisure I 屈服する my 長，率いる and do かなりの blushing. Must 収容する／認める I was plenty slow to しっかり掴む 明らかな fact. Only tonight light shone. To please this 勝利者, I を引き渡す pearls. Madden is 調印 領収書—he 令状s slow and painful. Suddenly I think—he does all things slow and painful with that 権利 手渡す. Why? I 解任する Delaney's vest, built for left-手渡すd man. Inwardly, out of sight, I gasp. To make a 実験（する）, I snatch at pearls. Madden, to call him that, snatches, too. But guard is 負かす／撃墜する—he snatches with left 手渡す. He 引き裂くs out ピストル—left 手渡す again. The fact is 証明するd. I know."
"井戸／弁護士席, that was quick thinking," Holley said.
Chan sadly shook his 長，率いる. "Why not? Poor old brain must have been plenty 残り／休憩（する）d. Not at work for many days. When I arrange these dishonest ones in 議長，司会を務めるs to wait for you, I have much time for bitter self-incriminations. Why have I experienced this stupid 沈むing （一定の）期間? All time it was （疑いを）晴らす as 砂漠 morning. A man 令状s important letter, hides in blotter, goes away. Returning, he never touches same. Why? He did not return. Other 平易な 手がかり（を与える）s—Madden, calling him so again, receives Doctor Whitcomb in dusk of patio. Why? She has seen him before. He 会談 with 管理人 in Pasadena—when? Six o'clock, when dark has fallen. Also he 恐れるs to alight from car. Oh, as I sit here I give myself many resounding mental kicks. Why have I been so 厚い? I 非難する this 気候 of South California. Plenty quick I hurry 支援する to Honolulu, where I belong."
"You're too hard on yourself," said P.J. Madden. "If it hadn't been for you, Mr. Eden tells me, the necklace would have been 配達するd long ago, and this （人が）群がる off to the Orient or somewhere else far away. I 借りがある you a lot, and if mere thanks—"
"Stop thanking me," 勧めるd Chan. "Thank Tony. If Tony didn't speak that 開始 night, where would necklace be now? Poor Tony, buried at this moment in 後部 of barn." He turned to 勝利者 Jordan, who had been lurking modestly in the background. "勝利者, before returning north, it is fitting that you place 花冠 of blossoms on 墓／厳粛／彫る／重大な of Tony, the Chinese parrot. Tony died, but he lived to splendid 目的. Before he passed, he saved the Phillimore pearls."
勝利者 nodded. "Anything you say, Charlie. I'll leave a standing order with my florist. I wonder if some one will give me a 解除する 支援する to town?"
"I'll take you," Holley said. "I want to get this thing on the wire. Charlie—shall I see you again—"
"Leaving on next train," replied Chan. "I am calling at your office to collect more fitting 着せる／賦与するs. Do not wait, however. 行方不明になる Wendell has kindly 申し込む／申し出d use of her car."
"I'm waiting for Paula, too," Eden said. "I'll see you at the 駅／配置する." Holley and 勝利者 said their good-byes to Madden and his daughter, and 出発／死d. （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden 協議するd his watch. "井戸／弁護士席, the old home week （人が）群がる is thinning out. Just one thing more, Charlie. When Mr. Madden here （機の）カム in tonight, you weren't a bit surprised. Yet, 認めるing Delaney, your first thought must have been that Madden had been killed."
Chan laughed noiselessly. "I 観察する you have ignorance 関心ing 探偵，刑事 customs. Surprised 探偵，刑事 might 同様に put on アイロンをかける collar and leap from ドッキングする／減らす／ドックに入れる. He is finished. Mr. Madden's 外見 staggering blow for me, but I am not letting 競争相手 policemen know it, thank you. It is 明らかな we keep 行方不明になる Wendell waiting. I have some 所有物／資産／財産 in cookhouse—just one moment."
"The cookhouse," cried P.J. Madden. "By the lord Harry, I'm hungry. I 港／避難所't had anything but canned food for days."
An apprehensive look flitted over Chan's 直面する. "Such a pity," he said. "現在の cook on ranch has 再開するd former profession. 行方不明になる Wendell, I am with you in five seconds." He went あわてて out.
Evelyn Madden put her arm about her father. "元気づける up, dad," she advised. "I'll 運動 you in town and we'll stop at the hotel tonight. You must have a doctor look at your shoulder at once." She turned to （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden. "Of course, there's a restaurant in Eldorado?"
"Of course," smiled Eden. "It's called the Oasis, but it isn't. However, I can heartily recommend the steaks."
P.J. Madden was on his feet, himself again. "All 権利, Evelyn. Call up the hotel and reserve a 控訴—five rooms—no, make it a 床に打ち倒す. Tell the proprietor I want supper served in my sitting-room—two porterhouse steaks, and everything else they've got. Tell him to have the best doctor in town there when I arrive. Help me find the telegraph blanks. Put in five long distance calls—no, that had better wait until we reach the hotel. Find out if there's anybody in Eldorado who can take 口述. Call up the 主要な real-広い地所 man and put this place on the market. I never want to see it again. And oh, yes—don't let that Chinese 探偵，刑事 get away without seeing me. I'm not through with him. Make a 公式文書，認める to call a secretarial bureau in Los Angeles at eight in the morning—"
（頭が）ひょいと動く Eden hurried to his room, and packed his スーツケース. When he returned, Chan was standing in Madden's presence, 持つ／拘留するing crisp bank-公式文書，認めるs in his 手渡す.
"Mr. Madden has given 領収書 for necklace," said the Chinese. "He has also 施行するd on me this 広大な sum of money, which I am somewhat loathsome to 受託する."
"Nonsense," Eden replied. "You take it, Charlie. You've earned it."
"Just what I told him," Madden 宣言するd.
Chan put the bank-公式文書，認めるs carefully away. "解放する／自由な to 発言／述べる the sum 代表するs two and one half years' salary in Honolulu. This 本土／大陸 気候 not so bad, after all."
"Good-bye, Mr. Eden," Madden said. "I've thanked Mr. Chan—but what shall I say to you? You've been through a lot 負かす／撃墜する here—"
"Been through some of the happiest moments of my life," Eden replied.
Madden shook his 長，率いる. "井戸／弁護士席, I don't understand that—"
"I think I do," said his daughter. "Good luck, （頭が）ひょいと動く, and thank you a thousand times."
The 砂漠 勝利，勝つd was 冷静な／正味の and を締めるing as they went out to the little roadster, waiting 根気よく in the yard. Paula Wendell climbed in behind the wheel. "Get in, Mr. Chan," she 招待するd. Chan took his place beside her. （頭が）ひょいと動く Eden 投げ上げる／ボディチェックするd his スーツケース into the luggage compartment at the 支援する, and returned to the car door.
"Squeeze in there, Charlie," he said. "Don't make a fool of the 宣伝s. This is a three-seater car."
Charlie squeezed. "Moment of gentle 当惑 for me," he 発言／述べるd. "The 広大な extensiveness of my area becomes painfully 明らかな."
They were out on the road. The Joshua trees waved them a weird 別れの（言葉，会） in the white moonlight.
"Charlie," said Eden, "I suppose you don't dream why you are in this party?"
"行方不明になる Wendell very 肉親，親類d," 発言／述べるd Chan.
"肉親，親類d—and 用心深い," laughed Eden. "You're here as a Wilbur—a sort of 衝撃を和らげるもの between this young woman and the dread 会・原則 of marriage. She doesn't believe in marriage, Charlie. Now where do you suppose she 選ぶd up that foolish notion?"
"Plenty foolish," agreed Chan. "She should be argued at."
"She will be argued at. She brought you along because she knows I'm mad about her. She's seen it in my 広大な／多数の／重要な 信用ing 注目する，もくろむs. She knows that since I've met her, that precious freedom of 地雷 seems a rather stale joke. She realizes that I'll never give up—that I ーするつもりである to take her away from the 砂漠—but she thought I wouldn't について言及する it if you were along."
"I begin to feel like 骸骨／概要 at feast," 発言／述べるd Chan.
"元気づける up—you certainly don't feel like that to me," Eden 保証するd him. "Yes, she thought I'd fail to speak of the 事柄—but we'll fool her. I'll speak of it anyhow. Charlie, I love this girl."
"Natural you do," agreed Chan.
"I ーするつもりである to marry her."
"Imminently fitting 目的," assented Chan. "But she has said no word."
Paula Wendell laughed. "Marriage," she said. "The last 訴える手段／行楽地 of feeble minds. I'm having a 広大な／多数の／重要な time, thanks. I love my freedom. I mean to hang on to it."
"Sorry to hear that," said Chan. "許す me if I speak a few words in 好意 of married 明言する／公表する. I am one who knows. Where is the better place than a new home? Truly an earthly 楽園 where cares 消える, where the heavenly melody of wife's 発言する／表明する vibrates everything in a strange symphony."
"Sounds pretty good to me," 発言／述べるd Eden.
"The ramble 手渡す in 手渡す with wife on evening streets, the stroll by moonly seaside. I recollect the happy spring of my own marriage with 制限のない yearning."
"How does it sound to you, Paula?" Eden 固執するd.
"And this young man," continued Chan. "I am unable to しっかり掴む why you resist. To me he is plenty 罰金 fellow. I have for him a 広大な／多数の／重要な likeness." Paula Wendell said nothing. "A very 広大な／多数の／重要な likeness," 追加するd Chan.
"井戸／弁護士席," 認める the girl, "if it comes to that, I have a little likeness for him myself."
Chan dug his 肘 深い into Eden's 味方する. They climbed between the dark hills and the lights of Eldorado shone before them. As they drove up to the hotel, Holley and 勝利者 Jordan 迎える／歓迎するd them.
"Here you are," said the editor. "Your 捕らえる、獲得する is in the office, Charlie. The door's 打ち明けるd."
"Many thanks," returned Chan, and fled.
Holley looked up at the white 星／主役にするs. "Sorry you're going, Eden," he said. "It'll be a bit lonesome 負かす／撃墜する here without you."
"But you'll be in New York," 示唆するd Eden.
Holley shook his 長，率いる and smiled. "Oh, no, I won't. I sent a 電報電信 this evening. A few years ago, perhaps—but not now. I can't go now. Somehow, this 砂漠 country—井戸／弁護士席, it's got me, I guess. I'll have to take my New York in pictures from this on."
Far off across the dreary waste of sand the whistle of the Barstow train broke the 砂漠 silence. Charlie （機の）カム around the corner; the coat and vest of Sergeant Chan had 取って代わるd the Canton crepe blouse of Ah Kim.
"Hoarse 発言する／表明する of 鉄道／強行採決する 布告するs end of our adventure," he 発言／述べるd. He took Paula Wendell's 手渡す. "受託する last wish from somewhat 疲れた／うんざりした postman. May this be for you beginning of life's greatest adventure. And happiest."
They crossed the empty street. "Good-bye," Eden said, as he and the girl paused in the 影をつくる／尾行する of the 駅／配置する. Something in the warm clasp of her slender strong fingers told him all he 手配中の，お尋ね者 to know, and his heart （警官の）巡回区域，受持ち区域 faster. He drew her の近くに.
"I'm coming 支援する soon," he 約束d. He transferred the emerald （犯罪の）一味 to her 権利 手渡す. "Just by way of a 思い出の品," he 追加するd. "When I return I'll bring a 代用品，人—the glittering 選ぶ of the finest 在庫／株 on the coast. Our 在庫／株."
"Our 在庫／株?"
"Yes." The 支店-line train had clattered in, and Chan was calling to him from the car steps. "You don't know it yet, but for you the dream of every woman's life has come true. You're going to marry a man who owns a 宝石類 蓄える／店."
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