Earl Derr Biggers: Complete 11 Novels in One Volume (Illustrated Edition). Earl Derr Biggers

protested Madden.

      "Think so, do you?" remarked Bliss. "Well, I don't. I tell you I know these Chinks. They think nothing of sticking knives in each other. Nothing at all." Ah Kim emerged from around the side of the house. "Hey, you," cried Captain Bliss. Bob Eden began to worry.

      Ah Kim came 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 round here."

      The Chinese regarded this crude practitioner of his own arts with a lifeless eye. "You crazy, boss," he said.

      "Is that so?" Bliss's face hardened. "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 sneaked 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 cop, hey, boss?"

      Holley and Eden looked at each other with keen enjoyment. Madden broke in, "Oh, come now, Captain, you haven't got a thing against him, and you know it. You take my cook away from me without any evidence, and I'll make you sweat for it."

      "Well—I—" Bliss hesitated. "I know he did it, and I'll prove it later." His eyes lighted. "How'd you get into this country?" he demanded.

      "Melican citizen, 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."

      Bob Eden's heart sank to his boots. Though many Chinese were without chock-gees, he knew that the lack of one would be sufficient excuse for this stupid policeman to arrest 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—certificate—hand 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 note, and handed it to Bliss.

      The Captain read it sourly and handed it back. "All right—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 admit I'm stumped for the time being. But that condition don't last long with me. I'll get to the bottom of this yet. You'll see me again."

      "Run out any time," Madden invited with deep insincerity. "If I happen on anything, I'll call Constable Brackett."

      Bliss and the constable got into their car and rode 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 admitted. "But good old Charlie thinks of everything."

      Holley climbed into his car. "Well, I guess Madden isn't going to invite 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 assured him.

      "You're crazy, boss," Eden laughed, as the editor drove away.

      Returning to his room, he found Ah Kim calmly making the bed.

      "Charlie, you're a peach," said the boy, closing the door. "I thought we were sunk without warning. 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 drive me amidst other garden truck from Barstow to Eldorado. I make simple arrangement to rent chock-gee short while. Happy to note long wear in pockets make photograph look like image of anybody. Came to me in bright flash Madden might ask for identification certificate before engaging me for honorable tasks. 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 pay you handsomely."

      Chan shook his head. "What you say in car riding to ferry? Postman on holiday itches to try long stretch of road. All this sincere pleasure for me. When I untie knots and find answer that will be fine reward." He bowed and departed.

      Some hours later, while they waited for lunch, Bob Eden and Madden sat talking in the big living-room. The millionaire was reiterating his desire to return east at the earliest possible moment. He was sitting facing the door. Suddenly on his big red face appeared a look of displeasure so intense it startled the boy. Turning about, Eden saw standing in the doorway the slight figure of a man, a stooped, studious-looking man who carried a suitcase in one hand. The little naturalist of the Oasis Cafe.

      "Mr. Madden?" inquired the newcomer.

      "I'm Madden," said the millionaire. "What is it?"

      "Ah, yes." The stranger came into the room, and set down his bag. "My name, sir, is Gamble, Thaddeus Gamble, and I am keenly interested in certain fauna surrounding your desert home. I have here a letter from an old friend of yours, the president of a college that has received many benefactions at your hands. If you will be so kind as to look it over—"

      He offered the letter and Madden took it, glaring at him in a most unfriendly manner. When the millionaire had read the brief epistle, he tore it into bits and, rising, tossed them into the fireplace.

      "You want to stop here a few days?" he said.

      "It would be most convenient if I could," answered Gamble. "Of course, I should like to pay for my accommodations—"

      Madden waved his hand. Ah Kim came in, headed for the luncheon table. "Another place, Ah Kim," ordered Madden. "And show Mr. Gamble to the room in the left wing—the one next to Mr. Eden's."

      "Very kind of you, I'm sure," remarked Gamble suavely. "I shall try to make as little trouble as may be. Luncheon impends, I take it. Not unwelcome, either. This—er—this desert air, sir—er—I'll return in a moment."

      He followed Ah Kim out. Madden glared after him, his face purple. Bob 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."

      Bob Eden continued to wonder. Who was Mr. Gamble? What did he want at Madden's ranch?

      Chapter XI. Thorn Goes on a Mission

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      Whatever Mr. Gamble's mission at the ranch, Bob Eden reflected during lunch, it was obviously a peaceful one. Seldom had he encountered a more mild-mannered little chap. All through the meal the newcomer talked volubly and well, with the gentle, cultivated accent of a scholar. Madden was sour and unresponsive;