The Greatest Works of Earl Derr Biggers (Illustrated Edition). Earl Derr Biggers

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СКАЧАТЬ Madden. "She is not with me." That was all.

      "A great 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 Bob Eden. "I'll attend to that." He led the way through the bright living-room, past Mr. Gamble deep in a huge book. 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.

      "Well, I rely on you. If he doesn't repeat my story to the sheriff, you must."

      The boy hesitated. "I'll tell you something—in confidence," he said. "Everything possible is being done to find the murderer of Louie. Not by Madden—but by—others."

      The doctor sat silent for a moment in the dark car under the dark, star-spangled sky. "I think I understand," she said softly. "With all my heart, I wish you luck, my boy."

      Eden took her hand. "If I shouldn't see you again, Doctor—I want you to know. Just meeting you has been a privilege."

      "I'll remember that," she answered. "Good night."

      The boy watched her back the car through the open gate. When he returned to the living-room, Madden and Gamble were together there. "Confounded old busybody," Madden said.

      "Wait a minute," Eden said hotly. "That woman with just her two hands 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 affairs?" demanded Madden.

      Further warm words were on the tip of the boy's tongue, but he restrained himself. However, he reflected that he was about fed up with this arrogant, callous millionaire.

      He looked toward the clock. A quarter to nine, and still no sign of Thorn and Evelyn Madden. Was the girl's train late? Hardly likely.

      Though he did not feel particularly welcome in the room, he waited on. He would see this latest development through. At ten o'clock Mr. Gamble rose, and commenting favorably on the desert air, went to his room.

      At five minutes past ten the roar of the big car in the yard broke the intense stillness. Bob Eden sat erect, his eager eyes straying from one door to another. Presently the glass doors leading to the patio opened. Martin Thorn came in alone.

      Without a word to his chief, the secretary threw down his hat and dropped wearily into a chair. The silence became oppressive.

      "Got your business attended to, eh?" suggested Eden cheerfully.

      "Yes," said Thorn—no more. Eden rose.

      "Well, I guess I'll turn in," he said, and went to his room. As he entered he heard the splash of Mr. Gamble in the bath that lay between his apartment and that occupied by the professor. His seclusion was ended. Have to be more careful in the future.

      Shortly after his lights were on, Ah Kim appeared at the door. Eden, finger on lips, indicated the bath. The Chinese nodded. They stepped to the far side of the bedroom and spoke in low tones.

      "Well, 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 desert, I think," Chan returned. "When big car go out, I note 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 announces quietly twelve thousand eight hundred and seventy-nine miles."

      "Charlie, you think of everything," Eden said admiringly.

      "Strange place this Thorn has been," Charlie added. "Much red clay on ground." He exhibited a fragment of earth. "Scraped off on accelerator," he explained. "Maybe you have seen such place round here?"

      "Nothing like it," replied Eden. "You don't suppose he's harmed 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 haven'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 handle 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 easy, 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 leading into the room occupied by Gamble, and returned, shutting the door behind him.

      "Now," he began, "I want to see you. Keep your voice down. I've finally got hold of your father on the telephone, and he tells me a man named Draycott will arrive with the pearls at Barstow tomorrow noon."

      Eden's heart sank. "Ah—er—that ought to bring him here tomorrow night—"

      Madden leaned close, and spoke in a hoarse undertone. "Whatever happens," he said, "I don't want that fellow to come to the ranch."

      Eden stared at him in amazement. "Well, Mr. Madden, I'll be—"

      "Hush! Leave my name out of it."

      "But after all our preparation—"

      "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, meet this Draycott, and order him to go on to Pasadena. I'm going down there on Wednesday. Tell him to meet me at the door of the Garfield National Bank in Pasadena at noon, sharp, Wednesday. I'll take the pearls then—and I'll put them where they'll be safe."

      Bob Eden smiled. "All right," he agreed. "You're the boss."

      "Good," said Madden. "I'll have Ah Kim drive 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 Gamble—of course. Not even to Thorn."

      "I get you," Eden answered.

      "Fine! Then it's set. Good night."

      Madden went softly out. For a long time Eden stared after him, more puzzled than ever.

      "Well, anyhow," he said at last, "it means another day of grace. For this relief, much thanks."

      Chapter XII. The Trolley on the Desert

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