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

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      Chapter VI. The Guest Detective

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      BARRY KIRK tossed Chan's suitcase into the luggage compartment of his roadster, and the trio crowded again onto its single seat. The car swung about in the pier shed and emerged into the bright sunlight of the Embarcadero.

      "You are partially consumed with wonder at my return?" suggested Chan.

      The girl shrugged. "You're back. That's enough for me."

      "All the same, I will confess my shame. It seems I have circulated so long with mainland Americans I have now, by contagion, acquired one of their worst faults. I too suffer curiosity. Event comes off on boat which reveals, like heavenly flash, my hidden weakness."

      "Something happened on the boat?" Miss Morrow inquired.

      "You may believe it did. On my supposed farewell ride through city, I inform you of Li Gung. I tell you he must be questioned. He can not be questioned now."

      "No? Why not?"

      "Because he is on Maui, churning away. It is not unprobable that shortly he will experience a feeling of acute disfavor in that seat of all wisdom, the stomach."

      "Li Gung on the Maui?" repeated the girl. Her eyes were wide. "What can that mean?"

      "A question," admitted Chan, "which causes the mind to itch. Not only is Li Gung on Maui, but he was warmly encouraged away from here by a friend of ours." He repeated the brief conversation he had overheard in the adjoining cabin.

      Barry Kirk was the first to speak. "Colonel Beetham, eh?" he said. "Well, I'm not surprised."

      "Nonsense," cried Miss Morrow warmly. "Surely he isn't involved? A fine man like that—"

      "A fine man," Chan conceded, "and a hard one. Look in his eyes and behold; they are cold and gleaming, like the tiger's. Nothing stands in the way when such eyes are fixed on the goal of large success—stands there long—alive."

      The girl did not seem to be convinced. "I won't believe it. But shouldn't we have taken Li Gung off the boat?"

      Chan shrugged. "Too late. The opportunity wore rapid wings."

      "Then we'll have him questioned in Honolulu," Miss Morrow said.

      Chan shook his head. "Pardon me if I say, not that. Chinese character too well known to me. Questioning would yield no result—save one. It would serve to advise Colonel Beetham that we look on him with icy eye. I shudder at the thought—this Colonel clever man. Difficult enough to shadow if he does not suspect. Impossible if he leaps on guard."

      "Then what do you suggest?" asked the girl.

      "Let Li Gung, unknowing, be watched. If he seeks to proceed beyond Honolulu, rough hands will restrain him. Otherwise we permit him to lie, like winter overcoat in closet during heated term." Chan turned to Barry Kirk. "You are taking me back to hotel?"

      "I am not," smiled Kirk. "No more hotel for you. If you're going to look into this little puzzle, the place for you is the Kirk Building, where the matter originated. Don't you say so, Miss Morrow?"

      "That's awfully kind of you," said the girl.

      "Not at all. It's painfully lonesome up where the fog begins without at least one guest. I'm all out of visitors at the moment—er— ah—I mean Mr. Chan will be doing me a real favor." He turned to Charlie. "You shall have Sir Frederic's room," he added.

      Chan shrugged. "I can never repay such goodness. Why attempt it?"

      "Let's go to my office, first of all," Miss Morrow said. "I want the district attorney to meet Mr. Chan. We must all be friends—at the start, anyhow."

      "Anywhere you say," Kirk agreed, and headed the car up Market Street, to Kearny. He remained in the roadster, while the girl and Charlie went up to the district attorney's offices. When they entered that gentleman's private room, they found Captain Flannery already on the scene.

      "Mr. Trant—I've good news for you," the girl began. "Oh—good morning, Captain."

      Flannery's Irish eyes were not precisely smiling as they rested on Charlie Chan. "What's this, Sergeant?" he growled. "I thought you were off for Honolulu at twelve?"

      Chan grinned. "You will be delighted to learn that my plans are changed. Miss Morrow has persuaded me to remain here and add my minute brain power to your famous capacity in same line."

      "Is that so?" mumbled Flannery.

      "Yes—isn't it splendid?" cried the girl. "Mr. Chan is going to help us." She turned to her chief. "You must give him a temporary appointment as a sort of guest detective connected with this office."

      Trant smiled. "Wouldn't that be a bit irregular?" he asked.

      "Impossible," said Flannery firmly.

      "Not at all," persisted the girl. "It's a very difficult case, and we shall need all the help we can get. Sergeant Chan will not interfere with you, Captain—"

      "I'll say he won't," Flannery replied warmly.

      "He can act in a sort of advisory capacity. You're a big enough man to take advice, I know."

      "When СКАЧАТЬ