The Greatest Works of Earl Derr Biggers (Illustrated Edition). Earl Derr Biggers
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СКАЧАТЬ your arms tight against your ears."

      "The tighter the better, as far as I'm concerned."

      "Then double up like a jackknife," continued the instructor. He doubled up like a jackknife and rose into the air.

      At the same instant John Quincy seized the girl's hands. "Listen to me. I can't wait another second. I want to tell you that I love you—"

      "You're mad," she cried.

      "Mad about you. Ever since that day on the ferry—"

      "But your people?"

      "What about my people? It's just you and I—we'll live in San Francisco—that is, if you love me—"

      "Well, I—"

      "In heaven's name, be quick. That human submarine is floating around here under us. You love me, don't you? You'll marry me?"

      "Yes."

      He took her in his arms and kissed her. Only the wandering Winterslips could kiss like that. The stay-at-homes had always secretly begrudged them the accomplishment.

      The girl broke away at last, breathless. "Johnnie!" she cried.

      A sputter beside them, and Lieutenant Booth climbed on to the float, moist and panting. "Wha's that?" he gurgled.

      "She was speaking to me," cried John Quincy triumphantly.

       THE END

      The Chinese Parrot

       Table of Contents

       Chapter I. The Phillimore Pearls

       Chapter II. The Detective From Hawaii

       Chapter III. At Chan Kee Lim's

       Chapter IV. The Oasis Special

       Chapter V. Madden's Ranch

       Chapter VI. Tony's Happy New Year

       Chapter VII. The Postman Sets Out

       Chapter VIII. A Friendly Little Game

       Chapter IX. A Ride in the Dark

       Chapter X. Bliss of the Homicide Squad

       Chapter XI. Thorn Goes on a Mission

       Chapter XII. The Trolley on the Desert

       Chapter XIII. What Mr. Cherry Saw

       Chapter XIV. The Third Man

       Chapter XV. Will Holley's Theory

       Chapter XVI. "The Movies are in Town"

       Chapter XVII. In Madden's Footsteps

       Chapter XVIII. The Barstow Train

       Chapter XIX. The Voice on the Air

       Chapter XX. Petticoat Mine

       Chapter XXI. End of the Postman's Journey

       Chapter XXII. The Road to Eldorado

      Chapter I. The Phillimore Pearls

       Table of Contents

      Alexander Eden stepped from the misty street into the great, marble-pillared room where the firm of Meek and Eden offered its wares. Immediately, behind showcases gorgeous with precious stones or bright with silver, platinum and gold, forty resplendent clerks stood at attention. Their morning coats were impeccable, lacking the slightest suspicion 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 right and left and went on his way, his heels clicking cheerily on the spotless tile floor. He was a small man, gray-haired and immaculate, with a quick keen eye and the imperious manner that so well became his position. For the clan of Meek, having duly inherited the earth, had relinquished that inheritance and passed to the great beyond, leaving Alexander Eden the sole owner of the best-known jewelry store west of the Rockies.

      Arriving at the rear of the shop, he ascended a brief stairway to the luxurious suite of offices on the mezzanine floor where he spent his days. In the anteroom of the suite he encountered his secretary.

      "Ah, good morning, Miss Chase," he said.

      The girl answered with a smile. Eden's eye for beauty, developed by long experience in the jewel trade, had not failed him when he picked Miss Chase. She was an ash blonde with violet eyes; her manners were exquisite; so was her gown. Bob Eden, reluctant heir to the business, had been heard to remark that entering his father's office was like arriving for tea in a very exclusive drawing-room.

      Alexander Eden glanced at his watch. "In about ten minutes," he announced, "I expect a caller—an old friend of mine—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 broad, gleaming desk lay the morning mail; he glanced at it idly, but his mind was elsewhere. In a moment he strolled to one of the windows and stood there gazing at the facade СКАЧАТЬ