Nothin to say, replied Cherry stubbornly. At five
minutes past ten the roar of the big car in the yard broke theintense
stillness.
A kindly old soul, Louie, suggested Eden. Without a
word to his chief, the secretary threw down his hat and droppedwearily into a chair.
Just one more little problem rising up, said Chan.
A quarter to nine, and still no sign of Thornand
Evelyn Madden.
No morningmists on the landscape here, but in his
mind a constantly increasing fog. Your thought has, from me, nothing but hot
opposition.
Im no hypocrite, and tryas I may, I cant discover
any lurking fondness for Wilbur. When he returnedto the living-room, Madden and
Gamble were together there. When theyalighted, Charlie and Will Holley were waiting.
Get in, said Thorn, and Ill tell you about him. There he was standin, the gun in his
hand, anhe looks toward the window. Well, said Eden finally, youve heard something,
lady. And you cant freeze herout any longer because she now knows more about your
case than you do. Hewould see this latest development through.
Ive told my story, an Ill tell it agin, any time Im
asked. Have to be, after this, whether youlike it or not.
Well stop a minute, if we may, suggested Eden.
Ridiculous, butyou were always afraid of him, Thorn had said. Holley rose and walked
up and down for a moment.
But that was the time of Great Expectations. Eden
related the purport of themillionaires call on him the night before. But theminute I
comes into the yard, I see theres something doin there. Judges an courts an all that
truck aint fer me.
Ill dazzle you with them at the proper moment. Very
good of you to say so, returned the doctor, with gentle sarcasm.
It was from Madame Jordan, a rather touchingappeal
not to let the deal for the pearls fall through. A man who seemed to have the world
in his grasp, butwho had killed because he was afraid.
Foremost in his thoughts was theproblem of Evelyn
Madden.
Like a talk now an then with a
goodlistener.
Judges an courts an all that truck aint fer
me.
Judges an courts an all that truck aint fer
me.
I thought thiswas jest one more secret fer me an
the desert together. Just pass out in agony moaning for the subway andthe comics in
the evening paper. His mount stumbled,and he reined it in sharply.
Tell him to meet me at the door of the Garfield
National Bank in Pasadenaat noon, sharp, Wednesday. Bit of city lifenever did
anybody any harm.
The old rancher whorents me a horse will find one
for you, Im sure.