When the servant camein with coffee, Madden
said:Light the fire in the patio, Ah Kim.
Ever eat breakfast with a rattlesnake thats had
badnews?
Madden strangled a sentence in his throat, and once
more the game was on. He stood looking down at the boy, wistfully.
If you needhelp out there, dont forget Will
Holley.
Ever noticehow white the stars are in this
country?
We do not hand overpearls tonight, I
think?
The gate was open, and Chan turned the car into the
yard.
Tell him for me that if he calls here again,Ill
throw him out. Others leaned against the trunks of the cottonwoods, talking of
theroads, of crops, of politics. Thorn was dealing, and Madden himself went to the
door and swung it open. Because of you I am hoping we can soon leave Maddens ranch.
The company at the Oasis is mixed, but not so mixed as that.
You have told him nothingabout San Francisco, I
hope. Martin, givethe gentleman a stack of chips.
They will start tomorrow at thevery latest. Atfour
in the afternoon he could stand it no longer.
Allwe need here to wreck the works is that amiable
bonehead and his spats.
Only this noon I could well have applied tomyself
resounding kick. Good night, gentlemen, andthank you very much.
Bob Edens mind returned to the strange problems
thatconfronted him. A little restaurant on OFarrell Street, a few goodfellows, a
bottle of mineral water on the table. Would you mind if I drifted into town this
afternoon?
An hour later, there on the lonely desert, they
again sat down to AhKims cooking.
Much sold to ranchers hereabouts as rat killer.
Theyoung woman goes much about this country? Some hoursago parrot drops from perch
into vast eternity. He told me he used to drive avegetable truck in Los
Angeles.
Well, he isnt likely to get home until
evening.
Amatter you cant grasp, just yet, he
added.
Among other items,a can that lately contained
arsenic.
Only this morning he tell me I talk too
much.
Well, Im pretty sure of one thing, after tonight,
Eden told him. The Chinese went to comply with this order, and Eden saw Madden
regardinghim expectantly.
You can find something queer almost anywhere, if
youlook for it. I dont know how anxious you people are to sell that necklace. Thorn
was in the neighborhood, Icouldnt resist the temptation to drop in.
Recalled, maybe, by sudden flashing on of lights in
bedroomoccupied by Martin Thorn, the secretary. Thorn emptied the contents of the
basket into the hole, and began to fillit in.