he said. “Picked it up from some bartender, I suppose.”
“One at a time, gentlemen, please.”
“It’s all right, Tony,” Madden continued. “We’re not lined up for drinks. And you keep quiet. I hope you weren’t unduly alarmed, Mr. Eden. There seems to have been a killing or two in those barrooms where Tony used to hang out. Martin,”—he turned to his secretary—“take him to the barn and lock him up.”
Thorn came forward. Bob Eden thought that the secretary’s face was even paler than usual in the moonlight. He held out his hands to the parrot. Did Eden imagine it, or were the hands really trembling? “Here, Tony,” said Thorn. “Nice Tony. You come with me.” Gingerly he unfastened the chain from Tony’s leg.
“You wanted to see me, didn’t you?” Madden said. He led the way to his bedroom, and closed the door behind them. “What is it? Have you got those pearls, after all?”
The door opened, and the Chinese shuffled into the room.
“What the devil do you want?” cried Madden.
“You allight, boss?”
“Of course, I’m all right. Get out of here.”
“Tomallah,” said Charlie Chan in his role of Ah Kim, and a glance that was full of meaning passed between him and Bob Eden. “Tomallah nice day, you bet. See you tomallah, gentlemen.”
He departed, leaving the door open. Eden saw him moving across the patio on silent feet. He was not waiting outside Madden’s door.
“What was it you wanted?” Madden persisted.
Bob Eden thought quickly. “I wanted to see you alone for just a moment. This Thorn—you can trust him, can’
