Kim can drive a flivver—a rather remarkable boy, Ah Kim.” He was thoughtfully silent for a moment. “I’m sending him to town later in the afternoon for supplies. Our larder’s rather low. He’ll pick you up.” The Chinese entered to clear away. “Ah Kim, you’re to bring Mr. Eden back with you this evening.”
“Allight. I bring bling’um,” said Ah Kim, without interest.
“I’ll meet you in front of the hotel any time you say,” suggested Eden.
Ah Kim regarded him sourly. “Maybe flive’clock,” he said.
“Fine. At five then.”
“You late, you no catch’um lide,” warned the Chinese.
“I’ll be there,” the boy promised. He went to his room and got a cap. When he returned, Madden was waiting.
“In case your father calls this afternoon, I’ll tell him you want that matter rushed through,” he said.
Eden’s heart sank. He hadn’t thought of that. Suppose his father returned to the office unexpectedly—but no, that was unlikely. And it wouldn’t do to show alarm and change his plans now.
“Surely,” he remarked carelessly. “If he isn’t satisfied without a word from me, tell him to call again about six.”
When he stepped into the yard, the girl was skillfully turning her car about. He officiated at the gate, and joined her in the sandy road.
The car moved off and Eden got his first unimpeded look at this queer world Holley had called the devil’s garden. “Plenty acres of unlimitable sand,” Chan had said, and that about summed it up. Far in the distance was a touch of beauty—a cobalt sky above snow-capped mountains. But elsewhere
