“Think more deeply,” suggested Chan. “To follow an old woman. Where is the honor there?”
Eden laughed. “Oh, forget it, Charlie. I apologize with all my heart.”
Chan beamed. “Thanks warmly. Then all is settled. We do not hand over pearls tonight, I think?”
“No, of course we don’t,” agreed Eden. “We’re on the trail of something—heaven knows what. It’s all up to you, Charlie, from now on. I follow where you lead.”
“You were number one prophet, after all,” said Chan. “Postman on vacation goes for long walk. Here on broad desert I can not forget profession. We return to Madden’s ranch and find what we shall find. Some might say, Madden is there, give him necklace. Our duty as splendid American citizens does not permit. If we deliver necklace, we go away, truth is strangled, guilty escape. Necklace deal falls now into second place.” He gathered up the evidence in the matter of Tony and restored it to his pocket “Poor Tony. Only this morning he tell me I talk too much. Now like boom—boomerang, remark returns and smites him. It is my pressing duty to negotiate with food merchant. Meet me in fifteen minutes before hotel door.”
When he had gone out, Holley and Eden were silent for a moment. “Well,” said the editor at last, “I was wrong—all wrong. There’s something doing out at Madden’s ranch.”
Eden nodded. “Sure there is. But what?”
“All day,” continued Holley, “I’ve been wondering about that interview Madden gave me. For no apparent reason, he broke one of the strictest rules of his life. Why?”
