and so would Isaiah.” Gamble was smiling at him in a kindly way, and the millionaire warmed a bit. “Come out, since you’re interested, and I’ll show you round.”
“Very good of you, sir,” replied Gamble, and meekly followed into the patio. Thorn rose and joined them. Quickly Eden went to the telephone and got Will Holley on the wire.
“Look here,” he said in a low voice, “Madden has just taken a telegram over the phone, and it seemed to worry him considerably. I couldn’t make out what it was, but I’d like to know at once. Do you stand well enough with the operator to find out—without rousing suspicion, of course?”
“Sure,” Holley replied. “That kid will tell me anything. Are you alone there? Can I call you back in a few minutes?”
“I’m alone just now,” Eden responded. “If I shouldn’t be when you call back, I’ll pretend you want Madden and turn you over to him. You can fake something to say. But if you hurry, that may not be necessary. Speed, brother, speed!”
As he turned away, Ah Kim came in to gather up the luncheon things.
“Well, Charlie,” Eden remarked. “Another guest at our little hotel, eh?”
Chan shrugged. “Such news comes plenty quick to cookhouse,” he said.
Eden smiled. “You’re the one who wanted to watch and wait,” he reminded the detective. “If you’re threatened with housemaid’s knee, don’t blame me.”
“This Gamble,” mused Chan. “Seems harmless like May morning, I think.”
