for a moment by a tangible bit of explanation. Here was a start, something into which they could get their teeth. From this they must push on to—what?
Chan was waiting in the patio when Bob Eden came out. His face was decorated with a broad grin.
“Breakfast reposes on table,” he announced. “Consume it speedily. Before us stretches splendid day for investigation with no prying eyes.”
“What’s that?” asked Eden. “Nobody here? How about Gamble?”
Chan led the way to the living-room, and held Bob Eden’s chair. “Oh, cut that, Charlie,” the boy said. “You’re not Ah Kim today. Do you mean to say that Gamble has also left us?”
Chan nodded. “Gamble develops keen yearning to visit Pasadena,” he replied. “On which journey he is welcome as one of his long-tailed rats.”
Eden quaffed his orange juice. “Madden didn’t want him, eh?”
“Not much,” Chan answered. “I rise before day breaks and prepare breakfast, which are last night’s orders. Madden and Thorn arrive, brushing persistent sleep out of eyes. Suddenly enters this Professor Gamble, plentifully awake and singing happy praise for desert sunrise.’You are up early,’says Madden, growling like dissatisfied dog.’Decided to take little journey to Pasadena along with you,’announces Gamble. Madden purples like distant hills when evening comes, but regards me and quenches his reply. When he and Thorn enter big car, behold Mr. Gamble climbing into rear seat. If looks could assassinate Madden would then and there have rendered him extinct, but such are not the case. Car
