Eden thought fast. Barstow was about the proper distance away to account for the mileage on the big car. But where was the red clay on station platforms hereabouts?
“You’re certain she reached Los Angeles safely?” he asked.
“Of course. I saw her there on Wednesday. Now, I’ve answered all your questions. It’s your turn. Why did you think something was wrong here?”
“What has become of Shaky Phil Maydorf?” countered Eden.
“Who?”
“Shaky Phil—the lad who called himself McCallum, and who won forty-seven dollars from me at poker here the other night?”
“You mean his name was really Maydorf?” inquired Madden with interest.
“I certainly do. I had some experience with Maydorf in San Francisco.”
“In what way?”
“He acted as though he was trying to annex the Phillimore pearls.”
Madden’s face was purple again. “Is that so? Would you mind telling me about it?”
“Not at all,” replied Eden. He narrated Maydorf’s activities at the pier, but failed to mention the connection with Louie Wong.
“Why didn’t you tell me sooner?” demanded Madden.
“Because I thought you knew it. I still think so.”
“You’re crazy.”
“Maybe. We won’t go into that. But when I saw Maydorf down here, it was natural to suspect something was wrong. I’m
