The Greatest Works of Earl Derr Biggers (Illustrated Edition). Earl Derr Biggers
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Find out if there's anybody in Eldorado who can take dictation. Call up the leading real-estate man and put this place on the market. I never want to see it again. And oh, yes—don't let that Chinese detective get away without seeing me. I'm not through with him. Make a note to call a secretarial bureau in Los Angeles at eight in the morning—"
Bob Eden hurried to his room, and packed his suitcase. When he returned, Chan was standing in Madden's presence, holding crisp bank-notes in his hand.
"Mr. Madden has given receipt for necklace," said the Chinese. "He has also enforced on me this vast sum of money, which I am somewhat loathsome to accept."
"Nonsense," Eden replied. "You take it, Charlie. You've earned it."
"Just what I told him," Madden declared.
Chan put the bank-notes carefully away. "Free to remark the sum represents two and one half years' salary in Honolulu. This mainland climate not so bad, after all."
"Good-bye, Mr. Eden," Madden said. "I've thanked Mr. Chan—but what shall I say to you? You've been through a lot down here—"
"Been through some of the happiest moments of my life," Eden replied.
Madden shook his head. "Well, I don't understand that—"
"I think I do," said his daughter. "Good luck, Bob, and thank you a thousand times."
The desert wind was cool and bracing as they went out to the little roadster, waiting patiently in the yard. Paula Wendell climbed in behind the wheel. "Get in, Mr. Chan," she invited. Chan took his place beside her. Bob Eden tossed his suitcase into the luggage compartment at the back, and returned to the car door.
"Squeeze in there, Charlie," he said. "Don't make a fool of the advertisements. This is a three-seater car."
Charlie squeezed. "Moment of gentle embarrassment for me," he remarked. "The vast extensiveness of my area becomes painfully apparent."
They were out on the road. The Joshua trees waved them a weird farewell in the white moonlight.
"Charlie," said Eden, "I suppose you don't dream why you are in this party?"
"Miss Wendell very kind," remarked Chan.
"Kind—and cautious," laughed Eden. "You're here as a Wilbur—a sort of buffer between this young woman and the dread institution of marriage. She doesn't believe in marriage, Charlie. Now where do you suppose she picked up that foolish notion?"
"Plenty foolish," agreed Chan. "She should be argued at."
"She will be argued at. She brought you along because she knows I'm mad about her. She's seen it in my great trusting eyes. She knows that since I've met her, that precious freedom of mine seems a rather stale joke. She realizes that I'll never give up—that I intend to take her away from the desert—but she thought I wouldn't mention it if you were along."
"I begin to feel like skeleton at feast," remarked Chan.
"Cheer up—you certainly don't feel like that to me," Eden assured him. "Yes, she thought I'd fail to speak of the matter—but we'll fool her. I'll speak of it anyhow. Charlie, I love this girl."
"Natural you do," agreed Chan.
"I intend to marry her."
"Imminently fitting purpose," assented Chan. "But she has said no word."
Paula Wendell laughed. "Marriage," she said. "The last resort of feeble minds. I'm having a great time, thanks. I love my freedom. I mean to hang on to it."
"Sorry to hear that," said Chan. "Permit me if I speak a few words in favor of married state. I am one who knows. Where is the better place than a new home? Truly an earthly paradise where cares vanish, where the heavenly melody of wife's voice vibrates everything in a strange symphony."
"Sounds pretty good to me," remarked Eden.
"The ramble hand in hand with wife on evening streets, the stroll by moonly seaside. I recollect the happy spring of my own marriage with unlimited yearning."
"How does it sound to you, Paula?" Eden persisted.
"And this young man," continued Chan. "I am unable to grasp why you resist. To me he is plenty fine fellow. I have for him a great likeness." Paula Wendell said nothing. "A very great likeness," added Chan.
"Well," admitted the girl, "if it comes to that, I have a little likeness for him myself."
Chan dug his elbow deep into Eden's side. They climbed between the dark hills and the lights of Eldorado shone before them. As they drove up to the hotel, Holley and Victor Jordan greeted them.
"Here you are," said the editor. "Your bag is in the office, Charlie. The door's unlocked."
"Many thanks," returned Chan, and fled.
Holley looked up at the white stars. "Sorry you're going, Eden," he said. "It'll be a bit lonesome down here without you."
"But you'll be in New York," suggested Eden.
Holley shook his head and smiled. "Oh, no, I won't. I sent a telegram this evening. A few years ago, perhaps—but not now. I can't go now. Somehow, this desert country—well, it's got me, I guess. I'll have to take my New York in pictures from this on."
Far off across the dreary waste of sand the whistle of the Barstow train broke the desert silence. Charlie came around the corner; the coat and vest of Sergeant Chan had replaced the Canton crepe blouse of Ah Kim.
"Hoarse voice of railroad proclaims end of our adventure," he remarked. He took Paula Wendell's hand. "Accept last wish from somewhat weary postman. May this be for you beginning of life's greatest adventure. And happiest."
They crossed the empty street. "Good-bye," Eden said, as he and the girl paused in the shadow of the station. Something in the warm clasp of her slender strong fingers told him all he wanted to know, and his heart beat faster. He drew her close.
"I'm coming back soon," he promised. He transferred the emerald ring to her right hand. "Just by way of a reminder," he added. "When I return I'll bring a substitute—the glittering pick of the finest stock on the coast. Our stock."
"Our stock?"
"Yes." The branch-line train had clattered in, and Chan was calling to him from the car steps. "You don't know it yet, but for you the dream of every woman's life has come true. You're going to marry a man who owns a jewelry store."
THE END
Behind That Curtain
Chapter I. The Man from Scotland Yard
Chapter II. What Happened to Eve Durand?
Chapter III. The Bungalow in the Sky
Chapter IV. The Reckoning of Heaven
Chapter V. The Voice in the Next Room
Chapter VI. The Guest Detective