友情提示:如果本网页打开太慢或显示不完整,请尝试鼠标右键“刷新”本网页!阅读过程发现任何错误请告诉我们,谢谢!! 报告错误
热门书库 返回本书目录 我的书架 我的书签 TXT全本下载 进入书吧 加入书签

earlderrbiggers.thehousewithoutakey-第30章

按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页,按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页,按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部!
————未阅读完?加入书签已便下次继续阅读!



 She glanced at the clerk; and led the way out to the lanai at the side。 They went to the far end of it; where they could see the light on Diamond Head; and the silvery waters of the Pacific sweeping in to disappear at last beneath the old Reef and Palm。
 〃I'm afraid poor dad's having a bad time of it;〃 she said; and her voice broke slightly。 〃I haven't been able to see him。 They're holding him down there … as a witness; I believe。 There was some talk of bail; but I didn't listen。 We haven't any money … at least; I didn't think we had。〃
 〃You didn't think …〃 he began; puzzled。
 She produced a small bit of paper; and put it in his hand。 〃I want to ask your advice。 I've been cleaning up dad's office; and just before you came I ran across that in his desk。〃
 John Quincy stared down at the little pink slip she had given him。 By the light of one of the small lamps he saw that it was a check for five thousand dollars; made out to 〃Bearer〃 and signed by Dan Winterslip。 The date was that of the day before。
 〃I say; that looks important; doesn't it?〃 John Quincy said。 He handed it back to her; and thought a moment。 〃By gad … it is important。 It seems to me it's pretty conclusive evidence of your father's innocence。 If he had that; his business with Cousin Dan must have e to a successful end; and it isn't likely he would … er … do away with the man who signed it and plicate the cashing of it。〃
 The girl's eyes shone。 〃Just the way I reasoned。 But I don't know what to do with it。〃
 〃Your father has engaged a lawyer; of course。〃
 〃Yes; but a rather poor one。 The only kind we can afford。 Should I turn this over to him?〃
 〃No … wait a minute。 Any chance of seeing your father soon?〃
 〃Yes。 It's been arranged I'm to visit him in the morning。〃
 John Quincy nodded。 〃Better talk with him before you do anything;〃 he advised。 He had a sudden recollection of Egan's face when he refused to explain his business with Dan Winterslip。 〃Take this check with you and ask your father what he wants done with it。 Point out to him that it's vital evidence in his favor。〃
 〃Yes; I guess that's the best plan;〃 the girl agreed。 〃Will … will you sit down a moment?〃
 〃Well。〃 John Quincy recalled Miss Minerva waiting impatiently for news。 〃Just a moment。 I want to know how you're getting on。 Any big arithmetical problems e up yet?〃
 She shook her head。 〃Not yet。 It really isn't so bad; the work。 We haven't many guests; you know。 I could be quite happy … if it weren't for poor dad。〃 She sighed。 〃Ever since I can remember;〃 she added; 〃my happiness has had an if in it。〃
 He led her on to speak about herself; there in the calm night by that romantic beach。 Through her talk flashed little pictures of her motherless childhood on this exotic shore; of a wearing fight against poverty and her father's bitter struggle to send her to school on the mainland; to give her what he considered her proper place in the world。 Here was a girl far different from any he had met on Beacon Street; and John Quincy found pleasure in her talk。
 Finally he forced himself to leave。 As they walked along the balcony they encountered one of the guests; a meek little man with stooped shoulders。 Even at that late hour he wore a bathing suit。
 〃Any luck; Mr。 Saladine?〃 the girl inquired。
 〃Luck ith againth me;〃 he lisped; and passed hastily on。
 Carlota Egan laughed softly。 〃Oh; I really shouldn't;〃 she repented at once。 〃The poor man。〃
 〃What's his trouble?〃 asked John Quincy。
 〃He's a tourist … a business man;〃 she said。 〃Des Moines; or some place like that。 And he's had the most appalling accident。 He's lost his teeth。〃
 〃His teeth!〃 repeated John Quincy。
 〃Yes。 Like so many things in this world; they were false。 He got into a battle with a roller out by the second raft; and they disappeared。 Since then he spends all his time out there; peering down into the water by day; and diving down and feeling about by night。 One of the tragic figures of history;〃 she added。
 John Quincy laughed。
 〃That's the most tragic part of it;〃 the girl continued。 〃He's the joke of the beach。 But he goes on hunting; so serious。 Of course; it is serious for him。〃
 They passed through the public room to the front door。 Mr。 Saladine's tragedy slipped at once from John Quincy's mind。
 〃Good night;〃 he said。 〃Don't forget about the check; when you see your father to…morrow。 I'll look in on you during the day。〃
 〃It was so good of you to e;〃 she said。 Her hand was in his。 〃It has helped me along … tremendously。〃
 〃Don't you worry。 Happy days are not far off。 Happy days without an if。 Hold the thought!〃
 〃I'll hold it;〃 she promised。
 〃We'll both hold it。〃 It came to him that he was also holding her hand。 He dropped it hastily。 〃Good night;〃 he repeated; and fled through the garden。
 In the living…room of Dan's house he was surprised to find Miss Minerva and Charlie Chan sitting together; solemnly staring at each other。 Chan rose hurriedly at his entrance。
 〃Hello;〃 said John Quincy。 〃I see you have a caller。〃
 〃Where in the world have you been?〃 snapped Miss Minerva。 Evidently entertaining Chan had got a bit on her nerves。
 〃Well … I …〃 John Quincy hesitated。
 〃Speak out;〃 said Miss Minerva。 〃Mr。 Chan knows everything。〃
 〃Most flattering;〃 grinned Chan。 〃Some things are not entirely well known to me。 But about your call on Widow of Waikiki I learn soon after door receives you。〃
 〃The devil you did;〃 said John Quincy。
 〃Simple enough;〃 Chan went on。 〃Study human people; as I relate to you。 pton lady was friend to Mr。 Dan Winterslip。 Mr。 Leatherbee rival friend。 Enter jealous feelings。 Since morning both of these people are under watchful regard of Honolulu police。 Into the scene; you walk。 I am notified and fly to beach。〃
 〃Ah … does he also know …〃 began John Quincy。
 〃About the brooch?〃 finished Miss Minerva。 〃Yes … I've confessed everything。 And he's been kind enough to forgive me。〃
 〃But not nice thing to do;〃 added Chan。 〃Humbly begging pardon to mention it。 All cards should repose on table when police are called upon。〃
 〃Yes;〃 said Miss Minerva; 〃he forgave me; but I have been gently chided。 I have been made to feel; as he puts it; most naughty。〃
 〃So sorry;〃 bowed Chan。
 〃Well; as a matter of fact;〃 said John Quincy; 〃I was going to tell Mr。 Chan the whole story at once。〃 He turned to him。 〃I've already tried to reach you by telephone at the station。 When I left the woman's cottage …〃
 〃Police affairs forbid utmost courtesy;〃 interrupted Chan。 〃I cut in to remark from the beginning; if you will please do so。〃
 〃Oh; yes;〃 smiled John Quincy。 〃Well; the woman herself let me in; and showed me into her little living…room。 When I got there this fellow Leatherbee was mixing cocktails by the table …〃
 Haku appeared at the door。 〃Mr。 Charlie Chan wanted by telephone;〃 he announced。
 Chan apologized and hastened out。
 〃I intend to tell everything;〃 John Quincy warned his aunt。
 〃I shan't interfere;〃 she answered。 〃He has been sitting here looking at me more in sorrow than in anger for the better part of an hour; and I've made up my mind to one thing。 I shall have no more secrets from the police。〃
 Chan reentered the room。 〃As I 
返回目录 上一页 下一页 回到顶部 0 0
未阅读完?加入书签已便下次继续阅读!
温馨提示: 温看小说的同时发表评论,说出自己的看法和其它小伙伴们分享也不错哦!发表书评还可以获得积分和经验奖励,认真写原创书评 被采纳为精评可以获得大量金币、积分和经验奖励哦!