Charlie Chan [1] The House Without a Key by Earl Derr Biggers

Author:Earl Derr Biggers
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
ISBN: 9781883402235
Publisher: Otto Penzler Books
Published: 1974-01-01T06:00:00+00:00

“DEAR SIR: In reply to your inquiry of the sixth instant, would say that Mr. Daniel Winterslip is alive and is a resident of this city. His address is 3947 Kalia Road, Waikiki, Honolulu, T.H.”

The signature was that of the British consul at Honolulu. John Quincy returned the epistle to Hallet, who put it in his pocket. At that instant Chan, who had been exploring one of the larger bags, emitted a little grunt of satisfaction.

“What is it, Charlie?” Hallet asked.

Chan set out on the table before his chief a small tin box, and removed the lid. It was filled with cigarettes. “Corsican brand,” he announced cheerfully.

“Good,” said Hallet. “It begins to look as though Mr. Thomas Macan Brade would have a lot to explain.”

They continued their researches, while John Quincy sat silent by the window. Presently Carlota Egan appeared outside. She walked slowly to a chair on the lanai, and sat down. For a moment she stared at the breakers, then she began to weep.

John Quincy turned uncomfortably away. It came to him that here in this so-called paradise sorrow was altogether too rampant. The only girls he knew were given to frequent tears, and not without reason.

“If you’ll excuse me —” he said. Hallet and Chan, searching avidly, made no reply, and climbing over the sill, he stepped on to the lanai. The girl looked up as he approached.

“Oh,” she said, “I thought I was alone.”

“You’d like to be, perhaps,” he answered. “But it might help if you told me what has happened. Did you speak to your father about that check?”

She nodded. “Yes, I showed it to him. And what do you think he did? He snatched it out of my hand and tore it into a hundred pieces. He gave me the pieces to — to throw away. And he said I was never to mention it to a soul.”

“I don’t understand that,” frowned John Quincy.

“Neither do I. He was simply furious — not like himself at all. And when I told him you knew about it, he lost his temper again.”

“But you can rely on me. I shan’t tell any one.”

“I know that. But of course father wasn’t so sure of you as — as I am. Poor dad — he’s having a horrible time of it. They don’t give him a moment’s rest — keep after him constantly — trying to make him tell. But all the policemen in the world couldn’t — Oh, poor old dad!”

She was weeping again, and John Quincy felt toward her as he had felt toward Barbara. He wanted to put his arm about her, just by way of comfort and cheer. But alas, Carlota Maria Egan was not a Winterslip.

“Now, now,” he said, “that won’t do a bit of good.”

She looked at him through her tears. “Won’t it? I — I don’t know. It seems to help a little. But” — she dried her eyes — “I really haven’t time for it now. I must go in and see about lunch.

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