Page:The Black Camel (IA blackcamel0000earl).djvu/150

CHAN drove slowly on to Halekaua Hale, at the foot of Bethel Street, the home of the police. Parking his car, he ascended the worn stone steps. A light was burning in the detectives’ room, and going in, he encountered his Chief.

“Hello, Charlie,” that gentleman said. “I’ve been waiting for you. Drove over to Kalaua to-night, or I’d have been with you down the beach. This is a pretty mix-up, isn’t it? Got anything yet?”

Sadly Chan shook his head. He glanced at his watch. “The story has length,” he suggested.

“Guess I'd better hear it, anyhow,” replied the Chief. In him, there was no lack of vigor. The ride in the moonlight to Kalaua had been restful and refreshing.

Charlie sat down and began to talk, while his Chief listened intently. He took up first the scene of the murder, the absence of any weapon, the unsuccessful attempt of the murderer to fix the moment of the crime at two minutes past eight. Coming to the question of clues, he mentioned the loss of the diamond pin which had held the orchids.

“That’s something,” nodded the Chief, lighting a cigar.