The Chinese Parrot · Chapters

Chapters explained

Chapter companions for The Chinese Parrot by Earl Derr Biggers.

Read with companions Book page

Each chapter has a companion in the reader — open a free preview to see notes beside the text.

Chapter 1
I: The Phillimore Pearls
Alexander Eden recalls the history of the Phillimore pearls, which Sally Jordan now wishes to sell because she is broke due to her son Victor's poor investments. Eden values the necklace at $300,000. Sally reveals she has arranged for a Chinese detective, Charlie Chan, to bring the pearls from Honolulu. P. J. Madden arrives with his daughter Evelyn and secretary Martin Thorn to negotiate the purchase, offering $220,000. Madden insists the pearls be delivered to him in New York, not to his daughter in Pasadena. Eden tasks his son Bob with meeting the messenger.
Chapter 2
II: The Detective from Hawaii
Alexander Eden visits Sally Jordan's suite at the Stewart Hotel to discuss the delivery of the Phillimore pearls. P. J. Madden has changed his instructions, now demanding the necklace be delivered to his desert ranch at Eldorado instead of New York. Eden is uneasy about the desert setting and a suspicious phone call. Bob Eden arrives late, explaining he avoided a man in black spectacles who followed him at the dock. Charlie Chan arrives separately with the pearls, having missed Bob. Eden reveals a second suspicious call purportedly from Madden, traced to a San Francisco pay-station, heightening concerns. Despite the risks, Sally Jordan insists on sending the pearls with Bob and Chan to the desert.
Chapter 3
III: At Chan Kee Lim's
Charlie Chan and Bob Eden finalize their plan to approach P. J. Madden's ranch separately—Eden as himself and Chan disguised as a shabby old Chinese seeking work. They part ways in San Francisco. Chan explores the city, eats at a lunch-counter, and visits Chinatown on New Year's Eve. He meets his cousin Chan Kee Lim and his Americanized daughter Rose, sharing tea and conversation before departing for the desert.
Chapter 4
IV: The Oasis Special
Bob Eden arrives in Eldorado and loses track of Charlie Chan, who carries the valuable pearls. He explores the town, meets Will Holley and Paula Wendell at the Oasis Café, and learns about strange events at the Madden ranch, including a frightened prospector and a rude secretary. Holley offers to drive him to the ranch.
Chapter 5
Madden's Ranch
Bob Eden and Will Holley arrive at Madden's ranch, where they meet the financier alive and well, dispelling their fears of foul play. Madden agrees to give Holley an interview, but tensions rise when Eden reveals he did not bring the pearls. A parrot's chilling cry for help unsettles Eden, and Charlie Chan, disguised as the servant Ah Kim, signals caution. Eden decides to delay the delivery, planning to call his father in the morning.

Free preview

17 more chapter companions sit beside the text in BetterReads — open a free preview to unlock the rest.

17 more companions → free preview

I: The Phillimore Pearls

II: The Detective from Hawaii

III: At Chan Kee Lim's

IV: The Oasis Special

Madden's Ranch