# Bob Eden — The Chinese Parrot character guide > Bob Eden in The Chinese Parrot by Earl Derr Biggers. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Mr. Bob Eden, Eden, Bob, Mr. Eden, the elder Eden **First appearance:** 0000-i-the-phillimore-pearls ## Who they are A young San Francisco firm's representative sent into the desert to buy the Phillimore Pearls, impatient to close the deal and prove himself. ## Relationships ### [P. J. Madden](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/characters/p_j_madden) _professional_ Bob Eden is a salesman sent to deliver a valuable pearl necklace to the wealthy and secretive P. J. Madden, creating a tense employer-client dynamic. ### [Charlie Chan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/characters/charlie_chan) _friendship_ Bob Eden and Charlie Chan form a close investigative partnership, working together to solve the mystery with mutual respect and growing trust. ### [Will Holley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/characters/will_holley) _friendship_ Bob Eden and newspaperman Will Holley are friendly allies, with Holley providing local knowledge and support during the investigation. ### [Paula Wendell](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/characters/paula_wendell) _romantic_ Bob Eden and Paula Wendell share a flirtatious and romantic interest, with Paula assisting Eden while developing a personal connection. ### [Martin Thorn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/characters/martin_thorn) _rivalry_ Bob Eden and Martin Thorn are antagonists, with Thorn's secretive behavior and hostility creating tension and suspicion. ### [Ah Kim](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/characters/ah_kim) _professional_ Ah Kim, a Chinese servant, interacts with Bob Eden as part of the household staff, but his true identity and loyalties are ambiguous. ### [Sally Jordan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/characters/sally_jordan) _social_ Bob Eden meets Sally Jordan, a young woman involved in the Jordan family, as part of the social circle surrounding the mystery. ### [Louie Wong](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/characters/louie_wong) _professional_ Louie Wong is a Chinese cook who assists Bob Eden with information and errands, acting as a helpful local contact. ### [Shaky Phil Maydorf](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/characters/shaky_phil_maydorf) _rivalry_ Shaky Phil Maydorf is a shady character who opposes Bob Eden, representing a criminal element in the story. ### [Victor Jordan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/characters/victor_jordan) _social_ Victor Jordan is a member of the Jordan family whom Bob Eden encounters during his investigation, maintaining a polite acquaintance. ### [Madame Jordan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/characters/madame_jordan) _social_ Madame Jordan is the matriarch of the Jordan family, interacting with Bob Eden as part of the social dynamics of the case. ### [Tony](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/characters/tony) _professional_ Tony is a local worker or servant who assists Bob Eden with practical matters, maintaining a helpful but distant relationship. ## In the story ### [I: The Phillimore Pearls](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/chapters/i-the-phillimore-pearls) Alexander Eden's son; he is asked to meet the messenger bringing the pearls. ### [II: The Detective from Hawaii](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/chapters/ii-the-detective-from-hawaii) Arrives late, explains he was followed by a man in black spectacles at the dock and avoided meeting Charlie Chan to protect the pearls. ### [III: At Chan Kee Lim's](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/chapters/iii-at-chan-kee-lim-s) Plans with Chan to approach Madden's ranch separately; takes the train to Eldorado. ### [IV: The Oasis Special](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/chapters/iv-the-oasis-special) Arrives in Eldorado, loses sight of Charlie Chan, dines at the Oasis Café, and learns about the Madden ranch from Paula Wendell. ### [Madden's Ranch](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/chapters/v-madden-s-ranch) Arrives at the ranch, feels relief then disappointment at Madden's safety, and decides to delay the pearl delivery after Chan's signal. ### [VI: Tony's Happy New Year](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/chapters/vi-tony-s-happy-new-year) Wakes up feeling foolish about his earlier fears, but grows suspicious of Madden's eagerness for the pearls. ### [VII: The Postman Sets Out](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/chapters/vii-the-postman-sets-out) Decides to follow Chan's lead and delay the pearl delivery; rides into Eldorado with Paula Wendell; initially doubts Chan but ultimately agrees to investigate. ### [A Friendly Little Game](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/chapters/viii-a-friendly-little-game) Defies Madden, reports poker loss to Chan, and shares Paula's story about the black-bearded prospector. ### [IX: A Ride in the Dark](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/chapters/ix-a-ride-in-the-dark) Rises early, observes Thorn burying arsenic can, plays poker, dines with Holley and Paula, drives Louie Wong to the ranch, discovers Louie's murder. ### [Bliss of the Homicide Squad](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/chapters/x-bliss-of-the-homicide-squad) Discovers Louie Wong's body in his car, observes Madden's callousness, and receives a telegram from his father about the Draycott bluff. ### [XI: Thorn Goes on a Mission](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/chapters/xi-thorn-goes-on-a-mission) Observes Gamble's arrival, investigates Madden's telegram, and interacts with Chan and Doctor Whitcomb. ### [XII: The Tramcar in the Desert](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/chapters/xii-the-tramcar-in-the-desert) Early abroad, reflects on events, decides to go to Barstow, meets Paula Wendell, and discovers the tramcar. ### [XIII: What Mr. Cherry Saw](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/chapters/xiii-what-mr-cherry-saw) Leads the interrogation of Mr. Cherry, learns of the murder, and continues his deceptive role with Madden. ### [XIV: The Third Man](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/chapters/xiv-the-third-man) Wakes with the realization that Madden killed a man; participates in the search of the ranch. ### [XV: Will Holley's Theory](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/chapters/xv-will-holley-s-theory) Participates in repacking the bag, interviews Mr. De Lisle, and expresses concern about Madden's return. ### [XVI: The Movies Are in Town](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/chapters/xvi-the-movies-are-in-town) Reflects on his smallness in the desert, joins the movie people in town, and later reports Eddie Boston's suspicious remark to Chan. ### [In Madden's Footsteps](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/chapters/xvii-in-madden-s-footsteps) Investigates Madden's activities in Pasadena, meets with Spike Bristol, and coordinates with Chan. ### [XVIII: The Barstow Train](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/chapters/xviii-the-barstow-train) Accompanies Chan to Madden's palace and Hollywood; interviews Norma Fitzgerald about Jerry Delaney. ### [XIX: The Voice on the Air](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/chapters/xix-the-voice-on-the-air) Decides to hand over the pearls by eight o'clock the next evening; returns to the ranch and informs Madden of the delivery; overhears the radio broadcast that reveals Jerry Delaney is alive. ### [XX: Petticoat Mine](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/chapters/xx-petticoat-mine) Distraught over the collapse of their theory, but quickly shifts focus to rescuing Paula Wendell. He physically subdues Shaky Phil Maydorf and frees the imprisoned women. ### [End of the Postman's Journey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/chapters/xxi-end-of-the-postman-s-journey) Returns to the ranch at the end of the chapter, witnessing Chan's successful confrontation. ### [The Road to Eldorado](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/chapters/xxii-the-road-to-eldorado) Prepares to leave the ranch and take the train to Barstow, saying goodbye to Delaney. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/characters/bob_eden - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/characters