# The Chinese Parrot — Chapters explained

> Chapter companions for The Chinese Parrot by Earl Derr Biggers.

- [I: The Phillimore Pearls](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/chapters/i-the-phillimore-pearls.md): 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 ha
- [II: The Detective from Hawaii](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/chapters/ii-the-detective-from-hawaii.md): 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 
- [III: At Chan Kee Lim's](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/chapters/iii-at-chan-kee-lim-s.md): 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, 
- [IV: The Oasis Special](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/chapters/iv-the-oasis-special.md): 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 ra
- [Madden's Ranch](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/chapters/v-madden-s-ranch.md): 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 
- [VI: Tony's Happy New Year](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/chapters/vi-tony-s-happy-new-year.md): Bob Eden wakes late at the ranch, initially dismissing his earlier fears as foolish. Charlie Chan, disguised as Ah Kim, urges patience and warns that something is wrong, pointing to the parrot Tony's mysterious cries. Ma
- [VII: The Postman Sets Out](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/chapters/vii-the-postman-sets-out.md): Bob Eden and Charlie Chan decide to delay handing over the pearls and investigate the mysteries at Madden's ranch. Eden rides into Eldorado with Paula Wendell, who shares her love for the desert. Chan observes a suspicio
- [A Friendly Little Game](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/chapters/viii-a-friendly-little-game.md): Bob Eden defies P.J. Madden's demand to call his father, leading to a tense exchange. Later, Eden reveals to Charlie Chan (disguised as Ah Kim) that Shaky Phil Maydorf won $47 in a poker game, and Chan discloses he found
- [IX: A Ride in the Dark](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/chapters/ix-a-ride-in-the-dark.md): Bob Eden rises early on Sunday and discovers Martin Thorn burying a can that once contained arsenic. Charlie Chan, disguised as Ah Kim, warns that one wrong deed leads to another. Madden pressures Eden about the pearl ne
- [Bliss of the Homicide Squad](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/chapters/x-bliss-of-the-homicide-squad.md): Louie Wong's body is discovered in Bob Eden's car. P.J. Madden shows no grief, only anger. Constable Brackett and Doctor Simms arrive, and Madden dismisses the murder as unimportant because the victim is Chinese. Charlie
- [XI: Thorn Goes on a Mission](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/chapters/xi-thorn-goes-on-a-mission.md): Bob Eden observes the arrival of a mild-mannered scholar, Mr. Gamble, at the ranch. During lunch, Madden receives a troubling telegram, which Eden later learns is from his daughter Evelyn, announcing her arrival that eve
- [XII: The Tramcar in the Desert](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/chapters/xii-the-tramcar-in-the-desert.md): Bob Eden rises early, reflecting on the strange events at the ranch, especially Evelyn Madden's whereabouts. He tells Madden he must go to Barstow on business, and Ah Kim drives him. En route, Eden reveals to Chan that M
- [XIII: What Mr. Cherry Saw](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/chapters/xiii-what-mr-cherry-saw.md): Bob Eden and Paula Wendell encounter the old prospector William I. Cherry, who initially resists questioning but eventually reveals that he witnessed a murder at Madden's ranch on the previous Wednesday night. Cherry des
- [XIV: The Third Man](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/chapters/xiv-the-third-man.md): Bob Eden wakes with the realization that Madden killed a man out of fear. With Madden, Thorn, and Gamble gone to Pasadena, Eden, Chan, and Holley search the ranch for clues. They focus on the identity of the 'third man' 
- [XV: Will Holley's Theory](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/chapters/xv-will-holley-s-theory.md): Bob Eden, Charlie Chan, and Will Holley continue their investigation at Madden's ranch. They repack and hide a bag, then interview real-estate salesman Mr. De Lisle, who reveals that on Wednesday night a thin, pale man (
- [XVI: The Movies Are in Town](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/chapters/xvi-the-movies-are-in-town.md): Bob Eden and Charlie Chan experience a quiet evening on the desert, reflecting on loneliness and the vastness of America. Chan expresses homesickness for Honolulu. Paula Wendell calls to announce that the movie people ha
- [In Madden's Footsteps](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/chapters/xvii-in-madden-s-footsteps.md): Bob Eden and Paula Wendell travel from the desert to Pasadena, discussing the mystery of Madden's murder of Delaney. Eden meets his old friend Spike Bristol, who reveals that Madden sold bonds for cash. With Chan's help,
- [XVIII: The Barstow Train](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/chapters/xviii-the-barstow-train.md): Bob Eden and Charlie Chan visit P. J. Madden's empty palace, then travel to Hollywood where they meet Paula Wendell and tour a film studio. They learn that Eddie Boston has left for San Francisco, apparently paid by Madd
- [XIX: The Voice on the Air](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/chapters/xix-the-voice-on-the-air.md): Bob Eden returns to Barstow and agrees with Charlie Chan to hand over the pearls by eight o'clock the next evening if no breakthrough occurs. The next day, Eden learns from Will Holley that Madden is receiving another fi
- [XX: Petticoat Mine](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/chapters/xx-petticoat-mine.md): Bob Eden and Charlie Chan realize their theory about Jerry Delaney is wrong after hearing his voice over the wireless. Their discussion is interrupted by Will Holley, who reports that Paula Wendell has gone missing after
- [End of the Postman's Journey](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/chapters/xxi-end-of-the-postman-s-journey.md): Charlie Chan reveals his true identity and confronts P.J. Madden, who is exposed as Jerry Delaney. Chan retrieves the Phillimore necklace, disarms Madden, and holds him, Thorn, and Gamble at gunpoint until Bob Eden retur
- [The Road to Eldorado](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/chapters/xxii-the-road-to-eldorado.md): P. J. Madden recounts his kidnapping by Delaney, Thorn, and the Maydorf brothers, explaining how he was held at Petticoat Mine while the conspirators impersonated him. Charlie Chan reveals how he deduced the impostor's i

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