The Chinese Parrot · Chapter
XIX: The Voice on the Air explained
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.
What happens
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 fifty thousand dollars, supporting Holley's blackmail theory. Eden returns to the ranch, where he tells Madden he will deliver the pearls at eight. That evening, while listening to a radio broadcast, Norma Fitzgerald mentions receiving a letter from Jerry Delaney, revealing that Delaney is alive and well—shattering the theory that Madden killed him.
Themes in this chapter
Deception and Appearance vs. Reality
The radio broadcast reveals that Jerry Delaney is alive, contradicting the earlier assumption that Madden killed him, highlighting the theme of deceptive appearances.
Isolation and the Desert Landscape
The desert setting is emphasized as a place of isolation, where news from the outside world (the radio broadcast) dramatically impacts the characters.
Characters to notice
- Bob Eden
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.
- Charlie Chan
Agrees to Eden's deadline for handing over the pearls; continues his investigation, noting Thorn and Gamble's mileage and red clay in the car; is present during the radio broadcast.
- Will Holley
Confirms Madden is receiving another fifty thousand dollars, supporting his blackmail theory; reveals he has been offered a job in New York and is considering leaving Eldorado.
- P. J. Madden
Agrees to wait for the cash delivery; confronts Eden about stalling; reacts with agitation to the radio broadcast mentioning Jerry Delaney.
- Ah Kim
Reports Thorn and Gamble's movements; is present during the radio broadcast and exchanges a significant look with Eden.
- Norma Fitzgerald
Mentions receiving a letter from Jerry Delaney during her radio broadcast, revealing that Delaney is alive and well.
Key passages
“I’m handing over the pearls tonight. I presume Chan told you that?”
Eden tells Holley he will give the pearls to Madden that evening.
Eden confirms his decision to end the delay and deliver the pearls.
“Madden’s New York office has arranged to send him another fifty thousand, through the bank here.”
Holley informs Eden that Madden is receiving an additional fifty thousand dollars from New York.
This supports Holley's blackmail theory.
“I’ll give you the Phillimore pearls at eight o’clock tonight.”
Eden tells Madden he will hand over the pearls at eight that evening.
Eden sets a firm time for the pearl delivery.
“A voice had come to the desert... a voice that said Jerry Delaney was alive and well.”
The radio broadcast reveals that Jerry Delaney is still alive.
This revelation overturns the earlier assumption that Madden had killed Delaney.