"But we don't know where he is, or when he will come back," the girl protested.
"He will be here soon," the Hawaiian replied. "I wait on the lanai." He went out the side door, still carrying his clumsy burden. John Quincy and the girl stared at each other.
"'We move, we advance!'" John Quincy quoted in a low voice. "Brade will be here soon! Would you mind going out on the lanai and telling me where Kaohla is now?"
Quickly the girl complied. She returned in a few seconds. "He's taken a chair at the far end."
"Out of earshot?"
"Quite. You want the telephone—"
But John Quincy was already in the booth. Charlie Chan's voice came back over the wire.
"Most warm congratulations. You are number one detective yourself. Should my self-starter not indulge in stubborn spasm, I will make immediate connection with you."
John Quincy returned to the desk, smiling. "Charlie's flying to us in his Ford. Begins to look as though we were getting somewhere now. But about this bill. Mrs. Brade's board and room I make sixteen dollars. The charge against Mr. Brade—one week's board and room minus four days' board—totals nine dollars and sixty-two cents."
"How can I ever thank you?" said the girl.