17. THE NET CLOSES IN
Chan found the living room at Pineview deserted and walked rapidly through it to the kitchen. There conditions appeared to be somewhat chaotic. Sing and Mrs. O’Ferrell seemed to be jointly preparing lunch, and the latter was red of face and evidently quite flustered.
“Sing,” said Chan sternly from the doorway, “I must speak with you immediately.”
“Wha’s mallah you?” Sing replied. “My velly busy. You go ’way, Boss.”
“I’ll say he’s busy,” cried Mrs. O’Ferrell indignantly. “It was understood whin I come to this house I was to do the cookie’, an’ no wan else. An’ here he’s been all mornin’, stirrin’ up hivin knows what. Sure, an’ it’s me notice they get after this—”
“Sing,” Charlie repeated, and his voice was firm, “come here!”
The old man inspected a pot at the rea
