4. UPWARD NO ROAD
As Charlie stood, silently regarding those boxes whose lids had become so strangely confused, he was conscious that some newcomer had pushed his way into the room. He swung around and beheld the shrunken figure of Ah Sing. The old Chinese held a blue bundle under his arm, which he now proffered to the room at large.
“Blanket,” he announced, his high shrill voice sounding oddly out of place at that moment. “Blanket fo’ lil dog.”
Chan watched him closely as his beady eyes fell on the silent figure by the window. “Wha’s mallah heah?” the old man inquired. His expression did not change.
“You can see what’s the matter,” Charlie replied sharply. “Madame Landini has been murdered.”
The dim old eyes turned to Chan with what was almost a look of insolence. “P’liceman him come
