Page:Raymond Spears--Diamond Tolls.djvu/151

 "I seen that," Palura said, sitting down. "About those diamond drummer sparklers—heard anything about 'em on the river?"

"No," Macrado shook his head. "We seen about 'em in the papers."

"What'd Dan get shot for?"

"He neveh told!"

"And he's comin' on down hisse'f? Know that feller Urleigh?"

"No."

"Probably that ain't his right name. Dan always worked alone?"

"Seems like he said so," Frest declared.

"And some skirt's got his gasolene boat?"

"Yas, suh," Frest nodded. "I seen hit in b'low Yankee Bar. Mrs. Mahna 'n her fambly boat's on one side an' the boat of a girl out'n the Ohio was on t'other side. Delia's her name. I seen her, up above, on her bow deck, reading. I 'lowed there was a man inside, an' I was jes' drappin' down. Awful nice looker! She beat me down, some way. I 'lowed to be friendly, but that old Mrs. Mahna's broodin' her, an' she sent me down to git my copper sold on a bull market. There wasn't no bull market. That old woman jes' lied to me. Looks like she jes' done hit to keep me way from Delia, that's her name."