Diamond Tolls

A mystery story: of a consignment of diamonds that go missing, along with the diamond agent; and a lovely lady who appears, out of nowhere, as it seems, among the shantyboaters of the Mississippi. But also a romance: about the mighty Mississippi—the "old Mississip'," as called by it's huge floating population—a culture and a world of it's own.

“ "Hello, girlee!" he repeated, turning to close the door. He walked across the room toward another chair, adding, "I thought I'd come visiting, knowing you wouldn't mind!" As he reached to the back of the other chair she drew her automatic pistol and fired. "Agrrah!" he grunted, and then with a cry he backed away, saying: "You've shot me! Damn you, you've shot me!"

. . . . .

She stood surprised by what she had done. It was unbelievable, incredible. She had been attacked by a man, and she had driven him from her! She had not been obliged to flee from him! "Why, it was easy," she said to herself. "All I did was just—shoot!"