"And then," he said in
conclusion, "when the searchers arrived we followed
the foot prints of yourself and the bear until we came
upon you digging this grave."
Bridge's companions and Willie Case looked their sur-
prise at his mention of a bear; but the gypsy girl only
nodded her head as she had occasionally during his nar-
rative.
"I believe you," said the girl. "It is not easy to de-
ceive Giova. Now I tell you. This here," she pointed
toward the dead man, "he my father. He bad man.
Steal; kill; drink; fight; but always good to Giova. Good
to no one else but Beppo. He afraid Beppo. Even our
people drive us out he, my father, so bad man. We wan-
der 'round country mak leetle money when Beppo
dance; mak lot money when HE steal. Two days he no
come home. I go las' night look for him. Sometimes he
too drunk come home he sleep Squeebs. I go there. I
find heem dead. He have fits, six, seven year. He die fit.
Beppo stay guard heem. I carry heem home. Giova
strong, he no very large man. Beppo come too. I bury
heem. No one know we leeve here. Pretty soon I go
way with Beppo. Why tell people he dead. Who care?
Mak lot trouble for Giova whose heart already ache
plenty.
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