OU_214051 UNIVERSA - Osmania University

io6 MAINLY MAIGRET
" Yes—what about them? "
" They're police officers, I'd swear to it. They've interviewed the
grocer, and that little chap keeps watching the house all the time.
And I'm pretty sure the third man has gone to the back, and is
keeping watch there too* The big fellow who's just gone must be
a Superintendent."
Madame Baton stayed some minutes peeping from under cover
of the curtain. Two trams stopped at the halt, btit the little man
didn't budge.
Vatesco pointed downwards.
" Is he up? "
" No. He sat up with my husband, drinking, till three in the
morning* and he's sleeping it off."
There were heavy footsteps on the stairs; Domb was going out
Madame Baron asked anxiously:
" Don't you think we ought to tell him? "
" What's the good? He loathes Elie, anyhow."
The street-door opened and footsteps rang receding on the frozen
pavement. The little man whipped out a note-book, looked hard
at something in it, then hurried along on the other side of the road,
parallel with Domb, staring hard at him,
"What did I tell you?"
He Went Only a hundred yards or so; then, reassured, no doubt,
retraced his steps to the iron pillar that marked the tram-stop.
" Now, Madame Baron, if you'll kindly leave me for a moment^
I'll finish dressing."
Madame Baron found Antoinette in the kitchen, having her
breakfast, and her fkst idea was to say nothing* Nor did her daughter
make any remark, but there was a questioning look in her eyes—
which gave the impression of having grown much bigger during
the last few daysw
" I think today will see the end of it," said Madame Baron with
a sigh, as she took her vegetable basket from the cuptxtard, " And
I must say I shan't be sorry.... Is Pa still asleep? "
Antoinette nodded.
" I'd like it to be all over before he comes downstairs. There's a
pdlidsraan watribilig^n front of the house, and another at the back."
The girl's face grew rigid and she se&ned unable to swallow the
piece of bread she had just put in her mouth.
" I wonder," her modier continued, u if we should warn him?
When I went to see him just now he was sleeping like a log* You