OU_214051 UNIVERSA - Osmania University

136 MAINLY MAIGRET
It was the farmer Liewens. He stood still, waiting for his daughter
to introduce him to the visitor. When that was done, he shook
Maigret's hand heartily, but said nothing.
" My father doesn't speak French."
She poured out a cup of tea for him, which he sipped, still standing.
Meanwhile she told him in Dutch of the calf that had been
born.
She must also have told him of Maigret's share in the operation,
for he looked at the latter with a surprise that was not unmixed with
irony. Then, after stiffly taking his leave, he strode off to the cowshed.
" Have they arrested Professor Duclos? " asked Maigret as soon
as he had gone.
" No. He is at the Hotel Van Hasselt. All they've done is to keep
a policeman there."
" What have they done with the body? "
" They've taken it to Groningen. That's twenty miles away. A
big town with a population of a hundred thousand, and a university
where Duclos had given a lecture the previous day. .. . It's awful,
isn't it? . .. We don't know what to make of it... ."
No doubt it was awful. But it was difficult to realize it, probably
because of that limpid atmosphere, the comfortable room in which
Maigret was sitting, and the tea which steamed in the cups. In fact,
the whole place was the antithesis of awfulness. A little toy of a
town laid gently down by the seashore.
By leaning out of the window you could see rising above its
red tiles the funnel and bridge of a big merchantman unloading
cargo. And the boats on the Ems that glided slowly down towards
the sea.
" Did Conrad often see you home? "
" Whenever I went to his house. ... He and I were great pals."
" Wasn't Madame Popinga jealous? "
That was a chance shot, prompted by the fact that Maigret's eye
had fallen on Beetje's inviting bosom.
"Why?"
" I don't know.... Going off like that. ... At night..."
She laughed, showing a row of healthy teeth.
" It's quite common in Holland. Cor often saw me home, too."
" And he wasn't in love with you? "
She didn't answer yes or no. She giggled. That was the word for
it. A little giggle of self-satisfaction.