OU_214051 UNIVERSA - Osmania University

A CRIME IN HOLLAND 147
fiddled with his papers to cover his embarrassment. He looked
up at Maigret to warn her of his presence, but she didn't take the
hint.
Finally, in desperation, he said awkwardly in French:
" She says it's illegal for you to question anybody in Dutch
territory."
" Is this Mademoiselle Any? "
Her features were irregular. The mouth too large. Yet if it hadn't
been for her teeth, that were all askew, her face would have been
no worse than many others. She was flat-chested and had large feet.
But the most striking thing about her was her self-assertiveness,
which was like that of any suffragette.
" And of course, strictly speaking, she's right. But I'm telling
her that it's often done, all the same."
" Mademoiselle Any understands French, doesn't she? "
" I think so."
With her chin in the air the girl waited for them to finish as
though their conversation did not concern her in the least.
" Mademoiselle," said Maigret, with exaggerated courtesy, " I
have the honour to introduce myself. Inspector Maigret of the Police
Judiciairc.. . . The only thing I'd like to ask you is what you think
of Mademoiselle Beetje and the way she carries on with Cornelius."
She tried to smile. A forced, shy smile. She looked at Maigret
and then at the Dutch detective, finally stammering in painful
French:
" I ... I . . . I don't know what you mean. . . ."
No doubt she had never had to speak French before, for with
the effort she blushed scarlet to the roots of her hair.
3. The Quay Rats Club
THERE were about a dozen of them, men in thick blue knitted
smocks, peak caps and varnished sabots. Some of them were leaning
up against the town gate, others sitting on bollards, others simply
standing on their two legs, which their wide trousers made
enormous.
They smoked, chewed tobacco, and more than anything else, they