OU_214051 UNIVERSA - Osmania University

A CRIME IN HOLLAND 149
beyond that again the distant expanse of the North Sea. In one place
a streak of reddish sand which was Oosting's domain, the island of
Workum.
The day was closing in, and the colours of sunset made this little
brick town of Delfzijl redder than ever.
Oosting's eyes, wandering gently over the scene, gathered
Maigret—so to speak—on the way. The greenish-blue eyes were
tiny. For quite a time they remained fixed on the inspector, after
which the Baes knocked out his pipe on the heel of his sabot, spat,
groped for something in his pocket, and produced a tobacco-pouch
made of pig's bladder. Then, shifting his position, he leant lazily
back against the wall.
From that moment Maigret never ceased to be conscious of the
man's gaze trained upon him. A gaze in which there was neither
arrogance nor defiance. A gaze that was calm, and yet not free from
care, and which measured, weighed, and calculated.
The inspector had been the first to leave the police station after
his meeting with Any and Pijpekamp—for that was the Dutch
detective's name.
Any emerged shortly afterwards, walking briskly with her briefcase
under her arm, her body leaning forward, like a woman who
was engaged on some important business and had no time to spare
for what went on around her in the street.
Maigret did not bother about her, but watched the Baes. The
latter's eyes, however, followed her as she receded into the distance,
finally turning back once more to Maigret.
Then, without knowing exactly why he did so, the inspector
went up to the group, amongst whom all talking ceased abruptly.
A dozen faces were turned on him, all expressing some measure of
surprise. He addressed himself to Oosting:
" Excuse me J Do you understand French? "
The Baes dicr%ot flinch/ He seemed to be reflecting. A wizened
sailor standing next to him explained:
" Frenchman! . . . French-politie! ..."
It was not dramatic, and yet it was one of the strangest minutes
Maigret ever lived through. The Baes, whose eyes had rested for
a moment on his boat, was obviously hesitating.
There was no doubt about it. He wanted to ask the inspector to
come on board his boat with him. It was fitted with a little oakpanelled
cabin in which was a compass and a compass-lamp.