OU_214051 UNIVERSA - Osmania University

A CRIME IN HOLLAND 163
twelve, and Cor had reported on board at five minutes past. Taking
the ordinary way—that is to say, going round by the town—he
would have needed nearly half an hour. But only six or seven
minutes by taking his short cut from bank to bank.
Maigret walked on ponderously beside this flimsily built cadet
who trembled like a leaf. The donkey brayed again, which only
made things worse. He writhed from head to foot, and once more
seemed to be on the point of taking to his heels.
" Do you love Beetje? "
An obstinate silence.
" You saw her come back, after Popinga had seen her home,
didn't you? "
" It's not true. . . . Pas vraif . . . Pas vrai/ . . ."
Maigret was tempted to shake him. That might have calmed
him and brought him to his senses. Instead, however, he looked at
him with an indulgent, almost affectionate eye.
" Do you see Beetje every day? "
Once more no reply.
" At what time are you supposed to be back on board? "
" Ten o'clock . . . except with special permission .. . when I
went for private lessons ... I could ..."
" Get back later. But that evening you had no lesson, did you? "
They were on the bank of the canal, just where Cor had jumped
across. In the most natural way, Maigret turned towards the canal
and stepped on to one of the tree-trunks, nearly falling into the
water as the latter rolled over under his weight.
Cornelius hesitated.
" Come on. It's nearly ten."
The boy was taken by surprise. He must have expected never
to set foot on the training-ship again, to be arrested, thrown into
prison. . . .
And now this redoubtable French detective was leading him
home. They crossed together, jumped together when they came to
the gap in the middle, splashed each other. On the other bank
Maigret stopped to wipe his trousers with his handkerchief.
" Where is it? "
He hadn't yet been on this side. It was a nondescript stretch of
land that lay between the Amsterdiep and the new canal which was
wide and deep enough to carry ocean-going ships.
Looking back, the inspector saw a lighted window upstairs in
the Popingas' house. Silhouetted against the blind was Any's figure.