OU_214051 UNIVERSA - Osmania University

A CRIME IN HOLLAND I87
we know about them? ... All we can do is to leave them to
God....
She shivered as an idea suddenly struck her. Pointing outside,
she went on breathlessly:
" Perhaps he'll kill her. .. . He's capable of it.. .. That would
be awful. ..."
Any looked at her with even a touch of impatience. No doubt
she considered all this a waste of words. In a calm voice she intervened
:
" What do you think about the case now, Inspector? "
"Nothing!"
She did not pursue the question, but she looked put out.
" You see," went on Maigret, " there's Oosting's cap. We
mustn't forget it. You've heard Professor Duclos's views, haven't
you? And you've no doubt read the works of Grosz, which he talks
about... One rule above all others; never let yourself be lured
away by psychological considerations. Keep to the material evidence
and follow wherever it may lead you, right to the end. ..."
It was impossible to tell whether he was sneering or serious.
" And there they are: a cap, and the stump of a cigar. Someone
brought them here, or threw them in from outside.. .."
" I can't believe that Oosting . . ." began Madame Popinga,
speaking more to herself than the others.
Then, suddenly looking up, she went on:
" That reminds me of something I had forgotten. ..."
But she broke off as though fearing to have said too much, and
afraid of the effect her words might have.
" What is it? "
" Nothing. . . . Nothing of any importance...."
" Do tell us. Please."
" When Conrad used to go seal-shooting on the sandbanks of
Workum ..."
" Well? ..."
" Beetje would go with them. She was always ready for anything
like that. And here in Holland we allow girls lots of liberties. . .."
** Were they away for the night? "
" Sometimes a night, sometimes two...."
She waved a hand as though trying to drive the vision
away.
" No! ... I mustn't think of it. . . . It's too awful... too
awful. ..."