OU_214051 UNIVERSA - Osmania University

208 MAINLY MAIGRET
" Tonight? "
" Yes. We're going to reconstruct the crime, and I want everybody
to play his part."
" He'll kill me."
"Who will?"
" My father."
" I'll be there. You've nothing to worry about."
" But..."
The door opened. Jean Duclos came in, shut it quickly behind
him, and turned the key in the lock. He looked worried.
" Look out! . . . Liewens is here. . . . He ..."
" Take her upstairs to your room."
" To my .. . ? "
" To mine, if you'd rather."
There were steps in the passage. There was a door at the other
end of the room, leading to the servants' quarters and the back
stairs. The two made a hasty exit through it; then Maigret, unlocking
the door, found himself face to face with the farmer. The latter,
looking over the inspector's shoulder, called:
"Beetje!"
Once more Maigret had the baffling experience of having to deal
with a man to whom he could not speak. All he could do was to
use his bulk to obstruct the way, thus giving the others time to
make good their escape. He tried, however, not to do it too
obviously, as he didn't want to enrage the man.
A moment or two later Jean Duclos came downstairs again,
trying, without much success, to look unconcerned.
" Tell him his daughter will be handed back to him tonight.
And tell him that we shall need him too for the reconstruction of the
crime."
" Must I? "
" Do what I tell you, sacrebleul "
Duclos translated in his most coaxing voice. The farmer looked
from one to the other of them.
" And now tell him that this very evening the murderer will be
under lock and key."
Again the professor translated. As the last word was pronounced,
Maigret just had time to pounce on Liewens, who had whipped out
a revolver and was lifting it towards his own temple.
The struggle was short. Maigret had sprung with all his weight
and all his strength. In a second Liewens was on the floor, and the