OU_214051 UNIVERSA - Osmania University
OU_214051 UNIVERSA - Osmania University OU_214051 UNIVERSA - Osmania University
n6 MAINLY MAIGRET There were alternations of light and darkness, as the lamp-posts were too far apart for one circle of light to reach to the next. The black water was just visible, and the dark hulls of the boats. Beetje, with Any behind her, tried to walk with easy grace. But walking alone made her self-conscious. Several yards separated each couple. A little furthei on, Oosting's boat was clearly visible. It was all the easier to distinguish for being the only one to be painted white- No light came through the port-holes. The quay was deserted. " Will you all stop, please, exactly where you are? " called out Maigret, loud enough to be heard by everybody. They halted and stood stiffly where they were. The beam of light from the lighthouse swept by over their heads without lighting them up. Maigret spoke to Any. " Were you in exactly the same place in the column the other night? " " Yes." " And you, Barens? " " Yes ... at least I think so. ..." " Are you sure of it? . . . You were walking side by side with Mademoiselle Any? " " Yes. That is, up to this point. It was about ten yards further on that Any pointed out that one of the children's coats was trailing on the ground." " And you ran forward to catch the Wienands up and let them know? " " I told Madame Wienands." " It only took a few seconds, I suppose? " " Yes. Then the Wienands went on, while I waited for Any." " You didn't notice anything peculiar? " " Nothing." " Will everyone please take ten steps forward," ordered Maigret, and then: " Another five, please." This brought Any exactly abreast of Oosting's boat. " Now go up to the Wienands, Barens. ..." And to Any: " Take that cap which is lying on the cabin roof." To do so she had only to take three steps, and then one on to
A CRIME IN HOLLAND 217 the deck, from which position it was within easy reach. It was clearly visible, a dark thing against a light background. A metallic glint even showed the position of the badge. " Why do you ask me to do that? " "Go on! Taken!" They were not speaking loudly, and the people in front were straining their ears, wondering what was going on. " But I didn't. .." " No matter whether you did or you didn't. There's one person missing tonight, and it may be that others have to play his part. . . . Don't forget this is only an experiment." She took the cap without more ado. " Hide it under your coat." Maigret himself jumped on board and called out: " Pijpekamp." " Ya.' The detective's head emerged from the cabin. Standing inside it, his head just under the coach-roof, he had been able to see everything through one of the port-holes in the coaming. He came on deck, the Baes following. " Did you see? " asked Maigret. Pijpekamp nodded. " Good.. . . And now take Oosting off, where he went the other night. . . . Any! Overtake Barens, will you? And will everybody please go on towards the house ... ? " Maigret stepped back on to the quay. " I'm taking Popinga's place." Hurrying forward, he joined the procession by Beetje's side. In front were Madame Popinga and Duclos, behind were the Wienands followed by Any and Cornelius. From behind them again came the sound of steps: Oosting and Pijpekamp were bringing up the rear, though keeping their distance. The last lamp-posts were left behind, and from now on the walk was in darkness—skirting the harbour, passing the lock-gates which separated sea and canal, then on to the towing-path, flanked by trees, with the Popingas' house five hundred yards ahead. Beetje murmured: " I can't understand what. . ." " Not so loud. . . . It's a calm night, and the people in front and behind can hear us as easily as we can hear them..„. And it was calm the other rright.... So Popinga would be speaking to you
- Page 179 and 180: A CRIME IN HOLLAND I65 " Get along
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- Page 183 and 184: A CRIME IN HOLLAND the conversation
- Page 185 and 186: A CRIME IN HOLLAND 17I forming club
- Page 187 and 188: A CRIME IN HOLLAND 173 " I didn't p
- Page 189 and 190: A CRIME IN HOLLAND *75 " Nothing at
- Page 191 and 192: A CRIME IN HOLLAND 177 It was diffi
- Page 193 and 194: A CRIME IN HOLLAND 179 man to belie
- Page 195 and 196: A CRIME IN HOLLAND 181 And Any, fee
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- Page 199 and 200: A CRIME IN HOLLAND 185j of impulsiv
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- Page 205 and 206: A CRIME IN HOLLAND I91 " At ten o'c
- Page 207 and 208: A CRIME IN HOLLAND I93 who was retu
- Page 209 and 210: A CRIME IN HOLLAND 195 Maigret was
- Page 211 and 212: A CRIME IN HOLLAND 197 " Did he fol
- Page 213 and 214: A CRIME IN HOLLAND I99 8. Beetje an
- Page 215 and 216: A CRIME IN HOLLAND 201 " Do you kno
- Page 217 and 218: A CRIME. IN HOLLAND 203 " I asked i
- Page 219 and 220: A CRIME IN HOLLAND 205 "You brute!"
- Page 221 and 222: A CRIME IN HOLLAND 207 questions. .
- Page 223 and 224: A CRIME IN HOLLAND 209 revolver wre
- Page 225 and 226: A CRIME IN HOLLAND 211 A few hours
- Page 227 and 228: A CRIME IN HOLLAND 213 The professo
- Page 229: A CRIME IN HOLLAND 215 " You can st
- Page 233 and 234: A CRIME IN HOLLAND 219 " Just a mom
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- Page 237 and 238: A CRIME IN HOLLAND 223 " She's in b
- Page 239 and 240: A CRIME IN HOLLAND JU5 " Isn't that
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- Page 249 and 250: A CRIME IN HOLLAND *35 " For her pa
- Page 251: THE SAILORS' RENDEZVOUS Translated
- Page 254 and 255: 238 MAINLY MAIGRET " What shall I d
- Page 256 and 257: 240 MAINLY MAIGRET " We've been at
- Page 258 and 259: 242 MAINLY MAIGRET always like this
- Page 260 and 261: 244 MAINLY MAIGRET " Yes; they took
- Page 262 and 263: 246 MAINLY MAIGRET 2. The Yellow Sh
- Page 264 and 265: 248 MAINLY MAIGRET him. He fingered
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A CRIME IN HOLLAND 217<br />
the deck, from which position it was within easy reach. It was clearly<br />
visible, a dark thing against a light background. A metallic glint<br />
even showed the position of the badge.<br />
" Why do you ask me to do that? "<br />
"Go on! Taken!"<br />
They were not speaking loudly, and the people in front were<br />
straining their ears, wondering what was going on.<br />
" But I didn't. .."<br />
" No matter whether you did or you didn't. There's one person<br />
missing tonight, and it may be that others have to play his part.<br />
. . . Don't forget this is only an experiment."<br />
She took the cap without more ado.<br />
" Hide it under your coat."<br />
Maigret himself jumped on board and called out:<br />
" Pijpekamp."<br />
" Ya.'<br />
The detective's head emerged from the cabin. Standing inside it,<br />
his head just under the coach-roof, he had been able to see everything<br />
through one of the port-holes in the coaming. He came on<br />
deck, the Baes following.<br />
" Did you see? " asked Maigret.<br />
Pijpekamp nodded.<br />
" Good.. . . And now take Oosting off, where he went the other<br />
night. . . . Any! Overtake Barens, will you? And will everybody<br />
please go on towards the house ... ? "<br />
Maigret stepped back on to the quay.<br />
" I'm taking Popinga's place."<br />
Hurrying forward, he joined the procession by Beetje's side. In<br />
front were Madame Popinga and Duclos, behind were the Wienands<br />
followed by Any and Cornelius. From behind them again came the<br />
sound of steps: Oosting and Pijpekamp were bringing up the rear,<br />
though keeping their distance.<br />
The last lamp-posts were left behind, and from now on the walk<br />
was in darkness—skirting the harbour, passing the lock-gates which<br />
separated sea and canal, then on to the towing-path, flanked by<br />
trees, with the Popingas' house five hundred yards ahead.<br />
Beetje murmured:<br />
" I can't understand what. . ."<br />
" Not so loud. . . . It's a calm night, and the people in front and<br />
behind can hear us as easily as we can hear them..„. And it was<br />
calm the other rright.... So Popinga would be speaking to you
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