OU_214051 UNIVERSA - Osmania University

218 MAINLY MAIGRET
in his ordinary voice, talking about everyday matters, perhaps
discussing the lecture...."
" Yes."
" And at the same time you were whispering reproaches ... !"
" How do you know? "
" Never mind. . . . And now for another question. Sitting next
him during the lecture you wanted to hold his hand—and he
repulsed you, didn't he? "
" Yes, he did at first."
" But you persisted? "
" Yes. ... It was perfectly safe, and he never used to be so
cautious. Even in his own house he used to kiss me as soon as we
were alone. In fact, once we were talking to Madame Popinga from
the drawing-room to the dining-room, where she was putting some
things away—and all through the conversation he had me in his
arms. But lately he was always telling me to be careful. . . ."
" So, while you made a show of talking about the lecture, you
were throwing him reproaches under your breath? And you tried
once more to persuade him to run off with you. ..."
The night was indeed still. Steps rang out clearly in front and
behind, and Maigret could even hear an occasional snatch of what
Duclos was saying.
" I can assure you this has nothing whatever to do with any real
police methods. ..."
Behind him Madame Wienands was scolding a child in Dutch.
. . . Suddenly the Popingas' house emerged from the darkness.
There was no sign of any light. Madame Popinga stopped on the
doorstep.
" You stopped like that, didn't you, because your husband had
the key? "
" Yes."
" Your servant was in bed? "
" Yes.... The same as today."
The successive couples had by this time been telescoped into a
single group.
" Open the door, will you? " said Maigret.
She opened the door and switched on the light, which showed up
the passage and the bamboo hat-stand on the left.
" From now on, Popinga was in very high spirits, wasn't he? "
" Very. But it didn't seem altogether natural. Just a trifle forced."
Hats and coats were being removed and hung up in the hall.