OU_214051 UNIVERSA - Osmania University

A CRIME IN HOLLAND 227
and the professor. . . • I want them to go through the same
actions."
Then, turning to Beetje:
" Will you come? "
It was cold out of doors. Maigret led the girl round to the shed
at the back of the house, where he found Popinga's and two lady's
bicycles.
" Take one of those."
They cycled off in the direction of the timber-yard.
" Which of you suggested stopping? "
" Conrad."
" Was he still in high spirits? "
" No. As soon as we were alone together, he seemed to droop."
They were already passing the stacks of wood.
" We'll get down here. . . . Did he make love to you? "
" Yes, and no. That is, half-heartedly. He was definitely depressed
by this time. Perhaps it was the reaction after the cognac. It made
him light-hearted at first, then left him flat as a pancake. He put
his arm round me. We were standing just here. ... He told me he
was very unhappy and that I was a real good sort. . . . Yes, he did.
Those were his very words . . . that I was a real good sort, but
that I'd come into his life too late. Then he went on to say that we
had to be careful, or something dreadful might happen."
" What had you done with the bicycles? "
" We'd leant them against the stack. .. . His voice was even
tearful. He got like that sometimes when he drank. . . . Then he
began saying that it wasn't on his account at all—that his life didn't
matter—but that it would be criminal at my age to mess up my life
by plunging into adventure. ... He swore he loved me, but that
he couldn't bring himself to ruin my life. He told me Cor was a
nice boy, and that I'd be happy with him when I once settled
down. ..."
"And then?"
She was breathing hard, in obvious agitation. She burst out:
" I told him he was a coward. I tried to get on my bicycle."
"Did he stop you?"
" Yes. He seized the handle-bars and wouldn't let go. He said:
' Let me explain. . .. I'm only thinking of you... . It's ...'"
" What did he explain? "
" Nothing. I didn't give him a chance. I threatened to shout if
he didn't let go. Then he let go, and I jumped on and cycled off as