OU_214051 UNIVERSA - Osmania University

A CRIME IN HOLLAND *35
" For her part, Beetje suspected her father, who didn't return
to the house till after the crime, and who had perhaps
discovered Conrad's relations with her and inflicted a father's
vengeance.
" Lastly, Cor, having seen Madame Popinga peering out of the
window towards the timber-yard, suspected her."
Maigret sighed. He still had a few more things to say.
" Now for tonight.. . . When I made Any take the cap, no one
thought much about it. Her cast-iron alibi had once and for all
removed her from the list of suspects. But Any herself—surely she
must now have known that I knew. That's what I wanted. That's
why I made her take it. . . .
" We were reconstructing the crime. I was playing Popinga's
part—I had openly announced it. Everybody was to do exactly
what they had done before. If everybody did, wouldn't that give her
her chance? In front of all, I told the professor to put the revolver
on the bathroom window-sill.
" Why not get rid of me—the only person who could give her
away? I'd be passing under the bathroom window, to put the
bicycle away. . . . The only question was whether the revolver
would be loaded. But if it wasn't, she had only to leave it where
it was.
" My plan miscarried. Madame Popinga didn't go to the window.
. . .
" And someone else took Any's place.. ..
" That's the one redeeming act in this sorry story. The chivalry
of the boy who wanted to save the woman he suspected, the woman
who'd been like a mother to him. He's eighteen. One has to be
eighteen to do things like that.. .."
Again Maigret sighed.
" Yes, my plan miscarried. Without it, is there really any
evidence against Any? I really don't know. Nor do I care. .. .
" It's in your hands now, Pijpekamp. I've told you the truth. Do
what you like about it."
The Dutch detective moved reluctantly towards Any. The
hollows under the girl's eyes devoured half her face, but she
managed to say firmly:
" I'll answer any questions in the presence of my lawyer."
Maigret turned and walked slowly out of the room, followed by
a calm but reproachful look from Oosting. As he left the house,
he heard a flustered voice: