OU_214051 UNIVERSA - Osmania University

248 MAINLY MAIGRET
him. He fingered his bare neck and prominent Adam's apple with
•embarrassment.
" Does my mother ... ? "
"She hasn't come! But she doesn't believe either that you're
guilty."
Even the girl couldn't give free vent to her emotion. It was like
a scene that hadn't come off, perhaps because the atmosphere was
too crude.
They looked at each other and didn't know what to say, tried to
find words. Then Marie Leonnec pointed to Maigret.
" This is a friend of Jorissen's. He's an inspector in the Police
Judiciaire, and he's said he'll help us. ..."
Le Clinche started to hold out his hand but didn't dare.
" Thank you. . . . I. . ."
It was a mix-up all along the line, and the girl, realizing it, wanted
to cry. She had counted on a moving interview that would convince
Maigret.
She looked at her fianc£ with vexation, with even a touch of
impatience.
" You must say everything you can that will help in your
defence."
Pierre Le Clinche sighed, awkward and bored.
" I've only a few questions to ask you," put in the inspector.
" All the crew is agreed in saying that during the course of the trip
your relations with the captain were cold, to say the least of it.
Now, when you went off you were on rather good terms. What
caused the change? "
The operator opened his mouth, said nothing, and fixed a
desolate eye on the floor.
" Was it a matter of routine? The first two days you fed with the
second officer and the chief engineer. After that you preferred to
eat with the men. ..."
" Yes ... I know "
" Why? "
And Marie Leonnec cried impatiently:
" Do talk, Pierre! It's to get you off! You must tell us the truth."
" I don't know "
He seemed without any feelings or incentive, almost without
hope.
" Did you have any arguments with Captain Fallut? "
"No...."