OU_214051 UNIVERSA - Osmania University

250 MAINLY MAIGRET
" I only noticed his yellow shoes when he was passing near a
gas-light. . • ."
" What did you do next? "
" I went on board. ..."
" Why? And why didn't you get help for the captain? Did you
know he was already dead? ..."
A heavy silence. Marie L^onnec clasped her hands in anguish.
" Speak, Pierre! Speak, I beg you! "
" Yes... . No. ... I swear I don't know! "
There were steps in the corridor. The gaoler had come to say
that the examining magistrate was waiting for Le Clinche.
His fiancde wanted to kiss him. He hung back. Finally he took
her slowly in his arms with an absent-minded expression.
And he did not kiss her mouth, but the delicate little curls on her
temples.
"Pierre!..."
" You shouldn't have come! " he said, his brow furrowed, and
followed the gaoler with a weary step.
Maigret and Marie Leonnec got outside without saying anything.
Then she sighed with an effort:
" I don't understand. . . . I. .."
Then, straightening her head:
" But he's innocent, all the same, I'm sure! We don't understand,
because we've never been in such a situation. For three days now
he's been in prison, with everybody accusing him. . . . And he's a
timid man!"
Maigret was quite touched by the way she did her best to put
energy into her words, although she was quite discouraged.
" You'll do something, all the same, won't you? "
" On condition that you go back home to Quimper . . ."
" No! . . . Not that! Listen Let me . . ."
" Well, go down to the beach and sit with my wife and try to
do something. She'll probably have some embroidery for you. . . ."
" What are you going to do? Do you think that the clue of the
yellow shoes ... ? "
People looked back at them because Marie L6onnec was so
animated that it looked as if they were quarrelling.
" I repeat that I'll do everything that's in my power. . . . Listen!
This street leads straight to the Hotel de la Plage, Tell my wife that
I'll perhaps be a bit late for lunch. ..."
And he turned and went down to the quay.