OU_214051 UNIVERSA - Osmania University

262 MAINLY MAIGRET
that she was not in beach costume but wore silk stockings and high
heels.
This made walking difficult and ungraceful for her when she got
on the sand. Every moment she nearly sprained her ankle, but she
kept on, angry and obstinate,
" What do I owe you, waiter? "
" But I haven't brought madame's lemonade yet. . . ."
" Doesn't matter. How much is it? "
" Nine francs fifty. You're not dining here? ..."
" I've no idea "
Maigret turned to look at the man, who showed a certain
embarrassment, for he knew that the people round about had heard
everything.
He was tall, with a flashy kind of elegance. His eyes were tired
and his whole face betrayed extreme mental exhaustion. He stood
up, undecided what direction to take, then, assuming an air of
indifference, walked towards the young woman who was now
following the sinuous line of the sea.
" Another unhappy couple, apparently! " said someone at a table
where three women were crocheting.
" They might wash their dirty linen elsewhere! Such a bad
example for children! "
The two silhouettes met at the edge of the water. Not a word
could be heard, but the attitudes made it easy to guess what was
going on.
The man implored and threatened, the woman proved obdurate.
Once he took hold of her wrist and it looked as if it were going to
degenerate into a fight. But no, he turned his back on her. He
walked with long strides towards a near-by road where he started
up a little grey car.
" Waiter, another half-pint! "
Maigret had just noticed that the young woman had left her
handbag on the table. It was imitation crocodile, full to bursting,
quite new.
A shadow advanced along the ground.
He raised his head and saw the face of the owner of the bag as
she reached the terrace.
He got a slight shock. His nostrils quivered.
Of course he might be mistaken. It was an impression rather than
a certainty. But he could have swom that before him stood the
original of the portrait without a head.