OU_214051 UNIVERSA - Osmania University

THE SAILORS' RENDEZVOUS 271
possible that Pierre . . . Listen! I must see him as soon as possible.
I'll talk to him, quite alone. . .. You'll do what's necessary, won't
you? "
Before she set foot on the gangway she cast a look charged with
hatred on the black ship which was no longer the same to her now
that she knew that a woman had hidden on board.
Madame Maigret looked curiously at her.
"Come now don't cry! You know it will all turn out all
right "
" No! No! " She shook Her h^cj in despair.
She could not speak. She was choking. She wanted to look back
at the ship. And Madame Maigret, who didn't understand at all,
looked inquiringly at her husband.
" Take her back to the hotel. Try to calm her. • . ."
" Has anything happened? ..."
" Nothing definite. . . . I'll probably be a bit late. ..."
He watched them as they went off. Marie Leonnec turned back
a dozen times, and her companion had to drag her along like a child.
Maigret almost went back on board. But he was thirsty. There
was still a light at the Rendez-Vous des Terre-Neuvas.
At one table four sailors were playing cards. Near the bar, a
young admirer had passed an arm round the barmaid's waist, and
from time to time she gave a little laugh.
The proprietor was following the game and giving advice.
" Hello! It's you . . ." was his greeting to Maigret.
And he didn't seem particularly happy to see him again. On the
contrary, he couldn't hide a slight embarrassment.
" Go on, Julie. . . . Serve the inspector. .. . What can I offer
you?"
" Nothing at all. If you'll allow me, I'll order a drink like anyone
else. ..."
"No offence!... I . . . "
Was the day going to end under the sign of Mars? One of the
sailors growled something in Norman patois, and Maigret managed
to translate roughly:
" Well, well! Still snooping round . . ."
The inspector looked him in the eyes. He blushed and stammered
:
"I'll bid a club!"
" You should have bid spades !" said Leon, for something to
say.
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