OU_214051 UNIVERSA - Osmania University

THE SAILORS' RENDEZVOUS 279
end. Not to mention the fact that we'd only two hundred francs in
our pockets. . . . What are you going to do with me? You can't
put me in prison? "
" You think it's the operator who did the murder? "
" How should I know? "
" Do you possess a pair of yellow shoes? " Maigret asked Gaston
Buzier brutally.
" I . . . Yes Why? "
" Nothing. I was just asking. Are you sure you wouldn't be able
to recognize the murderer of the captain? "
" I only saw a silhouette in the dark.. .."
" Well! Pierre Le Clinche was there too, hiding among the
trucks, and he says that the murderer was wearing yellow shoes."
Buzier sprang up, his eyes hard, a sneer on his lips.
" He said that? You're sure he said that? "
He choked and stuttered with rage. He was quite transformed.
He looked challengingly round the room.
" Take me to him. I insist! By God, I insist! And then we'll see
who's lying! Yellow shoes! So it's me, eh? He takes my woman.
.., He takes her off die boat.... And he has the gall to say ..."
" Quietly "
He couldn't get breath.
" You hear that, Adele? " he panted. " That's what they're like,
your lovers! "
Tears of rage gushed from his eyes. His teeth chattered.
" My God! So it was me! Ha! ha! That's rich! That's better
than the movies! And of course, as I'd two convictions, you knew
I'd done it! I killed Captain Fallut. Because I was jealous of him,
perhaps? And then what? Haven't I killed the operator as well? "
He passed a hand through his hair with a feverish gesture, rumpling
it up. It made him look thinner, deepened the shadows under
his eyes and made his skin look duller.
" What are you waiting for? Why don't you arrest me? "
" Shut up! " muttered Adele.
But she was getting a bit desperate too, although it didn't prevent
her from shooting keen glances at her companion.
Did she have her doubts? Or was she only bluffing?
" If you must arrest me, do it at once! But I demand that you
let me meet the gentleman face to face. .. . Then we'll see! "
Maigret pressed an electric bell, and the superintendent's secretary
put in a worried face.