OU_214051 UNIVERSA - Osmania University

284 MAINLY MAIGRET
murder. You on the one hand, Buzier on the other. ... You
say you didn't kill him. After accusing Buzier you seem to be
withdrawing your accusation. Then might there have been a third
person? In that case, you couldn't have failed to see him! ... Who
was it? "
Silence. Pierre Le Clinche stared at the ground.
Maigret, still leaning on the mantelpiece, had taken no part in
the interrogation, letting his colleague speak and confining himself
to observing the two men.
" I will repeat my question: Was there a third person on the
quay? "
" I don't know ..." sighed the accused brokenly.
" That means yes? "
A shrug of the shoulders signifying:
"If you like."
" Who?"
u It was dark...."
" Well, tell me why you asserted that the murderer was wearing
yellow shoes. Wasn't it to avert suspicion from the real murderer,
whom you know? "
The young man pressed his forehead between his two hands.
" I can't go on . . ." he sobbed.
"Answer!"
" No! ... Do what you like. . .."
" Bring in the next witness."
The door opened again, and Ad£le came forward with an
exaggerated self-assurance. She gave a quick glance round the
assembly, to try and make out what had been happening. She gave
a specially long look at the operator, and seemed amazed to see him
so overcome.
" Now, Le Clinche, I expect you recognize the woman whom
Captain Fallut kept concealed in his cabin throughout the entire
journey, and whose lover you were.. . ." He looked coldly at her,
although AdSle's lips were already half-opened in an encouraging
smile.
" That's her."
" Briefly, there were three of you on the ship hanging round her:
the captain, the chief engineer, and you; You possessed her at least
once.... The chief engineer didn't succeed.... Did the captain
know you had deceived him? "
" He never mentioned it to me."