OU_214051 UNIVERSA - Osmania University

THE SAILORS' RENDEZVOUS 287
my revolver out of my belt. He got hold of it... • I managed to
prevent him from pulling the trigger. .. ."
Le Clinche lay on the ground, staring fixedly above him; his
teeth bit into his lips, mixing blood with saliva.
The most disturbing thing about him was that tears were rolling
down his wan cheeks.
" Should I get a doctor? "
" No! Leave him! " Maigret commanded.
And when they had gone, leaving him lying alone on the stone
floor, he said:
" Get up! Come on! Quicker than that •.. and quietly! Or else
you'll feel my fist in your face, silly fool that you are! "
The operator obeyed, docile and timid. His whole body was
throbbing with fever and he had got dirty when he fell down.
" Where does your fiancee come in, in all this? "
Superintendent Girard came up.
" It's all right," he said. " They're free, all three of them, but
they are not allowed to leave Fecamp. . . . What's been
happening? "
" This fool tried to kill himself! If you'll allow me, I'll see to
him. . .."
•
Together they walked along the quay. Le Clinche had dashed
some cold water on his face, which still had red patches on it. His
eyes were feverish, his lips too highly coloured.
He was wearing a ready-made three-buttoned grey suit, fastened
without any regard for elegance. His tie was askew.
Maigret, his hands in his pockets, walked doggedly along, growling,
seemingly to himself:
" You must understand that I've no time to lecture you. But
there's one thing. Your fiancee is here. She's a brave little thing,
who hurried here from Quimper and has been moving heaven and
earth. It's no use driving her to despair.. - •"
" She knows? "
" You don't need to tell her about that woman."
Maigret watched him closely. They came to the end of the quays,
the bright colours of the fishing-boats blazed in the sun, die
pavements were crowded.
Sometimes Le Clinche seemed to be taking an interest in life