OU_214051 UNIVERSA - Osmania University

288 MAINLY MAIGRET
again: he would look round him hopefully, and then his eyes grew
hard and he looked scornfully at people and things.
They had to pass quite near the Ocean, where they were just
finishing the unloading. There were three trucks left in front of the
ship. Quite casually, Maigret murmured, indicating certain points:
" You were there ... Gaston Buzier here.... And it was here that
a third man strangled the captain. . . ."
His companion took a deep breath and looked away.
" Only it was dark and you couldn't distinguish anyone. In any
case, the third man was neither the chief engineer nor the second
officer, because they were both with the crew in the Rcnde^Vous
des Terre-Neuvas. . . ."
The Breton, who was on the bridge, saw the operator and went
and leant over the hatchway. Three sailors emerged and looked at
Le Clinche.
" Come! " said Maigret. " Marie Leonnec is waiting for us."
" I can't "
"What can't you?"
" Go there. . . . Leave me, please! What difference can it make
to you if I do away with myself? Particularly if it's going to be
better for everyone! "
" Is the secret so burdensome, Le Clinche? "
Le Clinche was silent.
" And you can't possibly tell me anything, can you? ... Yes!
One thing! Do you still want Adele? "
"I detest her!"
" I didn't say that! I said want, want her as you wanted her the
whole of the trip. . . . We're men, Le Clinche. .. . Did you have
many adventures before you knew Marie L£onnec? "
" No.. .. Nothing of importance...."
" And never that passion, that desire for a woman, that makes
you fairly weep? "
" Never. ..." He turned away his head.
" Then it was on board that it happened. There was only one
woman in that bleak monotonous setting. Perfumed flesh in that
trawler that stank of fish. ... What did you say? "
" Nothing "
" You forgot about your fiancee? "
" It's not the same thing. . .."
Maigret looked him in the face and was amazed at the change
that had just taken place. His companion's brow had suddenly