OU_214051 UNIVERSA - Osmania University

330 MAINLY MAIGRET
" Well? ... Is he any better? "
It was Ad&le. She couldn't have powdered her face since the
morning, because it was quite shiny.
" Where's Buzier? " Maigret asked.
" He preferred to hop it to Le Havre. He was afraid of trouble.
And, as I'd told him, I was giving him the bird ... But that boy,
Pierre Le Clinche? ..."
" I don't know."
"Tell me!..."
But he didn't. He left her to her fate. He had caught sight of a
group on the jetty: Marie Leonnec, her father, and Madame Maigret.
All three were turned towards the trawler which was just passing
them, and Marie Leonnec was saying fervently:
" That's his boat "
Maigret went forward slowly, grumpily. His wife was the first
to see him in the crowd of people who had come to see the sailing
of the Newfoundland ship.
" Have they saved him? "
Monsieur Leonnec's monstrosity of a nose turned anxiously
towards him.
" Ah! I am very glad to see you. . .. Where does the inquiry
lead now, Inspector? "
"Nowhere!"
" You mean ... ? "
" Nothing. I don't know."
Marie's eyes opened wide with astonishment.
" But Pierre? "
" The operation was successful. He'll probably pull through."
" He's innocent, isn't he? ... Please. ... Tell my father he's
innocent...."
Her whole soul was in the request. And Maigret, as he looked at
her, imagined how she would be in ten years' time, with the same
features as her father, and rather a severe expression, meant to
impress her father's customers.
" He didn't kill the captain ..." he said.
Then, turning to his wife:
" I've just had a telegram recalling me to Paris."
" Already? I had promised to go bathing tomorrow with .. *"
He gave her a look and she understood.
" You'll excuse us...."
" But we'll accompany you as far as the hotel. ..."