The Methods of Maigret ( PDFDrive )

“And did Monsieur de Moricourt know?”
“It appears that you’re well known.”
“When you left the Arche de Noé…”
“I’m listening.”
“Had Marcellin gone already?”
“I couldn’t tell you. What I do know is that we went down to the harbor,
hugging the houses, the mistral was so strong. I was even afraid we shouldn’t
manage to get back on board.”
“Did you set off immediately in the boat, Monsieur Moricourt and yourself?”
“Immediately. What else could we have done? That reminds me that
Marcellin came with us as far as the dinghy.”
“You didn’t meet anyone?”
“There can’t have been anybody out at that hour.”
“Had De Greef and Anna returned to their boat?”
“Possibly. I can’t remember. Wait…”
Then Maigret was astounded to hear the precise voice of Mr. Pyke, who, for
the first time, was allowing himself to intervene in his inquiry. The Yard man
said deliberately, yet without appearing to attach too much importance to it:
“At home, Mrs. Wilcox, we should be obliged to remind you that anything
you say may be used in evidence against you.”
She looked at him, dumfounded, then looked at Maigret, and there was a sort
of panic in her eyes.
“Is this an interrogation?” she asked. “But… tell me, Chief Inspector… I
presume you don’t suspect us, Philippe and me, of having killed this man?”
Maigret was silent for a moment, examining his pipe with deliberation.
“I suspect nobody a priori, Mrs. Wilcox. However this is certainly an
interrogation and you have the right not to reply.”
“Why shouldn’t I reply? We came back right away. Even though we shipped
water in the dinghy and had to cling to the ladder to climb on board.”
“Philippe didn’t go out again?”
There was a hesitation in her eyes. The presence of her fellow countryman
made her feel uncomfortable.
“We went straight to bed and he couldn’t have left the boat without my
hearing.”
Philippe chose this moment to make his appearance, in white flannels, his hair