The Methods of Maigret ( PDFDrive )

“As you see, Inspector, I’ve been a good boy.”
From where he sat, Charlot, without stopping eating, was addressing them in
an undertone.
“I’ve waited for you without being impatient. I haven’t even asked the
Inspector’s permission to leave.”
A lengthy silence.
“I’m at your service whenever you like. Paul will tell you that I didn’t leave
the Arche that evening.”
“Are you in such a hurry?”
“What about?”
“To clear yourself.”
“I’m just clearing the ground a little, that’s all. I’m doing my best to stop you
swimming too far out to sea. Because you soon will be swimming. I swim well
but I come from these parts.”
“Did you know Marcellin?”
“I’ve drunk with him a hundred times, if that’s what you mean. Is it true
you’ve brought someone from Scotland Yard with you?”
He examined Mr. Pyke curiously, like some strange object.
“This is no case for him. It’s not a case for you either, if you’ll forgive me
saying what I think. You know I’ve always kept clean. We’ve already come to
an understanding. There’s no hard feelings on either side. What’s the fat little
sergeant in your office called again? Lucas! How’s he getting on, Lucas? Paul!
Jojo!… Hey!…”
As there was no reply, he went toward the kitchen and came back after a few
minutes with a plate smelling of garlic mayonnaise.
“I’m not stopping you talking?”
“Not at all.”
“If I am, you can just ask me politely to shut my trap. I’m just thirty-four
years old. To be exact, I had my birthday yesterday, which means I’m just
beginning to feel my age. In my time I’ve had several chats with your
colleagues, either in Paris, or Marseilles, or elsewhere. They haven’t always
been very polite to me. We haven’t always got on together, but there’s one thing
everyone will tell you: Charlot’s never got his hands dirty.”
It was true, if one took that to mean he had never killed anyone. He must have
had a round dozen convictions in his time, but for relatively harmless offenses.
“Do you know why I come here regularly? I like the place, obviously, and