The Methods of Maigret ( PDFDrive )

inside and was somewhat surprised to see Charlot in conversation with De
Greef.
Mr. Pyke was still following him silently. Was he expecting something to
happen? Was he trying to guess Maigret’s thoughts?
They went to the end of the pier, retraced their steps, passed once more before
the Fleur d’Amour, and Charlot was still in the same place.
Three times they covered the hundred yards of the pier, and the third time
Charlot climbed onto the deck of the little yacht, turned round to say good-by,
and set off along the plank which served as a gangway.
The two men were just near to him. They were going to pass one another.
Maigret, after hesitating, stopped. It was the time when the bus from Giens
should be arriving at Hyères. The people for the funeral would go and have a
drink before heading for the morgue.
“I say, I was looking for you this morning.”
“As you can see, I didn’t leave the island.”
“That’s just what I wanted to talk to you about. I see no reason for keeping
you here any longer. You told me, I think, that you had only come for two or
three days and that, but for Marcellin’s death, you would have left by now. The
Inspector thought it right to make you stay. I give you back your liberty.”
“Thank you.”
“I only ask that you tell me where I can find you in case I need you.”
Charlot, who was smoking, studied the end of his cigarette for a moment as
though reflecting.
“At the Arche,” he finally said.
“You aren’t going away again?”
“Not for the moment.”
And, lifting his head again, he looked the Chief Inspector in the eye.
“Does that surprise you? One would even have said you were annoyed to see
me stay. I suppose it’s allowed?”
“I can’t stop you. I admit I should be curious to know what made you change
your mind.”
“I haven’t got a particularly absorbing profession, have I? No office, no
factory or business premises, no employees or workers waiting for me. Don’t
you find it pleasant here?”
He made no attempt to conceal his irony. They could see the mayor, still in his
long gray overalls, coming down toward the harbor pushing his wheelbarrow.