In the office in the ninth arrondissement, which was staffed by only three inspectors and a trainee, they made sure Louis worked outside as much as possible.
‘Poor man!’
‘Are you talking to yourself?’
‘What did I say?’
‘You said, “Poor man.” Were you thinking about Marcia?’
‘No. I was thinking about someone who lost his wife fifteen years ago and still wears mourning.’
‘He doesn’t dress all in black though, does he? No one does that any more.’
‘He does. He doesn’t care what people think. Some people think he’s a priest when they first see him and call him “Father”.’
‘Aren’t you going to shave? And get ready?’
‘Yes. But I’m feeling lazy, it’s lovely.’
He finished his pipe before going into the bathroom.
THIS IS JUST THE BEGINNING
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First published, in serial, as Maigret et l’homme tout seul, in Le Figaro 1971
First published in book form by Presses de la Cité 1971
This translation first published 2019
Copyright © Georges Simenon Limited, 1971
Translation copyright © Howard Curtis, 2019
GEORGES SIMENON ® Simenon.tm
MAIGRET ® Georges Simenon Limited
All rights reserved
The moral rights of the author and translator have been asserted
Cover photograph (detail) © Harry Gruyaert/Magnum Photos
Front cover design by Alceu Chiesorin Nunes
ISBN: 978-0-241-30435-8
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