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
Find us online and join the conversation
Follow us on Twitter twitter.com/penguinukbooks
Like us on Facebook facebook.com/penguinbooks
Share the love on Instagram instagram.com/penguinukbooks
Watch our authors on YouTube youtube.com/penguinbooks
Pin Penguin books to your Pinterest pinterest.com/penguinukbooks
Listen to audiobook clips at soundcloud.com/penguin-books
Find out more about the author and discover
your next read at penguin.co.uk
PENGUIN BOOKS
UK | USA | Canada | Ireland | Australia
India | New Zealand | South Africa
Penguin Books is part of the Penguin Random House group of companies whose addresses can be found at global.penguinrandomhouse.com.
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
This ebook is copyright material and must not be copied, reproduced, transferred, distributed, leased, licensed or publicly performed or used in any way except as specifically permitted in writing by the publishers, as allowed under the terms and conditions under which it was purchased or as strictly permitted by applicable copyright law. Any unauthorized distribution or use of this text may be a direct infringement of the author’s and publisher’s rights and those responsible may be liable in law accordingly.
Maigret and the Loner Page 16
