Original subtitles

THE OLD LADY FROM BAYEUX

Have a seat.

Thank you.

Above all, do not miss out in the sense of my request.

I must first explain who I am and where I come from.

I do not come from a well-off environment.

I am an orphan. When I was fifteen, I became a maid.

I had not had any training. I could not read or write.

But I ended up with Mme Croizier in Marly.

It is she who ...

Yes, she is.

She had seen affection for me. I was allowed to call her aunt Jos phine.

That woman gave me everything.

Affection, a roof over my head, education.

Everything that I could dream of.

I became her companion.

What exactly did your work consist of?

How did I spend my days, do you mean?

The days that we stayed at home ...

... I read the paper and told her what fascinated her.

That was our ritual.

Her way of staying.

- And the days you went out? - I always went.

I mean...

Not the day ...

Not the day of her death.

Ha, Commissioner.

I have heard that you will visit later gets from one Mlle Ledru.

- She's in my room. - Already.

Whatever she says, take it with a large grain of salt.

Suffice with listening and promise nothing.

And come see me when you're done are.

Just another advice: do not be tempted by it the comedy of pain.

Young women are very strong in this.

I feel very awkward, sorry.

Aunt, Mme Croizier, would be a natural one died dead Friday ...

... around 5 pm in the house from her cousin in Neuilly.

I've come to say that is not true.

She was killed.

Why do you say that?

- I know, I feel it, I'm sure. - That is not enough.

She said it.

Countless times she said that I went to the police had something to do with her.

- Did she say that? - I assure you.

I believe you.

People of a certain age sometimes grilling, fears.

Often unfounded.

Not her. She was very clear.

And you yourself?

Are you not confused by the grief?

Separating a beloved being is sometimes difficult to accept.

- You tend to cling to ... - Please.

You always went with her, why then not that day to Neuilly?

Philippe.

Her cousin.

Philippe Deligeard. He can not take me.

- His age? - Around forty.

- Profession? - None that I know.

A lot of money on the part of his wife.

But he really wasted everything.

Yet they still live in that mansion ...

... with servants, cook, driver.

And your aunt knew the financial situation from the cousin?

He often comes to her in Marly beg for money.

She could not stand that.

She said he would get enough if she was dead.

That's how it is.

At your wit's end, and without any sense to change his life ...

... Deligeard decides what to help and kill your aunt.

Sometimes things are so simple.

Suppose.

Your aunt fears what she can do in that house happen, and yet she goes.

- Only. Voluntarily. - She had appointments with her dentist.

He lives just outside Neuilly. Going to her cousin was obvious.

And you stayed in Marly. Because of Mr. Deligeard.

- Until the day ... - That I read about her death in the newspaper.

In the newspaper.

Philippe or his wife have nothing reported.

That is baffling, but then they are still no murderers.

I doubt honesty your opinion is not ...

- ... but you do not have a speck of proof. - That is exactly why I came.

If I had proof, I did not ask to start an investigation.

Lucet?

This lady wants to file an indictment. Write down her statement.

Where can we find you?

During the day I will usually be in Neuilly. There is the funeral chapel.

And Mr. Deligeard?

We have developed extreme gifts in avoiding each other.

And that C cile Ledru is really the type of servant ...

... that every respectable family fear the worst.

You give them a little goodness, and they are sitting at your table.

They are also very strong in finding of the weakest family member ...

... and to click on it.

For example, a light senile old lady.

You will soon find that she is her inheritance demands. Or has she already done that?

I do not know.

You said I should be alone listen.

To know what is in the will, we must ask for the opening.

For the funeral?

You are trotting through. We do not do those things.

Certainly not in rich families.

I will tell you how respected is the Deligeard family?

- You know them personally? - I do not know him at all.

Although we have already seen each other in Deauville or in the opera.

My wife knows the family his wife well.

The Argencourts.

A very distinguished family. Beyond any suspicion.

They may all be and yet I have to go there ...

... and talk to that Mr. Deligeard.

If it only were for the preliminary investigation.

With the utmost caution. Walking on eggs.

You have to walk on eggs.

You can turn a funeral home into a mess of talk from a servant.

I try to keep that in mind.

I call Deligeard to announce you.

- If you insist. - That is basic politeness.

You do not just fall in with people.

- Do you have a minute? - No.

But do not let that stop you.

- Deligeard, are you saying something? - Deligeard ...

- Does that have to be done? - I do not know.

Monthiel does not necessarily want me there go look around.

Here ditto. Since Monthiel us ... Just like you say.

Are you giving me some time to search?

- Mr. Deligeard, please. - Who do I announce?

Commissioner Maigret, detective.

I know, Victor.

My coat, please.

- No worries. That is the ordinary work. - The police.

Do not be afraid, I'll deal with that.

Rest, you will be exhausted.

As you notice, this is a heavy one ordeal for us.

We can talk better in my club.

If you do not find it too much trouble. It is barely a quarter of an hour on foot.

- Is that all, sir? - Yes, Marek. Thanks.

I already said that we have the behavior of C cile very regret.

I would like to attribute it to the emotional shock, as she calls it.

I'm not entirely sure about that.

I fear that there are other data play along.

To say it banally, sometimes you have no choice ...

... Mlle Ledru expected a part of the legacy.

A otherwise acceptable claim.

But my aunt only had her too understood that she did not get anything.

I found that decision a bit hard.

And I intended her something to give if it was so far.

As compensation in a sense.

That was before they got dirty insinuations began.

What happened to Mlle Ledru your aunt fell out of favor?

I already feel uncomfortable with all those low stories.

Do not ask me the reputation of Ledru too bad.

The essence is that my aunt is too sudden died, too abrupt for her ...

... to win back the aunt's grace.

That can partly explain ...

Your aunt died with you ...

- ... Friday at 5 pm, hu? - Certainly.

My wife was there, not me.

The stroke happened in her room?

- The Louis XV room, which she chose. - And your wife was there?

She was not on the floor. She has a scream heard and has been speeded up.

May I ask you where you were?

Sorry, but is this a questioning?

As you said so wisely to your wife:

- The ordinary work. - That sounds better.

I was here in my club.

Usually I go home around 16.45 hours.

I bridge until 19.30, my driver will get me. That is it.

When you left home around 16.30 ...

- ... your aunt was not in the house. - No that's right.

She was with the dentist like every day. She took a denture.

- And do you know what time she was back? - They told me something for five.

The wretch. The stroke has hair felled at her return home.

I assume that your wife will direct you has called with that bad news.

- Certainly. - You have been rushed home?

Of course.

- And when you arrived? - My wife was in all states.

The doctor had a sad face.

Your doctor?

He lives too far. My wife has called a young person from the neighborhood.

But it was already too late.

A final question.

Mlle Ledru has the death heard about Monday ...

... yesterday, from the newspaper.

Really, I'm really sorry about that. I thought my wife had called ...

... and she thought I had called. A real misunderstanding.

That was not the question.

Why did you wait three days to to post the obituary?

We have many friends and acquaintances.

Out of respect we have the funeral keeper time given to make her presentable ...

... for those who gave her a final greeting.

It surprises me that he is the corpse to make it presentable.

His creditors will have come to see that he was solvent again.

Was it so bad?

Worse than that.

At the edge of the abyss stood your Deligeard.

Only he does not have my mother borrowed, and then still.

He has debts everywhere.

He has his possessions 20 times mortgaged.

And that is not recent, h . Mr. has a whole history.

Fifteen years back, just before his marriage, he was almost bankrupt.

Here, look.

He's a nice boy, hu. While they ...

She is a bit older.

- Love is blind. - But not stupid.

That family is rightly called d'Argencourt. Your Delingeard was suddenly saved.

- And where is he now? - Nowhere.

He has wasted twice as much as he has had. It was time that aunt died.

And aunt's fortune will take him there again on top?

Track my boys. I'll call you when I have news.

- You make a mistake. - There are disturbing elements.

Nothing. You have nothing.

You have a lot of slander of a maid, you have.

We do not have much, I agree with you.

But it would be questioned that can clear everything.

Personally, I doubt something can be clarified.

I understand well that you are the further how to handle the case?

I discuss it with the attorney. He decides.

- And in the meantime? - Nothing. We do not do anything.

I have already revisited Mlle Ledru called up.

With her you do what you want.

Here along.

Within.

I let you come for a few points to clarify.

Sit down.

Your aunt says she fears something happens in her cousin's house.

And yet she stays there for a few days.

And you, without news about her, does nothing. You are waiting in Marly.

It is to say ... I have tried to speak to her on Friday.

Friday, in Neuilly?

Friday, the day of her death.

I happened to be in Paris ...

I had to buy things.

- Marly is close to Gare St Lazare. - What time were you in Neuilly?

Celebrating something about it. Mme Croizier was out the door.

- Who said that? - The room servant.

- And then? - Then?

Then nothing. I went for a walk.

- Looking at windows, and then back. - I have another question for you.

A question that you are certain about prepared.

Of course you may not have the answer.

- Excuse me? - I know the answer to your question.

- You want to know if I stand in her will. - And?

- How can you be so sure? - Because I did it.

Everything goes to her cousin.

I refused that she left me a little.

I am then a servant without nobility letters ...

... but there are values ​​that are above me money.

I really liked that woman.

I loved her as a mother.

And there were no money issues to intervene.

Completely different than with her cousin.

- So you do not have any resources? - I do not say that, Commissioner.

I was a companion, had a salary, no costs. I could save.

One moment please.

Christiani?

Soon you will see a beautiful girl, all in black, going outside.

- You follow discreetly. - What are we looking for?

I do not know. That girl is absolutely flawless.

And I find impeccable people slightly suspicious.

Like I said, I have savings.

I want to spend that entirely to the right.

I do not know how they did it ...

- ... but I will fight until we know it. - What do they do?

You suspect Mme Deligeard already?

I do not know anymore.

She seems very upset by death of aunt.

- Are you surprised? - I do not know.

She is always aloof with everyone. I do not know what she thinks.

Suppose that Mr. Deligeard his aunt killed.

And that we prove that.

Who will inherit from him?

Then the money goes to charities.

Charities?

Protection of young girls.

The innocence of girls went her to heart.

Was she very pious?

You can say that.

Thanks, Miss.

I will come back tomorrow to hear ...

You start a research?

No, Maigret, no question of it. No section.

Section questions implies that the circumstances were suspicious.

No section and no questioning of it the funeral company.

No questions about the environment, the relationships, the friends.

If we do that, we defame a name ...

... we bring a whole family discredited, and I do not allow it.

Commissioner, I really understand that you are seriously want to fulfill your task ...

... and that is a credit to you.

You must comply with the law, I must to keep them judiciously.

That girl who is spoiling our lives with her complaint ...

- ... what drives her? - avenging her aunt.

Her aunt? That is completely crazy.

There are circles where people 'uncle and tantet' that it has a nature.

It is not because the common people unaware about blood ties ...

... that we must approve it.

Nothing, aunt. That girl was a maid at Mme Croizier.

You are right, judge.

Within.

Let's not be the instrument from an intriguing ...

... that seems motivated by narrow-mindedness class jealousy.

- Tea, Commissioner? - No, thank you.

You will agree with me, her complaint is completely unfounded.

I would totally agree with you if we had no tangible motive.

But Mr Deligeard's money affairs are a real disaster.

My dear, I would like to point out to you a point.

I certainly do not want to bring you down ...

... but what is your social origin? What did your father do?

My father?

My father was a castle administrator.

- From which castle? - That of St Fiacre.

- St Fiacre, in l'Allier? - Yes.

And when are you in public service come?

I was, I think, 22.

And you never misappropriated money ...

... made no debts, always precise, careful, efficient.

Like your father.

And yet you will know difficult times to have.

But with Maigret you are honest from father to son.

People know and respect the value of money.

What I want to say ...

... is that in the better circles towards money ...

... disdain and indifference you do not realize.

If the money from the count of St Fiacre the same condition was ...

... like Mr Deligeard's, then the Count did not pick up his eyebrows ...

... while your father was desperate would be.

I want to say:

Individuals respond differently depending on their social class.

Everyone acts according to his own logic it comes from his birth.

That's right, judge.

The attorney and I agree entirely.

We follow the case and you work under my responsibility.

I know what you think, I also thought about it. But the attorney was clear:

If I had to give up every case due to a possible conflict of interest ...

... the court would lose a servant who knows the best that environment.

All in all, you and I are quite complementary.

If you so state.

I think you are from your conscience want to do that business. I allow you.

- On my terms. - And who are?

I want absolute respect and an elementary decency.

You keep a respectful distance and are courteous.

Of course I also want an impeccable one discretion.

I do not want you to visit them for so long the house is in mourning.

In that case, I ask you or you Mr Deligeard would like to request ...

... to make a new appointment, if he wants, in his club for example.

I am pleased with our conversation, Maigret.

Now the basis is healthy, will we can work better together ...

- ... do not you think? - Certainly, judge, completely.

Sir?

I agreed with Mr Deligeard.

I'm a little early. Now I can ask you some questions ...

... about what happened here the day of the death of his aunt.

Sorry. I can not say anything in connection with our members.

The rules.

- The rules? - Can I bring you something?

No thanks.

Yousef?

Yousef yesterday, Marek today.

Wanted by the police yesterday and strict with the rules now.

Whoever changes that is nothing.

My employers do not really know of my past.

I am not obliged to talk about it.

The day his aunt dies, arrives at Deligeard to ...

Too late.

- At 17:15. - 5.15 pm?

And his bridge partners were already waiting since 5 pm?

- Is someone more likely to arrive late? - Rarely.

He arrives, sits down.

- He excuses himself, and then? - There is a telephone for him right away.

He goes into the cell, talk, comes out again.

He was unwell, very pale, hardly kept himself up.

Then he said that his aunt just died, at home.

And that he had to go there.

There is Mr Deligeard.

Bring me a sherry, Marek. And for you?

Nothing, thank you.

Thank you for taking some of your time in front of me.

Never mind. I warn you the bridge starts in 15 minutes.

So I keep it short.

Excuse you in advance the somewhat indiscrete nature ...

- ... of my question. - Well understood ...

That this is not a questioning.

You are free to answer.

- How will I say it? - I think I can guess.

She can not leave it.

Ledru has certainly spoken to you about my mistresses.

Mind you, I'm not denying. You know how that goes. As gentlemen among themselves.

Of course always extremely discreet.

And there are things that you do not discuss with people of a certain age.

Your aunt? Somebody talked to her about it?

Somebody?

Ha, C cile Ledru.

I start your hostility towards to understand that young lady better.

She did what she could for a while to disrupt my relationship with aunt.

In vain, I say for the sake of completeness.

Behind that appearance of decent girl leads Mlle Ledru 'n life ...

But there's a language register my upbringing does not allow me.

Are you sure you do not want anything? use?

C cile Ledru ...

- Is it an emergency? - No, for some questions.

Can I continue? Law enforcement.

Excuse me, I just went to dinner.

Do you live here?

More or less. Temporarily, I can say.

So this is your first practice space?

Have you had your diploma for a long time?

- A few months. I do not understand... - Of course. Excuse me.

I wanted some more information about the death of Mme Croizier.

Oh, yes, in Neuilly.

That was the first time you joined the Deligeards was called?

We are not equals. My current patients do not live in country houses.

I think they called me because I did close to living.

Now you have to turn them around and the gas drop off. The hot pan makes them cooked.

What time did they call you?

17:00 exactly.

Exactly?

I have a nurse that helps me every afternoon.

She leaves at exactly 17.00.

We said goodbye when the bell rang passed.

She had her hat on, was ready to go.

It was exactly 17:00.

And who called you?

Mme Deligeard.

How long did it last for you the mansion was?

Eight minutes.

And the house servant opened and brought you up?

He opened, yes.

But as soon as I was inside, a woman called at the top of the stairs:

Fast, doctor. That was Mme Deligeard.

She brought me to the corpse.

And then it is almost 5.10 pm.

And the corpse is true, and how?

Well, it's in bed.

She had a nightgown and a dressing gown.

Mme Croizier comes from the dentist and undresses and gets into bed?

Did clothes swing on the floor?

No, everything was in perfect order. I remember that I thought about that.

That you can live in such a perfect order.

And there was only Mme Deligeard?

Maybe they have other servants, but I only saw that one and her.

The wretch was in all states.

It will have been fierce, with a sudden death.

Because when I came, she was already dead, of course.

I have examined the body. It was certainly not her first attack.

She was burned out, if you understand me.

You have the time of death can determine?

4.15 pm.

- 4.15 pm? - At two, three minutes after.

4.15 pm.

Mme Croizier dies at 4.15 pm and Mme Deligeard calls at 17.00.

- Are you sure? - Absolutely.

It was my first corpse since the University.

So you remember that.

Mme Croizier dies at 4.15 pm.

- And after that? - Nothing.

Mme Deligeard wanted to pay me immediately and gave me 20,000.

Do you count that for home visits?

Unfortunately not. With such amounts I had no more patients.

They will be just ros . Eat tasty, doctor.

- Which hotel? - Hotel J r me.

Neat. No great luxury, but neat.

I have the most boring evening my life.

It is very technical, those evening classes of her.

Two hours long about:

The unstable statistics in the actuarial calculations.

Pick up that man and ask him if he what time has left for us.

- Right now? - Right now.

- Hello, Mme Froment. - Goodbye, Commissioner.

Come in.

That case will only be fried air.

- There is nothing. - There is more than last time.

Now there are contradictions, namely what the hour of death.

As much as Mr. Deligeard at that moment was absent, Mme ...

I interrupt you immediately. No way.

She only needs to confirm or to contradict what the doctor said.

I formally forbid you with her to talk, do you hear me?

My wife says that Mme Deligeard it makes bad.

That lady has a trauma. Her aunt died in her arms.

Please allow me that I am still with Mr. Deligeard is talking?

For that time issue check?

That would be the third time in three days. That looks like bullying.

- What have you been talking about? - About his mistresses.

Do not worry. I would never have dared.

I wanted to talk about the inheritance and he is started over his conquests ...

... like bragging about that kind trivia among men of stand ...

Watch out, Maigret. I think your aversion for the higher circles ...

... your judgment somewhat affected.

I have no aversion for any class. I want to find the truth.

That's why I need what the doctor told me, who had no reason to lie ...

An inexperienced doctor, just from the school desks as you said yourself.

That makes him just a great witness: the debutant's zeal.

Okay, I'll call Deligeard.

But that will be last.

And you only talk about the times. Is that clear?

- Do we agree? - Thanks, judge.

There.

Sit down there.

Patience.

You lived alone in Marly, your aunt and you?

I already say that to you three times now.

You are going to follow my inspector before a routine examination ...

... after which we continue our conversation.

What...

- What are you doing here? - I have no idea.

Ask him. I had to come from him.

Sit down again.

You leave Deligeard alone, hu. He's a tall man, but I ...

Mlle Ledru, or maybe I should say Mme Dupont ...

... or Mme Dumas, sorry.

So you go every Tuesday and Wednesday night hotel J r me inside.

And? Is that forbidden?

Miss, you have serious accusations voiced towards a man.

You have asked to start an investigation to the murder of his aunt.

And all that without the slightest proof.

But with a real hostility towards him.

I have taken it upon myself to find out what really happened to your aunt.

The least you can do is me not to mention anything.

Unless you have thought of yourself.

And you withdraw your complaint.

Go get him.

- Have you been taking Accounting lessons for a long time? - One month.

On Tuesday and Wednesday evenings, yes?

The lesson ended late. No more train to Marly, so only a hotel ...

- ... to have the first morning train. - My aunt encouraged me to learn.

She said she did not have eternal life.

That I could work with a diploma, to be independent.

- Especially towards men. - Mr. Dumas?

Mercier.

Come in. Sit down.

Since when?

Two years.

How did it work?

Did you see each other secretly?

True? How?

Mr. Mercier had been with you for a long time merge into your benefactor's house?

A year, a little more than a year.

- And marry? - My aunt would have been against it.

Or more precisely: she had my loyalty seen as a betrayal.

She was very possessive towards me.

I did not want to hurt her.

It was to spare her that I did not speak ...

... about my relationship with Jacques.

- And what does Mr. Mercier think of all this? - For Jacques ...

Mr. Mercier can do it himself to speak.

Of course that was not ...

For me was careful the oldie ...

Well, that's the way it is.

Especially because at last the old ...

... had become particularly attentive, h ?

Deligeard.

If Aunt knew, Deligeard said.

And he has informed you quickly.

What I determine, is that a person is more ...

... who had every interest in Mme Croizier was in a hurry to die.

- You can not really think that Jacques ... - Wait.

No, there's something in there, if you think about it.

My business ... financially I am not in the best position.

I wanted to buy three trucks with a friend to pick up fish from Contentin.

That was a good idea.

But with second-hand trucks, repairs, rent of garages ...

We are on strike of payments.

The trucks are stuck and I am standing on the verge of bankruptcy.

If I had suggested aunt Jacques, the money had distorted everything.

She had thought that we would help her expected Jacques to smoke money.

- And actually she knew it. - Since a week or six.

That coincides with the moment that she me started to send to the evening class.

And then?

The evening class was around us easier to make.

So that we could try.

She thought that people should meet try it out for the big step.

Do you think she had thought everything out, that we could see each other in the hotel?

Surely.

She did not want that on principle under her roof.

It was her way to discrete us to help a hand.

Olmetta, are you going to get a glass of water?

You tell me at what time you are in the house from Neuilly arrived ...

... the day your aunt died?

It must have been 16:00, hu?

Were you with her?

I mean: I brought her by car.

- So at 4 pm? - 4.00 pm, 4.05 pm.

You have her up to the door brought?

No, I was waiting in the car, just around the corner.

Christiani?

Mlle Ledru is going to report exactly of everything she has done ...

... between Friday 4 pm and the moment that she discovers that her aunt is dead.

Mr. Mercier will have his activities in the same describe time space.

- Seperate rooms. - Come with me.

Friday 16.05 hours.

You call at the mansion and ask Mme Croizier to speak.

- And after that? - They say she's out of the door.

- Who says that? - The room servant.

He will first inform, or does he answer you immediately?

He answers immediately.

So he knew she was gone.

- And after that? - Then I went to the car.

- And? - And...

- We drove back to Marly. - Straight away?

Did not try to find your aunt?

Do not wait for the door from the dentist or something?

I found that I was not unreasonably scared had to go.

Yes, Carhaix.

I am coming.

Come with me.

Sit down there.

You write all of that for me.

The way back, trips. Your coming and going.

With whom you have talked about. I want your entire time spending ...

... until you see the obituary in the newspaper is reading.

- Marly-le-roi. Where do you store the car? - On the church square.

And then you go home?

C cile, Mlle Ledru, goes straight back.

I wait a moment and walk through the garden in case that.

Well done. Continue.

- And does someone see you? - No.

Do you know how the widow Croizier came to her fortune?

- You're going to say that. - Life insurance.

Her husband was a bookkeeper and his passion was life insurance.

- He has sold numerous. - And one day, coincidentally ...

That man goes once in his life by boat.

The sea is boisterous, the ship winds.

He loses the balance, pops up the railing has a skull fracture ...

... and hop, 100 million in the bag of the widow.

But the cousin does not have that enough.

The widow is bored to death in her gloomy house in Marly.

To study, she studies the basic principles of the money system.

She learns investing, she ventured into the stock market.

And she's gifted, the sneaky. If she dies ...

... she is not worth 100 million more, only 500.

And that's more than enough, I think, for all creditors.

Amply.

The beauty of the case is that of those creditors ...

... a big part is a financier, that aunt have given advice for the fair.

They knew that eventually would be paid.

So they could wait quietly without panic, without threatening.

Except for one.

Retailleau, Albert Retailleau.

I'll give you his phone number.

But he is, how do you say that ...

A completely different story.

Good. You hear the death of your aunt Monday morning in the newspaper.

Mr. Mercier will drive you straight to Neuilly.

What time do you arrive at the house?

Around 9.30 am.

- And who do you see first? - The house servant, who opens up.

Then in the corridor the funeral attendants.

- And then I see Philippe Deligeard. - Did he come to talk?

Yes, he came to me and said something like:

I knew you would be rushing.

- Then I saw her. - You saw the body of your aunt?

Yes, in the coffin.

You recognized her? She was it?

- You've seen her face. - Of course. She was.

I do not understand where you want to go.

Mr. Deligeard has the utmost goodness to see you again ...

- ... in his club at 16.45. - 16.45, yes.

Thank you, judge. No, do not be worried.

You can go.

Mlle Ledru, I may need you by the evening.

If they want to save, then I deserve.

That's nice for everyone, I say.

No law prohibits you from being in the same box being buried ...

... in which you were laid out. Yet?

I see what you mean. But I do not understand that you do business with Mr Deligeard.

Whoever does business always has to wait lying down, looking for new opportunities.

Why else would I have a cent here? spend on my membership?

Opportunities.

And Deligeard possessed supposedly a forest with fast-growing pines.

Right, yes. Why a nice box burn in beech or walnut?

So beautiful that it has to grow for 60 years.

And Deligeard never has the wood delivered?

He never had a bunch. And he has sold me one. 100 million.

I have docked 100 million for a poor piece of airfield.

Let me in like that, I was sick of it.

But he will repay interest, really true.

That man is in the penarie.

I always say: You should not mess with Retailleau.

- You know his aunt is dead? - He called me, yes.

When did he call you?

- Friday evening. How so? - Just like that.

You reassured that in terms of solvency.

Where the money comes from, my concern, if only it is there.

- Mr Deligeard is just arriving. - Thanks, Marek.

One last point. Can you give me a balsician?

I need some technical information.

Greet her the greetings. I warn you, she is a little bit different.

Something escapes me.

You have said that you are always your home went out ...

... by 4.30 pm, 4.45 pm?

Certainly.

As I have checked with you, it is about ten minutes to here.

And you arrived here on Friday at 5.15 pm.

It took more than half an hour.

Let's say I was not alone.

- Can I ask who you were with? - No, you can not.

Come on, Commissioner.

Ha, you were with someone ...

Is that all, Commissioner?

One more thing. When your wife you here called, what did she say?

- My wife? - Was not it your wife?

My house-servant called. Leave my wife out of it.

And what did Victor say to you?

That your aunt had a stroke or that she was dead?

You said it, but I do not know anymore.

That is enough. I think so so far had a lot of patience.

The day of the reckoning is approaching, Deligeard.

- Who was that? - A friend.

An original one.

Always a joke.

If you have nothing against it now, Commissioner...

... my fellow card players come this way.

I would have liked to know more about it the band...

- ... between Mr Mercier and Mlle Ledru. - Why?

When you discovered that band, you immediately your aunt informed, you said.

- Was not that my duty? - And how did she take it?

What do you think?

She was desperate, felt betrayed.

- She also decided to send her away. - Why did not she do it?

I think she feared C ciles's revenge.

You are not in touch with Ledru accuse of murdering your aunt?

My aunt was not murdered. She died of a stroke.

That girl must be very disturbed that she had such nonsense.

Alfred de Musset said it well:

A woman forgives everything, except that you do not desire her.

C cile?

Maybe I should have paid more attention.

And should not be taken lightly what I saw as child's play and whim.

C cile in love with you ...

The day I had to tell her ...

... that she would not become my mistress, she seemed so ...

I thought: that will pass, but ...

Would that be why they like you systematically want to harm?

From love to hate ...

... that is often only one step.

What?

What did he say?

From the day he saw me, I was hardly fifteen when ...

... that guy has been sitting on me all the time.

Every time we were alone.

I never said the aunt, I did not want to worry her.

But on a day that we were alone, he managed to force me into a corner.

His caresses were more focused.

And then I hit it.

With full power.

That evening you saw the print on his cheek.

I think my aunt it then understood.

How did you know about his mistresses?

He told me.

He was very proud of it.

He sure thought that me ...

That that could ...

Why do not you have your aunt? talked about?

Who wants a companion who gossips about a family member?

My aunt has figured it out for herself.

The day after he ...

When I sold that blow ...

... she let it follow.

- Who will I announce? - No one.

I came to speak to you. And you know me?

But do I disturb you in your work?

I drank coffee with colleagues in the kitchen.

Go drink your coffee in the kitchen.

- Do not be embarrassed for me. - The commissioner wants coffee.

You're the driver, I think? Stay there.

- And you? - Berthe, the cook.

No sugar in my coffee, Berthe.

I could have taken you to the desk summon, but for that little bit ...

We start with you.

The day of death, What did you do then?

I was not there. I was in Le Havre, with my sister.

The boss had told me in the morning that I did not get any free the following week ...

... by Deauville. I had my day then record. I was not there.

Mr. Deligeard often drove himself?

- He certainly drove that day himself. - How do you know that?

By the mud, commissioner.

The car was dirty, there was mud on the floor.

On the driver's side?

- And you? You were not in Le Havre? - No, I was here.

- Sit down. - On Friday I give the silver a turn.

Can you tell me what time Mme Croizier went out the door?

Just before celebrating, like every day.

- And everything was okay with her? - Normal, as usual.

She did not tell you anything special?

- And she went to the dentist on foot? - Yes, that's close.

And she liked to step. The car...

She preferred to go to Marly by train.

- Only Mlle Ledru came to visit. - What time?

Moments later. They have each other missed after a hair.

And where is the car at that moment?

Mr. was out of it for half an hour before, around 3.30 pm.

- And when did he come back? - I do not know.

Why, you do not have it inside see coming?

Did not you hear him in the car? stables?

The house is big. If I did the silver in the living room ...

... I could not hear him come in. Let alone see.

And after that?

As always. I see Mr. depart to his club.

Nothing special that day?

He may have left a little earlier then different.

And after that?

Nothing. I started here with the knives.

And around 17.00 is Mme Croizier came back.

- Still in good condition? - And well-disposed.

Because the dentist does not hurt her had done. I said that they were lucky.

I'm not sure she heard me.

Sorry, it's not that I'm asleep, but...

The car is in the garage?

Is there a service staircase?

Who gives access to the rooms?

- And there? - To the cellars and the garage.

Where were we? It is almost 5 PM.

Mme Croizier goes to her room.

She usually rested for an hour or two before dinner.

- Which floor? - The second.

And she goes without too much trouble up the stairs?

- How is it up there? - There are two rooms ...

... or rather flats, because every room has a private dressing room and bathroom.

There is the Louis XV room on the right, we say the blue room.

And the yellow Rgengen room left.

And Mme Croizier is staying the Louis XV room, the blue?

So she is in her room. They rest.

And then?

I do not know...

I finish the knives, start with the spoons ...

... and about ten or fifteen minutes later I see Mrs ...

- ... pale, that says there's a doctor. - What time does that doctor come?

Very soon, I do not know exactly what time.

I open up, and madame leads him up the stairs.

And immediately after that, it will have been 5.15 pm ...

... asks Mrs. to call at the club to say ...

- ... that aunt just had a stroke. - You called the club?

And you say: Your aunt has just had a stroke.

- You did not say she was dead? - No.

I did not know then that she was dead.

I did not know that until around 7:00 PM, when they officially notified us.

The tea for sir. Berthe, put the water on.

You do not have to come along. I know the way.

Wait a second.

Excuse me. It is late, but it is important. Can I come in?

- Sorry. Is that the nurse? - She no longer leaves at 17.00.

To go short.

If you arrive at the house on Friday at 17.10 h ...

... the house servant opens.

Mme Deligeard calls you, you follow her.

And she will take you to the room on the left or right?

- Left. - Certainly?

- The R gencekamer? - I do not know.

- What color did that room have? - Yellow. Yes that is it. Very yellow.

Yellow.

And if someone's life depended on it, would you confirm that?

That the woman from whom you made the deed of death have signed ...

... almost an hour before your arrival died ...

...in contrast to what Mme Deligeard claims?

- You would confirm that under oath? - Yes, you can trust me.

- Can I call here? - Go ahead.

Christiani? Do I wake you up?

I want a list of all women of 60 plus ...

... between Thursday and died on Friday afternoon ...

... in a radius of 15 kilometers around the house of Deligeard.

And you always write down the cause of death.

You will start tomorrow morning.

Thanks, Doctor.

- And excuse me at ... - Never mind.

I am full of ideas to make it right.

That does not smell fresh.

Those are old bodies.

Funeral centers send you their bodies, you pick them up, they embalm ...

- ... and sends them back. - That's how it goes.

- Say, Madame. - Mademoiselle.

Suppose I want to kill someone.

And my crime must be untraceable.

Including for an experienced professional like you.

What shall I do then?

The perfect crime. Not that easy.

If you can, you push your victim off a high rock.

Irresistible.

Or else poison.

Sit in the class of the opiates very good...

... that leave almost no trace.

Or else suffocation.

That is not bad. Although, that can be investigated.

That gives spots on the throat and on the chest.

I do not recommend choking.

Choking is not bad.

Because in the winter half of the causes of death are pneumonia.

And if you have it, you die from asphyxiation.

When I see those spots, I think: Pneumonia. Nothing suspicious.

And so you continue embalming.

- But you knew the traces of the poison. - No, I do not know anything at all.

When you embalm, leave the blood anyway walk away?

I'm taking a little bit of blood that I'm replacing by methanal.

And that immediately lubricates the blood that prevents the body.

I do not change anything that is there.

So if I have a curdled blood sample send to the lab ...

... they can find a trace of poison if there is?

- Exactly what I wanted to say, yes. - The perfect crime can hardly be.

And the cause of death?

Thank you and goodbye.

Boss? Judge Monthiel has already called twice.

- I already thought. - He seemed pretty furious.

I just want the strokes.

I do not recommend you, but the judge wants it you really do speak.

I will go.

Rush to the lab.

They are ready at 10.00 with those samples from the car.

You pick them up and come straight to the office of the judge.

I'll still be there. You demand to hand them over personally.

- Maigret is there. Let him come. - Mr. Judge expects you.

Judge. Sir.

Close the door and sit down.

Do you realize that you are me have brought an untenable situation?

- I'm really sorry about that. - What did I say?

Have I not spoken to you about decency, discretion, respect?

Did not I forbid you a mourning house? to disrupt?

- Which can. - Where were you last night?

- I was with Mr. Deligeard. - Exactly.

And what do you mean by to be with Mr Deligeard?

In his house, of course.

You were in his house. Without knowing it. Deceitful.

- You did not have a search warrant. - I did not do that either.

- I asked the waitress some questions. - The waitresses.

You question his staff without it his permission.

- Without even informing him. - I did not want to disturb.

And if it was only that. But after that, that is not possible for a commissioner.

You have provided access through intrusion, you go outside your booklet ...

... that I accept his complaint against you. And higher up will certainly find out.

Immediately, he said. Hand over personally.

I said no.

I may have acted somewhat brutally but I had to discover a lot.

I needed a sample of the mud that the driver had mentioned.

An investigation, judge, is a bit like a painting.

You have to be long enough looking at the right place ...

... and the tracks indicate themselves.

Excuse me, but they did not let me ...

According to the lab there were in the steel traces of clay ...

... of straw and poo ...

Faeces from ducks.

Thanks, Christiani. That is it.

That will do. High time to get to this game to end.

Mr. Deligeard, I'm still making today submit your complaint to the ministry.

And you, Maigret, are suspended In this case...

... which, by the way, is never a matter been.

And again my excuse for all burden that you have to undergo.

I'll see you tomorrow at the funeral.

A final question anyway.

You also arrange the funeral by Caroline Beaume?

Mr. Deligeard.

Please, Maigret. We're talking about it.

He is busy. This is not the moment.

Understood, boss.

Because of the Commissioner.

Urgently.

Mme Fromant?

I understand that the judge do not want to see me.

On the other hand, I want you to like him immediately read the piece that is with you.

Otherwise I will have to report it to the director of the criminal investigation ...

... and to the public prosecutor.

No, I can not wait.

I need a search warrant right away to get.

The suspect can do that without it to remove evidence.

Okay, I'm counting on you.

Within.

You have the least evidence what you claim?

How do you want to work?

We search the house directly by Caroline Beaume.

Afterwards...

I can end the funeral wait...

... before I call Mr and Mme Deligeard for an interrogation according to the rules.

And there you do what you want.

Or you conduct the interrogation, or you do it without me. Does not matter.

The body in the coffin is indeed by Mme Croizier, judge.

But not that what the young doctor looked at and attributed a normal death ...

... due to a stroke.

The corpse he was examined from another.

Who died elsewhere and whose corpse brought here.

To the yellow room.

Where they pulled the doctor around 17.10 hours.

While Mme Croizier had just been killed in her room ...

... the blue room.

Who is the corpse then in the yellow room?

A woman over 60, died of a stroke ...

... and those no further than 15 kilometers from Neuilly.

Because Deligeard must have the time to to get the corpse, to store the car ...

... it seems to be dragging the service stairs ...

... laying it in the yellow room ...

And once the precious death certificate was obtained ...

... of course on the name by Mme Croizier ...

... to bring the body back, to explain exactly where it lay.

And look...

It's a steel mud in the car from Deligeard that helps us.

Faeces from ducks? Straw? Clearly an address in the countryside.

And there comes a name: Caroline Beaume ...

... who grows ducks in Louveciennes ...

... with a weak health, exhausted by a long-lasting heart condition.

Coincidentally, she appears ...

... to be the old min of Mme Deligeard, with whom she kept in touch.

All this is a lot of inventions made up by a maniac ...

... which is solely for the honor of to tarnish the better circles.

Remains that certain details his hypotheses rods.

Faeces from ducks in my car. Well done.

Of course we often went to Caroline toe. She was my wife's minus.

I do not see evidence, but an obvious.

There are also traces of blood in the trunk and found her from wild boar.

Now you know that I am hunting wild boar.

I put the dead boars in my trunk to take it to the butcher.

I am very impressed.

- Have you just started hunting? - The last Thursday.

- Can witnesses confirm that ... - What?

That I shot? That the wild boar was really dead?

I can provide witnesses. Do you want names and addresses?

Do you deny that you are the corpse of Caroline brought her house to your house?

Yes, I deny formally.

Doctor Briand is willing to swear ...

... that he has examined her in the yellow room on the second floor.

A half-fat hypothesis.

Caroline was very ill as you have noticed ...

... and she always had a separate spot in the heart of my wife.

- That's why we went to visit. - She was very sick indeed.

And her last stroke, who had to give the final blow ...

... hopelessly long awaited, h .

What absurdity are you going to do now treat?

Aunt has her last appointment on Saturday at the dentist.

If her prosthesis is in it, she goes home again.

Such an opportunity will not come soon.

It must be done quickly. And you have an idea.

Caroline takes care of her heart with painkillers, so she is always dazed.

On Friday she will lunch and do a beneficial nap.

When she wakes up, she feels a presence nearby.

She pushes her blanket away, and sees the head of a dead boar.

- What? - Yes Madam.

A wild boar that shot your husband has.

And there is rather unorthodox use of it made.

What have you done?

Imagine the shock of that poor woman.

She screams, her heart is raging.

And she gets a stroke.

You had to shut up that man, judge.

Such a fantasy borders the pathological.

We have blood and hair from a wild boar found in Carolines bed.

They agree with that in your suitcase: it is the same animal.

I do not belong here anymore.

Excuse me, Mme Deligeard, I have to ask you ...

... or please sit down again.

After the death of Caroline and the laying of her corpse in the yellow room ...

... someone else dies, Mme Jos phine Croizier.

We need the conditions clear up her death ...

... and your responsibility in it determine.

It looks like it died from suffocation or poison.

Every other way had left traces that the balsemer had seen ...

- ... and he had warned the police. - That's right, judge.

In view of your frilly figure, it seems to me pretty unlikely that you ...

... anyway Mme Croizier could have suffocate, certainly not only.

Still the hypothesis of the poison which, as the statistics show ...

... the method is of the weak gender.

Section would immediately give clarity.

But then Mme Croizier must to be excavated.

I can decide for that.

But do not you think we're her last can save humiliation?

It's him.

It's my man who ...

Mr. Deligeard.

After you have the corpse of Caroline laid in the yellow room ...

... you go outside along the front door so that the staff you see leaving ...

... and think that you are as usual going to your club.

But you do not.

You return on your steps and goes via the service ladder ...

... to go to the Louis XV room where you wait for your aunt.

To kill her.

Then you rush to your club, again along the service stairs.

So you are a bit too late for the bridge, at 5.15 pm.

And only late, at night, do you get the corpse of Caroline ...

... that was still in the yellow room.

You bring her back to Louveciennes and explains her where she was ...

... in her bed, where you do the sheets of changes.

That true blood and hair of the boar on sat, are buried in the garden.

Then you only had to wait to a neighbor, the postman, whoever ...

... determines the 'natural' death from Caroline in her bed.

Is it over?

For me.

- Has he known? - His wife told him.

I feel vaguely that I do something must say.

You were right.

I let her go home. For the time being.

Of course she remains available of Justice.

- Of course. - The wretch.

She was clearly in the grip from her husband.

An d'Argencourt behind the bars, I do not care about that.

Do you know what my wife told me? this morning over the Deligeards?

Mme Deligeard would be a marriage have been below her class.

He actually did not belong in that world.

That explains a lot.

Did you love him?