Maigret's boyhood friend is Florentin, a coward and a chronic liar, caught in a cupboard when his mistress was murdered. She had four other lovers, all regulars, and while Florentin seems the most culpable, he is only indirectly involved in the unintentional tragedy. Again the meticulous sobriety his admirers respect, but really only comme ci comme ca, or would that be mais si mais non.