Убийство Роджера Экройда

           "Notso.Iamactingintheinterestsofjustice.MissAckroydhasaskedmetoinvestigatethedeathofheruncle.

           Mr.Hammondseemedslightlytakenaback.

           "IcannotseriouslybelievethatCaptainPatoncanbeconcernedinthiscrime,"hesaid,"howeverstrongthecircumstantialevidenceagainsthimmaybe.Themerefactthathewashardpressedformoney""Washehardpressedformoney?"interpolatedPoirotquickly.

           Thelawyershruggedhisshoulders.

           "ItwasachronicconditionwithRalphPaton,"hesaiddryly."Moneywentthroughhishandslikewater.Hewasalwaysapplyingtohisstepfather.""Hadhedonesooflate?Duringthelastyear,forinstance?’

           "Icannotsay.Mr.Ackroyddidnotmentionthefacttome.""Icomprehend.Mr.Hammond,ItakeitthatyouareacquaintedwiththeprovisionsofMr.Ackroyd’swill?""Certainly.Thatismyprincipalbusinessheretoday.""Then,seeingthatIamactingforMissAckroyd,youwillnotobjecttotellingmethetermsofthatwill?""Theyarequitesimple.Shornoflegalphraseology,andafterpayingcertainlegaciesandbequests""Suchas-?"interruptedPoirot.

           "Mr.Hammondseemedalittlesurprised.

           "Athousandpoundstohishousekeeper.MissRussell;fiftypoundstothecook,EmmaCooper;fivehundredpoundstohissecretary,Mr.GeoffreyRaymond.Thentovarioushospitals-"Poirothelduphishand.