Убийство Роджера Экройда

           "Ah!thecharitablebequests,theyinterestmenot.""Quiteso.Theincomeontenthousandpounds"worthofsharestobepaidtoMrs.CecilAckroydduringherlifetime.

           MissFloraAckroydinheritstwentythousandpoundsoutright.

           Theresidue–includingthisproperty,andthesharesinAckroydandSon–tohisadoptedson,RalphPaton.""Mr.Ackroydpossessedalargefortune?""Averylargefortune.CaptainPatonwillbeanexceedinglywealthyyoungman."Therewasasilence.Poirotandthelawyerlookedateachother.

           "Mr.Hammond,"cameMrs.Ackroyd’svoiceplaintivelyfromthefireplace.

           Thelawyeransweredthesummons.Poirottookmyarmanddrewmerightintothewindow.

           "Regardtheirises,"heremarkedinaratherloudvoice."Magnificent,aretheynot?Astraightandpleasingeffect."AtthesametimeIfeltthepressureofhishandonmyarm,andheaddedinalowtone:"Doyoureallywishtoaidme?Totakepartinthisinvestigation?""Yes,indeed,"Isaideagerly."There’snothingIshouldlikebetter.Youdon’tknowwhatadulloldfogey’slifeIlead.Neveranythingoutoftheordinary.""Good,wewillbecolleaguesthen.InaminuteortwoIfancyMajorBluntwilljoinus.Heisnothappywiththegoodmamma.NowtherearesomethingsIwanttoknowbutIdonotwishtoseemtowanttoknowthem.Youcomprehend?Soitwillbeyourparttoaskthequestions.""Whatquestionsdoyouwantmetoask?"Iaskedapprehensively.