Убийство Роджера Экройда
The Parlourmaid
"IwantyoutointroducethenameofMrs.Ferrars.""Yes?""Speakofherinanaturalfashion.Askhimifhewasdownherewhenherhusbanddied.YouunderstandthekindofthingImean.Andwhilehereplies,watchhisfacewithoutseemingtowatchit.C’estcompris!"Therewasnotimeformore,foratthatminute,asPoirothadprophesied.Bluntlefttheothersinhisabruptfashionandcameovertous.
Isuggestedstrollingontheterrace,andheacquiesced.
Poirotstayedbehind.
Istoppedtoexaminealaterose.
"Howthingschangeinthecourseofadayortwo,"Iobserved."IwasupherelastWednesday,Iremember,walkingupanddownthissameterrace.Ackroydwaswithme–fullofspirits.Andnow–threedayslater–Ackroyd’sdead,poorfellow.Mrs.Ferrarsdead~youknewher,didn’tyou?Butofcourseyoudid."Bluntnoddedhishead.
"Hadyouseenhersinceyou’dbeendownthistime?""WentwithAckroydtocall.LastTuesday,thinkitwas.Fascinatingwoman–butsomethingqueerabouther.Deep–onewouldneverknowwhatshewasupto."Ilookedintohissteadygreyeyes.Nothingtheresurely.Iwenton:"Isupposeyou’dmetherbefore?""LasttimeIwashere–sheandherhusbandhadjustcomeheretolive."Hepausedaminuteandthenadded:"Rumthing,shehadchangedalotbetweenthenandnow.""How–changed?"Iasked.
"Lookedtenyearsolder.
