Убийство Роджера Экройда

           Ackroyd,withasuddenleaphighlycharacteristicofherconversation,"toleaveallthatmoney–athousandpounds,fancy,athousandpounds!

           —tothatwoman.""Whatwoman?""ThatRussellwoman.Somethingveryqueerabouther,andsoI’vealwayssaid.ButRogerwouldn’thearawordagainsther.Saidshewasawomanofgreatforceofcharacter,andthatheadmiredandrespectedher.Hewasalwaysgoingonaboutherrectitudeandindependenceandmoralworth./thinkthere’ssomethingfishyabouther.ShewascertainlydoingherbesttomarryRoger.ButIsoonputastoptothat.Shealwayshatedme.Naturally./sawthroughher."IbegantowonderiftherewasanychanceofstemmingMrs.Ackroyd’seloquence,andgettingaway.

           Mr.Hammondprovidedthenecessarydiversionbycominguptosaygoodbye.Iseizedmychanceandrosealso.

           "Abouttheinquest,"Isaid."Wherewouldyoupreferittobeheld?Here,orattheThreeBoars?"Mrs.Ackroydstaredatmewithadroppedjaw.

           "Theinquest?"sheasked,thepictureofconsternation.

           "Butsurelytherewon’thavetobeaninquest?"Mr.Hammondgaveadrylittlecoughandmurmured,"Inevitable.Underthecircumstances,"intwoshortlittlebarks.

           "ButsurelyDrSheppardcanarrange""Therearelimitstomypowersofarrangement,"Isaiddrily.

           "Ifhisdeathwasanaccident""Hewasmurdered,Mrs.Ackroyd,"Isaidbrutally.

           Shegavealittlecry.