Убийство Роджера Экройда

           "Impossible,"hecried,springingforward.Takingthenotesfromtheother’shand,hecountedthemaloud.

           Mr.Hammondhadbeenright.Thetotalamountedtosixtypounds.

           "But–Ican’tunderstandit,"criedthesecretary,bewildered.

           Poirotaskedaquestion.

           "YousawMr.Ackroydputthismoneyawaylastnightwhenhewasdressingfordinner?Youaresurehehadnotpaidawayanyofitalready?""I’msurehehadn’t.Heevensaid,"Idon’twanttotakeahundredpoundsdowntodinnerwithme.Toobulgy."""Thentheaffairisverysimple,"remarkedPoirot."Eitherhepaidoutthatfortypoundssometimelastevening,orelseithasbeenstolen.""That’sthematterinanutshell,"agreedtheinspector.HeturnedtoMrs.Ackroyd."Whichoftheservantswouldcomeinhereyesterdayevening?""Isupposethehousemaidwouldturndownthebed.""Whoisshe?Whatdoyouknowabouther?""She’snotbeenhereverylong,"saidMrs.Ackroyd."Butshe’saniceordinarycountrygirl.""Ithinkweoughttoclearthismatterup,"saidtheinspector.

           "IfMr.Ackroydpaidthatmoneyawayhimself,itmayhaveabearingonthemysteryofthecrime.Theotherservantsallright,asfarasyouknow?""Oh,Ithinkso.""Notmissedanythingbefore?""No.""Noneofthemleaving,oranythinglikethat?""Theparlourmaidisleaving.""When?""Shegavenoticeyesterday,Ibelieve."Toyou?""Oh,no.Ihavenothingtodowiththeservants.