Убийство Роджера Экройда

           We’llleavethingsastheyareforthepresent.It’shighlyprobableMr.Ackroydpaidthatmoneyawayhimself."Thehousekeeperbadeusadrygoodafternoon,andwetookourleave.

           IleftthehousewithPoirot.

           "Iwonder,"Isaid,breakingthesilence,"whatthepapersthegirldisarrangedcouldhavebeenforAckroydtohavegotintosuchastateaboutthem?Iwonderifthereisanycluetheretothemystery.""Thesecretarysaidtherewerenopapersofparticularimportanceonthedesk,"saidPoirotquietly.

           "Yes,but-"Ipaused.

           "ItstrikesyouasoddthatAckroydshouldhaveflownintoarageaboutsotrivialamatter?""Yes,itdoesrather.""Butwasitatrivialmatter?""Ofcourse,"Iadmitted,"wedon’tknowwhatthosepapersmayhavebeen.ButRaymondcertainlysaid""LeaveM.Raymondoutofitforaminute.Whatdidyouthinkofthatgirl?""Whichgirl?Theparlourmaid?""Yes,theparlourmaid.UrsulaBourne.""Sheseemedanicegirl,"Isaidhesitatingly.

           Poirotrepeatedmywords,butwhereasIhadlaidaslightstressonthefourthword,heputitonthesecond.

           "Sheseemedanicegirl–yes."Then,afteraminute’ssilence,hetooksomethingfromhispocketandhandedittome.

           "See,myfriend,Iwillshowyousomething.Lookthere."ThepaperhehadhandedmewasthatcompiledbytheinspectorandgivenbyhimtoPoirotthatmorning.