Убийство Роджера Экройда
Who’s Who in King’s Abbot
"Theessenceofadetectivestory,"Isaid,"istohaveararepoison–ifpossiblesomethingfromSouthAmerica,thatnobodyhaseverheardof-somethingthatoneobscuretribeofsavagesusetopoisontheirarrowswith.Deathisinstantaneous,andWesternscienceispowerlesstodetectit.
Isthatthekindofthingyoumean?""Yes.Istherereallysuchathing?"Ishookmyheadregretfully.
"I’mafraidthereisn’t.There’scurare,ofcourse."Itoldheragooddealaboutcurare,butsheseemedtohavelostinterestoncemore.SheaskedmeifIhadanyinmypoisoncupboard,andwhenIrepliedinthenegativeIfancyIfellinherestimation.
Shesaidshemustbegettingback,andIsawheroutatthesurgerydoorjustastheluncheongongwent.
IshouldneverhavesuspectedMissRussellofafondnessfordetectivestories.Itpleasesmeverymuchtothinkofhersteppingoutofthehousekeeper’sroomtorebukeadelinquenthousemaid,andthenreturningtoacomfortableperusalofTheMysteryoftheSeventhDeath,orsomethingofthekind.
