Убийство Роджера Экройда

           Iammuchaged,mypowersmaynotbewhattheywere."Hereheclearlyexpectedacontradiction."InallprobabilitythisisthelastcaseIshalleverinvestigate.ButHerculePoirotdoesnotendwithafailure.Messieursetmesdames,Itellyou,Imeantoknow.AndIshallknow–inspiteofyouall."Hebroughtoutthelastwordsprovocatively,hurlingtheminourfaceasitwere.Ithinkweallflinchedbackalittle,exceptingGeoffreyRaymond,whoremainedgoodhumouredandimperturbableasusual.

           "Howdoyoumean–inspiteofusall?"heasked,withslightlyraisedeyebrows.

           "But–justthat,monsieur.Everyoneofyouinthisroomisconcealingsomethingfromme."Heraisedhishandasafaintmurmurofprotestarose."Yes,yes,IknowwhatIamsaying.Itmaybesomethingunimportant–trivial–whichissupposedtohavenobearingonthecase,butthereitis.

           Eachoneofyouhassomethingtohide.Comenow,amIright?"Hisglance,challengingandaccusing,sweptroundthetable.Andeverypairofeyesdroppedbeforehis.Yes,mineaswell.

           "Iamanswered,"saidPoirot,withacuriouslaugh.Hegotupfromhisseat."Iappealtoyouall.Tellmethetruth–thewholetruth."Therewasasilence."Willnoonespeak?"Hegavethesameshortlaughagain.

           "C’estdommage,"hesaid,andwentout.