Убийство Роджера Экройда
The Goose Quill
WhetherherdesignsuponAckroyd’ssilverhadbeenstrictlyhonourableIneitherknewnorcared.WhatdidinterestmewasthefactthatMissRussellmusthaveenteredthedrawing-roombythewindow,andthatIhadnotbeenwrongwhenIjudgedhertobeoutofbreathwithrunning.Wherehadshebeen?Ithoughtofthesummer-houseandthescrapofcambric.
"IwonderifMissRussellhashadherhandkerchiefsstarched!"Iexclaimedonthespurofthemoment.
Mrs.Ackroyd’sstartrecalledmetomyself,andIrose.
"YouthinkyoucanexplaintoM.Poirot?"sheaskedanxiously.
"Oh,certainly.Absolutely."Igotawayatlast,afterbeingforcedtolistentomorejustificationsofherconduct.
Theparlourmaidwasinthehall,anditwasshewhohelpedmeonwithmyovercoat.IobservedhermorecloselythanIhaddoneheretofore.Itwasclearthatshehadbeencrying.
"Howisit,"Iasked,"thatyoutoldusthatMr.AckroydsentforyouonFridaytohisstudy?Ihearnowthatitwasyouwhoaskedtospeaktohim."Foraminutethegirl’seyesdroppedbeforemine.
Thenshespoke.
"Imeanttoleaveinanycase,"shesaiduncertainly.
Isaidnomore.Sheopenedthefrontdoorforme.JustasIwaspassingout,shesaidsuddenlyinalowvoice:"Excuseme,sir,isthereanynewsofCaptainPaton?"Ishookmyhead,lookingatherinquiringly.
"Heoughttocomeback,"shesaid.
