Убийство Роджера Экройда

           Now,FloraAckroydlastsawherunclealive.Itmighthavelookedverynastyforher–verynastyindeed.It’smyopinion–andIgiveitforwhatit’sworth,thatRalphPatonisstayingawayonheraccount,todrawsuspicionawayfromher.""Come,now,"Iprotestedmildly,"yousurelycan’tsuggestthatayounggirllikeFloraAckroydiscapableofstabbingheruncleincoldblood?""Well,Idon’tknow,"saidMissGannett."I’vejustbeenreadingabookfromthelibraryabouttheunderworldofParis,anditsaysthatsomeoftheworstwomencriminalsareyounggirlswiththefacesofangels.""That’sinFrance,"saidCarolineinstantly.

           "Justso,"saidthecolonel."Now,I’lltellyouaverycuriousthing–astorythatwasgoingroundtheBazaarsinIndia…"Thecolonel’sstorywasoneofinterminablelength,andofcuriouslylittleinterest.AthingthathappenedinIndiamanyyearsagocannotcompareforamomentwithaneventthattookplaceinKing’sAbbotthedaybeforeyesterday.

           ItwasCarolinewhobroughtthecolonel’sstorytoaclosebyfortunatelygoingMahJong.AftertheslightunpleasantnessalwayscausedbymycorrectionsofCaroline’ssomewhatfaultyarithmetic,westartedanewhand.

           "EastWindpasses,"saidCaroline."I’vegotanideaofmyownaboutRalphPaton.ThreeCharacters.ButI’mkeepingittomyselfforthepresent.""Areyou,dear?"saidMissGannett."Chow–ImeanPung.""Yes,"saidCarolinefirmly.