Убийство Роджера Экройда

           ""YouthinkthatitwashewhoblackmailedMrs.Ferrars?""Eitherthat,or""Well?"Isaid,afterwaitingaminuteortwo.

           "Myfriend,Iwillsaythistoyou–Ihopeitwashe."Thegravityofhismanner,andsomethingindefinablethattingedit,reducedmetosilence.

           OnarrivalatTheLarches,wewereinformedthatParkerwasalreadythereawaitingourreturn.Asweenteredtheroom,thebutlerroserespectfully.

           "Goodmorning,Parker,"saidPoiroipleasantly."Oneinstant,Iprayofyou."Heremovedhisovercoatandgloves.

           "Allowme,sir,"saidParker,andsprangforwardtoassisthim.Hedepositedthearticlesneatlyonachairbythedoor.

           Poirotwatchedhimwithapproval.

           "Thankyou,mygoodParker,"hesaid."Takeaseat,willyounot?WhatIhavetosaymaytakesometime."Parkerseatedhimselfwithanapologeticbendofthehead.

           "NowwhatdoyouthinkIaskedyoutocomehereforthismorning–eh?"Parkercoughed.

           "Iunderstood,sir,thatyouwishedtoaskmeafewquestionsaboutmylatemaster–privatelike.""Precisement,"saidPoirot,beaming."Haveyoumademanyexperimentsinblackmail?""Sir!"Thebutlersprangtohisfeet.

           "Donotexciteyourself,"saidPoirotplacidly."Donotplaythefarceofthehonest,injuredman.