Убийство Роджера Экройда

           Youknowallthereistoknowabouttheblackmail,isitnotso?""Sir,I–I’venever–neverbeen""Insulted,"suggestedPoirot,"insuchawaybefore.Thenwhy,myexcellentParker,wereyousoanxioustooverheartheconversationinMr.Ackroyd’sstudytheotherevening,afteryouhadcaughtthewordblackmail?""Iwasn’t-I-""Whowasyourlastmaster?"rappedoutPoirotsuddenly.

           "Mylastmaster?""Yes,themasteryouwerewithbeforeyoucametoMr.Ackroyd.""AMajorEllerby,sir-"Poirottookthewordsoutofhismouth.

           "Justso.MajorEllerby.MajorEllerbywasaddictedtodrugs,washenot?Youtravelledaboutwithhim.WhenhewasinBermudatherewassometrouble–amanwaskilled.

           MajorEllerbywaspartlyresponsible.Itwashushedup.Butyouknewaboutit.HowmuchdidMajorEllerbypayyoutokeepyourmouthshut?"Parkerwasstaringathimopen-mouthed.Themanhadgonetopieces,hischeeksshookflabbily.

           "Yousee,me,Ihavemadeinquiries,"saidPoirotpleasantly."ItisasIsay.Yougotagoodsumthenasblackmail,andMajorEllerbywentonpayingyouuntilhedied.NowIwanttohearaboutyourlatestexperiment."Parkerstillstared.

           "Itisuselesstodeny.HerculePoirotknows.Itisso,whatIhavesaidaboutMajorEllerby,isitnot?"Asthoughagainsthiswill,Parkernoddedreluctantlyonce.Hisfacewasashenpale.

           "ButIneverhurtahairofMr.Ackroyd’shead,"hemoaned.