Убийство Роджера Экройда

           "HonesttoGod,sir,Ididn’t.I’vebeenafraidofthiscomingallthetime.AndItellyouIdidn’t–Ididn’tkillhim."Hisvoicerosealmosttoascream.

           "Iaminclinedtobelieveyou,myfriend,"saidPoirot."Youhavenotthenerve–thecourage.ButImusthavethetruth.""I’lltellyouanything,sir,anythingyouwanttoknow.

           Il’struethatItriedtolistenthatnight.AwordortwoIheardmademecurious.AndMr.Ackroyd’swantingnottobedisturbed,andshuttinghimselfupwiththedoctorthewayhedid.It’sGod’sowntruthwhatItoldthepolice.Iheardthewordblackmail,sir,andwell"Hepaused.

           "Youthoughttheremightbesomethinginitforyou?"suggestedPoirotsmoothly.

           "Well–well,yes,Idid,sir.IthoughtthatifMr.Ackroydwasbeingblackmailed,whyshouldn’tIhaveashareofthepickings?"AverycuriousexpressionpassedoverPoirot’sface.Heleanedforward.

           "HadyouanyreasontosupposebeforethatnightthatMr.Ackroydwasbeingblackmailed?""No,indeed,sir.Itwasagreatsurprisetome.Sucharegulargentlemaninallhishabits.""Howmuchdidyouoverhear?""Notverymuch,sir.ThereseemedwhatImightcallaspiteagainstme.OfcourseIhadtoattendtomydutiesinthepantry.

           AndwhenIdidcreepalongonceortwicetothestudyitwasnouse.ThefirsttimeDrSheppardcameoutandalmostcaughtmeintheact,andanothertimeMr.