Убийство Роджера Экройда

           Ferrarshassoldoutcertainsecurities,andthemoneyforthemwaspaidintoheraccountandnotre-invested.Asherincomewasalargeone,andshelivedveryquietlyafterherhusband’sdeath,itseemscertainthatthesesumsofmoneywerepaidawayforsomespecialpurpose.Ioncesoundedheronthesubject,andshesaidthatshewasobligedtosupportseveralofherhusband’spoorrelations.Iletthematterdrop,ofcourse.Untilnow,IhavealwaysimaginedthatthemoneywaspaidtosomewomanwhohadhadaclaimonAshleyFerrars.IneverdreamedthatMrs.Ferrarsherselfwasinvolved.""Andtheamount?"askedPoirot.

           "Inall,Ishouldsaythevarioussumstotalledatleasttwentythousandpounds.""Twentythousandpounds!"Iexclaimed."Inoneyear!""Mrs.Ferrarswasaverywealthywoman,"saidPoirotdrily."Andthepenaltyformurderisnotapleasantone.""IsthereanythingelsethatIcantellyou?"inquiredMr.Hammond.

           "Ithankyou,no,"saidPoirot,rising."Allmyexcusesforhavingderangedyou.""Notatall,notatall.""Thewordderange,"Iremarked,whenwewereoutsideagain,"isapplicabletomentaldisorderonly.""Ah!"criedPoirot,"neverwillmyEnglishbequiteperfect.Acuriouslanguage.Ishouldthenhavesaiddisarranged,n’est-cepas?""Disturbedisthewordyouhadinmind.""Ithankyou,myfriend.Thewordexact,youarezealousforit.Ehbien,whataboutourfriendParkernow?Withtwenty-thousandpoundsinhand,wouldhehavecontinuedbeingabutler?Jenepensepas.